Munsee-Delaware Nation hosts Best.Yard.Ever Contest during quarantine

MUNSEE-DELAWARE NATION— Munsee-Delaware Nation staff were looking for ways to help members get outside for exercise and interact with family members during this time of quarantine and social distancing. The result was the Best.Yard.Ever. Contest.

Households were encouraged to beautify their lawns and gardens. Over a third of the community’s households registered. Judging took place on June 30. Judges were shown the ‘before’ picture and then visited the properties to have a closer look at the results. One only needs to take a drive around the Nation to see the improvements that householders have made.

Karen Snake received the highest score and was awarded a patio dining set for six with an umbrella and serving cart. Coming in second place was Allan Cushman who was awarded a gas barbeque and accessories. Lastly, the third-place winner was Velma Thomas who received a self-propelled lawnmower. All other participants received a $50.00 gift card from Wal-Mart as a token of appreciation for their hard work and effort.

This was a successful project. Contestants got busy, worked feverishly on their projects, and gave them a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Contest participant Rose Snake said it best with her comment on Facebook.

“I would like to thank the Munsee-Delaware Nation Staff for their suggestion of the ‘Best Yard Contest’. Especially during this time when we are all home. It was a great way to get us working together as a family. Everyone had their ideas on what to do. It wasn’t about whether we won the contest or not, it was about getting outside every day.”

“It gave everyone something to do. This is the first year I really concentrated on my yard and what I can do to make it look better,” she continued. “It also gave my family to work together, ever afternoon…like plant flowers, clean up the yard, cut the grass further back than usual. It also gave me the chance to teach my grandson how to plant…Now, I still have a few other projects I want to work on in the yard… It was a great way to spend time together as a family; hopefully they do it again next year.”