The thrill of award season at the Gimli Chamber of Commerce kicked into high gear last week after the names of the nominees for a chamber Heart of Business Award (HOBA) were released.
The nominees includes businesses and entrepreneurs from different communities and regions in the east Interlake area such as Riverton, Arborg, the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton, Sandy Hook, Winnipeg Beach, Dunnottar and Gimli.
The upcoming 2nd annual awards event will recognize businesses and entrepreneurial excellence across a range of industries. The chamber and its president Samantha Hampton created the awards last year to shine a spotlight on the diversity of businesses operating in the east Interlake area.
Kahleigh Dubois, who runs the popular eatery Kahleigh’s Brew Barn in Riverton, is a first-time nominee for the chamber’s Tourism & Hospitality Excellence Award.
“I was honestly very shocked because I didn’t realize at first that the awards include the area beyond Gimli; I thought it was only for the Gimli area,” said Dubois. “It was very nice to be included.”
She said she doesn’t know who nominated her. She tried to find out from people she thought likely to have submitted her name, but they said it wasn’t them.
Getting the nod for the award is definitely “a good sign” as it shows her business is hitting all the right notes.
The family-run Bar Z Ranch in Arborg and its branch business Bar Z Beef was nominated for the chamber’s Agriculture & Fisheries Achievement Award, a new category the chamber introduced this year.
Co-owner Theresa Zuk said the family was surprised when they learned that Bar Z is in the running for an award.
“Being nominated for this award through the Gimli Chamber of Commerce was such a huge surprise to us and very much appreciated,” said Zuk. “It’s an honour to be listed with so many incredible local businesses, entrepreneurs and volunteers in this area of the Interlake. We also so appreciate the newly created category, the Agriculture & Fisheries Achievement Award, under which we were nominated.”
Zuk and her family are strong agriculture advocates, and she said it’s nice to see recognition given to producers who serve as a strong foundation for local communities and their economies.
“As we are proud cattle producer advocates in the ag industry, it’s so wonderful to see that this award has the ability to acknowledge all types of agriculture in this part of the Interlake,” said Zuk. “Ag has truly been the foundation of commerce, growth, education and employment in this region for many past generations – and for many more to come.”
The nominees are as follows:
Young Entrepreneur Award: Nikki Chapnick, Lakeside Law; Brittany Yahiro, Sandy Paw’s Grooming; Dayna Pull, Your Pull to Wellness; and Marshal Marks, Marshal Marks Fitness.
Tourism & Hospitality Excellence Award: Carlos Cucina; Beach Boy Restaurant; Whytewold Emporium; Interlake Brewing Co.; and Kahleigh’s Brew Barn.
Community Volunteer of the Year: Debbie Fakes; Peter and Susan Holfeuer; Romanna Klymkiw; Pat Nuspl; Pam Isfeld; and Susan Bauernhuber.
Leadership in Diversity & Inclusion: Spruce Sands RV Resort; and Prairie Gal Fishing.
Trades in Action Award (new this year): Ken Laurie; Silver Lining Stitchery; Innovative Electric; and BVC Electric.
Agriculture & Fisheries Achievement Award (new this year): Minerva Tree Farms Landscape and Nursery; Bruce’s Marine; and Bar-Z Beef.
After Hours Business Award: lan Prise, Prise Fishing; Sara Rodriguez, Pam Sutyla and Crystal Hjorleifson, Triple Bloom Catering; and Sarah Markwart, 15 Minutes of Fame Karaoke.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Lenore Chartrand, Heaven Scents Flowers & Gifts; Panagiotis Makiaris, Beach Boy Restaurant; Kim Kristofferson Magnusson, Johnson’s Fashion & Footwear; Chad Ermel, Flatland Coffee; Graeme Maclean, Interlake Brewing Co.; and Don Fletcher, Bond Invention House.
Chamber Champion Award: Express Weekly News; and Samantha Hampton.
Legacy of Impact Award: Adam Stringer; Westshore Community Foundation; M&J Auto Parts; and Corey Palsson.
Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Manitoba Animal Alliance; Interlake Counselling and Resource Centre; Gimli Art Club; and Evergreen Basic Needs.
Interlake Impact Award: Rayme Thomson; Brenna Philp; and Brittany Isfeld.
Tickets for the 2nd annual HOBA dinner and awards night are available through the chamber.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at 5 p.m. at the Lakeview Gimli Resort.
