Dixie Chopper West Coast Territory Manager Bob Heimer (right) helps present Earl Tidwell Jr. (left) with his Lanscaper's Dream Package prizes, including a Dixie Chopper propane-powered mower. Also on hand for the presentation recently in Spokane, Wash., were (from second left) Todd Lawrence of Dolmar, Pete Peterson of Washington Auto Carriage and Steve Heinen of Wendle Ford Sales.

SPOKANE, Wash. -- A Washington State landscaper is the proud owner of a Dixie Chopper propane mower as part of a promotion conducted by Total Landscape Care (TLC) magazine.

Earl Tidwell Jr., owner of All Green Landscape Maintenance & Spray in Spokane, Wash., is the 2008 winner of the TLC Landscaper's Dream Package. The prizes were awarded to Tidwell recently at the Wendle Ford dealership in Spokane.

Territory Manager Bob Heimer was on hand to represent Dixie Chopper and introduce Tidwell to the world's first true propane-powered zero-turn mower. The Dixie LP mower features a 990cc Generac engine that has been designed to run on propane.

This year's Landscaper's Dream Package was valued at more than $50,000.

In addition to the Dixie Chopper mower, Tidwell also received a Ford commercial (LCF) truck, a TG1000 curb machine from Tygar Manufacturing, a BE310-A Bedscaper from E-Z Trench Manufacturing, hand-held power equipment from Dolmar Power Products, turf and ornamental chemicals from Quali-Pro, and Pro Landscape Design Software-Version 14 from Drafix Software.

The winner was obviously thrilled with his new mower, truck and accompanying equipment, even if he barely remembered entering the contest.

"I was looking through the pages of Total Landscape Care one snowy day and saw the information about the Dream Package," Tidwell recalled. "I entered online, but when I got the call about winning I'd completely forgotten that I'd entered and thought it was some kind of come-on to buy something.

"Once I realized it was no joke, well, 'excited' only begins to express my feelings!"

Earl Tidwell Jr. checks out his new Dixie Chopper propane-powered mower..

Each year TLC works with partner-sponsors that donate products and services to create the Dream Package. The program is promoted through advertising in the pages of the magazine, on its website and at industry trade shows. At the annual Lawn & Garden Expo/GIE last October, the Dixie propane mower was featured in TLC's booth.

Dixie Chopper will again provide a mower for the TLC Dream Package in 2009, Dixie Media Marketing Manager Rick Judy has announced.

"This program allows our readers to relate to TLC and the dream package sponsors on a more personal level," TLC Publisher Dan Tidwell (no relation to the winner) said. "It's fun and is a chance to give back."