Liar’s Challenge draws in thousands for Easter basket drive

Last Friday, a crowd enjoyed tall tales, outright lies and even some true stories at the Liar’s Challenge, held at the Haughty Heron. 

Proceeds of the event will be going to the Sheriff Department’s Easter Basket Drive. Ten Tellers from Jacksonville, Madison, South Florida, Panama City, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio and Wewahitchka competed for the title of Best Liar. 

Southern Storyteller, Robyn Rennick, from Cape San Blas, was the Emcee. She spread her tall tale throughout the evening about riding on a shark’s back during a scalloping adventure as the judges were tallying the scores of the tellers. The Judges were Mike Davis from the Cape, Gene Behage from the Board of CCA, and Helen Carlsten from Port St. Joe. They had their work cut out for them with the high quality of liars who entertained the crowd.

Pat Neese from Panama City, a Nationally recognized Liar, took home the first place ribbon with her adventure of getting four dogs and an alcoholic squirrel to the ASPC Alcoholic Anonymous camp in Alabama.  

Second place went to Wanda Violet of Madison as she related her run in with the runaway golf cart and chicken she needed to sell after they destroyed her yard and tried over and over to run her down.  

Third place went to Ray Merrill,from Michigan, one of our Winter visitors to the Cape, with his story of Spot and Fluffy, the two dolphins who lived in his pool on the Cape after Hurricane Michael and how he had to make daily runs to the Pig parking lot to get them seagulls for their food, only to end up in jail for his effort because of the two lions from the circus that took up in his yard with the dolphins!  

Gulf County Sheriff Mike told his “true tale” of raising a baby black bear whose Mama had been killed on the road and later getting to see it again in Silver Springs, still loving strawberry ice cream.

The event was organized by Coastal Community Association of South Gulf County, and community sponsors were the Haughty Heron and Coast 2 Coast Printing.  Over $2,100 was raised, which will be used to purchase Easter Baskets for children in need in Gulf County.  

There are drop off locations throughout the County for anyone who would like to donate an Easter Basket. You may also mail or drop off a cash/check donation (checks made out to Coastal Community Initiative) to 1934 SR 30 A, Port St Joe which is the office of the Coastal Community Association.  The Murphy Family Foundation, kicked off the event with a great donation for the Drive.  Call Dr. Pat 850-229-7799 for more information.