One of Effingham County’s holiday traditions is the Springfield Garden Club’s judging of outdoor Christmas decorations in Springfield.

The club recognized winners in several categories:

Overall Traditional
First place – Bill Exley
Second place – Tommy Arden
Third place – Martha Ward
Fourth place – Edwin Exley

Overall Creative
First – Tonya Jacques
Second – Terrell Webb
Third – Jamey Stancell

Overall Fantasy
First – Merille Riggs
Second – Edward Hodges
Third – T. Sheppard
Fourth – John Copeland Jr.

Overall Christmas Theme
First – Darrell Bank
Second – Michael Gerald
Third – Dale Hinely

Children’s Theme
First – Sheri Gonsalues
Second – Dale Boyles
Third – Teresa Sheppard

Religious
First – Craig Armstrong
Second – Keith Johnson
Third – Lauren Robinson

Doors
First – Tim Couey
Second – Don King
Third – Barbie Coleman
Fourth – Cynthia Brogdon

Windows
First – Darell Banks
Second – Adam Harden
Third – Max Neidlinger
Fourth – Ernest Nease

Outdoor Tree
First – City of Springfield tree
Second – John Copeland Jr.

Businesses
First – Fairy Godmother’s Closet
Second – Old Town Bookstore
Third – Aunt Tinkie’s
Fourth – Harbor Signs

U.S. Patriotism
First – Charles Hartzog

Churches
First – Holy Trinity
Second – Springfield Methodist

Florists
First – Joan’s

Christmas Spectacular
First – Jimmy Sapp