The winners of the 2009 Best of Best reader’s choice contest were celebrated Thursday, Oct. 8, at a special Business After 5 event at Events on Broadway in South Portland. Over 100 business owners and community members attended the event, which was sponsored by The Current, the Scarborough Chamber of Commerce and the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community Center. (Staff photos by Tess Nacelewicz)

Leroy Crockett, Norton Insurance and member of the board of the Scarborough Community Chamber; and Denise Johnson, Aflac.Ellen Lefevre, Lyric Music Theatre, South Portland; and Tina Preble and June Juliano, both of Acapello Salons.Jim Malia, an owner of Beal’s Ice Cream; and Dan Johnson, general manager/owner of Ace Hardware in Scarborough.Alicia Milne and Jessica Simpson, both staff employees at the law firm of Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey.Rob Schreiber, Aflac and member of the board of South Portland Cape Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce; and Jim Elkins, Career Planning Services, Scarborough.George Ellis, development director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland; and Kate Callahan, volunteer coordinator, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland.Jessica Nixon, catering manager, Inn By the Sea in Cape Elizabeth; Laurie Inness, event and meeting manager, Inn By the Sea, Cape Elizabeth; and Chris Saladino, Ocean Gate Realty.A crew from Cape Elizabeth On the Run attended the event. Pictured are Alicia Webber, assistant manager; Roxane Gionest, manager; and Shirley Kelton, cashier.