On January 3 Borough President Marty Markowitz visited the neighboring Brooklyn homes that garnered the citywide “Best in Show” award in the first-ever Daily News “Brite Stuff” holiday-decorating contest. Home to Robert DeLauro and Lisa Cistulli, and Frank and Pina Cianflone, the two buildings wish a festive and brightly lit “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays” and “Happy New Year” to all who pass by.

Candidates for the contest were nominated in December by owners, relatives, friends, and passersby, and the best dozen homes went head-to-head in a vote on the Daily News website. The winning homes in Dyker Heights, a neighborhood long known for its festive holiday displays, were announced in the newspaper on December 24.

“This once again proves that in addition to being the Borough of Churches and the Borough of Trees, Brooklyn is the Borough of Light during the holidays, and throughout the year,” said Markowitz.

The DeLauro and Cianflone homes were not the only ones honored this holiday season. Ruby Ippolito’s house, also in Dyker Heights, won the NY1 “Lights Before Christmas” contest with her festive display, dedicated to the memory of her late father. Borough President Markowitz paid a special visit to the Ippolito house on December 27. He especially praised the diversity of faiths represented in the decorations: the house featured both a menorah in the window and Christmas lights outside.