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A night of validation

In a world where the TSX is oozing with big-names like Canadian Tire Corporation, Imperial Oil Limited, Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation, Suncor Energy Ltd.


In a world where the TSX is oozing with big-names like Canadian Tire Corporation, Imperial Oil Limited, Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation, Suncor Energy Ltd., Tim Hortons Inc; where you can't turn on the news without hearing about Blackberry's latest bust or Apple's latest boom or Galen Weston's latest scrumptious dessert he's hocking for President's Choice, it's nice to have a night in town where local businesses are honoured for their work too, many not in the shadow of humungous conglomerates, but actually, basking successfully outside of it.


It's easy to get excited about Walmart rumours - new restaurant chains or big-box stores in town but the Mark of Excellence Awards this past Friday night should remind all of us about the longevity of other grassroots companies in Humboldt; the businesses that were started maybe with a generous loan from mom and dad and an encouraging shoulder squeeze.


It's clear just from attending the gala that there really isn't any greater honour than to have your achievements recognized by your peers.


Among the deserving 2014 inductees into Humboldt's Business Hall of Fame were brothers Herb and Cliff Schlosser, now both deceased, who purchased Humboldt Motors Ltd. in 1960, before purchasing the local Ford dealership and a few years later, the Mercury one as well.


Herb's wife, Geraldine, along with Cliff's wife, Mary, accepted the awards on behalf of their late husbands. Geraldine, with her snow-white hair, looking smart in a printed blazer and yellow top, moved to the microphone after Mary's acceptance speech but could hardly utter a word through her tears.


One thing she did manage to say, emphatically and meaningfully, was "Thank you."


Geraldine could have been overcome with emotion, like a few award-winners were that night, for many reasons, but it can be assured that part of it was the pride in knowing her husband's contribution to Humboldt still makes an impact, even posthumously.


But one thing that is charmingly signature of Humboldt is humility.


There were some award-winners who didn't prepare speeches, not expecting to win.


There were some who took their few minutes on stage to instead turn the spotlight on someone else, crediting others for their achievements.


There were some who were quick to thank their fellow nominees before anyone else.


A good example that sticks out in my mind as to how much the Mark of Excellence Awards means to people, rightfully so, could be found in Tamara Hergott's speech that night when introducing her father, Murray, Citizen of the Year.


"He's never known the impact he's had on his community," Tamara said, her voice often times breaking.


Tamara recounted how her father was in total disbelief at being honoured as Citizen of the Year; I myself can attest to that too.


When I phoned Murray to reveal the big news before doing an interview with him, his reaction was as if I told him he won the Nobel Peace Prize. That's because the prestige of an award is not just rooted in what it honours, but what it means to the recipient.


Awards in marketing, service, entrepreneurship and community merit, just to name a few, were handed out that night to businesses rooted in Humboldt.


There were also the other nominees who went home empty-handed but with the knowledge that for all those early mornings and late nights, busy weekends and sporadic moments of frustration, fatigue or hardship, their work is beloved and needed.


The sense of pride Humboldt has can be best summed up in, according to Tamara, Murray's firm mantra to his family growing up:


"If it can be found local, it can be bought local."


Love that.


CM