PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE NEWS

In Memoriam — Jerry D. Nell Jerry D. Nell, Kewanee Park District Superintendent, died after suffering a heart attack on June 11. Nell had served as Superintendent for 19 years. Nell was an active member of his community, belonging to the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Kewanee Baseball Booster Club, Kewanee High School Booster Club and National Park Superintendents Association. A trust fund has been set up in his name at the Kewanee Park District.

The Skokie Park District announced the appointment of Elizabeth Kessler as Superintendent of Recreation. Liz has been with Skokie since her graduation from Illinois State University in 1987. She has served as the District's Community Recreation Supervisor and most recently as the Manager of Events and Development Liz is an active member of IPRA and a 1993 recipient of the Young Recreation Professional of the Year.

Four community leaders were honored by the Rock- ford Park District in June for their contributions to the community and District. They were given the District's Distinguished Service Award.

J.R. Sullivan, founder and director of the New American Theatre, was recognized for his many years of outstanding service to the community through the performing and visual arts.

JohnWhitehead was recognized for outstanding service to the District as a former park commissioner and member of the District's foundation.

Attorneys Ed Enichen and Michael Scheurich accepted an award on behalf of Guyer and Enichen for the firm's many years of service to the District.

Thompson Dyke & Associates, Ltd., a planning, landscape architecture and real estate consulting firm based in Northbrook, announced the association of Benjamin B. Kutscheid. Kutscheid is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in landscape architecture. His prior experience is in park planning and master planning. He joins the land planning division of the firm and will specialize in park design, land planning and landscape architecture.

The Downers Grove Park District has selected Vann Bennett to the position of Recreation Supervisor. Through his intemship at the District, Bennett completed his degree in parks and recreation from Eastern Illinois University. He previously worked part- time for the Palatine Park District. His primary areas of responsibility for the Downers Grove Park District will include adult softball, volleyball and basketball; exercise/fitness and conditioning center; childcare; open gym; high school sports camps; and tennis.

Michele Brown was recently promoted to the position of Superintendent of Recreation for the Pleasant Dale Park District. She first joined the agency in 1993 as the Recreation Supervisor. Her duties will now include directly overseeing public relations, planning programming for day camp, pre-school, before and after school programs, special events, field trips and overall supervision of the recreation department.

Brown replaces Mary Muno Cherveny, who left to become the Administrative Assistant for the Glen Ellyn Park District.

Illinois Parks & Recreation* July/August 1994

PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE NEWS

Ted Flickinger accepts Alumnus Award from Dean of College Education Donald Beggs.

IAPD Executive Director Ted Flickinger was recognized as Southern Illinois University's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year at the Spring Alumni and Friends Awards Banquet. Dr. Flickinger received both his master's and bachelor's degrees from SIU in Recreation. Tambour Eller, senior in Outdoor Recreation, was honored as the Outstanding Undergraduate Student and Ayax Alvarez received the William E. O'Brien Award as Outstanding Graduate Student in Recreation. Mike Hoye was selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Thesis Proposal for his study of park district directors' attitudes toward ADA.

IAPD Seeks Board Candidates

The Illinois Association of Park Districts Nominating Committee is currently accepting recommendations of individuals to serve on the IAPD Board of Directors. Qualifications to be considered include:

• Demonstrated leadership on the local level;

• Previous IAPD committee experience;

• Support of IAPD events and projects;

• Commitment to the growth of recreation, natural areas, open spaces and parks.

Candidates should submit background information, letters of recommendation, and statement of why they wish to serve on the Board to: IAPD Nominations Committee, 211 East Monroe, Springfield, IL 62701, fax (217) 523-4273. Deadline for submission is September 1,1994.

Garden Party to Dedicate New Selections Garden

The Miles C Hartley Selections Garden, the University of Illinois Arboretum's first completed garden, will be dedicated September 16 in Urbana.

The Garden was funded by the family of the late Miles C Hartley, a UI graduate and former faculty member. New varieties of annual bedding plants will be grown and tested in the garden. These plants are from seeds provided by seed companies seeking information about their experimental varieties and how well they grow, flower and tolerate disease and insects in Illinois.

The Miles C Hartley Selections Garden is one part of the proposed UI Arboretum, envisioned as a "living laboratory" to provide a setting for research in plant sciences and fine and applied arts. The goal is to make theArboretum important to the home gardener as well as to the professional horticultural community. The Arboretum will comprise three sections — the core, the collections, and the habitats.

Support of alumni and friends of the UI has made possible the concept and plan for the Arboretum.

Grant Received for Lake County Adaptive Sports Program

The Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (STACLC) is a recipient of a Lake County Community Development Block Grant. Funds will be utilized to develop and implement a county-wide sports wellness program for youth and adults with physical and/or sensory impairments.

The project is designed to (1) develop a comprehensive network of sports/recreation/health activities which will compliment the existing vocational, rehabilitation, and independent living services; (2) promote and provide equal sports/recreation/health opportunities for individuals with physical and sensory disabilities; (3) develop a focal point (resource center) so information relative to adaptive sports can be disseminated in a formalized and systematic manner; and (4) offer integrative activities through the schools promoting health and wellness for all students.

Activities developed will be based upon the needs, abilities and interest levels of disabled individuals residing in and near Lake County. The disabled consumer will play a key role in program development through an advisory committee.

Illinois Parks & Recreation* July/August 1994* 57