The Lake Country Co-op businesses in P.A. were the biggest multiple winners, walking away with no fewer than ten BOB awards. (Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

By Glenn Hicks

Business Celebration

P.A. businesses have a blast at BOB Awards

Jan 17, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert and area’s business and community group over-achievers, their clients, family, friends, and general A-list groupies, showed up in force for the 2020 paNOW BOB Awards Thursday night.

Despite the frigid temperatures outside, a crowd of over 250 turned up the heat inside to celebrate their collective achievements at the Art Hauser Centre’s Ches Leach lounge.

As is customary, the winners of the accolades – on this the sixth edition of the very popular event – were announced and ushered along the red carpet, to take their place in the spotlight for the glamourous occasion that acknowledges the community’s Best of the Best.

“This has to be one of the best attended BOB Awards we’ve ever had,” said a beaming Marlene Stene, the sales manager of paNOW. “People are embracing this like I’ve never seen. This is P.A. proud – the best of the best.”

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

3h ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

18h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

22h ago

As the winners in over 200 categories were celebrated, guests were entertained on two acoustic fronts: Best Band winners Constant Reminder strutted their stuff on stage and Best Dance DJ Maxwell Music spun the records.

Nigel Maxwell, Best Dance DJ, setting up for the big night. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

On the culinary side other newly-crowned BOB winners got to show off why they are the public’s favourites: Shananigans, Northern Lights Casino, Venice House On Central and Spice Trail. And the on-the-night paparazzi was in the hands of Casting Moments photography, although anyone with a camera or cell phone was encouraged to click away which added to the celeb buzz.

The food is another star attraction at the BOB Awards. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

While there were many first-time winners of a coveted BOB Award, there were also some mainstays being recognized once again.

Actually, this is what really draws the crowd. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Casting Moments Photography made sure every award winner was properly recognized. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Malcolm Jenkins’ daughter Karen, picked up the award for Best Citizen on his behalf. Not surprisingly, given his extraordinary generosity across multiple fundraising endeavours, Jenkins was collecting the BOB Award for the sixth year running.

Karen Jenkins, centre, accepts the BOB for Best Citizen on behalf of Malcolm Jenkins as Canadian Tire also picked up an award. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Among the multiple category winners for 2020 were Lake Country Co-op and the Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club.

BOBs are not only for businesses. The Prince Albert Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Club grabbed a couple of awards.(Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

For Murray Watchel, the manager with Lake Country Co-op Agro, the night is all about the community acknowledging the quality people and businesses there are in P.A.

“It’s a great night, we’re a community-minded business, and I think we’re the best employer in town,” he said. “We treat our people well and our people treat us well.

“It’s a great reward for a year of hard work. I look forward to the BOB Awards every year …we love it.”

–

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

Twitter:@princealbertnow