Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Trends, August 7, 2000

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Aug. 7, 2000 | 8:43 a.m.

And the winner is ...

It's time for another round of contests. See if you qualify to enter any of the following:

Do you have a job? Well then, you'd better get to work -- entering, by Aug. 14, the American Worker of the Year Award, sponsored by "workwear" maker Dickies.

The company is looking for American workers who "represent the idea of an honest day's work." Entrants -- who can be the worker, their spouse, child, co-worker or friend -- should write 75 words or less about why this person should have the honor bestowed upon them. The national winner, to be announced on Labor Day, Sept. 4, will drive home a Chevrolet pick-up truck or Blazer, while state winners will be awarded $500 in cash and prizes.

To enter, send essays -- and information including the nominee's profession, age, name, address and daytime phone number, as well as the entrant's name and phone number -- to Dickies American Worker of the Year, P.O. Box 670589, Dallas, TX 75367-0589, or visit www.dickies.com.

Heroic efforts

On a more heroic note, the folks at Coping magazine, for cancer survivors and others who have encountered the disease, are looking for nominees for its Hero Awards of the Year.

Categories are cancer survivors (anyone living with a history of cancer including long-term survivors and recently diagnosed patients); professional (someone who works within the cancer community); and volunteer (anyone who lends their time to help to the cancer community).

"Heros" can be nominated by sending a 1,200-word essay by Oct. 1 to Coping Hero, P.O. Box 682268, Franklin, TN 37068-2268. Be sure to include a black-and white or color photo or 35mm slide of the nominee, their name, address and phone and fax numbers, as well as your own. Winners will appear in the magazine's January /February 2001 issue, along with the nomination letter. The "Cancer Survivor of the Year" earns a spot on the magazine's cover.

All wrapped up

Are you the one who always gets stuck wrapping all of your family's gifts at the holidays and for other occasions? Do said kin rave, "You're just so good at it."?

All of that folding and bow making is about to come in handy. The 3M company, makers of Scotch tape, is searching for America's Most Gifted Wrapper. The contest will be held Nov. 17 at New York's Penn Station, where eight wrappers -- four amateurs and four professionals (who have worked as wrappers at stores) -- will compete for the $10,000 grand prize. (The person who nominated the winner will receive $1,000.)

To enter, write an essay of 100 words or less explaining why you or someone you know is a gifted gift wrapper. Send it, as well as your name, address, phone and fax number and e-mail address, and the same information for the nominee (and whether they're an amateur or a pro) by Sept. 15 to The Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest, c/o Hunter & Associates, Inc., 41 Madison Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010, or e-mail giftedwrapper@hunterpr.com.