Local Businesses Recognizes Stars
The Markdale Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that three Grey Highlands businesses have each won a STARS in Business Award. The awards are an initiative of the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the local Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations.
The project was initiated to help celebrate and recognize the businesses and entrepreneurs, and to provide a unique opportunity for businesses to become more visible in the larger Saugeen Territory, comprising of the municipalities of Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Minto, Southgate, & Wellington North.
Markdale Foodland, owned by Doug Crawford, won the Award for Customer Service Excellence. Foodland was nominated by Beth Kennedy on behalf of the Ice Cream Festival committee.
Top o’the Rock, owned by Debbie Clarke, won the Award for Company of the Year (under 15 employees). Debbie was nominated by the Markdale Chamber.
Sidekick’s Café, owned by John (JD) Daly, won the Award for Corporate Citizen of the Year. JD was nominated by the Markdale Chamber.
The Markdale Chamber of Commerce is proud of these businesses in our community. We are also proud to have nominated GrassRoots Organics of Desboro. Owner Sean McGivern received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Also nominated by the Markdale Chamber were Diana Irwin of H. Devereaux in downtown Markdale, who was chosen runner-up in the Entrepreneur of the Year category. Debbie & Harry Lanzen of Four Seasons Party Rentals was also nominated for the Company of the Year (over 15 employees). unicipality of Grey Highlands is extremely proud to have businesses such as these operating within the municipality.
The Markdale Chamber congratulates all the nominees, especially the winner of the other two awards on offer for the 2008 STARS in business awards. The Inn at Walters Falls won the Company of the Year (over 15 employees) and Entrepreneur of the Year honours.
The STARS awards are held annually. Each year the Markdale Chamber nominates local businesses in each of six categories.
More information on the STARS in Business Awards and other winners can be found at http://www.sbdc.ca/star/starhome.shtml
 |
TOP ‘O THE ROCK HITS A PEAK:
Owner Debbie Clarke receives the 2008 STARS in business Award for Company of the Year (under 15 employees) from award sponsor TD Canada Trust’s Sandy VanDongen.
The ladies are flanked by two RCMP Constables who were on hand for the October gala evening. Clarke owns the Eugenia business, which expanded and opened a new building recently.
|
 |
SIDEKICKS A SUPER HERO:
Sidekicks Café owner JD Daly (in bow tie) receives his STARS in business Corporate Citizen of the Year award from award sponsor Mayor Mike Broomhead of the Wellington North Economic Development Committee. The gentlemen are flanked by RCMP officers, on hand as ushers for the gala event in October.
JD is known in Markdale for fundraising and supporting a wide variety of local charities, including Cops for Cancer, which has seen him shave his own head more than once for a good cause.
|
 |
FOODLAND SERVICE EXCELLENCE:
Markdale Foodland owner Doug Crawford (at right of group to left of RCMP) and some of his staff celebrated receiving the Customer Service Excellence award at the October STARS in business gala in Arthur. The RCMP attended to provide usher service at the event.
Crawford and his excellent staff are known in the Markdale community for going above and beyond to assist their customers.
|
 |
ORGANIC GROWING:
Two RCMP officers flank Sean McGivern (left) and award sponsor representative from Union Gas as Sean received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the October 2008 STARS in business awards gala in Arthur.
The Markdale Chamber nominated Sean’s business Grassroots Organics for the award after Manager Kate Russell toured the Desboro business in the spring of 2008 with Grey Tourism’s familiarization tour. The 27-year-old established and runs his own organics company, which grows and mills organic grains and retails a wide variety of organic products. |
Visit www.sbdc.ca/star/starhome for more information.
 |
2007 COMPANY OF THE YEAR: Dawn Fitzgerald, of IDI Markdale (Peek Thru My
Window, Fancy That & County Line) receives the 2007 Company of the Year
(under 15 employees) STARS in business Award at the gala event in November
2007. Presenting the award is sponsor Sandy VanDongen of TD Canada Trust.
She is flanked by RCMP officers Contables Laurence Yim & Shelley Levy. IDI
was recognized for its excellence in retailing in the community for the past
18 years. |
 |
2007 CORPORATE CITIZEN: Charlie Rheaume, VP of Operations at Chapmans Ice
Cream receives the 2007 STARS in business Award for Corporate Citizen of the
Year from sponsor Wellington North Mayor Mike Broomhead. Chapmans was
nominated by the Markdale Ice Cream Festival for supporting the event and
many other local children's charitable organizations and events.
|
|
