Entrants sought for Gingerbread House display

George Eastman House is seeking gingerbread houses for the seventh annual holiday exhibition Sweet Creations: Gingerbread House Display, on view November 13 through December 15.

Anyone is welcome to create a house for the display, including individuals, Scout troops, school groups, bakeries, restaurants and professional chefs. Past displays have featured the confection creations of historic homes, churches, barns, lighthouses, and fairy-tale cottages, as well as the stately Tara from Gone With the Wind, a Boy Scout camp, Rapunzel's castle tower, Eastman Theatre, and Kodak Tower.

More than 50 gingerbread houses will be on display throughout the historic home of George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Co. Those interested in creating and donating a house should contact Kathy Connor, curator of the George Eastman Collection, at 585-271-3361 ext. 242 (or by fax at 271-6682). The registration deadline is Friday, October 11.

Most of the houses will be sold via silent auction. Proceeds from last year's silent auction were used to buy new holiday decorations for the Eastman House. For the season, the Eastman House will be decorated in early 20th-century holiday fashion, featuring decorated trees, an antique Lionel train, garland on the grand staircase, decorative wreaths and poinsettias, and the formal dining room set for holiday dinner.

The Sweet Creations display is organized by the Eastman House Council, under the direction of chairwoman Jane Lord Booker of Rochester. The exhibition is sponsored by Tops Friendly Markets.