Photo and story by Monty Siekerman
Ruth Roider sets a candy cane tree on the piano as she decorates her house for the Candy Cane Tour.

Ruth's two-story home, built about 1905, will feature a number of trees because she loves trees. However, only one tree will be lit.

Among the decorations found on trees will be one with 150 mice. She has collected the mice, inanimate ones, of course, since she was a child. When young, she would accompany her father, Karl, on ONU music tours of Europe. He was chair of the music department for many years.

While in Europe, she wanted to bring souvenirs back, something small and easy to pack...thus the mouse collection.

Her home at 523 S. Johnson is among several locations for the tour. Tour details may be viewed by clicking here.