Named winners this year in the Rotary Club Home Decorating Contest for July 4, 2020 were the Keith and Ellen Gardiner Family at 214 Roberts Street for overall “Best Night Time July 4 Display” featuring the “Olympics in Tokyo in 2000-opps 2001”and the Terry and Connie Kamprath home at 938 Cherry Lane for the overall “Best Daytime Display” with their “Red, White and Blue Party! “for July 4, 2020! Both will be awarded the First place trophies!
Named winners this year in the Rotary Club Home Decorating Contest for July 4, 2020 were the Keith and Ellen Gardiner Family at 214 Roberts Street for overall “Best Night Time July 4 Display” featuring the “Olympics in Tokyo in 2000-opps 2001”and the Terry and Connie Kamprath home at 938 Cherry Lane for the overall “Best Daytime Display” with their “Red, White and Blue Party! “for July 4, 2020! Both will be awarded the First place trophies!
Both homes and businesses were recognized by the committee, as “In the Spirit” for the July 4 celebration in Seward. Other top finishers in the contest were the home of Jill and Jarod Hochstein at 357 Star Street-winning the “Spirit Award” and the historic Gilbert and Marie Blomenberg home at 345 North Second Street winning the “Patriotic Spirit” award along with the “President’s Award” presented to the Dave and Amber Fiala Historic Home at 411 Columbia Avenue! Another lighted entry that was outstanding was the lighted and decorated home of the Gene Mayfield Family at 208 Third Street. The top two first place homes will receive a special trophy to recognize their efforts and thank them for their leadership in promoting and helping to make Seward a “red, white and blue” community-however all of the decorated homes are appreciated and fun to enjoy.
The contest was sponsored by the Seward Rotary Club and assisted by the Seward High FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America). Judges were members of both clubs, with co-chair being Alan Baldwin for the Rotary Club-assisted by Ken Schmieding and Clark Kolterman and FBLA Club Leaders Christian Fields and Gracen Sommerer-Cochairmen for SHS FBLA. A van of dedicated club members judged the nominated homes on Sunday evening June 28, 2020! The judging may appear early but the committee wanted to announce the awards in the Seward County Independent prior to the Fourth, so individuals could “check out the homes for themselves!” stated Alan Baldwin.
“It is wonderful to see so many homes in Seward have taken on the Fourth of July excitement and the Rotary is honored to recognize and thank all of the families who took time to create a fun outdoor “red, white and blue” theme for the community to enjoy! What great community spirit-Rotary thanks, salutes and honors all of the nominees! “Stated the new Seward Rotary Club President Brady Johnson. “Our winners were all nominated and to be sure the home was judged, it is good to give the committee a nomination, so we don’t miss them!”
Other decorated homes receiving Honorable Mention and deserving a “must see” included…
Daytime Decorating Honorable Mention…
The Huber’s 1444 North First Street
The Baden’s 326 East Seward Street
The Lipska’s 1611 N. First
The Turner’s, 1320 River Street
The Engel’s, 505 North 3rd
The Roll’s, 422 Hillcrest Avenue
The Bolte’s, Hillcrest Avenue
Elizabeth Kozisek’s, 1750 Meadow Lane
The Novak’s, 901 Bradford Avenue
The Hrdlicka’s, 320 Cherry Lane
The Daley’s, 629 North 5 th
The Coleman’s, 621 North 5 th
The Urbanek’s, 710 North Avenue
The Bartels, 825 South Street
The Pruner’s, 1107 6 th Street
The Scribner’s 112 Seward Street
The Arneson’s, 636 North 5 th Street
The Kolterman’s, 1027 Plainview Avenue
The Thrubers, 1338 Plainview Avenue
The “Matzke Corner,” 110 Seward Street
The Marshall’s, 172 Struther’s Place
The Royak’s, 142 Seward Street
The Wake’s, 136 North Columbia
The Otte’s, 1650 Meadow Lane
The Novak’s, West Bradford Street
Recognized Night time decorated home Honorable Mentioned included…
The Placke’s, 211 Struther’s Place
The Wickersham’s, 906 North Third Street
The Boaz’s, 917 Bradford
The judge’s also wanted to recognize and thank Merle’s Flower Shop, Liberty House, Mueri Drug, Allure Fashions, Etcetera, the Second Closet, Seward Blue Valley, Enhance Physical Therapy, Chapter’s Books and Gifts, the Nebraska National Guard Museum and Dodie’s Crafts for their creative, patriotic and red, white and blue store window displays.
The contest was judged on Saturday, June 28, 2020. Questions should be directed to Rotarian Alan Baldwin-Project Chairman, with assistant co-chair FBLA Leaders Christian Fields and Gracen Sommerer.
Photo: Gardiner Home-214 Roberts Street-First Place-Best Night Time Display for July 4 in Seward-