Greensboro, NC News & Record "The Joke's On You" Contest

Cartoon for June 25, 2010

Had a so-so week - three out of seven captions made the top of the blog along with the limerick.

BEST CULTURAL REFERENCE
We have obtained a picture of Toucan Sam after his beak job and feather lightening.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Shocking news from Sesame Street: After almost 40 years, Big Bird has finally admitted that Snuffleupagus is his imaginary friend.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

MATURE
We’d show you our report on how photographers can reverse a picture of an eagle, but, as you know, we can’t broadcast someone flipping the bird.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM
In a city the birds know as Flanders,
The police-birds and all their commanders
Have an APB out.
There’s a killer about
And he goes by the name Colonel Sanders.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
After the break, migration traffic with our new correspondent, Jennie Stencel.
In sports, we have the results of the car soiling competition over at Lil' Donnie Walker's Car Wash.

Ken Sheldon, Elon (Jennie Stencel is a recently retired traffic reporter at WXII)

This is a picture of the alleged perpetrator. Let's face it. That's not much help, since we all look the same.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Today in Elon, another robin family is left homeless after their nest is removed from Ken Sheldon's grape vines.
Ken Sheldon, Elon (This one is completely true!)


Cartoon for June 18, 2010 

SHELDON PULLS OUT WIN #4!!!!

It's amazing how sometimes you fret over a caption to get something to work right, and others it comes easily. The winning caption is the first one I submitted for this cartoon, and the first submitted for the whole contest. All in all I did really well, with eight of nine captions making the top of the blog along with the limerick and a psychic that I just needed to put in.

WINNER
Are you the one who’s been pirating software?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

PSYCHIC ENTRY FOR NEXT WEEK’S CARTOON (which hasn’t been drawn yet)
Congratulations on just beating Nicolas Mahut, Mr. Isner. Oh, you have to play Thiemo De Bakker on court 3 in five minutes.
Ken Sheldon, Elon ( I needed to get this in a quickly as possible. This was in reference to the John Isner/Nicolas Mahut match at Wimbledon that Isner won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68. I needed to put this into the contest, since Isner is originally from Greensboro. The match ended at about 11:45AM Eastern Time on Thursday, and the contest deadline is noon on Thursday.)

BEST CULTURAL REFERENCE
Hey Steve! I saw you and your friends from Average Joe’s on “the Ocho” last night!
Ken Sheldon, Elon
Beat Globo-Gym!

So, Steve, how’s the Captain Morgan photo shoot going?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

You know, Captain Hook, the Darlings and I have moved on. I suggest you do likewise.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST FUNNY, BUT NOT SURE WHY CAPTIONS 
Johnson, I'm afraid we have to let you go. However, we still need the parrot.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

MATURE
Ms. Priss has filed a sexual harassment complaint against you. Did you call her a "Yo ho ho?"
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST INSIDE JOKE
We've got to get a new temp agency. A month ago they sent us four animals from the zoo.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

You missed the memo. Today is "Little Orphan Annie Eyes Day", not "Dress Like A Pirate Day."
Ken Sheldon, Elon (I am not sure how this qualifies as an inside joke - unless they have "Dress Like A Pirate Day" at the News & Record...)

BEST POEMS
Films on pirates rate “PG” by far
Even when Johnny Depp is their star.
With more fights in the trenches
And sexier wenches
Their ratings could soon become “ARRRRR.”

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
I'm sorry, but your job's being outsourced to Somalia.
Ken Sheldon, Elon (My wife liked this one - it's the only one to NOT make the top of the blog...)


Cartoon for June 11, 2010

Another good week, making the paper with a runner-up along with 3 out of 8 captions and the limerick making the top of the blog.

RUNNERS-UP
How can the answer to “Date of Birth” be complicated?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST CULTURAL REFERENCE
I'm moving out, Uncle Herman. Around here I just feel so…so…different.
“The Munsters!” Nice!
Mr. Boyle and Miss Kahn, Mel would like to have you stay around to talk about a sequel.
The house is in a perfect location for you – right next to a fire station.

Ken Sheldon, Elon
Because FIRE BAD!

BEST POEMS
“Mr. Frankenstein,” said Mrs. Schwab,
“I’m afraid that you’re out of a job.
There’s a much bigger fright
That keeps folks up all night.
It’s that British Petroleum Blob.”

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
You want to sue Dr. Mel for naming his new creation "Frankencell?"
Sir, I'd appreciate it if you did more than answer every question with 'AAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH.'

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Frankly, we think you are taking this "Casual Friday" thing a bit too far.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Do you know anything about that new monster that's invaded South Africa? You know, Vuvuzela?
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for June 4, 2010

This one was a little tougher - two of six made the top of the blog along with the limerick.

BEST CULTURAL REFERENCE
There's a lot of humans who are out to get us. Let's go after 'em. Look out for their bug spray. Remember…Let's be careful out there.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

The new book we will be reading is "Lord of the Humans" by William Goldbug.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEMS
The bug teacher is really irate.
“Hey, you moths! You are constantly late!”
“It’s our instinct,” they say.
“We just can’t stay away
From that light outside room 28.”

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
All right, class! Who just told me to "Buzz off?!?"
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Now class, we don't call them "midges" any more. They're called "height-challenged flies."
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Irving! There will be no dung eating in this classroom!
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Your little "tack in the teacher's chair" trick didn't work. You forgot insects have exoskeletons.
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for May 28, 2010

I'm back in the paper again with a runner up. Three of six captions made the top of the blog along with the limerick, which again was featured in a larger font.

RUNNERS-UP
You want a little background? Okay… In the beginning God created the heavens and me…
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST INSIDE JOKE
When I heard you’ve treated snakes and basketballs, I just had to give you a try.
That rogue satellite stopped all TV broadcasts. People started interacting with each other. Then all hell broke loose.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM
It’s an issue that gets lots of ink:
“The world’s smaller,” a lot of folks think.
When they travel by flights
And use networking sites,
The last thing the world needs is a shrink.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
Well, sometimes I get these feelings... like something's built up inside of me over time... then when they come to the surface, I just can't stop them.
Ken Sheldon, Elon (A kind of cryptic reference to the Gulf oil disaster and the volcanoes in Iceland...)

I think I may be bipolar.
Ken Sheldon, Elon (A variation of this won this week. I checked in IE for the count of the word "polar" and found 12 different captions referencing bipolar or bi-polar.) 

No, that's not another oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea, it's just my mouth.
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for May 21, 2010

This was one where I thought some of my captions were better than the ones I made the paper with before, but didn't. Shows that there are some good weeks for submissions and some not so good. The ones that did make the paper were good too, so I'm not complaining. Two of eight made the top of the blog along with the limerick, which included some twenty animal puns. Tim ran in a larger font than the rest of the entries. I do take that as a good sign...

BEST CULTURAL REFERENCE
Things just haven’t been the same since Scar took over…
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST INSIDE JOKE
That darned rogue TV satellite got us! I think we're all characters on "The Animal Planet Office!"
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM
“It’s a zoo here!” the zebra proclaimed.
“I can’t bear it!” the rhino exclaimed.
I’m not lion, of course!
I’ll complain ‘til I’m horse
That our boss is a weasel!” he claimed.

Then the elephant said, “I’m with ewe.
Hare’s the problem, and it’s nothing gnu.
While we work like a dog,
He lives high on the hog
So we otter all tell him, ‘Adieu!’”

The giraffe said, “It’s bull, but we can’t,
Or our goose is cooked over this rant.
Though it may be a croc,
Would it bee such a shock
If we’re moved to the Buffalo plant?

“We can’t duck all the jobs that we do.
So don’t monkey around, or we’re through!
It’s okay that we yak,
But we’ve goat to get back.
I will see you owl back here at two.”

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
Good. Donkey's not here. Now we can talk about what Rush Limbaugh said on his show today.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

We may look funny drinking at a water cooler, but it sure beats getting munched on by a crocodile.
Let me tell you about the game I refereed last night.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

No, Ralph, a rhinoplasty is a nose job, not how you feel after a night of bar hopping.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

So, what's gnu?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

I hear corporate's buying out a North American zoo and moving us all to Asheboro.
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for May 14, 2010

The streak is over, but I'm not surprised. Had a bear of a time coming up with the limerick. In all, four of six captions made the top of the blog.

BEST CULTURAL REFERENCE
Oilllllllllll can! Oilllllllllll can!
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Well, Oz never did give nothing to me that I didn't already have. That's why I'm looking for it here.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

MATURE
Where do you keep your marital aids? My wife and I need some WD-40.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST INSIDE JOKE
I just got a message from the R.U. Sirius. Do you carry spleekazoids?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM
Said the Tin Man, “I think that it’s smart
That your suit is the state of the art. 
I should have one like you
Then I won’t feel so blue.
For we both have a really weak heart.”

Said the Iron Man, “Your heart’s bestowed
Since your love for your friends clearly showed.
Your tin suit is the best
Since you helped pass the test
On your trip down the yellow brick road.”

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
You work in hardware? I thought you'd be in appliances selling irons!
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Well, when L. Frank Baum wrote about me in 1900, I WAS "state of the art." Now you've got chain saws.
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for May 7, 2010

The streak is now at six. Three of eight captions made the top of the blog (one in two categories) along with the limerick

RUNNERS-UP
I used to work mailing rebate checks. Now I’m at the DMV.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST INSIDE JOKE
Don’t believe everything you read in the paper. Turtles are reptiles, not amphibians.
Ken Sheldon, Elon
(A reference to a mistake in a recent B.C. cartoon.)

BEST/WORST PUN
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been feeling sluggish.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM
“I am sure that I really can’t fail!”
Thought the tortoise. “I’m sure I’ll prevail!
It was quite an affair
When I took on the hare,
So this time I’ll be racing a snail!”

But the racing soon had to be halted.
A dropped pretzel was soon what was faulted.
When the snail went by
It became oh, so dry
And then died just by being a-salted.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

VOTE GETTERS (received at least one vote from our judges)
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been feeling sluggish.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
Wanna race?
Well, there was this shortcut the hare didn't know about.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

It'll never work out. Your place is just too small for the two of us.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

So, what's it like working for the Post Office?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

I'm sorry for snapping at you.
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for April 30, 2010

The streak is now five in a row - this idea of the cartoon was to come up with a greeting card type a dog would send, Instead of a limerick, this week I sent in four verses.

RUNNERS-UP

Master Returns Home - AGAIN!

Ken Sheldon, Elon

 

MATURE

New Love: Human’s Leg
New Wife’s a Bitch

Ken Sheldon, Elon

 

BEST POEM

Graduation from Obedience School

You have learned just how to sit,
To heel, fetch and speak.
Though long ago, you once were fierce,
Today, they’ve made you meek.

There’s one task we’d all like to do
That’s only done by man.
No dog’s been taught the way to get
The Alpo from the can.

Bit Your First Mailman

For months, you fought the feeling
And you didn’t have the nerve.
You finally bit the postman.
His respect, you now deserve.

But today, there’s one detail
That we sure cannot deny.
Folks are sending more email.
Could the Postal Service die?

So we canines have to branch out
Should we lose that postal guy.
Someday soon, we may start targeting
The Geek Squad from Best Buy.

Sympathy: Neighbor’s Cat (humorous)

Violets are blue,
Hydrants are red,
Sorry to hear
You found your cat dead.

I know that you hurt.
It’s breaking your heart.
To dogs all around
It’s called a good start.
 

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Get Well Soon

 

I heard that you’ve been feeling down

And that you’re quite dismayed.

Your master took you to the vet

So he could get you spayed.

 

They have a phrase they use so much,

A term so often spoken.

The humans call it “Getting Fixed”

When we’re not even broken.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

 

Other Entries

Sympathy: Neighbor’s Cat (humorous)
Graduation from Obedience School
Finally Paper Trained
Congratulations: Master’s New Can Opener
Congratulations: Bit First Mailman
Sorry Life’s Been Ruff
Congratulations: Freed from Pound
Get Timmy Out Of The Well Soon
Getting a New Leash On Life

Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for April 23, 2010

The streak is still alive - made the paper for the fourth week in a row! In all, three of four made the top of the blog, and the limerick got mentioned in the Inside Joke section as well.

RUNNERS-UP

I don’t think telling Junior to “Go out into the world” was a good idea.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

 

BEST INSIDE JOKE
None this week that I saw. Except Ken S’s poem – see below.

BEST/WORST PUN
Ya know, Tex, we could sell 'im. I've heard that there's gold in them thar gills!
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM
Bill the Fish left the bowl on a dare.
Now he’s doomed since he can’t breathe the air.
All the rest know it’s grim
If they acted like him,
So they’re leaving their brother right there.

Ken Sheldon, Elon
Sigh. Rub it in (Ken was insired by the incorrect “their” in a Brewster Rockit cartoon this week.)



VOTE GETTERS (received at least one vote from our judges)
Well, it was your idea to send Junior out for pizza so we could mess around!
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entry
I guess I shouldn't have told him about how salmon swim hundreds of miles upstream just to spawn.
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for April 16, 2010

Made the paper for the third time in a row, this time, with one of my weaker captions. Three of seven made the top of the blog along with the limerick.

.

RUNNERS-UP
Oh, I still get around.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST CULTURAL REFERENCE
Well, for 50 years, I was a model for Charles Schulz.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST INSIDE JOKE
So, Brewster, when do you think Rickard's going to get off his cubism kick?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM
Said the ball to the blocks, “It’s so cruel!
Although being a toy can be cool,
There’s one thing, that’s for sure.
We all have to endure
An occasional coating of drool!”

Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entries
I'm sorry, Red. I'm just not into square dancing.
I agree. My yellow cousin smiles just a little too much.

Ken Sheldon, Elon

I'd like you to meet my cousin from Greece, Isosceles.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

I don't like cake. I'm more into pi.
Ken Sheldon, Elon


Cartoon for April 9, 2010

Made the paper for the second week in a row. In all, three of four made the top of the blog along with the limerick.

RUNNERS-UP
My favorite dinner! There must be a catch…
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST INSIDE JOKE

Well, it beats two-week-old Easter Eggs.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST/WORST PUN

Something looks fishy about dinner, Barb. Can't you sea it?
Ken Sheldon, Elon

BEST POEM

Fred and Frieda Fish lived in a brook. 
And that Frieda, she sure loved to cook.
But a barbecued worm
That she served made him squirm.
On its tail was a line with a hook.

“I can see it all clearly!” cried Fred.
“There’s another fish you love instead!
So if you had your way,
I’m the Catch of the Day?
You would rather that I should be dead?”

“It is not of my fin,” Frieda stated.
“I still love you! I’m glad we’re related!”
With the help of Fred’s knife,
All is well with his wife
Since the hook from above was de-bait-ed.
Ken Sheldon, Elon

Other Entry

Are we running out of spaghetti?
Ken Sheldon, Elon