The crumb-believable library gingerbread competition

Piping bags at the ready and candy in hand, vacation week for students ended strong with a gingerbread decorating contest. 

The Wareham Free Library hosted a team gingerbread house flip competition Saturday, Feb. 21 to keep students busy during school vacation week. Five teams honed their home-improvement skills in candy fashion.

Melissa Dyer, the children's librarian, led the decorating after receiving gingerbread houses from her niece. Her inspiration for the house-flip theme stemmed from home improvement shows on television. 

"Why not have our own Home Garden Network-thing over February vacation and see what happens," Dyer said. 

With an upcoming storm, Dyer said the turnout wasn't big but that those who showed up, showed out. Students of all ages arrived ready to create their houses. 

Gummy sharks, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and gumdrops coated various gingerbread homes. Dyer said that some decorations brought in ended up becoming snacks during the decorating process, but that creativity was on full display. 

"It allowed them to work on their fine motor skills," she said. "Using the icing and having to plot things out and to think ahead— it was a full on physical and cognitive project." 

Those who competed were gunning for a prize. Team Calvin and Team Will received an equal number of votes and tied for first, both will be awarded swagbags of goodies.