(Andrea Greenhous, becomes the President of the Stittsville Business Association, announced at their final meeting for 2021 held on December 7.)
On December 7, the Stittsville Business Association (SBA) held their final meeting for 2021 and Christmas get together at The Glen Scottish Restaurant and Pub. It was an opportunity to name the new President and thank Olivia Bolt, a student of Sacred Heart High School. The meeting also set the stage to name the Thomas Cavanagh Business of the Year for 2021.
At the onset, Allan Ryan, outgoing President of the SBA, thanked the Executive and Members for their commitment to building the association and the accomplishments made during the past two years of his tenure. He said, “although when this association came about from meetings held in 2017 to form a BIA, Wesley Smith and I weren’t on the same page at that time, but I, nor the SBA, could have achieved what we have without Wesley’s leadership and I want to thank him”.
Ryan introduced Andrea Greenhous in her new role as President. Andrea has a vast knowledge in communications. She is the founder of Vision2Voice, an internal communications agency that has expanded across international borders. “Andrea is a communications expert and will bring her talent to the SBA as President. I look forward to working with her as we continue to see the association grow,” said Ryan.
Olivia Bolt has been working with the team of Wesley Smith and Jenny Thompson creating much of the social media output for the SBA. The incredible talent and professionalism she brought to the SBA was greatly appreciated and certainly will be missed by the members and executive. “When we started our honourarium program for students, we reached out to Sacred Heart to find a student with an interest in communications and social media. Well we couldn’t be happier to have had Olivia join us for the past year and we want to give you this token of our appreciation, a gift card for a new business in Stittsville, Ritual on Main, to visit with your family and friends,” Ryan expressed.
“I have enjoyed my year working with the SBA and thank Jenny and Wesley for teaching me so much. It has been a privilege to work with them and the members. I thank the SBA for giving me this opportunity and to my teacher, Mr. MacEachern,” Olivia said.
After a few words from Allan expressing the importance of supporting and shopping local at the great businesses here in Stittsville, it was time to reveal the 2021 Thomas Cavanagh Business of the Year. The award presented by the SBA recognizes a local business that has gone above and beyond for giving back to the local community. Something that Tommy generously carried out for many years here in our community of Stittsville and beyond.
“This year is a little different,” said Allan, “Wesley and I counted the membership votes and we have a tie. This year we will be awarding the Thomas Cavanagh Business Award to the two businesses that have gone above and beyond here in our community. We are pleased to present these awards to Mahogany Salon and Spa and Stittsville Central“.
Opening their Stittsville doors in 2004, Catherine Wood and her Mahogany team have provided professional services at their salon and spa both here in Stittsville and Carleton Place. In 2022, Mahogany will be celebrating 18 years in business in Stittsville. When called upon for a donation for an event or a family, Catherine has always generously given back to the community with prize packages and gift cards. “We are honoured to receive this business award from the Stittsville Business Association. Stittsville residents are so supportive of our business – it is wonderful to be a part of this community.”
Since taking over Stittsville Central from Glen Gower in 2018, the all-volunteer team of Lesley McKay, Russell Mason, Lillian Knoops and Perpetua Quigley, have kept our community updated on local businesses, events, human interest stories, art and history. With a mission of keeping the community engaged, it is with the help of local contributors, writers and photographers that Stittsville Central is the community’s online hub. “To receive this recognition in honour of Thomas Cavanagh is our highlight of our year. We always support the Stittsville Business Association and all of our Stittsville businesses and we can’t emphasize enough to shop local.”
Allan Ryan and Wesley Smith were presented with Farm Boy gift baskets from the membership in thanks for their leadership and dedicated work with the SBA over the past two plus years.
Following all health protocols during the event, note that masks were removed for the photo opportunities.