ABOUT THE SECOND-PLACE WINNER: JAMIE KARRAKER OF CAPE GIRARDEAU

Jamie Karraker and his wife, Sharon, had great fun with the "You are so Swampest Missouri if..." Contest.

They brainstormed over the three weeks of the contest, coming up with more than 40 jokes. He picked out the best eight and entered. His wife entered a few as well.

The effort paid off. Jamie Karraker was chosen the second place winner in the contest -- quite a feat considering there were nearly 850 entries.

His winning entry was: "You are so Swampeast if you were looking for the 'Bridal Registry' at the Dollar General Store."

He won a year's subscription to the Southeast Missourian, a $148.50 value, along with a comic-strip umbrella and framed caricature of his joke.

A Cape Girardeau native, Karraker enjoys making fun of rednecks, a practice made popular by comedian Jeff Foxworthy.

The Karrakers have two children, Kayla, 8 and Adam, 9. They provide in-home childcare.

Karraker feels it's good to be able to laugh at oneself.

"If we can't make fun of ourselves, who can?" he said.