Winners: Best of Harford County 2016

Governmental elections weren't the only races running last fall. More than 12,000 people also cast their votes in the annual Best of Harford County readers' poll, honoring the local places, personalities and organizations that shape the community.

Editor's note: Winners and honorable mentions were determined by popular vote. Readers were invited to vote online in October and November.

OUT & ABOUT

Art Studio/Gallery: Arts by the Bay
Honorable mentions:
Harford Artists Gallery
Amazing Glaze
Exploration Art School

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

Charity/Nonprofit: 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:
Sherriff Jeffrey R. Gahler
Clerk of the Circuit Court James Reilly
Havre de Grace Mayor William T. Martin

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

Museum: Havre de Grace Decoy Museum
Honorable mentions:
Steppingstone Farm Museum
Havre de Grace Maritime Museum
Liriodendron

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

Principal: Thomas Smith, Youth's Benefit Elementary School
Honorable mentions:
Stacey Gerringer, Abingdon Elementary School
Madeleine Hobik, St. Margaret's School
Dyann Mack, Bel Air 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:
Liriodendron
Swan Harbor Farm
The Arena Club

RECREATION

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

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

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

Martial Arts Classes: U.S. Taekwondo Academy
Honorable mentions:
Method MMA
Tae Kwon Do Masters
Chung's Martial Art

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Senior Master Yong Seong "CJ" Chang talks to students in a class at U.S. Taekwondo Academy on Main Street in Bel Air. (Brian Krista / Baltimore Sun Media Group)

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

Personal Trainer: Kim Kellagher, The Arena Club
Honorable mentions:
Wendy O'Bryant, The Arena Club
Kelly Albright, Boot Camps by Kelly
Travis Hash, Anytime Fitness and Hash Fitness

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

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

Clothing Boutique: Tiger Lily
Honorable mentions:
Pink Silhouette
Tiny Toes
Urban Pearl

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
Simply Grande
Ashley Furniture HomeStore

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

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Two Sisters Gallery owners Bonnie Hardy, left, and Debbie Haywood with their 3-year-old pug, Winnie, in their Bel Air gift shop. (Brian Krista / Baltimore Sun Media Group)

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

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
Dean and Brown Catering

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

Grocery store: Wegmans, Abingdon
Honorable mentions:
ShopRite, Main Street Bel Air
ShopRite, Forest Hill
Safeway, Bel Air

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

PERSONAL SERVICES

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

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

Barber Shop: Old Line Barbers
Honorable mentions:
Brian Bunce Barbers
Town Barbers
Axels Barbershop

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

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
BowWag Kennels

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Dog handler Sarah Certeza embraces her own dog from a group of canines at Best Friends Fur Ever in Joppa. (Brian Krista / Baltimore Sun Media Group)

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

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

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

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

Real Estate Agent: Laura Snyder, Keller Williams
Honorable mentions:
Lee Tessier, Keller Williams
Chris Streett, Streett Hopkins Real Estate
Cecil Hill Hr., Coldwell Banker

Tattoo Parlor: Flesh Tattoo Co.
Honorable mentions:
Tattoo Dynasty
Daddy Dice Tattoo Co. (tie)
House of Poncho's (tie)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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

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

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

Dental Practice: Laurel Bush Family Dentistry
Honorable mentions:
Abingdon Family Dentistry
Bel Air Smile Partners
Miranda Family Dentistry

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

Orthodontist: Dr. Stephen Godwin, Bel Air Orthodontics
Honorable mentions:
Dr. Joseph LaPonzina
Amanda Gallagher Orthodontics
Drs. Isaacs, Nawy and Stern Orthodontics

Pediatrician: Pediatric Partners
Honorable mentions:
Box Hill Pediatrics
Bright Oaks Pediatric Center
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:
Smalldore Family Practice Associates
Plumtree Family Health Center
Dr. Julie Tinney

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

HOME

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

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

Homebuilder: Ryan Homes
Honorable mentions:
Bailey Building & Remodeling
Richmond American Homes
Korey Homes

Housecleaning Service: The Cleaning Authority
Honorable mentions:
Merry Maids
Maid to Perfection

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

Landscaper: Lawnscape
Honorable mentions:
Akehurst Landscape Services
Ivy Hill Land Services
Turf Connection