The Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce honoured the community’s top citizens and businesses on Saturday night at the annual Community Achievement Awards Gala at the Governor’s Inn.
In total, eleven different awards for personal and business achievement were handed out.
The Citizen of the Year Award, sponsored by Bruce Power went to Shirley Burnham.
Burnham’s community involvement includes sitting on the boards of the KSAC Senior’s lobby group, the Paddy Walker House Heritage Centre, and Russell Meadows non-profit housing.
She’s also started the Widows Beyond Bereavement Group after her husband passed away, volunteers at the Bruce County Museum, and volunteers with a local service that does income tax for low-income earners and seniors.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization Award of Merit has gone to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 183 for it’s outstanding charitible contributions to the community.
Branch president Gord Wilkinson says any charitible organization in Kincardine or the surrounding area is eligible for support from the legion depending on available funds.
He says recent contributions include Scouting in Kincardine, along with helping veterans who are unable to get full government benefits.
Steelback Brewery is the Sobey’s Business of the Year.
CEO Jonathan Sherman says Steelback is a brand new company now that has risen from a troubled past and repositioned itself.
He says winning the award shows that other businesses in Kincardine now see Steelback as a valued part of the community.
The recipient of the Meridian Lifetime Achievement Award is Mel McGuigan, for his outstanding contributions to the activities of the Chamber of Commerce.
McGuigan says his recent activities include overseeing the annual Santa Claus Parade and assisting with a promotional poster campaign.
The 2008 Kincardine Old Boys and Girls Reunion Committee has received the OPG Environment Award.
The Enbridge Quality of Life Award goes to the Kincardine Triathlon Club and Women’s Triathlon.
Janice McKean is the recipient of the Canadian Tire Farm Business Award.
Chris Showalter of Tramonto Pasta Tapas Vino was presented with the Kinfarm Tire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Corabelles has received the Bruce Telecom Customer Service Award.
New Business of the Year is The King’s Pearl.