RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Lighting up the holidays
Oiler's Lube Express - Findlay
By LINSEY MAUGHAN

STAFF WRITER

Blending holiday spirit with a bit of healthy competition, the Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative's annual holiday light contest has announced its winners.

Three area families were selected, with each receiving a $100 Meijer gift card. The winners are Billy and Debra Bennett of 1460 Portage Township 136, McComb; Tommy, Andrew and Patrick Gilgen of 2605 Foxfire Lane, Findlay; and Bill and Nancy Keeler of 2285 Hancock County 26, Mount Cory.



Most overall lights

The Bennetts won for having the most lights. Their lights display includes icicles on their roof line as well as lights strung around columns, trees and bushes.

Debra said the lights are mostly red and white, but there are also a few multicolored strands thrown in. The Bennetts also have decorative reindeer in the yard.

"I like Christmas. I try to make it magical," Debra said. "I like to decorate the inside, and I got my husband into decorating the outside now. And of course it kind of caught on to him."

Debra said the holiday light contest is good motivation to put extra effort into decorating for the holidays.

"It's nice. It encourages you to do it again," she said.

It took the Bennetts about two weeks of gradual decorating to get all of their holiday lights ready.

"I hope everybody enjoys the lights," Debra said. "It's our way of saying Merry Christmas."



Most unique

Brothers Tommy, Andrew, and Patrick Gilgen (ages 10, 9 and 5) won the holiday lights contest in the category of most unique.

The boys' parents are Peter and Susan Gilgen.

"My dad tested all the lights for us, and then he told us we could put them up on all of the bushes and then our tree fort in the backyard," Tommy said.

Tommy said the yard, which was decorated by the boys with a little help from their dad, features both colored and white lights, reindeer, and figures of the Peanuts gang.

"Every year we get a new thing," Tommy said. "This year it was Snoopy and all of the Peanuts characters."

Tommy also said his family was surprised when they found out they won the contest.

"I felt really good, and then I immediately called my dad at work, and he was happy and couldn't believe it," he said. "And Andrew and Patrick were excited, too."

"We all like Christmas lights, and it's fun to put them up and spread the joy."



Best reason for the season

Winning in the "best reason for the season" category were the Keelers, whose yard features a nativity scene, "Happy Birthday Jesus" lights, and "Jesus is the reason for the season" lights, according to Nancy.

"We have a church and we have some choirs," she said. "We have a lot of decorations."

Nancy said she and her husband have been flattered by cards and notes they've received from people saying they appreciate the holiday lights.

"I just enjoy Christmas, and that's all I decorate for is Christmas," she said. "I don't buy any decorations for any other holiday."

Nancy said her passion for holiday decorating stemmed from watching her children and grandchildren admire her decorations as they were growing up.

"I enjoyed watching them, and now I enjoy my great-grandkids when they come and see it," she said. "And any other kids that might come by here and see it."

Maughan: 419-427-8417,




Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
Ryan wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Research
“ It doesn't matter if there was a weapon found or not. An officer's job is based upon perception and their objective reasonablen... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:05:15 AM
Derek wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate......what???
“ Nate, first of all, police officer's don't carry mase. If they did, the would carry maCe. Now, if you did some research, you'd... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 4:02:04 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
Beltone Hearing Aids
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.