RICHVILLE -- Richville has crept up to number 27 on the list of towns competing for a Reader's Digest prize of $50,000 for a community project.

The St. Lawrence County village has risen in the voting from 191st about two and a half weeks ago, and from 43rd place 12 days ago, and has amassed more than 161,000 votes.

That's still a long way from #1 Lake City, Iowa's more than three million votes, but with more than three weeks left before the voting deadline of March 1, it might not be out of reach.

Judging by the comments on the Reader's Digest web site, the consensus in Richville seems to be that the best use for the money, if they win, is to replace the village's playground, since the old one was deemed unsafe and was condemned.

Jennifer S. wrote, "Our town needs a new playground. The children need a place to go to get exercise and be with friends."

People can vote as often and as many times as they want. You don't have to be from Richville.

People can participate by going to http://ReadersDigest.com/America, plugging in Richville’s Zip Code of 13681, and casting a vote as often as they like through March 1. Voters can upload photos and make comments, such as the several statements on Richville's page about building a new playground there.

The competition has been heavy, so much so that you might have to try the web address a couple of times to get through.