Photos provided by Emma Côté
Business of the Year (2008)
Iroquois Falls Home Hardware
Pictured: Lee Holmes (Home Hardware), Elizabeth King, President and Mayor Gilles Forget.
THE ENTERPRISE
By Emma Côté
Chamber dinner feeds local businesses
With colourful pictures by Judy Meisner on digital display inside the elegantly decorated Access Transit Hall, the stage was set for the Annual General Meeting. On Thursday, April 23 business owners, chamber members and the general public all sat down to dinner to spend the evening honouring the local businesses that help sustain the town.
Richard Charlebois was the MC for the evening, and he kept the jokes coming to keep the audience on their toes.
A special presentation was made to president of the chamber, Elizabeth King. She was given a gift of thanks on behalf of the members and the community for her hard work and dedication during her four years as president.
After a delicious dinner which was perfectly prepared and executed by Julie Bernier and her staff at Tradition Catering, the keynote speakers stepped up to the mic.
Denis Bérubé was there to represent North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation and Serge Alary spoke on behalf of Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
Both speakers gave an overview of the ways in which their companies are able to assist the community with various funding projects.
“Our youth are our future so we have to invest in them,” Bérubé said. “We have quite a few programs in place that can help our young entrepreneurs.”
Alary put forth some impressive numbers to depict how valuable his company is for the community.
“We’ve approved 400 million dollars in funding and created over 7,000 jobs,” Alary stated.
After the official funding and committee business was taken care of, awards were presented to three local businesses.
Abitibi Funeral Services was presented the Chamber of Commerce recogition award. They were chosen because of their incredible willingness to support the chamber and various events throughout town. Funeral Directors, Carrie Monroe and Colin Kennedy accepted the award and thanked everyone for their support in welcoming them to the community over two years ago.
The award for business contribution to the community went to Tim-Br Mart and was accepted by owners Simon and Liette Desrochers.Before presenting the award Elizabeth King had some kind words to share about the business.
“[The Tim-Br Mart] is constantly finding ways to provide first class services to the commuity.”
The final award of the evening was the business of the year award which was given, following some gushing praise, to Home Hardware. The public stated that the friendly staff and great service made them more than worthy of this recognition. Lee Holmes accepted the award humbly, while jokingly stating; “I wore my uniform to dinner because I was told that if I were to be seen in anything else, nobody would know who I am.”
The evening was wrapped up with the drawing of the fantastic donated prizes which lined the back table.
The evening played host to lots of laughs, some great prizes and lots of appreciation, showing true homage to what the Town of Iroquois Falls is all about.
Contribution to the Community Business Award (2008)
Iroquois Falls TIM-BR Mart
Pictured left to right: Simon & Liette Desrochers (TIM-BR Mart), Elizabeth King, President and Newman Matchim of Iroquois Falls Power Corp., sponsor of this award.
Elizabeth King, President, is thrilled to receive her thank you gift in appreciation for all her work for the past four years serving as president of the Iroquois Falls & District Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award
Abitibi Funeral Services
Awarded to a local business, merchant, group or individual who has been recognized by the community as a member in good standing and who supports our Chamber of Commerce (non-profit organization) with on-going events in the community.
The Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award (sponsored by North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation) was presented to Carrie Monroe and Colin Kennedy of Abitibi Funeral Services. Pictured left to right: Carrie Monroe, Colin Kennedy, Elizabeth King, President and Denis Bérubé of North Claybelt.
Also, a Big Thank You to:
Carol Fortier and Lola Brousseau who pulled the AGM together
and made it a great success!
Our Master of Ceremonies, Rick Charlebois
Julie Bernier and her team for the exceptional meal!
Way to go!! We truly appreciate all your hard work!
The Iroquois Falls & District Chamber of Commerce
wish to thank and acknowledge the following sponsors for their support:
• AbitibiBowater Inc.
• Abitibi Eskimos Jr. A Hockey
• Abitibi Funeral Services
• Auberge MacDonald Guest House
• Claimpost Realty- Elizabeth King, Broker
• D & N Specialties
• The Enterprise Newspaper
• Grand & Toy
• Iroquois Falls Guardian Pharmacy
• Iroquois Falls Paperfest
• Iroquois Falls Power Corp.
• Iroquois Falls TIM-BR Mart
• Jesse Fortier
• Journey Within
• North Claybelt
• Royal Bank
• Sunset Bay Inn
• The Town of Iroquois Falls