Staff Writer
HOULTON — Building a gingerbread house requires a few minor ingredients such as icing, candy, gingerbread and of course, time and patience. Even if you’ve never made one before, it’s possible to create one that will amaze even the most skilled contractors around.
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
MASTER CRAFTSMAN — Young Abbie Williams submitted her own gingerbread house in the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce gingerbread house contest. She tied for third place in the children 12 and under category.
Welcome to the 2007 Gingerbread House-Building Contest, courtesy of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. For the first time ever, the Chamber put the call out to area craftsmen to create their own gingerbread house. For $1, participants could purchase a building permit and enter their work into the contest.
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
YUM-YUM — Michelle Williams submitted her candy craft for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce gingerbread house contest. She received an honorary mention for her participation.
“We had numerous participants who were true craftsmen beyond what I could imagine,” explained Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori Weston. “The time and effort put into these houses on display was just exceptional. They were so beautiful and so creative.”
House designs ranged from two-story homes, log cabins and winter wonderlands and Weston said she was “totally amazed” with the results.
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
DECORATIVE DESIGN — Amy Carmen put in a world of effort in this two-story gingerbread house and it earned her first place in the contest.
“This year’s winner had never made one before,” she remarked. “This will be an annual event from now on. I think once people realize that, along with the fact that there is a cash prize, they might put forth the effort next year.”
This year’s winners of various cash prizes were: for first place, Amy Carmen; second place, Sheridan McCordic, tying for third place, Karen Mead and Abbie Williams and an honorary mention was given to Michelle Williams.
Pioneer Times photo/Jennifer Ruth
HONORS — Karen Mead’s gingerbread house tied for third place.
Chris Anderson of FA Peabody, Sherry Quint of Ward Cedar Log Homes and Pete Chase of Building Etc judged the contest.
