The Blackburn-Dennis Community Center was full Monday evening; full of memories, stories and friends. Approximately 90 people attended the Fowler Museum annual dinner and business meeting catered by Tamarack Grill. Music was provided by Jay Fosdick, Tom Knowlton and Catherine Connor.

In past years, the annual dinner has been held in February but because of inclement weather conditions that time of year, the board decided to move the event to October.

The program for the evening focused on notable accomplishments of Fowlerites. Narrated by J.H. and Marybeth McCuistion it was a successful attempt at showing the journeys taken by the small town of Fowler and its residents.

"When Orson Fowler settled here he envisioned acres of orchards, but do you think he also could have foreseen Fowler being home to the first Loaf n' Jug, a pro football hall of fame recipient (Dutch Clark) and a pro baseball player (Luke Hochevar)," asked J.H. as he opened the program.

"We are highlighting only a handful of Fowler's outstanding citizens," commented Marybeth. "These are just a few of the many."

Divided into categories, the program began with military medal recipients including brothers, Charles and John Hiza. Charles didn't receive his medals until he was 82 years old and John was one of the most highly decorated soldiers from Fowler with two Purple Hearts among his awards.

Others listed were Luther Williams, Edward Fellhauer, James Tyler, Tom Marvin, Chet Petrie, Ray Mansfield, Wes Ayers, Dr. Gerald McDonnell, Harry Smith, Orville Walker and Randy Lundy. Lundy lost his life while serving in Vietnam and each year in his memory a scholarship is awarded to a Fowler High School senior.

The seven sons of Elias and Guadalupe Berumen were recognized because all seven brothers served in the military. At one point in the years before the Sullivan Act was created, four of the Berumen brothers served together.

Greg Vibber, a battalion commander in Baghdad, and Jim Collier, command surgeon for the United States Air Force, were also recognized for their military accomplishments.

Fowler's agricultural and rodeo community was noted next. Sheep owned by the Zwick family, alpacas at Triple LNG Farms and cattle and quarter horses raised by Major Cattle Company were acknowledged as significant contributions to the livestock community. The crowd was reminded of historic roots on the Flying A Ranch west of town. Now occupied by Major Cattle Company, the property was once owned by famous singing cowboy, Gene Autrey.

As for famous rodeo individuals from Fowler, Harry Vold and his wife Karen are world renowned providers of rodeo stock. Each holding Miss Rodeo titles are sisters, Addie Knowlton Hayes and Tressie Knowlton. And, saddle bronc rider, J.W. McCuistion and steer wrestler, Wade Sumpter both currently compete making a lot of noise on the pro-rodeo circuit.

An impressive list of craftsmen and artists were reviewed including Jeff Black, Leota Seifried, Tom Knowlton, Dwayne Wilson, Norma Jean Pittulo, Carla Romero, Olive Rogge, Carol Bailey, Margaret Jones, Ruby Moreland and Connie Fox.

Under published authors and poets were Barbara (Black) Brown, Mary Peace Finley, June (Jensen) Fellhauer, Pete Early, Jack Bailey and Jim Keen.

Education and athletics are great sources of pride for Fowler and Monday's program would not have been complete without recognizing some of those who have helped build that reputation of excellence. Dr. Larry Vibber, the nation's longest serving public school superintendent, was fist to be noted. Next was Tim Baublits for his work with the Language and Culture Camp in Rhode Island. Each summer he, along with other teachers from this area, work with incoming foreign exchange students to help them prepare for their time in the United States.

Vin Mizer, Fowler High School volleyball coach, was recognized for his unprecedented high school coaching career which included nine state championships between 1981 and 1999. He led his volleyball teams in 8 undefeated seasons and had an overall record of 684 wins and 82 losses.

The wrestling accomplishments of the Van Hee family were noted. Miles, a 1989 FHS graduate was a 3 time state champion and has gone on to make wrestling his career and has been awarded National Coach of the Year.

Miles' brother, Brent, was a 4 time state champion in high school and also coaches and teaches.

Tom Van Hee worked as Fowler's wrestling coach from 1971 to 1989 and among many accomplishments was voted Coach of the Year 6 times. Tom's wife, Kay, worked alongside him during that time and was voted Coach's Wife of the Year.

The program closed by recognizing other significant accomplishments including Dutch Clark, born in Fowler in 1906. After a lifelong career in football, Clark was inducted into pro-football's hall of fame and a stadium in Pueblo was named in his honor.

Shirley Clark has been responsible for many notable changes and achievements in the veterinary world as she worked closely with her husband, Sterling, throughout his career.

Carl Buck, Wilma Gager's nephew and Charles Buck's son, went on to become an aeronautical engineer who worked on the Mars Pathfinder mission in 1977.

Charlotte Manchego Masias runs a very successful family owned mexican restaurant business that has been franchised.

The Rogge brothers, Sam, Gary and Steve, all love to fly and have incorporated that interest, in varying degrees, into their lives. Sam flew his first solo at the age of 16, going on to fly jets and instruct students. He now owns Jet Stream Ag Aviation. Gary also flies and owns Gary's Crane Service in Pueblo. Steven became and aeronautical engineer.

Sheryl Barr was honored for her advocacy work on behalf of handicapped individuals. Sheryl has been instrumental in securing handicap accessible ramps for streets in Fowler.

Marianne Bush, now a real estate agent, worked as a locomotive engineer for 10  years, with full responsibilities, on the Burlington Northern Railroad.

And, James A Teilborg, son of teachers in the Fowler school system, became an attorney and eventually a federal judge in Arizona.

Closing the program Marybeth stated, "We have something here that is unique. We all work together to help each other and it shows in our community."