Visitors to the home of Tricia and Steve Hyre of Worth Township pass through a hand-hewn pine archway announcing they have arrived at Hyre Lodge. The 3,200-square-foot log home is one of five homes featured in this year's Butler County Symphony Association Holiday Tour of Homes, set for Nov. 17.

Everything from new construction to historical landmarks will be featured this year in the Butler County Symphony Association Holiday Tour of Homes, set for Nov. 17.

The 18th annual symphony fundraiser will feature a self-guided tour of five homes spread between Butler, Slippery Rock and Evans City.

Event coordinator Joyce Catt said this year's lineup will not disappoint tour-goers.

"For the first time in the 18-year history of the tour, nearly every house has a fascinating story to tell," Catt said.

"The houses just keep getting better and better, and this collection features some interesting architecture and homes with unique features and furnishings."

One such home, owned by Tricia and Steve Hyre of Worth Township, gives a whole new perspective on logs — it's no little cabin in the woods.Coming up the driveway, you know you've arrived when you pass through the pine archway built by Steve with its handhewn sign announcing the "Hyre Lodge" — all 3,200 square feet of it.The tour begins as you enter the heated dual-car garage, where a taste of the Christmas spirit will follow.Upon entering the house through the family room, one is overwhelmed by the lush tongue-and-groove interior, fashioned from pine by Amish craftsmen in Holmes, Ohio.A beautiful Christmas tree, along with Tricia's handwork in floral arrangements, is also on display. A German cuckoo clock beats a cadence on the wall as her snowman collection stands stoically on a nearby cabinet.In the corner of this room is an antique wall cabinet painted in Aztec Gold filled with quilts from the 1940s."I love linens and, as a person that sews I can appreciate all the work that went into them by hand," Tricia said.In addition to its quilt collection, this room boasts an incredible valley view."This house is the second highest point in Butler County," Tricia explained. "Our builders loved it because even in August there was always a breeze."It is just this breeze that forces the Hyres to close off their French doors and end their porch-sitting in late fall.

"The wind can knock you over it is so fierce," Tricia said.On the far side of the family room is a doorway that leads to a passageway decorated with antique furniture and a lovely antique child's chair.This hall gives way to a great room with a big emphasis on great: One feels dwarfed in the room, which boasts a 22-foot ceiling.The kitchen and living room are housed in this large space, where Christmas comes alive. Windows again showcase the lush view of the valley below. A mammoth stone fireplace is the focal point of the sitting area, which is decorated with an eclectic array of furnishings.Hyre has a knack for commingling antiques and newer pieces into a style that is all her own."Trying to describe my style is hard. I choose things that I like that I think will work together whether they are old or new," she said.The sitting room features an antique buffet next to the reindeer- and feather-festooned mantle. The furniture is overstuffed leather, but it all comes together beautifully.A Tuscan theme is somewhat discernable in the kitchen, which boasts black rubbed cabinets and granite counters. One of the walls sports several holiday plates.At the far end of the great room a doorway leads to the master bedroom and bath. This room, painted in a color called Cattail, houses a walk-in closet and grand fourposter bed with quilted bedding."I used the same quilt pattern and covered the window seat in here so it would match," said Tricia, who displays two of her artist mohair bears in the little nook. The carpet is a reversed pattern, which adds texture and comfort.Deep cinnamon paint wraps the master bathroom in warmth. Ceramic tile on the floor along with Corian countertops give this room a Western feel.Another door of the great room leads to a bedroom with two beds. The full bathroom connects to the bedroom but also has as anterior door to service the great room.

Stairs made of half logs lead to a loft area, which again gives a great view out the tall windows but shares it with an aerial view of the great room.The loft includes two rooms separated by a catwalk. Eldreth pottery snowmen and Santas are collected in a cabinet in the corner while an inviting antique rocker with vintage quilt beckon one to sit."The floor used here (is) just the regular wood planking with a coat of polyurethane on them," explained Tricia. Cleverly, she walled in the eaves in this area for storage."Because there is no attic and the structure up here was exposed, this was wasted space," she said."Furniture couldn't fit, so I made it into a storage area where I have many of my Christmas decorations."One of Tricia's most treasured spaces is at the other end of the catwalk. There, a well-lit and well-organized sewing room gets a lot of use."This is where I sew and make my dolls and pillows," Tricia said while holding a primitive doll she made.A nearby Christmas tree is full of antique ornaments, bulbs and balls she has collected over the years.Antique library card catalog boxes in this room store notions like thread, buttons, snaps and other needlework supplies. An antique sewing machine that once belonged to the grandmother of a friend sits in the corner. Antique lace doilies, more quilts and linens are also creatively displayed.The area is lit by a vintage custard glass ceiling fixture that belonged to one of her relatives.The 2-year-old log home was assembled from components manufactured by Barna Log Homes, based in Georgia.The floors contain radiant heating components, partially because log construction prohibits installing duct work.A full basement is still under construction and will contain a family room, bedroom, full bathroom, laundry room and workspace for Tricia.The 5-acre property also boasts a state-of-the-art septic system and a diesel generator to power the house in the event of an electrical outage.

In contrast, the Dutch colonial home of Kim Papania and David Odoski derives much of its character from more than 150 years of history."The original home is a two-story red brick Dutch colonial with a gambrel roof," said Kim, describing the 2,500-square-foot home in Butler that was expanded to become a duplex"When we moved in about 14 years ago, much of it had been changed and we worked hard to bring it back as close to its original state," she added.The couple, their children and Kim's brother-in-law Vince made the renovations a family affair. They even created the 1,100-square-foot addition for Kim's parents.Walking through the door is like stepping back in time. The foyer and area going up the staircase is papered in a black colonial toile print. To the right of the entry is the last room the family refinished: a fabulous library painted in a warm pumpkin hue. A brown-and-gold themed tree compliments the atmosphere."The kitchen was my favorite room in the house until we finished this room," said Kim, whose love of books is evident.Down the hall is the master bedroom painted in a rich green that features a four poster bed, fireplace and wonderful windows."Most of the woodwork on the doors and windows and the trim is original," said her husband David.The couple used pieces of wood and doors found on the property during their renovations. A powder room behind the steps completes this area."Originally the home was a center-hall Colonial. You can see where the door was if you look from the back of the house," Kim said.The banister up the stairs remains in its original state. "We did take out the spindles and cleaned them up. We had to number them as we took them out so we could get it all put back together," said David.The second floor features two bedrooms and a bath with Jacuzzi tub. One of the rooms has the original beams to the house exposed.The dining room is to the left of the front door. Kim's great-grandmother's wedding photos adorn a wall in this room. A pump organ that has been handed down for four generations is a focal point."We had to rebuild the mantle on this fireplace as it was pretty much walled in," she said of the festively decorated piece.Another marvelous fireplace was uncovered and restored in the kitchen."When we bought the house we were told that there was a fireplace behind the wall. It is the original fireplace from when the house was built," Kim said."We took the crane arm from a fireplace in the basement," she added.Kim designed the kitchen, which boasts custom-built cabinets and a raised dishwasher installed at waist level."I saw it in a magazine and knew I wanted it," she said."No contractor had heard of it so we had to measure and design it ourselves," explained David.

On this floor is also a family room that was added on by previous owners and features an exposed brick wall, which was the original exterior of the house. A lovely handmade bar was added to this room by David.Kim's parents, John and Karen Kozusko, live in the addition, which was constructed of logs.Leaving the family room, a lovely covered walkway leads past a lazy L-shaped pool enjoyed by both families.Walking into the Kozusko home with fabulous knotty pine hand-hewn logs transports you from the colonial era to a home on the range. Decorated in a southwestern motif, the cozy home is bright and full of windows for a view of the 20 acres of trees and lawn.Decorated for the season in a country Christmas theme, the hearth of the home is definitely a focal point. Lush green plants are everywhere."Kim and I love to garden and we both have green thumbs," said Karen. She and her husband maintain the grounds while Kim and David work during the day.One of Kuzuskos' Christmas treasures decorates the sunroom."This is a Nativity set made in the 1940s by my grandfather for my grandmother," Karen said about the lovely work of twigs and branches.The primitive Nativity is just one of the old items that combines with the new in this year's tour.<b>TOUR VISITS 6 SITES IN COUNTY</b>These locations will be featured Nov. 17 in this year's Butler County Symphony Association 18th annual Tour of Homes:• 138 Harrison St., Evans City — The Victorian home of Erique and Theresa Chevallier, built in 1871. It was the first house in Butler County to be serviced by gas lamps. Built by a physician, the house contains a double parlor that once served as an area for patients.• 214 E. Penn St., Butler — Audrey Whitestone's three-story city duplex, though not large, boasts an efficient use of space. A collage of vintage magazine photos form a border along an upstairs hall.• 139 Harrison St., Evans City — Joyce Yasko and Lee Dyers have lived in their 11-room, 1889 Queen Ann Victorian house for 25 years. The house is furnished with authentic Victorian furniture and includes one piece from the home's original occupants. The original house plans are printed on linen and displayed in the home.• 110 Paradise Lane, Worth Township — A modern log home that overlooks a valley. Eclectic furnishings and antique quilts can be found throughout the dwelling, which is owned by Steve and Tricia Hyre.• 131 LeDonne Lane, Butler — A Dutch colonial with a modern, log addition serves as a duplex occupied by David Odoski and Kim Papania along with John and Karen Kozusko, Papania's parents.• New Haven Court at Clearview, 100 Newhaven Lane, Butler — A reception with light refreshments will be offered at this 1997 assisted living facility.

WHAT: 18th annual Butler County Symphony Association Holiday Tour of HomesWHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 17WHERE: Five homes are spread between Butler, Slippery Rock and Evans City.COST: Advance tickets can be purchased for $15 at the symphony office, 259 S. Main St.; May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.; Flynn's Tire center, 236 N. Main St.; Truly Yours, Clearview Mall; The Thinking Cap, Point Plaza Shopping Center; and Meridian Station, 298 Meridian Road. Tickets will be sold for $18 the day of the tour.<br><br><br><br>

Karen Kozusko relaxes in the living room of her log home, which was added onto the Dutch colonial home of Kim Papania and David Odoski in Butler. John and Karen Kozusko's half of the duplex features fabulous knotty pine, hand-hewn logs and is decorated in a Southwestern motif. Tricia Hyre sits by the fireplace in the great room of her log home in Worth Township. The room, which boasts a 22-foot ceiling, houses the kitchen and living room. Overstuffed leather furniture surrounds a large stone fireplace.

Tricia Hyre sits by the fireplace in the great room of her log home in Worth Township. The room, which boasts a 22-foot ceiling, houses the kitchen and living room. The mammoth stone fireplace is the focal point of the sitting area.

A mammoth stone fireplace, its mantle adorned with reindeer and feathers, is the focal point of the sitting area in the great room of the home of Tricia and Steve Hyre of Worth Township.

The kitchen is part of the great room in the hilltop home of Tricia and Steve Hyre of Worth Township. A Tuscan theme is somewhat discernable in the kitchen, which boasts black rubbed cabinets and granite counters.

The foyer and area going up the staircase in the Butler home of Kim Papania and David Odoski is papered in a black colonial toile print. A powder room behind the steps completes this area. At left, Tricia and Steve Hyre's kitchen boasts black rubbed cabinets and granite counters.

The 150-year-old Dutch colonial home of Kim Papania and David Odoski in Butler was expanded into a duplex for Kim's parents, John and Karen Kozusko. The addition is constructed of logs. Both homes are included in this year's house tour.