People, Places 'N Things

Michael Creekmore has recently joined the Illinois Department of Conservation, Grants Management Section, in the position of Grants Program Manager for the Historic Preservation and Youth Conservation Corps Grants-in-Aid programs. Mr. Creekmore graduated from Western Illinois University in the Fall of 1977 with a B.S. degree in Recreation and Park Administration. Michael was previously employed by the Carol Stream Park District as Maintenance Director.

Greg Kuhs and Brian Koziol have recently been appointed to assume the duties of Recreation Supervisors with the Prospect Heights Park District.

Mr. Kuhs received his B.S. degree in Recreation from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1978. Prior to his present appointment, Greg was employed by the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association as a Recreation Specialist. Greg's new responsibilities include the supervision of all General Recreation programs, Special Events, New Program development, Co-op programming.

Mr. Koziol received his B.S. degree in Cultural Geography from the Arizona State University, in 1978. Prior to his appointment Mr. Koziol was Night Recreation Supervisor at the Gary Morava Recreation Center. Brian will be in charge of all Leagues and Athletics plus the supervision of the Racquet-ball Courts.

LeRoy Kalmes, Skokie Park District's Manager of Park Services, received the Midwest Institute of Park Executives (MIPE) first "Park Professional of the Year" award at the recent MIPE annual meeting held in Arlington Heights in January.

Midwest Institute of Park Executives member and long time friend, Angelo Capuli, Director of Parks at Arlington Heights Park District, presented Kalmes with the plaque which reads "MIPE Professional Award presented to LeRoy Kalmes for outstanding service to the Association and his community."

In his presentation of the award, Capuli notes Kalmes' efforts to improve the quality and usefulness of open space, his willingness to share his time, knowledge and expertise with his fellow professionals, and his leadership which is in keeping with the tradition of the public park and recreation movement in the State of Illinois.

Kalmes joined the Park Services staff of Skokie Park District in June of 1949 and has been Manager of Park Services since 1969. He has been a member of MIPE for over 20 years and served as President in 1977.

The Illinois Association of Park Districts will sponsor a Commissioner Educational Training Seminar on May 9th in Park Ridge, IL.

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend this all-day session.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 10 March/April 1981

Jenny Canarie has recently been appointed to the position of Community Coordinator at the Urbana Park District. She is responsible for planning and supervising the District's special interest classes and cultural arts programs.

Jenny is a 1979 Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Southern California where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education, specializing in Recreation. She has previously worked at the Richland Washington Recreation Division and the U.S.C. Crafts Center in Los Angeles, California where she worked with cultural arts programs.

Jenny is a member of the National Park and Recreation Association and enjoys swimming, dancing, drawing, backgammon and participation in team sports.

While attending Sports Management School in Oglebay Park in Wheeling, West Virginia, Mark Johnson, Urbana Park District Sports Coordinator, was elected to serve a three year term on the Board of Regents of the school. The Sports Management School is co-sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association and North Carolina State University. As a regent, Mr. Johnson will instruct classes at the annual session of the Sports Management School as well as help develop the curriculum and recruit students for the program. He was selected out of sixty-five participants to serve on the twelve person Board. This is the only school of its kind in the nation.

Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Illinois Leisure Studies Department. He is an Urbana resident and is involved in sports programs both in his position with the Urbana Park District and his personal life.

Mr. Harold Hawkins, at left, receives a certificate of appreciation recognizing 20 years service as a trustee of the Springfield Park District from Dr. Ted Flickenger, Executive Director, IAPD. Harold has also been Treasurer of the Illinois Association of Park Districts for 10 years and recently retired from the First National Bank of Springfield after 30 years of service

Illinois Parks and Recreation 11 March/April 1981