  
|
Homes & Heritage Sites
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2016
Perfect Scents Home
Back by popular demand!
"Over the years we think we've had hundreds of women visit our Perfect Scents Christmas decorating workshops in the studio over our home. If that's taught us anything it is that everyone has a creative spark in them to be great home decorators. We've learned as much from those women as we've taught. We consider it a real blessing to have shared our home all those years with those friends.
We've also spent 17 years helping to create and market one of the largest craft sales in Manitoba – Scattered Seeds. It's fair to say we've picked up a few holiday decorating ideas and decorations from all those years of being surrounded by incredible decorators from all across Manitoba and beyond. So we really go all out for Christmas at our home.
Like a lot of people in this area we are great supporters of the good work being done at Nova House and proud to open our home to help raise money for their new home."
—Homeowners Shelley and Allan Molitowsky
BONUSEnter a draw for a free Perfect Scents Christmas décor workshop for you and a friend when you tour this house. We'll have one draw daily during the Homes for the Holidays tour for workshops delivered in December.
St. Peter, Dynevor Anglican (Old Stone) Church
"This rare stone church, built in 1853, sits on the traditional territory of Peguis First Nation. In fact St. Peter's is often referred to as Chief Peguis' Church as he was a member of the church and is buried at the site, along with many of his family. Chief Peguis has long been recognized as friend to the Selkirk Settlers who moved there in the early 1800s, helping the Scots survive long bitter winters in an unfamiliar land. This church (an earlier log version), a former parsonage and a school on the site linked the Scottish settlers and Chief Peguis' community. They farmed together, fished on the Red River, married and raised families together. The foundation and walls are stone quarried from the bank of the Red River and built by local volunteers, directed by Rev. Abraham Cockran. It is a rare example of a period church that continues to be heated entirely by wood stoves today and is only open a few times during the winter, but offers services from June to September. During restoration work in 2002-2003, archaeological work in the ground below the floorboards revealed indigenous artifacts dating back many centuries. In 1963, the St. Peter Dynevor "Old Stone Church" was designated a Provincial Historic Site. It is lovingly taken care of by a small but committed congregation that welcomes you into the past."
—The Congregation of the Old Stone Church
BONUSThis site is heated entirely by wood stove. Feel the warmth of the church, see age-old artifacts found in and around the church over the years and visit the gravesite of Chief Peguis.
Church of Blessed Virgin Mary the Protectress
Washrooms available
"Richly steeped in culture and traditions, the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary the Protectress of East Selkirk was built in 1951, but traces its origins to 1908 when the Ukrainian pioneers first arrived. The first church built in 1909 was at a different location and was a smaller wooden chapel but was destroyed by a fire. In 1914 a newer larger wooden church was built but the growing congregation soon needed a larger site on which to expand. The architectural designer of this present church was Reverend Father P. Ruh OMI, who was responsible for the creation of many Ukrainian churches across Western Canada with similar layouts. The church has ornate crosses upon domed towers on either side of the main entrance into the church. The newer brick and stucco church has a belfry, or bell tower, on the church grounds which houses two bells to announce special church holiday services and funerals. Come and visit a Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church traditionally decked out for Christmas by climbing the front stairs that represent the pathway to heaven."
—The Congregation
BONUSAfterwards, join us in the basement and stock up on fresh homemade Ukrainian treats for the holidays with 20 per cent of the sales going to support the choice charities at Homes for the Holidays. Then try your luck on the Silent Auction.
Cloverdale Bed and Breakfast
"The Jenkins' farm has been in the family since 1896, when William Thomas Jenkins moved his family here from Oxbow Saskatchewan. Tom Jenkins and I moved to the farm in 1971. Nine years later, our family of three kids started an adventure of building a log home. It took us four years to peel, scribe and fit the logs for the frame, another two years to construct the roof and two more years to finish the inside. We moved in on December 10, 1988. As the children grew through their teens, we farmed part-time, I taught school and Tom was Blacksmith at Lower Fort Garry National Site. As the kids followed their careers, Tom and I started another adventure and the house became part of Cloverdale Bed and Breakfast. Several years after the passing of my husband and with the help of my children, I added a craft school and a venue for weddings and events. We invite you to come, visit and share one of the best times of the year at Cloverdale in support of this fundraiser that helps provide a place for others who deserve and need safe homes."
—Pam Jenkins
The Carels' Home
"Ken and Christine Pollock, who owned a local concrete company, built this home in 1983 and brought in tons of granite, clay brick and concrete to create stately fencing, amazing retaining walls, a walk-out basement and a beautiful winding driveway. Apparently the fence bricks were reclaimed from a church in North Dakota. Our family bought the home and three acres on the Red River North in 2006. We knew right away that it had "great bones" and we have been lovingly renovating it ever since. An impressive stairway that led to 950 square feet of unused space now has a pitched ceiling, cozy nooks and open spaces for some of our nine grandchildren when they visit.
Decorating for Christmas has always been a big event for us. We have many collections accumulated over 44 years that we'll be reusing and upcycling to transform our home into a delight for the Homes for the Holidays guests. We lean towards a traditional style with an aim to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Hopefully you will come away with a renewed Christmas spirit!"
—Margaret-Anne and Gregg Carels
Gingerbread House
"What we first loved about this house was the location on Eveline Street in Selkirk. It was set back off the street surrounded by a canopy of mature trees. Built in 1898, we learned the Kreutzer family had lived here. The local REALTOR® Evan Kreutzer had a lot of interesting history on the property – like the kitchen was the original woodshed. When we bought it most of the work was from the 1950s period, but we could see the great potential in this unique home. It was solid and just needed some loving care, which is what we gave it.
Gordon is a plasterer and I am a creative person who loves colour. We went to work, and through the last few years we have made ourselves a lively home with primary colours inside and out. We added a large garage and a deck, which is very well used by family and friends. The local kids have knicknamed our home the Hansel and Gretel House or the Gingerbread House for its playful window frames and bright colours. We are happy to support the affordable housing projects in our community through the Homes for the Holidays fundraiser and welcome you this season."
—Bev and Gordon Hart
BONUSEnter the back door, let the bright colours energize you, and exit through Bev’s art studio.
Krista's Family Home
"I always loved this house growing up. I grew up just down the street from it and when it came onto the market in August 2015 my family and I jumped at the opportunity to call this house our family home. The house was built somewhere around 1920 and had a major renovation done to it in the late 80s. The homeowner at the time did an amazing job keeping with the traditional feeling of the house. All the original windows and mouldings were kept. The house was opened up inside and made to be more open concept, making this an amazing family home.
Decorating for Christmas has always been an important family tradition for my family. My Gran always gave me a new Christmas tree decoration every year and my mother continues that tradition now for my daughters now. It's exciting to open the boxes every year and remember all the decorations and what year we received them. We're excited to open our house for the Homes for the Holidays tour this year and hope you enjoy our home as much as we do."
—Krista and Graham Smerchanski
BONUSFind Christmas crafts for sale inside, of which 20 per cent of the sales will go back to support the choice charities at Homes for the Holidays.
Grandma's House
"My house shares the street with three churches. It was built around 1920, or so my Grampa said. His brother Roy Hooker helped build the house for his friend Fred Gibbs. The Gibbs family lived and raised their family in this house for 50+ years. In 1978 when I had a young family of my own I saw a ‘for sale' sign out front and with my husband out of town, bought it and we raised our four daughters in it. It's been a warm, friendly, welcoming home. Architecturally it's considered cottage style and I have tried to maintain its design integrity. I've chosen the soft yellow, white and grey for its friendly open feeling. As an artist, even when I haven't been painting pictures I've been using this house as my canvas to express my love for family, friends and community. I've always reveled in decorating for Christmas. I grew up in a home that was filled with peace and love and magic at Christmas. I hope to create an environment that brings out those feelings in anyone who walks through my doors.
My sister, Beth, who lost her battle with cancer two years ago, shared my love of Christmas. We didn't always exchange gifts but if I saw something special that made me think, ‘Beth would love that' I would get it and gift it to her at Christmas.
Our family's shared love of Christmas is expressed in our exuberant love of decorating as part of our celebrations."
—Joen Hadfield
BONUSYou’ll find artisans’ crafts here as well, perfect for decorating or gift giving, with 20 per cent of proceeds going to our charities.
Gwen Fox Gallery
Washrooms available
"The Gwen Fox Gallery is the epicenter of art in the region, hosting artists and their works for over two decades. Originally this historic building was the post office and customs house, built in 1907 when the land cost $50.00. The local police department and the ‘Indian Agent' were on the second floor. The building served its original function until 1957, when the post office moved to a new location. A local developer bought the property, built partitions, and used the building as a "rooming house". It was condemned in 1979 as unfit for human habitation. The future looked grim and the building seemed destined for demolition. But in 1984, its fortune changed. A Selkirk group dedicated to both the arts and protecting the historic building—led by artist and philanthropist Gwen Fox—saved the site. The tireless volunteers raised about $450,000 from the federal, provincial and local governments to return the building to some of its former glory. It was officially re-opened in 1991. However, as grants and monies from the government became increasingly more difficult to obtain, the debts became greater and greater until finally the "Old Post Office", home of the Selkirk Community Arts Centre, was scheduled to go up for tax sale in September 1998. Again, a group of volunteers dug in their heels and with some help from the City of Selkirk, once more saved the building, which remains home to the Arts Centre and the Gwen Fox Gallery as well as to the tenants who share space on the second and basement levels."
—The Board and Volunteers of Gwen Fox Gallery
BONUSStop and take a break in the Gallery’s lower level at the Victorian Tea, with tea from Three6Tea. Look for unique Christmas tree decorations and original art for holiday gifts.
Riverside Grill
Washrooms available
Riverside Grill is an authentic 1950s diner. Dan Patzer built the restaurant on the Red River in Selkirk in 1949 and ran it until 1994, a whopping 45 years! After being closed for three years Dan's son and his wife re-opened it and ran the restaurant until 2011. In all those years the authentic 1950s look—with booths and a milkshake counter and stools—remain intact. When we play your favourite "sock hop" tunes you'll wish you'd brought your poodle skirt. In fact the "Back to the Future" look of the Riverside Grill attracts filmmakers from Manitoba and Hollywood, who have featured it in several films over the years including the recent "Heaven is For Real". When Community Living Selkirk heard that the Riverside Grill was up for sale recently it recognized a great opportunity to open a social enterprise in an iconic building that had been part of the community for as long as most people could remember. Today the diner is still a blast to the past, with a great future helping to train people for careers in the restaurant business. All of us at Community Living Selkirk welcome you to make us your respite on the Homes for the Holidays tour and enjoy a free coffee, tea or hot chocolate courtesy Travel Manitoba. Know that by eating at the Riverside Grill you are helping to build an inclusive community one meal at a time.
BONUSStop by to enjoy some oldies but goodies music while snacking on homemade treats. Pick up some homemade baking and homemade Christmas gifts everyone loves.
