EXPLANATION:
We recently attended the 30th annual Induction Ceremony for the
South Dakota Hall of Fame. This was the first time the annual event
was held at Chamberlain, the home of the Hall of Fame and at the
Cedar Shore Resort at Oacoma. The big cities where this ceremony has
been held in the past could learn something about volunteering if
they were at the ceremony. The folks from these two communities as
well as the staffs at both the Cedar Shore Resort and the South
Dakota Hall of Fame really know how to do such things up right.
CONTRARY TO
the explanation above, today's column isn't about these two
communities, but about the 13 heroes who were inducted into the
South Dakota Hall of Fame about two weeks ago. I might add, being
inducted into the Hall of Fame is something to be excited about.
The South Dakota Hall
of Fame honors up to 15 outstanding people every year about this
time. They may be heroes to their community or may be nationally or
internationally famous. Whatever their niche may be they have been
recognized by the public and honored by their induction into the
Hall of Fame. The point here is they must be nominated by the public
and not by a member of the Hallšs board of directors.
THE INDUCTEES
this year included Gorge "Sparky" Anderson, a native of Bridgewater.
He is the only South Dakotan ever named to the Baseball Hall of
Fame. He managed three teams to World Series titles from two
different leagues. Commenting during the induction ceremony,
Anderson, being proud of his heritage, said, "If you come from South
Dakota, you will always be a South Dakotan."
Dr. Dwayne Beck of
Pierre was honored for his work in improving the agricultural scene
both in our state and across the world. Charles "Eddie" Clay of Hot
Springs is another South Dakotan recognized for his tireless work in
civic affairs and for his leadership to the Mount Rushmore Society,
South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the Mammoth Site at Hot
Springs.
Jumping back to the
eastern part of the state, Richard Cutler and Monsignor James Doyle
of Sioux Falls were also among this year's honorees. Cutler, a
pioneer in cable television, owns nine KOA campgrounds across these
United States as well as practicing law. Monsignor Doyle grew up in
Lennox. At USD he was both a professor and a special friend to
thousands of students there. He also founded St. Michael Parish in
Sioux Falls.
ANOTHER INDUCTEE,
South Dakota's first and only lady lieutenant governor, Carole
Hillard of Rapid City, has dedicated her life to public service. She
has served in Rapid City's Common Council and in the states' House
of Representatives, but foremost has been her work in Third World
countries since serving as South Dakota's second in command.
Then, there was
Sherwin Linton of Hazel and Watertown. The well-known
country-western entertainer has been to Nashville. His performing at
numerous South Dakota State Fairs has earned him his induction into
the state's Hall of Fame.
So it was for Clark
Redlinger of Watertown. His many years of community involvement
earned him the title of "Mr. Watertown," as well as him being
inducted into the Hall of Fame.
IN THE INDIAN
HERITAGE category, the late Orville Salway, Sr., was honored for
his art work known throughout the world. In his later life, when you
drove into Keystone he was there to greet you. In fact, he was
Keystone's good will ambassador for 48 years.
With all the
publicity lately about T. Denny Sanford's philanthropic gifts to
what is now Sanford Medical Center, he needs little introduction.
Sanford owns both Premier Bank and Premier Bankcard in Sioux Falls.
Carl and Marietta
Soukup, also of Sioux Falls, owners of Soukup Construction are also
known for the philanthropy, primarily for children.
And last, but by no
means least, the final inductee at this year's ceremony is a man who
once was a priest, later resigned from the priesthood and set out
then in 1980 to remake the town of Deadwood what it is today.
William "Bill" Walsh. His restoration effort of the Old West
Deadwood has brought worldwide fame.
I HAVE PURPOSELY
listed a brief glimpse of each of this year's inductees to point out
there are heroes in every one of South Dakota's communities. But
they must be recognized and then nominated for induction in the
South Dakota Hall of Fame. As Monsignor Doyle said about being
inducted, "This is truly the highlight of my life." The Monsignor
has had a lot of highlights in his life. This has to say a lot for
the South Dakota Hall of Fame....
Gordon Garnos was long-time editor of the Watertown Public Opinion and
recently retired after 39 years with that newspaper. Garnos, a
lifelong resident of South Dakota except for his military service in the
U.S. Air Force, was born and raised in Presho.
