Story and photos by Mary P. Brooke     

An elegant atmosphere was staged for the annual Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce awards dinner, at the Sooke Community Hall Friday night, November 6, 2009. The decor was coordinated by Frederique Philip, co-owner of Sooke Harbour House.

Several key players attended the evening, including Mayor Janet Evans and John Horgan, MLA (who was excited to report his experience attending the ceremony to greet Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in Victoria earlier in the day). However, attendance at the annual event was down by about 30 to 40 persons as were the number of offerings in the silent auction (about half the number seen in 2008).

The award announcements were emceed by Chamber past president Scott Gertsma, owner of Sooke's Home Hardware franchise, along with incoming Chamber president Todd Olynyk, manager, RBC (Sooke branch). This year's Chamber President, Gwen Fisher (owner of Pure Elements Spa) was credited for relocating the annual awards event from the Legion (where conditions were cramped) to the spacious (but drafty) community hall. One of the Chamber directors -- Jeannette Wilford (Wood Travel), was credited for spearheading constitutional changes about directorships, and positions of VP, President and Past-President. Award plaques had been carved by Darlene George.

The Chamber's "Sooke's Finest Awards" (winners selected by an unidentified committee) were issued in 9 categories:

Those present had a fun time (supported by some upbeat live music by the local band Maxx), but as the Chamber's major annual fundraiser (coordinated by Gwen Fisher, Deb Johnson, Rose Dumont, Kari Osselton, Jazmin Keys and John Zaremba; catering by Stone Pipe Grill), it was perhaps not the best showing on a rainy Friday night.  MM