MARYSTOWN, N.L. — Local Burin Peninsula businesses were honoured tonight, Oct. 22, in Marystown with the presentation of the Burin Peninsula Chamber of Commerce annual business awards.
The winners were:
Marystown Auto Glass and Graphics & Peninsula Arctic Cat, Employer of The Year (Small Business)
BELFOR Marystown, Employer of the Year (Medium/Large Business)
Mario Walsh Mechanical Services Ltd, Community Spirit (Small Business)
Keyin College, Community Spirit (Medium/Large Business)
Josh Parsons Marystown School of Music, Young Entrepreneur Award
Lake’s Auto Service, Family Business of The Year
St. Lawrence Historical Advisory Committee, Committee Recognition
Just For You Day Spa, Judge’s Choice Award
Business Biographies
Marystown Auto Glass and Graphics and Peninsula Arctic Cat
This business has been in operation for more than 16 years. Owners Phonse and Angela Stacey took ownership of the business just over six years ago and since then have grown the business from a three-bay garage to a seven-bay garage. Their six full-time employees have medical and dental benefits and the company is always seeking other means to attract and retain employees.
BELFOR Marystown
Since 2014 BELFOR Marystown has grown from two employees to three managers and nine service technicians. In addition to providing their employees with medical benefits and an employee assistance program, the company places emphasis on employee recognition with an annual awards program that includes Employee of the Year, Merit Award for Most Improved Employee, Safety Award, and Manager’s Choice Award for an employee who has demonstrated commitment to building the business, with outstanding attitude and commitment to excellence. BELFOR holds numerous team-building activities and company outings each year and recognizes outstanding employees with service recognition awards.
MARIO WALSH MECHANICAL SERVICES LTD.
Mario Walsh Mechanical Services Ltd., which has been operating in Marystown for just four years, supports local celebrations, including the Kaetlyn Osmond post- Olympic celebrations in 2018, and children’s sports events in soccer, hockey, and softball. In 2019, the Mario Walsh Mets, a local kids’ softball team, won their championship game and Mario proudly displays the team trophy and picture at the office. The locally-owned business also supports educational field trips and theatre arts for youth. Walsh and his five employees also support and volunteer with many community events, parades and summer festivals.
KEYIN COLLEGE
During the 30 years it has operated on the Burin Peninsula Keyin College has partnered with community organizations on many projects. Students and staff at the college have embraced volunteerism and raised thousands of dollars for the Cancer Relay for Life, CNIB, Happy Tree, and the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre. Keyin takes a lead role in events such as the Montreal Massacre Walk and the annual Red Dress Event in support of indigenous women, missing and murdered women and young girls in Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada
JOSH PARSONS MARYSTOWN SCHOOL OF MUSIC
After graduating with a Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, Josh Parsons returned to the Burin Peninsula in 2018 to open the Marystown School of Music. Located at St. Gabriel’s Hall, the school provides a range of music programs in percussion, guitar, piano, and ukulele instruction.
With just one year in business, the school has already expanded to hire more instructors and offer more programs in dance and pre-school level music. Over 200 students are currently enrolled in their programs.
Through his business, Parsons has also been involved with many community projects on the Burin Peninsula, including Live at Heart Newfoundland, Burin Peninsula Folk Festival, the Big Splash of the Marystown Shining Seas Festival Big Splash, and the iDance Convention in St. John’s.
LAKE’S AUTO SERVICE
Lake's Auto Services has been in business for 66 years. The business was started by Clarence Lake and is now run by his sons Don and Neal. It is the only auto service in Town of Fortune. In addition to serving customers’ auto repair needs, the business also supports community events.
ST. LAWRENCE HISTORICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The St. Lawrence Historical Advisory Committee launched the “Lunch Tin Café” in 2018 in the Town of St. Lawrence as part of the Chamber Cove Trail experience. The Chamber Cove Hiking Trail is the site of the USS Truxton naval disaster. Miners from St. Lawrence and Lawn rescued the survivors from the USS Truxton and USS. Pollux in that February, 1942, marine disaster. The significance of the Lunch Tin Café is to visit the café and experience a tour of Chamber Cove with a packed lunch in the miners’ lunch tin from the Lunch Tin Café. The St. Lawrence Historical Advisory Committee has demonstrated innovation and creativity in preserving the history of St. Lawrence.
JUST FOR YOU DAY SPA
The Judge’s Choice Award aims to recognize an award nominee or other business entity whose operations may not necessarily fit neatly within the criteria for other awards, but whose activities the judges perceive as being particularly worthy of recognition.
Just for You Day Spa is owned and operated by Melvie Moulton. Located in Lewin’s Cove, the spa has been in operation for nearly 17 years.
According to the company biography, Melvie’s business success is thanks to not only providing great care and services for customers, but because she has paid attention to trends in spa services. She has spent her time and money to upgrade her training, to be able to provide clients with the latest in services and techniques.
Among other accolades, Just for You Day Spa was recently recognized as #1 Spa off the Avalon by the Newfoundland Herald.
