Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 18/02) - The lights have been lit, the judges have looked, and the verdict has been rendered.

The winners of the 2001 Christmas decorating awards are Les and Trisha Foley for best-decorated residence; Lundquist Rd. for best street award; L'Heritage restaurant for best commercial exterior; and the GNWT Department of Justice Legal Registries division for best-decorated interior.

"There was some really good competition out there," said L'Heritage co-owner Julia Tate. "(Winning the award) makes you feel like you're part of Christmas in the community. It's a good thing."

Each winner took home an award plaque, while the best in the residential and street categories received a $200 prize from sponsor Northland Utilities.

Next year, all award recipients will receive a cash prize.

Northland Utilities consumer services manager Al Mueller said the city's lights this year were "Unbelievable. Everyone did a tremendous amount of work. It helps to beautify our city and it kind of cheers up the Christmas season."

"The city was well lit up this year compared to other years," said city community services program manager Brian Kelln, who organizes the lights judging.

Mueller and Mayor Gord Van Tighem presented the awards at the Monday night council meeting.

"We have enough darkness as it is up here," said Kelln. "Having people lighting up just gives you that hope, that glimmer of joy and it gets everybody excited for Christmas. That's why it's important."

And it might not just be for Christmas. At L'Heritage, Tate said the lights might stay up until Christmas comes again 11 months from now.

"It was such a pain in the butt putting them up that we might just leave them there," she said.