ARCOLA - Keep it simple but elegant.

That's the holiday decorating lesson Wilmer Otto learned from his late wife, Doris.

Otto's house on North Pine Street is once again one of the five featured homes on Sunday's Arcola Christmas Walk. The annual event is sponsored by the Arcola United Methodist Women.

Otto and his wife first participated in the home tour 20 years ago. Now he is excited about doing it again.

"It's for a very good cause, and I am glad to be a part of it," he said.

Otto's house glows with the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas. From the street, wreaths can be seen in each of the front windows, adding holiday charm to the stately mansion built in 1914.

Visitors who walk into the foyer are greeted by Santa bears sitting around a small table, with their tea place sets in front of them. On a table against a wall are several lighted collectible homes that create a village. A large decorated wreath hangs above it.

The original banister leading to upstairs bedrooms is covered with lighted pine greenery. Greenery also adorns the 1885 Steinway piano in a small sitting area to the right of the foyer. The piano used to belong to Tom Monihan, mayor of Arcola at the turn of the 20th century, Otto said.

To the left of the foyer, three Christmas stockings hang from the fireplace in the living room. More of the pine garland is placed along the fireplace mantel with red candles, a corn-shuck doll and a collection of snowmen.

Inside the dining room area, a china cabinet built into the wall has lighted greenery and pine cones running across it and a macramé Nativity scene with all the Wise Men.

Even the kitchen has a festive feel, with lighted pine garlands running along the top of the walnut cabinets.

Otto purchased the home in 1978 and remodeled it. He said he still remembers as a very young man when the home used to be a nursing home.

Sharon Bickel, organizer of the Christmas Walk, said she is thrilled to have the Otto home on the tour.

"I wanted to have this house on the walk because it's such a beautiful house," she said. "It's historic, and a lot of people have wanted to see the inside of it."

Bickel said the Christmas Walk is a fundraiser for the women at Arcola United Methodist Church. All the money raised goes toward missions locally and worldwide.

The Arcola United Methodist Women seek to do God's work by helping others, such as supporting the Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana for at-risk children. They also donate money to Beth's Place, a women's shelter in Tuscola, and for clean water, medical and Christian education projects in other countries.

Last year, the women's group raised $900 from the Christmas Walk that went to the mission projects.

"We usually get people who come from Decatur and all around. They enjoy our walk because they get to see real homes that families have decorated very nicely," she said of the five homes that will be featured during the Christmas Walk.

And the fellowship hall at Arcola United Methodist Church has been turned into the Candy Cane Cafe, with desserts and warm beverages waiting for those touring the homes. It will also have a display of holiday table tops and Christmas trees.

sheilas@herald-review.com|421-7963.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Arcola United Methodist Women's annual Christmas Walk and Candy Cane Cafe.

WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

FEATURED: Homes of Greg and Suzy Saunders, Chad and Lora Strader, Wilmer Otto, Carolyn Wilson, and Mickey and Cindy Williams.

TICKETS: Tickets are $10 for the Christmas Walk and available at each of the featured homes on the day of the walk or at Vyverberg's Department Store, Prairie Peddler at the Arcola Emporium and Arcola United Methodist Church, 121 S. Locust St. Tickets include admission to the Candy Cane Cafe.

The Candy Cane Cafe, offering desserts and beverages, will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the church. Cafe-only admission is $4.