Outdoor makeover winners plan big changes, fun times
Ask anyone who has ever won a contest and they will tell you that they entered on a whim, never expecting to win because "I never win anything!"
That was certainly the case with the top prize winners of the Daily Herald's recent "Get Your Summer On" outdoor entertainment package. They saw the notice for the contest, looked at their yard and decided to give it a try because without help, they knew that their yards would not improve anytime soon.
"All of our patio furniture is old and it is falling apart," explained Rene Schneider of Rolling Meadows, winner of the grand prize, valued at $9,950. "But we have two kids in college so we can't afford to buy anything new."
In her winning entry, she made her case:
"Our backyard is our sanctuary in the summer months. However, I am somewhat embarrassed when entertaining. Our patio and yard are very large, so in order to fill the space, we have a few very old, mismatched tables and chairs.
"Over the years the chairs have fallen apart and the remaining chairs drip rust-colored water onto our feet! We have one table with an umbrella and one shady area, but the center of the patio is un-shaded and can get very warm," the letter continued.
"We love to entertain and would love ideas on how to fill this large patio with comfortable furniture that is not falling apart. We've had guests tip over in chairs that have bent all the way to the ground!"
The preschool teacher and her husband, Brad, a salesman, moved into the house 21 years ago and put on a home addition and a paver patio about 12 years ago. That is when they bought their current outdoor furniture from a big box store.
"Now it is all falling apart. I never expected to win this contest so I sanded down and repainted our current furniture before our annual Fourth of July/graduation party for our daughter. I threw away the really bad stuff and spray painted the rest and we held the party," she recalled.
But now the Schneiders won't have to "make do" ever again because they won a patio dining set from Viking Ski and Patio in Barrington ($3,000 value), a Weber on Wheels catered party ($2,500 value), a Littman Bros. Lighting (of Schaumburg) lighting package ($2,000 value), a fire pit from Northwest Metalcraft in Arlington Heights ($2,000 value), a $250 gift card from Flower Wagon Garden Center in South Elgin, a $100 Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ card and a $100 gift card from Binny's Beverage Depot.
"Once we go shopping for the patio furniture and fire pit and get all of our outdoor lighting installed, we will have to throw a big party because everyone is aware that we won this party and are expecting to be invited!" Schneider said.
"I am very excited about getting new furniture, maybe a large umbrella for the middle of our very large patio, the fire pit and also about the lighting. I don't even know what is available when it comes to lighting. It is all very exciting," she added.
The second-prize winner was Mandy Hagestedt of Schaumburg. She won a prize package worth $5,450.
The Hagestedts have also been living in their home for 21 years and now that they have three grandchildren living with them, along with their three children, Mandy is particularly worried about the lack of lighting on their elevated deck.
"We have wetlands behind us and no lights on our deck so it is very black out there at night. It is actually dangerous. Seeing the lighting in the prize package is what really made me enter the contest. It jumped out at me because I felt that it had my name all over it," she explained.
In her entry letter, she made a similar plea: "Help! We are a family of eight and love to eat outside. But there just isn't proper seating. The rattan furniture is broken and mismatched and the lighting is horrible. There is a step down to where the table is and at night you cannot see it when it's dark. It can be dangerous. It would be wonderful to have a nice, cozy, well-lit area that we can all enjoy together!"
In response, the Daily Herald prize committee chose the Hagestedts to receive a $1,000 patio cushion package from Viking Patio in Barrington, a $2,000 Littman Brothers outdoor lighting package, a grill from Northwest Metalcraft of Arlington Heights ($2,000 value), a $250 gift card from Flower Wagon Garden Center in South Elgin, a $100 Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ gift card and a $100 Binny's Beverage Depot gift card.
"I will absolutely throw a party for family and friends once we get everything. I can't wait!" Mandy said. She is a professional barber and her husband, Scott, is a carpenter.
Two runners-up also won prizes of $250 Flower Wagon Garden Center gift cards, $100 Northwest Metalcraft gift cards and $25 Binny's Beverage Depot gift cards. They were Honore Nolting of Palatine and Jill Fritz of Wauconda.