Celebrate Our Readers’ Choice Winners

*Readers’ Choice winner spotlight

Thank you, readers, for participating in our first Readers’ Choice poll. We’ve counted all of your ballots, and the results are in. Discover the attractions, businesses, people and places that we’re honoring with our Readers’ Choice awards this year. Learn about and share the following organizations and professionals who have earned your votes. Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to everyone who took time to nominate and vote for them this year!

Hometown Heroes: COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Best Doctor
Dr. Amy Heyman, Capital Women’s Care, Frederick
Runner-up: Dr. Jill Durfee, Frederick Primary Care Associates

Best Hospital
Frederick Health Hospital
Runner-up: Children’s National Medical Center, Frederick

Best Nurse
Hannah Downin, Frederick Health Hospital
Runner-up: Meredith Gusman, Frederick Health Hospital

Education & After-Care

Best Academic and Enrichment Program
Young Rembrandts, Frederick and Montgomery counties
Runner-up: The Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick

Best After-School Program
Dance Unlimited, Frederick
Runner-up: YMCA of Frederick County*
The YMCA Before and After School Enrichment (B.A.S.E.) program is for school-aged children beginning with kindergarten and operates from 6:30 a.m. until the regular school day begins and after school from school dismissal until 6:30 p.m. We follow the Frederick County school calendar and offer full-day care at designated sites on days school is closed. Children receive a nutritious snack every afternoon. frederickymca.org; 301-663-5131.

Best Charter School
Carroll Creek Montessori Public Charter School, Frederick

Best Dance Program
24/7 Dance Studio, Frederick*
Celebrating our 20th anniversary, 24/7 Dance Studio is proud to serve the Frederick community. Classes are offered starting at 18 months through adult-only classes. Ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip-hop, musical theater, acting, gymnastics, pointe, children’s classes, Saturday musical theater camps and more. Come dance, sing, act and tumble with us and see the 24/7 difference. We can’t wait to meet you!
Runner-up: Dance Unlimited, Frederick

Best Independent School
The Banner School, Frederick
Runner-up: Lucy School, Middletown

Best Performance Art Program
24/7 Dance Studio, Frederick*
Runner-up: Dance Unlimited, Frederick

Best Preschool
Brook Hill Weekday Preschool, Frederick
Runner-up: YMCA Early Learning Center

Best Public School – Elementary
Whittier Elementary School
Runner-up: Brunswick Elementary School

Best Public School – High School
Frederick High School
Runner-up: Walkersville High School

Best School Break and Summer Program or Camp
24/7 Dance Studio, Frederick*
Runner-up: Let There Be Rock School – Frederick

Best Sports Program
Frederick High School Cadets Athletics
Runner-up: Tree Trekkers, Frederick

Best Visual Arts Program
Young Rembrandts, Frederick and Montgomery counties
Runner-up: Lucy School, Middletown

Family Favorites

Best Education
Frederick High School
Runner-up: Frederick Community College

Best Extracurricular, Enrichment Program and Camp
24/7 Dance Studio, Frederick*
Runner-up: Young Rembrandts, Frederick and Montgomery counties

Best Family Event
Summers Farm, Frederick
Runner-up: Great Frederick Fair

Best Family-Friendly Gym
Health Unlimited Family Fitness and Aquatic Center, Mount Airy
Runner-up: Frederick Gymnastics Club, Frederick

Best Family Outings
Summers Farm, Frederick
Runner-up: Sophie and Madigan Lillard Memorial Playground, Frederick

Best Free Family Fun
Sophie and Madigan Lillard Memorial Playground, Frederick
Runner-up: Baker Park, Frederick

Best Indoor Activity
Young Rembrandts, Frederick and Montgomery counties
Runner-up: I Made This!, Frederick

Best Indoor Attraction
Escape This Frederick
Runner-up: The Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick

Best Kid-Free Night Out
Dutch’s Daughter, Frederick
Runner-up: Other Voices Theatre, Frederick

Best Museum
Roads and Rails Museum, Frederick
Runner-up: The Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick

Best Outdoor Activity
Hiking in Frederick County and Catoctin Mountain Park
Runner-up: Sophie and Madigan Lillard Memorial Playground, Frederick

Best Outdoor Attraction
Frederick Keys game
Runner-up: Sophie and Madigan Lillard Memorial Playground, Frederick

Best Park and Play Area
Sophie and Madigan Lillard Memorial Playground, Frederick
Runner-up: Baker Park, Frederick

Best Party Destination
Health Unlimited Family Fitness and Aquatic Center, Mount Airy
Runner-up: Frederick Gymnastics Club, Frederick

Best Party Venue
Winterbrook Farms, Thurmont
Runner-up: Morningside Inn, Frederick

Best Performance Theater for Young Audiences
24/7 Dance Studio, Frederick*
Runner-up: Dance Unlimited, Frederick

Best Summer Event
The Great Frederick Fair
Runner-up: Summers Farm, Frederick

Best Swimming Pool
Baker Park, Frederick
Runner-up: Monocacy Aquatic Club Swimming Pool at Huntsinger Aquatics Center, Hood College, Frederick*
Offering an eight-lane, 25-yard indoor pool. Hood Aquatics offers annual and seasonal memberships for individuals and families, group and private swim lessons for children and a summer neighborhood swim team for kids 18 years and younger. We also offer local groups the opportunity to rent the facility for private parties. Located at 561 Hodson Drive, Frederick. hoodathletics.com

Best Toy Store
Dancing Bear Toys and Games, Frederick
Runner-up: Discovery Toys

Food

Best Bakery
4 The Love of Sweets, Frederick
Runner-up: Glory Dough & Diner, Frederick

Best Burger
Boxcar Burgers, Brunswick
Runner-up: Oscar’s Alehouse, Frederick

Best Family-Friendly Restaurant
La Paz Mexican Restaurant, Frederick
Runner-up: Silver Diner, Frederick

Best Ice Cream
South Mountain Creamery, Middletown*
Visit South Mountain Creamery for a fun experience the entire family will enjoy. Owned and operated by the Sowers-Brusco family, South Mountain Creamery invites you to take a tour of this working farm and discover how we bring you farm-fresh milk, ice cream and more. Make a reservation to feed the calves, and before you go, stop into Karen’s Kountry Store for Frederick’s favorite frozen treat. Located at 8305 Bolivar Road, Middletown, MD 21769. southmountaincreamery.com
Runner-up: The Little Red Barn Ice Cream Café, Jefferson

Best Pizza
Il Forno Pizzeria, Frederick
Runner-up: Pretzel & Pizza Creations, Frederick

Best Restaurant with Entertainment or Diversions
Oscar’s Alehouse, Frederick
Runner-up: Dublin Roasters Coffee, Frederick

Health Care

Best Dentist
Frederick Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Frederick*
Frederick Pediatric Dentistry is a unique practice located in Frederick and Hagerstown. Their expert team of doctors and staff treat children in the same way they treat their own children, with comfort and safety as their highest priority. We see patients from infancy to college age. We offer orthodontics for children and adults with a complementary initial consultation. We strive for your child to have a wonderful experience in a warm and caring environment. We have been treating patients for the last 24 years.
Runner-up: Dr. David Morra, Frederick

Best Medical Matters
The Pediatric Center of Frederick
Runner-up: Frederick Health Hospital

Best Orthodontist
Frederick Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Frederick*
Runner-up: Dr. Viney P. Saini, Viney P. Saini Orthodontics, Clarksburg and Frederick

Best Pediatric Mental Health Practitioners
Basal Therapies, Frederick*
8411 Broadband Drive, Suite D
5104 Pegasus Court, Suite B
Frederick, MD; 443-776-0271
basaltherapies.com
Runner-up: The Pediatric Center of Frederick, Frederick, Mount Airy, Myersville and Urbana

Best Pediatric Orthopedic Practice
Center for Advanced Orthopaedics – MMI Division, Frederick and Ijamsville

Best Pediatric Vision Care
Dr. Marsha Benshir, Center for Vision Development, New Market
Runner-up: Walkersville Eyecare, Walkersville

Best Pediatrician
Dr. Susan Chaitovitz, The Pediatric Center of Frederick, Frederick, Mount Airy, Myersville and Urbana
Runner-up: Dr. Bophany Che, Frederick Pediatric Associates, Frederick, Mount Airy and Urbana

Best Urgent Care
Righttime Medical Care
Runner-up: Westview Urgent Care Medi Center, Frederick

Services

Best Baby and Family Photography
Photography by Yara, Middletown
Runner-up: Kim Harmon Photography

Best Consignment and Trade
Lucy’s Consignment, Frederick
Runner-up: Plato’s Closet, Frederick

Best Daycare
Creative Children’s Center, Myersville
Runner-up: Celebree School of Frederick and Celebree School of Frederick-Spring Ridge Community*
Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education, specializing in infant, toddler, preschool and before- and after-care. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. We are proud to play an important role in helping families raise independent, thoughtful children who are excited about learning. Visit Celebree.com or call 410-515-8750 to learn more about our programs.