“Nearly a tie,” explained judges for the Bahamas Realty Holiday Home Showcase. “The competition was so close between the two Adderley families of Golden Gates 1 and Golden Gate 2, Nassau, that judges wished they could award a tie,” according to Showcase Co-ordinator Chandra Parker McCallum, a broker at Bahamas Realty Limited, (BRL).
“We even had to go back to the other Adderley house for a second look,” she added.In the end the top prize went to the Adderley Family of Golden Gates 2, Leeward Isles, who also won the first Home Showcase in 2011. They again win the $1000 Gift Certificate from The Builders Mall Stores and a $500 donation to the charity of their choice from Bahamas Realty.
BRL President and Top Appraiser Robin Brownrigg explained the choice, “We had to go for the huge Wow! factor of the towering lighting display, featuring many scenes hand-made by the family, such as the big angels and reindeer on the roof.
“They even had icicle lights on their antenna!” exclaimed Andrea Brownrigg, a Director and Broker at Bahamas Realty. Mrs. Brownrigg also serves as a key member of the Holiday Home Showcase Steering Committee.
Returning Judge, Journalist Giovanni Stuart cited the originality , animation and colour scheme provided by the other Adderley Family, Malachi, David and Sonia Adderley, of Golden Gates 1, Entry #10. They placed second after lengthy deliberations. Brilliantly lit with purple and green lights arching around the garden, the property featured a running train complete with sound effects. The theme even continued inside the house. Second Prize is a Vacuum Cleaner from Jolly Roger and 5 Gallons of Devoe Paint from Paint Suppliers.
Placing third again are Dr. Ronald and Dr. Richelle Knowles of Eastern Road, on the Montagu Foreshore. Judges were stunned by the large area covered with decorations, with the addition of a ferris wheel for Teddy bears this year, and motion in some of the lighted areas. They won a deluxe gift basket of health items from Nassau Agencies Seven Seas, a $200 gift certificate from Rocky Farms Nursery and a $100 gift certificate from A G Electric.
The other finalists were: Stephanie Bethel of #5 Village Green off Village Rd. who had falling snow reflecting off her house between two Christmas sceens and “dripping icicles;” and Timothy and Betsy Pinder of #8 Rhodope End, Woodland Subdivision, with and elegant display of white lights and hanging wreaths.
The People’s Choice category of the 2012 Bahamas Realty Holiday Home Showcase lighting competition drew 35,855 votes on Facebook
“Bahamas Realty is delighted to announce that the Aranha Family of Harbour Island, Entry #9, won the People’s Choice Award and $500 in BEC Bucks with 13,578 votes!
What a lot of Ho Ho Holiday Spirit !,” reports Brian Austin, a broker at Bahamas Realty and a member of the Steering committee for the event.
“The Melnechuk family of Paradise Island was the closest second with 10,428 votes, another spectacular showing,” says Mrs. Brownrigg.
The Adderley Family of Golden Gates #2, Nassau, Overall winners, also placed third in the People’s Choice category.
Judges for this community building event were: Superintendent of Police Stephen Dean and popular radio personality Gandhi Pinder of GEMS 105.9FM; Stan Burnside (Artist, Cartoonist, Educator); Elaine Pinder (Entrepreneur and CEO of Bamboo Shack & Frankie Gone Bananas); Giovanni Stuart (TV Producer, Official iReporter); Ethelyn Lundy (Landscape Architect, Interior Designer); and Robin Brownrigg (President / Chief Appraiser at Bahamas Realty).
“We are so grateful to them for taking time out of their busy holiday schedules. Their enthusiasm for this festive community building event is truly heart-warming,” remarks Bahamas Realty’s Holiday Home Showcase Coordinator Chandra Parker McCallum, a broker at Bahamas Realty.
Sara Parker, broker and executive producer for Bahamas Realty NOW, who created the idea of the competition last year, said, “My Santa Hat is off to Chandra for her incredible organization and execution of the event including a wonderful police escort, to the participants who devoted weeks of their lives to making it brighter for children all over the Bahamas, to the steering committee and, of course, to the sponsors who made it possible: Bahamas Realty, The Builders Mall stores, Jolly Roger and Paint Suppliers, Rocky Farms, AG Electric and Nassau Agencies Seven Seas Products and for the Facebook Peoples Choice Award, BEC!
Showcase coordinator Chandra Parker McCallum, Broker, says, “I’d like to thank each of our 14 entrants for being part of Bahamas Realty’s Holiday Home Showcase. I am so pleased to see all their festive creativity. On behalf of Bahamas Realty, I thank you for making our country more magical at this most special time of year!
She explains, “Here’s how to see all the Showcase entrants, just visit www.facebook.com/bahamasrealty and then click on the People’s Choice square towards the top of the page.“
“We are honored to have our esteemed and very busy judges back for the 2nd year: Stan Burnside (Artist, Cartoonist, Educator); Elaine Pinder (Entrepreneur and CEO of Bamboo Shack & Frankie Gone Bananas); Giovanni Stuart (TV Producer, Official iReporter); Ethelyn Lundy (Landscape Architect, Interior Designer); and standing in for her husband, Robin, this year is Andrea Brownrigg (Director at Bahamas Realty, Broker).”
“As Showcase Coordinator again, the best part has been hearing the story of each wonderful family y and getting to know so many of our brave men and women of the Police who came along to be part of this community event. There were a few surprises this year, including a short power outage which changed our schedule but turned out to be a blessing, as when we returned there was a busload of carolers serenading the winning home. I couldn’t have planned it better,” she laughs.
“This year the competition was particularly interesting. In then end it came down to originality… The first prize family use welding and woodworking skills to make new decorations each year, which over time has built up a display of impressive scale. The second prize family had so much animation and detail, so it really was difficult for the judges this year.”
“Next year we hope to create additional categories to encourage more entries who won’t need to compete directly with either Adderley family.”
By P. S. News Features
Captions:
Top Photo: Nearly a TIE, 2nd place Winner –Returning Judge, Journalist Giovanni Stuart cited the originality and animation provided by the other Adderley Family, Malachi, David and Sonia Adderley, of Golden Gates 1, Entry #10. They placed second after lengthy deliberations. Brilliantly lit with purple and green lights arching around the garden, the property featured a running train complete with sound effects. The theme even continued inside the house. Beaming with the Golden Gates 1 Adderley family are Judges for the popular event: Superintendent of Police Stephen Dean and popular radio personality Gandhi Pinder of GEMS 105.9FM; Stan Burnside (Artist, Cartoonist, Educator); Elaine Pinder (Entrepreneur and CEO of Bamboo Shack & Frankie Gone Bananas); Giovanni Stuart (TV Producer, Official iReporter); Ethelyn Lundy (Landscape Architect, Interior Designer); and Robin Brownrigg (President / Chief Appraiser at Bahamas Realty). Photo by P. S. News Features
