Just in case you were wondering, yes, the Courier will have another Weird Veggies and Fruit contest starting — now!

In fact, Merl Stevens of Unionville, Iowa, brought in the first entry on Friday.

He picked one strawberry from his patch, and it had eight berries on one stem.

His strawberry crop is doing fine, he said, except that the raccoons are getting more than he is!

If you find something odd or weird-looking in your garden, please bring it in to show us. We’d like to take your photo with the item.

And yes, there will be a prize at the end of summer for the oddest of the odd.

You also are invited to e-mail photos of an odd veggie or fruit. Send them to me at — j.krieger@ottumwacourier.com.

Although it might be a bit early for weird-looking tomatoes or carrots, there might be an odd radish around!

q q q

The Courier’s been on the road again.

Ricci Dolan of Ottumwa shared with us a cute photo of she and her two sisters with their mother in Las Vegas, Nev.

It was Tina Griffiths’ first time in Vegas, “and she loved it,” Dolan said.

In the photo they let the M&M guy at M&M’s World hold the Courier. From left are Laura Fairchild, Tina Griffiths, Ricci Dolan and Jennifer Cox.