by Norm Winick
We've finally tabulated the results from hundreds of entries and are ready to award our coveted ''Best of the Burg'' awards. As the suspense builds, be assured that each winner will receive a certificate suitable for framing that we expect to be prominently displayed for the world to see.
And the envelope, please
Best Pizza: Pizza Hut
Best Hot Dog: Coney Island
Best Chicken: KFC
Best BBQ: Rib Shack
Best Breakfast: Perkins
Best Lunch: Landmark
Honorable Mention: Applebee's
Best Casual Meal: Applebee's
Best Formal Meal: Jumer's
Honorable Mention: Packinghouse
Best Chinese Restaurant: New China Café
Best Mexican Restaurant: Jalisco
Best Italian Restaurant: Fazoli's
Best Steak: Steak House
Best Sub Sandwich: Hungry Hobo
Best Dessert: Landmark
Best Tavern: Seminary Street Pub
Best Coffee: Innkeepers
Best Ice Cream: Dairy Queen
Best Auto Repair: Custer's Auto Repair
Honorable Mention: Smith & Allen Garage
Best Auto Body Shop: Dave's Auto Body
Best Auto Parts: Parts House
Best Dry Cleaner: Knox Laundry
Best Day Care: Carl Sandburg College
Best Supermarket: Hy-Vee
Best Drug Store: Walgreens
Best Discount Store: Walmart
Best Jeweler: Eichhorns
Best Newspaper: The Zephyr
Best Barber Shop: Jerry's
Honorable Mention: Rich's
Best Beauty Salon: Hair, Etc.
Best Radio Station: WAIKBest New Car Dealer: Galesburg Lincoln-Mercury
Honorable Mention: Lakis Ford/Dodge
Honorable Mention: Bob Weaver Buick
Best Used Car Dealer: Lakis Ford/Dodge
Best Realtor: Century 21
Best Bank: Marquette
Best Fitness Center: YMCA
Best Pawn Shop: Bob's
Best Insurance Agency: Grant Bullis
Best Furniture Store: Radke's
Best Resale Shop: Cottage Corner
Best Website: http://www.thezephyr.com
Best Nursing Home: Seminary Manor
Honorable Mention: Knox County
Best Local Politician: Mayor BobSheehan
Best State Politician: Carl Hawkinson
Honorable Mention: Don Moffitt
Best National Politician: Lane Evans
Best Dentist: (tie)
The Paceys
Kandy Sayrs
Reuel Owen
Best Secretary: Teresa McNeeley
Best Doctor: Valerie Flacco-Nesselroad
Best Nurse: Jackie Friend
Best Lawyer: Bill Butts
Best Teacher: Barb Devena
Honorable Mention: Sheryl Hinman
Honorable Mention: Jim Jacobs
Best Performer: Larry Diemer
Best Writer: (tie)
Bruce Weik
Mike Kroll
Martin Litvin
Best Athlete: Beau Shay
Best Coach: Evan Massey
Best Team: GHS Girl's Basketball
Best Band: (tie)
Second Mortgage
GHS Marching Streaks
There were also the usually assortment of write-in votes but a real shortage of funny comments. Several writers demeaned all the car dealers and auto repair shops. One said all the politicians are ''airheads.'' Who can argue? Other people voted as ''not'' for certain politicians and we deducted a vote in those cases.
A vote for OB/GYN Tommy West came with the reason, ''he doesn't make his patients use stirrups.''
Forty-two different teachers received votes; thirty-seven different establishments received votes as Best Lunch and thirty-five different nurses had at least one patient who liked them.
Ram Sweeney received more votes than anyone else as ''Best Personality.'' That wasn't a category we had but he's a fictional character on WAIK, so it all fits. He'll get a fictional certificate.
Monica Lewinsky was named on one ballot as best teacher. Unfortunately, she had only one student and I don't think that was his ballot.
We forgot to include the category of Best Pastime but the clear winner was ''waiting at railroad crossings.'' The BNSF/Canadian National will get their certificate if I can ever get to the Post Office without waiting for a train.
The best stuffing of the ballot box goes to Judge Harry Bulkeley and his fans of his band, Second Mortgage. They stuffed enough to earn a tie for Best Band and for a category of their own design, Best Album, for ''Not as bad as it sounds.'' Now if they'd give me a free copy, I can see if it deserves a certificate.
People still don't know the difference between a local, state and national politician. We sorted out the votes before counting them as much as we could. We didn't count Monte Gifford's vote as Best Performer, though.
Thank you to everyone who voted. Your certificates are in the mail.