The Wareham Village Association recently won the Community Spirit Award at the annual Buzzards Bay scarecrow contest sponsored by the Buzzards Bay Beautification Group.

This was the first time the Wareham Village Association competed in the contest, winning the award out of more than 80 entries.

"We're thrilled to win the Community Spirit Award," said Wareham Village Association president Jackie Lindsey. "There were lots of terrific entries and the competition was immense."

Making the mermaid scarecrow was Layne White's idea and Margot Rudin gave her the name "Buzzard's Bait."

"Everyone had an equal hand in making her, and we had a lot laughs and fun in the process," Lindsey said.

Rudin made the "fish" half of the mermaid with a suede material and Pat Long hauled in bales of hay, though it turned out that seaweed made a better stuffing material. The mermaid was also comprised of a lobster trap, a buoy for her head, a body stocking, a scarf, rope, seashells, jewels, a blonde wig, fake eyelashes, and lots of glue, nails and staples. Lindsey and Mary Lou Payton were also part of the team.

The mermaid is now in storage and the Wareham Village Association is considering bringing her out for display on special occasions or possibly even auctioning her off in an effort to raise funds.

"A tourist was passing through Buzzards Bay from out of town and actually called us wanting to buy it," Lindsey said.

The Wareham Village Association is also planning to hold its own scarecrow contest next fall in Wareham, inviting local merchants and residents to participate.

"It's a lot of fun and it would make our little village come alive," Lindsey said.

To find out more about the Wareham Village Association go to www.warehamvillageassociation.com, "like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter at @WarehamVillage.