The front office staff won the coveted People's Choice Award at the annual Gingerbread Competition.  This competition held in mid December challenged crews from research groups, administrative staff and physics demo staff to depict something about their work with only using edible building materials.  Many of the crews made valiant attempts to "stick" to the rules, only some of which succeeded.  All the participants were on a sugar high after the competition having nearly bathed in confectioner's sugar icing, sprinkles, candy bars, twizzlers and the like.  It was certainly fun and the variety of building materials and methods was awe inspiring.  This was the first year that any group could join in the fun.

In addition to the People's Choice Award which was awarded by vote of the attendees at the Physics Winter Party - all participants received an award designed specifically for their special achievements.  The are as follows:

An object at rest stays at rest.  OR it oozes slowly until it finally comes to rest.

Gupta Group

Kids, don't try this at home.  Go to a friend's house.

Also, the most unrealistic depiction of a classroom - all of the students are paying attention simultaneously!

Physics Demonstrations - Chris and Katy

Best Depiction of a Physics Student. "Do I have to stay awake for this test"?

PERG Group (Brendon Mikula and Abby Bogdan) - wonderful marzipan figures and great use of starlight mints for the flooring!

Maxine Award:  Recipes are like a dating service.  They never end up looking like the picture.

Front Office Staff (Martina Gutik, Kris Dunlap, Shelley Palmer, Robin Patterson, et al)

Notice the chair in the upper left hand corner, wearing his hawaiian shirt.  And all of the staff hard at work at their desks!

Also - the winners of the People's Choice Award - way to stuff that ballot box front office staff!

Tommy Roe Award - I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning

Great use of graham cracker construction!

Poirier Group

Wizard of Oz Award - Gum drops and Twizzlers and Reeces Pieces, O My!

Condensed "Batter" Theory Group

Zeke Johnston-Halperin's group - this entry did not last through the waiting period.  In fact it was so interesting that folks basically ate it!

Winner of the "Life is Uncertain - Eat Dessert First! Award"  Yum!