10 PONOKA NEWS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015
Ponoka Chamber celebrates businesses with Oscar Night BY JORDIE DWYER PONOKA NEWS Some walked away with an award, while others were simply glad to be nominated. That was just how things went on Friday night, Oct. 23, at the 2015 Ponoka Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala held at the Kinsmen Community Centre. This year’s theme was “A Night at the Oscars”, which wasn’t at all like the Hollywood event with short speeches, great timing and a master of ceremonies that wasn’t completely long winded. A sold-out crowd not only got to witness the presentation of the eight business awards, but enjoyed an excellent roast beef dinner, beverages along with a dance at the annual event that also acts as fundraiser for the chamber. On the awards front, the Small Business of the Year went to Rip ‘N Ronnies Fitness while Strand Media took home the Medium Business of the Year and the Large Business of the Year saw Legacy Ford drive away with the honour. “It’s a bit overwhelming,” said Sheldon Ronnie, after him and his wife Jenny won. “We’ve had some big year of changes, so it’s nice to be recognized for that work.” Brent Evans, one of the partners in Strand Media, was also somewhat surprised at being called to the stage.
(L-R) Ponoka County councillor Mark Matejka presents Rick Cline from Cervus Equipment with the Agricultural Business of the Year alongside Chamber president Jim Hamilton at the Ponoka Chamber of Commerce Business Awards gala on Friday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Presenter Greg Braat of Battle River Insurance (left) stands alongside Medium Business of the Year winner Brent Evans of Strand Media (centre) with Chamber president Jim Hamilton at the Ponoka Chamber of Commerce Business awards gala on Friday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
“There are a lot of other very good businesses out there,” he stated, “so I was kind of caught off-guard when they called our name.” Cervus Equipment, another business that has seen significant change this past year having moved into a new facility that is nearly three times the size of their former building, won the Agricultural Business of the Year award. Rick Cline said he really appreciated the fact that other businesses had voted for them and that this victory definitely had to go to the great group of people that work for him. Town & Country Supplies won the award as Industrial Business of the Year while the Non-Profit Business of the Year was presented to the Ponoka Youth Centre. Businesses weren’t the only ones that took home some accolades as the chamber named Jamil Rawji from Ponoka Professional Pharmacy as their Business Person of the Year and Colleen White of Hammy’s Spirits as the Service Person of the Year. “I was a bit shocked, but honoured,” said White, who really didn’t know quite what to say after winning. “I always treat everyone the same, smile at everybody, tell them to have a nice day, but anyone who knows me will say that I’m like that all of the time, so I was kind of shocked to win.”
She gratefully remembered that it was Jim Hamilton’s son, late Tom Hamilton, who had first interviewed her for a position at Hamilton’s IGA before being transferred to Hammy’s Spirits. The fact that it was the public that voted for White to win had her a bit flabbergasted as well. “If you like your job and like the customers, it really shows through and I guess that’s what happened.” Chamber president Jim Hamilton was very happy with how the event turned out. “It was wonderful to see it sold out and the entire committee did a great job in getting things ready,” he said. “This event shows just the support we get from the community and reminds people about all that we have here in Ponoka. We, as a Chamber, also have some important work to get done, but this event demonstrates that there is no better place to be than Ponoka.” The others that were also nominated for various awards included Bob Ronnie Catering, Servus Credit Union, Darcy’s Drilling Service, Twisted Label, Alberta Flares Energy Services, Gemini Corp., McCFeeds, Ponoka Fertilizer, Kinsmen Club, Royal Canadian Legion, Greg Braat of Battle River Insurance, Bruce Clarke of Strand Media, Nathan Fleming from Town & Country Supplies and Jeff Heyden-Kaye of the Ponoka News.
(L-R) Legacy Ford staff Kelly Perras, Julie Robson, Trevor Feragen, Pat Boardman, Darcy Cunnington and Al Raugust accept the Large Business of the Year award from Chamber president Jim Hamilton (back) and presenter Roy Scabar, ATB manager, at the Ponoka Chamber of Commerce Business Awards gala on Friday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
(L-R) Ponoka Youth Centre representatives Grant Jorgenson, Jesse Vaudry, Doris Reich, Sue Whitecotton, Paige Brose, Tony Rausch alongside Chamber president Jim Hamilton and presenter Mayor Rick Bonnett as well as youth centre executive director Beth Reitz receive the Non-Profit Business of the Year award at the Ponoka Chamber of Commerce Business Awards gala on Friday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jordie Dwyer