Willistead Manor is ready for Christmas, and you're invited for a tour
CBC
Willistead Manor is once again welcoming visitors to tour the Walkerville jewel, decked out for the holiday season.
Each room of the manor gets its own theme for the holidays, and teams work to bring their ideas to life.
Connie Pitman is president of the group Friends of Willistead, the group that takes on the holiday tours with the city and partners. She says decorating the grand property is a big effort.
"It is quite an undertaking to say the least," she said. "We began really months ahead of time and we have to look at each room ... I'll tell you, it's a lot fo moving pieces but we have a lot of help in the process."
Teams look at each room, deciding on how they want it to look. They then get to work buying any new decorations needed, then start the work.
Pitman said some interior designers are involved, and the City of Windsor workers help to put up trees on the property.
"It's about ... a solid four days of work to get the job done," she said.
The annual holiday program was on hiatus during the pandemic, and Pitman said they're expecting a very busy year for 2022.
"To be honest, everybody was so excited to have Willistead open again, we've just been working night and day," she said.
Willistead's coach house will be open for visitors as well.
Opening in July of this year, the coach house has recently been restored and features historical artifacts of Hiram Walker's family, and two dresses of family members, said Pitman.
"Edward and Mary Walker hosted 'At Home' parties, filling Willistead with folks to celebrate and make memories together," said Christopher Lawrence Menard, cultural development and Willistead Manor co-ordinator, in a press release from the city.
"Today, we honour that tradition through our 'At the Manor' series of poetry readings, live arts performances, themed dinners and more. Willistead Manor has always been and will always be a community gathering place — a backdrop for so many significant life moments."
Willistead holiday tours run Sundays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Some people from a northern Saskatchewan reserve were left without phone landline and internet services for weeks, and wonder why it took so long for SaskTel to address the issue.
Alberta’s rate cap is deepening financial losses in the province's auto insurance market, industry experts say, as a new report found auto insurers lost more than $1.2 billion in 2024.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says an atmospheric river will take aim at British Columbia's south coast this weekend as heavy rain continues to batter the north coast.
Islanders packed into the temporary location for the Charlottetown Farmers' Market Saturday, marking the first day operating on North River Road in the former Sporting Intentions space.
More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in Richmond Hill, Ont., Saturday to show solidarity to protesters in Iran, fighting against the country’s financial collapse and the regime that led to it.
The City of Toronto began its first pothole repair blitz of the year Friday with crews working to fill potholes across the city overnight and into Saturday.
One of the best gifts Cameron Eckert got for Christmas was a sighting of four white-tailed ptarmigan.
Mayor Jeromy Farkas, along with City of Calgary officials, will provide an update at 1 p.m. Saturday on the work to repair the ruptured Bearspaw south feeder main.
As Kaschechwan First Nation navigates a water crisis, families are having to get by with one case of water bottles per day.
Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for much of the Maritimes, beginning Sunday morning.
Organizers of a long-running food and wine show that showcases the country's best booze aren't letting a growing trend that sees Canadians drinking less alcohol stop the London event.
Robert Grenier, an archaeologist known for pioneering underwater exploration, has died.
In just over a month, millions of Canadians will be gathering to watch ice hockey at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.