Kellogg lighting winners announced
Photo by Josh McDonald/ The front window at JB’s Country Garden took home first place in the Uptown Kellogg Business Association’s first ever lighting/decorating contest. The window was designed by Jennifer McDonald, who has been decorating the windows at JB’s for nearly two decades.
“Let the Christmas lights warm your heart tonight, Let them guide you home from the cold.”
KELLOGG — Susan Boyle was on to something when she sang those lyrics in her 2016 hit "May You Never Be Alone."
And they seem to resonate well in Uptown Kellogg.
Over the last few months local residents may have noticed a concerted effort by the businesses in Uptown Kellogg to make the retail area a more welcoming place for locals and tourists alike.
For the holidays, the Uptown Kellogg Business Association (UKBA) decided to host a little contest among the shops to see who could best decorate their shop windows.
The Uptown businesses plan was to light up Uptown Kellogg for the Holiday Season.
“(We want) businesses to put lights up around the lamp posts and also decorated their windows for lighting competition and bragging rights,” said Francine Hoch, a founding member of the UKBA on their Facebook page. “We asked the City for involvement to judge the store front’s lighting debut. Mayor (Mac) Pooler gladly jumped in as our judge.”
After hearing back from Mayor Pooler, they announced their winners.
First place went to JB’s Country Garden, second place went to Lisa’s Gems, and third place went to the Kellogg Senior Activity Center.
JB’s Country Garden has been in Uptown Kellogg for some time, preceding many of the newer businesses by many years, and for at least the last 15 years, Jennifer McDonald has been decorating the front window of JB’s for the holidays or special occasions.
“I remember as a kid, loving seeing the shops and how they decorated their windows during the holidays,” McDonald said. “It’s very ‘A Christmas Story’-esqe for me. I love for a window to evoke feelings or emotions of joy, childhood, or even haunting and heartfelt emotions sometimes. I’m always wanting the shop to be a good reflection of our owners Janice and Orlando Berti, I think we’re all very proud to have won the first ever Uptown Kellogg lighting contest.”
The lights are still up, so If you have not had the chance to drive through Uptown Kellogg go check them out.