park agencies on a national level Gooch has served as NACPRO's vice president for three years and has made significant contributions as a member for six years. In his position as president, Gooch plans to continue to facilitate education and communication among recreation agency professionals. Gooch is also a member of the Board of Officers for the National Association of Counties (NACO), an association affiliated with NACPRO.

Gooch has been devoted to the conservation, education and recreation mission of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County for 24 years, serving as an interpretive naturalist, chief naturalist, superintendent of conservation, superintendent of natural resources, operations director, director of administration and executive director. On a regional and national level, Gooch has served as a committee or board member for the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board, National Recreation and Park Association, Illinois Park and Recreation Association, DuPage Clean and Beautiful Inc., The Girl Scouts of DuPage County and Friends of the Furred and Feathered.

Cassidy Receives Rhodell Owens Award

Timothy J. Cassidy, president of the Peoria Park District board of trustees, received the Rhodell Owens Award at the 1998 Orchids & Onions Banquet. The award is given annually to a person who has shown a history of commitment and achievement in the area of community beautification. Cassidy has served as a park board trustee since 1987 and board president since 1992. He has continued to place a high value on maintaining and enhancing the community's natural assets. Under his leadership the park board has taken steps to protect Lakeview Park from commercial development; channeled resources into renovations at John Gwynn Park and the Franciscan Recreation Complex; and acquired a large open parcel of land adjacent to Singing Woods fur future development. Cassidy is currently focused on the maintenance and irrigation of the park district's gold courses along with beautification of the former IDOT property on North Knoxville. Cassidy has also worked tirelessly in conjunction with other community leaders in the quest for riverfront development, serving on the Riverfront Business District Commission since its inception. Cassidy currently serves as vice president of the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

Tressa Norlund

Joins the Bensenville Park District as recreation supervisor. Her responsibilities include the Tiny Tots program, general youth programming, dance, special events and the Bensenville Water Park. Prior to joining the Bensenville staff, Tressa completed a four-month internship at the Hilton resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. There she worked in conference group recreation, day camp planning and sales. She earned a degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois and has several years of practical experience in dance and aquatics.

In Memoriam - Harry Burkhalter

Harry Burkhalter, one of the original board member and first board president of the Bourbonnais Township Park District, passed away August 27, 1998. Burkhalter, 66, had retired in June after serving as a commissioner for close to 12 years.

"His influence is seen in everything you see today at the Perry Farm," said Jerry Kuntz, current hoard president. "His work and volunteerism with the park district since its inception will benefit families and children for generations to come."

Burkhalter was instrumental in the park district having been awarded the Perry Farm, a 178-acre parcel of land along the Kankakee River, from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Once the property had been secured for the district, Burkhalter continued to play a leading role in growing the organization. Today the district offers hundreds of recreation programs to children art adults, and owns and operates the Exploration Station, a children's museum that serves several counties in Illinois and Indiana.

"Harry was an outstanding commissioner," Kunrz added. "He worked diligently to increase his knowledge of the parks and recreation field and was respected by parks and recreation professionals from all over the stare of Illinois."

Burkhalter is survived by his wife, two children, several grandchildren and 15 full-time park district staff members and commissioners. Burkhalter retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1970 after serving 20 years and two terms in Vietnam. He received a Bronze Star and an Air Force Commendation Medal.

Burkhalter was an active member of the Central Christian Church, a lifetime member of the V.F.W in Kankakee and Bourbonnais, and a 32nd degree mason. He was also an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society and a Life League coach in Japan.

Memorials may he made to the Central Christian Church, 310 North Main Street, Bourbonnais, Ill. 60914.

Delaney Robson was hired by the Hanover Park Park District as recreation supervisor, responsible for all youth programming. Robson recently completed an internship with Deerfield Park District focusing on special events, athletics, camps and teens. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration.

Holly Gozdziak was hired by the Hanover Park Park District as recreation supervisor, responsible for early childhood programs and camps. She recently completed her internship with Elmhurst Park District assisting in the overall operations of program planning and administrative management. Gozdziak is a graduate of Aurora University with a degree in Recreatioon Administration.