27th Annual Business Excellence Awards

Alf Bennie recipient caught off-guard on awards night

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — This year’s recipient of the Alf Bennie Award was expecting someone else to win the award, but she soon made the connection and realized she was the winner.

“Oh, bloody hell,” said Penelope Gil when she first realized she was the 27th Alf Bennie Award winner. “I thought it was Hilda.”

For the Alf Bennie Award, those in attendance were able to watch the winner’s face unfold in a time-lapsed video on the big screen. Local artist Todd Stahl was commissioned to do caricatures of each winner and as his drawing of Penelope Gil took shape, it became apparent to everyone there.

The 27th Annual Leamington District Chamber of Commerce Awards took place once again at the Roma Club parking lot as a drive-in event, Wednesday, September 8.

Chamber Manager Wendy Parsons welcomed everyone to the outdoor event and Chamber President Jen Dawson furthered that message by unveiling the evening’s theme, Businesses Are Our Heroes.

Penelope Gil, centre, is flanked by local artist Todd Stahl, left, and Blackburn Radio’s Cordell Green as she accepts the Alf Bennie Award.

SUN photos

VIP ticketholders had been treated to a VIP tent with hors d’oeuvres and the music of Mary Newland and Richard Baker.

Outside, general admission ticket holders were entertained by Jen Knight and Mark Mailloux.

The awards portion kicked off with the Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Cogeco Connexxion and presented by Cogeco Manager Terry Doyle. The nominees were Craig Marentette (Red Lantern Coffee Co.), Caylin Kir, Jeron Kir and Mitch Monaco (My Grind Coffee), and Nicole Anderson (Ricci, Enns, Rollier & Setterington LLP). The winner was Nicole Anderson.

Next up was Youth Excellence, an award that was kept secret for a special reason. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Leamington, Captain Rotary, dressed in full superhero attire, presented this award to Chamber of Commerce intern Isabel Unger, who was also caught off-guard and accepted the award very graciously.

Isabel just graduated from the International Baccalaureate program at Leamington District Secondary School and is a young community leader. She’s leaving for Amsterdam next week.

Jen Knight and Mark Mailloux entertained the outdoor crowd prior to the event.

The Positive Professional Award, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank, was presented to Nat Milana of Milana’s Men’s Wear. Nominees included Shelby Foster from HoriZEN Bed and Breakfast, and Troy Loop from Jack’s Gastropub.

The Warm Welcome Award, sponsored by Parks Canada and Point Pelee National Park, was presented by Superintendent Maria Papoulias. The finalists included Cured Craft Brewing Company, Kingsville BIA and Sunsets by the Bay. The winner was Kingsville BIA.

The Industrial/Manufacturing Excellence Award was sponsored by Invest Windsor Essex and presented by Marion Fantetti. The finalists were Fort Dearborn Company, Caxton Mark Inc. and Thermo Energy Systems. The winner was Fort Dearborn and the award was accepted by Carrie Quenneville and Dave Delgreco.

The Welcoming Accessibility Award was sponsored by Community Living Essex County and was presented by Community Living representative Debby Degroote. The finalists were South Essex Community Council, Southwestern Ontario Gleaners and Switzer-Carty Transportation. The winner was South Essex Community Council and the award was accepted by Carolyn Warkentin.

Marion Fantetti of Invest Windsor-Essex, left, presents the Industrial/Manufacturing Award to Carrie Quenneville, centre, and David Delgreco of Fort Dearborn.

The Small Business Excellence Award for businesses with 1-9 employees was sponsored by WFCU Credit Union. The finalists were Flood’s Nursery Farm, Impact Fitness and Speedprint. Tim Willkinson accepted the award on behalf of Speedprint.

The Small Business Excellence Award for businesses with 10-50 employees was sponsored by Scotiabank. The finalists were Leamington Home Hardware, Seacliff Manor Retirement Residence and Shopper’s Drug Mart Leamington.

The recipient was Seacliff Manor and the award was accepted by General Manager Kari Sleiman.

The Customer First Award was sponsored by CIBC and presented by Leamington CIBC Manager Joe Oswald, who made a passionate speech prior to naming the finalists, who were Abraham Orthodontics, Paul’s Basement Waterproofing and Libro Credit Union. Local managers, Paul Thompson and David Debergh, accepted the award for Libro.

Michelle Fortier of The Bank Theatre, centre, accepts the Director’s Choice Award from Paul Thompson, left, and Lori Atkinson, right, of Libro Credit Union.

The next award up was the Invest in a World-Class Workforce Award, which was sponsored by Workforce Windsor-Essex and presented by Business Excellence Awards Chair, Charlene Houle.

The finalists were Erie Shores HealthCare, Erie Shores Family Health Team and the Leamington Mennonite Home. The winner was Erie Shores HealthCare and the award was accepted by CEO Kristin Kennedy.

Next up was the Innovation Award, sponsored by the Municipality of Leamington and presented by Mayor Hilda MacDonald. The finalists were Cindy’s Home and Garden, Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast and Nature Fresh Farms. The winner was Nature Fresh Farms.

The Excellence in Food Service Award, sponsored by TD Canada Trust, was presented by Kevin Verburg. The finalists were Booster Juice Leamington, Ray’s Ribhouse and Starbucks Leamington. The winner was Ray’s Ribhouse.

BMO Bank of Montreal sponsored the Grow South Essex Award, presented by Brad Meredith. Finalists were Highbury Canco, John O’s Foods and Plant Products. The award went to John O’s Foods.

Isabel Unger, left, accepts the Youth Excellence Award from Captain Rotary, who presented on behalf of the Rotary Club.

Nat Milana of Milana's Menswear accepts the Positive Professional Award from Chamber General Manager Wendy Parsons.

Another surprise was in store for Michelle Fortier from The Bank Theatre as the theatre received the Libro Credit Union Director’s Award for their perseverance through the pandemic in bringing entertainment to the community.

The end of the evening culminated in Blackburn Radio’s Cordell Green presenting a very surprised Penelope Gil with the Alf Bennie Award.

Penny is originally from England — and is affectionately known around here as the Queen Mum — but made Leamington her home many years ago. She retired after 48 years of running her own Montessori pre-school here.

She’s involved in The Bank Theatre, Little Tomato Children’s Theatre, Thrift on Mill and also helps the community through St. John’s Anglican Church. She’s spent countless hours helping others.

“Penny’s love for the community and humanity shines through,” said Bank Theatre Manager Michelle Fortier.

As mentioned at the outset of this article, Penny was genuinely shocked and surprised.

“I am honoured to win the Alf Bennie Award from the Leamington Chamber,” she said. “Thank you to Blackburn Radio for sponsoring the award and to Todd Stahl for the beautifully framed caricature. I love Leamington and it’s a privilege to volunteer and give to our lovely community. Congratulations to all nominees and winners.”

Tim Wilkinson of Speedprint, right, accepts the Small Business Excellence Award for 1-9 employees from Chamber General Manager Wendy Parsons.

The crowd sit in anticipation of the 27th Annual Business Excellence Awards.

Chamber General Manager Wendy Parsons, with Kevin Verburg of TD Canada Trust, who presented the Excellence in Food Service Award. It was won by Ray’s Ribhouse, but Ray was unable to attend.

Brad Meredith of BMO presents the Grow South Essex Award with the help of Chamber General Manager Wendy Parsons. The award recipient was John O’s Foods, but a representative was unable to attend.

Kari Sleiman, right, General Manager of Sealiff Manor, accepts the Small Business Excellence Award for 10-50 employees from Chamber General Manager Wendy Parsons, left.

Erie Shores HealthCare CEO Kristin Kennedy, left, accepts the Invest in a World Class Workforce award from Business Excellence director Char Houle.

Chamber General Manager Wendy Parsons, left, holds the Innovation Award with Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald. The recipient was Nature Fresh Farms but a representative was unable to attend.

Maria Papoulias, right, Superintendent of Point Pelee National Park, displays the Warm Welcome Award with Chamber General Manager Wendy Parsons, left. The winner was Kingsville BIA. A representative from Kingsville BIA was unable to attend.

Wendy Parsons, left, presents the Young Entrepreneur along with Cogeco Connexxion’s Terry Doyle. The award was won by Nicole Anderson of Ricci, Enns, Rollier and Setterington LLP. Nicole was unable to attend.

Carolyn Warkentin, Executive Director of the South Essex Community Council, left, accepts the Welcoming Accessibility Award, presented by Community Living Essex County’s Debby Degroote.

CIBC’s Joe Oswald, centre, is flanked by David Debergh, left and Paul Thompson, right, who both accepted the Customer First Award on behalf of Libro Credit Union.