Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Arundel businesses honored at ‘Be the Best’ awards

Special to Seacoastonline
·3 min read

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

“We were thrilled to come together Sept. 15 for the first time in three years to host Drive to Be the Best,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laura Dolce. “More than 200 members of our business community joined us to celebrate this year’s honorees, all so very deserving.”

The Beau Dalleo Band warms up the crowd of 230 plus guests at Drive to Be the Best event at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, the Chamber of Commerce’s annual award night.
The Beau Dalleo Band warms up the crowd of 230 plus guests at Drive to Be the Best event at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, the Chamber of Commerce’s annual award night.

The event celebrated community members that have gone above and beyond, as well as businesses who have been deemed “the best” by popular vote.

The festivities at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel included live music by the Lisa, Jim and Byon Band outside, plus live music by the Beau Dalleo Band inside the barn, as well as multimedia presentations coordinated by Blake Baldwin and Video Creations.

Outgoing Kennebunk Town Manager Mike Pardue was in on the surprise naming Kennebunk Police Chief Bob MacKenzie as the 2022 Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award, given in memory of a beloved community member.
Outgoing Kennebunk Town Manager Mike Pardue was in on the surprise naming Kennebunk Police Chief Bob MacKenzie as the 2022 Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award, given in memory of a beloved community member.

The chamber awarded honors to the following members of the community:

Municipal Employee of the Year: Wendy Lank, town of Arundel

Volunteer of the Year: Kathy Baker

Rising Star: Colby Marvin Bracy of the Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport

President’s Award: Paul Humphrey, owner of Mornings in Paris in Kennebunk

Business of the Year: Sea Love in Kennebunkport, owned by Stacy and Barry Miller

Outstanding Achievement: Steve Kingston, owner of The Clam Shack in Kennebunk

Driven Woman: Danielle Frechette, owner of River's Edge Spa and Salon in Kennebunk

Nonprofit of the Year: Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation

Special Recognition: Keith Trefethen, town of Arundel town manager for seven years

Special recognition: Mike Pardue, Kennebunk town manager leaving after 6 years

Joel Stevens Community Service Award: Bob MacKenzie, Kennebunk Police Department chief of police

Drive to Be the Best award winners were:

Best nightlife: Old Vines Wine Bar and The Pilot House

Best breakfast spot: Mike's American Diner and Mike's All Day Breakfast

Best outdoor dining spot: Arundel Wharf and The Boathouse

Best cocktail spot: Old Vines Wine Bar and Batson River Brewing & Distilling

Best beer list: Alisson's Restaurant and Federal Jack's

Best takeout: Mekhong Thai and The Clam Shack

Best spa/hair salon: River's Edge Spa & Salon and The Nail Spa by Thao

Best art gallery: Maine Art Hill and Wendy Webster Good/The Port

Best cup of coffee: Mornings in Paris and Coffee Roasters of the Kennebunks

Best ice cream: Rococo Ice Cream and Ben & Jerry's

Best lobster roll: The Clam Shack and Alisson's Restaurant

Best bakery/baked goods: Boulangerie and Mornings in Paris

Best shop/gift shop: Daytrip Society and Dannah for Men

Best garage/auto services: Guay's Sunoco and Arundel Ford

Best bank: Kennebunk Savings and Camden National

Best fitness club/yoga spot: Spurling Fitness and The Daily Sweat

Best landscaping service: Terrapin Landscapes and Solari Property Care and Excavation

Best real estate company: Pack Maynard & Associates and Kennebunk Beach Realty

Best home improvement company: Hazelwood Handyman Services and Huston's Home Renovations

Best trails/walks: Hope Woods and Eastern Trail

Best chowder: Alisson's Restaurant and Cape Pier Chowder House

Best wedding venue: Nonantum Resort and The Colony Hotel

Best golf course: Webhannet Golf Course and Cape Arundel Golf Course

Best local publication: Tourist & Town and Kennebunk Post

Best happy hour: Old Vines and Pedro's

Best family activity business: New England Eco Adventures and Seashore Trolley Museum

Best place to go for a first date: Garden Street Bowl and The Lost Fire

Best spot for a romantic getaway: Seaside Inn and White Barn Inn

Best spot for a family stay: Seaside Inn and Nonantum Resort

Best local band/musician: Lisa Mills and Ocean Ave and Chris Ross Band

Best customer service: Seaside Inn and New England Eco Adventures

Best financial services: Kennebunk Savings and Nvest Financial

Best photographer: Bob Dennis and Chris Smith

Best water/recreation activity: New England Eco Adventures and KBIA

Favorite non-profit: Seashore Trolley Museum and Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation

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