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Best of Service 2007
August 28, 2007
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Best Customer Service
Serenity Day Spa & Salon
When you’re axiom reads: “Experience the difference,” you better pony up. Serenity
Spa & Salon strives to make every customer feel like they’re the only customer — whether you’re just stopping in to buy an Aveda product or you’re making an afternoon of pampering yourself with a facial or pedicure. Employees stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and Aveda products through special training seminars and guest speakers.
2. Steaming Bean
3. Hotel Frisco
Best Day Care
Little Red Schoolhouse
What makes Little Red the best is the amazing teachers and the great families that are part of the schoolhouse. At the daycare center, kids come fi rst, and that attitude makes them the best.
2. Kinderhut
3. Summit County Preschool
Best School Teacher
Vicki Baumgartner
(Retired) 3 rd Grade, Summit Cove Elementary
Though Vicki Baumgartner retired a little more than a year ago, locals still remember
her as the best teacher. For fi ve years, she touched third-graders’ hearts at Summit Cove Elementary. Parents say she has an innate ability to elicit the best from kids. Her straightforward style encouraged kids to take risks both personally and academically, she said. And, she wants to thank everyone for making her feel so special.
2. Julia Thompson - Summit Middle School
3. Denise Oaks-Moffett - Summit Middle School
Best Veterinarian
Dr. Mark Cowan
Buffalo Mountain Animal Hospital
Whether you have a crazy new puppy or a longtime member of the family that has to
be put down, Dr. Mark Cowan at Buffalo Mountain Animal Hospital in Silverthorne will
make you feel at ease. His patient, friendly personality makes both pets and owners feel at home, and his staff does the same. They’ll take time to explain whatever you need — you’ll never feel rushed in this offi ce; how’s that for respect?
2. Dr. Ed Hastain - Breckenridge Animal Clinic
3. Dr. Denisa Court - Animal Hospital of Frisco
Best Dog Care Facility
DNR Kennel
For 17 years, DNR Kennel has made men, women and their best friends feel special.
Owner Nada Roder’s love for animals shows through not only her caretaking but also in the number of pets she owns: four Irish wolfhounds, three greyhounds, three ferrets, two birds and two cats. “I like dogs better than most people,” she said, jokingly.
2. The Dog Den
3. The Dog House
Best Doctor
Dr. James Oberheide
High Country Health Care
Dr. O b e r h e i d e ’s p e r s o n a l i t y i s reminiscent of days long gone, when
doctors made house calls and spent plenty of time listening to their patients.
Though he doesn’t make house calls, he doesn’t rush anyone in his offi ce; he’ll
listen to your concerns, then educate you about whatever you want to know.
2. Dr. Adele Morano - High Country Health Care
3. Dr. Randall Nations - High Country Health Care
Best Optometrist
Dr. Christena Ward
Complete Family Eyecare
“One or two?” No, it’s not an eye exam. It’s the Best of Summits, and Dr. Christena
Ward has won again. She provides unparalleled customer service, exceptional patient education, superior product quality and the best darn eye health care available at Complete Family EyeCare in Dillon.
“I like to elicit patients’ biggest concerns and use education to help them solve their
problems,” she said. She’s also not stand-offi sh. She likes living in a small community where she can see her patients — who can see her better after an exam — in daily interactions throughout the county.
2. Dr. Paul Barry - Custom Eyes
3. Dr. Paul Cook - Summit Eye
Best Chiropractor
Dr. Ivo Waerlop
Summit Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Dr. Ivo Waerlop not only inspires patients, but he also inspires students. When his current partner, Dr. John Asthalter at Summit Chiropractic and Rehabilitation in Silverthorne, took an anatomy class from Ivo, John made the switch from wanting to be a physician’s assistant to being a chiropractor. He says Ivo’s popularity comes from his extremely large knowledge base. “He’s one of the smartest doctors I’ve met. Period,” John said about his colleague. “He gives patients the time that they need, and I think that’s what sets him apart. There’s never a patient that feels rushed out the door.”
2. Dr. Jeff Auth - Auth Chiropractic
3. Dr. Steve Hebert -Allied Chiropractic
Best Computer Service
Absolute Solutions
Absolute Solutions is absolutely the best this year. First of all, you don’t have to
lug your computer to them; they come to you. The computer crew will help you figure out hardware and software, provide wireless and network solutions and give
you professional IT consulting, telecom consulting, training and spam, virus and
internet security.
2. Rocky Mountain Computer
3. Computer Troubleshooters
Best Car Mechanic
Frisco Tire and Service
Locals were sad to see long-time Frisco Tire and Service go out of business in March, and they made their voices heard in our Best of Summit.
2. Breckenridge Auto
3. High Country Auto
Best Dentist
Dr. John Warner - Breck
Dr. Warner has been practicing dentistry in Summit County for 27 years. His caring
and compassionate nature helps put patients at ease in the chair. Plus, he’s a great
listener and pays attention to his clients; he remembers the details of what’s going
on in their lives and treats his patients like they’re members of his own family. And he
cares about their entire well-being.
2. Dr. Greg Jungman - Offi ces in Breckenridge and Dillon
3. Dr. Timothy P. Nary - Complete Family Dental Care, Breckenridge
Best Real Estate Company
Omni Real Estate
As the owner of Omni Real Estate, which has six offi ces serving Summit, Park
and Grand counties, Anne Marie Ohly’s experience has proven time and time again
that customer service is what separates the best from the average. And Omni Realtors don’t just serve customers before and during real estate transactions — they’re there for them afterward too. “I and my high-level team commit ourselves to professionalism with the personal touch,” Anne Marie Ohly said. “We believe knowing your customers is what grows your business.”
2. ReMax Properties of the Summit
3. Slifer, Smith & Frampton
Best Real Estate Agent
Buck Finely has been voted into Best Of Summit more than once because he listens to customers’ needs. “I try to treat everybody like they’re going to be a client for life,” he said. He has been in Summit County’s real estate business since 1989, so he knows the market. Locals return to him and refer others because of his honest, direct
approach.
2. Anne Marie Ohly
3. Kelli Bennett
Best Interior Design
Finley Jones & Harris
Finley, Jones and Harris is Summit County’s oldest and most respected design fi rm; it has been decorating homes since 1971, and this is its sixth year as Summit County’s best interior design fi rm. It’s been a consistent winner of the annual Summit County Parade of Homes, probably because Mary Jo Finely, Allied Member ASID, has more than 13 years of experience in design. Her group provides full service, from space planning and hard fi nishes to color consultation, furniture and accessories. It offers all of the design resources necessary to create a beautiful and comfortable home — perfect for your tastes and lifestyle. From sleek contemporary to luxurious mountain elegance, the professionals at Finley, Jones and Harris bring your vision to reality — and all within your budget.
2. Interior By Design
3. Kim Fancher Design
Best Plumbing
Wieronski
How can you not vote for a company pronounced: “We’re on ski”? The folks at Wieronski provide customers with guaranteed services, which range from household heating and draining systems to electric and gas conversions. No wonder they’ve been in business for more than 20 years, as well as made the best of list plenty of times.
2. Dillon Plumbing
3. Mid County Plumbing
Best Rafting Company
Performance Tours in Breckenridge provides a rockin’ and rollin’ good time on the river. It puts a ton of energy into delivering the best service it can; it’s known
for its quality trips and on-going customer service. They try to implement key concepts
from the Breckenridge Resort Chamber Friends Welcome Program, which means
being as friendly and helpful as possible with guests.
2. Kodi Rafting
3. Good Times Rafting
Best Bike Mechanic
Ryan Gaul
Great Adventure Sports
Ryan Gaul has worked on bikes at Great Adventure Sports Center for seven years, but he fi rst started fi xing them when he was 15. He grew up racing road bikes, then moved on to mountain bikes. Locals love him because he’s dedicated to his work, he has a fast turnaround and he tackles everything from the basics to high-end problems. Plus, he brings his chocolate lab to work with him every day.
2. John Brubaker - Wilderness Sports
3. Gary Lunsky - The Bike Doctor
Best Manicure
Serenity Spa & Salon
It’s not just about nails at Serenity Spa & Salon; it’s about experiencing the difference
of being pampered by the best of the best. The spa won best manicure, best spa, best
customer service and best hair salon this year, due to its professional, yet relaxed setting and service.
2. Southern Exposure
3. Frisco Nail
Best Hair Salon
Serenity Spa & Salon
Serenity Spa & Salon has swept the Best of Summit salon category for three years
running. Its staff truly believes its motto of “experience the difference,” from the moment clients walk in to the moment they step out the door. The manager hires the best of the best, who, in turn, pass on their best customer service to their clients. The spa uses Aveda, which offers products that cater to any hair type. Plus, the spa supports the communitythrough charity days, which give back to Summit County.
2. Southern Exposure
3. Chopping Block
Best Day Spa
Serenity Spa & Salon
For as long as Serenity Spa & Salon has been open (a little more than three years),
it has swept the best of categories for spa and salon treatments. Located in Keystone,
the spa is the only in the county to use Aveda products. Co-owner Matt Walsh chose
the line because it’s known for its high quality, environmentally friendly, natural
ingredients. And just as Aveda has set the bar for excellence, so too does Serenity, for customer care. The spa provides a modern and sophisticated atmosphere — entering the treatment area, complete with a fi reside relaxation room, makes you feel like you’re walking into a sanctuary.
2. Blue Sage
3. Mountain Sanctuary
Best Hair Designer
Deanna Sheehan
Southern Exposure
For the second year in a row, Deana Sheehan of Southern Exposure has won best
hair designer. Her personable, down-to-earth nature caters to even locals who hate
going to the salon. Plus, she’s attentive to people and easy to talk to — and you know
she’s not going to mess up your hair, so you can sit back, relax and let your hair down— in little snippets.
2. Brian Devereaux
3. Yvonne Lomas - Mane Design
Best Lawyer
Tim Meinert
Tim Meinert is an ex-prosecutor with a soft spot; he’d like to dedicate this award
to the “best dog ever.” Sasha was a Summit County pound puppy that graced his offi ce
for years. Tim has 25 years of trial experience; he worked as chief deputy district attorney in Summit County from 1991-1993, then opened his private practice in 1994. In the 1980s, he worked as a prosecutor in Adams County.
2. Mark Thompson
3. Todd Barson
Best Landscaper
Neils Lunceford Nursery
Neils Lunceford Nursery has sprung up again as the best garden supply store
because of its customer service and its quality products. Its super-healthy plants
give customers a strong survival rate on their purchased plants. The store also offers
plenty of free, informative seminars from high elevation planting to specifi c diseases
and how to avoid or treat them. Plus, it donates more than 1,000 trees to schools to make the world a greener place to live.
2. Summit Landscaping
3. Alpine Gardens
Best Massage Therapist
Ann Aronson
Ever since Anne Aronson earned her massage therapy certifi cation from Boulder
School of Massage in 1989, she has been practicing in Breckenridge. She’s won the
Best of Summit award four times now, in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007. She’s always
taking new classes and learning new techniques, but she focuses on neuromuscular
and trigger point therapies.
“I absolutely love the profession of massage therapy,” she said, “and I really believe
in massage as a healing modality for integrating one’s life and staying healthy. I
mostly enjoy the one-on-one relationship; it’s a mind-body experience. And I’m so
appreciative of my clients.”
2. Allison (Friday) Waters - Sacred Tree
3. Fiona Nolan - Serenity Spa & Salon
Best Best Photographer
Brad Odekirk
One of Brad’s favorite aspects of working at the Summit Daily was shooting EDLs, or
everyday life shots, but he also loved getting to know people. He had a knack of making people he photographed feel comfortable, and he always had a kind word. He lived life to the fullest, and for that, locals still remember him as the best Summit photographer, even a year after his death. Everyone at the Summit Daily — and people throughout the county — still miss Brad on a daily basis, but we are blessed to have Mark Fox — who came in second place — as our photographer who captures breathtaking EDLs and does an excellent job taking care of our reporters’ requests.
2. Mark Fox
3. Matt Lit
4. Todd Powell
Best Cellular Service
Avalanche Communications
Based in Dillon, Avalanche Communications owners Michael and Mo Kelley strive to
serve their customers’ every need. So, if you’ve dropped your phone from the chairlift
(what were you doing bringing a phone with you anyway — oh, sorry — the Kelley’s
would never ask), they’ll loan you one for a day or two until you can get a new one. They also look for the cheapest and best deal possible for you, so if it’s cheaper to order over the internet, they’ll tell you. Oh, and just for the record, they prefer Verizon because of its customer service and coverage, though they also sell Nextel and Sprint.
2. Summit Cellular
3. Apex Cellular
Best Mortgage Company
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo has two home mortgage consultants in Summit County: Tina
Moore in Breckenridge and Judy Irwin in Frisco. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
is the nation’s No. 1 retail mortgage lender and servicer of home
mortgages, according to Inside Mortgage Finance 2006 annual rankings.
“ L o c a l l y w e a r e consistently the top lender in Summit County according
to Title Co. statistics/recordings or mortgage deeds,” Moore said. “Pricing
for customers who deal with us directly may be more favorable than pricing for
customers who come to us through a mortgage broker.” It serves the needs of Realtors with an industry exclusive closing guarantee; if it doesn’t meet the customers’ closing date it’ll refund the fi rst month’s mortgage payment. It also offers builder and new construction programs that include long-term interest rate locks for 12 to 24 months. And, it’s active with the Summit County Housing Authority and continues to serve the fi rst-time homebuyer with conventional and government products.
2. 1st Bank
3. Alpine Financial Group
Best Bank
1st Bank
Savvy customers stop by 1stBank on Saturday mornings for the doughnuts, coffee and orange juice. Open in 1963, it’s the largest Colorado-owned bank. With locations in Frisco, Silverthorne and Breckenridge, the “Colorado bank for you” ranks top notch for taking everything into account, including community events support, affordable housing programs and loan and credit concerns.
2. Wells Fargo
3. Alpine Bank
Best Electrician
All Electric
All Electric in Breckenridge understands that it’s in the business of customer service. “A lot of people don’t recognize they’re in the service business,” owner Bill Tinker said. “They think they’re electricians.” All Electric has been in business for 35 years in Summit County — a record that attests to its strength. “Customer satisfaction is the only thing that keeps you in business. Bad news travels fast — to 1,000 people — whereas good news barely travels next door. (Still), I’ll go out of my way for customer service.”
2. Triangle Electric
3. Alpha Omega Electric Company
Best Car Repair
High Country Auto Repair
High County Auto Repair is the locals’ favorite because it goes out of its way to
cater to them. Co-owner Kerri Marsh likens customer service in the car business to
that of the hair business: She listens to the customers’ wants and needs — down to
how much they can spend — then delivers. Her and her husband, Steve, have owned the company since 1998. The company’s straightforward and honest approach makes it ride above the competition. Mechanics trace every problem to its source without skipping any detail.
2. Breckenridge Auto
3. Frisco Tire and Service
Best Ski/Snowboard Shop
Mountain Sports Outlet
Mountain Sports Outlet wins the Best of Summit again for many of the same reasons it wins best bike shop: price, service and selection. It has one of the largest selections of skis and boards in Summit County - plus plenty of cool gear to go with ‘em. The store’s stocked with avid skiers and riders who pass on their knowledge and passion to the customers. Plus, they have the lowest prices nationwide - guaranteed. How’s that for a deal?
2. Mountain Wave
3. Christy Sports
Best Bike Shop
Mountain Sports Outlet
Mountain Sports Outlet has been voted No. 1 once again because of three things: price, service and selection. It has the largest inventory of bikes in Summit County, plus a ton of cycling apparel and accessories. But what really makes it stand out is the employees. All are avid cyclists, and some are professionals, so these people know what they’re talking about when they fi t your bike. Plus, the store has the lowest prices nationwide — guaranteed. What more can you ask for?
2. Wildernest Sports
3. Colorado Freeride - AKA: A Racers Edge
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