Clogs to Coins Contest: Official Discussion Thread

1. 87

   Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

   
   Hey everyone! As I hope you know, the Clogs to Coins contest is now live!
   
   I'm opening up this thread for general contest questions and discussions. I'm here to help!
   
   Before you ask a question or enter in the Clogs to Coins contest, visit the official contest page, read through our guidelines, and read the rules.
   
   For some helpful tips on writing a winning entry, I recommend visiting our super spiffy Learning Center guide that Robin put together! It's an online version of the HubCamp we held at our office on the 18th.
   
   Winners will be posted in another thread, so you won't have to dig through here to see who is winning the Daily Drawing, Staff Pick, Pro Plumber, and Grand Prizes.

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      SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Cool! Thanks! How do we see a list of all entries for the day?

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         Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Good question. I never requested to have a listing of entries generated, since the past couple of times it confused folks more than it helped them, but because all entries are in the plumbing category, all you have to do is go to the category page and view the latest Hubs published.  They'll all be contest entries!

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            Howard S.posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            There is apparently a bug. Approximately 8 hrs ago (10am Pacific), the "latest" tab stopped working. Hubs published since then appear on Profile pages, but not on Topic pages. This might apply to "best" and "hot" as well. Therefore, your nifty idea of how we should be able to track the contest entries hasn't been working.

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               Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I curse this cruel world.  It does look like there's a bit of a delay now, but they still seem to be showing up, less promptly, but... better late than never! Perhaps this is happens when an unusually high volume of 'latest' articles start coming in.

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      HRogerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Simone!
      
      When will the keyword topics for the bathroom hubs week topic inspiration be available? Just like the ones you posted here: http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/81411
      
      Thanks.
      
      Roger

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      LhouvieBlueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's fun time. I think this will be going great..And time starts now.

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   K9keystrokesposted 12 years ago

   Let the Games Begin!

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   snakeslaneposted 12 years ago

   I read the contest page, but see no link to actually enter it? Am I missing something here? Thanks

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      All you have to do is publish a Hub in the plumbing category and you'll be entered!

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         snakeslaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         ok thanks.

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   Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

   Congrats to SimeyC and Equusdvm2010 for being the first contest winners!  (don't forget- all winners are being posted here.
   
   The quality of entries on our first day was amazing! Keep in mind- even if you didn't WIN today, you still might win the Pro Plumbing or even Grand Prize

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   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   Well, I have just published my masterpiece plumbing entry.
   
   Edit: I wonder how it will do.

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   K9keystrokesposted 12 years ago

   Wow. Some tough competition out there in HubLand for this plumbing contest! Good luck everyone! Congrats to the first winners!

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   tlpoagueposted 12 years ago

   I can't wait to break out some humor! Plummers have some interesting stories to tell. Congrats on the winners! Good luck to all!

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, there have been some hilarious entries so far! I can't wait to read more!

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   Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

   Just something to keep in mind- you do not have to mention Drano at ALL in your entries, and we're not giving special precedence to anyone who does, so don't feel like you have to work it in unless it's directly related to the subject at hand

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   Gordon Hamiltonposted 12 years ago

   Congratulations to the winners so far in a challenging contest. I look forward to reading some of the entries later tonight but thought I would share for now an embarrassing insight, in that I have just realised what the title of the contest means. I have been wondering for a couple of weeks what traditional wooden shoes made in the Netherlands have to do with coins or plumbing. The penny has just dropped, big time...
   
   (In my humble if inadequate defence, I can offer only that although we may refer to pipes or drains as being clogged in the UK, we would much more commonly say blocked... )

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      K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Gordon, this is the funniest thing I have read all day,...traditional wooden shoes!... I just adore you!

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hahahaa!

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         LhouvieBlueposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         congrats everyone...good job

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Props to Jenny_Leigh and K9keystrokes for winning today's Daily Drawing and Staff Pick prizes!
    
    Also, in the official contest winner thread, I made a wee mistake yesterday by putting SimeyC down as the Daily Drawing winner and Equusdvm2010 as Staff Pick- it's really the other way around ^_^

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I am Thrilled! Doing a little jig!

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          imatellmuvaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I freak'n  LOVE the danc'n man!!! Go dance man...go dance man...get your groove on!!!!

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             K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             

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       KwelXposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats to today's winners!

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       Jenny_Leighposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Sooooo exciting!  I've been on cloud 9 ever since I got the e-mail. 

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Props to Om Paramapoonya for winning today's Staff Pick prize, and to jeannieinabottle for winning the Daily Drawing! Both are great Hubs. In fact, Robin and I have been, on the whole, very impressed with the entries! We weren't sure we'd see much interesting stuff crop up in the plumbing category, to be entirely honest, but y'all are really surprising us!!

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    K9keystrokesposted 12 years ago

    Well Done! Your diagrams for unplugging a shower drain are great Paramapoonya! A well deserved staff pick win! You make it so easy to do the project!
    Congrats to jeannieinabottle on the drawing win too!

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       Om Paramapoonyaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks!

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13. 87

    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Cardisa and michifus are today's Daily Drawing and Staff Pick winners for today. Both wrote great Hubs!  Also, props to michifus for totally proper image attribution.  It's totally cool to use gorgeous images created by others so long as they're fairly used!
    
    Robin and I are both impressed by the entries we've been seeing.  This contest is turning out to be a lot of fun!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Nice choices Simone! Congrats to both winners!

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       michifusposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Simone! It was good fun.

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    Cardisaposted 12 years ago

    OMG! I just got an email.....OMG....I can't believe it! Are you guys pulling my legs? Did I really win?
    
    
    Thanks you guys...I am really really really happy right now! whoooooowhoooooooooooo......

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats Cardisa, I am so happy for you!

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hehehee!!! Congrats indeed, Cardisa!

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    ubanichijiokeposted 12 years ago

    Cardisa, you roccckkk!

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       Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Uban.
       
       I was so caught up in my own celebration that I forgot the other person.
       
       Congrats michifus! Well deserved.

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          michifusposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          

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    SimeyCposted 12 years ago

    Some really amazing entries this time - well done to all the winners!

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Yeah, folks are writing some seriously great stuff!  Keep in mind, y'all, even if you don't win Staff Pick for a day, you might still win a Pro Plumbing Prize!

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    K9keystrokesposted 12 years ago

    Having a blast with plumbing this week! Off to figure out a few more projects to shoot and research for next weeks plumbing gig! Thanks for putting on the contest HP! It's a really good motivator on a pretty cool topic. I have also met a couple of awesome hubbers I wasn't familiar with, which is a nice bonus.
    HubHugs all around the Room~
    

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       SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Ummm having plumbers block here (LOL that sounds painful) so I did a fun one instead....
       
       <snipped-promotional link>

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          K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Good stuff!

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hehee! HubHugs all around indeed! Robin and I are so thankful to have the chance to read the awesome Hubs folks are putting together!  We're seriously impressed... and picking winners is ridiculously hard!
       And SimeyC, that DOES sound pretty painful, lol!

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    SirDentposted 12 years ago

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWFswXpq … r_embedded
    
    Just thought I would post this since it is about plumbing.

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    I just want to say congrats to kweakley and DzyMsLizzy for winning the Daily Drawing and Staff Pick prizes for today!  Also, keep in mind that winners for Friday Saturday, and Sunday, will not be announced until Monday.  Have a great weekend, everyone!!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Big Congrats to kweakly for the drawing win, and the awesome DzyMsLizzy for the Staff Pick! Good stuff

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       SirDentposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congratulations!!!! 

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    Roy Perrinposted 12 years ago

    Made my first plumbing related hub just before the hurricane.    Here's hoping at least a few people like it.

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       AEvansposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I enjoyed it! Praying for you and hope you are safe during the storm.

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Roy, I just got back from reading your hub. I had to laugh (as well as relate) to the towel being flushed down the drain that you mention. But, the hub offers some great information and I am so glad you and your plumbing came out okay after the storm. You should post a link to your plumbing hub in the a Weekly Topic Inspiration forum!
       Cheers~

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          Roy Perrinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I should probably know this by now, but how would I do that?  I hope that's not too stupid of a question.

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             K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             A very good question actually, Roy. You can highlight the hub URL (the address specifically derived for that article and found either in your stats window, or at the very top of your hubs page). It's the address that starts "Http://..." Highlight it all; in the stats window you will find a shortened version. "Copy" the address and "Paste" it into a comment reply window of the Weekly Topic Inspiration forum. You can even tell us a little about the hub to garner interest. Post the comment and you are all done!
             Let me know if you have any problems with this or if I am not clear with the directions for you and we will try again!
             Cheers~
             K9

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Wow guys. You're ridiculous.  Seriously, the Hubs have been AWESOME! We just finished reading and judging weekend entries and it was really hard to select winners, but thankfully there are category prizes at the end of this contest for some of our favorites.
    Keep these great Hubs going! I'm telling you- we had 15 entries yesterday, 14 the day before... your odds of winning are CRAZY good!

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    AEvansposted 12 years ago

    http://aevans.hubpages.com/hub/Ode-To-Drano
    
    
    Thought I would be poetic and unique. Hope you enjoy!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Pretty funny stuff AEvans!

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          AEvansposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I am glad you enjoyed!

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Congrats to Gordon Hamilton and J.S.Matthew for winning the Daily Drawing and Staff Pick prizes today! Also, I encourage you to keep entering if you haven't won yet- your odds are still amazingly good- we only had 13 entries today, and two chances out of 13 to win $50 are pretty good indeed!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Gordon Congrats on your staff pick win my friend! And J.S. Mathew congrats to you on the drawing win! Some awesome hubs on plumbing are getting published these days... way to go gentlemen!

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    We've got two awesome winners today! K9keystrokes won the Daily Drawing prize, and the staff pick prize goes to Black Jackson, who is a BRAND NEW Hubber- his winning entry is his first Hub! 
    
    We're still just getting a trickle of submissions, so your chances of winning are still great. Man, this contest is far more surprising and interesting than I ever could have imagined!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Holy plumbing hubs! I won a drawing! Time to head out to the casinos I suppose! Thanks HP team, I am enjoying the contest very much.
       HubHugs to room~
       Congrats to the new hubber Blake Jackson for the staff pick! Huge props!

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          SirDentposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Congratulations!!!   

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       Roy Perrinposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats to you both.  Isn't winning something fun!?!

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          K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          It IS Roy!

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             Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Well I'm glad you find it fun, K9keystrokes, because you won BOTH the Daily Drawing AND the Staff Pick prize for your latest entry on replacing a house water filter sediment cartridge! That's a contest first!

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                SirDentposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
                
                I think K9 should buy everyone dinner tonight. 

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                   K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                   LOL!

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                K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                I am going to go buy a lottery ticket right now! Wow!
                I am in a little bit of shock folks,...thank you lucky stars and the HubPages team!  I love being first! So many great hubs in this contest, I seriously am honored to take the win.
                
                
                Let me know when I need to throw the steaks on the BBQ SirDent!
                Huge HubHugs to the room~
                K9

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    SimeyCposted 12 years ago

    I want to thank the HP team for all these contests. Through the last three or four contests I have learned so much. As an example, in this one I've learned to really take time to research thoroughly and also attempted to work on my formatting and presentation.
    
    Of course the prize money is cool, but more importantly I think I benefit hugely from the whole process.

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Well well, SImeyC- we want to thank you, too! Reading your Hubs is an absolute pleasure!  I'm also really glad that you're learning from the contests- we try to design them in such a way that helps people improve their online writing skills, and it is SO great to hear that you feel they've made a difference.  We have definitely seen a difference, though your Hubs have always been great.
       Also, congrats dude- your Hub on the standard plumbing fixtures (so much fun!) won today's Staff Pick prize!

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Props to Cloverleaf and SimeyC for winning today's Daily Drawing and Staff Pick prizes!
    
    Also, this weekend is your last shot to enter in the contest and win some easy prize money- the last deadline is September 4th at noon, and we won't be naming the daily winners for each day until the 5th because of Labor Day.
    
    I know y'all have been plumbing for two weeks, but I strongly encourage you to keep submitting entries! With the submission rates we've been getting, your daily chances of winning $50 on up are so good.  They've never been better!
    
    Have a great weekend y'all- I can't wait to read your final entries next week!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats SimeyC! A well deserved staff pick for sure! And congrats to Cloverleaf for the drawing win! Good stuff folks

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       SirDentposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congratulations!!!! 

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    rairbd92posted 12 years ago

    what's this all about?

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    Adventure Coloradposted 12 years ago

    I've entered this contest late, but just got my entry in under the plumbing topic (water purification).

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    DzyMsLizzyposted 12 years ago

    My last entry in the category..just skinning in under the wire..
    
    How boat plumbing differs from other types:
    
    http://dzymslizzy.hubpages.com/hub/PlumbingOnBoats

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       This is a very informative hub for anyone who has a boat with facilities on board. I wish I had this information a couple of years ago! 
       Cheers~

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    Miss Mellieposted 12 years ago

    Just submitted my first and only article for this contest late yesterday, in time for today's final deadline. In the process, I discovered a totally new (to me!) style of plumbing that seems like the dream answer for pretty much anyone's plumbing needs. Had I not been spurred to come up with a plumbing topic, I may never have discovered this wonder alternative to conventional plumbing pipe. What a fun research and writing project this turned out to be!
    
    For the curious, here's the link to my hub:
    http://missmellie.hubpages.com/hub/PEX- … e-Problems
    
    Thanks for the nudge, HubPages.

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I think you have caused me to fall in love with PEX plumbing materials! Great hub!

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          Miss Mellieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks, K9--I think I've fallen in love with it, too!

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Wow, that's a really neat Hub! I'm pretty in <3 with PEX myself now!

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    imatellmuvaposted 12 years ago

    Congrat's to jeannieinabottle on her daily drawing win. This lady truly has sumth'n to say, and a great way of saying it! You go guuurl!!!

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Congrats to the winners from the weekend: Miss Mellie and Les Trois Chenes for their Staff Pick wins, and Dorsi and Mr.Weevie for their Daily Drawing Hubs!
    The contest is now closed to new submissions, but we shall be reviewing all the entries again to pick the $100 Pro Plumber winners as well as the $500 Grand Prize winner.  They'll be announced tomorrow. Stay tuned!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats to Miss Mellie and Les Trois Chenes for staff picks, and the lucky duo of Dorsi and Mr.Weevie for the daily drawings! It's been a very fun contest, thanks HubPages for putting on a great contest!
       HubHugs~
       K9

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          Miss Mellieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks, K9--high praise coming from the Plumbmaster! :>

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             K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Thanks!

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       Miss Mellieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Well, shut my mouth and tickle me pink! I am honored to receive this accolade, and proud to have supplied an article which, I hope, will help many in their plumbing pursuits for years to come.
       
       I believe I just may use the prize as seed money to start a fund toward setting up a PEX system of my own! First project: Hot Water a la Compost Heap! Funny; I didn't expect that writing a hub about plumbing would soon have me looking forward to starting a plumbing project!
       
       Thanks, HubPages! I very much appreciate the recognition. 

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       tirelesstravelerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       This was such a fun topic. I didn't think I knew anything about plumbing and here I am a winner. Waiting with baited breath for the grand prize winner.  The hubs were stupendous

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          Miss Mellieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Congrats, tirelesstraveler! Interesting, isn't it, how being spurred on by a topic can get the ol' creative juices flowing! Cheers to you!!

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          K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Congrats Tirelesstraveler, BTW, it was nice meeting you at HubCamp last month!
          

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       Dorsiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks. I'm soooo excited!!! I never won anything like this!!

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    Ash Hicksposted 12 years ago

    This was such a fun contest! It was inspirational too! I never would have thought that writing about a broken toilet could have evoked so many fits of giggles or great advice! Congratulations to everyone! You all wrote such excellent and interesting articles! Good luck to you and all who attempt these future plumbing endeavors!

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       Mrs. Menagerieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Agreed!  I never ever would have thought to write about plumbing without the prompting from Hubpages, Draino and that little spark of contest enthusiasm!  Thanks y'all!

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    Equusdvm2010posted 12 years ago

    Thanks to Hub Pages and Drano for such a fun contest! It was a great way to get started on hub pages! It was also kinda fun to share some of my own plumbing fiascoes in a way that hopefully will help others cope with theirs.

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Wow.  Ok, let me just say that we've had a tough day at HubPages culling through the finalists for the contest. There were SO MANY AMAZING ENTRIES!!
    
    But in case you didn't already see the update in the thread showing contest winners... here are the Hubs that made the final cut and won $100 Pro Plumber Prizes, plus the $500 Grand Prize!
    
    $100 Pro Plumber Prize Winners
    Clogged Drains: DzyMsLizzy for Kitchen Sink Clogged? How to Use a Plumber's Snake
    Water Heaters and Plumbing: Om Paramapoonya for Choosing an Energy Efficient Water Heater for Your Eco Friendly Home
    Plumbing Fixtures: SimeyC for What are the Standard Plumbing Fixtures?
    Plumbing How-Tos: Mrs. Menagerie DIY Plumbing: Frozen Pipes; What To Do
    Sinks, Faucets, and Drains: K9keystrokes for What is My Kitchen Sink Made Of
    Tubs and Showers: IzzyM for How to Install a Cheap Outdoor Shower
    
    $500 Grand Prize
    SimeyC for How to unclog the bathroom sink
    
    Congrats to the winners, props to all the contestants, and big thanks to Drano (and the Drano Snake Plus) and everyone who was involved with the creation of this contest.
    
    It has been a privilege to read your entries, everyone.  And I am already looking forward to our next contest!

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       K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hey, thanks for the Pro plumber win. And congrats to all of the other winning Hubbers. Great job SimeyC on your big Grand Prize win.

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          SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Wow - congrats to all the winners! And thanks K9keystrokes - you did some truly amazing hubs this competition!!!

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             K9keystrokesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             thanks

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       SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       WOW! Thanks for this competition and the opportunity it provided! and....WOOHOO! There were so many brilliant hubs in the contest.....

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       Miss Mellieposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats to all the winners, and kudos to all the submitters! I guess the next time I have any plumbing issue of any kind, I'll know where to look for answers: no further than my local HubPages!

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    tlpoagueposted 12 years ago

    Congrats to all the winners and those that put in for the contest. Thanks to HubPages and Drano for giving us a chance to show our talents.

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       snakeslaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hub plumbing contest was a fun introduction to Hub Pages and I enjoyed reading the great stuff people came up with (usefull too). Congratulations to all the winners!

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