Best of Utah to culminate tonight

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 21, 2003

Utah's Best of State competition will culminate tonight with an awards gala, where organizers will recognize outstanding individuals and organizations in 11 major categories.

The competition, which is in media partnership with ABC4, Newspaper Agency Corporation, Salt Lake Magazine, Reagan Billboard and the Daily Herald, is designed to increase state pride and in- state business opportunities.

Best of State award winners in numerous subcategories are awarded the Best of State bronze medal on a custom ribbon. The subcategory winners will receive their awards prior to the telecast in which the overall award winners are announced. The Ch. 4 awards gala telecast, which begins at 9 p.m., will feature the winners in each category. These overall winners will receive 22-pound, 24-carat gold-plated statues.

The following are the subcategory winners:

Agriculture

Equestrian: Utah State University

Grains: Lehi Roller Mills Co. Inc.

Greenhouse/Nursery: Vineyard Garden Center

Mink: Westwood Mink Corp.

Turf: Phillips Turf Farm

Arts and Entertainment

Fiction: Margaret Young

Nonfiction: Jared Lee Hanson

Playwriting: Ruth Hale

Vocal Group: Eclipse

Male Vocalist: Kenneth Cope

Female Vocalist: Julie de Azevedo

Instrumental Group: Enoch Train

Individual Instrumentalist: Eugene Watanabe

Original Music Composition: Dustin Gledhill

Original Lyric Composition: Kurt Bestor

Children's Performing Group: Pizzicato Strings & Company

Dance Group: Utah Regional Ballet

Male Actor: Bernie Diamond

Theater Group: Utah Shakespearean Festival

Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor): Robert Duncan

Drawing/Illustration: Greg Newbold

Sculpture: Andrew Smith

Handicrafts (quilting, weaving, etc.): The Artisans & Crafters of Utah's Heritage Highway 89

Portrait Photography: Derek Smith

Nature/Still-life Photography: Warren Harding

Product/Commercial Photography: Derek Smith

Film: "The Other Side of Heaven"

Video: Rob Sibley

Community Development

Appointed Official: Margaret Bird

City Planning: Cooper Roberts Simonsen Architects

Elected Official: Gordon M. Olson, mayor, Hyrum city

EMT/Paramedic: Mario Wyatt Guerrero (Line of Duty Death in January 2003)

Fire Fighter: Joshua Evertsen

Library: Provo City Library at Academy Square

Library: Hyrum City Library

Mayor: Lewis Billings

National Guard Unit: Utah Air National Guard

Parks & Recreation Department: Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation

Public Safety Department: Logan City Police Department

Public Safety Officer: Jon Greiner

Public Works: Randy Randall

Charitable Organization or Social Service Organization: Salt Lake County Children's Justice Center

Employer: Fred Lampropoulos

Entrepreneur: Patrick Byrne

Humanitarian: Catherine deVries

Individual Volunteer: Rebecca Robison

Individual Volunteer: Elaine Runyan-Simmons

International Business: Wirthlin Worldwide

Large Business (over $500k/year): Greenbacks/All a Dollar

Large Business (over $500k/year): Merit Medical Systems Inc.

Small Business (under $500k/year): The Rocky Point Haunted House

Dining Establishments

American: Red Rock Brewing Co.

Italian: Buca di Beppo

Japanese: Teri-Yaki Grill

Mexican: Baja Cantina

Franchisee: IHOP

Middle Eastern/Indian: Bombay House

American: Log Haven Restaurant Group LC

Asian/Pacific: Bangkok Thai

Buffets: Grand America Hotel

Chinese: Xiao Li Restaurant

French: La Caille

Italian: Lugano LLC

Japanese: Mikado

Mexican: Casa Sanchez Mexican Restaurant

Seafood: Christopher's Seafood and Steakhouse

Steakhouses: Christopher's Seafood & Steakhouse

Baked Goods: Carlucci's Bakery

Burgers: Dairy Keen, Home of the Train

Frozen Desserts: Dairy Keen, Home of the Train

Pizza: Pizza Hut

Sandwich Shops: Quiznos

Education

High School Principal: Richard Clark

Administrator: Gregory Hudnall

College/University Teacher: Robert Spencer Olpin

High School Teacher: Steven Hendricks

Elementary Teacher: Janiel Wagstaff

College/University Student: Gretchen Domek

High School Student: Parker Hill

Jr. High School: American Fork Junior High School

Educational/Training Institution or Service: Children's Dance Theatre

Hospitality

Hotels: Salt Lake City Marriott Downtown

Bed and Breakfasts: The Blue Boar Inn

Travel Agencies: Morris Murdock Travel

Convention and Meeting Services: Insite Events Inc.

Convention and Meeting Services: SceneMakers

Convention and Meeting Facilities: Homestead Resort

Convention and Meeting Facilities: Grand America Hotel

Ski Resorts: Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Day Spas: Peony Gardens Retreat and Wellness

Destination Spas: Green Valley Spa

Caterers: Culinary Crafts

Transportation Services: Le Bus

Vacation Resorts: Homestead Resort

Adventure Travel: Outdoor Utah Vacation Guide (Bicycle Utah Inc.)

Manufacturing

Fabricated Metal Products:Petersen Inc.

Food Manufacturing/Processing: Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa / Cornerstone Labs

Furniture and Fixtures: Mity-Lite Inc.