I would like to announce the start of the 2025 Annual Trapperman Kids Art & Writing Contest!

THE PRIZES:

FIRST PLACE $100 PLUS a JoeGoodmanPrints.com prize package!
SECOND PLACE: $75 PLUS a JoeGoodmanPrints.com prize package!
THIRD PLACE: $50 PLUS a JoeGoodmanPrints.com prize package!

TO ENTER:

You must be LESS than 18 years of age and a Trapperman member or family member only. You must have your parent's permission to enter, as the winners will be asked to pm me their addresses in order for us to ship the prize packages to you. You must submit your entry no later than 9 PM EASTERN TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24TH. NO EXCEPTIONS PLEASE! To submit your entry, you must post a scan or good quality photo of your finished drawing or painting, as well as TYPE IN your writing or story RIGHT HERE IN THIS THREAD. YOU MUST INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME, AGE AND STATE YOU RESIDE WITH YOUR ENTRY. Ask for help from your folks, or other members here if you have difficulty posting. This is so all Trapperman members may see and read it. Previous winners may enter again! Let's see how you've improved over the years!

THE RULES:

This year's theme is: "The Beauty of Nature!!!" -

FIRST, write a story that describes, "The Beauty of Nature" and whatever that means to you. It could be a true story, or a fictional story you've created in your mind. I'd like this story to be a few paragraphs minimum, if possible. I know this may be difficult for the very young contestants and we will consider this when we judge the entries at the end. Include many details to make your story interesting, who, what, where, when, why, how!?


SECOND, You must draw or paint a picture that goes with this story and illustrates it in the best possible way. It may be FULL COLOR OR BLACK & WHITE. It may be done in PENCIL, INKS, WATERCOLORS, ACRYLICS, OILS, CHALKS, CRAYONS, MARKERS, or the KITCHEN SINK!!! Put as much effort as you can into it! I want to see what talented young folks we have here on Trapperman! Then have someone take a nice brightly lit photo or scan of it and post it here with your story!!

ONCE AGAIN, THE CONTEST ENDS AT 9 PM EASTERN TIME ON CHRISTMAS EVE !! NO EXCEPTIONS. YOU FOLKS ON CENTRAL, MOUNTAIN, AND PACIFIC TIME PLEASE MAKE NOTE!

WE WILL ANNOUNCE THEM HERE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, SOME TIME AFTER MRS. CLAUS HAS HAD HER COFFEE…..

PM ME IF YOU OR YOUR FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS.

WELL KIDS, I SUGGEST YOU GET BUSY!!!
AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE TRAPPERMAN FAMILY!!!

From The Goodman's
Joe, Julie, and Carly
www.JoeGoodmanPrints.com

Joe--you may want to post this,on the kids forum also--some have been asking about it.

Tom

Do the kids post story and copy of drawing as a reply here? tks, Gary J

yes

One of my favorite events. Good luck too all!

The beauty of Nature- By: Brody Burke Age-12 Proctor,MN
I believe the beauty of nature comes from waking up early to watch the sunrise and catch fish as well as long dark drives at night watching the moon shine down on your car. It also can come from long hikes in the woods checking traps for beaver trying to stay as dry as you can as the rain comes down with big thick drops. Even sitting in a deer stand for many hours listening to the birds rise and come back to your shack or cabin hoping you will have more luck the next day. Or watching the first snowfall come knowing summer is over and it's winter and getting closer to the new year. It comes from days at a nearby lake searching for agates and having the opportunity to swim and meet new people. It comes from the first week at a campsite with a big fire and smores signaling summer is near and knowing the next morning you will be able to have that opportunity least one more time. That is what I believe is the beauty of nature.
posted by Gary J

The Beauty of Nature
By Karis Phillips - 11 years old
Grand daughter of Steve Phillips (Riverotter)

Nature is Gods creation, and it is beautiful in many ways. We are to enjoy it and use it as he meant, not to abuse it. The land, the waters, the trees and plants, and birds and animals. My favorite part is the animals, especially the bright colored birds. I love the Red Bird (Cardinal). It is so bright and colorful and sings. They eat seeds and bugs, they really love sunflower seeds. You can enjoy watching them around bird feeders, guarding the seeds from other birds.

I see Red birds around my grand parents house, they have several bird feeders. One day, I was walking around outside and saw a bright colored bird on the ground, it wasn't flying off. It seemed hurt, I went over and picked it up in my hand, it stayed for a few seconds and flew off. I hope it was ok. It was so pretty and soft. They say a Red Bird is a sign of an angel of your loved one that has passed.

I would like to welcome Karis & Brody to my Christmas contest! WoW!!! Two excellent entries, for sure! I hope you other kids get busy working on your entries. REMEMBER, the deadline is tonight at 9 pm eastern time! Good luck everyone!!

Joe Goodman

Here is 9 year old George's picture. I'll type out his story when I get another break.