Duane Hicks
District business large and small, as well as dedicated entrepreneurs and volunteers, were recognized for their efforts Saturday night at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s 13th-annual business awards, presented by Bell.
Canadian Tire was named Business of the Year (16+ employees).
“It’s an honour,” said Canadian Tire general manager Chris Pieczko, who accepted the plaque on behalf of dealer Paul Sunstrum.
“Canadian Tire is a great company to work for,” he remarked. “I’ve been with them for 17 years, and I’ve been here for six years now in Fort Frances since I transferred from Winnipeg.
“This is great town, a great community, I love being here, and this is a great honour to get this award,” Pieczko added. “Thank you very much.”
Pieczko said in a follow-up interview Monday that staff there were excited to find out about the award, which helps recognize their continuous efforts to improve customer service.
Meanwhile, M.L. Caron Electric won Business of the Year (1-15 employees). It was saluted for being a business that has grown over the past 10 years (most recently expanding to include Bud’s Electric Motors) which also is concerned with the continuing education of its employees.
“I am very grateful,” said Mark Caron, adding he, his wife, Lori, and his staff “hope to carry on and keep providing wonderful service to the community and Rainy River District.”
An honourable mention for Business of the Year (1-15 employees) was given to Dimit Bus Lines Ltd.
Ed Kaun & Sons Ltd. was named Small Business Trainer of the Year while Pat Clysdale-Cornell and Kim Cornell (Cornell Farms) were recognized collectively as Entrepreneur of the Year.
The latter award was accepted by Gordon and Jeannine Cornell since Pat, Kim, and their daughter, Rebecca, were in Manitoba to judge cattle at a Hereford show.
“I know they’d be very pleased to receive this,” said Gordon Cornell, adding they had “some very serious competition” among the other five nominees.
Deb Cornell of the Rainy River Elk Company was named Business Woman of the Year. Her parents also received it on her behalf as she was attending the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
Tompkins Hardware in Emo won the Customer Service Award (Business) while Debbie Hallikas of Domino’s took home the Customer Service Award (Individual).
“I’d like to congratulate all of the other nominees in this category. It’s quite an honour to receive the nomination,” said Hallikas, who, in fact, received a total of four nominations in this category as well as four for Employee of the Year.
Pharmacist Edwin Bruyere of the Fort Frances Clinic Dispensary was honoured as Employee of the Year on Saturday night.
“This isn’t just abut me. I have a lot of people around me who work very hard and do a very good job, and because they do, I am able to the things I am trained to do,” said Bruyere, who noted he came to the awards banquet not expecting to win anything.
He also credited Marietheres and Kim Metke, and the rest of the staff, for their support.
“For everyone I’ve mentioned, and the community at large because really that’s who I work for, I gladly accept this award for all of you. Thanks,” added Bruyere.
Being it was his 34th birthday on Saturday, the full house on hand at La Place Rendez-Vous also sang Bruyere a rousing “Happy Birthday.”
As well, 14-year-old Lyle Dolph earned the Tony Beyak Memorial Award for his extensive volunteer work in the community.
Despite his young age, Dolph already has volunteered in numerous ways, whether it was the Fort Frances Lions Club, “Meals on Wheels,” the Terry Fox Run, the annual community Christmas dinner, or “Polar Plunge.”
He also spends times playing the piano at Rainycrest and helping out with Bingo there, and teaching youngsters how to bowl at Plaza Lane.
Previously, Dolph was awarded “Volunteer of the Year” for the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and also received the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Junior Citizen of the Year Award.
Dolph couldn’t be at the awards gala Saturday night as he was busy volunteering at a Fort Frances Jr. Sabres game.
Mark Kowalchuk and Joyce Cunningham received an honourable mention for their work on the fundraising campaign for the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre.
The duo received certificates and thanked the community for their support. Kowalchuk said the fundraising total is now up to $829,000, with both also saying they still intend to put the library project out to tender in January so construction can start in April.
The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board was given the Accessibility Award and CAO Donna Dittaro was ecstatic as she took the stage to accept the plaque from Fort Frances Coun. Ken Perry.
“Of all the awards our organization could win, you have no idea how pleased I am,” said Dittaro, who noted her history with accessibility goes “way back” as she has three family members with mental disabilities.
“I was thrilled when we were nominated and I am really humbled to accept this,” she enthused.
“You have no idea how excited I am to win this,” Dittaro continued. “Myself and my board, we do this without even thinking about it. Why would we think people who have challenges, whether it’s physical, mental, intellectual, drug addiction, literacy, we don’t even give it a second thought—they are just like every one of us sitting at these tables.
“I am so thrilled to be up here, and I am really proud of my staff. Thank you—you guys are awesome.”
The local DSSAB received the award for the rebuild of their new offices to make them fully accessible, the ongoing renovation and repair of 400 social housing units, and, in general, for looking after the well-being of seniors, the handicapped, and mentally challenged.
An honourable mention was given to the local Canadian Mental Health Association’s “Stand Up for Mental Health” event.
As well, Family & Children’s Services was honoured with the Safety Award (Business or Individual) for its “Project Safe Hallowe’en” (this same program also was recognized last week in Winnipeg when the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition received the Safe Communities Canada Award of Excellence).
Betty-Anne MacKintosh, manager of community services and quality assurance for FACS, accepted the award along with Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition administrative co-ordinator Grace Silander, FACS board member Meghan Haehn, and Fort Frances OPP Cst. Anne McCoy.
“As agencies, we work really hard to keep children and families safe, and to be recognized at an event like this is a real honour,” said MacKintosh.
Finally, the James Paul Award was given to B93fm for its outstanding contribution and years of dedication to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce. The award is a rare honour that’s only been given out five times in the past, including to Kim Metke, Mel DeGagné, Abitibi-Consolidated, Tony Beyak, and Gord McBride.
“Over the years, this organization has been very generous with all aspects of the Chamber, having representation on the board of directors, dedicating their time to Chamber events and activities, sponsoring many of those same events,” cited Chamber president Christine Denby.
“They’ve also been extremely generous with prize donations for event after event,” she added. “This business consistently goes above and beyond to aid in the success of Chamber events, projects, and initiatives.
“It is an honour and a pleasure to have this business as a Chamber member.”
B93fm station manager Leo Melanson thanked the staff as he accepted the award from Denby.
The Fort Frances Board of Trade was formed by James Paul and incorporated under the Boards of Trade Act in 1909. The group came to be called the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce in 1928 and remains registered under that name today.
The Chamber ended up with 86 nominations listing 74 different nominees this year (some of the businesses and individuals were nominated for multiple awards or multiple times in one category).
Jackie Lampi-Hughes of Energy Fitness emceed the evening, which also featured a silent auction and entertainment by Fort Frances Little Theatre (Brian Hagarty, Joyce McCormick, Cathy Richards, Laurie Walsh and Naomi Woods).
Bell was the event sponsor and Doug Caul, regional manger of field services, shared a few words about Bell supporting the community.
