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 Dave Grosenheider of KLEM radio was inducted into the Plymouth County Fair Hall of Fame July 23, the opening night of the fair. [Click to enlarge] |
Dave Grosenheider, director of sales for Powell Broadcasting, was presented with the Hall of Fame award at Century Hall, preceding the royalty coronation which he was preparing to emcee. Radio station KLEM in Le Mars is a part of the Powell group.
Each year, the fair board chooses a person for of the Hall of Fame award. "The individual truly deserves to be nominated for doing things that help progress the fair along over the years," said Reuter.
"The person we are honoring tonight was born and raised right here in Plymouth County on a farm northwest of Le Mars," Reuter began. "He attended Le Mars Community High School. He originally joined the KLEM staff as a weekend announcer, later working full time as a reporter under news director Larry Schmitz, reporting on the daily happenings at the fair. He was co-chair of Homecoming '86 in Le Mars, and was named the 1986 Citizen of the Year."
"Tonight he will be doing his eighth year as the master of ceremonies for the crowning of the fair royalty, succeeding his mentor, Paul 'Ole' Olson, after Ole's death in 2000," Reuter continued. In 2004, he was named the Chamber Boss of the Quarter, nominated by his KLEM employees.
"Since June of 2007 he has been director of sales of the six Powell Group radio stations, KKMA, KSUX, KSCJ, BOB and Y in Sioux City, and KLEM 1410 here in Le Mars and KLEM land," Reuter said.
"He has been a strong supporter of the fair and use of the fairgrounds through his involvement in community groups such as the former Community Enhancement, Kiwanis Club of Le Mars, and of course, the KLEM Home Expo held each spring here in Century Hall," Reuter noted.
"He and his wife, Robin, recently celebrated their 30th year as owners of Hotopp's Jewelry & Gifts. They have one daughter, Jill, who is following in her dad's footsteps at a radio station in Columbus, Ohio," Reuter said.
"We are proud and honored to present the 2008 Plymouth County Fair Hall of Fame Award to our own Dave Grosenheider," Reuter concluded.
After accepting the award, Grosenheider took the microphone from Reuter, saying, "I never met a microphone I didn't like, so I would like to say a few words."
"I had the best teacher in the world for helping promote the Plymouth County Fair. You mentioned Paul Olson who was my mentor," Grosenheider said. "I started working at KLEM when I was 16 years old. Ever since that time I tagged along with Ole and helped him with the fair programs. He was such a great teacher."
Grosenheider also recognized his co-workers.
"We have such a wonderful staff at KLEM, so I would also like to accept this in honor of all those folks who work so very, very hard."
"My wife, Robin, is just the best support for me and allows me to do a lot of the things and extra hours that it takes," Grosenheider continued.
He paused and looked out at the crowd in Century Hall where the evening ceremonies were moved due to rainy weather.
"This is the best five days of summer. I look forward to it every single year and I just love coming out to the fair," he said. "KLEM has had a wonderful relationship with the Plymouth County fair board not only with the fair but with our Home Expo, and we hope to have many, many more years together," he said.
"I just can't thank you enough for this great honor," Grosenheider concluded, as he turned to go off the stage to another round of applause.
Then it was business as usual as Grosenheider went back on stage to introduce the 2008 fair royalty.
Grosenheider later said he was so intent on his preparation for the fair royalty program that he wasn't paying attention to Reuter's presentation.
"Then I heard him say KLEM and I thought, maybe I better listen," Grosenheider said with a laugh.