Janice Entem from the Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce presented Amber Lee Mohl from the Bellevue Underground Mine a plaque for first place in the non-profit category in the Beautiful Business Contest on Wednesday, September 12.
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
Last week was Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon and members celebrated the first Chamber event since summer began with discussions with delegates from the different communities.
The lunch took place on Wednesday, September 12th and was hosted and catered by Country Encounters.
Chamber members were served soup sandwiches, desserts and coffee.
Kicking off the meeting was a brief announcement that there will be an oil and gas job fair on Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, with about 650 positions to be filled. The fair will be held at the Heritage Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Pincher Creek. There will also be a free information session held Sept 18-22. Resumes are required. For locations and session times, phone 403-627-3156.
Fred Bradley from the Crowsnest Museum also delivered a brief speech indicating that tickets are still for sale for Harvest of Memories. 200 tickets are available for the event.
Next, Dawn Rigby from the Audit Committee took the stage next to announce the winners of the Beautiful Business Contest that occurred this past summer in the Pass.
The Beautiful Business Contest initially started as a Spring BreakGarden Centre initiative to encourage businesses around the municipality to groom and beautify their businesses.
“The Crowsnest Pass has one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world, and its good to see businesses taking advantage of that,” said Rigby.
The contest not only allows but also encourages small businesses to partake.
Among the many benefits for entering the Beautiful Business Contest is to show community pride. “It is a proven fact that pride draws in customers,” said Rigby. Other benefits include certain discounts, plaques for display and bragging rights.
There are four winners first, second, third, and overall most improved.
The judging was based primarily on a four piece criteria: how clean and tidy the exterior of the business was kept, if the building was accessible, the appeal of signage and the entrance, and the curb appeal and esthetics.
The Judges were Albert Headrick, Director of Protective and Community Services for the municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Joni MacFarlane from the Crowsnest Pass Promoter, John Redekopp of Canyon Creek Realty and Val Breakenridge of Springbreak Garden Centre.
And now for the winners.
In third place, Crockets Trading Company Inc, tied for second place, Stones Throw and the Orpheum Theatre, and in first place, River Ridge.
In the nonprofit category, in third place, the Bellevue Legion, in second place, the Crowsnest Museum, and in first place, the Bellevue Underground Mine.
The winner of the overall most improved category was the Bellevue Legion by acclamation.
Third, second and first place winners received a plaque and a large round of applause from Chamber of Commerce members.
This was the first year for the beautiful business contest, and from the great success that resulted, the contest will be continued next year. Discussion of a residential contest is also being considered.
