James Crossen winner announced
Left to Right, Melissa Graham, Business Achievement Award Co-Chair; Jane Sawyer, 2026 James Crossen Award Recipient; Aaron Burchat, Alliance Security System and Compton Telecommunication Services; Tanya Colford, Business Achievement Award Co-Chair.
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Cobourg are pleased to announce Jane Sawyer of Shelter Valley Pines Golf Club as the recipient of this year's James Crossen Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award (proudly sponsored by Alliance Security Systems and Compton's Telecommunications) will be presented at the March 27 Business Achievement Awards ceremony at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn and Convention Centre.
“Jane has played a key role in enhancing the visitor experience at Grafton's Shelter Valley Pines Golf Club by increasing the site availability and access for popular weekend stays through the expansion of the campground facilities at Shelter Valley Park,” the announcement said.
In accepting the award, Sawyer said she was doing so on behalf of her late husband Steve Sawyer, “an entrepreneur who worked so hard to build and grow Shelter Valley Park and Shelter Valley Pines Golf Club.
“I would also like to share this award with all the self-employed and small-business owners who have dedicated their lives to provide services that strengthen and enrich our community.”
The Sawyers led the creation of the original nine-hole Shelter Valley Pines Golf Club, which – through strategic reinvestment and continuous improvement – has expanded into today's full 18-hole facility that has become a leading tourism driver.
Business Achievement Award co-chair Tanya Colford offered her congratulations on a well-deserved win.
“Jane demonstrates the spirit of the James Crossen Award every day. Her pride, innovation, entrepreneurial drive and commitment to continuous growth have had a lasting impact on tourism, employment and regional community vitality,” Colford stated.
This award is named after James Crossen, founder of Cobourg Car Works and one of the town's earliest and most successful entrepreneurs.
Tickets are now available for the March 27 event, with Scott McCracken as emcee, at $100+HST, available on-line at www.nccofc.ca
Sponsorship opportunities are also still available.
