What is the Holiday House Tour?

The Concourse Club of Palmerton, every couple of years, has several homes that the owners decorate beautifully for the holidays and open for ticket holders to see.

What became a tradition began in 1976 with the first tour. In celebration of our country’s 200th birthday, the club started the tour and used it as a fundraiser for Palmerton Memorial Park. There were three homes open plus St. John’s Towamensing Church. It cost $1 for a ticket, and over 400 tickets were sold.

In 1990, the price was $5. A year later, the club invited Palmerton Area High School German class members to display their gingerbread houses in homes that were on the tour that year.

In the prior seven tours, 30 houses and four churches were shown. House styles have included a log cabin, a farmhouse and everything in between. It has been a successful tradition over the years.

Now that you know its history, let’s move onto this year’s tour.

The 2025 edition was the club’s eighth Holiday House Tour and happened on Dec. 5.

This year a ticket included a school bus ride to the three homes that were in out-of-town locations. The $20 price included the bus ride, provided by George’s Bus Company, entrance into five beautifully decorated homes, a chance to tour the Tea Room at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and to enjoy sweet treats, live music and warmth in the parish hall.

Four sold out buses headed out at staggered times and routes to visit the out-of-town houses. We met the bus at the S.S. Palmer Elementary School. Each had a bus hostess to greet everyone. The hostess, or bus elf, made sure no one was forgotten or got lost along the way and played games to pass the time while traveling.

Bus B was my bus, so we played some holiday trivia, talked about traditions that they do today or remember doing as a child, and favorite things of the holiday season.

First stop

Stop one for our bus was the home of John and Michelle Tegan. They like to refer to their home as “Our Chateau de Chillax.” Luminarias lined the paved driveway for a beautiful walk to the home. They are the second owners of the Cape Cod-style home that has a beautiful view of Blue Mountain Resort as a backdrop.

The 3,100-square-foot home was built in 1988 by Bob and Carol Freed on 10 acres of wooded land. The home has hardwood floors, a stone fireplace, three bedrooms, a large coffee bar that used to be a dining room, two bonus rooms and a two-car garage. The full-size basement is the perfect space for the home gym and woodworking shop.

Relaxing in the great room is one of the couple’s favorite spaces, and in the photo you will notice a cane by the fireplace to allude to the movie “Miracle on 34th Street.”

The window-lined room allows them to watch the outdoor scenery and enjoy the crackling sound of the fireplace. Michelle’s mother, Juliette Seguin Levesque, was a famous painter in New York, and an exquisite painting of Michelle’s brother Vincent’s French horn is proudly displayed. They are giving it a home until he comes back to the states. For over 50 years he has lived in Europe, and is a well-known hornist there.

Second stop

Stop two was the 7,400-square-foot Mediterranean mansion owned by Realtor Lorraine Sloss. Blue Mountain Resort supplies the beautiful backdrop to the home with eight bedrooms, five full baths, two laundry rooms and two sets of stairs.

Entering the driveway through the two brick pillars allowed you to take in not only the mansion but the lights from Blue Mountain. Windows 5 feet high and 6 feet high and three sets of sliding doors on the main floor allow natural light to beautifully fill the space and offer the scenes from outside.

She made the three-story home in 2020. Her theme for the house was Winter Wonderland, and it certainly did not disappoint with its 43 strands of garland and 26 trees, including a 20-foot one outside by the custom in-ground pool that faces the ski resort.

Tree heights ranged from 6 feet, 5 inches to 20 feet. The 110 Tavern was hired to provide hot cocoa and cookies, which were a nice treat, to add to the theme. The warm glow of all the trees and the lights from Blue Mountain Resort added to the ambience. She enjoys this home with her son, two granddaughters and her brother.

Her favorite room is the full bath shown in the photo. She gets to do hair for the girls for school and makeup for dance. The girls splash around in the tub like it’s their own personal pool year-round. Even in that room, the view of the mountain is easily seen. Even though it’s considered a mansion because of square footage, the feeling of home is felt everywhere. She likes to support locals and had Hager Furniture in Palmerton install electric shades that make it easy to shut out the light when needed but allow it in when wanted.

Third stop

Stop three was the home of Don and Teri Delich, which was built in 2020 by their son-in-law, Spalding Construction. This country cottage on 4 wooded acres was inviting.

They had said, “It is small in square footage but big in charm.” That is a truthful statement. With a wraparound porch it invites you from the start.

Upon entering the sunroom lined with windows, you feel like you’re standing in a snow globe. It’s a great spot to enjoy outdoor views. Ten-foot ceilings and custom-size windows allow for a spacious feel. The open-style floor plan allows you to be immersed in the space, and the beautiful piece of glass at the kitchen sink grabs your attention. This was the door panel from her parents’ home, which was placed there intentionally so it can always be enjoyed.

Switchback stairs from the master bedroom led to a cozy second-floor retreat that had wooden ceilings, skylights and brick walls. The space is often enjoyed with the grandchildren creating memories, or for them to enjoy a good book or movie. Eleven trees outside were decorated with 37 strands of lights, which created a nice glow to walk to the home.

This was the fourth time the couple had a home on a house tour. The first was their log cabin at Eagle Rock Resort, then twice at their Edgemont Avenue home, and now with this Southern Living cottage house plan.

Fourth stop

Stop four was the Craftsman-style home in town owned by Dr. Gary Kokosky and Dr. Shannon Sharkey. The house was built in 1913 across the street from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and sits above a large stone wall so it’s elevated. The views of town are amazing because of how it is situated.

They purchased the home in 2022. It was renovated by Gary, Shannon and their family, and in August 2023 they moved in. Previous owners who called this place home were the Behler, Christman, Holland and Kelton families. Keeping the original features, including the woodwork, was important to Gary and Shannon. Shannon loves to decorate year round and blends old with the new. She has treasured houses that were painted by her uncle that were beautifully displayed as well as two nicely decorated trees.

Fifth stop

Stop five was Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for two reasons. The church’s Tea Room was available to tour. The space can be rented for events such as private tea parties, bridal showers, baby showers, and more. If you are interested, call the church office. When you walk into the room you are surrounded by pretty items that create a feeling of warmth.

Then, speaking of warmth and goodies, as far as the eye could see was the hospitality center. Desserts and candy lined the table on stunning glassware. Live music filled the space, and hot beverages were ready to help remove the chill. This too was decorated with a beautiful touch, and the glow from the holiday lights made it feel like a warm hug.

Sixth stop

The last stop, number six, was the home of Michael and Melissa Martinez. You could walk or drive to the in-town locations. Choosing to walk allowed the glow of the three-story Victorian house to lead the way. It was built in 1901 and was designed to be the home as well as the medical office for Dr. Catterson and his family.

In 1905, St. John’s Episcopal Church broke ground and chose to purchase the Victorian to be used as the church rectory. Members of the clergy lived in the home throughout the years, but most recognizable was pastor George McKinley (1925-1960). Some longtime locals will also remember Dr. Faith Ingles, who taught piano and voice lessons in the first-floor turret room, where the current owners’ travel tree stands for the holiday season.

From 1992 to 2001 it was privately owned again, but was for sale in 2001. May of 2001 is when Dr. Michael Martinez and his wife, Melissa, purchased the house and decided to call it home and raise their family.

Over the years they have restored the home to its true integrity. Being amazing stewards and having the help of the original blueprints, they removed walls that were added throughout the life of the home.

Transoms were put back into place where they belonged to follow the original design. The couple made personal touches to the home by updating the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room. For a family of five, updating those spots helped meet family needs.

What features make this home unique in Palmerton? The turret, decorative woodwork, built-in cabinetry and original hardwood floors, have made it unique for 124 years.

About the club

Each of the homeowners was gracious enough to allow the almost 200 visitors through their doors to experience their beautiful homes decorated for the holiday season.

The tour sponsored by the Concourse Club of Palmerton happens every couple of years.

What is the Concourse Club? It’s an all-women’s club that has been around since January 1915.

Some of the club initiatives you might recognize include the free concerts in Palmerton Borough Park on Sundays in the summer; the Guiding Star program that recognizes five outstanding senior young ladies from the Palmerton Area High School; and high school scholarship awards.