Business Excellence

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

HARRISON-AGASSIZ

Business xcellence E AWARDS

A winning evening Small business, new business, big business, old business. All of them were equally celebrated during the Second Annual Harrison Agassiz Business Excellence Awards on February 24.

The lively and entertaining evening at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa included a well-known auctioneer, an up-and-coming Canadian comedian, fine dining, raffle prizes and of course, an outpouring of love and plenty of ‘high-fives’ for the winners and nominees.

Remember, local business can only thrive with local customers. So the Observer would like to send out a big thank you to all of you who nominated a business for their excellence. Each nominee was truly deserving of your support. And as you’ll read in the following pages, each of them is incredibly thankful for all of you, their local customers.

Non-Profit of the Year : Agassiz Harrison Community Services Excellence in Agriculture: Limbert Mountain Farm Excellence in Tourism: Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa Excellence in Retail: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Excellence in Culinary Arts: Crazy Fish Bistro Excellence in Service: Holly Tree Florist & Gifts New Business of the Year: il Carpaccio Deli People’s Choice Award: Agassiz Library Chamber’s Choice Award: Hub Barton Insurance Kent Council Choice Award: Burden Propane Harrison Council Choice Award: BC Sportfishing Group - Eco Tours Green Excellence Award: Agassiz Bottle Depot

Published by: Ag assiz ❖ Harr ison

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

non profit of the year

Agassiz Harrison Community Services

Chantel Walker of Agassiz Harrison Community Services accepts the Non Profit of the Year Award from presenter Danny Crowell.

Serving locally for 38 years Chances are, if there's something you need, Agassiz-Harrison Community Services can help you get it. Their main purpose is to provide assistance to residents of this area, whatever their needs might be.

Can't find a job? Their employment services and job placement programs will come in handy. Need a little camaraderie with other parents? The Family Place has been offering fun family programs for years, as well as being a place to for parents to bring their kids to play freely. Not enough to eat? Again, they can help. The Food Bank is widely-used by locals, as well as the Christmas Hamper Program.

There's a wide range of other services, too, reaching all ages of residents, including the substance misuse program, the Youth Inclusion Program, English as a Second Language training, Seniors Peer Counselling, adult literacy and the ever popular Agassiz-Harrison Community Services' Thrift Store.

What's now known as Community Services began as a child care center in March of 1973 with an initial grant of $12,000 from the provincial government. In the fall of 1975, the child care centre was extended to include other services and in early 1976 the Agassiz Social Services Society was incorporated. In January of 1978, the name was changed to Agassiz Community Services Society. In May 1979, the name was changed to once more to Agassiz-Harrison Community Services in order to include the Village of Harrison Hot Springs.

Today, they are a multi-service agency that provides over 20 different services and programs to the people in our community.

Gina Reimer, Community Services' director of finance, says being voted as the non-profit of the year means their many years of hard work is making a positive effect on people.

To find out more about how Community Services can help you, visit them online at www.agassiz-harrison.org or call 604-796-2585.

award sponsored by:

Thursday, March 10, 2011

excellence in tourism

Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa

Stuart Hammond accepting the award on behalf of Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa, from a respresentative from the Harrison Poker Society.

A history of housing tourists Guests at Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa don’t just come for the great rooms, the divine hot pools and the gorgeous view. They come to town to take it all in. The golfing, the hiking, the historical sites, the dining, festivals and water sports.

Ian Maw, the resort’s director of marketing and sales, says he includes the entire Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Agassiz, and the surrounding areas when drawing in guests. “We don’t just sell the hotel,” he says. And the more activities guests have to do in town, the longer they’ll stay.

The majority of hotel guests, 80 per cent, are visiting from the lower mainland, he says. Others come from throughout B.C. and Washington, while only a small amount come from overseas. “People can jump in the car and drive here,” Maw says. “It’s an easy, no-muss-no-fuss getaway.” He’d like to see more businesses in town that drive tourism, to keep tourists in the area a little longer.

The resort’s site, at the west end of the lakefront, has a long history of housing guests in town. In 1885, it was the St. Alice Hotel. When that burned down in the 1920s, a four story brick structure was built. That was the beginning of the hotel today, which is now the largest employer in town with more than 300 employees.

Maw says they take their role in the Village’s economy very seriously. “I think we have a responsibility as a significant tourism entity, to be successful,” he says. “By our being successful, the Village is successful.” The same goes for every business in town, he adds. “We can all contribute to a sustainable tourism industry.”

To find out more about the resort, visit www.harrisonresort.com.

award sponsored by:

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

excellence in tourism

Limbert Mountain Farm Eat Fresh. Eat Local.

That’s been the mantra of B.C. food growers over the past few years. And it seems small farms are hitting it big these days.

One of those smaller farms, which very much bases it business on eating fresh, is Limbert Mountain Farm and Simply Fine Food, winner of the Excellence in Agriculture Award this year.

The win was a surprise to owners Trudie and Claude Bouchard, who were on a winter holiday during the awards and heard about it through email. Like many other winners, they’re finding that even though the out-of-town customers help keep their businesses alive, it’s the loyal locals who are steadily supporting them.

It seems the idea of buying locally grown, fresh food — how things were done so many years ago — is really catching on.

“People are much more excited (about eating local),” Trudie Bouchard says. “Their food has only gone a short distance, it’s been picked when it’s supposed to be picked, and everything we make here is handmade and in small scale. All of that really matters.”

What will you find at Limbert? Their commercial kitchen is the perfect place to cook up that local food for the Simply Fine Foods Bistro, They prepare meals with food they’ve grown or raised on the farm, including a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and fruit, laying chickens, Cornish game hens and turkeys.

They also purchase Agassiz-grown items such as hazelnuts, cheese and coffee. As part of the Slow Food Cycle Tour, they support all their fellow food producers. To find out more about Limbert Mountain Farm phone 604-796-2619.

award sponsored by:

March Specials: Sopressata a pera Sopres Salami 29

Garofolo Pasta $258ea.

Goat Cheese $229ea.

Balocco Torte in Festa 99

Edam Cheese

Mortadella

$2 2

Come & experience a little bit of Italy in Harrison Hot Springs!

Take home selections from our fresh deli meats, cheeses, pastas, sauces, homemade lasagnas or paninis or sit & enjoy them in our cozy cafe.

160 LILLOOET AVENUE, HARRISON HOT SPRINGS 604.491.1010

/100g

$209/100g

assorted cuts

$6

ea.

$129/100g

Cortina Tomatoes $129 Rocchetta R Ro o Water $159 or 2 for $300 Loretta Pasta Salad Box 59

$1

/100g

Stop by and see our new selection of Imported Italian Ice creams and Desserts or just enjoy a great specialty coffee that will leave your mouth sweet... and if you spend $ 75.00 you get a balocco torte in feste FREE.

Winner of: New Business of the Year il Carpaccio would like to thank the Agassiz Harrison community for acknowledging us as: New Business of the Year! What an honor!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

AGASSIZ FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE Dr. Darren Paul, B.Sc., D.C. Trusted Family Chiropractor in the Community for over 12 years

Tracey Paul OďŹƒce Manager

Brenda Bailey Sunset Holistic Therapist

Stephanie Gallamore Chiropractic Assistant

Jennifer Lowden Registered Massage Therapist

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Registered Massage Therapist Sunset Holistic Therapies Custom Orthotics WCB and ICBC Claims Welcome On Site Xrays Nutrition and Wellness Protect your health, your greatest blessing.

Phone: 604.796.3559 | Fax: 604.796.1292 6660 Pioneer Ave.

HARRISON-AGASSIZ

Business Excellence AWARDS

Proud Sponsor of: Excellence in Culinary Arts

Awarded to Crazy Fish Bistro

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new business of the year

il Carpaccio Deli

Rocco Iurlo smiles when presented with the New Business of the Year Award by presenters Audri Anderson and Sandra Yollande.

Excellence is all in the family Il Carpaccio Deli has only a few months of operations under its belt. But it’s quickly become a mainstay for local diners.

The trio of Rocco Iurlo, his wife Lidia, and her sister Dina Caparusso have been busy brewing up Italian style coffees, and serving a wide selection of lovingly prepared snacks, meals and desserts since last October. It didn’t take long for word to get around about the fresh new deli.

They stock their shelves with imported foods straight from Italy, including several gluten free pastas. In their cooler, they keep deli meats and cheese that they purchase direct from an Italian butcher in Vancouver. They bake their desserts, and supply a unique brand of ice cream treats packaged in glass, reusable dessert cups. If that’s not enough, one day a week, Dina is in the kitchen making pans of lasagne and other Italian cuisine.

“For me, making a pan of lasagne is like painting a portrait,” she says. “You can make it in so many different ways.”

They know their immediate success is with thanks to a supportive community — there’s been a crowd there most days throughout the winter.

It all points to good things at il Carpaccio once the warmer weather hits, and the tourists find this little local hot spot.

Il Carpaccio is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Friday they’re open until 6:30 p.m. and on Sunday, they’re open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and they are closed on Tuesdays.

award sponsored by:

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

Recognition from the Chamber of Commerce The 2nd Annual Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards was once again a great success.

Thank you to Chris, Sonja and Kim for your hard work and enthusiasm. Your efforts created a wonderful evening of networking, entertainment and honoring the excellence of local businesses.

A BIG thank you to the following businesses. Your donations made it possible to hire the comedian, Christopher who brought chuckles and smiles to the evening….

Agassiz Harrison Observer Agassiz Museum Agassiz Speedway BC Sport Fishing Group - Eco Tours Community Futures North Fraser Cookin Kim’s Café District of Kent Farmhouse Natural Cheeses F.V. Regional Library – Agassiz Glencoe Motel Groundworks Landscaping/Lawncare Harrison Beach Hotel Harrison Festival Society Harrison Heritage House Harrison Hot Springs Preschool Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa Harrison Yacht Club

Holly Tree Florist & Gifts Kent Veterinary Clinic Len Davidiuk Tax Services Lordco Auto Parts Modern Tire & Towing Muddy Waters Espresso Bar & Café Oasis Coffee & Bistro Prospera Credit Union - Agassiz Branch Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Shoreline Tours South Garden B&B Subway - Agassiz Swiss Gourmet Restaurant Telus The Back Porch The Echoes Harrison River Retreat Tourism Harrison

Wishing all our businesses a healthy, successful and prosperous 2011!

AAGASSIZ PRODUCE

SENIORS’ DAY: Wednesdays, 10% off regular priced produce & grocery items

OPEN: Mon thru Sat 9am to 6pm

Call Scott at 604.793.2002 HARRISON-AGASSIZ

Business Excellence

• Arborist Reports Available • Tree Trimming • Emergency Tree Service • Free Estimates • 60 foot bucket truck • Residential/Commercial • Hedging Services

HARRISON-AGASSIZ

7266 Pioneer Ave. | 604.796.8444

AWARDS

Thank you for nominating us in the following categories: EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE - BUSINESS, PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD, & EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL

Business Excellence AWARDS

Thank you for nominating us in the following categories: EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE

Experience our unique destination herb & specialty food farm.

Thursday to Saturday 11am - 5pm 5493 Limbert Road, Agassiz (604) 796-2619 www.limbertmountainfarm.com

Sunday from 12 - 5 pm

Winner of: Non-Profit of the Year

Winner of: Excellence in Agriculture

The Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers of Agassiz-Harrison Community Services are proud to have been able to assist you for the last 35 years.

Thank you for this Award of Excellence.

Thank you for this honour.. we love what we do!

NOW OPEN - Join us for our Spring Celebration Saturday, March 26th

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Agassiz-Harrison Observer

Thursday, March 10, 2011

HARRISON-AGASSIZ

Business Excellence AWARDS

Proud Sponsor of: Excellence in Agriculture

Awarded to Limbert Mountain Farm

Thursday, March 10, 2011

people’s choice award

Agassiz Library

Presenter Amber Major with People’s Choice Award winners, Nicole Gentworth and Jackie Macleod, representing Agassiz Library.

Branching out into community People just love the local library. That much was made clear by the overwhelming support shown by the community, through the 2011 Business Excellence Awards.

“This comes from the public,” Terrill Scott, branch supervisor, says. While she’s one of the Agassiz Library’s most loyal fans — even writing a monthly column for this newspaper, reaching out to the community — she was pleasantly surprised that residents are devoted, too.

“I think they would have voted because of their experiences with the library,” she says. “They come through the door, they get help, they get services — direct customer service.”

The library, a branch of the Fraser Valley Regional Library system, is also an active participant in the community.

From Scott’s handiwork at the infamous goat milking competitions at the Agassiz Fall Fair, to family storytimes, the Quiz Nights, and sponsoring events such as the Volunteer Recognition Awards, the library and its staff are definitely out and about, and serving the community.

“The Quiz Night has become a fabulous thing,” she says. “It’s now on the map as a social event.”

Best of all, the library is a great way to connect with another world — the literary one.

Some people may not realize that the Agassiz library is connected to all of FVRL’s branches, with audio books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and even online services.

That means getting your hands on your favourite author’s newest release is as easy as a quick walk.

“You don’t have to leave town,” Scott says. “You don’t have to spend a fortune and that makes a difference. I love the things I don’t have to drive across the bridge for.”

To find out more about the library, its catalogue, and its many programs and events, visit them online at www.fvrl.bc.ca.

award sponsored by:

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

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Wild Bill Henke entertained the audience while auctioning off a framed print of Trevor Linden.

Comedian Christopher Molineux kept the crowd laughing after dinner.

AGASSIZ BOTTLE DEPOT 100 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs www.harrisonresort.com | 604.796.2244

Winner of: Excellence in Tourism As a proud sponsor & venue host of the Business Excellence Awards we are also honoured this year to be nominated for the Excellence in Tourism award. We strive to accomplish this daily which makes it all the more rewarding when appreciated by our clients & peers.

Spring hours 9:00 to 6:00 Monday to Saturday, March 1 to Sept. 30

Six Days a Week

Winner of: Green Excellence Award We are honoured to accept this award.

Holly Tree

Florist & Gifts Open 7 d days a week from 10:30 - 5:00 Located at the Beach across from the lagoon.

328 Esplanade Harrison Hot Springs

604.491.2010 Winner of: Excellence in Retail Thank you to all our customers.

We are thrilled that we have received this award.

7220 Pioneer Ave., Agassiz, BC 604.796.2596

Winner of: Excellence in Service - Business Thank you for recognizing our service standards that we work very hard at achieving each day.

We appreciate your loyalty and patronage, as it is you the customer who motivates our actions and you are the best.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

chamber’s choice award

Hub Barton Insurance

Barb Janzen of Hub Barton Insurance with award presenter and Chamber president Robert Reyerse.

One-stop shopping at Hub By now, most locals know that Hub Barton Insurance can handle insurance needs with ease. But did you know that you can also renew your driver’s license there? Get your driver’s abstract? Change your legal name? And did you know, you can do all of that even on a Saturday? “Something that a lot of people don’t know is that we can renew driver’s licenses,” says Barb Janzen. “We’ve always done that.”

Hub International Limited is a leading North American insurance brokerage that provides a broad array of property and casualty, life and health, employee benefits, reinsurance, investment and risk management products and services throughout offices located in the United States and Canada.

Janzen says in Canada, the company is primarily focused on rural communities. And they’re also encouraged to be active corporate citizens. In Agassiz, many of the 11 employees are involved in numerous activities, including Adopt-A-Road and the Agassiz Fall Fair.

“A number of us also do one night at the Olive Branch,” a community service that helps feed those in need.

The insurance office has been in Agassiz for at least 50 years, operating previously as Kent Agencies.

You can find them at 7072 Pioneer Ave., open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, phone 604-796-2232.

award sponsored by:

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

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excellence in retail

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Frank Peters with presenter Marcel van de Pol from Silver Leaf Gifts and More.

A passion for chocolate Every business owner wants to see their customers smiling. And what better way to make them smile than by serving them chocolates on a platter? That’s how most are greeted when they walk through the doors of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Harrison Hot Springs.

Frank Peters has owned the franchise for almost two years, since selling his previous business next door, Muddy Waters and Baskin Robbins. Since he was looking for a slower pace, he felt joining the growing RMCF franchise was a good fit. “My passion, other than coffee, is chocolate,” he says.

Thankfully, chocolate is a passion shared by many. And when a fellow cocoa lover walks through the door, Peters knows he and wife Marcy made the right business decision.

“This is fun because when people come to Harrison, they aren’t in a rush,” he says. “When they walk in they ‘ooh’ or they giggle. It’s fun, and it perks people up.”

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory stays open throughout the year, to catch the many holidays that fall in the winter season, from Halloween and Christmas, to Valentine’s and Easter.

And when you’re open year round in Harrison, good local customer support is the key to survival.

“We’ve had very good, loyal, local customer support,” he says. “You do have to have good chocolate, and we do. But the most important thing is service, give them the service they deserve, and they’ll recognize that.”

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory can be found on Esplanade in Harrison Hot Springs across from the lake.

award sponsored by:

Thursday, March 10, 2011

harrison council choice award

BC Sportfishing Group - Eco Tours

Tony Nootebos with Harrison Mayor Ken Becotte.

Guides reel in river tourism BC Sport Fishing Group Ltd. is the parent company of Harrison Bay Guided Services, Fred’s Fishing Adventures, BC Fly Fisher Guiding Company, and Kodiak Fishing Adventures. It was established 26 years ago and has grown from a one person operator base to a large guiding company that has 22 part and full-time fishing guides. Fred Helmer was the founder of Fred’s Fishing Adventures and throughout the years, Fred has been a leader in developing the guided sport fishing industry in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. In 2002 Fred partnered up with one of our own, Tony Nootebos of Harrison Bay Guided Services and together they have grown and restructured the company to form BC Sport Fishing Group Ltd. The BC Sport Fishing Group office is located inside the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, on the shores of Harrison Lake. This resort holiday destination offers world class salmon, steelhead, trout, and sturgeon fishing charters right from the adventure park marina located directly in front of the Resort.

British Columbia’s Fraser Valley is a sport fisher’s paradise. The beautiful surroundings, endless rivers, streams and lakes along with the prolific wildlife, friendly people and great accommodation options attract anglers from around the globe every year. Being conveniently located in the middle of the valley, there are several rivers that are very productive and popular due to the tremendous returns of wild salmon, steelhead trout, and even the prehistoric white sturgeon. www.bcsportfishinggroup.com

award sponsored by:

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

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green excellence award

Agassiz Bottle Depot

Presenter Michelle Mailhot and Darcy Striker (Councillor for District of Kent) accepting on behalf of the Agassiz Bottle Depot.

A green & clean business Agassiz Bottle Depot has been a place for locals to go in Agassiz, for dropping off their recyclable bottles, cans, even electronic equipment. Many of us know it as the cleanest, most friendly recycling spot around and that is all due to the Choes. It is always immaculate to the point that you almost feel badly when you spot a bottle in your own returnables that is not quite a rinsed out as you thought.. for shame!

All their hard work and good service has come to fruition now with having recently been honoured with the Green Excellence Award, sponsored by Subway - Agassiz. While the bottle depot is privately run, Alex and Sofia Choe sell all of their bottles to Encorp. In July of 2008, they started collecting e-waste which is another way to reuse parts of outdated electronic equipment such as desktop and notebook computers, computer monitors, printers, fax machines and televisions to name a few.

Agassiz Bottle Depot’s commitment to keeping green is that any containers or electronics going to Encorp will be processed, recycled, kept out of landfills and most importantly, not exported to developing nations to be dumped in their countries. The Choes are not just thinking green locally but globally.

award sponsored by:

Thursday, March 10, 2011

excellence in service - business

Holly Tree Florist & Gifts

Sandy Lance with presenters Mel Dunster and Erin Goosen from Tourism Harrison.

Floral inspiration at Holly Tree There are a million reasons to walk into a florist’s shop. There are birthdays, weddings and funerals, and even simple ‘I love you’ bouquets, that all can brighten someone’s day. Then there are the flowers themselves — the roses, the tulips, the daisies and baby’s breath. And don’t forget the stargazer lilies, irises and aster. But the number one reason to walk into Holly Tree Florist and Gifts is for the customer service. Owner Sandy Lance delivers it well, and in spades.

Whether a customer wants to come into her Pioneer Avenue shop, or search her thorough website for floral inspiration, Lance can provide the kind of knowledge needed for the situation. And it’s no secret that she’s a whiz at putting together bridal flower packages.

Her website is filled with testimonials and photos from local weddings. And while she’d like to see more local brides coming through her door, she says she’s happy to be helping those who are using Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs as a destination wedding site.

Lance helps each bride comb through the many possibilities they can choose from — and there are so many choices out there. “I’m pretty thorough,” she says. Through emails and hard copy folders, Lance is able to help brides bring their dreams to reality. But not all brides come with a full idea of what they want, and she can help with that, too. “A lot of it just having confidence in your florist,” she says.

For more information, visit her online at www.agassizhollytree.com or phone her at 604-796-2596.

award sponsored by:

Agassiz-Harrison Observer

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to see Come inreasures what t w shipour ne s hold ment eek! every w

Thursday, March 10, 2011

UNIQUE GIFTS

•

FURNITURE

•

BATH AND KITCHEN

•

HOME DECOR

FOR EVERYTHING YOUR HOUSE NEEDS

Hours: 10 am - 5 pm, Mon. - Sat.

3-7056 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz (across from Silvano’s)

604.796.0486

HARRISON-AGASSIZ

Business Excellence AWARDS

Proud Sponsor of: Excellence in Retail

Awarded to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory