The annual Seward Rotary Home Holiday Outdoor Lighting Contest was held Sunday evening, December 8, 2024. The holiday outdoor lighting and decorated homes in the Greater Seward Area were judged by a group delegation from the Seward Rotary Club and the Seward High Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
“We really had a hard time trying to decide,” stated project Co-chairman Rilynn Hiser-an SHS Junior with the SHS FBLA. Rotarian Judge Clark Kolterman observed: “There were so many great looking homes this year, both in Seward and in the surrounding area-we really appreciate all the work everyone did to make Seward a real Christmas wonderland! Thanks Seward-everyone wins and the community of Seward is the winner this year!”
This year the Rotary Club decided to “Mix It Up” award wise-anyway and just announce their “Top Ten” list. It previous years-the club awarded a series of awards and places-ranging from “People’s Choice” award to “Mayor’s Award” to “Chairman’s Choice.” So, this year instead of selecting a “Best Wreath” or “Nicest Home Made Nativity,” the club decided to list a “Top Ten.”
“The weather has been very nice and there are so many nicely decorated homes-our list would have been even longer and last year it was pages long,” said Co-Chair Clark Kolterman. “We embrace change at Rotary and so we decided to be different this year with our awards-next year is our Club’s Centennial-so we might go back to the “Old School” way but this year all you get is the “Top Ten” Decorated Homes in the Greater Seward area-as we call em! Enjoy!”
“For many decades we have announced a “slew” of awards and enjoyed the experience judging and sharing the awards. We are always open to change-we embrace it and so we are really saying all the other homes are “Runners-up,” stated Rotarian Clark Kolterman. “We now encourage all of you to select your “top ten”-and driving around Seward, with all the beautiful homes-it won’t be easy-but it will be fun!”
The following homes and families are recognized and thanked for their outstanding efforts to create a festive atmosphere for the 2024 Seward holidays. Winners were selected by nominations from phone in calls or emails by family, neighbors and friends to the Seward Rotary Club and SHS FBLA and the final “Top Ten” include… (in no particular order) …
The Tom and Brenda Reif Family, 105 Wildwood Road (Lights flash to the music! —91.7 FM),
The Jerry and Tracy Rumery Family, 1540 North 1st Street (Be sure to see both their front lights on First and their back lights on Columbia Avenue!).
The Tony and Karen Sabatka Family, 212 Hickory-check out the reindeer with the sleigh! Wow!
The Val and Jason Dillon Family, 1310 River Street-Really a “Unique Look”-you’ve got to see it!
The Jonathan Curtis Family, 2200 Rainbow Avenue-Beautiful Nativity-Prettiest in town!
The Arnt Family - 1067 280th-South Hwy 15-South of Seward-A real country feel with this presentation.
The Jerry Kremer Family-2105 North First Street-So much to see-a full yard!
“Matzke Corner”-The Chuck Matzke Family, 15 Seward Street-and The Tom Matzke Family, 116 South Columbia Avenue-check out Elf and Clark G in his station wagon!
The Steve Borer Family, 1955 Rainbow Avenue – Christmas message is conveyed here!
The Keith Gardinere Family, 214 E. Roberts Street-Home lighting is a real family tradition at this address!
The contest was judged by members of the Seward Rotary Club and the SHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). The Judges chair for the Rotary Club delegation was Ken Schmieding and Clark Kolterman, assisted by Jon and Bonnie Kruse. Judges chairmen for the SHS FBLA delegation were Co-Chairs SHS Junior Rilynn Hiser and SHS Freshman Rydesa Else. Questions can be directed to Rotarian Ken Schmieding or Wade Miller -the SHS Advisor for the SHS FBLA. It was noted by the judges that because of the recent beautiful weather, there were many beautiful home lighted displays, and these names and addresses are only a few of the wonderful light displays in Seward that were nominated to the committee by families, friends and Rotarians.
While businesses were not judged, special recognition must be given to East Hill Motel and Suites, Merle’s Flower Shop, Rivoli Theater, Allure Fashions, Blue Bench Gifts, Chapter’s Book’s and Gifts, Liberty House, Smile Dental, Volzke Funeral Home, Zabka Funeral Home, Suhr-Lichty Insurance, Concordia University, Rock Lutheran Church, Red Path Gallery, Second Closet, Et Cetera and the Rumery Lawn Service for their holiday window displays and outdoor decorations. Many of the local churches also have beautiful, life size nativity scenes on their lawns. The downtown Seward business area is aglow with holiday lights and creates a festive atmosphere for all who see it!
A must see is also the beautiful tree and decorations inside and out at the Nebraska National Guard Museum! The GFWC Seward Woman’s Club’s annual “Festival of Trees” is on display and free and open to the public. Special honor and recognition to the Nebraska National Guard Museum’s Historical Society for their outstanding presentation of their front yard-featuring their decorated M-4 Sherman Tank and lighted sculpture in the front lawn-a must see!
Of special interest are the lights and displays at Memorial Park on the corner of Third and Seward Streets and the Kiwanis Club’s Bemis Park lights on Highway 34!
Both the Seward Rotary Club and the SHS FBLA encourage families to drive throughout Seward and visit the area neighborhoods to see this wonderful volunteer effort, keeping the Christmas Spirit alive in Seward for the young and young at heart!
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