Dana Merk and Natalie Carnrike were one of the participants in the 2021 Home Beautification Contest. They were one of two first Place winners that took home $5,000. Shown are before and after photos of their work. Congratulations! (Submitted photos)

NORWICH – The Evening Sun and Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation have announced the beginning of the 2022 Home Beautification contest and are highlighting the winners from 2021.

For the third year in a row the 2021 contest was created to help identify, encourage and reward property owners in the City of Norwich making improvements to their homes.

Congratulations to the first place winners– in a two way tie between work done by Michael Stroh and another project by Dana Merk and Natalie Carnrike. Each won $5,000.

Wendy Eberhardt won second place and $3,000, Brian Utter and Raina Douglas took third place and $2,000; and Chris and Ann Smith won Honorable Mention and $1,000.

The contest is modeled after the original contest promoted by Smith Ford Norwich back in the 80's and 90's.

During the last three years of the rebooted contest, 2019 through 2021, a total of 17 homeowners have been awarded cash prizes totaling $41,500.

Over the coming days and weeks as the Evening Sun promotes the new contest, we hope to highlight the positive gains with last year's participants.

The Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation and Evening Sun hope to continue this contest for at least another three years.

For the this year's contest in 2022, a new category was added for two to four family rental properties.

Eligibility for the contest began on March 1, 2022 and will go until November 15, 2022.

The 2022 Home Beatification prizes include first place for $5,000, second place for $3,000, third place for $2,000 and a fourth place for $1,000.

The two to four family category will have a first place for $5,000, and a second place for $4,000.

Applicants must attain measurable improvements to their property as determined by contest sponsors.

The goal of the contest is to improve the quality of life in the City of Norwich and reward those in the community who are actively investing in home improvements for families and young professionals.

A panel of judges considered a number of contest submissions. The dedication and work reviewed in the contest and the quality of home improvements was impressive.

The judges looked at exterior improvements only, with an emphasis on those properties undergoing the most significant exterior renovations which improve not only the residence, but positively impact the neighborhood as well.

Examples of improvements reviewed included new expansions, siding, exterior painting, roofing, doors and windows, shutters, landscaping and exterior lighting.

The contest has become an annual tradition supported by community sponsors working in partnership with The Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation and The Evening Sun.

The Norwich Building Tomorrow Foundation is a local not for profit with a mission to improve the quality of life in the City of Norwich, primarily through seeking opportunities to improve and preserve housing and other property development opportunities.

The 2022 Home Beautification Contest: March 1, 2022 until November 15, 2022.

First place: $5,000

Second place: $3,000

Third Place: $2,000

Fourth Place: $1,000

Two to four family category:

First place: $5,000

Second Place: $4,000

Applicants must attain measurable improvements to their property as determined by contest sponsors.