Liberty Avenue home has best holiday decor in

Homes throughout the Valley have been decorated during the Christmas season.

In North Charleroi, that civic pride is being recognized not only during the holiday season but during other key times of the year.

Mayor Lee Hall recently bestowed his Mayor's Choice for the best holiday decor to David Carson of 601 Liberty Ave.

This is the second year for the holiday decor award Hall began.

"There were so many homes decorated it was unbelievable," Hall said.

Hall said the Carson home was "eye catching." The entire house was outlined in lights. Lights around the home were on a time sequence that ultimately ends in the whole home being lit up.

Last year's winner, Scott Cooper of Isabella Avenue, had equally impressive home decorations, Hall said. The walkway of the Cooper home was outlined in lights, Hall noted. However, the mayor said he did not want to present the award to the same home two years in a row.

Honoring North Charleroi residents for their home decorations is a growing tradition in North Charleroi.

Hall also presented an award for the best decorated home at Halloween, noting that plenty of homes were decorated for that season.

The idea actually began with Hall's predecessor, Alfred Agamedi, who initiated the Yard of the Week program in 2005.

The Yard of the Week program spans from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the unofficial summer season, Hall said.

Each Saturday, Hall names a winner and posts a 3-foot-square sign which reads "Mayor's Choice Yard of the Week."

Hall became mayor after Agamedi passed away Sept. 18, 2009. In honor of Agamedi, a longtime public servant in North Charleroi, Hall chose to continue the Yard of the Week tradition.

Councilman Hall, who was appointed mayor, will serve at least through 2011, when the position is up for re-election.

A 32-year veteran teacher in the Charleroi Area School District, Hall was athletic director and wrestling coach.

The special honors - such as Yard of the Week, holiday decor and Halloween decorations award - add community pride, Hall said.

Hall said he has expanded upon Agamedi's idea, in part to honor the former mayor.

But will the idea expand further?

"I look to see what the community is doing," Hall said. "If at Easter I see there are a lot of homes decorated, maybe I'll do something then. When they're doing something special, I look to recognize that."