Razor close races found in ‘Best of the R-C’ Contest
Published 2:20 pm Thursday, October 10, 2024
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As it is within the political arena, each and every vote counts.
The votes are in for the “Best of the Roanoke-Chowan” contest for 2024. The results showed some extremely close races.
It was so close in the voting for Best Auto Repair that there was a tie for first place while the runner-up was only two votes shy of making it a three-way tie.
The difference between first and second place in the Best Athletic Trainer category was two votes. Ditto for the Best Chef category. Ditto for Best Mattress Store. Ditto for Best Oil Change. Ditto for the Best Tire Store.
In the Best Hair Salon category, three votes were the difference between the winner and runner-up.
Only four votes separated first and second place in the Best Eye Care/Optometrist category. Ditto for the Best Peanut Company.
The top two voter-getters in the Best Attorney category were separated by six votes. Ditto for the Best Roofing Contractor.
First and second place were within seven votes of each other for Best Barbecue in the Roanoke-Chowan area.
There were numerous other categories where the difference between first and second place was less than 15 votes.
And what makes these close races all that more amazing is the fact that there was a total of 30,240 votes cast.
Those taking part in the voting process cast ballots for their favorite establishments, service providers, and professionals in the Roanoke-Chowan area. From your favorite auto repair shop…to the best hot dog….to the best cup of coffee, to the best French fries, votes were received and tabulated in 147 categories.
Other categories that attracted a large number of votes (more than 250) included Best Home Care Agency, Best Accountant, Best Attorney, Best Coach, Best Customer Service, Best Doctor, Best Electrical Contractor, Best Elementary School, Best Elementary School Principal, Best Elementary School Teacher, Best Employees, Best Ice Cream, Best Italian Food, Best Law Firm, Best Medical Facility, Best Mexican Food, Best Industrial Business, Best Middle School, Best Nurse, Best Pizza, Best Private School, Best Propane Company, Best Real Estate Agency, Best Real Estate Agent, and Best Restaurant.
Formally known as the Reader’s Choice Awards, “Best of the Roanoke-Chowan” allows the readers of our printed products and visitors to our website to select the “best of the best” businesses and professionals all across the broad landscape of our region: Bertie, Gates, Hertford, and Northampton counties.
Balloting was done online throughout the month of August, which dramatically increased participation as well as allowing us to increase the number of categories.
Roanoke-Chowan Publications offers its thanks to the contest’s Presenting Sponsor: Nucor Steel of Hertford County. Nucor is one of our local area’s top employers. At its mill near Cofield, Nucor manufactures high-quality steel plates that are used in various projects all across the United States. Nucor Steel of Hertford County takes pride in not only their products, but also of being part of the local community and a promoter of a green and clean environment.
We also say thanks to those who took the time to cast ballots on our website. We strongly encourage everyone who took part to “back up your vote” by supporting local businesses.
Congratulations to the winners who are listed as follows:
Best Auto Body Repair
Winner: Ahoskie Body Shop & Collision Center
Runner-up: Rich Square Auto Services
Best Auto Dealer (New)
Winner: Strickland Auto Group
Runner-up: Feyer Ford of Ahoskie
Best Auto Dealer (Used)
Winner: Strickland Auto Group
Runner-up: Feyer Ford of Ahoskie
Best Auto Parts Store
Winner: NAPA Auto Parts – Morris Auto Parts
Runner-up: Dixie Auto Parts – Sunbury
Best Auto Repair
Co-Winner: Casper Sale & Services
Co-Winner: Morris Auto Service
Runner-up: Strickland Auto
Best Auto Salesperson
Winner: Billy Little
Runner-up: Brandon Casper
Best Car Wash/Detailing
Winner: Pro Sparkle
Runner-up: Crystal Clean
Best Oil Change
Winner: Casper Sale & Services
Runner-up: Chowan Tire Services LLC
Best Tire Store
Winner: Colony Tire and Service
Runner-up: Ahoskie Tire Sales Inc.
Best Towing
Winner: Freeman Sales Inc.
Runner-up: Ahoskie Body Shop & Collision Center
Best Child Care Provider
Winner: Ahoskie Christian Center
Runner-up: New Beginnings Day Care Center
Best Coach
Winner: Michael Vaughan
Runner-up: Jonathan Jones
Best Community College
Winner: Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Runner-up: Pitt Community College
Best Elementary School
Winner: Bearfield Primary School
Runner-up: Ridgecroft School
Best Elementary School Principal
Winner: Julie Shields
Runner-up: Don Gregory
Best Elementary School Teacher
Winner: Jennifer Rose
Runner-up: Amanda Little
Best High School
Winner: Hertford County Early College High School
Runner-up: Hertford County High School
Best High School Athletic Program
Winner: Gates County High School
Runner-up: Hertford County High School
Best High School Principal
Winner: Lyndsay Britt
Runner-up: Wesley Dudley
Best High School Teacher
Winner: Sarah Davis
Runner-up: Lori Barnes
Best Middle School
Winner: Ridgecroft School
Runner-up: Hertford County Middle School
Best Middle School Principal
Winner: Terrell Deloatch
Best Middle School Teacher
Winner: Lori Barnes
Runner-up: Brandon Young
Best Private School
Winner: Ridgecroft School
Runner-up: Ahoskie Christian School
Best Teacher’s Assistant
Winner: Brenda Langford
Best Asian Food
Winner: China Garden Restaurant
Runner-up: E9 Grill and Par 3 Course
Best Bakery
Winner: The Table Spoon
Runner-up: Sugar Shack at Black Mingle Farms
Best Barbecue
Winner: Otto BBQ & Grill
Runner-up: Tarheel Bar-B-Q
Best Breakfast
Winner: Duck Thru Food Stores
Runner-up: The Table Spoon
Best Catering
Winner: Southern Delights
Runner-up: Sugar Shack at Black Mingle Farms
Best Cheese Biscuit
Winner: Bojangles
Runner-up: Duck Thru
Best Coffee
Winner: Mug Shotz Cafe & Quick Trigger Brewing Co.
Runner-up: Duck Thru Food Stores
Best Deli
Winner: Piggly Wiggly – Ahoskie
Runner-up: Food Lion
Best Dessert
Winner: Sugar Shack at Black Mingle Farms
Runner-up: Kurbside Bar & Grill
Best Drive-Thru
Winner: Golden Skillet
Runner-up: Burger King
Best Food Truck
Winner: Yall Eat Yet
Runner-up: Latin Soul
Best French Fries
Winner: Napoli Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Runner-up: Otto BBQ & Grill
Best Fried Chicken
Winner: Golden Skillet
Runner-up: Park N Shop # 9
Best Grocery Store Hot Bar
Winner: Piggly Wiggly – Ahoskie
Runner-up: Food Lion
Best Hamburger
Winner: Otto BBQ & Grill
Runner-up: Tavern 125
Best Home Cooking
Winner: Ella’s Cafe
Runner-up: Golden Skillet
Best Hot Dog
Winner: Duck Thru Food Stores
Runner-up: Kurbside Bar & Grill
Best Ice Cream
Winner: Murfreesboro Creamery
Runner-up: Duck Thru Food Stores
Best Iced Tea
Winner: Bojangles
Runner-up: Golden Skillet
Best Italian Food
Winner: Napoli Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Runner-up: Vito & Sons Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
Best Kids Meal
Winner: Golden Skillet
Runner-up: Latin Soul
Best Meal Deal
Winner: Duck Thru Food Stores
Runner-up: Latin Soul
Best Menu
Winner: Tavern 125
Runner-up: Otto BBQ & Grill
Best Mexican Food
Winner: El Ranchero Cantina y Mas
Runner-up: Los Amigos Mexican
Best Outdoor Dining
Winner: Tavern 125
Runner-up: E9 Grill and Par 3 Course
Best Peanut Company
Winner: Bertie County Peanuts /Powell & Stokes Inc.
Runner-up: Hampton Farms
Best Pizza
Winner: Napoli Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Runner-up: Vito & Sons Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
Best Restaurant
Winner: Napoli Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Runner-up: Tavern 125
Best Sandwich
Winner: Napoli Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Runner-up: Otto BBQ & Grill
Best Steak
Winner: Deadwood
Runner-up: Tavern 125
Best Taco
Winner: El Ranchero Cantina y Mas
Runner-up: Latin Soul
Best Home Care Agency
Winner: Quality Home Staffing Inc.
Runner-up: Home Life Care
Best Assisted Living Facility
Winner: Ahoskie Assisted Living
Runner-up: Gates House Assisted Living
Best Athletic Trainer
Winner: ECU Health Wellness Center – Ahoskie
Runner-up: Swing Angry
Best Chiropractor
Winner: Larabee Chiropractic & Rehab
Runner-up: Dr. Katie, Gaston N.C.
Best Dental Clinic
Winner: Thomas W. Vinson DDS
Runner-up: East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine – Ahoskie
Best Doctor
Winner: Christina Griffiths FNP
Runner-up: Berry Personalized Primary Care
Best Eye Care/Optometrist
Winner: Edwards Eye Care
Runner-up: Ahoskie Eye Care OD PA
Best Fitness Facility
Winner: ECU Health Wellness Center – Ahoskie
Runner-up: Swing Angry
Best Massage Therapist
Winner: DLuxe Beauty Bar LLC
Runner-up: De-Vinity Massage
Best Medical Facility
Winner: Aulander Medical Practice
Runner-up: Ahoskie Medical Practice, Penny L Brown MSNFNP-BC
Best Medical Transport Service
Winner: Bertie Ambulance Services
Runner-up: Bertie County Emergency Services
Best Nurse
Winner: Angela Futrell, Conway N.C.
Runner-up: Berry Personalized Primary Care
Best Nursing/Rehab Facility
Winner: Three Rivers Health & Rehabilitation Center
Runner-up: Gates Health and Rehab
Best Pediatrician
Winner: Jamande Jones MD
Runner-up: Susan Hoggard/RCCHC
Best Pharmacy
Winner: Mizelle’s Discount Drug
Runner-up: Todd’s Pharmacy of Gates County
Best Physical Therapy
Winner: ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
Runner-up: ECU Health Bertie Hospital
Best Urgent Care
Runner-up: ECU Health Immediate Care – Ahoskie
Best College Athletic Program
Winner: Chowan University
Runner-up: East Carolina University
Best Customer Service
Winner: Sharp Energy
Runner-up: Ace Hardware
Best Date Night Spot
Winner: Insert Coin Arcade + Bar
Runner-up: The Hotel
Best Day Trip
Winner: Merchants Millpond State Park
Runner-up: Livermon Park & Mini Zoo
Best Elected Public Official
Winner: David L. Shields
Runner-up: Donald Trump
Best Employees
Winner: Sharp Energy
Runner-up: Insert Coin Arcade + Bar
Best Employer/Place To Work
Winner: Sharp Energy
Runner-up: Nucor Steel Hertford County
Best Golf Course
Winner: Beechwood Country Club
Runner-up: Occano
Best Local Event/Festival
Winner: Watermelon Festival – Murfreesboro
Runner-up: Northampton County July 4th Celebration
Best Museum/Gallery
Winner: Historic Hope
Runner-up: Ahoskie Museum
Best Musical Artist/Band
Winner: Lucas Ireland
Runner-up: The Fletcher White Band
Best Park For A Picnic
Winner: Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex
Runner-up: Livermon Park & Mini Zoo
Best Place To Take A Vacation
Winner: Outer Banks
Runner-up: Cashie River Treehouse Village
Best Walking Trail
Winner: Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex
Runner-up: Livermon Park & Mini Zoo
Best Wedding Venue
Winner: Historic Hope
Runner-up: Jubilant Fields
Cleanest Public Restroom
Winner: Insert Coin Arcade + Bar
Runner-up: State Employees Credit Union
Best Accountant
Winner: Hunter T. Bracy CPA
Runner-up: Jon Edwards CPA
Best Attorney
Winner: Cecelia Jones
Runner-up: Tom Jones
Best Auctioneer
Winner: Rich & Rich Bonded Auctioneers
Runner-up: Country Boys Auction & Realty
Best Bank Teller
Winner: Carla Ambrose
Runner-up: Nicole Eure
Best Bank/Credit Union
Winner: State Employees Credit Union
Runner-up: Southern Bank – Ahoskie
Best Banker
Winner: Jonathan Jones
Runner-up: Nicole Eure
Best Barber
Winner: Jason’s
Runner-up: Bruce Pittman
Best Barber Shop
Winner: Jason’s
Runner-up: Barnes Barber Shop
Best Bartender
Winner: Joni Saner
Runner-up: Kay Parker
Best Chef
Winner: Carolyn Lewis
Runner-up: Kay Parker
Best Church/Place of Worship
Winner: Murfreesboro Baptist Church
Co-Runner-up: Church At The Crossroads
Co-Runner-up: First Baptist Church
Best Cleaning Service
Winner: Dixons Quality Drycleaning
Runner-up: Keep N Kleen LLC
Best Dance Studio
Winner: Hope’s School of Dance
Runner-up: Susan’s Encore Dance Academy
Best Electrical Contractor
Winner: Harrell Electric Company
Runner-up: Bland’s Electrical Service LLC
Best Financial Advisor
Winner: State Employees Credit Union
Runner-up: Edward Jones – Financial Advisor: Sara J Crowder CEPA
Best Funeral Service Provider
Winner: Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service
Runner-up: Miller Funeral Home
Best Hair Salon
Winner: The Cuttin Edge
Runner-up: Southern Roots Salon
Best Hair Stylist
Winner: Carla Odom
Runner-up: Sonya Chamblee
Best Home Builder
Winner: John Bradley/Bradley Construction
Runner-up: Saw Dust Life/Danny Jatko Home Improvement
Best HVAC Company
Winner: Tommy White
Runner-up: Masters Heating & Air Conditioning
Best Insurance Agency
Winner: Boyette & Robertson Insurance Agency Inc.
Runner-up: Lee Insurance & Financial Services
Best Insurance Agent
Winner: Walt Pierce
Runner-up: Brad Lee
Best Internet Service
Winner: Spectrum
Runner-up: Fybe
Best Landscaper
Winner: Roberts Landscapes and Nursery
Runner-up: Tayloe’s Lawn Care Services
Best Law Enforcement Officer
Winner: Stephen White
Runner-up: Braden Lucas
Best Law Firm
Winner: Jones & Carter P.A. Attorneys at Law
Runner-up: Jones Law
Best Mfg./Industrial Business
Winner: Nucor Steel Hertford County
Runner-up: Benchmark Buildings and Irrigation
Best Pastor
Winner: Mark Gaskins
Runner-up: Sandy Outlaw
Best Pest Control Service
Winner: Vaughan’s Pest Control
Runner-up: Albemarle Termite & Pest Control Inc.
Best Pet Groomer
Winner: Bed and Biscuits Pet Resort LLC – Ahoskie
Runner-up: Canine Style
Best Photographer
Winner: Alexis Leigh Photography
Runner-up: Ridgecroft School
Best Plumbing Service
Winner: Vaughan’s Plumbing
Runner-up: Logan Mizelle
Best Propane Gas Company
Winner: Sharp Energy
Runner-up: Jernigan Oil & Propane
Best Real Estate Agency
Winner: Freeman Realty
Runner-up: Hill Realty Co
Best Real Estate Agent
Winner: Ann Bennett
Runner-up: Nancy Freeman
Best Restaurant Server
Winner: Kelly Keel
Runner-up: Kay Parker
Best Roofing Contractor
Winner: Edwards Roofing Inc.
Runner-up: Saw Dust Life/Danny Jatko Home Improvement
Best Staffing Agency
Winner: Professional Staffing Solutions
Runner-up: Bertie Staffing LLC
Best Utility/Electric Provider
Winner: Dominion Energy Virginia
Runner-up: Roanoke Cooperative
Best Vet Clinic
Winner: Vinson Mobile Clinic, Murfreesboro
Runner-up: Powellsville Pet Clinic
Best Veterinarian
Winner: Cola Vinson, Murfreesboro
Runner-up: Dr. Cheryl Powell
Best Antique Store
Winner: My Deer Watson
Runner-up: Riverside Mill
Best Appliance Store
Winner: Eddie Harrell’s Auto and Sports Store
Runner-up: Lowes Home Improvement
Best Bait and Tackle
Winner: Eddie Harrell’s Auto and Sports Store
Co-Runner-up: D G White Services Center
Co-Runner-up: Duck Thru Food Stores
Best Carpet/Flooring Store
Winner: Sherwin-Williams Paint Store
Runner-up: United Floor Coverings
Best Cell Phone Service Provider
Winner: UScellular Authorized Agent – EZ Page
Runner-up: UScellular Authorized Agent – Eastern Carolina Communications Inc.
Best Consignment/Thrift Shop
Winner: My Deer Watson
Runner-up: Ahoskie Thrift Store
Best Furniture Store
Winner: Murfreesboro Furniture
Runner-up: Sawyers House of Furniture
Best Gas Station/Convenience Store
Winner: Duck Thru Food Stores
Runner-up: Murphy USA
Best Gift Shop
Winner: A Home Garden Shop
Runner-up: My Deer Watson
Best Grocery Store
Winner: Piggly Wiggly – Ahoskie
Runner-up: Food Lion
Best Hardware Store
Winner: Ace Hardware
Runner-up: Farmers Feed & Supply Co.
Best Jewelry Store
Winner: A Home Garden Shop
Runner-up: My Deer Watson
Best Mattress Store
Winner: Schewels Home
Runner-up: Ashley Store
Best Nail Salon
Winner: Glossed up Nail Salon and Boutique
Runner-up: A-Nails
Best Sporting/Marine Goods Store
Winner: Eddie Harrell’s Auto and Sports Store
Runner-up: Brabble Guns
Best Women’s Boutique/Clothing
Winner: A Home Garden Shop
Runner-up: My Deer Watson