PUNSTER OF THE YEAR 2009

Every year, since 1988, the International Save the Pun Foundation has bestowed upon a worthy wordsmith, the dubious title of "Punster of the Year." (P.O.T.Y.) In 2002 this induction ceremony was re-located from Chicago to Austin, Texas and a dinner held on the eve of the O. Henry Annual Pun-Off World Championships. This festive evening culminates in a "roast" by a room fool of sharp wits where the POTY's peers carve up the winner. (Know more, Mr. Knife guy?)

This year P.O.T.Y. is Jim Ertner who will be retiring in September after 41 years in the Navy shipbuilding business. He figures that, like the NASCAR driver whose wheels wore out, it's finally time to reTIRE. Given today's economic climate, Jim thought about doing some part-time work in retirement as a bankruptcy agent, but it's a fate worse than DEBT, and it requires MONTH-to-MONTH resuscitation. His wife suggested he could always just work in the backyard and grow a flower garden, but he doesn't want to be a PETAL pusher, and he doesn't think he can forget the past and rely on the FUCHSIA.

All three of Jim's winning performances at the Pun-Off have been animal-related routines. Coincidentally, Jim is the author of SUPER SILLY ANIMAL RIDDLES (out of print) and the co-author (with Richard Lederer) of THE GIANT BOOK OF ANIMAL JOKES (available on http://www.amazon.com/, and from the publisher http://www.stoneandscott.com/).