Love Clear Lake? Write about it!

by Marianne Gasaway

Judy Hilgendorf, an English teacher and creative writing enthusiast, loved Clear Lake.  And when she passed last year, only a few days after attending one of her favorite events— Christmas By The Lake, her family chose to use her memorial gifts to fund a “Why I Love Clear Lake” essay contest in her name.

“When we were writing her obituary we wanted to memorialize her, but we couldn’t think of anything that would define her or say who she was,” explained Judy’s daughter, Darcy.  “She was an English teacher and substitute all her life and loved helping people write, so we thought encouraging essays about Clear Lake was a perfect way to honor her.”

Judy’s talent of creative writing played a role in one of her favorite hobbies, entering

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essay contents.  Through the years, her writing earned over 20 grand prizes -- a gold convertible, a pickup truck, trips to the Ellen Show, the NCAA Final Four, and Super Bowl 50 – just to name a few.

“Usually she would need postcards to enter contests, so she would go to the Surf Ballroom and buy all their postcards,” recalled Darcy.  As Judy and her husband, Jim, traveled she would often pass time writing and entering contests.  “It seemed no matter where she was, she could reach in her purse and pull out a postcard of Clear Lake and share it.  She loved to talk about Clear Lake.  She was a true promoter.”

Darcy shared that while Judy was in her final days battling brain cancer, she kept asking about the Christmas By The Lake event.

“We took her over to Ellie (Harmeyer’s) house so she could watch the fun and fireworks.  She loved it.  She closed her eyes on the way home and never re-opened them.”

Judy passed away just a few days later, Dec. 11, 2018.

To honor Judy’s love of Clear Lake, as well as essay contests, submit a creative writing essay in 250 words or less telling “Why I Love Clear Lake.”  The winning essay will be selected on creativity, style and enthusiasm and the writer will receive $500.  Submit all entries to WhyILoveClear [email protected] by Jan. 15, 2020.  The winner will be announced on Val-

entine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2020.

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