1985 conference sets new attendance mark

Approximately 3,000 delegates, exhibitors, guests and speakers attended last year's Illinois Park and Recreation Conference. They had access to a large array of educational sessions, expert advice and new products.

Ninety-two educational sessions focused on topics ranging from wheel-chair sports to golf course maintenance, solar energy, financing trends, investment options and effective writing. Nine pre-conference workshops provided other opportunities to learn about motivational management, capital development projects, intergenerational programming, skills for dealing with people, supervisory roles, therapeutic recreation, golf, the one-minute manager, and communication between elected officials and staff.

State Rep. Terry Steczo (D-78) shared his views about the legislative process.

A variety of companies selling products of interest to park and recreation agencies were represented in 128 exhibit booths. They included several of the current advertisers in the Illinois Parks and Recreation magazine.

Ten contributing authors to IPR received awards. Patrick Wilson was honored for the best maintenance article. Other writers receiving awards were Jane Christensen and Terry Clarke, best programming article; David Markworth, best economics article; Janet Goldberg and Janet Hedrick, best management article; Nick DiGrino and Chuck Balling, best public relations article; Laurie Freeman, best education article, and Lt. Gov. George H. Ryan, best article in the miscellaneous category.

A joint awards luncheon was held to honor various individuals, agencies and organizations for serving the goals of the IAPD and IPRA during 1985. Several of the awards were presented at the conference; others will be presented in local communities. A list of award winners is published on page 24.

David Weigand, president of the Chicago Ridge Park District, and Karen Correll, superintendent of recreation for the Woodridge Park District, co-chaired the Joint Conference Committee. Other committee members included Roger Toohey, Wheaton Park District; Sandra Frum, Northbrook Park District; Arlene Mulder, Arlington Heights Park District; Lewis Smith, Elk Grove Park District; Linda Wander, Downers Grove Park District, and Janet Swanson, Oak Lawn Park District.

Also serving on the Conference Committee were Bill Geihsler, Palatine Park District; Vince Merenda, Schaumburg Park District; Ray Morrill, Wheaton Park District; Steve Persinger, Geneva Park District; John Wilson, Chicago Ridge Park District; Cathy Puchalski, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association; Joe Doud, Northbrook Park District, and Fred Hall, Palatine Park District.

Three State lawmakers received special recognition for their support of legislation in 1985 which was important to park, forest preserve and conservation districts. Pictured from the left are Peter M. Murphy, IAPD's legal/legislative counsel; State Sen. Virginia Macdonald (R-27); State Sen. Beverly Fawell (R-20); State Rep. Virginia Frederick (R-59); former IAPD President Bonnie Noble, and Ted Flickinger, IAPD executive director.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 21 January/February 1986

Bonnie Noble (top left) presents Susan Rizzo with a President's Citation for her many years of work on behalf of the IAPD. U.S. Congressmen Henry Hyde (R-6), center, and John Porter (R-10), below, addressed issues of concern pending action by the U.S. Congress.

Bonnie Noble presents the Commissioner of the Year Award to Dr. Morgan Powell of the Champaign Park District. Former IPRA President Tom Richardson honored three of the Association's members at the conference luncheon. Pictured from the left are Dr. Joseph Bannon, University of Illinois; Richardson; John L. Hedges, Oak Park Parks and Recreation District, and Chuck Paxton, Zion Park District. Dr. Allen Sapora (center) led the conversation at the IAPDs Past Presidents' Breakfast. His listeners include Mike Cassidy (left) and Richard Johns.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 22 January/February 1986

Jim Ruth (center), president of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and director of parks and recreation in Long Beach, CA, attended the IPR Conference. Seated with Ruth at the luncheon are Mick Pope (left), NRPA president-elect, and Walter Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Region.

Luncheon speaker C.W. Metcalf showed how humor can improve communication skills.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 23 January/February 1986

1985 AWARDS

IAPD Alan Weissburg Award Morgan Powell, Champaign President's Award Susan Rizzo, Park Ridge Honorary Life Membership Bonnie W. Noble, Peoria Outstanding Legislator Awards Senator Virginia Macdonald Senator Beverly Fawell Representative Virginia Frederick Group Merit Awards Golf-Maine Park District Booster Club Elmhurst Garden Club Rochelle Little League, Inc. Park Agency Anniversary Awards Arlington Heights Park District - 60 years Bensenville Park District - 25 years Individual Merit Awards Ralph Buhrow, Dundee Township Jean Haselhorst, Elmhurst Richard D. Irwin, Homewood-Flossmoor Betty Lou Jenkins, Champaign Doris & Jim Welch, Wood Dale Alice Wright, Carbondale Service Anniversaries Robert Barut, Prospect Heights - 10 years Donald W. Burns, Oak Forest - 10 years Robert Christensen, Carol Stream - 10 years Richard H. Cosgrove, Fox Valley - 10 years Donald C. Carman, Oak Forest - 10 years Charles A. Hodlmair, III Rolling Meadows - 10 years Frank Jackson, Oak Forest - 10 years F. Jan Kopis, Downers Grove - 10 years Arline (Kay) Lovett, Geneva - 10 years Charles J. Myler, Fox Valley - 10 years Nancy Osborne, Mokena - 10 years James P. Petkus, Oak Forest - 10 years Ruth K. Powers, Downers Grove - 10 years Jinny L. Samuelson, Marengo - 10 years Robert I. Stuart, Fox Valley - 10 years Nancy I. Pottinger, Marengo - 15 years Guy V. Prisco, Fox Valley - 20 years Donald Whitlock, Downers Grove - 20 years Gold Medal Award Recognition Finalists Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association Salt Creek Rural Park District West Suburban Special Recreation Association

Winner Deerfield Park District Certificates of Appreciation to Outgoing IAPD Board Members Cail Loefgren, Flagg-Rochelle Patrick Crealish, Salt Creek Don Prindle, DuPage County Forest Preserve Susan Rizzo, Park Ridge Bob Seif, Urbana IPRA Fellow Award Charles Paxton, Zion Professional Recognition Award John L. Hedges, Oak Park President's Award Steve Hartman, Lisle John Wilson, Chicago Ridge Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award Dr. Joseph Bannon, University of Illinois Section Awards Park Professional of the Year Patrick Moser, Macon County Conservation District Illinois Therapeutic Section Outstanding Organization Award Easter Seal Leisure Resource Center of Peoria Community Service Awards Individual Resident Ed Biondo, Franklin Park & Niles Carol Brettnor, Orland Park Cathy Bryant, Orland Park Patty Cohodes, Highland Park Patricia Dutcher, NISRA Don Fries & Family, NEDSRA Fran Celman, Highland Park Richard D. Irwin, Homewood-Flossmoor Bruno & Stella Kay, Orland Park Steve Kimbro, Carbondale Leonard March, Highland Park Dennis Mattos, NISRA Jack O'Malley, Highland Park Nicholas Prokos, Highland Park Barbara Regal, Highland Park Ernest Renuiti, Highland Park Howard Seiden, Highland Park Marion Wlodarski, Orland Park Alice Wright, Carbondale Ken Zintak, Arlington Heights

Service Groups Alpha Phi Omega, Champaign Carbondale Jr. Sports, Inc., Carbondale Carbondale Soccer, Inc., Carbondale Central High School Key Club, Champaign Elmhurst Jaycees, NEDSRA Freeport Rotary Club, Freeport Gurnee Lions Club, Gurnee Historical Society of Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights Little Egypt Bass Club, Carbondale McHenry Area Jaycees, McHenry McHenry Women's Civic Group, McHenry Old Timers Baseball Association, Peoria S.I.U. Student Center, Carbondale S.I.U. Student Program Committee, Carbondale Waukegan Historical Society, Waukegan Commercial Businesses Buffo's, Highland Park Coca-Cola, IPRA Dave Curtis, Wheeling Deerfield Chamber of Commerce, Deerfield First National Bank of Highland Park, Highland Park Harris Bank Roselle, Roselle Shin Kojimi, Wheeling John Massillo, Wheeling Memorial Hospital for McHenry County, Woodstock Midland Inn, Carbondale Shaw Free Press Newspaper Group, Dundee Township Southern Illinois Wholesale Co., Inc., Carbondale Herman Srulovitc, Wheeling Sunset Foods, Highland Park Pat Tanzillo, Wheeling Venegoni Distributing, Carbondale WBNQ Radio Station, SOAR Elected/Appointed Bodies and Individuals Bensenville Park District Board and Staff, NEDSRA Board of Education, School District #108, Roselle Honorable Richard A. Brauer, Belleville Carol Stream Park District Board and Staff, NEDSRA Dr. Charles J. Caruso, Deerfield City of Carbondale, Carbondale McHenry County Conservation District, NISR Bill Peterson, Wheeling Dorothy B. Sinclair, Peoria Skokie School District #69, Skokie Frank Strle, Roselle Dr. James H. Warren, Deerfield and Highland Park

Illinois Parks and Recreation 24 January/February 1986