In Leader Publishing Company's Readers' Choice Awards, the best of the best are celebrated!

Long-established greats are joined by businesses that are new to the area, but have quickly earned a place of honor. Join us as we celebrate both.

You voted for your favorite places to shop, to eat, to get things done, and more. The winners all have one thing in common...they are the people and places in Washington County that offer top-quality products and customer service, the stuff that keeps us coming back for more.

Readers have spoken and the winners have been named!

Presenting the 2023 Readers' Choice winners by category:

Best People in Washington County

• Accountant: Lisa Aly (360 Accounting & Tax Service)
• Agriculture Seed Salesperson: Michael Trueblood (Stewart Seed)
• Attorney: Tom Scifres
• Auto Salesperson: Gary Myszak (Eddie Gilstrap Motors)
• Bank Teller: Kyla Nicholson (Centra Credit Union)
• Doctor: Dr. Kalen Carty (Ascension Medical Group St. Vincent)
• Electrician: Chris Quinlin (Future Electric LLC)
• Financial Advisor: Lana Sullivan (Edward Jones & Co.)
• Funeral Home Director: Rondale Brishaber (Hughes Taylor)
• Hair Stylist: Brooklyn Bush (Designer Cutz)
• Heating & Air Service Tech: Seth Marshall (Marshall Sales)
• Insurance Agent: Jason Pepmeier (Farm Bureau Ins.)
• Optometrist: Dr. Hickey (VisionFirst)
• Pharmacist: Steve Day
• Police Officer: Eric Mills (Salem Police Dept.)
• Real Estate Agent: Sherri Purkhiser (Day Company)
• Restaurant Server: Waylon Bramer
• Cashier: Tanya Cravens (Dollar Tree)
• Roofing Contractor: Caleb Burkholder (Superior Roofing Systems)
• Veterinarian: Dr. Benny Moore (Moore’s Animal Care Clinic)
• School Bus Driver: Keith Nicholson (Salem Community Schools)
• School Staff Member: Judy Hoke
• School Principal: Tony Albert (Salem High School)
• School Teacher: Gwen Dowling (Salem Middle School)
• School Teacher’s Assistant: Tammy Jones (West Washington) 

Best Businesses in Washington County

• Tax Services: 360 Accounting & Tax Services
• Asphalt Sealcoating: Nelson Asphalt Sealcoating
• Auction Service: Day Company Realtors & Auctioneers
• Auto Collision Repair: Eddie Gilstrap Motors Collision Center
• Auto Sales (New): Eddie Gilstrap Motors, Inc.
• Auto Sales (Pre-owned): Green’s Auto Sales, LLC
• Automotive Service: Rex Jackson’s Auto, Inc.
• Automotive Tires: Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center
• Bank: First Harrison Bank
• Flooring: Potter’s Carpets
• Concrete: Sullivan’s Concrete Coating
• Consignment Discount Shop: Huckster’s Hall Flea Market
• Construction: Reel Construction & Masonry
• Excavation: Edwards Plumbing & Excavation LLC
• Farm Equipment Sales: Schafstall Inc.
• Floral Shop: Florence’s Flowers & Gifts, LLC
• Funeral Home: Hughes Taylor Funeral Home
• Hair Salon: Adrienne Brook Salon & Spa
• Hardware Store: Ace Hardware of Salem
• Health Care Facility: Mission In-Home Health Care
• Home Equity Loans: First Savings Bank
• Insurance Agency: Loy & Fordyce
• Law Office: Scifres Law Office
• Lawn Care Service: Walls Lawncare
• Lawn Equipment Sales: Walls Lawncare
• Masonry: Reel Construction & Masonry
• Monument Company: Marshall Monuments
• Mortgage Loans: First Savings Bank
• Oil Change: Quick Lane
• Pharmacy: Good Living Pharmacy
• Preschool: Wash. Co. Family YMCA
• Real Estate: Day Company Realtors & Auctioneers
• Roofing: Superior Roofing Systems
• Signs/Graphics/Custom T-Shirts: Lincks Clothing & Shoes
• Wedding/Event Facility: Cornerstone Hall
• Daycare: Lil Darlin’s Daycare 

Best Food

• Biscuits & Gravy: Country Cookin’
• Hand Dipped Ice Cream: Six Scoops Ice Cream Shop
• Home Cooking: Country Cookin’
• Margarita: El Camino’s
• Pizza: Mamma Rosa’s
• Queso: El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
• Steak: Tumbleweed
• Tacos: El Maguey Mexican Restaurant
• Burger: Dinner Bell
• Fried Chicken: KFC
• Donuts: H&R Bakery
• Baked Goods: H&R Bakery 

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who voted. Winners who could not be reached may call the Salem Leader Office at 812-882-3281 and make arrangements to receive their Readers' Choice certificate.