SEA ISLE CITY – Members of the Sea Isle City Garden Club recently spent an evening driving through town, judging the numerous homes entered in their annual Holiday House Lighting Contest. The competition, which is held in cooperation with Sea Isle’s Department of Recreation, included a variety of private abodes that were each adorned with an abundance of lights and other festive outdoor decorations.
Properties entered in the contest were judged in three categories: Creativity (the amount of originality displayed), Aesthetic Effect (the beauty of the display) and Endeavor (the amount of effort that went into the production).
This year’s winning home, and recipient of a $100 first place prize, courtesy of First Bank of Sea Isle City, is located at 312 45th Place, owned by The Blum Family. A life-size Santa Claus, motion-reindeer, colorful candy canes, giant snowflakes, thousands of lights and many other cheery decorations made the Blum home stand-out from all the rest.
The second place prize of $50 (also courtesy of First bank of Sea Isle City) went to the Hadfield Family at 326 44th Street. That home featured creatively arranged grapevines and tree branches positioned in large earthen pots, adorned with many lights. The owners also illuminated all four corners of their house, including the bayside of their property, which lit-up the water at night.
Third prize, a floral arrangement from Rocky and Fred’s Creative Design Florist, went to the Custer Family at 4710 Central Avenue, where over 5000 lights, a star-topped Christmas tree and other traditional decorations caught the attention of Garden Club judges.
Contest entries that earned “Honorable Mention” included 107 33rd Street (home of the Kehner family), 209 48th Street (Olivieri/Donato), 5301 Central Avenue (Boyer), 333 56th Street (Mullins), 5909 Central Avenue (Scranton/ Gallagher), 6001 Central Avenue (Ireland), 7804 Central Avenue (Laidlaw) and 8101 Pleasure Avenue (Thibault).
Those planning a Holiday Driving Tour through Sea Isle City also won’t want to miss the well-decorated properties located at 50th and Pleasure Avenue, the “square” surrounding the new Sea Isle City Library at 48th Street, the 200-block of 43rd Street, 67th and the Bay, Fish Alley, and many other homes throughout town.
“It seems that this year more homes in Sea Isle City are decorated for the holidays than ever before.” said Garden Club member Eleanor Moore. “I think the town looks great – from the snowflakes on our telephone poles to all of the beautifully decorated houses. Hopefully more people will sign-up for next year’s house lighting contest, because you have to register to win.”
For information about other holiday events taking place in Sea Isle City, phone 609-263-TOUR or visit www.seaislecitynj.us.
Town Bank – STOP sending OUR money to countries all over the world and giving it illegal immigrants in various forms as Americans are dying in the Southeast. CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME!
