Almost every street in Tamaqua has at least one property decorated in red, white and blue for the upcoming 150th observance of Memorial Day. For 27 of those properties, the patriotism also meant the possibility of bragging rights and a cash prize as they were entered in a decorating contest sponsored by the Tamaqua Remembers Committee.

The committee announced the top three place winners on Saturday, all private residences. The contestants included 11 business/rental properties and 16 homes. The winners were: Justin Startzel, 131 Mahanoy St., first place; Janis Wenzel, 10 Pine St., second place; and Wendy Dunkelberger, 246 Mauch Chunk St., third place.

Startzel looked to old photos from the early 1900s as he planned his decorating strategy.

“My theme was based off how Tamaqua would celebrate our country and its sacrifices. As a fellow member of the Army National Guard, I know how important it is to remember all of our heroes. I would like to thank all the volunteers involved with Tamaqua Remembers. What they have organized is absolutely phenomenal. Tamaqua looks absolutely amazing!

For third-place finisher Dunkelberger, family was the driving force behind her design, which included a flag created with old family buttons.

“Although I decorate for every holiday, I put more into this than I usually do. I centered my patriotic theme on ‘My Family Heroes.’ These heroes included my father, brother, two cousins, three uncles, and my maternal great-grandfather. My father nor my brother ever talked about their service record, what they did or where they were. I wish I had known. This has been a wonderful journey that is not stopping here!”

Additional properties entered in the contest are located at: 415 W. Broad St., 248 W. Broad St., 236 W. Broad St., 201 W. Broad St., 113 W. Broad St., 105 W. Broad St., 44-46 W. Broad St., 28 S. Railroad St., 39 Mauch Chunk St., 201 E. Broad St., 250 E. Broad St., 500 E. Broad St., 530 E. Broad St., 628 E. Broad St., 730 E. Broad St., 747 E. Broad St., 707 Arlington St., 32 N. Greenwood St., 446 E. Elm St., 310 Pine St., 403 N. Nescopec St., 19 Center St., 226 Center St., 228 Owl Creek Road.