West Virginia University Dining Services has traditionally contributed to the many special campus events during the holidays.

One of this years contributions was extra sweeta gingerbread replica of Woodburn Hall, the centerpiece of WVU s campus and the Universitys second oldest building.

It took five people 39 hours to create the sweet masterpiece currently on display at Blaney House, home of the WVU president.

Everyone working on the project realized that hundreds of children would be visiting Blaney House over the weeks leading up to winter break, and they wanted to make sure that they and the thousands of students and visitors scheduled to visit the presidents house would leave with smiles on their faces,Executive Chef Eric Filburn said.

The four-foot-long, two-and-a-half-foot-high gingerbread creationwith two three-foot-high clock towersrequired 85 pounds of dough, 15 pounds of candy, eight boxes of whole wheat crackers for the shingles and 58 pounds of icing to complete.

Peggy Walden, food service manager, worked on a scale model of Woodburn, while baker Vicki Van Pelt spent many hours baking the individual pieces and getting them ready for assembly.

The finished product features real lights in the towers, and miniature spotlights illuminate the front of the building.

This is something that Robin Yorty (University coordinator of events) had wanted us to do for a couple of years now, and we finally had the time to get a team together and get it accomplished for President Hardestys last holiday at the house,Filburn said.

Nick Lapana (food service manager) and Pam Kabbaj (food service worker) did a wonderful job with all the icing decorations,he added.We are delighted with the final piece. Everyone worked extremely hard, and I was lucky to have a great team to work with.