Evening to remember: Record crowd applauds local people, businesses at Best of the Best – The Edwardsville Intelligencer

Executive Director of the Edwardsville Art Center Melissa McDonough-Borden (right) gets a hug from Kim Manoogian of Hearst Illinois as McDonough-Borden excepts the award for Best Local Art Fair won by the Edwardsville Art Fair at the Best of the Best awards at Lewis and Clark College Wednesday.

Executive Director of the Edwardsville Art Center Melissa McDonough-Borden (right) gets a hug from Kim Manoogian of Hearst Illinois as McDonough-Borden excepts the award for Best Local Art Fair won by the

Thomas Turney | For The Intelligencer

Thomas Turney | For The Intelligencer

Executive Director of the Edwardsville Art Center Melissa McDonough-Borden (right) gets a hug from Kim Manoogian of Hearst Illinois as McDonough-Borden excepts the award for Best Local Art Fair won by the Edwardsville Art Fair at the Best of the Best awards at Lewis and Clark College Wednesday.

Executive Director of the Edwardsville Art Center Melissa McDonough-Borden (right) gets a hug from Kim Manoogian of Hearst Illinois as McDonough-Borden excepts the award for Best Local Art Fair won by the

Thomas Turney | For The Intelligencer

Evening to remember: Record crowd applauds local people, businesses at Best of the Best

GODFREY A record crowd of 600 people celebrated area excellence Wednesday night for the Best of the Best of Madison County and the Riverbend, powered by The Telegraph, The Intelligencer and The Edge.

This year the event deemed the largest red carpet event by any media in the Riverbend area was moved to the Hathaway Cultural Center on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College to accommodate participants and exhibitors. Advertising Director Carole Fredeking coordinated the event.

This years theme was An Evening to Remember. Mayors from four area communities participated in the celebration, which also included video appearances by Jon Lovitz and Carson Kressley.

We have to find a way to outdo ourselves every year, said Fredeking. We appreciate the support that we get from our communities. We really do.

The evening began with a special presentation honoring the late Godfrey Fire Chief Jake Ringering being named Best Firefighter. Ringering was 37 when he was killed while fighting a March 5 fire in Bethalto. He left a wife, Allison, and three children, Nora Marie, Elaina Lynn and Logan Jacob.

As part of his honor Wednesday night, Hearst Media made a donation to the Backstoppers organization which supports area firefighters and their families.

The top vote-getter this year in the Best of the Best of Madison County and the Riverbend was Bella Milano, followed by OSF Healthcare in second and Roberts Ford in third.

Seventeen sponsor plaques were presented for this years event, including a gold plaque to West Star Aviation and bronze plaques to First Community Credit Union, First Mid Bank & Trust, Mid-American Audiology and Wood Basement Systems.

Community sponsors included Castellis @255 Restaurant, Franklin Roofing, Imel Pest Control, Inspector Plumber, Tom Lane-State Farm, Jim Murphys Complete Landscaping, Professional Hearing, Tuckers Automotive, Liberty Bank, Robert Sanders Waste Systems, Schrempf, Kelly & Napp LTD and Riverbend Dental.

Nominations for this years competition were accepted through Sep. 20, with online voting Oct. 11-14. A special publication honoring this years nominees and winners is planned in early December.

A lot of local businesses truly see it as an honor, said Digital Media Sales Specialist Kaci Beatty. Were really proud to be putting this on.

Honorees included:

Best Car Salesman, Jason Enos

Best Chamber Director, John Keller

Best Coach, Tommy Hill

Best Nurse, Megan French

Best Photographer, Rabozzi Photography

Best Place to Work, OSF HealthCare

Best Police Officer, Chris Johnson

Best Principal, Justin Newell

Best Teacher, Tiffany Falk

Best Volunteer, Margaret Freer

Best Auctioneer, Tarrant & Harman Real Estate & Auction

Best Bank, Liberty Bank

Best Chamber of Commerce, RiverBend Growth Association

Best Credit Union, 1st Mid-America Credit Union

Best DJ, Randy Jackson

Best Insurance Agent, Tom Lane

Best Funeral Home, Pitchford, Funeral Home

Best Law Firm, Schremp Kelly & Napp

Best Local College, Lewis and Clark Community College

Best Private School, Zion Lutheran School

Best Mortgage Company, Liberty Bank

Best Realtor, Mary Beiser

Best Non-Profit Organization, Christmas in July - Community Christmas

Best Dog Trainer, Club Paws

Best Dog Daycare, Club Paws

Best Groomer, Lucky Dog Pet Grooming

Best Kennel, Club Paws

Best Veterinarian, Pope Animal Hospital

Best Animal Rescue, 5As Animal Shelter

Best Auto Body Repair, Freer Auto Body

Best Auto Detailer, Auto Butler

Best Auto Repair, Quick Lane at Roberts

Best Car Wash, Auto Butler

Best Motorcycle Sales and Service, Midwest Motorsports

Best New Car Dealer, Roberts Motors

Best Oil Change, Quick Lane at Roberts

Best Tire Shop, Quick Lane at Roberts

Best Towing/Roadside Assistance, Bowers Towing

Best Used Car Dealer, Smart Choice Auto Sales

Best Barbershop, Happy Hour Barber Shop

Best Day Spa, Bliss Salon and Spa

Best Eyebrow Shaping, Lauren Strickland at Meraki Studio

Best Hair Stylist, Wade Gibson

Best Nail Salon, Zazas

Best Tattoo Shop, Empire Ink Studio

Best Entertainment Venue, Loading Dock

Best Golf Course, Belk Park Golf Course

Best Local Live Theater, Alton Little Theater

Best Local Park, Glazebrook Park

Best Outdoor Patio, Loading Dock

Best Sports Bar, Ropers Regal Beagle

Best Wedding Venue, WOW

Best Appetizers, Bluff City Grill

Best Asian Restaurant, Wang Gang

Best BBQ, Fire & Smoke

Best Cookies, Cookie Factory Bakery

Best Doughnuts, Duke Bakery

Best Fine Dining Establishment, Gentelins

Best Fried Chicken, Castellis @ 255

Best Hamburgers, King Louies Drive-In

Best Ice Cream, Shivers Frozen Custard

Best Italian Restaurant, Bella Milano

Best Liquor Store, Corral Liquor

Best Local Coffee, Bunkhouse Joe

Best Local Desserts, Duke Bakery

Best Local Winery, Grafton Winery

Best Locally Brewed Beer, Old Bakery Beer Company

Best Martinis, Bossanova

Best Mexican Restaurant, El Mezcal

Best Pizza, Romas Pizza

Best Steak, Texas Roadhouse

Best Sushi, Wasabi

Best Wings, Alton Sports Tap

Best Chiropractor, Bemis Family Chiropractic

Best Dentist, Humbert Road Dentistry

Best Hearing Center, Professional Hearing Associates

Best Hospital, Alton Memorial Hospital

Best Imaging Center, OSF HealthCare

Best Local Yoga Studio, River Bend Yoga

Best OB/GYN, Dr. Joseph Talsky

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Evening to remember: Record crowd applauds local people, businesses at Best of the Best - The Edwardsville Intelligencer