To be a great community, you need to have great residents, great organizations and great local businesses. For the past two weeks, Innes Ward councillor Laura Dudas has been criss-crossing the ward, handing out Gems of Innes Awards to 11 of those organizations and local businesses.
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| Innes Ward Coun. Laura Dudas presents a Gems of Innes Award to Dr. Annie Séguin from the Hamlet Veterinary Hospital. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO |
One of the first places she visited was the Hamlet Veterinary Hospital on Innes Road where she presented Dr. Annie Séguin with the Favourite Frontline Worker Award.
The soft-spoken vet accepted the award with humility while heaping praise on her husband and business partner Dr. Bernard Vincelette and the entire staff for making the award possible.
The Hamlet Veterinary Hospital is a godsend for pet owners in Blackburn Hamlet and the surrounding community.
The staff at the hospital go above and beyond merely treating their furry patients. They are dedicated to educating owners about the care of their pets and how they treat various illnesses. They pride themselves on providing compassionate care, especially for aging cats and dogs.
Desjardins Insurance agent Lisa Cruickshank picked up a Gems award in the category of Best Professional Service Business. Working with her head office, Lisa nominated many Orléans businesses for grant money to be awarded by Desjardins Insurance. She worked tirelessly to put together rock-solid submissions that resulted in $80,000 in grants being awarded to eight Orléans businesses. These funds have helped businesses stay afloat during the pandemic, serve their clients and contribute to the local community.
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| Innes Ward Coun. Laura Dudas presents a Gems of Innes Award to Desjardins Insurance agent Lisa Cruickshank . FRED SHERWIN PHOTO |
The Garlic King received a Gems Award for Favourite Frontline Business. The restaurant gave away 100 family meal certificates to the local food bank to help families in need and provided countless meals to first responders over several months during the pandemic.
Other award recipients include Pho Truc Lien for Best Restaur-ant/Café; Delice Royal for Best Restaurant – Food; the Cumbrae School of Dance for Best Personal Service Business; MIFO for Best Community Support Organization; Lokma for Best New Business; Critter Jungle for Best Retail Business – Merchandise; and Cathy Priestman from CP Business Solutions for COVID- 19 Community HERO!
CUMBERLAND FARMERS MARKET from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with 85 local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION 
THE ORIGINAL NAVAN MARKET from 9 am to 2 pm at the Navan Fairgrounds, 1279 Colonial Road in Navan. Over 100 vendors in attendance. For more information 
TRIVIA NIGHT every Tuesday night at the Royal Oak Pub Orléans from 7:30 p.m. Free to play and prize for the winning team! The Royal Oak is located at 1981 St. Joseph Blvd. near the corner of Jeanne d'Arc Blvd. For more information visit 
MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES featuring members of the Opus Academy music school under the Domes on the Navan Fairgrounds presented by the Navan Community Association starting at 7 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE Refreshments will be available for purchase..
ORLEANS FARMERS MARKET every Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm in the parking lot at the Ray Friel Recreation Centre on Tenth Line Road. Shop the freshest seasonal produce, meat and dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts and more while getting to know the folks who grew and made it. 
