OAKLEY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Mike and Sheryl Whittle received multiple awards Saturday for their 50 years of service as weather observers for their Oakley community.
What began as a relative’s interest became a rewarding family tradition.
The National Weather Service awarded them the Edward H. Stoll Award for their 50 years of weather observation, the Family Heritage Award, and the Thomas Jefferson Award, which is given annually to only five out of 8,500 people.
However, Mike and Sheryl Whittle did not start these observations in Oakley; rather, they are continuing a family tradition that began over 70 years ago.
“My grandfather started it in 1949 and then he would fill in for him whenever he was somewhere,” Mike Whittle said. “Then my father took over and it became something of a family tradition.”
They are known for their outstanding weather observations, but they mean much more to the community around them.
During the event, several people spoke about how Mike and Sheryl have impacted them personally through their community service and weather observations. One of them was Sherrie Hebert, a service hydrologist with the National Weather Service.
“Mike and Sheryl are so selfless, they put everyone else before themselves and are so family-oriented,” Hebert said. “I just can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than them.”
Not only was the local community in attendance, but Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke was also in attendance. He gave a speech and read a letter from Governor Brad Little listing the community’s accomplishments. Bedke also declared August 10 as Mike and Sheryl Whittle Day in Idaho.
All rights reserved.
