EDITOR'S PAGE...

Dear Reader,

Upon my retirement from direct involvement with IPR Magazine after almost four years, it seems at least marginally appropriate to drop you a note and acknowledge the contributions of those people who have made it a positive experience for me. I had actually intended a final editorial (for a total of two) but then decided that expressing my appreciation was undoubtedly more important than any state of the art pontification I was likely to produce, particularly given my current pessimistic outlook on present social trends and the current state and national administration's personification of those trends. Instead, a quicky look at the recent history of your state magazine, its future, and recognition of some of the people who brought it to its present position will be the order of the day.

It was the summer of 1978 when the two professional organizations, IAPD and IPRA, placed the magazine out for "bid" with the idea that it would be published outside of the direct auspices of the professional staff of either organization. The primary motivation for taking this action apparently consisted of two central reasons. One reason was to remove the editorial burden from Kay Forest, IPRA Director, who had been doing it for many years. During those years, the other professional responsibilities of her position significantly grew, thus making it increasingly difficult for her to devote the necessary time to the publication. The other main reason revolved around a philosophical concern of creating a balance between the two organizations' influence on the magazine by placing editorial control in the hands of a joint IPRA-IAPD board who would set policy, select from among the bidders the editorial staff to do the actual work, and subsequently monitor the publication process.

The response to the bid advertisement process resulted in a number of proposals including one from Bob Humke, then with ORPR at the University of Illinois, and one from John Allen and myself at SIU. These two proposals were ultimately combined due mainly to the grace of Bob who consented to join the proposals even though it seemed readily apparent that his proposal would "win" if allowed to stand independently. The acceptance of the joint proposal by the Joint Editorial Board resulted in Bob being named editor and John and I associate editors. Eight months later, our first issue appeared, mainly notable for an excellent cover and the transposition of Bob's and my photographs in the story explaining the new system. Certainly it was an auspicious beginning establishing an ego deflating precedent that would characterize the entire experience.

We discovered quite rapidly that there was considerably more to the task than we had anticipated, positive reinforcement in recognition of our "artistic" endeavors was going to be limited, and that most of the readership read the magazine as selectively (read incompletely) as we had prior to becoming involved. We also fortunately discovered the creative exhilaration that comes from actually completing an issue and knowing it was "ours". The whole frustrating worlds of multi-dimensional volunteer efforts, printers, typesetters, and deadlines reigned supreme and we were servant to all. Nonetheless, it was a great year marked by considerable professional and personal comaraderie as Bob and I alternated primary responsibility for each issue with John helping both of us.

Alas, Robert left the ivory citadel for the real world of Madison Wisconsin School Community Recreation Department where he assumed the dictatorship* of that agency's recreation services, thus breaking the magazine's happy triumvirate. A momentary, but necessary, digression here is that observation of the recent changes in the Wisconsin professional magazine indicate retention of both his interest and expertise in the magazine game.

In any case, with the departure of Bob from the state and John from the staff, the elusive glory and obvious work was finally mine!* Under the direction of the Joint Editorial Board, I alone became responsible for solicitation, editing, layout, content, and graphics while the IAPL office did the accounting and advertising billings. No real culture shock occurred since these were the same tasks I had already been doing off and on for a year. An honorarium was attached to the position (glory be!) and the next two years of travel, travail, turmoil and triumph began.* I saw as my major responsibility the maintenance of balance within the magazine—and for the most part I feel that I accomplished that. I remain convinced that the primary focus of the magazine should be the representation of working professionals and commissioners in Illinois although arguments can be made, and have been, for other approaches.

During these last two years, a number of individuals made significant contributions to the exhaustive efforts necessary to produce the magazine. Editorial staff members Debbie Sabol Smith, formerly of the Highland Park Youth Commission, Marilyn Campbell of Vermilion County Conservation District and Beth Stelle Jones of Glencoe Park and Recreation undertook, for one period of time or another, the often frustrating job of generating specific articles from field professionals. With their help, we were able to develop theme issues and maintain a more or less steady flow of copy. I extend to them again my grateful appreciation.

Another element that was very helpful was the generally fine support of the Joint Editorial Board. Although the four years were marked by the standard heavy turnover of voluntary boards, a genuine interest and effort in producing the best magazine possible remained constant. I particularly enjoyed working with Dan Newport, Winnetka; Bob Nichols, Bensenville; Dave Markworth, Des Plaines; Morgan Powell, Champaign; Ralph Cianchetti, Highland Park; Paul Swanson, Elk Grove; Jeff Boubelik, Dolton; and Bob Dunsmuir, Wheaton. Although these gentlemen had the audacity from time to time to disagree with my obviously correct opinions,* their professional sincerity, interest, and willingness to 'row their end of the boat' was never at issue.

The typesetters and printers, a breed unto themselves, have "also tended to be good to me. Champaign Type of Champaign and Herald Printing of Carbondale suffered patiently with my amateurism (after four years my definition of a pica remains imprecise), numerous missed deadlines, and the multiple vagaries of the fragmented processes of assembling the magazine. From the IAPD office Bill Bodine and Louise Herndon were very good at extending an empathetic ear to my numerous sad stories besides providing the necessary information from that office.

Finally of course, and perhaps foremost among those deserving recognition are you readers who shared over the years your effort, expertise, and advocacy concerning your operations and professional concerns. Writing is a difficult task for those who don't do it for a living (and for many who do) and obviously the magazine cannot exist without your willingness to make the necessary sacrifices to get it done. There were some notable stalwarts, Mary Jane Gauen, Evanston; Bob Espeseth, University of Illinois; and Marilyn Campbell, Vermilion County among the readership who could be counted on to produce guality material in emergencies when deadlines were past, promised material not delivered, and space left to be filled. To all of you steady contributors and occasional ones alike, I extend my thanks and my congratulations for making your state magazine interesting and vital. You have taught me a lot about recreation in Illinois and the best part of that learning has been seeing the pride —that so many of you take in the services you provide.

I suppose a word, (albeit a limited one) is in order for the occasional charlatan, manipulator, and/or professional jerk whose only Interest in the magazine has been for self-aggrandizement, political gain, and/or personal power (sigh, sigh). I am happy to report to you that you are far outnumbered by conscientious, sincere individuals with whom it is a pleasure to work. It has been great fun and very educational becoming acquainted with, through one facet of the process or another, so many of the competent recreation professionals and commissioners in the state.

Now there is a new opportunity for you, the reader, to be an integral part of the publication. Starting with the September/October issue, the magazine will be published in Springfield from the IAPD office. Providing the general direction, under the guidance of the Joint Editorial Board, will be Ted Flickinger, Managing Editor. The revised direct editorial function will be carried out by Virgil Tipton, a gentleman with considerable professional experience as a law journal editor. There are exciting plans afoot to upgrade and revise the format, an effort that can only enhance IPR's reputation as the best of the state level publications (California, eat your heart out!)

As for me, I return peaceably to my role as interested reader and supportive cheerleader. The magazine has been an important part of what I did for four years and I shall miss it. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had.

All in all, it's been grand.

Affectionately,

Editor (ret.), IPR Magazine

"May be read "straight" or tongue in cheek, depending on the individual preference of the reader.

Illinois Parks andftecreatlon 34 July/August 1982