Five homes will be on display, decked out for Christmas, in this year’s Newton Dollars for Scholars Tour of Homes. The event is a major fundraiser for the Newton Chapter of Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America.
“Ninety-seven scholarships totaling $66,500 were awarded to students planning to attend vocational schools or four- or two-year colleges,” DFS president Lee Swenson said. “The local chapter of Dollars For Scholars was chartered in 1985 and is affiliated with the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America Inc. in St. Peter, Minnesota.”
Wittemberg Grange House
The second subordinate Grange in the U.S. was organized in Newton in 1868 by Andrew Failor of the Wittemberg community. The Wittemberg Grange House, built in 1914 and located at 6103 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton, is the only Jasper County hall built in standard Grange form that exists in its original form and location.
The Wittemberg Grange, which was organized in 1912, still meets at the hall, which is now privately owned by Linda Wormley.
Linda Bacon Home
Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Linda Bacon has lived in Newton at 607 S. Fifth Avenue W. since 2007. She said Christmas is one holiday she likes to decorate for and does so by decorating each room with its own personality.
The formal living room is decked out in a traditional style, accenting several pieces of furniture and memorabilia in the room handed down from ancestors. The dining room will provide a more modern twist, while the TV room has a whimsical, family spirit.
Maytag Guest House
The 10,000-square-foot former home of Fred Maytag II and his wife, Ellen, built on the south side of Cardinal Hills Golf Club in 1958, later became a guest house and meeting place for Maytag Company executives.
Walt Smith recently purchased the home from the Jasper County Foundation, and then sold the house and approximately four acres of land to Newton Community Development Director Bryan Friedman and his wife, Robyn, who have graciously opened the home for the tour.
Fred & Lea Chabot Home
Fred and Lea Chabot moved from rural Newton into town in 1996 after building this two-story Victorian style home at 930 E. 10th St. S. The home includes fleur-de-lis medallions in the windows created by local stained glass artist Mille McFate.
Ben & Carol Van Zee Home
Ben and Carol Van Zee moved into their home at 2655 Highway S74S in 19 years ago. Carol loves interior decorating, which makes decorating for Christmas an annual delight for her. Each room of the house is decorated in a color-coordinated fashion.