03-23-2010, 11:14 AM
GREENSBORO, N.C. (Jan. 5, 2010) - Wrangler® announced today Jerry Dennis of Traverse City, Mich., won the 2009 Wrangler® ProGear™ "Garments are Gear" Column Contest for members of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) with his humorous tribute to long underwear.
Entitled "All Hail the Union Suit," Dennis' winning column praises the historical one-piece garment, also known as long johns, as "warm, comfortable, and comforting as the one-piece bunny pajamas you wore when you were three."
Dennis, the grand prize winner, will receive a special plaque and seven outdoor outfits courtesy of Wrangler ProGear. Four other authors - Patricia Strutz of Eagle River, Wisc., Tom Watson of Appleton, Minn., Milt Rosko of Watchung, N.J., and Gene Hester of Springfield, Va. - earned second through fifth places, respectively, also winning Wrangler ProGear clothing.
Judge Chris Batin, editor and publisher of Alaska Angler and Alaska Hunter, praised the winning column as "captivating" and "definitely first-place material for any magazine editor." In addition to Batin, the judging panel included Jay Cassell, deputy editor of Field & Stream, John Marsh, freelance editor and writer, Ron Schara, columnist and host of TV's "Backroads with Ron and Raven," and Wayne van Zwoll, author, freelance writer and photographer.
"Wrangler ProGear is proud to be associated with OWAA and its continuing goals of encouraging superior outdoor writing and a shared enjoyment of the great outdoors," said Joanna Bragdon, marketing coordinator, Wrangler Outdoor Brands. "On behalf of the Wrangler brand, thank you to all who entered the contest and I encourage you to continue pursuing excellence in outdoor writing."
The "Garments are Gear" Column Contest challenges writers to create columns of 600 to 700 words that creatively illustrate the importance of well-designed and crafted garments for the outdoors. The Wrangler ProGear brand produces specialized garments for hunting and shooting sports including pants, field shirts and jackets in the most popular camo patterns.
The OWAA, headquartered in Missoula, Mont., is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the skills of its members. Founded in 1927, OWAA has more than 1,500 members including professional writers, photographers, authors and other communicators specializing in outdoor recreation subjects.
About the Company
VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel with more than 30 brands, including Wrangler, The North Face, Lee, Vans, Nautica, 7 For All Mankind, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, Ella Moss, JanSport, lucy, John Varvatos, Kipling, Majestic, Napapijri, Red Kap, Reef, Riders and Splendid.
VF Corporation's press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, www.vfc.com.
Entitled "All Hail the Union Suit," Dennis' winning column praises the historical one-piece garment, also known as long johns, as "warm, comfortable, and comforting as the one-piece bunny pajamas you wore when you were three."
Dennis, the grand prize winner, will receive a special plaque and seven outdoor outfits courtesy of Wrangler ProGear. Four other authors - Patricia Strutz of Eagle River, Wisc., Tom Watson of Appleton, Minn., Milt Rosko of Watchung, N.J., and Gene Hester of Springfield, Va. - earned second through fifth places, respectively, also winning Wrangler ProGear clothing.
Judge Chris Batin, editor and publisher of Alaska Angler and Alaska Hunter, praised the winning column as "captivating" and "definitely first-place material for any magazine editor." In addition to Batin, the judging panel included Jay Cassell, deputy editor of Field & Stream, John Marsh, freelance editor and writer, Ron Schara, columnist and host of TV's "Backroads with Ron and Raven," and Wayne van Zwoll, author, freelance writer and photographer.
"Wrangler ProGear is proud to be associated with OWAA and its continuing goals of encouraging superior outdoor writing and a shared enjoyment of the great outdoors," said Joanna Bragdon, marketing coordinator, Wrangler Outdoor Brands. "On behalf of the Wrangler brand, thank you to all who entered the contest and I encourage you to continue pursuing excellence in outdoor writing."
The "Garments are Gear" Column Contest challenges writers to create columns of 600 to 700 words that creatively illustrate the importance of well-designed and crafted garments for the outdoors. The Wrangler ProGear brand produces specialized garments for hunting and shooting sports including pants, field shirts and jackets in the most popular camo patterns.
The OWAA, headquartered in Missoula, Mont., is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the skills of its members. Founded in 1927, OWAA has more than 1,500 members including professional writers, photographers, authors and other communicators specializing in outdoor recreation subjects.
About the Company
VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel with more than 30 brands, including Wrangler, The North Face, Lee, Vans, Nautica, 7 For All Mankind, Eagle Creek, Eastpak, Ella Moss, JanSport, lucy, John Varvatos, Kipling, Majestic, Napapijri, Red Kap, Reef, Riders and Splendid.
VF Corporation's press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, www.vfc.com.