Sonia and Philip Rosen’s home at 3142 Saint Vincent St. also won a top prize. SOURCE: JOHN LEONG
Stewart and Susan Marquis had a charred zombie arising from their mulch-covered flower bed, his arms lurching toward passers-by on the 3300 block of Glenview St. It’s a good thing the husband and wife had boarded up the windows and doors of their brickface rowhome.
A short distance away, on the 2800 block of Fanshawe St., Heather and Joe Ryan’s walkway was lined with jars containing baby parts and formaldehyde. Two dog skeletons and one from a cat stood guard, a testament perhaps to their pets’ eternal loyalty.
Sonia and Philip Rosen’s yard on the 3100 block of Saint Vincent St. featured a little bit of everything spooky, creepy and spine-chilling, including discarded human hands and feet hanging from chains over their front retaining wall. Apparently, the hungry ghosts and goblins positioned up on the ledge are fussy eaters, too.
All three families were selected as winners of the third annual Mayfair Halloween Decoration Contest. Leaders of the Mayfair Civic Association and Business Association doled out the victors’ prizes on a rainy Oct. 28 evening. Each family earned a commemorative custom yard sign and a basket of goodies donated by event sponsors. Aztec Signs, Bellalisa Hair Studio, Gallagher Bros. Windows & Doors, The Grey Lodge Pub, The Inkwell 215 Custom Tattoo Studio, Mayfair Shop n Bag and The Perzel Agency all donated goods or services.
“Wow so thankful for all of the great prizes,” Susan Marquis stated in a post on the civic association’s Facebook page. “(Our family) really appreciates them … so honored to be a winner … my husband takes his Halloween decorating very serious. … Anyways, wish many more houses would decorate, just makes the neighborhood look amazing during the holidays.”
Heather Ryan agreed, posting: “Thanks Mayfair Civic Association for presenting me with my winner sign. But above all thank you for all you do to keep Mayfair a great neighborhood. You really make all the hard work worth it.”
Almost 40 homes were nominated for entry, including a few that aren’t inside the Mayfair Civic’s boundaries and were not eligible for prizes. Nevertheless, all entries were included in an interactive map posted by the civic association on its website and Facebook page so that locals and visitors could find their way from street to street and enjoy the spectacle in person. According to MCA President Donny Smith, the map had eclipsed 1,600 views as of Oct. 28.
“It’s important to remember that this contest has been a success because we came together as a community, and each and every one of us has participated in one way or another,” Smith said.
Civic and business association members and other local figures, including representatives from the Northeast Times, were among about a dozen judges. They went door-to-door and rated each display on a scale of one to 13. Scoring was very tight, particularly at the top, Smith said. The top 10 in no particular order were: 3501 Sheffield, 3513 Shelmire, 3157 Wellington, 3142 Saint Vincent, 3249 Friendship, 3458 Friendship, 2944 Princeton, 3345 Glenview, 2800 Fanshawe and 3156 Magee.
Award presenters included Smith, MCA Vice President Kevin Leonard, MBA President Mike Scotese, MBA Treasurer Lisa Greco, Northeast Times reporter Bill Kenny and MCA photographer John Leong. ••
Stewart Marquis of 3345 Glenview St. also earned top marks. SOURCE: JOHN LEONG
Haunted houses: Three households were named as winners of the third annual Mayfair Halloween Decoration Contest. (From top) Mayfair Civic Association President Donny Smith hands one of the awards to Heather Ryan of 2800 Fanshawe St. SOURCE: JOHN LEONG
