The Flowertown Garden Club Christmas Doorway Decorating Contest returned this year with a theme of “Celebrating 175 Years of Christmas in Summerville.” Entries were judged for creativity, balance, and theme, while also critiquing decorations for uniqueness and originality. Awards were given in two categories — member and non member — for First, Second and Third place in each category.
Among the members category, Carrie Lutes received first place. Mrs. Lutes’ design featured magnolia, pine, and cedar greenery, with burgundy ribbon bows. In keeping with the theme of Summerville’s 175 year anniversary, Mrs. Lutes also included a framed stamped and mailed envelope on The Pine Forest Inn stationery. After buying their house on President Circle, the property where the historic Pine Forest Inn once stood, Mrs. Lutes became interested in the history of the renowned Inn. She found and purchased the envelope, which was postmarked in 1895, on eBay. This historic stationery was incorporated into the design and perfectly represented the theme of “175 Years of Christmas in Summerville.”
Among the non-members category, the home of Bailey Sherrier received first place. Mrs. Sherrier is new to the Summerville and entered the contest to become involved in the community. Inspired by her daughters, Mrs. Sherrier set the stage for her design with a precious pink door adorned with live greens and beautiful camellias from her gardens, as well as some pine greens trimmed from her Christmas tree. She used the same greens for her wreath with beautiful pears to contrast the soft pink ribbon bow. The door was flanked with two boxwood topiaries also adorned with pink ribbon and pears.
The other entries were all beautifully decorated, and it was an extremely hard decision to choose our winners. Rounding out the top prizes for the member category, Meredith Buddin received second place and Paige Bailey received third place. In the non-member category, Jody Gotter received second place and Stephanie Mitchum received third place.
