Results from the contest announced in the winter newsletter are in and the top writers in each category are printed beginning on 8. The contest announced in the spring newsletter are also in and will be published shortly in the fall edition.

That will be the last running of this contest unless someone from one of Wisconsin's 70+ writing clubs calls or e-mails me to volunteer to judge another contest. This contest has been running for nearly two years now and, with one exception, it has been necessary to call and ask someone to do it. Twice my own club has stepped in because we didn't have a volunteer. In addition, with only two exceptions, we have not received enough entries to warrant award of three winners in each category. Clearly, the WRWA's 400 plus members-writers all-just don't have enough interest in the relatively high probability of being published here to warrant continuation of this as a regular feature of the newsletter.

Thank to everyone who has participated in judging and to those few of you who have entered. If I get enough phone calls or e-mail asking to continue the contest, I'll reinstitute it.

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Here are the results from the annual Bo Carter Memorial Writing Contest sponsored by the Waukesha Writers' Workshop. The contest is open to all writers and the deadline for submissions is always in mid-April. Watch the WRWA Calendar for next year's deadline. Congratulations to this year's winners!

"Dear Babby," an essay consisting of letters to an advice columnist, won first place for Mary Jacobsen of Webster, Wisconsin. The contest was judged by humor writer/speaker Gary Legwold of Minneapolis, Minnesota. "I loved the juicy, gossip column concept," Legwold stated. "It brings lots of voices into the piece." "Should I give up my pink cell phone for love?" Desperate Girl writes to Dear Babby. Girl with Nutty Father complains about her dad: "He says that anyone who leaves large swatches (his word) of skin exposed to the elements is courting, most certainly, fatal pneumonia."

The second prize went to Peter Sherrill of Forestville for his essay, "To the Editor, Modern Medical Journal." In this letter to the editor, Sherrill uses Ole and Lena to diagnose and explain spouse deafness. "The husband offered the presenting complaint. He reported that 'She never hears a thing I say.' I immediately considered the diagnosis of p. matrimonies simplex. His wife, Lena, responded with 'Well, why should I? Ole there-he's the one that's got no ears on his head.'" Judge Legwold said, "Ole and Lena are, well, Ole and Lena at their best. We who are married identify."

The third prize went to Milt Neuhauser of Phillips for his essay, "Benjy." This pet rattlesnake, who was given the run of the house, slithers from room to room. "The understatements and instant tension are fertile ground for humor," Judge Legwold said.

Honorable Mentions went to Judith Sepsey of New Berlin for her essay, "Almost Widows," a "short, sweet account of a vain mistress attending the funeral of her lover," and Darlene Buechel of Chilton for her essay, "Old Bras, Horrid Heat, and Tator Tot Jewelry," filled with humorous self-deprecation and sensuality.

A poignant reminiscence about a family keepsake-a small Danish blue and white plate-won first place for Susan Damgard O'Brien of Milwaukee.

This year's judge in the annual competition was Jack Pearson of Brookfield, a columnist for 50 Plus newsmagazine and former editor of Exclusively Yours.

He praised O'Brien's vivid recollections and the warm feelings of mother, daughter, and family brought out in her entry, “Plate Full of Memories.” He added, “You do a nice job of weaving a tale.”

The second prize went to Grace Houston of Kenosha, who wrote a well-researched historical article on “Old Abe,” the famed Civil War mascot of Wisconsin's Eighth Regiment.

The third prize was awarded to Patricia Weisberg of Milwaukee, who also wrote a historical feature, focusing on Christopher Latham Sholes, inventor of the typewriter and an editor, legislator, and postmaster, whose occupations took him to Madison and Kenosha as well as Milwaukee. He's buried in Milwaukee's Forest Home Cemetery.

Honorable mention certificates were awarded two writers: Julie Eger of Wautoma, for “Carving Out a Dream,” an insightful profile of a woodcrafter; and Joan Rozanski of Milwaukee, who wrote a nostalgic piece-“Celebrating the National Soldiers Home” in Milwaukee-focusing on its “Reclaiming Our Heritage” event staged each June.