Three forest contracting companies from the Cowichan Valley are being recognized by Mosaic Forest Management for their outstanding performance.
Each year, MFM recognizes forestry contractors who have contributed to the company’s focus on safety, environmental performance, Indigenous relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and quality over the past year.
Debbie Payne from Lake Cowichan’s Star Lake Contracting Ltd. was recognized by Mosaic as a Crew Safety Champion, Duncan’s Mount Sicker Ltd. was celebrated for Excellent Environmental Performance, and Jordan River Logging Ltd. in Chemainus was recognized for its Leadership in Log Hauling.
“We are privileged to partner with outstanding contractors who demonstrate excellence in so many different areas, starting with safety,” said Jeff Zweig, president & CEO of Mosaic.
“We are not successful unless everyone in and around our operations goes home safely every day. Every injury is preventable, and we will not rest until we achieve and maintain zero injuries.”
In 2021, Mosaic achieved a medical incident rate of 1.58 per 200,000 hours worked on a total of 2.6 million hours for the year, representing a 28 per cent reduction over three years.
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Travis Berthiaume, the owner of the Dairy Queen franchise in Duncan, is the Children’s Miracle Network’s B.C. Brand Ambassador for 2022.
A tweet from Duncan Dairy Queen said that last year, with help from its customers in the Cowichan Valley, the business was able to raise thousands of dollars for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The tweet said the local Dairy Queen is always working hard to find fun and new ways to raise money for children.
“In honour of this, we are proud to have placed a new plaque front and centre as you enter our store,” the restaurant said.
“Please round up your order to help create a brighter tomorrow for children in our community. One hundred per cent of your donations go direct to our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Foundation.”
The Children’s Miracle Network raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals, including the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada.
Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care.
Berthiaume and his staff were run off their feet making Blizzards on Miracle Treat Day, a fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network, on Oct. 28, 2021.
He said at the time that the annual fundraiser by his Dairy Queen for the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver was “absolutely fantastic”, raising $10,214 for the hospital, almost double the amount of $5,500 the business raised during last Miracle Treat Day that was held in August, 2019.
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BC Transit workers in the Cowichan Valley are being recognized for their professionalism, teamwork and dedication to public transit in their community.
The local transit team are among four individuals and seven teams across the province that BC Transit has honoured with the title of Transit SuperStars.
Every year, BC Transit recognizes excellence and celebrates the Transit SuperStars making a positive difference in regional transit systems across the province.
Each winner meets one or more of BC Transit’s core values; community, customer service, innovation, safety, teamwork and trust and respect.
“This year we are not only recognizing the achievements of some really special individuals who exemplify our values, but also several dedicated and passionate teams that supported their communities through wildfires last summer and historic flooding in the fall,” said Tim Croyle, vice president of operations and CAO for BC Transit.
“These people have all gone well beyond what could be expected of them because they care deeply about their customers, co-workers and communities.”
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The Cowichan Valley’s Unsworth Vineyards is still drinking in the accolades from the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards, the world’s largest and most influential wine competition.
Unsworth earned 91 points and a silver medal for its 2019 Pinot Noir.
Not only is it the highest score ever for a Vancouver Island wine, it’s one of a select few Canadian Pinot Noirs to be awarded 90+ points.
Unsworth’s 2019 Chardonnay also earned 88 points and a bronze medal.
Given it was Unsworth’s first crack at Chardonnay, the vineyard is extraordinarily proud of this recognition as well.
Now in its 19th year, the Decanter World Wine Awards has unrivalled global reach.
Judged by top wine experts from around the globe, DWWA is trusted internationally for its rigorous judging process.
“The 2019 vintage is now sold out, however the 2020 Chardonnay is available and getting enthusiastic nods of approval as our winemaker, Dan Wright, continues to find his groove with this most noble grape,” a press release from Unsworth said. “Stock up on this summer sipper while you can.”
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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