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PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE NEWS

Swanson Named Alumnus of the Year
Steve Swanson, director of The Grove for the Glenview Park District, received the 1996 Alumnus of the Year Award from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Swanson received a master's in Recreation from SIUC in 1979 and a bachelor's degree in Zoology in 1975. During his tenure with the Glenview Park District, he has served in the capacity of facility director, naturalist, interpreter, tour guide, lecturer, programmer, and volunteer coordinator—all in relation to the operation of The Grove. Swanson has been the major architect of The Grove's vision and growth, in programs, services, land use and staff.

Magic Waters Guards Go to Nationals
Rockford Park District Magic Waters teams placed first and third at the National Pool and Waterpark Great Lakes Regional Lifeguard Championship held at Magic Waters Waterpark on Sunday, July 21, and Monday, July 22.

Rockford's guards swept the emergency management scenario with Magic Waters team #2 in first, Rockford Park District Pools in second, and Magic Waters team #1 in third. Magic Waters team #2 also placed first in the spinal injury management competition. Abby Carlson and Sunny D'Agostin placed second in 2-guard CPR, while DanAllen and Matt Johns placethird in the 2-guard rescue. Heidi Stretz was the first place female finisher for the duck pluck, and Chad Hendricks was the first place male finisher for shallow water rescue.

The overall winning team consisting of the top 3 scoring males and females are DanAllen, Chad Hendricks, Matt Johns, Mia York, Heidi Stretz, and Robin Windeat—all from Magic Waters team #1.

All first place finishers (the above) are eligible to compete in the National Pool and Waterpark Lifeguard Championship in Branson, MO, on August 9, 1996.

The Rockford Park District lifeguard team participants from Magic Waters team #1 included Scott Fraser, Mark Moan, Adam Handt, DanAllen, Matt Johns, Chad Hendricks, Sudi Bjomstad, Susie Werther, Mia York, Heidi Stretz, Nicki Schnaufer, and Robin Windeatt. Magic Waters team #2 members were Kyle Strohman, Brandon Pohl, Brian Blair, Jon Hoover, Abby Carlson, Sunny D'Agostin, Sarah France, Hillary Reyenga, and Courtney Reyenga, The Rockford Park District Pools team consisted of Jay Valaitis, Ryan Cauwels, Joel Christiansen, Brock Ellerman, Mike Pugh, Stephanie Zanocco, Lisa Kneutson, Michelle Messeley, Meredith Johnson, and Kim Nelson.

Champaign Represents USA In International Bloom Contest
The Champaign Park District has been selected to represent the United States in the international Nations In Bloom contest held in Bedford, England, September 16-18. In announcing the selection Robert Toalson, general manager of the district, said "The Champaign Park District's Flower Island program was a major reason for the selection."

The project is sponsored by the International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration in collaboration with Britain In Bloom, Communities In Bloom of Canada, and the National Recreation and Park Association of United States. The competition is under the patronage of the United Nations Environment Program. The evaluation criteria for the competition are the achievements of the municipalities in environmental awareness, beautification, landscaping, turf care and community involvement.

Bolingbrook Awarded Best Safety Program
Little League Baseball, Inc., gave Bolingbrook Associated Little League its Best Safety Program Award for the Central Region. Representatives of Bolingbrook Associated Little League were honored guests at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA, on August 22. The award ceremony was televised on ESPN. Bolingbrook Associated Little League is a volunteer youth sport organization affiliated with the Bolingbrook Park District, a member of the Park District Risk Management Agency.

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The Peoria Park District announces the addition of Lauren Howell as the new manager of the Luthy Botanical Garden.

Howell, who grew up in California, holds a bachelor's degree in Ornamental Horticulture from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA, and a master's degree in Horticulture from Purdue University. She was previously employed at Green View Nursery in Dunlap.

50 • Illinois Parks & Recreation • September/October 1996


PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE NEWS


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The Bourbonnais Township Park District has hired Steve Cherveny as its first executive director. Cherveny holds a bachelor of science degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois and a master's in Recreation and Park Administration from Western Illinois University. He previously was superintendent of recreation at the Lombard Park District for four years and has also worked for the Joliet and Elmhurst park districts.

Cherveny is a certified leisure professional and a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). He has served as an NRPA Trustee for three years and is currently director-elect of the IPRA Recreation Programming Section. The Bourbonnais Township Park District utilized the IAPD Director Search Service for this hiring.

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The Downers Grove Park District recently announced the promotion of Karen Shannon to the position of director of facilities. In this position. Shannon will administer programs and services at the district's golf course, museum, and facilities which serve special interests of the community.

Shannon has 11 years of experience in recreation, including the past eight years with the Downers Grove Park District. She has held the position of recreation supervisor for several programs including the district's Preschool and Senior Center, early childhood classes, trips and tours, special events and performing arts.

Shannon holds a bachelor of science degree in Recreation Administration from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She is a certified leisure professional and a member of the National Recreation and Park Association, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the Suburban Park and Recreation Association.

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The Naperville Park District is proud to welcome Joe H. Schultz as its executive director as of August 1996. Schultz comes to the district with 26 years of local government experience. Most recently he was general manager of the Elk Grove Community Services District (CA), a governmental division responsible for parks and recreation as well as fire protection and emergency services. Schultz previously held positions as community services director for the city of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; regional director of the North Central Region for the National Park and Recreation Association; and director of the Deerfield and Westmont (IL) park districts. He also taught leisure and recreation courses for nine years at the former George Williams College in Downers Grove, IL. In addition to

his bachelor of arts degree in Community Recreation from Southern Illinois University, Schultz has a master of arts degree in Public Administration from the former Sangamon State University, Springfield, EL

The Parks/Forestry and Recreation Department of the city of Evanston recently appointed Jonathon Glus as arts administrator of the Evanston Arts Council. Glus, who demonstrated comprehensive understanding of the Evanston arts community while serving as interim administrator for the 18 months preceding his appointment, has a clear vision for the future of the Arts Council.

Glus helped plan the development of Howard Street, served on the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, and produced the most successful fundraising campaign in the Ethnic Arts Festival's ten-year history. He established Artskills, a summer hands-on career training program for high schoolers, and expanded the variety of special events programming at the Noyes Cultural Arts Festival.

During his five-year term as Evanston's Public Art Coordinator, Glus attracted numerous nationally recognized artists, organized competitions, and was instrumental in gathering public art for Evanston's Downtown Revitalization Program.

Pat Brown was recently hired as business manager of the Parks/Forestry and Recreation Department of the city of Evanston. A native of Chicago, Brown came directly from her position as administrative services manager for the Madison (WI) Police Department. Having served as liaison between agencies such as police and recreation, she was known to encourage cooperation that produced "win-win" experiences. To the Department of Parks/Forestry and Recreation, she brings valuable expertise in customer service, employee relations, grant writing and computer technology. 

Illinois Parks & Recreation • September/October 1996 • 51


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