The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by David Grimes, The Quill
Two local schoolteachers who attended a taping of the Oprah Winfrey show in Chicago last month came home with more than they expected.
"(Fellow teacher and friend) Jenny McKiney and I drove up together the day before the show. We knew it was going to be a show to honor schoolteachers, but we had no idea about the gifts," said Roseville elementary language arts teacher Deb Dingman, Monmouth.
Winfrey announced during the taping of the show that the audience members would be receiving gift packages.
The 20-plus gifts included a variety of merchandise ranging from bubble bath and books to big screen televisions and washer/dryer sets valued at more than $15,000.
Each of the 300 educators hailing from all 50 states that comprised the audience also received a 3-day, 2-night stay at an Arizona health spa.
Dingman's washer/dryer set valued at $2,500 was purchased from Bob's TV and Appliance.
The electric washer and dryer set, top-of-the-line models from the company's Neptune series, are bisque colored and are covered by a 5-year warranty.
The top-loading washer features digitally controlled load options. The dryer features a 7-cubic-foot tumble dryer and a 17.3-cubic-foot drying cabinet.
Dingman said she would especially appreciate the drying cabinet because "we always have kids' basketball clothes to dry that we usually hang up around the house."
Bob's delivery men Coyte Todd, Fort Madison, IA, and Daren Morris, Burlington, IA, delivered and set up the washer/dryer set Monday afternoon at the Dingman home on North 10th Street.
The appliances began their trip to Monmouth at the Maytag plant in Galesburg where they were manufactured. From there, the washer and dryer made their way to Lowe's, also in Galesburg, before being delivered to Bob's in Stronghurst.
From Bob's, the appliances were delivered in Monmouth Monday.
Dingman said she had a washer and dryer before being awarded the Maytag set, "But they weren't this nice."
Dingman learned about the open call for teachers to attend the late December taping while searching Winfrey's website for the latest book of the month selection in November. She completed the application process to be in the audience and was notified she had been accepted to attend the taping two days before the production date.
The show was titled Oprah's Favorite Things, Dingman said, and reflected Winfrey's desire to provide items she enjoys with a group of individuals who would not normally purchase the items for themselves or who might be unable to afford them.
"It was a pretty good day," she said.
Teacher Delighted With Oprah's Gift
Deb Dingman, Monmouth, a winner in Oprah Winfrey's "Oprah's Favorite Things" give-away last month, looks on as Bob's TV & Appliance deliverymen Coyte Todd, center and Daren Morris, right, install her new Maytag Neptune TL series washer.
The washer and dryer set was manufactured at the Maytag plant in Galesburg.