The Baltimore Sun’s readers have voted on what’s the best in the region, from wedding venues and roofers to pediatricians and hair salons. This year’s winners include people and businesses recognized for outstanding service and customer satisfaction over the last year.
The poll includes more than 700 winners in nearly 200 categories in six areas — Activities & Arts, Home & Garden, Food & Drink, Lifestyles & Shopping, Personal services and People & Media. More than 75,000 ballots were cast cultivating a list of your favorite museums, pizza joints, boutiques, TV anchors, radio hosts and more.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson catches a line drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 26, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)
Best Oriole: Gunnar Henderson
What can’t Gunnar Henderson do? The Orioles shortstop has enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, emerging not just as a candidate for the American League Most Valuable Player Award but also as a linchpin for an organization that expects to be perennial playoff contenders for the foreseeable future. Henderson boasts tantalizing home run power, strong instincts on the bases and a defensive skill set that can fill a highlight reel.
Only 23 years old, Henderson has already captured Baltimore’s attention and that of baseball fans around everywhere. He was among the leading vote-getters for a starting spot in this year’s MLB All-Star Game, the annual midsummer gathering of the sport’s best players. In true humble Henderson fashion, the Alabama native credited hard work and his coaching staff for getting him this far.
“It’s just kind of a testament to the development that I’ve had and then also just the work that I felt like I put in during the offseason and also getting to spring training and just being able to work with the infield coaches [and] the hitting coaches,” Henderson said. “Being able to just have guys like that in your corner and to go to work for them each and every day, it makes it fun coming to the ballpark.”
Baltimore’s newest superstar is a self-described “old soul” who listens to classic rock, builds LEGOs and takes his craft seriously. Revered in the minor leagues for his work ethic, he has won Orioles fans over with his blue-collar attitude and consistent production. As the club takes aim at ending its 36-year World Series drought this October, Henderson is leading the way. The future has arrived.
— Matt Weyrich
Activist: Frank Neighoff
Honorable mentions:
Steven Rivelis
Evan Woodard
Kate Cook
Author: Charmyra E. Fleming
Honorable mentions:
Jennifer Vido
John Waters
Laura Lippman
Clergyperson: Richard Dickens, New Metropolitan Baptist Church
Honorable mentions:
Ben Cachiaras, Mountain Christian Church
Jim Muratore, St. Luke’s Church on the Avenue
Bonnie McCubbin, Old Otterbein United Methodist Church
College professor: Alan Orr, Maryland Institute College of Art
Honorable mentions:
Mark Hubbard, Loyola University Maryland
Curtis Black, Coppin State University
Katie Moulton, Johns Hopkins University
DJ: DJ Steezy
Honorable mentions:
DJ Chuckspinz
DJ Kopec
DJ Groovy Twist
Instagram account: J.B. Shepard @Puptrait
Honorable mentions:
@thebaltimorefoodie
@themodestflorist
@Wine.Dine.Repeat
Meteorologist: Justin Berk, justinweather.com
Honorable mentions:
Tom Tasselmyer, WBAL-TV
Ava Marie, WBAL-TV
Tony Pann, WBAL-TV
Oriole: Gunnar Henderson
Honorable mentions:
Adley Rutschman
Cedric Mullins
Anthony Santander
Personal trainer: Kelly Whalen, Maryland Athletic Club
Honorable mentions:
Candice Hennessey, Yoga Centric
Dani K Gym & Wellness
Sean Shuman, Jewish Community Center
Podcast: No Pix After Dark
Honorable mentions:
Irreverent Health with Tom Ingegno and Matt Hampton
Conversations with Rich Bennett
Aaron Palmer, Native Tongues
Politician/government official: Tony Giangiordano, Harford County Council
Honorable mentions:
Gov. Wes Moore
Rep. Jamie Raskin
Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Council
Radio host: Josh Spiegel, 98 Rock Baltimore
Honorable mentions:
Tom Hall, WYPR 88.1FM
Bob Delmont, 93.1 WPOC
T.J. Smith, WBAL NewsRadio 1090
Radio station: WYPR 88.1 FM
Honorable mentions:
93.1 WPOC
98 ROCK, WIYY 97.9 FM
WTMD 89.7 FM
Raven: Justin Tucker
Honorable mentions:
Lamar Jackson
Mark Andrews
Roquan Smith
School principal: Erin Upton, St. Elizabeth School
Honorable mentions:
Carl Patton, The John Carroll School
Darryl Robbins, Sandymount Elementary
Bryan Pawlicki, North Harford High
Sports talk show: Ravens Gameday Radio, 98 Rock
Honorable mentions:
Big Bad Morning Show, 105.7 The Fan
Bob Haynie, CBS Radio 105.7 the Fan
Stage actor: Bruce Randolph Nelson, Everyman Theatre
Honorable mention:
Todd Krickler, Spotlighters Theatre
TV personality: Denise Koch, WJZ
Honorable mentions:
Ashley Hinson, WBAL
Kai Jackson, WBFF
Kevin Brown, Orioles ESPN
Twitter feed: Courtney Bindl @notmythirdrodeo
Honorable mentions:
Carol Ott @carolSOtt
Jake Leizear @jake_my_day
Visual artist: J.B. Shepard
Honorable mentions:
Collin Cessna
McFadden Art Glass
Joyce Scott
Editor’s note: Winners and honorable mentions were determined by popular vote. Readers were invited to nominate and vote online from April to June. The ballot and results are generated solely by readers’ votes. The Baltimore Sun does not take responsibility for the services offered or advertised by those listed.
