Preston House/Business Lighting Winners
by Caroline Bredekamp for the Preston Times
The judges and those in the community making nominations had a busy year and a hard time making a decision as there were so many festive homes and businesses around Preston. Several new entries were on the list which was a wonderful bonus.
Congratulations to this year’s winners- prizes can be picked up at the library.
* 1st Place- The Aaron and Lindsey Betts Family – 421 W DeGroat Street- $75.00
* 2nd Place-Bobbi Jo Petersen and Family- (nominated)- 43681 21st Street- $50.00
* 3rd Place-Jennifer and Chopper Holdgrafer and family- 134 East Gillet Street- $25.00
* Honorable Mention-Total Comfort Heating and Cooling- Main Street- $15.00
* Honorable Mention-The Zach and Brianna Pinkston family- 223 N Simpson- $15.00
I found this online recently and thought it really explained the importance of the friendly contest and all that these families do. Enjoy- (written by Holly Lui):
To the people who spend countless hours picking out the most detailed yard decor, untangling the lights from storage, hammering and hanging things for hours in the cold, and even sometimes climbing on their roof: thank you.
What you do is more than just decorating for a month or so. Your displays truly touch the hearts of people you’ll most likely never meet.
Your lights are actually the backdrop for family joy during the holidays. Families bundle up and make special plans to venture off around town to find the coolest lights—and you’re one of them. All the little voices that “ooh” and “aah” in the backseat eventually shift to 20-something-year-olds telling stories starting off like “remember that one house?”
Beyond lighting up your yard, the decorations have the ability to light up the more saddened lives.
For the depressed person who feels immensely heavy during the holidays, a pass by your house could be a quick reminder that beauty and joy still lingers.
For the stressed parent juggling so much, the lights can be a moment of pause and smiling through the chaos.
For the lonely individual who lives alone and has to drive by your road to get home, the intricate decorations work as a wordless invitation into the warmth of the season.
And for the older person who can no longer put up their own lights, seeing your home glow through the wee hours of the night may bring bittersweet memories that someone else is carrying the torch.
Your lights do not just sparkle in the present moment; it gives lingering, glowing memories for years.
Your effort, your time, your money, and your ideas do not go unnoticed this year.
Thank you so much for shining into such a dim world.
2nd Place-Bobbi Jo Petersen and Family- (nominated)- 43681 21st Street- $50.00
3rd Place-Jennifer and Chopper Holdgrafer and family- 134 East Gillet Street- $25.00
1st Place- The Aaron and Lindsey Betts Family – 421 W DeGroat Street- $75.00
Honorable Mention-Total Comfort Heating and Cooling- Main Street- $15.00
Honorable Mention-The Zach and Brianna Pinkston family- 223 N Simpson- $15.00
