The Frontier Mall Wall of Fame is celebrating the arts, military service, sports and community service with its announcement of 2012 inductees.
Five new portraits will be added to the wall in a ceremony later the summer.
"Five new inductees will be added to the Wall of Fame and each is an exceptional individual whose accomplishments have enduring value to the Battlefords and surrounding area," says Frontier Mall Special Events Co-ordinator Karyl De La Pena.
Inducted will be Henry Beaudry Sr., Gerald McMaster, Gordon Racicot, Robert Allen Tannahill and Howard Weitzel.
Beaudry is being inducted for his contribution to aboriginal art and for his military service. Beaudry has been awarded POW Medal and Distinguished Service Medal for his service to the military. His art has garnered many awards nationally and internationally.
McMaster is also being recognized for contributions in aboriginal art. He is currently the curator of Canadian art at The Art Gallery of Ontario. Among his many awards are the National Aboriginal Achievement Award and the Order of Canada.
A musician, singer and storyteller, Racicot is being inducted for his long time community involvement. He was the bassist for the group The Melody Ranch Boys who later changed their name to Mellotones from 1951-1971. He has had other musical involvements since then.
Many years of community service have earned Tannahill a place of honour on the wall. He is a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, Canadian Legion Volunteer Medal and the Long Service Medal with the Department of National Defence among others.
Mr. Horseshoes, Weitzel, is being inducted for his efforts in making the sport of horseshoe pitching in the Battlefords possible. The horseshoe pits, presently located at 106th Street, North Battleford are his legacy. Howard is also an award-winning horseshoe pitcher, winning tournaments across Canada and the United States.
Frontier Mall officials are currently finalizing the ceremony date and it will soon be announced. The public will be welcome to attend the ceremony and Frontier Mall customers are also encouraged to view current inductees on the Wall of Fame at the west end of the mall. The Wall of Fame was included in the mall's renovations this year. It has been relocated and is now facing SportChek. It also features blown up reproductions of old photos from city archives, a project made possible through the efforts of Shoppers Drug Mart.
"The Wall of Fame was established in February 2000 as a way for the community to honour its own citizens," says De La Pena.
It provides recognition of residents who have made considerable contributions to the Battlefords and area in the fields of art, business, community service, education, entertainment, government, philanthropy or sports.
This year's inductees will bring the total number of Wall of Fame inductees to 55.
Gordon
