Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel businesses honored at ‘Be the Best’: Here's who won

KENNEBUNK, Maine — The Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce recently honored a number of businesses and residents with its annual Drive to Be the Best Awards.

The annual dinner and awards event took place on Sept. 13 at the Kennebunk Savings Operation Center in West Kennebunk — a last-minute change of location due to weather.

“We can’t thank Kennebunk Savings enough for giving us such a spectacular place to hold our annual dinner meeting, all with less than 12 hours’ notice,” said Executive Director Laura Dolce. “We were scheduled to be at the beautiful Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, but the weather just didn’t allow for a tented event.”

Dolce said Sharper Events was wonderful in putting the tent up and down and moving the stage and chairs over to Kennebunk Savings Operation Center. She also thanked Wallingford Farm for all of the flowers that made the event shine, and Video Creations for the professional and poignant video packages.

The evening included 100 “Drive to Be the Best” winners in categories such as “best breakfast place” to “best bank,” as well as 10 major award winners. The chamber also seated four new trustees - Jim Atwood from The Restore, Matthew Havrilla from The Breakwater Inn, Tiffany Lathrop from The Daily Sweat and Nikki Ranwell from The Port Box.

The chamber thanked outgoing board members Joan Hull, Stacy Miller and our six-year members, Maureen DiGiovanni and Rachel Pelkey.

Outgoing chair Doug Spurling was thanked for his time in that role, with Chris Cluff stepping up into the chair position, with Colby Marvin Bracy becoming the vice chair.

The chamber also recognized Alisson’s Restaurant on its milestone 50th anniversary.

The final award of the night went to Kennebunk Savings President Brad Paige, who fittingly received the award named for late bank president Joel Stevens and, because of the venue change, was honored in the Joel Stevens Hall.

'Drive to Be the Best' major award winners

Volunteer of the Year Award: Leslie Lindgren for her work with the Kennebunk Community Garden.

Outstanding Achievement Award: Raptor Falls for bringing dinosaurs to Arundel (in the form of mini golf).

Municipal Employee of the Year Award: Kennebunkport police Sgt. Jason Hafner, for his service to the community.

Nonprofit of the Year Award: York County Habitat for Humanity/The Restore, for helping people find homes of their own.

President’s Award: Blake Baldwin, of Video Creations, for his support of the chamber and the Kennebunks.

Rising Star Award: Kylie Raymond, for being the driving force behind The Spirit and the visionary behind the new Pilot House.

Driven Woman Award: Abigail Smith of Animal Welfare Society for turning the organization into a world-class facility and her leadership.

Business of the Year Award: The Lost Fire and owner German Lucarelli for transforming the restaurant and creating Ultra Mar and Casa Seventy Seven Osteria.

Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award: Lesa Kraft Angelos, for her work with Rotary and CS3 and for making a difference in the lives of the children in the three towns.

Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award: Brad Paige, Kennebunk Savings president, for his work in recovery-friendly workplaces, substance abuse disorder treatment, and in carrying on the legacy of Joel Stevens himself.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel businesses honored at ‘Be the Best’ awards