The Minto Chamber of Commerce hosted the 8th Annual Community Achievement Awards on April 27 at Harriston Legion Branch 296.
With over 90 people in attendance the awards dinner was “a huge success,” said chamber business development coordinator Somer Gerber.
Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the chamber’s Lifetime Achievement award to Laverne Stinson, who retired in 2015 after 30 years of operating a small engine repair business in Minto.
Stinson, a life-long Minto resident who served on Minto Township council from 1965 to 1970, has been active in the community in variety of ways.
He was a member of the Mount Forest Harmonaires for 43 years and worked on the committees organizing Savour the Flavours of Minto and the Frank Kelly Memorial Golf Tournament.
He is a past president of the Harriston-Minto Agricultural Society and is currently secretary of the organization.
“His resume highlights his love of singing, helping his fellow man and repairing problems,” stated Glen Hall, master of ceremonies for the event. “If there’s a need to be filled Laverne will fill it.”
Noting Stinson has been secretary of the agricultural society since 2004, Hall quipped, “There was a suggestion in my notes here that if anyone was willing, the secretary job could be filled by someone else – see Laverne after the meeting.”
Stinson thanked the chamber for honouring him with the award.
“There’s been a lot of memories – 77 years of them – and yes, I always have trouble going to a meeting and not saying what I thought,” he said
“Sometimes it got me in trouble.”
Other achievement award recipients were:
– OSiM Interactive Business Community Involvement Award: Leslie Motors;
– Wightman Telecom Young Entrepreneur Award; Greg Desaulniers, Rural Spoon Café
– Town of Minto Business of the Year Under 10 Employees Award: Felix and Bernice Weber’s Ag Business & Crop Inc.;
– McLaughlin Financial Group Business of the Year Over 10 Employees Award: Wightman Telecom; and
– Saugeen Economic Development Corporation Exceptional Customer Service Award: Wightman Telecom.
Special Recognition Awards were presented by the Community Achievement Award Committee to:
– Gary Sothern of Capri Hairstyling, in recognition of his many years in business and dedication to the community;
– Luke and Crystal Hartung of Harwill Farms, in recognition of their dedication to the Minto Farmer’s Market; and
– the 2016 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo executive and volunteers, in recognition of their dedication and successful event.
Milestones
Recognized for achieving business milestones were: Jim Harkness Equipment Ltd. for its 40th anniversary, Leslie Motors (50th anniversary); The Norgan Theatre (70 years); and Brown Insurance Brokers (90 years).
