Community Corner

Newtown Duo Wins Lighthouse Contest

Two Newtown women will receive $1,500 after being crowned winners of model lighthouse contest in Norwalk.

Two Newtown women were named winners of a 10th annual model lighthouse contest after their creation garnered the most votes at the , organizers said.

Donna Ball and Laura McNamara will receive $1,500 for the first-place honors in the annual Festival of Lighthouses, which invites local artists, hobbyists and others to build and submit model lighthouses to be judged by the general public at the aquarium. The only requirement was that the lighthouse feature a working light and stand between 3 and 6 feet tall, organizers said.

The contest drew two dozen submissions and more than 13,400 people voted between Nov. 19 and Jan. 16 for their favorites, contest organizers said.

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," was a replica of the historic Sheffield Lighthouse in Norwalk made using homemade cookies, white frosting, chocolate and other edible items. In total, 35 pounds of flour, 25 pounds of sugar, 15 pounds of confectionary sugar, four dozen eggs and 13 pounds of butter were used, according to organizers.

Second place, and a prize of $750 went to Maritime Carousel 2011 by Paul Coughlan, of Norwalk and Nicol Rupolo, of Stamford. Third place, and $375, went to Hogwarts Lighthouse by Nick Parker, of Ridgefield. Fourth place, and $300, went to The Rickety Steadfast by Ramond Swindon, of Trumbull.

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Fifth place, and $225, went to Northern Light House by Ron and Cecile Lobo, of Bridgeport, while sixth place, and $150 went to Maritime Light by the Huizinga family of Danbury.

Photos of the winners can be found on the Aquarium's website.


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