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Glitz and glamour at chamber of commerce awards gala

Businesspeople were anxious to see if they made the cut at the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce business awards gala
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Kim Green of Altitude Laser Spa won medium business of the year. Here she poses with Jody Weise of Ponoka Ford.

Businesspeople were anxious to see if they made the cut at the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce business awards gala Oct. 27 at the Stagecoach Saloon.

It was a night of glitz and glamour for attendees during the Putting on the Glitz themed night. The band Tap 9 gave people a chance to stretch their legs and dance to a variety of music from rock and roll and show tunes to their own music.

And the winners are:

Small business of the year: Busted Ladies Lingerie. Owned by Keith and Sherry Gummow and opened Oct. 12, 2008. Busted’s business philosophy is that all women are beautiful and wonderfully made; that women come in many different sizes and shapes; that women should be able to find beautiful and supportive undergarments, regardless of shape or size.

“I want to say thanks to my wonderful husband, Keith, I couldn’t do this without him and this is definitely a partnership in all senses of the word,” said Gummow.

Medium business of the year: Altitude Laser Spa. Altitude Laser Spa was established in February 2010 as a complement business to Kim Green Dental Hygiene Centre. She wanted to create an environment that was professional, healthy, and one that nurtured the soul for both our staff and guests.

“Thank you so much. I would absolutely be a fraud if I stood up here and took credit for this…all of the credit for this goes to the lovely ladies that are sitting with me tonight. Thank you so much,” said Green.

Large business of the year: Tantec Electronics. Thirty-seven years ago Norm and Evelyn LeClaire started the business. Jim Tangjerd came to work for his in-laws in September, 1984. Jim and Norlyn bought the business in September 1998, changed the name and have brought it to where it is today. Tantec Electronics has been through many changes over the years but has continued to put customer service first and has found Ponoka to be a great and supportive community to be part of.

“Tantec Electronics is very grateful to be here today…we just want to thank the community of Ponoka,” said Tangjerd.

Agricultural Business of the Year: Agro Ponoka. Agro Ponoka is a full service John Deere farm equipment, sport, and turf equipment dealership. In addition to John Deere, they sell and service Brandt Agricultural Products, Degelman, Macdon, and Polaris ATVs and side-by-side sport vehicles. Employing a full-time staff of 30, not only do we sell one of the most reputable & successful brands in the farm equipment industry, we offer our customers 24-hour parts and service support to back that product.

Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Awards: Barry Neath and Staff Sgt. Cameron Chisholm. Rotary president Melodie Woods thanked Neath for the work he has done in the community. “Barry has always been a good supporter of the chamber (of commerce),” she said. “He also put time and energy into getting things done.”

“I’d just like to thank Ponoka, it’s a great community,” said Neath.

The second award went to Chisholm, who Woods said helped bring the youth triathlon together. “Cameron has also been instrumental in researching the social fabric of this community,” she said.

“It’s truly been my privilege to serve this great community, thank you,” said Cameron.

Industrial Business of the Year: Town and Country Supplies. In the spring of 1990 Mike Waters and Gary Taylor decided to continue the history of Ponoka Implements by opening a parts shop with solid agricultural roots and a growing need for quality power tools Town and Country Supplies was born. Twenty-two years later the business grew to be a place that many rely upon today.

Waters thanked attendees for their support, but “most importantly the customers. We would have nothing without our customers and my staff.”

Business Person of the Year: Carol Dunne of Flowers for You. Dunne opened Flowers for You in 1999 with the help of family and friends who put in many long hours to turn the store into what it is today. She chose to open the store to pursue a personal lifelong dream. Her passion is in the floral industry and in opening the shop saw the opportunity to be able to share this passion with the community.

Dunne thanked her friends, family and staff for bringing her business to what it has become. “Every day is a great day when you go to Flowers For You. Thank you very much.”

Non-profit of the year: Ponoka Agricultural Society. The Ponoka Agricultural Society has been an important part of Ponoka’s community for close to 110 years. In its formative years the organization was responsible for the fair and rodeo, horse and cattle shows, bench show and other community events. They annually host the Community Fair, bringing together rural and urban residents to celebrate agriculture. There is a volunteer appreciation event, as well as other events such as a bullarama, clinics, and it is involved in promoting farm safety. It is a founding member of the Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society.

President Sherry Gummow thanked the chamber on behalf of the society. “Yes we’ve been around for about 110 years…I think the last 10 years have been very successful for the Ponoka Agricultural Society. We could not do it without our base of volunteers,” said Gummow.

Customer Service Person of the Year: Janet Hatala. Hatala has worked for CIBC for 37 years and has been dedicated to offering the best customer service to her customers. She was somewhat speechless for the award.

“I just want to thank everyone for voting for me,” she said.