Tannenbaum & Tours: Knife River tradition continues

• Nancy Ojard

Nancy Ojard poses by a Christmas tree in her home this week. Her home will be featured, along with two others, during the annual “A Country Christmas on the North Shore” home tour in Knife River. Matt Suoja
• Place Setting

A place setting at Nancy Ojard’s home. Matt Suoja

Talk about it

Walking into Nancy and Rich Ojard’s tucked-away home in Knife River will remind anyone of the holidays – plus you might see an architectural feature you’ve never seen before.

The house is built on bedrock with some of the rock actually inside the home serving as part of an interior garden.

Every nook and cranny tells a story. Almost hidden in a stairwell is a decorated Christmas tree. A few scars on the ceiling of the lower level mark where a previous Christmas tree was squeezed into the decor.

On Saturday you will be able to experience this for yourself touring three scenic homes in Knife River during “A Country Christmas on the North Shore.”

“We try and find some historical homes,” said Jacquie Sebastian, tour chair. Participants during the event are given historical sketches.

Nobody knows where they are going prior to showing up at the Knife River Recreation Center to prevent renegade tour treks.

The tour, which costs $10, is a fund-raiser for the Knife River Recreation Council’s youth programs. “It’s part of the Christmas tradition,” Sebastian said.

“A big project is flooding the ice rink,” Sebastian said of one of the causes the money raised will go to. Other events she said the funds would be used for include a children’s crafting event along with a Halloween party. It also helps pay for the upkeep at places such as the basketball and tennis courts and a playground in Knife River.

All of the work for the event is done through volunteers, including the work of the Knife River Garden Club making wreaths and centerpieces for the various homes on the tour. Sebastian estimated there are at least 25 volunteers involved in making “Country Christmas” happen.

Some Knife River businesses also give monetary donations to help out with the tours.

If you go

Tour a home

- Continuous tours run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Meet at the Knife River Recreation Center where there will also be crafters.

Cost is $10, which includes complimentary refreshments and cookies.

- Scenic Highway 61 is open to Knife River from Two Harbors. The detour begins at Central Avenue.

Tags: two harbors, community, knife river, home tour