2018 Awards Gala Digital Program

21st Annual

Business
& Community
Excellence Awards

November 1st, 2018

The CBD Club

6pm – 10pm

Message from Our Chair

Karen Debergh

It is with great pleasure that
on behalf of the 2017/2018 Board of
Directors and the Business Excellence
Committee, that we welcome everyone to the
21st Annual Business and Community

Excellence Awards.

Tonight, is not only about the award recipients and nominees, but also about
the quality and commitment of business and volunteerism that exists within
our wonderful community. We have a strong history of coming together to
assist each other through good and bad times and it is only fitting that we

take the opportunity annually to recognize those outstanding members.

Preparing for this year’s event has been an exciting endeavour! Each year this
event grows, we see more exceptional qualities and nominees that are very
deserving of recognition. I am positive that it was not an easy job making a

selection.

Our judges were given the daunting task of reading all of the submissions
which included the many contributions and business commitments of the

nominees.

As you read through our program and watch this evening’s event unfold, I
am sure that you will also see the fine qualities of each nominee. Please take

the time to congratulate each of them.

On behalf of the Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce,
congratulations to each of our nominees and recipients of the 21st Annual
Business and Community Excellence Awards. Have an enjoyable evening!

Message from Councillor

Carmen McGregor

It is with honour and pride that I
congratulate all the nominees this evening.

It is this annual gala event under the
leadership of the Wallaceburg & District
Chamber of Commerce that allows each of us
the opportunity to recognise the hard work of our
businesses, community members and volunteers.

All nominees demonstrate leadership in our community and play a major part
in what makes this a wonderful place to live, work and raise our families.
This evening marks the 21st Annual Business and Community Excellence
Awards. Over the past years, we have had the opportunity to see many of

our friends and neighbours recognised. Some of the nominees that are being
honoured tonight have received the same recognition in the past, this is due
to all of their long-term commitments in Wallaceburg and the surrounding

area.

Excellence in Business and Community means something different to each of
us. It is a challenging job for the judges to determine the award recipients
based on a brief biography. There are no winners or losers, only committed

community members. The fact that someone in the community has taken the
time to nominate speaks louder of the quality of the community more than

the individual award.

I would also like to congratulate the Chamber’s Business Excellence
Committee for their hard work in keeping this an annual night of
recognition as a focal point of the high quality that exists in Wallaceburg and
area and a special thanks to the sponsors that have made it all possible!

With Thanks…

Special Thanks to the Judges &
Nominee Committee Members

Judges are asked to provide objective decisions based
upon the criteria and the information provided. Each

submission is assessed independently, and a score is
determined.

The work of the judges is not easy and it is with
appreciation that we thank this year’s panel!

The Business and Community Excellence Awards
Committee is the be congratulated for their dedication
and collective expertise in the preparation for this special

evening.

Evening

Program Schedule

Emcee: Jay Smith

Greetings from Dignitaries

• Agricultural Achievement Award
• Environmental Award

• Tribute to Tanya Houston & Carol Emery
• Business of the Year Award

• Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• Young Professional Award
• Technology Award

• Chip Gordon Community Builder Award
• Volunteer of the Year Award
• Community Inclusion Award
Silent Auction will close

• Citizen of the Year Award
• Wallaceburg BIA Award
• Chamber Choice Award
Karen Debergh – Closing Remarks

Program Sponsors

Aarkel Tool & Die
Subway

pASHion Salon and Spa
Wallaceburg Retirement Residence

Oaks Retirement Village
Canadian Tire

Russolo Therapy Centre
St. Clair College Employment Centre

Intrigue Hair Lounge
Kirsty The Travel Agent Next Door

Award Sponsors

Mares Insurance
CKSY

Community Living
Gateway Casino

Community Futures of Development Corporation of Chatham Kent
North Kent Mutual Insurance
Rotary Club of Wallaceburg
United Way
UCB
CKXS 99.1FM
Wallaceburg BIA
Rulmeca Canada

Silent Auction

Sponsors

Tom & Al's
Westbrooks
Glasses & Grapes
pASHion Salon and Spa
Wallaceburg Retirement Residence
Wallaceburg Wellness Centre
UCB Canada
The Clubhouse at Baldoon
Progressive Ford
Riverview Automobile
Canadian Tire
Countryview Golf Course
Duchene Paints
Goldcoast Fashions
Karyon Travel
The Stubby Goat
McDonalds

No Frills
DS Walker Jewellers

Pita Pit
Dover Duds
Sensations
Patterson Motors
Southside Fitness
New Vision
Dresden Bia
Southwest Credit Union
Tropical Tanning
Dresden Meat Packers
Shopper Drug Mart
Tim Hortons
McNaughton Family Dental
Wallaceburg Curling Club

Agricultural

Sponsored by Award

CRITERIA

❖ Business achievements demonstrate a relationship of cooperation and dependability
❖ Promotes business and service excellence

❖ Contributes to the development of new markets
❖ Environmentally responsible while enhancing community commitment with business growth

❖ Innovative and redefines the industry

AWARD NOMINEES

McBrayne Feed and Supply

In 1954 McBrayne Feed and Supply was born and began selling Shur Gain line of feeds and
fertilizers, and the new mill offered grinding, rolling and mixing to their list of services.

In 1960 a second warehouse was added, containing 1600 square feet of floor space and storage
space for more than 50 tons of feed.

In 1962, expanding business necessitated the need for a separate office building.

Shur Gain had a line of fertilizers. As more customers learned of the advantages gained through the
use of commercial fertilizer volumes increased until in 1963 a large fertilizer warehouse was built It
was capable of holding 400 tons of bagged fertilizer and 150 tons of bulk fertilizer. By the next
year a second warehouse was built and designed for the storage of bulk fertilizer with a total
storage capacity, now, of 900 tons.

In 1972 Hawken Milling Company was purchased by Gordon McBrayne as part of McBrayne
Feed and Supply Limited. The business in Wallaceburg continued to operate as Hawken Milling.
Later the business closed in Wallaceburg with customer service coming from McBrayne's in
Dresden. The Hawken Milling plant and buildings where demolished in 1987 closing a chapter of
history.

During the 80's McBrayne's customer base continued to grow and new shop facilities were built.

In 1994, a new pet food warehouse was built. As well, McBrayne's produces its own bird seed,
using a special blend of products. Pool Chemicals are also part of McBrayne's
product and service list.

In September of 1994 McBrayne's Feed and Supply celebrated their 40th Anniversary.

As is the case with all business change was inevitable and constant and there
was no exception for McBrayne's Feed and Supply. The management team at McBrayne's
remained alert to trends in product and service and responded accordingly.

In a blink of an eye ten years passed. Growth remained constant and focused. The customer base
was continually loyal and the McBrayne staff could always be depended to go the extra mile for
the customer. It was now 2004 and time for another celebration.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration at McBrayne Feed and Supply was indeed a glorious occasion.
With founder Gordon McBrayne on hand to relive the birth and growth of his company from
1954 to the half century mark in 2004.

Today, McBrayne's Feeds 'N' Needs has seen the torch of ownership and management passed to
the second generation of McBrayne's...Allen and Bill. The two brothers who have worked around
the business since their early teens

continue to honour the tradition of excellence always in customer service as well innovation and a
business strategy that will allow the company to prosper and grow towards the future.

Rulmeca Canada

Rulmeca Canada Limited is a world class OEM whose locally produced products are shipped to
markets around the world.

Since relocating our Canadian head office and manufacturing operations to Wallaceburg in 2010
we have worked hard to establish our community roots. Our mandate to hire/source locally, and
support organizations like the CCE and Community Living have helped to secure our place in the
community.

Outside of our work initiatives Rulmeca actively supports WAMBO, Santa Claus Parade, W.D.S.S
donations, partnership and coop opportunities, to name a few.

It is an honor to be recognized for our efforts in the community and be considered for the
“Agricultural/Industrial Award”.

Kim O’Neil

At the age of 17 Kim started working in the tire business. In 1993 opened own building
O’Neil Tire & Battery at 69 McNaughton Ave in Wallaceburg. The year Kim 2000 started to
redo barn with vintage items such as old farm tools, sickle’s , tools for model a car, model a
tractors (14 of his own), washing machines , old model butter churns. Friends started donating
to Kim all kinds of vintage items,60 pieces farm implements displayed around farm yard
Including antique pedal tractors and cars. One day a year friends come to display their antiques
such as firetrucks, tractors, pedal cars and tractors, homemade items, food donations are made
to salvation army.

Environmental

Sponsored by Award

CRITERIA

❖ Enhances or protects the environment while meeting commercial standards
❖ Better use of energy, water, minimizes waste through reduction and recycling

❖ Outcomes can include cost savings and increased operational efficiency
❖ Commitment by staff, innovation, evidence of benefits on environment and ability for future

development

AWARD NOMINEES

Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak Club

Leaders: Dawne Mudford & Marc Jacques

The Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak was first launched in May of 2003, having just celebrated 16
paddling seasons leading a 4-H Canoe & Kayak Club. More than 500 youth, ages 9 to 19, have
taken part in the program since its inception.

The Club features weekly paddles from May through September on local and area waterways,
celebrating the beautiful Sydenham River that flows through our town.

Canoes and kayaks, purchased through the generosity of many donors, are provided by the Club to
enable kids to enjoy the sport without having the expense of purchasing the equipment.

In addition to Club activities, the Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak Club makes the boats available to
the local high school (WDSS) for use in their Phys Ed program, and various other community
events.

We also offer advice to those who wish to invest in their own boats, including paddling lessons at no
charge, as well as providing information to many individuals and groups, local and those from out of
town that wish to paddle along the Wallaceburg Water Trails. Weekly paddles always involve river
clean-ups, retrieving anything that doesn’t belong in our waterways.

Environmental Aspects of the Club (Our Story):
There are few things in life that are more enjoyable than paddling a canoe
or kayak and being in tune with nature, enjoying the sights and sounds of
jumping fish, croaking frogs, and basking turtles. Imagine sitting quietly upon
the water to enjoy a doe and fawn along the shore, or a buck swim across in front
of you, or looking up into the limbs of a huge, old growth tree to spot a massive
nest occupied by a pair of bald eagles and their young. Great blue herons often act as tour
guides, showing off what nature has to offer. Without environmental protection, we would never be
able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the beauty that surrounds us.

But what would any of these things have to do with the Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak Club and the
“environment”? First and foremost, we do not burn fossil fuel while being at “one with nature”.
Outings are always an educational experience, and while the participants are clearly having fun, they
are also learning about the significance of keeping our waterways clean and clear of debris, picking
up and removing bottles, cans, balloons etc. Members enjoy the flora as well as the fauna, and learn
the importance of keeping nature in balance, and free of pollutants. And it’s an extremely important
task, protecting the 82 species of fish and 34 species of freshwater mussels, many of which are
endangered in our beloved Sydenham River. But thanks to the efforts of many, species such as the
bald eagle that we never saw 16 years ago, are relatively common sights. We are very proud to be a
part of this.

When it comes to protecting and improving our environment, education of our youth is key. We
can talk to them at length about saving our environment, but when we take them out and show
them what they are supposed to be preserving, it suddenly has an impact on them – forever!

The Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak Club has been educating enthusiastic youth for nearly two
decades, teaching paddling, safety and the importance of environmental protection, making the
world a better place for present and future generations – one paddle stroke at a time.

The Wallaceburg Canoe & Kayak Club is honoured to have been nominated for The Wallaceburg
Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Environmental Award.

Wallaceburg Area Wind Concerns

Advocating for people, landscapes and wildlife.

Wallaceburg Area Wind Concerns is a group of local residents who came together out of concern
for ourselves, our neighbours and our community. Boralex, a Power Producer had proposed to build
The Otter Creek Wind Farm project, featuring 12 Enercon E-141 turbines, along the northern edge

of Wallaceburg and our group was concerned about the significant impact it would have on
Wallaceburg and the surrounding area, especially in light of the water well issues that were already
apparent in our neighboring communities. If this project received approval to proceed, it would
change Wallaceburg’s rural community forever.

Several water wells in the area of the North Kent project had become clogged with sediments,
which the grassroots citizen group Water Wells First believed to be caused by vibrations during
construction and operation of the wind farm, stirring up the Kettle Point black shale in the aquifer.
Our group believed that with our similar geology in the Wallaceburg area, we would share the same
fate if the Otter Creek Wind Farm was constructed. We were concerned with the additional issues
of the significantly larger turbines proposed for Otter Creek including concerns with noise levels and
protection of flora and fauna. In order to deal with the next stages of this process, our group needed
to develop a separate identity to move forward with our unique concerns and our own proponent
and we formed Wallaceburg Area Wind Concerns (WAWC).

Our committee of eight people--Diana Cornelis, Mike deBakker, Dan Donkers, Diana Donkers,
Mary Rosseel, Denise Shephard, Earl Towell, and Violet Towell--were the original founding
members of WAWC. We reached out to our community in a well-attended information session at
the UAW hall in Wallaceburg in October 26th, 2017 and launched our provincial petition, public
awareness campaign and fund-raising initiative on behalf of the area. Many additional members of
our community became involved in our campaign at that time and have assisted in various capacities
from door to door information sharing to fund raising.

We joined three other citizen action groups, Dutton/Dunwich Opponents of Wind Turbines,
Concerned Citizens of North Stormont and Save the Nation concerned with wind turbine projects
in Ontario to file legal action against the Ontario government for not requiring the projects to
adhere to new government regulations regarding noise levels. A Notice of Application for Judicial
Review was filed January 25, 2018 by DDOWT in the Divisional Court in Toronto against the
MOECC. Despite the provincial government’s recognition that new noise regulations were
required, they were allowing power developers to utilized older less stringent guidelines and we
were challenging them in court.

In addition to this legal initiative, our group approached the Ministry’s local Source Water
Protection Committee to seek their assistance in protecting our wells and those in our surrounding
communities. Subsequently we presented information and received support from two local
municipal governments, both St. Clair Township and Chatham-Kent to support our request for
protection of water wells through the Source Protection Committee.

We have worked on an ongoing basis with our local member of provincial parliament, Monte
McNaughton who has been a strong opponent to the turbine projects. Prior to the change of
government, we have been very active in a letter-writing campaign advocating for the citizens of our
area and outlining the various concerns for the wind project in our area including: noise issues, water
well concerns, particular environmental issues and procedural concerns and lack of public
information sessions from the developers when plans for the project changed.

We feel that the actions of our group contributed to a greater awareness of the issues in our area and
to a delay in the approval of the Otter Creek Wind Farm. On Friday, July 13, 2018 the news that
hundreds of renewable energy projects across Ontario, including the Otter Creek Wind Farm, were
announced. The Otter Creek Wind Farm project was not in the best interests of the people in this
community and our group has reached its primary goal based on the concerns with the project
because of its possible impact on the local environment and local residents’ health.

Ck-Tree Care

CK Tree Care was founded on the love for trees. We have built and nurtured this professional
business on hard work, learning and integrity.
We enjoy inspiring those around us with our positive attitude and leadership. Our strengths are
safety, training, careful job setup and attention to detail to provide excellent services for our clients.
It is our belief that we can obtain complete customer satisfaction through competitive rates,
respecting the properties we are on and safe quality work.
CK Tree Care is continuously focused on keeping up to date with the Ontario Health and Safety
Act, the Arborist Safe Work Practices and industry standards. We are on a relentless pursuit to
provide training through government programs, apprenticeships and other arboriculture courses for
our employees.
Our goal is to continue to improve our business and community through learning, leadership and
giving. CK Tree Care is committed to reducing our carbon foot print, educating those around us
and being good stewards of our community.

Business of the
Year Award

Sponsored by

CRITERIA

❖ Honours small and large businesses
❖ Demonstrates innovation and unique concepts in product marketing
❖ Directly involved in the stability and improvement of the community
❖ Contributes to a community destination point for value, service and hospitality

AWARD NOMINEES

Tom & Al’s Furniture

Tom & Al’s has offered friendly personal service to Wallaceburg and area for over 50 years. They
credit their success to many loyal customers who have supported them since 1968. Their dedicated
staff will continue to supply the professional service these customers deserve.” Customer satisfaction
is the number one priority.” Says Tom & Al’s owners Jack Moore and Brian Shaw who have been
the staff for 50 years.
With a large selection of appliances and televisions, there are a lot of brands, makes and models to
choose from, LG Electronics, Whirlpool, GE, Maytag, Frigidaire, Panasonic to name a few with
impressive furniture selection, available in custom colours and fabrics, you’re sure to find what you
are looking for in any room of your home.
At Tom & Al’s Furniture, you will find many products for your home from accents, paintings,
bedroom sets, dining, electric fireplaces, gifts, lamps living room, mattresses, office and mattress
protectors and bedsheets. The Focus for a lot of the upholstery& furniture is on Canadian and
domestic North American made products.

A highlight of the customer service is the post -purchase experience. All delivery and set-up are free
with Tom & Al’s. The remove the old appliances and furniture that you’re replacing, they take all
the wrappings and packing with them when they leave. They believe in service after the sale. Stop
by for your appliance, television and furniture needs. They will treat you right.
www.tomandalsfurniture.com

Wallaceburg Retirement Residence

Wallaceburg Retirement Residence (formerly known as Sydenham Residence) was built in April
1990.

We offer Independent Living, Assisted Living, Assisted Living Plus, Respite & Convalescent Care.
Care & Services

• Home cooked meals & snacks
• Variety of activities & outings
• 3x/week VON exercises

Rooms & Suites
• Spacious private room with 3 pc bathroom
• Spacious semi-private room each have own 2 pc bathroom

Building Amenities
• Onsite hairdresser
• Bi-weekly foot care clinic
• House doctor
• Van for outings

Community Amenities
• Close to shopping
• Restaurants
• Senior Center
• Churches

The Stubby Goat

First of all, thank you for the nomination it is an honour. My name is Jason Debuck, I’m a Chef,
bartender and father from Wallaceburg.
I’m the owner/operator of The Stubby Goat. The Stubby Goat provides a local food and beverage
spot to Wallaceburg, so they can go out, share time with their families and have a place to make
memories over a nice meal.

I opened The Stubby Goat in 2016. My favorite part of having a restaurant business is because it
allows me to become involved directly with our local sporting associations and gives me a chance
help out kids in the community by sponsoring local teams and to being part of the solution.

Also, working closely with the people and community of Wallaceburg can be a lot of fun!
When I’m not working at the restaurant, I like to play baseball, hockey, and curling. I also love
spending time with my family, boating, and fishing.

I’ve been a Chef for 16 years, and I really love it. I hope to continue serving the people of
Wallaceburg for many years to come.
Thank you

Entrepreneur of
the Year Award

Sponsored by

CRITERIA

❖ Honours an individual who is self-employed or employed by a firm
❖ Demonstrates excellence in their field of expertise

❖ Makes a positive contribution to their profession and community

AWARD NOMINEES

Tyler & Bria Atkinson

In August 31, 2016 we incorporated our company and purchased the historical commercial property
in Dresden formerly known for the last 100 years as "Clark's Hardware". We purchased the property
from the third-generation owner Bill Clark who remembers when his grandfather was dealing coal
and building supplies when a railroad used to run directly in front of the store.
Before becoming entrepreneurs, we both worked in other professions, Tyler as a Journeyman
Ironworker, and Bria as a Program Manager at the VON and an occasional teacher for the LKDSB.
The work/life balance was a struggle and the driving force behind taking this step was to keep our
family closer together and to teach our children skills that will help them succeed in their own future
endeavors.
We purchased with the intention to create "The Crappie Store - Hunting & Fishing Outfitters", and
luckily for us due to the large size of the property we were able to also expand our hobby
beekeeping business as well. The Crappie Store is ideally located on Highway 21 along the
Sydenham River directly adjacent to the public boat launch in the heart of Dresden, Ontario.

We have live bait, tackle, guns & ammunition, and hunting supplies.

BLB Honey & Beekeeping Supplies is our sister store providing all things beekeeping from live bees
to equipment, to education and more! We are proud to offer the purest local honey and beeswax
products in Chatham-Kent.

Along with introducing the new businesses and offering these new products and services to our
community of Chatham-Kent, we are also working very hard to transform the property into a
tourist destination and hub of Dresden, hopefully attracting new people and business to all of our
fellow business owners in town. We have had an extremely busy summer down on the Sydenham
River with our Canoe/Kayak/SUP Board Rentals, and we are excited to introduce Sydenham
Fishing Charters/Nature Tours in the summer of 2019.

We have just completed our 2nd year and are in the very beginning of year 3. We are so proud to
have more than doubled in the 2nd year and we are constantly striving to improve our business and
serve our customers for many, many years to come!

Melissa Gaylard-Siddall

I was born and raised in Wallaceburg and am married to Jeremy Siddall whom is also my business
partner. We have 5 children between the two of us ranging in age from 5 to 17.

I have always had a strong passion for the hospitality industry, mainly staying in the kitchen which is
where my heart truly lies. I have always dreamed of working for myself but knowing what a tough
industry this is, I waited until I had enough experience in all areas of the business and until I was
completely ready to take the leap of faith.

I am happy when I can make my customers happy, we have had the business for 3 years now and
have expended in many areas, from frozen take home meals, to our own be hives to produce raw
honey to sell, growing sweet in the summer and growing pumpkins in the fall.

We do catering from Sarnia to Tilbury have a restaurant that is open 7 days a week from 8 till 3 and
have a reception room to host a great variety of event. My staff is very close in a family feeling
environment.
This helps us to be very personable to our customers and we get to know our regular customers on a

pDerasovnealMlevceCl ready Jr

After being laid off in late 2008, and searching for employment for many months, we were faced
with a difficult decision. Either we continued to look for employment, or we make our own. At the
time, Dave was spending a lot of time on his hobbies, and that was fishing and making his own soft
plastic fishing lures. Sleepless nights lead to countless hours of research and wondering if this could
turn into something. We had nothing to lose!

In April 2009 Anglers Choice became an official manufacturer and we sought out retailers. It started
off slowly, but we realized that there was a huge market and a real opportunity to make this
something big.

Then, in 2011, the opportunity to purchase Ed’s Bait from Jamie Rose came up. Being that both of
us grew up down the road and had been visiting the bait shop from the time we could walk, we
knew we had to do it. Ed’s Bait had been in business for over 60 years at that point, and it was
important to us (and to Jamie as well) that the business stay locally owned and operated. We
freshened the place up a bit but wanted to keep as much of the store as close to Jamie ran things as
possible.

We realized that the market for perch, walleye, and bass fishing was something our customers were
most interested in and have since strived to have the best and most up to date products for our
customers. While we took over the bait shop, we also made forward movements for the growth of
Anglers Choice. Since then our products have grown to include bass, walleye, and pan fish lines, in
several different shapes and sizes. Our retailers have also grown. We love having our products in
small local stores just like ours as we can relate to the passion and dedication to the industry. We also
have products available in big chain stores such as Canadian Tire, Sail, Tackle Warehouse, Field &
Stream, and, our latest contract, Gander Outdoors.

It’s not easy running a small business and a manufacturing company with just a husband and wife
team running the show. But, we feel that our love and dedication to the industry (as well as the
fisherman in our own community) carries us through to make things happen. Big changes are also
planned for the future and we hope to one day grow our production capabilities and hire employees
within the community.

Young
Professional Award

Sponsored by

CRITERIA

❖ 35 years of age or younger
❖ Is from, or resides in Wallaceburg
❖ Is well respected or has achieved something of note in their chosen field
❖ Is actively involved in promoting youth retention/young professional growth in the

community
❖ Engages in volunteer or community activities outside of the professional role

❖ Serves as a role model for other young professionals

AWARD NOMINEES

Rachelle Floin

Wallaceburg Native - Volunteer Committee Member, Wallaceburg Farmers' Market
Eastern Region Sales Manager - Overton Environmental Enterprises Inc.

Rachelle Floin is a Wallaceburg native who recently graduated from University of Guelph
Ridgetown campus, class of 2017, where she completed the Environmental Management Associate
Diploma, specializing in agriculture, ecology and conservation. Rachelle also has a general arts
degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, class of 2013, with majority of learning in Environmental
and Global Studies.

Rachelle grew up a proud Wallaceburger, and lived a very active life, playing competitive ladies
Sting hockey in Sarnia, for nearly a dozen years, and competitive Sting soccer in Wallaceburg for
over a decade. Rachelle has rural roots, growing up just on the outskirts of Wallaceburg. As a high
school student at WDSS, Rachelle achieved honours upon graduation and over her 4 years, worked
most of the time pumping your fuel at Sunoco (now Petro-Can), Ecarte Marina and casually worked
in the summer for her Uncle's, at SERKKA Farms. Rachelle has lived and worked in 2 major cities
in Canada, Kitchener-Waterloo, ON & Edmonton, AB.

Rachelle's first career in K/W & Edmonton, lasted over 4 years, with Public Outreach Canada,
where she provided face to face fundraising and non-profit monthly donation sales, for prestigious
non-political, non-religious charities such as Doctors Without Borders, Nature Conservancy of
Canada, OXFAM, Amnesty Intl. and many more. After some time, Rachelle found herself drawn
back home, to Wallaceburg and the surrounding area. Moving home in 2015 to further her
education at Ridgetown, Rachelle lived happily in downtown Wallaceburg with her partner of 5
years, Adam Warner.

At Ridgetown Campus, Rachelle held 4 volunteer positions, while earning 7 scholarship and bursary
awards over the 2 years, including The Chatham-Kent Community Scholarship, Progressive Waste
Solutions Inc. Scholarship, and the Francis & Anne Ouellette Scholarship, for academic proficiency.
Upon graduating last spring of 2017, Rachelle landed the job of a lifetime!

Rachelle is the Eastern Region Sales Manager, for Overton Environmental Enterprises Inc, a
manufacturing company with the vision to actively contribute to the development and establishment
of ecologically sustainable food production and increase environmentally responsible communities
and restoration of the environment. Rachelle has also played a major role in the startup and success
of the Wallaceburg Farmer's Market, going into its 3rd year, in 2019.

Rachelle's many accomplishments are not just the result of hard work and dedication, but of the
loving nature and nurture of family, as her success would not be possible without the support of her
wonderful parents, Rita & Steve Floin, sister Renee, and partner, Adam. Rachelle believes strongly
in the strength of rural communities and the resilience of places like Wallaceburg and its surrounding
areas.

Eleena Debakker

Eleena is 25 years old and was born and raised in Wallaceburg. She graduated from St. Clair College
with a business Diploma in 2014 and graduated from the Canadian Institute of Floral Design in
April, 2017. On January 1st 2018 she became the owner/operator of Westbrook’s Flower Shoppe
where she loves spending her days helping create floral designs for the community of Wallaceburg.

She is an avid believer that the community is only as strong as the people who live in it and feels that
her generation, really needs to step up in bringing Wallaceburg back to what it once was – a busy,
flourishing little town. That is why she always tries to push herself to make a difference in the
community. She is currently an acting board member of the Wallaceburg Business Improvement
Area (BIA); and loves to volunteer her time with many different organizations including the Dragon
Boat Races, Habitat for Humanity - Team Build and Catwalk for a Cure.

She loves this town – and can’t wait to see how she can keep giving back to it.

Lee O’Neil

I was born and raised in Wallaceburg starting in 1984. I graduated from WDSS in 2003. I received
an Honours B.A. and B.Ed from Western University. From there I worked at the Wallaceburg
Museum and helped create several exhibits, including a Community Memories On-Line exhibit on
the Wallaceburg Glass Factory. In addition, I also worked at the municipality of Chatham-Kent and
was the lead researcher for the initial Heritage Register update to protect significant buildings in the
community.

I am currently a grade 9-12 teacher at WDSS. I primarily teach English and History. I have been an
active participant within the school community. I started off helping out as a teenager when a group
of us co-founded the Tartan Alumni Fund. Several of us helped raise a significant amount of money
to give annual scholarships. We have been doing this for over a decade. I have coached dozens of
high school football and basketball teams. I also find myself getting involved as the Literacy Lead and
I am one of the teacher advisors for the Future Elders First Nations group. As a Literacy Lead we
have recently started a new initiative called SURF- Silent Uninterrupted Reading Fun. It is a
program that encourages everyone in the school to read for enjoyment at least once a week, at the
same time, as a school community. This role also has me prepare students for the annual OSSLT in
grade 10.

In the summer I manage a group of about 45 kids in a corn field. I work for a company entitled WR
out of Chatham. As a group of 15 buses we detassel more corn than any company in Ontario.
Usually 4500+ acres. I drive the bus and help kids ages 13+ learn how to detassel. I have been doing
this for about 10 years. We work in fields that span from Tilsonburg-Windsor, but do most of our
work locally.

I am a proud husband to Sandy O’Neil and the father of two wonderful young boys. Liam is 4 and
Lucas is 2. I have been coaching instructional soccer and baseball in Wallaceburg for Liam, and plan
on starting a new age division, 3-6 year old’s, for Basketball Wallaceburg this October.

Sponsored by Technology
Award

CRITERIA

❖ Integrates physical and online business
❖ Commitment to community

❖ Progressing in a direction above and beyond competitors
❖ Utilizes advancements in technology with positive results

AWARD NOMINEES

Wallaceburg Wellness Centre

In just over 5 years, the Wallaceburg Wellness Centre has grown from its modest beginning of 3
rooms and a handful of part-time practitioners, to a thriving collective of professionals offering
wellness, spa and fitness services.

Today, the centre has evolved into a health and wellness hub, where 13 full and part-time
practitioners offer a wide range of services to the community. Massage therapy, counselling,
aesthetics, osteopathy, energy work, yoga, fitness classes, personal training are among the services we
offer. Many of our Wellness providers travel to Wallaceburg from out of town to bring their
services.

Our presence on the Internet is one of the keys to our success. Our best digital tool is our online
booking service that allows providers to manage their service schedules from wherever they may be -
even if they are out of the country! Our clients know they can count on our amazing support staff,
digital marketing team, and online booking to make the trip to Wallaceburg something they will
continue to do year after year.

While many may not see the spa and fitness industry as “high tech,” our goal is to use technology to
make every step of our client’s self-care efficient and effortless. Digital marketing has become a
mainstay for most businesses and the Wallaceburg Wellness Centre is no exception. Our business
strives to integrate online strategies like a social media, a colourful and informative website,
automated emails, a digital inventory system, a purchasing reward system, as well as personalized
education videos sent via email to clients from our staff. This allows the Wellness Centre team to
manage the schedules of multiple practitioners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also allows our
practitioners more time for their customers, spending less downtime managing booking and
accounts.

Embracing digital business practices in our online world has allowed us to expand our services in
many different ways. As we look to the future we hope to continue to build our business, shaping
Wallaceburg Wellness Centre into being a destination that draws people to our town.

Your TV

On YourTV, you can watch everything from local sports and politics to current events, and the
latest celebrations. Our programs range from health care and educational issues to development
concerns, youth interests and local heroes. It’s about who we are and what makes our communities
so special. Community is at the heart of all we do. We are the company that is focused on you. It is
not just the programming we create that defines us - it is the connections we build. Whether it's
staying in touch with relevant information or bringing you exclusive access to local events, YourTV
makes it all possible.

Watch YourTV Chatham-Kent for Municipal Council coverage, Rotary Club of Chatham TV
Bingo, interviews with community representatives on Chatham-Kent Perspective, and coverage of
events like the Kiwanis Music Festival Grand Concert, the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame, and the
Wallaceburg and District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. YourTV Chatham-
Kent proudly sponsors CK Cougars Football, the United Way of Chatham-Kent, the Chatham-Kent
Relay For Life, and many other local organizations and events.
YourTV, an exclusive service provided to Cogeco television subscribers, is available in HD on
channel 700.

Authier Print & Promotional

First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for having us in the running for this
award.

Lynn and I purchased the Instant Print Shoppe Wallaceburg Ltd. Seven years ago. The company had
gone through some hardship as Wallaceburg’s economics hit a very tough road. The Instant Print
Shoppe has been in Wallaceburg since the mid 80’s. As Lynn and I added equipment and grew our
company and relied less on the Instant Print Shoppe in Chatham. We were asked to change our
name, and that is how we came to have our new name Authier Print & Promotional Ltd.

During these seven years we were able to grow and now offer more items then I can count. We
offer traditional print form business cards to cheques and everything in between. If it is printed on
paper, we can probably supply it. As well we make signs and lettering for vehicles, and store
windows. We have also partnered with a company and we can have silkscreened or embroidered
shirts made for you at very reasonable prices. We offer over 100 000 different promotional products
as well.

Authier Print & Promotional tries to be very community minded, and we try to help with as many
charities and fund raisers as possible in the Wallaceburg area, as well as helping to try to fill the food
banks.

During the last seven year we have seen Wallaceburg bounce back and, we have been happy to be
part of it working with many of the companies that have come to town and call Wallaceburg their
home.

Thank you for considering us for this great honour.

Chip Gordon

Community Builder

Sponsored by Award

CRITERIA

❖ Honours a business leader who has a pioneering business spirit
❖ A positive impact on neighbouring businesses and the well being of the community

❖ Contributes for the benefit of the community
❖ Recognition of contributions above and beyond professional business, activities of elected office

and service club mandates are considered

AWARD NOMINEES

Wallaceburg Ministerial

“The Wallaceburg and District Ministerial Association is a dedicated group of area pastors who meet
regularly to plan joint serves to serve the greater community, as well as cooperate with one another
in meeting the needs of the people they serve.

They do this through community meals, outreaches to single parents, support of youth programs,
partnership with the food banks and school breakfast programs, etc.

They also seek to be visible in supporting community events such as WAMBO and other
community church services during the seasons of Christmas and Easter. In short, they are a team that
loves to work together to promote our wonderful community!

Wambo

Created in April 1989, the Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing, WAMBO to most of us,
has grown from a single day event to a weekend party on the docks of the Sydenham River and
streets of Wallaceburg.

From classic and antique boats and cars to cardboard boat races activities abound for young and old.
Open air theatre on Friday night, fire truck displays and soap box racers add more to the list of things
to see. And we must not forget the entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and the refreshment
tent in the parking lot on James Street.

Old friends reunite and new friends are made on that second weekend of August when Wallaceburg,
its people and its merchants shine. There literally is something for everyone. Hard to imagine that it
all started with some friends thinking it might be fun to have a gathering of old boats and cars for a
day in downtown. The Board of Directors, Managers and Volunteers are honoured and humbled to
be nominated for this prestigious award; we are 30 years young with more to come!

Wallaceburg Arts Council

The Wallaceburg and District Council for the Arts has been in existence for nearly 35 years and has
established a reputation for hosting quality performers in a variety of genres.

The Mandate of our organization is to:

• Organize, promote, operate shows and workshops for local artists.
• Sponsor the appearance of provincial on-tour performers in Wallaceburg and the surrounding

area.
• Raise funds for the operations of the council and/or the event it will support and operate.
• Support in whatever way possible and appropriate local art and artists, as well as sponsoring,

organizing and promoting, clinics and workshops for the benefit and betterment of local
artists.
• The development and promotion and support of youth art and music programs.

Our goal is to provide Wallaceburg and the surrounding area with the type of cultural performances
that are usually only available at larger venues in larger cities. We work as a central hub for creating
new partnerships among individual artists, organizations, and businesses in our community. We try
to encourage artists both performing and visual artists to continue to develop their passion.
We respond to our community’s wishes and we are committed to helping our local musical industry.

For years the Wallaceburg and District Council for the Arts through it volunteers, its community
partners, its sponsors and its loyal audiences, has made a lasting impact on the musical infrastructure
in Wallaceburg and the surrounding area.

The Arts Council has initiated and sustained an annual outdoor concert series each summer,
providing quality entertainment with local artists and musicians, while offering the ten-week event
completely free of charge to the community.

The Council is also very proud to be a part of the reclamation of the Wallaceburg Concert Band, in
partnership with band conductor Dave Babbitt and the Lambton Kent District School Board.
Most recently, the council has assisted in forming a Ukulele work group that has grown much faster
than anticipated. The council has offered a community workshop to those inclined to play the
Ukulele, as well as several former workshops for local singer-songwriter, guitarists and more.

The Council continues to be dedicated to providing significant exposure for emerging artists and
increased recognition for some of Wallaceburg and area’s experienced artists. We contribute to the
economic, social and cultural growth of our community.

And we have fun doing it!!

Volunteer of the
Year AwardSponsored by

CRITERIA

❖ Honours a service club, individual or volunteer
❖ Actively works towards making our community a friendly, responsible and safer place

❖ Goes above and beyond the call of duty to support the community

AWARD NOMINEES

Eric and Sandra Johnston

Eric was born and raised in Ahmic Harbour, Ontario and moved to Wallaceburg in 1963. Sandra is a
lifelong resident of Wallaceburg. They met in 1964 and married in 1967. They have 2 children
Anthony and Susan, 3 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. Eric worked from 1963 to 1976 for
Broadbent Moving and in 1976, went to work for the Kent County Board of Education, working
until his retirement in 2009. Sandra worked for Union Gas and then opted to be a stay at home
mom, returning to work in 1979 for Dr. Sin Yan Too, retiring in 1991.
Eric and Sandra joined the Optimist Club of Wallaceburg in 1968 and are still members until this
day. They have always been very involved in the community, working at the Optimist Bingo every
Monday until all of the halls amalgamated and continuing to work Monday nights, but in different
halls throughout the years. They remain active in bingo at Wallaceburg Hometown Bingo. Eric has
been the hall administrator since 1985 and is in the hall most evenings. They are in charge of the
association and ensure that everything runs smoothly for all of the bingo players and enabling the
organizations to raise money for the community.

Together, they ran the March of Dimes for Wallaceburg for several years. Sandra provided palliative
care periodically as well. Eric coached minor baseball in Wallaceburg for years, and has been
coaching YBC bowling for 40 years. He can be found at Bowlerama in Chatham on Saturday
morning teaching little ones to bowl. Eric was inducted to the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame in
2002 for Official of the year.

They are involved in their church, St. James Anglican Church, Sandra teaching Sunday school for
many years. Together, they give countless hours to James Street Ministry. This ministry came about
in 2010, and their work continues at Mom’s Baby Cupboard monthly, preparing food for the
Community Meals once a month. They have been doing this for 8 years. Knitting, baking,
shopping, stocking supplies, whatever it takes to keep these programs going.
As life continues, they reflect on memoires made and will always give back to the community that
they call home.

Willy Wenzel

Born in Chatham on March 2, 1975, Willy Wenzel has spent all of his life living in Wallaceburg. He
is married to Tammy and they have two beautiful daughters: Gabriella, 8, and Jaidyn, 6. He went to
public school at W.T. Laing and high school at Wallaceburg District Secondary School. He has
played several sports in the community, including: lacrosse and baseball. Willy also loves to hunt and
fish.

He has been a WAMBO volunteer since 2010 and joined the committee in 2011. He is currently
the Equipment & Logistics Manager for Wallaceburg’s biggest annual event. He is proud to live in
Wallaceburg and raise his family here. Willy said it is an honor being nominated for ‘Volunteer of
the Year’ and he wishes all of the nominee’s good luck.

Elaine Lewis

-Born and lived all her life in Wallaceburg Area.
-One of six children, who were all members and volunteers of various activities at Knox Church and
in Scouting and Guiding.
-Proud mother of 3 grown sons and two lovely daughters-in-law
-Grandmother of 8 beautiful grandchildren

Has been a volunteer with:
• Girl Guides of Canada for over 50 years. Leader of Youth Programs [Sparks, Brownies,
Guides, & Pathfinders] and District and Division Commissioner and Adviser at several administrative
levels and Trainer.

• Scouts Canada - was a Youth Leader [Beavers], District Service Team and Commissioner and
Trainer for over 20 years

• Co-founder of the Wallaceburg Lend-a-Hand Meals Committee which was founded in 1990
to provide meals to people of Wallaceburg and it became a Breakfast Program in eight schools
in Wallaceburg by the end of first year. Started and served at the program in the Wallaceburg
District Secondary School for over 5 years.

• Have been active for the last 20 years in Food Security issues and organizations such as the
Chatham-Kent Hunger Coalition/Food Link Chatham-Kent [Secretary] and the Prosperity
Round Table.

• Was employed for 17 years as the Chatham Kent Student Nutrition Program Coordinator
Starting and maintaining 50 programs still currently running in Chatham-Kent which is a
member agency of the United Way and have held several committee volunteer positions for
the United Way of Chatham-Kent. Also started the Lambton Student Nutrition Program and
worked there simultaneously with the Chatham-Kent program for 6 years maintaining 35 –
40 programs.

• Kent Association of Volunteer Coordinators of which Elaine was President for over 5 years.
Elaine has also been a member of the Volunteer Coordinators Association of Sarnia/Lambton
and sat on the Executive and several committees there.

• Church: Member, Sunday School and Bible Study Teacher, Secretary, Treasurer and Elder
for Several churches.

• Volunteered for many years with the summer Vacation Bible Camps.
• Chairing the Crossroads Community Outreach for the past 6 years with ministries to host the

Refresh Event at WAMBO [3 years] and assisting with the Youth Drop-in Centre at Knox
Church
• Has been a member of ACTIVE CHRISTIANS WITH A MISSION [ACWAM] for
approximately 5 years and is on the Board of Directors and a Sponsorship Coordinator for
Demier School in Haiti for 10 years and has been to Haiti 6 times to work with the beautiful
children there.

Elaine has a very busy and fulfilling life.

Community
Inclusion Award

Sponsored by

CRITERIA

❖ Honours a Chatham-Kent business or individual
❖ Demonstrates their commitment to provide employment opportunities for people with

significant barriers or disabilities
❖ Their innovative approach as an employer creates an inclusive workforce and in turn a healthier

community

AWARD NOMINEES

Select Finishing

Select Finishing specializes in providing pre-treatment, powder coating, e-coating, and wet painting.
Established in 2003, Select Finishing services more than just the automotive industry. We specialize
in playground equipment, outdoor furniture, as well as recreational products such as the Can Am
Spyder and Evinrude boat motor covers, just to name a few.

A silent success, the company has grown from approximately 50 employees in 2016 to over 150
employees in 2018 – and are still growing. We pride ourselves in being an inclusive employer, giving
employees an opportunity to be the best version of themselves. Empowering the workforce allows
for individuals to grow at their own pace, to create solutions to important problems, and to do their
best work, all while assisting us to meet the needs of our customers.

McDonalds

Melisa DeKort - General Manager

Date business Started: 1978 Number of employees: 110

Description: McDonald’s is a family restaurant

Growth and success in the last 3 years: With the introduction of our Mobile ordering, Table Service,
Guest Experience Leaders (Host/Hostess), and delicious Bakery line-up, McDonalds in Wallaceburg
has hired + 40 employees since May 2018. The new additions to the McDonalds family are a
welcomed addition.

Positive impact within our industry: We at McDonalds in Wallaceburg offer a unique dining
experience to all guests, due to our small-town hospitality it’s an experience you just can’t get in a
bigger city McDonalds. New to 2018 is The Family Experience program and we in The Burg are
happy to introduce monthly craft days fun for the whole family.

Do you offer a superior level of customer service? We offer a Satisfaction Survey to all guests, and
appreciate the feedback on our service provided. Comments are reviewed weekly to ensure a high
level of guest experience. We take pride in having high results for Customer Satisfaction and
meeting the needs of our guests.

How has your business supported the community? Like all businesses in Wallaceburg we are proud
of our supportive community and always do what we can to give back. In the past year supporting
many minor sport events such as, Frank Dymock Hockey Tournament, and the Red Devils season
games. We are proud to take part in the Wambo kids’ program, the Walpole Island Summer events
program, Wallaceburg Fireworks McDonalds Night, Legion Fishing Derby, Wallaceburg Library
Summer reading program, Port Lambton Gala Days, Community Senior Center end of summer
event, Salvation Army Food Drive and Volunteer Meals, and many more! Near and dear to the
McDonalds Family our “McHappy Day”, a fun family event raising money for Ronald McDonalds
Houses in London and Windsor.

Community involvement doesn’t start or end with fundraising. We take pride in our role of hiring,
coaching and adding lifelong members to our team (McFamily). With supports from Community
Living, Job Match, St.Clair Employment Centre, and Wallaceburg District Secondary School Co-op
programs we are able to just that! We are always looking to build an inclusive community
workplace that welcomes and employs individuals of all abilities.

What makes your product or service excellent: Service, food, and atmosphere that is loved by all
ages. Everyone is welcome

Badder Bus Lines

Badder Bus Operations Limited is a passenger transportation company. We have been transporting
groups like Home to School, School Charter, Service Group Trips, Seniors Trips, Motor Coach
Tours, Sports Team Transportation, Airport Transportation, Wedding Shuttles, Corporate and
Church group charters and anything else that requires group transportation since 1950.

Badder has operations from Windsor to the Greater Toronto area to travel across North America.
We have a fleet of 50 charter vehicles and 150 school buses.

Our mission is to build on our position as a well-respected provider of reliable transportation
services; delivered by a team of committed employees who have the ability to always put the
wellbeing of our customers first; while providing a fair return for the benefit of our Customers,
Employees and the Company.

Sponsored by Wallaceburg
BIA Award

CRITERIA

❖ Honours a person or a group, BIA or non-BIA Member
❖ Contributes to the betterment of the Wallaceburg Downtown BIA District
❖ Contributes through selfless donations of time, labor, knowledge, funds, abilities and caring to

make our downtown a better place to be

AWARD RECIPIENT

Sydenham Challenge Dragon Boat Festival

In the year 2000 the Sydenham Dragon Boat Festival was born with the first festival scheduled for
October 20th, 2001. Unfortunately, with the events surrounding 9/11 and out of respect for Fire
Fighters who had registered to participate in the first Dragon Boat Festival and was cancelled.
This allowing the festival to re-write the festival and the very first Sydenham Challenge was in held
in the spring of 2002.
From 6 teams in 2002 to a high of 34 teams representing over 800 paddlers and 3500 spectators
throughout the day. In 2016 the festival became an International Dragon Boat Festival attracting
teams from Michigan, Illinois and Iowa.
The objective was 3-fold:
- Introduce Wallaceburg to the fast-growing sport of Dragon Boating utilizing the historic
Sydenham River.

- Promote and attract people to the community of Wallaceburg.

- Create an event that would provide much needed funding to local community groups such as
United Way, Breast Cancer through the Breast Buddies Dragon Boat Team and the Royal Canadian
Legion among many others.

The International Sydenham Challenge Dragon Boat Festival attributes the festival success by
offering a unique sponsorship of family that not only supports the festival financially but also
participates as members of the festival committee lending their time and talents. Special thanks go
out to Eternity’s Touch, SUBWAY, Southwest Credit Union & the Wallaceburg BIA.

Sponsored by Citizen of the
Year Award

CRITERIA

❖ Honours a citizen who is a resident of North Kent
❖ Contributes to the benefit of the community and not restricted to any special interest group

❖ Contributions over the last five years are considered
❖ Recognition of contributions above and beyond professional business, activities of elected office

and service club mandates are considered

AWARD RECIPIENT

Jeff Wesley

Jeff is married to Michelle (Mazur) and they recently celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary.
They have four grown children and four grandchildren all of whom reside in Wallaceburg.
Education:
Proud graduate of D.A.Gordon, W.T. Laing, W.D.S.S., Western University (Hons. B.A.) and the
University of Windsor (LL.B).
Work:
34 years at Union Gas working with Municipalities and Indigenous communities – retire Dec. 1,
2018.
Recently joined Carscallen, Reinhart, Mathany, Maslak, Anderson Law Firm in Wallaceburg.
24 years in elected office representing Wallaceburg – Councilor, Deputy Reeve, last Mayor of
Wallaceburg and Chatham-Kent Councilor.

Community Work (not in any specific order- although SDH is first in my heart:

• Staunch supporter of Sydenham District Hospital.
- My support goes back to fundraising for SDH with Matt Miletic in 1989.
- Director/ Former Chair on SDH Board, CKHA Board and CKHA Foundation.
- Chairperson, Past Chairperson, Executive and Member of Save Our Sydenham.
- With the SOS team successfully organized a series of successful very well attended community

protests to save SDH, appeared at Queen’s Park and before various Standing Committees. Met
with key staff within the Ministry of Health. Stood up proudly against SDH detractors.
- Outlasted all the internal SDH detractors at CKHA and the LHIN even as they tried to smear
my reputation and impact my career.
• Keeping our local water source – stepped down as Chair of the PUC to fight for Wallaceburg.
• Supported residents of both Otter Creek and North Kent on water well issues.
• Director – SCRCA – in depth free legal work to show dam operating criteria can be changed
to further protect Wallaceburg from flooding. I was told the criteria were fixed.
• Member of CKFHT Doctor Fundraising Committee.
• Actively opposed the closure of the W.D.S.S. Pool. Still open.
• Actively opposed the closure of the Walking Bridge. Still open.
• Successfully had Sarnia industry fund the $1.4 million cost of the water street water tower.
• Long serving BIA member.
• Former Board member – 25 year volunteer with United Way.
• Assisted Splash Pad Fundraising Committee.
• Awarded Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal by MP Bev Shipley for SDH efforts.
• Former Coach of Minor Baseball, Soccer, Hockey, Girls Hockey Club and In-Line Hockey.

Robert Mayo

I have been a family doctor in Wallaceburg since moving here from Newfoundland with my wife
Evelyne and 2 of our sons, Chris and Ian in 1989.Our 3rd son Jamie, was born in Wallaceburg
shortly after our arrival.

For 24 years, my practice included seeing patients in the office and in the hospital, both on the
impatient unit and in the emergency department. I experienced the excitement and the joy of
delivering babies until the Obstetrics Unit closed at the Sydenham Campus about 15 years ago. In
addition, I had the pleasure of seeing residents in both Fairfield Park Nursing Home and Sydenham
Residence (now called The Wallaceburg Retirement Residence.).

Over the past few years I have given up my office practice, my work in the Emergency Department
and my practice at Fairfield Park. I have focused mainly in palliative care, seeing patients in the
community as well as in the hospital. Since April 2016 I have had the privilege of being part of the
team at the Chatham Kent Hospice where I am the Lead Physician.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree from the Royal Military College of
Canada in 1973 and then served for 5 years in the Canadian Armed Forces before returning to

university to study medicine at Queens’ University in Kingston, graduating in 1983. I spent the next
3 years doing a rotating internship at Western followed by a Family Medicine Residency at
Dalhousie University. I began my medical career in Newfoundland where practiced for three years
before coming to Wallaceburg.

I try to remain active through running, swimming and cycling. Evelyn and I enjoy hiking, canoeing
and traveling, usually in Canada. Since August 27, however, we both agree that topping our list of
things we like to do is spending time with our new granddaughter and first grandchild, Rosie.

Moving to Wallaceburg is a decision we have never regretted, and we are proud to call it home.

I am planning to fully retire in June,2019 and look forward to spending more time with Evelyn and
our family

Gordon and Dee Heath

Gordon & Dee (Dorothy) Heath - both age 74

Married with two fantastic "kids" - ages 51 & 50 (Troy & Sherry & two terrific "Grandkids"
(Rebecca & Tyler)

We are both retired & have been members, and volunteers of Wallaceburg, Branch 18 for
approximately 7 years.

We are both appreciative to have received the Certificate of Merit & Certificate of Appreciation &
Dee is also the proud recipient of the Legionnaire Of the Year Award.

I am Youth Chairman and am happy to organize the Kids Fishing Derby on July 1st for up to 160
kids-each of whom receives a prize. This cannot be done without the help of my wife & a lot of
other volunteers from our Legion & others. The smiles on the kids’ faces says it all!

Organize Public speaking contest, Remembrance Day posters and visit all 10 schools. Dee is my
chauffeur lol.

Both of us assist at most Legion functions - Dragon Boats, WAMBO, steak dinners, BBQ's and our
meat draws, to raise funds for our Legion, along with an army of volunteers.

Dee is Seniors Representative for our Legion and enjoys visiting our Veterans (whose numbers are
dwindling very fast unfortunately), also our Veterans wives at Fairfield and Wallaceburg Retirement
Village.

Our family is members of Trinity United Church, where we are on our Worship & Sanctuary
Committee, help with our Community meals program once a month. My nick name is top shelf,
because of my height and can reach top cupboards ha ha.

We both volunteer at our local hockey team-Wallaceburg Lakers & help with 50/50 draws.

Hope we did not bore you with too much detail & really appreciate the honour of being nominated.
Again - many thanks

The Chamber
Choice Award

Sponsored by

CRITERIA

❖ The Chamber Choice Award recognises the best of the best when it comes to an individual
who is dedicated to the Wallaceburg and District area. These individuals help us to make this
community a better place to work and live. Nominees exemplify excellence through
dedication, community leadership and achievements.

AWARD NOMINEES

Jamie Knight

I started coaching Wallaceburg Lacrosse in 1998 when my nephew Justin was a first-year peewee and
have basically been involved since then. In 2007 I joined the WMLA Executive and was the Head
Coach Coordinator from then until 2018. During that time, I have coached everything from
Paperweight (5,6-year old’s) to coaching the Wallaceburg Red Devils winning four Provincial
Championships during that span. In 2010 when our Minor Org was robbed by a member we
organized a Winter Lacrosse Camp that attracted around sixty young athletes at $100 a child and we
donated all that money to the Organization. It was an eyeopener for us to open a market that hadn't
been tapped before. Since then we have never looked back and we run Lacrosse Camps year-round
now. I started a business called Leave Your Mark Lacrosse last summer and it is growing faster than
we thought but that is a good problem to have.

Last year alone we ran the following camps:

Winter Camps by Wallaceburg Lacrosse, Fall Field Lacrosse Program, Winter Camp in Wallaceburg,
Winter Camp in Chatham, Camps for Girls, Camps for Paperweights, Walpole Island Summer
Camp, King of the Courts Summer Camp (Glen Mickle)

Leave Your Mark Lacrosse:

Winter Camps for Boys & Girls (5 years old - 21 years old) almost 100 athletes!!!

Delaware Nation 3rd Annual Summer Camp, Bothwell BARAC 2nd Annual Summer Camp,
Strathroy GHL (Golf Hockey Lacrosse) Camp.

Over 10 School Visits in Chatham-Kent and Lambton County teaching to gym classes.

Fall Box Lacrosse Program in Wallaceburg

The Wallaceburg Lacrosse Camps are FREE to join and myself with the Wallaceburg Red Devils
host the camps. The Wallaceburg Summer Camps had over 50 athletes each week with many being
introduced to the game for the first time.

We provide sticks so that parents aren’t spending money before their child decides if they want to
commit to the sport. Wallaceburg Lacrosse numbers are at an all-time high and I truly believe that
the Camps are a main reason why. Chris Dawson put in a lot of time to get us a Trillium Grant to
expose the game of Lacrosse and I think we have done really well at it. The Ontario Lacrosse
Association recognized us last year at their AGM as an Org that is growing the game like no other
and because of that award and being recognized by the Chamber I feel that we are doing the right
things and I plan to continue as long as I can.

Karen Moran

Downtown Wallaceburg has been a part of Karen Moran’s life for as long as she can remember.
From spending her teenage years working at the local record store, to publishing the weekly
newspaper from her James St. office, to opening her current place of business, the well-known
Glasses & Grapes, on Nelson St. nearly 15 years ago, Karen has always taken great pride in
contributing to the success of local businesses.

As Vice Chair of the Downtown Wallaceburg BIA, Karen has worked hard to help bring the
organization’s vision of creating a welcoming, successful downtown business area that rivals those of
larger cities. When not busy running her own store, Karen has worked to tirelessly to elevate the
image of the downtown business corridor. She successfully submitted grant proposals to receive
funding for summer students and was able to implement two new student positions to help achieve
the goals of the BIA.

She takes great pride in the aesthetics and beauty of downtown and has organized community clean-
ups and advocated to get new and improved green areas and garden space in downtown
Wallaceburg.

One of her latest and most successful endeavors to date, was leading the start-up of the Downtown
Wallaceburg Farmers’ Market, which she not only helped coordinate, and grow, but also actively
participated as a vendor.

Currently, Karen is working with a small group of Wallaceburg business owners who continue to
work on and implement ideas to help revitalize the downtown.

When she’s not making wine at her busy store, Karen enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time
honing her skills in her newfound passion of pottery.

Karen grew up in Wallaceburg, but now resides in Port Lambton on the shores of the St. Clair
River. After many years of raising a family, Karen and her husband John are new empty nesters,
though still enjoy spending time with their seven children and six grandchildren.

Eric and Sandra Johnston

Eric was born and raised in Ahmic Harbour, Ontario and moved to Wallaceburg in 1963. Sandra is a
lifelong resident of Wallaceburg. They met in 1964 and married in 1967. They have 2 children
Anthony and Susan, 3 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. Eric worked from 1963 to 1976 for
Broadbent Moving and in 1976, went to work for the Kent County Board of Education, working
until his retirement in 2009. Sandra worked for Union Gas and then opted to be a stay at home
mom, returning to work in 1979 for Dr. Sin Yan Too, retiring in 1991.

Eric and Sandra joined the Optimist Club of Wallaceburg in 1968 and are still members until this
day. They have always been very involved in the community, working at the Optimist Bingo every
Monday until all of the halls amalgamated and continuing to work Monday nights, but in different
halls throughout the years. They remain active in bingo at Wallaceburg Hometown Bingo. Eric has
been the hall administrator since 1985 and is in the hall most evenings. They are in charge of the
association and ensure that everything runs smoothly for all of the bingo players and enabling the
organizations to raise money for the community.

Together, they ran the March of Dimes for Wallaceburg for several years. Sandra provided palliative
care periodically as well. Eric coached minor baseball in Wallaceburg for years and has been coaching
YBC bowling for 40 years. He can be found at Bowlerama in Chatham on Saturday morning
teaching little ones to bowl. Eric was inducted to the Wallaceburg Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 for
Official of the year.

They are involved in their church, St. James Anglican Church, Sandra teaching Sunday school for
many years. Together, they give countless hours to James Street Ministry. This ministry came about
in 2010, and their work continues at Mom’s Baby Cupboard monthly, preparing food for the
Community Meals once a month. They have been doing this for 8 years. Knitting, baking,
shopping, stocking supplies, whatever it takes to keep these programs going.

As life continues, they reflect on memoires made and will always give back to the community that
they call home.

152 Duncan Street, Wallaceburg, ON, N8A 4E2
5193627.1443 | [email protected]

www.wallaceburgchamber.com