Everett Hilty and Ed Duncan were not present in Denver. Well, Ed was - but, it was a week later. Caroline Mallory, Area XI Chair-Elect made arrangements to present Ed's award to him at the closing of the United Methodist Annual Conference where Ed's "kids" had just performed!

Linda Maloney presented Everett Hilty's award to him in conjunction with a trip to visit her family in Kansas where Hilty now resides.

John Faris was selected as one of the Charter Ring of Fame recipients. John resides in Arizona and is fondly called the "Godfather" of handbells. He taught at Agua Fria H.S. where he had a handbell choir for 19 years. This was back when no one knew what handbells were, much less how to "play" them. John took on the task of learning how, then teaching how, to students and directors alike. He has also taught at the college level and directed church choirs. He as served as a mentor for countless directors across the valley through his pioneering and ongoing efforts.

John received an unofficial induction into the Area XI Ring of Fame in March 2006, when he attended the Arizona State Spring Festival/Conference. Linda Maloney, Area XI chair, was in attendance to announce John's induction to all the attendees. At the Area XI Festival, the 3rd weekend in June, Linda made the official presentation to John at a special luncheon honoring all of the Ring of Fame nominees. John graciously, and with much humor, received the award, claiming that since he was the only one in attendance that he could have not only his five minutes, but the other folks' as well.

It has been a pleasure knowing John for many years. He is a fine man and a true advocate for handbells and all forms of music. He richly deserved this nomination and all that it implies. Thank you John, for your service to the community, state and national levels of the AGEHR.

- Jennie Blomquist

When Joan Shull wrote to tell me that she and Everett would not be able to attend the Ring of Fame Induction Luncheon in Denver (they were both concerned about how the altitude would effect Everett), I scheduled a time to meet with them for lunch in Kansas. I am from Wichita and have family there. I contacted my mom and asked if she could recommend a good place for lunch someplace between Manhattan and Wichita.

Moms ALWAYS know best! Mom recommended the old historic Grand Central Hotel and Grill in Cottonwood Springs. It was lovely - and our lunches were delicious.

It was good to have Mom along - as Joan and I got to visiting and poor Everett could hardly get a word in edgewise. Mom really enjoyed her visit with Everett. I presented the Ring of Fame award to Everett after lunch. The table flowers were Joan's to take home to Manhattan.

Our conversations continued well after lunch and the presentation. Occasionally, Everett would ask Joan "where did this come from?" as he held the award. Joan reminded him a couple of times that "this is from Area XI - to thank you and recognize you for all that you have done for them over the years." Finally, Everett asked her one more time, and Joan once again told him about the award.

The "photo op" occurred just as we were all ready to depart and drive home. Everett and I sat together, so that Mom and Joan could take pictures. Everett leaned to me and asked "now, where did this come from?" Joan rolled her eyes! It was then that we realized that Everett wanted to know how and where the award had been manufactured. We all laughed! So, I explained about the design of the logo, and that the pedestal that holds the engraved plexiglass logo was marble. (See picture of award at the top of this page.) Everett was pleased to listen to the story of how the "physical" award had come to be.

Everett was already in the car as we said our good-byes. He grinned at me, and gestured toward the award. He said, "Linda, do you know what this is?" I replied, "What is that, Everett?" He told me "this is MARBLE-OUS!"

Welcome to the Area XI Ring of Fame, Everett!

- Linda Maloney

A thank you from Everett: (read by Debbie Rice at the Denver Luncheon)

I am extremely honored to be to be recognized as a charter member of the Area XI Ring of Fame, though I’m not quite certain what I’ve done to deserve this honor. Perhaps it’s based on general improvement in handbell knowledge, in which case my eligibility reigns supreme. But I had hoped no one would remember my group’s first performance at festival in Estes Park back in the last century!

From a rather late start, handbells became a very important, all encompassing part of my life - they have a habit of doing that with anyone who accidentally becomes a director of a bell choir. And perhaps I made more work out of it than I needed to - at least, my ringers probably thought so.

It’s a great disappointment to me that I’m not with you this weekend in Denver. Unfortunately, 96 years seem to be catching up with me, and much of the time I’d rather sleep than eat. You are very fortunate in having a very unusual and superb Area Chair in Linda Maloney. Not every Area Chair would go out of her way to come all the way to Kansas from New Mexico to make a presentation, complete with lunch and flowers!

Thank you, Linda, and all of Area XI for my Ring of Fame award, and for many happy, memorable years with you.
God bless you all!

- Everett Hilty

EPILOGUE - Everett passed away November 1, 2007.