At the end of January, Patch presented a $100,000 check to the winner of the Deck the House competition and the Davis Joint Unified School District in California.

The home of Mendota Heights homeowners Dan and Susan Wills was selected as one of 24 finalists for the competition. For their effort, the Wills received $500 toward their December utility bills.

The Wills' beautiful, homemade display of holiday cheer garnered 590 votes, putting it 17th in the competition.

Davis (pop. 65,622) is a far cry from our small community in Mendota Heights (pop. 11,071), and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who participated by voting and sharing this opportunity, regardless of the odds.

It was by far the greatest show of community engagement seen on Mendota Heights Patch, and while we didn't win, I am so very impressed by the rallying cry that went out—during the hubub of the holiday season, no less.

I would also like to say thank you to the Wills, who so graciously participated in the competition, despite the fact that their children did not attend public schools. The couple and their family were great spokespeople for the community.

I hope everyone had fun and took the opportunity to load up the car with family to see the lights in person. Again, thank you!