Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-style-parent:””;
font-size:10.0pt;”Times New Roman”,”serif”;}

The 2012 Brighton Heights house tour focused of Morrell Street (pictured above) as well as Fleming Avenue.

Home owners in Brighton Heights shared chocolate and their living space Sunday in the Brighton Heights Eighth Annual Chocolate House Tour.

The event featured 12 houses, each with a chocolate treat. Despite the June heat, the tour attracted over 400 visitors. 

Joan Bellisario, treasurer of the Bright Heights Citizens Federation, said the event was a huge success and worked to unite the neighborhood.

“These events are great because they coalesce the neighborhood. We even find that some neighbors have never really met,” said Bellisario.

The tour is encouragement to clean up for homeowners on the tour as well as other members of the neighborhood said Bellisario.

“We don’t necessarily tell anyone that they need to fix things up,” she said, “but usually everyone puts an effort forward in order to present the neighborhood in the best way possible.”

Larry Erlich, a six month resident of Brighton Heights, showed his house on Fleming Avenue.

“It is a very close and open neighborhood in addition to being affordable,” said Erlich. “You get a lot for your dollar. The houses are beautiful and the location is great.”

Erlich explained the community’s proximity to the North Shore is convenient for Brighton Heights’ multigenerational residents.

“We have residents who are newlyweds and others who have lived here all their lives. It is a diverse neighborhood in terms of ages,” said Erlich.

In addition to age diversity, the neighborhood boasts a variety of house styles said tour

The styles date back to the 1800s and add to the tour’s appeal.

“The history of the North Side and Brighton Heights is what makes this tour special,” said Krouser. “These homes all have a story.”

Compared to other house tours in the area, the Brighton Heights Chocolate House tour provides books to each visitor with detailed histories of each house, which said Krouser, is what helps this tour to stand out.

As the neighborhood’s primary fundraiser, the tour highlights the historical importance of the houses to bring attention and funds to the area.

The money raised by the event, about $5,000 according to Bellisario, has yet to be officially allocated

Some ideas for the funds include community projects, children’s events and a renovation to the BHCF’s brand new office space.

Though the event is primarily a fundraiser for the community, said Erlich with a laugh that the chocolate requirement per house makes it more like Halloween for adults.

“And now my grandchildren are fully prepared to dig into the leftovers,” he said.