Vision Awards 2011

Oct 06, 2011

It was a record year for nominees at this year’s fourth Annual Land o’ Lakes Vision Awards, which recognize leadership, innovation and the entrepreneurial vision of businesses in nine area townships and municipalities.

Over 140 members of the Land O'Lakes Tourist Association (LOLTA) and guests gathered for the awards dinner and ceremony, which took place this year at the Trudeau Resort and Banquet Centre in Tweed. It just so happened that Trudeau Resort took the Vision Award this year for the municipality of Tweed. Speaking at the event were LOLTA president Larry Pealow, Libby Smith of the Great Waterway, and Nicole Whiting of the Ontario Highlands Tourism Association.

Rachelle Hardesty, the new general manager at LOLTA, spoke of her aim of reaching out to business owners across the area. “It's a chance for businesses who have become accessible and who have expanded to become recognized. Just to be nominated is great, and to win is to show how well these businesses have stuck by their vision, how committed they are to their communities and how well they have succeeded. The award definitely comes with some bragging rights,” she said.

Businesses were nominated by their own communities and a selection panel consisting of LOLTA's board of directors and staff rated the nominees on five criteria, which included: innovation, accessibility, determination to succeed, expansion, and community involvement. This year a record-breaking 88 businesses were nominated.

Charlene and Kevin VanDusen of Northbrook Foodland in Addington Highlands. The store is known for its fresh food and friendly staff and is also the largest grocery store north of Napanee and south of Renfrew that offers service to cottagers, campers tourists and residents alike.

Photo: Deputy Mayor Bill Cox with Northbrook Foodland winners Kevin and Charlene VanDusen

The winner in South Frontenac was the Desert Lake Family Resort in South Frontenac, recognized as a long-time family business. Desert Lake was taken over six years ago by Sally and Bret Colman from Sally’s parents Marni and Bill Pedersen. The Colmans have made numerous updates to the business over the years, including making it wheelchair accessible and they have continued the family tradition of donating generously to the surrounding community.

Photo: SF Mayor Gary Davison with Desert Lake Family Resort winners l-r, Sally and Bret Colman and Marni and Bill Pedersen

The winners in Central Frontenac this year were Nick and Jocvelyn Whalen, owners of the Sharbot Lake Pharmacy, who have been operating the business since 1979. The pharmacy offers visitors and residents alike impeccable and friendly service, as well as a wide range of gift items celebrating the uniqueness of the township.

Photo: CF mayor Janet Gutowski with Sharbot Lake Pharmacy winners Jocelyn and Nick Whalen

In North Frontenac Bud Clayton presented the Vision Award to Pauline Smart of Smart’s Marina on Mazinaw Lake. Clayton said that Smart’s serves as a one-stop shop for all its customers’ marina needs and added that it will soon be appearing on an upcoming episode of the Power Boat TV.

Photo: NF mayor Bud Clayton with Smart's Marina winner Pauline Smart

Others winners included Napanee's Hampton Inn, Jubilee Bed & Breakfast in Loyalist, Spindle Tree Gardens in Stone Mills, and Wolfe Island River Tree Golf Course in Frontenac Islands