Who's Destined To Lead Puffers? After Saturday, It's a Tossup; Helen Introduces 'Nofoot'

Absentee ballots may determine who will lead the Pink Puffers into the Healing Season, as both leading "contenders" scored points with the Serendipity faithful Saturday.

"By midmorning, it looked clear that our Brigadeer General, Angie 'Hotfoot' Wiersma had an insurmountable lead (to assume team leadership)," said a motivated Duckfoot, whom many thought would be in the camp of her fellow physician, Mary 'Beep Beep' 'Clubfoot' Vajgrt. "She ran hard. She ran fast. She got a lot out of a team that, before she threw down the gauntlett, appeared to be in shambles."

Hotfoot seemingly was showing her colors as a leader who could run AND party, but as the morning dragged on, it was clear that Beep Beep's weeklong training session in partying was paying off. Beep Beep, who had skipped the morning run, made it out of bed to move in and take over the Razzamataz Scene. She hit full stride by mid-afternoon.

"Man, I thought I had stamina," said a surprised Kristen 'Pippi' Rayner. "The rest of us were mildly baked when Beep Beep pronounced it was time to go to the bar." Enough that Hotfoot raised eyebrows with the selection of the Blue Pop Martini, and then Beep Beep pulled dead even with the offer to host next week's party. Host Jen 'Helen' Schaefer ceremoniously handed over the official Puffer Party Mascot -- "Nofoot" (shown above) -- to Beep Beep, and Hotfoot could only say "I don't get it."

Hotfoot is expected to pick up steam by midweek with her hard-charging philosophy of "Shut Up and Run," but a number of Puffers are waiting to see if Pumpkin Puffer Pastries will again be in the offing.

One thing is certain: Puffers have a clear choice -- either Hotfoot's Run Hard, Party Hard philosophy, or Beep Beep's Run Safe, Party Like a Pro school.

"I could see it go either way," said a departing Chief Eagle Foot.