Halloween Scarecrows Tested By Mother Nature

By Susan Coney

A variety of colorful scarecrows could once again be seen parading across the lawn of Newtown Middle School last weekend. If you were not quick to visit the exhibit, however, you probably missed your opportunity to see the scarecrow contest until next year because Mother Nature unleashed her fury on the sculptures, scattering them across the lawn during the first week of the exhibit.

As part of the project requirement the structures were to be durable and weather proof; few students, however, would have anticipated the torrential rains and Nor’easter winds the scarecrows would have to endure.

By Tuesday morning, after a night of high winds only a few tattered scarecrows remained. The cleverly constructed Tercentennial Barbie was blown from her bright pink, plastic-covered doll box and both Pillsbury Dough Boys were nowhere to be found.

Despite the unfortunate weather conditions the students, their families, and the entire Newtown community seemed to enjoy the brief exhibit that was erected, if only for a short time, on the lawn of the middle school last Saturday.

The contest was to have run through Sunday, October 30, with the announcement of the top three winners to be made at school on Monday, October 31; appropriately on Halloween day. Those wishing to vote for their favorite scarecrow are still encouraged to fill out a ballot including the number of the scarecrow of their choice and enclose a $1 for each vote cast. Ballots may be turned in at the middle school or submitted to Susan Coney at the office of The Newtown Bee. Voting will continue through Sunday, October 30. All proceeds from the contest will be distributed among the top three winning teams to be donated to a charity of their choice.

Art enrichment teacher Claudia Mitchell, who helped advise students entering the contest, said that the entire staff at the school were in awe of the creative turnout and effort put forth by the students. She said that the kids involved in the contest were only in fifth grade the last time that the contest had been held.

“Usually eighth graders are waiting for their chance to participate in the tradition of the contest and we were fearful that having had the event lapse in the past couple of years we wouldn’t get a good response,” she said.

Ms Mitchell added that they were especially pleased about the enthusiasm the students as well as their parents showed throughout the project. “We could not have done it without the wonderful support of the parents. The eighth graders really had to step up to the plate to do this project,” she said. “We knew we had a creative group here. We are really proud of them and thank them for bringing a wonderful gift back to the community.”