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Langdon and District Chamber of Commerce celebrates local business with annual awards

The Langdon and District Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual Golden Horseshoe Business Excellence Awards virtually on March 18 to recognize local businesses’ efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Langdon and District Chamber of Commerce hosted its second annual Golden Horseshoe Business Excellence Awards virtually on March 18 to recognize local businesses’ efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alysha Leeman, president of the Langdon and District Chamber of Commerce, presented awards to recipients in three different categories, including Langdon Votes, Visit Langdon, and the Golden Horseshoe award, where each recipient was nominated by their peers and awarded by the board.

“Our big thing was making sure that our local businesses were recognized for all the hard work that they do every single day,” Leeman said.

“We know small business owners are a big part and the heart of the community, so we wanted to make sure that they were recognized for everything they do.”

Langdon’s chamber of commerce took over the Golden Horseshoe awards ceremony in 2020 after The Newsy Neighbour – a local magazine – discontinued the awards for the business communities of Chestermere, Langdon, and Strathmore.

“I really believe that recognizing the hard work of individuals is important to build that sense of community,” continued Leeman.

“We are blessed to have such an amazing business community out here that should be recognized for their volunteer efforts and their support to the community.”

In 2020, the Golden Horseshoe Awards banquet dinner was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning the chamber of commerce was forced to rework the ceremony into a virtual format. While they had to opt for a virtual event again this year, Leeman said this was just one little way they could say thank you to all of the local businesses for their hard work during a tumultuous year.

One such business-owner was Lana Seddon, who received two awards, including Small Business of the Year and New Business of the Year. She and her husband, Jesse Seddon, took ownership of the Prairie Grounds Coffee House just two weeks before the business had to cease in-person sales due to COVID-19.

“It wasn’t the first year of business that we ever imagined for ourselves – with all of the COVID related restrictions and closures – but we made it through thanks to the support of this awesome community,” Seddon said.

“[Winning the award] makes us feel like all of our hard work this past year has not gone unnoticed and it motivates us to keep growing and improving our little coffee shop.”

According to Seddon, the recognition that comes with winning an award has already had a positive impact on the business, as customers have commented on the award and offered congratulations. She added she will be proudly displaying the award in the shop window and plans to post about it on social media to help draw some more attention.

She hopes the award will help spread the word about Prairie Grounds Coffee House to people outside of Langdon, as well.

Seddon said she also hopes the coffee shop’s win might encourage other small businesses in the hamlet to get involved with the community and join the chamber of commerce.

“It was so great to connect with other business owners in the community and come together to celebrate one another amidst a very challenging year for many,” she said.

“We were among some incredible business in those categories and after a year like this, I personally think every small business owner deserves an award.”

Other award recipients in the Langdon Votes category include Home Based Business of the Year winner My Heart & Soul Collections, Community Spirit of the Year winner Langdon Firehouse Bar & Grill, and Customer Service of the Year winner To The Point Shooting Clinic.

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