Schools, Businesses Decorate Pumpkins For Gellerman Orthodontics Contest

Dr. Inna Gellerman, owner of Gellerman Orthodontics, launched the Pumpkin Decorating Contest eight years ago, and said it has grown every year since. Photo by Shari Peyser

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

The office of Gellerman Orthodontics hosted its eighth Pumpkin Decorating Contest, with pumpkin designs including an owl, a witch, the Cat in the Hat, Oscar the Grouch, Mickey Mouse, and even Poppy from the movie “Trolls.”

Dr. Inna Gellerman, owner of Gellerman Orthodontics, said that this year’s contest brought in a total of 65 pumpkins, and that the office received a donation of 30 pumpkins from Stop & Shop with Gellerman supplying the rest.

The pumpkins were decorated by schools, businesses and doctor’s offices throughout the Town of Huntington. Participants this year were Saint Patrick’s School; Southdown, Flowerhill, Washington, and Jefferson primary schools in the Huntington School District; Oakwood and Countrywood primary school in the South Huntington School District; and several businesses, including: The Culinary Studio; Long Island Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (LICOM); North Shore Implant and Oral Surgery; Huntington Bay Dental; Kalmar Family Dentistry; Plosky Dental; Dr. Anthony Polimeni; and Dr. Nader Azizi.

When people come in and view the pumpkin display at the 165 Main Street location in Huntington, they love it, Gellerman said.

“Kids come in they go crazy over their favorite movie characters or sports teams,” she said. “This gives people the opportunity to express themselves.”

Gellerman spearheaded the event and said that it continues to grow throughout the years.

“We thought it would be a fun way to engage other people, other offices, and other staff members and to get to know each other,” Gellerman said. “I think by doing something fun together, it makes it easier to communicate.”

While the pumpkins are on display for two weeks, Huntington Hospital patients and members of the community vote on their favorite pumpkin design. As part of the Pumpkin Decorating Contest, the pumpkins are delivered to Huntington Hospital to entertain patients and to keep the spirit of Halloween alive. Awards for the first, second and third place winners are still being discussed.

Gellerman said the pumpkin contest is one of the best events they do every year.

“It puts a smile on so many people’s faces, of all ages,” she said. “It’s just fun to do something for the patients.”