LIMERICK CONTEST: FIRST PLACE
Donna Lukacs of Milwaukie, Oregon
Jake is a mix of alligator and man,
With shrivelled skin that's perpetually tan.
He's managed to survive
To celebrate seventy-five,
And he lives nearby a giant frying pan!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
LIMERICK CONTEST: SECOND PLACE
Monika Stum of Spokane Valley, Washington
A fellow named Jake had the notion
To take a stroll along the ocean
He had leathery skin
Like most of his kin
And forgot to take along his suntan lotion
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
LIMERICK CONTEST: THIRD PLACE
Deanna Taylor of Vancouver, Washington
There once was a sailor named Jake
Who thought that a jouney he'd take
He sailed 'round the 'quator
Fell in love with a 'gator
And sailed back with his little son Jake
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
"WHO'S YOUR DADDY, JAKE?" ESSAY CONTEST:
FIRST PLACE
Nancy Lloyd of Oysterville, Washington
(Actually, there s a typo in the contest name; it s supposed to be:)
HOOSIER DADDY JAKE!
H. D. Jake s story began in 1931 in the hamlet of Long Beach, Indiana, just down the road from New Buffalo, Michigan, and up the road a bit from Beverly Shores, who later changed her name to Beverly Sills and became a big noise in opera.
It was the depth of the Depression, and northwest Indianans were even more down-in-the-mouth than usual because there was no booze to be had unless you patronized Al Capone s outfit and he was just too much trouble his bookkeeping was awful, always dunning you for bills you d already paid.
Word reached Big Al about the unrest in Pottowattomie Park and Town of Pines, and worst of all, in Long Beach. To sort things out, Al drove down in his 24-cylinder whisky-gold Duesenberg. As he cased Main Street, he spotted this cute little number with her thumb out. She was Jacobina Mishawaka from South Bend. One thing led to another and Jacobina soon found herself web-footed, pregnant, and all alone. (As usual, Al had rubbed out the revolting customers and left town.)
Eight months later Jacobina checked into the Cold-Blooded Home for Unwed Hoosiers, and soon delivered herself of an odd-looking egg. The egg hatched, and Jacobina realized her first impression HAD been right: Big Al was a reptile, a serpent in spats, a Gila monster in galluses, a Komodo kahuna of Kirschwasser. She named her half-n-half only offspring Hoosier Daddy Jake she d always liked puns, the more obscure the better -- and raised him as her own, though when she took him out for walks she had to dress him like a Dachshund-Mexican Hairless crossbreed.
Later Jacobina was able to get H. D. work at the John G. Blank Center for the Arts in Michigan City where he posed for photos during the day and did janitorial stuff at night.
Things rocked along OK until 1956 when Jacobina died. The Blank Art Center wasn t doing well ex-patrons called it the Blankety-Blank Art Center --and Jake longed for adventure. The Odds-n-Ends Circus happened to be in town that week, and Jake joined up. When the Circus eventually turned up in Long Beach, Washington, Jake felt at home and decided to stay.
Wellington Marsh, Sr., out for a walk with one of his wooden Indians, bumped into Jake, breaking off the tip of his tail. Marsh took Jake to Doc Campiche for a bandaid and then to Mary Lou s for a burger and a Pabst. Over eats Wellington made H. D. an offer he couldn t refuse: a heated glass apartment, publicity, and his own bumper sticker.
Jake was in alligator heaven and, even now, at 75, when the water table rises enough during winter rains, he occasionally goes for a swim in the roadside canals north of town, always being sure to keep his head above water.. Could life get any better?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
"WHO'S YOUR DADDY, JAKE?" ESSAY CONTEST:
SECOND PLACE
Lori Witte of Republic, Washington
Here is a story that needs telling, a tale some of you might not believe, but true nonetheless!
Ever since he was a young lad, Jeremiah would wile away his summers sitting on the bank of the river near the marshes of the bayou. He was fascinated with the alligators...one in particular. She was quite a sight to see! He named her 'Su-alla, because she could swallow a whole duck in one gulp. There was a gleem in her eye when she spotted him watching her. Every summer, he visited 'his girl' and brought her special treats! When this lad had turned into a man, he found his feelings for Su-alla had developed into something more than just a friendship. They decided to get married and live together on the shore of the bayou. THey lived there peacefully; sharing time between the marshes, and in the small hut Jeremiah built. And as time went on, as with most married couples, the signs soon began to show that Su-alla was going to give birth. As her time grew nearer, Su-alla would start to stay in the marsh longer. One hot fall day, she disappeared into the marsh...it was 3 days till she finally came back. She came to get Jeremiah...he noticed there was a frightened look in her eyes! When he came over the bank and wallowed through some muddy marshes...there it was! Su-alla had given birth! He smiled when he saw this young one. He had the body of an alligator, yet the upper torso was human! Together they decided to name him Jackson, after Jeremiah's papa, but called him Jake for short. Well, both Jeremiah and Su-alla loved and cared for Jake very much...teaching him the ways of the marshes, and the best hunting and feeding grounds around. THe three of them seemed very happy together...but all good things must come to an end.
When Jake was about 17yrs old, he went on a quest to try and discover what else was out there in the world. Oh, he had some pretty awesome adventures, saw some really unique things!! He was gone for many moons, and one day found himself homesick for the marsh, missing his family very much. Upon returning, he noticed something different. There was no humming coming from the place where the hut used to stand, there was no more hut. In its place, was a plaque that read, "This is the place that something both strange and unique happened! A marriage between man and beast, may the world be ever awed by the outcome...that is Jake, the Alligator Man"! Until his capture, Jake spent his days doing what he loved, hunting, feeding, and having himself some awesome adventures!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .
"WHO'S YOUR DADDY, JAKE?" ESSAY CONTEST:
THIRD PLACE
Monika Stum of Spokane Valley, Washington
A fellow named Jake had the notion
To take a stroll along the ocean
He had leathery skin
Like most of his kin
And forgot to take along his suntan lotion
The Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau has awarded Bob a prize package including: