MANCHESTER - Where's Waldo? In Manchester, of course. He's turning 25 this year, and to celebrate, the famous fellow in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 20 different local businesses all through the month of July. Those who spot him can win prizes, including buttons, books, and more.

Waldo figures are showing up in public areas of local establishments (full list below). Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a "Find Waldo in Manchester!" search list with the names of all the businesses, and collect an "I Found Waldo at ___________" card for each Waldo they spot.

Collecting cards in 16 or more businesses and turning them in at Northshire Bookstore will win a Waldo button and an entry for other, larger prizes to be drawn at a Waldo party on July 31. The grand prize is a complete six-volume set of Waldo books. People who prefer a shorter version of the hunt can collect the cards from eight businesses and pick up a Waldo button at The Northshire Bookstore.

Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. Since then, the Where's Waldo books have held a cherished spot on bookstore shelves the world over. There are now over 55 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they've been translated into 18 languages. An entire generation has grown up searching for Waldo and his cast of wandering companions.

In celebration of Waldo's longevity and popularity, his American publisher,

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Candlewick Press, is teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores all across the country, including the Northshire Bookstore, to have fun and encourage people to visit local businesses. There is no charge to participate, and the game lasts for the entire month of July.

The following local stores are participating: Northshire Bookstore 4869 Main Street; Real Sports 5001 Main Street; - The first 3o kids that spot Waldo get a free t-shirt; The Hawkins House 262 North Street (Bennington); Wayside Country Store 3307 Vt. Route 313 (West Arlington) - A free Tootsie Pop for all Waldo spotters; RK Miles 618 Depot Street; The Mountain Goat 4886 Main Street; Vermont Bird Place 48 Center Hill Road; Vermont Kitchen Supply 4712 Main Street; The Inn at Manchester 3967 Main Street; Gringo Jacks 5103 Main Street; Graze Restaurant 32 Bonnet Street; Epoch - 18 Vermont Artisans 4927 Main Street; Spiral Scoops Ice Cream 21 Bonnet Street; Mother Myrick's Confectionary 4367 Main Street - The first 30 people to spot Waldo get 10 percent off one item; Manchester Woodcraft 175 Depot Street; Center Hill Electronics 31 Memorial Avenue; Silverado 4476 Main Street - The first 30 people to spot Waldo get 10 percent off one item; Southern Vermont Art Center 930 Southern Vermont Art Center Drive;- A free frisbee for all Waldo spotters; Equinox Valley Nursery 1158 Main Street; Manchester Footwear 4578 Main Street;- The first 30 people to spot Waldo get 10 percent any non-sale item.

For more information on this and other events, call 802-362-2200 or 1-800-437-3700, or visit the Northshire Bookstore website at www.northshire.com. --