A special insert will be falling out of the Northern Star later this week: the Best of DeKalb.

While we’ve been running advertisements urging you to vote for your favorite places to eat, shop, live and so on, we haven’t quite told you when you would find out the winners or why this little insert should even matter.

The Best of DeKalb helps bring a sense of community to the establishments in the area. Our readers, made up of both NIU students and residents of DeKalb, voiced their choice on their favorite places in town. And for the fourth year in a row, we will present you with those favorites.

Being named the best in a publication distributed throughout the community rewards those working hard to establish their place in the community. Cashiers, hair stylists and food servers put in plenty of hours providing good customer service every day – and often without a thank you.

There are, of course, some categories that have nothing to do with customer service – best band, best fraternity and best sorority. Those involved with these groups still get the pride of knowing they were voted the best by more than 600 members of the community.

The Best of DeKalb gives recognition to those who deserve it and lets them know that the community is paying attention to what they’re doing – be it keeping their store clean each day or putting an extra moment into making sure their food is just right.

Thank you to those who voted, and for those who were voted No. 1, thank you for all your hard work.