Winnerz of "Name the Prairie Dog" Contest

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* Note: this is not the last Connolly-US-Road-Trip entry--we just didn't want to keep this exciting news to ourselves another day!

From Paul, King of Floonia:

As you know, the Connolly-US-Road-Trip announced a "Name the Prairie Dog" Contest some weeks ago. The King and His prize committee contemplated the many fine entries. We thought about it so hard We got a headache! So instead of enduring the pain, We have decided to do what We always did in Our days as a Cub Scout Leader.

Everyone gets a prize!

And now the moment you've been waiting for, the Runners Up, the Special Award, and First Prize--in that order.

First Runners Up:

These contestants will receive their very own soft, cuddly, stuffed prairie dogs! (We bought them in South Dakota but when we looked at the tag, realized they were made in Connecticut.)

Susan M. of San Francisco, CA: The Health Awareness Award for her entry:

Prunia (as in Prairie + Floonia)

Nan and Alex N. of Old Saybrook, CT: The Flattery Award for their entry:

Scotter (as in Kathy's nickname for Scott)

Andrea, Nick, Nicholas, and Christian D. of Old Saybrook, CT: The Brevity Award for their entry:

P.D.(as in Prairie Dog)

Joe C. of Essex, CT: The Misspelling Award for his entry:

Dawg

Trudy H. of Old Saybrook, CT: The Short-and-to-the-Point Award

The Dog

Andrea H. of Old Saybrook, CT: The Historical Awareness Award

Revere (came with long, well researched explanation!)

Special Award for Creativity

Suzy C. of State College, PA gave us a great name for the husky mascot doll who signed on in Alaska (but was made in New Hampshire):

Ainoolf (Floonia spelled backwards)

Suzy wins an Alaskan T-shirt and other prizes yet to be determined*.

First Prize

Katherine C. of Essex, CT offered two entries, proving there is safety in numbers! These were Clark Griswold(father and bumbling cruise director from the hilarious National Lampoon "Vacation" movie) and
Garrison (for Garrison Keillor, Minnesota storyteller of Prairie Home Companion fame).

We have award First Prize to Katherine for CLARK GRISWOLD, and her prize* includes:

1. Framed photograph of prize winner and the prairie dog, signed by the dog himself,
2. Plus an all-expenses-paid trip to Floonia, island paradise of the Connecticut River at low tide!
3. Complete luxury dining on board a royal Floonian vessel with the prairie dog himself and
4. A prairie dog T-shirt.

* Prizes subject to change at whim and without notice

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Photos

Meet Ainoolf (left) and Clark Griswold
Our thanks to the many contestants for fanning the flames of our silliness during the long hours of driving from coast to coast, up the river, and back again!

Meet the Family
Kathy's mom meets the Prairie Dogs, Ainoolf, and now all the readers can meet her too! We have arrived in the
Pittsburgh area on our return trip.

Dashing through the Snow
Clark Griswold and Ainoolf had some great times together on this trip!

Diplomatic Summit in South Dakota
Remember when our two kingdoms first met?

Comments

[Nanette]

Contest
Hey, we didn't win first but we'lll take our awesome prize and, of course, name it Scotter! Thanks. Nanette

[katherine]

elated in essex!
I am speechless....what an honor! Especially exciting to be apart of a contest where all prizes are subject to change on a whim! Glad to be part of the solution....everyone deserves to have a first and last name. Clark was clearly an important member of the trip, so this is an honor. Sounds like it has been an amazing trip! So bring Clark home, where he is sure to enjoy perching on North Cove!

[Susan]

And "The Next Comic Standing Award goes to...
the Cpnnellys (aka Floonians). Thank you for keeping so many of us entertained throughout your trip. I'm glad to hear that you're off the road for awhile. Tale care and hope to see you all soon!

[andrea dedominicis]

about the contest!
Hi Guys, Just to keep the "peace" in your family you may want to check if Joe misspelled the word "Dawg" in the contest. I used that spelling for my submission, P.D / Prairie Dawg! Joe might be mad if he thinks, that you think he can't spell and that could turn ugly!!!! Can't wait to see you!......Andrea D.

[Connolly US Road Trip]

O mi gosh ...
Ur rite!