The Wilkeson Historical Society would like to announce the 2009 Wilkeson’s Christmas Light Contest winners. Winners are in two categories: Most Christmas Lights and Best Christmas Theme.

Family tickets to Zoolights and $100 cash prize goes to first place winners Linda and Dan Abbot (601 Cedar St.) for Best Christmas Theme and Chuck Erb (221 Brierhill Blvd.) for Most Christmas Lights. A family dinner certificate to the Pick ‘n’ Shovel Restaurant or the Eagles Hall plus $25 cash prize for second place winners Tom and Christine Crain (222 Albert St.) for Best Christmas Theme and Wes and Kristin Bruhn (624 Railroad St.) for Most Christmas Lights. A Wilkeson Commemorative quilt and 2010 Historic Photo Calendar for honorable mention winners Dale and Paula Perry (541 Church St.) for Best Christmas Theme, and Luke and Leanne Holm (608 Hill St.) for Most Christmas Lights. Many thanks to our sponsors: Point Defiance Zoolights, Tami Macias and Pick ‘n’ Shovel Restaurant, Wilkeson Eagles Aerie 1409, and Buono’s Coffee.

The tree lighting ceremony and activities were well attended and enjoyed by all. A very big thanks to those who made it all possible: Mayor Janet Kepka and town staff – Curtiss Rowe, Jason Bazzar, Meredith Shirey, Kat Turley and Ed Schantz; children’s activities coordinated by Trisha Summers and volunteers Bill Summers, Tanner Summers, Devin Summers, Wendy Heddrick, Georgia John and Darla McQueen; our special guest Santa and Santa’s helper Marsha Derby; refreshments coordinated by Linda Youmans and Janet Kepka; judging by George Pasero, Harry Berry and Linda Youmans; the tree from Dick Haulet and Eric Haulet; wagon rides from Beau LaCross and John Albert; wonderful musical entertainment from the Calvary Bell Choir and Foothills Chorale Choir; and much needed assistance from Donald O’Hara, Dave Wright, Dave Youmans, Margie Pasero, Tim Hodder, Dan Hogerhuis and Brian Hogerhuis.

A special thanks to Dale and Paula Perry and friends who provided a holiday open house and historic tour of the Washington Hotel. We appreciate the numerous community members who provided delicious cookies for the event, and food for the food bank.

We hope the community enjoyed this year’s light contest and tree lighting ceremony. We look forward to making it an annual event. If you would like to join us in planning, the Historical Society meets once a month, information can be found at town hall or by calling 360-829-4281.

Donna Hogerhuis,

event coordinator

Wilkeson Historical Society