Local Residents Rock the (Gingerbread) House

The Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland has announced the winners of a pretty sweet competition: the sixth-annual Gingerbread Homes and Habitats contest. 

Competitors were asked to prepare gingerbread houses that incorporated environmentally friendly elements and features. Entries were judged on distinctiveness, creative use of nature theme, use of "green" building design techniques and skill in decoration. 

Contestants were grouped by categories including non-professional adult, youth-family and professional adult. Entries were on display at the environmental center through Dec. 18, when contest winners were announced. 

Best among the bakers and makers were a number of people with ties to Belleville. Tom Casella of Nanina's in the Park received first place in the professional adult category, resident Gilbert Antero won second place in the adult professional category, and sharing first place in the non-professiopnal adult category were Ralph Ciallella, Marie Capolongo and Thelma Ciallella , also from town.