Point Edward challenge shows there’s snow place like home

Cathy Dobson Laurene Smith and her husband Don were thrilled to take second place in Point Edward’s first annual Snow Creation Challenge, but the real prize was meeting neighbours and having fun on a wintery weekend, she said.

Cathy Dobson

Laurene Smith and her husband Don were thrilled to take second place in Point Edward’s first annual Snow Creation Challenge, but the real prize was meeting neighbours and having fun on a wintery weekend, she said.

“We really like cold weather activities but the winning aspect was all the people who came by waving and honking their horns.”

The Smiths moved to 24 Louisa St. just 18 months ago and didn’t hesitate to get involved in the community-wide event held Feb. 5 and 6.  They turned a mountain of snow in front of their house into a giant fish.

The same went for the Parker family who earned third prize with a finely chiselled train that Jordan Parker made with daughters Ariel, 11, and Aurora, 9, on the front lawn.

They moved into 509 Victoria St. just a week before the challenge and said they had fun getting involved.

“We moved to Point Edward because we knew it’s so family-focused here,” said Parker.  “This type of thing is exactly the reason we came.”

Their entire weekend was spent creating the three-car train, said the girls, who plan to spend the $50 prize money at Albert’s fries.

First prize went to Carolyn Leaver Luciani, who created four penguins out of the snow on her front lawn at 25 Alfred St. with the help of husband Larry and friend Sharon Chapman.

“I am really happy with how it turned out because I don’t have an artistic bone in my body,” she said with a laugh.

It took the Leaver Luciani team at least six hours to finish the penguins, which sported orange feet, black wings and lots of personality.

“My dad would have loved this. I did it as a tribute to him because he loved the outdoors so much,” she said, referring to the late Peter Leaver.

“It was a feel-good kind of weekend.  It was just so nice to see everyone in the village out having fun.”

The idea was suggested by Sasha Gladwish, who said she knew local residents were looking for activities to get them out of the house this winter.

“I talked to Shelley Archer at the village office about the idea and the team there just ran with it,” Gladwish said.

“As soon as the forecast called for snow, we went for it.  It was fun and spread a lot of positivity,” she said.

In total, 24 sculptures were entered in the competition, judged by Point Edward residents Karen Dease, Marlene Wood and Kim Helps.

“It was an absolute success,” said Mayor Bev Hand.  “I was really impressed with the numbers and how creative everyone was.

“We’ve already decided it will be an annual event.”

ADDRESSES OF SNOW SCULPTURE PARTICIPANTS

20 Albert Street

25 Alfred Street  – WINNER

27 Alfred Street

209 Alexandra Avenue

508 Ernest Street

152 Kendall Street – Manley’s

142 Kendall Street – Apex Dance Industry

161 Kendall Street – Children’s Aid Society

24 Louisa Street – WINNER

205 Louisa Street

207 Louisa Street

307 Louisa Street

410 Louisa Street

411 Michigan Avenue

601 Michigan Avenue – The Cheese Wedge

603 Michigan Avenue

13 Monk Street

18 Monk Street

921 Simpson Street

509 Victoria Avenue – WINNER

603 Victoria Avenue

606 Victoria Avenue

707 Victoria Avenue

20 Village Green