Pixies, postcards among treasures, Christmas home tour is 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Managing editor
Pixies, postcards, and family heirlooms will greet guests in the home of Jerome and Donna Hajek, 320 N. Freeborn St., Marion, Sunday during the Christmas home tour.
Donna Hajek’s collections began with one piece — given to her by family members.
Christmas scene postcards on her Christmas tree date back to 1908 with one side showing Santa and mistletoe and the other the address and message from more than 100 years ago. The postcards are delicately displayed on the family Christmas tree in the dining room with jewelry — some family heirlooms, other garage sale finds.
“I enjoy going to garage sales to find these things,” Hajek said.
A friend gave Hajek an old lamp.
“I took the lamp apart and salvaged the globe,” she said.
The globe is now on display on the front porch with purple lights.
Also on display on a windowsill are advertisement cards with Christmas scenes on one side and Lions Coffee advertised on the other.
Wooden spindles used for wrapping fiber and painted by Hajek’s sister-in-law, Elaine Ewert, are lined up by the family’s fireplace.
“Elaine gives me one every year as a gift,” Hajek said.
The Hajek home has three stories with Christmas decorations on every floor.
Pixies decorate a bedroom on the second floor — cloth and ceramic.
“My mother started this when she gave me a pixie,” Hajek said.
The pixies are displayed on a wooden ladder, some on top of the shoulders of others. On a dresser, several ceramic figurines are displayed.
A child-size rocking chair, wooden carolers in the yard, and a sled on the porch were made by Hajek’s grandfather, Glenn Kline.
“The rocking chair was actually made from an old ice box,” Hajek said.
The carolers, made from wood siding, have withstood decades of wear. Ewert recently repainted the family treasure.
The Hajeks have two daughters — Kelly Kerschnen of Wichita and Kim Helmer of Marion, and five grandchildren.
Other homes on the tour
The homes on the tour with the Hajeks’ include homes of Andy and Staci Hansen, 1842 Quail Creek Road, Marion, Mike and Kathy Ehrlich, 2096 Sunrise Road, Marion, and Mark and Lisa Johnson, 2175 E. U.S. 56, Marion.
The tour also includes a Christmas village provided by Mary Jeffrey at Valley United Methodist Church, 300 E. Santa Fe St., Marion.