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Friday, 12 March 2010 |
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By BOB HUDSON
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BLACKFOOT — Paula Parks and Midori Tsukamoto accepted plaques honoring their husbands from members of the Idaho Potato Museum board of directors on Thursday. Masu Tuskamoto, already a member of the museum’s hall of fame, was given special recognition for all his contributions to the potato industry. Raymond Parks was inducted into the hall of fame.
Both men were honored posthumously because they have died within the past six months.
“Masa would be so proud,” Midori said of her husband. Board member Gordon Wankier noted that Tsukamoto was a key resource in assuring that the information on the museum’s displays were accurate and interesting. He was also one of the original board members of what began as the Idaho Potato Expo in the 1980s.
Parks spent 14 years in the Idaho Legislature, including 10 on the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. “He was a real champion for farmers,” said museum president Jonathan Harris.
Harris noted that Parks was the driving force in the agriculture program at Idaho State University. He has been honored as Potato Grower of the Year and recently got an award from the Idaho Agriculture Credit Association.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized for his contributions to agriculture,” Paula said. “I’m sure if he were here he would be pleased to be recognized for his contributions.
“We’re very proud of the Idaho potato,” she continued. “We think it’s the best potato in the world.”
Approximately 60 family members and friends attended the induction ceremony at the museum.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 15 March 2010 )
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