October cartoon caption contest: enter to win a prize

By John M. Hotchner

I like to call this time of year the hopeful season for the sports teams I follow. Despite not doing so well last year, my college and professional football teams looked better in the preseason. My basketball teams had good recruiting off-seasons. My pro baseball team is in second place and surging.

Yes, the sports section of the daily newspaper is a pure pleasure to read. That probably won’t be the case at some point in the future. But hope springs eternal.

So, to represent this hopeful season, I am using the 1969 6¢ stamp marking the 100th anniversary of intercollegiate football for the October cartoon contest. The design depicts a football player and coach.

Put yourself into the picture and tell me what you think the coach, the player, or both of them might be saying or thinking — whether it is an excuse; an expression of elation; or a commentary on stamp collecting, sports culture, politics, or anything else.

There will be two prizes given: one for the best line spoken by the coach, and one for the best line spoken by the player.

The important thing is to use your sense of humor, because entries with a humorous twist have the best chance of winning a prize.

Put your entry (or entries) on a postcard if possible and send it to me, John Hotchner, Cartoon Contest, Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125, or e-mail it to jmhstamp@verizon.net. Be sure to include your mailing address.

For each winner, the prize will be the book Linn’s Stamp Identifier, published by Linn’s (a retail value of $12.99), or a 13-week subscription to Linn’s (a new subscription or an extension). To be considered for a prize, entries must reach me no later than Oct. 26.

Why not enter now while you’re thinking about it?