PORT McNEILL — Progressive Diesel was named Business of the Year and Dynamic Massage earned Small Business of the Year honours to highlight the annual Port McNeill and District Chamber of Commerce 2011 awards gala Saturday at the Community Centre.
The event featured a dinner catered by Sportsman's Grill and accompanied by pianist Kate Pineda. Afterward, attendees were treated to the humour and homespun stylings of Generation Gap, a trio made up of local musicians Gordon Henschel, Ron Mollinga and Craig Murray.
Chris Sharpe and Jason Wachter accepted the Business of the Year plaque from chamber president Sharon Barratt on behalf of Progressive Diesel, capping off a list of category winners recognized throughout the evening.
In other business and group service catagories, the Public Safety Award was accepted by Aaron Frost for the Coast Guard Auxiliary; Terry Ruth Eissfeldt accepted the New Business Award on behalf of Gatehouse Theatre; and Julie York collected the Small Business Award for Dynamic Massage on behalf of her daughter, proprietor Nicole York.
Several individuals were also honoured in the event, which was emceed by Chuck Lok and included a historical presentation by Annie Leblanc.
Alyson Hagan-Johnson was named Senior of the Year; Debbie Anderson was selected Volunteer of the Year; Riley Bateman of Marketplace IGA was presented the Customer Service Excellence Award; Environmentalist Jackie Hildering, who presented a slideshow of her Marine Dectective photos early in the evening, was given the Green Award; Cheryl Jorgenson was honoured with the Chamber Spirit Award; and Ron Downey won the Professional Merit Award, which was accepted by his son, Mackenzie Downey.