HCN’s Best of Hood County unveiled!

FROM MY FRONT PORCH

Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.

This is the edition of the HCN a whole lot of people have been waiting on: the announcement of the winners of the 2021 Best of Hood County competition!

The Hood County News started the Best of Hood County in 2010. Historically, it has been our most popular promotion and certainly garners the greatest interest from our readers. This year, 64,873 people went online to cast their vote for the business or service they believed to be the “Best of Hood County.” How amazing is that for a turnout?

During the competition, a great many businesses reach out to their customers and ask for their support and their vote. Why? Because the businesses know when they earn the right to display the Best of Hood County certificate, customers respond. It means more business, new business, and maintaining “old business.”

This year there are 15 “first-time” winners of Best of Hood County. They are:

1. Quail Park of Granbury — Asst. Living, Ind. Living, Memory Care

2. ManeTained Salon for Men — Barber Shop

3. 9 Salon & Daymaker — Hair Salon

4. Tribal Coalition Coffee — Coffee

5. Fleet Ink — Printing

6. Brock’s Food and Drink — BBQ & Entertainment

7. Michael Powell — Local Musician

8. Alex's Pizza, Pasta, Subs — Pizza

9. Tri-Lakes Tackle Town — Fishing Supplies/Bait

10. Tejas Custom Cabinets — Custom Cabinets

11. House to Home Inspections & More — Home Inspections

12. Amy Flippin Fancy Face Skincare — Esthetician

13. Ashleigh Dawson Relaxation by Ashleigh — Message Therapist

14. Melinda Owens — Law Firm and Attorney

15. Jeweler's Workshop — Jewelry Store

Congratulations to these first-time winners and to all the winners of the 121 different categories of the Best of Hood County! I hope readers review the results and congratulate your favorite businesses!

I must add, since 2014, our owner Paul Hyde has won Best of Hood County for best law firm and lawyer. Last year the “Best of” election was over before Paul took ownership of the newspaper. This year, to eliminate any suggestion or allegation of unfairness, Paul removed himself from the competition.

We at the HCN know how important this contest is to our local businesses, and we do everything we can to ensure the results are accurate and fair.  Our paper strives to be fair and accurate in each publication. Even though we would never alter voting, even for our owner, the potential appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest led Mr. Hyde to withdraw. Sorry Paul, but your streak is broken!

I love Hood County and I love being a patron of our local establishments. On a recent Saturday I had lunch at Buck’s, met friends at Barons Creek Vinyards before attending the Opera House, and then had a bite at Ketzler’s after seeing a wonderful show. I love shopping, dining, drinking and being entertained by the folks in Hood County. They know how to do it and do it right!

When my sink gets clogged, I need a haircut, my roof needs to be repaired or I find myself wanting to purchase real estate, I seek out local businesses — especially those who are the winners or first runners-up in the Best of Hood County. They have proven themselves worthy of my business, and they support our town through their sales tax revenues and their endless support of our schools, charities and the community. I hope you shop local, eat local and spend local. It is the best decision you can make!

I have said it before, and I will say it again. I am darn proud I live in Hood County. I hope you are too!

Thought for the day: Every time you spend money you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want.

Until next time…

sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260