Tammi Shoemaker and Gordon McTaggart were the big winners at the annual meeting of the Rainy River Future Development Corp. here last Wednesday.
Shoemaker captured the Women in Business Excellence Award for outstanding committent to business, family, and community.
Shoemaker, who owns Tammi’s Flowers, Cards and Gifts here, said winning the award was “unbelievable,” and knows she was up against a strong field of local businesswomen.
“So many businesswomen in this community have achieved success, maybe I’ve just been in business longer,” she reasoned. “There are so many women that are deserving.”
Meanwhile, Gord McTaggart walked away with the Acclamation for Outstanding Mentorship Award for his work with local businesses.
“I’m pleased to win because one of the stores I worked with over the last few years has been able to turn it around,” he said.
“I don’t want to take any credit for it. It’s the merchants themselves who do the work,” he stressed.
The pair, chosen by four non-biased members of the RRFDC, were awarded framed panoramic photographs by James Schwable of Chicago, which are on display in Tammi’s window on Scott Street.
In other news, the RRFDC elected John McTaggart, Janis Lesko, Bruce Holmlund, and Telford Advent to its board of directors.
“The biggest thing we’ve got to do is make people believe in themselves,” said Advent, a native of Stratton native.
Lesko also is looking ahead to the challenges of her new position. “I look forward to learning. I look forward to the growth of this district,” she said.
Former CBC broadcaster Lesley Hughes was guest speaker, and kept the crowd in stitches by teaching them “How to Laugh.”