The staff and Board of Directors of The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce wishes you a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Our office will close at noon on Fri. Dec. 23rd and reopen on Tues. Jan. 3, 2012.

The Bracebridge Visitor Information Centre will close at noon on Fri. Dec. 23, be open from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on Sat. Dec. 24, Tues. Dec. 27 - Sat. Dec. 31.

Both offices will return to regular business hours on Tues. Jan. 3, 2012.

TUESDAY, December 13th join us as Riverwalk Upstairs hosts our Business After Hours networking event. (Note Riverwalk Upstairs is on the main floor of 1 Manitoba St., under the purple awning. Enter through side door of building).

Beginning at 6:00 pm Chef David Friesen will be providing scrumptious hors d'oeuvres along with a cash bar.

Business After Hours is an excellent way to meet business contacts and grow your business.

Please RSVP in advance if you are planning to attend.

Mon. Nov. 28 the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce held its 59th Annual General Meeting.  The new Board of Directors for 2011/2012 have been selected.  They are:

President - Theo Veenstra, Re/Max North Country Realty

Vice-President - Paula Willford, TD Canada Trust

Treasurer - Pat Almond, Amygdalus Health & Safety Services

Secretary - Mike Kenney, RBC Royal Bank

Past-President - David Powley, Muskoka Rails Museum

Director - Richard Borland, Freedom 55 Financial 

Director - Carole Fallon, Carolyn's Comfort Homes Inc.

Director - Dennis Meystadt, Meystadt's Mobile Mechanic Services

Director - Richard Onley, Onley & Company, Chartered Accountants

Director - Shelley Raymond , Solterra Co-Housing Ltd.

Director - Larry Stroud, Korverge Inc.

Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini will be the Town Council Representative.

Thank you to Bob Kerr, Kerr Wealth Management a division of Raymond James, for his years of service on our board.

Benefit Check #1

With the cost of group benefits, you want to pay for the coverage that works for your company. Even smaller businesses should choose a custom program: why pay for a package with benefits you don't want? The Chambers Plan tailors plans for 25,000+ employers across Canada. For more information contact the Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan

PH: 1-877-277-0677, EMAIL: solutions@thebenefitscoach.com, WEB www.chambers.ca

On Thurs. November 10 over one hundred business people attended the 18th Annual Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Awards and Luncheon presented by RBC Financial Group.

Nine awards were presented to the following deserving individuals and businesses:

New Business of the Year winner Sweet Aroma Cupcakes & Boutique Bakery

Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner Adam Godard of Bracebridge Source for Sports

Business of the Year winner Muskoka Brewery

Outstanding Retail Customer Service winner Ecclestone Cycle & Swim

Home Based Business of the Year winner Len's Carpet Cleaning

Service Provider of the Year winner Community Living South Muskoka This is the 2nd year in a row that they have won this award!

Female Business Person of the Year winner Jackie Randall of Maple Lane Farms

Male Business Person of the Year winner Min Soo Kim of Wabora Fusion Japanese Steak House

Outstanding Contribution to Bracebridge Award winner Don Skinner of Skinner Properties

Congratulations to all of the nominees!