By Ray Lenarcic
Among these contests were, most recently, the Englebert the Elf Half and Half. Others included the Pumpkin Man and Jeffrey and the Red Paper Heart coloring contests and Denny O’Toole draw your own leprechaun.
I’d guess that the holiday stories donated over the years are in the thousands. It’s often been said that “all good things come to an end,” and so-no more contests. The significant drop off of entries in the last two was proof enough that it was time. And I understand. They’re not a part of the curriculum. Thanks to iconic BHA principal Joe Long for overseeing the contests and guaranteeing that the stories got distributed.
As a final gesture, the Hunger Coalition and I are presenting a plaque to an incredibly gifted young artist, 4th grader Ava Carter. And I’m offering the public, as an example of her talent, her entry in last year’s draw-your-own leprechaun contest. Talk about creative-a female leprechaun!
Over the years, Kay and I have been dazzled by the entries-our children really have creative talents too often lying latent. To Ava-you have a great gift-keep on developing it. You’re going places. And to the rest of the kids-it’s been a pleasure knowing you, and remember Jake Frost is watching.
