ORRVILLE, Ohio, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Harry Houdini, Liberace, Spencer Tracy and Georgia O'Keefe. Now you can add John Ennis to the list of notable Wisconsinites.
Ennis, a 70-year-old retired welder from Elroy, Wis., was recently chosen Hungry Jack 2004 from approximately 10,000 entrants across the country in the "Who Is Your Hungry Jack?(R)" contest sponsored by the maker of the Hungry Jack brand of instant mashed potatoes, potato side dishes, pancake mixes and syrup.
A life-long resident of Wisconsin, Ennis was entered into the contest by his wife Charlene. While John Ennis gains the notoriety of being selected Hungry Jack 2004, Charlene received a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer with towing package and a year's supply of Hungry Jack products for submitting the winning entry. According to Charlene, the Chevy Trailblazer prize is particularly special since it is the first new vehicle the family has ever owned.
"I was surprised when I found out that I was picked to be Hungry Jack 2004," Ennis said. "It's been fun although I've taken a bit of ribbing from my friends, family and neighbors."
The "Who Is Your Hungry Jack?" contest was created to find everyday people who exhibit the same kind of hearty appetite and hard-working, fun-loving, big-hearted, charitable approach to life as the legendary character upon which the Hungry Jack brand is based.
In her winning entry, Charlene wrote: "My husband John is my Hungry Jack. Hungry Jack potatoes, pancakes and syrup fuel his day! He's the ideal Hungry Jack because ... Hungry Jack for breakfast along with his eggs. Also for lunch, if not, John just begs! So sad to see him in such a condition, I make them for dinner to boost his ambition. Although John turned 70 a few months back, he stays energetic by eating Hungry Jack!" Charlene's entry also included photos of John hauling chopped wood, preparing Hungry Jack instant mashed potatoes and eating a big stack of Hungry Jack pancakes.
"John is not one to sit around even though he retired five years ago," Charlene said. "He's generous, good-natured and caring, and he's a positive person to be around."
John and Charlene have been married for 36 years. They have six children and three grandchildren. John grew up in Wonewoc, Wis., and worked for Oak Creek Power Plant (Wisconsin Electric Company) in Milwaukee for 38 years. The Ennises moved back to Elroy three years ago. In his retirement, John continues to work part-time at his daughter's restaurant in Union Center, Wis., arriving at 7 a.m. every weekday to help prepare food for the busy lunch hour. John also is an avid gardener. Last year, he canned 40 quarts of dill pickles, many to give away as gifts.
In addition to the grand-prize winner, 25 first-place runners-up each received a Specialized Mountain Bike, and Thermos Coolers were awarded to 50 second-place winners.
This was the third annual "Who Is Your Hungry Jack?" contest. Previous winners include Heather Buckman of Duncan, Okla., who nominated her husband, Chuck, for the Hungry Jack title in 2002. Last year's contest was won by Tara Kaufman of Woodstock, Ill., who nominated her six-year-old son Jordan. More information on the contest and the winning entries is available on the Hungry Jack web site at http://www.hungryjack.com .
Hungry Jack is one of America's leading consumer brands in the potato and dry breakfast categories. Hungry Jack brand products include instant mashed potatoes, potato side dishes, pancake mixes and syrup. Hungry Jack products are owned and marketed by The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM).
The J.M. Smucker Company
The J.M. Smucker Company ( http://www.smuckers.com ) was founded in 1897 when the Company's namesake and founder sold his first product -- apple butter -- from the back of a horse-drawn wagon. Today, over a century later, the Company is the market leader in fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, and health and natural foods beverages in North America under such icon brands as Smucker's(R), Jif(R) and Crisco(R). In June 2004, the Company expanded its family of products to include such brands as Pillsbury(R) baking mixes and ready-to-spread frostings; Hungry Jack(R) pancake mixes, syrups and potato side dishes, and Martha White(R) baking mixes and ingredients in the US, along with Robin Hood(R) flour and baking mixes, and Bick's(R) pickles and condiments in Canada. For over 107 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, and has been family run for four generations. The J.M. Smucker Company was recognized as the top company in FORTUNE Magazine's 2003 annual survey of The 100 Best Companies to Work For and has ranked consistently in the top 25 companies each year since FORTUNE began the list in 1998. The J.M. Smucker Company has over 4,500 employees worldwide and distributes products in more than 45 countries.
(R) Registered trademarks of The J.M. Smucker Company
(R) Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, used under license.
Chevy and Trailblazer are trademarks of General Motors Corporation
Thermos is a trademark of Thermos LLC Ltd.
SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Company
Contacts:
Kim Baker
The J.M. Smucker Company
(330) 682-3000
kim.baker@jmsmucker.com /
(SJM)
