Voting now under way for Light Up Cove

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

A February meeting held by a handful of concerned community members has mushroomed into a city-wide business decorating initiative that has the city lit up at night, particularly businesses on Business 190 and in Cove Terrace Shopping Center. 
Light Up Cove began with a brainstorming session, led by Jennifer and Michael White of Candy Outfitters, about possibilities to bring holiday decorations back to Business 190 in Copperas Cove. 
People recalled the bright lights – candy canes, stars, and more – that were installed on utility poles and lit up the city from late November through January. Unfortunately, those lights were not put up in 2017 due to either being burned out or no longer usable. 
It was then determined to find a way to decorate Business 190 for the holidays, one way or another. One solution was a possible fundraiser, but what took hold was to hold a decorating contest for Copperas Cove businesses. 
Dozens of businesses have come on board for the contest and are competing for bragging rights, trophies, as well as a total of $1,400 value in prizes donated by sponsors. 
Voting is open to the entire community and can be done online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lightupcove2018, with paper ballots also available at Candy Outfitters, located in the Frontier Hills Shopping Center, 185 W. Bus. 190 Ste 1. 
Participating businesses as shown on the map include: 
A. Camp Caylor (146 CR 4814)
B. Elle Day Spa & Salon (1009 Bus. 190 Suite 110), State Farm (1003 W Hwy 190)
C. Caliber Collison (840 W. Bus. 190), Mid-Tex Paint & Body (906 W. Bus. 190), Amy’s Attic Self Storage (930 W. Bus. 190)
D. A&L Florist (303 W. Bus. 190), Soggy Doggies (301 W. Bus. 190), Crossroads Veterinary Hospital (1101 S. F.M. 116)
E. The Realty Place (1406 S. F.M. 116), BlackBox Arcade (1312 S. F.M. 116)
F. Frontier Hills Shopping Center: El Canto Investments (185-187 W. Bus. 190), Forever Tattoos (185 W. Bus. 190 Ste. 2), Allure Nails Spa (181 W. Bus. 190 Ste. 8), Integrity Rehab & Home Health (181 W. Hwy 190 Ste. 5), Bancorp South (181 W. Bus. 190 Ste. 2), Freeway Insurance (181 W. Bus. 190, Ste. 1), Unwind! (175 W. Bus. 190 Ste. 4), FUBAR (181 W. Bus. 190 Ste. 9)
G. Silverado & Ben Atkinson Homes Inc. (814 S. Main St.)
H. Buddy’s (309 E. Bus. 190), Merle Norman (212 E. Bus. 190)
I. National United Bank (505 E. Bus. 190), Copperas Cove Dentist (602 E. Bus. 190)
J. Cove Terrace Shopping Center: Advance America (248 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Frames & Things (216 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Yum Yum Thai Food (107 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Sissy’s Southern Charms (112 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Red No. 5 (108 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Quine & Associates (200 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Premier Insurance Agency (122 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Micronesian Market (128 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Edward Jones (206 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Yong’s Oriental Market and Korean Grill (310 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Arrive Alive of Texas Driving Academy (130/132 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Healthy Hub (258 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Optimist Club Thrift Store (332 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Maverick Music (414 E Avenue D), Dollar General #693 (210 Cove Terrace Shopping Center), Dollar Tree (815 E Hwy 190)
K. Keith Ace Hardware (102 S. 1st St.)
L. Ledger Furniture (104 E. Ave. D), C&H Hawaiian Grill (105 E. Ave E)
M. Dam Sandwiches (1301 E Ave. D)
N. Coins Silver Gold Exchange (1606 E. Bus. 190)
O. BKCW-Cove (2128 E. Bus. 190)
P. Cove Plumbing Inc. (2416 E. Bus. 190), Ira Brand: Allstate Insurance (2312 E. Bus. 190)
Q. Jersey Mike’s Subs (3018 E. Bus. 190), Anytime Fitness (3010 E. Bus. 190, Ste. 272)
Categories include Best Design/Most Creative, Best Story/Theme, Best Presentation/Curb Appeal, Best Use of Business/Logo.
Winners will be announced on December 21 and 22.