PEOPLE AND PLACES

Peoria Receives Hook A Kid on Golf Model Facility Designation

The Peoria Park District Golf Learning Center and Academy is the latest facility to receive the Hook A Kid On Golf Model Facility designation. This program is part of a national effort to recognize communities that are making a concerted effort to broaden golf opportunities for youngsters in their communities. Other communities receiving the designation include Leawood, Kansas; Bloomington, Indiana; and Valparaiso, Indiana. To receive the special designation it must be demonstrated that the facility accommodates youngsters by providing reserved tee times or league play;it provides special tees and appropriate yardage for beginning and intermediate youth golfers; it provides discounted rates for youth; and programs are implemented which specifically cater to youngsters who are beginners, intermediate level, or accomplished players.

Decatur Park District Receives Governor's Award for the Arts

Governor George H. Ryan presented the Decatur Park District with the 1999 Governor's Award for the Arts at a ceremony in Chicago on November 3, saying: "Illinois benefits educationally, economically and culturally from investing in the arts and supporting established arts groups." The award recognizes contributions made by individuals and organizations that encourage excellence in the arts and support of the growth of arts in Illinois. The Cultural Arts Department of the Decatur Park District offers diverse programming and special events that involve hundreds of performers and reach thousands of audience members annually. Some of the arts programs of the district include: the Decatur Park Singers, Storyteller Theater, an annual children's theater performed by area youth; and the Great Decatur Youth Band and Summer Strings, a partnership with Milliken University and area schools to keep young musicians active over the summer months.

Wald Named Director of IPRA

William J. M. Wald, CLP, officially took over as executive director of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association on October 1. He has been deputy executive director of the association since 1994. He was IPRA membership services director for two years previous. From 1988 to 1992, he was assistant director of the Lisle Park District and, from 1985 to 1988, superintendent of recreation and facilities. Wald is a graduate of Western Illinois University, Roosevelt University, and the National Golf Foundation/ Oglebay School of Golf Management. Among his honors are the 1993 "Carlin Nalley Award for Service to the Lisle Schools and Community;"

the 1997 "Jim Berousek Distinguished Alumnus Award" from Western Illinois University Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration; and the 1997 IPRA President's Award. He has served on the board of directors for the Illinois Park Employees Health Network and the Park District Risk Management Agency, and as a Trustee for the Lisle Library District. He is a Certified Leisure Professional and a member of the National Certification Board and the President s Governance Task Force for the National Recreation and ParkAssociation (NRPA). Wald is a member of the DuPage County Juvenile Justice Council chaired by State's Attorney Joseph Birkett, and he serves as Treasurer of the Illinois Conservation, Park and Recreation Foundation. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Association Forum of Chicago, NRPA and Rotary International.

Forest Retires and Assumes New Duties

After 27 years as the executive director of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, Kay Forest retired from that position on September 30 to assume other challenging duties for the association. As Conference/Special Projects Manager, she will oversee IPRA's involvement in the Western Open GolfTournament and the Hook-a-Kid-on- Golf Program, and the management of the annual state conference and Benefits Training.

Forest came to IPRA in 1972 when she was 29 and the association served 1,300 members. Today's membership tops the 2,400 mark. Her background includes a B.S. in Recreation and Park Administration from Western Illinois University and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. She also completed the Executive Development Program at Indiana University. Before assuming the directorship of IPRA, she was the Assistant Director of Recreation for the Glenview Park District.

Forest coordinated the operation of the annual LAPD/IPRAAnnual Conference and initiated the implementation of a marketing plan which increased conference attendance by more than 100 percent and exhibit space rental by 70 percent.

Forest's financial duties at IPRA included developing and managing a $1,000,000 budget including investments and financial planning; establishing a cost analysis system for membership services; developing the associations financial policy manual; implementing a three-year budget plan; and developing the association's computer system. She also developed new fund-raising projects for the state association which generated more than $40,000 each year, and obtained several grants from government and corporations.

Forest directed several campaigns which increased IPRA membership by 90 percent over a four-year period. She coordinated statewide special events and public awareness programs, and she initiated and conducted board and committee training programs. She was instrumental in providing staff guidance in the development and coordination of joint agreements with the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

She was honored with the IPRA President's Award in 1990, the 1982 Gold Circle Award from the American Society of Certified Association Executives, the Alumni Achievement Award from Western Illinois University, the President's Award from the National Youth Sport Coaches

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Association, Recognition from the National Football League Players Association, and Outstanding Young Women in America Award.

Forest has been a Trustee of the Illinois Conservation, Park and Recreation Foundation since 1975, and twice has served as chairperson of the Council of Executive Directors of the National Recreation and ParkAssociation. She has also served on advisory committees for Western Illinois University, Moraine Valley Community College, and Aurora University.

Tom Hahn joined the Lake County Forest Preserve District to head the newly created Land Preservation and Special Projects Department, which will focus on acquiring new forest preserve lands to preserve and protect more natural wetlands, prairies and forests, create more trail and greenway corridors and access to rivers and lakes, protect against flooding and increased traffic and road congestion and save large refuges for protection of rare species. Hahn brings to the district more than 24 years of multi-faceted expertise in planning land preservation and acquisition, and open space planning and administration.

Hahn has 26 years of service of executive director of CorLands and associate director of the Openlands Project. During his tenure with CorLands, Hahn worked on land acquisition negotiations efforts on behalf of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Hahn has a bachelor of science degree in Urban Geography and three years of graduate work in Urban Geography and Planning from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Prior experience includes five years as planning and zoning administrator for the Village of Bolingbrook, and three years as project manager for PSI Development. He has applied his technical expertise serving on grant review panels for the Land Trust Alliance and Great Lakes Protection Fund, and was past vice president of the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation. Hahn is also a noted presenter at conferences, seminars and workshops on a variety of land preservation and acquisition topics.

David Doig, an expert on neighborhood development, was named by Mayor Richard M. Daley to the post of general superintendent of the Chicago Park District. Doig, 34, has been first deputy commissioner of the city's Department of Planning and Development since 1997, managing its Neighborhood Division, which operates 125 programs and 600 projects to spur economic development and job growth in neighborhoods throughout the city.

"David cares about neighborhoods and understands what it takes to make them thrive," Mayor Daley said. "He has spent time in every neighborhood in the city, talking with residents, listening to their concerns and developing programs to improve their quality of life. He knows that a good park is one of the most important elements of a strong, healthy neighborhood. And he knows that parks and their programs have to work in partnership with schools, libraries, churches, block clubs, community organizations, the CAPS program and local businesses."

Doig replaces Carolyn Williams Meza, who resigned effective October 15. He joined city government in 1994 as deputy commissioner of real estate services for the Housing Department, where he oversaw initiatives to redevelop abandoned properties and expand home ownership and rental opportunities for low-income and moderate-income families. Before that, he spent five years as development director for the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation, a community-based organization on Chicago's West Side. In 1993 and 1994 he was a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow. Doig graduated from Wheaton College and received a master's degree in social science with an emphasis on urban policy from the University of Chicago.

Dr. Ted Flickinger, CLP, executive director of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, was invited by First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan to serve on the newly created Futures for Kids Advisory Panel. The panel is comprised of leaders who represent business, children's advocates, youth serving organizations, research, juvenile justice and faith communities. The panel will provide leadership and assistance in shaping policies and programs that impact the goals of Futures for Kids. The values statement of Futures for Kids is: "If children have clear messages that alcohol, tobacco and other drug use will not be tolerated; and Safe neighborhoods and nurturing places to go before and after school; and the skills to be successful in school; then, we will see a decline in youth crime, drug use and drop-out rates."

Scott Caron was hired as the superintendent of facilities for the Vernon Hills Park District. Caron is a graduate of the University of Missouri where he earned a bachelor of science in Recreation and a minor in Chemistry. He is certified as an American Red Cross Instructor/Trainer, a Certified Pool Operator and a Certified Leisure Professional. Caron is responsible for the operation and supervision of the districts Family Aquatic Center and Sullivan Community Center. Previously, Caron was an aquatic director at the Derby Recreation Commission in Derby, Kansas.

Jane Benedict joined the St. Charles Park District as recreation supervisor responsible for preschool, early childhood programs, and summer day camps. She has worked in the recreation field since 1990 in many capacities: swim lesson coordinator for St. Charles Park District, pool manager for the Dillon Recreation Association in Glendale Heights, and as an American Red Cross employee in which she holds numerous instructor certifications. Benedict is a graduate of Aurora University with an emphasis on Recreation Programming.

Ronald M. Lorenzo, CLP, was hired as the executive director for the Community Park District of LaGrange Park. He is a 25-year veteran of the field, and is a graduate of George Williams College with a bachelor of science degree in Parks and Recreation. He is a member of IPRA and NRPA and is currently a member of the Board of Regents for the Professional Development School.

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Diane Dillow has been named executive director at the Warrenville Park District. In this position Dillow will have responsibility for the overall management and direction of parks, recreation programs, leisure services and facilities provided and operated by the district. Dillow, a graduate of Illinois State University spent 17 years as Director of Leisure Services for the Batavia Park District, and has worked with Arlington Heights, Fox Valley and Carol Stream park districts, plus the Sand Springs Recreation Department, Oklahoma. She is a member of Illinois Parks and Recreation Association, Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association and National Parks and Recreation Association.

Ray Morrill, superintendent of recreation for the Wheaton Park District, was elected president elect of NRPA's National Aquatic Section, which represents 1,000 NRPA members who are engaged in management, operation, programming, design and maintenance of aquatic facilities, beaches and marinas. He will take over as president at the National Congress in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2000. Morrill is a past president of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association.

Sandra Klitzing has joined the Recreation and Park Administration Program in Health, Physical Education and Recreation Program at Illinois State University in Normal. Klitzing will be teaching in the Therapeutic Recreation sequence. She is completing her doctorate program at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in Leisure Behavior. Her current research interest is women who are homeless and leisure. Klitzing is also interested in inclusion and people with disabilities.

Peter Pope was hired as golf course manager for the Bolingbrook Park District. He has 14 years experience in parks and recreation and, most recently, was golf operations assistant manager for the Glenview Park District. Previously, he was superintendent for South Suburban Special Recreation Association. Pope will oversee the golf course and food and beverage operation at the Boughton Ridge Golf Course Tenth Hole Pub.

Eric T. "Toby" Siegmeier was hired by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County as the Trail Tradesman for the district. Previously, he worked for the Genoa Township Park District with extensive experience in grounds and building maintenance. According to John Duerr, director of field services for the forest preserve: "The district has over 80 miles of trails and this is a very important position to the district. I look forward to Mr. Siegmeier bringing the trails up to district standards and ensuring that they are in top-notch shape for the public. The district's trails are a model for trails being built throughout the state...and we want to continue to be a leader in trail development."

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throughout the country. She currently serves on the following for the State of Illinois: Long Term Care Subcommittee for 111. Dept. of Public Aid, Women's Health Committee of 111. Dept. of Public Health, Illinois Status of Women Committee Balancing Work and Family, 111. Council on Aging. Taylor is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin (Madison) with a B.A. degree in economics and industrial psychology.

Kris Scharp was named risk manager for the Northbrook Park District. She is responsible for assuring that the park district provides services to the public, as well as to their employees, in a safe manner. She facilitates her duties through PDRMA. Scharp received a bachelor of science degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois and is a Certified Leisure Professional. Previously, she worked for the Sterling and Marengo park districts as well as the private sector, developing benchmark surveys and strategic plans for a parks and recreation management consulting firm in Indianapolis.

Tanya Moore joined the full-time staff at the Hanover Park Park District as recreation supervisor responsible for early childhood and camp programming including the after-school program. She was previously employed at Springwood Middle School in Hanover Park where she worked with "at risk" children and was involved in the outdoor education and peer mediation programs. She has been a Hanover Park Park District employee since 1990, working part-time as an instructor and camp coordinator. Moore is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Billy Norton is the new Teams Challenge Course Coordinator for the Northbrook Park District, where he will be responsible for training staff to assist groups on the course, developing programs for schools, business and youth groups and devising Climbing Wall programs. With a degree in English from Princeton University, Norton has work experience ranging from reporting for the Chelsea Clinton News (New York) to counseling for adjudicated girls in an Iowa Youth Services facility. His affinity for assisting people in an out-of- doors environment is evidenced by his Experiential Education work in the Delaware Water Gap wilderness area, at the Arlyn School in Wilmette and as a facilitator at Northbrook's Teams Challenge Course. He plans to pursue an education degree at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Sommer Retires

With a professional park and recreation career of nearly 40 years, Jon D. Sommer, CLP, retired this past summer. In the early 1960s he served as the director of parks and recreation for the county and city of Manistee, Mich. In the mid-'60s he served as the first superintendent of recreation and director of facilities for the Winnetka Park District, then executive director of the Oak Brook Park District for more than 25 years. Sommer has a master's degree in Recreation/Administration from Indiana University, as well as certifications from the universities of Michigan and Northern Colorado.

An advocate for the disabled, he was one of the original architects of the North Shore Special Recreation District; the founder and president of the Gateway Special Recreation Association; and, while at Oak Brook, he received IPRA's Therapeutic Recreation Section's "Community Service Award." During his tenure as Oak Brooks first director, Sommer established cooperative relationships with nonprofit and commercial organizations, schools, village and county governments. His leadership facilitated acquisition of all the district's current land holdings including the development of the community's first bike path system and the award-winning indoor/outdoor racquet club complex.

Sommer will continue part-time consultation, privately and with a leading park and recreation architectural firm, plus his work with youth soccer.

Comerio Recognized by Illinois Conservation Districts

John W Comerio, CLP, development director for the Illinois Association of Park Districts, recently was honored by the Illinois Association of Conservation Districts (IACD) with the Burton H. Atwood Award for Excellence in Conservation. Comerio was recognized for his 10 years acting as liaison to the IACD for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and his 30 years of service in the conservation of Illinois' natural resources through partnerships with Illinois conservation districts. Pictured here are Comerio (at left) and Ken Fiske, a founding member of the IACD.

Kane County Receives an Illinois Public Museum Grant

The Kane County Forest Preserve District received an Illinois Public Museum Operating Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for an outreach program called "The Traveling Naturalist." The program provides environmental education programs for a broad audience in Kane County, including groups that may have transportation limitations or other difficulties in visiting the forest preserves. The Traveling Naturalist brings a bit of nature to classrooms, senior centers, and

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community groups with the goal of enhancing an awareness of our natural heritage, fostering an appreciation of nature around us, and promoting a sense of stewardship of our natural areas in Kane County.

Naperville Park District Dedicates Harris Fawell Park

One of the parks in the Naperville Park District has been named Harris Fawell Park in honor of former Congressman Harris Fawell's dedication to Naperville, the Naperville Park District and the surrounding community. On hand for the dedication ceremonies this past October were State Representative Mary Lou Cowlishaw, Naperville Park District board president Tom Kruse and executive director Joe Schultz, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association executive director Jane Hodgkinson, area neighbors, supports of Fawell and students form Cowlishaw Elementary School, which is adjacent to the park. Schultz said that Fawell's "leadership in representing the 13th

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