SVM_Readers Choice Winners_2023

2023

February22,2023

Favorite Bakery

First Place

Aurelio’s Bakery

Second Place

Coffee Crush

Third Place

AirPlay Espresso & Bakery

Honorable Mention

Sophie’s Café

Favorite Banquet Facility

First Place

Champs Banquet Venue

Second Place

Deer Valley Banquets

Third Place

Candlelight Inn

Honorable Mention

McCormick Event Center

Favorite Fast Food Service

First Place

Arthur’s Garden Deli

Second Place

Culver’s

Third Place

Don Pedro’s Honorable Mention

McDonald’s

DINING

Favorite Place for a First Date

First Place

Candlelight Inn

Second Place

Basil Tree

Third Place

Somkit

Honorable Mention

Forest Inn

Favorite Place for a Shake

First Place

Culver’s

Second Place

Dairy Queen

Third Place

Dairy Delite

Honorable Mention

Revolution Wellness

Favorite Place for a Steak

First Place

Prime Quarter Steak House

Second Place

Galena Steak House

Third Place

Forest Inn

Honorable Mention

Blackhawk Steak Pit

Favorite Place for Breakfast

First Place

Eggs in Paradise

Second Place

Maple Pancake House

Third Place

Flynnie’s

Honorable Mention

Brother Daryl’s

Favorite Place for Brunch

First Place

White Pines

Second Place

Brother Daryl’s

Third Place

Lisa’s Brick House

Honorable Mention

Mama Cimino’s

of

Dixon

Ace Hardware and Outdoor Center opened in 1977 by Roger Kelly and a partner at 735 N. Galena Avenue. In 1979, they moved to their current location of 900 N. Galena Avenue where they sold boats, motors, outdoor equipment and hardware. In 1992, Jennifer Kelly (Roger’s granddaughter) joined the business and was followed by her brother Chris (grandson) in 1994. In 1995, Rich Kelly (Roger’s son) purchased Roger’s partner’s share and joined the family business.

Throughout the years, extensive remodeling and additions have taken place including: a warehouse in 2003, a face-lift for the front of the store in 2005, a remodel of the back storage area in 2006, a total store reset in 2007 and in 2014, a remodel of the existing warehouse into the new rental department, and the addition of a new warehouse. Today, Ace Hardware and Outdoor Center is a complete hardware store with extensive plumbing and electrical departments and a full line of hardware and specialty fasteners with sizes up to grade 8. A large paint department features Ace Paint, Clark + Kensington Paint and Benjamin Moore Paint, and can custom tint any of our paint brands to suit your needs. Stihl and Toro outdoor power equipment. NEW in 2023 make Ace your Grilling & BBQ Destination with an all newly expanded display center. Including display models, accessories, sauces, rubs, replacement parts and so much more.

Favorite Place for Chicken

First Place

Candlelight Inn

Second Place

Don’s Seafood & Chicken

Third Place

B.B.Y. Chicken & Carry Out

Honorable Mention

Rip’s Tavern - Ladd

Favorite Place for Coffee

First Place

Coffee Crush

Second Place

Sophie’s Café

Third Place

Starbucks

Honorable Mention

AirPlay Espresso & Bakery

DINING

Favorite Place for Dessert

First Place

Dairy Delite

Second Place

Dairy Queen

Third Place

Culver’s

Honorable Mention

Baker Street

Favorite Place for French Fries

First Place

McDonald’s

Second Place

Culver’s Third Place

Shooters

Honorable Mention

The Factory

DINING

Favorite Place for Hamburgers

First Place

Culver’s Second Place

Shamrock Pub

Third Place

The Factory

Honorable Mention

Fat Boys

Favorite Place for Ice Cream

First Place

Dairy Delite

Second Place

Dairy Queen Third Place

Culver’s

Honorable Mention

Dairy Mart Plus

Favorite Place for Lunch

First Place

Arthur’s Garden Deli

Second Place

Kelly’s Third Place

Angelo’s

Honorable Mention

The Factory 2023

Once again, Heritage Square received the 1st place Favorite Senior Facility “Readers’ Choice Award for 2023. This award is a reflection of the high standards set by our Board of Directors: Judge Charles Beckman, President, Judge Doug Lee, Patrick Jones Jr., Kenda Bailey, Debra Didier, Dan Kapolnek and Tom Densmore. The array of expertise and experience among these community leaders harmonizes all decision making. As Administrator, it is an honor and privilege to work for leaders of strong dedication and integrity. Heritage Square marks its 49th year as a long term health care provider.

Thank you all for your continual support in serving this great community.

Respectfully, Bonnie O’Connell, Administrator

620 North Ottawa Dixon

St. Andrew Catholic Church - Rock Falls Third Place

Harvest Time Bible Church - Rock Falls

Honorable Mention

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church - Dixon

Favorite Community Event

First Place

Dixon Petunia Festival

Second Place

Autumn on Parade

Third Place

Amboy Depot Days

Honorable Mention

Fiesta Days

Favorite Golf Course

First Place

Emerald Hill Golf Course

Second Place

Deer Valley Golf Club

Third Place

Timber Creek Golf

Honorable Mention

Shady Oaks Golf Club

Favorite Local Politician

First Place

Tony McCombie

Second Place

Joe McDonald

Third Place

Tom Demmer

Honorable Mention

Adam Kinzinger

Favorite Park

First Place

Lowell Park

Second Place

White Pines Forest State Park

Third Place

Sinnissippi Park

Honorable Mention

Centennial Park

Favorite Pet Groomer

First Place

Muddy Paws

Second Place

PetSmart

Third Place

Wizard of Paws

Honorable Mention

River Ridge Animal Hospital

Favorite Place to Buy Lotto Tickets

First Place

Casey’s

Second Place Shell

Third Place

Kelley’s Market-Mobil

Honorable Mention

Oliver’s Corner Market

Favorite Place to Camp

First Place

Rockwood State Park

Second Place

O’Connell’s Yogi Bear Jellystone Park

Third Place

White Pines Forest State Park

Honorable Mention

Lake LaDonna

JUST FOR FUN

Favorite Place to Exercise

First Place

Westwood Fitness & Sports Center Second Place

7:24 Fitness on the Rock

Honorable Mention Dixon Family YMCA

Favorite Small Town

First Place

Amboy

Second Place Oregon

Third Place

Morrison

Honorable Mention

Grand Detour

Favorite Veterinary Clinic

First Place

River Ridge Animal Hospital

Second Place

Morrison Veterinary Clinic

Third Place

Milledgeville Veterinary Clinic

Honorable Mention

Happy Tails 2023

Favorite Veterinary Clinic

of Dixon

River Ridge Animal Hospital provides pets in the Sauk Valley area with the best possible veterinary care, boarding and day care services. The goal of their caring staff and doctors is to provide the highest quality pet care in the region using state-of-the art equipment and techniques while still maintaining compassionate small town service and care. Services offered include personalized wellness care, therapeutic “cold” laser for acute and chronic conditions, soft tissue laser surgery, digital radiology, ultrasound, in house laboratory services, advanced dental care, rhinoscopy and orthopedic surgery including external fracture fixation.

The doctors and staff are also trained in fear free techniques to try and make your pet’s healthcare experience as enjoyable as possible. Going beyond just your pet’s healthcare needs, Whether you need to leave your pet for just one day or for a month, your pet will be spoiled in River Ridge’s spacious boarding facility. The boarding area offers everything from deluxe overnight accommodations to daycare services.

Visit us at www.riverridgevets.com

SHOPPING

Favorite Barbershop

First Place

Ben’s Phresh Kutz

Second Place The Loop

Third Place

Sterling Barber Shop

Honorable Mention

Bill & Dick’s Barber Shop

Favorite Beauty Salon

First Place

Lotus Wellness Spa & Salon

Second Place

Statik Hair Studio & Day Spa

Third Place

Bombshell Beauty Lounge

Honorable Mention

Fringe & Co. Salon & Western Boutique

Favorite Car Wash

First Place

Huffman Car Wash

Second Place Super Wash

Third Place The Bubble

Honorable Mention

Four Seasons Power Wash

Favorite Cell Phone Provider First Place Verizon

Place

732 N. Galena Ave. Dixon 815-288-3041

weedsdesignsdixon.com

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm Saturday 9am – 2pm

We deliver fresh flowers all over the Sauk Valley and beyond. Full service florist, specializing in weddings and sympathy tributes. We use the freshest flowers/never dry packed. Our goal is to always stay on top of the latest trends and changing times.

With so many social media followers throughout the country commenting how they wish “they were closer” or “wish you shipped” - We do now and have for the past year, it’s been great! Order via Weedsdesigns.com

Favorite Electrician

First Place

Dennis Electric

Second Place

Weaver Electric Service

Third Place

Engel Electric

Honorable Mention

United Electric

Favorite Financial Advisor

First Place

Brett Nicklaus

Second Place

Chad Weigle

Third Place

Robbie Minor

Honorable Mention

Katy Selmi

We want to thank all our listeners that voted Sam Ramirez number one radio personality and River Country 101.7 your favorite radio station

LISTEN TO WIN

SHOPPING

Favorite Financial Planner

First Place

Edward Jones

Second Place

Raymond James

Third Place

Country Financial

Honorable Mention

Nicklaus Financial Service

Favorite Flower Shop/

Greenhouse

First Place

Weeds

Second Place

Lundstrom Florist

Third Place

Flowers, Etc.

Honorable Mention

Blooms-A-Latté

Favorite Funeral Home

First Place

McDonald Funeral Homes

Second Place

Preston-Schilling Funeral Home

Third Place

Jones Funeral Homes

Honorable Mention

Schilling Funeral Home

Favorite Furniture Store

First Place

Harold’s Furniture

Second Place

Knie Appliance, Furniture & Mattress

Third Place

D & E Furniture

Honorable Mention

Tegeler’s Amish Furniture

Thursday, March 23rd at 6pm

2023 River Countr y Listener Appreciation Party

McCormick Event Center

205 East 3rd Street, Rock Falls

Includes dinner and cash bar

Entertainment provided by Brushville

1245

Favorite Garage Door

Installer

First Place

Grizzly Garage Door

Second Place

Garage Door Specialists

Third Place

Raynor Door Authority

Honorable Mention

Illinois Doormasters

Honorable Mention

MDS Doors

Favorite Gas Station

First Place

Casey’s Second Place Shell

Third Place

Meusel’s Dairy Delite is located at 118 E 7th Street in Dixon and 303 S. Mason Avenue in Amboy

It was established in Amboy in 1986 by George and Yolane Meusel.

The Dixon location opened in 1998.

meuselsdairydelite.com

I describe my business as Delitefully Delicious!

I would also like to give a shout out to my dedicated Dairy Delite family (past and present) for providing outstanding service and unlimited smiles to my devoted Dairy Delite fans.

Kroger

Honorable Mention

Kelley’s Market-Mobil

Favorite Gift Store

First Place

Golden Key Gifts

Second Place

Bushel Basket Candle Co.

Third Place

Pam’s Hallmark

Honorable Mention

Rustic Roots