Chamber gathers to toot its horn


Comedian and juggler Clark Robertson performs at the Morinville & District Chamber of Commerce Awards Thursday night. – Stephen Dafoe Photos

By Morinville News Staff

Morinville – About 160 local business owners and their staff attended Thursday night’s Chamber of Commerce Awards Night, an opportunity for Morinville’s business community to mix, mingle and acknowledge their many success stories. The elegantly decorated Morinville Community Cultural Centre carried a masquerade theme for this year’s event.

After a much-applauded dinner catered by Doug Adsit of the Green Bean and entertainment by comedian and juggler Clark Robertson, emcees Sheldon Fingler and Heather Folkins got down to the business of announcing this year’s awards and milestones.

Quinn’s Plumbing and Heating Ltd. was recognized for 40 years of Chamber membership, Morinville Auto Body and Sobeys for 35 years of membership. CrackMasters Morinville, Escape Travel Plus, Morinville Massage Therapy and Road Runners Equipment were each presented 15 year certificates, and Career Employment & Counselling Services and Morinville Municipal Seed Cleaning Co-op received certificates for 10 years of membership. Certificates were also presented for those who have been members for five years.

Awards recognize a variety of areas

The Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce presented seven awards Thursday night ranging from community service by a business to small, medium and large business awards.


Morinville Fish & Game Association

This year’s nominees for the non-profit award included Higher Grounds, Morinville Fish and Game Association, Morinville Food Bank Society, and the Morinville Municipal Seed Cleaning Co-op. This year’s winner was The Morinville Fish and Game Association.


Total RV Servicing

Home-based business of the year nominees included Room By Room, Premium Food Services, GVH Electrical, J’Lynn Esthetics, True Homes, Wagging Tails Pet Resort and RV Storage, Office Genie, Total RV Servicing and Crackmasters. This year’s winner was Total RV Servicing.

Small Business of the Year drew 11 nominees, including last year’s winner, Entheos Wellness Centre. Other nominees included Divinely Inspired Design Studio (Bouchard Graphics), Fair Accounting, Green Bean Coffee House, Professional Realty Group, Don’s Steak and Seafood Bistro, JDR Insurance, Popular Pooch Daycare and Fitness, Neighbors Vitamin Shop, JM Turner Goldsmiths and Investors Group. This year’s winner was JM Turner Goldsmith.


Career Employment Counselling Services

Medium Business of the Year drew five nominees: Morinville Shell and White Rose Diner, Morinville Auto Body, Career Employment and Counselling Services, Morinville Business Centre and Integra Tire. The award was presented to Career Employment and Counselling Services.

Three nominees were up for Large Business of the Year: Champion Petfoods, Servus Credit Union, and Castle Building Centre. This year’s big business winner was Castle Building Centre.


M&N Farms

Alexander First Nation presented Spirit of Business Awards to M and N Farms and Don Arcand of Woody’s Enviro.

Legacy and service recognized

Two additional awards were presented again this year – a Community Service Award and a Legacy Award.


Joel Chevalier of Rotary

Nominees for the Community Service Award were the Morinville Rotary Club, KT Admin, Hunters Print and Copy and Champion Petfoods. This year’s winner was Morinville Rotary Club.


Morinville Auto Body

Legacy award nominees included Champion Petfoods, Morinville Auto Body and the Sturgeon Foundation. The award was presented to Morinville Autobody.