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Spirit of Ladysmith Awards sparkles after decade-long hiatus

Community gathers for emotional event to recognize business in Ladysmith

In a glittering and emotional evening, a full house gathered at Aggie Hall Oct. 25 to celebrate the Spirit of Ladysmith Awards, presented by the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce. The event returned after more than a decade and was eagerly welcomed by business owners and residents alike.

Roberta Bowman, executive director of the Chamber, said the strong turnout is a sign that businesses are alive and well in Ladysmith.

Bowman and her team spent weeks working on this event and the work didn’t stop, despite Bowman stepping into sequins for the glamour-filled evening. As she took the stage to welcome everyone, she stopped to straighten a Spirit of Ladysmith Awards sign that had slipped slightly on the podium. 

“This evening is a testament to the meaningful difference you make in the lives of those around you,” Bowman told the nominees.

The evening’s emcee, Brianne Mactier, joked that many might have expected Duck Paterson, a frequent host of Ladysmith events, to lead the evening. 

“But since he’s nominated for an award tonight, he got the night off,” Mactier quipped. “I host a lot of events too, so much so that people have started to call me Ducky Jr. You can call me Little Ducky.”

Deputy Mayor Ray Gourlay pulled double duty, representing council to deliver the mayor’s welcome while also handling DJ duties, bringing winners to the stage with some choice music picks. In his welcome, Gourlay scanned the crowd and commented with a smile that, “Ladysmith cleans up good!”

The first award, Arts & Culture, was presented by Wild Poppy's Kate Cram to Andrea Rosato-Taylor of the Arts Council of Ladysmith & District. Setting a trend that would continue through the night, the cheering audience happily waited while the sponsors and winner shared hugs and congratulations. Rosato-Taylor acknowledged her predecessor, Kathy Holmes, for her 15 years of leadership and service with the Arts Council of Ladysmith & District. Thanking the crowd for this award, Rosato-Taylor brought home the importance of arts and culture in communities, saying, “Art is for everyone.”

The Ladysmith & District Credit Union CEO John de Leeuw presented the award for Volunteer of the Year.

De Leeuw said he wasn’t initially sure what the connection might be between the credit union and volunteerism as their employees are all paid. Then he remembered the history of his organization. In May 1944, the credit union was established and run by volunteers and remained that way until 1962 when they had their first paid employee. 

Acknowledging this history and that “volunteers are the lifeblood of any community”, John presented the award for Volunteer of the Year to Duck Paterson. 
“I am lucky to live in a community that values its assets. Volunteers are probably the greatest asset we have,” Patterson said. 

He thanked his wife of more than 50 years and told the gathered crowd, “We’re not here long enough not to make people happy.”

Steve Wilkinson of Pharmasave presented the Best Home-Based Business award, highlighting community support during COVID-19. The award went to Cedar Dog Grooming. Business owner Desiree Lee said, “Thank you so much. I’m shocked,” before heading back to her seat to great applause. 

Bringing her signature sense of sass and humour to the event, host Brianne Mactier introduced the next sponsor to present an award, then walked off the stage only to walk right back on again and present the award for Entrepreneur of the Year herself, on behalf of the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association of which she is president. 

Co-owners and winners Stefan Queitsch (in his finest snapback cap) and Denise Bergquist from the Temperance Hotel told the audience how honoured and grateful they are to the community for their unwavering support during the hotel’s “extreme reno”. Queitsch praised Bergquist for her marketing and community engagement savvy, recalling that, when the hotel was ready for the public, she organized a block party attended by more than 500 people who viewed the hotel. They have been going non-stop ever since. 

Things got even livelier when Blaise Hunter from Women of Influence Nanaimo took to the stage to present the award for Best Financial Services. 

“Even though it’s cold outside, it’s hot in here!” Hunter shouted with enthusiasm before leading the audience in a crowd-sourced drum roll and naming LCU Insurance Agencies Ltd. as the winner. The winning contingent boisterously took the stage to hoots, hollers and wild applause. Brooke Orr from LCU Insurance Agencies Ltd. asked that her staff stand and be acknowledged and the audience was happy to enthusiastically oblige. 

Kate and Geoff Cram from Old Town Bakery decided to “highjack the mic” for a minute to share something they’ve been working on. Geoff then took an enormous cinnamon bun, over a foot in diameter, out of a bakery box and held it up. This “eight pound bun” will soon be the basis for a fundraising event where teams will compete to eat the sweet treat the fastest. The couple then presented the award for Business of the Year (1 - 10 Employees) to another couple in business, Campbell and Christine McIntyre from In the Beantime Cafe.

Before the couple could offer thanks for the award, there was an excited demonstration of appreciation from an audience member who shouted out, “Thank you for the sombrero wrap! It’s my favourite!” 

McIntyre said it was the couple’s 18th year running their business in Ladysmith and thanked their team who are the face of their business, “working hard with us and for us.” 

The mood in the room shifted when the couple announced that their current building has been sold and they are hoping to find a new location to continue on for a 19th year. Gasps and sounds of concern from the audience quickly turned to cheers when emcee Brianne Mactier returned to the stage as host and rallied the crowd saying, “I can’t imagine Ladysmith without In the Beantime so let’s find them a place!” 

Lori John from Palmer Leslie Chartered Professional Accountants then took the podium to present the award for Business of the Year (11+ Employees).

The award went to the team from Ladysmith Parmasave. Steve Wilkinson put the focus on his team, saying “Our staff shine every day, every single one of them,” and raising the award towards the Pharmasave table, he said, “This is for you. Thank you so much.”

Pattison Media group was the sponsor for the Outstanding Customer Service Award. Based on the uproarious response to the announcement of the winner, it was clear there was community consensus that Sarah Abdulkafi from Bayview Brewing had earned the title. Abdulkafi thanked Bayview for employing her and for being “the best bosses ever”. 

The Employer of the Year Award was presented by Cheri Mactier from the Mactier Real Estate Group. In what was surely a tight race, the award went to Old Town Bakery.

Choking back emotion, Kate Cram talked about sleepily driving through Ladysmith to work each morning in the early hours and seeing the same cars, belonging to fellow Ladysmith business owners, parked outside their respective shops. Knowing they are part of such a hardworking community of business owners, all of whom were up early to prepare for customers, is part of what keeps her going. That and her staff.

“We are only as good as our team,” Kate told the audience. “They are our rock and we are indeed grateful to them.” 

Brande Terris from the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham presented the final award of the evening, the People’s Choice Award. Going to Bayview Brewing the award brought huge smiles to the faces of its recipients, Rod Alsop and Jon Ludtke. 

“You like us!” quipped Ludtke. 

This was followed by Alsop’s explanation of, "We make beer, of course we’re the people’s choice!”



About the Author: Morgan Brayton

I am a multimedia journalist with a background in arts and media including film & tv production, acting, hosting, screenwriting and comedy.
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