Eagle i: Decorating finalists announced

The Decorating Contest preliminary judging took place Dec. 14 and 15. Zone judging teams visited each-decorated home, condo and business within 9 zones covering every street on the entire island. The finalists will be judged tonight from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Plaques will be presented to the 10 home contest finalists. The winner of the business contest receives a plaque and a yard sign for display. The condo contest winner receives a plaque. The house decorating winner receives a championship plaque, yard sign and $500.

LCEC, the events premier sponsor since the contest’s inception, provided the funds for the cash award. Additional sponsors of the event are Centennial Bank and the Marco Island Trolley, decorated and lighted for the finals by the Marco Island Florist.

The contest, chaired by Dave Rice since 1997, has been a tremendous success. In 2008, 1,084 homes and 97 businesses were involved in the judging process. Every year more and more of Marco Island’s residents and business owners get involved in contributing to the holiday spirit and the committees theme “Light Up Marco.” For 2009, 1,532 homes, 120 businesses and 67 condo’s were lighted for a record breaking 1719 properties decorated for the Christmas season.

The traditional car caravan, following the trolley to see the top 10 first hand is fun for all. The trolley leaves the Marco Island Florist property at 178 South Barfield at approximately 6:30 p.m., tonight. A list of honorable mention properties are listed for those who wish to view additional Christmas décor.

The rules state that winners cannot repeat as winners for five years to ensure the opportunity for others to be successful. However, many prior winners still decorate and set very high standards for everyone. Addresses of the top contestants are published and visiting the homes is great entertainment during the holiday season.

2009 Finalists:

Top 10 homes

548 Barfield Dr.

1369 North Collier Blvd.

570 South Heathwood

10 Acorn

201 Windbrook (corner of Honduras/Windbrook)

1234 6th Ave.

1232 Fruitland

1208 Fruitland

91 Bermuda

151 Channel

2009 Honorable Mention Homes Worth Seeing

2000 Sheffield

1805 Dogwood

1842 Dogwood

1821 Dogwood

1591 Galleon

1482 Leland

780 Copeland

900 Scott

975 Leo

1285 Orange

301 3rd Ave.

2009 business finalists

Captain Brien’s, 599 South Collier Blvd.

Marco Island Florist, 178 South Bafield Dr.

Sanitasole, 218 Soouth Barfield Dr.

Nacho Mama’s 599 South Collier Blvd.

Konrads 599 South Collier Blvd.

Collier Seawall and Dock, 217 No. Collier Blvd.

2009 condo finalists

Gary& Jill Grammont, Wilma Sanders & Harold Roth

Tradewinds Condo Association, Floors 9 through 11

Bonnie & Craig Woodward

1061 South Collier Blvd, PH-1

Past Winners — Ineligible for contest and worth seeing in 2009

Arturo’s, 844 Bald Eagle

1599 Winterberry

160 Bermuda

The 2009 judging team chairpersons include ...

Donna and Jim Rohrbach, Carol and Bob Boland, Carla and Mike Mickes, Judy and Larry Sacher, Nancy and Joe Carrington, Debbie and Marty Roddy, Susan and Ken Kubat, Liz and Bill Doyle, Diane and Ken Honecker, Linda Turner and Jerry Swiacki, Paula and Richard Robinson, Richard and Ann Niess, Jeanne and Dave Rice.

Previous contest winners include ...

1997 The Napior family, 489 Balsam Court

1998 The MacDonald Family, 1580 Villa Court

1999 The Ewing/Williams Family, 1227 Treasure Court

2000 The Sorenson Family, 164 Clyburn

2001 The Prigge Family, 1369 North Collier Boulevard

2002 The Fair Family,1306 6th Ave.

2003 Dwayne Thomas, 296 Rockhill Court

2004 The Liv Family, 1448 Collingswood

2005 The MacDonald Family, 1580 Villa Court

2006 The Schilke Family, 1599 Winterberry Court

2007 Linda & Quirico Wynns &Barbara Maikisch, 160 Bermuda Rd.

2008 The Tamayo Family, 1211 Lamplighter

Previous business decorating winners include ...

2006 Arturo’s Restaurnt, 844 Bald Eagle Drive

2007 Sunshine Booksellers, 1000 N. Collier Blvd.

2008 Kerry’s Café, 121 So. Barfield Dr.