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After months of waiting, it was all over in a matter of hours but fond memories of Monday, April 26, 1993 will live forever in the mind and heart of Trudy Todd, Aurora, Colorado, 39th inductee into the Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in the meritorious service category.
Only moments after Edie Jo Norman, Miami, Florida, had been welcomed into hall of fame membership, it was Trudy's turn to take to long, but not lonesome, journey down the center aisle at the Baton Rouge centraplex accompanied by the applause and well-wishes of a standing ovation of almost 4,000 delegates, and a musical salute, "pomp and circumstance" on her march as well.
She was met at the end of her walk by WIBC hall of fame member, Lo Borchuk, Sioux City, IOwa, who escorted her to the stage.
Greeting her, and welcoming her into hall of fame membership- was Gladys Banker, CHrlestown, West Virginia, president of the Women's International Bowling Congress who presented her with the hall of fame medallion, the hall of fame plaque, and a color portrais, a replica of the oil paining later to be displayed at the National Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis Missouri.
And there was more...hall of fame committee chairman WIBC director Barbara Bates, Mystic Connecticut, assisted Trudy in slipping into her hall of fame blazer, and WIBC director Clara Morton, Powell, Tennessee, President of the National Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum presented Trudy with her lifetime pass to the museum.
Then came the invitation by President Banker..."Trudy woul you like to say something?"...an enthusiastic and spontaneous, "you bet" response set the tone for the next several minutes as Trudy Todd held the spotlight and the attention of the delegates. With a brief speech that ran the famut from humorous to and expression of gratitude to those who had made it possible for her to achieve hall of fame membership.
Husband Wayne, who has shared her life for going on 51 years was in the audience, as were son Tim, his wife Marcia, and daughter Kathleen. Trudy expressed regret that grand children, Tony and Dionne were unable to attend.
Also on hand, from Atlanta, Georgia were Trudy's sister, Carol Theune, and her husband Stan.
Trudy's teammates acrost the years, Bertha Keeney, Joyce Georgeson, Maggie Bush, and Donna Hepburn were introduced, as was longtime friend, Verna Ellis.
When she saluted her local and state associations, Denver, and Colorado, the spotlight found them in the upper reaches of the auditorium balcony.
Asking for a special privilege, WIBC director Ila Herrin, who also serves as President of the Colorado Women's Bowling Association presented Trudy with a lovely emerald ring and a bouquet of flowers, gifts from the Denver and Colorado members.
Coming on stage next were Judy Dagget, and Wilda Christensen of Fort Collins presenting Trudy with a pair of gold earrings, in recognition of Trudy's years in Fort Collins serving as president of their association and her involvement in the junior program in that city.
Trudy also received a bouquet of roses from her sisters, Gaila Daniels and Dolores Van De Kreek, Sheboygan, Wisconsin who couldn't be there with presentation made by her sister Carol who was in the audience.
The Colorado Springs WBA presneted Trudy with a pen and pencil set, and the Glenwood Springs WBA remembered the occasion with the presentation of a gift certificate.
Then it was over, for the moment, but there was lots more to come on this day of days.
Family members joined Trudy, and Edie Jo and her family, at a special luncheon honoring WIBC hall of fame members and WIBC members emeritae following the noon recess of the convention.
More ceremony followed, with the march in, and introduction of all hall of fame members, and members emerita attending the convention to open the Monday afternoon session.
Wrapping up the bid day, Trudy, her family and friends were guests at a reception hosted by the Colorado Women's Bowling Association, immediately after the end of the Monday convention session.
And, to preserve forever many of the memories for this day, within a couple of weeks Trudy received a video tape of the Monday morning induction ceremony from the WIBC public relations department, and she'll be happy to show you the tape at the drop of a hat!