2008 Hats Off to Excellence Gala Awards
.
Finalists
….
Lifetime Achievement Award
BRUNO MARTI
…for his outstanding, internationally recognized achievement in the culinary field and his years of contribution to the Delta community. La Belle Auberge, one of the finest restaurants in the Vancouver area, has operated in Ladner since 1980. Chef Marti has trained and led some of Canada’s top chefs in fine cuisine and in competition at world culinary competitions.
….
….
Volunteer Award Winner
.
.
.
BARRY HOWARD
Barry Howard moved to Tsawwassen in 1992 and began coaching his children in soccer, ice hockey, football, basketball, baseball, softball and field hockey, culminating in a Provincial Championship for the Delta Rams Football Club and a provincial tournament playoff with the Falcons Field Hockey Club. Barry cofounded the SD Basketball Association and served as President and Director of Coaching. The program has grown to 350 children. His tireless efforts have been rewarded by the provincial governing body, Basketball BC, with the ‘Coach Who Makes a Difference’ award in 2005, and in 2008 the inaugural Steve Nash ‘Builder/Administrator’ award. Barry was also recognized in 2005 by the Delta Sports Hall of Fame in the Sports Champions “Builder” category. He campaigns for the SD Food Bank, co-organized “Love South Delta”, coaches at Delta Secondary, and fundraises for both SD high schools with a summer basketball camp.
Volunteer Award Finalists
FRANK HEMINSLEY
Frank Heminsley has lived in Tsawwassen Delta for over 30 years and served in a number of volunteer capacities ranging from Delta Museum, TETRA (an organization that designs and manufactures devices for handicapped people) and the building and maintenance committee for the South Delta Baptist Church (currently chair of the group). Following Franks return from overseas engineering assignments, he became interested in Emergency Social Services (ESS), attending training sessions and participating in training events. In 2003 he became director of Delta’s ESS which provides short-term assistance to British Columbians who are forced to leave their homes because of fire, flood, earthquake or other emergencies. This includes food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification. He is responsible for leading and supporting other volunteers by providing training to respond effectively to emergencies.
SUSAN WIECZOREK
Su Wieczorek, already being a volunteer for a number of local organizations, became involved with the Delta Local of Special Olympics (SOBC) five years ago, as one of her daughters is an athlete. SOBC is an organization dedicated to providing positive sports experiences for youth and adults with an intellectual disability. Fund Raising chair for 2 years, Su became the local coordinator and this year the event coordinator for the regional track meet with over 200 athletes. Su’s volunteer experience includes SDSS grade 8 orientation at Deas Island Park 2002, Co-chair of SDSS Dry Grad 2007 and organizing and helping at fundraising awareness events along with administrative duties of committee and board membership. She is an active member of a local church as a lay minister and has served on Church Council. Su also works part time for Reach Child & Youth Development Society.
.
Rising Star Award Winner
.
.
SIMON EDWARDS
Releash Me
Simon Edwards is the sole North American distributor of Walkeez products manufactured in England. The product is a special pet harness that is fleece lined for the pets comfort and touches certain acupressure point to help calm the pet. Simon has researched pet health associated with standard collars and offers this information to his prospective resellers. His next goal is to manufacture the products under licence here in British Columbia which will allow him to keep up with demand, and at the same time reducing the costs of importing. His online business accounts for many sales including sales as far away as Saudi Arabia. Simon was a graduate from the Air Cadet 828 Hurricane Squadron, Tsawwassen and has always allowed time to volunteer at the Kinsmen Centre, Tsawwassen and the Delta Police Force. Simon credits Youth Works, Tsawwassen for assistance received while starting his business. He has also received a lot of help and support from Tsawwassen residents, the Dr Huff Clinic as well as the Envision Credit Union.
Rising Star Award Finalists
BEVERLY MONTOVANI
Los Gitanos
Before Beverley Mantovani moved to Tsawwassen in 2001, she had been a professional dancer with major dance companies in South Africa where she performed professionally on stage and television. She also owned her own school of dance receiving many teaching diplomas. Now Beverley owns and directs Los Gitanos School of Spanish Dance, right in Tsawwassen with more than 50 students. She has introduced Spanish Dance Society’s syllabus in Canada and successfully entered students in their exams over the past 4 years, bringing in international examiners from Spain and Africa. Her Annual Dance Concerts with her students from Ladner/Tsawwassen, combined with the Delta Youth Orchestra in 2008, are choreographed by herself. She formed RITMO which performed at the Tsawwassen Arts Centre with Flamenco Musicians from Vancouver. With her husband, Beverley has opened Giovanni’s Deli, where some of her dancers do Flamenco Dance performances on special evenings.
SARAH WILSON
Now & Zen
Sarah Wilson is an organizing specialist and a member of the Professional Organizers of Canada Association. Sarah says the Youth Works, Tsawwassen helped her define her strengths and interests and got her enrolled in a self employment program which included training in Marketing, Business Setup and Financing. By customizing systems and removing clutter, Sarah can help individuals in their homes or home offices to get more time out of their day, although her main business is with commercial offices and corporations where they get the same time saving systems and happier employees. Her business Now & Zen has grown primarily through word of mouth and by her strong networking abilities. Sarah’s success is in getting to know her clients before she changes them. Her clients usually feel relieved once the systems are in place and the ‘clutter’ has been removed.
.
Community Service Award Winner
.
.
CARLENE LEWALL
Carlene Lewall moved to Tsawwassen in 1979 with her husband Rick and their two children, Tyler and Deanna. She began volunteering with the Delta Gymnastics Society over 29 years as a coach and administrator and has received many awards in recognition of her dedication to the development of the sport of Gymnastics. Carlene strongly believes that by building self esteem through sport, the youth of Delta will become confident, responsible young adults. Carlene has also been involved with Gymnastics BC for the past 27 years where she chairs and participates on many committees and is a national level judge, and Director of Zone 4. Carlene also supports her community in other ways where since the Olympic Bid, Carlene has chaired the Delta Spirit of BC Community Committee to support athletes in our community and to bring the Olympic Spirit to Delta. She is also active on one of its sub-committees—the Delta Sports Hall of Fame. For seven years, Carlene has been involved with Operation Red Nose during the Christmas season, helping to raise thousands of dollars for sport in our community. Carlene is always willing to lend a hand. Her many achievements have helped Delta become a great community.
Community Service Award Finalists
WARREN BROWN
Warren has made Delta his home for almost 20 years. Five years ago, an opportunity arose for Warren to change his career path and, because running a local service business in his home community was important to him, he became the proud owner and operator of Speedpro Signs which benefited many of Delta’s small businesses and community service organizations. Warren has become a key resource when help is needed with advertising signage and banners. He goes out of his way to support many of the organizations in Delta by offering his expertise, time and materials. If there’s ever a chance for a Sign Guy to help any of these organizations by getting their message out, promoting an event, or just volunteering during the event, you’ll find Warren at the head of the line.
GARTH CUTHBERT
Garth is a 4th generation Deltan who grew up in Ladner and currently resides in North Delta with his wife Kathy. They have 4 adult children and are soon to be first time grandparents. Garth currently works for BC Hydro in a management position. In the past 25 years, Garth has volunteered with many community organizations such as North Delta Soccer(13 yrs and 3 yrs as president), Delta District Soccer (7 yrs), and North Delta Lacrosse (3 yrs and 1 yr as president). He cofounded the Delta Jr. A Lacrosse in 2001 and is the current treasurer. Garth’s present involvement with the Delta Museum and Archives is perhaps his most significant engagement in community service where he has been on the board of trustees for 10 years and president for the past 4 years. His efforts have promoted community identity by facilitating access to history through education, exhibits and reference services. The passion, energy, determination and conviction he demonstrates through his work with the Delta Museum and Archives Society is next to none.
.
Special Events & Tourism Award Winner
..
..
RICK & JENNIFER RICHARDSON
LBA Quilt & Car Show
The 5th Ladner Village Annual Quilt Walk and Classic Car Show 2008 was a tremendous success with upwards to 15,000 people in attendance for the one day event. Jennifer Richardson has worked tirelessly along with husband Rick (Ladner Auto Body) and their whole team of 12 committee and 25 volunteers to put on this spectacular Ladner Business Association sponsored event. Live band music, hourly raffle, vendors, food, prizes, awards, Shriners 50/50 draw, and Quilt treasure hunt helped raise funds for the Kwantlen University College “Trades Education Scholarship” for a student of South Delta. This Annual event is supported by Boundary Bay Quilters, BCHRA and WCHR’s. Many of the classic cars are local, but some come from as far as Washington, Powell River, Vancouver Island & Manning Park to be part of it. Contact www.ladnerbusiness.com for more information.
Special Events & Tourism Award Finalists
TRACEY MCKNIGHT
Ladner Village Market
Tracey and Bill McKnight( South Coast Casuals) along with Lynn and Marv Fraser (Heritage House Interiors) have been actively involved in the organization of the Ladner Village Market and with the help of their 10 dedicated volunteers and the support of the Ladner Business Association, have created a tourism destination for 8,000 to 10,000 people six times over the summer. The Ladner Village Market has grown from modest beginnings to become one of Western Canada’s largest open air markets. Located in historic Ladner Village, 2008 marked the 12th year of operation for the market. Tracey McKnight and her husband Bill have lived in Ladner and Tsawwassen since 1974 and have found South Delta to be an outstanding community to raise their children, Jill and Kenneth. Tourism events such as the Ladner Village Market have been the foundation of many happy memories and are the reason that this community will always feel like home.
SHARON ELLIS
Westham Island Herb Farm
Westham Island Herb Farm, under the direction of Sharon Ellis, hosted the 3rd annual DAY AT THE FARM with DELTA FARMLAND & WILDLIFE TRUST event this year, sponsored by Vancity, at their farm on Westham Island. This is a family oriented event with 20 – 25 farmers displaying their goods and services for Farm Folk / City Folk, where people come to see and learn about the farm, cows, potatoes, veggies, berries, equipment, etc. Where does all that stuff come from? Just ask Sharon, you will find her ‘working’ her farm and she always has time to answer a few questions. Annually, Sharon creates an amazing Pumpkin Patch display WIHF is a member of Fraser Valley Direct Marketing and continues to be a force in Agri- Tourism. Sharon claims that going to the farm is an experience of the rural life, and a great way to see the outlying areas.
.
Business of the Year Award Winner
.
TERRY BREMNNER
Wellbrook Winery
Wellbrook Winery/Bremner Foods, owned and operated by Terry Bremner is a business that grew from necessity. Terry had a need to create value to his blueberry crops and found fruit wines were a natural end use, as were juices. He has a need for quality—that’s the way Terry does things. Terry’s secret to the best juice is to make it from fresh grade berries. The 100 year old 55 acre farm, with the grainery building restored and converted into the company’s retail and tasting facility, specializes in fruit wines and juices. Terry is far from being just a farmer. He has a knack to prepare his business for the future and on top of that, he is constantly giving back to his community in tourism ways, from the Annual Summerfest with classic car show, farm market, salmon BBQ, blueberry pie eating contest and dessert bakeoff. Other regular events at Wellbrook are monthly Culinary Celebrity Cooking Classes, stage plays (150 people), Boys & Girls Club, Dry Grad, and Gallery in the Garden-Delta ArtsCouncil.
Business of the Year Award Finalists
MARK SOARES
Unifiller
Unifiller Systems Inc. is the world leader in bakery depositing and cake building technology and Mark Soares, General Manager, explains that the business has grown on innovation, simplification and quality. Started in the 80’s, Unifiller moved to Delta in 2000 and now employs 79 people and 3 owners. The company cafeteria, the sports program (volleyball, etc), open door policy and flexi-hours are some of the amenities that keep the staff turnover very low. A lot of the business done world wide is still done on a handshake. Unifiller’s plant in Delta BC, is a state of the art production facility and their latest design, the Unibot, is a robotic system that can be used for writing and decorating cakes on a production line.
NORMAN STARK
TSI Terminal Systems Inc.
Norman Stark, President and CEO of TSI and GCT Global Container Terminals Inc., has been a great supporter of Delta and the many organizations that make Delta a viable community. TSI Terminal Systems Inc. has been a part of British Columbia’s marine and port industry for 100 years. It is the people at Deltaport that make all the difference and being part of the community, and giving back in various ways, is a fundamental value of the TSI team. This support ranges from charitable donations and sponsorships, to employee volunteers working within the community and hosting a community open house at the Deltaport container terminal. Under Norman’s watch, TSI has implemented a biodiesel fuel program and developed hybrid technology which uses 70% less fuel showing a reduction in air emissions, and are just some of the initiatives TSI had undertaken to reduce its environmental footprint. Norman’s leadership has inspired many at TSI and will continue to support its programs in the community of Delta and TSI, both during and after his future retirement.
.
Citizen of the Year Award Winner
.
.
BRAD COOPER
Brad Cooper and his wife Teresa discovered Ladner in 1990 and fell in love with it, and in 2001 he moved his company, Vancouver Pacific Financial Group Ltd there. While raising his young family, Brad was involved as a soccer coach for 10 years, Ladner Girls Soccer President for 3 years, as well as a Baseball coach. In 2000, Brad met John Thomas who introduced him to the Rotary Club where he first learned about “Service above Self” That motto has been Brad’s mantra when it comes to his community. “My wife Teresa said ‘You can’t just be in the community. You have to BE IN the community’. Brad joined the Delta Chamber of Commerce and became a director in 2003 and continues to produce “Taking Care of Business”. Brad joined the Delta Hospital Foundation in 2003-06, where he chaired the Delta Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament and served on the board of Tour de Delta for the last 3 years. Brad has also been active with the Ladner Business Association as a director and President for the last 2 years. Brad participates and supports a variety of community events where you’ll find him barbequing at the Ladner Pumpkin Festival or in the kitchen for Christmas dinner with the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Citizen of the Year Award Finalists
ALLISON ANTONIO
Alison Antonio is the tireless Executive Director of the Delta Spirit of BC Community Committee. She spearheaded the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies breakfast at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn. This year, Alison was one of only 40 Canadians chosen to attend the Canadian Olympic Academy where she initiated the one-year National Countdown to the 2010 Games. Alison is currently planning the opening of the largest venue in Delta and she is staging a Volunteer Recognition event at the 2010 Commerce Center. She is also involved in Delta’s part of the Rivermania celebration, which brings together more than forty community organizations to honor our history. It is Alison’s dream that it will be a great legacy for our community. Alison coordinated our local events to commemorate both BC’s 150th birthday and anniversary of the day the Tsawwassen First Nation led the Ladner brothers into Delta. Alison, a Tsawwassen resident, has been a ‘professional’ volunteer since 1984 for a staggering list of organizations including PACs, the YWCA, Hastings Family Enrichment Centre, South Delta Newcomers Association and Tsawwassen Tennis Club.
DR. JOYCE HOLLAND
Dr. Joyce Holland is a Ladner based doctor who travels abroad with a mission to ‘make a difference’. Although semi-retired, she recently visited Honduras on a Salvation Army Mission to provide medical attention to hundreds of people and expects to go back to participate in the Clean Water Conference. She has been involved with club projects such as the Rotary World Health Network who organise the loading and transport of medical supplies around the world. Dr Joyce moved to Canada in 1981 after 30 years as a GP in the UK. She worked in the Arctic and ‘all points North’ while acquiring the Canadian qualifications then worked her way South and joined a family practice in Ladner- also undertaking a Mission with Doctors without Borders in Abkhazia. In 1999 she retired as a GP and took special training to become a Palliative Care Physician, through a program funded by Fraser Health-first in Surrey and later in Ladner. Joyce loves Ladner where she moors her float home “Mi Casa de Suenos” (My House of Dreams) and can be found kayaking the quiet waters.