Winners of Scarecrows on Parade are announced
Tampa residents won first and second prize in the 2005 Scarecrows on Parade contest, which was held for the first time in the small towns of Lincolnville, Tampa, Ramona, Lost Springs, and Burdick.
First prize of $50 in the residential category was awarded to Tom and Lori Moldenhauer, 402 Main, Tampa, with the "Busted Knuckle Garage" entry.
The scarecrow, which resembled Tom Moldenhauer so much that folks found themselves waving at it, was standing next to a Corvair as though about to jack up the car.
In addition to the cash prize, the Moldenhauers will receive a traveling trophy courtesy of Cousin's Corner B&B of Ramona, engraved with the year, town, and their names. The trophy stays with the Moldenhauers until next year's competition, when it will be given to the 2006 winner.
Second place winner, receiving $30 cash, was Kathy Kilbourn, 126 W. 5th, Tampa. Her "Rototilling Lady" received high praise from the judges, who thought the facial features were very realistic.
Third prize was awarded to the Ramona entry, "Home on Leave," a display created by Jeannie Weber of Ramona and Tonya Stroda of Hope. The display celebrates Tonya, her husband, Randy, who's home on leave from Iraq, and their three children. They received a $20 cash prize.
Fourth prize was given to Marilyn Montgomery, 211 E. Sixth, Lincolnville, for "Auntie on the Lawn," a lovely scarecrow maiden surrounded by fall flowers.
Honorable mention awards were given to Monica Svoboda, 417 Main, Tampa, for her "Witch and Goblins, " and Mary Deane & Wendell Peterson, 539 Main, Burdick, for the "Couple on the Bench." They each received a $15 gift certificate from Ramona Café.
Business awards
The contest for business entries was a close race between two banks. Pilsen State Bank, Lincolnville, emerged the winner with "scarecrow teller and customer" on display inside the bank near the front window.
Tampa State Bank's scarecrow, 326 Main, Tampa, is a clever bank robber, with fake money sticking from every pocket and was a very close second.
Third place was awarded to Karen's Hair Designs, 501 Main, Lincolnville, for the yard display of hairdresser and customer.
Youth awards
An anonymous donor contributed $100 to be awarded to the best scarecrows made by youngsters in each of the five communities.
"We must encourage the artistic endeavors of our children," said the generous donor from Newton.
Winners each received a $20 prize. They were: Kirsten Johnson, 214 Main, Burdick, for "Jayhawk Fan Roasting the Wildcat;" Justin, Shelby, and Jessica Deines, 3454 Timber Road, Ramona, for "Three Goblins;" fourth grade art class, Centre Elementary School, Lost Springs; Karl, Kyle, and Kara Riffel, 3066 Nighthawk, Tampa, for "Pig Show Today;" Cacey and Ty Simons, 110 Kansas, Lincolnville, with "Ghost Crossing."
Artful Eye Award
A $50 cash prize sponsored by the California Sisters of Ramona was awarded to Marguerite Jirak, 620 Topeka, Lincolnville, for "Precious Moments," a display featuring an entire scarecrow family in pajamas.
"This was the most artistic and lovely display," said Pat Wick, one of the California Sisters and originator of the Scarecrows on Parade event. "My sister and I decided to fund this award to recognize special artistic endeavors in the scarecrow contest."
Within the five towns there are a total of 121 scarecrow displays featuring at least 205 scarecrows. A majority of the scarecrows, even those on far-flung dirt roads, were captured on film by Wick, who created a DVD set to music, "Scarecrows on Parade 2005." This DVD is available for a $10 donation to the Dirt Gambler's Museum, Ramona.
Judges for the event contributed three to four hours in driving from town to town viewing each display.
"Some even took videos so they could go home and look at all the entries a second time," said Jessica Gilbert of Ramona, coordinator of the event.
Judging the scarecrows were Commissioner Dan Holub of Marion, Myrna and Jim Hamm of rural Tampa, Billy and Rohani Alcorn of Ramona, and Attorney Keith Collett of Marion who assisted in the second round of judging.
Area coordinators were Carole Spohn, Tampa; Sylvia Bailey, Lincolnville; Connie Johnson, Burdick; Kellie Wyatt, Lost Springs; and the California Sisters, Ramona.
Sponsors of the event were Agri-Producers, Bailey's Grill & Tavern, California Sisters, Cousin's Corner B&B, Cow Camp Inc., Commissioner Dan Holub, Tampa Lions Club, Pilsen State Bank, Ramona Café, and Tampa State Bank.
It's not too late to view the displays. Most of the scarecrows will remain in place through Halloween weekend, unless the creators take them inside due to inclement weather.
Scarecrow maps can be picked up at 301 D in Ramona, at the former post office in Tampa, and Bailey's Tavern in Lincolnville.
"It's a delightful way to experience small-town America, relish the fall colors in the Flint Hills, and see some amazingly creative scarecrows," said Gilbert.
