Winner Of $25 `Almost Lit Up The Whole Block'

New Contest Is Designed To Bring The Community Together, Bedazzle Neighborhoods For Christmas.

December 14, 1999|by KATHY RUFF (A free-lance story for The Morning Call)

A Coaldale home whose Christmas decorations "almost lit up the whole block" took first place in the borough's inaugural holiday house decorating contest.

"A picture is worth a thousand words," said John Terry, president of the CHOSE community organization about the winner, Jose Frets, of 218 W. High St. "It stood out."

Second- and third-place prizes went to Joseph Tenisci of 45 W. Lehigh St., and William Price Jr. of 4 Foster Ave., respectively.

"There are a lot of houses that were really decorated," Terry said. "I wish more people would have entered the contest." About a dozen people participated.

To get the contest off the ground, a $5 fee was charged for each entrant. That money was paid in prizes. Winners will be presented with the prizes at 7 p.m. today at the council meeting in Borough Hall. First place takes $25; second place, $15; and third place, $10.

The contest was sponsored by the CHOSE recreation committee, and judged by the group's officers -- Terry, Tim and Ann Marie Schilling and Sue Solt.

"We had a blast doing it," said Solt, the group's treasurer. "We thought this would be a nice adventure for Coaldale."

Second-place winner Tenisci decorated using white lights, wreaths, and a touch of garland, creating an old-time ambience.

"It feels good," Tenisci said. "I just sort of had an idea and went with it."

"It was a good cause," Tenisci said. "I am glad they are doing stuff in town, doing something with the community that's good."

CHOSE, whose acronym stands for church, home, organization, school, environment, is a local organization that provides, among other things, recreational activities in the borough.

Source: http://articles.mcall.com/1999-12-14/news/3272157_1_contest-first-place-prizes