Story Contest

Campbell River Online Story Contest Results 2004

Recap of rules

Stories must be set in the Campbell River area and incorporate a character named Charles Moon, who wears a black hat and walks on the beach every day.

Winners

Unlike last year, this year's winners live nowhere near Campbell River, which is located on the Pacific shores of Vancouver Island, Canada. Both winners, however, do hail from islands: the poetry winner, Terrence Proctor, is from Milnthorpe, England; and Jackie Tritt, the short-story winner, lives aboard the world's only island-continent, Australia, in a place called Beaconsfield.

In comments about herself and her story entitled "Opposite Poles," Jackie says: "I'm a retired teacher, living in the hills to the east of Melbourne. I love the coast, and my husband and I have a house overlooking sea and mountains near the southern tip of mainland Australia. We frequently walk on the beach, but I've never found a whale or a shy nudist there."

Terrence Proctor says he has fond memories of Campbell River. After reading his entry, you decide whether they are reflected within his poetic tale, "Return."

Read "Return" by Terrence Proctor.
Read "Opposite Poles" by Jackie Tritt.

This year's winners each received $150 and a souvenir gift pack.

(Sponsors: Merlinus Software Solutions, Sultry Moon Gifts, Harbour Publishing, Carnegie Street Productions, Mystic Woods Nursery, Kaskgraphics, Iris at Discovery Harbour Mall, Sure Print & Copy Centre, Aboriginal Journeys, Ripple Rock Retreat, Campbell River Community Arts Council, Canada Post)

Campbell River Online Story Contest Results 2003

Recap

You will recall that tales could be told as poems, short stories, drawings, paintings, sketches, or songs. Additionally, all "stories" had to be set in Campbell River and incorporate in some way, large or small, the fictional character Wilhelmina Rose Maklane—an accordion-toting busker.

Unfortunately, many entries were immediately disqualified, as they failed to mention Campbell River or Willie.

And, although there were several merit prizes listed, the judges chose only three winners. We think you will agree, however, that all three winning entries set the bar at a very good height.

And the winners are…

Andrew Flach wins for his outstanding musical submission entitled "Lay Me Down in RiverTown." Andrew receives two double nights at Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast (donated by Oceanfront B&B), dinner for two (donated by E&B Helicopters and Iza'z Tech Computer Services), and a marine tour for two (donated by Aboriginal Journeys).

To hear Andrew's song, click the play arrow.

Linda Hodgins wins for her gentle watercolor captioned "Wilhelmina throws caution to the Wind while singing a duet with the Mystic Woods Nursery Caretaker." Linda's prize is a pair of Maui Jim polarized sunglasses donated by IRIS at Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre. (Click the thumbnail to enlarge.)

Jerzy Zagroba wins for "Java Hack," another artistic submission wherein a computer-generated, wild-looking Wilhelmina bellows a tune at her "station" near the post office in Tyee Plaza. (For those who are unfamiliar with Campbell River, a coffee shop called The Java Shack is adjacent to the post office.) Jerzy gets a double night at Campbell River Lodge (courtesy of Campbell River Lodge) and two passes for a whale watching tour, donated by Carnegie Street Productions. (Click the thumbnail to enlarge.)

Each of the three winners will also receive a limited edition art poster courtesy of Campbell River Community Arts Council.

(Sponsors: Merlinus Software Solutions, Sultry Moon Gifts, Harbour Publishing, Carnegie Street Productions, Mystic Woods Nursery, Kaskgraphics, Iris at Discovery Harbour Mall, Sure Print & Copy Centre, Aboriginal Journeys, Island Girls, Kristine, Rodrigo, Oceanfront B&B, Campbell River Lodge, Campbell River Community Arts Council, Canada Post, E&B Helicopters, Iza'z Tech Computer Services)

Interestingly, no poems or short stories were chosen The poetry judges said the submitted poems were not characterized by the freshness and originality of language and the depth of thought and sentiment which make for notable poetry.

In the short story arena, it was felt that while some of the entries showed good descriptive writing, able character development, a command of dialogue or a reasonable grasp of story mechanics, none of the entries displayed all of these characteristics together.

So, heed the judges' words, poets and writers. Take them to heart and enter next year's contest. We look forward to having you back in 2004.