Walking Into Christmas:

SYRACUSE - The Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club is hosting its Annual Christmas Bell Walk from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the first home you visit, or in advance at Village Florist, Syracuse, or any Garden Club member. The homes selected this year vary in style and decorations that visitors will find delightful. Three homes are located in Fox Run addition (just south of Wawasee High School, on Syracuse-Webster Road) in Syracuse, one in Ligonier, and the Kimmell Inn in Kimmell, plus a gift ship in Syracuse called Thordale Ivy Gifts.

For more information, call Carlene Corson, 856-2678, or Pam Schumm, 457-5145.

Home No. 1 - Larry and Christina Erb, 4571 E. Fox Run Drive, Syracuse.

This two-story country home is newly built. The interior is traditional and reflects the traditional Christmas decorations. With two young children, the nine rooms that are open to the walk reflect the joys of the season. Village Florist, Syracuse, is responsible for some of the decorations.

Home No. 2 - Brad and Julie Smith, Fox Run Drive, Syracuse.

This 9-year-old home is also two story, but its style is of a Victorian farmhouse. Flowers and ribbons in tones of mauve and cream are found everywhere from the tree to garlands throughout the house. A collection of Snowbabies, as well as a Christmas Village, reflect the Victorian theme of an old-fashioned, romantic Christmas.

Home No. 3 - Brad and Tracy Jackson, 4547 E. Fox Run Drive, Syracuse.

This traditional two-story home has an early 1900s decor with a number of antiques. There are a variety of painted murals throughout, such as the railroad and truck murals in the bedrooms and the dump truck disguising the laundry chute in the bath. The Christmas decorations are traditional, some being homemade.

Home No. 4 - Matt and Terri Gray, 701 S. Main St., Ligonier.

This 123-year-old home is in the architectural style of the French Second Empire and the interior is eclectic. The Christmas decorations feature many collectible items in the 18 rooms that will be open for the walk. Note the children's playhouse in the yard that is a duplicate of the main house.

Home No. 5 - The Kimmell House Inn (Shirley Hile), 1397 N. U.S. 33, Kimmell.

This 120-year-old Italianate home was built by Orland Kimmell and was recently opened as a bed and breakfast. The interior boasts a beautiful walnut staircase and interior wooden shutters as well as servants' quarters. The Christmas decorations are traditional with a tree in each of the rooms. Refreshments will be served in the home's summer kitchen.

Business - Thordale Ivy Gifts , Ind. 13S, Syracuse.

This unique gift and home accessory store, located between Augsburger's and Dairy Queen, opened this summer. It offers a variety of paintings, lamps and furniture created by local artists. Candles, crystal, prints, picture frames and custom-made silk arrangements are also available, many with a nautical/lake motif. The Jackson home will be displaying some of their gifts.