Pictured above left is the home of Marlene & Robert Crozier. Casa de Crozier, the new California Craftsman set amid acres of orchards built by Marlene and Robert Crozier, was constructed on land settled in 1868 by Marlene’s ancestors, and tourers were fascinated by their extensive collection of South American art and furniture.The home was just one of the homes on the Santa Clara Valley Hospice Home & Garden Tour Sunday. At right is the living room of the Crozier home. Photos by Don Johnson

Homes & Gardens, Art Walk opens doors, hearts to Hospice

May 04, 2005
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula TimesVisitors had a fine time Sunday exploring wonderful houses and glorious gardens during the 22nd Annual Homes & Gardens of Santa Paula/Art Walk in The Oaks benefiting Hospice of Santa Clara Valley/Home Support Group. The daylong tour offered glimpses inside various and varied outstanding homes, strolls through lush gardens, a peek at the studio of a noted artist, a silent auction, opportunity drawing, extensive art exhibit in an outdoor venue, live musical entertainment, a plant sale and ice cream sundaes.Hospice Board President Cathy Barringer noted that a light threatened rain did not touch the highly popular annual event. “The weather was beautiful, the hosts were warm and gracious, and our more than one hundred volunteers worked very hard,” said Barringer. “Plus, we had very enthusiastic guests,” who enjoyed their visit to the outstanding homes and gardens of Santa Paula.Homes & Gardens Tour stops included the sunny custom Spanish Mediterranean home of Karin and Duane Lyders, who created a dance studio - complete with photos, posters and art depicting dancers - to indulge their love of ballroom dancing. At the former California ranch with a touch of the Orient home of noted architect John Stroh, visitors appreciated the dedicated preservation efforts of now owners Linda and Mark Bacin. Betty Stroh’s cherished oak tree beckoned visitors to its shady expanse.Casa de Crozier, the new California Craftsman set amid acres of orchards built by Marlene and Robert Crozier, was constructed on land settled in 1868 by Marlene’s ancestors, and tourers were fascinated by their extensive collection of South American art and furniture.The garden of wonder and art studio of art professor Dorothy Orr - who lives in the Savage Klein designed home with her husband, Harold Parker - offered numerous gardening tips including espalier flowering trees. The fascinated looks of the tour visitors were returned by the garden’s pond turtles as well as Orr’s Araucana chickens, layers of softly pastel colored eggs.“We’ve had people coming through all day,” said Hospice volunteer Donna Wills, who with her husband Bill was stationed at Holly Road, the location of the Art Walk and other activities. “Everyone says they’re having a wonderful time,” noted Bill Wills. “We’ve had a lot of out-of-towners.”
Margaret Johnson was showing her oil paintings, and although she has not painted in recent years, Johnson said that the positive reaction to her display just might get her back to the easel.“This is just fascinating,” said Lillian Snow of Camarillo as she perused the art display with several friends. “We’ve really enjoyed our visit to Santa Paula!”Wayne Allee was the lead scooper on the first shift creating the Baskin Robbins sundaes, and he said that visitor traffic had been steady. “We’re doing pretty good,” he noted of the crew set up to scoop, dress and garnish - including the pink spoons - the sundaes.The rustic Holly Road front garden of Lucinda and Dion Anderson was ground zero for tour relaxation including cookies, coffee, lemonade and live music. “We’ve had fabulous players” tickling the ivories of the Anderson’s grand piano, located inside their 100-plus year old rock home, said Dion Anderson. “I have three teachers lined up!”The works of noted artist Louise Saviers were going fast: Saviers had brought easy to carry items, including laminated book markers for little children and her signature small mixed media paintings. Saviers noted with a laugh that “If someone buys a gift tag I’m thrilled to death,” but Sunday’s response by tourers to her highly coveted work was especially gratifying.



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