The Eagles Cancer Telethon will hold its first tour of homes from 10 a.

Wednesday, November 24, 1999

The Eagles Cancer Telethon will hold its first tour of homes from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Cost is $7, and all proceeds go to the Eagles Cancer Telethon, which helps fund cancer research in Minnesota.

Tickets are available at Norwest Bank, Citizens State Bank of Glenville and Twin Lakes, the Eagles Club, Elks Club, Hanson Tire Service, Gals & Guys Beauty Shop, Andersens Hallmark and at the homes on the day of the tour.

There are six homes on the tour.

*&160;Ted and Gail Harty live south on County Road 18 just past the County Road 85 junction.

Gail has over 360 bears. Her first one was the 1986 Daytons’ Santa Bear. She’s since collected every Santa bear, as well as many others.

Bears can be found in every room in the Harty home. Among her prized possessions is a German Steiff bear purchased while on vacation in England. One of the newest bears in her collection is a Scooter bear, who has a place of honor in the living room.

Gail also has a Christmas room, which remains decorated all year long, and a toy room, which holds many memories from her childhood.

Refreshments will be served at the Harty home from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

*&160;Steve and Laurel Soper live just to the south of the Hartys. The couple purchased their country home in 1990, and in 1997 added a sunroom to open the view to the wooded backyard.

The country house features hardwood floors, homemade quilts and vaulted ceilings. Large picture windows show views of front and backyards with wildlife and woods.

The Sopers said decorating for Christmas is a highlight of the year.

*&160;Brian Klingbeil and Lisa Harty live at 461 Third Ave. SW, Wells. The three-bedroom rambler with a tuck-under garage was built in 1960. Originally the main floor was made of hardwood oak, but is now quarry tile, except for two of the bedrooms and the bath.

The house has a living room, dining room and an alley kitchen. The main floor is decorated with collections from Longaberger, Precious Moments, Boyds Bears and Gone with the Wind.

The basement is partially finished with a freestanding wood stove, a welcome feature on a cold winter evening.

A hot tub in a gazebo in the backyard can be used year round. The couple has landscaped around the hot tub and has also built a patio. Decorative river rock has been used around the entire house.

*&160;Joanne Petersen lives at 212 Burr Oak Drive in Albert Lea. She uses a Victorian theme to decorate, and visitors will see a sleigh with Father Christmas, a table of angels and a Dickens Village as well as a Christmas tree.

Other rooms in the home are decorated with small trees and Snow Babies.

Mr. and Mrs. Snowman greet people on the way down the stairs. The family room includes a flocked tree with &uot;fun&uot; ornaments, lights and animated figures going around the tree.

*&160;Woody and Gwen Stallkamp live on the north-south gravel road north of Wedge Nursery. Theirs is the first house on the left.

The 4,200-square-foot ranch-style home was custom-built in 1974. The Stallkamps have lived in the home since 1976. Fifteen years ago they added a three-season porch and deck in the back of the home and three years ago built a year-round sunroom on the front of the house. A mixture of decorating styles, including Modern, Southwestern, Mediterrean, Country, French Provincial and Traditional all blend together.

*&160;Doug and Leota Lind live at 1008 Frank Ave. The house was built in 1917 and the Linds are only the second family to own the home and property.

The Linds describe their home as a &uot;work in progress&uot; as they try to restore the home to its original 1900s beauty. It has everything from leaded and stained glass windows to solid oak woodwork.

The family, which also includes Kris, Casey and Zach, has decorated the home with a mixture of rare antiques and practical furniture. Don’t be surprised to find Beanie Babies and Legos mixed in with the collections.

The Linds believe every room should have at least a little bit of Christmas in it. They have 10 trees and thousands of lights inside and out.

Those on the tour are asked not to bring small children. No shoes may be worn in the homes, and footlets are required.