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It was a night to celebrate the achievements of several
businesses, groups and individuals and their contributions to the
community of Kincardine.
The Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual
awards ceremony Saturday night at the Best Western Governor's Inn,
with about 150 people attending. Also on hand to present their own
certificates of achievement were Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb and MPP
Carol Mitchell.
"Thank you all for your hard work," said Mitchell. "I am very proud
to represent Kincardine. I go to Queen's Park and tell them all
about this vibrant community."
"I grew up working in a small business," said Lobb. "My father was
an auctioneer. It's important to give back to the community in a
positive manner."
"Business is alive and well in the Municipality of Kincardine," said
chamber president Marie Wilson, noting that the evening would abound
with stories about the award recipients.
They are: the famous little pub in Tiverton; the brewery in Tiverton
which has won support from the people in its own backyard; the
volunteer who has been quietly filling in the gaps wherever she is
needed; the chamber member who has made the Santa Claus parade a
success each year; the group that helps people remember the
sacrifices made in the past and those in the present; the owner of
the successful clothing store on the main street for 28 years; an
amazing artist who is also an astute business woman and now leading
a proactive Business Improvement Area (BIA); a young man who is
following in the footsteps of his entrepreneurial parents; a young
girl who is already devoted to doing her part for the environment; a
group that showed great environmental stewardship during the big
party of 2008; a bed-and-breakfast that ensures its impact on the
environment is small; and another group that mixes a healthy
lifestyle with fund-raising.
MC Gary Ballagh provided comic relief as the awards were presented.
*Laura Haight, chairperson of the 2008 Kincardine Reunion committee,
along with members Tony Doherty, Sandra Reid, Carol Blake and Marie
Wilson, received the OPG environmental award from Don Jones who
noted the many environmentally-friendly aspects of the reunion: the
letterhead was on recycled paper, the balloons were made of
non-latex material, the cups and plates were of biodegradable
material, and the tablecloths were re-used as decorative bunting and
bows.
"This committee has set the bar high by holding a fun, safe reunion,
with a low impact on the environment," he said.
"It's not easy being green," said Haight. "We have to thank Chalmers
Church which helped us out. It was a great feeling to host an
evening of 2,000 people and get the garbage all down to one small
amount, with little impact on the environment. We had a great group
of volunteers."
*Janice McKean of The Ark Bed and Breakfast received the Canadian
Tire farm business/farm-related business award.
"This is great," she said. "What we do on the farm is related to the
community we live in. We're involved in the tree-planting program;
and we serve home-grown, local food at our bed-and-breakfast."
*Adam Kraemer presented the Kinfarm Tire young entrepreneur of the
year award to Chris Showalter of Tramonto Pasta Tapas Vino, a new
Italian restaurant on Queen Street in downtown Kincardine.
Showalter said the goal of the business is to make good, fresh food
and present it with class. "I want to thank those who have helped
me: my brother Matt, my pastry chef, and my parents and many of my
friends who spend so much time there."
*Corabelle's, also on Queen Street, Kincardine, received the Bruce
Telecom customer service excellence award. "I'm very proud and
honoured," said owner Corabelle Danahy, giving credit to her staff
for their hard work and dedication to quality service for the
customers.
"Since we're telling stories, I have one," she said. "I was born and
raised on the 10th of Kinloss and when I went to Lucknow for high
school it was quite an adjustment. That first day of Grade 9, the
teacher asked us all to say our names. I whispered, 'Corabelle
Thompson,' but the teacher didn't hear me. The fellow behind me
slapped me on the back and said, 'This is Corabelle Thompson.' That
fellow turned out to be Paul Henderson."
*Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer presented the Municipality of
Kincardine new business of the year award to The King's Pearl in
Tiverton.
"This is quite an honour," said owner Nancy Alexander. "We've been
open since November, 2006, but it doesn't feel like that long. I
thank my mom and dad and my mom- and dad-in-law and our manager
Donna Hendry for all their help. And to all of you who enjoy your
time at The Pearl."
*Shirley Burnham received the Bruce Power citizen of the year award
from Dwight Willett, vice-president of corporate services.
"Shirley is a special person and well-deserving of this award," said
Willett. "She has done so many things for the community and all
without any fanfare. Well, Shirley, tonight's your turn to have some
fanfare."
The crowd rose in a standing ovation as Burnham walked to the front.
"Thank you," she said, "All I'm missing tonight is my dear husband,
Mike. He would have been bursting his buttons over this."
*Jonathan Sherman presented the Steelback Brewery business person of
the year award to Margriet Van Erp of SeeView Gallery in downtown
Kincardine. Originally from Toronto, Van Erp and her husband now
call Kincardine home. She opened an art gallery in 2003 and then her
business acumen kicked in and she decided to set up a studio in the
south end of the building and rent out the north end. As chairperson
of the Kincardine BIA, she said it's an uphill battle for the arts
and small retail establishments. Her goal is to have the businesses
on the main street work together through a pro-vitalization plan for
the downtown, highlighting heritage, culture and the arts. Already
under way are the aspects of business retention and expansion, and
beautification.
*Mel McGuigan presented the Sobeys business of the year award to
Jonathan Sherman, owner and chief executive officer of Steelback
Brewery Inc. "This business closed about a year-and-a-half ago,"
said McGuigan. "Now it's open again under the good management of
Jonathan Sherman and Ian McDonald, and sales are through the roof.
The Kincardine Beer Store sells more Steelback product than any
other beer. They have the local support and they are a great
corporate citizen."
Sherman proudly accepted the award on behalf of the highly-qualified
team at Steelback. "That's what we need to be a success: the right
people, a good product, and the support of the local community."
*The Meridian lifetime achievement award went to Mel McGuigan of the
chamber of commerce who has now retired from the organization. "I
certainly appreciate this award," he said. "Thanks for the honour. I
have reluctantly had to resign, but I enjoyed my time on the chamber
of commerce."
*Michelle Lamont presented the Enbridge quality of life award to
Laura Trepanier, race director of the Kincardine Women's Triathlon
and representing the Kincardine Triathlon Club. "It is an honour and
a privilege to accept this award," said Trepanier, "but it takes a
whole community to put the triathlon together and we have a lot of
great volunteers." The triathlon is held annually in July, with
proceeds going to the March of Dimes.
*Marie Wilson presented the Nuclear Waste Management Organization
award of merit to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 183, Kincardine,
accepted by president Gord Wilkinson. "The Legion is well-known for
organizing the Remembrance Day services and the poppy campaign every
year," said Wilson. "It also supports the Air Cadets in Kincardine,
and encourages youth to submit poetry, posters and essays for the
Remembrance Day contest. And it is involved in the community through
its charity fund, supporting about 20 different groups, including
the Women House Serving Bruce and Grey, the hospital foundation,
Kincardine Scouting, minor sports, and the Alzheimer Society."
"We couldn't do all that we do without the support of the local
businesses," said Wilkinson, and he urged everyone to go to the
Legion Hall and see the renovations that are now complete.
Chamber office manager Jackie Pawlikowski presented a special
recognition award to Jorie Elliott, an 11-year-old resident of
Huron-Kinloss who has been working with the Municipality of
Kincardine to save the turtles along Bruce Avenue. This has resulted
in turtle crossing signs in the area to make it safer for the
animals. Jorie also participates in a turtle tracking program
through the Toronto Zoo. "It proves that small things we do can make
a difference," said Pawlikowski.
_celebrates_with_awards_Kincardine's_citizen_of_the_year_Shirley_Burnham[1].jpg)
Deputy mayor Laura Haight (L) celebrates with
awards Kincardine's citizen of the year Shirley Burnham
(next column)
23/03/2009 07:21 PM
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2008 Kincardine Reunion committee, Tony Doherty
(L), Laura Haight, Sandra Reid, Don Jones of OPG, Carol Blake and Marie
Wilson
_of_Bruce_Power_presents_the_citizen_of_the_year_award_to_Shirley_Burnham[1].jpg)
Dwight Willett (L) of Bruce Power presents the
citizen of the year award to Shirley Burnham
Janice McKean of The Ark Bed-and-Breakfast
_presents_the_business_person_of_the_year_award_to_Margriet_Van_Erp_of_SeeView_Gallery[1].jpg)
Jonathan Sherman (L) presents the business person
of the year award to Margriet Van Erp of SeeView Gallery
Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer presents new
business of the year award to Nancy Alexander, Tim Alexander and Donna
Hendry of The King's Pearl
_presents_the_award_of_merit_to_Gord_Wilkinson,_president_of_the_Kincardine_Legion-1[1].jpg)
Marie Wilson (L) presents the award of merit to
Gord Wilkinson, president of the Kincardine Legion-1
_presents_the_lifetime_achievement_award_to_Mel_McGuigan[1].jpg)
Marie Wilson (R) presents the lifetime achievement
award to Mel McGuigan
_presents_the_quality_of_life_award_to_Laura_Trepanier_of_the_Kincardine_Women's_Triathlon_and_the_Triathlon_Club[1].jpg)
Michelle Lamont (L) presents the quality of life
award to Laura Trepanier of the Kincardine Women's Triathlon and the
Triathlon Club
_poses_with_her_grandson,_Luke_Zettel,_15,_of_Bowmanville[1].jpg)
Shirley Burnham (R) poses with her grandson, Luke
Zettel, 15, of Bowmanville
Brian Minty presents customer service award to
Corabelle Danahy and Terri Hodgins of Corabelle's
_presents_young_entrepreneur_of_the_year_award_to_Chris_Showalter_of_Tramonto_Pasta_Tapas_Vino[1].jpg)
Adam Kraemer (L) presents young entrepreneur of the
year award to Chris Showalter of Tramonto Pasta Tapas Vino
_and_MPP_Carol_Mitchell_(R)_present_a_special_chamber_of_commerce_recognition_award_to_Jorie_Elliott[1].jpg)
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb (L) and MPP Carol Mitchell
(R) present a special chamber of commerce recognition award to Jorie
Elliott
_and_MPP_Carol_Mitchell_(R)_present_the_business_of_the_year_award_to_Jonathan_Sherman_of_Steelback_Brewery[1].jpg)
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb (L) and MPP Carol Mitchell
(R) present the business of the year award to Jonathan Sherman of
Steelback Brewery
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