Meagan Fair is Bruce Power Citizen of the Year

Meagan Fair (above, left, with John Peevers of Bruce Power) has been named the Bruce Power Citizen of the Year.

The award was one of 15 presented at the Community Achievement Awards, hosted by the Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce, Saturday, Oct. 14, at Ainsdale Golf Course.

Fair and her family have lived in Kincardine since 2009. She has always been an avid volunteer, including the Kincardine Lions Club, and the KTTPS Home & School Association. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she created the “Kincardine Strong” Facebook page, as well as the “Saugeen Shores Strong” and the “GBH Strong” Facebook pages. Post-pandemic, “Kincardine Strong” remains a hub for community information, with, more than 8,400 members.

A nuclear professional, Fair brings her skills and enthusiasm to better the community, as well as supporting organizations, such as Huron Shores Hospice and the Lakeshore Women’s Triathlon. She is also an advocate for beach safety, pushing for improvements at the Kincardine Harbour piers and the Lake Huron waterfront.

Also nominated for Citizen of the Year, were Andrea Clarke and Steve Deer.

The evening began with chamber president Manny Page welcoming about 150 people to the event, followed by grace and dinner.

MC Mike Walsh then welcomed a representative from each award sponsor to introduce the nominees and announce the winners.

The Jennifer Cook and Associates Co-operators Woman of Distinction award went to Lynda Shields.

Shields opened Her Strength Studio in May, 2022, to share with other women the positive benefits of exercise. In her late 40s at the time, she knew the importance of strength training for women as they age. She completed the Canfitpro Personal Trainer certification and is constantly taking professional development courses and seeking out other trusted sources of information for training mid-life women, as well as business management courses. Her studio is all about independence and quality of life - being able to do more of what you love and get through the things you don’t, without injury.

Also nominated, were Jaye Boyer and Karen Robinson.

The Enbridge Quality of Life award went to the Kincardine Good Food Box.

Since October, 2019, Wendy Cox and Shirley Steele have been co-ordinators of the Kincardine Good Food Box, a monthly bulk-buying program, started by Grey Bruce Public Health and the Kincardine Area Community Services organization to provide produce – a mix of fruit and vegetables - at a reasonable cost, so that most people could improve their diet. One bin currently costs $22 for paying customers. The program has expanded to supply 50-60 boxes each month to families and seniors who otherwise couldn’t afford them. In December, 2021, a satellite depot was set up in Ripley where about a dozen boxes per month are picked up. The Good Food Box is now available 12 months of the year, and provides bins for local schools to assist with breakfast programs.

Also nominated, were Community Living of Kincardine and District, and Tori Hamilton.

The Hammond Power Solutions Golden Apple award went to Sarah Smith.

Smith is is an elementary school teacher with 16 years’ experience. After two years of successfully steering her students, and parents, through on-line learning, her teaching philosophy has been to create magical moments each day, fostering outdoor exploration and hands-on learning with her little scholars. Inside the classroom, she encourages student-driven inquiry learning alongside the curriculum, allowing students’ interests to shape their educational journey. As an experienced teacher in the field of Kindergarten, she shares her knowledge, ideas and lessons with fellow teachers.

Also nominated, were Jesse Lorusso and Monique Boivin.

The Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Environmental award went to Kincardine Residents Against Phragmites.

The Kincardine Residents Against Phragmites (KRAP) was formed in 2016, after residents noticed a plant beginning to take over several of the beaches in Kincardine. Working closely with the Municipality of Kincardine, they were able to identify the plant as phragmites and organized volunteers to begin the process of controlling the plant. With help from Dr. Janice Gilbert, a wetland ecologist, the municipality hired individuals to spray plants that were established on dry land. KRAP successfully applied for funding from Bruce Power and began cleaning up beaches and raking up dead phragmites, burning the plants and controlling the new growth. In the past six years, the group has helped to clean up and control 16 kilometres, from Boiler Beach to Mystic Cove.

Also nominated, were David Grant and Dykeman’s No Frills.

The Nuclear Promise X (NPX) Good Neighbour award went to Nancy Dawson.

Former secretary at Ripley-Huron Community School before her retirement, Dawson has spent more than two decades making sure the less fortunate in Kincardine have enough to eat. She is a co-ordinator with the Kincardine Food Bank which sees close to 2,000 visits each year. Her inspiration comes from a desire to make a difference, especially for children. As a child she never went hungry, but food and resources were limited and remembering that, motivates her to help others who may experience the same feeling. She loves connecting with community members, both the volunteers and the clients, while not judging their circumstances.

Also nominated, were Wayne Passmore and Wendy Cox.

The Bruce Telecom Young Entrepreneur of the Year award went to Erin Nichol of Lake Huron Audiology.

After completing her Masters of Audiology degree, Nichol worked in private hearing clinics before opening Lake Huron Audiology in Kincardine. She did everything to keep the business running - receptionist, audiologist, bookkeeper, website creator, and social media manager - for the first year. As her business has grown, she has added staff, heeding the advice of her mother, that it is important to treat your employees with respect and create a positive work environment. She also sees the importance of investing in and promoting positive mental health and well-being.

Also nominated, were Matthew Brown and Zackery Eybergen.

The Miller Insurance Agricultural Business award went to Beefway.

Beefway, the local butcher shop, employs 20 and has operated in this community for decades. Brad and Kristie Gilchrist purchased the store in April, 2022, and continue to improve and better the business. They are no strangers to the area - Brad is the fourth generation to farm at his current location in Bruce County and they use the beef cattle they raise as a way to supply the Beefway. Not only is the beef local, but it is also truly a start-to-finish operation and completely family-owned. The Gilchrists have started an annual charity barbecue, with the first one raising $2,700, split between 4-H clubs and the local food bank.

Also nominated, were Hive ‘n Hoe Country Store, and Joel and Jennifer Armstrong.

The Andrea Clarke Law Offices Youth Programming Excellence award went to the Tom Groome.

Groome has been instrumental in re-introducing Scouting to this community and is leader of the Beaver Colony. The organization is dedicated to nurturing personal growth, leadership, and community engagement among youth from all walks of life. As a Scouter, his role centres on guiding the youngest members, ages five to seven, in the Beaver program which has opened its doors to children from diverse backgrounds and abilities, creating an inclusive space where every child feels not just welcomed, but cherished. He accepts this award on behalf of the entire Scouting team.

Also nominated, were Brandon Owens and Melissa Chauder.

The Community Living of Kincardine and District Inclusion award went to McDonald’s Kincardine.

The core values at McDonald’s Kincardine are service, inclusion, integrity, community and family. The restaurant has been nominated in the past for the inclusion award as it has been able to employ several international workers over the years and work closely with Community Living to be an all-inclusive workplace. It employs people with all different abilities and offers flexible schedules to meet individual needs. In Kincardine, the restaurant has donated such items as gift cards, coupons, baked goods, tea and coffee, juice and more, to community events, such as the Terry Fox Run, Seniors Social and numerous school events.

Also nominated, were Bar Down and Weekins.

The BDO Customer Service Excellence award went to Tiverton Park Manor.

Tiverton Park Manor is a retirement residence for 52 residents, and home to the two-suite, community-funded, Huron Shores Hospice. The facility has 26 team members, including RNs, PSWs, and other support staff, who are an integral part of its success, earning praise and recommendation from much of the local Kincardine medical team. The manor provides a high-quality, comfortable, home-like atmosphere for its senior population. It is also actively involved in assisting local organizations by providing meeting spaces, and sourcing food and supplies for local events, such as the Tiverton Fall Fair, Goodtimers charity pancake breakfast, Ripley Fire Department breakfast, and the Tiverton Agricultural Society’s Safety Day barbecue.

Also nominated, were Fincher’s Kincardine and McKechnie Pharmacy.

The Municipality of Kincardine Tourism award went to the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band.

Founded in 1908, the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band is believed to be the oldest street pipe band with unbroken service in the province. Since 1948, crowds of locals and tourists have delighted in taking part in the band’s march down Queen Street every Saturday evening in July and August. This year, the band continued its performances during the downtown construction by Piping in the Park on Saturday evenings. The Phantom Piper, which plays atop the Kincardine Lighthouse each evening in the summer, is an attraction attended by many, as is the Massed Bands event, a day of entertainment, food, good music and celebration.

Also nominated, were the Eleanor Villena and Victoria Park Gallery.

The Superheat FGH Business Person of the Year award went to Andrea Clarke.

Clarke arrived in Kincardine in early 2018, with her husband and three children, under three years of age, ready to begin a new position, practising law in a local firm, only to find the firm closed due to the proprietor’s poor health. She opted to hang her own shingle in July, 2018, and since then, has balanced family, work, volunteering and her role in municipal government. She purchased a second practice in 2021, and opened an office in Port Elgin in 2023. In just five short years, she has been appointed to the Office of the Children’s Lawyer panel, speaking for vulnerable children under the care of the Children’s Aid Society, and working with vulnerable children and women who identify as Ojibway First Nation and reside on Saugeen 29. Her offices support Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Bruce North Huron, the Kincardine Chamber of Commerce, the Lighthouse Blues Festival and Fight for Freedom. In her spare time, she coaches soccer, and speaks to special interest groups of all ages including the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, and the Girl Guides. She actively promotes inclusivity and representation.

Also nominated, were Alexandre Lussier and Bharath Nangia.

The Shoreline Classics FM Business of the Year award went to Victoria Park Gallery.

Victoria Park Gallery is a non-profit business, comprised of 17 members and four volunteers, all artists who sell their work through the gallery and contribute to its day-to day operation. Its members participate in local events and charities, including Women’s House, the local food bank, and animal rescues. Workshops geared to low-income customers and donations to local charities are the gallery’s way to give back to the community. Many of its members are retired, allowing them to spend time doing what they love to do.

Also nominated, were NPX and Boston Pizza.

The Kincardine BIA Downtown Ambassador award went to Bar Down.

Bar Down’s owners, Alana Rozon and Lou Kosmerly, live out their motto: Give help when and where it is needed in the community we live in, that supports us and our business.” To that end, the restaurant has supported community members who have experienced unfortunate situations, with fund-raisers and donations to fund-raisers, and strives to add more events to support and highlight different organizations, businesses and not-for-profits. The owners collaborate with as many downtown businesses and organizations as possible and support initiatives to work toward the same common goal of having a thriving and growing downtown. Such initiatives include the Buddy Meal program, the food bank, Pride events, and an annual golf tournament fund-raiser for Community Living of Kincardine and District.

Also nominated, were 2M Power and Colleen Libiec.