Richmond Hill all aglow

It wasn’t an easy decision, said the judges. There were many worthy candidates.
In the end, though, it was Sherry Gokool, of 112th Street, that walked away with the first prize check of $500.
The Richmond Hill Block Association (RHBA) and Dynamic Properties Realty organized the Inaugural Holiday Lights Competition, a contest throughout Richmond Hill to determine which house boasted the best holiday decorations.
The event was judged by RHBA Members Richard Dono and Ray Aviles, and the $1,000 prize - split between a first-, second-, and third-place finisher - was provided by Dynamic Properties, the realty agency that first came up with the idea.
“We wanted to find a way to make the neighborhood look nice for the holidays,” said Wilson Vargas of Dynamic Properties.
Vargas and colleague Jane Nguyen brought the idea to RHBA’s Paul Bankert, who, said Vargas, seemed “very enthusiastic about it.” Bankert and other RHBA members drew up flyers, then Vargas and Nguyen distributed them door-to-door.
Ultimately, the number of entries in the contest could be counted on two hands, but for a first year, said Vargas, it was a success.
“Next year, we’ll have to start earlier,” he said.
Nguyen said Richmond Hill residents should “start thinking about next year’s contest now.”
“Right after the holidays, Christmas decorations are going to be 50 or 75 percent off,” she said, “so people need to start looking ahead to next year now.”
Judges used five criteria to judge the houses: originality, creativity, brightness, ‘Wow,’ and ‘What’s This All Cost?’ The latter, explained Dono, did not refer specifically to finances, but also implied a cost in terms of time and effort.
Judges said Gokool’s home won because of its originality.
Gokool said she plans to donate $400 of her winnings to a needy family in her native Trinidad.
“I do a lot of charity work, and it is the giving season, after all,” said Gokool.
“I have many friends in other countries, and I contacted them and asked them to find me a family that needed the money,” she explained. “I like to know where my donation is going.”
Gokool has not yet met the beneficiary of her winnings, but plans to travel to Trinidad sometime before summer 2008.
Alba Gutierrez, of 113th Street, finished second, and Diane Singh, of 110th Street, finished third. Gutierrez and Singh each received a $250 prize.
“My kids were nagging at me to put up decorations, and I didn’t do as much as I usually do,” said Singh. “Next year, we’ll try again. This time, we’ll try to win.”
Singh’s children - nine-year-old James, and 11-year-old Rebecca - said they were pleased with the result, but believe they can win the competition next year.
“This was a nice way of bringing the community together,” said Bankert. “And at the same time, it’s a way to make Richmond Hill look great.”