The BRASS Awards winners showing off their awards. Left to right, Jonna Ebel and Tony Sheard of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation, winner of the Not-for-Profit of the Year; Tony Kaake and Jennifer Haessler of Maple Shores Health Centre, who won Business of the Year; Natasha Payne of KNK Lawn Care, were awarded Service Excellence of the Year; Melissa MacKinnon of Unleash the Pawsitive took Young Entrepreneur of the Year; and Brian and Glenda Miller of Aunt Mable's Country Kitchen & Motel won the popular People’s Choice of the Year, May 28.

Hub Staff

Local business owners along with their staff, family and friends gathered in fine attire to a red carpet arrival at Saugeen Golf Club on Saturday evening, May 28, for the second annual BRASS (Business Recognition Awards Saugeen Shores) Awards Gala. The annual event is hosted by the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce with help of the BRASS Awards Committee.

After weeks of nominations, judging and anticipation, votes had been narrowed down to three nominees in each of five categories, recognizing outstanding business owners in Saugeen Shores.

BRASS Awards Commitee Co-Chairs Caitlin Stone and Steph Carr hosted the evening's event with Pat O'Connor as auctioneer for the live auction. One of the prizes being lunch with Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith, a popular item as it went for $525. Door prizes and a silent auction also took place with dozens of prizes on offer from local businesses.

“This event is extremely important because we don't do enough to celebrate the successes of some of the most important businesses in our community and I think this goes a long way to starting that,” said Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce President, Pier Donnini. “What I am hoping is that we build on the success of BRASS and do more of this because when we get together as a group we are a better group. We learn a lot about ourselves and each other's businesses and it can only be good for the community as a whole.”

The ceremony took place after a four course roast beef dinner, with the first of the evening's awards, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, going to Melissa MacKinnon of Unleash the Pawsitive, who came in ahead of the other category finalists, Jake Walton of The Walker House and Michelle Bruin of Na'Hoola Spa. McKinnon, who also won an award last year for Collaboration of the Year with Eh Elle Design and Photography, said, “I'm very thankful for everyone in the community who supported me.”

KNK Lawn Care, Rosina and The Spa Room were the finalists for the Service Excellence of the Year with KNK Lawn Care taking the honours. Natasha Payne held back her tears as she spoke of her parents, Dave and Kathy Soepboer, who started the business in 1984. Sadly, Kathy passed away in March of this year. “This one's for my mom,” said Payne.

Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF) took Not-for-Profit of the Year, coming in ahead of Liv-A-Little and PRANCE. “Health care close to home, that's the goal, that's the ambition,” said SMHF Chair, Jonna Ebel. SMHF Campaign Chair, Tony Sheard said now that the hospital expansion in Southampton is underway, “we are now turning our attention to other things to raise money for the hospital.” Sheard then briefly mentioned the foundation's new GEM (Give every Month) program. 

The gala's popular People's Choice award saw over 5,600 online and paper ballots collected with the award going to Aunt Mable's Country Kitchen & Motel, winning over Southampton Olive Oil Company and The Walker House. Owner, Glenda Miller said they were very grateful for being nominated. “We're heading into our 12th year here at Aunt Mabel's Country Kitchen and Motel,” she said, adding that her Great Grandfather was born in Saugeen Shores a long time ago. “We're here forever, we're not going anywhere,” said Miller.

The final award of the evening saw Maple Shores Health Centre taking Business of the Year, with Carey Optical and Fitness Funatics being the other two finalists in the category. Co-owners, Tony Kaake and Jennifer Haessler thanked their families and staff. “It's quite an honour to be put in this position with so many amazing business in the community,” said Kaake.

All the proceeds raised from the evening's gala go to benefit community events and initiatives within Saugeen Shores through the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce.

Left to right, Ann Veyvara-Divinski, John Divinski, Elizabeth Russell, Caroline Young, Lorie Carey, Conor Kelemen and Paul Carey sit at their table at the BRASS awards, held at Saugeen Golf Club.

All wearing flowers in their hair from Cathy's Flowers 'N Treasures, sitting left to right, Terina Wnuk, Christy Sylver, Courtney Sauve; standing left to right, Judy Rich, Christy Kelly, Carla Pavlov, Jen Fowler and Tina Hill. All were enjoying their evening at the BRASS Awards.

Guests fill the room at Saugeen Golf Club for the second annual BRASS Awards Gala.