Indiana Dunes Tourism Presents R.O.S.E. Awards
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana Dunes Tourism has recognized businesses and organizations for their service to visitors and the community. R.O.S.E. Award categories include Hotel of the Year, People's Choice Restaurant of the Year and Volunteers of the year.
May 7, 2015
News Release
PORTER COUNTY, Ind. – Indiana Dunes Tourism on Thursday honored several businesses, organizations and individuals for providing outstanding service to the community or visitors.
The R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards recognize those who go the extra mile to make Porter County a great place to live or visit.
“This year we honored restaurant servers, volunteers, business owners and many others who made a difference in lives right here in Porter County,” said Lorelei Weimer, executive director of Indiana Dunes Tourism.
“The same caring attitude and commitment to excellence that makes this such a great place to live also makes this a place that visitors enjoy returning to again and again. We enjoy honoring those who contribute to Indiana Dunes Tourism’s success in promoting Porter County.”
The R.O.S.E. Awards ceremony coincides each year with National Travel and Tourism Week.
What follows is a list of this year’s Porter County R.O.S.E. Award winners:
Hotel of the Year – Hampton Inn, Portage
Festival of the Year – Lightning Bug Music Festival
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year – Don Quijote Restaurant
Casual Dining Restaurants of the Year – Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery and Valley Kitchen & Bar
Burger Wars Winner/Best Burger – Octave Grill
Retailers of the Year – The Flower Cart and Boutique in Bloom
Newcomer of the Year – Latitudes Waterfront Dining & Events
Recreation Location of the Year – ValPlayso Park
Partners of the Year – Mike and Janet Ryan
Putting Porter County on the Map – Indiana Dunes State Park
Making Lemons out of Lemonade – Duneland Chamber of Commerce
Conservation Award – Town of Chesterton
Professionals of the Year – Paul Labovitz and Ted Fitzgerald
Hospitality Professional of the Year – Margaret Land
Shining Stars – Brad Sorrels, Ronnie Sazone and Ben Kucinski
Attraction of the Year – The 3 Dune Challenge, presented to Indiana Dunes State Park and Friends of Indiana Dunes
People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year – Industrial Revolution
Volunteers of the Year – Carol Short and Maggie Diaz
Unsung Hero – Sharon Arndt
The LaPorte Convention and Visitors Bureau was a co-host of Thursday’s awards ceremony and presented their R.O.S.E. Awards. What follows is a list of their winners:
Burger Wars Winner/Best Burger – Shoreline Brewery & Restaurant
Best Fest Award – Flame and Flair Festival
Employee of the year – Drew Sherwood
Green Award – Michael Kuss
Landmark Award – LaPorte County Fair
LaPorte County Achievement Award – Don Babcock
Lemonade Award – Maxine’s Restaurant
Putting LaPorte County on the Map – Nicole Barker
Outstanding Elected Official Award – Richard Murphy
Professional Achievement Award – Kristie Pate
Quality of Life/Quality of Place Award – Marty Corley
Shining Star Award – Irene Hay
Team Effort Award – Crawford’s Pub & Eatery
Unsung Hero Award – Mick Pawlick and Patrick Kindig
Volunteer of the Year Award – Fern Eddy Schultz and Ed Frank
Source: Indiana Dunes Tourism