Chamber winners announced

    HOULTON, Maine — The results are in. After weeks of anticipation and hours of labor, the winners of the first annual Home and Business Decorating Contest have been announced. The event, sponsored by the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, was judged over the weekend by various volunteers.     “To say that the judges were impressed with what they saw is certainly an understatement,” explained Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori Weston. “Many of the scores were very close.”
Weston said the contest included those who lived in the 04730 areas or with phone numbers beginning with 532, 521 or 538. She said judges commented on the variety of the displays, as well as the number of homes and businesses who didn’t officially participant in the event.
“During their travels from site to site, the judges noticed many homes and businesses hadn’t entered the contest and should have, so the challenge is on for next year already,” said Weston.
The Home Decorating Contest Winners are: Religious (The reason for the season), first place Wanda and Ron Ouellette, 49 Court Street. No other entries for this theme. Nostalgic (Most reminds me of my childhood, old fashioned display), first place Sue and Jon McLaughlin, 311 Bangor Street. Honorable Mention with Nostalgic Theme goes to Barb and Forman Swallow, 33 Highland Avenue. The Clark Griswold (Excessive use of outdoor lighting and decorations) first-place winners were Vi and Cedric Glidden, 97 Pleasant Street. No other entries for this theme.
Anything Goes – (No specific theme, but WOW!), first-place winners:  Laureen and Steve Bither, 17 Smyrna Street. Honorable Mention with Anything Goes Theme was given to Otis and Linda Shaw, 251 West Ridge Road, Littleton, Jay and Lois Clark, 9 Willard Street, Tim and Theresa Bragan, 10 Guy Street, and Gerald and Doris Dickison, 452 County Road.
The Martha Stewart Would Be Proud (and if she would you win!) first-place winner was Lisa Duff, 39 Highland Avenue, Honorable Mention with Martha Stewart Theme: Eric Tibbetts, 81 Military Street. Charlie Browniest (Snoopy won first prize, anything but your home decorated – doghouse, tool shed, barn, outhouse…whatever) first-place winner was Steven  and Bradley Long, 55 South Street, with Honorable Mention with Charlie Browniest Theme going to Brian and Lee Williams, 793 Hodgdon Mills Road, Linneus, Jane Torres, 1 Cleveland Street, and Danny and Michelle Williams, 71 Callaghan Road.
Grand prize winner (regardless of theme, with most overall points): Laureen and Steve Bither; Grand Prize: Weather Alert TV and Radio, donated by Bart and Nancy Dunn, Gift Basket filled with wonderful gifts from Marden’s, dinner for two, donated by The Courtyard Café and 100 Chamber Buck Gift Certificate.
The first-place winners receive Chamber Buck Certificates that are redeemable in all participating local stores.
“We would like to thank all of those who participated,” said Weston. “The spirit in which you entered the contest was evident and very much appreciated by the masses. Won’t next year be fun?”
Weston said the business community really went all out for the first-time contest. She said the challenge has already started with those who covet the grand prize traveling trophy.
Other winners include: Best Over-All Window Display Winner: Paradis’ Shop n’ Save, 33 Ludlow Road; Honorable mention Daniels Florist, 29 Market Square; Fitzpatrick Photography, 73 Main Street; Aroostook Home Health/Valley Home Health, 49 Main Street; Shiretown Coins, 37 Market Square; Houlton Pioneer Times, 23 Court Street; The Courtyard Café, 61 Main Street; The Raspberry Beret, 81 Main Street; Town and Country Clothing, 2 Market Square; Cigarette Shopper, 64 North Street; Dead River Fuel Office, 29 Bangor Street; and the Hollywood Pet, 70 Main Street.
The Best Exterior Display: Katahdin Trust Company; Honorable Mention: Houlton Savings Bank; High Voltage Engine Works; Ouellette Chiropractic; Home Accents of Houlton.
The best combination of both, grand prize was York’s of Houlton.