Enter Patch's “Deck the House” Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000

Davis Dunavin (Editor) December 4, 2012 at 10:58 pm

We got a pretty amazing photo posted to Facebook the other day that I'd like to see entered here. Rhonda Cullens, if you're reading, come represent Newtown in this contest!

Sam Mihailoff December 5, 2012 at 03:16 am

bogus...last year, the rules changed four days from the finish line and Patch never posted the winner anyway

Rhonda Cullens December 9, 2012 at 09:12 pm

Thanks Davis. I'm not sure if I will enter again or not. Hoa encouraged me to enter last year as this was meant to be a fun thing. I did win last year for Newtown and the Patch did publish that article: http://newtown.patch.com/articles/envelope-please-local-patch-deck-the-house-finalists-d0326a6a but the article doesn't mention that it was because the other competition was disqualified. I was told one had a "contest glitch" that caused multiple votes to be cast each time and the other was disqualified for not following the published rules that were in place from the very start. Sam entered a photo that a friend of mine took at Howard Lasher's property of his beautiful 9/11 Memorial Trees. He did not ask her permission before he just "took" her photo off of her posting on the Patch, nor did he own the property in the photo. He said he believed he had the right to use anything "floating around cyberspace" and disputed what is a "home". The rules clearly stated that "Entrants may only submit photos or videos of their own home." There was a cash award and licensing rights involved with this contest that could only be entered into by the owner of the property. I enjoy sharing my 30,000 light display with all those that would like to come by and see it and try to bring some Christmas magic and happiness to the community. I think I'd rather focus on those more positive aspects of this wonderful time of year! Merry Christmas!

onceuponanewtown December 10, 2012 at 03:22 am

Oh yes I remember that picture Sam posted...you forgot to mention that he was doing it in honor of Mr. Lasher due to the vandalism that had been done to his 911 memorial.

Davis Dunavin (Editor) December 10, 2012 at 11:26 pm

Agreed about focusing on the positive - peace on Earth and good will toward men! Now I just need to swing by and see those lights in person!

the michael December 14, 2012 at 12:21 pm

i walked up and down main street in newtown last night......expecting wonderfully decorated classic homes and new england holiday spirit.......what a disappointment...the homes were dark and absolutly minimally lit....Newtown savings bank had the tree lit....or the whole dam street would have been dark...Seems main street finds Halloween more festive than christmas.....

Rhonda Cullens December 14, 2012 at 01:50 pm

I was feeling a little guilty when I saw no one from Newtown had entered the contest so I uploaded the photo of my house the other day. It said thank you for submitting it and that I would be contacted by email once it was approved. I still haven't heard anything and it's still not up on the contest site. Last year the Patch did an article with a driving tour for both Newtown and Sandy Hook of the various larger light displays. My guess is a lot of those houses are also decorated again this year. We are on Founder's Lane in Sandy Hook and have 30,000 Christmas lights on from 5-10 p.m. each night through the end of the month if anyone is out there looking for lights. Rt. 34 East, to Bennett's Bridge (flashing yellow light), to Founder's Lane. Merry Christmas!