Winners: Best of Harford County 2015

If you need it, Harford County can recommend it. In this year’s readers’ poll, more than 9,000 voters endorsed their favorite people and places across 60 categories.

Whether you’re in the market for a new car, you need a fresh idea for a family activity or you’re simply new in town and need the lay of the land, this list has you covered.

Editor’s note: Winners and honorable mentions were determined by popular vote. Readers were invited to vote online in October. Click here to read the official rules.

OUT & ABOUT

Annual Event/Festival: Maryland State BBQ Bash
Honorable mentions:
Harford County Farm Fair
Bel Air Festival for the Arts
Darlington Apple Festival

Charity/Nonprofit: The Humane Society of Harford County
Honorable mentions:
SARC
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna

Elected Official: County Executive Barry Glassman
Honorable mentions:
Sheriff Jeff Gahler
Maryland Delegate Teresa Reilly (R)
Bel Air Board of Commissioners Chair Susan Burdette

Kids' Activity: The Arena Club kids' programs
Honorable mentions:
Jump On It Fun Centers
That Bouncy Place
Kinetic Youth Academy

Park: Annie's Playground
Honorable mentions:
Ma & Pa Trail
Rocks State Park
Churchville Golf Driving Range

Principal: Madelyn Ball, The John Carroll School
Honorable mentions:
Stacey Gerringer, Abingdon Elementary School
H. Earl Gaskins, Ring Factory Elementary School
Thomas Smith, Youth's Benefit Elementary School

Private School: The John Carroll School
Honorable mentions:
St. Margaret School
Harford Day School
Friends School of Harford

Special Event Venue: Rockfield Manor
Honorable mentions:
Swan Harbor Farm
Liriodendron
The Arena Club

RECREATION

Dance Lessons: Rage Box Contemporary Dance Center
Honorable mentions:
Dancing With Friends
Dance With Me School of Dance
Supernova Dance Company

Golf Course: Bulle Rock
Honorable mentions:
Mountain Branch Golf Club
Maryland Golf and Country Clubs
Winters Run Golf Club

Gym/Fitness Center: The Arena Club
Honorable mentions:
Bel Air Athletic Club
Planet Fitness
The Y in Abingdon (Ward)

Martial Arts Classes: U.S. Taekwondo Academy
Honorable mentions:
Tae Kwon Do Masters
Ground Control Bel Air
Method MMA

Music Lessons: Music Land
Honorable Mentions:
Maryland Conservatory of Music
Jim Bowley Guitar Instruction
Jessica Deskin School of Music

Personal Trainer: Kelly Albright, Boot Camps by Kelly
Honorable Mentions:
Matt Stansburge, Beyond Fit
Wendy O'Bryant, The Arena Club
Kim Kellagher, The Arena Club

Swim Club: The Arena Club
Honorable mentions:
Bel Air Athletic Club
Fountain Green Swim Club
Fallston Club

Yoga Classes: Peace Yoga
Honorable mentions:
The Arena Club
Bel Air Athletic Club
The Y in Abingdon (Ward)

SHOPPING

Antique Shop: Belle Patri
Honorable mentions:
Grassy Creek Antiques and Country Store
Bahoukas Antique Mall
The Painted Mill

Bridal Boutique: K&B Bridals
Honorable mentions:
Amanda Ritchey Bridal and Beauty
Edel's Bridal Boutique
Pizazz Wedding Boutique

Car Dealership: Jones Junction Auto Group
Honorable mentions:
Boyle Buick GMC
Adams Jeep of Maryland
Thompson Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

Clothing Boutique: Tiger Lily
Honorable mentions:
Pink Silhouette
Tiny Toes
Heartbeat (closed)

Consignment/Resale Shop: Uptown Cheapskate
Honorable mentions:
Belle Patri
Kid to Kid
Painted Daisy Consignment Boutique

Furniture Store: Gardiner Wolf Furniture
Honorable mentions:
Jarrettsville Furniture
Ashley Furniture (tie)
Simply Grande (tie)

Gift Shop: Ann Marie's Hallmark
Honorable mentions:
Two Sisters Gallery
Mayfields
Pizzazz

Jeweler: Saxon's Diamond Centers
Honorable mentions:
Kay Jewelers
Littman Jewelers
Talles Diamonds & Gold

Place to Buy Electronics: Best Buy
Honorable mentions:
H.H. Gregg
Target
Wal-Mart

FOOD & DRINK

Beer, Wine and/or Liquor Store: Ronnie's Beverage Warehouse
Honorable mentions:
Wine World Beer & Spirits
Bel Air Liquors
Friendship Wine & Liquor

Caterer: Pairings Bistro
Honorable Mentions:
Laurrapin Grille
Half Pints Sports Pub & Grill
Sterling Caterers of Jarrettsville

Date Place: Pairings Bistro
Honorable mentions:
Bonefish Grill
Looney's Pub
Main Street Tower

Farmer's Market/Stand: Bel Air Farmers' Market
Honorable mentions:
Brad's Produce
Jones Family Farm
Harman's Farm Market

Vineyard/Winery: Fiore Winery
Honorable mentions:
Harford Vineyard & Winery
Mount Felix Winery
Legends Vineyards

PERSONAL SERVICES

Auto Repair Shop: Jones Junction Auto Group
Honorable mentions:
Forest Hill Automotive
Dave Serio's Vehicle Service Plus
Faby's Auto Repair

Bank/Credit Union: APG Federal Credit Union
Honorable mentions:
M&T Bank
PNC
Har-Co Credit Union

Child Care: The Goddard School
Honorable mentions:
Celebree Learning Centers
Stonewall Day Care Center
Harford Community College Early Learning Center

Day Spa: Jordan Thomas Salon & Spa
Honorable mentions:
Spa on the Boulevard
Lavish Salon & Spa
Massage Envy

Doggie Day Care: Best Friends Fur Ever Dog Daycare & Overnight Resort
Honorable mentions:
Country Comfort Kennels & Camp for Pets
PetSmart PetsHotel
Divine K-9

Financial Adviser: The Kelly Group
Honorable mentions:
Wells Fargo
Edward Jones
Harford Financial Group

Florist: Richardson's Flowers and Gifts
Honorable mentions:
Petals 'n Posies
Amanda's Florist
Flowers by Lucy

Hair Salon: Jordan Thomas Salon & Spa
Honorable mentions:
Lavish Salon & Spa
Visage Salon & Day Spa
NVS Salon & Spa

Medi-spa Services: Lavish Salon & Spa
Honorable mentions:
Chesapeake Skin Solutions (at Jordan Thomas Salon & Spa)
Bala Aesthetics & Medispa
With Love Beauty Studio

Pet Groomer: 4 Paws Spa and Training Center
Honorable mentions:
PetSmart
Pawsitively Purrfect
Burlane Cat & Dog Boutique

Real Estate Agent: Cecil Hill Jr., Coldwell Banker
Honorable mentions:
Laura Snyder, Keller Williams (tie)
Lee Tessier, Keller Williams (tie)
Bill Vanden Eynden, BCV Commercial Realty

Tattoo Parlor: Flesh Tattoo Co.
Honorable mentions:
Tattoo Dynasty
House of Ponchos
Daddy Dice Tattoo Co.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Alternative Wellness Services: Harford Acupuncture & Associates
Honorable mentions:
Ultimate Health
Acupuncture Associates of Bel Air
Remedy Wellness

Animal Hospital: Bel Air Veterinary Hospital
Honorable mentions:
Hickory Veterinary Hospital
Chadwell Animal Hospital
Animal Emergency Hospital

Chiropractor: Chiropractic Care of Bel Air
Honorable mentions:
Spineworks Medical Center
Ultimate Health
Dr. Poane's Chiropractic Office

Dental Practice: Abingdon Family Dentistry
Honorable mentions:
Alvin C. Miranda D.D.S.
Laurel Bush Family Dentistry
Bel Air Smile Partners (formerly Berg Dental Group)

Eye Care: Wilmer Eye Institute at Bel Air
Honorable mentions:
Vision Associates
Advanced Eye Care
Seidenberg Protzko Eye Associates

OB/GYN Practice: Upper Chesapeake Women's Care
Honorable mentions:
Susquehanna OB/GYN & Nurse Midwifery
Steven Z. Lenowitz, M.D.
Capital Women's Care

Pediatrician: Pediatric Partners
Honorable mentions:
Bright Oaks Pediatric Center
Box Hill Pediatrics
North Park Pediatrics

Physical Therapist: Agape Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation
Honorable mentions:
Drayer Physical Therapy Institute
ATI Physical Therapy
Gold Medal Physical Therapy

Primary Care Physician: Harford Primary Care
Honorable mentions:
Plumtree Family Health Center
Smaldore Family Practice
Dr. Julie Tinney

Urgent Care Center: Patient First
Honorable mentions:
ExpressCare
Total Urgent Care
MedStar PromptCare

Flooring and Carpeting: Bel Air Carpet
Honorable mentions:
Carpets & Flooring by Denny Lee
George's Carpet One
Top Notch Floors

The Aegis: Top stories

Weekdays

Daily highlights from Harford County's number one source for local news.

Garden Center/Nursery: The Mill
Honorable mentions:
Grier's Nursery and Greenhouses
Home Depot
Kroh's Nursery

Home Improvement Contractor: Bel Air Construction
Honorable mentions:
Bailey Building & Remodeling
W.M. Remodeling
Krause Companies

Homebuilder: Clark Turner Homes (in bankruptcy)
Honorable mentions:
Bailey Building & Remodeling
Ryan Homes
Richmond American Homes

Housecleaning Service: Merry Maids
Honorable mentions:
Maid to Perfection
The Cleaning Authority
B+M Clean

Interior Designer/Decorator: Billee Smith Designs
Honorable mentions:
Simply Grande
Joy Home Design
Christy Brown Interior Design

Landscaper (tie): Akehurst Landscape Services; Lawnscape
Honorable mentions:
Ivy Hill Land Services
Turf Connection

Plumber: PlumbCrazy/Bogan's Plumbing
Honorable mentions:
Magness Plumbing & Heating
Hometown Plumbing Services
Grove Plumbing & Heating