December 10, 2009
The 12th annual Keene Chamber of Commerce Best Decorated contest, which recognizes a residential yard and a commercial business that is best decorated — inside and outside — for the holidays, is seeking nominations.
Two awards will be presented to a business: one for the best outdoor decorations and another for the best indoor decorations.
Residents can nominate their favorite by calling the Keene Chamber office at 817-556-2995 through Wednesday, Dec. 23.
A committee of judges will visit each nominated home and business to make the final selection.
Owners of the winning residential yard (or house) and business interior and exterior will receive sign recognition placed at their address; be guests of the Chamber at its meeting on Jan. 28, and receive a prize; have their photo posted on the Keene Chamber Web site — which can be found via a link on the Keene Star Web site at www.keenestar.net — and have their photo published in the Keene Star.
All nominations must be within the Keene city limits.
The awards started in 1998, when the Woodlawn home of Alan and Chrissie Weis won. Chisholm Trail Estates won the business award that year.
In 1999, the Old Betsy Road home of Dolly and Herman Chastain received the residential honors while the business winner was Childrens University.
In 2000, the Shady Oak Street home of Frank and Jean Peterson received the residential honor, while the business winner was Town Hall Estates.
In 2001, the Oakwood Street home of Bobbi Northrop won the residential vote and the Edward Jones office of Susan Meyer in Old Betsy Village was the commercial business winner.
In 2002, the Honeysuckle Street home of Albert and Lorayne Riley was voted Best Decorated home or yard, and the Old Betsy Road office of Dr. Nancy Kimbrow was voted Best Decorated business.
Other recent winners include Frank and Jean Peterson for the second time, Roger and Julie George on Greenbriar and Town Hall Estates for a second time.
In 2006, Mandy’s Coffee and Bistro won the business category and the homes of Harvey Braden and Bill and Sharan Boelter shared the residential catetory award.
In 2007, the Edward Jones office of Susan Meyer in Keene received the most votes to win the Best Decorated Business category while the residential home of Frank and Jean Peterson won for the third time.
Last year, the Honeysuckle home of Billie Hopps won the residential award, the Edward Jones office of Susan Meyer won the business best decorated outdoor award and Pinnacle Bank won the business best decorated indoor award.
Voters should remember to go inside local businesses.