The annual Hanover Chamber of Commerce Awards Celebration is recognizing the people and businesses who help the community.
The chamber handed out the various 2023 awards at the Hanover Legion Tuesday night.
The Citizen of the Year award went to Gary Fedy, who is involved in a number of community activities including driving for HCSS delivering hot and frozen meals.
“I am involved with the church, the Knights of Columbus, I help coach different sports and do things like that,” says Fedy. “I am very humbled it, I didn’t expect it. I just do these things to keep busy, I just enjoy it.”
Erling Andersen was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been part of the Hanover Rotary since 2006 and has taken part in a number of its activities, including the Santa Claus Parade, Canada Day festivities, and homecoming events.
The Small Business Entrepreneur award was presented to NorthSide Pantry and its owners Melissa and Chad Mauer. The specialty grocery store features items from local producers. Melissa has also supported local school breakfast programs, minor sports teams as well as charity fundraisers in the town.
Arlen and RJ Taylor from Cedar Crest Trout Farms – Springhills Fish was given the Business Innovator Environmental Award. This second generation family business began in 1995 and has since grown into providing humanely harvested fish.
The Business of the Year award was presented to Hanover Foodland and its owners Kim and Luigi Catalano. They have been involved in supporting the Special Olympics as well as local foodbanks.
“It’s overwhelming and it is a great honour to be here tonight to be nominated for this amazing award,” says Kim.
Lastly, the Youth Citizen Award had three high school nominees, Lana Basson, Ethan Enns and Olivia Frook.
Frook was the winner of the award after using the proceeds from her cookie making business to support mental health initiatives over several years. She has also organized events to raise awareness for student health issues and share mental health tips through announcements.
“It’s a privilege to be nominated for this award,” says Frook. “I was just accepted into the Kinesiology program at Western, so I hope all these activities have helped me to build my personality and the way I am today to help me move forward in my career later on in life.”
Mayor Sue Paterson, who was also in attendance, says the event helps recognize the individuals who exemplify the very best of the community.