The nominations are in, and the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is ready to honour the stars of our community.
The annual Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards for 2012 will be presented Saturday, Feb. 23 at Aggie Hall in a ceremony co-sponsored by the Ladysmith and District Credit Union.
Tickets for the evening are $20 and are available now at the Chamber of Commerce office
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and there will be a light dinner of chili, salad and buns from Ricky’s All Day Grill, followed by dessert, coffee and tea from 49th Café.
There will be a cash bar hosted by the Ladysmith Kinsmen and live music from the Moonshine Mollys, a country trio who are from the Cedar area. The Moonshine Mollys are made up of Cassandra Smith, Denise Gray and Mitra Kostamo. They have been singing together since last spring, and they are working on an album that they plan to release this spring.
Jack Tieleman will emcee the awards ceremony.
The theme for the event this year is Our Shining Stars in Ladysmith, and Aggie Hall will be decorated in purple and lime green.
“It’s all about the people,” said Rhonda Shirley, vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce. “Nominations came in from those who have been affected by the kindness and good service of people or businesses in our community. This is how we find out about different people in town. It will be a great night to see all those people who make Ladysmith a great place to live — they really go above and beyond.”
The Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards, which are sponsored by the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, recognize achievement and leadership by individuals and organizations for making an impact in and around Ladysmith.
“We’re really happy,” said Shirley. “Some of the nominations were late coming in, but we did get some for every category. I’m just excited — there are so many talented people in Ladysmith. Although we only have one award per category, all the nominees are equally important and shine equally. It’s just great that we have so many good people, businesses and volunteers in this community.”
The Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards ceremony will feature a fundraising raffle draw, and the prize is an Experience Ladysmith basket full of gift certificates and products donated by local businesses and individuals.
A limited number of raffle tickets will be sold during the event, and the Chamber of Commerce is currently looking for donations to help fill the basket.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the Experience Ladysmith basket is asked to contact the Chamber of Commerce at 250-245-2112 or at 411B First Ave.
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The Nominees for the 2012 Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards
Youth of the Year (sponsored by Vancouver Island InsuranceCentre)
• Ben Peters
• Cameron Manns
Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Jill Dashwood — Coast Realty)
• Kathy Holmes
• Susan Carthy
• Cleve and Luisa Shillingford
• Jacquie Stewart
• Jack and Cora Maier
• Doug and Peggy Kolosoff
• Ed Polachek
Service Employee of the Year — one to five employees (sponsored by The Chronicle)
• Paul Hamlyn (Bouma Meats)
Service Employee of the Year — six to 20 employees (sponsored by Western Forest Products)
• Colleen Wheeler (The Chronicle)
Service Employee of the Year — 21 or more employees (sponsored by the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce)
• Sandy Norlie (Pharmasave)
• Natalie Short (49th Parallel Grocery)
• Graham Tanna (JB’s Ladysmith Auto Supply Ltd.)
Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year (sponsored by 49th Parallel Grocery)
• Mid-Isle Soccer Club
• Rotary Club of Ladysmith
• Ladysmith Family and Friends
• Ladysmith Festival of Lights
• Ladysmith Maritime Society
• Arts Council of Ladysmith
• Kiwi Cove Community Garden
Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Rotary Club of Ladysmith)
• Nancy Howitt (Nancy’s Fashion and Furnishings)
• Janice Peter (Ladysmith Health Food Store and Step This Way)
•Rick Morencie (Red’s Emporium)
Business of the Year — one to five employees (sponsored by Bastion Law Group)
• Uforik Computers
• Shar Kare Feed
• E&S Heating
• Bouma Meats
Business of the Year — six to 20 employees (sponsored by Take 5 Publications)
• In the Beantime Café
• Ladysmith Heating and Plumbing
Business of the Year — 21 or more employees (sponsored by Robson O’Connor)
• Ricky’s All Day Grill