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Excellence Awards Gala Slideshow

As comments about last week’s Gala continue to come in, I can’t help but beam with satisfaction when I reflect on the evening’s events. Had you spoken with me or Angela during the last few days leading up to the big night, you might have sensed the frustration and the exhaustion that always sets in just prior to the culmination of such an undertaking.

When October 22 finally arrived, I don’t think there was a single defining moment when we realized that it was all worth it for us…. but many glorious moments.

To those of you who attended, were you not moved by Mayor Robert Small’s simple and logical approach to changing our town for the better? You gotta respect a leader who publicly announces that he’d love to hear our problems and concerns. Yikes! He’d love to hear our ideas for solutions too…..great idea, Mayor Small…..let’s all do it together!

What a wonderful feeling it was to lose myself in a good belly laugh and better still, watch the entire crowd’s wide, open mouthed smiles from the corner of the room. Evan Carter was a hit….yippee…how satisfying this was!

Most notable however was the heartfelt appreciation that came from the true stars of the event….the businesses that graciously accepted your nominations and agreed to have their everyday practices fall under such close scrutiny. Three community members would judge them…..and all the while, they knew that there could be only one winner for each category.

Congratulations to The Regent Bed & Breakfast for winning the Excellence in Customer Service Award! Thank you for every day that you remind your guests that Amherst is a destination, not just a stop over.

Thank you to PolyCello for your collective generosity toward the town you’ve chosen to conduct your business in. Congratulations for winning the Excellence in Community Service Award!

To Brad Hoeg’s Shine Depot Auto Detailing…thank you for sharing your appreciation of the people around you, who’ve helped you along the way. Clearly, all of the guests were touched by your candid comments. Congratulations for winning the Young Entrepreneur Award!

Thank you to the Amherst Wandlyn Inn for reminding us that there is always something we can do reduce our waste and shave our energy consumption. As well, the meal and dining room service was spectacular as always. Congratulations on winning the “Green” Award!

Bargain Bennies Ltd. Furniture and Appliances touched us all, didn’t they? How wonderful it is to be part of something that finally acknowledged this family owned business for working away….day after day….for twenty some years. To hear Charlie Rhindress thank us all for validating him and his family was truly heart warming. Thank you for your emotionally charged speech and congratulations on winning the overall excellence in business award…Business of the Year!

Choosing an outstanding member is an easy job for the board….because the outstanding member really stands out! We started this tradition right along with the awards and I doubt it will stop any time soon. It was so much fun to see the look on Cathy and Donna’s faces when they realized that Dave McNairn was talking about them. Congratulations, ladies. Fort B Flowers Gifts n Baskets is a truly deserving winner of the Chamber of Commerce, 2009 Outstanding Member Award!

Hollis Bartlett, thank you for your creative genius. To all the NSCC students: We couldn’t have done it without you….really. Great job! To Hicks, Lemoine, NSCC Cumberland Campus, CBDC, Tantramar Chev Buick GMC and PBS Waste Services….an extra special thank you for sponsoring the awards. This extra revenue is greatly appreciated.  Thank you to the businesses who donated all the prizes for the draws…this was a lot of fun.

Once again, we owe a debt of gratitude to our corporate sponsors: Thank you to Cumberland Business Development Corporation, Nova Scotia Economic Development, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, Business Development Bank of Canada, Cumberland and Regional Economic Development Association, Nova Scotia Community College Cumberland Campus, The Town of Amherst, The Amherst Daily News and CKDH Lite Rock 900.

Here’s your first reminder to start watching for those deserving businesses worthy of a nomination next year.

Best Regards to all. Somewhere along the way, I’ve been told that volunteers are happier people. I think I can speak for the entire board when I say…. I’d have to agree.

Debbie Allen
Committee Chair, Small Business Week