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By MONIQUE SIMPSON msimpson@leader.net
 Monday, December 24, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





What would Christmas be without glistening lights, a glowing miniature
Santa Claus and red-nosed plastic reindeer? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Probably like Thanksgiving dinner without the turkey. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This year, three mayors, an artist and a fifth-grader from Kistler
Elementary School took the Times Leader challenge to select the best-bedecked
houses in the area. The judges spent two hours viewing the nine homes that
received the most reader nominations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The night produced many surprises. One candidate had to be asked to turn on
her lights. The last home was also dark - with no one present to turn them on.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom McGroarty was late and missed the van transporting
judges. However, he and his 11-year-old daughter, Jordan, toured the nine
homes on their own. Kingston Mayor James Haggerty used his cell phone to get
directions from borough dispatchers when the van driver - Times Leader
managing editor David Iseman - got lost. (Iseman said plans to improve next
year's contest are already under way.) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It was a long night for all, but upon arriving at the Forty Fort house of
Drs. Paul and Bonnie Mancia, the judges knew they had found the best-decorated
and most patriotic home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 From the Christmas tree in the window to the lights in the shape of a bow
on the garage, all aspects of the Wyoming Avenue house shouted ``Merry
Christmas'' and ``Proud to be an American.'' Sparkling red, white and blue
light fixtures surround a life-sized Santa holding the American flag. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``If it was a painting, it would be called the `Patriotic Christmas,' ''
said Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo, adding his recent work to light a city
bridge has made him a ``light expert.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite her husband joking about the excessive decorations, Bonnie Mancia
spent about three weeks hanging lights. A retired Kingston firefighter lent
the Santa on display his old helmet. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The winning combination for the Hanover Township home of Sharon Pearson was
Uncle Sam standing behind Mr. and Mrs. Claus, who sat on a bench. The cute and
crafty dolls led Georgiana Cray Bart, a Wilkes-Barre artist and art teacher,
to vote the Oaklawn Avenue house runner-up for best decorated and most
patriotic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Kids get a kick out of (the decorations) because they ask, ``Who's the
man in the middle?'' Pearson said. Some of the neighborhood boys mistook Uncle
Sam, with his white beard, for a relative of the Clauses. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 More than 12,000 lights, 45 American flags, 81 figures and four additional
power outlet boxes made Ada Rostock's West Pittston home the winner for having
``the most stuff.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I can't add any more stuff. I'm at the max,'' she said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although the house was a little difficult to locate - McGroarty needed a
police escort to find it - the glowing house is definitely worth the hunt. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 By decorating three sides of his house at 35 Delaware St., Plains Township,
Ed Stratton was awarded second place for ``most stuff.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite seeing a range of decorations, one judge was a little disappointed
in the entries' intensity. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I wanted to see the Griswold house,''said Lombardo, referring to Chevy
Chase's over-the-top house in ``National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But until the Griswolds' relatives move into town, Lombardo is content with
this year's best bedecked homes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Visiting Decorated Homes Worth The Trip Enlightening Experience