LAPORTE – Indiana Dunes Tourism of Porter County and the LaPorte County Convention and Visitor Bureau joined together to honor several businesses, organizations and individuals for outstanding service.
The R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards go to those who provide excellent service and go the extra mile to make the two counties an excellent place to visit.
Porter County R.O.S.E. Award winners were:
Songbird Prairie Bed and Breakfast, Valparaiso, Hotel of the Year; Aukiki River Festival, Kouts, Festival of the Year; Pikk’s Tavern, Valparaiso, Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year; Octave Grill, Chesterton, Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year; Chesterton Feed & Garden, Retailer of the Year; Best Western, Portage, Newcomer of the Year; Porter County Museum of History, Attraction of the Year; Broken Wagon Bison Farm, Union Township, Recreation Location of the Year; DunesWalk Inn at the Furness Mansion, Chesterton, Partner of the Year; Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso, Putting Porter County on the Map; Central Park, Valparaiso, Turning Lemons into Lemonade; Dave Arnell, Arnell Auto Group, Burns Harbor, Green Award; Carlos Rivera of Don Quijote Restaurant, Valparaiso, Professional of the Year; Elena Jambrina of Don Quijote Restaurant, Valparaiso, Professional of the Year; Jane Walsh-Brown of the Brown Mansion/Westchester Township History Museum, Chesterton, Professional of the Year; Eren Dogruyol, Holiday Inn Express, Valparaiso, Hospitality Professional of the Year; Dale Turner, Indiana State Police, Unsung Hero; Bret Mannes, Indiana Department of Transportation, Unsung Hero; Jim Salkeld, Indiana Department of Transportation, Unsung Hero; Stacy Granzo, Smokey’s Southern Barbeque, Chesterton, Shining Star Award; and Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission for the Northern Indiana Art and Earth Trail, Unity Award.
LaPorte County R.O.S.E. Award winners were:
Michigan City Chamber Music Festival, Best Fest; Juli Moore, Hampton Inn, LaPorte, Employee of the Year; Richard Warner, Golden Hand Award; Allure Banquet Center, LaPorte, Green Award; City of Michigan City, Landmark Award; Johnny Martinez, Washington Park Zoo, Michigan City, LaPorte County Achievement Award; Laura Cutler, Lemonade Award; Roni Bostian, Café Elite & Catering, Shining Star Award; Serenity Springs, Michigan City, Team Effort Award; Ton Vendramin, Unsung Hero; Jeff and Janice Katz, Unsung Hero; Ann Berkman, Unsung Hero; and William Wild, Volunteer of the Year.
