Published: December 04, 2008 04:00 am         

Downtown display of gingerbread houses begins

ONEONTA _ Floury dust adds a hint of age to the gingerbread walls of the Stevens Hardware store replica at the 153 Main St. retailer.

The gingerbread store, trimmed with peppermint sticks, is among more than a dozen structures on display starting today at downtown businesses in Main Street Oneonta's annual competition. The Agoglias of Oneonta won first place and $140 in the family category for their creation.

And at 6 tonight, Main Street Oneonta will host a tree-lighting at Muller Plaza downtown. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present during activities between 5 and 8 p.m., and singers and ballet dancers will help usher in the holiday spirit.

The gingerbread creations are on display at Artware, Key Bank, NBT Bank, Knitting It All Together, the Greater Oneonta Historical Society and the Hospice Thrift Store, said Nancy Scanlon, chairwoman of Main Street Oneonta.

Also downtown tonight, members of the Catskill Choral Society will sing carols, Scanlon said, and Fokine ballet dancers will appear in storefronts. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available, and reindeer will be shown. The activities are planned to create a free, pleasant family event, she said.

Main Street downtown will close to vehicular traffic at 5 p.m., organizers said.

Main Street Oneonta's 2008 Gingerbread House Contest and Display sponsors also were the Oneonta Centennial Committee, Benson Agency Real Estate and the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. The theme this year was ``City of Oneonta Centennial,'' and prizes were awarded in cash and in ``Downtown Dollars," which may be spent at more than 30 businesses.

A Main Street Oneonta media release announced the winners and their prizes as:

In the family division:

2nd and $100: The Herrick Family of Oneonta, with ``Oneonta Centennial."

3rd and $80: Adam Agoglia of Oneonta, with ``Neahwa Pond Ice Skating."

In the young adult division:

1st and $140: Laurens Central School Art Club, with ``The Roundhouse."

2nd and $100: Heather White, of Oneonta, no title provided.

3rd and $80: Brittney Herrick, of Oneonta with "Centennial Celebration."

Honorable Mention and $40: Cameron Bowne, of Oneonta with "Oneonta's First Mayor."

In the adult division:

1st and $200: Donna Borgstrom of Cooperstown, with ``Center Street School."

2nd and $140: Jean Ostrowski of Oneonta, with "Sleigh Ride."

3rd and $100: Hampshire House of Oneonta, with "Downtown Christmas Tree."

And in the ``giant'' category:

1st and $220: Kay Gale of Maryland, with "Covered Bridge."

2nd and $160: Francis Holderman of Oneonta, no title provided.

3rd and $120: Theresa Smith of Oneonta, no title provided.

Honorable mention and $40: Mary Kate and Sandy Lynch of Oneonta, with ``Happy Holidays."

Winning ``best of show'' and $240 was the State University College of Technology at Delhi team, with "Christmas Victorian."

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