04/30/2026
Thank you to the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce for the Skilled Trades Award!
Press Release:
The Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Awards of Excellence Gala this past Saturday at Victoria Park Armoury in Lindsay.
The sold out event recognizes businesses, leaders, charitable organizations and individuals who excelled in business or made significant contributions to the community.
This year was a special and emotional year as a new category was added to the awards, the Linden Lighthouse Award. This award is inspired by the late Linden Mackey who passed away May 5, 2025 at the age of 59.
The inaugural year of Linden Mackey Legacy Award – recipient was Sheila Caron, RN.
“The friends of Linden Mackey who established the fund in his memory were thrilled to
be able to present the initial legacy award at the Awards of Excellence Gala. The
recipient honoured with the award, Sheila Caron, has exhibited qualities throughout her
career that are perfectly aligned with the intent and spirit of Linden and the award.
Sheila is deeply committed to aiding vulnerable individuals and her work reflects a belief
that a compassionate, community-based response makes a meaningful difference in
people’s lives” stated Mike Puffer, Linden Mackey Legacy Fund advisor and director of the Kawartha Community Foundation.
There was also a video tribute to the late Rick Harding and his wife Rose Janchevsky who were prominent business leaders in the community who passed away from a motorcycle accident last summer.
Chamber Executive Director and organizer of the Gala Terry Guiel felt this year's gala will be remembered as both touching and strongly community centric saying “My heart is grateful that we could use our annual business awards to recognize two of our communities most known and loved leaders”, adding, “Linden was the epitome of what a business leader is and what it looked like to truly love your community, while Rick was all that as well but with a big dose of humour, eccentricity and vibrance that made him a local legend”.
Here are the winners of the 2026 Awards of Excellence.
Employer of the Year: At the Core Home Health
Board Member of the Year: Shirley Norman
Give Back: Jami Joy - Secret Santa for Seniors
Arts & Culture: The Grove Theatre
Customer Service: Days Inn and Suites
Design: Home by Tim & Chris
Diversity & Inclusion: Kawartha Lakes Pride
Health & Wellness: Nurse Next Door
New Business: Hope Valley Healing
Marketing: LP Movers
Rebrand: Kindred Coffee
Non-Profit: Five Counties Children’s Centre
Tourism: Globus Theatre
Social Butterfly: Loaded Spud Potato Bar
Skilled Trades: Dyson Alarm Tech Systems
Rising Star: Riz Digital01
Employee of the Year: Dawn Cox (McDonald’s)
Legacy Leader: Nicki Dedes
Volunteer of the Year: Angus McNeil - Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Business Leader of the Year: Janet Di Bello
Citizen of the Year: Beth Wilson
Linden Mackey Legacy Fund, created to celebrate and continue the extraordinary spirit of community leadership embodied by Linden Mackey.
A beloved funeral director, devoted family man, and respected community leader, Linden Mackey touched countless lives with his kindness, humility, and unwavering dedication to serving others. The outpouring of love and respect following his sudden passing in May 2025 is a testament to the profound impact he had on the City of Kawartha Lakes and beyond.
The Linden Mackey Legacy Fund will recognize and celebrate individuals, community groups, and organizations who go above and beyond to make a positive impact in their communities. Through the annual Linden Lighthouse Legacy Award, the fund will shine a light on local leaders who demonstrate generosity, inclusion, and a spirit of neighbourliness, as well as support initiatives that promote mental health and overall community well-being.
This special award will be featured as part of the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Gala, one of the region’s most prestigious celebrations of business and community excellence. By including the Linden Lighthouse Legacy Award in this event, the community will come together each year to honour Linden’s memory and recognize those who carry forward his spirit of service and leadership.
