O. HENRY PUN-OFF 2006

O. HENRY PUN-OFF 2006
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Inside O. HENRY PUN-OFF 2006

2006 Transcripts

More 2006 Transcripts

RULES & TOPIC LIST

Early Results

PHOTO ALBUM

HOW THE PUN-OFF WORKS

EMCEES - PUN-OFF 2006

GROUP THERAPY

BARNES & NOBLE BOOK FAIR TO BENEFIT 2006 O.HENRY PUN-OFF

AUSTIN, TEXAS -

Barnes & Noble Westlake is sponsoring a Book Fair during the week of May 1321 to promote the Pun-Off, and a percentage of sales during that week will be donated to the Friends of the O. Henry and Dickinson Museums. Special vouchers must be presented at the time of purchase to generate donations and will be available through the store, the O. Henry Museum, and at other locations. "We are pleased to support the Pun-Off and the Museums," said Jo Virgil, Community Relations Director for the Westlake store. "We support many local activities for readers and writers, and this seemed like an exciting and enjoyable way to celebrate a unique Austin event." The store is hosting two Pun-Off "previews" on Saturday, May 13 at 1:00 pm and on Friday, May 19 at 6:00 pm. (See "Extra Credit Events") Barnes & Noble Westlake #2757 at 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy (Bee Cave Rd at Hwy 360)

The annual Pun-Off World Championships attract contestants from throughout the U.S. and are open to 32 "punslingers" in two different categories of competition. Up for grabs will be the title of "Punniest of Show" through a 90-second freestyle competition for punsters using prepared material. In the "High-Lies & Low-Puns" competition, punsters battle in wordplay on a given a topic with strict time limits. The last punster left standing at the end of the grueling competition is declared the winner.

The Pun-Off begins at high noon and music will be furnished by "MoPac and the Blue Suburbans" starting at 11 am. The Friends of the O. Henry and Dickinson Museums will hold a Bargain Book Sale and a Silent Auction at the event to benefit the restoration of Susanna Dickinson's historic home. Auction items include gift certificates and donations from local artists, restaurants, stores, sports venues, and local businesses. Customers may pay with cash, checks, or credit cards. Revenue from refreshment and souvenir sales helps to support educational projects at the Museum, including writing programs for local students. The O. Henry Museum is located at 409 E. 5th St., Austin, TX 78701.

For more information, contact the Museum at 512-472-1903, Barnes & Noble Westlake at 512-328-3652, or visit www.punpunpun.com.

For more details about the competition or the book fair, contact Gary Hallock <gary@hallock.net>

O. HENRY PUN-OFF 2006

At the first sign of spring, Gary Hallock will dust
off his boring bbits.

Although Gary should really know the drill by now, he still
manages to screw things up and often winds up with a blackened deck or something.

LOOKS LIKE GARY HAS FINALLY "SIGNED UP" FOR THE PUN-OFF!

Here are the early results from the 29th Annual O.Henry Pun-Off World
Championships held in Austin, TX on Saturday, May 20, 2006.

PUNNIEST OF SHOW
First Place in P.O.S. went to Eirik Ott who scored a very rare 40 our
of a possible 40 points with the judge, delivering a devastating rap-
sung routine incorporating names of famous...uh...um...er... We may
have to wait for the transcript to figure that out for sure.

Second place was awarded (by applause) to returning former champ, Jim
Ertner, of Boston MA. for yet another in his inventive series of
alphabetical compilations. Jim also scored an apparently not-so-rare
40 out of a possible 40 points. (Happy birthday, Jim.)

Third place was also determined by a tie-breaking audience clap-off
between two contestants both earning 39 points. Upstart first-timer,
Lloyd Dissmore of Kenosha, WI walked off with that prize by barely
besting the bedazzling Denise Hazelwood of Buda, TX dressed as "Queen
of denial."

HIGH-LIES & LOW-PUNS

After working his way through several grueling heats, veteran
competitor and multi-medal holder, David Gugenheim prevailed in a
heated 3 way final battle claiming his first 1st place trophy as the
threesome tackled the topic of "FLOWERS." Andy Balinsky and Arthur
Simone claimed second and place respectively.

mmMVP AWARD

Although Valerie Ward didn't survive past her first round of HL/LP
action, her witty and rapid retorts in battle with the eventual champ
endeared her to her fellow contestants who gave her high marks for
holding her own on the topic of food & cooking." She went home with
the coveted trophy and the admiration of many.

Corngratulations to all contestants and participants. The event was
well attended and the weather was most cooperative. More details
later.

The date for next year's contest has been set for May 19, 2007 at the
O.Henry Museum

For more details about the competition, contact Gary Hallock <gary@hallock.net>

The 29th Annual O.Henry Pun-Off World Championships heated up at high noon on Saturday, May 20, 2006 at the O.Henry Museum in Austin, Texas.

(Directions to the O.Henry Museum)

The O.Henry Museum is located in the heart of Austin's downtown
entertainment district at 409 E. 5th Street. Those who are starting
from scratch and itching for more inflammation should get in touch
with Gary Hallock <gary@hallock.net>

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