Thank you to the community of Summerland for participating so fully in the nomination process for this year’s Business and Community Excellence Awards.
We have had almost 40 different businesses nominated, some in multiple categories.
The list is here. Please take the opportunity to congratulate these individuals and check out their websites to learn more about them. Our community thrives on local support so please also continue to purchase their products and services.
Here are the nominees in alphabetical order within their categories:
Business of the Year sponsored by The Summerland Credit Union: Bad Robot, Crossfit South Okanagan, Dirty Laundry Vineyard, Good Omens, Local Lounge and Grille, Okanagan Crush Pad, Summerland Builders Mart, Summerland Rental Centre.
Young Entrepreneur sponsored by Okanagan Crush Pad: Jamie Ohmenzetter, Good Omens; Erin Trainer, ET2 Media.
Trade Services Excellence sponsored by Brown Benefits: GPH Mechanical, SIS Exteriors, Streamline Mechanical, Valleywide Home Improvements.
Retail Excellence sponsored by the Summerland Review: Bad Robot, Bead Trails, Crossfit South Okanagan, Pharmasave, Summerland Rental Centre, Summerland School of Dance.
Professional Services Excellence sponsored by the Bottleneck Drive Winery Association: Bad Robot, Nurse Next Door, Source Graphics, Sunoka Veterinary Clinic, Tones Hair Design.
Rising Star/New Business sponsored by RBC Royal Bank: Beauty and the Brit, Cherry Tree Quilts, Frostybot Marketing Corp, Maple Roch/Roch Lobster, Mazza Innovation, Open Skies Media, Soulfull Project, Spokes Clinical Naturopathy,
Sustainability Leader sponsored by SummerGate Winery: Appleton Waste Services, Electromotion Energy, Grasslands Nursery.
Tourism/Hospitality Excellence sponsored by Sumac Ridge Estate Winery: Apples and Quails Bed and Breakfast, Bead Trails, Dirty Laundry Vineyard, Good Omens, Wagon Wheel Bistro.
Manufacturing/Industrial Excellence sponsored by Community Futures: Algorithm Millwork, Ceres Seed Oils, The Vinegar Works.
There is a group of very special individuals who it may be more difficult to look up online. For this reason, I want to share a little more about the seven local individuals whose dedication to the community has been recognized with a nomination in the category of Citizen/Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Nesters Market.
Formerly known as the Good Citizen Cup, this award has been given out in Summerland since 1938. Here are this year’s nominees:
Dale Belvedere: Dale began volunteering for the Summerland Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program in 2009 and has received various awards for meritorious service and leadership for her work in this capacity. She leads a team of 10 volunteers who say she has been outstanding in building awareness of the Red Cross in Summerland and garnering the support of other local agencies in the work of the Red Cross locally. Dale also volunteers for the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls where she serves on the Board, as well as various committees and is part of the team caring for sick and injured birds.
Erin Carlson: Erin is a local farmer who is active in the agricultural community. In 2013 she volunteered to organize workers to pick the apple crop when Joe Sardinha unexpectedly passed away. More recently, she has taken action to protect Summerland’s ALR land, creating an online campaign that has resulted in more Summerlanders learning about and taking action around this issue as well as coverage by Global News.
Irene Ferguson: Irene is an active local volunteer who has been instrumental in the annual Poppy Campaign. She volunteers in a variety of Legion activities and has been awarded a Lifetime Membership. Irene also tirelessly gives of her time to: support patients at the Eye Clinic, raise funds each year for the Kids of B.C. organization, work in the Summerland Thrift Shop and call Bingo at the Seniors Centre.
Miriyana Klassen: Miriyana makes a personal difference in the lives of her friends and neighbours and shows a genuine interest in the people she meets. She is an organizer and will tirelessly make arrangements for anything that will bring people together for fun and fellowship. She demonstrates continually her desire to contribute to the needs of the community as a whole and is very generous with her time, talents and finances.
Trevor Knowlton: Trevor is the President of Stop A Bully, a national charity and Canada-wide anti-bullying program. He is dedicated to eliminating bullying across Canada and has appeared in front of the Canadian senate for his bullying expertise. Trevor is also the recipient of the 2012 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
Terry Rolston: Terry is President of the Summerland Minor Hockey Association as well as a coach and has created a five-year plan to increase the participation of youth in hockey so they can learn the leadership skills that come via organized sports. Terry is also active as a coach and volunteer in the Summerland Baseball Association and is a very positive role model for local youth. Terry also serves as Treasurer for the Penticton and District Community Resources Society where he has been involved for seven years and is a Board member for the Keenan-Fly with Me Society. He is motivated by his love for young people and his love of sports.
Deborah Silk: Deborah is passionate about the success of Critteraid, a local charitable organization dedicated to the welfare of abandoned and rescued animals. She is actively involved in every aspect of the operations of Critteraid and is described as ‘a model for volunteerism, selflessness and dedication’.
Trent Slade: Trent is in his ninth year volunteering with Summerland Scouts. He has just finished his term as Group Commissioner and is currently one of the Beaver Leaders, Scout Leaders and the Venturer Advisor. He is described as an inspiring and passionate teacher, creating a love for the outdoors and an “I can do it” attitude from his youth as well as other leaders. He has received a number of scouting awards from the Governor General and Patron Scout of Canada.
The Mayor’s Award of Excellence continues to be an important acknowledgement of community leadership. This award will be given at the Mayor’s discretion at the Gala to an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to Summerland.
Awards will be given out to the winners at the 76th Annual Awards Gala on Feb. 22.
The gala will be held at the Summerland Waterfront Resort. Tickets are available from the chamber office.
Thank you for taking the time to nominate a business or volunteer who has made a difference in our community.
We always appreciate your feedback. Please contact me at manager@summerlandchamber.com or our chamber president, Arlene Fenrich, at president@summerlandchamber.com.
Christine Petkau is the Manager of the Summerland Chamber of Commerce.