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Fact Box

- WHO: Salem Storybook Museum

- WHAT: Home and Garden Tour

- WHEN: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

- WHERE: Mr. and Mrs. Bob Sebo, 1790 Quaker Lane; Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Mastrangelo, 1371 Highland Ave.; Mr. and Mrs. John T. DaBelko, 1720 Pearce Circle; Mr. and Mrs. David Schwartz, 1888 E. 11th St.; Connie Sanor and Jim Solmen, 110 Homewood Place; Dr. and Mrs. Richard Fawcett, 402 Highland Ave.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Conn, 344 Highland Ave.; and the Charles Burchfield Museum.

- COST: $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the tour

- INFORMATION: Elaine Rousseau at 330-332-1632, Elizabeth Thatcher at 330-337-7212 or Robert Viencek at 330-332-4723

Featuring some of Salem's most impressive gardens, a Home and Garden Tour Aug. 6-8 has been scheduled to benefit the Salem Storybook Museum.

The tour is a celebration of the season, highlighted by expansive gardens, that will benefit the museum, according to museum Director Elizabeth Thatcher.

"We wanted to do something special this summer, and we came upon the idea of doing a home and garden tour," she said. "To date, we have lined up some very impressive locations for our guests."

Headlining the tour is the home of Bob and Linda Sebo, 1790 Quaker Lane.

A custom designed stone mansion estate with stairways leading to expansive lawns, the home is situated on 10 acres and features a gazebo, a bocci court, a golf driving range, a candle garden from Las Vegas, a waterfall and reflecting pond with a train and 10 bronze statues. Additionally the grounds are covered with multiple flower beds, including hostas, hollies and shrubs, that lead to a mix of pine and shade trees.

According to Property Manager Jim Scullion, the estate offers plenty for the eye to enjoy.

"It's an array of color and different fashions, kind of like an oasis," he said. "When you come here it just goes on and on; there's always something waiting for you around the corner. By the time of this tour, we will have even more flowers blooming for the event. For example, the wisteria and clematis should be in bloom on the pergola."

The property requires six full-time employees year-round and 10 during the summer to maintain, Scullion added.

Bob Sebo, a graduate of Salem High School who returned to his home town to build his dream home, said he is pleased to share his place with the community.

"Linda and I are so happy that we were asked to be on the tour," he said. "We look forward to having people visit and enjoy the grounds as much as we do. We are very supportive of the Salem Storybook Museum and the tremendous asset that it is to our community."

"We have a very friendly family of deer that continually visit, but unfortunately they are attracted to the flowers and devour them," added Linda.

A special map of the Sebo home will be available on the day of the tour, and the couple will provide refreshments on the west terrace.

The Charles Burchfield Homestead Museum will also be featured on the tour.

The Fourth Street boyhood home of the artist, the museum features a colorful garden in the rear that has been carefully replicated according to detailed records kept by a young Burchfield. Janis Yereb, curator for the museum, will explain the life of Burchfield and his impressive work each day of the tour, and a new exhibit is slated to coincide with it, as well.

Other homes on the tour include those of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Mastrangelo, 1371 Highland Ave., and Mr. and Mrs. John T. DaBelko, 1720 Pearce Circle.

Gardens include those of Mr. and Mrs. David Schwartz, 1888 E. 11th St.; Connie Sanor and Jim Solmen, 110 Homewood Place; Dr. and Mrs. Richard Fawcett, 402 Highland Ave.; and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Conn, 344 Highland Ave.

"We have such a variety of gardens on the tour," said Elaine Rousseau, tour co-chair. "I think that there will be something that everyone will find fascinating and beautiful,"

The starting point for the tour will be at the plaza in front of Kent City Center, located on North Lincoln Avenue. Guests can pick up tour maps and deposit ticket stubs for a variety of door prizes. Visitors on the tour may start at any home or garden.

Tours are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

Ticket cost $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the tour. Tickets can be purchased at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Kolby's or McLaughlin's Salon of Hair.

Volunteers are needed for the event, too.

"Hundreds of workers are needed for this tour," said Robert Viencek, tour co-chair. "If you would like to be a tour guide or greeter, please call me. We welcome boy and girl scouts, church groups and organizations in town to support this exciting and major event."

For information and tickets, contact Rousseau at 330-332-1632, Thatcher at 330-337-7212 or Viencek at 330-332-4723.

Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net