The Best of West Hartford Awards Show celebrated 152 finalists and 32 winners at the Town Hall Auditorium on September 10, 2015.
Photos by Ira Nozik and Mick Melvin
Just like the Emmy awards, West Hartford’s first ever Best of West Hartford Awards Show had sealed envelopes with the names of winners (thanks to the trustworthy Tom Filomeno of Filomeno & Company), a video slideshow, wall-to-wall finalists, and plenty of great food and drinks. And we think the dynamic team of NBC Connecticut anchor Brad Drazen and West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka could compete with Andy Samberg any day!
Enjoy the photos from the event. (See complete list of finalists here, and complete list of winners here.)
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Tom Filomeno presents the briefcase of winning names at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10, 2015 at West Hartford Town Hall. photo by Mick Melvin
Tom Hickey, of West Hartford Magazine and We-Ha.com, kicks off the first ever Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10, 2015 at West Hartford Town Hall. photo by Mick Melvin
Ted and Ronni Newton with Sue and Vinny Farrell at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
The team from Budget Blinds (a finalist in the home improvement category) at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Vahe and Sofia (owner of Cafe Sofia – a finalist in the Best Coffee/Tea Shop), at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Bouvier Insurance owner Rob Bouvier (center) with some staff members at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Bouvier Insurance is a title sponsor for BOWH. Photo by Ira Nozik
Director of Community Relations for Mercy Community Health (a Title Sponsor) Christine Looby with Nancy Newman, Bill and Catherine Denton at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Stanger & Associates (a title sponsor for the Best of West Hartford), at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
The Hilborns with NBC Connecticut’s Heidi Voight (center) at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10, 2015 at West Hartford Town Hall. Sheehan Hilborn Breen was a Silver Sponsor of Best of West Hartford. photo by Mick Melvin
Kamal Doshi and Dr. Roshni Patel of FaceRX MD at Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10, 2015 at West Hartford Town Hall. photo by Mick Melvin
Best Preschool/Daycare: Lollipop Tree Nursery School. NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen with the Schers from Lollipop Preschool at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
Best Breakfast Place: Effie’s Family Restaurant with Owner Johnny Paindiris (center), NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen and Mayor Scott Slifka at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
Showing off their “bling” to celebrate the Best Jewelry Store: Lux Bond and Green are NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen, Lux Bond’s Annie Kovath and Michail Shaw with Mayor Scott Slifka at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
Best Salon/Personal Appearance: Salon Medusa’s Co-Owners Sandro Vernali and Steven Adelstein with NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen and Mayor Scott Slifka at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
Best Exercise/Fitness: Fleet Feet Sports owner Stephanie Blozy (in red dress and sneakers) invited runner’s up WIP Co-Owners Laura Keever and Mary Kate Doyle to stage with NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen and Mayor Scott Slifka at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
Best Men’s Fashion: Daswani Clothiers. M.J. Daswani, co-owner with NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen and Mayor Scott Slifka at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
Having fun presenting the Best Eye Wear Award to Central Optica are NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen, W.H. Center Business Association President Barbara Karsky and Mayor Scott Slifka (with Event Coordinator Kiki Dlugos in background) at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
Best Lawn & Garden: Gledhill Nursery. Barbara Lerner accepting the award and having fun with NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen and Mayor Scott Slifka at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
“Cheers” to the Best Tavern: Plan B by NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen and Mayor Scott Slifka with Park Road Business Association Co-President Tracy Flater at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Mick Melvin
NBC Connecticut’s Brad Drazen and Mayor Scott Slifka with AC Petersen’s Catherine Denton at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10, 2015 at West Hartford Town Hall. photo by Mick Melvin
Dan (owner of Uberdog, a finalist in the best pet services category) and Isabella O’Brien with Cathy Dowd and Shevon Hickey (principal of SBS, a finalist in best preschool) and Tom Hickey at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Green Tea House (finalist in the coffee/tea shop category) with Mayor Scott Slifka at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
West Hartford YMCA (a finalist in the best camp category) at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Jahmal and Joe at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Tom Hickey and NBC Connecticut (a Bronze Sponsor) at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Samples of specialty drinks at the Best of West Hartford Awards Show, September 10 2015. Photo by Ira Nozik
Tom: Thanks for asking me to help photograph such a memorable evening. Your team did a great job with all the food and wine. Looking and talking to the people there, I know they all enjoyed the evening very much. I look forward to next year. -Ira Nozik- Ira Nozik photographers- west Hartford, ct