THE PARTY'S OVER: And thank goodness it is. Elections are always rigorous - not just for the candidates and their families and the campaign workers and election judges, but also for the reporters who must endlessly chase trivia and voting results from one end of the state to the other.
We have to talk to every candidate, discuss every issue and then stand back and take the blame for many of the upsets, wins and losses.Much like Miss Hannigan in the musical production of "Annie," we'd "have cracked long ago if it weren't for a sense of humor."
We looked along the way for amusing anecdotes to share and there weren't many. But here's what we came up with:
- It was pretty silly for the Springville police to be out searching for the election judges who apparently went home before reporting in.
- It was beyond funny when Alpine took 90 minutes longer to count its ballots than every other city in the north county.
- We thought it pretty amusing that Provo City Council candidate Dennis Poulsen had an ad in the coupon section of a local newspaper with his name spelled as Paulsen in big, bold type right above a cut that said "Paid for by Poulsen for City Council Committee."
By the way, what was the coupon supposed to be good for, Dennis?
- Then there was Provo City Council member-elect Mark Hathaway's response to congratulations from Mayor George Stewart.
"I have you partly to thank," Hathaway said. Apparently the mayor's endorsement of Hathaway's opponent, John Updike, did more good for Hathaway than it did Updike.
- Speaking of Updike, we found an unusual entry in his campaign financial disclosure statement. He listed as an expenditure a $22 lunch with a Provo Daily Herald reporter. Updike also listed payments to his children to assemble campaign signs.
Election edibles: Because reporters are always accused of hanging around the food on election night, we decided to rate some of the spreads laid out at city halls throughout Utah County. Spread, though, is hardly the word.
That old Utah staple - punch and cookies - abounded. At least most of the punch was red. We have a hard time gulping the green or purple stuff.
Doughnuts were also popular.
We'd have to rate Lehi's the best because of the variety. Highland's plain glazed ones are at the other end of our scale. But Highland balanced its boring junk food with a vegetable tray.
Payson weighed in with its traditional white cake with white frosting. It's time to spice it up a little.
And here at the Deseret News? Junk food, La Casita nachos and antacid ruled. The vegetable tray is still in the refrigerator. No one ever eats the radishes.
Maple bars: In Mapleton, the food scene changed and people complained. Seems the Lions Club in that community has traditionally had a bake sale for people leaving the polls. Voters complained when it wasn't there this year. Maybe they'd care for some radishes.