Northeast News
December 30, 2015

Last week, the newsdog got a chance to ride along with three little Indian Mound elves on Christmas Eve and crown the winners of the inaugural Indian Mound Holiday Lighting contest. I know, right? Heady stuff for this crotchety, old news canine.

The elves — well really it was Indian Mound Neighborhood Association VP Manny Abarca, Marissa Lorena and neighborhood association president Bryan Stalder — all piled into the neighborhood sleigh, well, Stalder’s mini-van complete with crunched up Cheetos, and set off to notify winners of their surprise Christmas gifts. Prizes were graciously donated by the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, Eleos Coffee and Northeast News.

First place award went to Keith and Daniel Weston, followed by neighbor Steve McAdams in second place, who through some friendly competition harkening back to the old Home Improvement television series, made the 100 block of North Elmwood Avenue visible from satellites orbiting the earth. Third prize went to the Rojas family in the 100 block of South Cypress Street, whose strategic use of a palm tree in their display makes this newsdog think of fru fru drinks and warmer climates! All in all a darn skippy way to show the Christmas spirit.

The whole event made this pooch hopeful for increased residential participation next year, so we can really make HNE a standout place to celebrate the holidays. Happy New Year from the Newsdog. Stay low everyone!