Chamber members elect board, eat and enjoy

Andy Leitch of Canaccord Capital will lead the Chamber’s volunteer Board of Directors for the coming year, ably assisted by:

* Gary Thulin, First Vice President, Pioneer Home Hardware

* Cyriel DeBruyne, 2nd Vice President, Quality Foods

* Diane Rogers, Secretary/Treasurer, Total Concept Management and Realty

* Colin Buss, Director, Sonora Forestry

* Tom Conlon, Director, Marine Harvest Canada

* Ed Falstrem, Director, Periscope Promotions

* Tanya Hofer, Director, Stonehouse Teas

* Dave Keiver, Director, NVI Mining

* Colleen McClure, Director, Oceanside Dental Spa and

* Heidi Peterson, Director, Chameleon Creative and Web Design

The board was elected at the Chamber’s 78th AGM November 26 held at the Carriage Room of the Royal Coachman.

Thanks to Past President Kim Vokey, Campbell River Hospice, and Director Linda Krug from Discovery Hot Tubs for their service to the board.

And the evening had its share of fun. The Wall of Wine, an exciting variety of both red and white wines from around the world donated by Chamber members was won Cyriel DeBruyne.  This was a really cool fundraiser, with ticket proceeds going to the Chamber. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Colleen Evans, Executive Director, highlighted the busy year the Chamber had and gave members the scoop on what to expect in 2010, including  a possible visit from BC Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell in January.

Steve  Watson from BC Hydro was the keynote speaker. He provided an overview of some of the projects they’re curerntly involved in Campbell River, including the upgrade to John Hart dam, which started in 2007. And did you know – 2/3 of the power generated on Vancouver Island comes from Campbell River?! I didn’t.

A shout out to pub staff for the great food. A personal highlight was the “prawn tree” and miniature beef dip.

Learn more about your Chamber at www.campbellriverchamber.ca or call 250-287-4636.

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Celebrate your country (and eat cake too)

My dad still calls our July 1 holiday Dominion Day. It doesn’t matter to him that Parliament changed the name in 1982 to Canada Day.  The first time he referred to July 1 as Dominion Day my niece looked at him blankly,  having been born the same year the former name went the way of the dodo. She hadn’t known it as anything other than Canada Day (she’s too young to remember Flashdance too, but that’s another story).

Regardless of what you call it, regardless of what you might think of the ongoing antics of our politicans, federal and otherwise, get out and have some fun on our country’s 142nd birthday. There’s no lack of actitivities to please everybody this year, many of them free. Here’s a sample:

* Always a huge favorite are the fireworks, brought to you by Quality Foods and simulcast on radio by 97.3 The Eagle. They start precisely at 10:22pm (please note that’s not 10:20pm, nor is it 10:25pm) and are visible from Discovery Pier, the foreshore, and possibly even Willow Point, although I confess to not knowing this for sure. It’s a semi-educated guess.

*  The Tidemark’s Children’s Festival from 10am to 4pm at the Community Centre. Scope out details at www.tidemarktheatre.com. It’s free and features activities both outside and inside (in the unlikely event of rain).

* And of course don’t forget the “Spirit of the River” Canada Day parade. Bring your camera and be ready for the 4:00pm start as the floats, bands, and community organizations make their way along Shoppers Row and finish at Discovery Pier. Bring an umbrella if you don’t want to risk being hosed by the fire department.

* Not everything is happening in the downtown area. There’s a Pancake Breaky at Frank James Park in Willow Point started at 7:00am and finishing at 10:30am. It’s sponsored by Quality Foods and hosted by the Campbell River Volunteer Firefighters. Cost is by donation. Proceeds go to the BC Firefighter’s Burn Fund.

* New this year are the Belt Sander Races at Home Hardware. Preregistration and details are available by calling them at 250-287-7147 or by dropping by the store at the corner of Dogwood and 13th Ave.

* If you can’t possibly wait until evening for Canada Day cake, get thee to C.R. Common at 2:00pm for their Cake Cutting (followed by Cake Eating). While you’re there, check out the various sidewalk sales.

* The Family Fair Market from 11am to 6pm will have face painting, food booths, and other Big Fun, including a Bouncerama (to be enjoyed only before eating, please. The volunteers thank you). See it all at the Foreshore and the Pier Street area. 

* Haven’t got your fill of cake yet? Head to Willow Point for noon where  Quality Foods will provide it and the Legion Pipers will entertain you. Brought to you by the Willow Point Business Improvement Association. 

Wondering where I’ll be on July 1? Refer to the Cake Schedule.

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Campbell River Chamber honours Business Awards Winners

The Campbell River Community Centre was the place to be last night, Saturday May 30, as a broad range of Chamber members, family, and friends gathered to learn the 2009 winners of the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Awards of Distinction.

Congratulations to these eight winners:

Microbusiness of the Year: Stonehouse Teas, Tanya Hofer Owner.

Other finalists in this category were Two Hills Ventures (Denise Mitchell-Hills Vice President), and Kim Jarvis’ Shadoe Intimates.  This was the first year for this category.

 The finalists for Small Business of the Year were the Campbell River Volunteer Society, ably coordinated by Louise Howes, Needle and Arts Centre, owned and manger by Inga Kettler, and Rehabilition in Motion, Tanya Yardley, CEO.

The award went to Rehabilitation in Motion for Small Business of the Year.  

Next up was Intermediate Business. Chan Nowosad Boates Chartered Accountants took this award for 2009.

Coast Realty Group, Janet Scotland Manager Broker, and Ketza Pacific Construction, with Wayne Schofield leading, were the other finalists. 

 Always a popular category, the finalists for Large Business were John Howard Society, Tanya Storr, Communications Director, Pioneer Home Hardware under the guidance of owner Gary Thulin, and Quality Foods.

The winner of Large Business? Cyriel DeBruyne, Manager, and the gang at Quality Foods.

A new category this year was Family Friendly Business of the Year. The three finalists were Chan, Nowasad Boates, London Drugs, and Rehabilitation in Motion.

It was a two-award evening for Rehabilition in Motion as they made their second trip to the official picture area, this time for Family Friendly Business of the Year.

The importance of  both Young Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders in Campbell River was recognized by the nine member judging panel with the introduction of these categories.

Crowne Pacific Homes owner Brett Giese, Candice Martel of Eden Street Salon, and LA Smith Productions owner Laurie Smith vied for this award.

The Young Entrepreneur Award was in fact brought home by Crowne Pacific Homes AND Eden Street Salon.

Three individuals competed for the title of Business Leader last night. They were Roy Grant, realtor and City Councillor, Doug Preston, the Executive Director of NIEFS and Gary Thulin of Pioneer Home Hardware.

There can only be one winner and for 2009, the first winner in this new category was Doug Preston.

Councillor Andy Adams and Chamber President Andy Leitch provided a highlight of the evening as the former pushed the latter through the crowd to show the snazzy office chair donated by Monk Office Supply. Bill Matthews once again worked his live auction magic, bringing in almost $200 for the chair and more than $150 for two gorgeous hanging baskets donated by Campbell River Garden Centre.

Appetizers, desserts, and hot beverages were provided by a variety of local businesses including The Royal Coachman, Starbucks, Cheesecake 101, and The Willows.

 Silent auction donors included The Mirror, Chameleon Creative, Marine Harvest Canada, Moxie’s Classic Grill, Sonora Forestry, Triumph Vocational Services, and Gina Forsyth (that’s me!).

 Thanks to the judging committee, awards committee, Chamber staff and board, volunteers, and of course emcees Ryan and Brianna from 97.3 The Eagle for a successful event.  See you next year.

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