The winners of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce Community Excellence Awards will be handed out at the Farmstrong Cider Co. (pictured) in a Woodstock-themed event on May 11. (submitted photo)

By Vernon Matters Staff

over 100 nominations

Nominees for Chamber excellence awards announced

May 3, 2023 | 2:00 PM

A record number of finalists has been announced for the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce Community Excellence Awards.

As of the deadline, over 100 businesses, organizations, employees and/or volunteers were nominated in nine categories – many with more than one nomination received.

Sponsored by Drax, the winners will be announced at a ‘Woodstock’ themed event at Farmstrong Cider Co., Thursday May 11, followed by an evening of fun and networking.

“We will be recognizing the best in our community – local businesses and community members that have demonstrated a pursuit for excellence in service and innovation,” Lori Shepherd, chamber president, said.

“The awards also promote responsible leadership, mentoring, inclusivity and volunteerism within the community.”

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

23h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

“These awards are an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the dynamic and diverse group of people who make an important contribution to the quality of life we enjoy in Armstrong and Spallumcheen,” Patti Noonan, chamber executive director, said.

“We are pleased with the record number of nominations this year, but more so, the amount of thought put into some of the submissions.”

In addition to a trophy designed by Final Touch, each winner will receive a gift basket sponsored by Rancho Vignola.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with an hour of networking, live music by the Hryniw Sisters followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The award presentations will begin at 7 p.m.

The nominees are:

Rossworn Henderson LLP Rising Star: Country Manor Kitchen, Fieldnotes Market, Happi Dani Tea, HT Asian Market, Interior Fire Mitigation, McLeod Electric, Muri Floral & Décor, Prato Photo, PV BlVD Coffee, Re/Max Armstrong, Udderly Ice Cream, Wood Mountain Naturals

VantageOne Credit Union Micro Business of the Year: Armstrong Carpet Care, Beacon Electric, Blue Grass Farm, Extreme Auto Detailing, Frosted Tier Cakes, Full Circle Memory Beads, Happi Dani Tea, Joyce’s Autographics, Las Margaritas Roasting, Mortgage Architects – Karen Lesser, Rhythm Productions, Saddle Up Magazine, Sea Stars Kids Boutique, Seed Computers, Sunridge Designs, Sweet Love Soaps, Tekamar Mortgages – Chris Heidt, Vintage Tattoo

Blackwell Building Movers Small Business of the Year: Armstrong Accounting, Armstrong Dental Clinic, Armstrong Flower & Gift Shop, Armstrong Physiotherapy, Eagle Rock Plumbing and Heating, Final Touch, Fortune Creek Kennels, Gathering Grounds Thrift Store & Express Printing, Heritage Kitchen, Hill Environmental, Monashee Outdoors, North Valley Contracting, Okanagan Bike Co., OK Tire – Armstrong, Patricia Paterson Accounting, Pleasant Valley Quilting, Royal Canadian Antique Post, TNJ Plumbing & Heating, Twisted Purl Yarn Studio, Wild Oak Café, Willco Law, Your Dollar Store with More Armstrong

Community Futures North Okanagan Mid Size Business of the Year: Armadillo Trailers, Armstrong Optometry, Armstrong Pharmacy & Wellness, Armstrong Veterinary Clinic, Bosley’s by Pet Valu, Armstrong, Farmstrong Cider Co., Fieldstone Organics, Heaton Place Retirement Centre, Overlander Golf & Event Centre, Overlander Restaurant, Swanson Mountain Fitness, The Village Cheese Co., Valley First Credit Union, Vantage One Credit Union

Hub International Insurance Corporate Business of the Year: Armstrong Regional Cooperative, Askews Foods Armstrong, Chapman Industries, Hytec – A Kohler Company, McDonalds – Armstrong, Nor-Val, Okanagan Restoration, Rancho Vignola, Shepherd’s Home Hardware & Outdoor Living Centre, Tolko

Shepherd’s Home Hardware & Outdoor Living Centre Employee of the Year: Colton Syrota – Farmstrong Cider Co., Darryl Davis – Shepherd’s Home Hardware, Emma Hanson – Wild Oak Café, Fallon Larter – Country Manor Kitchen, Heather Stewart – Country Manor Kitchen, Lark Lindholm – Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery, Megan Hunter – Farmstrong Cider Co., Natalie Sinnott – Swanson Mountain Fitness, Sarah Scott – PV Blvd Coffee, Sarah Smedley – The Higher Path, Tanji Woloshyn – VantageOne Credit Union

Hytec – A Kohler Company Revitalization & Innovation Award: Armstrong Kin Club, Askews Armstrong, Bloom Flower Festivals, Caravan Farm Theatre, City of Armstrong, Hill Environmental, Interior Fire Mitigation, Muri Floral & Décor, Purple Springs Nursery, Shepherd’s Home Hardware, Wood Mountain Naturals

Township of Spallumcheen Hospitality & Tourism Award: Armstrong Farmers Market, Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery, Bloom Flower Festivals, Blue Grass Farms, Caravan Farm Theatre, CC Bloom Flower Farm, Farmstrong Cider Co., Frugal Frocks, Historic O’Keefe Ranch, Horse Drawn Okanagan, Interior Provincial Exhibition, Sparrow Grass Field & Flower, The Village Cheese Co., Twisted Purl Yarn Studio

Okanagan Restoration Services Ltd. Organization of the Year: Armstrong Curling Club, Armstrong Farmers Market, Armstrong Garden Club, Armstrong Kin Club, Armstrong Spallumcheen Healthcare Auxiliary ‘The Bargain Bin’, Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery, Armstrong Spallumcheen Trails Society, BC Small Wetlands Association, Haugen Healthcare Society, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #35 Armstrong, North Okanagan Hospice Society.

The 2023 Citizen of the Year sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, City of Armstrong & Township of Spallumcheen will be announced, with the recipient being further honored during the 2023 Canada Day festivities.

In addition to the grand prize draw for a Blue Grass Farm staycation, there will also be a fundraiser to support the Peter Rotzetter Young Entrepreneur Bursary which will also be awarded that evening.

Noonan said those in themed apparel will be eligible for prizes.

“Think widest bell bottoms, best tie dye shirt, longest locks – the list could be endless.”

“An event such as this could not happen without support from our local business community,” chamber 1st vice president Madison Reynolds said.

“Thank you to our event sponsors Drax and Rancho Vignola in addition to our category sponsors, in addition to Rhythm Productions, Frosted Tier Cakes and Bloom Flower Festival who have provided some additional perks during the event.”

A limited number of tickets to the event are available until May 9 at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, $40 per person with no tickets at the door.