Northumberland Spirit Awards honour community favourites, local champions across the county

2026 Spirit Award Winner

Northumberland’s favourite businesses, organizations and community champions were recognized Thursday evening during the 2025 Northumberland Spirit Awards.

Hosted by Classic Rock 107.9, 93.3 myFM and Oldies 100.9, with support from this year’s sponsors, Cobourg Kia, CCS Industrials, Ryan Huffman Real Estate Team and Desjardins Insurance Agent Andrea Spohn, the awards recognize outstanding local businesses, organizations and individuals chosen by the people who know them best, the residents of Northumberland. Thousands of votes were cast across dozens of categories, making the awards a true reflection of community support and local pride.

One of the evening’s most emotional moments came when the Community Cheerleader Award was presented posthumously to longtime community advocate Jeff Lees.

Accepting on his behalf, Laurie Lees reflected on what the honour would have meant to him.

The Customer Service Excellence Award went to Fiona Guernsey of Rosewood Estates.

Meanwhile, Brian Stadtke of Stadtke Plumbing and Heating was recognized as Best Contractor or Tradesperson.

Cobourg Home Hardware Building Centre also celebrated a win as Best Building Material/Hardware Store.

Ian Cole tells us what it was like to here their name called.

Complete Winners List

Community Champion Award
St. John Ambulance – Therapy Dog Program

Customer Service Excellence Award
Fiona Guernsey (Rosewood Estates)

First Responder of the Year
Port Hope Police Constable Tammie Staples

Healthcare Hero
Theo Barker

Best Local Artist
Little Lake

Best Performer
Cale Crowe

Educator of the Year
Mike Fisher (Mike Fisher Driving School)

Coach of the Year
Jaclyn Diminie (U9A West Northumberland Wild)

Favourite Adult Entertainment/Activities
Capitol Theatre

Favourite Children’s Entertainment/Activities
Cobourg Public Library

Best Auto Service Business
Stronger’s Auto Spa and Accessories

Best Real Estate Agent/Agency
Ryan Huffman Real Estate Team

Best Bakery
Dooher’s Bakery

Best Health & Wellness Business
Mindful Meridians PEMF and Float Centre

Best Local Festival
Cobourg Waterfront Festival

Best Tourist Attraction
Burnham Family Farm Market

Best Coffee
Black Cat Cobourg

Best Pizza
Jim’s Pizza & Pasta Port Hope

Best Restaurant
Cucina Urbana

Best Burger
Big Boy’s Burgers

Best Contractor or Tradesperson
Brian Stadtke (Stadtke Plumbing and Heating)

Best Bar/Pub
CJ’s Tap and Grill

Best Construction or Renovation Company
Wright’s Construction

Best Breakfast
Cobourg Diner

Best Landscaping or Lawn Care Business
Jay’s Landscaping

Best Cleaning Service
Cleaning for a Cure

Best Childcare or Learning Center
YMCA Northumberland

Best Pet Service
Cobourg Pet Nanny

Best Home-Based Business
Cobourg Homemade Food

Best Retail Store
We Made It

Best Locally Owned Business
Circa 1818

Best Professional Service
O’Keefe Accounting Group

Best Building Material/Hardware Store
Cobourg Home Hardware Building Centre

Best Hot Tub/Pool Store
Mazdak Leisure Beachcomber Hot Tubs

Best Fitness Centre
Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Cobourg

Best Dental Services
Family Dental Centre

Best Craft/Art Supply Store
Yarn It! Cobourg

Best Craft Brewery/Cidery
Ganaraska Brewing Company

Best Heating and Air Conditioning Services
Wayne Simpson Refrigeration & Heating

Best Furniture/Mattress Store
Tugg’s Furniture Gallery

Best Toy/Hobby Store
Spark – Toys for Cool Kids

Best Local Chef
Zak Copeland (Prep Food Co.)

Best Beauty & Personal Care Business
The Grubby Barber

Best Financial Service
John Greenlee, The Mortgage Centre

Best Pet Store
Justin’s Pet Store

Best Optometry Services
Insight Optical

Community Cheerleader
Jeff Lees (posthumously)

Best Appliance/Electronics Store
Joice Sweanor

Best Northumberland Golf Course/Club
The Mill

Ketch’s Korner

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, whose dedication, service and commitment have earned the recognition of their friends, neighbours and customers across Northumberland.

Organizers also thanked sponsors, nominees, presenters, volunteers and the Cobourg Lions Club for helping make the evening possible. The annual awards continue to celebrate the people, businesses and organizations that help make Northumberland a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

(Written by: Joseph Goden with files from Mark Hanson)