A local Hall of Fame in Cuba City will soon provide recognition for individuals who have gone above and beyond to give back to the community.
Within the coming months, an area of Cuba City’s City Hall will be designated for this purpose.
“We’ve had so many volunteers who have done so much,” and that’s critical to being able to function in a small community, said president of the City of Presidents Committee Donna Rogers. “There’s so many people who do so much for nothing (monetarily).”
“We are very fortunate,” she noted. In light of this, the City of Presidents Committee started thinking of another way to show appreciation for the work that goes into keeping the city running.
The concept behind athletic halls of fame inspired them to create a similar way to honor those who have made ‘significant and lasting contributions to the local community,’ added Rogers.
The committee started discussions on the topic this summer, said Rogers. They are now planning to present plaques to the first 16 Cuba City Hall of Fame inductees – including both couples and individuals – in October.
After a photo op, these plaques will hang in City Hall for all to see. For $12, the members will also have the option to purchase a copy of the plaque that will be publicly-displayed in City Hall for their personal possession, added Rogers.
The Hall of Fame will commemorate people – both currently living and deceased – who have made exceptionally positive impacts locally while living, working, serving or volunteering in Cuba City, said Rogers.
This year, the City of Presidents Committee chose who would become Hall of Fame members. But in the future, they plan to ask the community for input in the selection process.
Attendees of the upcoming annual induction ceremonies will have the opportunity to nominate possible new members. At this point, the committee anticipates adding around 15-20 new people into the Hall of Fame each year, said Rogers.
“We’re going to have more community involvement” in the process moving forward, she added.
This year’s Inaugural Cuba City Hall of Fame banquet is taking place at Banfield’s Swiss Haus Oct. 29.
Inductees receive a free meal for themselves and a guest, said Rogers. The public may also pay a dinner fee to attend.
Music and social time is scheduled to start at noon, with mealtime and the inductee program to follow.
The committee is asking anyone planning to be there to reserve a space by Oct. 20 through calling Joan Petitgoue at 608-778-2524, or by sending a $25 check (per attendee) – made out to The City of Presidents – to Joan Petitgoue, 218 South Lincoln Street, Cuba City, WI, 53807.
Plaques will likely be posted within a couple of weeks of the event, according to Rogers.
This year’s living inductees are: John & Jan Davis; Steve Fry; Tim & Diane Gile; Jim & Carol Knox; Pat & Donna Rogers; Deb Schuppener; Roger Slaats; John Staver; Mark & Trish Thompson; and Norm & Jeanette Weber.
The 2023 inductees who have passed on, but whose positive mark remains on the city are: Cletus Bainbridge; Grace Banfield; Dick Davis; Joe & Jerry Goeman; Goldy Goldthorpe; and Bob Schink.
