The Palmerton Concourse Club's Christmas House Tour was a success, despite an overcast and snowy afternoon. Over 300 people came out to take a guided tour of six festively decorated Palmerton homes from 1-6 p.m.

The homes that were featured were: the Martinez home; the Behler home; the Gasper home; the Serfass home; the Nothstein home; the Carty home.The tours originated at the Palmerton Community Center where tickets were purchased and map guides given out.Included with the ticket admissions were chili, baked goods and beverages, which were served at the center.Upon arrival to the designated houses, guests were greeted by tour guides and homeowners alike as they explained areas of interest and the history surrounding the rooms in the home.Barbara Shoemaker of Saylorsburg, along with her two co-workers, Cathy Jones and Stephanie Saas, enjoyed the Christmas house tour."The beauty of the Behler home is in the wood and I loved how each of the three daughters were here to give us a tour of their old bedrooms," said Barbara Shoemaker."We have really been looking forward to this tour. Every year we exchange presents in our office. This year we decided to go on this tour instead of buying presents for each other. We thought this way the Concourse Club could get the money and we could have a real fun afternoon seeing all the decorated homes," she added enthusiastically."This Gasper home is very nice and the thing that makes it really something to see is all of the pictures and artwork that is hanging on the walls," said Gwen Ebbert, a guide for the Gasper home."I would have liked to have seen more people come out and enjoy the home tour but we are happy with the amount who did and the weather may have played a part, too," said Linda Buchfeller, chairman of the Christmas House Tour 2009."Christmas is all about giving. The homeowners gave of their homes and the community gave their support to the Concourse Club and now we will give this money back into the community," added Buchfeller.Dispersal of the proceeds from the house tour will take place before the year's end.Is this the start up of the traditional Christmas House Tours for the Palmerton Concourse Club?Only time will tell. But if the enthusiasm of all those who did enjoy the tour had their say it would be a rousing "yes."