Bejeweled North Side mansions are dazzling

YOUNGSTOWN -- Several homeowners in the Historic District along Fifth Avenue here have collaborated to create a holiday tour of homes.

From angels to mangers to Santa to gingerbread, they feature a wide range in classic and modern holiday decorating. Though each is a historic location, the homes were built in different styles and eras, and owners said they styled their holiday themes to accent the exceptional original architecture of the homes.

The Fifth Avenue Boulevard Neighbors will present the six sites today from 5 to 7:30 p.m. as a fundraiser. Coordinators said most of the money raised will be used to purchase a historic district marker for the neighborhood.

The locations in the tour are privately owned, including five houses and the Printz Mansion, 1819 Fifth Ave., which has reopened as a bed and breakfast.

"Each house is so different. It's wonderful," said one participating homeowner, Agnes Hendrickson.

She is one of the owners to open her doors to the ticket-buying public as part of the fundraiser. Hendrickson said she spent about a month getting her house to its Christmas best, having done the work herself.

Bonnie Lucic said she started working on her home the second week of November, styling the decorations daily. Her home includes 14 lighted and decorated Christmas trees, which she said she created by hand. Only one was pre-lit.

One member of the neighborhood organization, Ted Szmaj, said the group aims to improve the area. About 24 to 32 people are involved in the group, he said.

Szmaj said they formed about three years ago to improve and better the neighborhood on the city's North Side.

"We wanted to see improvements on this corridor," he said.

One project they've accomplished so far is to plant and maintain flower beds on the median of the street's several blocks of divided boulevard. They have also worked with the city to get new trees planted and Christmas bows for the Victorian lamp posts.

"We've seen this work. Not only in our area, but in others as well," Szmaj said.

A limited number of tickets for the tour are still available for $15 per person, $25 per couple by calling Szmaj at (330) 744-7779. The ticket includes a discount for dinner at the Youngstown Club.

For a photo gallery of some of the homes, click here.