The votes are tallied and the winners are here! Thanks to the hundreds of readers who voted. We are proud to announce the best businesses that deliver the gold standard to families and children in our community. Cheers! Click here to view the winners!
Best of the Nest
New to town? New to parenting? In search of a date night, tutor or pediatrician? We’ve got you covered. In fact, we’ve got the best of the best! Local parents vote for their favorite businesses, from the most kid-friendly restaurant to the doc that makes the boo-boos better.
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BEAT Children’s Theatre
Best Youth Theatre
Interview with Bree Beal, Executive Director How long has BEAT been around? Was it difficult to gain a foothold in the community? BEAT Children’s Theatre started in 2006, so we are just about to kick off our 20th season! Our little nonprofit has been growing every year since its inception. We currently serve around 500-600 […]
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Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play
Best Kids Yoga
Interview with Rachel Augustine, Co-Owner Will you tell us a little about your kids’ yoga program? Kids yoga has been at the heart of Free Spirit since we opened in 2019. As a mom, longtime yoga teacher and someone with a background in art and design, I created the program to help kids grow into […]
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Mudpies and Lullabies
Best Preschool
Interview with Alissa Guthrie, Co-Owner Mudpies and Lullabies has been a mainstay in Bend for a long time. What is the history of the school? Yes, Mudpies and Lullabies has been a mainstay of early childhood education in Bend for almost 30 years! Founded by Anne Williams on the belief that children learn best through […]
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Bend Parks and Recreation District
Best Youth Sports
Interview with Becky Rexford, BPRD Sports Program & Athletic Fields Manager With so many youth sports organizations in Bend, what sets BPRD apart from the rest? BPRD has been around since 1974 and has made great connections with many, many people in the community. The district has the benefit of being able to serve many […]
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Best of the Nest 2024 Winners!
You voted, we counted and now… we present the winners!
Loving what you do and working hard at it are the keys to success. Thanks to our vibrant community of dedicated individuals and businesses who deliver top-notch services and products on the daily, raising a family in the high desert is a dreamy endeavor. This year, Nest followers rallied in great numbers to voice their […]
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Best Veterinarian: Pawtown Veterinary Care
Interview with Owner, Lauren Stayer, DVM
BN: How long has Pawtown been in business? LS: We opened here two years ago, in March of 2022. We have really enjoyed watching the practice grow, while meeting a lot of new patients and families. We have a great support staff who are good friendly people enjoying what they do. BN: Does Pawtown offer […]
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Best Children’s Therapist: Lark Song Counseling
Interview with Owner, Anna Thedford, LPC
BN: What types of therapy does Lark Song offer children? AT: Play therapy is often the best way to begin with young children, but we have different approaches for different ages. We tend to take a non-directive or child-centered approach, meaning that we discover how they will best be able to communicate in the therapeutic […]
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Best Sports Physical Therapist: Denny Dragan, MS PT Redbird Physiocare
Interview with Owner, Denny Dragan, MS PT
BN: You were voted Best Sports PT. What differentiates that type of physical therapy from others? DD: Most of the sports injuries we see come down to biomechanics, fine tuning what the athletes need to improve their sport. With regular PT, most people come in needing to get back to walking up and down stairs […]
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Best Midwife: Kelsey Spanbauer, Engedi Wellness
Interview with Midwife, Kelsey Spanbauer
BN: How long have you been practicing midwifery in Central Oregon? KS: I was born in Bend and I’ve been a midwife here for more than 13 years. BN: What can a woman expect on her first visit with you? KS: We start by discussing the mother’s vision for her birth experience. Our role can […]