VALPARAISO – Indiana Dunes Tourism, the official tourism bureau of Porter County, has honored 22 businesses and people with R.O.S.E. Awards for outstanding service.
Honorees are: Lodging Location of the Year, At Home in the Woods Bed and Breakfast, Chesterton; Restaurant of the Year, Industrial Revolution, Valparaiso; Festival of the Year, Valparaiso University Jazz Fest; Shining Star, Sophia Molina of Don Quijote Restaurant, Valparaiso; Shining Star, Patrick Thornton of Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso; Retailer of the Year, Tony’s Saddle Shop, Valparaiso; Retailer of the Year, Seasons on the Square, Valparaiso; Newcomer of the Year, Inspiration Wood, Westville; Professional of the Year, Dr. John Johnson, Valparaiso; Attraction of the Year, Taltree Arboretum Railway Garden, Valparaiso; Recreation Location of the Year, Sunset Hill Farm County Park, Valparaiso; Hospitality Professional of the Year, Mandy Wiley, Inn at Aberdeen, Valparaiso; Partner of the Year, Holly Jackson of Holly Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, Chesterton; Turning Lemons into Lemonade, 49er Drive-In Theater, Valparaiso; Putting Porter County on the Map, Northwest Indiana Paddling Association; Outstanding Legislators Award, Sen. Karen Tallian, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, Rep. Ed Soliday, Rep. Chuck Moseley, and Rep. Scott Pelath; Green Award, Trail Collective Edge, Valparaiso; and Unity Award, South Shore Line.
At the same ceremony, LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau named its R.O.S.E. award winners.
They are: Best Fest Award, Johnny Stimley of Ryan’s Irish Pub for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade; Employee of the Year, Brett Binversie; Green Award, Krueger Middle School, Michigan City; Landmark Award, Footlight Players, Michigan City; LaPorte County Achievement Award, Marcy Dailey; Lemonade Award, Michigan City Mainstreet/Uptown Arts; Putting LaPorte County on the Map, Best Western; Putting LaPorte County on the Map, LaPorte County Fairgrounds; Outstanding Legislators, Sen. Jim Arnold and Rep. Tom Dermody; Quality of Life/Quality of Place Award, Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins; Shining Star Award, Katie Rehbein; Team Effort Award, Shoreline Brewery, Michigan City; The Golden Hand Award, Julie Manner; The Golden Hand Award, Bill Hackney; Unsung Hero Award, Steve Kreighbaum; Volunteer of the Year Award, Sherri Shelton; Volunteer of the Year Award, Kathy Enders; and Hoosier Hospitality Award, Rebecca Henry.
