KEARNEY — Few people hang toilet paper ornaments on their Christmas tree, but Kim and Lucas Dart’s tree has three of them.
Every year, the Darts purchase an ornament for each of their three children that represents something significant from the past year. In 2020, the year of COVID, toilet paper supplies ran low because supply chains were interrupted. Hence the toilet paper ornament that says “2020” in silver letters.
It’s the personal touches in the Dart home that will enchant guests on this year’s Holiday Home Tour.
Many ornaments on the Christmas tree were made by the Dart children, now aged 19, 17 and 14, when they were in elementary school. The train ornaments reflect Lucas’s love of trains.
Five stockings hang by the mantel, waiting to be filled by Santa Claus. The mantel was decorated by Jane Meyer, who helped the Darts decorate for the Holiday Home Tour.
Elsewhere, tour-goers will see a nativity music box given to the couple by Lucas’s parents, Stan and Carol Dart.
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They will see the Willow Tree nativity set given to them by Kim’s mother, Christy Koch. Koch gave them basic pieces years ago and added one piece each Christmas until the set was complete.
Kim also displays ceramic angels made by her grandmother. “She made a set of angels for my sisters and me. Ceramics were big back in her day,” she said.
Special, too, is a miniature nativity set that was a gift from Becky Schneider Holtjie, a student of Kim’s when she taught art in Grand Island while getting her master’s degree at UNK. Becky bought the unique set while on a mission trip to Mexico.
The Darts agreed to be on the Holiday Home Tour at the urging of friends. Jayne Meyer, former owner of Shopping Tripps, helped Kim decorate. “She came in, I turned on Christmas music, and she brought the joy. She is so gifted,” Kim said.
This sentimental nativity set greets visitors in the foyer of the Dart home. It was handpainted by Kim’s grandmother, Helen Koch.
Kim has her own customized painting business. Lucas is vice president of alumni relations and development, UNK at the University of Nebraska Foundation. Both are Kearney natives and UNK graduates who believe in shopping locally.
The Darts’ son Nolan, now 19, made this ornament when he was in second grade. Many ornaments made by Nolan and his two sisters adorn the tree.
Because faith is important to the Dart family, eight nativity sets are placed around the house, including one in the foyer to welcome guests.
“Christ is the center of our home, so it’s only fitting that this very special and sentimental nativity set would greet you in the foyer,” Kim said. That set is hand painted by her grandmother, Helen Koch.
Nine years ago, when the Darts moved into their home, “This house was such a blank canvas. It was beige from top to bottom. We’ve worked hard the last nine years to make it what it is now,” Kim said.
Christmas dishes wait to be filled with seasonal treats in the Dart kitchen.
“We’re proud of our home, and we’re happy to help something that needs support,” Lucas said. “The HelpCare Clinic raises half its budget through the tour. Health care is so important, and to think about some families that can’t support it . . . This is one way to contribute.”
Christmas china, loaned to Kim Dart by a friend, Arlene Loschen, beautifies the table in the kitchen.
Kim and Lucas Dart are eager to display their Christmas decorations and help raise funds for the HelpCare Clinic.
This unique nativity set came from a former student of Kim’s who purchased it while on a mission trip in Mexico.
This plaque hangs in the Dart home during the Christmas season.
This Willow Tree nativity set was given to the couple by Carol Dart, Lucas’s mother. She added a piece each year until the set was completed.
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