Gingerbread University hosts house-decorating competition

Some children dream at some point of being in a world made of gingerbread. Fred Terry, who owns Gingerbread University in Calverton, has been creating just such a world since the Christmas season began.

The entries in the Gingerbread University’s first-ever gingerbread house-decorating competition are on display this weekend at the university’s headquarters behind the Lobster Roll at 3225 Sound Ave. The display, which Mr. Terry hopes will be “a dazzler,” will include gingerbread trains, houses and trees, even a gingerbread adobe church, all lit and artfully placed around the room. The pieces are created by people at all levels of gingerbread skill, from young children to professional confectioners.

Mr. Terry, who owns both the Lobster Roll and Gingerbread University, planned the display as a benefit for Smile Train, an international organization that repairs cleft palates of children worldwide. Donations to Smile Train will be accepted at the door while the gingerbread land is open from noon and 5 p.m. on Dec. 17, 18 and 19.

For more information, go to www.gingerbreaduniversity.com or call 727-7309.