OPP launch Essay House investigation

The Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police received a complaint from an unidentified individual about the Essay House contest on Thursday, July 10 which resulted in the launch of an investigation.

On Friday morning, July 11, Elgin OPP Constable Troy Carlson confirmed a complaint had been received about the writing contest to win a Malahide home east of Aylmer.

Const. Carlson said he couldn’t release any further information at that time.

To date, only one entrant of the Essay House contest has confirmed with The Aylmer Express that they received part of their $100 entry fee back from the contest to win the residential property owned by Calvin and Diana Brydges who live east of Aylmer.

The home and property located at 50279 Talbot Line on the south side of road between Aylmer and Summers Corners was the prize in an essay-writing contest that required 3,000 entries at $100 each before a winner could be judged and announced. The funds had to be submitted by certified cheque or money order and payable to Calvin and Diana Brydges.

The contest’s second round started on Oct. 1 and closed April 30 without a winner being announced as it fell well short of the 3,000 goal with reportedly under 1,100 entries.