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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Tour the Historic Homes of WayneThe doors will be opened to some of Wayne's most charming and classic homes during this year's Homes of Wayne Tour. Wayne's homes will be showcased on Saturday, September 12, 2009. Featured on the tour will be examples of nineteenth-century architecture, lakeside homes, uniquely designed contemporary houses, fall gardens and several architectural landmarks. The Wing Family Cemetery, known as the "Wing Ring" will also be open. Complimenting the open houses will be displays of vintage vehicles and classic wooden boats. The Tour's ten homes are easily accessible by car and can be visited in any order. The route is a loop of approximately eight miles. One of the featured stops is the Fyler Farm, a traditional New England home, built in the 1840's and situated on 42 acres of rolling fields and lovely woodlands. The original farmhouse was extensively remodeled by Robert and Linda Gatti Fyler in 1996 and incorporates many of the original hand hewn beams from the early farmhouse. The maple flooring throughout the house came from the Guilford High School gym and the oak wainscoting and window and door trim were salvaged from a local farmstead. The Fylers have carefully recycled many of the original fixtures, using the sea green boards from the summer kitchen as pantry doors next to the fireplace. The dry sink in the bathroom was also salvaged from the summer kitchen. Interesting antiques and collectibles, many purchased on their trips abroad, are displayed and Linda's hand painted floor cloths and art from her mother, local Wayne artist, Dorle Gatti, also decorate their home.
The gardens are their pride and joy and also incorporate "found objects." The steps leading to the entrance were originally granite foundation slabs found on the property. The Fylers farm organically and with their mini greenhouses are able to extend their growing season, sometimes as late as December. Undoubtedly Wayne's most unique home will enthrall tour goers with its soaring ceilings and unusual architecture. "The Dome Home," completed in 2008, is the dream home of Cindie Greaton and her late husband, Jim, who together dreamed of someday building a fuel efficient geodesic dome. From the entry, one enjoys a view across the 46' diameter dome to a bank of triangular windows which overlook Lake Pocasset. The Dome Home was manufactured as a kit, specifically for this location, and was shipped to Wayne, with the installation and finish work done by Dunbar Custom Homes. Access to the crowning cupola is through a hidden staircase on the second floor. The finish carpentry, spiral staircase and beautiful wood used throughout make this unusual building not only a home, but also a piece of art. Other showcased buildings on the Tour include an 1840's farmhouse, several beautifully restored lakeside homes nestled on the shores of Lake Pocasset, The Franklin House, (one of Wayne's early hotels), complete with a ballroom, and a traditional looking home, built in 1996 as a compromise between a wife who wanted an old historic home and a husband who wanted less maintenance. Another unique stop on the Tour will be at the 1854 North Wayne Schoolhouse, which closed in 1962 after 108 years of service. It has been lovingly restored through the efforts of dedicated community volunteers and help from the Town. The schoolhouse's architectural details are elegant and a cut above the numerous one room school houses that can still be seen across the state. It boasts a rare feature of a light filled, commodious second floor, and rarer still, a stage. Today Wayne's 1100 residents and even more summer residents appreciate the small town flavor of the village, the natural beauty of the lakes and green spaces, and the friendly atmosphere. Wayne residents were not surprised when the Boston Globe (September 14, 2004) published "The Search for the Prettiest Town" and pronounced Wayne "the prettiest friendly one" in New England. The 2009 Homes of Wayne Tour is a benefit for the Wayne Community Church and the Cary Memorial Library, both historic and revered institutions in Wayne. The event is generously underwritten by Presenting Sponsor Kennebec Savings Bank and Gold Sponsors Downeast Energy and Pat Ladd/Homestead Realty. For more information, call Read more on the historic homes of Wayne. | ||
