Nominations sought for 2018 Best of Twin Harbors

As the survey enters its 25th year, we’re making a significant change to give our readers a stronger voice than ever before: For the first time, we’re collecting nominations.

By Kat Bryant • December 30, 2017 1:30 am
(Kat Bryant | The Daily World) Cashier Kym Somerville rings up some post-Christmas specials for a pair of self-professed “happy, happy customers” at the South Aberdeen location of Dennis Co., the defending champion in the Customer Service category of Best of Twin Harbors.
(Kat Bryant | The Daily World) Cashier Kym Somerville rings up some post-Christmas specials for a pair of self-professed “happy, happy customers” at the South Aberdeen location of Dennis Co., the defending champion in the Customer Service category of Best of Twin Harbors.

The Daily World is preparing to launch the 2018 Best of Twin Harbors, the 25th anniversary of the contest that lets readers pick their “Best of” favorites in categories ranging from burgers to beaches.

This annual voting highlights the best the area has to offer in 131 categories that fall under the nine major headings of: Automotive & Transportation; Entertainment; Financial; Food & Drink; Health & Beauty; Leisure & Recreation; Real Estate; Services; and Shopping & Commerce.

Each year, the voting reveals which companies have earned the strongest loyalty from the people they serve, which in turn helps other Harborites decide where to take their business.

“I’ve been involved in a number of ‘best of’ promotions all across the country, and I need to relate to our readers how special the Best of Twin Harbors is in comparison,” said Daily World publisher Stan Woody. “The voting here has a realness to it. Last year we tallied 7,830 votes, and with the ease of online voting it grows substantially each year.”

Dennis Co. is a frequent honoree — not only in several retail supply categories, but also for customer service. That one is the most gratifying of them all for Dan Ulbin, Aberdeen store manager.

Having that award on the wall “means a lot to people. It means a lot to us,” he said. “It’s great that our customers take such pride in us.”

Another perennial award winner is Five Star Dealerships.

”On a daily basis, retail businesses hear from the unhappy customers. … Good news is, once a year we have a chance to hear from the happy customers via the Best of Twin Harbors,” Five Star owner Rich Hartman told us via email. “It is a proud moment for me to celebrate my co-workers’ hard work over the year when the stores are recognized as a favorite amongst the Harbor residents. Nothing is more gratifying than being voted No. 1.”

As the survey enters its 25th year, we’re making a significant change to give our readers a stronger voice than ever before: For the first time, we’re collecting nominations before we launch the official voting.

Starting with Tuesday’s edition of The Daily World and continuing daily through most of January, we’ll print forms for you to tell us which businesses and organizations should appear in specific categories on the 2018 Best of Twin Harbors ballot. (If you’d rather submit your nominations online, that option also will become available Tuesday at at TheDailyWorld.com.)

Once our judges have determined the strongest contenders from the nomination pool, we’ll print this year’s official ballots in The Daily World and on our website starting Feb. 3.

After the final tally, the award winners will be announced in a special print edition March 24.

We hope all of our readers will make their voices heard in both the nomination round and the voting. This will ensure that we truly are honoring the Best of Twin Harbors in each and every category.