The Kennebunk Kennebunkport Arundel Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner meeting, Drive to Be the Best, on Sept. 19 at Vinegar Hill, honoring dozens of local businesses and business leaders.
Nonantum Resort’s Jean Ginn Marvin was honored with the Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award. Contributed
“We love the community celebration that Drive has become,” said Chamber Executive Director Laura Dolce in a Sept. 20 news release. “It’s a tremendous feeling having so many local business members under one roof, celebrating all that is good about our local economy and community.”
The evening included 103 “Drive to Be the Best” winners in categories such as “best breakfast place” to “best bank,” as well as 10 major award winners, including the brand new 3 Towns 1 Community Award.
New board members were also seated and they included Norm Hart of Pedro’s, Prudence Duross of Assurance Accounting & Tax Services, Alana Shapiro of Habitat for Humanity and Jonathan Johnson of Kasprzak Insurance.
Business of the year was awarded to Boulangerie, while the President’s Award was given to Arundel House of Pizza. Kennebunk Fire Chief Justin Cooper was named Municipal Employee of the Year while the Kennebunkport Heritage Housing Trust was named Nonprofit of the Year.
Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Laura Snyder Smith, while Beth Fossett was given the Driven Woman Award. Traci Anello of the Community Gourmet received the Outstanding Achievement Award, while Lani Dietz of Maine & Vine received the Rising Star Award.
The Kennebunk Post’s Sharon Binette was given the inaugural 3 Towns 1 Community Award, while the Nonantum Resort’s Jean Ginn Marvin was honored with the Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award.
The evening, according to the news release, included a raw bar from sponsor Three Sea’s, cocktails and mocktails from sponsor Graceful Escape Spa, delicious appetizers from Above & Beyond Catering, music by Beau Dalleo and free ice cream courtesy of sponsor The Treat Truck.
“We are so grateful that we had the backing of our generous sponsors, who made this a night to remember,” Dolce wrote.
Sponsors included: Three Sea’s, Graceful Escape, Video Creations, Sharper Events, Vinegar Hill, The Treat Truck, CIRE Travel, Boulangerie, Nonantum Resort, Nvest Financial, Mike’s American Diner, Bangor Savings Bank and Bradbury Brothers Market.
Award winners:
- Business of the Year Award, Boulangerie
- President’s Award, Arundel House of Pizza
- Driven Woman Award, Beth Fossett
- Nonprofit of the Year Award, Kennebunkport Heritage Housing Trust
- Outstanding Achievement Award, Traci Anello,
- The Community Gourmet Municipal Employee of the Year Award, Justin Cooper, Kennebunk Fire Rescue
- Volunteer of the Year Award, Laura Snyder Smith
- Rising Star Award, Lani Dietz
- Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award, Jean Ginn Marvin
- 3 Towns, 1 Community Spirit Award, Sharon Binette
Category Awards (Gold, Silver)
- Best happy hour, Hurricane, Pedro’s
- Best outdoor dining spot, Arundel Wharf, The Boathouse
- Best catering service, Kitchen Chicks, Catering Above and Beyond Catering
- Best trails/walks, Hope Woods, Eastern Trail
- Best tour/walk, Brick Store Museum All Souls Walk, Maine Ghost Walks
- Best golf course/driving range, Cape Arundel Golf Club, Webhannet Golf Club
- Best water/recreation activity, Pineapple Ketch, New England Eco Adventures
- Best pool, The Colony, Rhumb Line Resort
- Best family activity business, Coast Encounters, Raptor Falls
- Best spot for a family stay, Nonantum Resort, Rhumb Line Resort
- Best place/activity for a girls’ night out, Sea Love, Pilot House
- Best place to go for a first date, Sea Love, Chez Rosa
- Best spot for a romantic getaway, Hidden Pond, White Barn Inn & Spa
- Best breakfast spot, Mike’s American Diner, Mike’s All Day Breakfast
- Best bakery/baked goods/dessert, Boulangerie, Mornings in Paris
- Best cup of coffee, Mornings in Paris, Coffee Roasters of the Kennebunks
- Best chowder, Alisson’s, Cape Pier Chowder House
- Best lobster roll, The Clam Shack, Alisson’s
- Best steak, The Lost Fire, Chez Rosa
- Best pizza, Roma Pizza, Arundel House of Pizza
- Best vegetarian food, Bandaloop, Fiafia
- Best health food eatery/store, New Morning Natural Foods, KBK Protein Place
- Best takeout, Mekhong Thai, Arundel House of Pizza
- Best ice cream, Rococo, Treat Truck
- Best cocktail spot, Old Vines, Hurricane
- Best beer selection, Alisson’s, Federal Jack’s
- Best wine selection, Old Vines, Wine House on Main
- Best landscaping service, Solari Property Care & Excavation, Thompson Landscaping
- Best garden center, Estabrook’s, Snug Harbor Farm
- Best real estate company, Pack Maynard & Associates, Kennebunk Beach Realty
- Best home improvement company, Huston’s Home Renovations, Hancock Lumber and Nautilus Construction (tie)
- Best cleaning company, Ace of Maids, Marina Cleaning Services
- Best garage/auto services, Guay’s Sunoco, Weirs Buick GMC
- Best auto detailing, Dubois Auto Detailing, Clean Slate Auto Salon
- Best bank, Kennebunk Savings, Camden National Bank
- Best financial services, Kennebunk Savings, Paper Trails
- Best animal rescue/pet services, AWS, Woof Works Training
- Best local publication, Tourist & Town, Kennebunk Post
- Best hair salon/barber, River’s Edge Spa & Salon, Lucky’s Barber Shop
- Best spa, River’s Edge Spa & Salon, The Fifth Om
- Best fitness club/yoga spot, The Daily Sweat, Quest Fitness
- Favorite nonprofit, Seashore Trolley Museum, Habitat for Humanity/Restore
- Best local band/musician, Beau Dalleo, Dock Squares
- Best photographer, Robert A. Dennis Photography, Jim Groleau Photography
- Best wedding venue, Nonantum Resort, The Colony
- Best art gallery, Maine Art Hill, Wendy Webster Good Fine Art
- Best local artist, Wendy Webster Good, Diane Lent
- Best florist/cut flowers, Fleurant, Wallingford Farm
- Best shop/gift shop, Dannah, Daytrip Society
- Best museum, Brick Store Museum, Seashore Trolley Museum
- Best performing arts center/theater, Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse
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