Chamber awards catch some by surprise

PORTSMOUTH — It was an evening full of surprises for the big award winners at the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year awards on Friday night.

Particularly for Pam Cameron, who went into the night at the Sheraton Harborside in Portsmouth as one of the presenters for the Lori Breard Achievement in Leadership Award but ended up surprised as the recipient of the award that honors her former colleague.

"I was not expecting this, obviously, we had someone pegged (for the award)," Cameron said. "All I can say is thank you, she was my mentor, my dear friend for nine years."

Lori Breard-Weeden was a Stratham resident, chamber member, award-winning real estate broker and community leader, who died in a fire at her home on June 23, 2010.

The award that bares her name goes to an outstanding community member and business leader.

"I'm very grateful for knowing her, very grateful for the things that she taught me," said an emotional Cameron. "She was a wonderful friend and part of my family."

Cameron serves as a real estate agent at Better Homes & Gardens The Masiello Group and is the co-host for the Seacoast Promo Radio Show. She also serves on the chamber's Board of Directors and has been on various chamber boards and committees.

For 2013 Citizen of the Year award winner Langdon Plumer, his award wasn't as much of a surprise.

"I knew something was up because there's too much of my family here," Plumer said. "The family just kept coming, each with a different excuse for being here."

Plumer is the founder and former principal of the Seacoast School of Technology. To this day he remains actively involved with the school and spends much of his time at the school. Plumer is also involved in numerous community organizations and has served on the Exeter Planning Board for 15 years.

Plumer downplayed his involvement in the community.

"It's me, I just have so much fun with community and that's really what it's all about," Plumer said. "You just be there, hang around and you stop by and talk to people, get to know people, it's community. It's wonderful walking down the street or going into some place, I always bump into someone I know and they have an idea or suggestion about what we can do to take care of something."

Two other movers and shakers were honored by the chamber for their outstanding commitment to the chamber and the community.

Chamber President Michael Schidlovsky presented the President's Award to coach and youth mentor "Murph" Henderson, for his commitment to youth in the community.

"I don't know what you're doing in the community," Henderson said to those in attendance. "But do something — there's kids crying for help out there."

Allison Field of The Provident Bank, was recognized with the Chairman's Award for her various leadership roles in the community.

A total of seven businesses and organizations were honored on Friday evening, including businesses new and old.

Water Street Bookstore, a staple in Exeter for 22 years, won Business of the Year in the retail/wholesale (under 25 employees) category.

"Twenty-two years, a lot of wonderful book sellers, a lot of wonderful patrons," said store owner Dan Chartrand. "We're imbedded in an incredible community, I can't imagine doing this bookstore that I've dreamed about doing my entire professional life anywhere but Exeter; it's truly the best town in New Hampshire and it's my hometown, not by birth but it's my hometown."

Karimah's Kitchen, a relatively young Exeter area business that specializes in authentic Lebanese cuisine, catering and cooking classes, won Business of the Year in the tourism/hospitality category.

Business owner Karimah Omar Nabulsi got emotional when thanking her family, the community and chamber members who convinced her to take her cooking talent and turn it into a business.

"I'm so blessed to be one of you here today and I promise to give to our community nothing but the best from Karimah's Kitchen," Nabulsi said.

Other Business of the Year winners include:

Education/nonprofit — Tie between Great Bay eLearning Charter School and Exeter Rotary Club.

The Retail/wholesale (over 25 employees) — Churchill's Greenhouse.

Business services — Leone, McDonnell & Roberts professional accountants.

Financial services/insurance — Optima Bank.

Chamber officials say more than 95 businesses were nominated this year.

Gov. Maggie Hassan, an Exeter resident, was on hand Friday night to congratulate the winners and said the fact so many businesses were nominated this year speaks volumes about the quality of business in the area.

"It's obvious that many Exeter area businesses are achieving high levels of success and are worthy of recognition," Hassan said.

Hassan said the chamber is an "invaluable resource" that works hard to promote the interests of its businesses.

"The Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce's special service to its members is vital and plays a vital role in encouraging a thriving business community in the Granite State," the governor said.