And the winner is …

Likewise, a pun was the punchline for this year’s winner, submitted by Karl Heffelfinger.

“Hal and his buddy had been fishing together since they were kids, snagging sunfish with bent pins along the lakeshore, however when they grew up their friendly outings transformed into rancorous weekend encounters that included considerable wagering, but this time Hal was certain that he would triumph by using the ultimate bait, thanks to his rival who was still, after all, his chum.”

My most descriptive judge, who was one of three judges to pick this second, along with one first, wrote, “Black humor and a quality pun? Count me in. That took a brilliant dark turn that I’m not sure everyone will get behind.”

Heffelfinger, an 80-year-old PPL retiree and author who lives in Slatington, becomes the first contestant to win this contest twice. He was the grand-prize winner in 2013, when he was a 75-year-old youngster.

His victory continues the trend of older readers doing particularly well in this contest, although until now, no one in his or her 80s has prevailed. I’m thinking the sky’s the limit.

Unlike most of the top contestants, he submitted only one entry, and he confessed he didn’t expect to win with this pun.

“I was surprised about that,” he told me, “because not everybody would get that, unless you’re a fisherman or something.”

My thanks to everyone who took the time to enter. You truly were awful. In a good way.

Bill White’s commentary appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. bill.white@mcall.com 610-820-6105