Casey Keller Skidding Ltd. received the Business Leader Award.  Sometimes, businesses operate for years unnoticed in the background, continually providing employment, supporting other companies, and creating a positive impact on their community.  This describes Casey Keller Skidding Ltd.  The business began in 1997 and has continued to grow steadily over the years.  They do not have a storefront or an online website however they do have an incredible impact on our community as they provide sustainable forestry operations and employ a number of people in our community.  They also volunteer their time and donate equipment and operators when needed for community events and actively participate in and support these events.

Brenda Hawley and Marlene Dacuk received the Sportspersons of the Year Award.  In 2019, they started a simple but necessary walking program held at NAEC during the winter months. The program has helped many seniors who may not have access to any forms of exercise, particularly during the winter months.  These small projects do not happen on their own, leaders like Brenda and Marlene keep them going for the benefit of the community.

Ella Bence received the Emerging Youth Leader Award. Ella has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and compassion. She has played a key role behind numerous school events and has an ability to motivate and inspire her peers.  Ella is a positive role model and has demonstrated this through her mentorship of a younger student by offering steady guidance and emotional support, this student is thriving through Ella’s support.

Econrent Equipment Rentals & Sales received the Business Leader Award. Econorent supports many community events including the Cloyne Rec Club’s Meet the Machines. They participate in vendor markets offering discounts and free swag, most recently they participated in the Northbrook Santa Clause Parade and Denbigh Stationary Parade. They have donated to numerous local charities and organizations like the L&A County General Hospital MRI Machine, Land O’Lakes Lions Club, Denbigh Recreation Club, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and the Alzheimer’s Society. Econorent offers rentals and sales at amazing rates, free delivery, great knowledge, and exceptional customer service.

Pam Lemke received our Citizen of the Year Award. Pam has lived and worked in our community for many years. Over the years, Pam has been involved with Land O’Lakes Community Services, Pine Meadow Nursing Home and is a past president of the Land O’Lakes Lions Club. More recently Pam is our community representative of the Alzheimer Society of KFL&A which has two volunteer groups, The Golden Girls and the Old Pharts. These groups volunteer in the community and at Pine Meadow Nursing Home under the leadership of Pam. Pam is also instrumental in organizing the annual Alzheimer walk and you will often find her at Vendor shows supporting fundraising events, selling Alzheimer coffee, and giving Alzheimer information sessions. Pam has wonderful talent for spreading joy! Her ability to make people smile through laughter, music, and dancing creates a warm and inviting atmosphere wherever she goes.

Milligan Meats received the Business Leader Award. Milligan Meats opened their doors on July 5, 2018, and is owned and operated by Brian and Joanna Milligan. They offer top quality meat products , groceries, baked goods, and excellent customer service. Milligan’s also go above and beyond for the local community whether its volunteering their time to barbeque or donating food for events.

Mary Kelly received the Citizen of the Year Award. Mary has been a volunteer director with the Land O’Lakes Community Services since 2015. She also joined the Mazinaw Lake Swim Program (MLSP) when they were in danger of ending the program due to lack of funding. Mary began a letter writing campaign to residents, businesses, and organizations to keep the program afloat. Her response was so amazing she has been doing the same each year. Mary is also the Co-chair of the Land O’Lakes Garden Club.

Rosie’s is a family owned and operated gas station, café and convenience store nestled in the hills of Denbigh.  It was started by Joey and Jenelle Rosenblath and opened on Canada Day weekend in 2019.  Rosie’s has gas, baked goods, groceries, gift shop, hunting supplies and fresh made meals and desserts. Rosie’s have gone above and beyond in serving the needs of the community, going out of their way to ensure they had fresh food, fuel and all other important supplies since opening during Covid lockdowns and every day since. Whenever you drop in to their business, they are friendly courteous and kind and make you fee welcome to their business and our community.

Shirley was instrumental in attracting the ‘Fly-In Doctors’ that served the Northbrook Medical Centre, located in the former school. The doctors flew from Kingston and landed at the Northbrook airstrip. A team of 3 doctors served the clinic for 3 years beginning in 1972 – the precursor to the Clinic we have today. Shirley was one of the main people who organized the fundraising and down payment that was required for the ‘community contribution’ and creation of the Pine Meadow Nursing Home. With others, she solicited financial support from the community. At one point Shirley traveled to CMHC in Ottawa to ask for more time when the community portion of fundraising had stalled. With others pulling together they raised the community portion and Pine Meadow became a reality. Shirley later served as a volunteer Secretary to the Board. As a long-time volunteer member of the Land O’ Lakes Community Services, Shirley was able to secure the services of a psychiatrist from Picton who visited our area weekly and aided and guided LOLCS personnel in this kind of medical help, a service never before available for this area. Shirley was heavily involved in the Northbrook Volunteer Ambulance Services – the precursor to the L&A County Ambulance services we have today. She was a trained ambulance attendant and driver. She was one of only five volunteers that received the 10,000 Volunteer Hours award from the ambulance service in 1995. When Shirley stepped down as an attendant she continued to volunteer as a Board member. The purchase and renovation of the Land O’ Lakes Emmanuel United Church in Northbrook were possible with the help of Shirley on the Executive. Today, Shirley is very much involved in the Cloyne and District Historical Society as President. With the mandate of ‘Preserving Our Past for the Future’ Shirley has served this volunteer role of President for several years.

Sylvie has made a huge impact in our area through sport and fitness, both on an individual level and a community level. In May 2022 she started the “North of 7 Run Club”. Every Tuesday she hosts a weekly run/walk program at the NAEC school running track, free to the public. She has made a “North of 7 Run Club” Facebook group with over 55 members, where she shares workouts, healthy recipes and promotes a sense of community. Being an Under Armour Canada brand ambassador, she has a surplus of running shoes and has kindly donated her lightly used running shoes and clothes to the run club members. On September 10th 2022, Sylvie hosted the Inaugural “North of 7 Challenge” – a 3km obstacle course race right on her property. No one saw all the hard work she put in during the 10 months prior, but the product was spectacular. There were over 135 race participants, over 25 volunteers, and many more spectators enjoying the race and festivities. Over half of the race participants were from our region. She brought in many local business and volunteers to help showcase what our community has to offer. There was nothing but positive reviews for the event.

Constance has demonstrated over the years that leadership and community involvement are important. She has been a volunteer coach for the North Addington Soccer Association since its restart in 2019.  She has always been the coach of the youngest age group which is a tough task some days.  Constance showed up each night with a plan and enthusiasm to teach the kids. Constance has been one of the hardest working volunteers for the Annual Trunk or Treat Event that has taken place in Flinton.  She helps setup, take down, pack and distribute candy and is always dressed in a costume every time.  She is a true youth leader within our community.  She is always there to help when needed. It is clear that Constance values her leadership skills.  She is quick to make decisions and set goals.  She is strong at building relationships, communicating and she has empathy.  These are skills that will lead Constance though a bright and successful future.

Jenny is the CEO of Denbigh View Ranch.  Jenny has brought the spirit and culture of farming back to Chatson Drive and the community. Denbigh View Ranch participated at Northbrook Farmers Market where she sells pork and beef. Jenny has also taken others along on the journey with her social media posts demonstrating how she is bringing life back into the 180-year-old farm. Jenny has been utilizing existing structures and old technology to grow her business through horseman ship lessons and regenerative grazing techniques. Addington Highlands was a farm community and Jenny is applying her visions to an old abandoned farm to bring it back to life along with livestock grazing the land just as it once was.