December 4, 2025 • Volume 39, No. 16
The Vintage Village of Lights will brighten up the night sky at the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night until Dec. 21. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO
Next edition December 18
L’édition de cette semaine à l’intérieur...
Orléans West Innes recognizes its local Gems
By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Orléans West-Innes councillor Laura Dudas has been playing Santa during the past few weeks delivering Gems Awards to some of the shining businesses and local community organizations in her ward. Dudas started the award program in 2021 to give residents the chance to nominate their favourite business or organization for making an effort to be an integral part of the community they serve. “The nominations are not just chosen for excelling at a particular business or service,” explains Dudas’ special assistant Chelsey Wynne. “Those who are nominated, and win, shine because they have made themselves integral to the fabric of our community, through excellent customer service, outreach and a deep love for the community they serve.” This year’s recipients include Forest Valley
Pharmacy for Best Professional Service Business, Marino’s Hair Studio in Blackburn Hamlet for Best Personal Service Business and Paroisse St-Joseph d’Orléans for Best Community Social Organization. Other recipients include Café Amoré on StJoseph Blvd. for Best Restaurant, Atelier Rosso for Best Retail Business, Food, Théâtre du Village d’Orléans for Best Community Arts or Cultural Organization and Sweet n Salad in the Orléans Garden Plaza for Best New Business. This is the sixth year the awards have been handed out. Originally started during the pandemic as a way to recognize local heroes, the Gems Awards have grown to recognize local organizations and businesses that help make Orléans West-Innes Ward sparkle. The Gems Awards are an opportunity to recognize and appreciate outstanding small businesses and service organizations that are CONTINUED ON PAGE 2