The Ledyard Home Decorating Contest held on the Facebook Ledyard Community Forum was a last minute idea that turned out to be better than we could have imagined thanks to the 44 worthy participants and the enthusiasm of those who helped select the forum favorite! Now that the judging is over, we are already planning for next year. I know many of the participants are formulating new ideas and waiting for those 1/2 off sales after Christmas. The 2016 contest promises to be epic!!
Here are the winners:
The Ledyard Forum Award – It was pretty clear from the beginning that Jennifer and Brad York’s home at 91 Meetinghouse Lane was a fan favorite. It didn’t hurt when Santa made an appearance giving out Candy Canes in the front yard. The photo below doesn’t come close to picturing everything here. Jennifer is already planning for next year so expect to see her at the “end of year” light sales.

The Chevy Chase Award – 1882 Center Groton Road. Like the Griswold’s in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, this home has a whole lot of lights. According to an article in the Thames River Times, Bruce Hall estimates he has over 18 hours of work invested to create this masterpiece. The good news is that unlike the Griswold’s home, all of his lights don’t blind the neighbors and Millstone hasn’t been called to provide back up. The 4 judges drove all the way up the long driveway where more lights just kept coming at us. We debated this one awhile but decided that the sheer number of lights made it the winner in this category. Located on a rear lot, it is easy to miss on Route 117 but take the time to look for it! Unfortunately I could never get a photo that I considered photos worthy but I think the Thames River Times photographer did a great job although the caption is incorrect. Our Chevy Chase Award is the second home pictured in this article.
House Beautiful – I Erin’s Way. This lovely home is exactly what we were looking for when we named this award. The judges loved this home with its elegant look and mostly white lights! If there was a most excited winner award, Jackson Favry would be the clear victor. He was grinning from ear to ear and all the judges left smiling.

Innovative Idea – 28 Barry Drive. I’ll admit this is the one award that the judges debated the longest because there were several possibilities including the Minions on Lambtown Road and the Music and Light Display on Ledgewood that seemed to fit the category. In the end, we chose this one for the creativity and simplicity of a single idea, the mean old Grinch pulling down Christmas lights. I really love this!

Thank you to my fellow judges who spent hours on the road looking at houses in the dark: Merry Cassabria, Jessica Wrobel and Bev Nachtwey. Thank you to those that contributed to our gift baskets for the winners: Cash True Value Home Center, The Village Pizza Restaurant, Courtyard by Marriott Norwich, CT, Holdridge Home and Garden, and Grimm's Furry Tails.