Humanitarian Award: Rescue Pals, Christine Schaeken & Susan Dawson, 2019 Inductee Rescue Pals started ten years ago when three friends decided to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-day breast cancer walk. Susan Dawson, Christine Schaeken and Maureen Glunz prepared for the 60-mile event by training daily. The women heard that Pal’s Inn in Fountain […]
Legacy Award: Juan Gonzalez of Senor Taco
Juan Gonzalez of Senor Taco, 2019 Legacy Award Winner As co-owner and manager of two Senor Taco restaurants in town, Juan is being recognized for leaving a long-lasting legacy in the Town of Fountain Hills. The Chamber of Commerce honored him as the 2013 Business Person of the Year. In 2018, he was given the […]
Harrison, Mike
Mike Harrison, 2019 Inductee (1886-1983) Mike Harrison is described as a bold, strong, proud Yavapai. Instrumental in having the book, “Oral History of the Yavapai,” written, Mike asked his friend Carolina Butler to “help him write a book to give the Indian’s side.” Carolina met with ASU anthropologist Sigrid Khera, Ph.D., who soon started recording […]
Derby, Mary
Mary Derby, 2019 Inductee Mary Derby has been active in the Verde communities since arriving in 2008. She has been an organizer and participant in a number of social and educational events held at Rio Verde Community Center. For a number of years she has co-chaired and worked for the annual Verdes Christmas Project, which […]
Pistelli, Tony
Tony Pistelli, 2019 Inductee Tony Pistilli has been active with Fountain Hills youth for many years. He has been a major part of the Boys and Girls Club, McKee Branch, helping with fundraising events, as well as mentoring children, offering ideas to improve the branch and helped get the branch involved with the Rotary Club […]
Kern, Phyllis
Phyllis Kern, 2019 Inductee There are few things Phyliss Kern has not done for Fountain Hills. “She has done more for Fountain Hills than anyone else,” according to one of Phyliss’ nominators. “Fundraisers, events for the town, St. Patrick’s Day, fireworks, Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving Day Parade, Balloon Glow, etc.” Phyliss is a long-time resident of the […]
Fisher, Debbie
Debbie Fisher, 2019 Inductee Debbie Fisher is well-known in Fountain Hills. With her angelic voice and musical talent, Debbie appears at numerous events as part of the main entertainment. She also serves on a number of committees for various organizations in Fountain Hills. She was born in Minnesota and lived in South Dakota, Germany, Texas […]
Colbert, Gerry
Gerry Colbert, 2019 Inductee Gerry Colbert and his wife, Marge, moved to Fountain Hills 21 years ago from Illinois. He has been an active participant in the community ever since. He was raised in Duluth, Minn. After returning from two years in the Army, he attended the University of Minnesota – Duluth, obtaining a bachelor’s […]
Appeldorn, Gail
Gail Appeldorn, 2019 Inductee Gail Appeldorn started her career as a “Professional Volunteer” at age 14, as a Candy Striper in her local New York hospital. She polished her skills with the Junior Leagues of Toledo, OH, and Chicago, IL. After moving to Fountain Hills in 1999, she was quickly brought into volunteering by Evelyn […]