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Show Jbe Utah Statesmajii > GINGERBREAD HOUSES From page 7 by Gene Needham. Needham, owner of S.E. Needham Jewelers and President of the Logan Downtown Alliance said, "It's a delightful program. We would like more participants and stores involved. I think it's an effective way to get people downtown." Needham said his sister suggested the idea after she saw it in a small town she lived in near Washington D.C. There are nine gingerbread houses this year in nine different downtown retailers. Those who want to vote or just look at the "home tour" can go to the following locations to find the gingerbread houses. • For a stroll down a Starburst pathway past the Mint Forest and the Gumdrop Mountains, go see Heather Baird's version of "Candyland" at On The Avenue. The gingerbread replica of the famous board game comes complete with an Ice Cream Sea, Molasses Swamp and a Brittle House. • Instead of in theaters, go see "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," at Coppin's Hallmark. Christine Goh built Charlie's old, tilted house in the middle of Willy Wonka's factory. . The "Little Town of Bethlehem" can be seen without leaving Logan, at U & I Furniture. Laura Moser made this gingerbread house. • The North Pole has come to Edwards Furniture and "Santa's Workshop" is in full production. Lara Meedro made this gingerbread house. • "Hansel and Gretel," followed the breadcrumbs to Poco Loco Swim Shop. Linette Hlavaty made this gingerbread house complete with afireplaceinside. • Anita, Abby and Ileah are bringing back "Autumn" with their gingerbread house, which is on display at Bernina Stylish Fabrics. • "Chinese Restaurant" doesn't serve food; it is made of it. Everything from the frosting dirt to the candy fish floating in a pond and the chocolate rocks are edible. This house can be found at S.E. Needham Jewelers. • A gingerbread firehouse and fire trucks can be seen in "A Tribute to Firefighters" at The Book Table. Bob Marcolese, manager of the Logan Downtown Alliance, said the gingerbread house he is most proud of was in 2003. "Aria Gibbons built a castle which she submitted to Good Housekeeping and won second in the nation," Marcolese said. "This year's entries are top notch and could easily go into Good Housekeeping too." Gibbons' entry is at The Sportsman this year. It is called "Historical Home." With bricks made of chewing gum and candy cane pillars, this house displays a piece of history. "It's a positive thing for downtown businesses and people. They can come shop and look at the gingerbread houses. And it gets the.participants' names out there for their artistic talents," Tim Hansen, sales manager at S.E. Needham said. "Biggest mistake I made when I went to see the gingerbread houses: I went hungry." Tiffany Tripp, a junior majoring in community health education said. "I want to be professional gingerbread house maker when I grow up." Only four of the nine participants this year have made a house in past years, Marcolese said. "Their displays are absolute works of art," Marcolese said, "They are very impressive." Participants weren't allowed to spend as much as they wanted, however. In fact, they were allowed a $75 maximum spending limit, Marcolese said. The contest is meant to display talent and art in downtown Logan. Marcolese said it is giving residents an opportunity to walk down the street and look in the windows at the gingerbread houses during the holiday season. "It's a fun activity for groups or families to come to the stores and vote," Hansen said. The retailers were chosen based on their hours and their proximity to downtown, Marcolese said. "It takes a lot of time for these people to make the houses," Marcolese said, "I'm very grateful. We would like to have more entries too." The house's are all made of food mostly gingerbread and candy. The bases of the houses range from 2 to 3 feet and as high as 18 inches to 2 feet tall. The contest will continue through New Year's Day and anyone can go look at the houses, pick up a ballot at any store involved and vote on their favorite three. There is also a children's display at Stork Landing, but there was only one entry. This was the first year they tried the children's display. Needham said he hoped they could develop it next year. The prizes given were meant to give the winners a night out in downtown Logan, Marcolese said. The grand prize winner will receive a two night's stay at the Seasons in the Riter Mansion, a $50 gift certificate to The Painted Table Restaurant, and two tickets to an Ellen Ecdes Theater performance of the choice. Second and third place winners will receive a replica of the Bluebird Restaurant and all participants will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store where their house is displayed, Marcolese said. There will also be a public winner who will receive a one nights stay for two at the Anniversary Inn Bed and Breakfast, a $50 gift certificate to Le Nonne's Italiano Ristorante and two tickets to an Ellen Eccles Theater performance of their choice, Marcolese said. -hollyadams@cc.usu.edu MkhaelSharp/michoelsbarpQtcusu.edu THE SIXTH ANNUAL PARADE OF GINGERBREAD HOUSES features 10 houses made by Cache Valley residents. The homes are on display at various stores including 'The Christmas Candyland Game' at On the Avenue and 'Chinese Restaurant' inside S.E. Needham Jewelers. The winner of the competition will receive a two night stay at the Seasons in the Riter Mansion, a $50 gift certificate to The Painted Table and two tickets to an Ellen Eccles performance of their choice. • rc err |