Chris Karkabasis wins lifetime achievement award; Robyn McNabb named Citizen of the Year

In an evening of excellence that recognized Lindsay’s top businesses, a rare lifetime achievement award was presented to Chris Karkabasis, a well-known businessman and BIA founder.

The Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce and Cogeco held the 2018 Evening of Excellence event June 1 at the Lakeview Arts Barn. Many local individuals, groups and businesses gathered to recognize those among them who go above and beyond to provide innovative products or services, develop exceptional new practices and improve the community for all.

The evening kicked off with the presentation of the award to Karkabasis, former owner of the Cottage Restaurant and later the Olympia Restaurant, a councillor for the Town of Lindsay and past Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce president.

President of the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce, Mike Perry, congratulated all of the recipients and nominees and thanked Lakeview Arts Barn for hosting the marquee event again this year.

“It is wonderful to celebrate local hard work and success across our communities,” said Perry.

Throughout the awards presentation portion of the evening, other winners awarded excellence awards were: New Business Of The Year: DiBello Towing, Customer Service Excellence: Kawartha Care Wellness Centre, Design Excellence: Adelaide Clinic, Innovation Excellence: Mariposa Dairy, Tourism Excellence: Days Inn & Suites Lindsay, Marketing Excellence: Happy Days Houseboats, Youth Mentorship Excellence: Victoria County Career Services, Arts Excellence: Kawartha Lakes Art Gallery, Employer of The Year: Horizon’s Family Dentistry, Not-For-Profit Excellence: A Place Called Home,with the highest honours going to Adam Hayward of Nesbitt’s Meat Market, and Robyn Ward, who were named Business Leader of the Year and Citizen of the Year, respectively.

Comedian Chris Gibbs acted as master of ceremonies for the night, introducing award presenters and entertaining the crowd with light humour and banter. The Evening of Excellence is presented annually by the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce and Cogeco.

Pictured left to right: Louis Karkabasis, Chris Karkabasis, Cathe Karkabasis, Christina Dedes, Nicki Dedes and Costas Dedes.