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The Winner of Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America Contest is ...

The Pirate Carrying a Mermaid Optical Illusion has been named Patch's Halloween Costume in America. Its creator -- and wearer -- will receive a $5,000 prize for having the most creative and innovative costume.

Ashley Playford dressed up as a pirate carrying a mermaid this Halloween. Well, actually, she dressed up as the mermaid. Well...Her creativity has earned her the title of Patch's Best Halloween Costume in America and a $5,000 grand prize.  

It was Playford's use of an optical illusion that won us over. Take a look at the photo she entered on Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch!

Almost 4,000 Patch users entered the contest from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5, with costumes ranging from the Eiffel Tower and Honey Boo Boo to a flower pot and a clever interpretation of "binders full of women."

National judges chose 1 finalist from each Patch state based on who had the most creative and innovative costume (we combined North Carolina & South Carolina for this contest, as well as Washington D.C. and Virginia). Each state finalist will receive $250. From those finalists, Playford's costume was chosen as the grand prize winner.

Congratulations to Playford and to all the other statewide winners (check out our gallery above for photos of all the finalists).

Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with next Halloween!

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Devil's Advocate May 20, 2013 at 08:20 am
@John Smith. Thank you for posting something useful here. For those interested you'll also noteRead More that without reserves, Baldwin is DECREASING spending next year and is still forced to break the cap and hope for a 60% supermajority. YES that's right- they are REDUCING SPENDING and forced to increase the tax levy by 7%. That's what happens when you don't keep reserves. VOTE FOR EGAN AND BEHAR. Don't let these other ignorant folks convince you of their rhetoric.
John Smith May 20, 2013 at 08:06 am
Also note that it says: "Baldwin and Sachem, two districts facing big tax increases next year,Read More both say they've drained reserves and now need to rebuild." Baldwin is looking at 7% tax levy increase this year and Sachem is looking at 7.49%. If you want to spend down the reserves, that's the future you are buying.
John Smith May 20, 2013 at 08:04 am
Also, here's the link to the article for those that don't want just the biased TaxRead More Pac/Tampellini/Hartman slant: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/at-school-vote-time-some-taxpayers-eye-reserves-1.5271197
Commackvoter May 19, 2013 at 11:28 am
Yes John Smith, agree that the PTA SHOULD have video taped and posted it somewhere for the communityRead More to view. This is the 21st century and there is no excuse for them not offering this for those who could not attend. Same goes for the CUFSD but at least the law prohibits them from banning taping public meetings.
MJS May 19, 2013 at 10:29 am
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
Retired May 19, 2013 at 08:45 am
Hey John - No one is being slick. You incorrectly assumed that it was suspicious that there was noRead More video tape of the meet the candidates night. I can understand why you would think that but the fact is that the PTA did not allow any video. I wish video could have been done so the community could have seen each candidate themselves and make their own assessment. If you don't believe what I say just contact the PTA and confirm it with them....
MJS May 19, 2013 at 10:29 am
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
Retired May 19, 2013 at 09:52 am
@RL - I agree with term limits, but the law says that can only be proposed by the Board. The publicRead More cannot submit such a proposition. The board, at least the current one, will never agree to that b/c they want to keep themselves in power at any cost. By adding 2 new people Prop 2 may a provide an opportunity to have people on aboard that will consider proposing term limits, as well as other changes. So, yet another reason to Vote YES to Prop 2.
RL May 17, 2013 at 08:08 am
I agree new blood can be used and some new thinking and the way to accomplish that is to vote newRead More faces in. Does having more people create a larger bureaucracy thought. Having served on a number of private, charity and corporate boards I can tell you more is not always the answer. I think term limits would be a better approach. This way you don't have the same though process year after year. Two terms six years seems reasonably to me.
Concerned Commackian May 18, 2013 at 09:18 pm
Commack Parent is right. Its definately a costRead More issue.....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!! Thanks Parent, that was the best chuckle ive had all day!
LINANA May 17, 2013 at 12:28 am
Since past precedence for a number of years has been to send out literature informing ALL residentsRead More (including those with no children in the schools) of candidates bios, does the omission of the bios raise a legal issue? ??? We all pay school taxes and district has the obligation to provide us with this info. Shame on them!!!! Teacher's union is also "encouraging" votes for Egan & Behar and against adding two additional seats to the board. People with a vested interest "encouraging" you to vote a particular way should raise flags!!! Hopefully people will think for themselves and make an informed vote for the candidate they feel will best represent the students & residents of Commack.
Janice May 16, 2013 at 12:08 pm
IT does raise a red flag! I think it IS definitely time to vote for some new folks. I am going toRead More check out Hartman and Tampellini's bios. If I like what I see, I am voting for change
MJS May 19, 2013 at 10:28 am
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
Dawn-Marie Bailey May 15, 2013 at 09:02 pm
Doing my best. Please spread the word. Thanks!
GM May 15, 2013 at 08:30 pm
You go Girl! Spread the word. It's less than a week until we vote and you can quickly educate usingRead More social media.
MJS May 19, 2013 at 12:47 pm
It will be interesting to see what Mr. Behar does if he loses, since he is totally opposed to PropRead More 2. So if Prop 2 passes, and he chooses to take advantage of it and run again then in my eyes, and those of the Community, he will reveal himself to be a total Hypocrite. The same would go for Egan, since he too opposes Prop 2.
ergodic May 16, 2013 at 11:09 am
Hey, PTA, BOE/// try lending a hand///don't criticize things you don't understand///the community isRead More clearly beyond your command///your 100 year road is rapidly aging///and, the times, they are changing. CUFSD has experienced a decline in total enrollment from a peak of 7830 in 2008-09 to 6934 (projected) in 2013-14, a decrease of 11.4%. During that period, spending per pupil increased from $19,759 to $25,871 - an increase of 30.9%. This performance does not reflect well on the financial management capabilities of the BOE. And, is it a surprise that NYSUT is an advocate for the status quo? A more democratic approach to decision-making via a vote for Prop 2 should be helpful.
re May 16, 2013 at 12:01 am
Vote yes for the additional members of the board. Save our schools. Save our schools with fairRead More representation. Join a new taxpayers representation committee at the Commack community assoc effective September 2013. Our next meeting is May 30 at 7pm at the Bristol assisted living community room( next to sears) Do not let this civic group wither away as it would be a victory for the school board that monitors any opposition to the way the district operates.