2008 CABA Awards of
Excellence
On Sept. 8th winners were also presented Certificates of Achievement
personally by Cheryl Gallant on behalf of the Prime Minister of Canada and
in addition, MPP John Yakabuski recognized the achievement of the
recipients in the form of a certificate.
1.
Excellence in Customer Service
An award for Excellence in Customer Service was given to Carol and Bert Kauffeldt of Pine Valley Restaurant, 26047 Highway 41, Griffith, (613-333-5523). They are community-minded business owners who enthusiastically took over an existing business three years ago. They are known for their customer service.
Regardless of who you are or where you come from, there is always a warm valley welcome awaiting you when you enter. The norm is a “Gi’day, gi’day! How are you?” You will then be attracted to the very colourful décor and the gifts for every season adorning the walls. While dining, you will find the atmosphere very inviting and relaxing.
On occasion, you may even be serenaded by Bert while enjoying Carole’s home cooking. You may wish to purchase some of Carol’s wonderful home baking but its not recommended if you are on a diet! As is common in a rural community, they offer more than one service. In addition to the restaurant, they offer a gas bar with diesel fuel and a grocery/variety store.
Carol and Bert reach out to the community in many different ways. Reg Ferguson personally saw them give a snowmobiler a place to sleep for the night when the weather was so severe that he could not return to his home town. Customer service includes unpaid deeds which are given with kindness and compassion. Reg saw them give free firewood to a very wet camper who needed to dry out but could not get his campfire started because of the continuous rain.
The Kauffeldt family believe in being friendly, accommodating and giving above and beyond what is expected. They are always willing to give a hand. In this way they admirably achieve excellence in customer service. That is just what they do. They are excellent examples of how to make a community hum.
2.
Excellence in Ambiance – Home-based Business
An award for Excellence in Ambiance – Home-based Business was given to
Hank & Henny
Schaly of Schaly’s
Greenhouse, located in Spruce Hedge, 613-433-5831. Hank & Henny moved with their young family of 8 from
The tone and mood is set even before reaching the greenhouse
as you travel along the
charm. On arrival you are immediately greeted with not only a multitude of floral scents from all directions, but also the aroma of freshly baked goods being prepared for sale by Karen McLeod, the newest house member.
Each building on the property has a unique character, hand crafted with a natural and rustic flair. Not one, but two “Tea Houses” add to the ambience. The Tea House décor is a delightful contrast of naturally aged woods brightened with fine bone china teacups resting on the beams, everlasting dried flowers, antique hand tools and comfy chairs to curl up with a good book. “Mother’s Tea House” was built as a Mother’s Day Gift by the sons (many of whom are gifted carpenters). Daughter, Marlene is also a very gifted artist and her creations are noticed here and there, throughout the property. Massive Heavenly Blue Morning Glories draping the screens keep both mosquitoes and the hot sun rays out. Natural stone steps and brick pathways, including one with a trickling stream and pond, lead from one amazing garden to the next from which you can choose your own bouquet from the “cutting garden” or a favourite perennial which will be dug and potted while you wait. From May to September (but never on a Sunday, as the Schaly’s believe a day of rest is needed by all), you can choose from an array of outstanding annuals which seem to be much more vibrant and happy than any large commercial offering.
50,000 seedlings are started early March, in a special sunken greenhouse, attached on the south side of the home. Transplants are then moved to a greenhouse that features spruce rafters, cedar pole beams, walls of natural cedar planks, all cooled with a fan system run with windmill power. No wonder the flowers look so happy! The operations are very eco-minded, incorporating a variety of energy saving practices, recycling, composting and natural disease and pest controls. The artistic flair for Home and Garden and Style is in evidence at many of the gardens created by the Schaly’s throughout the community.
Accepting on behalf of Hank & Henny
is their son, Gilbert, who inherited Henny’s green
thumbs and is resident caretaker of Schaly’s
Greenhouse. Hank & Henny are on their way across
3.
Excellence in Ambiance – Commercial Property
An award for Excellence in Ambiance – Commercial Property
was given to Cheryl Babineau and Richard Gill of
Bittersweet Fine Craft and
Turn down a country lane and find a delightful mix of elegance and country charm which is a treat for the senses. 24K gold gleams on the exquisite sign which includes an image of a country building highlighted by a large sun. An inviting bench, a window box, perennials, garden pottery and a Canadian flag welcome you to the front door that is a cheery mix of red, yellow and ochre.
Upon entering the gallery, you are soothed by instrumental music, often soft jazz. If there
is a special show, then upbeat or classical music may complement the art. The first of three rooms, a new addition with a sky light, radiates with warmth from the knotty pine ceiling and beautiful wood salvaged from a willow tree Richard cut down 30 years ago and stored away all this time. The lighting has been selected to highlight the original art – a mix of natural, true halogen adjusted by a dimmer switch and moving on to more energy efficient lighting. The overall look is of natural daylight. Displays are tastefully arranged and well spaced. The work represents artists who generally live in a 100 mile radius. They are a treat for the eyes. You will find a wonderful mix of pottery, paintings, glass, jewelry, purses, pillows and more.
If Richard is available to see visitors, then his working
studio is also open to you to see work in progress. His work adorns the walls
in room three. One is struck by the shadows and the textures in the clay. You
are transported to vistas in
Talking to Cheryl about the artists is an entertaining
experience and adds local colour to the overall ambiance. There is Erika Ferrarin’s wearable wall art which is a necklace in a
shadow box created when a piece of her sculpture was accidently broken. Tim
Storey’s teapots have to be studied in detail as you marvel at his sense of humour. Visitors who love to buy local art are not
disappointed. Among many others you find work by Hugh Malcolm, Valerie Miller
and Cheryl Fraser of Renfrew, Amber Gorra of
Calabogie and Bettine Baum of Burnstown.
The whole
4.
Excellence in Community Service
An award for Excellence in Community Service was given to John and Marjorie Watts of Calabogie (613-752-2598).
It does not
take long to learn that, if something is happening in the Calabogie area, John
and Marjorie Watts are involved. They
seem to volunteer as a couple. Whether it’s been for the Seniors’
Club,
If you walk by the
They have also served on the Canada
Day Committee over the years and organise the Annual Gospelfest at
Remembrance Day services at the Cenotaph are most touchingly organized
by them. John arranges for the wreaths
to be purchased by local organizations and
businesses to place at the memorial. As well, he makes
arrangements for the Legion and visiting servicemen to come for the
parade.
To enumerate all of their
contributions to this community would fill a book, but suffice it to say, they
are most deserving of this award. Thanks
very much for a job well done over many years!
5.
Excellence in Community Service
An award for Excellence in Community Service was given to Gilles Aucoin of Aucoin’s Electric in Calabogie (613-752-2790).
Owning and operating a successful business is a huge commitment these days. Some people do it well and still manage to have some time to give to the community.
Gilles Aucoin, of Aucoin’s Electric, has succeeded in doing just that. Gilles
has been with the Greater Madawaska Volunteer Fire Department for 19 years, and
for 10 of those years has been the captain of communication and suppression.
He’s in charge of the radios, pagers and the 911 systems. Gilles was on the
original Fire Department Committee before amalgamation and was instrumental in
helping
Gilles has also served for five years on the Emergency Planning Committee. What would Calabogie do without the Canada Day Fireworks Committee? Gilles has played a big role in that process as well. He has also been the treasurer of the Ontario Electrical League Ottawa Valley Chapter for over 10 years.
Gilles was given praise by several of his colleagues for always being there when needed, being helpful and giving freely of his time and opinions whether they were asked for or not. Congratulations on behalf of CABA and thank you for your dedication to the community. You are very deserving of this award.