2009 Adult writing contest and youth art winners
The holidays have a special meaning to all of us. It could be the sights and sounds of the children sled riding down the...
An unexpected gift
By Michelle Starkey
Mechanicsburg, Ohio
Second place
The weather had turned cold and dreary with rain clouds hovering over the small town of Mechanicsburg when Jim Samuels...
Santa’s wish
By Danielle Schumaker
Loudonville, Ohio
Age 9
Winner
The North Pole postman is as busy as can be as millions of children across the world send their...
The bootie
By Marie Walker
Leetonia, Ohio
Honorable mention
Tears flowed from my eyes while I hung the little red and white stuffed elf. It was Carol’s favorite Christmas...
Of Christmas chores and country kindness
By Jennifer Bryan
Paris, Ohio
Honorable Mention
The frosty morning air stung my nose as I stepped out the door of our farmhouse. My parents’ boot prints...
Through the eyes of a child
By M. Merlin Acker
Wooster, Ohio
Honorable Mention
Farmer Jim awoke early one bright spring morning, traveling to the steep eastern slope on his farm overlooking a...
Simon’s Christmas
By Tori Miller
Vickery, Ohio
Age 8
Honorable Mention
“Mom, I’m going to bed,” said Sierra, yawning.
But before she went to bed, she looked at her calendar....
The meaning of Christmas
By Destini Smith
Vickery, Ohio
Age 12
Winner
De was in school. It was the end of the day, right before the bell rang, when her...
Merry mischief
By Sharon Sweda
Huron, Ohio
Honorable Mention
“Doggone it!”
Janet hears Henry’s familiar bellow. She knows, without looking or hearing the stomp of his boots, that in an...
The believer
By Carlee Dunham
Castalia, Ohio
Age 11
Honorable Mention
Once upon a Christmas Eve, a young boy named Charlie did not believe in Santa Claus. He...
