The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-25
alabama Woman Finds There Is Real
Profit in Her Craze for Contests
BY JULIA BLANSHARD
NEA Service Writer

NEA Service Writer
MOBILE, Ala, Oct. 25.-Some
wi women can't see a round-the-
world cruise advertised without
wanting to pack. Others need only
one look at Hats Reduced" sign
to start shopping.
But Florence Lee Kraus can't see
or hear of any contest being an
nounced without putting on her
thinking cap and getting into the
race.
Miss Kraus is Alabama's prize
lady, probably Americas leading
one. She has won first place in
more contests than most folks ever
enter. In addition, she has won
other prizes in more contests than
she can remember.
Think twice before you get into
your first contest" is her advice
Before you know it the contesting
habit gets you 1t is much worse
than bridge or crossword puzzles -
This unusual hobby started in the
first place by Miss Kraus' genuine
interest in homes. She is real
tor by profession.
She was attracted one day sew
eral years ago, by announcement of
prizes for floor plans for vacation
cabins. That night, though she
never had tried to draw anything,
she began putting on to paper the
kind of cabin she would like to
own.
She won the first prize, two lots
in Denver. I'm still paying taxes
on them, though I'll probably never
see them" she laughingly said.
TINE following summer she got
Il SIS for a cleanup and-paint
campaign slogan, a dozen tooth
brushes for an ad suggestion, and
a crate of fruit for recipe. She
was off!
Every contest from then right on
down to the present has in
trigued her.
Two years ago, competing with
$4,000 contestants, Miss Kraus won
second place and $1,000 in a home
furnishing contest. Last summer
she won a months free tour of
Americas leading cities and finest
homes, plus $3.50 in cash, by re-
styling her own home, showing
what furniture it now has, what she
would like to have and just where
each piece of furniture would be
placed in each room.
Miss Kraus is nothing If not
thorough. She made pen and ink
copy of everything to be used, even
down to one window in each room
to show the Grapes, the shades and
even the shade pulls.
Some humorous situations have
arisen through her hobby. She
doesn't smoke, but has won several
cartons of cigarets and box of
cigars.
She writes such a hand that even
her best friend can't read it, but
she won first pr 1e for individual
handwriting, plus a good slogan, for
a fountain pen.
CHE never has INDUCED in any
~ exercise more violent than talk
ing, which she does at the rate of a
mile minute, but won beautiful
athletic costume for re-styling an
old established line.
Just last month she won a crate
of fruit, of the only variety that
she never eats, for a 250-word letter
on why this special fruit is invalu-
able!
THE very word kitchen worries
me, but I'm always going into con-
tests for menus" she told me. This
summer she won 500 for one
menu.
In addition to these prizes, she
won a floor waxer, an electric
range, a mechanical refrigerator,
and various other household appli-
ances, plus Vulnerable small cash
prizes for everything from names
for products to household hints.
Miss Kraus is fully as interest
ing as her hobby. Southern born.
Southern bred, never guilty of
sounding single "r" in any word
she has an indefatigable energy
that is astounding in any one so
slender and frail-looking,
Once launched on a contest, she
goes into research on the subject
with thoroughness that would put
scientist to shame.
She digs into books at the library.
queries experts on the subject.
delves into history, gets literary ref
erences and ends by doing such a.
thorough job that she has had a
fine time, whether she wins or loses.
CHE is as orderly about keeping
~ files of everything as she is in
digging up material. Here is one of
the best rounded libraries on the
subjects of contests any private
citizen has.
So well-known is her hobby in
her home town that whenever any
club or commercial organization
starts contest, officials go to Miss
kraus. for suggestions on rules.
prizes and judges.
i have no preferences in con-
tests" she told me. Amy contest
is to me what firing a pistol shot
Is to runners waiting for the sig
nal to start. I'll make a stab at
anything"