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JULY 2018 • A SUPPLEMENT TO LEADER PUBLICATIONS
2 | 2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST
2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST | 3
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT BEST RESTAURANT — NILES Gold: Pizza Transit Silver: Smokin D BBQ Bronze: Prime Table
BEST RESTAURANT — DOWAGIAC Gold: Zeke’s Silver: Wood Fire Bronze: Wounded Minnow BEST RESTAURANT — EDWARDSBURG Gold: Fat Cam’s at Garver Lake Silver: Fireside Tap & Grill Bronze: Stacy’s BEST RESTAURANT — CASSOPOLIS Gold: Broadway Cafe Silver: Lindy’s Bronze: The Twirl BEST RESTAURANT — ST. JOSEPH/BENTON HARBOR Gold: Silver Beach Pizza Silver: Clementine’s Too Bronze: The Buck
BEST RESTAURANT — HARBOR COUNTRY Gold: Redamak’s Silver: The Stray Dog Bronze: Timothy’s
BEST RESTAURANT — SOUTH BEND Gold: LaSalle Grill & Hacienda Silver: Fiddler’s Hearth & Café Navarre Bronze: Crooked Ewe & El Arreiero BEST RESTAURANT — GRANGER Gold: Yesterday’s Silver: Soho & The Shed Bronze: Temper Grille & Rocky River Tap & Table BEST RESTAURANT — MISHAWAKA Gold: Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Silver: Hacienda Bronze: Corndance BEST BAKERY Gold: Country Bake Shop Silver: Rise ‘n’ Roll & Excalibur Bakery Bronze: West End Bakery & Baker’s Rhapsody BEST ICE CREAM Gold: Swirlyz Silver: Dairy Queen Niles Bronze: Kilwin’s St. Joseph BEST DESSERT Gold: Swirlyz Silver: Cottage Inn Pizza
Bronze: Yesterday’s BEST BURGER Gold: The Tavern Silver: Five Guys Bronze: The Nuggett BEST FRENCH FRIES Gold: Five Guys Silver: McDonald’s Bronze: Rise ‘n’ Shine BEST STEAK Gold: Longhorn Steakhouse Silver: Logan’s Roadhouse, Texas Roadhouse, The Shed Bronze: Outback Steakhouse BEST SEAFOOD Gold: Red Lobster
BEST RESTAURANT — ALL OF MICHIANA Gold: Pizza Transit Silver: Smokin’ D BBQ Bronze: Fat Cam’s at Garver Lake
Silver: Bonefish Grill Bronze: Four Winds Casino BEST WINGS Gold: Wings Etc. Niles Silver: Jay’s Lounge, Buffalo Wild Wings Bronze: Cottage Inn Pizza BEST SEAFOOD Gold: Red Lobster Silver: Bonefish Grill Bronze: Four Winds Casino
4 | 2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT BEST PIZZA Gold: Pizza Transit Silver: Silver Beach Pizza Bronze: Milano’s Pizza
BEST SANDWICH Gold: Jim’s Smokin’ Cafe at Paris Soda Co. Silver: Smokin’ D BBQ and Subway Bronze: Cottage Inn Pizza Niles BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD Gold: Aladdin’s Silver: Pizza Transit Bronze: 11th Harvest BEST ITALIAN FOOD Gold: Pete’s Patio & Olive Garden Silver: Papa Vino’s Bronze: Brewster’s BEST ASIAN FOOD Gold: Ho Ping Silver: Hot Wok Bronze: The Brass Eye BEST MEXICAN FOOD Gold: El Amigo Pepe Silver: Hacienda Bronze: Taqueria Don Chepe BEST BREAKFAST Gold: Rise N Shine Silver: Prime Table Bronze: Hob Nob BEST LUNCH Gold: Rise N Shine Silver: Jim’s Smokin’ Cafe at Paris Soda Co. Bronze: 11th Harvest & Pizza Transit
BEST ROMANTIC DINNER Gold: LaSalle Grill Silver: Pizza Transit Bronze: Corndance, Tabor Hill & Wheatberry
BEST BREWERY Gold: Evil Czech Silver: Greenbush Bronze: Lehman’s Farmhouse & The Strand BEST WINERY Gold: Round Barn Silver: Tabor Hill Bronze: Dablon BEST COCKTAILS Gold: The Brass Eye Silver: Fat Cam’s at Garver Lake Bronze: Bonefish BEST BAR Gold: The Brass Eye Silver: Jay’s Lounge Bronze: Front Street Pizza BEST COFFEE Gold: Brew Ha Ha Silver: Top Heavy Bronze: Starbucks BEST OUTDOOR DINING Gold: Fat Cam’s at Garver Lake Silver: Front Street Pizza & The Stray Dog Bronze: The Strand BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT Gold: Prime Table Silver: Pizza Transit Bronze: Rise N Shine
BEST PLACE TO BUY CHOCOLATE Gold: Veni’s Silver: South Bend Chocolate Company Bronze: Caruso’s WAITRESS Gold: Hailey Akey, Wings Etc. Silver: Harley Scoggin, Pizza Transit Bronze: Britani Kline, Jay’s Lounge BEST BARTENDER Gold: Bryan Williams, Brass Eye Silver: Joline, Fat Cam’s at Garver Lkae Bronze: Chris Spencer, Woodfire BEST MOVIE THEATER Gold: Wonderland Cinema Silver: Movies 14 Bronze: The Loma BEST LOCAL FESTIVAL OR EVENT Gold: Four Flags Area Apple Festival Silver: Hunter Ice Festival Bronze: Berrien County Youth Fair
BEST LIVE BAND Gold: P.S. Dump Your Boyfriend Silver: All My Sins Remembered Bronze: Blammo & The Toona’s BEST LOCAL DJ/RADIO PERSONALITY Gold: DJ Pacman Silver: Corey Mann, Pulse FM Bronze: Big Perm, U93 BEST LOCAL TV NEWS ANCHOR Gold: Tricia Sloma Silver: Bob Montgomery Bronze: Joshua Short BEST METEOROLOGIST Gold: Matt Rudkin Silver: Cari Peugeot Bronze: Mike Hoffman & Abby Wepler BEST LIBRARY Gold: Niles District Library Silver: Buchanan District Library Bronze: Cass District Library
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE Gold: Vegetable Buddies Silver: Round Barn Winery Bronze: Front Street Pizza Pub & The Livery BEST LOCAL FINE ARTIST Gold: Christina Casperson BEST LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS THEATER Gold: Morris Performing Arts Center Silver: Beckwith Theatre Bronze: The Mendel Center
MY EYES
Protecting your gift of sight for over 25 years Buchanan 269.695.3434
New Buffalo 269.469.6331
Dowagiac 269.782.7141
www.smokevisioncare.com Visit us on Facebook for exclusive news & promotions Thank you for your vote of confidence
Proud to be your hometown bank.
Thank you for your vote! We are honored to
receive silver in both
Best Place to Work and
Best Bank/Credit Union. Happy employees
2018
Sam Appleberry (616) 723-3273
Dick Murdock (269) 470-0242
mean happy clients!
1stsource.com
6 | 2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST
RETAIL SHOPPING BEST GROCERY STORE Gold: Martin’s Supermarket Silver: Shelton’s Bronze: Meijer
BEST GARDEN CENTER Gold: Shelton’s Silver: Vite’s Bronze: Varner’s
BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP Gold: Goodwill Niles Silver: ‘Cross the Street Collectibles Bronze: Who kNew
BEST LIQUOR/PARTY STORE Gold: Belmont Beverage & Crocker’s Silver: Sunset Liquor Bronze: Chalet, Liquor Cabinet, Michiana Mini Mart & Redbud Liquor
BEST TIRE STORE Gold: Zolman Tire Silver: D&D Tire Bronze: Belle Tire BEST FURNITURE/HOME DECOR Gold: A Lovely Nest Silver: Imperial Furniture Bronze: Slumberland & Big Lots BEST WOMEN’S APPAREL Gold: The Marshall Shoppe Silver: Ali’s on the Boulevard & Macy’s Bronze: Goodwill
BEST FLORIST Gold: Flowers by Anna Silver: East Main Gardens Bronze: The Flower Cart BEST FARMERS MARKET/FRUIT STAND Gold: Shelton’s Silver: Buchanan Farmer’s Market Bronze: South Bend Farmers Market
2018
RETAIL SHOPPING
BEST PLACE TO BUY MEAT Gold: Shelton’s Silver: Lowery’s Bronze: Harding’s
BEST GIFT BOUTIQUE Gold: Flowers by Anna Silver: Forever Clean Soapworks Bronze: A Lovely Nest BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP Gold: Tyler Automotive Silver: Campbell Ford Bronze: C Wimberley BEST USED CAR DEALERSHIP Gold: Tyler Automotive Silver: Murdock Used Cars Bronze: Campbell Ford BEST MOTORCYCLE/ATV DEALERSHIP Gold: McDaniel’s Harley Davidson Silver: Elkhart Indian Motors Bronze: Harbor Sports
BEST HUNTING & FISHING Gold: Rusty Hooks Bait & Tackle Silver: Bass Pro Shop Bronze: Dick’s Sporting Goods & Rural King BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT/ LUMBER YARD Gold: Lowe’s Silver: Menard’s Bronze: Judd Lumber BEST APPLIANCE STORE Gold: Camden’s Silver: Lowe’s Bronze: ABC Warehouse BEST ANTIQUE STORE Gold: Four Flags Antique Mall Silver: ‘Cross the Street Collectibles Bronze: Main Street Antique Mall BEST HARDWARE STORE Gold: Lowe’s Silver: Redbud Bronze: Hale’s True Value
2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST | 7
8 | 2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST
LIFESTYLE & SERVICES BEST PLACE TO WORSHIP Gold: Hope Community Church Silver: Summit Church Bronze: Granger Community Church
BEST PLACE FOR PEOPLE WATCHING Gold: Niles Walmart Silver: Silver Beach Bronze: Niles Riverfront Park
BEST GOLF COURSE Gold: Orchard Hills Country Club Silver: Hampshire Country Club Bronze: Blackthorn
BEST CAMPGROUND Gold: Potato Creek State Park Silver: Fuller’s Resort Bronze: Warren Dunes State Park
BEST FAMILY OUTING Gold: Silver Beach Silver: Fernwood Botanical Garden Bronze: Potawatomi Zoo
BEST PLACE TO WORK Gold: Shelton’s Silver: 1st Source Bank Bronze: Niles Community Schools
BEST DAY TRIP Gold: Silver Beach Silver: Warren Dunes State Park Bronze: Fernwood Botanical Garden
BEST MEDICAL FACILITY Gold: Lakeland Family Health Center Silver: St. Joseph Regional Med & Memorial Hospital Bronze: Southwestern Medical Clinic
BEST PLACE TO TAKE A HIKE Gold: Warren Dunes Silver: Fernwood Botanical Garden Bronze: Madeline Bertrand Park
BEST PHARMACY Gold: Walgreen’s Niles Silver: Rite Aid
THANK YOU SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN! United Federal Credit Union is proud to be your favorite financial institution. Thank you for your continued support as we put Members and our community first.
(888) 982-1400 | unitedfcu.com Insured by NCUA.
Bronze: Martin’s Pharmacy
Bertrand Park
BEST WOMEN’S CLINIC Gold: South Shore Women’s Clinic Silver: Pregnancy Care Center, Cass Family Clinic, Southwestern Medical Clinic Bronze: South Bend Clinic Granger
BEST BOSS Gold: Jimbo Shelton & Tim Brown Silver: Chief James Millin Bronze: Dr. Toby Mitchell, Michelle Asmus, Sarah Brittin and Thomas Gryp
BEST SEASONAL ACTIVITY Gold: Niles Scream Park Silver: Silver Beach Bronze: Disc golf at Madeline
BEST BANK OR CREDIT UNION Gold: United Federal Credit Union Silver: 1st Source Bank Bronze: Greater Niles Federal Credit Union
HEALTH & WELLNESS BEST RETIREMENT/ASSISTED LIVING Gold: West Woods Silver: Brentwood Bronze: Woodland Terrace
BEST HEARING AID CENTER Gold: Harrington Hearing Aid Silver: Berrien Springs Hearing Center Bronze: Beltone BEST COSMETIC SURGERY Gold: Dr. Zucker, Stone Gate & Center PC
2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST | 9
BEST DENTIST Gold: Dr. Beckermeyer Silver: Dr. Gourley Bronze: Dr. Flewelling BEST DOCTOR Gold: Dr. Rosa Johnson & Dr. Douglas Tackett Silver: Dr. John Howard Bronze: Dr. Toby Mitchell BEST EYE CARE PROVIDER Gold: Great Lakes Eye Care Silver: Smoke Vision Bronze: Niles Vision Clinic
Your friend in real estate
Christine Moore C 269-362-5665 O 269-687-8484 camoore219@aol.corn
BEST FITNESS CENTER Gold: YMCA of Southwest Michigan Silver: SLR Pilates Bronze: Anytime FItness BEST SPA/MASSAGE CENTER Gold: Inner Journey Silver: Clear Choice Chiropractic Bronze: YMCA of Southwest Michigan
THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1 BEST TIRE STORE
2018
And Nominating Us For Best Oil Change
SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS GET QUOTES | COUPONS
zolmantire.com South Bend | Mishawaka | Niles | Granger
10 | 2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST
LIFESTYLE & SERVICES EDUCATION BEST TEACHER Gold: Donna Dodge, Northside Silver: Ruth Livengood, Brandywine Bronze: Bonnie Prenkert, Niles BEST PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gold: Brandywine Elementary Silver: Eastside Connections Bronze: Howard-Ellis Elementary BEST PUBLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Gold: Brandywine Middle School Silver: Ring Lardner Middle School Bronze: Edwardsburg Middle School BEST PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL Gold: Brandywine High School & Niles High School (tie) Silver: Edwardsburg High School Bronze: Buchanan High School BEST PUBLIC ELEMENTARY Gold: Brandywine Elementary Silver: Eastside Connections Bronze: Howard-Ellis Elementary BEST LOCAL COLLEGE Gold: Southwestern Michigan College Silver: Lake Michigan College Bronze: Bethel College
BEST AUTO REPAIR/BODY SHOP Gold: Marsh Auto & Millin Auto Repair Silver: Rock Auto Bronze: Dave’s Garage BEST PLACE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE Gold: Millin Automotive Silver: Sparkle Bronze: Zolman BEST HEATING & COOLING Gold: Michiana Heating & Air Conditioning Silver: Scott Wilson Bronze: Robert’s Services BEST REALTOR Gold: Julie Capron Silver: Brian & Debbie Floor Bronze: Mark Skene BEST LANDSCAPING Gold: Owen’s Lawn Care Silver: AJL Total Property Maintenance Bronze: M.A.A.C BEST INSURANCE Gold: Meemic Silver: Scott Stewart, State Farm Bronze: Dave Miller & Joe Jilek, State Farm BEST VETERINARIAN Gold: Bergman’s Silver: River Valley Equine Bronze: Roseland Animal Hospital BEST PET SERVICES/BROOMER Gold: Shampoochie Silver: Canine Country Club
Bronze: Top Notch Grooming BEST PLUMBER Gold: Hood’s Plumbing Silver: Thornton Plumbing Services, LLC Bronze: Kruegers, Roberts Services BEST WASTE REMOVAL Gold: Michiana Recycling Silver: Borden Waste Away Bronze: Best Way BEST PLUMBER Gold: Hood’s Plumbing Silver: Thornton Plumbing Services, LLC Bronze: Kruegers, Roberts Services BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT Gold: Hogue Restoration & Remodeling Silver: Astrong Construction Bronze: Floyd Brown Remodeling
BEST ATTORNEY Gold: Mowitt S. Drew II Silver: Bob Laandgraf Bronze: Kotz Sangster BEST FUNERAL SERVICE PROVIDER Gold: Brown Funeral Home Silver: Halbritter Funeral Home Bronze: Hoven Funeral Home BEST NAIL SALON Gold: Nail Connections Silver: Niles Nails Bronze: Popular Nails BEST HAIR SALON Gold: Pure Rituals Silver: Becky Lapham - Creative Cut Bronze: Shanna Hightower BEST HAIR STYLIST Gold: Samantha Hamilton Fozo Pure Rituals Silver: Becky Lapham - Creative Cut Bronze: Shanna Hightower
2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST | 11
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12 | 2018 LEADER PUBLICATIONS BEST OF THE BEST
ting for o v r o f y t i n u m m o c e h College n a Tanks to t g i h c i M n r e t e w ge e l l o South C l a c o tL e B e h t a
2018
ONE COLLEGE
SO MANY REASONS TO GO Go because we can get you started on nearly any degree for half the cost of universities. Go because we have the best dorms and campus life around. Go because the 240-acre campus is safe, beautiful and always busy with activity. Go because you’ve got big plans for life.
There’s still time to apply, register and get scholarships and housing for Fall!
Go to swmich.edu today to fill out the free application.
SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
As a Michigan public community college, Southwestern Michigan College operates under the supervision of a locally-elected board of trustees. The seven board members serve six-year terms and represent a broad range of backgrounds and geographic locations within the college’s service area. Members of the board serve their constituents without compensation.
Thomas F. Jerdon Chairman
Keith H. McKenzie Vice Chairman
William M. White Secretary
Becky L. Moore Treasurer
Beth J. Cripe Trustee
Dr. Heidi M. Grabemeyer-Layman Trustee
Todd A. Obren Trustee
Southwestern Michigan College is an equal opportunity institution. Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. www.higherlearningcommission.org