The Levittown Historical Society sponsored for the first time this year a Home and Garden Contest to all residents who live in the community. Although not too many residents participated, the society felt the contest was a success and honored all who entered with prizes. The overall winners were Jan and Ken Stuke, who received the grand prize, a $50 gift certificate to Domenico's Restaurant in Levittown. In addition to the Stukes, the remaining 10 entrants received "honorable mention" awards at the society's regular monthly meeting held Oct. 20 in the Mildred Cantor Room at the Levittown Library.

With their entry, the Stuke's submitted a letter to the society describing their home. They noted that when they first moved into the community in 1975, the house was a basic cape and the family changed things little by little. Jan Stuke noted that the thing she is most proud about her home is that her husband has done all of the landscaping by himself (with a little of her help).

"He has wonderful ideas and loves doing it," she said. "Everyone tells him he should open his own business. A few times I have seen people jump out of their cars and take pictures."

She also noted a time when a little girl came up to her and told her that their home resembles a dollhouse and mentioned that her niece said it looks like a fairy house. "When people see pictures of the backyard they often ask what park they were taken in," she said.

Stuke added that all of the changes that they have made to their home have been their own original designs and ideas. "The wonderful thing about a Levittown house is that it is so versatile," she said.

Historical Society President Polly Dwyer said that she and the panel of judges agreed that the Stuke's home was lovely and a clear choice for the grand prize. Dwyer noted that all of the entries were great and the society wanted to honor everybody.

"This turned out to be such a great thing. We wanted everybody to feel like a winner - their house is their joy," Dwyer said, noting that the small amount of entries also made it easy to honor all who participated. "They deserve to feel like winners. They went to such great lengths."

The remaining entrants received a Levittown Historical Society coloring book, depicting historical Levittown and highlighting various landmarks in the community.

"This has become a very popular item," Dwyer said, noting that residents don't usually purchase it as a coloring book for children, rather as a keepsake.

Photos submitted by contest members are currently on display at the Historical Society Museum. Dwyer noted that the society plans to make this contest an annual event, hoping its popularity will grow. She added that the awful June weather certainly didn't help this year and many gardens didn't spruce up after the heavy rainfall early in the summer. In her letter to the society, Jan Stuke noted that the community only gets better as each year goes by.

"I grew up in Levittown and have been a resident for 50 years," she said. "This town only gets better and more beautiful each year."