Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Houses are fit for a gingerbread king

Pictured is "Winter Log Home," one of two first place winners. Reminder Publications photo by Liz O'Donoghue
By Danielle Paine

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW Once again the culinary arts students of East Longmeadow High School have proved that the best winter scenery comes from an oven.

Ten teams of five student chefs created and competed on Dec. 8 with their very best gingerbread sculptures. Both the "Winter Log Cabin" piece, with its frosting icicles, and the "Christmas in the City" creation, dotted with tiny ice skaters, stole the show.

"All ten houses this year were the best ever," said MaryJane McMahon of the school's 12th annual gingerbread house contest.

Students first researched ideas to create their three-dimensional mock ups out of construction paper. Then, prior to construction, the classes baked sheets of gingerbread dough to build with and marzipan, a German candy, to sculpt with. Royal icing glue of egg white powder and confectionary sugar hold it all together.

"They really put a lot of time and detail into making their structures look good and taste good," McMahon said.

First and second place winners was selected from two classes during a vote of more than 350 students and teachers. McMahon said that this year's winners had very original designs.

A second place winner created a tree house in lieu of a traditional log cabin. The trees that supported it were sculpted from stacked ice cream cones.

"These kids went above and beyond those kits you can buy," McMahon said. "They put so much into the details, inside the houses and with the people and the animals outside."

McMahon explained that aside from being a fun holiday project, the annual contest teaches team work, critical thinking, and problem solving.

"They don't get the opportunity to use their imagination and creativity as much anymore," McMahon said about tapping into the students' artistic abilities. "They loved it so much that I had kids staying after school until 5 p.m. on some nights."

Winners of the "Winter Log Cabin" team include Kelby Zimmerman, Diane Cuccouia, Lauren Raimondi and Anna Rokhkind.

The winning "Christmas in the City" team was comprised of Kaitlin Stevens, Nicole Sarno, Lidsey Mcleod, Megan Flood and Amanda Coughlin.