This weekend, community and celebration will go hand in hand, as the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce hosts the Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards.
The awards will be presented this Saturday night (Feb. 11) at Aggie Hall during a festive evening of presentations, appetizers and dancing.
Eight awards will be presented to businesses or individuals who have been nominated by their peers. The awards recognize achievement and leadership in Ladysmith.
“It’s amazing how many nominations are in,” says Chamber of Commerce vice-president Rhonda Shirley. “These were the ones nominated, and from them, it will be the chosen eight, but really, it takes a town of many workers and volunteers to make things happen, and we just hope everyone knows it’s appreciated.”
This year’s nominees are:
• Business of the Year (one to 10 employees)
The 49th Café
Community Link Connexions Inc.
GNB Builders Inc.
Little Rascals Pets and Supplies
• Business of the Year (11 or more employees)
Pharmasave Ladysmith
Western Forest Products
• Entrepreneur of the Year
Nikki MacCallum of Nikki Design
Peter Richmond of 49th Parallel Grocery
Steve Wilkinson of Pharmasave Ladysmith
• Service Employee of the Year (one to 10 employees)
Inga Anderson
Coleen Andreychuk-Burke
Jill Collins
Danielle Eastick
Margie Forester
Sandra Hendricks
Heidi Kulhawy
Jacquie Neligan
Cheryl Onciul
Lesley Parent
Colin Pickell
Monica Stieda
Marti Westergaard
• Service Employee of the Year (11 or more employees)
Colleen Gaudreault
• Non-For-Profit of the Year
Kinsmen Club of Ladysmith
Ladysmith and District Historical Society
Ladysmith Family and Friends
• Volunteer of the Year
Audrey Ballegeer
Hilary Bell
Nita Grant
Jim Masyk
Isabelle Ouelette
Duck Paterson
Ed and Marie Polachek
Rod Saunders
Carol Sparham
David Walbank
Volunteers at Ladysmith Family and Friends
• Youth of the Year
Annika Bouma
Noah Hendricks
Katrina Stirling
Brendan Wilkinson
Ultimately, the evening is all about celebrating Ladysmith.
“Overall, we love Ladysmith because it is just such a great community of volunteers and workers and businesses, and it’s just amazing to see everybody come together,” said Shirley. “We want everyone to come out and have a good time.”
This year’s award night is a bit different than past events, which were more formal dinners. The Chamber of Commerce is hoping the tickets are more affordable for the community this year so that more people can be part of the celebrations.
Tickets are only $15, and they are available at the Chamber of Commerce office at 411B First Ave. and by calling 250-245-2112.
The Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards begin at 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
There will be appetizers from Printingdun Beanery, Ricky’s and 49th Parallel and treats from Old Town Bakery, and the awards presentations will be followed by dancing with local DJ Ted Puska.
The evening will also feature a raffle for a diamond pendant from Grant’s Jewellers.