The Port Clinton Rotary Club’s Pizza Challenge made a triumphant return to Gideon Owen Wine Company in Port Clinton, with almost 500 pizza lovers judging the best pies the area has to offer, said event chairman Duane Waite.

“A panel of students voted Sloopy’s as the Best Pepperoni Pizza, while celebrity judges gave The Canoe Club the award for the Best Specialty Pizza,” said Waite. “Also providing pizzas for the 11th annual Rotary Pizza Challenge were local vendors Bell’s Pizza, Camp Runinmuck, Pizza Brothers,and Saucey Slices Pizzeria.”

The People’s Choice Award winners were led by Sloopy’s, with Camp Runinmuck second and Pizza Brothers third.

“We are sincerely grateful for the local pizza companies providing more than 440 pizzas for the event,” said Waite. “The Rotary Club volunteers were also delighted with the excellent turnout, and the major support of host Gideon Owen Wine Company. Owners Quintin and Donna Smith opened their beautiful facility on Monday, April 25 just for the Rotary Pizza Challenge.”

Thanks to the Port Clinton Rotary Club and the Rotary Pizza Challenge, four Port Clinton High School seniors were awarded college scholarships at recent graduations. They are Paeja Leow, Andrew Hanson, Katerina Fillmore and Kennedy Adkins. Alexander Frank and Anthony Aukerman of Danbury High School also received Rotary scholarships.