2015 Pincher Creek and District Chamber of Commerce Awards Night

Congratulations to the 2015 winners

T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

The Pincher Creek and District Chamber of Commerce held the 2015 Pincher Creek Awards of Excellence on Wednesday evening, October 21 at the Heritage Inn.  Over 150 people attended the dinner, with more joining later on in the evening to watch the awards.  This was the 20th anniversary of the awards.

Lieve Parisis and Bob Westrop

Bob Westrop acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. He kept up a lighthearted banter throughout the evening along with the more serious duties of presenting the roles the various businesses, organizations and individuals nominated play within the community.  On a more serious note Westrop encouraged everyone in the room to volunteer.

Mayor Don Anderberg

Westrop then brought MD of Pincher Creek Reeve Brian Hammond and Town of Pincher Creek Mayor Don Anderberg to the front to lead the room in a rousing rendition of "O Canada". They each took a few moments to address the crowd.  "It is always exciting to be nominated for an award," said Mayor Don Anderberg. "It's even more exciting to win. I feel the best part of the awards process is that the businesses and organizations that are nominated here are by their peers, and your customers. That has to be a special feeling to develop with the people you are dealing with." He thanked the Chamber for their hard work on their many projects throughout the year.

Reeve Brian Hammond

Reeve Brian Hammond represented the Municipal District of Pincher Creek and gave greetings from the council. "I believe we recognize the contribution of entrepreneurship and small businesses in our community.  Business activity and industry of many kinds is important to the well being of this community, providing employment opportunities, offering unique products and services, paying taxes, and supporting community activities with financial and in-kind contributions of all kinds. Which contribute to the quality of life of our residents." He talked about small business week in Alberta.  He quoted from a press release put out by Premier Rachel Notley:  "Small businesses comprise 95% of all businesses, and are responsible of 35% of all private sector employment in the province." He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event and remarked on the many events they host during the year.  "Commendations to the many businesses and  individuals that have been nominated for the various awards.  Being nominated in itself is a recognition, by your peers and other members in the community, that you played a particular role or provided a service in that business or organization that is outstanding."

ATB's Mark Barber

Mark Barber spoke on behalf of ATB. He addressed spoke of the five of the eight 'C's' he looks at as a banker when considering a loan. He said they were Character, Credit bureau, Cash flow, Conditions and Collateral.  Barber congratulated the nominees, encouraged people to shop locally, and expressed his delight in being involved with sponsoring the event.

AWARD NOMINEES AND WINNERS

Farm Family:  Kim, Nanette, Kelly, Dylan and Curt Turnbull

FARM FAMILY AWARD

Curt & Nanette Turnbull and family

Presented by: ATB Donna Schauerte

Large Business:  First Student

LARGE BUSINESS AWARD (15 or more employees)

Winner: First Student

Presented by: Shell Waterton Rod Wickenheiser

Other nominees:

The Associate Clinic

Boston Pizza

Small Business:  Marj Starke of Perfect Posies and Shannon Robin

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD (1 to 14 employees)

Winner: Perfect Posies Greenhouses

Presented by: Shootin' the Breeze Shannon Robin

Other nominees:

Ascent Dental / Dr. Steed

Sudsy’s Carwash

Harvest Coffee House

Ruffles Boutique

Cameron Services

Carol’s Sewing

Kristine & Friends Mobile Hair Salon

Krazy Kayak Rentals

Pincher Creek Credit Union

Environmental Stewardship: Joyce and Don Taylor

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD

Winner: Joyce and Don Taylor

Presented by:  RBC Sheri Kain

Jim Monteith and Marie Everts

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Awarded to: Marie Everts (Castle Mountain Resort)

Presented by: YPM Jim Monteith

Other nominees:

Kristine Beer (Kristine and Friends Mobile Hair Salon & Krazy Kayak Rental)

LaVonne Rideout (Pincher Creek Parent Link)

Madison Kristjanson (Heritage Inn – restaurant)

Chris Relox (Heritage Inn – restaurant)

Iris Reed (Outdoor Outlet)

Allan Kaupp (Co-op Meat)

Wendy Desjarlais (Credit Union)

Mark Johnson (Co-op Hardware)

Randy Spencer (Mountain Radio)

Tannis Johnson (Co-op Grocery Store – till)

Marie Everts (Castle Mountain Resort)

Melanie Gadon (Walmart Produce Manager)

SPIRIT OF PINCHER CREEK AWARD

Winner:  Windy Slopes Health Foundation

Presented by: Mayor Don Anderberg

Other nominees:

Sudsy’s Carwash

Pincher Creek Parent Link Center

Kristine Beer

Kelly Lepine

Paula Szaroz – CrossFit Pincher Creek

First Student

Mountain Radio's Jess Harrington and Courtney Potts

Michael Kleinhans-Kaupp (2014 file photo)

JUNIOR ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

Winner: Michael Kleinhans-Kaupp (Not present)

Presented by: Mountain Radio Jess Harrington and Courtney Potts

Other nominees: 

Sarah McClelland

Bradin McClelland

Katie Wadstein and Keeli Anderson

^ Chamber of Commerce Board Members Stephen Valcourt, B.J. Scott, Office Administer Lieve Parisis, Sharon Roberts, Kyla Bruns, Lynne Walker 

After the awards Shannon Robin addressed the crowd. "Tonight I would like to thank everyone who came, everyone who nominated someone, everyone who made the effort.  That makes everyone in this room a winner." She encouraging volunteerism in the community, at large and thanked the people on the Chamber of Commerce board.  "We deserve to have a strong Chamber of Commerce."

Miss Rodeo Canada contestant Chelsea Stokke

Junior Entrepreneur nominee Sarah McLelland