See Winning Homes of 'Dress Up Herndon For the Holidays' Contest!

Members of the Town of Herndon's Cultivating Communities Initiative spent several hours Monday, Dec. 16 driving around the town to select this year's winners for Dress Up Herndon for the Holidays. 

The annual contest invites town residents to use their best creative spirit for their holiday decorations. The Cultivating Communities members awarded seven houses this year for showing a mix of taste, design flair and overall appeal. 

"Holiday Spirit" Neighborhood Award: Historic Grace Street 

Several houses on the stretch of Grace Street north of Elden Street impressed the judges enough for the entire neighborhood to be recognized. Several homes had bright colorful lights strewn around their houses and trees. 

The home of Paul and Leslie Glass was especially appealing to the judges. Their porch was decorated with a variety of wreaths and large ornaments, topped off by a six-foot tall stocking, which was made by Leslie Glass. 

"My wife made this stocking 17 years ago, and we make sure to hang it up here every single year," Paul Glass said. 

"Best Townhouse:" home of Arita Palomino, 912 Park Avenue

The townhouse, located at the intersection of Park Avenue and Center Street, cannot be missed. A variety of colored lights, mostly blues and purples, make the house stick out.

The driveway is lined with lit candy canes, and a variety of Christmas-themes animals adorn the front yard. 

"The Gift Wrapped House:" home of Ray Nuzzal and Ken Marter, 126 Pearl Street

Judges were impressed by the red ribbons circling the columns in the front of the house, and the way they contrasted with the green roping on the porch railing. 

The doorway is outlined with garlands and ribbon, finished off by a large wreath. Judges were also impressed with the bows adorning the windows on the second floor. 

This home is no stranger to town honors, having been highlighted on the recent Herndon Holiday Homes Tour. 

"Contemporary:" home of David and Jennie Hartnett, 1001 Pembroke Court

The lines on this modern-style home is accented perfectly by well-placed strings of lights, which aren't overused, but just enough to highlight the house's design. 

Parallel strings of lights on the front porch, combined with a silver wreath on the door added another modern touch, and a few well-placed lawn decorations complete the scene. 

The outside of the home pales compared to the inside though, at least when it comes to the Christmas spirit. David Hartnett puts up a 14-foot tree that reaches the ceiling every year, and he also constructs a large holiday village next to the tree. 

The village features a train that moves across several tracks, as well as a trolley that has a camera on the front, and the video is displayed on their television as it navigates the village. 


"Best White Lights:" home of Sean and Colleen Reiche, 705 Bennett Street

Located just across the street from Herndon High School, this house impressed the judges with a liberal use of white lights that highlight the house's windows and borders. 

Lights also adorn the numerous trees in the front yard, and the driveway and front walk are bordered by white lights as well. 

"We designed the light set-up, and then hired a company to come out and install them," Sean Reiche said. "Once they were done, we went around and added our own touches to the final design."

"Shooting Stars:" home of Yvette Saunders and Michael Herl, 835 Spring Knoll Drive

The uniqueness of the house immediately struck the judges, given the simple use of white lights. 

The award was named "shooting stars" due to the multiple stars on the second level, and the trails of white lights that make up the large part of the decorative design. 

"Whoville:" home of Gary and Cindy Bender, 1326 Summerfield Drive 

This home is decorated with a Dr. Seuss theme, with wooden cutouts featuring The Grinch, Little Cindy Lou Who and the other residents of Whoville. 

An arch over the front entrance says "Welcome to Whoville."

"My husband finds a picture he likes, traces it, and then photocopies it on graph paper," Cindy Bender said. "Then he prints it out and paints the designs on plywood."

Cultivating Communities also awarded several honorable mentions to well-decorated homes. They are:

• 1250 Magnolia Lane
• 1263 Wilshire Drive
• 1205 Wilshire Drive
• 811 Fall Place
• 803 Fall Place
• 1508 Summerset Place
• 912 Spring Knoll Drive
• 1195 Monroe Street
• 607 Third Street
• 101 Pearl Street
• 405 Old Dominion Avenue
• 473 Virginia Avenue
• 415 Patrick Lane
• 816 Alabama Avenue

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