HCC's Home and Garden tour returns this year

It’s been only a year, but it seems like forever. After taking a year off from the event, the Heights Community Congress will present "Imagine If . . . ," the 33rd Heights Heritage Home and Garden tour. The tour is a community-wide celebration of diversity in Cleveland Heights—its people and the homes in which they dwell.

The festivities will begin on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Preview Party, with a toast given by local author and historian, Marian Morton, this year’s honorary tour chairperson. Lolley the Trolley will convey patrons and partygoers to a preview tour of the featured homes and then return to the benefit party at the College Club of Cleveland, located in Cleveland Heights.

According to Martha Goble and Claudia Cull, cochairs of the tour, "There will be delicious food, fantastic music by Blues DeVille and lots of fun and fellowship, in addition to getting a sneak peek at the amazing homes featured this year." They added, "This year we will be unveiling HCC’s new specialty drink, which comes in both alcoholic and nonalcoholic varieties—the Trolley-tini!"

Then on Sunday, Sept. 26, from noon-6 p.m., "tourists" will begin their trek through Cleveland Heights to visit the seven homes and four gardens featured in this year’s event. The selection of homes and gardens represents a truly diverse group-in architecture, history, design and décor. There is something for all tastes.

As a self-guided tour, people can travel at their leisure and by their preferred mode of transportation. Many people drive, some bike, and the truly hearty walk or run it. "It’s all up to you," said Kasey Greer, executive director of Heights Community Congress, "It’s a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon with family and friends."

The Home and Garden Tour is HCC’s largest fundraiser and all proceeds benefit the organization and its mission of preserving fair housing practices, diversity and community engagement programs and activities. For more information about the Preview Party, the self-guided tour, or to purchase tickets, visit www.heightscongress.org or call 216-321-6775.

Shirley Kasey Stockton, a Cleveland Heights resident of 26 years, recently moved to Texas, but remains deeply committed to the mission of HCC and the City of Cleveland Heights. So much so that she has already purchased her tickets for the tour.