The city of New Cumberland and the NC Volunteers sponsored a house decorating contest for the month of May to encourage residents to decorate their houses and yards for the Memorial Day celebration.  Everyone was asked to bring out the red, white, and blue as a way to show their patriotism. This was the second year for the contest, and participation was much better than last year.  Houses and yards all over town could be seen flying flags and sporting patriotic signs and banners.  The judges had a difficult time narrowing down the winners to just three entries, and the winners were only one vote apart for each level.  All three winners were given a framed certificate and a check from the city.  First place award went to Bob and Linda Salerno whose front porch was covered in red, white, and blue garland.  Dozens of flags lined their walkway, and bunting hung from the porch railing.  Second place was won by Joe and Donna Hoder who lined their fence with patriotic pennants and wooden accents.  Even the flowers along the fence were red and white.  Third place winners were Todd and Shannon Blake whose brick home sported vintage bunting in every window.  Their door and back yard were decorated with patriotic wreaths and wooden signs.  Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all who decorated to make the city look great.  The next contest sponsored by the city and the NC Volunteers is the “Yard of the Month” award which runs June through October.  Judges will be looking for well-maintained yards with plantings of flowers and shrubs.  Shown in the photos are 1^st place winner Bob Salerno, 2^nd place winner Donna Hoder, and 3^rd place winners Todd and Shannon Blake.