Nearly 2,900 persons — professionals, commissioners, exhibitors, spouses and guests — attended the Annual Illinois Parks & Recreation Conference November 17-20 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont. Co-chair of the Conference Committee were Jane Johnson, Commissioner from Glencoe, and Steve Hartman, Director of the Lisle Park District.

Michael Brandwein, a Chicago attorney, was the All Conference Keynote Luncheon speaker on Friday, November 18. He spoke on the topic, "The Importance of Being Specific."

IPRA President David Phillips of Wheeling and IAPD President Morgan Powell of Champaign shared duties of presiding at the general sessions and at business meetings.

Fred P. Hall (right). Director of the Palatine Park District, receives congratulations from IPRA President David Phillips upon receiving the IPRA's highest award, the Fellow Award, at the Annual Conference. Tom Kruse (center), Belvidere, chairman of the Awards Committee, made the presentation.	Donald F. Bresnan (right), a commissioner from the Champaign Park District, receives the IAPD's highest award for commissioners, the Alan Weissburg Award, from IAPD President Morgan Powell at the Awards Luncheon as Mrs. Helen Weissburg looks on.
Joint Editorial Board officers Dan Fitzsimmons (far left), Wheaton, and Robert Dunsmuir (far right), Wheaton, presented awards to the following for outstanding contributions to the IPR during 1983 (from left): Susan Stone, Urbana; David Wiemer, Rockford; Dr. Allan Sapora, Champaign; Gene Sanks, Urbana; Steven Plumb, Elmhurst; Jay Judge, Park Ridge; and Robert Papich, Rockford. Mr. Wiemer contributed a front cover photo and the others articles.
The Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association were presented Special Recognition Awards by the National Recreation and Park Association at the Joint Awards Luncheon November 19 for efforts in promoting the "Life. Be In It" program throughout Illinois. Walter C. Johnson (right), NRPA Great Lakes Regional Director, presented the awards to Morgan Powell, retiring President of the IAPD, and Patti Roth, incoming President of the IPRA.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 16 January/February

Tom Kruse, Belvidere, presents a Professional Recognition Award to Patti Roth, Elmhurst, as President Phillips looks on. Ms. Roth is the incoming President of IPRA.	Ellen Shubart (right), a Glencoe newspaper reporter, was presented the IAPD Individual Merit Award for writing a series of articles on the community's parks. Bonnie Noble, Peoria, IAPD Vice President, presented the award.
Richard Johns (right). General Superintendent of the Glenview Park District, is presented the IPRA Robert Artz Award by Mick Pope, Elmhurst.	The rock and roll music of Rick Saucedo and his Fabulous Ambassadors inspired this group at the closing banquet to stand on their chairs and join in the singing. Impersonating the late Elvis Presley, Saucedo enthralled the crowd. Dancing followed the performance.
LeRoy Kalmes (right), of the Skokie Park District was named "Park Professional of the year" by the Parks and Natural Resource Section of the IPRA at the Annual Conference. Bill Semple, St. Charles, Director of the Section, presented the award.	Two persons were named this year to receive IAPD President's Awards. In photo at left, Ralph Cianchetti, a commissioner from the Park District of Highland Park, receives the award from President Morgan Powell, and in photo at right, Dan Newport, Director of the Winnetka Park District, receives the award.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 17 January/February

Eighteen past presidents of the IAPD and the IPRA met for breakfast at the Illinois Parks & Recreation Conference November 19. Shown (seated, left to right) are David Phillips, Wheeling; Morgan Powell, Champaign; Eugene Pomerance, Elmhurst; Barbara Williams, Olympia Field; Mick Pope, Elmhurst; Francis Meinlein, Waukegan; Allan Sapora, Urbana; Peter Koukos, Highland Park; and Michael Cassidy, Freeport, and (back row) Chuck Paxton, Zion; Robert Toalson, Champaign; Robert Cole, Decatur; Gerald Oakes, Arlington Heights; Robin Hall, Urbana; Richard Johns, Glenview; Webster Wiley, Kewanee; Tim Soldwedel, Pekin, and Donald Bresnan, Champaign.

Frank Theriault (right), a commissioner from Tinley Park, receives an award from IAPD President Morgan Powell and Vice President Bonnie Noble for outstanding contributions to the work of the Honors and Awards Committee of the IAPD.

IPRA President David Phillips (left). Wheeling, presents a Professional Recognition Award to Robert "Skip" Dunsmuir, Wheaton, at the Annual Conference.