Local resident Karen Tomlinson was named Citizen of the Year when the Pemberton Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards were handed out last week, while Mountain Glass and Mirror took home the honour for Business of the Year.
The awards were presented last Thursday (Jan. 31) following the chamber’s AGM, with five individuals, businesses and organizations recognized for their efforts in the community.
“I was a bit surprised, but it was nice to get that nomination and then really nice to be acknowledged at the chamber meeting,” said Tomlinson, who was nominated for her work with the Pemberton Canoe Club and Laoyam Eagles youth dragon boat team.
Others nominated for Citizen of the Year were Alan LeBlanc, John Burleson and Rosalind Young.
Tomlinson said others with the program deserve acknowledgement, too, as there’s a big team effort helping the club to success. Overall, the Pemberton Secondary School teacher said she’s pleased to be part of a group that brings so many in the Pemberton area together.
“It’s something that we can utilize the lake for to get these kids out doing lots of different activities,” said Tomlinson. “It’s been great for them to be able to go and do some of the things they’ve done over the years — travel all over the world to compete. I think that’s been pretty special for them.”
General manager Shayne May accepted the award for Mountain Glass and Mirror on behalf of the family business and said he, too, was surprised to be chosen as the winner.
“We were in pretty good company,” said May, as Mile One Eating House and the Pemberton Distillery were co-nominees.
“Both of them are very good businesses in town, so to be nominated in the same category as them was an honour.”
May said he hopes that the award is an indication that the experienced, three-person team working out of the company’s Aster Street shop is doing excellent work.
“We’ve tried to pride ourselves on customer service and doing things in a timely manner,” said May.
Mountain Glass is nearing 30 years of operation in the community, opening back when May was “knee-high to a grasshopper still,” he said with a laugh.
“It started out quite small, and like any business has had its peaks and valleys,” said May. “But if a business can last this long, obviously it’s a viable one and (serving) the customers is the No. 1 thing.”
Ivy Esthetics was selected as the chamber’s New Business of the Year, which just recently moved into an expanded space in the Pemberton Gateway Village Suites Hotel building.
“I’m honoured, it’s fantastic,” said owner Angela Blevings. “I have a loyal clientele of some lovely ladies up here.”
Blevings has been working for more than 10 years the Sea to Sky corridor and her studio offers some luxurious services that are exclusive within the region. She said she’s proud to provide employment for other women in the community, with a hard-working team of five staffing the small-town spa with a big-city feel.
George Henry was selected for the chamber’s Customer Service Award, not only for the countless volunteer hours he puts in as president of the Pemberton and District Museum and Archives Society, but also for filling in at the Visitor Info Centre when staff became ill this year.
The final honour went to the Pemberton Youth Soccer Association, whose coaches in particular were recognized with the Community Service Award. James Linklater accepted the award on behalf of the coaches. The Pemberton Lions Club Activity Society was the other nominee for the award.
The chamber’s new board and executive were announced at the AGM, with Karen Ross to serve another year as president. David MacKenzie is serving as vice-president and the secretary-treasurer is Shirley Henry.
