WHEELING — The residents of the Ohio Valley voted over recent weeks on who they thought were the best at what they do in their community, and the top businesses and organizations were honored Wednesday night for their top efforts.

The Best of the Ohio Valley Readers Choice Awards were handed out during ceremonies at Wheeling Park’s White Palace Wednesday night. The awards are sponsored by The Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register and Times Leader and are based upon nominations and voting from readers of the newspapers.

More than 275,000 votes were submitted this year, reported John McCabe, editor for The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register. Readers were permitted to vote one time each day.

WVU Medicine again was the top winner, taking home six awards during the night. These included top honors for the Howard Long Wellness Center as best fitness center; WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital as best overall hospital; WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial as best for sports medicine; WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial as best at home health care; and WVU Hospital Wheeling Hospital as best in audiology. Amanda Mosman, who works for WVU Medicine, was also named best pediatric practice.

“Serving the Ohio Valley is an honor in itself,” said Phil Carl, director of marketing and communications for WVU Medicine Wheeling, Reynolds Memorial and Wetzel County hospitals. “The community supports us, and so do our employees.

“It is truly an honor to be a part of this valley, and more so to serve it. (We offer) a resounding thank you from everybody at WVU Medicine.”

Tlaquepaque Mexican Grill and Restaurant in St. Clairsville also was a major winner with four awards. The restaurant was selected as having the best atmosphere, the best Mexican food, the best service and being the best overall restaurant in the Ohio Valley.

Joe’s Tires in Barnesville went home with three first place awards in the automotive category. The business was selected tops for auto accessories, auto repair and as a tire center.

“We’re very humbled for all the readers who took time to vote,” said Jake Hershberger. “You just have to keep working hard. It isn’t easy.”

Oglebay Park Resort also captured three first-place honors. These came for best summer camp at the Good Zoo, best golf course at Speidel Golf Course, and best festival/venue with Oglebayfest.

“The zoo has done such a great job having a really unique summer program that you can’t get at any other facility in the area,” said Rod Haley, executive vice president of the Wheeling Park Commission.

“And Oglebayfest is such a great event that we’ve done every year for so long. We just want to thank the community for all they do for us.”

Coleman’s Fish Market was also a three-time winner Wednesday night, winning awards for best seafood, sandwich and fast food. Jodi Carder, who helps operate the business with father Joe Coleman, attributed the wins to their customers.

“They’re loyal, and we love them,” she said. “(Coleman’s Fish) is just a tradition that’s been here for years.”

Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream, headquartered in St. Clairsville, was selected best in two categories – overall best dessert, and best ice cream.

“It’s an honor to win best dessert. There’s a lot of good people here,” said owner Kirke Porterfield. “They make a lot of great stuff, so it’s a real honor to win best dessert here.

“We try to do the best job we can. We don’t worry about what it costs. We just make it.”

Also winning two awards was Dvorak and Sons Heating, Cooling and Plumbing in Bellaire. The business won top awards for providing heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and for best plumbing company.

“We’re honest, reliable and have good customer service,” said Stephanie Dvorak.

Play and Stay Pet Camp in Wheeling and St. Clairsville won as best place for boarding animals, as well as best for pet sitting.

“Thank you for voting for us, and thank you for trusting us with the care of your pet,” said owner Vanessa Craig.

The Fat Apple Bakery in Bridgeport was selected best bakery, and owner Don Rhodes said he knows why. He attributed the honor to his customers.

“They have been faithful, and we appreciate that very much,” he said. “We try to do the best job that we can for our customers.”

Bordas and Bordas Attorneys in Wheeling was selected as the best law firm.

“We are certainly honored to be selected again this year,” said managing partner Jamie Bordas. “It means a lot to the people of this valley, where we’ve been headquartered for 40 years now. They have chosen us, and think highly enough of us to select us for this award.

“I like to think our ability and heart to help people is what sets us apart as a law firm. Our mission has always been to help others and fight for justice in whatever we do.”

Patsy’s Pizza in Elm Grove, took home the honor for providing the best pizza in the Ohio Valley.

“Our customers – some come two or three times a week. They really make it special for us,” said Erika Mitchem of Patsy’s. “I can’t thank them enough.

“We make everything fresh everyday. We don’t use anything from the day before. It is made fresh on the spot, and we put a lot of heart into it.”

Voters selected Figaretti’s Restaurant as the best Italian restaurant in the area. The business has been very successful over the years in picking up Best of the Ohio Valley wins.

“It’s always been a pleasure (to win),” said owner Dino Figaretti. “We’ve won it several times, and the next year is always the best.”