The Howard’s “possum lodge” is just one of five homes featured in the Leland Women’s Civic Club 2012 Home Tour, Aug. 8.

The biennial event includes distinctive homes in and around Leland; two are in the village of Leland and the Howards are on the eastern shore of North Lake Leelanau.

Featured homes are:

 Stanley and Ralph (Bo) Reahard III, 1027 N. Leland Estates, “The Promised Land” — Several generations of Reahards have known and loved this scenic Lake Michigan bluff property. Before anything was built here, it was a favorite family picnic spot which was always called “The Promised Land”. In the summer of 2004, Bo and Stanley inherited the family house, built in 1978 by Bud and Barbara Reahard. They refurbished Barbara’s gardens and enjoyed pieces of furniture made by Bud in his woodworking shop. With Suttons Bay architect Susan Walter, they began years of planning for an addition and more.

Started in 2009 and finished in the spring of 2010, the new carriage house guest quarters became home while the main house was renovated. Chad Bufka of Northport was general contractor and Little Fish Woodworks in Lake Leelanau built the custom cabinetry. The project was completed in the spring of 2011.

 Sue and Kevin Burns, 101 S. Grand St., Leland, “A Dream Come True” — The Burns have lived in the house for more than 20 years and have had lots of time to compile a wish list for their perfect home. The recently completed addition is 1½ times bigger than the original house. The Burns’ new kitchen features Craftsman style handmade woodwork by Little Fish Woodworks, which looks as if it is original to the house. There’s a hand-crafted copper hood and sink which were added by local artist, Darin Fetter of North Shore Iron Works. Along with a new master bedroom and bath, the addition includes a media room and a new dining room, which opens onto a patio with a pergola.

 Mike and Beth Grosvenor, 78 Oak Street, Leland, “Art, Color, and the Carp River” — A folk art driftwood rooster and two brightly colored, handcarved snakes, made by homeowner Mike Grosvenor, greet visitors as they stroll up the walk to their home. The home features beautiful views of the Leland River and a colorful art-filled interior fashioned by Beth. She selected rich, deep-toned colors for the walls which make a perfect backdrop for their selection and collection of Michigan art.

 Kris and Dr. Peter Sneed, 5325 Sugarbush Lane, “All About Family” — The original home on the Lake Michigan property was razed, leaving only a guest house which the Sneed’s occupied during construction of their home. The cottage-style house was designed with the family’s needs in mind. It’s spacious enough to host a candlelight prom dinner for 30 and includes a secret craft room where tons of toys await visiting children. There’s even a putting green in the basement.

 Beth and David Howard, 2525 N. Lake Leelanau Dr. — From the handmade fence and railings on the approach side, to the beautiful stone work and landscaping on the lake, tour-goers will see why this masterpiece was three years in the making. Handcrafted doors, birch bark ceilings. Black walnut counters in the bath. The Howards would like to showcase all the local talent that made this house possible and a list with all their names and mediums will be available from the hostess at the home.

More than 600 people are expected to participate in the tour. Tickets are $15 each and are available at Leelanau Books in Leland; At Home, Suttons Bay; Gallery 22, south of Suttons Bay; The Pennington Collection, Northport; Stewart Zacks, Traverse City or from Nancy Duck, 386-7673.