Boro aglow with holiday light display Holiday decorating contest helps spread spirit of the season Above: The festively decorated Newman family home on Phipps Place in Tinton Falls was a winner in the Holiday Spirit category of the borough's Holiday Decorating Contest. Below: The Schwerdtfeger family home on Annapolis Street, aglow with holiday lights, was a winner in the Starlight Christmas category. TINTON FALLS - That timeless holiday tradition of one-upping your neighbor's decorations has been validated again this year by the borough, where the annual Holiday Decorating Contest results are in. With various categories, including Holiday Spirit,WinterWonderland, Best Decorated Firehouse, Traditional Christmas, Most Festive Block and many more, there were many winners in the borough's contest. According to the borough Recreation Office, "We do not have first, second and third place. They are all winners." Nearly 30 families were recognized by the contest, which has been ongoing for more than 10 years. According to Sherri Eisele, the borough recreation superintendent, the contest used to be based purely on nominations and a committee would go around Tinton Falls to review the entries. "Now, we have a committee drive down every street, lane, avenue and road in Tinton Falls and review all the houses in town," Eisele said. "Each year we try to select different homes in town to get more families and residents involved." The 2007 winners of the decorating contest are displayed on the borough's Web site, www.tintonfalls.com and are awarded a sign for their lawn. "We have many homes in town that are Gold Star Winners that have previously received a sign for their lawn and a plaque as well," Eisele said. "Their homes each year are beautifully decorated and add to the holiday spirit of our town." - Jenna O'Donnell