Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, The 4th Recipient of the Coveted Lollipop Award Is...

What's life without a little suspense? Live a little, people!

So, what can I tell you about the benefits of Hubpages that hasn't already been said?

Let's see... the Hubpage community is one of sharing, assisting, and love. (No, that's already been mentioned.) Hubpages.com gives writers a chance to present their wares and interests to the public.. (No, that's been said, too.) Hmmm... Hubpages.com does it's best to work within the realm of Google to ensure its writers maximum exposure to web traffic. (No, that's been mentioned as well.)

This is tough. How about this?

Hubpages.com people are some of the most intelligent writers and friendly people in the field of writing!

Okay, so that's been said! But, you know what? It's true! Take a look at some of the other websites that compete with Hubpages.com and you'll find much less commenting and supporting taking place. Read their comments and you'll find critiques that resemble the "Return Of The Trolls" instead of helpful suggestions and words of confidence.

Hubpages.com has less than its share of "those that comment without reading" and "those that just want to start an argument." They're much fewer in number and quickly recognize they don't belong in this type of environment. That type of behavior is simply unacceptable on Hubpages.com.

(Hold on, I'm getting there. I've caught the dreaded "Hot Air" disease that's spread by politicians in an election year. : )

So what is the Lollipop Award? No, Shirley Temple didn't hand it out on her good ship. The Lollipop award was initially the idea of Chris In Hawaii in a moment of hublove for all In his words:

“The Unofficial HubPages Lollipop Award is a virtual lollipop, but unlike the lollipops you get at the dentist's office (which I'm sure are given out with no ulterior motives involving job security), there isn't a whole bowl filled with these lollipops. No, there is only one single Lollipop Award on the planet, and the only way to receive it is to have it awarded to you by the current Lollipop Award holder.

The award is given to a Hubber who you feel is deserving of some special recognition, someone who embodies all that is great about HubPages... someone who is a giver and not just a taker, if you know what I mean...”

Bill Holland (a.k.a. billybuc) http://billybuc.hubpages.com/ was the first recipient of this award, and a very deserving one at that. Bill continues to assist new hubbers get a foothold on Hubpages.com, as well as supporting as many of the experienced hubbers he can. Bill has so many trophies, and is so loving of his wife Bev, he decided to pass it on instead of making her dust it.

Another great hubber I completely respect in her writing as well as the kindness and understanding she displays as a human being, Linda Crist (a.k.a. lrc7815) http://lrc7815.hubpages.com/ ) received it from Bill last week. Linda never wanted to part with it. In fact, her fingerprints are permanently embedded in the hard shell candy coating. She is still licking the tips of her fingers in memory.

On Saturday, I awoke after a full overnight stint of writing to find I'd been awarded the Lollipop Award. I was shocked, to say the least. Of all the fantastic people on Hubpages.com, I'd been chosen.

How could this be? I'm not a writer of facts and figures. I'm a creative writer that journeys into the disaster I call my mind and pulls out tidbits to assemble into some form of entertainment. I'd even won my Hubnugget for a hub on the paranormal.

I do visit a lot of hubs and attempt to leave comments that demonstrate I've really read the hub. And, I do try to help new hubbers any way I can to get started here. But, perhaps, what I do best is to allow the reader to forget the problems of everyday life (for a much needed break) and just enjoy the world of comedy or fantasy for a while.

But, there's so many people that do so much more.

Don't get me wrong. I was exceptionally honored. But, I simply don't look at taking care of family the best I can as something worth being noted. That's what family members do without thinking of getting anything back in return! Right?

Obviously, Linda made a mistake!

So, before the mistake is discovered and Linda comes and takes the Lollipop Award back, let me pass it on to a most deserving individual.

The 4th Recipient of the Hubpages Lollipop Award is……………

...someone that has done a lot for so many hubbers.

Tension is killing you, isn't it? Just keep reading, I'll get there in a minute.

Who could I choose? I have about 50 people that are most deserving. Let's see, I've got to choose someone that has done their best to assist others, written quality hubs, isn't afraid to make real and supportive comments on hubs, and will represent the award in the manner it was intended.

My list is now down to 49.

I went to my cats and they said to ask Bill's dog. I went to him and said to ask Bill, who knows better than to answer his calls. (Got the monkey off your back once and don't want it again, do you, Bill? lol)

So, I've got to get the monkey off of me before I get fleas or arrested for keeping an exotic animal against the law. A decision must be made!

Okay, I'm down to five. One, I've just written a tribute to, and wouldn't know what to say to all the comments she'd receive without repeating ones just written. Another is extremely supportive, but is busy with a new grandbaby right now. I don't want to stick a monkey in the same house and wake up the baby, as I feel she'll soon get the award anyway. Another possible has two little girls that are currently driving her crazy in the world of bathrooms and band-aids. She, too, should be receiving it in the near future, I'm sure, as she is very deserving. And still another made a mistake (like Linda) and put my name and picture in a hub about top comedy writers. If I gave it to her, people would think this whole award thing was fixed!

That just leaves……….

Maria (a.k.a. marcoujor) http://marcoujor.hubpages.com/ has written well over 40… that's OVER FORTY interviews about the folks of Hubpages.com. In these personal get togethers, Maria helps the readers to get to know the writer as a real person by asking personal questions that dig deep to assist in getting the answers we all wish to know. She's interviewed the Hubpage long timers, in addition to the newcomers that show definite promise.

Maria is also known for leaving tremendous comments for the hubbers she visits. Forget the "loved it, goodbye" type of comment. Get ready to feel the emotion she brings and relish it.

Besides the interviews, her writings, (and there are many) cover everything from rock music artists to touching memories of personal stories of those that have deeply touched her life. You are aware of the quality of this person just by reading her work. She is amazing!

So, there you have it. Dry the sweat beads off your upper lip and relax your heart. Didn't mean to put you through such stress (Well, maybe I did), but admit it, Maria is definitely worth the wait!

One thing, Maria. You now have the monkey of passing this fine award on to a great and deserving recipient. It's a hefty responsibility and one that must be made quickly.

I'm glad it's you and not me!

Muhahahaha!

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