It wasn’t a gala, it wasn’t an awards night, but the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce may have had one of its most rewarding nights ever last week.
The chamber held its 2020 Business Excellence Non-gala gala on Oct. 22 via livestream at various venues. It was an evening to celebrate its members who have pivoted and supported one another during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The highlight of the evening was a 28-minute video produced by Logan Coutts, in which members told how they coped — with the help of the Okotoks community — since COVID-19 hit on March 15, initially shutting down non-essential services.
Sherry Lindenback, owner of 94 Take the Cake, found a way early in the COVID shutdown to help parents with their children who were suddenly learning at home.
“I was literally at home one night and I thought what else can we do with these cookie kits that would be really fun, but also help the families at home that were really struggling at this point,” Lindenback said. “I thought what about a math kit that we could also turn into an art kit.
“It was a combination of different lessons they could give to their kids, but also have a fun reward at the end. A fun project but still a learning project.”
Robin Szuch, owner of Spectacle Blue Circus School, knew she had to make changes at the already unique business.
“I figured out right away it would be a while for me,” Szuch said. “I had a flash of a moment where I had two options — either make a change or I close. Close wasn’t an option, because what else I am going to do.
“I had a moment of oh my god, after that was, okay, what am I going to do? When you are a dance instructor what do you do.”
While students are now back in school, many parents have opted to continue to have their children to learn at home.
“I had always wanted to have a full-time school but it is a bit daunting,” Szuch said. “This year, what I have is the eight students here and they arrive at 8:30 in the morning and they are doing online schooling.”
Getting through the continuing COVID pandemic turned out to be a team effort among the business community.
“Immediately we just all started talking how are you doing this, how are you doing that — how are you doing as a person?” said Chrissy Mouland of Loop Kids Consignment & New on McRae Street.
“There was all kind of loss, but knowing that I wasn’t alone and being able to have that network.
“Our network, particularly the ones downtown because those are the ones I know well, everyone just came together.”
Lindenback said the community rallied to help 94 Take the Cake and other businesses.
“I think Okotoks is amazing,” Lindenback said. “We are a small town. The biggest thing is to the general public, but also the other businesses — binding together, sticking together, supporting each other.”
She said the community still wants that small-town feel and will continue to support the smaller boutique shops.
The gala was held at locations in the Okotoks area. As well the video could be livestreamed at home.
The locations were 94 Take the Cake; Cha Cha John’s Fusion Kitchen, D’Arcy Ranch Golf Course, Hub Town, Miles Display and Design and the George Traditional House.
