The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for its annual Community Awards, which will be presented at a special gala event Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre.
Each year, the chamber honours individuals and businesses for their contributions to the community. This follows a nomination period, during which residents and visitors are encouraged to put forward names of those they consider to be deserving of recognition.
This year, a few of those people being honoured were nominated in more than one area. The nominees for this year's Qualicum Beach Community Awards are:
Business of the Year (Sponsored by Rodway & Perry): Qualicum Beach Inn, Thalassa, The Shady Rest.
Citizen of the Year (Sponsored by Qualicum Foods): David Golson, Mary Brioulette, Patrick Nicholson.
Community Builder of the Year (Sponsored by NR Insurance): Fire and Ice Festival, Kiwanis Qualicum Park Village Affordable Housing Project, St. Stephen's Lunch Program
Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by Society of Organized Services): Candy Ashbridge, Dave Field, Michelle Genereux.
New Business of the Year (Sponsored by Re/MAX Anchor Realty): Captivating Details, Oceanside Pizza Palace, Pedego.
Newsmaker of the Year (Sponsored by The NEWS): Anne Skipsey, Breaking ground at the Kiwanis Park Village, Opening of the Qualicum Beach Inn.
Outstanding Customer Service (Sponsored by Black and White Party Rentals): Dion Ishida from Oceanside Pizza Palace, Julie Chambers from The Gardens, Kerry Baker from Pharmasave.
Lifetime Achievement (Sponsored by Coastal Community Credit Union): Tom Pope of Mulberry Bush.
The speaker at the awards this year will be the Honorable A. Brian Peckford.
Peckford held several cabinet positions in the government of Newfoundland, including Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rural and Northern Development, Intergovernmental Affairs,and Mines and Energy.
In 1979, he was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and premier, being the youngest in more than 100 years at the age of 36.
He is best known for his government's ground-breaking Atlantic Accord, which brought significant offshore oil and gas activity, leading to the province becoming for the first time a 'have' province, only one of four in the country. Additionally, he has been recognized as one of the key players in the creation of the Constitution Act of 1982.
To reserve for dinner and the awards presentations, call 250-752-0960. Tickets are $40 each or $375 for a table of 10.
— NEWS Staff/Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce