MONROE, CT — A scarecrow display along the driveway at Great Hollow Lake highlights local businesses participating in a friendly contest, which is raising money to send children to camp. Park visitors can vote for their favorite scarecrow online, but Richard Borck, who strolled through the park with his wife, Lynn, Thursday afternoon, didn’t wait to declare his choice.
“Mondo! That’s the winner,” Borck said. “That’s got cleverness and the saying about the road to success is a nice message in today’s world.”
Mondo Construction Co.’s display features two scarecrows in hard hats behind construction tape and orange cones. One sign says, “Under Construction” and a wooden sign says, “The Road to Success is Always Under Construction.”
Proceeds from the Monroe Parks and Recreation Department’s second annual Scarecrow Contest will benefit the Social Services Exchange Fund, which provides scholarships for local youths to attend the Summer Fun Days Camp program.
The display will be up until Oct. 31 and voting is on the Parks and Recreation Department website.
The winning business will be announced on Nov. 1 and be awarded a complimentary picnic rental one day for up to 100 guests during the 2022 picnic rental season.
On Thursday, Nicole Paniccia checked out the display with her son, Santino, 4. “They’re all good,” Paniccia said. “It’s nice that they’re doing this. My son loves this.”
Lourdes Gless, of Newtown, was babysitting J.J. Brady, 4, of Monroe. “He told me these were scarecrows,” Gless said with a smile.
They walked up to a female scarecrow in a straw hat holding a baby scarecrow in one arm, with three scarecrow children at her feet — two playing on a seesaw. It also features a display with three small, painted pumpkins.
Gless pointed to the red hoodie worn by the adult scarecrow, which says, “Building Blocks Early Learning Center” in white lettering across the chest.
“Look J.J.!” Gless said, adding, “his baby brother goes to Building Blocks.”
The display highlights 15 local businesses. To see them all, visit Great Hollow Park or check out the gallery:
