The kitchen/family room area of the Younge and Hopkins home is built for canning and preserving.

The Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific scores again with its third annual Home Tour, where each locale will make you wish you could book in for a long weekend. On Saturday, Oct. 9, six Gearhart area homes open their doors to ticket holders who can wander (and wish) both inside and out. Overlooking nothing, donated appetizers will be provided at each stop by local restaurants.

Clothing more than 1,000 children in the past three years, Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific is a guild of National Assistance League. Made up of 77 local women who volunteer to raise money to support Operation School Bell®, the program provides warm clothing and shoes for Clatsop County school children in need. “We also have programs that provide duffel bags for children in foster care, our Cinderella’s Closet provides prom dresses to girls in the local high schools and our Athletic Participation program helps cover the cost of sports fees and athletic equipment so high school kids who might not otherwise be able to afford it are able to participate in sports,” said Liz Knutsen, president of ALCP. Every penny raised goes back into the community, spent locally on clothing the kids.

Beginning north and working south, throw in another win for this year’s tour participants. In the gated community of Surf Pines, Charlie and Rinda Shea completed their home in 2005. Local contractor Steve Seeborg tied the home’s design to the well-known garden mastery of owner Charlie Shea, creating a slightly Asian flair. Open, lodge-like and welcoming, the home quickly accommodates overflow whether an adult gathering or a sleepover for the couple’s 11 active grandchildren. Local realtor Rinda Shea said, “I love my house and all of the ideas we stole’ from our friends, and all the creative work that’s been incorporated into our home by area artisans.”

In Pinehurst, Troy and Diana Podoll watch the wildlife and beach grasses constantly in motion. The large, bi-winged home’s many floor-to-ceiling windows frame an Andrew Wyeth-like expanse. Five years old, the Paul Caruana house “makes us feel like we’re in the Hamptons of the West Coast,” said Diana. The two-story home includes, among many other amenities, three fully separate bedroom suites, a home theater, exceptional tile work and the Podoll-labeled “cyber café.” A cautionary word to men: Troy Podoll’s spacious three-car garage (fully acknowledged by both Mr. and Mrs. as “his”) could lead to “garage envy” – consider yourselves forewarned!

Next up, D’Lorah and Peter Ter Har built their Highlands area home 16 years ago. Designed by Jeff Miller, D’Lorah’s father and brother built the house, and then the crafty Mrs. Ter Har unleashed her talents – move over, Martha Stewart! D’Lorah’s love of design and ability to “stage” are evident throughout the home. Three fireplaces, one with a hand-carved mantel by local artist Brian Cameron, all add to the home’s finished flair. Dinner, anyone? The table is set and beckoning.

Mike and Debby Brands’ 7-year-old home is located in Gearhart’s Shamrock Pines, inviting guests to walk slowly and carefully through the many micro-gardens, each displaying it own beauty and tranquility. “Wabi-sabi’ is the Japanese art of imperfect beauty,” said Debby, the woman behind the gardens. Difficult to believe, but true, Debby had never gardened before she undertook her garden project. “I always say that I must have been a Japanese orphan in another life,” she said. The home, built for two, is a combination of balance, art and well-thought-out function all working together in creative harmony.

The Gearhart home of Rick Younge and David Hopkins is all about making a home and doing some homemaking in a peaceful setting that includes gardening, canning and hanging the laundry out to dry. Bring on the jars and the clothespins – you will want to help! The home is simple and straightforward, but oh-so-thought-out defines the simple. The site’s original farmhouse, built in 1916, was totally replaced by local builder Roy Lloyd, though owners Younge and Hopkins saved the farmhouse fireplace mantel, the front door and “the original spirit.” A two-story main dwelling, its guest cottage and the surrounding gardens all based on hospitality definitely make you want to “set a spell.”

Last but far from least, Jim and Rose Kelly’s home in Gearhart’s Pacific Palisades, has arguably one of the best, if not the best, views in Gearhart. Taking in Tillamook Head to the south and the Washington Peninsula to the north, with the mountains and the ocean from the skyline to shoreline, the home’s panoramic setting didn’t go unnoticed when it was sited and placed in 1946. “I love that it’s such a happy house. It doesn’t matter if you wake up and it’s sunny or stormy, it’s the light in the house that won’t let you be in a bad mood. You don’t see the light as much as feel it,” said Rose. Each window is placed to capture the view. Three years ago, the home went though a major facelift but retained the original ranch-style influence, combining it with classic and elegant interiors. Built-ins galore, patios to the north and the south and a men’s bar/office combination are just the beginning of the re-do. Do you suppose Loretta Young have her own glove drawer? Rose Kelly does. Needless to say, atmosphere as well as views abound.

Not missing a beat or the chance to make more clothing available for more local kids, ALPC offers a Kelly’s home “basement level” bonanza. A silent auction and early Christmas shopping is available as local retailers provide a wonderful shopping opportunity, donating a percentage of all purchases to the ALCP cause. Coffee, sweets and a place to unwind will be waiting too.

Major event sponsors Columbia Memorial Hospital and the Bank of Astoria are well supported by individual house sponsors and community advertisers. And with Baked Alaska, Bridgewater Bistro, Fulio’s Pastaria, Gearhart Grocery, Newmans at 988 and the Stephanie Inn manning the six homes, ready to titillate your tastebuds and keep your energy level high, those ALCP volunteers do their best to make sure all of our local school kids stand proud, feel good and stay warm, too.