Lighting contest gets glowing response

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Betty Risinger, left, and daughter Tracy are framed by some of the lights in their prize-winning display on Old Shelbyville Road. (Charles W. Johnson photos)

The Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its annual Christmas Lighting Contest, which is sponsored each year by local utilities McMinnville Electric System and Caney Fork Electric.

Chamber president Lea Chrisawn said the contest drew fewer nominations this year, but the quality of the displays were as spectacular as ever. Chrisawn noted judging was done early in order to give people time to tour the displays.

Chrisawn said she didn’t go along with the judges this year, but has toured on her own.

This year the first-place winner in the city is the Risinger family, including Betty Risinger, Tracy Risinger and Penny Shockley. The house is located on Old Shelbyville Road.

Second place went to George Argo and family. Their home is located on Fair Street. Third place went to David and Jean Hudson on West End Avenue.

MES’s Rodney Boyd presented the winners with $100, $60 and $40 checks, respectively.

Winners in the county competition were Billy and Liz Pitmon on Collinwood Drive. Second place went to Dewayne and Melinda Wilson of George Road in Rock Island. Third place was taken by Donald Snodgrass of Airport Lake Road.

Hubert King of Caney Fork presented these families with checks for $100, $60 and $40.