Featured Homes
Home for the Holidays
Join the Johnson County Young Matrons as they present their 17th annual homes tour featuring festive homes and benefiting worthy charities.

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It’s been said that hands build a house but only hearts can build a home — and it’s that combination of labor and love that makes the 17th annual JCYM Home for the Holidays Tour a much-anticipated holiday event. Three exquisite homes in Leawood’s prestigious Pavilions Estates and one home in Mission Reserve will be open to the public on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Volunteering their time and talents, area designers and decorators will beautify each home for the holidays, while proceeds from the tour benefit area charities. “We are profoundly reminded every day of the freedoms we have in this country,” says Debbie Hedenkamp, JCYM president. “It is truly an American tradition to celebrate home and hearth, and it is especially meaningful when we can do it in such a way that  benefits those in need in our community. We are thankful for our generous business community and the outpouring of community support that ensures the tour’s financial success year after year.” The major underwriters of this year’s Home for the Holidays Tour are First National Bank and Summit America. Tickets are available November 1-19 at most local Hen House and Hy-Vee grocery stores for $18 each; tickets are $20 at the door the day of the tour.

The Lodge of Ironwoods Park in Leawood is the new site for the tour’s two-day holiday boutique on Tuesday, Nov. 18 and Wednesday, Nov. 19. “We are excited that this year’s homes and boutique are all within  a 1.5-mile radius,” says Sharman Wilson of JCYM. More than 40 vendors will feature extraordinary wares and gift items at the boutique, which is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with free admission.

Kicking off this year’s homes tour is a special preview celebration called Jeans & Martini Night on Monday, Nov. 17 from 5-8 p.m. at The Lodge of Ironwoods Park, located at 147th Street and Mission Road. The event offers a special opportunity to relax and shop with good friends, delicious finger foods from local restaurant Wil Jenny’s and a specially created martini by Kathy Pelz, Veselbev Company — all included in the $15 admission donation. Reservations are required.

JCYM, a philanthropic organization with more than 250 members, promotes and fosters charitable, literary and educational activities in the county. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Community Disability Network, Friends of Johnson County Nursing Center, Friends of Shawnee Indian Mission, Headstart of Shawnee Mission, Johnson County Christmas Bureau, Safehome, TLC for Children and Families, and JCYM Charitable Gift Fund. This year the organization is celebrating its 47th anniversary. For more information, visit www.jcym.net.


Exterior photos are of homes featured on the 2008 Tour. Interior photos are from the 2007 Tour.

Designers and participating stores from last year’s tour include Brown Wrappings, Rooms That Bloom, Nelson & Taylor,  Williams-Sonoma, Jan Rosche, Belle Maison, Pottery Barn, Craig Sole designs, and Crate & Barrel.

Click on the following pages to learn more about the 2008 Tour Homes.