Photo by Joe Lovell Representatives from Harvey Goodman Realty celebrate the company being voted best real estate agent in the 2021 Best of the Ohio Valley Awards. Award winners were honored Wednesday night at the Wheeling Country Club. Pictured are, from left to right, Ogden Newspapers regional advertising consultant Heather Francis, Paula Porter, Becky McNeely, Mark McNeely, Lindsay Maynard and Lesley Link.

WHEELING — The readers had their say, and businesses and service providers they selected “Best of the Ohio Valley” during a difficult year were honored Wednesday night.

Readers of The Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register and the Times Leader were asked in recent weeks to nominate and later vote for those they felt were the best at what they do in the areas of local dining, education, entertainment, financial/legal advice, health/medical providers, home services, business services, retail stores and vehicle services.

Winners were invited to a dinner and awards ceremony Wednesday night at the Wheeling Country Club.

Plaques were awarded to those voted best in 126 separate categories, while finalist certificates were presented to at least two other nominees in each category.

There were 1,247 businesses and service providers nominated, and more than 51,000 ballots were received, according to John McCabe, editor of The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register.

Readers voted online or sent in ballots included within the newspaper. These were submitted “by our readers and your customers,” McCabe told those assembled.

“I would ask each of you to give yourselves a round of applause for weathering what has been a tough 20 months to be in business, and a tough 20 months of uncertainty for all of us,” he said. “Take a moment and congratulate one another for getting through this initial phase and hoping for better days ahead.”

McCabe noted those present represented the wide variety of businesses large and small that can be found in the Ohio Valley.

“There are companies with one employee, five, 10 and into the thousands,” he said. “It really does make such a nice mix for our area.

“You employ a lot of people, put food on our tables, and ultimately make a lot of people happy by just giving them good service and being there when they need you. And that is extremely admirable.”

WVU Medicine was the big winner of the night, with WVU Medicine-Wheeling Hospital voted best hospital and taking home a finalist certificate as best sports medicine provider and physical therapy.

WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, meanwhile, took top honors for its mental health, physical therapy and sports medicine offerings. It was also a finalist in the best hospital category.

In addition, the WVU Medicine Continuous Care Center in Wheeling was a finalist among best nursing homes, while WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown was voted by local readers as a finalist for pediatric care.

WVU Medicine-Wheeling Hospital CEO Douglass Harrison said the hospital’s first year as a partner with WVU Medicine was a great one. Wheeling Hospital and WVU Medicine announced its partnership in the fall of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been a year of transitions, and there is more to come,” he said.

“I’m cautiously optimistic we are turning the corner on COVID. Everyday we have COVID patients, and we still need to be cautious.”

East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry — which reopened to patients in February after being closed since September 2019 — also finished as a finalist in the best hospital category.

“This is such an honor because we are proud of our staff,and all of the hard work they put in,” said Heather Borkoski, assistant COO at EORH. “And we are so blessed the community has supported us since the minute the announcement was made that Dr. (John) Johnson bought the hospital.”

The public has “come out in droves” to EORH, she said.

“We haven’t even been open a year and we’re here, so we couldn’t be any more happier,” ” added Kayla Shreve, director of physician services.

Zambito Family Dentistry took top honors in the dentist category.

“It’s very encouraging to see things getting back to normalcy and what we are used to,” Dr. Chris Zambito said. “I think it’s exciting to see people not so intimidated anymore, and getting back to normal life.”

Being nominated is very gratifying, said his brother Ricky Zambito. His business, Zambito Floor Covering, was selected overall winner as best flooring and carpeting store.

“You’re excited to be in the top three,” Ricky Zambito said. “The people of the Ohio Valley put you in the top three, and it’s just an honor. They’re telling you you are making customers happy, and it’s a great honor for us.”

Cloud Nine Salon and Spa was selected best hair salon by readers, but Revival Salon and Spa of St. Clairsville considered it a special accomplishment to be among the nominees in the category.

“I think it’s an honor because we had just opened when the pandemic hit,” said stylist Sarah Dierkes. “We were worried we wouldn’t make it out of that, but we did and we’re here now.

“I think that’s a huge honor to have. No matter what the outcome, we’re just grateful to be here and be recognized,” she said.