FIRST BEANIE GIVEAWAY DRAWS NEARLY 800 ENTRIES

Nearly 800 entries poured in during the first three days of the Beanie Baby giveaway. The contest continues four more weeks online at SEMissourian.com, the official web site of the Southeast Missourian.

For week one: Alyssa Mohney of Scott City won Bongo, the monkey. Sarah Watkins of Dexter won Lucky, a red and black ladybug.

Most of the entries were from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, but they came as far away as Florida and North Dakota.

Other Beanies to be given away the next four weeks include: Pinchers the Lobster, Nuts the Squirrel, Quackers the Duck, three Waddles the Penguin, Ringo the Raccoon and another Bongo.

The drawings will be held each Wednesday, with winners named posted on the website each Thursday morning.

"We knew people were interested in the Beanie Babies, but we didn't realize how popular the contest would be," said Peggy Scott, a member of the online staff.

Entry limit is once per day. But all family members can enter separately.

Registration can be done online only at www.semissourian.com or by e-mailing

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