2016 Jack-O-Lantern Contest Winners

Artist Joey Edwards takes pumpkin carving to a level we didn’t previously know existed. He handily won last year’s contest with his Donald Trump-as-Zombie jack-o-lantern, titled “Donald Trumpkin.” This year Edwards went for traditional and elegant over topical. Some of his other jack-o-lanterns are on display at Axe & Fiddle in Cottage Grove. You can also study is spooky oeuvre at joeyedwards.daportfolio.com/gallery/925195.

What’s scarier than skyrocketing rent prices? Whiteaker mischief-maker Lefty Kelleher wins the prize for least subtle jack-o’-lantern with this entry. Gentrification is the real-world equivalent of Invasion of the Body Snatchers; suddenly everyone around you looks alike, talks alike and thinks all the same thoughts — the horror. Next time, tell us how you really feel, Lefty.

Artist Alistair Moore, 9, and his brother Blake, 4, submitted one of our favorite carved pumpkins on behalf of the youth arts nonprofit Multicultural Children’s Art Museum and Education Center. Sources close to the Moore brothers say they’re inspired by their mother, who is executive director of the art center, as well as an art teacher. They hope you’ll read more about MCAMEC online at arts4kidsoregon.org.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!