Six entrepreneurs were honoured Thursday night in St. John’s for their business acumen as part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs’ (NLOWE) 14th annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala.

Pauline Duivenvoorden of Headline Holsteins Ltd. in Deer Lake walked away with the evening’s top honour, earning the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award.

“I feel honoured to be part of this dynamic group of enterprising women,” Duivenvoorden said in a news release.

Headline Holsteins is the second largest dairy farm in Atlantic Canada and the largest producer of milk in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“I am also very appreciative of the recognition it gives to agriculture in this province and to the many women involved in primary food production here. I am proud of the dairy industry in particular, and grateful for the opportunities it has provided. It is a privilege to accept this prestigious NLOWE award.”

Andrea Sharpe, owner of Karlande Designs Inc. in Clarenville, was awarded the Community Impact Award, recognizing her business’ economic and social impact on her community, or more accurately in this case, the entire province.

Sharpe created a bracelet in memory of her late sister, Mary Elizabeth, who succumbed to cancer 20 years ago. She donated the bracelet to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation to use as a fundraiser. Bracelet sales have raised more than $2 million for cancer care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Robin White, who owns Fresh Faces Laser and Medical Cosmetics Clinic and Total Body Fitness in Gander, won the Start-up Award, honouring an entrepreneur who has successfully remained in business for two to five years.

The Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Penny Chatman, owner of The Red Rooster Eatery in Lethbridge.

Chantelle O’Driscoll, owner of Diversity Without Borders in St. John’s, won the Visionary Award. Her company specializes in diversity and aboriginal awareness training.

The Innovation Award went to Tineke Gow, owner of The Artisan Inn in Trinity.

Almost 200 people attended the awards gala, including Premier Kathy Dunderdale, the province’s first elected female premier.

 telegram@thetelegram.com

The Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation relies heavily on trail sticker sales in order to help provide the many services it presently offers, including grooming of the trail network.

Get your stickers by Monday, October 31st for just $60.00 if purchased online!

http://www.nlsf.org/sticker.html

• Early bird special (on or before Nov. 30th, 2011) – $80.00
• Regular price (after Nov. 30th, 2011) – To Be Announced

FREE lunch and learn!

Topic: Recruiting & retaining top employees

• Facilitator: Carla May, Cornerstone HR
• When: Thursday, November 3, 2011, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.

• Where: Deer Lake Motel

The Newfoundland & Labrador Snowmobile Federation (NLSF) will be holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Deer Lake on the 5^th of November.  Members of the NLSF are invited to attend.  The meeting is open to members who have purchased a “Season Trail Pass” in the 2010-2011 snowmobile season.  Proof of purchase, along with photo id must be shown in order to attend and one must have “Selected” that they wish to be a member in order to hold voting privileges at said meeting.

Event:  NLSF Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Location:  Deer Lake Motel

Deer Lake

Date:  Saturday, November 5^th, 2011

Time:  9am

Anyone wishing to have an item tabled for consideration on the Agenda must do so in writing to the NLSF, 21 days in advance of meeting.  An agenda of the meeting will be available for download via our website on or before October 17^th, 2011.  Please visit our website @ www.nlsf.org for further information.