Sweet start to the holidays

Three judges fought their sweet tooth long enough to announce winners Thursday night in the Dimmick Memorial Library gingerbread house contest in Jim Thorpe.

According to Mary Ann Kmetz, library director, there were 10 entries in the group division, three in the child division (12 and under) and one in the adult division.

Winning the children's division was Katrina Trine, 11, of Jim Thorpe.

"I found out about the contest and thought it would be a fun way to bring me and my dad together," she said.

"We worked on it for about 90 minutes a day for two to three days. We used candy lights, icing fondant, Rice Krispies treats, Twizzler shutters and Fruit Roll-Ups shingles."

Trine said she got the inspiration for the house from watching movies and she's familiar with the story of Hansel and Gretel.

"I'm excited that we won," she said. "I thought we could do it and we did."

The only adult to submit an entry was Laura Holloway, of Lehighton. She used pasta throughout her house to give it a unique look.

Todd, Beth, Sage and Daisy Lutte, of Jim Thorpe, won the group division.

Judging the contest was David Price, the Rev. John Wagner and Mary Mulligan.

"This is a great tradition for the library and a way to bring families together," Kmetz said.

"Everyone did really amazing work. I'm especially impressed with the details from a cat in a barn window to the use of ice cream cones."

The event was part of Jim Thorpe's Olde Time Christmas Festival.

First place winners were given $25 with second place and honorable mention finishers awarded $10 each.

The houses will be on display at the library through Dec. 15.

To see more entries in this year's contest, see the photo gallery at www.tnonline.com