BARRYVILLE, NY — The River Reporter celebrated the winners of this year’s BEST Readers’ Choice Awards at Zac’s Wilderness Lounge at the Catskill Mountains Resort on March 9. The party was attended by many local businesses and community members who were voted best in their categories by the readers of this newspaper. In addition to the awards ceremony, they enjoyed catered appetizers and drinks in the rustic log lounge.

The event was a party, an opportunity for networking and a conversation around branding and marketing. In a cocktail party atmosphere, attendees answered three questions: Who are your customers? What are their needs? What service do you provide that is unlike any other in the marketplace? After a round of conversation with each other, the winners were invited to accept their awards and to say a little bit about what makes them “the BEST.”

The father-and-son Esselmans, for instance, noted that they are a local family business that does business with a hand shake and shows up on time. Good quality, fair prices and heartfelt customer service were themes that recurred throughout the winners’ descriptions of the values that guide their success.

“We were delighted to celebrate with our BEST winners. Local businesses give our community its foundation and identity. They are essential to our community’s well being. Congratulations and thanks to all,” said Rev. Laurie Stuart, publisher of The River Reporter.

To view more photos of the TRR 2016 Readers Choice awards event, go to: www.Facebook.com/theriverreporter.