Fitness leads the way to the Illinois State Fair!

Three teams crisscrossed the State to remind residents about the importance of good health.

Jim Williams (left), associate director of community education for the Country Companies, presents a check to Gary Baker of the Canton Park District for the Fitness Is Leading the Way activities which opened the 1987 Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Baker chaired the event, which was jointly sponsored by the Country Companies, the Illinois Association of Park Districts, and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. (Photo courtesy of the Country Companies.)

By Barb Valiukenas Editor

Residents throughout the State recently received a personal message about the importance of physical and mental fitness from those folks who ought to know — the providers of public recreation/leisure services, and an insurance group specializing in health and life coverage.

The Country Companies joined with the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) to open the 1987 Illinois State Fair August 13 in Springfield. This Fitness Is Leading the Way event featured three separate teams (one run, one bicycle and one walk) which crisscrossed the State for a three-day, 450-mile journey to bring the scissors and ribbon to Gov. Jim Thompson at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"Our primary goal was to encourage people of all ages to become and stay physically and mentally fit," explained Gary Baker, assistant director of the Canton Park District, who chaired the event.

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Participating in the twilight State Fair parade are (from the left) Doug Sommer, regional coordinator of community education, Country Companies; Jerry Handlon, director, Schaumburg Park District; Barb Handlon; Gary Baker, assistant director, Canton Park District; Connie Skibbe, director, Park District of Highland Park; Bob Gonzenbach, regional coordinator of community education, Country Companies; Joe Schultz, Jr.; Joe Schultz, director, Deertield Park District, and Katie Schultz. (Staff photo)

"We also wanted to call attention to local recreational opportunities available in Illinois and the role they play in developing a healthier life style."

Corporate sponsorship

Jim Williams, associate director of community education for the Country Companies, indicates they have a vested interest in the fitness of their current and future customers.

"We sell health and life insurance — two of our major lines, and there is a definite relationship between fitness and these two products," Williams explained.

"It's good for everyone if people stay healthy and live longer," he said. "For this reason, we felt that the Country Companies were appropriate sponsors for the Fitness Is Leading the Way event."

Participants and activities

Schaumburg Park District Dir. Jerry Handlon and his wife, Barb, walked the 75 miles from Peoria to Springfield. A four-person bike team consisting of Connie Skibbe, director of the Park District of Highland Park; Joe Schultz, director of the Deerfield Park District, and Schultz's two children, Katie and Joe, Jr., traveled from Chicago. The run from Mt. Vernon was completed by Baker.

Each team made special stops at various sites along its route in cooperation with local park and recreation agencies, and Country Companies agency and agent offices. Bicycle safety information and children's coloring books were distributed at stops along the bicycle route; fitness information and shoe identification tags were handed out at stops along the walk and run routes.

Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) President Ralph Cianchetti (at microphone) joins Gov. Jim Thompson at the ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the 135th Illinois State Fair in Springfield. He presented the ceremonial scissors to Thompson, and spoke about the benefits of mental and physical fitness. (Staff photo)

Each team had a support crew. These persons were Dan Newport, Winnetka Park District, for the bicycle team; Glenn and Gidget Freeburg of Springfield, walking team; and George Whitehead, Carbondale Park District, and Mark Badasch, Roxana Community Park District, running team.

After arriving in Springfield, the Fitness Is Leading the Way team participated in the annual State Fair Twilight Parade on August 12.

A tradition of concern

The Country Companies commitment to fitness includes an active four-person staff of safety and health professionals who last year gave more than 850 safety and health presentations to more than 66,000 Illinois residents. These free programs are available to school, adult and church groups; clubs; and farm, civic and industrial organizations in an effort to promote better safety and health habits.

In addition, the Country Companies give corporate support to various fitness-related events.

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These include the State High School Basketball Tournament and the TAC/RRCA Ten Mile Illinois State Championship running race sponsored by the Town of Normal, Country Companies, and WJBC Radio. The Country Companies also sponsored their own Grand Prix for six years.

"The State Fair event generated a considerable amount of excitement among our employees and agents, from the Graphics Department personnel who designed the logo to the Advertising Department personnel who developed the theme to the Corporate Information Division and its Community Education Department staff who were actively involved in various other facets of the program," Williams stated.

"We were very pleased about the success of our efforts with the IAPD and the IPRA."

The Country Companies, an insurance and investment group, are the largest insurers of farm property, one of the top three automobile insurers and one of the four largest home insurers in Illinois. In addition, the Country Companies have more ordinary life insurance in force on Illinois residents than any other life insurance company headquartered in the State.

Additional information about the Fitness Is Leading the Way event is available from Gary Baker, Canton Park District, 250 S. Avenue D., Canton, IL 61520 (309/647-1345), and Jim Williams, Country Companies, Box 2020, Bloomington, IL 61701 (309/557-2222).

Illinois Parks and Recreation 11 September/October 1987