Oddly Enough

Oddly Enough

Something to holler about: Man wins title

SPIVEY’S CORNER, N.C.

A North Carolina man who won the National Hollerin’ Contest says he almost disqualified himself by going over the four-minute time limit.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that Tony Peacock of Siler City won the 42nd annual contest in Spivey’s Corner in central North Carolina. His hollerin’ rendition of the popular Gershwin tune “Summertime” got him the title.

Peacock says he had to cut short his last holler because he had only two seconds left.

The winner of the contest gets bragging rights and opportunities to perform at events and on television.

Participants competed in several categories: men’s national hollerin’ contest, ladies callin’, conch-shell blowin’, whistlin’ and junior and teen hollerin’.

Pony-tailed burglar found bed just right

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

A blonde, pony-tailed burglar ate some food, drank some alcohol, tried on clothes and then found the bed in a New Zealand home just right.

But upon finding a modern-day Goldilocks asleep in his bed, the homeowner in the southern city of Christchurch exercised an option The Three Bears didn’t: He called police.

In court, 39-year-old Vanessa Joy Long pleaded guilty and said she blacked out and doesn’t remember what happened June 5. The judge ordered a probation report to see if Long was suitable for home detention and could pay for her misdemeanors.

The damage was estimated at 1,500 New Zealand dollars ($1,064). She was released on bail for sentence Sept. 1.

Pirates seek record, not booty, at festival

VALLEJO, Calif.

Yo-ho-ho, how many pirates can there be?

That’s the question at the fourth annual Northern California Pirate Festival in Vallejo.

Festival-goers are seeking to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for the most costumed pirates in one place. Nearly 2,300 pirates had registered. But the festival’s official count wouldn’t be out until after the event ends.

Festival spokesperson Shannon Damnavits says each pirate has to wear a red wristband, stand in one place for 10 minutes and be photographed. Guinness then certifies the count.

The current titleholder is Brixham, England, where 1,722 costumed pirates were recorded.

Website looks to tout all that’s good about NJ

TRENTON, N.J.

Tired of boorish comments and jokes about New Jersey, residents and business people have created a website to express their Garden State pride.

The site — JerseyDoesntStink.com — is designed to rally those who are tired of the putdowns about pollution, wisecracks about wise guys, and cheap shots about corruption. With companion Facebook and Twitter pages, state residents can sound off online in defense of their home state.

Associated Press