FOR USE WED ATC This fall the owners of a hardware store in the small western Minnesota town of Hoffman tried to give away their business through an essay contest. Essay contest giveaways surged in popularity in the early 1990's. Some people still see them as an easy alternative to get rid of a home, farm or business that might be hard to sell. But state law enforcement officials essay say contests are illegal in Minnesota and have been for years. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.