The Frontier Mall has taken pride in supporting the outstanding members of the Battlefords for their various contributions to the community.
Saturday, five new members were added to the Frontier Mall Wall of Fame, bringing the total number of inductees to 60 since the creation of the project in 2000.
The idea behind the wall of fame is to recognize major accomplishments and contributions that local residents have made in the fields of arts, sports, business, government, philanthropy, humanities, science or education.
Henry Beaudry Sr. was a well-known aboriginal artist whose artwork includes scenes, events and story of the history of the Cree People. Beaudry, who was born on the Poundmaker Reserve in 1921, also served in the military. He received a POW Medal and Distinguished Service Medal for his duties.
Gerald McMaster, who is also an aboriginal artist, is a renowned artist around the world. He is working as the curator of Canadian art at the Art Gallery of Ontario and co-artistic director of the Biennale of Sydney in Australia. McMaster has received numerous awards and medals including the Order of Canada and National Aboriginal Achievement Award.
Also inducted for his contributions to the arts, story-teller, musician and singer Gordon Racicot was inducted. For more than 60 years, Racicot has had a passion for music. He was the bassist for The Melody Ranch Boys, which later became the Mellotones for 20 years. Racicot played for anything from care homes, to radio station slots to old-time dance clubs and more.
Robert Tannahill was inducted in the Wall of Fame for his years of service to the community. He has received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, Canadian Legion Volunteer Medal and Long Service Medal with the Department of National Defence. In 1961 Tannahill joined the North Battleford City Police Force, he worked as a social service worker, conservation enforcement officer, firearm safety instructor, member of department of national defence and dedicated much of his time to the Battlefords Army Cadet Corps.
Last, but not least, is 90-year-old Howard Weitzel who has had local, provincial, national and international success in the sport of horseshoes. He was instrumental in the creation of the horseshoe pits in North Battleford. Wietzel has been inducted into the North Battleford Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, the Saskatchewan Horseshoe Hall of Fame, Canadian Horseshoe Hall of Fame. His last national competition was in July, as Weitzel anticipates that to be the last competitive tournament he will pitch shoes in.
"This event is truly a remarkable event," Barb Zerebeski, Frontier Mall property manager. "It highlights all the spectacular individuals from within this community and the surrounding area, who have made this community what it is all about."
