WINTER 2009/10 Newsletter

Northwestern Ontario Sports Hal l o f Fame

Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

2009/2010

Board of Directors

John Garland President

Phil Jarvis Vice President

Dave Parsons Secretary

Dick Hill Treasurer

Marlene Wright Past President

Marilyn Desserre Domenic Filane

Councillor Larry Hebert Arne Jorgenson

Lou Pero Lynne Peters Bill Salonen Dave Siciliano Lawrence Timko

Membership Chair

Monica Irving

Staff

Diane Imrie Executive Director

Kathryn (Kate) Dwyer Curator

Part Time

Judy Gerry, Katie Sutton

Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and Museum 219 May Street South Thunder Bay Ontario P7E 1B5

Phone (807) 622-2852 Fax (807) 622-2736 email: nwosport@tbaytel.net www.nwosportshalloffame.com

“Representing the Districts of Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay”

“OUR PROUD OLYMPIC HISTORY”

OPEN HOUSE ~ SUNDAY, JANUARY 31ST, 2010 from 1 - 4 pm

DROP BY THE HALL OF FAME AND CELEBRATE OUR OLYMPIC HERITAGE

HALL HAPPENINGSHALL HAPPENINGSHALL HAPPENINGSHALL HAPPENINGS As you read through this edition of Echoes of Glory you will see all the different things that have been happening at the Hall of Fame and some of the exciting activities being planned for the year ahead. Induction Ceremonies, educational programs, exhibits, fundraising initiatives, artifact collection, research projects and community involvement are all a part of the activities carried out by the Hall of Fame to meet our mandate of preserving and honouring our region’s rich and proud sports heritage. None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication shown by our staff and volunteers and the financial support we receive from our many supporters. As a non-profit organization, each year we must raise the money needed to ’keep the lights on’. As we head into our Annual Membership and Fundraising Drive, we ask that you consider helping us meet our goal through the purchase of a membership, a cash donation, making a monthly pledge or purchasing a Fame 600 Club Lottery ticket. With your help we can keep the memory of sport alive! Here are some of the exhibits that celebrate those special moments from our sporting past. Drop by for a visit. The memories await!

1.The 1909 Cooper Cup

Soccer-Football Trophy

2. 2009 Hall of Famer,

John Lockyer with exhibit

3. Fort William Redskins

Football Club Display

4. The Mascot Gallery

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In Memoriam

Len Cameron (‘01) Walt Poddubny (‘02) Bill McKenzie (‘83) Dick Thompson (‘82) Don Gordon (‘83)

Ernie Dupuis (‘83/‘89) Ron Talakoski (‘99) George Zanutto (‘83) Hugh Loney (‘83)

Our sincere condolences to

their family and friends.

Their legend will live on in

the Sports Hall of Fame…

MMMMemorial DDDDonations &&&&

PPPPlanned GGGGiving Memorial Donations

and Planned Gifts

are gratefully accepted

and are added to the

Sports Hall of Fame

'Foundation Fund'

which is utilized for

special projects

to preserve and honour

our region's sports heritage.

ANNUAL Membership Drive

‘Join Our Team’

Individual: $25 Family: $40

Business/Organization: $60

Hall of Fame Baseball Caps ($20)

NAMES IN THE NEWS

At the Annual General Meeting we were pleased to welcome Domenic Filane and David Sicliano to the Board. Thank you to retiring members Herman Mannila and Bob Tindall Sr. and to all those who volunteer to sit on the Board.

A Summer to Remember! The Hall of Fame was extremely fortunate to have three fantastic individuals join our team. Thanks to Katie Sutton (Museum Assistant), Laura Nigro (Researcher) and Angela Izzo (Education Progammer) for their dedication, enthusiasm and hard work.

~ An Evening in Honour of Sports Excellence ~~ An Evening in Honour of Sports Excellence ~~ An Evening in Honour of Sports Excellence ~~ An Evening in Honour of Sports Excellence ~ Our 28th Annual Induction Ceremonies were held on September 26th at the Valhalla Inn Ballroom in Thunder Bay. This celebration of our proud sport heritage was well attended by family, friends, past Hounoured Members, patrons and dignitaries from all across our region who were on hand to welcome in the Class of 2009. A big vote of thanks to our volunteers, staff, sponsors, patrons and donors who made this evening possible.

Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

2 ECHOES OF GLORY—WINTER 2009/2010

1. Inductee John Lockyer and his

proud family

2. Inductee Tom Nesbitt with his

Hall of Fame plaque

3. Inductee Don Main

congratulated by Hall of Fame

Honoured Members Neil

Duncan (spry as ever at 100!)

and Heather Houston

4. HOF President John Garland

and Inductee Dave Allison

5. Jim Pronger accepting on

behalf of his son Sean Pronger

6. The members of the 1994-95

Thunder Bay Kings

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HALL OF FAME NOMINATION DEADLINE January 31, 2010 Nominate an Athlete, Builder or Team

Forms may be picked up or downloaded from our website. Call (807) 622-2852 for further details.

Sports Hall of FameSports Hall of FameSports Hall of FameSports Hall of Fame

Educational Programs

The Sports Hall of Fame provides programming for a variety of groups.

We welcome

school classes, service groups,

day camps, sports teams

and

organizations to our facility.

If your group is

interested in booking a special tour

or educational program

call the Sports Hall of Fame

TODAY to discuss

programming opportunities at (807) 622-2852.

Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

3 ECHOES OF GLORY—WINTER 2009/2010

Visit the Sports Hall of Fame

Monday to Friday 12 noon to 5 pm

SPORTS HERITAGE PROGRAMMING Once again throughout the year people of all ages were provided with the opportunity to learn about and celebrate our proud sports heritage. Drop in activities were offered on Family Day and during March Break. Open Houses were held in January and November. August saw a month of Summer Fun Days. Students took part in School programs, some of whom had the chance to meet and learn from world curling champion Heather Houston and NHL Calder Cup winner Pentti Lund. A number of Senior groups and community clubs dropped by for a trip down memory lane. Book your school program or group tour today by calling the Hall of Fame at 622-2852.

CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB www.nwosportshalloffame.com

Olympic Winter Games Trivia Challenge 1. Which Hall of Fame Builder judged ski jumping at the 1964 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck? 2. Which Thunder Bay athlete was a member of the Canadian Men’s Bobsled Team at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary? 3. Name three athletes from northwestern Ontario who have competed in 3 Olympic Winter Games. 4. In 1936, eleven members of the Canadian Olympic Hockey team were from northwestern Ontario. What medal did they win? 5. Name the hockey players from northwestern Ontario who have won Olympic gold medals for Canada. 6. Who was the first ski jumper from northwestern Ontario to be named to a Canadian Olympic team? 7. Name the northwestern Ontario individual who served as a Hockey Referee representing Canada at the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley. 8. Name the Hall of Fame Builder who was a coach of the Canadian

Olympic Alpine Ski team at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. 9. Name the northwestern Ontario athlete that was the captain of the 1964 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team. 10. Who was the first female athlete from northwestern Ontario to compete in a skiing event at an Olympic Winter Games?

To further test your sports history knowledge drop by the Sports Hall of Fame and try the

Great Northwestern Ontario Sports Trivia Challenge.

Answers: 1. Mike Guzzell 2. Peter Robertson-Stovel 3. Steve Collins (1980, 1984, 1988 - ski jumping); Kris Wirtz (1992, 1994, 1998 - figure skating) ; Chris Pronger (1998, 2002, 2006 - hockey) 4. Silver 5. Victor Linquist - 1932, Lake Placid, Chris Pronger - 2002 Salt Lake City; Katie Weatherston - 2006 - Torino 6. Frank Gartrell, 1964 7. Bill McKenzie 8. John Ritchie 9. Henry ’Hank’ Akervall 10. Amber Peterson 2006 Torino.

Thanks for the Support!Thanks for the Support!Thanks for the Support!Thanks for the Support!

Spotlight on Volunteers The Hall of Fame relies upon a number of volunteers to help out in many different ways. Over this past year we received some extra special support from Mary Bozic who went above and beyond the call of duty to help out wherever and whenever she was needed. We would also like to acknowledge the passing of Bill McKenzie, one of our most dedicated volunteers. A 1983 Builder Inductee, Bill, or ‘Grandpa’ as he was known by the Hall of Fame family, rarely missed a Bingo, AGM, or Induction Ceremony, and was a great historical resource.

Ontario Volunteer Service Awards were provided to our volunteers. (Left to right): Michael Chan (Minister of Citizenship & Immigration), Marlene Wright (15 years), Michael Gravelle (Minister of Northern Development, Mines & Forestry), Phil Jarvis (15 years), Betty Dwyer (20 years), Bill Mauro MPP (Thunder Bay-Atikokan), missing: Gordon Towill(15 years), Darlene & John Zupan(20 years).

Operating Grant: The members of Thunder Bay’s City Council approved a 2009 Cultural Funding Grant allocation for the Sports Hall of Fame, and we look forward to their continued support in 2010. This funding is critical to the continued operation of the Sports Hall of Fame. Be sure to let your City Councillors know how much you appreciate their ongoing financial support.

Community Museum Operating Grant: A big vote of thanks to the Ministry of Culture for their approval of our 2009 CMOG allocation.

2009 Employment Grants: During the summer we received funding from the Summer Career Placement Program sponsored by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and the Summer Experience Program supported by the Province of Ontario. These grants provided much needed human resources for the Hall of Fame and the youth of our community the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

Capital Grants: The Ontario Trillium Foundation recently provided a grant to assist with the purchase of some new artifact shelving, exhibit materials and audio visual equipment. An additional grant was received from the Department of Heritage under the Museums Assistance Program for artifact storage room equipment.

Exhibit Sponsors: A number of businesses continue to show their support by sponsoring ads in our Hockey arena & Baseball diamond exhibit galleries. Thank you to: Blake Funeral Chapel, Canada Brokerlink, Dave Wilson Sporting Goods, Old Dutch Foods Ltd, Primary Foto Source, RBC Royal Bank, Robert’s Plumbing, Smith & Associates Insurance, Sportop Marketing, Windsor Plywood. If you are interested in sponsoring a spot ‘on the boards’ call the Hall of Fame at 622-2852.

‘It’s For You’ Thank you to TBayTel for their continued donation of cellular service.

22nd Annual Golf Tournament a Hit! Centennial Golf Course was the site of our golf tournament, which welcomed event sponsor Windsor Plywood. With a winning score of 6 under was the team of Dave Hamlin, David Lushney, Steve Eaton, Mike Nurse & Steve Gibson. Dave Gibbs claimed the Closest to the Hole prize sponsored by J.B. Evans Ltd, while Don Porter(’99) claimed the longest drive. Thanks to our prize donors, hole sponsors and participants for making this event possible.

2010 FAME 600 CLUB DRAW TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Get your ticket today from a Board Member, volunteer ticket seller or drop by/call the Sports Hall of Fame.

Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

4 ECHOES OF GLORY—WINTER 2009/2010

Proud Member of: International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA), Canadian Association for Sport Heritage (CASH), North of Superior Tourism Association (NOSTA), Canadian Museum Association (CMA), Ontario Museum Association (OMA),

Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Arts & Heritage Alliance (AHA).

HELP NEEDED—BINGO volunteers! Matinee Bingos are held monthly at the CLE Auditorium. Call 622-2852 to add your name to our bingo volunteer list.