PORT McNEILL—The Clothes Inn was honoured with the Business of the Year Award and a pair of newcomers shared the New Business of the Year Award Friday as the Port McNeill and District Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Business Awards Gala at the Community Hall.
The event was almost more party than awards presentation, with a full catered dinner from the Northern Lights Restaurant and a concert by local blues-folk legend David Essig taking up the bulk of the evening.
By comparison, the presentation of the winners’ plaques went by briskly, particularly as four of the winners could not attend due to travel or illness.
“The main thing we wanted to do was recognize our Chamber members and make sure they all had a great evening,” said Cheryl Jorgenson, who organized the event with a crew of volunteers.
Other local businesses contributed, as well. Lyn Skrlac and Lynda Biggs of the Flower Shoppe donated orchid arrangements for each table, and the flowers were awarded to a dozen women in a draw held at the end of the evening.
Rona/Shoprite stepped up at the 11th hour to provide a decorative stage backdrop for Essig. The internationally renowned musician, who has recorded and performed for more than 40 years, recently relocated to Rough Bay on Malcolm Island.
Playing a mix of folk ballads and greasy blues, Essig showed he may have lost a few hair follicles over the years, but none of his fingerpicking virtuosity or slide skill with his preferred bottleneck — a 5/8-inch, deep-well socket.
2013 Port McNeill and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards winners:
Professional Merit Award
Roma Joseph, CIBC
Public Safety Award
Port McNeill Emergency Social Services
Customer Service Award
The Subway staff
Volunteer of the Year Award
Karen Watkins, the Happy Gang
New Business Award (tie)
Harbour Sushi
Sassy Shears
Senior of the Year Award
Helen Gurney
Green Award
Jenny Sorenson, Coastal Curbside Recycling
Chamber Spirit Award
David Mitchell
Business of the Year Award
The Clothes Inn