Discover Portsmouth has just announced the line up of judges for the 26th Annual Gingerbread House Contest that is a feature of Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth, the city-wide, month-long celebration anchored by The Music Hall and Strawbery Banke Museum. www.vintagechristmasnh.org
Judges
Like her shop G. Willikers, Jill Breneman has been a beloved fixture in Market Square for more than 38 years. As the matriarch of this family-owned and operated business, Jill has provided both locals and tourists, young and old with the enchantment possible through the lens of a child.
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Karin Scott, owner of Celtic Crossing on Congress Street knows a thing or two about Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth and the Gingerbread House Contest. Having been the overseer of the Gingerbread House Contest at Discover Portsmouth in past years, she has a keen eye for the effort and art involved in these creations as well as a genuine love of the event.
Born and raised in Portsmouth, Mayor Jack Blalock has been a champion of this community from the beginning. Through his adult life he has shown his passion and advocacy for his beloved city through his civic involvement. And now he augments his resume with title of ‘Gingerbread Judge’!
Joshua Wyatt, Esq. of sponsor Devine Millimet, lives in Portsmouth with his wife Erin and their 18-month old daughter Indie. Josh is a volunteer with the Seacoast Community School and the NH/VT chapter of the American Red Cross. He works as a trial attorney at the Devine Millimet law firm’s Portsmouth office.
Janis Reams is Vice President for our sponsor Peoples United Bank, in the commercial lending department, working in the Portsmouth office. She was a former board member of Lamprey Health Care, a nonprofit Health Care provider and current member of the United Way of Greater Seacoast’s Women’s Leadership Council. She resides in Hampton, with her husband Jim.
Entrants – to date
Kait Smith – The Music Hall
Jenn Walichnowski – The Maids
Suzy Gagnon – Portsmouth Scouts
Phoebe James – Wentworth Senior Living
Chloe Richards – Portsmouth Architecture & Design Club
Barbara Ward – Moffatt-Ladd House
Elsa Geskus – Learniverse Educational Media
Julianna Knoettner – Lil’s Café
Michelle Maple
Joanne Nichols
Jamielee Symes
Rachel Koch
Olivia Carter
Melissa Ouellette
Clare Dombrowski
Gia Giordano
Lincoln Soldati
Joann Smith
Brett Starr
Aileen Dugan
Discover Portsmouth celebrates Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth with the kickoff party Friday December 2, 2016 5-8pm when visitors will have the first look at the popular 26th Annual Gingerbread House Contest exhibit running until Friday December 23 in the first floor gallery. Created by local businesses, artists, families and kids, the gingerbread houses will be nestled into a winter wonderland in the first floor gallery surrounded by large format photographs: David J. Murray’s images of Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth and photographs of trains in New Hampshire winters by Andy Dolph. The exhibition can be seen every day through December 23 from 9:30am – 5pm with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 8pm. The exhibition is free and open to the public at Discover Portsmouth, located at 10 Middle Street. We’ll announce our jurors’ selections at the Kickoff Party; the public can continue to vote throughout the month. On Friday December 16 the People’s Choice Award will be announced. Come see these magical creations and find holiday gifts in the Museum Shop!
According to Lainey McCartney, Curatorial Associate who is overseeing the exhibit, “We are pleased to announce another year for a sweet local tradition. Get your family and friends and co-workers together and craft your own beautiful creation!”
Gingerbread Pirates – Matt Tavares, illustrator
Saturday, December 3, 2016
10am – Book reading and illustration demonstration by Illustrator Matt Tavares in the Gallery.
10:30am – 11:30am – Book Signing by Matt Tavares in the Museum Shop
10:30am – 12:00pm – Make a Gingerbread House Gift Bag in the Program Space
Gingerbread Mouse – Katy Bratun, author and illustrator
Saturday, December 10, 2016
10:30am – Book reading and Discussion on How to Write a Children’s Book with Author and Illustrator, Katy Bratun in the Gallery
11am – 12pm – Book Signing by Katy Bratun in the Museum Shop
11am – 12pm – Decorate a Paper Gingerbread Man in the Program Space
Daily activities in the gallery
December 2-23, 2016
Scavenger Hunt of the Gingerbread Houses
Color a Gingerbread House