The Best of Marathon 2016 awards local businesses

A close up of a sign - Logo

*= multiple award recipient

 Best Place to People Watch

*Sombrero Beach

Best Place to take the Kids

Aquarium Encounters

Best Event

Seafood Festival

Best Park

*Sombrero Beach

Best Sunset

*Sunset Grille

Best Place to Have a Wedding

Hawks Cay

Best Neighborhood

Behind the Airport

Best Local Celebrity

*John Bartus

Best Non-Profit Organization/Foundation

Habitat for Humanity

Best Place to Take a Date

Butterfly Cafe

Best Band

Stone Crabs

Best Elected Official

*John Bartus

Best Tourist Attraction

Dolphin Research Center

Best Key Lime Pie

Sweet Savannah’s

Best Fish Sandwich

Keys Fisheries

Best Fine Dining

Hideaway Cafe

Best Ethic Food

Frank’s Grill

Best Cup of Coffee

Curly’s

Best Bartender

*Holly (Sparky’s)

Best Happy Hour

*Sparky’s Landing

Best Live Music Venue

*Hurricane

Best Pizza

*Hurricane

Best Margarita

The Island

Best Late Night Spot

*Ale House

Best Breakfast

Stuffed Pig

Best Lunch

Key Colony Inn

Best Bar

*Overseas Lounge

Best Waterfront Dining

Lazy Day’s

Best Overall Restaurant

*Castaway

Best Resort/Hotel

*Hawks Cay

Best Accounting Firm

Bishop and Rosasco

Best Gift Shop

Marooned in Marathon

Best Fishing Guide

Capt. Jack Carlson

Best Dive Shop

Tildens

Best Bait & Tackle Shop

Capt. Hooks

Best Customer Service

Publix

Best New Business

*Overseas Lounge

Best Doctor

Doctor John O’Conner

Best Landscape Company

Gonzalez Landscaping

Best Auto Repair

Andy and Dave’s

Best Family Owned Business

Royal Furniture

Best Photographer

*Maggie Sayer

Best Marina

Hyatt/Faro Blanco

Best Veterinarian

Doctor Mike Dunn of Keys Animal Hospital

Best Salon

Salon Blanco

Best Contractor

Keys Contracting Services

Best Jewelry Store

Midas Touch

Best Clothing Store/Boutique

DK’s Style Hut

Best Place to Work Out

Keys Fitness

Best Pool

*Hawks Cay

Best Law Firm/Lawyer

Thomas Wright

Best Bank

Keys Federal Credit Union

Best Realtor

Brian Schmitt

Best Real Estate Office

American Caribbean

Best Business

D’Asign Source

 —————–

Henry Flagler Settler Award

Presented to a resident whose vision and determination has made Marathon a better place to live. (past honorees: Dan Samess, Clyde Burnett, Bernard Spinrad, Hal Leftwich)

 Tim O’Connell

Marathon’s late historian Dan Gallagher said in his “Marathon 1906-1950” book that Ernest Hemingway frequented Overseas, a place where local fishermen, lobstermen, and shrimpers spent their off time. A lot can happen in a little town in 79 years. Overseas Pub and Grill, established in 1937, has seen most of it during its arc which included highs and lows. Since purchasing the Overseas in late 2013, owners Tim and Kathy O’Connell say the historic landmark now has all the grandeur it deserves.

Kay Gradick Woman of the Year Award

(past honorees: Charlotte Quinn, Dianne Weitz, Ginger Snead, Deborah MacConaughey, Shelia Cook, Holly Raschein, Sherry Popham)

Maggie Sayer

This year’s Kay Gradick Woman on of the Year Award is no stranger to many of us in this room. She can coach a group of 5 year olds into thinking they have the ball handing skills of LeBron James and the moxie of David Beckam. She has is helping chronicle the growth of our kids through her camera lens. She is a coach, wife, mother, photographer – but mostly importantly a friend to Marathon – and since her name graces most of the trophies in the Kay Gradick Gynmasium, we couldn’t think of a better Woman of the Year recipient than Maggie Sayer.

I awakened this morning feeling both flattered and humbled at being named the Kay Graddick Woman of the Year at last night’s Best of Marathon awards. To be mentioned in the same breath as Mrs. Graddick is an honor in itself. Among other things, she was a pioneer, a teacher, a coach, and an athlete. As a lifelong member of our community, growing up in Marathon and playing on the first Girl’s Basketball team at MHS, I knew and felt Mrs. Graddick’s impact on local girls’ sports, and will be forever thankful for the road she paved. At last night’s dinner, sitting among locals who regularly volunteer and work toward making our community better, I was reminded again of what a great decision my family made in choosing Marathon as the place to raise our boys.”

 Steve Hawes

How many names can you remember? The recipient of this year’s Mike Puto man of the year award knows them all. All of the names of the students at Stanley Switlik elementary school.  Not only that, he welcomes each one with a high five and a compliment each morning on their way in to school. I get to witness the impact he has on the kids each day as I walk my own son, Jack to his first grade class.  My biggest motivation for being on time is so that Jack can get his high five and I can hear the latest news on the Patriots and Red Sox.  He is one of the only people that I know that can wear a Dolphins hat with a Patriots jersey without getting into trouble.  His accent sounds like home. It is a great honor to present this year’s man of the year award to Stephen Hawes. Congratulations.