|
|
Thank you to these One Book One Community(TM) sponsors 
|
Return to the main "One Book One Community" information page
Why? Who says? Are we there yet?
Of all the questions a kid can ask, the surest sign of a good book is What happens next?
As part of the Orlando Sentinel's seventh annual One Book, One Community campaign, this year's writing contest spins off The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. In the award-winning classic, Chester Cricket ends up in New York City where he makes new friends and has lots of adventures.
But what happens next?
Well, Chester Cricket tells everyone about his Times Square adventures, and the stories became part of his family's long history. His offspring loved to hear all about Chester's fame in New York City.
Now his grand-crickets several generations down the line are ready to strike out on their own adventures. It's cold and snowy, and they dream of a warmer place with more excitement -- a place with the hustle and bustle of Times Square but with more sun.
When picnickers leave behind a Travel section from the local newspaper, they scan the ads and find what they are looking for -- Central Florida! And theme parks! Lots of them!
The grand-crickets can barely contain themselves. They start making their plans -- hop the shuttle into New York, take Amtrak down to Virginia and then get on the auto train to Central Florida. They're ready!
Each of them has a plan to visit one of the area's famous theme parks.
Use your imagination and write a scene from "A Cricket in a Theme Park" for the Orlando Sentinel's writing contest. Entries can be no longer than 100 words and must contain these three words: newspaper, song and fortune.
"A Cricket in a Theme Park" Writing Contest Official Rules
No Purchase Necessary
SPONSOR: Orlando Sentinel Communications Company ("OSC").TO ENTER: In 100 words or less, write an adventure set in a Central Florida theme park and incorporating the words Newspaper, Song and Fortune following the requirements and specifications set forth in these rules ("Original Writing Submission" or "OWS"). Send your OWS to us before the entry deadline using one of the following methods: (1) Place your OWS and your Contact Information (as described below) in a properly addressed envelope (including return address) and mail it to "A Cricket in a Theme Park" Writing Contest, 633 N. Orange Ave., MP 240, Orlando, Florida 32801; or, (2) Fax your OWS and Contact Information to us at 407-420-5457, or (3) deliver your OWS and Contact Information to designated entry sites at Borders book stores at: 600 Orlando Ave., Winter Park; 1051 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando; 9441 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee; 8285 Red Bug Lake Road, Oviedo; and 880 W. State Road 436, Altamonte Springs. Your OWS must be an unpublished original work and it must not violate the rights of any person or entity. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. EDST May 18, 2008. One entry per person. All entries must include the following Contact Information: (1) full name; (2) mailing address; (3) daytime phone number; (4) entry category (see categories below); and (5) date of birth. If you are a student, also include your school, grade and teacher's name. Children must have permission from parent/guardian to participate. Failure to provide accurate information will result in disqualification. OSC is not responsible for lost, late, damaged, illegible, misdirected, or incomplete entries. Entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. A panel of OSC journalists will judge the entries and select one First Prize winner and four Honorable Mention winners (collectively "winners") in each category using the following criteria: relevance to subject matter, creativity, writing ability (as demonstrated by grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary used), and writing style. Judges' decisions are final. By submitting an entry, entrant grants to OSC the perpetual and unlimited license to publish and display the OWS, in whole or in part (including the right to edit for publication), along with entrant's name, age and school (where applicable), in any media now known or hereafter created, including in connection with any of OSC's newspaper publications or web sites, without further compensation. E-mailed entries will not be accepted due to children's privacy laws.
CATEGORIES: One First Prize winner and four Honorable Mention winners will be selected in each of the following categories: (1) adult; (2) high school; (3) middle school and (4) elementary school.
PRIZES: First Prize (4): Each First Prize winner will receive an Orlando Sentinel Prize Pack which includes a $75 gift certificate to a local Central Florida bookstore and a copy of The Cricket in Times Square. Approximate retail value: $100. Honorable Mention (16): Each Honorable Mention winner will receive a $10 gift certificate. Each winner's OWS will also be published in the Orlando Sentinel and online at http://nieonline.com/orlando/onebook/.
PRIZE RESTRICTIONS: Winners are responsible for any taxes that may apply to the prize. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and may not be extended, transferred or substituted, except that Sponsor may substitute a prize of equal or greater value when necessary, as determined in its sole discretion. Only one prize per household. ELIGIBILITY: To enter, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal U.S. resident (green card) and you must reside within the State of Florida. Employees of OSC and their immediate family are not eligible. "Immediate family" includes only spouses, parents and children. Notification will be mailed to winners by June 30, 2008. Along with the winner notification, winners will be sent an affidavit of eligibility and release, which, among other provisions releases Sponsors, affiliates, and suppliers from any and all liability related to this contest or use or acceptance of the prize. Winner, or where applicable his or her parent or legal guardian, must execute without making changes and return the release within 7 days of the date on the winner notification letter. Failure of OSC to receive a properly executed release within 7 days will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the prize. Prizes will be mailed within two weeks of timely receipt of the release. If a winner is disqualified or otherwise determined to be ineligible and time permits (before OSC's publication deadline), an alternate winner will be chosen. Otherwise, the prizes will be donated to charity. Alternate winners are subject to all requirements and limitations in these Official Rules. By accepting a prize, a winner agrees to allow the use of his or her name, voice, photograph, likeness and any information provided on the entry form, in any media now known or hereafter created, including print, Internet, radio and/or television and for any purpose, including advertising, promotional or other purposes by OSC and its affiliates, without further compensation.
MISCELLANEOUS: Entrants agree to be bound by these rules. Void where prohibited. OSC is entitled to interpret these rules as needed and its decisions are final. OSC reserves the right to correct typographical, clerical or printing errors in any contest materials and to cancel all or any portion of this contest if, for reasons beyond OSC's control, the contest is not capable of run fairly or securely. Contest rules will be governed and enforced pursuant to Florida law. OSC reserves the right to disqualify any entry that OSC has reason to believe is not the original work of entrant. For name of winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope after June 30, 2008, to "A Cricket in a Theme Park" Writing Contest Winners, OSC, 633 North Orange Avenue, MP 240, Orlando, FL 32801.