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Johns served as president of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association form 1967 to 1968 and again in 1974 to 1975. When he retired in 1990, the district's Elm Park was renamed Johns Park.

Before his work in Glenview, Johns was director of recreation in South Haven, Mich., and LaPorte, Ind. He also served in the U.S. Army. He received a bachelor's degree (1951) and masters degree (1954) in Recreation from Indiana University and was awarded the Lebert H. Weir Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Recreation. In 1976 he was awarded the Garrett Eppley Annual Alumni Recognition Award for outstanding contribution to a profession.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., one son and two daughters. Memorials may be made to the Glenview Park District Foundation, 1930 Prairie Street, Glenview, 111., 60025.

"We got rave reviews," says Regina B. Glover, chair of SIUC's Department of Health Education and Recreation.

On Jan. 15, the university received formal notice that the recreation program's accreditation would run through April 2001. Accredited programs are re-examined every five years. Glover said the Council praised SlUC's recreation program for: faculty research and publication success, adding a requirement that students create portfolios of their work, a student internship program, job placement and alumni involvement.

Of the more than 300 recreation programs in American colleges and universities, only about 94 are accredited, said Glover.

Other accredited baccalaureate programs in Recreation, Park Resources and Leisure Services in Illinois include: Aurora University (Aurora), College of St. Francis (Joliet), Eastern Illinois University (Charleston), Illinois State University (Normal), University of Illinois (Champaign), and Western Illinois University (Macomb).

Walter C. Johnson, director of the National Aquatic Section of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), received the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHF) Paragon Award for outstanding individual contributions to recreational swimming at ISHF's honors recognition ceremonies in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. The Paragon Award highlights the value of swimming in recreational settings and the opportunity it provides for individual health, fitness and personal challenges.

Johnson oversees the education, training and technical assistance for the nation's aquatic professionals who manage more than 200,000 community swimming pools and waterparks in more than 5,000 communities in the United States and Canada. He was recently appointed chair of the National Aquatic Summit, a coalition of all aquatic-related groups in the United States. He is the founder of the National Aquatic Foundation and serves on advisory committees for swimming pool accessibility and rewriting national public pool standards.

Previously, in a career spanning 21 years, Johnson has served as executive director of the Cary, Glencoe, and Naperville park districts in Illinois.

Debra Carey, naturalist/specialist projects coordinator for the Dixon Park District, was recently appointed by Governor Jim Edgar to serve a six- year term as a member of the Advisory Board to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Advisory Board is statutorily created to advise the agency on long-range policies to assist in guiding the protection and conservation of renewable resources of the state and recommend changes in hunting and trapping sea-

52 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

Carey has been employed with the Dixon Park District since 1988. In her position she oversees the operations of the district's Lowell Park Nature Center and development projects. Her experience with DNR has been extensive having served on the Executive Committee for Conservation Congress, and two terms as a regional delegate; chair for the DNR Local Partnerships Committee, Rock River Resource Rich Area; and has been a member of the DNR Grants Committee, Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund.

Orchard Valley, a facility of the Fox Valley Park District, retained its Top-5 ranking, along with such prestigious privately owned courses as Cog Hill #4 (Dubsdread), Kemper Lakes, Pine Meadow, and Seven Bridges. Named to the Top 15 were Heritage Bluffs Public Golf Club, owned by the Channahon Park District, and Steeple Chase Golf Course, a Mundelein Park District course.

Park and recreation agency courses also on the list include: Fox Bend (Oswegoland and Fox Valley park districts) and Village Links (Village of Glen Ellyn) in the Top 20; Bonnie Brook (Waukegan Park District), Top 25; Randall Oaks (Dundee Township Park District), Top 40; George Dunne National (Forest Preserve District of Cook County) and Winnetka Golf Club (Winnetka Park District), Top 45; and Naperbrook (Naperville Park District) and Wilmette (Wilmette Park District), Top 50.

Courses were rated throughout the 1996 season by a Chicagoland Golf rating panel totaling 215 golfers. Five criteria were used: course conditioning, degree of course difficulty, fee justification, ambience, and incidentals.

Theresa Weiss joins the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District as its new superintendent of recreation. For the past six years, Weiss was the outdoor program and property director and field director/camp administrator for the Fox Valley Girl Scout Council (Aurora, 111.) She also has worked as a High Adventure leader for the Rockford Park District and a Unit Leader at Camp Widjiwagan in Springfield, Illinois. Weiss will be in charge of all community recreation programs and the community swimming pool. She received her bachelor degree from Northern Illinois University.

Timothy D. Royster was appointed by the board of commissioners of the Golf Maine Park District as its executive director. Dave Greenfield, park board president says, "We are very happy with our decision to hire Mr. Royster. He comes to Golf Maine with many year of experience as both a park district director and also the private business. We are especially excited about his programming skills and his ability to work with diverse cultures. Mr. Royster holds advanced degrees in both Parks & Recreation and International Management, spending four years of his 24-year career providing recreational and other services in the Middle East." Most recently, Royster served as executive director of the Niles Park District. He is also currently president of the Niles/Morton Grove Rotary and just completed a year as the first vice president of the Niles Chamber of Commerce. He is also very active in both statewide and national parks and recreation professional associations.

James Todd Peck was hired as the Urbana Park District's supervisor of grounds maintenance. His responsibilities include coordinating the management and maintenance of the district's park lands, specifically landscaping, annual beds and pesticide/fertilizer applications. He received his bachelors and master's degrees in Plant and Soil Science from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Amy VanderKooi joined the Urbana Park District's Anita Purves Nature Center as its environmental services specialist. She is responsible for a variety of programs at the nature center including Naturalist in the Classroom, supervision of all environmental public programs and coordinating the district's natural areas management workdays. VanderKooi recently completed her master's degree in Environmental Science at Washington State University.

Michael Keup is the Urbana Park Districts athletic supervisor. Keup will be busy throughout the year organizing the district's softball, basketball, soccer and other athletic programs. He received a bachelor's degree in Recreation from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a master's degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois.

Cory V. Atwell was recently named executive director of the Glen Ellyn Park District. Previously Atwell had served as the district's superintendent of parks. Prior to his work at Glen Ellyn, he was superintendent of recreation at Crystal Lake Park District, assistant director of recreation and parks for the Village of Park Forest, director of parks and recreation for Olympia Fields Park District, and owned

March/April 1997 / 53

PEOPLE AND PLACES

a construction company. Atwell holds a master's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from Western Illinois University as well as a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Parks. The Glen Ellyn Park District board of commissioners utilized the IAPD Director Search Service for this hiring.

Richard D. Grodsky was recently hired as executive director of the Elmhurst Park District. Previously, Grodsky was the director of parks, forestry and recreation for the city of Evanston, superintendent of recreation for the city of Evanston, director of host parks for the Chicago Park District, and superintendent of recreation for the Dundee Park District. He has also served on the staffs of the Morton Grove Park District and the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District. Grodsky has a bachelor of science degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois and is a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the National Park and Recreation Association.

Greg Genz was hired by the Bolingbrook Park District as manager of Boughton Ridge Golf Course. For the past five years, Genz was the golf operations manager for the Niles Park District. He has also worked for three years for the city of Elgin's Wing Park Golf Club. Genz has an associate degree in Business and Marketing from the College of DuPage and earned a Certificate in Turf Grass Management from Pennsylvania State University. He has more than 24 years experience as a golf professional, including staff instructor at the John Jacobs School of Learning.

54 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

Pictured left to right: (seated) Dr. Tad Flickinger (IAPD), Congressmen Henry Hyde (R-6th District), Phyllis Cossarek (Wilmette PD! and Mary Garrison (Winnetka PD); (standing) Ron Lehman (Channahon PD), Don Jessen (Addison PD), Joe Doud (Northbrook PD), Fred Hohnke (Woodridge PD) and Skip Dunsmuir (Wheaton PD).

Position statements were hand-delivered, covering issues including juvenile delinquency, welfare reform. Local Empowerment and Flexibility Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Delegates emphasized the importance of including park districts in the competition for grants from anti-crime legislation and the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.

Also conveyed was the importance of continued funding for the ISTEA program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), as well as restrictions placed on park districts by the U.S. Department of Labor regarding die hiring of 14- and 15-year-olds.

PEOPLE AND PLACES

2. Conference co-chairs Tracy Alden (left) and Fred Hohnke welcome conference attendees.

3. Members of the Conference Committee team pause for a quick photo at the operations hub, the KLM Room.

4. Fran Mainella (NRPA president) and Eric O'Brien (NRPA chairman) make it a priority to attend the Illinois state conference.

5. More than 170 companies and organizations packed the exhibit hall. Among them, Reese Recreation Products.

6. IPARKS risk management program, and

7. Chicago Turf & Irrigation.

IPRA AWARDS • Robert M. Artz Award, David Markworth, Des Plaines • Bellow Award, Larry Reiner, NEDSRA. Professional Recognition Award, Rudolph Nelson, Rolling Meadows. President's Awards, Steve Pohlman, Wheeling, and Betsy Kutska, PDRMA • IPRA Meritorious Service Awards, Ray Ochromowicz, Bolingbrook, and Susan Balling, NEDSRA • Facility Management Professional of the Year, Mark McKinnon, Homewood-Flossmoor • Parks & Natural Resources Professional of the Year, Bill Brauer, FPD of DuPage County . Recreation Al Hattendorf Award, Elizabeth Kessler, Skokie • Recreation Young Professional Award, Howard Aronesti, Skokie • Outstanding Facility & Parks Awards: Division 1C, Forest Park, Aquatic Center; Division IE, Olympia Fields, The Barn Meeting Center, Sgt. Means Park; Division IIA, Schaumburg, Schaumburg Golf Club; Division IIB, Streamwood, Park Place Family Recreation Center; Division IIC, Skokie, Skokie Water Playground; Division IID, Wheaton, Rathje Park Playground; Division HE, Homewood-Flossmoor, Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet and Fitness Club • Outstanding Program Awards: Division II, Medinah, "Co-Op Fun Day" and Batavia, Batavia Teen Center; Division III, Skokie, "World's Largest Marshmallow Fight" and Chicago, "Dancin' in the Parks"; Division IV, SRACLC, Adaptive Sports Program • Outstanding Conservation Award: Division III, Lake County FPD, Countryside Golf Course "On Par With Nature"

AGENCY SHOWCASE AWARDS • Agency Logo: Section B, SEASPAR; Section C, Carol Stream • Special Programming Logo: A, Princeton; B, Hanover Park; C, Carol Stream • Single Brochure Cover: A, Palos Heights; B, Bloomingdale; C, Champaign County FPD • Single Brochure Content: A, Salt Creek Rural; B, Hanover Park; C, Highland Park • Brochure Series: A, Carbondale; B, Lake County FPD; C, Orland Park • Special Programming Brochure: B, Morton Grove; C, Highland Park • Special Facility Brochure: B, Homewood-Flossmoor; C, Joliet • PSA/Video: C, Peoria • Most Creative Use of "Take Time For Fun!': A, Clarendon Hills

2. Elizabeth Kessler (right) receives the Al Hattendorf Award.

3. Mark McKinnon (right) is named the Facility Management Section's Professional of the Year.

4. Lynn Juniel (left) writes a Best Article for IP&R magazine.

5. Howard Aronesti (left) is the Recreation Section's Young Professional of the Year.

6. Bill Brauer (left) is the Professional of the Year for the Parks & Natural Resources Section.

7. Commissioner Harry Hasegawa (right) celebrates 25 years of service.

8. Mary Brosious and Arnold Biondo accept Agency Showcase awards for the Carol Stream Park District.

9. William Schmidt (right) receives Skokie's Distinguished Agency award.

56 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

2. David Markworth (right) receives IPRA's highest honor—The Robert M. Artz Award—from last year's winner, Keith Frankland.

3. Judy Beck is named Commissioner of the Year by IAPD and IAPD President Dr. Bruce Larson.

4. Rudy Nelson (right) receives IPRA's Professional Recognition Award from IPRA President Ray Morrill.

5. William R. McKinney (center) receives the IAPD President's Citation.

6. Larry Reiner (left) is presented the IPRA Fellow Award.

IAPD AWARDS • Allan A. Weissburg "Commissioner of the Year," Judy Beck, Glenview. President's Citation, Dr. William R. McKinney, University of Illinois . Outstanding Legislator Awards, Senator Beverly J. Fawell and Representative David R. Leitch • 10 Year Service Anniversary Award; Norm Atkins, Butterfield; Harry Burkhalter, Bourbonnais Township; William B. Cannon. Decatur, John Case, FPD of DuPagc County; Frank J. Ciangi, Elk Grove; Patricia A. Clifford, Elk Grove; James Collins, Bensenville; Oscar L. Dahl, Northbrook; Susan C. Dunlap, Downers Grove; Charlene H. Dybedock, Kankakee Valley; Mark Foster, Lan-Oak; Debra Garfi, Bridgeview; David Harding, Warrenvllle; Robert T. Hoffman, Sr. Mundelein; Edward "Corky" H. Jordan, Addison; Carolyn M. Kulie, FPD of DuPage County; Lavern Learned, Bourbonnais Township; Judith J. Locke, Decatur; Denise Piccioni, Bridgeview; Ken Moy, FPD of DuPage County; John McCarthy, Hazel Crest; Donald P. Murphy, Batavia; Irene Stone, FPD of DuPage County; Lorel Taylor, Bridgeview • 15 Year Service Anniversary Award: Howard "Bud" Boy, Forest Park; William B. Cannon, Decatur; Dominick Falagario, Norridge; Sandra L. Fernstrom, Arlington Heights; Gary Fink, Salt Creek Rural; Judy Guzaldo, Norridge; John M. O'Brien, Franklin Park; Salvador A. Rios, Fox Valley; Patrick J. Sullivan, Oak Lawn; Thomas M. Trapani, Rolling Meadows; William E. Tucknott, Schaumburg . 20 Year Service Anniversary Award; Roger Becker, Mundelein; James Cecott, Bridgeview; Dennis G. Flanagin, Lan-Oak; Guy Gattone, Oak Forest; Arline Kay Lovett, Fox Valley SRA; Charles J. Myler, Fox Valley SRA; Robert K. Struggles, Rolling Meadows; Roman E. Strzala, Addison; Robert L. Stuart, Fox Valley SRA; Joseph T. Wilhelm, Calumet Memorial* 25 Service Anniversary Award: John Gianforte, Bensenville; Harry Hasegawa, York Center; Bernadine M. Rechner, River Trails • Agency Anniversary Awards: Fox Valley Park District, 50 Years; Calumet Memorial Park District, 75 Years

JOINT AWARDS • Distinguished Agency Recognition: Skokie Park District • 1996 Illinois Park & Recreation Magazine Awards: Cover Photograph, Kirn Harris, Southern Illinois University, "Sugar Maple Leaves" • Administration/ Facility Management Article, Patrick Boothe, PDRMA, "Uncle Sam Wants to Know: Do Your CDL Drivers Use Drugs and Alcohol?" • Features/Issues Article, Heather W. Young and Scott Mullen, Urbana, "Arc You Internet Savvy?" • Intergovernmental Cooperation/Partnerships Article, Lynn Juniel, Homewood-Flossmoor, "Public/Private Partnerships are Healthy" • Legal/Legislative Article, James D. Wascher, Friedman & Hole, P.C., "Supreme Court Decisions Limit Park District Liability for Open and Obvious Dangers" Pans 1 and 2 • Natural Resources/Environment Article, Stephan J. Swanson, Glenview, "Our Prairie Walden" • Public Awareness/Marketing Article, Kevin Hoffman and Steven J. Kleinman, PDRMA, "The 'Pressure Cooker: Are You Ready to Manage the Media in a Crisis?" • Recreation/Programming Article, Kelly K. Hill, "Building Partnerships with Parents" • Research/Trends Article, Barbara E. Schlatter, Chicago Stare University and Maria K. Moorman, University of Arkansas, "Serving Youth in At-Risk Environments: How Are We Doing?"

2. Rep. Douglas Scott, D-67 (right)

3. Rep. David Leitch, R-93 (center)

4. Sen. Martin Butler, R-28 (center)

5. Sen. Debbie Halvorson, D-40 (center)

6. Sen. Kathleen Parker, R-29 (center)

March/April 1997 / 57