Dr. Theodore B. Flickinger, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, was nominated by the Illinois Department of Conservation to receive a Citation Award from the National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO) at their national convention in Cincinnati. NASORLO, an association comprised of conservation/recreation officials from every state, recognized Dr. Flickinger for his 28 years of service to various park and recreation organizations. Through his outstanding leadership, he has contributed much toward the growth of recreational opportunities in Illinois, and promoted cooperation with conservation groups throughout the state. The NASORLO Awards Program was created to recognize special achievements. State liaison officers from across the United States and its territories nominate and review the actions of governors, legislators, professionals, laypersons and organizations to acknowledge significant achievements. Other Citation Award winners, among others, included Vermont Governor Madeleine M. Kunin, Delaware Governor Michael N. Castle and Senator Howard Metzenbaum.

A brief ceremony was held in November at Illinois Department of Conservation Headquarters with Ted Flickinger, Executive Director of IAPD, receiving a national award from Assistant Director Kathy Selcke and Office of Planning & Development Director John Comerio.

Ronald H. Dodd, Deputy General Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, Chicago Park District, was recently elected President-Elect of the American Park and Recreation Society (APRS), the largest branch of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

Dodd will officially assume his prestigious position in October 1989, taking on the responsibility to lead this national organization of 6,000 members toward a more intense public awareness of parks and recreation at national and state levels. Dodd seeks, as well, to identify, meet and supply critical needs for positive action-oriented results.

Continued coordinated efforts relative to the "President's Commission on Americans Outdoors" will also be an important part of his tenure.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, Dodd completed his undergraduate study at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He is a Registered Professional with the Texas Recreation and Park Society and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association.

In 1981 Dodd was elected to the Board of Trustees for the National Recreation and Park Association. He was Chairman of the N.R.P.A. Council of Affiliate Presidents following his term as President of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. In October of 1986 Dodd was elected to the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

His record of service in the American Park and Recreation Society (APRS) includes election to the Board of Directors in 1986 and serving on the Executive Committee during 1987-88.

The 1989 NRPA Swimming Pool and Aquatic Conference will be held in Fort Lauderdale at the Bahia Mar Resort from March 3-8, 1989. The beach setting, combined with the International Swimming Hall of Fame, will provide a perfect environment for aquatic education and networking opportunities.

The Conference, in cooperation with the Florida Recreation and Park Association, is expected to draw nearly 1,000 park, recreation and aquatic professionals from around the country. The Conference will be designed for directors, supervisors, managers, and instructors interested in aquatics, as well as architects, planners, and operators involved in aquatic facilities.

More than 80 exhibitors representing manufacturers and suppliers of pool and aquatic related products will attend the Conference.

Four certification programs — pool operators course, aquatic fitness certification, American Red Cross lifeguard training instructor course, and the new material update for the lifeguard training instructors/water safety instructors — will be offered at the Conference during the first three days.

Also, a four track educational program on: (1) Water safety and training; (2) Marketing and promotion; (3) Planning, design, construction, and operation; and (4) Aquatic programs, trends, and special topics are planned.

The second annual NRPA Excellence in Aquatics Awards will be presented at the Conference. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in swimming pool, aquatic facility and program management.

A detailed Conference registration brochure outlining the program, housing and other information plus the Excellence in Aquatics Awards application can be obtained by calling 312-843-7529 or writing the Great Lakes Regional Office, 650 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60195.

People, Places and Things (Continued)                                                                    

After eleven years of outstanding service, Susan K. Balling has left the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA), located in Addison, and has accepted a position with McCormick College in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Susan began her professional career with NEDSRA as a Recreation Supervisor in 1977, the year NEDSRA was formed. In 1981, Susan became NEDSRA's Superintendent of Recreation, and from 1985 through 1988, she served in the capacity of Director of Marketing and Development. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, with a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation and an M.S. in Park and Recreation Administration. While at S.I.U., Susan held a graduate fellowship in the Recreation Department.

Susan served the parks and recreation profession actively on state and national levels. Throughout her career she served on various committees of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS), the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Special Recreation Associations of Northern Illinois (SRANI). She also served on the IPRA Board as a former director of the IPRA Therapeutic Recreation Section. In 1982, Susan's professional achievement and involvement were recognized by IPRA when she was selected the Outstanding Young Professional in Parks and Recreation. This past year, again, Susan captured the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section's honors by being chosen the 1988 ITRS Professional of the Year.

Susan K. Balling 1988 ITRS Professional of the Year

Susan initiated many services at NEDSRA, and was instrumental in the development of NEDSRA as a Gold Medal agency. Her professional contributions made a tremendous impact in the lives of the many children and adults served by NEDSRA. Congratulations and many thanks are extended to Susan for her dedication through the years and best wishes for continued success in her new endeavors.

Gary Balling, Administrative Manager for the Morton Grove Park District, recently received the community's highest honor when the Morton Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry named him this year's V.I.P.

Balling was voted the unanimous choice of the Chamber due to the dramatic financial turnaround he has brought to the Morton Grove Park District after only 19 months as the CEO.

A current board member for the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, Balling is the representative of the Recreation Section. He is also a member of the I.P.R.A. Finance Committee and member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Certification Board.

Balling holds a M.S. in Management and Development of Human Resources from the National College of Education, 1987. His B.S. is in Parks and Recreation Administration from Eastern Illinois University, 1976.

The Chamber honored Balling at a November 16th dinner at the Fireside Inn in Morton Grove.

Bonnie W. Noble, President of the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees, has recently been elected to the National Recreation and Park Association's Board of Trustees. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is a non-profit, professional, service, research, and education organization serving as the one, united voice of the park and recreation movement. Committed to improving public understanding of the significance of leisure in a full and meaningful life, the NRPA's long-range plan consists of four goals: the promotion of public awareness; the advancement of public policy; the enhancement of professional and citizen development; and the development and dissemination of knowledge in the parks and recreation environment. The Association is governed by a 68-member Board of Trustees representing various disciplines and geographical regions throughout the United States and Canada, as well as professionals and citizens involved in the work of the Association.

Ms. Noble has been active in the NRPA at the national level since 1985 when she was appointed to service as secretary of the NRPA's Council of Affiliate Presidents. She was recently awarded the State Citizen-Board Member Service Award from the NRPA's Citizen-Board Member Branch. She has served on the Board of Directors of that NRPA branch since 1987.

A past president of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, Ms. Noble was active in legislative activities concerning the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and chaired a special task force to study the Economic Significance of Recreation in Illinois. She was appointed by Illinois Governor Jim Thompson to the "Build Illinois" Commission in 1984; to the Governor's Illinois Advisory Committee on Americans Outdoors; and to serve on the Illinois Department of Conservation Advisory Board.

Locally, Ms. Noble was first elected by the voters at large as Peoria Park District Trustee in 1973, and has served as the President of the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees since 1979.

People, Places and Things (Continued)                                                                    

Karen Shannon became a Recreation Supervisor with the Downers Grove Park District in June of 1988. Karen graduated with a B.S. degree in Education from Southern Illinois University. Her previous work experience in the recreation field includes an intemship with the Des Plaines Park District and 31/2 years of professional experience with the Addison Park District. Karen's responsibilities include the main program areas of Leisure Arts, performing Arts, Preschool/Tot Programs, Summer Camps and the Summer Concert Series.

Elsa Fischer began working with the Downers Grove Park District as a Recreation Supervisor this past October. She has a B.S. degree in both Program Management and Outdoor Recreation from the University of Illinois. Her previous work experience in the field of recreation includes an intemship with Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky and 2 1/2 years professional experience with the Park District of Forest Park. Elsa's responsibilities include Aquatics, Fitness/ Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Tumbling and Track & Field.

Mark your calendars! The Seventh Annual American Red Cross Aquatic Conference will be held Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1, 1989 in Aurora, Illinois. Six educational tracks, held in the pool and classroom, will be offered in the following areas: Pool Management, Waterfront Management, Pool Operations, Teaching Techniques, Preschool through Age 12 Courses and Specialty Water Programming. Held again at Marmion Military Academy, this workshop is for administrators, aquatic facility managers, water-front directors, swim instructors and lifeguards.

For further information contact the American Red Cross at 312-629-2985.

SURPRISE! We are not asking for money — we are trying to give it away!

Monies are available for funding therapeutic recreation research projects.

ITRS, your professional organization, is the first state organization to "put their money where their mouth is" to do something about increasing the T.R. database through research.

Funding requirements:

• Proposals will be approved through a blind review process.
• Research must be related to therapeutic recreation.
• Researchers must be ITRS members.

Applications may be obtained by calling or writing:

Former Carol Stream Park District Commissioner George Kostopoulos died on November 13, 1988.

Mr. Kostopoulos served on the Carol Stream Park District Board of Commissioners from 1964 when the park district was organized until 1985, a total of 21 years. During the early 1970's, Mr. Kostopoulos also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

Funeral services were held in Shawano, Wisconsin, where Mr. Kostopoulous retired after resigning as a commissioner in 1985.

1989 IPR
Conference
Highlights
(Continued from page 4)

IAPD President Sandra Fernstrom presented IAPD's President's Award to Bernadine Rechner, River Trails Park District. Congratulations, Bernie! (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

Special thanks go out to IAPD President Sandy Fernstrom for emceeing festivities of Friday's luncheon. (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

U.S. Representative Henry Hyde, 6th District, addressed early risers for the Joint Legislative Breakfast on Saturday morning.

Teofila Gomez, fourth-place winner in IAPD's art contest, enjoyed the festivities of Saturday's luncheon with her family, especially when she was presented her award!

Paul Wolff, Commissioner with the Kane County Forest Preserve, was presented a special resolution at IAPD's Annual Meeting, in recognition of his contributions as a commissioner for over 42 years. Congratulating Mr. Wolff is (left) Peter M. Murphy, IAPD Legal/Legislative Counsel and IAPD Executive Director Ted Flickinger.

Sandy Fernstrom introduced Governor Thompson to the podium and presented him with a gift of artwork from the memberships of IAPD and IPRA. (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

Governor Thompson appeared very pleased with the artwork he received as gift from the IAPD/IPRA memberships. (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

Ken Kutska, Wheaton Park District, received IPRA's Professional Recognition Award. Congratulations, Ken! (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

Governor James Thompson and Illinois Association of Park Districts Executive Director Ted Flickinger enjoyed their table's conversation during Friday's luncheon. (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

Cheryl Deom of Glenview Park District congratulates Dr. Daniel J. Perrino for being the 1988 recipient of the Distinguished Service to Leisure Award. Dr. Perrino is the former Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Illinois.

IPRA Section Award winners (left to right): Gary Balling (Morton Grove), Recreation Professional of the Year; Susan Balling (formerly with NEDSRA), Therapeutic Recreation Professional of the Year and Dan Schimmel (Hanover Park), Facility Management Professional of the Year. Congratulations!

Parks and Natural Resource Management Professionals of the Year are Stephen Gonzalez (left), IDOC, and Jerry Schaefer, IDOC.

Jerry Handlon, Schaumburg Park District, IPRA's honored recipient of the Robert M. Artz Award. Presenting the award to Jerry is last year's winner, Gerald M. Oakes, Arlington Heights. (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

IAPD Art Contest winners Tony Marzano, third-place, and Kristina Giehl, first-place, and their parents enjoyed Saturday's luncheon together. Coincidentially, Kristina and Tony are also classmates at St. Louis School in Princeton, Illinois.

The Agency Showcase exhibit provided an interesting review of parks and recreation programs and agencies across the state. (Photo by Nancy Uszler.)

During lAPD's Annual Meeting on Saturday afternoon. Executive Director Ted Flickinger presented Sandy Fernstrom with a personally produced photo of an American bald eagle as a special gift of appreciation for her service as president during 1988.

The "Take Time For Fun!" promotions booth in the Exhibit Hall did steady business at a fast clip throughout the conference. By early indications, people are enthusiastic about the new logo and theme line.