Culture
“Uptown For The Holidays” Gingerbread Contest Winners Announced
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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The winners of the 2014 Uptown for the Holidays Gingerbread Competition are pretty familiar with the feeling.
Both grand prize winners were champions last year, including Nancy Mingus, who defended her title, taking the $500 grand prize in the professional category.
Grand prizes were awarded to those that depicted an Athens city or county historical site, building or landmark.
Barbara Miller was part of a group that won first place last year in the group category, but this year the group took first in the $500 non-professional category. The building was familiar to her, mostly because she lives in it.
“There aren’t all that many historical buildings, but we live in that one so I thought it would be a good idea,” Miller said.
Miller spent two months working on the 1816 origin Daniel Stewart House, with help from her son and other friends.
“I started making the gingerbread before Thanksgiving,” Miller said.
Last year, both Miller and Mingus made a replica of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Since then, Miller has learned even more about what to do and what not to do with gingerbread.
“I figured out that if a piece of gingerbread bows, as they always do, you can microwave it and then put it under a heavy book to fix it,” Miller said. “It’s such a good thing to know when you’re in the middle of the project.”
Winners were also announced in child, teen, adult and group categories. Below are the winners and where the entries can be seen from Dec. 7 until Jan. 1.
First place winners won $200 in each category other than the grand prize categories.
Child’s category
Rebecca Lassey’s “Middle School Madness,” which will be displayed in Artifacts.
Teen category
Allie Holm’s “Hagrid’s Hut,” which will be displayed in Little Professor Books.
Adult category
Cherie D’Mello’s “Pirate Ship,” which will be displayed in Lucky’s Sports Tavern.
Group category
Lindsey Meili and Terry Swank’s “Fairy Christmas,” which will be displayed in Keith Chapman Jewelers. Second place went to the Chambers family for “Woodland Cabin,” which will be displayed in the Athens County Commissioners’ office.
Non-Professional category
Grand Prize: Barbara Miller and her group’s “The Daniel Stewart House, 1816,” to be displayed in the Hocking Valley Bank. Second place went to Sonya Ferrier for “The Athena Theater,” which will be displayed in the County Commissioners’ office.
Professional category
Grand Prize: Nancy Mingus and Jennifer Dillie for “Athens Train Station, 1960s,” which will be displayed in Attractions. Second place went to Olivia Johnson and Eric Allchin for “Stocker Center,” to be displayed in the window of Frognet.
Other entries
Although it was not entered in the contest, Sarah Boumphrey made a second gingerbread structure in tribute to the Union Street businesses damaged by fire. “An Homage to Union Street,” which will be displayed in the Athens County Historical Society and Museum.
“Lin Hall, The Ridges,” created by Kristin Barron, family and friends, will be displayed at Court Street Coffee.
“Cutler Hall,” created by Sarah Boumphrey will be displayed at The College Book Store.
“A Ladd Ridge Dairy Barn Christmas,” created by the Van Nostran family, will be displayed at Cross Court Cards and Gifts.
“The Dairy Barn,” created by Angela Wince will be at The Other Place.
“55 Elmwood Place,” by the Holm Family will be at Mountain Laurel.
“Nelsonville’s Brick Kiln Park,” by Otis Meeks and Carrie Hickel, will be displayed in the County Commissioners’ office.
“Christmas time on The Ridges,” by Casey Siemer, Liz Siemer, Deanna Conroy and Randi Taylor will be displayed at So Livi’s.