14th Annual Gettysburg’s Greatest Awards
By Tessa Walter
Photography Submitted by Winners
While 2020 may not be the year we expected it to be, we have been honored to cover stories and feature the businesses and people who have kept our community afloat during such a difficult and unforeseen time. For the past 14 years, Celebrate Gettysburg readers have recognized their favorite restaurants, hotels, food items, and other must-experience people and places as a part of our Gettysburg’s Greatest Awards.
Thanks to our readers’ suggestions, we’ve added numerous categories throughout the years. If you would like to suggest a category or share feedback to enhance our awards, we’d love to hear from you. Please email editor@celebrategettysburg.com with your ideas.
Without further ado, here are the winners of the 2020 Gettysburg’s Greatest Awards!
Food & Drinks
Asian Restaurant
First: Li’s Buffet
Second: J n J’s Asian Restaurant
Bar
First: Blue & Gray Bar & Grill
Second: Garryowen Irish Pub
Breakfast
First: Lincoln Diner
Second: Dunlap’s Restaurant
Burger
First: Blue & Gray Bar & Grill
Second: The Gettysburger Company
Coffeehouse
First: Ragged Edge Coffee House
Second: Ugly Mug Café at Cockle’s Corner
Dessert
First: The Pub & Restaurant
20-22 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg
www.the-pub.com | 717-334-7100
“The Pub’s history is quite extensive, just as the history of Gettysburg,” says owner Lisa Grim. Over the years, The Pub has had various names and owners, but Grim has been its owner for the past 24 years. By teaming up with various businesses in the community, Grim was able to create The Pub into the charming establishment we know today.
Grim continues to be thankful for the relationships she has formed throughout the years. For the past 20 years, she’s given back by hosting a Christmas Eve dinner for the local homeless shelter. “We also make our famous chocolate chip cookies starting on Black Friday. We light up The Pub & Restaurant and serve our cookies and hot chocolate outside for free. It is always a wonderful time,” she says.
If you’re looking to try one of The Pub’s award-winning desserts, prepare yourself for a New York Crunch Cheesecake or a Triple Chocolate Torte. Feeling adventurous? The Lavender Blueberry Cheesecake is always a crowd pleaser!
How you can help at this time:
Continue being kind to one another during this unprecedented time and lead your conversations with empathy and hope. “It is so important to believe in people,” Grim says. “Everybody deserves a chance.”
Second: Mr. G’s Ice Cream
Distillery/Brewery
First: Fourscore Beer Co.
Second: Mason Dixon Distillery & Restaurant
Family Restaurant
First: Gettysburg Family Restaurant
Second: Dunlap’s Restaurant
Happy Hour
First: Blue & Gray Bar & Grill
Second: The Gettysburger Company
Ice Cream
First: Mr. G’s Ice Cream
Second: Half Pint Creamery
Italian Restaurant
First: La Bella Italia
Second: Mamma Ventura Restaurant & Lounge
Mexican Restaurant
First: Montezuma Mexican Restaurant
Second: Tania’s Mexican Restaurant & Store
Pizza
First: Tommy’s Pizza
Second: La Bella Italia
Restaurant
First: Blue & Gray Bar & Grill
Second: Dobbin House Tavern
Romantic Dinner Spot
First: Dobbin House Tavern
Second: One Lincoln
Salad
First: Blue & Gray Bar & Grill
Second: Fourscore Beer Co.
Sandwich
First: Blue & Gray Bar & Grill
Second: Fourscore Beer Co.
Waiter/Waitress/Bartender
First: Dianne Hefner, Fourscore Beer Co.
603 S. Washington St., Gettysburg
www.fourscorebeer.com | 717-345-8171
Is there anyone in Gettysburg who hasn’t checked out Fourscore Beer Co. yet? Its highly anticipated opening took place in July 2019. Brothers Wade and Drew Leedy grew up in the restaurant industry and are the third-generation owners of Tommy’s Pizza, founded by their grandfather. In addition to serving craft beer and unique, delicious food in an inviting atmosphere at Fourscore, the brothers were also determined to hire an excellent staff that fit in with the experience they wanted for their customers.
Look no further than Dianne Hefner. Hefner has been in the service industry for 16 years and fell in love with the business when working for a family-owned restaurant in Charlotte, N.C. “Food and drinks bring people together and create a community,” Hefner says. “I am so lucky the Leedy family has created a great brewery with amazing food and beer.”
Of course, this year has been like no other. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fourscore has offered 20 percent off for first responders. Additionally, with the help of community members, they were also able to donate several meals to hospital staff.
“It has been challenging during the COVID-19 quarantine, but when customers call, I know who the majority of them are because they are a part of this awesome community and continue to support us,” Hefner says. “Working in Gettysburg has been amazing because it is more than a business. I have gotten to know the extraordinary people that make this community strong and beloved!”
How you can help at this time:
The community’s continued support is very important now and in the future, whether it’s grabbing dinner or buying beer or a gift card; every purchase helps.
Second: Terri Byers, One Lincoln
Winery
First: Adams County Winery
Second: Reid’s Orchard and Winery
Recreation, Sports & Tourism
Activity/Things to Do
First: Walk/Explore the Gettysburg Battlefield
Second: Back Alley Axe
Bed & Breakfast
First: The Brafferton Inn
Second: Battlefield Bed & Breakfast
Campground
First: Gettysburg Campground
Second: Drummer Boy Camping Resort
Festival/Special Event
First: National Apple Harvest Festival
Second: Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival
Fitness Center
First: YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County
Second: Gettysburg Performance Gym
Hotel
First: Gettysburg Hotel
Second: Inn at Cemetery Hill
Museum
First: Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center
Second: Gettysburg Heritage Center
Tour
First: Gettysburg Ghost Tours
Second: Shriver House Museum
Vacation Rental
First: The Crosta House
Second: The Inn at White Oak
Venue
First: Rock Creek Farm
Second: Gettysburg Hotel
Retail Business
Antiques
First: Rebel’s Roost Antique Emporium
Second: Antique Center of Gettysburg
Garden Center/Nursery
First: Taylor’s Greenhouse
Second: Boyer Nurseries & Orchards
Gift Shop
First: Lark
Second: A&A Village Treasures
Grocery Store
First: Kennie’s Market
Second: GIANT
Produce/Farm/Market/Orchard
First: Hollabaugh Bros., Inc.
Second: Adams County Farmers Market
Service Providers & Professionals
Acoustic Entertainment
First: Redemption Road
www.redemptionroadpa.com
Based out of Gettysburg, Redemption Road performs generational acoustic rock at its finest throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. Redemption Road was one of only five nominees in the Best Acoustic Duo/Trio Category by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame in January 2020.
The guitarist’s name, Poppa Rick, is unforgettable, and his bold style projects a rich, fat sound that artfully wraps around the fervent powerful voice of lead singer, Jeremiah. Cori, a recent addition to the band, brings exceptional vocal talent to the table. Together, their songs deliver a polished musical arrangement that reveals the true beauty in simplicity and enables their bare-bones style of musicianship to stand on its own.
Redemption Road’s live, stirring performances bridge generations of timeless hit songs that empower you to see, hear, and feel the music they’ve built their brand on. Some of the artists they cover include The Beatles, Ed Sheeran, Radiohead, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Goo Goo Dolls, and many more!
How you can help at this time:
Do what you can to support the local venues that provide live music (Mountain Creek Campground, Allstar Sports & Event Complex, One Lincoln, Mason Dixon Distillery & Restaurant, and more). These local businesses contribute greatly to our economy and support live music.
Second: Neil and Shannon
Artist
First: Kerry Mott
Second: Thomas Rooney
Attorney
First: Steve Rice
Second: Sean Mott
Auto Mechanic
First: Randy’s Automotive
Second: Milhimes Automotive
Band
First: The Willys
Second: The Colt Wilbur Band
Bank
First: ACNB Bank
Second: PNC
Carpenter/Construction
First: Mark Austin Building & Remodeling, Inc.
Second: Cimino Builders
Charity
First: Adams County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
Second: South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP)
Cleaning Service
First: The Good Life Cleaning Services
Second: Otter’s Professional Cleaning Services
Credit Union
First: Member’s 1st Federal Credit Union
Second: Belco Community Credit Union
Dentist
First: Dr. Rita Tempel, Gettysburg Smiles
Second: Dr. Stephen Kohler, Gettysburg Family Dental
DJ
First: HD Entertainment
Second: DJ Breeze-Mon
Doctor
First: Dr. Patrick Quinlan
Second: Dr. Chris Wetzel
Electrician
First: Ketterman Electrical Services
Second: Crouse Electric Co.
HVAC
First: Ensor & Sowers Heating & Air Conditioning
Second: Holtzople Heating & Air Conditioning
Insurance Agent/Agency
First: CRS Insurance, Inc.
360 York St., Gettysburg
www.CRSinsurance.com | 717-334-8118
CRS Insurance, Inc. was incorporated by Chuck and Judy Szarowski in 1979. The agency operates today as it began, providing a range of services along with tag and title vehicle registration. Building on a family tradition, Chuck and Judy’s daughter Deirdre Mezger joined the agency in 1987, and their son Chuck Szarowski Jr. acquired his license and joined the business in 1993.
“We are so proud to be a family business that continues to win awards such as Gettysburg’s Greatest,” he says. “I believe it is because we are committed to maintaining a high standard of excellence in all that we do and to establishing a firm relationship of mutual trust and service with each of our clients.”
Currently, CRS Insurance, Inc. serves the insurance needs of more than 7,000 individuals, families, and businesses in Adams, York, and Franklin counties. In addition, the agency provides a full notary and daily messenger service to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. CRS is also incredibly involved with and invested in our community. Not only have they made every accommodation they can during the pandemic, but prior to that you could find members of their team raising funds for breast cancer awareness or hosting Toys for Tots. During the pandemic, CRS partnered with Erie Insurance and sponsored soup kitchens, and CRS employees also bought gift cards to local restaurants for first responders and donated them to SCCAP.
And yet another reason to love CRS? The company’s mascot and golden retriever, Bruiser. “When you stop by the office, you may see Bruiser wandering around, keeping an eye on things. Bruiser is super friendly and likes to greet our guests,” Szarowski Jr. says.
How you can help at this time:
“There are many services we aren’t able to provide until PennDot reopens,” Szarowski Jr. explains. “Because of this, we are going to open our doors when PennDot in Harrisburg does.” CRS asks their appreciated customers to remain patient with them as they navigate these new waters and try to keep their clients and loved ones safe during this time.
Second: Mike Ball, State Farm Insurance
Massage Therapy
First: Steve Ayton, Breaktime Massage
Second: Marisel Vazquez, The Healing Stone Massage Therapy
Pet Groomer
First: Poochie Oasis
Second: Yankee Doodle Pet Spa
Physical Therapy
First: WellSpan Rehabilitation—Deatrick Commons
Second: WellSpan Rehabilitation—Herr’s Ridge
Plumber
First: Frantz Plumbing
Second: Buckley’s Plumbing & Heating
Realtor
First: David Monsour, Keller Williams Keystone Realty
369 York St., Gettysburg
www.davemonsour.com | 717-334-4565
David Monsour has been working in the real estate industry since 2006 and is a part-owner of the Keller Williams Keystone Realty offices in Gettysburg, York, and Hanover. The David Monsour Group provides top-notch service to their clients. In the wake of COVID-19, they continued to provide support to clients virtually using video, photography, and electronic signatures.
Like many businesses during the pandemic, Monsour had to adapt and pivot his business structure so that he and his team could continue to provide support to their clients. They value their customers and strive to provide the best service possible while helping them find their dream homes. “We are very excited to win this award,” Monsour says. “We could not have earned this without our amazing clients. We only hope to continue to provide the best real estate service in the area.”
How you can help at this time:
Monsour asks for patience as their office reopens and they learn the new normal; he says it will be greatly appreciated!
Second: Suzanne H. Christianson, RE/MAX
Salon
First: Studio Elysian
Second: The Sevens Hair Studio & Spa
Travel Agency
First: AAA
Second: Just Vacations
Veterinarian
First: Gettysburg Animal Hospital
Second: Confederate Woods Veterinary Hospital
