DUNCAN —
It was the annual Drug Court Pumpkin Carving/Creative Contest Thursday in Stephens County Courthouse and this year, participants (whose identities are withheld to protect privacy) didn’t hold back with their ideas.
The winning pumpkin was brought in just minutes prior to the deadline on Wednesday, and while the judges faced a tough decision, it was clear that OU spirit was in the air.
A white, sparkly, glittery pumpkin with an almost ghoulish grin, wearing a black witch hat and OU ribbons was deemed first place winner. The Drug Court participant will receive a $100 gift certificate, said Sharon Cain, Drug Court Administrator.
Second place went to a glittery, painted pumpkin that had some “bling” on it along with a “Drug Court 2012” flag.
Third place went to the largest, “almost” creepiest-looking pumpkin in the room. Its “flag” said “Bad Year, Need a Meeting.” And it definitely looked like it had a rough year, but it was the detailed carving of its face that interested the judges, when the lights went out.
Both second and third place participants are gifted Community Service, which they are required to fulfill. The gift/prize will go on their court books as being fulfilled.
This year, Cain and the judges agreed that one particular pumpkin deserved some type of award. This was the first time to add a “Most Creative” winner. The pumpkin, or should we say, pumpkins, caused commotion and a variety of reactions when people saw it.
The pumpkin labored to deliver its son, J. Pumpkinson. Details included pumpkin seed tears on the laboring mother, a faux Duncan Regional Hospital admission wristband, and of course, the squawling newborn pumpkin. Lawson Guthrie, investigator for Stephens County District Task Force, who served as one of the judges, said, “That pumpkin is just gross.” But as he said it, he laughed. The pumpkin carver is completing their second/final year of Drug Court. Their 2011 pumpkin was of a “little boy” sitting on a toilet.
One of Lawson’s favorite pumpkins though, was an elaborately-carved pumpkin of a cemetery. District Court Clerk Maggie Cunningham also helped judge this year’s contest, who had many favorites, including the Cookie Monster.
Cain said that the contest gives the participants a chance to have fun, as a reward for the struggles they are challenged with in the program.
(The Banner’s Interim Editor Toni Hopper served as a judge again this year.)
First place went to the “OU Spirit pumpkin”; “Drug Court 2012” pumpkin was second place; and “Bad Year, Need a Meeting” pumpkin was third place. “Birthing J. Pumpkinson” was awarded “Most Creative” place. To see more photos, visit www.duncanbanner.com, look for the Photo Gallery button on the left of the website, click for access to The Banner’s new photo galleries site.
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