BEST LOCAL PEOPLE AND PLACES

By IT Staff

BEST APARTMENT COMMUNITY
Lake Pointe Apartments
1600 S. Toronto Road, 529-2900
It’s sometimes difficult for renters to feel like they’re truly part of a community because they don’t own the place they live, and it’s often only a matter of time before they move again. The key to any community, however, is relationships. Voters chose Lake Pointe Apartments as the best apartment community, and there may be several reasons for that. Maybe it’s because there’s a mix of college students, young professionals and more mature residents, making the place feel like a neighborhood. It could also be the communal swimming pool, the 24-hour fitness center, or the lighted sidewalks which are monitored by security cameras. Or perhaps it’s that the management and maintenance crews at Lake Pointe are fast and professional. (One reviewer said the management is “super nice” and will “bend over backwards to help you.”) Whatever the reason, it’s neat to see an apartment complex be appreciated as its own community.
Runners-up: Lincoln Square Apartments, St. Nicholas Apartments

BEST ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL
BEST PLACE TO BUY LOCAL ART
Old Capitol Art Fair
500 block of East Washington St.
One of the most exciting things about summer in Springfield – or late spring, in this case – is the Old Capitol Art Fair. Sure, you can find all flavors of art around town throughout the year, but nothing brings together such an incredible variety of artists from Springfield and the rest of central Illinois like the art fair in mid-May each year. Walking from tent to tent is an adventure, revealing pensive portraits, intricate wood carvings, blown glass of every color and plenty of other treasures. The styles range from evocative and otherworldly to bright and whimsical. Even if you don’t have a penny to your name, it’s thoroughly enjoyable to simply admire the beauty these artists have captured and the diversity of inspiration that drives their craft.
Best Arts and Crafts Festival Runners-up: Downhome Music, Beer and Art Festival; Edwards Place Fine Art Fair
Best Place to Buy Local Art Runners-up: Studio on 6th, The Blue Door

BEST HISTORIC BUILDING
Dana-Thomas House
301 E. Lawrence Ave., 782-6776
To us, the Dana-Thomas House is special for many reasons. Obviously, any Frank Lloyd Wright building deserves a nod, but there’s more to it than that. The Dana-Thomas House was ahead of its time when ol’ Frank designed it in 1902 as a renovation to an existing home, and it continues to help define the cutting edge of architecture even today. From the stunning woodwork inside to the crisp brick exterior, the Dana-Thomas House exudes a timeless style and class. Even though the house is 12,000 square feet, it feels much cozier, yet it never feels cramped. Thanks to the valiant efforts of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Dana-Thomas House Foundation, the house is in good shape and contains a fantastic collection of original Wright art glass and furniture. Whether you’re a Wright fanatic or you don’t even know who that is, check out the Dana-Thomas House. It might just blow your mind.
Runners-up: Lincoln Home, Old State Capitol

BEST DENTIST
Tanya DeSanto – Prairie Dental Group
2900 Greenbriar Drive, 546-0412
Most people don’t think of a dentist’s office as fun, but Dr. Tanya DeSanto and her partners at Prairie Dental Group make their office as comfortable and welcoming as possible. DeSanto is a highly accomplished cosmetic dentist, a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the founder of the Prairie Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. In practice since 1993, DeSanto says she sees cosmetic dentistry as a combination of art and science. “I like artistry, pottery and working with my hands, but I also like science and helping people,” she said. “It was the perfect combination.” Dr. Elizabeth Knoedler, one of DeSanto’s partners at Prairie Dental Group, said the whole office is like a family. “We treat our patients like they’re a part of our family, as well,” Knoedler said. DeSanto agreed. “We try to make a small difference in this little world of ours.”
Runners-up: Keith Cummins – Magna Dental, Timothy Lonergan – Chatham Dental Center

BEST LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL
Wes Bar
Sangamon County Sheriff
Long before Wes Barr was elected Sangamon County sheriff in 2014, he earned a reputation in Springfield as a tireless volunteer, coordinating the local Toys for Tots drive, serving as president of the board at Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County, and working the United Cerebral Palsy telethon, among other roles. In fact, he won our “best volunteer” category so many years in a row that we had to change it. Barr served in the Marines and spent more than 20 years in the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office before being elected to lead it. That’s not an easy job, even on the best of days, but somebody has to do it and, according to BoS voters, Wes is best.
Runners-up: Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe

BEST LOCAL PODCAST
Ray Lytle’s Morning Disaster
You never know what you’re going to get with Ray Lytle’s Morning Disaster podcast. Recent topics have included granny panties, painful poops, public nudity and urination fetishes. The one thing you can count on, however, is that you’ll laugh. The show originally ran from 1995 to 2005, but it has been resurrected with new episodes over the past year. Lytle and his team of goofy sidekicks keep it real – very real. The forecast for this podcast is humorous discussion of personal issues with an 80 percent chance of strong language. Expect to occasionally be grossed out, but mostly, you’ll be thankful it’s someone else’s life and not your own. Check it out at www.morningdisaster.net.
Runners-up: Lincoln’s Legends, Mind Grenade

BEST CHARITY EVENT
Memorial Festival of Trees
Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds
Who doesn’t like Christmas trees? No one. Which is why the annual Festival of Trees has been going strong for more than a quarter century. There is nothing like more than 200 Christmas trees and wreaths, all elaborately decorated – don’t try this at home, you’ll never come close to making your own look this nice – to get you in the holiday spirit. The gingerbread houses look too good to eat. Organizers say that more than 30,000 people come to the festival held each year in November to gaze and eat. Sponsors that receive trees donate as much as $25,000, with proceeds going to fund health programs that have received nearly $4 million since annual festival began.
Runners-up: Fat Ass 5k, SOHO Music Festival

BEST HOTEL
Crowne Plaza Springfield
3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, 529-7777
The highlight of the Crowne Plaza hotel is definitely the rooftop patio which lets you see for miles and miles. Below that, you’ll find 10 floors of spacious rooms, a comfortable bar, a café and a restaurant. So far, so good. The Crowne Plaza is one of the go-to convention spots in Springfield, boasting gobs of space for big or small gatherings, ample free parking and a grand lobby that makes you feel like you’re in a classic Manhattan hotel. It’s also right next to Interstate 55, several restaurants, a strip mall and a movie theater. Some of the rooms have been recently renovated, and reviewers rave about the deluxe suites on the upper floors. If a view is important to you, ask for a room facing the Illinois State Capitol.
Runners-up: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Hilton Springfield

BEST DOCTOR
Dr. Nicole Florence, Koke Mill Medical Associates
3132 Old Jacksonville Road, 862-0800
For as long as she can remember, Dr. Nicki Florence of Springfield wanted to go to medical school. “I’ve always wanted to take care of people,” Florence said. A graduate of Springfield High School and SIU School of Medicine, Florence is a doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics at Koke Mill Medical Associates. She has been in private practice for 15 years. Florence jokes that she originally wanted to be a veterinarian, but she had allergies, so she focused on humans instead. She is clearly passionate about what she does, referring to her patients as family. “I really love what I do, and I love my patients,” she said. “I’m hoping to make a difference in people’s lives. If I can make your day better and eventually make your life better, I think that’s my purpose.”
Runners-up: Dr. Bryan Albracht of Springfield Clinic, Dr. Scott Morton of Springfield Clinic

BEST LIVING LOCAL AUTHOR/WRITER
Ken Bradbury
Playwright, author and speaker
If we have to grow up some day, we want to be like Ken Bradbury. The 65-year-old playwright, author and speaker from Arenzville is at once witty, humble and wise. Bradbury’s first play was published in 1971, and he jokes that at the time, he was just hoping no one realized he didn’t know anything about writing plays. His work – including several plays, five books and years of newspaper columns – spans a variety of topics, but much of it draws from his own life and observations. Bradbury is also an adjunct instructor at Lincoln Land Community College’s Jacksonville campus, where he teaches theater. Bradbury says that as he has grown and matured, so has his writing. “I used to think that to write for a living, you had to be creative,” he muses. “I’ve since learned that’s not the case. You just have to be human.”
Runners-up: Courtney Westlake, Cat Mann

BEST FARMERS MARKET
BEST REASON TO GO DOWNTOWN
Old Capitol Farmers Market
Adams Street between Fifth and Second streets
The Old Capitol Farmers Market is a cornucopia of fresh produce and quality products from Springfield and the surrounding area. You’ll find the usual farmers market staples like tomatoes and green beans, but also scrumptious treats like honey, meat, bread and pies. The selection changes with the season, so head back often. In addition to nature’s bounty, you’ll find cooking demonstrations, live music, art and more. Sometimes, we like to visit the farmers market just to walk around and delight our senses in the sights, smells and sounds. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that JP Kelly’s – with their Saturday morning Bloody Mary bar – is located right next to the vendor tents. The farmers market is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., all the way from May through October. Most – if not all – vendors are set up to accept LINK, debit and credit cards.
Best Farmer’s Market Runners-up: Illinois Products Farmers Market, Eastside Farmers Market
Best Reason to Go Downtown Runners-up: Hoogland Center for the Arts, Feed Store

BEST HANDYMAN CONTRACTOR
Buraski Builders
3757 S. Sixth St., 529-5172
Who needs a licensed, bonded and insured contractor to repair the fence or stop a roof leak when there are all sorts of Mr. Fix-Its on Craigslist who charge rock-bottom prices and boast that no job is too small? As Miles Redd, the interior designer, once said, “Buy the best and you only cry once.” Fooling around with fly-by-nighters is, well, fooling around, and your property is too important for that. If you want something fixed right, the first time, then call Buraski. Not only is no job too small for them, no job is too big, and so if a Band-Aid approach isn’t going to work, they have the expertise to come up with the right solution, plus a reputation for excellence they’re not going to sacrifice for the sake of a quick buck. Buraski is, perhaps, best known for building houses and remodeling, but they’re happy to do the little stuff, too, from painting to cleaning gutters to installing doggie doors. The peace of mind is worth it.
Runners-up: Schneider Construction, Jeff Ryan

BEST GOLF COURSE
Long Bridge Golf Course
1055 W Camp Sangamo Road, 744-8311
We’ll be honest: we don’t really have enough patience or self-control to be good at golf, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it. Long Bridge Golf Course, located about a mile north of the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, is beautiful enough with its gently rolling hills and wooded surroundings that we don’t care how many strokes over par we are. Owner and designer Merle Buerkett had a vision when he started the project in 1998, and it has really come to fruition. We’ve heard others say Long Bridge is a pretty challenging course with several elevated greens and long fairways, and we’ll agree, but that’s kind of the point. On Friday nights, the Long Bridge clubhouse turns into a party destination, with live music and a pretty respectable craft beer list. The clubhouse has also developed quite a reputation as a wedding hotspot, with an extensive catering menu.
Runners-up: The Rail Golf Course, Brookhills Golf Club

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER FOR HIRE
Terry Farmer Photography
4133 Old Jacksonville Road, 698-6000
If you want a memory preserved with style, Terry Farmer can handle it. Along with his wife, Sandy, Farmer has been in business 25 years, starting in 1990 at a small downtown studio before moving to a 9,000-square-foot studio on Old Jacksonville Road. Since those early days, he has built a reputation as both a talented photographer and a consummate professional. Farmer’s photos would look right at home in a glossy national magazine, and even though he sets the bar for photography in Springfield, he’s still humble and easy to work with. Besides photographing the typical stuff like weddings and high school seniors, Farmer does aerial photos, graphic design and impressive restoration of old photos. You can find his work all over town, from local businesses to your next door neighbor.
Runners-up: Kari Bedford Photography, Christopher Withers Photography

BEST PLUMBER
Ken Easterday, Easterday Plumbing
1601 N. 32nd St., 527-8000
Although Ken Easterday started his plumbing business, Easterday Plumbing, in 2001, he has been a plumber for about 40 years. He oversees a crew that handles general plumbing, sump pumps, water heaters, water purification systems and more. Easterday Plumbing is rated A+ and accredited by the Better Business Bureau, which shows no complaints against him since at least 2002. Easterday didn’t campaign to win “best plumber,” and he didn’t even know he had been nominated until one of his employees told him. That should say a lot about the reputation he and his team have built. They’re also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergencies, and they’ve clearly got a sense a humor. “Hey Ken,” one employee said with a smirk, “I’ve been alive only three years longer than you’ve been a plumber.”
Runners-up: Ridings Plumbing, Allied Plumbing

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY/DJ
BEST RADIO SHOW
Dave & Dina
101.9 The Wolf
It’s hard not to like Dina Michaels and Dave Daniels, the morning radio hosts on 101.9 The Wolf. Whether they’re interviewing famous musicians, riffing about weird news or just shooting the breeze, “Dave and Dina” have an easy chemistry and a shared sense of humor. When he’s not on the radio, Dave works as program coordinator for the Children’s Miracle Network at St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield. In addition to the 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. early morning show, Dina also solo hosts a 9 a.m. to noon show. When Dave and Dina are in the studio together, however, it’s just a good time. Sometimes they’re serious, and sometimes they’re goofy, but they’re always entertaining.
Best Radio Personality/DJ Runners-up: Jim Leach – WMAY News Talk 970, Bondsy – 99.7 KISS FM
Best Radio Show Runners-up: Jim Leach – WMAY News Talk 970, 99.7 KISS FM Morning Grind

BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Concordia Village
4101 W. Iles Ave., 793-9429
When you reach a certain age, keeping a house in order requires more effort than it’s worth. But what if you don’t need to be in a nursing home? That’s where retirement communities come in. Concordia Village, which is managed by Lutheran Senior Services, is the kind of place you go if you want to be in a quiet, comfortable environment with other people who are just reaching the prime of their lives. The private condos offer independence, but with assistance like housekeeping, meal service and even skilled nursing if you need it. Reviewers especially praise the helpful staff and the food. If we didn’t already know it’s a retirement community, we might think it’s a vacation resort.
Runners-up: Montvale Estates, Lewis Memorial Christian Village

BEST THING THAT’S CHANGED SPRINGFIELD IN THE PAST YEAR
Hy-Vee
2115 S. MacArthur Blvd., 726-1001
It doesn’t take much to make Springfieldians happy. The voters have spoken: the opening of Hy-Vee was the best thing that’s changed the city in the past year, although it actually happened more than a year ago. Hy-Vee opened on May 13, 2014, and the building was packed to the gills with people that day. We have to admit that we’ve spent many a hungry evening staring lustfully at the Hy-Vee cheese section since then; we might have a problem. Come to think of it, we also often find ourselves drooling in front of Hy-Vee’s bread section, their beer section and their desserts. (We may have polished off an entire box of their chocolate chip cookies in one sitting … several times.) The point is that we’re better off having Hy-Vee in town, even if it tests our self-control.
Runners-up: The governor living and spending time in Springfield, Cooper’s Hawk Winery

BEST LOCAL RELIGIOUS LEADER
Eddie Lowen, lead minister
West Side Christian Church
Despite his position as lead minister of one of Springfield’s largest churches, Eddie Lowen is about as humble as they come. In fact, he jokingly refers to himself simply as “lead guy” around West Side Christian Church, where he has served since 2000. Lowen has led West Side through a period of rapid growth, sponsoring several church plants in the U.S. and abroad, as well as the recent launching of an online campus. However, Lowen is quick to give credit for that growth to God and West Side’s leadership team. And unlike the stereotypical TV evangelist, you won’t see Lowen buying a private jet or preaching the “prosperity gospel” of health, wealth and happiness. Hearing Lowen speak, it’s easy to tell that he cares deeply about his community, both inside and outside the church walls.
Runners-up: Fr. John Ossola, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki

BEST LOCAL SPORTS TEAM
Springfield Sliders
1415 North Grand Ave. East, 679-3511
The Springfield Sliders baseball team is perhaps one of the city’s most underappreciated assets. It’s a wonder that Robin Roberts Stadium isn’t packed to capacity every time they play. The tickets are inexpensive, the beer is cold, the snacks are plentiful, and the play is quick. What more can you ask for on a warm summer evening? The Springfield Sliders are part of the Prospect League, a regional conference highlighting up-and-coming college players. Several former Sliders recruits have been drafted into the Majors, which should say a lot about the quality of players in the league. But our favorite part of the typical Sliders game is the hilarious sideshows between innings. Ever seen a kid in a hotdog suit race kids in ketchup and mustard suits around the bases? If you haven’t been to a Sliders game, you’re missing out.
Runners-up: Rochester Rockets football, Chatham Titans

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR COPY OF ILLINOIS TIMES
County Market
1903 W. Monroe St.
210 E. Carpenter St.
3001 S. Veterans Parkway
2777 S. Sixth St.
109 Illini Drive, Sherman
1099 Jason Place, Chatham
Despite what some millennials might think, the best place to get Illinois Times is not the Internet. A screen can never replace paper. The weekly paper edition is the anchor that makes the ship float, so to speak, and so it is important for everyone in Springfield to get a copy of Illinois Times as quickly as possible each Thursday. Do not go to work or to school or do anything else until you have a copy in your hands, and if this makes you late, your boss or teacher will understand. Readers who can’t live without us agree that County Market is the best place to get us, and it’s easy to see why. There are plenty of locations so you won’t have to go far. Plus, you can pick up some groceries so you have something to sustain your body while we keep your mind sharp.
Runners-up: Head West Sub Shop, Café Moxo

BEST TV NEWS ANCHOR/REPORTER
Ric Kearbey
weather217.com
Technically, Ric Kearbey isn’t on TV anymore; he has upgraded. Kearbey was previously chief meteorologist for WICS Newschannel 20, but he left the station in April when his contract ended. Nevertheless, his loyal followers begged him to keep providing weather forecasts and insights, so he set up an online fundraising campaign, built his own recording studio, and launched weather217.com. The jump from TV to Internet-based weather on demand makes Kearbey a pioneer of sorts, and he’s loving every minute of it. “It’s such a fascinating, fun subject to watch, photograph and share with people,” he said, adding that reporting on a looming storm keeps the job exciting. “Of course, you want people to be safe, but there’s an adrenaline rush in that you’re providing information to keep people safe and informed when everybody’s awareness is heightened,” he said. “It’s nice to be that person that people trust.”
Runners-up: Joe Crain – WICS, Stacey Skrysak – WICS

BEST MUSEUM
BEST PLACE TO TAKE A TOURIST
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
112 N. Sixth St., 558-8934
For folks who live here and are oft prone to take Abe for granted, it’s easy to forget just how cool this place is. Those who don’t live here will be happy to remind you. From the outside, the design evocative of the White House and Lincoln Memorial sets the mood before you even walk in. Once inside, visitors are taken back in time, not so much by relics and artifacts but by exhibits featuring lifelike figures of Lincoln and his contemporaries that make the past seem to be happening in front of one’s eyes. We especially like the section of political cartoons that shows Lincoln’s detractors lampooning the Great Emancipator while recordings of his critics hurling insults, checked against historical records for accuracy, drive home the reality that Lincoln wasn’t always a popular figure. The Civil War In Four Minutes, a video that shows the movement of Union and Confederate lines while the death toll mounts, is as simple as it is unforgettable.
Best museum runners-up: Illinois State Museum, Lincoln’s New Salem
Best place to take a tourist runners-up: D’Arcy’s Pint, Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery