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News-Sun photo by SCOTT DRESSEL Susie Bishop (left) tries to make a baloon animal in Lake Placid as teammate Jennifer Waltman holds an example of the finished product during Saturday's Amazing Race for the Children's Museum.

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published: Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Amazing Race raises funds for Children's Museum

By ED BALDRIDGE

ed.baldridge@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Nine teams competed for cash prizes and bragging rights on Saturday in the Amazing Race for the Children's Museum.

The annual fundraising race consisted of 16 challenges, both physical and mental, that teams of two had to complete while timed by judges. The challenges were located all over Highlands County and included events like s'more stacking and sod laying .

Team Dressel, consisting of husband and wife team Scott and Kelly Dressel, took the top honors and collected the $300 top prize.

"It was a lot of fun," Scott Dressel, the News-Sun editor, said Monday. "We have done it all three years and every year it is a blast. I hope more teams sign up next year."

The race depends heavily on teamwork as well as working out clues and riddles in order to find the next challenge envelope.

"It is not a matter of the fastest time, it is finishing closest to the allotted times," said Linda Crowder, director of the Children's Museum and event organizer during the briefing on Saturday.

Crowder tests each challenge out herself and sets a time for accomplishing it on one try and moving to the next challenge. She discourages teams from speeding, so the fastest time is not always the winner.

"Everyone who does this comments on how challenging and fun this is. Every year we get a new story about how challenging something has been," Crowder said.

Team Homes by Handley substitutes Chuck Waltman and Chris Mellow took second place. The team donated the prize money of $150 back to the Childern's Museum, according to Crowder.

The Mommanators, Mary Beth Przychocki and last minute substitute Meghan Williams, captured third place and the $75 cash. The original team member, Stephanie Bowyer, was out sick the morning of the race.

"I would like to personally that our sponsors this year including S.Y. Hartt and Sons; Will Swaine; Highlands Independent Bank; Priscilla Gerard, CPA; John 14:6, IIC; Swaine and Leidel, LLC; Legacy Insurance Group, LLC; Lordship Holdings, LLC; MLS Groves, Inc. and Attorney Robert Livingston. Without their support, this would not happen," Crowder said.