As the Sleigh and Cutter festival draws near, you could win some cold, hard cash.

Up to $1,250 is waiting to be won. Someone in Waseca County has been chosen to be “Frosty,” an ambassador for the festival. All you need to do is follow the clues and try to guess who Frosty is. Even if you don’t know everyone, by following the clues you may gather enough information to win some big money. Possible tools that may help you cash in are the internet, Google, dictionaries and the love of puzzles.

Culligan Water Conditioning of Waseca has been a long-time supporter of the Frosty contest. Additional sponsors are Latham Place of Waseca, iWealth, Domino’s Pizza and Mediacom. The grand prize is $250 in cash, to the person who can identify Frosty and is determined to be the Grand Prize winner by the judges. If you are determined the winner and are present during the unmasking of Frosty at 9:30 p.m. during the Sleigh and Cutter Dance at the VFW in Waseca, you will get a $50 cash bonus from Culligan of Waseca. That is a total of $300.

Again this year: $100 to the first person from Janesville, the first person from New Richland and the first person from Waseca who correctly guesses Frosty and submits their entry in their respective towns. (See where to drop off your entries under Rule No. 9) Judges decision is final.

Here’s how the contest works:

1) Starting today and through February 8, a new clue will be published in the Waseca County News each Wednesday as well as in the NRHEG Star Eagle. Clues will also be available at the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce and at www.wasecacountynews.com and on the Waseca County News Facebook page. KOWZ/KRUE Radio will also broadcast the clues.

2) Each contestant is allowed only one guess per week.

3) Contestant must be 18 years of age.

4) Contestant must live in Waseca County.

5) If more than one entrant guesses Frosty’s identity, a drawing from all of the correct entries will be held during the unveiling of Frosty on February 10. Four names will be drawn for $50 each and the winner must be present during the unmasking to win. Four more names will be drawn for $50 each and the winners need not be present to win these. This is a total of eight $50 winners.

6) If there are no correct entries, a drawing will be held from all entries received.

7) Entries must be received by 3 p.m. on Friday, Februrary 10.

8) The decision of the judges will be final.

9) To enter your guess, if you live in Waseca: mail it to the Golden Touch Salon, 110 South State St., or drop it off in person during business hours. If you live in Janesville: mail it to the Golden Touch Salon or drop it off in person during business hours and mark the ballot, “Janesville.” If you live in New Richland, your entry can be dropped off at the office of the Star Eagle during business hours.

The first clue:

The time has come to seek me out.

The hints I’ll give should help you out.

Three more clues will come your way,

so waste no time and start today.

I was born and raised in Waseca town,

but I have lived all around.

A few small towns have been my home,

but across the border I also roamed.

I’ve done some coaching in my years,

basketball, track and softball, lots of cheers.

One more clue, my age you ask,

I was born before 1960 had passed.

Sleigh and Cutter medallion hunt begins

It’s time to begin the 2012 Sleigh and Cutter medallion hunt.

The medallion is hidden outdoors, on public property, within the Waseca city limits. A prize of $1,250 in Chamber dollars will be awarded to the person who finds the medallion. Clues will be published each week in the NRHEG Star Eagle and Waseca Area Shopper, and announced on KOWZ/KRUE Radio.

Clue No. 1:

It may be hard to find redemption for a crook from the court.

Two where three should be might pardon an outlaw from the gallows.