Readers Choice 2022 - Sterling Journal-Advocate & South Platte Sentinel

Readers Choice 2022

The people have spoken!

These pages recognize some of the best people, places and or ganizations that make Logan County a wonderful place to live They were selected by those who use and know them best: the people of Logan County.

Inside

Best of Food, Drinks and Entertainment 2

Best of Goods and Services ...... 5

Best Faces and Places .............. 13

Readers Choice is a marketing feature of your Journal Advocate and South Platte Sentinel For ad vertising information, contact your consultant or call 970 522 1990. For subscription informa tion, call 970 522 1990.

View the Readers Choice win ners throughout the year on line at Journal Advocate.com or SouthPlatteSentinel.com.

Copyright 2022 Prairie Mountain Media

Food, Drinks and Entertainment

Best Breakfast, Best Place to Eat J&L Cafe

Start your day off right with a stop at J&L Cafe, a hometown cafe and place to gather, serving breakfast all day and offering daily spe cials.

Since its founding in 1935, the J&L has fed hundreds of thousands of people

In addition, it’s been featured in several books and is the place where countless

Coldest Beer in Town, Best Burger (tie)

Parts and Labor Brewing Co.

In 2016, Dylan and Kimberly Harford took a leap of faith and opened a craft brewery in Sterling inside a renovated century old Ca dillac dealership repair shop.

It has been a few years since those cars rolled out of the build ing, but the owners keep the mem ory alive with a vintage shop vibe and beers and food that have won them both the hearts of any lo cals, as well as some pretty presti gious recognition within the craft beer scene.

The brewery restaurant has constantly be innovative and

ever changing, with the beer and food menu in constant flux as they grow and learn new techniques, find new inspiration and hone their craft in what is truly a la bor of love

Enjoy a beer in the spacious taproom, or get it to go in one of several can or glass volumes 402 Main St., Unit B, Sterling, 970 425 7540, www.partsandlabor brewing.com.

Runner Up for Coldest Beer in Town: Hootenannies, 324 W. Main, Sterling, 970 522 0204 facebook.com/HootenanniesInc.

couples have fallen in love. What more could you ask from a local business? 423 N. Third St., Sterling, 970 522 3625, Facebook JLCafe

Runner Up for Best Break fast: Village Inn, N. Fourth St, Sterling, 970 522 4882, villageinn.com/locations/ sterling co

Runner Up for Best Place to Eat: Hot Spot Smokehouse, 402 Main St Unit A Sterling, (970) 526 5402, www.the hotspotsmokehouse.com.

Best Burger (tie) Hootenannies

This small pub offers a wide variety of foods, includ ing some of the best burgers you will find, in a classy but relaxing environment

Come early and enjoy a fast and quick lunch or stay late and enjoy a mellow party atmosphere with bands, DJs, and exciting events. 324 W. Main, Sterling, 970 522 0204, facebook.com/Hoote nanniesInc.

to our customers for voting us Best Eyewear! We would like to introduce Carol Brunkhardt who comes to us with 35 years experience. Together we look forward to continuing to meet your eyewear needs

Burrito

Best Dessert Simkins Parlour

Some like it hot, some like it not. However you like it, Santiago’s signature breakfast burrito has the right level of heat for you: hot, mild or half and half.

In addition, they’ve got a full menu of faithfully au thentic Mexican food, made to order with fresh ingre dients that you can enjoy in their dining area or take with you. 123 N. Fourth St., Sterling, 970 521 0179, eatat santiagos com/Sterling

Runner Up: Logan County Burrito Company, 624 S 10th Ave, Sterling, (970) 425 7094, locoburritocom pany com

Best Coffee

Hot Java has been providing Sterling with a morning pick me up since November 1996. The drive thru espresso shop, which has tran sitioned to its current format over the past 26 years, offers a full slate

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Simkins! Sterling’s source for hard scooped ice cream has been satisfying local sweet tooths since 2016 Get yours in a cone or dish, or made into a de licious ice cream dessert, from a gourmet shake to a classic banana split. Whatever you choose, enjoy it from the cozy location in historic downtown Sterling, with a beau tiful view of the Logan County Courthouse square. The locally owned business also offers a vari ety of delicious foods and drinks, from salads to cabbage pockets to lattes. Owner Christa Moore’s mis sion is to provide delicious food and excellent customer service. 316 Main St , Sterling, 970 522 0896, www simkinsparlour com

Runner Up: Hot Spot Smoke house, 402 Main St Unit A, Ster ling, 970 526 5402, facebook com/TheHotSpotSmokehouse

of espresso drinks, blended drinks, breakfast sandwiches, lunch sand wiches and bakery goods. 931 W. Main St. Suite C, Sterling, 970 522 6244, sterlingsbestcoffee.com.

Runner Up: Pi Kappa Cino Cof fee, 100 Broadway St., Sterling, 970 522 2039, www.pikappacino.com.

Best French Fries

McDonald’s

The classic taste of McDonald’s fries is the reason the answer to the question, “Do you want fries with that?” is almost always “Yes!” McDonald’s World Famous Fries® are made with premium potatoes such as the Russet Burbank and the Shepody. With 0g of trans fat per labeled serving, these epic fries are crispy and golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside. 214 W Main St, Sterling, 970 522 1407, https://www.facebook.com/ McDonalds214WMainSt.

Runner Up: Hootenannies, 324 W. Main, Sterling, 970 522 0204, facebook.com/HootenanniesInc.

Best Logan County Event

Logan County Fair & Rodeo

The Logan County Fair is one of the highlights of the year for the area. Each year brings qual ity entertainment, great food, fun rides and the excitement of com petition.

In 2023, the fair will be held July 27 Aug. 6. In addition to en joying the carnival and grand

stand events, the Logan County Fair Board and Miss Rodeo Lo gan Brielyn Blevens invite you to take in a livestock show, check out the 4 H and open class projects, and don’t miss the parade. And admission to the fairgrounds is free! 1120 Pawnee Ave., Sterling, 970 522 0888, Ext. 222, lcfair.org

Runner Up: Sugar Beet Days, third weekend of September at the Logan County Courthouse Square.

Best Margarita, Best Tacos

Mi Ranchito

Mi Ranchito is taking a lead in conservation with their message: Save water, drink margaritas! The restaurant’s full service bar offers all your favorite adult beverages, and is paired with an extensive menu featuring the au thentic flavors of Mexican food. Take advantage of their lunch specials, or start your meal off with tasty appetizers like the

Best Pizza

Sam & Louie’s

Every Sam & Louie’s pizza is made with a thin crust that is hand-tossed and stretched to create the familiar size, shape and taste that New York pizzas are famous for, with over 35 fresh and delicious toppings to choose from. Sam & Louie’s in Sterling is all about relating to our guests on a personal level in a welcoming,

combo nachos and jalapeño poppers. 203 Broadway St., Sterling, 970 526 6173, miranchitosterling. com.

Runner Up for Best Margar ita: Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, 807 Sidney Ave., Sterling, 970 526 0401.

Runner Up for Best Tacos: Baja Tacos, 231 Broadway St, Sterling, (970) 522 5563, https:// w w w.facebook.com/prof ile. php?id=100057301014474.

fun, relaxing atmosphere

Great care is taken while pre paring each meal to order and providing that level of customer service you deserve, all while creating the “feeling” that leaves you wanting more. 310 Main St., Ster ling, 970 526 2550, samandlouies. com.

Runner Up: Dominos, 701 W. Main St., Sterling, 970 522 3030, dominos.com

Food, Drinks and Entertainment Best Steak Spurz Grill

This veteran owned and operated full service restau rant and bar promises din ers the best food and service possible

They offer many home made options and are al ways striving to improve their menu.

Their whiskey sirloin steak is served with home made BBQ whiskey sauce and comes in two sizes for how ever hungry you are. 4333 CO 63, Atwood, (970) 522 7122, https://spurzgrillat wood com

RunnerUp: Hot Spot Smoke house, 402 Main St Unit A, Sterling, 970-526-5402, facebook.com/TheHotSpotSmoke house.

Goods and Services Best Ag Equipment or Supply Store Bomgaars

The Sterling Bomgaars location opened for business in November of 2011 as the 60th store in the com pany, with locations from Central Iowa to Colorado. Bomgaars was founded in the late 1940s in Sioux City, Iowa, as an automotive parts supplier and grew over the years to add farm, ranch and home goods as well as general merchandise

The company was started by W.H. Bomgaars and is currently owned and operated by the third and fourth generations of the Bomgaars family.

As the company expanded to western Nebraska and Colorado, they found the opportunity to open a new location in Sterling that was formerly a Walmart This was a great space for them to make their own and allowed them the op portunity to expand their footprint into northeast Colorado to serve the needs of farm and ranch cus

tomers throughout the area.

With a moderate amount of re modeling, they were able to open this store and fill it up with a wide variety of merchandise as well as display many additional products that don’t fit into their smaller lo cations

With more than 66,000 square feet of retail space and as a farm/

ranch and general merchandise retailer they carry a multitude of products, so you can get “What you need, when you need it at Bomgaars ” 102 N 12th Ave , Ster ling, 970 522 2612, bomgaars com

Runner Up: 21st Century Equip ment, 18793 U S Highway 6, Sterling, 970 522 6697, 21stcentu ryequipment.net.

Best Antique Dealer

Sweetly Vintage

A bit of old, a bit of new, and lots of handcrafted and upcycled furnishings are what you’ll find in this unique business in down town Sterling.

Whether you’re search ing for something seasonal, a gift for someone special, or a statement piece for your home, stop by often as new items are coming in from their various vendors all the time 108 Main St , Sterling, 970 425 2112, www sweetly vintage com

Runner Up: Collectibles & Moor, 101 Oak St, Sterling, 970 414 2516.

1330 N Sidney Ave • Sterling, CO 970 522 4888

Skilled

Best Assisted Living/ Nursing Home

Devonshire Acres

Devonshire Acres a 119 bed elder care facility consisting of 84 Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation beds, with a mix of private and semi pri vate rooms, 25 assisted living units, comprising both private studios and shared living units, 12 retirement apartments, including which studio, one bedroom apartments and two

bedroom apartments. Their goal is to meet our residents’ needs by pro viding exceptional care and treating each individual with dignity and re spect 1330 North Sidney Ave , Ster ling, 970 522 4888, https://www devonshireacrescare com

Runner Up: The Harmony Home, 703 Holly Drive, Sterling, 970 466 9775, facebook.com/theharmony home.

Best Auto Parts Store

NAPA Auto Parts

Logan County Know How! Uni versity Auto Parts is your locally owned and operated NAPA Auto Parts store in Sterling. This is your source for everything you need to keep everything you have running! And with NAPA’s low price guar

antee, you know you’re getting the best deal: Find it cheaper and they’ll beat the competitor’s price! 1370 W.Main St., Sterling, 970 522 1334, www.napaonline.com/en/co/ sterling/store/24551.

Runner Up: OK AutoParts Car quest, 230 S Front St , Sterling, 970 522 4384

At Devonshire Acres,We are committed to caring Our goal is to meet our residents’ needs by providing exceptional care and treating each individual with dignity and respect. We invite you to a “virtual tour of Devonshire” as we cannot allow visits at this time. And inquire about the special services we offer that can made a difference in your life!

Are you interested in finding a reliable, fuel efficient vehicle for your commute? Visit the Tran swest Chevrolet Buick dealer ship in Sterling to find the per fect Buick or Chevrolet car, truck, or SUV for you and your life style Thedealership in Sterling has a fantastic selection of new and used Chevy and Buick vehi cles, and is the preferred Buick, Chevrolet dealership for driv

ers in Sterling and the surrounding region. From the family sized Chevrolet Equinox to the rough and rugged Silverado, they have a complete lineup of top of the line Chevy vehicles. Or, if you’re in the market for a sleek Buick ve hicle, they have what you’re look ing for. Let Transwest Chevrolet Buick show you a whole new car buying experience today! 1200 W Main St , Sterling, 970 522 2700, transwestchevroletbuick com

Runner Up: Sterling Auto Sales, 531W. Main St., Sterling, 970 522 4326, www.sterlingautosales.net.

Best Bank/Financial Institution

Bank of Colorado

Bank of Colorado, a commu nity focused bank owned by the Dinsdale family, has been serv ing the needs of Coloradans for over 100 years The business was born from an ag community in need As that community grew, so too did the business and its ability to serve its customers. As a family owned business serv ing more than 49 communities across the state, the bank’s val ues of honesty, integrity and clar ity still guide every decision. Over time, they’ve grown from a small bank, focused on ag lending, to a

full service financial institution with a full suite of produces one would expect to find at a large bank. Bank of Colorado contin ues to innovate and adapt to an ever changing marketplace, en suring they can fulfill their mis sion of helping customers achieve their financial goals The Sterling branch opened in 1995, and relo cated to a brand new building in 2012, where it continues to grow. 131 W. Main St., Sterling, 970 522 3333, bankofcolorado.com.

Runner Up: Sterling Federal Credit Union, 822 W. Main St., Sterling, 970 522 0111, sterling creditunion org

Computer

At Terry’s Computer Asylum, you may be a customer when you first walk in the door, but you’ll be a friend when you walk out the door. Owner Terry Dowis’ mission is to provide a fresh and new ex perience to repairing your com puter “So many people dispose of their computers when they have

problems with, or think their computer is getting too old,” he says. “When you come in and talk to us, we give you a smile and an honest answer with a set price, no hidden fees or by the hour charges.” 101 Main St., Sterling, 970 522 6834, computerasylum. com.

Runner Up: Matt’s Custom Computer Works, Main Street, Sterling, 970 521 0755, facebook com/MattsCustomComputer WorksLLC.

Best Dance Studio

Northeastern Dance Academy

At Northeastern Dance Acad emy, dance training is both ex ceptional and fun. Owners Ashley Lynch and Angie Pomeroy believe all kids deserve safe, relevant, and accurate training in an environ ment that is positive, encouraging, and supportive. Their com mitment to great starts and solid

first experiences has yielded a pre school dance curriculum that sets up dancers for success on day one. Their program builds and extends to serve elementary and middle/ high school students who wish to advance their training. 122 N. Second St , Sterling, 970 580 7142, northeasterndanceacademy com

Runner Up: Melissa School of Dance, 802 N Seventh St , Sterling, 970 580 3524, www.melis saschoolofdance.com.

Best Eyewear Store

Kim’s Fashion Eyewear

Whether you view the world through rose colored glasses or some other color, Kim’s Fashion Eyewear has the right pair for you. The business has been offering all the latest trends in eyewear, from lenses to frames to sun glasses, to customers since 2000 Kim Unrein and her staff provide individ ual service and will help you find a look you’ll love. 502 W. Main St., Sterling, 970 522 7819, Facebook Kims Fashion Eyewear 511100152264816.

Runner Up: Creative Eyeworks, 100 Broadway, No. 26, Sterling, 970 522 5294, facebook.com/pages/Creative Eyeworks.

Best Furniture Store

Furniture Mart

Furniture Mart is northern Colorado’s best selection of in stock furniture from brands in cluding Ashley, La Z Boy and England. The family owned

business opened its Sterling location in 2010, and has al ways offered a wide variety of products, including unique and unusual pieces. Find what you need for every room in the house. 602 West Main St.,

Sterling, 970 522 2406, furni turemartco.com.

Runner Up: Bedford Furni ture, 100 Broadway St # 18, Sterling, 970 522 3117, https:// www.bedfordfurnituresterling. com.

Best Gift Shop

Barb’s Main Street Gifts & Baskets

Home decor, greeting cards, clothing, jewelry, gourmet foods, kitchen gadgets and more Barb’s Main Street Gifts & Baskets has it all The locally owned store opened in 1989, and moved to its current

location in 2007. Jenae Totten purchased CJ Pharmacy Ser vices, including Barb’s Main Street Gifts, in 2010.

Barb Lorenzo, who manages the gift store, is well known in the Sterling community for her friendly service and creative merchandise displays

With an ever changing in ventory, you’ll find something

new every time you walk in, but you can always count on finding “Special gifts for spe cial people.”

422 Main St., Sterling, 970 526 9415, Facebook barbsmain streetgifts

Runner Up: Old Library Mer cantile, 210 S 4th St, Sterling, 970 526 6003, https://oldli brarymercantile.com.

A full service hair and nail salon, Kolor Me Krazy has grown tremendously over the nearly six years since it opened, requiring the busi ness to move to larger space not once but twice in that time. Owner Kayla Schnei

der and her staff aim to pro vide service that is both pro fessional and personal while making their clients feel beau tiful from the inside out. “We have built a community of women who support us and one another while looking fab ulous,” Schneider says. 115 N. Second St., Sterling, 970 522 7230, www.facebook.com/kol

ormekrazy15

Runner Up for Best Hair Sa

lon: Elite Salon, 1115 W Main St , Suite 5, Sterling, 970 521 0777, facebook.com/elitesalon. dayspa.barber

Runner Up for Best Nail Sa lon: Discount Nail Spa, 601 W Main St, Sterling, 970 412 6806, https://www.facebook. com/discountnailspa.

Best New Business

Old Library Mercantile

Built in 1918, Sterling’s first public li brary was part of the nationwide public library movement sponsored by Andrew Carnegie. This beautiful landmark, which is list on the National Regis ter of Historic Places, is now a unique shopping destination in eastern Colo

rado Owned and operated by the Schott family, The Old Library Mercantile’s selection of vintage home decor, western art, kitchen goods, and more will inspire you to create your home’s unique story. 210 S. Fourth St, Sterling, 970 526 6003, https://oldlibrarymercantile.com.

Runner Up: Logan County Burrito Company, 624 S 10th Ave, Sterling, 970 425 7094, locoburritocompany.com.

Best Pawn BShop est Medical Facility

Northeast Colorado Family Medicine Associates, PC

Founded by Dr Curtis Clark in 1979, Northeast Colorado Family Medicine has grown to a multiple provider practice providing comprehensive care to over 4,000

northeastern Colorado residents. It is northeast Colorado’s only pri vately owned family practice of fering premier family medicine care along with obstetrics and en doscopy 1405 S Eighth Ave Suite 103, Sterling, 970 522 3304, www necofammed com

Runner Up: UCHealth Primary Care, 620 Iris Dr, Sterling, 970 522 7266, uchealth.org.

Patriot Pawn

After opening Patriot Pawn in 2015, owner Nick Myers moved his shop into a larger location across the street to accommodate his rapidly growing business He fo cuses on tools, jewelry, electronics and other small items, with about half of his business in sales and the other half in pawn lending.

For Myers, honesty is the first re quirement in a successful pawn shop. “If you treat people right, they tell other people,” he said.

“It’s just good business.” 329 N. Third St , Sterling, 970 466 2581, www facebook com/patriotpawn sterling

Runner Up: G&S Sales and Pawn, 705 W Main St., Sterling, 970 522 0620.

The J & L Family wants to thank all of you for your support during this really tough year. We are so proud of the entire J & L family, We are trying to make John proud, and this community that he adored. Thank you for all of your continued support.

We love you!

Suzanne, Erika, Andrea, and Coby McMahon.

Best Pharmacy/Drug Store

Bob Walker opened Walker Pharmacy in 1960, and the business moved to its current location in 1985. While the pharmacy has changed ownership twice, it is still privately owned and locally oper ated, continuing the tradition of “caring for you and about you.” They provide free delivery of pre scriptions within Sterling city limits, vaccinations such as flu shots and pneumonia shots, and also offer a wide variety of gifts, wellness items and much more They are proud to have served Ster ling and northeast Colorado with friendly home town service for over 50 years 410 W Main St ,

Best Place to

Sterling,970 522 1302, www facebook com/walk erpharmacy2

Runner Up: Lorenzo Apothecary, 306 Main St , Sterling, 970-522-0828, lorenzoapothecary com

Get

Walk ins are welcome at Total INK, a tattoo and piercing shop that has been providing body modifications in Sterling for over a decade.

Services include tattoos, res torations, custom tattoos, body piercings, body jewelry and skin care Owner Dianna Fecht and her artists love what they do, which is reflected in their work. They look forward to continu

ing to serve Sterling for years to come 1005 W Main St , Ster ling, 970 520 0275, Facebook: To tal INK

Runner Up: Walmart, 1510 W Main St., Sterling, 970 522 0600, walmart.com.

Flowers/Plants

Got something to say? Say it with flowers, from Cattleya by Steele Terrain, the place where flowers are uniquely designed and affordably priced! Flowers have a language all their own,

and can help you send a message of romance, apology, thanks or condolence Amanda Steele pur chased the 20-year-old business this year and has continued the tradition of providing fresh flow ers and plants that suit any style or budget.

Cattleya can assist with local as well as worldwide deliveries,

and welcome corporate accounts They also offer daily floral deliv ery to local funeral homes and hospitals. 328 Chestnut St., Sterling, 970 522 7686, www.cattleya floral.com.

Best Vehicle Repair Shop, Best Customer Service S&S Auto Repair

Founded in 1979, S&S Auto Re pair has over 40 years of expe rience providing automotive re pair with care. Kenneth Scheck started the business and ran it until December of 2019, when long time technician Trey Becker purchased the shop and took over

The full service auto and light truck repair facility can provide all your repair and maintenance needs, including oil changes, brakes, engine and transmission repair and replacement, shocks, struts and more. 115 Broadway St., Sterling, 970 526 2668, www. sandsrepair.com.

Runner Up for Best Vehicle Repair Shop: Herzog Automo tive, 415 S 10th Ave , Sterling, 970-522-0957, herzogautomotive. com.

Runner Up for Best Customer Service: First Farm Bank, 931 W. Main St, Sterling, 970 522 2444, https://www.firstfarm bank.com.

STOP IN AND SEE US FOR ALL YOUR AUTO PARTS NEEDS! (970) 522-1334 1370 W. Main St., Sterling, CO 80751 “ThE BEST AUTO PARTS STORE”... ThANk YOU FOR YOUR vOTES. 12 MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022| READERS CHOICE 2022 | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA

Best Attorney

Alex Wright

Alex Wright of Wright Law Firm, LLC is a Denver native who began his law career in California. He eventually returned to Colorado to be nearer to family, then decided he could make a bigger difference in a small town and selected Ster ling as his home Alex has been named one of the Top 100 Civil Plaintiff and Top 100 Civil Litigation Attorneys in Colorado by the National Trial Lawyers, and As sociation of American Trial Law

yers, respectively. Alex also is a mem ber of Lawyers of Distinction and Top Tier Lawyers. His practice in cludes personal in jury, civil litigation, probate, business law, wrongful death and employ ment 111 Main St , Sterling, 970 425,0309, awrightlawfirm com

Runner Up: Lori Hulbert, Hulbert & Associates, LLC, 326 Main St., Sterling, 970 425 1275, hulber tassociates.com.

Best Bartender

Shauna Marsh

Visit Henry’s Pub & Club and find Shauna Marsh’s friendly face behind the bar. 138 S Front St,

Sterling, 970 522 5162

Runner Up: Trevor Bedsaul, Hootenannies, 324 W Main, Sterling, 970 522 0204, facebook. com/HootenanniesInc.

Dr. Michael Johnson

Michael R. Johnson D.C. gradu ated from Palmer College of Chi ropractic in 1981 and started his solo practice in Sterling in June 1984. At Johnson Chiropractic, “Where Your Health Is Our Main Concern,” he provides chiroprac tic adjustments, CDL/DOT physi

cals, foot orthotics and nutritional products. He and his staff have grown the business over the years with the great support of the peo ple of northeast Colorado. 501 W. Main St., Sterling, 970 522 3260, johnsonchiropracticsterling.com.

Runner Up: Dr. Kris Morrison, Morrison Chiropractic, 131 N. 6th Ave., Sterling, 970 521 7200.

Best Business that Gives Back

Best Chiropractor J&L

Cafe

From placing top bids at the Logan County Fair 4 H/FFA Bud VanBerg Memorial Livestock Sale to donating thousands of meals to hungry residents during the COVID 19 pandemic, J&L Cafe has a tradition of giving back to

the community. The family of the late owner John McMahon, who passed away in June, continue his legacy at the local diner 423 N Third St , Sterling, 970 522 3625, Facebook JL Cafe

Runner Up: Bank of Colorado, 131 W. Main St., Sterling, 970 522 3333, bankofcolorado.com.

Best Civic Club

Lions Club

The Sterling Lions Club was officially chartered June 22, 1920 and has been serving the com munity ever since The club’s history includes construction proj ects such as the Riverside Ceme tery gateway and the Girl Scout Lodge at Pioneer Park. Each year they host an Easter egg hunt at Columbine Park and the Cowboy Breakfast as well as the “Friendly Dog Tail Wagging Contest” during the Logan County Fair. Through a partnership with Sterling Correc tional Facility, the club sends out used eyeglasses all over the world, and the club’s custom built mega

grill serves up pancake breakfasts and barbecue lunches at a variety of community events through out the year They meet at noon on Tuesdays at the Sterling Elks Lodge, 321 Ash St https://www facebook.com/sterlingcolions.

Runner Up (tie): Sterling Elks Lodge No. 1336, meets 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m., 321 Ash St., Sterling,970 522 0515, https://www.elks.org/lodges/ home.cfm?lodgenumber=1336.

Rotary Club, meets at noon on Wednesdays at The Grill at River City, 970 521 6657, https://www. facebook.com/RotaryOfSterling.

Knights of Columbus, 421 S. 11th Ave, Sterling, 970 522 0857.

Best Elected Official

Joe McBride

Joe McBride was elected to serve as a Logan County Com missioner in 2016, and was re elected in 2020. As a county com missioner some of his top areas of focus have included housing, economic development, child care shortages and general county ser

vices improvements. One of his biggest accomplishments was to help usher in an intergovern mental agreement between the county and the City of Sterling to take over and restore Sunset Memorial Garden. jmcbride@lo gancountyco.gov.

Runner Up: Byron Pelton, Lo gan County Commissioner, bpel ton@logancountyco.gov.

Best Government Employee

Marilee Johnson

Marilee Johnson is the Visi tor Center director and Public Information Coordinator for Lo gan County. She started at the

county in 2012. 315 Main St., Ster ling, 970 522 0888 Ext. 253, john sonm@logancountyco.gov.

Runner Up (tie): George Good, Ethan Moe, Dawn Gerk, Sara Harms, Kevin Blankenship, Jen nifer Crow.

Best Teacher (tie)

Serena Ascough teaches fourth grade at Campbell Elementary in Sterling Marybeth Skerjanec teaches eighth grade Language

Best Emergency Responder

Dylan Manuello

Dylan Manuello is a fire engi neer and EMT IV certified with the Sterling Fire Department. He began as a volunteer with the de partment in March of 2013, and

joined the team full time in June 2016 410 N Fifth St , Sterling, 970 522 3823, https://www.face book.com/people/Sterling Fire Department/100063791250888.

Runner Up: Brett Dowis, Ster ling Fire Department.

Best Financial Planner

Arts at Sterling Middle School Wendy Fickes taught fifth grade at Campbell Elementary in Ster ling

Joel Nelson of Nelson Finan cial has been helping investors for over 20 years He is a Certi fied Financial Planner™ profes sional who brings practical business experience to every decision and client interaction. He spent an additional 10 years in the cor porate world manufacturing and

selling pharmaceutical and agri cultural products. Joel earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Minnesota, with a minor in Business Admin istration 206 Main S , Sterling, 970 521 7800, https://jnelson fi nancial com

Runner Up: Bob Blach, New York Life, 214 Poplar St. Suite 101, Ster ling, 970 522 2520, https://www. newyorklife.com/agent/rblach.

Best Golf Course

Joel Nelson Riverview Golf Course

Riverview Golf Course provides Northeastern Colorado with a foremost golf experience that of fers 18 holes, water features, and friendly services suitable for all ages and levels of golf expertise. The course opened in 1980, and has been run by Brent and Jessica Fiscus since March 2020. The fa cility is open year round, offering a pro shop as well as event cen ter. The event center specializes

in customizing to the needs of the clients and customers. Beyond golf tournaments, events can in clude: weddings, receptions, grad uation celebrations, Cajun boils, anniversary and birthday par ties as well as Christmas gather ings Jambalicious Dishes, Donna Frankenfeld, provides full cater ing services with both onsite and offsite availability. 300 N. River view Rd., Sterling, 970 522 3035, www.riverviewgolf.com.

Runner Up: Sky Ranch Golf Course, 17408 CO 14, Sterling, 970 522 2836, skyranchgc.com.

Best Waitperson

Erika McMahon

Erika McMahon serves cus tomers with a friendly smile at J&L Cafe 423 N Third St , Ster ling, 970 522 3625, Facebook JL

Cafe.

Runner Up: Tonya Wilson, Parts & Labor Brewing Co , 402 Main St , Unit B, Sterling, 970 425 7540, www partsandlabor brewing com

Best Massage Therapist

Alicea Einspahr

Alicea Einspahr of Kneaded Wellness offers a variety of mas sage therapy and other spa ser vices to promote “Healing from the inside out.” 105 Ash Ave, Flem ing, 970 580 2084, https://www. facebook.com/kneadedwellness

Runner Up (tie): Megan Char ney, 114 S. 3rd Ave., Sterling, 970 522 4340, Facebook: BIB Mas sage.

Julie Fitzjohn, 119 Poplar Street, Sterling, 970 520 0269, https://www facebook com/pro file php?id=100057066565018

Janae Kerr, Genesis Massage and Spa, 131 Hamilton St., Ster ling, 970 580 2060.

Best Non-Profit Organization

Family Resource Center

Over the past 16 years, Family Resource Center has created pro grams to help families build par enting skills, reduce risks for child

abuse and neglect, and youth clubs to encourage strong social and re siliency skills. FRC offers a free food pantry all year, a community gar den in the summer, and free coats in the winter. 120 Main St., Ster ling, 970 526 2439, frcsterling.org.

RunnerUp(tie):Early Childhood

Best Local Artist

Bradford Rhea

Born in Denver in 1954, Bradford Rhea has experienced a life long affinity for the arts. For over a de cade, Bradford carved trees in and around the Sterling area; these Living Sculp tures have largely been replaced with bronze

replicas, with the orig inal wood sculptures moved to indoor loca tions to protect them from the elements. His new work Triune will be installed at the new Heritage Park in com ing months thesculp tor7@gmail com, 970 520 1199.

Runner Up: Karen Foote.

Council of Logan, Phillips and Sedgwick Counties, 100 Broadway St. Suite 14, Sterling, 970 526 2440, http://www.ecclps.org.

Cooperating Ministry of Logan County, 230 N. 10th Ave., Sterling, 970 522 6405, www.coopminlc. com.

Best Realtor

Brianna McBride

Brianna McBride of Area Wide Realty is a longtime Logan County resident. She became a licensed broker in 2016. Brianna learns every thing she can about her clients’ objectives, and then applies her exper tise to create the best real estate experience

possible. 1100 W. Main St., Sterling, 970 580 6107, www.areawidere altyonline.com/agents/ brianna mcbride.

Runner Up: Mat tie Haney, Precision Homes, 436 S Front St , Sterling, 970 576 9682, https://www.facebook. com/BuyColoradoEast.