Come on down to tasty town

The annual gingerbread house contest at the Pagan-Fletcher Restoration was a bit smaller this year, but Valley Stream Historical Society trustee Karen Selah reminded those in attendance that it’s the quality, not the quantity, of the entries that matters.

A half-dozen gingerbread creations were entered into the contest. First prize went to Lisa Nordstrom for her entry, “Fairy Tale Castle.” The students of the career preparatory school at Nassau BOCES took second for “Macy’s Day Parade” and third-place was awarded to Tyler Sugamele for “Lincoln’s Cabin.”

Diane Whitman accepted the award on behalf the BOCES students. The culinary arts teacher said this is the first year they have participated in the Valley Stream contest. Planning began back in September and more than 10 students help make and bake the creation.

Honorable mentions went to the youngest participants in the contest, Paige Smith, 6, and her brother Rylan, 4, for “Valley Stream Village,” and to the oldest contestant, 85-year-old Fernande Calizaise who created “Mom’s House.”

Members of the public got to stop by during the day and cast their vote. Selah announced the winners and handed out the prizes following a gingerbread house-making demonstration by Dorothy Hollman.

Daniel O’Moore, 9, came for the demonstration for the first time last year and enjoyed it so much he wanted to come back. This year, he also brought his 3-year-old sister, Sarah. Daniel said he wants to build a gingerbread house for next year’s contest.

Victoria O’Moore, Daniel’s grandmother, said the kids are well-versed in the art of gingerbread houses. “We’ve been making that for the children, and now the grandchildren,” she said. “It’s a wonderful tradition that we started in the family.

“You should see what the kitchen looks like when we finish at home,” she added.