Portenier collects first place for his 'junky' airplane

Jay Portenier found a good way to turn his "junk" into cash this month.

He won first place in the first "Junk to Jewels" contest, sponsored by Keep Sidney Beautiful and Darin's Auto/D&D Recycling.

The main components of the finished project had to be items that were going to be trashed or recycled properly. No more than $35 could be spent on new product such as paint and glue.

The items were judged by four local people on the following: originality, creativity, best use of recycled materials, description and whether they stayed within budget. The items were scored from 1(nice) to 5 (exceptional) in each category.

According to Bev Arellano, director of Keep Sidney Beautiful, the numbers were very close and the decision was difficult. The items will be on display at Imagine That until Monday.

Cash prizes of $150, $75 and $25 were given to the top three entries, and winning entries will be displayed on the Keep Sidney Beautiful Oktoberfest parade float.

Portenier took home first place with an airplane made out of fence staples and old horse shoe nails. Chris Shutt took second with a chair made out of automobile rims, while LC Crow and Rich Fiegenschuh collected third place with a pedal coffin.

Arellano urges people to stop by and take a look at what jewels were made out junk.