The Winners for the Millenium/Rainbow Parks
Father's Day Contest
Congradulations to the winners!
They weren't easy to pick, there were so many good essays written. Thanks to everyone who entered.
Overall Winner
Jeana Hines
Comment: "Goose...Goose! Jeana...Goose!...Dang it, Jeana I said Goose!" As I look around, confused...Fwwwap! A blue beach ball wacks me in the head. "Awww Jeannie, I'm sorry. I meant to say "Duck!" Wild laughter from Dad, who's hiding behind the bush. That is what you call DJ's (David J.) funny bone. Dad has a few quirks, like slamming my head back into the car seat when he sees the sign that says "Stop Ahead." Or making me think the house was haunted on my birthday, when he hid one of my birthday presents, a walkie talkie, behind the t.v. Even my hair folicles shook for a full five minutes while I wandered through a house listening to an eerie voice calling my name, "Jeeeaannnnaaaa.....JEEEEEAAAANNaaaaa..." Quirks aside though, Dad was the tops in teaching me the value of thinking, of judging my actions on the basis of MY standards rather than leaving the decision of right and wrong or good and just ok to someone who might not be as tough. As the father of a young girl, he would have made any equal rights activist proud (possibly, at any rate). He made it very clear that he believed, absolutely, I had the ability to do absolutely anything I worked hard for. Dad brought science, electricity and mechanics into my experience by giving me clocks and radios to take apart, making me help replace brakes, microscopes, metal detectors, trips to the army junk yards, and building my own play house complete with electricity and hidden doors. He permitted femininity, but would not tolerate helplessness, he permitted mistakes but not dishonesty, he permitted childishness, but not irresponsibility. Dad loved me tremendously, and with much thought put into every single ounce. Nearly every action and word served a purpose, educating me about the world, life and people. I couldn't ask for a better teacher or father.
ɛ - 5 Age Group Winners
əst place Winner
Annaliza
Ed, my daddy brings food home and works all day. I like it when He brings home candies because I like the candies he brings to us. We go to the store with him and we play with daddy and he tickles us, sometimes. Whenever he comes home in the car, we always run outside to him and jump because we're happy and we give him hugs and kisses. He picks us up and puts our feet on the ceiling and we love it! When he eats, he shares his food with us. We see him inside the bedroom. He gives us things that we don't need, like he gave us his old wallet. We love the stories that Daddy makes up like the little bitty monkey with his brothers and sisters and he's only this tiny. Daddy is a very good teacher. Sometimes he let us come to his work and let us have a coke and warheads. We love going with Daddy at work. We like him. Daddy plays with shadow, our dog. Daddy loves playing with us. We eat lunch with him sometimes but in the day he works. He travels, too. Daddy watches Samo with us. He bu! ys things I like on my birthday. I like the nail polish that he bought me. Sometimes I talk to Daddy and tells him a secret like when we're gonna get another puppy. I think my daddy is handsome and nice. I think Mommy loves him. Mommy and Daddy love each other.
Runner up
Rebecca
Comment: "My daddy is the greatest in the world because he calls me everyday and tells me he loves me and he misses me..."
(Beckys's father is a Military Policeman that has been sent from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Kingston, Ontario to help with the Albainian refugees - he's been gone for 7 weeks and we don't know when he's coming back - probably mid-September - so hearing from him everyday means a lot to her...)
ɞ - 8 Age Group Winners
əst place winner
Nicole
My dad is the best because he work long hours and provides us with food, clothing and shelter. He lets me take swimming and horsebackriding lessons in the summer and fall. Together we go to Indian Y Princess meetings and camp out weekends. On the weekends, we have so much fun together. He painted my bedroom and painted the border on the walls in the middle of the room and put a border on top of the room, and he also put together my water bed. He takes me to Mickey Donald's to eat and brings home my favorite videos as a surprise. He has put up a swingset and pool in our backyard for us all to enjoy. I wouldn't trade him for anyone else.
Runner up
Andrew
Comment: HI, MY NAME IS ANDREW I'M 6 YEARS OLD. MY DADDY IS THE BEST DADDY IN THE WORLD. EVEN THOUGH HE WORKS HARD ALL DAY, HE STILL COMES HOME AND PLAYS BALL OR JUMPS ON THE TRAMPOLINE, OR CARS, OR ANYTHING I ASK HIM TO PLAY. MY DADDY IS MY BEST FRIEND. HE ALWAYS FINDS TIME TO TAKE ME AND MY LITTLE BROTHER FISHING, HUNTING, AND CAMPING. PLEASE PICK MY DADDY, HE IS THE DADDY OF THE WORLD TO ME. A LOT OF MY FRIENDS DON'T EVEN HAVE THEIR DADS AT HOME. AND THOSE WHO DO, THEIR DADS DON'T PLAY WITH THEM OR SPEND TIME WITH THEM. MY DADDY TAKES US TO CHURCH, READS THE BIBLE TO US, AND PRAYS WITH US EVERY NIGHT. DADDY SAYS THAT LITTLE BOYS ARE TO LOVE GOD, AND OBEY THIER PARENTS. MY DADDY IS A REAL NEAT PERSON, WHEN WE ARE MAD AT HIM OR MOMMY, HE ALWAYS DOES SOMETHING TO MAKE US LAUGH. I LOVE MY DADDY MORE THAN THE WHOLE WORLD. AND GOD SAYS THAT IF I LISTEN TO MY DADDY AND MOMMY THAT HE SMILES AT ME.
ɠ - 12 Age Group Winners
əst Place Winner
Kimberly
My dad is the greatest dad on Earth. There isn't anything that he wouldn't do for his little girl, who he calls Kimbo. Every year for 7 years, if my team has ever needed a coach he has coached my softball team. Every Monday night, no matter how his day went at work, he takes me to the batting cages to work on my "home run swing". Whenever I need someone to just talk to, he's there. If I ever just can't figure out what ab-c equals, he'll help me. Everyday he calls me from his work, no matter how hectic his schedule is. If I ever need a ride anywhere, he'll take me there. Numerous times, he'll take me to lunch and then to the movies, his treat. I love my Dad. He loves me. And that's why my dad is the greatest dad on Earth.
Runner up
Adam
My dad is the greatest because he works very hard on his computer and provides me with a home, food and clothes. He helps me when I play my Playstation Games and fixes the video player when it doesnand set up my waterbedprojects and is always there to sayanswers my questions't work. He wallpapered my bedroom . He lets me take swimming lessons and is always there to help Mom. He helps me with Boy Scout , Great Job! He set up a swingset and pool in our backyard. He plays with me and . I wouldn't trade my Dad for anyone.
- 16 Age Group Winners
əst Place Winner
Ana
My Dad is the best Dad on the world because every moring at 6:50am he wakes up to drive me and my little brother Sergio to school. He does things when he says he is not like takeing the phone away from me but he doesn't since he is a single father rasing a 13 year old daughter. He can't get any better becuase most fathers don't even see there children but this is one that is around 24\7. He doesn't bring stranger women to or house because he knows that really bothers me.He even washes the dishes when I don't and am being lazy. A lot of people don't appreciate their father's because they are not around. But mine is and even though I get one his nervous wiht the boys and clothes and stuff he never loses his cool and therefore that's why I think I have the best father in the world.
Runner up
Rowena
Why my dad's the best - that's a hard title to work on, my since my dad fits the bill perfectly, I know what to write. My dad has always been there for me. He's supportive and kind, and I really don't know what I'd do without him. He has recently become a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and is the Dean of the school of Mechanical Systems at the University at which he works. He worked extremely hard to get his pHD, and was the temporary dean for many months before they even started interviewing people for the permenant position. He also helps me with my Maths homework, because I'm hopeless at it, and pays for me to go on trips to Ireland with my best friend, a school trip to Russia, and an exchange to Germany. This year, he kept the promise he made to me two years ago, and is taking me and my mum to California after I've finished my exams. We're also going down to Cornwall to see the total eclipse of the Sun, as he is an interested part time asronomer. That's a once in a lifetime chance, and I'm really pleased he's taking us. I'm an only child, and without my dad my mum and me would probably be really lonely and unhappy. The best thing about my dad, is that he believes in me, and supports my life decisions. I don't know what I'd do without him- he's simply the best.
ខ - Adult Age Group Winners
əst Place Winner
Jack
Amidst muffled curses, gibberish really, my dad removed the fishook from the material of my flannel shirt. Right at the shoulder, where I'd stupidly propped the rod as we made our way through the woods. He called it his favorite stream, had been going there for years and years. It was my first time, however, my first time fishing, and I was seven years old. I was amazed, an overload of the senses. The mere height of the trees, the scents in the spring air, the sounds as my thick rubber hip-boots mashed last years' fallen leaves and twigs hidden underneath. I carried my pole, the one Dad had just bought me over the Holidays, on my shoulder as I said. The hood had seat itself quite well. I felt foolish as Dad mumbled, his large electrician's hands working at the shirt-hook combination. I suppose it didn't help that I'd worn a thick flannel that day against the chill of the air. Standing there, catching whiffs of his aftershave, a scent to this day I can place without a pause, feeling small and stupid. I mumbled an apology to his furrowed brow, recieving a deep sigh in answer. Knowing this kind first-hand, I understand now it was filled with a deep patience that can only come from an even deeper love. It was repeated, on my first attempt at casting, closely followed by more muttered curses as he struggled to remove my hook from the seat of his pants. I did get the hang of it, however, eventually. Took two hooks lost among submerged rocks, and one lost in the boughs of a low hanging willow. I'm glad for that sigh which was repeated, though gradually deeper. In spite of these mishaps, Dad always directed me toward what he called the "Hiding Spots", places where the water created an ebby for the fist to relax out of the current. He would end up taking the center of the stream for himself. We'd waded into the water, transversing slowly down the stream. Pausing here, casting there, endless cycles of the reel as we drew the hook back to the pole. I got my first fish, and my first lesson in cleaning it. Shortly after, a second fish. Both were fourteen inches of rainbow trout, their bellies split and cleaned, slowly dragged behind me in the water on a retaining hook line attached to my belt. It was the "Hiding Spots" you see. Dad let me have them. After we'd made our way back to the car, the fish in ice in a small cooler, Dad instructed me how we'd cook them when we got back home. To this day, I think it was the best fish I'd ever eaten. My Dad died five years ago, a tumor in his brain. Since then I've often thought of the stream, and many many other memories as well. They crop up, you see, especially since I've been a father for four years now. I hope one day to take mine there, sigh that deep sigh. Pull a hook from the seat of my pants. Mutter those muffled and gibberish curses, knowing all the while Dad is there with us, ready to show the both of us the good "Hiding Spots" once again.
Runner up
Larissa
My Dad has always been there for me, all through-out my growing up years. Even though he is not my biological father,he has seen me through so much laughter and tears. He taugh t me that I have something special to give;He taught me to relish every moment I live. I will always be Daddy's Little Girl;Even though I'm all grown up in the "Real World", I can always run into his ever outstretched arms and count on his wisdom to soothe my many alarms. He is never too busy to lend me his ear-And he doesn't just listen, he really does hear and helps me find answers to battle my fear,to face it head-on and to come out ahead. There are so many times I would've turned tail instead. But his courage sustained me and gave me new insight; He showed me with kindness and empathy, how to fight, not with fist s but with my mind. He taught me by example that the right path,though often much harder to find,is worth going after because,in the long run,I will be more fulfilled and find my place in th! e sun. My Dad was firm with me and taught me respect. If he has any flaws, they are hard to detect! I know he's not perfect, but he is in my eyes...And I surely hope that he does realize-How much his unconditional love to me is actually worth. So that's why my Dad is the Best Dad On Earth!!
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