Chemainus prepares to honour local citizens and members of its business community at the 10th annual Golden Brush Awards this weekend.
The Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce will host the awards ceremony Sat., Nov. 24 at the Chemainus Theatre.
Jeanne Ross, co-ordinator for the Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce, says the Golden Brush Awards are an acknowledgement of “business excellence” and of individuals’ contributions to the community. Award winners receive a plaque in recognition of their efforts, and the awards ceremony serves as a fundraiser for both the food bank and the town’s Visitor Information Centre, noted Ross.
This year’s awards ceremony will be hosted in the Chemainus Theatre’s Playbill Dining Room. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Ross said, allowing guests to network while they spend their first hour perusing the 200-plus items donated by Chemainus and Vancouver Island businesses up for grabs via a silent auction.
A gourmet buffet dinner will then be served.
Peter Matthews, president of the Chamber of Commerce, will emcee the awards ceremony that follows, and Cam Drew, a local businessman, will host a live auction to cap off the night.
The auction will serve as a fundraiser for the Chemainus Visitor Centre, Ross said, helping the centre to remain open five days a week during the winter months.
Ross described the awards ceremony and auction as “vastly entertaining” and added that “it’s a real experience” to see a Cam Drew auction.
“He’s fun,” Ross said, adding that Drew tells jokes and incites laughter while drawing audience members into the bidding process.
An additional 50/50 draw will take place at the ceremony, Ross added, with funds raised being directed towards the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank.
Barbara Bond is one of three finalists nominated this year for volunteer of the year.
Bond and her husband run a small jewelry gallery in Chemainus, and Bond volunteers some of her spare time at the visitor centre. She’s also a member of the town’s economic development board and a board member with both the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvement Area.
Bond said it’s “necessary for people to step up to the plate and do what they can for the community,” and she said she’s never shied away from doing just that.
Bond said there are other people more deserving of an award, but added that she’s flattered to have been nominated.
Bond said she plans to attend this year’s ceremony “as a volunteer, naturally,” and added that she’s volunteered her husband, too.
As of Friday afternoon, Ross said “75 to 80 per cent” of the tickets for this year’s ceremony had been sold.
Tickets for this year’s Golden Brush Awards ceremony and silent auction cost $50, including HST. Tickets are available at the Chemainus Visitor Centre or online at the Chemainus and District Chamber of Commerce website.
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The finalists for the Golden Brush Awards are (in alphabetical order within each category):
Retail Business of the Year
Chemainus Foods
Golden Hanger Consignment Boutique
Sandpiper Gardens and Glass
Food Service Business of the Year
Odika Café
Twisted Sisters Tearoom
Willow Street Café
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Degage Fashions
Seaward Kayaks
Vancouver Island Soap Factory
Personal Service Business of the Year
Doc the Barber
Flowering Tree Natural Spa
Leah’s Hair Shop
Urban Legends Hair Salon and Spa
Professional Service Business of the Year
Chemainus Animal Hospital
Coastal Community Credit Union
Chemainus Post Office
Trades or Contractor Business of the Year
Chris Clement Contracting
Maggie’s Domestic Service
Sandpiper Gardens and Glass (for the glass business)
Good Neighbour Award
Book Nook Coffee House
Chemainus Valley Courier
Pot of Gold Coffee Roasting Co.
Best Customer Service
Anita Voisin, Chemainus Eye Care
Marina, Odika Cafe
Marlie Kelsey, Chemainus Visitor Centre
Phil & Michelle Mavis, Willow Street Café
Volunteer of the Year
Barbara Bond
Kathy Wachs
Rodney Picard