Photo: Dean Smales is the Citizen of the Year Award recipient for 2022. From left, Chamber president Derek Watson-Brown, Dean Smales and Chamber vice president Brenda Murdoch.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Port Sydney\/Utterson & Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award is presented annually to one person who has made a significant contribution to the community. To qualify, a recipient must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we had not gathered for Canada Day festivities in Port Sydney for two years, we had a little catching up to do on July 1st<\/sup>, 2022. President Derek Watson-Brown and Vice President Brenda Murdoch announced the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Citizen of the Year winners at Port Sydney Beach during the Canada Day BBQ hosted by the Port Sydney Parks and Recreation Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While we were adjusting to staying apart, our honourees for this year found a unique way to promote a sense of connectedness. During the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic, in the spring of 2020, people started to notice inspirational, hand-painted rocks placed throughout the village. Many of the rocks featured rainbows \u2013 a well-known symbol of hope \u2013 while several others featured encouraging phrases surrounded by floral designs. Whether they were spotted by a signpost, at the end of a driveway, in front of a local store, or on a church porch, these cheerfully painted rocks lifted people\u2019s spirits and reminded everyone that we live in a caring community. These random acts of kindness were carried out anonymously by a number of people of varying ages, who weren\u2019t necessarily all connected to each other. While we DO know one of the organizers of this effort, we do NOT wish to spoil the mystery, and we will NOT reveal any identities publicly, however\u2026 it was our pleasure to name \u2018The Rock Fairies\u2019 as our 2020 Citizen of the Year for setting a tone of optimism and positivity, and for easing our community through a difficult time. Congratulations, and thank you, to \u2018The Rock Fairies\u2019!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n 2021<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our 2021 recipient has been a hard-working volunteer in our community for many years. If you have attended a BBQ at the beach, or a fundraising meal at the Port Sydney Community Hall, you have almost certainly enjoyed it because this person helped to plan it, and run it \u2013 and to clean up after it! This individual is just always there, helping to make things happen for our community through organizations such as the Port Sydney Parks and Recreation Group, and the Stephenson District Lions Club. She has a soft spot for children, and she goes out of her way to help and support them however she can. Together with her husband, she has fostered a dedication to community service in her children and grandchildren, and in those around her. Despite her best efforts to shy away from recognition, the impact she has had has not gone unnoticed, and we are very grateful for everything she has done for our community. It was our pleasure to present the 2021 Citizen of the Year Award to\u2026 Barb Stillar! Congratulations Barb, and thank you for your service!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2022<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Our 2022 recipient has been active in the community through the Stephenson District Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce and has generously supported a wide variety of local fundraising efforts over the years. This individual is well known for his friendly and helpful nature, as well as his outstanding customer service \u2013 traits that he has clearly fostered in his staff, many of whom are longstanding employees. We have noticed that even after they have retired, they still show up for work, which is a good indication that he has also been a great boss! It was our pleasure to announce that the 2022 Citizen of the Year is\u2026 Dean Smales! For the past 34 years, Dean has quite simply provided our community with a cornerstone through his Hardware business \u2013 first as an independent, then as Dean\u2019s Pro Hardware, and most recently as Dean\u2019s Home Hardware. As Dean is transitioning into retirement, we want to thank him for his immeasurable contribution to the fabric of our community. Congratulations Dean! (Due to a July 1st<\/sup> scheduling conflict, Dean\u2019s award was presented to him prior to Canada Day.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Sandra Watson-Brown Photo: Dean Smales is the Citizen of the Year Award recipient for 2022. From left, Chamber president Derek Watson-Brown, Dean Smales and Chamber vice president Brenda Murdoch. 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