We are proud to announce that The Pat and Kitty DuBose Memorial Christmas Light Challenge benefitting HANK Inc’s local foster children raised $8,263 this year! There were so many homes, beautifully lit for a wonderful cause…..lighting up our city and lighting up children’s lives.
This money will help make Christmas special for over 200 local foster children who are in care of CPS. Not only does HANK, Inc. buy each one of these kids a special Christmas gift, but they also fund two local community foster homes in Devine and Hondo, and provide things that these children need day in and day out throughout the year.
We would like to thank the many citizens who contributed over $1,600 in entry fees (that go directly to HANK’s kids), as well as Devine Hospice Thrift Store which donated $5,000 as part of this Christmas Campaign for HANK, Medina Electric who donated $1,000 as part of this campaign and also sponsored the 2nd place prize. We’d also like to thank the DJ Memorial Bust n Burn, who sponsored the 1st place prize.
1st place Residential went to Esther and Mikeal Ruesch who’s humongous, magical Christmas display full of lights and every kind of character you can imagine. The $500 prize was sponsored by DJ Carlson Memorial Bust n Burn, and the winners donated part of the money back to HANK’s kids, and plan to use the remainder to help military families in need.
2nd Place went to Greg and JoAnn Boyd for their high flying lights draped from majestic Oaks and the roof and their comical “Day after Christmas” display, featuring a life-like Santa Claus with his legs propped up next to some pink flamingos like he’s sitting on some beach, somewhere. Numerous characters decorate the yard to get everyone in the Christmas spirit on Wedgewood Way.
3rd Place goes to the Lenard Dossey family, who’s home seems to have Santa and his reindeer flying right over top of it. Their beautiful handmade wooden gingerbread men and snowmen representing members of their family are the perfect, unique touch! Their white picket fence lined in colorful lights also adds to this magical scene with a beautiful manger and baby Jesus front and center.
The Silent Night Award goes to Lisa Gardner for her absolutely beautiful manger scene and animals which surround her home. All of the figures including the caravan of camels, flock of sheep, and Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus were hand-made with care, making this display absolutely unique even more heart-warming to see.
The “I Believe in Santa Claus!” Award goes to Jeffrey Ingleston who has a HUGE, beautiful Christmas display full of lights and characters about a mile and half outside Devine on Hwy 173 going towards Jourdanton. As we judged the contest, our littlest judge saw Santa peeking through the home’s kitchen window, baking cookies, waving, and then turning to walk across the room, and it really had her believing. “Santa waved at me mommy!” she said. Countless characters decorate the yard including a comical “bowling for penguins” blowup display that had us laughing.
Most Creative goes to the Gilberto Contreras family on Jamison Drive in downtown Devine. This display is full of color and every time you look at it, you see something different. This wonderland of lights is beautiful, magical, and oh so creative!
Most Comical goes to the Albert and Maria Elizondo family, who’s quaint little yard is full of blow-up characters including a dragon and a funny puppy dog that will keep you laughing and smiling this Christmas.
Most Magical goes to Raye-Linn Jackson family for her beautiful display that truly lights up the neighborhood in Moore. Warm white lights are abundant. Santa rides in a really unique old-fashioned carriage, pulled by reindeer and marked “US Mail.” You’ll also find the biggest, puffiest Snowman in the front yard, lit with candy cane walkways, several brightly lit reindeer, and blinking stars on the porch add nice mix of animation to the many beautiful, warm, white traditional lights.
The Winter Wonderland Award goes to Chris Gregory and Ashli Gentry who have perhaps the most colorful display along Hwy 173 as you go through Devine.
The 1st place in the Business Category went to the First United Methodist Church in Devine, which has a beautiful manger display celebrating the Reason for the Season. Their display is beautifully lit with their big, stained glass window of their church in the backdrop, making it even more gorgeous.
The 2nd place in the Business Category goes to the Devine Garden Club for their awesome Christmas display at four corners in downtown Devine. These ladies do such a good job, volunteering their time to decorate for special occasions at four corners several times a year. It’s fun for everyone to see the pretty sights at four corners!
The 3rd place in the Business Category goes to Tito’s Restaurant in Devine for their truly unique Christmas Garden inside the cafe, with tiny houses and characters intricately placed on a snowy scene. A train running through the village is the perfect touch, and all the children love to stop and stare at this sweet Christmas village. This is a special one to us at The Devine News, as this competition is held each year in honor of the late Pat and Kitty DuBose, who put up the magical little Christmas villages like this one every year at their home for all their grandchildren to admire and play with.
