One of the best and worst jobs of the Christmas season is to be a judge of the Home and Business Decorating Contest sponsored by Alderson Main Street. The judges (who prefer to remain anonymous) say that it is such a pleasure to drive around and view the wonderful creative decorating and such a hard job to decide on the winners. Alderson Main Street thanks everyone who participated.
This year, the judges would also like to recognize two areas for special commendation. On the Monroe side, the section of Railroad Avenue with the old bank and the Wigglesworth Building – Main Street Apartments, Alderson Medical Center, Christ Our Saviour of the Valley Lutheran Church, and Fritz’s Pharmacy are particularly festive when viewed as a whole. On the Greenbrier side, three adjacent residences on Riverview Avenue between Washington Street and Virginia Street stand out with their wonderful decorations.
The winners in each category are as follows:
Best Nativity: James and Anita Falls – 1st place, Theresa and Gordon Massie – Honorable Mention
Old Fashioned Christmas: LisaMarie Cropper – 1st place, Amy and Brandon Catron – Honorable Mention, Jennifer and Jeremy Dorsey – Honorable Mention
Children’s Fantasy: Rebecca and Robert Hambrick – 1st place, Hollie Howard – Honorable Mention, Stephanie Morgan and Jeremy Rickard – Honorable Mention
Spirit of Christmas: Joyce Mott and Phil Mershon – 1st place, Amanda and Billy Thomas – Honorable Mention, Julie and Anthony Hedrick – Honorable Mention
Gem of the Hills: Jeri and David Martin – 1st place, Donna and Rick Sims – Honorable Mention, Karen Lobban – Honorable Mention
Festival of Lights: Samantha and Chase Reed – 1st place, Holly and Chuckie Gore – Honorable Mention, Eddie Bowyer – Honorable Mention
Large Business: Riverview Motel & Café – 1st place
Small Business: Alderson Artisan Gallery – 1st place, Alderson’s Store – Honorable Mention, S & M Auto Repair – Honorable Mention
Also this year, citizens, businesses, and groups were invited to decorate lamp posts with snowmen in the spirit of the season. AMS member Fawn Valentine said, “Individually handmade decorations catch people’s attention and interest so much more than ones they may have seen elsewhere. The fact that people took time to make something for public display reflects very well on Alderson and fosters a sense of community.” Don Sutherland, AMS Secretary, coordinated this effort and participants were Theresa and Beth Massie; Jeri Martin (two posts); Greenbrier Valley Special Olympics; Alderson Artisans Gallery; VFW Tri-county Memorial Post 6723; Riverview Motel and Café; and Stephanie Mullins.