The Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story writing contest for 2010 is over. We got some great stories.

First place winner is Karen Katchur of Bethlehem, PA  for her story “The Van”.

Second place winner is Steven Utley of Smyrna, TN for his story “Cold Hands”.

Third place winner is Patricia A. Peirson of Winnetka, CA for her story “Coming Home”.

In order, places four through fifteen are John Ankers of Liverpool, UK;  Trace Riles of Ontario, Canada;  Karen S. Swensson, Chris Lovett and Sharon Lyle of  Georgetown, TX; Valerie Whisenand of Glencoe, AR;  Tyler Miller of Cheney, WA;  Jaclyn S. Miller of Mishawaka, IN;  Carl Jonsgma of South Australia;  Steven Dake of Jackson, Michigan;  Bill Goodwin of Hill City, Kansas;  Winona Howe of Riverside, CA;  Aaron Peterson of Santa Rosa, CA;  and A.F. Schwier of Marble Falls, Tx.

First place prize was $1000.00 and a trophy. Second place prize was $500.00 and a ribbon. Third place prize was $250.00 and a ribbon. Fourth through fifteenth prizes were ribbons.

The Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story writing contest winners are as follows.

First place winner is Jerico Espinas of Oshawa in Ontario, Canada.  His story was “The Mark of Ice”.  He received a trophy and $250.00

Second place winner is Jonathan Kim of Allen, Texas.

Third place winner is Rachel Reimer of Manitoba, Canada.

Fourth through tenth place winners are M. Shale Carey of Westminister, MA;  Megan Stevens of Remus, MI;  Alexa Smith of Round Rock, TX;  Thomas Young of Edmond, OK;  Shelly Crouch of Woodville, TX;  Joe Duncko of Canfield, OH;  and Peter Brand of Rochester, NY.  Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us authors ranged in age from 12-18, with most of them being 12-14 or 17-18.

Second through tenth place winners in the Junior contest received ribbon prizes.

The Scare The Dickens Out of Us and Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story writing contests are entering their third year in 2011. In early January, go to www.clarklibraryfriends.com for the 2011 rules. These contests are privately funded. All entry fees go to to the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library and are used for library projects.

Lockhart, Texas is a small old town in Central Texas between Austin and San Marcos (or between Austin and Luling depending on your highway) with ties to the Chisholm Trail. Lockhart boasts possibly the most beautiful courthouse in the state and the oldest continuously-in-use library in Texas (also an architectural gem). It is also known as the barbecue capitol of Texas (four bbq restaurants almost within walking distance of each other).

WHAT I READ THIS WEEK–The Revenge of the Houndby Michael Hardwick.