View the latest Golden Pumpkin Winners:

The Golden Pumpkin Award is a traveling award given to business in recognition of their service to the community for at least 5 years, their commitment to customer service, their desire to be part of the Morton business community through Chamber membership, and their support of various community events and activities through volunteerism and/or donation of goods or services.

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The October recipient of the Morton Chamber of Commerce Golden Pumpkin Award was American PC Solutions Inc. located at 330 S. Main Street in Morton.  American PC Vice President Steve Schafer and President Tim Flynn were presented the trophy by Ambassador Josh Blazier. 

The business was started in November of 2001, and they immediately joined the Chamber.  The staff of American PC are often seen supporting the Chamber at Business After Hours or other events or volunteering as a group to grill at the annual Pumpkin Festival.  Tim Flynn has been especially active in the Chamber, currently serving as an Ambassador. 

American PC provides comprehensive solutions for today's technology to businesses and individuals.  They specialize in computer and networking services for small businesses.  They pride themselves on creating positive and trusting relationships with clients by providing exemplary customer service.

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The recipient of the Golden Pumpkin Award for September is Bethel Lutheran Ministries, who joined the Morton Chamber of Commerce in 2000.  Business Administrator Alan Hallberg accepted the award from Ambassador PJ Klopfenstein. 

Bethel Lutheran Ministries is a LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) church that seeks to be an active member of the Morton community and through its outreach, also fulfill its mission to "Make and Mature Disciples of Christ to Minister."  It also operates Bethel Lutheran School on East Queenwood Road where it seeks to offer a quality Christian education thru its pre-school and K-8 curriculums to approximately 300 students.  You can find out more about BLM by visiting www.bethellutheranmorton.com or www.bethellutheranschool.org.

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The August award was presented to the law offices of Benckendorf & Benckendorf PC.  Chamber Ambassador Brian Card (left) gave the award to Glenn and Jim Benckendorf .  Glenn established the firm in 1981 with his son, David and in 1988 his son Jim joined the practice.  The firm specializes in real property law, trust and estates, corporate law, contract law, family law, personal injury and torts law.  Their Morton office is located at 100 N. Main St.

The Benckendorf law firm has been a supportive member of the Morton Chamber since the business began.  Currently, Jim Benckendorf serves on the Chamber Board of Directors.  Jim also serves on the Morton EDC Board and is very active with the Morton Community Foundation and Morton United Methodist Church.  Glenn was also very active with the Methodist Church, and was president of the Jaycees and a former commander of the American Legion.

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The July Golden Pumpkin award was given to Zeller Electric, Inc. in gratitude for years of loyal membership and support.  David and Jon Zeller received the unique Golden Pumpkin trophy from Chamber Ambassador Tim Flynn.

Zeller Electric, incorporated in 1980, is an electrical contractor which focuses on commercial, light industrial and grain and food processing projects.  The business has been a Morton Chamber of Commerce member for many years.  Zeller employees volunteer at the Pumpkin Festival and the business donates the electrical set-up for the annual Relay for Life.

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Ambassador Julie Cleveland presented the Golden Pumpkin Award for June to owner of the Quilt Corner, Karen Bailey.  Karen joined the Morton Chamber when she started her business more than 20 years ago.  She named it Quilt Corner because it occupied the corner of a space in her current location in the Field Shopping Center.  As the other businesses around her moved out, Karen expanded to fill the much larger space that is now her store at 2037 S. Main Street.  The Quilt Corner sells all the supplies needed to make quilts and is especially well-known for quilting classes.  They also sell some finished quilts.  The business has been a consistent supporter of the Chamber, and Karen once served on the Board of Directors.  She also helps promote the annual Pumpkin Festival Quilt Show through her store.  They recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with a Customer Appreciation Auction, which was attended by 225 people!

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The Golden Pumpkin award for May 2008 was awarded to McDonald's of Morton, located at 321 North Morton Avenue.  The trophy was presented to owner Paul Breznay by Chamber Ambassador Tim Flynn.  They were joined by Morton Store Manager Scott Buffington and Director of Operations Dan Scott.

McDonald's of Morton was built in 1981, and Paul and Mary Breznay purchased the franchise in 1990.  The business has been a Chamber member since its inception.

Most everyone is familiar with the wide array of food offerings available at McDonald's, but might not be aware of the enhanced specialty coffee lines that will be offered in the next few months.  In fact, the local store wil be undergoing renovation to its counters and walls to accommodate the new products.

The Morton Chamber is especially grateful to McDonald's for their consistent support of Chamber events through sponsorship.  They have been the sole sponsor of the Pumpkin Festival Tennis Tournament for years now and is also a hole sponsor of the Chamber Golf Scramble.

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The Golden Pumpkin award for April 2008 was given to PromptCare at OSF Saint Francis Morton Health Center.  Chamber Events Coordinator Jamie Sanders presented the traveling trophy to Faith Neuhauser, manager of OSF Saint Francis PromptCare. 

PromptCare came to Morton in 1998 but moved into the current facilities located at 435 Maxine Drive in 2005.  Along with PromptCare, OSF Saint Francis Morton Health Center houses OSF Medical Group Internal Medicine and Pediatric offices, Illinois Neurological Institute Sleep Center and an OSF Home Medical Equipment retail location.  There are diagnostic lab and imaging services including MRI, CT, ultrasound, EKG, mammography and X-ray.

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The March recipient of the Golden Pumpkin award was Mike Murphy Ford.  Mike Murphy was presented the trophy by Ambassador Debra Rockhold. 

Mike began his business in 1984 at the corner of West Jackson and North Morton Avenue.  He immediately joined the Morton Chamber, and he has been active in the Chamber ever since.   He served six years on the Board of Directors and one year as President of the Board.  In addition Mike Murphy Ford employees have served as Ambassadors and regularly serve as volunteers to support Chamber events. 

In October of 2006 the dealership moved into its attractive new building located just northeast of where the original building stood before it was demolished last fall.

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The Golden Pumpkin Award for February was presented to Tazewell Floor Covering, 419 W. Jefferson Street.  Ambassador Ilene Baer presented the award to co-owners, Steve and Tom Zimmerman.

The business was started in 1964 by Steve and Tom's father, Donald.  The first store was named Tremont Floor and Tile, and was located in Tremont.  By the late 1960's, the business had moved to Morton and became Tazewell Floor Covering. 

Donald Zimmerman was actively involved with the Morton Chamber from that early time, even serving as Treasurer.  Steve and Tom have fond memories of their father working hard on Pumpkin Festivals and at the same time running his business.  They report that they sometimes were put to sleep in their car so their dad could continue working late into the night.

Don retired in the mid-1990's, and Steve and Tom took over the business.  They are loyal Chamber members who, because of their proximity to the Chamber, often volunteer to assist the Chamber staff with hauling large loads of goods into our facility, use of additional space and other tasks as needed.  The Tazewell Floor Covering staff also volunteer as a group to work at the food venues each year at Pumpkin Festival. 

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The Golden Pumpkin Award for December was presented to Trophy Pro Shoppe, 131 S. Main St., Morton.  Chamber Ambassador Aaron Miller presented the award to owners Linda and Bill Fitch.

Bill and Linda bought the business on their wedding anniversary in 1987.  They have been loyal members of the Morton Chamber since that time and are most deserving of this award.  Ironically, it was the Trophy Pro Shoppe that created the distinctive Golden Pumpkin trophy for the Chamber's monthly award.

Trophy Pro makes awards for all events and occasions including trophies, plaques, ribbons and specialty gifts.  They can create distinctive gift items with their engraving services.  They currently provide awards for athletic and scholastic events, music programs, retirements, corporate awards and other events, including those at the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival.

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The Golden Pumpkin Award for October was presented to Farm & Fleet, located at 180 S. Detroit in Morton.  Store manager John Hansen received the award from Chamber Ambassador Brett Grimm while surrounded by many of the store's employees.  According to Hansen, Farm & Fleet has some of the most friendly sales associates that you will find anywhere.  Farm & Fleet has been in business in Morton since 1974.  The business sells farm equipment and supplies, auto supplies, paint, tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, brand name clothing for the entire family, candy and toys.  The store also has a complete lawn and garden center.  If you can't find it at Farm & Fleet, you don't need it.  They are open 7 days a week

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The August recipient of the Morton Chamber of Commerce Golden Pumpkin Award was Brandon Wood Retirement Center.  Ambassador Jan Friend mad the presentation to Director Kaye  Strauch.

Brandon Wood Retirement Center offers a unique blend of affordability, comfort and peace-of-mind for those who call it their home.  The community contains 69 maintenance-free apartments, each having its own unique floor plan.  Brandon Wood offers a full package of services with a variety of convenient amenities.  The tenants choose from a delicious dining program with a choice of up to 3 homecooked meals daily served in a beautiful dining room.  In addition there are weekly housekeeping services, maintenance of apartment and grounds, a full array of leisure activities, scheduled transportation and a 24 hour dedicated staff.  Kay Strauch LNHA of Washburn has been the director since 1986.

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The Morton Chamber Golden Pumpkin Award for July was presented to the law offices of Mason and Krieg located at 200 S. First St.  Partners Ramon Mason and Thomas Krieg received the award from Chamber Ambassador Katie Jacob.

Ray Mason was the first lawyer to establish a firm in Morton, setting up his practice after graduating from law school in 1949.  At that time there was no Chamber of Commerce, but there was an organization called the Morton Businessmen's Association and Mason was an active member.  He has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce from its inception.  On January 1, 1988, Mr. Mason took Tom Krieg as a partner in his firm, forming Mason and Krieg.  The firm specializes in wills and trusts, real estate transactions and title insurance, estate planning, powers of attorney, and taxation.

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The Morton Chamber Golden Pumpkin Award for June was presented to Hometown Pharmacy, 201 S. Main St.  Store owner, David Newell received the award from Chamber Ambassador Edie Larson.

In 2003 Newell bought the former Morton Village Pharmacy and renamed it Hometown Pharmacy.  Newell now operates 3 Hometown Pharmacies, but he personally practices as a licensed pharmacist only at the Morton location.  Hometown fills prescriptions and sells medical equipment including diabetic supplies and testing equipment.  They focus on relationships that they build with their customers, which they believe sets them apart from their competition.