By Monty Siekerman
Mike and Beth Milks, a well-known Ada couple, welcome you to their 1880s Queen Anne style home during the Candy Cane Tour of Homes on Sunday afternoon.
The Victorian homestead, with a carriage house out back, is located at 424 S. Johnson St. There are several Christmas trees and other holiday decorations to view in the house with tall ceilings, alcoves, beautiful woodwork, and wallpapered rooms, all befitting a home build many decades ago.
The large, two-story house could be considered a "painted lady" since the exterior has three colors: green with cream and cranberry accents. A wrap-around front porch is decorated for the seasons: geraniums in the summer, mums in the fall.
The house is surrounded by Christmas tree-shaped evergreens. Candles in 40 windows provide a subtle Christmas glow.
Over the years, former tenants have included townspeople, professors, and students.
President William Howard Taft probably looked over and viewed the house while he dined at the ONU president's home. Taft was invited for a meal following his Commencement speech here in 1910. At that time, the university president lived in the house across the street from where the Milks now live.
The Milks' home is located on the northeast corner of University Avenue, formerly Peach Street, and South Johnson.
Mike and Beth hope visitors on Sunday will enjoy exploring the spacious rooms, majestic ceilings, broad baseboards and many Christmas trees wrapped in Yuletide warmth.
Mike graduated from ONU, went on to earn graduate degrees, and returned to teach pharmacy at Northern for 28 years. He is now in his fourth year of teaching at the University of Findlay.
Beth is an intensive care nurse at Lima Memorial Hospital. The couple moved into the stately home 24 years ago.
The Icon asked for an update on the couple's children, both Ada High School grads.
Dr. Michael Wesley "Wes" Milks, 33, is a Chief Cardiology Fellow at OSU Wexner Medical Center. His wife, Dr. Kathryn Milks, is a pediatric radiologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital. They are the parents of a 15-month-old son.
Elizabeth "Libby" Milks, 18, graduated from AHS in May and is a freshman at Miami of Ohio studying biology with a premedical co-major with a minor in music.
There are 7 homes/businesses on the Candy Cane Tour this year including five in and near Kenton, as well as The Inn (featured in an Ada Icon story earlier this week) and the Milks' home.
The tour is from 1-6 p.m. Tickets are available at The Inn and both New Leaf Garden Center locations for $10 in advance or $15 the day of the tour. Proceeds benefit Keep Hardin County Beautiful.
Photo: Mike and Beth Milks with Millie, a 12-year-old cocker spaniel. The tall tree, in all white except for some touches of blue, includes homemade ornaments as well as decorations that have special memories for the family.