A Christmas Surprise
Abigail Langmeyer
Age: 7
Cortland, Ohio
There was a little girl named Jane who lived on a farm in Texas. She wanted a cat for Christmas, but...
The gift of remembrance
Winner: Alejandro Villalva, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army Reserve, 42, San Antonio, TX
Richard sat silently, transfixed, his entire attention riveted to the photo that...
The Stocking Surprise
Second place: Mark Llewellyn, of New Castle, Pa.
Doreen’s eyes, glassy in this state of reverie, wandered from one hand to the other. Arthritis found...
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...
Uncle Leonard
Third place: Maryann Lepovsky, 65, of Lucinda, Pa.
All the lights were out in town except for the bright orange Rexall sign on the corner...
The Christmas tree
By Brandon Hozian
Kirtland, Ohio
Age 11
Winner
There once was an evergreen tree that got planted in a forest. It wanted to grow to be a...
Christmas Wishes
Rachel BarkleyAge: 11Uhrichsville, OH
Mary sighed. All she had ever wanted for Christmas previous years had been a horse. But now she had pushed wanting...
The Win-win
Honorable mention: Sharon Sweda, Huron, Ohio
Jacob slumped as Katherine cleared the table around him. Sensing he'd skip choir rehearsal, she chose to pray, rather...
Georgia and the pumpkins
By Asa Eddy
Chesterland, Ohio
Age 5
Honorable Mention
Once upon a time there was a pumpkin and a little girl. The girl’s name was Georgia and she...
A question of faith
By Chet Cornman
Freeport, Pa.
Third place
The floorboard creaked and Amy froze. Someone was out there all right. Carefully, oh so carefully, she extended her neck...
