/Chamber awards recognize hard work community involvement
Highlands East Mayor Dave Burton presented the Warden's Award in place of Haliburton County Warden Liz Danielsen. /DARREN LUM

Chamber awards recognize hard work community involvement

Chamber awards recognize hard work, community involvement

 
By Jenn Watt
 
Steve
Todd was named this year’s Highlander of the Year at the Haliburton
Highlands Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Achievement Awards
held on Saturday, March 30 at Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre. 
 
John and Holly MacDonald of Lakeview Motel presented the award. 
“This
prestigious award recognizes a citizen for outstanding contribution and
community leadership, demonstrated for the benefit of the Haliburton
Highlands,” said John MacDonald. “… The Highlander of the Year is a
community enthusiast, a true ambassador who has contributed in the areas
of art, culture, heritage, community services, economic development,
the environment, etc., etc.”
 
Todd, owner
of Todd’s Independent Grocer in Haliburton, said it’s been his
philosophy since his business opened in 2005 to support as many groups
as possible every year. 
“I’ve always
had an outlook on things [in which] I don’t support one group in general
or a few groups, I kind of support all groups, whatever I can do,” he
said in an interview with the Times
Groups approach his business with a range of requests for support and he said he does his best to help out. 
He
is also a board member with the Haliburton Highlands Health Services
Foundation and sponsors a fundraising bonspiel each year. In the last 10
years, the bonspiel has raised about $35,000 for health services.
 
The
person who nominated Todd for the award noted the breadth of giving:
“Steve gives generously to this community by donating to any charity
that asks, and his contributions to the local food bank have been
extremely substantial to help many families in need. Steve deserves to
be recognized as an ambassador to this community by receiving the
Highlander of the Year award.”
 
Before
settling in Haliburton, Todd worked in several towns and cities
including Ottawa, Bowmanville and Cobourg. He said the people in
Haliburton have been incredibly welcoming.
 
“Everybody
always says what a beautiful place we live in, but I don’t think it’s
the place as much as the people that make it special. The people are
unbelievable,” he said. “I came from another town, I didn’t grow up
here, but I was welcomed with open arms. I’ve always been treated like a
local, like I’ve lived here for my entire life … So if I can give back a
little bit any way I can, that’s why I do it.”
 
Mike
Jaycock was master of ceremonies for the dinner, poking fun at
politicians and newsmakers and celebrating those in the audience who had
given much to the advancement of the community over the past year. 
 
The
chamber also screened their new video, created to recruit young people
to move to the Highlands to work or establish businesses. 
Awards were given out throughout the evening to recognize various sectors of the economy. 
 
Award winners
Innovation and Creativity Award – Haliburton Solar and Wind
Not-for-Profit of the Year Award – Rotary Club of Haliburton
Customer First – Business Award – Haliburton Solar and Wind
Customer First – Employee Award – Shontel Neville (Heat-Line Freeze Protection Systems)
Business Achievement Award – Haliburton Solar and Wind
New Business of the Year Award – Haliburton County Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
Tourism & Hospitality Award – Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve
Young Professional of the Year Award – Dr. Kassie Wright (Haliburton County Chiropractic & Rehabilitation)
Skilled Trades & Industry Award – Haliburton Solar and Wind
Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Brandi Hewson (WAI Products Ltd.)
County Warden’s Award – Harvest Haliburton
Highlander of the Year Award – Steve Todd