| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rain4nights |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 11:57:02 AM
I’ve been a fan of MaryJane’s books and foods for a couple of years now, but I’ve never got into the forum before. But when I saw this article the other day, I knew I had to join up and post it right away. Forgive me if you already posted this somewhere, it’s not new news, but it is new to me... more importantly, I just got an email confirmation from the property owner, and the contest is still in effect.
Win a 43.5 acre farm and a 3br2bth ranch house in Ashtabula, OH (about 1hr 15min east from Cleveland). Apparently all you have to do is write an essay and send in $100. A steep fee for a chance at a dream perhaps, but a bargain for a house and farm. (I’m still trying to convince my hubby that it’s a worthy moonshot)
Supposedly local sheriff’s deputy and a representative for the Ohio Attorney General have checked it out and say it’s legitimate (or at least that it’s legal to give away your house this way). The couple who own the property are trying to use the proceeds to pay off their mortgage and move to TN and won't end the contest until they have 3,000 essays. From the quotes that I read, it sounds like a former farmgirl wants to give a new farmgirl a chance at the same dream.
It was heavily covered in Ohio newspapers in May (somehow I missed it), and an Associated Press article about it was syndicated as far away as Seattle and Colorado. I’m guessing with that much coverage, if there was something shady, it would also have made the news.
The news clippings (some repetition of content):
http://www.starbeacon.com/local/local_story_122072332
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003707170_farm15.html
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1179131883228010.xml&coll=2&thispage=1
http://www.sharon-herald.com/community/local_story_136171838.html
The contest’s web page (looks awful in Mozilla, you may need to use IE browser), containing information on how to enter and where to send your money:
http://www.winafarm.bravehost.com/
I had a few questions after reading as much as I could, so I wrote Rose Wallace an email, paraphrased below. Maybe this will help with some of your questions too.
7/16/07 Bess D …wrote:
Hi there,
I recently saw an article about a farm/house being offered for $100 and a winning essay. Is this contest still in effect? How many entries have been received so far?
Finally, does entry into the contest signify some sort of legal binding? What if, for example, the winner reviews the details of the arrangement and finds that they cannot afford the legal fees or what not?
Thank you for your time.
7/18/07 Rose Wallace …wrote:
Hello,
The contest is still going. We need a quota of 3,000 before ending. So far we have 600 good entries and 200 that we discarded do to no fee included. Entering do not bind you into anything. All essays are read by a 3rd party judge and the essay they pick to be the best will win. We don't get to read any until the contest is all over and we don't have any say so who the winner will be. At the time of winner, if you decide you do not want the property or cannot afford it we will have a second essay picked to award the winnings to. The transfer of title and deeds should be approx. $2,000.00 at that time. The federal taxes are done as a winning. I really don't know how much that would be at tax time. Hope this helps with your question and doesn't stop you from entering.
Have a nice day!
Rose
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| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Tracey |
Posted - Jul 20 2007 : 2:03:14 PM
What a creative way to get your asking price!
Please Vote For Me!
http://www.blogforayear.com/profiles/desperate-horsewife
http://carpentercreek.wordpress.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 5:11:17 PM
What a great idea! How fun! I wonder how many people have driven by to view the property! If it was in Wyoming I would be working day and night on an essay!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
| FarmGirl~K |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 3:35:45 PM
Oohhh! Thanks for sharing. My DH & I thinking of doing this. I could finally have my farm if I won! It's worth the fee to me, even if I didnt win, it goes towards helping them out.
"Work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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| celebrate2727 |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 12:53:46 PM
This reminds me of the movie "Spitfire grill" - loved that one.
blessings
beth
Dreaming of Friday Night Lights
http://blissnblossomfarm.com
http://lifeatbnbfarm.blogspot.com
www.firehousesoapcompany.com |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Jul 18 2007 : 12:17:05 PM
Oh, my, this is exactly the type of home we are looking for and in the exact area of the country where we would love to live!
Hmmmm.....I am a writer. It might be worth a shot!
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
http://auntgeorge.etsy.com
"Made With Love" |
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