Congratulations To Our Andersonville Honors Award Winners!

It was a wonderful evening last night at the Swedish American Museum for our 2nd Annual Andersonville Honors Gala!  Wonderful food, delicious wine and (local!) beer, terrific music and just all around Andersonville good vibes.  Below are the winners in each category, congratulations to them and to each of our nominated businesses.  Andersonville is lucky to have you all!

The crowd warms up for the awards ceremony with some beer from Andersonville's own Metropolitan Brewery.

40th Ward Alderman Patrick O'Connor presents the Kurt Mathiasson Award to Dennis Stanton.  Dennis was accepting the award on behalf of his mother Marlies Stanton, the owner of the Swedish Bakery since 1979.  She will be honored again on Saturday, June 8 during the Midsommarfest opening ceremony.

Alma Gutierrez of Cassona accepts the Eco-Andersonville Award from 48th Ward Alderman  Harry Osterman.

Cheetah Gym owner Reza Toulabi and manager Angie Frank accept the Service Organization of the Year Award from 40th Ward Alderman Patrick O'Connor.

48th Ward Alderman Harry Osterman presents First Slice Pie Cafe with the Welcome Addition Award for the best new business to open in Andersonville in 2012.

Hamburger Mary's owners Brandon & Ashley Wright were genuinely surprised and humbled to win the Good Neighbor Award!

In addition to winning the Retailer of the Year Award, In Fine Spirits also won the Audience Favorite Award at last nights event and the $250 cash prize from Bridgeview Bank!

And last but certainly not least, we were so thrilled to give the Swedish American Museum, our host for the evening , the award for Arts Organization of the Year.  As Executive Director Karin Abercrombie said last night, the Museum is proud to "keep a little bit of Swedish" in Andersonville.

The Restaurant/Bar of the Year Award went to Lady Gregory's, who was unable to attend last night's event.

Congratulation again to all of our winners and nominees, and thank you for helping to make Andersonville such a wonderful place.

And thank you to Timmy Samuel of Starbelly Studios Photography for the amazing event photos from last night.  Seriously, if you need a photographer, hire him!