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2021 Honoree program Program Sponsored by Elliott’s Amusements
Thank you for your continued interest in the MAFE Hall of Fame Program. Now in our 7th induction year we are continuing to induct individuals who have laid the foundations for many of our events. We believe that it is more important than ever to recognize these great members of the industry. We want to recognize those who have been active not only in the local fairs but those that have also gone on to serve our industry at the regional, state or even national level helping create the opportunities that we need to insure the future of our events here in Michigan and across the United States. I believe that we are very fortunate that we have individuals who do that the benefit of all of us. In many cases these folks have given a lifetime of effort for our industry. We must also remember those who worked so hard for all of us in ways other than serving on a local fair board. We could not be successful without all of the folks that work so hard for our industry patrons. Thank you again to Elliott’s Amusements for sponsoring the recognition brochure that will be available after the program. This is now the sixth keepsake brochure capturing our inductees and their respective efforts for our industry In a normal year we would be attend a Hall of Fame Reception sponsored by the Skerbeck Entertainment Group and we appreciate their continuous support. This year please reach out and congratulate the inductees throughout the remainder of this fair season. Thank you for all of your participation and support of the program and the support that you give your local fairs. We look forward to seeing your nominations for the 2021 season. Steve Thelen - MAFE Awards Committee Chairperson In the seventh year of the MAFE Hall of Fame Program we have another outstanding group to recognize with our highest honor. Congratulations to this exceptional class of recipients. Our industry has benefited greatly from your contributions and I would like to personally thank you for your efforts. I would also like to thank the MAFE Awards committee for the difficult job of working through a number of exceptional nominations to present the award winners this year. As you turn through these pages I would like to encourage you to nominate candidates for future Hall of Fame Awards. The success of this program lies with those that nominate worthy candidates and we want to keep the momentum of this program going! Lisa Reiff - MAFE Executive Director
Mr. Larry Bush
MAFE & Swartz Creek Hometown Days Larry Bush has been involved with MI Fairs and Festivals since he was a youth dairy exhibitor. Larry served on the State 4-H Dairy for 20 plus years, and as the Milk House Superintendent at the MI State Fair in Detroit for 14 years. He was with the Swartz Creek Home Town Days for 25 plus years. Larry served on the Genesee County Fair Board for 6 years. He currently works with the Grand Blanc Family Fun Fest. Larry has served on the MAFE Board since 2008 serving on the as secretary, as well as vice president. He has been our showcase chairperson for a number of years and has served on a variety of committees.
Mr. Ric Crawford Shiawassee County Fair Ric has been the manager of the fair for many years. He has been involved with the ongoing development of the “new� grounds since the first shovel of dirt was turned. Ric has attended the IAFE Conventions as well as numerous IAFE Zone 3 meeting out of state. Ric served on the MAFE Board for 6 years including 2 years as president and 1 year as secretary. He served on numerous committees including but not limited to: Audit, Sponsorship, Nominations, Bylaws, Awards, and is still serving as the Suites and Hospitality Committee Chairperson. He has facilitated a number of round tables over the years at our convention. He has testified before the MI Legislature on behalf of the MAFE. He serves on a number of local boards where he shares his calm and engaging leadership abilities.
Mr. Rudy Grahek Northern District Fair
Rudy has served as the president of the board for 23 years, and has performed as Dynamite the Clown for 65 years. He has entertained at the Ionia Free Fair for more than 50 years. He has performed at fairs, parades, and festivals in more than 150 communities across the state, entertaining thousands of people. He has been mentored and been instrumental of many people getting involved in the fair and festival industry. Rudy also serviced in the Army and received 4 Medals of Honor for service in Korea.
Mr. Kevin and Ms. Jenny Koski Hollman Specialty Company Kevin and Jenny Koski has been long time members of MAFE. They have had food trailers that operated in three states. They have assisted MAFE with our Legislative Day Events over the years. They have served the NICA Board and its subsidiaries. They helped organize the MI Independent Concessionaires team that provide support to MAFE. They helped establish our Mega Raffle held at the convention. They continue to be able and willing volunteers for MAFE and at their local fair and community events.
Mr. Butch & Ms. Anne Netterfield
Netterfield’s Popcorn and Lemonade Butch and Anne have been involved with our industry for the majority of their lives. Their company locations are a sought out destination at our events. They have also invested in and supported the sites that they are set up at. They are recognized in the industry as one of the best. Butch was inducted into the Outdoor Amusement Business Association Hall of Fame in 2016, the first food inductee. They have supported our MAFE activities as sponsors for many years and provided food for MAFE Presidents Days on several sites. They are always available to provide support and advise to all who know them.
2020 Hall of Fame Inductees
(Left to right): Dr. James Averill, MDARD; Bill Johnson, St. Joseph County Grange Fair; Janice Murphy, Branch County Fair; Michael Zimmerman Chippewa County Fair; Karen M. Klug, Berrien County Youth Fair; Terry Bonnell, CFE MAFE & IAFE; Nancy Thelen, Saline Community Fair; Steve Thelen, Saline Community Fair; and Brian Kuemin, MAFE
Past Hall of »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »»
Arlene Altenburg, Skerbeck Carnivals Ivan Arnold, Arnold Amusements Terry Bonnell, CFE MAFE & IAFE Terry Brail, Ingham County Fair Diane Brazier, Emmet Charlevoix County Fair Carol Britten, Manchester Community Fair EJ Brown, Munger Potato Festival Eugene (Gene) Budd, MAFE Exec. Secretary and Saginaw County Bill Burns, Clare County Fair Carol Carlson, MI Department of Agriculture Delmont Chapman, Monroe County Fair and Michigan State Fair John Currie, Mecosta County Fair Don & Carlene Davis, MI Dynamometer Association Scott Dow, Hillsdale County Fair Greg Dziewicki, Liberty Group Insurance Henry Ebershoff, Lafayette Tent James Elliott, Elliott’s Amusements LLC Walter Guthrie, Bay County Fair & Youth Expo Sonny & Rosie Hall, USA Demolition Derby Fred Henningsen, St. Joseph Co Grange Fair Bill Johnson, St. Joseph County Co Grange Fair Stan Jordan, Ingham County Fair Harry Kelley, MAFE Executive Secretary and Hillsdale County Cinda Karlik, MI Depart of Agriculture and Rural Development Charles Kline, Midland County Fair
Fame Inductees »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »» »»
Karen M. Klug, Berrien County Youth Fair Barbra Kolm, Berrien County Youth Fair Wayne & Pat Loose, Branch County Fair Fred Morris, Lake Odessa Fair Moxie Mulrooney, MAFE Exec.Secretary and Saginaw County Janice Murphy, Branch County Fair Wayne Nichols, Hillsdale County Fair John O’Bryant, MI Department of Agriculture Roger Phelps, Saline Community Fair Sherman & Joy Schmidt, Schmidt Amusements LC & Jackie Scramlin, Oakland County Fair Agnes Shaw, Emmet Charlevoix Fair Warren & Linda Siebarth, Monroe County Fair Bill Skerbeck, Skerbeck Family Carnival Joe Skerbeck, Skerbeck Entertainment Group Al Slaggert, Mid States Exposition Services Mary Ann Slaggert, Slaggert Awards Terry Slaggert, Mid States Exposition Services Clifford Sterns, MAFE Executive Secretary and Monroe County Glenn Stock, Monroe County Fair Steve & Nancy Thelen, Saline Community Fair Thomas Valliere, Midland County Fair Glenn Wade, Wade Shows Ronald Wenger, Kent County Youth Fair Michael Zimmerman Chippewa County Fair
The MAFE Hall of Fame program is designed to recognize the service rendered to fairs, festivals and our industry by individuals who have devoted their time and talents. The individual(s) shall have been an involved with a MAFE Regular, Associate or Festival per Article II of the MAFE Bylaws either as a paid employee or as a volunteer with their organization or have served with a county or state agency that has direct involvement with the MAFE Membership and its promotion of Agriculture and Youth. The Individual(s) shall been have been involved with the industry for a minimum of twenty (20) years.