University Women host tour of rebuilt Angora homes

The American Association of University Women Home Tour is about more than just fancy granite countertops. The June 26 event will help tell the story of a community that is rising from the ashes.

Three years after the Angora fire burned some 3,072 acres of forest land and destroyed 254 homes, seven families from the newly rebuilt area are opening their doors to the public to help raise money for college scholarships for local girls and women. Six of the seven featured homes are replacing structures that burned to the ground.

The event is called "From the Ashes, Hope Springs Eternal."

"For this community, there hasn't been a more important, traumatic, life-changing and community gathering event that has happened," said Barbara Curtis, AAUW president-elect. "If people didn't know each other before the fire, they know each other now."

Over the past few years, new homes in the burn area have emerged. A community garden is taking shape in one spot, and a winding maze offers quiet exploration in another. Thousands more trees will be planted.

"We're so proud of the way the community has re-emerged," said Kay Henderson, AAUW publicity chair. "This is our chance to give back a little bit."

The home tours are the principal source for funding for educational scholarships and grants the AAUW awards to women and girls in high school and at Lake Tahoe Community College.

"This is really important to us because this is our sole fundraiser, and results in girls and women having opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have," Henderson said.

Addresses of the homes will not be released until the tour.

The tour will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour and include refreshments. Tickets will be available for purchase at various venues after June 1. For information, call (530) 544-5150 or visit aauwslt.community.officelive.com.