Ellen Corea describes being named Citizen of the Year as an honour, after receiving the award Saturday (Oct.21) night at the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business and Community Awards Gala.

After moving to Lacombe six years ago from Dawson Creek with her husband, Corea has spent countless hours volunteering in the community.

One of the first organizations she got involved with is the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre Foundation, and is partly responsible for bringing Music in the Park to the City.

She said It’s something she’s extremely proud of.

“One of my very close friends had the idea to start Music in the Park, that’s Lan Lawrence, and unfortunately he passed away after about a year, but we carried it on. Now we are going in to our fifth season, it’s very popular and a very energetic event that we do every week in the summer.

“We then built the stage out on front of the LMC and that was really exciting.”

Receiving the award is something she’ll always remember.

“This was totally unexpected, I was quite shocked actually. I’ve worked with a number of people on some fairly high profile projects this year so I sort of see this as a real compliment to those groups.”

Corea is heavily involved in the art scene in Lacombe and is also part of the Lacombe Cross Country Ski Club.

Large and Small Business of the Year Awards

(Charmen Baron accepts the Large Business of the Year award on behalf of her husband Lionel of No Frills.)

Lionel’s No Frills was named Large Business of the Year.

On behalf of owner Lionel Baron, who wasn’t able to attend the ceremony, his wife Charmen had this to say.

“Lionel gives so much to the community. Honestly, if there’s something in Lacombe, whether it be kids, women, sports teams, the Kinsmen, the curling rink, he’s behind it. So, it’s so nice to see the community give so much back to him.”

(Owner of Red Hot Threads Krystal Rundell accepts her Small Business of the Year award.)

After years of being nominated, Red Hot Threads Boutique finally received their due by being named Small Business of the Year.

Owner Krystal Rundell said she’s extremely honored, but gives most of the praise to her staff.

“All my staff are amazing and I couldn’t do any of it without them. I’ve been on mat leave for the last 10 months who are always there. I have amazing employees.”

Irene Prins was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, People’s Choice for Customer Service went to Scott Beauclair and Darryl Deutsch of Napa Auto Parts, Not for Profit of the Year was Lacombe Athletic Park Association and Farm Family of the Year went to Ko Bruning and family.