Keystone Awards Celebrate 10th Anniversary Thursday Night

The 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Keystone Awards was held on Thursday, May 12 in the Mars Theater at the WYO. The event started with a reception at 5:30 followed by the program at 7 p.m.

Meredith Sopko, director of development at The Hub on Smith talked about the awards. “This year we will be honoring four very deserving and patient 2020 honorees! Edre Maier, Everett McGlothlin, and Sue & Casey Osborn. These very special community members have made a tremendous impact through their lifetime of service to others.” Due to Covid, the awards were not given in 2020 or 2021.

She added a little more about each honoree, saying that Maier is really a trailblazer when it comes to arts, and that she has been integral in building up the arts community within Sheridan. McGlothlin is a Sheridan High School graduate and is very much about supporting youth and education. He has had a career of fostering and teaching youth. Casey and Sue Osborn own Emit, and they are very dedicated to our community in a number of ways.

As a tribute to Maier, the Big Horn Alphorns, a five-person musical ensemble from Sheridan that Maier is a member of, gave a short concert for the attendees.

Playing the horns were Dale and Kerry Hoffman, Ryan Schasteen and Jennifer Malin. These long, elegant horns come from the Alps, and Dale Hoffman said the horns are made in Germany and Switzerland. Traditionally, the horns were used by the people in the Swiss Alps as a way of communication. Today they are used as musical instruments.

The horns that the Big Horn Alphorn group play are 12’ 4” long and are made with spruce. The horns are made in three segments for ease of transporting. Hoffman said their group was founded in 2013 and they play throughout the area.

Modeled after the Kennedy Center Honors as a tribute and variety show, featuring guest speakers and entertainment meant to reflect the personality of each honoree, the Keystone awards have become not only a wonderful way to celebrate Sheridan Community members, but also to raise funds for The Hub on Smith.

This funding supports services for older adults and their families every day of the year. The Hub serves meals, delivers meals to homebound seniors, adult day care, fun and wellness enrichment activities, public transportation for our community, home health and outreach services and caregiver support. These services often make the difference between people staying in their own homes or moving to a higher level of care.

According to Sopko, around 150 people usually attending the gala program.