by Pamela Moore, Harvey C. Noone Post 954 Family
Concerned that many of America’s 4th of July Independence Day celebrations were being scaled back or canceled due to the pandemic, the Harvey C. Noone Legion Post #954 Family launched a decorating contest to make sure that “the celebration would go on.” And it did! There was no shortage of American flags and patriotic displays showcasing red, white, and blue decorations. As the judges drove around to view entries, they were delighted to see that many who did not enter the contest flew an American flag or decorated to celebrate America’s birthday. While the celebration was different this year, the Churchville community joined together to have a fun-filled holiday that celebrated our nation and our freedoms created 244 years ago when the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia.
The displays were creative and inspiring. They ranged from a huge lawn flag, complete with lights to illuminate it at night, to more intimate displays that featured a copy of the Declaration of Independence, poppies, a soldier’s uniform, medals awarded to those who served our country, and the picture of one who died serving in WWII. Some incorporated bunting, balloons, banners, flags, flowers, pendants, iridescent stars, beads, and garlands. All expressed sentiments of patriotism and reflected the irrepressible American spirit that endures even in the face of adversity.
The entries were diverse and represented the individuality of the designers. Yet, it was striking that, despite differences among the displays, they were unified by common elements recognized worldwide as symbols of our country and our freedoms. The freedoms secured for us when a group of patriots signed the Declaration of Independence, creating a new nation governed not by monarchs or despots, but one governed as a representative democracy which recognized all people are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. By design, this nation was to be like no other because these rights did not exist elsewhere in the world. Signer, and later President, John Adams said this event should be “celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival.” We have celebrated since then and proudly did so this year, even in the face of adversity and a pandemic of epic proportions.
Photos of all entries, along with the special Auxiliary Poppy Display and pictures of displays not entered, but for which the homeowners’ granted permission to use, can be viewed in the Photo Gallery at www.harveycnoonepost954.org.
•Business Winners: Porch/Front Door Display – Babe’s Unisex Hair and Tanning Salon, 7 Fitch Street, Churchville; Window Display – Jake’s Pub and Grill, 4390 Buffalo Road, North Chili.
•Resident Winners: Lawn Display – Scott Bonnewell, 378 Bromley Road, Churchville; Porch/Front Door Display – Carol and Ron Belczak, 9 Ridgefield Drive, Churchville; Poppy Display – Erika Thompson, 5 Trails End, North Chili.
•Youth Winners: Poppy Display – Augusta Boomhower, 421 Jenkins Road, Churchville; Porch/Front Door Display – Alex Boomhower, 421 Jenkins Road, Churchville.
•Honorable Mention: Business – Stone’s Countryside Tavern, 6120 Buffalo Road, Churchville; Resident Lawn Displays – Sandy and Al Cullen, 98 Gilman Road and Hasselberg’s, 387 Bromley Road, Churchville; Resident Porch Display – Mike and Diane Pusateri, 23 North Main Street, Churchville; Youth Display Lawn and Porch/Front Door – Hasselberg’s, 387 Bromley Road, Churchville.
Photos by Briana Litolff
