BEST OF GUTHRIE COUNTY RESULTS!

 

 

More than 1,000 voters weighed in on 91 categories in this year’s annual poll.

By Rich Wicks | Lake Panorama Times 

Once again, it is time to unveil the results of our annual Best of Guthrie County poll.

Each year, we keep the results under wraps until our Best of Guthrie County event. This year’s event was held Sept. 9, meaning the results remained safely under lock and key — or, more accurately, sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk and Wagnall’s front porch. (For our younger readers, that is a reference to a recurring gag on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show.” You are welcome to Google it.)

In all seriousness, we take steps to ensure our polling is conducted fairly, and we want the results to remain a secret until the night of our annual event. Before we get to the individual winners, however, here are a few broader facts about this year’s poll.

This is our third year conducting the Best of Guthrie County poll, and voter turnout once again exceeded expectations. The first year, 471 voters shared their opinions. Last year, that number climbed to 642. This year, an impressive 1,050 ballots were cast. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.

Each year, we make a few changes to the poll. Some categories become more or less relevant, while new ones are added and others are retired. As in previous years, some categories featured runaway winners, while others were decided by a much narrower margin.

The format of the poll is intentional. Unlike many surveys that provide multiple-choice answers, the Best of Guthrie County poll asks voters to write in their own selections. We do not provide suggestions or preselected options. That gives voters the freedom to decide for themselves which person, business or organization deserves to be called the best.

We also intentionally leave the definition of “best” up to each voter. For example, if someone decides the best gas station is the one closest to home, then that is their definition of best. Who are we to argue with convenience?

And that brings us to another important point: It is what it is. That phrase may be overused these days — and sometimes it is used as a convenient cop-out — but it accurately describes the nature of this poll. The results are a snapshot in time. Most of the votes were cast in June and July. Since then, someone may have moved away, a business may have closed or circumstances may have changed. But if a person, business or organization received enough votes during the voting period, they earned a spot as a finalist. In other words, this is not a scientific survey. It has even been called a popularity contest. Fair enough. But, as we said earlier, it is what it is.

This year’s poll includes 91 categories. We make adjustments from year to year, and we welcome your feedback about categories you would like to see added, removed or changed in the future.

The poll also does not strictly adhere to the boundaries of Guthrie County. Communities such as Linden, Stuart, Casey and Adair are included, even though all or most of their municipalities actually lie outside the county.

Finally, the results below list the winners and runners-up. We do not announce which runner-up finished second or third. In a few categories, only one runner-up is listed because there was no third-place finisher.

So, without further ado, here are the winners and runners-up from the 2026 Best of Guthrie County poll. Congratulations to all of the finalists — and a special thank you to the 1,050 people who took the time to cast a ballot.

 

Best Guthrie County Nurse

Carrie Stein

Runners-up: Joci Berger, Stephanie Reinhart

 

Best Guthrie County Dentist

Larry Spray

Runners-up: Ames Cross, Daniel Nelson

 

Best Guthrie County Chiropractor

Bailey Schreiber 

Runners-up: Andy Allen, Josh Calmer

 

Best Guthrie County Eye Doctor

Cassie Martinson

Runner-up: Kyle Stalder

 

Best Guthrie County Veterinarian 

Abby Frels 

Runners-up: Tom Blair, William Frels

 

Best Guthrie County Pastor 

Father Ray Higgins 

Runners Up: Trevor Nunn, Jeremy Polland

 

Best Guthrie County Health Club/Gym

Guthrie County Hospital Fitness Center

Runners-up: Active Health Solutions, Reshape Fitness Studio

 

Best Guthrie County Boutique

B&B Marketplace 

Runners-up: Pearls & Lace Boutique LLC, Tribe Boutique LLC

 

Best Guthrie County Retail Store

Old Soul Millennial 

Runners-up: B&B Marketplace, Dowd Drug

 

Best Guthrie County School District

Panorama

Runners-up: ACGC, West Central Valley

 

Best Guthrie County Park

Springbrook State Park

Runners-up: Michael Mills Memorial Park (Panora), Mitchell Park (Guthrie Center)

 

Best Guthrie County Place for Pizza

The Lake Panorama Pizzeria

Runners-up: Casey’s, Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar

 

Best Guthrie County Parent/Child Date Spot

Pedal-In 

Runners-up: Casey Creamery, The Captain’s Pick

 

Best Guthrie County Bank

Guthrie County State Bank

Runners-up: Farmers State Bank of Yale, Peoples Bank

 

Best Guthrie County Hair Salon

HairJesser 

Runners-up: The Color Nook, Main Street Hair Design

 

Best Guthrie County Doctor (person)

Josh Strehle

Runners-up: Steven Bascom, Cody Silker

 

Best Guthrie County Farmers Market

Panora

Runners-up: Guthrie Center, Stuart

 

Best Guthrie County Farmers Market Vendor

MJ’s Bakery

Runners-up: Toasted Bakery, Tripple Berry Farm

 

Best Guthrie County Place for a Field Trip

Springbrook State Park

Runners-up: Early Morning Harvest, Guthrie County Historical Village 

 

Best Guthrie County Community Festival

Panorama Days

Runners-up: Guthrie County Fair, Yale 4th of July

 

Best Guthrie County Teacher

Maddyson McAtee (WCV)

Runners-up: Bob Bolton (ACGC), Cameron Little (Panorama)

 

Best Guthrie County Coach

Cody Matthewson (ACGC)

Runners-up: Cooper Anderson (Panorama), Josh Beardsley (Panorama) 

 

Best Guthrie County Church 

Panora United Methodist

Runners-up: Faith Bible Church, Lutheran Church of Hope

 

Best Guthrie County Spot for Dessert

M&L Ice Cream

Runners-up: Café on the Hill, Casey Creamery

 

Best Guthrie County Spot for Breakfast

Café on the Hill

Runners-up: Crafty’s Coffee & Gifts, The Sunny Spoon

 

Best Guthrie County Spot for Lunch

Café on the Hill

Runners-up: Prime Time Restaurant, The Captain’s Pick

 

Best Guthrie County Spot for Dinner

Prime Time Restaurant

Runners-up: Pioneers Pub & Grub, The Captain’s Pick

 

Best Guthrie County Ice Cream Place

M&L Ice Cream

Runners-up: Casey Creamery, Pedal-In

 

Best Guthrie County Daycare

Little Panther Daycare & Preschool

Runners-up: Little Charger Early Learning Center, Panorama Daycare Center

 

Best Guthrie County Library

Panora Public Library

Runners-up: Mary J Barnett Memorial Library, Stuart Public Library

 

Best Guthrie County Chamber of Commerce

Panora Chamber of Commerce

Runners-up: Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce, Stuart Chamber of Commerce

 

Best Guthrie County place to camp

Springbrook State Park

Runners-up: Lenon Mill Park, Nations Bridge County Park

 

Best Guthrie County Photographer

Betty Cooper Photography

Runners-up: Ada Schauer Photography, Rachelle Little/Serenity & Bliss Photography

 

Best Guthrie County Place to Take Mom & Dad

Prime Time Restaurant 

Runners-up: Café on the Hill, The Captain’s Pick

 

Best Guthrie County Place to Hold an Event

Guthrie County Fairgrounds Event Center

Runners-up: Guthrie Activity Center, The Captain’s Pick

 

Best Guthrie County Car Wash

All Seasons Car Wash, Panora

Runners-up: Stuart Car Wash, The Washing Machine, Guthrie Center

 

Best Guthrie County Barge Service

Lake Panorama Barge Services

Runners-up: Deluxe Docks & Lifts, Van Houten Barge Service

 

Best Guthrie County Place to Take Kids or Grandkids

Guthrie Center Aquatic Complex

Runners-up: Guthrie County Fair, Springbrook State Park

 

Best Guthrie County Auto Service Center

Panorama Tire

Runners-up: Leonard Automotive LLC, M&L Service

 

Best Guthrie County Auto Parts Store

Panora Auto Parts (NAPA)

 Runners-up: Guthrie NAPA Automotive, NAPA Auto Parts Stuart

 

Best Guthrie County Place to Purchase Gifts for Her

B&B Marketplace

Runners-up: Dowd Drug, Tribe Boutique LLC

 

Best Guthrie County Vehicle Detailing Business

Detailers Eye, Panora

Runners-up: Collision Concepts Inc. Bagley, Revive Mobile Detailing, Panora

 

Best Guthrie County Realtor (person)

Dee Powell

Runners-up: Laura Kemble, Kane Powell

 

Best Guthrie County Bar

The Captain’s Pick

Runners-up: Owl’s Nest, Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar

 

Best Guthrie County Bowling Alley

IncrediBowl

Runner-up: Stuart Bowl

 

Best Guthrie County Place for Guests to Stay

Lake Panorama National Resort 

Runners-up: Brick Street Loft Casey, Midway Motel Guthrie Center

 

Best Guthrie County Coffee Shop

Crafty’s Coffee & Gifts

Runners-up: B&B Marketplace, Ruthie’s Coffee House

 

Best Guthrie County Florist

Panorama Gardens

Runners-up: B&B Marketplace, Stuart Flowers & Gifts

 

Best Guthrie County Nonprofit

Tori’s Angels

Runners-up: 10 Squared Men, Timber Creek

 

Best Guthrie County Landscaping Company

Lakeside Landscaping LLC 

Runners-up: Hackfort Landscaping LLC, Leiferman Outdoor Services

 

Best Guthrie County CPA (person)

Lisa Calvert

Runners-up: Janet Dickson, Sarah Langgaard

 

Best Guthrie County Insurance Agent (person)

Chris Arganbright

Runners-up: Robert Carr, Connie Sloss

 

Best Guthrie County Pharmacy

Dowd Drug

Runners-up: Medicap Pharmacy, Wright Pharmacy

 

Best Guthrie County Volunteer

Steve Smith

Runners-up: Roger Dorr, JoAnn Johnson

 

Best Guthrie County Grocery Store

Hometown Foods Panora 

Runners-up: Hometown Foods Guthrie Center, Hometown Foods Stuart

 

Best Guthrie County Nursery or Garden Center

Panorama Gardens

Runners-up: Grandma Marie’s Greenhouse, Red Maple Greenhouse

 

Best Guthrie County Senior Living Facility

The New Homestead Guthrie Center

Runners-up: Community Care Center & The Willows (Stuart), The Lakeside Village (Panora) 

 

Best Guthrie County Home Builder

Donovan Construction LLC

Runners-up: JRL Builders, Laughery Construction, Kevin Laughery

 

Best Guthrie County Hardware Store

Lake Lumber

Runners-up: Bayard Building Supply, Tractor Supply

 

Best Guthrie County Home Improvement Contractor

Donovan Construction LLC

Runners-up: KHL Builders, Laughery Construction, Kevin Laughery

 

Best Guthrie County Plumber (business)

Doug’s Plumbing & Heating

Runners-up: J5 John Hutchins, Miller Plumbing, Heating & Electric

 

Best Guthrie County Electrician (business)

Miller Plumbing, Heating & Electric 

Runners-up: Berger Electric, Powell Electric

 

Best Guthrie County HVAC Company

Doug’s Plumbing & Heating

Runners-up: Controlled Environments, Miller Plumbing, Heating & Electric

 

Best Guthrie County Lawn Care Business

Rhoades Lawn Services, Keaton Rhoades

Runners-up: S7 Residential Lawn & Snow Removal LLC, Schwingers Lawn
Care

 

Best Guthrie County Attorney or Law Firm

Eric Reinhart

Runners-up: Bump & Twillman LLC, Beverly Wild

 

Best Guthrie County Financial Planner

Dave Grove, Edward Jones, Panora

Runners-up: Brandt Gebel (Guthrie County State Bank), Melissa Loest (Edward Jones, Guthrie Center)

 

Best Guthrie County Pest Control Company

Cyclone Pest Management

Runners-up: Colin’s Pest Control, Paul’s Pest Control

 

Best Guthrie County Dog Boarding Facility

Mitzie Rue’s Canine Corral

Runner-up: Guthrie County Veterinary Services

 

Best Guthrie County Golf Course

Lake Panorama National Golf Course

Runners-up: Guthrie Center Golf Course, Panorama West Golf Course

 

Best Guthrie County Massage Therapist (person)

Jade Irlmeier

Runners-up: Brianna Beardsley, Erica Matthies

 

Best Guthrie County Esthetician (skin care professional)

Lexi Blakely

Runners-up: Amy Bassett, Courtney Claussen

 

Best Guthrie County Mexican Restaurant

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant (Panora)

Runners-up: Los Altos Mexican Restaurant (Stuart), Orchard Family Restaurant (Guthrie Center)

 

Coldest Beer in Guthrie County

The Captain’s Pick

Runners-up: Owl’s Nest, Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar

 

Best Guthrie County Home Painter

Kunkle Painting

Runners-up: Deb Moylan, Jeremy Riggens Painting

 

Best Guthrie County Elected Official

Maggie Armstrong

Runners-up: Matt Harmann, Steve Smith

 

Best Guthrie County Employer

Guthrie County Hospital

Runners-up: Guthrie County State Bank, Panora Fiber

 

Best Guthrie County Real Estate Company

Lake Panorama Realty

Runners-up: Sunset Realty, Whitetail Properties Real Estate

 

Best Guthrie County Customer Service (overall)

HairJesser

Runners-up: Lake Panorama Realty, Old Soul Millennial

 

Best Guthrie County Local Band or Musician

Kile Jackson 

Runners-up: Brick Imerman, Dale Menning & the Stardusters

 

Best Guthrie County Artist

Kelly Nielsen

Runners-up: Joy Hasbrouck, Ginger Lindstrom

 

Best Guthrie County Caterer

Café on the Hill

Runners-up: Brown Dog BBQ, The Captain’s Pick

 

Best Guthrie County Unsung Hero

Dennis Flanery

Runners-up: Brandi Rockwell, Steve Smith

 

Best Guthrie County First Date Spot

The Captain’s Pick

Runners-up: Pioneers Pub & Grub, Prime Time Restaurant

 

Best Guthrie County Happy Hour

The Captain’s Pick

Runners-up: Owl’s Nest, Tin Lizzie’s Sports Bar

 

Best Guthrie County Bartender or Server

Max Monthei

Runners-up: Stacey Nelson, Kayla Nemmers

 

Best Guthrie County Wine Selection

Twin Vines

Runners-up: Local Liquor, The Captain’s Pick

 

Best Guthrie County Place to Take your Dog

Whispering Willows Dog Grooming

Runners-up: Lake Panorama Dog Park, Springbrook State Park

 

Best Guthrie County Place to Buy Meat

Guthrie County Quality Meats

Runners-up: Dahl’s Custom Meat Locker, Hometown Foods

 

Best Guthrie County Food Truck

The Bean Box

Runners-up: Backroads Grill, Deardorff Highland Cattle

 

Best Guthrie County Collision Repair

Collision Concepts Inc.

Runners-up: Guthrie Auto Body, Hummel’s Auto Body

 

Best Guthrie County Dog Groomer

Ashley Drake, Whispering Willows Dog Grooming

Runner-up: Cindy Zieser, Pretty Paws