The Walker County Chamber of Commerce held its fifth annual Best of Walker banquet Thursday evening, Nov. 15. Scores of citizens and business owners gathered to celebrate each others' successes amid dinner and to eagerly anticipate the announcement of this year's winners. Many people and businesses continued their winning streak; in other cases, newcomers, such as One-Eleven restaurant in LaFayette, took home the prize. Here are this year's winners:

People/Places

Elementary School: first place – North LaFayette Elementary; second place – Chickamauga Elementary

Middle/Junior High School: first place – LaFayette Middle School; second place – Gordon Lee Middle School

High School: first place – LaFayette High School; second place – Ridgeland High School

Local Coach: first place – Mark Mariakas, Ridgeland High School; second place, Tab Gable – LaFayette High School

Principal: first place – Glenn Brown, Ridgeland High School; second place – Mike Culberson, LaFayette High School

Teacher: first place – Margaret Carpenter, Ridgeland High School; second place – Ntina Ko, Alternative Education Center

Medical/Health Care

Doctor: first place – Dr. Suzanne Storey; second place – Dr. Ralph “Ted” Bowers

Drug Store: first place – Medi-Thrift pharmacy; second place – CVS

Dental Office: first place – Mason & Chamberlain Family Dentistry; second place – Walter Levie Jr. DDS-PC

Chiropractor: first place – Ford Chiropractic; second place – Dr. Leisha Espy

Optometrist: first place – North Georgia Eye Care; second place – North Georgia Vision Center

Nursing Home: first place – Shepherd Hills; second place – LaFayette Healthcare

Home Health/Hospice Agency: first place – SolAmor Hospice; second place – Hutcheson Hospice

Auto, ATV, Bike Sales/Services

Automobile Dealership: first place – Jackson-Chevrolet-Buick-GMC; second place – Jenkins-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep

Auto Mechanic/Service Department: first place – Dale Wilson Pure Station; second place – Jackson-Chevrolet-Buick-GMC

Body Shop: first place – Dixie Collision; second place – Frye’s Collision Center

Towing/Wrecker Service: first place – Durham Wrecker Service; second place – Dixie Collision

Beauty and Personal Care

Hair Salon: first place – Creative Image Salon; second place – Bedazzled Hair & Tanning

Barber Shop: first place – Teddy D’s Barber Shop; second place – Stu’s Barber Shop

Nail Salon: first place – L&N Nails; second place – Lucky Nails

Fitness Center/Gym: first place – City Club; second place – The Key to Fitness

Professional

Attorney/Firm: first place – Cunningham & Mullinax Law Firm; second place – Womack, Gottleib and Rodham, P.C.

Accountant/Firm: first place – Mahan Tax Service; second place – Timothy M. Mason, CPA

Veterinarian/Clinic: first place – LaFayette Animal Clinic; second place – Cornerstone Veterinary Services

Religion/Church

Youth Program: first place – First Baptist Church of LaFayette; second place – Second Baptist Church of LaFayette

Music Program: first place – Second Baptist Church of LaFayette; second place – First Baptist Church of LaFayette

Community Ministry/Outreach: first place – Kids 4 Christ; second place – Oakwood Baptist Church

Homes and Gardens

Home Builder/Contractor: first place – Steve Jones Construction; second place – Fryar Construction

Real Estate Agency: first place – Jackson Realty; second place – Teems & Teems Realty

Lawn/Landscaping Service: first place – Grounds Keepers; second place – Bill Rector

Hardware Store: first place – Hammond-Jones Hardware; second place – Ace Hardware of LaFayette

Financial/Banking and Personal Planning

Stock - Investment and Financial Management Firm/Broker: first place – Jon Dutton, Edward Jones; second place – Calvin Allmon, Edward Jones

Bank: first place – The Bank of LaFayette; second place – Cohutta Banking Company

Funeral Home: first place – Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home; second place – Wilson Funeral Homes

Other Retail

Grocery Store: first place – Shop-Rite of Chickamauga; second place – Shop-Rite of LaFayette

Photographer: first place – Miss Tina’s Photography; second place – Vince Stallings

Florist: first place – Debbi’s Flowers & Favors; second place – The Bouquet Shop of LaFayette

Gift/Specialty Shop: first place – Buttercup Alley; second place – Sew Cute

Jewelry Store: first place – Chapman Jewelry; second place – The Jewelry Chest

Variety Store: first place – Fred’s of Chickamauga; second place – Fred’s of LaFayette

Food and Beverage

Mexican Restaurant: first place – Los Guerrero’s; second place – Don Lolo’s

BBQ Restaurant: first place – Choo Choo BBQ & Grill; second place – Big John’s BBQ

Pizza: first place – Pizza Hut of LaFayette; second place – Twins Pizza & Steaks

Bakery: first place – Bountiful Blessings Bakery; second place – Land’s Old Fashion Bakery

Entertainment and Dining

Restaurant: first place – One-Eleven; second place – CJ’s Southern Traditions

Fast Food: first place – McDonald’s of LaFayette; second place – Wendy’s of LaFayette

Caterer: first place – Melinda’s Catering & Gifts; second place – Ivy Cottage Restaurant

Golf Course: first place – LaFayette Golf Course; second place – Jones Lake Par 3 Golf Course

Local Event: first place – Music on the Square; second place – Freedom Festival

Tourist Attraction: first place – See Rock City; second place – Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park

Walker County Community

Place to Work: first place – Roper Corporation; second place – Ridgeland High School

Most Beautiful Place in the County: first place – Mountain Cove Farms; second place – Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park

Best Downtown: first place – City of Chickamauga; second place – City of LaFayette