Rotary hosts city's 125th birthday party

 

Photo-Gary Aiken with guestsDec. 5, 2011 - Nearly 300 people left a huge celebration Friday with a spring in their step, feeling positive about their city, its future, and the legacy of its founders and renowned residents.


The event was the city of Golden Valley's 125th Anniversary luncheon held Dec. 2 at the Golden Valley Golf & Country Club. It featured the recognition of five inaugural inductees into the Golden Valley Hall of Fame and a presentation by Tom Gilaspy, Minnesota State Demographer.

The event was emceed by Rena Sarigianopoulos, weekend news anchor with KARE-11 news. It was hosted by the Rotary Club of Golden Valley and sponsored by Liberty Diversified Industries, General Mills, Mortenson Construction, Poquet Auto Sales, Golden Valley Country Club, Golden Valley Community Foundation and Breck School, as well as a number of other organizations, families and individuals.

The following five Golden Valley residents were honored at the luncheon as the first inductees into the Golden Valley Hall of Fame: 
  • Photo: Michelle Peterson, General Mills, accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Betty Crocker. Emcee Rena Sarigianopoulos looks on.Phillip Brunelle, who shares his love of music all over the world
  • Don Byerly, whose entrepreneurial spirit and vision, brought upscale food shopping to Golden Valley
  • Betty Crocker, an international symbol for all that home cooking can be fun, nutritious, easy, and appealing
  • Gleason Glover, who worked tirelessly for the goal of equality for all
  • Robert Provost, who sacrificed for his country and served his community
Click here to see biographies of each of the Hall of Fame inductees. (PDF 1.2mb)

Also recognized were the winners of a Student Essay Awards contest.
  • 1st Place: Emma Buttress, Grade 6, Meadowbrook School
  • 2nd Place: Alison Roston, Grade 5, Neill Elementary School
  • Honorable Mention: Sam Buttress and Ma Ackerman, Grade 5, Meadowbrook School
Displays from the Golden Valley Historical Society, General Mills (the history of Betty Crocker), and items to be placed in a 125th anniversary time capsule entertained and enlightened guests.

Hall of Fame inductees with members of the 125th committee.The 125th Anniversary Party Planning Committee was led by Gary Aiken, president of the Golden Valley Rotary Club; the 125th Anniversary Committee was led by Marshall Tanick, a partner in the law firm of Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen, P.A.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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