STEVENS POINT - Sue Wentz, of Portage, Wisconsin, took first place honors with her essay, "The Next Step Down" in the Wisconsin Regional Writer's Florence Lindemann Humor Contest. Wentz' entertaining essay recounts the struggles that ensued when she adopted a retired racing greyhound.

Wentz was awarded the $50 first prize at the May 1 WRWA Spring Conference in Stevens Point. This year's judge, Humor Columnist Deb DiSandro of Plainfield, Illinois, said, "Wentz' essay exemplifies humor writing at its best."

The $30 second prize went to Denice Ryan Martin of Dousman, Wisconsin, for her essay, "The Burdock Battle." In her amusing essay, Martin playfully pokes fun at her sister with the green thumb as well as her own gardening ability.

The $20 third prize went to Jo Stewart of Solon Springs, Wisconsin, for her essay, "Before and After," the author's comical recollection of her desire for plastic surgery when she was a child.

A Certificate of Merit for Honorable Mention went to Joan Simons of Wauwatosa for her essay, "Reality Marriage II: Who Knew?" where the author ponders the change that has overcome her husband now that he's retired.

Barb Jensen of Portage was the chairperson for this year's contest in which 39 writers competed. Approximately 60 writers from Wisconsin and neighboring states attended the spring conference.