Cindy MacDougall
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 22/99) - A shimmering glow flickers on the porch and down the sidewalk in front of Brad Heath and Leslie Wakelyn's home.

The flickering lights are a combination of fire and ice. Each small votive candle sits securely in an ice candle holder.

"We started making them four years ago," said Heath. "We lived out on Prelude East then, and we didn't have any electricity. We lined the porch and the driveway with them."

The couple has won the city's alternative Christmas lighting contest for the third year in a row with their frosty creations.

They won a cheque and a plaque from the city, Sun Energy and the territorial government.

Heath said they learned how to make the candle holders, which reflect the flame light like a lamp, by reading a magazine feature.

"It's a Scandinavian custom," he said.

"People really like them," said Wakelyn. "When people come for Christmas dinner, they leave with an ice candle. It's a nice little gift."

Brian Kelln, program manager for the city's community services department, said the alternative lighting category promoted using less electricity to spread Christmas cheer.

"It's such a stressful time of year," he said. "This is a chance to celebrate the season and relax."

The delicate looking ice lamps are simple to make, according to Heath.

Simply fill a milk carton or large coffee can with water and put it on the back porch for four to five hours.

"The trick is to make sure (the ice is) strong enough, but not frozen solid in the middle," said Wakelyn.

Once the sides are frozen but the middle is still liquid, ease the ice out of the carton and poke a hole in the bottom to empty the water. Turn it upside down and you have an ice lamp.

Heath said their simple beauty attracted him to ice lamps.

"I just think they look really beautiful and traditional, especially at the cabin," he said. "The light from the stars and the Northern lights and the candles just seemed to fit."

Heath said green and red votive candles look best in the lamps.

As for the contest, Heath and Wakelyn said they won't enter next year.

"We've won the past three years, so that's enough," said Heath with a laugh.