Warwick Merchant Guild gingerbread contest winners announced

WARWICK — Judges in the Warwick Merchant Guild’s first annual gingerbread contest recently declared Mike Byro of nearby Hewitt, N.J., to receive the first prize award of $40 in Warwick Gift Certificate Dollars for his gingerbread submission, “Warwick Train Station.”

Besides his skill at baking, which he’s been doing since the age of 12, Byro, a retired mechanical designer, is also an artist in multiple media including painting and sculpturing. He reported that his gingerbread recreation of Warwick’s historic railroad station took more than 30 hours to produce.

“It beats watching TV,” he said.

The second-place prize, $20 in gift certificates, went to Warwick resident Kayla Scarane for her creative entry, “Scarlet’s Winter Wonderland.” Scarlet is also the name of her dog.

The Warwick Merchant Guild started the new tradition this year during the celebration of Home for the Holidays.

Bakers and designers of all ages were invited to have their creations displayed at TD Bank, 51 Main St.

Younger bakers, ages 15 and below, could also enter into the family division and let their imaginations soar when designing their gingerbread houses.

The more seasoned creators entered the Individual division.

First prize in the family division, $40 in gift certificates, was won by the Augustyn family of Warwick for “Gingerbread Land.” And the second prize, $20 in gift certificates, went to Warwick resident Mary Murphy on behalf of the Sanfordville Elementary School before and after workshop. Her Fun Time group entry was titled, “Fun-Time Candyland.”

And this fun event, the annual Gingerbread Contest, is now part of Warwick’s Home for the Holidays. The Merchant Guild hopes to make it a yearly tradition.