And the Scarecrow Contest 2024 Winners Are....

Drum roll, for those of my readers following this year's Otsiningo Park Scarecrow Contest, whose winners were announced yesterday.

And.....the winners are:

1st Place: West Corners Fire- “Battalion Three Stooges” (#43)

2nd Place: Zelesnikar Inc (#31)

3rd Place: Together for Youth - "Navigating Through Emotions” (#9)

4th Place: Justice for Aliza (#15)

5th Place: Ross Park Zoo (#37) 

 

 

 

First Place from the front.

First place from the back.

 Second place.

 

 

Third place.

Fourth place.  You can find the story behind this scarecrow here.

Fifth place.

The scarecrow I voted for didn't place.  The scarecrow my spouse voted for won.

So much for my taste in scarecrows. 

Congratulations to all those who entered the contest.  Your hard work has now been appreciated internationally.

Scarecrows and Fall Color #WordlessWednesday

This is the last day of the Scarecrow Contest at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, New York.  And, we are at the peak of fall color.

So I went back to the park to take some updated scarecrow pictures.

Saturday, I posted a picture of the Justice for Aliza scarecrow.  I hope to never, ever see a scarecrow like this ever again.  As I explained Saturday, Aliza Spencer was a 12 year old girl murdered in 2022 walking in her neighborhood with two family members.  No suspects have ever been arrested.  This picture is a little different than Saturday's, though.  Take a look at the sign that says "15".

Someone perched a decorative male Northern cardinal on the sign.  Many people believe that Northern cardinals have spiritual symbolism.  Some believe angels are near.  Others believe cardinals bring comfort for grieving families.

Strangely, after typing this last paragraph outside on my laptop, I looked up and a male Northern cardinal was sitting on my back yard fence.

But on a lighter note, here's a couple of more.  I had included a picture of firemen scarecrows from a local volunteer fire department.  This time I decided to photograph it from the back.

One more.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

The Fall Color Show

We are at peak or near peak color where I live in the Southern Tier of New York.

It's true that people don't come to our area.  It's true that you can enjoy better color in places like Vermont. But, on the other hand, there are no traffic jams here.  You just cruise roads just a few miles from your house.

Here is some color from yesterday.  

Sorry about the glare streak.  That's what happens when it's a sunny day.

It was another spectacular day, with temperatures in the 70's F (23ish C).  Again, some of my photos had to be discarded, but no matter.  I was grateful for being able to leave work early and take this drive with my spouse.

So, thank you for coming along with me.  Here's your reward from our local annual Scarecrow contest - a couple of colorful entries.

Lucky 13?  CHOW is a local food bank run by Catholic Charities.  There is such a great need out there.

Finally, an entry from Ametek, a worldwide company with a presence in Binghamton, New York.

Tomorrow is the last day of the Otsiningo Park Scarecrow Contest, and I'll hopefully have a few more pictures tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday.

Be the Light in the Darkness and Justice for Aliza 2024

The annual Otsiningo Park scarecrow contest is drawing to a close.  The voting (and displays) end October 23.  Here, for your enjoyment, are several more pictures, mostly from various non-profits.

 

Be the Light in the Darkness. 

B

Broome County Peace Action.

Become a Foster Parent

Feast (the three figures on the right are from another display but they look nice together).

And one final one that is so sad....

A sad scarecrow I hope I never have to see again is a symbol (to me) of all unsolved murders. 12 year old Aliza Spencer was out for a walk with her family on April 21, 2022 in Binghamton and was killed by one single small caliber bullet.  Even the FBI has become involved in the murder investigation but, as of today, no one has been charged.

They were just a block from their house.

The Justice for Aliza scarecrow has become a fixture at this scarecrow festival.

May this murder be solved, may the killer be brought to justice, and may there be a resolution to her grieving family.

Hopefully, I'll have the winning scarecrow to you later this week.

Scarecrow Festival Dog Walker and Bee #WordlessWednesday

More photos from the annual Otsiningo Park Scarecrow Festival.

Would you trust this dogwalker?   (one of the few entries that isn't a non-profit).

Would you trust this bee?  (SUNY Broome, our local community college).

Finally, a Public Service Announcement.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for #WordlessWednesday.

Note, I may be a little late getting back to your comments and website, and I appreciate your patience.

Another Installment of Scarecrows

It's time for another installment of scarecrows from the ninth annual Scarecrow contest at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, New York.

The contest, explained.

Note, I will not be online until sometime tonight, so any comments will not be published until then. 

Elliot and a Scare Crow, one of the few entries not from a non profit.

We Scare because We Care.

This Prime Care international display deserves a closer look.

The closer look.

Vote Here! (sorry, in person voting only this year).

More scarecrows (and their shadows) tomorrow.

Scarecrow Season 2024 #WordlessWednesday

It's time for the nineth annual Otsiningo Park Scarecrow Contest, which runs this year from October 1 to October 23. 

Per Broome County government, "Individuals, families, businesses, clubs, groups, and organizations are encouraged to create a friendly scarecrow to display at Otsiningo Park and for a chance to win prizes. Entry is FREE of charge. 

The public is invited to vote for their favorite of the almost 40 entries.

More and more, it seems non profits are the main participants and it's a good way to get their message out.

Like this one, for example, number seven, from ACHIEVE, a non profit that serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  I have a feeling this one is in the running for winner.  We'll see!

 Or this one, from STIC (Southern Tier Independence Center).  A developmentally developed family member gets services from both of these fine organizations.

Number 5 is from the NYPENN Pathways Girl Scouts, an Asian elephant to symbolize their Treats, Reads and More program.  This one, I think, will also be in the running for best scarecrow.

Finally, this entry from Broome County DDSO (Broome Developmental Center), which serves individuals 21 and over with developmental disabilities.  This is actually a state run agency but I am going to include it.

Did you have a favorite?  If not, no worries, as I'll have more entries in the coming days.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

You Provide the Punchline #WordlessWednesday

I know, I know.  You are wondering why I'm posting a black and white picture of something you can't even see for Wordless Wednesday.

Well - I've done a couple of posts recently about a person who has been writing puns and jokes in chalk on walking trails where I live.  They are temporary, of course, washing away with the next rain.  We've had a lot of rain, so this time the joker/punster decided to write the jokes or puns under highway overpasses that pass over this particular walking trail.  He wrote it wide, and I couldn't get it all in one photo.

Hence, the below.  I tried to make this more visible with various filters that come with Windows, but I didn't succeed.  But I felt everyone needed a good laugh (or groan) today.

This time, our jokester/punster didn't even leave a punchline so you'll have to guess it for yourself.  

The Unknown Punster wrote:  "I opened my electric bill and water bill at the same time."

 

And?

 It's up to you, dear readers. You'll have to guess the punchline for yourself.

 

Here is another post based on the Unknown Punster. 

Also, this.

 

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Another Trail Joke #ShadowshotSunday

I was saddened to see that the jokes I had seen written in chalk recently on the Vestal Rail Trail and Otsiningo Park were wiped clean by this month's rainstorms.  But, due to popular demand, I have another one for you.

What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?

Stationary.

Joining Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures this week for her Shadowshot Sunday.

Peaceful Park #ShadowshotSunday

 A peaceful set of pictures.

Otsiningo Park,  Binghamton, New York, May 15.

Doesn't it just make you want to sit a while and watch the ducks and geese?

Joining Lisa at Lisa's Garden Adventures for #ShadowshotSunday.

Cloudy and Invasive White #SkywatchFriday

April 17, Otsiningo Park, Binghamton, New York.

Over the years, Callery pears have taken over more and more and are now considered invasive where I live in the Southern Tier of New York.  (We commonly call them Bradford pears here, but Bradford pears are just one variety of Pyrus calleryana, an Asian pear variety that was brought here in the early 1900s with the best of intentions.  But we all know about good intentions, right?  You can read more about Callery pears and why they have become a problem here.

Three states so far have banned their sale:  our neighboring state Pennsylvania, Ohio, and South Carolina.

In a way, it's a shame, because I believe the lovely flowering trees in the following photos are Callery pears (their flowers certainly smell like their flowers - bad) and if not, I'm sure I'll be corrected.  Otsiningo Park has a lot of them.

So let's take in a walk from April 17 and view the trees and the sky.

Invasive but pretty.

Finally, the sky without the trees.

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers each Friday (now that Blogging from A to Z is over and I am back to my normal schedule) for #SkywatchFriday.

Near Christmas Shadows #ShadowshotSunday

Some shadows seen around town recently.

Shadows from an arch that's part of a nighttime Christmas light display in Otsiningo Park, Binghamton, New York.

The season of long shadows continues.

To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the first powered airplane flight, December 17, 1903, a picture from this past May of the original inventors of powered flight.

Joining up with Magical Mystical Teacher's #ShadowshotSunday.

Daytime Light Festival Shadows #ShadowshotSunday

The Broome County Festival of Lights starts tonight.  

One of our local county parks, Otsiningo Park, is dressed up with lighting displays.  We saw them (from the highway) testing the lights on the evening of November 15 and it was spectacular.

The lights started to go up at the end of October, which was a bit strange (they were taking down the Halloween scarecrow contest and colored leaves were still on the trees) but I realized, after a time, that the display was larger than in previous years.  

During the day, the lights aren't visible but the displays cast some nice shadows.  Here is a small sample of shadows from earlier this month, when the lights were still going up.

One of the bigger displays.

Still under construction.

Hope you enjoyed the selection.  I'm sure they look lots better at night while lit.

Joining Magical Mystical Teacher's #ShadowshotSunday.

The 2023 Scarecrow Contest Winners

The 2023 Otsiningo Park Scarecrow contest, which has become a tradition in our area of New York State, is over.

For those who followed my scarecrow contest posts, the 2023 winners have been announced!

1st Place: Broome Day Services- "Jack Skellington" 

 

2nd Place: Riverside Art Program – “The Little Mermaids” (#23)

 

3rd Place: Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth- “Berkshire Barbie-Foster Mom Barbie” (#18)

 

4th Place: Friends of Aliza Spencer- (#48) a 12 year old girl murdered in 2022 while out for a nighttime walk with her father and brother.  No arrests have ever made.

 

 

5th Place: ACHIEVE-“Pacman by Achieve” (a local chapter of a national non profit that advocates for, and provides services to, those with disabilities (including one of my brothers in law.)

 

Here are my posts for this year:

The Scarecrow Contest Returns

Scarecrows with a Message 

More Scarecrows 2023 

Wordful Scarecrows

 

Thank you to my readers for your readership and comments.