Readers Choice 2026 | The Anniston Star

The Results Are In!

2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

OXFORD

AOD Federal Credit Union

Baxley Maniscalco, Attorneys at Law

Big Time Entertainment

China Luck

Cobb Automotive & Tires

Courtney Chandler

Enchanted Nail Boutique

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Grover and Son Alignment

House Counseling

Hubbard’s Off Main

Hutch Touch

Johnson’s Deli

Johnson’s Giant Foods

Kim Bentley

Leigh Gardner

Lickin Good Donuts

Lindley’s World of Performing Arts

Los Mexicanos Restaurante

Martin’s Pharmacy

Mattress Max

Miller Florist & Gifts

Miller Funeral Home, Crematory and Aquamation Center

Mr Dan’s Plumbing

Nadja Britt Photography

Oxford Lumber Ace Hardware

Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss

Paula Hunt

Pickette’s Feed and Pet Supply

Prestige Medical Spa

Skinners Body Shop

Smith’s Martial Arts & Fitness

The Parnell Insurance Agency

The Surgery Center

Thomas Shelton

Vape Loft

Wright Hearing Center

Every year since we began our Reader’s Choice awards in 2010, it’s gotten bigger and better, and this year proved no different.

With more than 50,000 submissions, our readers voted for their favorite plumbers, doctors, nurses and of course, where to get the best barbecue.

We thank our readers for their continued support of this annual publication and look forward to seeing it grow even more next year.

Readers’ Choice 2026 Results

HEALTH & BEAUTY

BARBER SHOP

• eNVy Salon

• Vive Salon and Barbershop

• Jack’s Style Shop

• CutGod Cuts

• Hannah Morris (Lavish Hair Salon)

CANCER CENTER

• Alabama Cancer Care of Anniston

• Clearview Cancer Institute

• FRESENIUS Kidney Care

CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

• Bolton Chiropractic

• Harrison Sports Chiropractic

• The Vine Chiropractic LLC

• Green Chiropractic Clinic

COUNSELING CENTER

• House Counseling

• Haygood Counseling

• Serenity Counseling

• Garrett Counseling

• Noonday Therapeutic Center

DENTAL CLINIC

• Gibson Family Dentistry

• Oxford Dental Care

• Phillips Dental

• Alexandria Family Dentistry

• Jones Dentistry

EYE CARE CLINIC

• Elite Eyecare Associates

• Downey Eye Care

• East Alabama Eye Clinic

• Dr. Darlene Harris

• Anniston Eye Clinic

EMERGENCY CARE FACILITY

• CARES Medical

• Southern Immediate Care

• Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss Center

• American Family Care Oxford

• Oxford Health Systems & Primary Care

FAMILY PRACTICE

• Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss Center

• Dr. Keel & Associates Healthcare

• Rise Primary Care

• Oxford Family Practice

• CP Health Center

HAIR SALON

• Alexandria Hair Studio

• ADM Hair Studio + Spa

• Expressions Salon & Studio

• The Hair Haven

• Mason Lane Hair Company

HEARING AID/HEARING

SPECIALIST CENTER

• Wright Hearing Center

• Premier Hearing Center

• Heard Hearing Healthcare

• Pattillo Balance and Hearing

HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES

• Amedisys Home Health Care

• Enhabit Home Health

• Comfort Keepers

• CenterWell Home Health

• Cornerstone Caregiving

HOSPICE

• Amedisys Home Health Care

• Enhabit Home Health

• SouthernCare New Beacon

• Gentiva Hospice

MASSAGE THERAPY

• Prestige Medical Spa

• Tyler Heining, LMT

• The Natural ER Health and Wellness Spa

• Relyt Massage

• Aftons Bodywork

MEDICAL GROUP

• Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss Center

Anniston Orthopaedic Associates, P.A.

•• Anniston Medical Clinic

• Legacy Pain & Spine Specialists

• Doctors MedCare

MEDICAL SUPPLY STORE

• Downey Drug (Anniston)

• Downey Drug (Alexandria)

• St John’s Nutrition

NAIL SALON/MANICURE/ PEDICURE

• Enchanted Nail Boutique

• Maddie Grace Nail Artistry

• Naileditbyallied

• Clawed by Kelly

• Nails and Spa

ORTHODONTIC CLINIC

• Designer Smiles - Braces By Benton

• Smile Doctors Orthodontics

• PT Orthodontics

• Sarrell Dental

PEDIATRIC CLINIC

• Pediatrics Plus

• Jose R Caballero Pediatrics

• Anniston Pediatrics

• Purohit Pediatric Clinic

• Cheaha Therapy Services

LOCAL PHARMACY

/DRUG STORE

• Downey Drug (Alexandria)

• Martin’s Pharmacy (Oxford)

• Martin’s Pharmacy (Anniston)

• Cleburne Pharmacy

• Quick Med Express Pharmacy

PHYSICAL THERAPY CLINIC

• Anniston Orthopaedic Associates

• Steadfast Physical Therapy

• ATI Physical Therapy

• New Era Physical Therapy

DAY SPA

• Prestige Medical Spa

• Touch of Grace Day Spa

• Sage & Salt Skincare Co.

• The Natural ER Health and Wellness Spa

• Mindful Medical Spa

SPORTS MEDICINE

• Anniston Orthopaedic Associates

• C.O.R.E Orthopaedics and Sports

• Sparks Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

• ATI Physical Therapy

• Orthopedic & Sports Medicine

SURGERY CENTER

• The Surgery Center

• RMC Oxford Mediplex

• RMC Stringfellow Campus

TATTOO SHOP

• Classic 13 Tattoo

• Lucid Dreams Tattoos and Piercings

• Turtles Ink

• Crow Custom Tattoo Parlor

• Artistic Addictions

TANNING SALON

• The Good Vibes Studio

• Always Summer Tanning Salon

• Jacksonville Tanning Salon

• Sunshine Tanning

• Infinity Tan & Wellness Studio

URGENT CARE/WALK-IN CLINIC

• Southern Immediate Care

• CARES Medical

• Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss Center

• Dr. Keel & Associates Healthcare

• American Family Care Oxford

DENTIST

• Morgan Gibson (Gibson Family Dentistry)

• Caitlin Jones (Jones Dentistry)

• Travis P. Phillips (Phillips Dental)

• Kellen Spivey (Spivey Family Dentistry)

• Hamrick McElroy (Anniston Dental Group)

DOCTOR/PHYSICIAN

• Paula Hunt (Oxford Primary Care and Weight Loss Center)

• Braden Richmond (Special Care For Women)

• Michael Herndon (Alexandria Medical Clinic)

• Vance Moore (Oxford Family Practice)

• Joshua Meyer (Regional Medical Center)

MEDICAL ASSISTANT

• Courtney Chandler (Oxford Primary Care and Weight Loss Center)

• Haley Darby (Legacy Pain & Spine)

• Kim Jussen (Dr. Ricky Patel)

• Jennifer Reed (CP Health Clinic)

• Renee Henderson Gray (Anniston Wellness Center)

NURSE

• Kaylyn Worrell (Alabama Cancer Care of Anniston)

• Paige Hughes (Oxford Primary Care and Weight Loss Center)

• April Shaddix (Regional Medical Center)

• Destini Silas (Legacy Pain & Spine)

• Breanna Roysden (Enhabit Health Care)

NURSE PRACTITIONER

• Komfort Cofield (Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss Center)

• Brent Cobb (Southern Health Partners)

• Nikki Meads (Sanatio Health)

• Carson Pearce (CP Health Clinic)

• Leslie Scott

EYE CARE PROFESSIONAL

• Robert Svensen (Elite EyeCare)

• Robert Ellis (Elite EyeCare)

• Stephen Downey (Downey Eye Care)

• Darlene Harris

• Dawn Wilczek (Anniston Eye Clinic)

MASSAGE THERAPIST

• Tyler Heining

• Ty Isbell (Prestige Medical Spa)

• Katie Cosby

• Relyt Massage

• Aftons Bodywork

MEDICAL LABORATORY SERVICE

• Labcorp

• Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss Center

• Regional Medical Center

• Longleaf Primary Care

ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC

• Anniston Orthopaedic Associates

• C.O.R.E Orthopedics and Sports

• Regional Medical Center

PARAMEDIC/EMT

• Carla Jones (Oxford EMS)

• Bruce Rollins (Piedmont EMT)

• Emily Howell (Anniston EMS)

• Hollie Hanbury (Anniston Paramedic)

• Tom Dixon (Oxford Health System Paramedics)

PHARMACIST

• Leigh Gardner (Quick Meds)

• Paul Graham (Downey Drug Alexandria)

• Dottie Thornton (Downey Medical)

• Morgan Pentecost (Cleburne Pharmacy)

• Jay Colvin (Crow Drug)

PHARMACY

• Martin’s Pharmacy

• Downey Drug

• Cleburne Pharmacy

• Quick Med Express Pharmacy

• Crow Drug

WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC

• Oxford Primary Care & Weight Loss Center

• CARES Medical

• Lee Wellness

• MyOwn Body Goals

• Cole Herren

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

• Kim Bentley (Steadfast)

• Daren Hartwell

• Meagan Cabrer (Anniston Orthopedics Physical Therapy)

• Treacy Hunter

• Jazma Dobbins

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

ASSISTANT

• Leslie Burgess

• Vickie Smith (Anniston Orthopedics • Physical Therapy)

• Winter Triplett (Steadfast Physical Therapy)

• Beth Wilson

• April Wilkerson

TATTOO ARTIST

• Colin C. Thrift (Classic 13)

• Turtles Ink

• Kendal Dean

• Amber Owens

• Bryan Haynes

NURSING HOME

• Piedmont Health Care Center

• Cleburne County Nursing Home

• NHC Healthcare

• Legacy Village of Jacksonville

• Anniston Health and Rehab Services

ASSISTED/SENIOR LIVING CENTER

• Autumn Cove

• Legacy Village of Jacksonville

• NHC Place Anniston

• Dugger Mountain Assisted Living

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

• Heather Bentley

• Stacy Ewing

• Karen Turgeon (Anniston Orthopedics Physical Therapy Clinic)

• Marissa Hulsey Stanley

SPEECH THERAPIST

• Madison Johnson (SoundHouse Speech Therapy)

• Shannon Hamm

• Grow Pediatric Therapy

• Savannah Taylor

• Debbie McBee

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

• Rebekah Williams

• Olivia Casey (Regional Medical Center)

• Diana Cash

• Kacie Strong (Cheaha Therapy Services)

• Kayla Andrews (Team for Kids)

FOOD & DRINK

ASIAN FOOD

• China Luck

• Yume Japanese & Asian Cuisine

• Yamato Steak House of Japan

• New China

• Jasmine Chinese & Thai Cuisine

PRODUCE

• Pickette’s Produce

• Anniston Downtown Market

• Edwards Grocery

• Aquality Farms

• Foodland (Alexandria)

BAKERY

• Lickin Good Donuts

• Artisanal Baked Goods

• Mad Hatter Cupcakes

• Sugar Darlinz

• Vanilla Bean Cakery

BBQ

• The Rocket

• Ron’s Goode BBQ

• Brad’s Bar-B-Que

• Boatwright’s BBQ

• Dad’s Bar-B-Que

BREAKFAST

• Chef T’s

• Music City Bagels

• Hubbard’s Off Main

• The Anchor Coffee Bar & Bistro

• Le Coin des Artistes Oxford

BUFFET

• Li’s Place

• Yoki Buffet

• Western Sizzlin Steakhouse & Buffet

• M & J Home Cooking Oxford

• No.1 China Buffet

BEST QUESO

• Los Mexicanos Restaurante

• Baja California Cantina and Grill

• Mangos Cantina and Grill

• Besitos Mexican Kitchen

• Mi Casita

CATFISH

• Top O’ The River

• Jail House Junction Cafe

• Ron’s Goode BBQ

• Brad’s Bar-B-Que

• RnB Finz n’ Chicks

CATERER/CATERING COMPANY

• Alexander’s the Great Events

• Ron’s Goode BBQ

• Hubbard’s Off Main

• Rosie’s 2 Go

CHIPS & SALSA

• Baja California Grill

• Los Mexicanos Restaurante

• Mangos Cantina and Grill

• Besitos Mexican Kitchen

• Los Arcos (Oxford)

CHICKEN WINGS

• Coop DeVille

• Jail House Junction Cafe

• Jefferson’s

• Strut’s

• BTJ Wings

COFFEE SHOP

• Called Coffee

• Southern Girl Coffee

• Dugger Mountain Fudge and Coffee Company

• Valley Brewhouse

• Sugar Beez Buzz Bar

CORNBREAD

• Top O’ the River

• Jail House Junction Cafe

• Betty’s Bar-B-Q

• Brad’s Bar-B-Que

• Shell’s Downtown

DOUGHNUT SHOP

• Lickin Good Donuts (Oxford)

• Lickin Good Donuts (Anniston)

• Lickin Good Donuts (Jacksonville)

• Daylight Donuts

• Lickin Good Donuts (Piedmont)

LOCAL FAST FOOD

• The Rocket

• Ron’s Goode BBQ

• Cutter’s Pizzeria of Oxford

• Coop DeVille

• BigTime Entertainment

FOOD TRUCK

• Big Mike’z Food Truck

• Simz Fizz

• Boatwright’s BBQ

• Send Noodz

• Sugar Beez Buzz Bar

FRIED CHICKEN

• Johnson’s Deli

• Betty’s Bar-B-Q

• Hubbard’s Off Main

• Ocean Seafood & Chicken

• C&K Cafe

FRIED GREEN TOMATOS

• Betty’s Bar-B-Q

• Hubbard’s Off Main

• Chef T’s

• Top O’ the River

• Angel Cakes Creamery and Diner

HAMBURGER

• The Rocket

• Jail House Junction Cafe

• Ron’s Goode BBQ

• Jefferson’s

• JB’s Wings N Things

ITALIAN FOOD

• Effina’s (Anniston)

• Mata’s II Greek Pizza & Grinders

• Calhoun Steakhouse

• Cutters Pizzeria (Alexandria)

LUNCH

• Full Bellie Deli

• Jail House Junction Cafe

• Ron’s Goode BBQ

• Rack & Roll Billiards and Sports Bar

• Spring Street Station

PIZZA

• Mata’s II Greek Pizza & Grinders

• Cutters Pizzeria (Alexandria)

• Pinhoti Pizza Company

• Cutter’s Pizzeria (Oxford)

• Big Time Entertainment

RIBS

• Cooter Brown’s Rib Shack

• Brad’s Bar-B-Que

• Ron’s Goode BBQ

• Boatwright’s BBQ

• The Rocket

MEXICAN FOOD

• Los Mexicanos Restaurante

• Mangos Cantina and Grill

• Besitos Mexican Kitchen

• Baja California Cantina and Grill

• Mexico Lindo

PLACE FOR A DATE NIGHT

• The Lush Garden Wine Bar and Lounge

• Effina’s Tuscan Grill

• Hubbard’s Off Main

• Calhoun Steakhouse

• BigTime Entertainment

SHRIMP & GRITS

• Hubbard’s Off Main

• Coldwater Mountain Brewpub

• N.K.’s Cafe

• Effina’s Tuscan Grill

• The Lush Garden Wine Bar and Lounge

STEAK

• Mathews Meat Market

• Calhoun Steakhouse

• Hubbard’s Off Main

• Damn Yankees

• Effina’s Tuscan Grill

SUB/DELI/SANDWICH SHOP

• Full Bellie Deli

• Mata’s II Greek Pizza & Grinders

• 1st Class Pizza

• Pinhoti Pizza Company

• HMC 15th Street Cafe’

BOBA TEA SHOP

• Aura Bobatea

• Herbalife Oxford Nutrition

ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE

EVENT-LOCAL

• Oxfordfest

• Oxford Performing Arts Center

• Noble Street Festival

• Blackberry Cottage Art Studios

• Juneteenth Anniston

RADIO STATION-LOCAL

• WVOK 97.9 “K98”

• WDNG 95.1 “The Mountain”

• WHMA 95.3 “The Big 95”

• WLJS-FM 91.9 “92J”

PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC

• Oxford Performing Arts Center

• Sinclair Social

• The Lush Garden Wine Bar and Lounge

• Shell’s Downtown

• Pinhoti Pizza Company

FAMILY FUN

• Big Time Entertainment

• The Treehouse Alabama Indoor Playroom

• Moore’s Family Fun Center

• Blackberry Cottage Art Studios

• Pinhoti Pizza Company

FINANCE

ACCOUNTING FIRM

• Jeff Owens & Associates Inc

• Kemp and Associates

• Evergreen Accounting Service

• Trinity Accounting

• Madeley, CPA

BANK

• Farmers & Merchants Bank

• First Bank of Alabama

• NobleBank & Trust (Anniston)

• NobelBank & Trust (Alexandria)

• Investar Bank

CREDIT UNION

• AOD Federal Credit Union

• Emblem Credit Union

• Fort McClellan Credit Union

• Southern Energy Credit Union

• WinSouth Credit Union

INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR/ INVESTMENT FIRM

• Ike Brown (Merrill Lynch)

• Jessie D Realty Inc

• McCall Financial & Benefits Group LLC

• Pine Bend Wealth Management

• Investar

MORTGAGE LENDING COMPANY

• Jackson Mortgage Company

• AOD Federal Credit Union

• Fort McClellan Credit Union

• Innovative Mortgage Service Inc

• Edwin Mortgage

TAX PREPARATION SERVICES

• Tax Table

• Frank W. Reid Income Tax Service

• Pretty Refunds

• The Tax Office

• Madeley, CPA

HOME & GARDEN

APARTMENT COMPLEX

• Mountain View Apartments

• The Edge (Jacksonville)

HOME REPAIR/

REMODELING COMPANY

• Johnson Reconstruction

• Superior Roofing & Home Care

• Robinson Home Solutions

• Alapro Water & Fire Restoration & Remodeling

• American Renovation & Repair

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

• ERA King Real Estate

• Keller Williams

• Harris-McKay Realty

• Freedom Realty

CARPET/RUG CLEANING

• Advanced Carpet Care

• Digby’s Cleaning Solutions

CLEANING SERVICE COMPANY

• Squeaky Clean

• Digby’s Cleaning Solutions

• Advanced Carpet Care

• Perfect Pro Wash

• Shimmer and Shine

FURNITURE STORE

• Pope Furniture

• Room By Room Home Furnishing

• Farmers Home Furniture

• Classic Home Furnishings

• McClellan Mercantile

LAWN CARE/LANDSCAPING

• Murphy’s Mowing

• Hubbard’s Land Services and Landscaping

• Jose Medina (Noble Grounds)

• Foothills Lawn and Landscape

• Alabama Landscape and Lighting

HANDYMAN

• Johnson Reconstruction

• John Robinson (Robinson Home Solutions)

• I Know A Guy

• Sam Blair (American Renovation & Repairs)

• Josh Rice (A 2Z Handyman Services)

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING

• Dunn’s HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical

• Mizzel Heating and Cooling

• Valley Heating and Cooling

• Harrison Heating and Cooling

• Mid-South HVAC & Refrigeration

ROOFING

• Roof Revivers

• Bar-B Windows & Roofing

• Superior Roofing & Home Care

• Southern Elite Roofing & Remodeling

• Hollingsworth Roofing

SIDING/WINDOW COMPANY

• Oxford Lumber Ace Hardware

• Quality Gutter and Siding

• Durante Home Exteriors

PEST CONTROL

• Sand Mountain Pest Management

• Oxford Pest Control

• Reid Pest Control

• EcoLogic Pest Control

• Tactical Pest Solutions

PLUMBING SERVICE

• Mr. Dan’s Plumbing

• Perez Plumbing

• Dunn’s HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical

• John Hearn Plumbing

• A2Z Plumbing & Gas

ELECTRICAL SERVICE COMPANY

• Dunn’s HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical

Littleton Electric

• Acker Electric Company, Inc

• Christian Electric Services

• Vantage Electric Company

ELECTRICIAN

• Carlos Santillan

• Zach Pruitt

• Jonathan Arnold

• Billy Hardegree

• Cole Bush

MATTRESS DEALER

• Mattress Max

• Farmers Home Furniture

• Mattress Firm

• Room By Room Home Furnishing

KIDS & EDUCATION

DANCE STUDIO/SCHOOL

• Lindley’s World of Performing Arts

• Studio C

• Alabama Christian Dance Studio

• Two Turns Studio

• Crazy About Dance

KARATE/MARTIAL ARTS

SCHOOL

• Smith’s Martial Arts & Fitness

• Excel Martial Arts

CHILD CARE

• Belles and Beaus Preschool

• Loving Kids Learning Center

• New Adventures Learning Center

• Kids First Childcare Inc.

• Life Kids Learning Center

PUBLIC SCHOOL

• Alexandria Elementary School

• White Plains Elementary

• Kitty Stone Elementary School

• Oxford Elementary School

• Oxford High School

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER

• Jennifer Johnson (Welborn Elementary)

• Morgan Irwin

• Shelby Brown

• Matt Tyson

• Lisa Hayes (Piedmont Middle)

PRIVATE SCHOOL

• The Donoho School

• Hope Christian Academy

• Faith Christian School

• Jacksonville Christian Academy

• Parker Prepatory Academy

PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHER

• Cindy Fair (Jacksonville Christian Academy)

• Tracey Smith (Hope Christian Academy)

• Carol McNew (The Donoho School)

• Kristy Stone (The Donoho School)

• Jacqueline Saxon (IQRA Math & Science)

PETS

PET GROOMING COMPANY

• Moe’s Boarding, Grooming, and Day Care

• Scruffy 2 fluffy

• Piper’s Playhouse

• Canine Confetti

• Snazzy Dog Pet Spa

VETERINARY CLINIC

• Lusk Animal Clinic

• Clanton Animal Hospital

• Berry Animal Clinic

• Rolling Hills Vet

• ACE Vet - Animal Care Experts

PET STORE

• Pickette’s Feed and Pet Supply

• Ulti Mutt Bakery

• Moe’s Boarding, Grooming, and Day Care

• Petsense by Tractor Supply

• Puppy Love Boutique

VETERINARIAN

• Tim Lusk (Lusk Animal Clinic)

• Bill Berry (Berry Animal Clinic)

• Tracy Whittaker (Rolling Hills)

• AJ Young (ACE Vet)

• Pam Ryan (Dr. House Paws)

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

AUCTION COMPANY

• Chad Curvin Auctions

BAIL BONDSMAN / BAIL BONDER

• Kenny Bunn Bonds

• Sunni’s Bail Bonding

• Big Easy Bail Bonding Co

• Abe’s Bail Bonding

DRY CLEANER

• Smith Cleaners

• Mikes Romac Cleaners

• Nu-Kleen Cleaners

• Golden Springs Laundry

• EE’s Dry Cleaning

EMPLOYMENT/STAFFING AGENCY

• Elwood Staffing

• Dynamic Staffing

• Onin

FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORY

• Miller Funeral Home, Crematory and Aquamation Center

• Cremation Services of East Alabama

• Anniston Memorial Gardens

• Gray Brown-Service Mortuary

• Ervin Funeral Chapel

INSURANCE AGENCY

• The Parnell Insurance Agency

Model City Insurance

Reaves Insurance Agency

Dorman and Reynolds

West Insurance

LAW FIRM

• Baxley Maniscalco, Attorneys at Law

• LaPlante Faulkner Wilson Murphy & Clay, LLC

• Rice and Rice, PC

• Holcomb Willingham Law Firm

• Miller Estate and Elder Law

TRAVEL AGENCY

• Southern Belle Travel Company

• R & R Travel Services

• Magical Wishes

• T & J Vacation

• Cruisagen Travel Company

HOME RENTAL AGENCY

• ERA King Real Estate

• J. Brittain Associates

• AP Real Estate

• Harris-McKay Realty

• Freedom Realty

REAL ESTATE COMPANY

• ERA King Real Estate

• Keller Williams

• Southern Hometown Selling

• Gold Star Realty

• Freedom Realty

REALTOR

• Angie Williamson (Keller Williams)

• Allen Ray, Realtor (Southern Hometown Selling)

• Kayla Rhodes Dausch (Kelly Right Real Estate)

• Kimberly Mueller (Gold Star Realty)

• Terry Wright (Freedom Realty)

ATTORNEY

• Justin Wilson

• Brittany Miller (Baxley Maniscalco)

• Will Broome

• Adam Maniscalco

• Kimberly Holcomb Willingham

INSURANCE AGENT

• Thomas Shelton (Shelton Agency)

• Christa Morphis (Model City Insurance)

• Chad Messer (ALFA)

• Christie Self (Parnell Insurance)

• Jeremy West (West Insurance)

PUBLIC OFFICIAL

• Falon Hurst (Calhoun County Sheriff’s office)

• Shirley Millwood (Probate Judge)

• Charlotte Hubbard (Oxford City Council)

• Chase Rhodes (Calhoun County Sheriff’s office)

• Andy Green (Jacksonville City Council)

POLICE OFFICE (BY PRECINCT)

• Oxford Police Department

• Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

• Ohatchee Police Department

• Anniston City Police Department

• Piedmont Police Department

FIRE STATION (BY LOCATION)

• Oxford Fire Department

• Alexandria Fire Department

• White Plains Vol. Fire Department

• Anniston Fire Department

• Piedmont Fire Department

FIREFIGHTER (BY LOCATION)

• Hunter Brown (Ohatchee Fire Dept.)

• Aaron Vaughn (Anniston Fire Dept.)

• Cameron Bearden (Anniston Fire Dept.)

• Drake Shew (Jacksonville Fire Dept.)

• Rex Newton (Anniston Fire Dept.)

PHOTOGRAPHER

• Stefanie McGuffey Photo

• Nadja Britt Photography

• Mandy Johnson (Love Photography)

• Layne Lenses Photography

• Kitchen’s and Cofield Photography

VIDEOGRAPHER

• Nadja Britt Photography

• CutGod Cinema

• Longleaf MediaWorks

• Jess Nelson

• Kitchens & Cofield Photo Co.

WEDDING VENUE

• Hall Farms Weddings and Events

• Fiddler’s Green

• Mallard Oaks Farm

• Tara Plantation Wedding Venue

• Rosehaven Farm

SHOPPING

ANTIQUE/COINS & COLLECTIBLES STORE

• Kolectic Treasures Antique Market LLC

• Bloom by Rosalee

• Timeless Treasures Antique Mall

• McClellan Mercantile

• The Wandering Moose Trading Company

VAPE STORE

• Vape Loft

• Island Smoke

• Hemp Roost LLC

• Star Vape & CBD

• Bills Bottle Shop

CARPET / FLOORING DEALER

• Ted’s Floors & Beyond

• Oxford Carpet Sales

• Advanced Carpet Care

EYEWEAR STORE

• Elite Eyecare Associates

• Downey’s Eye Care

• Kazi Ophthalmology

• Anniston-Oxford VA Clinic

FEED & SEED SUPPLY

• Pickette’s Feed and Pet Supply

• Downing & Sons

• Ohatchee Hardware

• Trantham’s Farms

• Bryant’s Feed and Seed

Beingvoted Best Nail Salon is an honor we don’t take lightly. Thank you to ever yclient ,friend , familymember, andsuppor terwho votedfor us Your love,loyalty,and encouragementmeant he world to our team.

At Enchanted Nail Bout ique,we’ ve createdmore than aplace to getyour nails done. We’vecreated aspacewhereeveryone is welcome, children are comfortable,friendships grow,laughterisshared , and every client feelsright at home.

Our ServicesInclude :

•Manicures

•Pedicures &Diabet ic Pedicures

•Builder

•G el-X

•Permanent &CustomLaser Engraved Jewelr y by Sout hern Link Jewelr y+Designs

•PrincessPar ties

•Bir thdayPar ties

Thank YouFor Voting JeffO wens &AssociatesInc. "BestAccounting Firm"

We wouldliketo thankall of ourloyal clientsfor the Reader’s Choice Best Accounting Firmaward.Itisour goal to provide reliable accounting serv ices for ourbusiness andindiv idualclients. We valueour clientstrust as we assist in prov idingtheir accounting needs.Our firmhas been operatingsince 1998,and we aregratefulfor ever y client we have served.Ifyou have been aclientfor 30 plus yearsorit’sthe first year,weappreciate your business.

JeffOwens &Staff

FLOORING STORE

• Ted’s Floors & Beyond

FLORIST

• Miller Florist & Gifts

• Evans Flower Shop

• Weston Gray

• Iron City Bloomery

• Accent Floral

FURNITURE STORE

• Bloom by Rosalee

• Timeless Treasures Antique Mall

• Room By Room Home Furnishing

• Farmers Home Furniture (Anniston)

• Farmers Home Furniture (Oxford)

GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY

• Garrett’s Farm and Nursery

• Rainbow Omega

• Oxford Lumber Ace Hardware

• Cheaha Plant Farm

• J & M Plants

GIFT SHOP

• Old Noble

• Bloom by Rosalee

• Charisma Boutique & More

• The English Cottage

• Miller Florist & Gifts

GROCERY STORE

• Johnson’s Giant Foods

• Edwards Grocery

• Foodland (Alexandria)

• Ohatchee Grocery

• Pic ‘n Sav

GUN SHOP

• Exile Armory

• B & B Pawn Shop

• Bama Guns and Outfitters

• Southern Guns

HARDWARE/HOME

IMPROVEMENT STORE

• Oxford Lumber Ace Hardware

• Ohatchee Hardware

• Parris Hardware

• Webb Concrete

HEATING/AC SALES COMPANY

• Dunn’s HVAC, Plumbing, & Electrical

• Mizzell Heating and Air Conditioning

• Valley Heating & Cooling

• Chuck’s Heating and Air

• Harrison Heating and Cooling

JEWELRY STORE

• Rosa Lee

• Charisma Boutique & More

• Diamond Depot

• Couch’s Jewelers

• Forevermore Jewelry Bar

MEN’S CLOTHING STORE

• Old Noble

• Martin’s Family Clothing

• On Time Fashions

MATTRESS STORE

• Mattress Max

• Room By Room Home Furnishing

• Farmers Home Furniture (Anniston)

• Mattress Firm

MEAT MARKET/

BUTCHER SHOP

• Mathews Meat Market

• The Trail Ends Meat Processing and Butcher’s Market

• Christian Corner Meats

• Edwards Grocery

• Ohatchee Discount Grocery

PRODUCE

• Pickette’s Produce

• Aquality Farms

• Alexandria Foodland

• Sides Farm

• Piedmont Produce

PAWN SHOP

• B&B Pawnshop

• Quintard Jewelry & Pawn

• Don’s Pawn Heflin

• Money Outlet

THRIFT STORE

• Kolectic Treasures Antique Market

• New to You

• Beauty for Ashes

• The Storage Locker Thrift Store

• Helping Hands Thrift Store

WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE

• Ros a Le e

• Charisma Boutique & More

• Martin’s Family Clothing

• Alexander’s Boutique

• Sissy’s Treasures

STORE SALESPERSON

• J us tin H a ll (Old Noble )

• Leigh Ann Parton (Rosa Lee)

• Dara Murphy (Rosa Lee)

• Kathy Vincent Martin (Sara Lee)

SPIRITS

RESTAURANT/BAR

• Coldwater Mount a in Brew p u b

• Apothecary Draft House

• Sinclair Social

• Taco & Tequila Mexican Restaurant

• Victory Package and wine

MARGARITA

• Lo s M exicano s Re s t a ur a nt e

• Mangos Cantina and Grill Oxford, AL

• Besitos Mexican Kitchen

• Taco & Tequila Mexican Restaurant

• Victory Package Store

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

• Coldw a te r Mount a in Brew p u b BAR/LOUNGE

• T h e Lu s h G a rden Win e

Ba r and Loun g e

• Sinclair Social

• Rack & Roll Billiards and Sports Bar

• The Bank

• Ligero Leaf

SPORTS & FITNESS

GYM/FITNESS CENTER

• Her Sp a c e

• Club One Fitness

• Foundation Fitness

• YMCA of Calhoun County

• MyOwn Body Goals

so

GOLF COURSE

• Cider R idge Golf Cl u b

• Pine Hill Country Club

• Silver Lakes

• Anniston Country Club

• Cane Creek Golf Course

SPORTING GOODS/ OUTDOOR STORE

• E x ile Armor y

• Terrapin Outdoors

TOP EMPLOYERS

BEST PLACE TO WORK

• O x ford Prim a ry C a re &

Weight Loss Center

• Anniston Orthopedics

Physical Therapy clinic

• AOD Federal Credit Union

• Legacy Pain & Spine Specialists

• Harris-McKay Realty

VEHICLE, DEALERS & SERVICES

AUTO BODY/ COLLISION CENTER

• Skinner B ody Sho p

• Alexandria Body Shop

• Wesley’s Paint & Body Shop

• Howell Body Shop

• Carroll’s body shop

AUTO SALESPERSON

• Rob Jone s (Sunny King Toyot a )

• Carl Wilson (CA Russell Ford)

• Nick Pope (Sunny King Honda)

• Sarah Hendrix (Benton Nissan)

• James Bradford (Sunny King Toyota)

AUTO DEALER

SERVICE DEPARTMENT

• S u nny King Toyot a

• Benton Nissan

• Buster Miles

• Sunny King Honda

• Cooper Hyundai

Anniston

AUTO GLASS

REPAIR COMPANY

• Anniston Auto Trim & Glass

AUTO REPAIR SHOP

• Cobb Automotive & Tires

• Skinner Body Shop

• 431 Tire & Auto

• Piedmont Auto Repair

• Funkie Junkie Garage

CAR WASH/DETAIL SHOP

• Xtreme Car Wash

• Sudstop

• Clean Care Washing

• Mister Car Wash

• Martinez Mobile Detailing

NEW CAR DEALERSHIP

• Sunny King Toyota

• Benton Nissan

• Buster Miles

• Sunny King Honda

• Cooper Hyundai

OIL CHANGE SERVICE

• Sunny King Toyota

• Grover and Son Alignment

• Cobb Automotive & Tires

• Alexandria Brake & Muffler

• Cooper Hyundai

TIRE CENTER

• Grover and Son Alignment

• Advantage Tire & Alignment

• Cobb Automotive & Tires

• Morrow Tire and Auto Shop

WOMEN-ONLY GYM

voted #1 Readers’ Choice favorite fitness center

BY JULIE EDWARDS | Star Correspondent

Mandy Haynes and Abby Skinner, owners of HerSpace Fit, set out to create a safe space for women of all ages. “It’s a place where all women, grandmothers to granddaughters, can continue their fitness journey in a judgment-free environment,” said Haynes. “Where women lift each other up in every sense of the word.” The pair officially opened the gym in January of this year and have already been voted as the #1 gym/fitness center in the Anniston Star’s Readers Choice awards.

“I can’t believe we were chosen the best gym,” said Haynes. “There are so many choices in the area. We are thrilled to have the support of the women in our community.”

The fitness center, located at 1021

TOWING SERVICE COMPANY

• Skinner Body Shop

• Matthews Towing and Body Shop

• Fagan’s Auto

• All Area Towing

• Creek’s Towing

TRANSMISSION SERVICES

• Mavis Tires & Brakes

• Buster Miles Kia

• BAM’s Automotive

U.S. Hwy 431 in Lenlock, started out offering personal training and group classes until the full range of gym equipment and machines arrived in May. About 200 women work out regularly in this female-only facility where members are welcome to work out from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

According to Haynes, HerSpace Fit is a place only for women, where they can wear what’s comfortable and exercise how they want and whenever they want. The gym has a coded entry for women holding memberships.

HerSpace Fit also has a unique Honor Program which offers a free membership to active and veteran women who serve our

USED CAR DEALERSHIP

• Sunny King Toyota

• Benton Nissan

• Buster Miles

• Lenn Costner Auto Sales

• Lipscomb Auto Sales

WINDOW TINTING

• Hutch Touch

• Wizard Car Audio

• Xtreme Auto Styling & Window Tint

Abby Skinner and Mandy Haynes, owners of HerSpace Fit.

country and community. Active and veteran military and first responders, including firefighters, law

enforcement and EMTs are all eligible. It is the owners’ way of thanking them for their service.

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PICKETTE’S earns readers’ choice for best produce

BY LAUREN BALLARD | Star Staff Writer

Jim Pickette has carried through roughly six decades in the grocery and produce business before winning The Anniston Star Readers’ Choice Award for best produce.

Beginning when he was about 15 years old working at Buddy Langley’s Curb Market on Jacksonville Highway. Later, he spent years managing grocery stores before opening his own produce operation.

Now 76, Pickette still makes regular trips to produce markets to Atlanta, Birmingham and local places, usually every other day during the busy season, to keep fresh fruits and

vegetables on hand.

“Produce was in my blood,” he said. “I like fresh produce. I like to go talk to the farmers. I like dealing with the farmers.”

Rather than growing produce himself, Pickette works with local growers whenever possible, purchasing items including peas, green plums and vegetables from area farms if the quality meets his standards.

“If it’s good product and clean,” he said, “I buy it.”

Some products, however, require sourcing farther away because of demand. Pickette said he often buys 400 to 500 pounds of peaches at

a time, making it difficult for local growers alone to meet the store’s needs.

The seasonal produce market opens for the Summer from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., located at Pickette’s Feed & Pet Supply in Anniston, is the company’s only produce location after Pickette closed its second market on South Quintard.

“I can’t handle two places,” he said, adding that running both locations became increasingly difficult, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pickette said green plums are among the biggest sellers when available. Watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers, beans, okra and zucchini are also customer favorites.

Freshness is the priority, he said, noting that produce has a limited shelf life.

“Once you pick it, it’s gonna die,” Pickette said. “It’s gonna rot.”

Letitia Clark, who has worked in the produce department for about eight years, said customers eagerly anticipate the market’s opening each

spring.

“We get a lot of business,” Clark said. “People can’t wait until this place opens because they know it’s good.”

She said visitors often travel from out of state during the summer and fill their vehicles with fresh produce before returning home.

“They’ll load a big car with watermelons and stuff and take a load,” Clark said.

Clark also credits Pickette’s experience for the market’s reputation.

“He knows what he wants,” she said. “He’s got an eye for it.”

Even when certain products become scarce or wholesale prices climb, Clark said Pickette refuses to settle for lower quality or pass unreasonable costs along to customers.

“He wasn’t gonna put that on the community like that,” she said.

For Pickette, the readers’ choice recognition belongs as much to his customers as it does to the business.

“Thank you very much,” he said. “We appreciate all y’all and my customers. We appreciate every bit of it. I’m just blessed to still be around to do it.”

AT A GLANCE

• Readers voted Pickette’s Feed & Pet Supply as The Anniston Star Readers’ Choice winner for best produce, recognizing its focus on fresh selections and local sourcing.

• Owner Jim Pickette, who has worked in the grocery business for about 60 years, still shops for produce several times a week to keep shelves stocked with fresh products.

• Seasonal favorites such as green plums, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas and locally grown vegetables continue drawing loyal customers from across the region.

Food truck HONORS late father with carnival fare and community care

BY FAITH DORN | Star Staff Writer

When Krystal Daniel serves up a strawberry cheesecake funnel cake or a basket of crispy fried pork chops, she is doing more than just feeding a hungry crowd. She is keeping a promise to the past.

Daniel is the owner of Big Mike’z, which was recently named the local Readers’ Choice food truck. For Daniel, the mobile eatery is a way to honor her father, Michael, who passed away when she was just 16 years old.

“Big Mike’z is named after my father,” Daniel said. “Everybody called him Big Mike. I named the truck in memory of my father just to keep his memory and legacy alive, keep his name alive.”

The business celebrated its fiveyear anniversary in May. Growing up in Wedowee, a small town lacking a spread of fast-food chains, Daniel learned her way around a kitchen early. She eventually developed her own signature “Big Mike’z” seasoning, which she blends and pre-packages herself to use on the truck and sell to customers.

The menu features burgers, fries, wings, fried okra, Polish sausages and more. The true showstoppers, however, are the funnel cakes, which Daniel “jazzes up” with flavors like peach cobbler, cookies and cream and her personal favorite, strawberry cheesecake. A typical meal averages

about $14 or $15.

Because Big Mike’z stays busy with company bookings, the schedule changes weekly. The truck sets up shop in many cities around east Alabama.

Winning the Readers’ Choice honor is a milestone Daniel attributes to both faith and her loyal following.

“I just feel grateful,” Daniel said. “I feel like God has truly given me the tools, knowledge and the customer backing to grow my business and become successful. I really feel like it speaks volumes to just how much our customers enjoy the food truck and what we do.”

That gratitude translates directly into community action. Daniel makes a point to give away one or two free meals every single day the truck is operational.

“It’s a way to give back to the community and say thanks for supporting,” Daniel said. “They could choose anybody to spend their money with, but they choose us.”

The giving will get even bigger next month. On Aug. 8 from 5-8 p.m., Big Mike’z is planning a community fellowship event featuring free food and music from DJ Billy Dee. Daniel will reveal the location for the event on Big Mike’z social media.

“All you have to do is just walk up and grab a meal,” Daniel said. “It’s just a way to give back to the community and try to bring everybody together.”

AT A GLANCE

• Big Mike’z, named after the owner’s late father, was voted Readers’ Choice food truck.

• The truck offers American carnival-style food, with meals averaging $14 to $15.

• Owner Krystal Daniel gives away free meals daily and is planning a community fellowship event in Anniston with free food and a live DJ.

Travel agency eliminates stress from planning VACATIONS

BY FAITH DORN | Star Staff Writer

Planning a vacation is supposed to be exciting, but endless online options and fine print can leave hopeful travelers exhausted before they even pack a bag.

For Crissy Werner and Amanda Cobb, co-owners of Southern Belle Travel Company, the solution is simple: Let someone else do the homework.

“We find out their needs, wants and what’s most important to them for their vacation because we

realize people work really hard for their money,” Werner said. “We do the research. We do all the work, and basically, they just show up in their cute outfits and enjoy their vacation.”

Launched in 2018, the agency has grown to a team of nine travel agents, affectionately called Belles, headquartered primarily in Alabama, with individual agents also operating out of Tennessee and Georgia. Together, they handle everything from a basic overnight

for voting Rosa Lee

hotel stay in Birmingham to Disney trips to extensive international packages across Europe and the Caribbean.

While third-party booking engines promise quick deals, Werner noted that navigating those digital waters alone can quickly backfire on unsuspecting vacationers.

“There’s so much information online, and you can become quickly overwhelmed with it,” Werner said. “People are like, ‘Oh, I saw this deal on so-and-so,’ and then they get there, and there’s a problem, and there’s no one to help them. We try to help them save time, money and costly mistakes just with our expertise.”

That expertise comes from firsthand experience. The agency’s staff regularly travels to new destinations to vet properties. When personal experience falls short, the tightknit team relies on its network and

direct relationships with resort staff worldwide to ensure smooth stays.

Werner adheres to a strict standard for her clientele. “As a rule for myself, I don’t send people anywhere I wouldn’t take my family,” she said.

Unlike some agencies, Southern Belle Travel Company does not charge client-facing booking fees.

Werner views the business as a vital way to keep local dollars within the community.

“We sponsor things you see in the outfield at your kids’ baseball games,” Werner said. “We’re part of the local community. We’re nine Southern moms who love to travel, and it would be our pleasure to help you.”

That community focus recently earned the agency a local Readers’ Choice honor, a recognition Werner said reflects the trust area residents place in their hands.

“It means so much because we

AT A GLANCE

• Southern Belle Travel Company helps clients plan any kind of travel, from quick weekend getaways to custom European vacations.

• The agency features a team of nine women across three states who use personal expertise to protect clients from travel scams.

• Named Readers’ Choice Travel Agency winner, the local small business focuses on handling logistics so travelers can focus on fun.

appreciate our people,” Werner said. “All of us but one grew up here in the area, and it just means a lot. We

love living here, and it just means so much that people trust us with their vacations and their special memories.”

Voted #1 ‘Best PetGro oming Business’

WVOK EARNS

readers’ top honor as community connection pays off

BY BILL WILSON | Star Staff Writer

OXFORD — WVOK 97.9 FM is celebrating a milestone that its staff says reflects years of serving the communities of Calhoun County and beyond.

The Oxford-based station was recently named Best Radio Station in The Anniston Star’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, an honor program director Jock Burgess said belongs as much to listeners as it does to the station.

“We’re super excited,” Burgess said. “Any time that we rank number one, or even just being ranked, period, people showing their love for us means a lot for Steve and myself, for Chuck and Timmy and our part-timers. We work hard to be the very best we can be, and so when readers recognize it, that means the world to us.”

Owned by Woodard Broadcasting, WVOK has been on the air since February 1990. Burgess has worked at the station for 18 years.

The station’s format is Hot Adult Contemporary, featuring a mix of popular hits that have already proven themselves with listeners rather than the newest releases.

“We try to play the very best songs out there,” Burgess said. “We wait a little bit and see what people are really liking.”

Current programming includes The Big Steve Morning Show with Steve Stephens and Burgess’ Afternoon Cruise, airing from 3 to 7 p.m. The station is also preparing to add another on-air personality following the recent retirement of longtime broadcaster Julie Daniels after more than 30 years with the station.

Beyond music, WVOK broadcasts Oxford High School football, Jacksonville State athletics and provides live local severe weather coverage.

“If it’s a tornado, I’m here because I can gather information a lot quicker. I can react quickly,” Burgess said.

Burgess said the station has also made a deliberate effort to become more visible throughout the community by attending festivals and local events.

“We made a conscious decision a few years ago to be as everywhere as we can possibly be because that’s the nature of radio,” he said. “It’s a community-oriented endeavor.”

For Burgess, the Readers’ Choice

Steve Stephens, left, and Jock Burgess pose inside the WVOK 97.9 FM studios in Oxford after the station was voted Best Radio Station in The Anniston Star’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Burgess, the station’s program director, said the recognition reflects the support of listeners and the staff’s commitment to serving the community.

recognition ultimately belongs to those tuning in every day.

“I want to say thank you,” he said. “We love our communities that we serve. We can’t do this without them at all. We’re so grateful for every listener that we have, and we hope to continue to serve them in the future and get better and better at doing that.”

AT A GLANCE

• WVOK 97.9 FM was voted Best Radio Station in The Anniston Star’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards, a recognition station leaders say belongs to its listeners.

• The Oxford station, on the air since 1990, blends Hot Adult Contemporary music, local sports and live severe weather coverage.

• Station leaders say a commitment to community events and local engagement has helped build lasting relationships with listeners.

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Moe’s BOARDING & GROOMING earns Readers’ Choice honor

BY BILL WILSON | Star Staff Writer

When Summer Shears learned Moe’s Boarding & Grooming had been voted Favorite Pet Grooming Business in The Anniston Star’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, her first thought wasn’t about herself. Instead, she thought about the team that has helped build the

business into a trusted destination for pet owners across the area.

“It makes me very proud of my team,” Shears said. “They’ve worked hard, they do a good job, and they do it with love and compassion and patience for our clients and the pets. I could not do this without them.”

Moe’s Boarding & Grooming, which opened in October 2021 in its

present location, employs six people, including three groomers, two kennel staff members and Shears, who also helps oversee daily operations.

Shears said the recognition belongs to the entire staff.

“They work hard, they show up, and they’re kind,” she said. “They treat these dogs like they’re their own. That means a lot to me to find

employees like that.”

The business has grown steadily since opening and now serves approximately 1,000 grooming clients. Along with grooming, Moe’s offers boarding and daycare services, giving dogs opportunities to play outdoors rather than spending the day confined to kennels.

“We spend a lot of time with our

boarders and make sure they have adequate playtime outside,” Shears said. “We do daycare. We love our daycare clients. They’re fun. We set up pools and things for them to play in.”

Shears believes the business’s success is rooted not only in quality care, but also in its willingness to listen.

“Most of the time, we get positive feedback,” she said. “If you’re happy with your service, tell others. If you’re unhappy, tell us so we can improve. We’re always open to learn and grow. We’re not going to get it right 100 percent of the time.”

That philosophy extends throughout the business.

“There’s always room for us to be better, do better, and learn and grow,” she said.

Before opening Moe’s, Shears spent 15 years working as a veterinary

technician, an experience that reinforced the values she wanted to bring to her own business.

“I’ve always loved animals since I was a kid,” she said. “We’re never going to be ugly to a dog. If we ever get frustrated, we’re going to walk away, come back and reassess the situation. These pets are people’s lives — they’re their babies — so it’s important to treat them with kindness.”

The business currently grooms dogs only and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It also offers limited Saturday grooming hours once each month, allowing employees time with their families, while boarding pickups are available on Sundays from 4 to 5 p.m.

Despite the recognition, Shears insists the award is not a finish line.

“We’re busy,” she said. “We’re

AT A GLANCE

• Moe’s Boarding & Grooming was voted Best Groomer in The Anniston Star’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizing the business less than five years after opening.

• Owner Summer Shears credits the award to her sixmember team, saying compassionate care, patience and customer service have fueled the business’s success.

• The business serves about 1,000 grooming clients and offers boarding and daycare services, emphasizing playtime, comfort and individualized care for every dog.

blessed with a lot of business and great clients. I like to say we have the best clients in the county.

They’re very loyal and very sweet to us. There’s always room for us to grow, and that’s what’s important.”

Readers’ Choice honor reflects oncology NURSE’S COMMITMENT to patients

BY SHERRY KUGHN | Star Staff Writer

For Kaylan Worrell, nursing is about more than providing medical care. It’s about building relationships that often last long after treatment ends.

That approach has earned the Alabama Cancer Care nurse first place in The Anniston Star’s Readers’ Choice Awards in the nursing category.

Worrell, 31, grew up in Ohatchee and now lives in Anniston. Her path to nursing began after graduating from Ohatchee High School, when she enrolled at Judson College in Marion. While commuting about two hours to attend classes, she accepted a job as a patient care technician in the oncology department at Regional Medical Center.

She enjoyed the job.

After earning her first degree, her supervisor, Cindy Justice, encouraged her to continue her education and become a nurse.

“I then pursued my second degree at Judson and continued driving back and forth,” Worrell said.

Since completing her nursing degree, Worrell has spent the past 10 years caring for patients.

Now at Alabama Cancer Care, she said one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is the relationships she develops with those she treats.

“They become like family members,” she said. “Many times when they are done with their treatment they or their family members come back to visit.”

Those relationships have become especially meaningful as Worrell and her husband, Chris Worrell, prepare to welcome their first child in September.

She said many of her patients have shared in the excitement, often bringing flowers or small gifts to celebrate her pregnancy.

“They bring me flowers or small gifts, and they are so sweet,” she said.

After the baby arrives, Worrell plans to spend several weeks at home before returning to work.

She said learning she had been nominated for the Readers’ Choice Award was an honor, and winning

The Anniston Star

first place made the recognition even more meaningful.

“I was so excited to learn I had been nominated for the Reader’s Choice award, and I am also excited to have won first place,” she said.

Worrell said the people she works alongside are another reason she enjoys her career.

Alabama Cancer Care is located at 171 Town Center Drive, Suite 6, at McClellan. Worrell works alongside physicians Aasim Sehbai and Anna Harris and said she appreciates the support of the entire staff.

“One reason I love my job is because my fellow nurse, Steven Brown, and I work so well together,” Worrell said.

“We all work as a team. I also love working with nurse practitioners Jill Johnson and Candace Barker.”

Bentley HONORED as Readers Choice

favorite physical therapist

BY ASHLEY MORRISON | Star Correspondent

OXFORD — What began as a career built quietly over the years of caring for patients has now earned one Oxford physical therapist a community-wide distinction.

Kim Bentley, owner of Steadfast Physical Therapy, has been named The Anniston Star’s Readers’ Choice favorite Physical Therapist — an honor she says reflects the trust her patients place in her team every day.

Bentley, who has practiced since 2008, opened Steadfast Physical Therapy in 2023 after years of working in skilled nursing, hospital and outpatient settings. She said the decision came from wanting to provide care without the red tape that often slows treatment.

“You see the good and you see the bad,” Bentley said. “Working with a corporate ladder where it’s harder to get things done, you have to go through so much red tape a lot of times for your patients.”

Her clinic focuses on one-on-one care, treating both adults and

children — a need she said was especially pressing in Oxford, where pediatric physical therapy options were limited. Steadfast also offers services Bentley couldn’t fully utilize in previous settings, including dry needling and a fast-track vertigo clinic.

“We didn’t want to give up care for the almighty dollar,” she said. “We’re trying to provide that quality one-on-one care that people are wanting to come back for.”

Bentley said the Readers Choice recognition comes not from advertising, but from word-of-mouth.

“I’ve spent very little on marketing because our patients are so good at spreading our name around,” she said. “They trust us with their care enough to tell somebody else.”

That trust, she added, extends beyond treatment plans.

“We try not to be too busy to help the person, not just the diagnosis,” Bentley said.

Steadfast Physical Therapy is located at 1760 Hamrick Drive East, Suite 3, in Oxford.

Britt NAMED Readers’ Choice favorite videographer

BY ASHLEY MORRISON | Star Correspondent

OXFORD — Oxford’s own Nadja Britt didn’t expect a high-school schedule mix-up to change her life, but that surprise placement into Oxford High’s visual arts academy set her on the path that led to being named the community’s Readers’ Choice favorite videographer.

What began as reluctance quickly shifted into curiosity.

“At first I was like, ‘yeah, no. I’m not

doing this,’” Britt said with a laugh. But one classroom demonstration flipped the switch. “One day, [the instructor] showed us what we could do, and how we could turn it into anything with video. It just clicked.”

Now 24-year-old Britt stepped away from video for a time, focusing on photography, but the pull of motion and storytelling never left. She eventually reached back out to her former teacher, who helped her restart.

“Honestly, it came from Oxford High School, and I’m really thankful for them because this is my passion now,” she said.

Today, Britt runs Nadja Britt Photo and Film, capturing weddings, events and everyday moments for clients she considers far more than customers.

“My clients aren’t my clients. My clients are my friends,” she said.

“They know that I’m gonna treat them with the utmost respect, and that their feelings will come first.”

Her approach is rooted in authenticity — preserving the real emotions of a moment without making them feel staged.

“I want to be able to create memories that people could look back on and still feel those same feelings on the day of their event,” she said.

At 24, Britt says the recognition comes not from promotion or pricing, but from trust.

“My work speaks for itself,” she said. “People could tell me honest, constructive criticism, and that will push me even harder.”

For Britt, videography isn’t about profit — it’s about people.

“It’s not all about the money,” she said. “I want to be able to capture these moments for people.”

Readers’ Choice #1 favorite bakery is LICKIN’ GOOD Donuts

BY JULIE EDWARDS | Star Correspondent

The doors open at 5:30 am with the display cases ready — stocked full of sausage filled kolaches, butter and strawberry croissants, crullers, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts in every variety of toppings imaginable and an apple fritter large enough to feed a family of four.

The staff at Lickin’ Good Donuts on Hwy. 78 in Oxford have been baking for hours and ready for students at the local high school to whip in for a

quick sugar boost before class.

Seth Kosall, acting manager, arrives at work each day at 3 a.am. to start preparing the treats for his customers. When asked to guess how many doughnuts he makes each day, “I don’t count the doughnuts, just the flour I use,” he said. “On a slow day we might use 50 pounds of flour. On a busy Friday or Sunday, we could use over 150 pounds.”

Whether you’re looking for a breakfast burrito, a ham and cheese

pastry or a good old glazed doughnut, this Lickin’ Good Donuts, the Anniston

LINDLEY’S WORLD OF PERFORMING ARTS voted

favorite dance studio

BY JULIE EDWARDS | Star Correspondent

“We’ve been teaching dance and gymnastics since 1976 and loving every minute of it,” said Sheila Lindley, owner of Lindley’s World of Performing Arts. The studio just celebrated their 50th recital, celebrating the students who sign up for sessions that run August through May, as well as summer sessions. When asked why they thought people chose Lindley’s as the Readers’ Choice #1 favorite dance studio, instructor Tracy Thompson said, “I think it’s the quality of teaching and training we offer. We

have a structural, learning and fun environment here.”

The school offers tap, ballet and pointe, hip hop, contemporary and jazz dance classes as well as gymnastics.

The facility houses a gymnasium full of parallel bars, floor exercise mats, balance beams and more surrounded by bleachers and benches for spectators to observe student progress.

The dance studio lined with mirrors and barres and a springform floor, creates a space for a dancer’s dreams to come true. Lindley’s field

BY JULIE EDWARDS

Tracy Thompson, dance instructor at Lindley’s World of Performing Arts

competitive dance and gymnastic teams for a select few students each season.

“We are aware of the influence we have on these kids,” Lindley said. “We take that responsibility seriously.”