What to take away from this contest: If the prize centers around a particular theme (like family), your entry should be about that theme (not flies).
The Assignment: Submit a short, original story (no longer than 500 words) about an actual event in which you enjoyed Old Dutch snacks.
The Prize: A family reunion resort package for ten people, $1,000 spending money and a one year’s supply of Old Dutch potato chips.
The Entry: The day the black flies attacked me was the same day I discovered how delicious Old Dutch Potato Chips can be dipped in the most unlikely flavors. Let me start by saying that until I traveled to Minnesota, I had never eaten an Old Dutch Potato Chip. Kate and I were thirteen years-old the summer we were invited to spend a week at her grandfather’s house on Lake Eleanor. We spent our afternoons floating in oversized inner tubes, legs hooked over the outer rim, rear-ends touching the water, and two twin bags of potato chips resting in the crooks of our tummies.
One day, we brought a cache of chocolate bars down to the lake, and after unwrapping and eating our fill, Kate suggested we store the leftovers in the half-empty Old Dutch Potato Chip bags. I thought nothing of it as I tucked the chocolate into the bag and wiped my goopy finger tips clean on the top of my inner tube. Then, one hand trailing in the water, the other cinching the Old Dutch Potato Chip bag closed, I shut my eyes for a nap.
I woke with the air dense with buzzing insects. They had settled over the chocolate smears on the top of my tube, and were dive bombing my face as well as the Old Dutch Potato Chip bag. How I managed to hold the bag clear of the water as I tumbled off my inner tube, is something I still consider to be a minor miracle. As I swam to shore, the flies frantically dodged about, trying to find the sweet, smoky trail of chocolate and salt that I left behind. All I could think as I side stroked home was, I hope they didn’t get into the chips.
Back on shore, Kate and I scurried into the house and opened the Old Dutch Potato Chip bag. The inside lining pulled apart to reveal a smear of chocolate covering the chips. When I reached my hand in and plucked one out, Kate watched in horror. Soon however, the satisfying crunch of Old Dutch Potato Chip and the rich roll of chocolate was too much, even for her neat and tidy sensibilities. After that and for years to come, neither of us dare eat Old Dutch Potato Chip without a nice bowl of melted chocolate for dipping on the side!
The Winners: http://www.olddutchfoods.com/promos/story_winners.php
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