Another dinner was held at the Fountain Hills Community Center ballroom last week. Not just another ordinary dinner, however, as eight more individuals were inducted into the Lower Verde River Valley Hall of Fame.

This year’s inductees included Paul Appeldorn, Arlie Denomme, Ed Kehe, Dana Saar, Donna Yordy and the late Scott LaGreca from Fountain Hills, David King of Fort McDowell and Vicki Beseke of Rio Verde.

Congratulations to them all.

The Hall of Fame, as organized by the River of Time Museum Foundation, recognizes those individuals in this region who have contributed significant hours and resources to a variety of causes – government, education, religious, civic, etc. The inductees have all made their respective communities better places to live in some fashion.

While this was only the 11th annual induction dinner, it’s important to remember that the foundations of our communities such as Fountain Hills, the Verdes and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation have been built upon the backs of volunteers and others who pioneered ahead in some unique fashion.

As our communities continue to march forward in time, it’s important to recognize the accomplishments of the past and, perhaps even more importantly, inspire future leaders to get involved and make a difference in the years to come.

Leadership and greatness today can only lead to more of the same for generations to come.