Best Bets: AAUW hosting annual Tour of Homes; Celebrating the Fall Harvest

Published 8:16 am Thursday, September 26, 2019

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be holding its Tour of Homes from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.

Three Austin homes will be open for touring as part of this scholarship fundraiser to help students who attend Riverland Community College.

All three homes were chosen for their ‘varied and unique features that reflect the interests of the owners,’ according to AAUW organizers.  The three homes are all within city limits.

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Homes featured on this year’s tour include:

• 2401 Seventh Ave. SW — This unique 1959 mid-century home owned by Steve and Shari Mason will showcase many furnishings purchased from Habitat for Humanity ReStore, rummage sales and other collectors of 1950s mid-century décor.  The home was built by Marian and Hal Sessions and is designed with floor to ceiling windows.

Original features of the home include the copper fireplace, cabinetry and flooring, a galley kitchen with pass through window to dining table, bamboo closet doors and basement window coverings.

• 1618 27th St. NW — The home of Annemarie and Mark Vaupel features an extensive kitchen addition and remodel, highlighted by custom cherry cabinets and rustic hickory floors, designed by Mark that was completed in 2018. Other noteworthy features of the home include a two-acre lot adjacent to a cornfield and a beautiful three-season porch enabling lots of wildlife viewing. The home also features an indoor putting green/exercise room and a newly added (and yet to be finished) wine cellar.  Mark’s office also features an extensive collection of Hummels from Germany that he inherited from his mother meticulously displayed in a curio cabinet. The home was built in 2004.

• 800 27th St. SW — This spacious traditional two-story family home of Heather and Jeremy Johnson was built in 1991. It includes a formal dining room and formal living room on the main floor as well as a large sunny south-facing dining area off the kitchen. Hardanger handwork is displayed throughout the house, along with vacation photos and unique artistic presentations of the children’s handprints and footprints. Interesting antiques from family homes and farm are attractively used in many areas. The rooms of their 8 and 10-year-old sons display their collections, their artwork, and their interests.

Tickets are $15 per person, with proceeds going to local students attending classes at Riverland. Tickets are available at Coffee House on Main, Hy-Vee, from AAUW members, and at the tour homes during the tour.


There were plenty of pumpkins for the good turnout to last year’s festival. Herald File Photo

Celebrating the Fall Harvest

The Mower County Historical Society will hold its annual Fall Harvest Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

“The event is a celebration of fall,” said MCHS Director Randy Forster. “We’re going to have wagon rides, horses, antique cars and a huge bake sale.”

Visitors can watch volunteer demonstrations, try their hand at traditional crafts and chores, enjoy live musical entertainment, and join in with great activities for the kids.

Most of the events will take place in the MCHS Ag Building.

For more information, call 507-437-6082.


Schedule of Events

Friday

• Defensive Driving Class, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Four-hour refresher course to earn 10percent discount on your insurance premium. Cost for members is $17, non-members is $20. To sign up or for more information, call 507-433-2370.

• Soup and Salad Bar, 4:30 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Enjoy soup and a full salad bar with all sorts of goodies – lettuce with all the toppings and at least two other salads and breads. Soup and salad plate, one trip – $4, or all you can eat for $8 (clean plate every time). For more information, call 507-433-2370.

• Kay Sea Club Bingo, 5:30 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Citizen Center. Cost is $12 for a packet. 15 games will be played. For more information, call 507-433-2370.

• Chateau Speedway – Autumn Extravaganza 1, 7 p.m. at Chateau Speedway in Lansing. First green flag at 7:15 p.m., with USRA A Mod, USRA B Mod, WISSOTA Midwest Mod, WISSOTA Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Hornet and Mini Mod. Along with regular payouts, drivers will be awarded points for each night with the top 10 in each class receiving a third payout. Admission $10 for adults, $5 for pre-teens, free for under 5. For more information, call 507-440-8238.

Saturday

• Sacred Heart Care Center Auxiliary Craft and Bake Sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Care Center. Raffle items include a queen-size quilt and a HP laptop computer. Other items include baked goods, silent auction, crafts, gourmet items, treasures and great prices! A sloppy Joe lunch will also be available.

• Kids’ Studio – Spanish Edition: Upcycled Containers, 10:30 a.m. at the Austin ArtWorks Center. With Gabriella Alva and Alondra Vasquez. Taught in Spanish and English. For kids ages 5 to 10 years. Cost: $5. To sign up or for more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Chateau Speedway – Autumn Extravaganza 2, 7 p.m. at Chateau Speedway in Lansing. First green flag at 7:15 p.m., with USRA A Mod, USRA B Mod, WISSOTA Midwest Mod, WISSOTA Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Hornet and Mini Mod. Along with regular payouts, drivers will be awarded points for each night with the top 10 in each class receiving a third payout. Admission $10 for adults, $5 for pre-teens, free for under 5. For more information, call 507-440-8238.

• Sola Fide Observatory Viewing, 8-10 p.m. at the Sola Fide Observatory. Come out and discover fascinating facts about the night sky during our free observatory open house hours. For more information, call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org.

Sunday

• Kay Sea Club Bingo, 1:30 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Citizen Center. Cost is $12 for a packet. 15 games will be played. For more information, call 507-433-2370.