Straw vote PHOTOS BY ANDREW MILLER staff A small army of scarecrows appeared to have moved into Monmouth Beach in anticipation of the borough's Scarecrow Festival celebrated Oct. 13. About 65 of the straw men and women were in competition for ribbons with "Crow-ena, The Garden Goddess" (clockwise from top) taking first prize. Festivities included an apple pie contest and pumpkin painting. An eco-friendly scarecrow made a statement about the environment.