The votes have been tallied and our readers have spoken! Once again, you have chosen to recognize excellence in our community for great service, top quality products, outstanding leadership, show stopping performances and excitement on the playing field. With so many great choices, and some strong campaigning by the competitors, the voting was closer than ever this year! We look forward to an even bigger competition in 2013. The 2012 Best of Cenla Reader’s Poll Award winners are:
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Food and Drink
Barbeque Restaurant – Outlaw’s BBQ
Italian Restaurant – Bellino’s
Mexican Restaurant – Los Portales
Chinese Restaurant – The Oriental Wok
Seafood Restaurant – Tunk’s Cypress Inn
American/Grill Restaurant – Spirits Food & Friends
Pizza Restaurant – BJ’s Pizza
Friendliest Waitstaff – Jack’s
Bartender (w/ Name of Bar) – Angel Dauzat at Bellino’s
Breakfast Menu – McDonald’s
Lunch Menu – The Cottage
Happy Hour – Sonic
Dessert – Copeland’s
Place to Eat After Church – Copeland’s
Coffee – Tamp & Grind
Margarita – Jack’s
Martini – Diamond Grill
Daiquiri – Jack’s
Steak – Bellino’s
Hamburger – Five Guys
Salad – Spirits
Sandwich/Po-Boy – Critic’s Choice
Sports
Place to Jog/Walk – Compton Park
Place to Hunt/Fish – Catahoula Lake
Sporting Goods Store – Academy Sports
Gym/Workout Facility – Built By Don Fields
Golf Course – Oakwing
Most Exciting Sports Moment of 2011 – Drew Brees All-Time Passing Record
LocalHigh SchoolAthlete of 2011 (Name and School) – Cierra Fussell at Grant High
Local Coach (Name, Team and Sport) – Kris Wilkerson, Menard Basketball
Kids
Elementary School (K-6) – Buckeye Elementary
Middle School (6-8) – Pineville Junior High
High School (9-12) – Bolton High School
Daycare – First United Methodist Church
Dance Studio – Rising Stars Dance Studio
Places
Place to go Dancing – GG’s Club
Place to Hear Live Music – Spirits
Place for a Picnic – Kees Park
Fair/Festival – Louisiana Pecan Festival
Shopping and Services
Hospital – CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini
Bank Service – Red River Bank
Credit Union – Heart of Louisiana Federal Credit Union
Auto Dealer – Walker Automotive
Cell Phone Service – AT&T
Antique Store – Antique Mall
Furniture Store – Carroll’s Furniture
Hardware Store – John Ward Ace Hardware
Pharmacy – Crossroads Pharmacy
Music Store – Red River Music
Book Store – Books-a-Million
Women’s Clothes – Her Closet
Men’s Clothes – Jerry Lee
Florist – Rick Ferguson
Dry Cleaner – Bryant’s Cleaners
Insurance Agent – Greg Baker, State Farm
Real Estate Agent – Jamie Lemoine, Noles-Frye
Jeweler – KP Jewelers
Hair Salon – My Legacy Salon
Barber Shop – Razor’s Edge
Auto Mechanic – Joey Laprairie at Aubrey’s
Lawn Service – Theils Maintenance
Place to Buy a Gift – Somethin Snazzy
Grocery Store – Kroger
Home & Garden Store – Cajun Outdoor Cooking
People
Councilperson/Alderman (Name and City) – Jim Villard, Alexandria
State Legislator – Lance Harris
Judge – Hon. Harry Randow
Example of Leadership in 2011 – Wayne Denley
Minister – Rev. Mark Martin, First United Methodist Church
Doctor – Michael Joe Screpetis, MD
Financial Advisor – John Carroll, Merrill Lynch
Arts and Media
Radio Talk Show – Talk Back 970
Radio Station – Sunny 106.9
Radio DJ – Randy James
TV Station – KALB
TV Personality – Natalie North
Local Website – www.thealexandriazoo.com
Area Musician/Group – Rod Baronet
Art Exhibit in 2011 – River Oaks
Local TV Commercial – All About Parties
Local Print Ad – Spirits Food & Friends
Local Billboard (Company Name and Location) – Menard presents Nunsense @ MacArthur Dr.
Theatre Performance– Willie Wonka, Lagniappe Theatre Group
