Homes tour to include Liberty Theatre

Monday, November 19, 2007
The Liberty Theatre will host this year's Homes for the Holidays music program, featuring performances by a variety of local and area vocalists and musicians. As it does every year, the program will include holiday favorites ranging from Christmas carols to popular holiday selections. Tribune photo/Jason E. Silvers

This year, the annual music program for the Homes for the Holidays tour will take place Dec. 8 and 9 at the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main St.

Built in the the late 1800s, the Liberty Theatre is a landmark in Fort Scott. Inside the theatre, guests can see two handpainted murals created in 1951 by artist George Kieffer. The south mural depicts the fort, with a garrison on the parade ground. The north mural shows a scene of the early town of Fort Scott. Both murals depict Fort Scott and its people as they were in 1842.

Once a popular local movie theatre, the Liberty has become a live entertainment venue. In recent years, it underwent restoration, not only returning it to its former grandeur, but turning it into an elegant gathering place for special occasions and a favorite nightspot where well-known musical acts perform on a regular basis.

Although no information is available as to the building's original owners, it was, at one time, owned by local businesswoman Rosalie Stout. Sometime in the early 1980s, she sold it Mo-Kan Drive-In, Inc., which remodeled the building and converted it into twin movie theaters. Later, the company sold it to Nevada, Mo. theater owners Jane and Jim Novak, who then sold it to a licensed contractor, Mike Flannelly. It is now owned by a group of local business partners and is operated by businessmen Dallas and Jim Smith.

On Saturday, Dec. 8, performers will include the following: 11 a.m. -- music students of Leota Anthony; 11:30 a.m. -- an as-yet undesignated performer; noon -- vocalist Nichola Traul; 12:30 p.m. -- vocalist Dee Irwin and friends; 1 p.m. -- vocalist Linda Jackson; 1:30 p.m. -- musicians James and Raquel Beltz; 2 p.m. -- vocalist and guitarist David Prickett; 2:30 p.m. -- vocalist Lori Pommier; 3 p.m. -- the Allen County Community College Choir; 3:30 p.m. -- vocalists Ryan and Amber Goodbody.

On Sunday, Dec. 9, performers will include the following: 2 p.m. -- vocalist Sally Eckles; 2:30 p.m. -- saxophonist Carl Carlisle; 3 p.m. -- the Fort Scott Community College Choir; 3:45 p.m. -- vocalist Amanda Johnson; 4:15 p.m. -- vocalists and musicians Gary and Ann Tebbets; and 4:45 p.m. -- flutist Dian Combs.

Homes on the tour will include The Lyons Twin Mansions -- the home of Nate Lyons and daughter Addison, 750 S. National Ave., and the home of Larry and Pat Lyons, 742, S. National Ave. -- and The Levine House, home of Cynthia Levine, 747 S. National Avenue. In addition to being private residences, all three are available for overnight guests, as well as parties and meetings.

Tour goers will also want to see The Scottish Rite Temple, 110 S. Main St., which boasts an Austin Brothers pipe organ valued at nearly $2 million, and more than 100 painted backdrops created in 1901 by artist Thomas G. Moses. The backdrops will be changed throughout the tour weekend for tour goers' enjoyment.

The Fort Lincoln School, 18th and Horton St., is a favorite on the homes tour. Built in 1864 near Fulton, it was moved in the 1970s to its current location. Volunteers from the local Association of Retired School Personnel will be there throughout the tour weekend to share information with tour guests.

Free stops on the tour, this year, will include the Christmas Ball from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 8, and the Stocking Stuffer at Fort Scott Community College Arnold Arena, where tour goers can shop for unique and beautiful hand-made gifts. While shopping, they can stop and enjoy a barbecue brisket lunch or buy tasty desserts at the bake sale.

A special Moonlight and Mistletoe tour of the three homes tour residences will take place from 6-8 Friday, Dec. 7, and will include a festive light buffet and a glass of bubbly beverage at the Nate Lyons home. Tickets for the Moonlight and Mistletoe tour are $20 per person. This special tour is limited to 100 guests. Moonlight and Mistletoe tickets, in addition to the special evening tour, will entitle their holders to admission at any of the Homes for the Holidays stops throughout the tour weekend.

Regular Homes for the Holidays tour tickets are $8 each. Tickets for both the Moonlight and Mistletoe tour and the Homes for the Holidays tour may be purchased at Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main St., or at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St.