In Memoriam Charles William Pezoldt, Ph.D.
Charles William "Chuck" Pezoldt, Ph.D., died of cancer at age 62 on Aug. 18 and is mourned by many across the nation. He retired as director of the Metro Parks Department (Dade County, FL) in 1995, after 21 fruitful years of service, for which he was hailed the "preacher of parks." A retired Navy lieutenant with a doctorate, Pezoldt served as deputy director for 11 years before taking over as director in 1994 from colleague and mentor, Bill Bird. The two are credited with increasing the county's park acreage to 13,500, making it the sixth largest in the country.

For Illinois, Pezoldt made a lasting positive impact on park districts through his leadership as director of the Des Plaines Park District (1958-1968). He made an indelible impression upon many graduates in the field, serving as Professional Program Director of the Department of Recreation and Park Administration at the University of Illinois (1972-1974). He received the Past Presidents Outstanding Service Award from the Illinois Park and Recreation Society (BPRS) in 1971 and was a member of the board of trustees of the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation (1970 to 1974).

Pezoldt received NRPA's 1996 Distinguished Professional Award for his exemplary career of more than 40 years in the field of parks and recreation.

In Memoriam Linda Novak
The Barrington Park District and community wish to honor the dedicated service of Linda Novak. Children, parents and the park district are mourning Novak's death. She ran the Keep Program, (before and after school children's program) for over 9 years. She died suddenly in her home this past summer.

Novak grew up on Chicago's southwest side and attended Harper College. The tremendous growth of the Keep Program is attributed to Novak's professional dedication to her work. She had a very energetic personality, was very creative and was a true team player at the park district. Her professionalism was also demonstrated through her hard work at the IPRA state conferences and monthly meetings for the School Age Child Connection Section of IPRA.

Novak is survived by her two sons, Robert, age 17, and Matt, age 15. Her family has set up a trust fund for her sons, and information can be obtained through the Barrington Park District.

Four Illinois Agencies Win Gold at National Congress for Parks & Recreation
Two Illinois park districts and two special recreation associations received the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) highest honor for excellence and innovation in park and recreation programs, services and administration, presented at the NRPA Congress, held in Kansas City, MO, in October.

Front row, left to right: Class I, Richard Zavala, Ft. Worth Parks and Community Services Department, TX; Class II, David Lorenz, South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Littleton, CO; Class III, Robert "Skip" Dunsmuir, Wheaton Park District, IL; Class IV, Joe Doud, Northbrook Park District, IL; Class V, Sheri Endsley, Leesburg Department of Parks and Recreation, VA. Back row, left to right; Willis "Kep" Harding, National Sporting Goods Association board of directors, Lincoln, NE; Special Recreation, Class I, Larry Reiner, Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, Villa Park, IL; Special Recreation Class II, Sandy Klitzing, C-U Special Recreation Champaign, IL; Dr. Ted Flickinger, Gold Medal judge, Illinois Association of Park Districts, Springfield, IL.

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The awards are presented annually in seven classes to communities throughout the United States recognizing excellence in providing park and recreational opportunities for residents and outstanding service to individuals with disabilities.

Judging categories include staff development, diversity of programming, volunteer management, community partnerships, service, and management. NRPA co-sponsors the awards with the National Sporting Goods Association.

Agencies Recognized for Excellence in Marketing and Communications
Four Illinois park districts received "KUDOS" Awards— for excellence in marketing and communicating the benefits of parks and recreation to the public—from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

Ted Flickinger, chairman of NRPA's Public Awareness Committee said, "By making the public aware of our programs and services—and the value of our programs and services—we are doing the most effective type of marketing."

First place awards are presented in five categories: Best Recreation Catalogue, Best Print Public Service Announcement, Best Film Public Service Announcement, Best Short Recreation Film, and Best Overall Communicator.

Hurd Named NRPA Young Professional of the Year
Amy Hurd, marketing manager for the Champaign Park District, was named by the National Recreation and Park Association as the 1996 American Park and Recreation Society (APRS) Young Professional of the Year.

Hurd was recognized for her professional involvement, professional experiences, job-related leadership, and community leadership. Her professional involvement has included: member, APRS board of directors; chairperson, APRS Recreation Programmer Division; editor, APRS Programmers Information Network, a national publication; and member, APRS Planning Committee. She is also active at the state level serving as the chairperson for IPRA's Awards and Recognition committee.

Since Hurd's tenure as the sole marketing staff at the Champaign Park District since 1989, the department has grown from one to three full-time staff, has increased its budget more than 700 percent, and has won numerous awards at both the state and national levels. This includes being recognized by the NRPA as a KUDO'S Award Winner for best brochure, and marketing and communications excellence three times (1994-1996).

Reiner Receives Two National Awards
At the recent NRPA Congress, Larry Reiner, executive director of the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, received two top national honors recognizing his more than 25 years in the field of parks and recreation: the National Therapeutic Recreation Society's (NTRS) "Meritorious Service Award" and the Citizen-Board Member "State Service Award."

Reiner received the NTRS award for his many leadership positions at both state and national levels, as well as his active role in authoring articles, publications and presentations that educate the general public and promote the field of therapeutic recreation. He was a catalyst for the formation of three special recreation associations in Illinois and a co-author of the original guidebook to community-based therapeutic recreation.

Reiner received the boardmanship award for his exemplary volunteer service as a commissioner for the Buffalo Grove Park District since 1987. Among his many contributions to the district, he assisted with the acquisition and development of more than 225 acres of land, which provided the village of more than 40,000 with outdoor facilities that in many cases exceed the national standards set by NRPA.

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When it comes to coaching youth sports, Jim Lima, a coach from the Rolling Meadows Park District, doesn't care about wins and losses, only about making sure his team has fun and learns skills. And they do plenty of that.

"The first thing we do at the beginning of the season is get them all together with the parents and let them know we're here to have fun, enjoy ourselves and to leam something about the game," said Lima, the NYSCA Coach of the Year recipient. "We don't preach win, win, win."

Lima's coaching philosophy—where fun comes first—puts smiles on children's faces and parents at ease.

"This is the greatest honor an individual involved in youth sports can receive," said Lima, a resident of Rolling Meadows, Illinois. "When I found out I had won the coach of the year, it was probably the first time in my life that I was left speechless. It's a feeling that I can't describe." On August 9 the Illinois Chapter of NYSCA was extremely proud when Sabre by John Deere, sponsor of the award, honored Lima at the 11th Annual NYSCA State Directors Meeting in Florida.

"I bet if you asked all the kids on teams I've been involved with what their records were most couldn't tell you," Lima said. "But if you asked them about the third game of their first-grade season what treat was served after the game I bet they could tell you that."

The Rolling Meadows Park District can tell you that Lima is a special person with a golden touch when it comes to children.

"Mr. Lima is truly a gem in our community," said Brian Meyer, the athletic supervisor for Rolling Meadows who nominated Lima for the prestigious award.

"His coaching techniques go far beyond what would be considered normal for a volunteer coach in the parks and recreation area. His desire is only for the kids to have an activity to participate in, have fun, practice, play fairly, display good sportsmanship and leam the rules and skills."

Lima has coached boys and girls soccer for six years and baseball and basketball for three years. He's also a regional commissioner for AYSO Soccer, serves on the board of directors of Rolling Meadows Youth Baseball, volunteers as a Cub Scout Leader and he has worked closely with Meyer to organize NYSCA certification clinics for coaches in the community.

"I enjoy it and as long as the kids feel they're getting something out of my time I will continue to volunteer," Lima said.

"He is a role model to the parents as well as the children in our community and he is very deserving of national recognition," Meyer said. "He is knowledgeable in the rules of each sport and teaches them to his players and he recognizes the physical and emotional needs of his players."

Lima is employed by the Jay Instrument and Specialty Company as its Outside Sales Representative for Northern Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin.

Waukegan Park District Grounds and Facilities Among Top 25 in Nation
Waukegan Park District was ranked among the top 25 most progressive grounds facilities and athletic fields in the country by Landscape Management magazine in its September issue. The publication recognized 100 of the best "green industry" organizations in the country, awarding landscape, lawn care companies, professional grounds management operations and golf courses.

"We at Landscape Management feel that Waukegan Park District should be proud to be selected to a list that we feel upholds the high standards of professionalism in the green industry," says Jerry Roche, Landscape Management editor-in-chief.

Award criteria include customer service quality and visibility within the industry, which is measured by participation and contribution of professional organizations. Waukegan Park District Superintendent Mike Trigg directs maintenance of all grounds and properties of the district's 38 park sites, as well as athletic fields, ball diamonds and soccer fields. Trigg credits the look of the facilities and his smooth-running operation to the daily working of a well devised plan carried out by a dedicated team.

Send your People & Places in the News information to:
Editor, Illinois Parks & Recreation Illinois Association of Park Districts 211 E. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62701 217-523-4273 (fax)

Illinois Parks & Recreation * November/December 1996 * 51

"T.J. impressed everyone in his first national competition," said Craig Culp, a NEDSRA recreation manager and coach for the Windy City Warriors. "As a 16-year-old, he showed unbelievable poise under pressure. He has more potential than any athlete I have worked with."

Hawker competed in three events at the competitions. He captured fourth place in his class for boccia, second place in the club throw (an event similar to the javelin or shot put) and first place in the slalom (a timed obstacle course for wheelchair athletes).

Hartmann Retires After 19 Years of Service to Community
After nearly nineteen years of service to the residents of Vernon Hills, Carl P. Hartmann, director of the Vernon Hills Park District, is retiring effective December 31, 1996. Hired in April 1978, Hartmann was the district's second director, charged with developing parks and programs to involve the growing number of children moving to the area.

Hartmann assisted with completing the district's first ten-year master plan. He is also credited with securing federal LAWCON matching grants to double the dollars the district had to spend on developing parks.

Hartmann was instrumental in the development of special recreation. Together, with three other parks and recreation leaders, he helped to establish special recreation organizations in Illinois to provide recreation services to persons with disabilities.

In 1995 and 1996, the district won the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for excellence in financial reporting. These were the first two years the district applied for the award. The completion of the Dolores C. Sullivan Community Center and Aquatics Complex is his crowning achievement. Hartmann, along with his five-commissioner board, visualized the need for the facilities in 1986. After acquiring the site in 1992, the district completed the center and pool in 1993.

Hartmann earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Earlier in his career, he held positions in parks and recreation with the city of Waukegan and the city of Highland Park.

The Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA) recently hired Jennifer Malee as its coordinator of Olympic Sports Programs. Malee was a summer intern for FVSRA where she was involved with the planning and implementation of general programs and special events, day camp, and Special Olympics. Malee graduated from Illinois State University (ISU) in Recreation and Park Administration with a Therapeutic Recreation emphasis. While in school, she was a member of the Park & Recreation Society and the ISU Women's Rugby team. She also gained experience volunteering for Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation, Champaign Park District, Special Olympics, McLean County Juvenile Detention Center, and an adapted Aquatics Program.

Amanda Roesch recently joined the Champaign Park District as promotions coordinator. She earned a degree in Public Relations from Illinois State University. Roesch will oversee promotional activities, fundraising, and media events.

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Toby Coulter joins the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association (FVSRA) as a therapeutic recreation specialist. Coulter is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and completed an internship at On With Life, Inc., a brain injury rehabilitation facility in Ankeny, Iowa. After graduation, he worked as assistant activities director at The Larrabee Center, Inc., in Waverly, Iowa. Coulter will coach the Youth and Teen/Adult basketball teams as well as lead FVSRA's Young Americans program. He will also assist the Swim Team and Teen Scene.

Amanda Roesch recently joined the Champaign Park District as promotions coordinator. She earned a degree in Public Relations from Illinois State University. Roesch will oversee promotional activities, fundraising, and media events.

The Oak Lawn Park District board of commissioners announce the appointment of Madeline Singler-Kelly
to director of parks and recreation. Kelly began work with the Oak Lawn Park District as Community Pavilion manager in 1990. Within one year Kelly was appointed to superintendent of recreation. She has served as interim director since the retirement of the former director of parks and recreation in 1995.

Kelly received her undergraduate degree in Recreation Administration from the University of Illinois and her graduate degree in Leisure Studies from Michigan State University. She also received her Leisure Professional Certification from the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. Kelly has been active in the recreation field for nearly twenty years. She has worked for University of Oregon, Michigan State University, the Park District of Highland Park and Daley College.

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