WAUPACA -- Just as you thought the streets were safe, creepy things sprang into your life for the spooky fall season as several highly creative scarecrows popped up in Waupaca, startling unwary patrons as they caught a glimpse of them out of the corner of their eye.

These kooky displays generated from the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce's fourth annual Scarecrow Contest, held Oct. 1 to 15, which capped off with a frightfully scary winning entry from Curves.

Curves' blood-curdling scarecrow garnered the most votes and collected $215.50 toward the total $1,070.77 raised for the Waupaca Area Food Pantry.

Linda Holtebeck and Kathy Jenner, Waupaca Area Food Pantry board members, expressed their gratitude about the support raised by the Scarecrow Contest. "The community of Waupaca is very charitable and keeps the shelves stocked with canned and boxed goods, fresh produce, staples and other items for those in need. They also volunteer their time to unload trucks, help Pantry clients, pick up essentials and set up the shelves."

According to Holtebeck and Jenner, "The community's various food drives help tremendously to balance out the 50 percent we need from the community that has to equal the 50 percent we receive in government commodities. This type of effort requires year-round stocking because the items fly off the shelves as soon as they are placed. This year has been particularly trying since we have even more individuals and families who truly need our services. We can always use crackers, cereal, baked beans, soups, pasta meals and canned veggies."

Area residents interested in assisting the Waupaca Area Food Pantry either through monetary/food/staples donations or by volunteering can call Jenner at 715-258-2858.

Tami Johnson, owner of Curves, received a $400 advertising package. While Johnson was pleased to have won, the support from her members really warmed her heart. "Our members are fabulous! I asked and they gave in support of the Pantry. We all strongly believe in the Curves motto-- Keeping everyone happy and healthy! We want to express a special thanks to all they do."

Accepting on behalf of Curves, Melodie Logan, Circuit Coach and creator of the winning entry, was on hand to accept the award on Johnson's behalf. Logan said, "Our entry sprang from pieces I already had such as the Curves Strengthening Women sign. The ghoul was right out of my garage because it is part of my regular Halloween display at home."

Derin Tangwall, a Curves member, was also present at the awards ceremony and when asked what she thought of the Curves entry, Tangwall said, "She scared everybody and that's why they voted for her!"

Other participating businesses displaying their imaginative scarecrows included: Bowlby Candy Company Inc., Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group, Comfort Suites, Curves, Firefly Floral & Gifts, First State Bank, First Weber Group Realtors, Goodwill Industries, Health & Fitness Headquarters, Hi-Style, King Berry Farm & Greenhouse, King's Table Restaurant, Niemuth's Steak & Chop Shop Inc., Orthopedic & Spine Therapy, PAWPACA LLC, Timber Creek Country Gifts and the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce.

Contributed by Ruth Johnson, communications/sales director, Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce.