Killam Hall of Fame continues with Historic nominations – WEB EXCLUSIVE!

This Saturday evening in Killam, Apr. 21, the Hall of Fame committee is holding a dinner and presentation evening.

Continuing the trend started last year, the group has chosen two historical honourees as well as two contemporary recipients of the Hall of Fame award.

Sharleen Chevraux, of the Hall of Fame committee, explains the process of nominations, “As a committee, we welcome and accept nominations from people in the community and we suggest people ourselves. 

“Once someone has been nominated, their name remains on the list, even if they are not chosen in that specific year. 

“The final choice is made through discussion, research and a final vote by the committee, taking into account all of the information we have been able to collect about the nominees.”

Chevraux said the feedback from last year’s historical nominees was terrific. “People told us that they were interested to find out about people who had contributed to our town but are not known to current citizens.”

This year, the historical nominees are J.A. Neely and Herb and Marion Wilson.

Chevraux says, “J.A. Neely was a dominant figure in Killam for 47 years, to quote ‘The Pleasant Country’,”

Neely was mayor of Killam for over 20 years; and during his term faced difficult challenges and obstacles of a newly formed community.

The Wilsons were community leaders, each in their own way. While Herb was involved in the Rural Telephone Association and Co-op, wife Marian was active in the United Church. Both contributed a great deal to their community.

Contemporary nominees are Ralph Sorenson, and Bob Gabruck. 

Ralph Sorenson, well known for his work with the Killam Charity Auction, the proceeds of which are spread out to many different organizations and groups, has a long service of public service. Sorenson served in the Alberta Legislature from 1971 to 1975 as the Social Credit MLA for the Sedgewick-Coronation electoral district.

Bob Gabruck is a well-known Killam Public School teacher, who has dedicated over 30 years to coaching both school and county-wide teams.

Chevraux says it’s great that the historical nominees are offset by the contemporary honourees, whom everyone knows and appreciates for their dedication and hard work to the community.

Saturday evening should be an enjoyable walk down memory lane.