PEOPLE AND PLACES
Elmhurst and Chicago Receive
Nations in Bloom Awards
The Elmhurst Park District placed second in category B (populations of
10,000 to 50,000) and Chicago Park District placed third in category E
(populations over one million) in Nations in Bloom 2000, an international environmental competition. Thirty-five cities from around the world
competed in the 2000 "Green Oscars," which recognized cities for their
environmental excellence. Nations in Bloom is a nonprofit organization
registered in England. The competition was founded in 1996 by Alan
Smith, director of the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management in
England. Smith saw the need to move beyond public discussions of
environmental concerns to exploring how communities from around the
world successfully manage their environments.
Rockford Recognized for
Waterpark
Excellence
The Rockford Park District's water theme park, Magic Waters, received
two prestigious first place awards from two international associations. At
the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' (IAAPA)
annual convention in Atlanta, Ga., last November, Magic Waters received
the 2000 Souvenir Award in the category "Runaway Success Item" for the
Big Squirt!, a popular water-squirting toy.
"We have been carrying the Big Squirt! item for the past five years,"
stated Reid Tennant, revenue sources manager at Magic Waters, "however, this past year, we added a second water-filling station which had a
great visual impact because its fifteen feet tall, and we imprinted the
Magic Waters logo on the item so that it could be more of a souvenir, take-home item. Our sales volume for the Big Squirt! started at about 1,700
units five years ago, and we had increased that volume to about 5,000
units in 1999. But this past season, with the added filling station and
imprint, we exploded with 9,000 units sold."
IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently-situated amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centers,
zoos and aquariums, and other amusement facilities worldwide. More
than 5,000 members from more than 100 countries are represented by
this organization.
A group sales video presentation created and mailed to inform group
leaders about Magic Waters day trips and evening private events was
awarded the "Wave Review Award" at the World Waterpark Associations
annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, in October. The four-minute
video, featuring the debut of the "SplashBlaster" water coaster thrill ride,
was written and directed by Midwest Marketing Organization, Inc., and
produced by Eagle Video of Rockford. The World Waterpark Association
is comprised of water parks and family aquatic centers worldwide. Magic
Waters is the second largest municipally owned water park in the United States, and has been a Rockford Park District facility since 1988.
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Bob Toalson, longtime leader of the Champaign
Park District, retired in January of 2001. For 31
years, Toalson sought to create an excellent quality of life for the residents of Champaign. He
planned for the future, ensuring greenspace not
only for todays residents, but also for tomorrow's
generations. Toalson began his career interning
for the National Recreation Association in Philadelphia. The following year he moved to Oak
Park, Ill., to become the assistant director of recreation and playgrounds later being promoted to executive director. In
1970, he became the general manager of the Champaign Park District.
Toalson has been a member of numerous professional organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. He was a founding member of the
American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and also served
as president of the National Recreation and Park Association, American
Park and Recreation Society, Illinois Parks and Recreation Society, United
Way of Champaign County, and the Champaign-Urbana Kiwanis Club.
Always leading by example, Toalson has received numerous honors including: NRPA Great Lakes Region, Outstanding Professional Award;
2000 Champaign County Chamber of Commerce; Outstanding Citizen Award, 1999; NRPA National Distinguished Professional Award,
1995; National Gold Medal, Champaign Park District (1979, 1990,
1998) and Oak Park (1966).
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Nate Dixon retired from the Champaign Park
District after 27 years of serving the community. Dixon's passion for helping people has been
evident throughout his career. Before working
in parks and recreation, he worked at the Illinois
Department of Mental Health. In 1973 Dixon
brought his passion and leadership to the
Champaign Park District, where he served as
director of the Douglass Center. He was later
named director of community services, where
he awarded scholarships to underprivileged families and served as the
districts Affirmative Action Officer. Dixon has been involved in numerous professional and community organizations. He has served on the
board of IPRA and was a charter member of IAPD's Illinois Ethnic Minority Society in 1991. He is a member of the Champaign County United
Way Board and has been actively involved with the Champaign Lions
Club and Urban League.
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Tom Suhs, CPRP, was named as the director of parks and recreation for
the Oak Brook Park District. Prior to this position, Suhs had served as the
Oak Brook Park District's director of recreation since 1981. Beginning as
a day camp leader in 1969, Suhs has worked in a variety of capacities with
the park districts of Blue Island, Alsip, Chicago Ridge and Homewood-Flossmoor as well as the River Forest (Ill.) Community Center. He received his bachelors degree in Park and Recreation Administration from
Southern Illinois University and his masters degree in Leisure Service
Administration from Aurora University. He currently is serving as chairperson for the Gateway Special Recreation Association and has served on
56 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
PEOPLE AND PLACES
countless IPRA and SPRA committees through the years. He oversees 12
full-time professionals, more than 120 acres of park property as well as the
operations of the district's Family Indoor Aquatic Center, Family Recreation Center, Racquet Club and the Sam and Dorothy Dean Nature
Sanctuary. He has received a many awards and composed and performed
the music for IPRA's first television commercial and composed and performed the official-sanctioned IPRA theme music for NRPA's 1980 promotional campaign "Life. Be In It," a song which he is still willing to
perform upon request.
Christopher Beemer has been hired by the St. Charles Park District to
oversee the management of its new facility "STC Underground." As Teen
Center director, Beemer is responsible for overall operations including
implementing the facility's policies and procedures, preparing the annual
budget, planning youth and teen programs, and organizing fund-raising
events. Beemer has a multitude of experience in facility management and
teen programming. He previously worked as a meeting planner for the
Sherwood Group in Northbrook, Ill., a teen program coordinator for the
Iowa City Recreation Department, special events coordinator for Hilton
Resort at South Mountain, Az., and as teen camp director at a YMCA in
Arizona. Beemer received a bachelor of science degree in Sports Management and Community Recreation from the University of Iowa in 1995.
Sheila Lowrey has joined the staff of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association as the new
conference/project manager. She holds a degree
in Business Administration and is currently working to earn her designation as a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP). With more than 15 years of
meeting planning experience, Lowrey welcomes
the challenge to organize the IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference. Other responsibilities she assumes include management of conference exhibits and all meeting planning details at the new IPRA Training and
Meeting Center as well as at locations throughout the state.
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Thomas G. Ford was named deputy director of
the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Ford
comes to IPRA from the Turfgrass Producers International Trade Association where he implemented fund-raising programs with contributions in excess of $650,000. He was also responsible for educational programming, exhibit and
convention management, budget preparation
and marketing and Web development. Prior to
the Turfgrass Producers, Ford worked at The
Links Golf Course in Jacksonville, Illinois. As IPRA's Deputy Director,
Ford will manage IPRA's responsibilities at the Western Open Golf Tournament and the Great Lakes Golf Institute, oversee fund-raising efforts,
supervise staff, and act as a liaison to various committees and affiliate
organizations. Ford holds a master's of Business Administration degree
from the University of Illinois. He welcomes the opportunity to join the
IPRA staff and looks forward to building a strong and effective association, which meets the professional needs of its members.
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Nicole Walsh joined the Addison Park District as the marketing and
communications supervisor. Walsh earned a bachelor of arts degree in
Journalism/Communication from the University of St. Francis. Previously, Walsh was the director of marketing and creative services at RDI,
USA, Inc.
Dean Hoskin was named athletic supervisor for the Addison Park District. Hoskin is a 1994 graduate of Illinois State University, where he
majored in Recreation Administration. Before coming to Addison, Hoskin
worked for both the Calumet Memorial and the Hanover Park park districts.
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- In Memoriam -
William E. O'Brien
A teacher, counselor and mentor to many
in the park and recreation field, William
E. O'Brien died on December 1, 2000, at
Cardinal Health Care in Energy, Ill.
O'Brien was born on March 11, 1923, in
Shulter, Okla. He married LaVerne Garrett
on June 21, 1943. He received a bachelor
of science in Education at Southern Illinois University. From Indiania University,
Bloomington, Ind., he earned a master of
science in Physical Education, a master of science in Recreation,
director of Physical Education, director of Recreation, and doctors
degree in Recreation. In 1948 he joined the Southern Illinois
University coaching staff as head football coach from 1952 to
1954. Later he joined the Recreation Department and served as
chairman in 1970. He retired from there in 1983 after 35 years
of service at Southern Illinois University.
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During his career at SIUC, he received many awards: Teacher
of the Year, College of Education, 1974; Outstanding Service as
a Researcher, Illinois Park and Recreation Society, 1976; Great
Teacher of the Year, SIU, 1975; Alumnus of the Year, Indiana
University, 1977; Special Citation, National Recreation and
Park Association, 1983; SIU Hall of Fame, 1989; Cum Laude
Fellowship Award, SIU Foundation, 1975; and many others.
Bill was also a member of the Marine Corps and served in
World War II and the Korean conflicts. He retired in 1983 as a
colonel. In addition, he served as a sports official for both the
Missouri Valley Leaue and the National Football League.
Memorials may be made to the Southern Illinois Alzheimers
Association, St. Francis Xavier Church or to the William E.
O'Brien Recreaiton Scholarship, Southern Illinois University
Foundation, Carbondale.
— from newspaper reports
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January/February 2001 / 57
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Chris Fedor was named facility supervisor for the Addison Park District.
Fedor has worked for the park district since 1994 as a day camp counselor
and director. From 1995 through spring of 2000 he was employed at
Queen of the Rosary school in Elk Grove as a Junior High Social Studies
teacher. Fedor has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the
University of Dayton.
Ellie Cardinal, CPRP, was promoted to manager of the Decatur Indoor Sports Center, an
87,000-square-foot center which opened to the
public on October 2, 2000. Cardinal is responsible for general management of the facility and
oversees all daily operations and management a
staff of four full-time and about 50 part-time
employees, plus community relations efforts for
the sports center. Cardinal, a native of Pensacola,
FL, has been with the Decatur Park District for
more than 20 years. She joined the district as supervisor of senior citizen
activities in 1976. In 1988, Cardinal became athletics supervisor, coordinating all recreation athletic activities. She is a member of IPRA, the Central Illinois Recreation Council for Leisure Experiences and Decatur's Noon
Women's Network. She holds a certification in First Aid and CPR. She
received her B.S. in Community Recreation from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
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Mike Mulvaney was hired by the Decatur Park
District as the assistant manager of the Decatur
Indoor Sports Center. Mulvaney also serves as
recreation supervisor for the park district. He
assists in the management of the facility and is
responsible for scheduling and programming of
all events at the sports center. He oversees the
hiring and training of all part-time employees.
In addition, Mulvaney manages all Decatur Park
District Special Recreation programs. Mulvaney,
a native of Collison, Ill., is a member of IPRA, the Central Illinois Recreation Council for Leisure Experiences, and the National Intramural-Sports
Association. He also holds certification in First Aid and CPR. Mulvaney
received B.S. degrees in Sociology and Sports Management from Millikin
University in Decatur in 1999. He went on to receive his M.S. in Sports
Administration from Eastern Illinois University in 2000.
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Jamie Gower, CPRP, was appointed recreation
supervisor of the Decatur Park District. Gower is
responsible for some of the various activities offered at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center, including athletic league coordination, referee
scheduling, and the centers tumbling program.
In addition, Gower is responsible for all park
district sports leagues, including tennis, crosscountry and track. Gower, a native of Decatur,
came to the Decatur Park District after serving as the recreational supervisor of athletics in the Wood Dale Park District. He
is a member of CIRCLE and IPRA. Gower received his B.S. in Recreation
Administration from Eastern Illinois University in 1997.
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Cynthia N. Capek, was promoted from superintendent of recreation to
assistant director of the Des Plaines Park District. Capek has been employed by the park district since 1989 and previously served as director of
recreation for the Champaign Park District and center supervisor for the
Arlington County Department of Community Affairs in Arlington, Va.
Capek received a B.A. in Public Affairs and Services, specializing in Recreation and Park Administration, from California University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in Recreation Administration from Penn State University.
In her new position, Capek continues to oversee the operation of the
district's enterprise funds, consisting of Lake Park, Mountain View Mine
Miniature Adventure Golf Course and the Mystic Waters Family Aquatic
Center. In addition, she supervises the manager of recreation services and
the district's public relations program. Capek also coordinates the new
administrative responsibilities of the preparation of the park district's comprehensive master plan and the implementation plan recommendations
for the recently completed community needs assessment. Capek is a past
president of the Kiwanis Club of Des Plaines, is a member of the Des
Plaines Senior Center Board of Directors and is active with the Des Plaines
Care Coalition, Human Services Commission, the Des Plaines Arts Council and School District 62's Success Guest Program.
Dan Costanza was hired as inline hockey supervisor at Mt. Prospect's newest facility, Central
Community Center, scheduled to open in January 2001. Costanza brings a lifetime of hockey
experience to this new position. He was the
league's leading scorer in high school and played
on the varsity team at St. Mary's College. Since
then he has played on amateur inline hockey
teams including Team Kryptonics, the 1997 National Champions in the Gold Division. Most
recently he played on the 2000 Team USA World Team. Costanza hopes
to be a member of U.S. team at the Pan Am Games in 2001. He has
Olympic aspirations for 2004 when inline hockey may become an Olympic sport. Currently he coaches the Northlake traveling team. Costanza is
a Schaumburg resident and a graduate of Conant High School.
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Christine Cramer, CPRP, joins the Mt. Prospect Park District as the new cultural arts/special
events coordinator at RecPlex. Cramer was previously employed with the Prospect Heights Park
District as a recreation supervisor. She holds a
bachelor of science degree in Leisure Studies from
the University of Illinois.
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58 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Scott McClaskey joins the Mt. Prospect Park
District as Lions Center/Concession supervisor.
He interned with the park district last winter
and now joins the staff on a full-time basis.
McClaskey earned his bachelor of science degree in Recreation from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., where he was a four-year
letterman in baseball.
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Nanette Sowa was hired as the volunteer coordinator at the Northwest
Special Recreation Association (NWSRA). Sowa is 1978 graduate of Illinois State University, majoring in Therapeutic Recreation. Her responsibilities include recruitment, placement and development of volunteers
for NWSRA programs. Special Olympics Illinois Area 18 and the Special
Leisure Services Foundation. Previously, she was employed with St. Mary's
Church in Buffalo Grove, the Buffalo Grove Park District and as a part-time staff at NWSRA.
Emily Johnson was hired as a program specialist at the Northwest Special
Recreation Association (NWSRA). She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois
University, majoring in Therapeutic Recreation. Her responsibilities include coordinating programs for individuals with physical and visual
impairments. Previously, she was employed with Marklund Children's
Home.
Liza J. McElroy was named director of the
Winnetka Park District, effective April 26, 2001.
She will replace Dan Newport, who is retiring
after more than 20 years with the park district.
McElroy has held various positions with the
Winnetka Park District since 1981 and is currently superintendent of recreation. She grew up
in Winnetka and attended Sacred Heart Academy and Regina Dominica High School and
earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Park
Administration from Illinois State University and a master's in business
management from National Louis University in Evanston, Ill. Active in
many civic and community organizations, McElroy is immediate past
president ofIPRA. Her professional honors include the IPRAAl Hattendorf
Recreation Professional of the Year Award, the Winnetka Chamber of
Commerce Employee of the Year Award and the North Suburban Special
Recreation Association Volunteer Coach of the Year Award.
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Michelle Abbott was hired by the Bolingbrook Park District as executive
assistant. She provides clerical and research support to the director of parks
and recreation and the deputy director. The position also entails many
special projects such as coordinating insurance matters with PDRMA,
communications with the park board, volunteer appreciation and customer service matters. Abbott previously, she held positions of human
resource manager and office manager in the private sector.
Students Are Friends
of the
Champaign
County Forest Preserve
First and second grade students at Urbana's Leal School pose with Champaign
County Forest Preserve District volunteer Otto Haack, who passed away last year.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District was
recently able to fill a need for waterfowl field guides
with funds donated by Anne Broom's class of first
and second graders at Urbana's Leal School. The
students decided to do something about crimes to
animals, after learning about the senseless shooting
death of a trumpeter swan at Lake of the Woods in
1992. They raised funds, conducted research and
wrote reports on trumpeter swans' lives. The funds
were used in the spring of 2000 to purchase 30
copies of Waterfowl of Illinois by Stephen Havera.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is
proud to have these students as friends.
Tell us about your friends.
People from all walks of life are making a difference in parks
and recreation. These "friends" make monetary contributions, give their time to clean-up parks and forest preserves,
teach classes or coach sports teams. Tells us about friends of
your agency and we'll publicize them in
this space.
Friends of Illinois Parks is a nonprofit
organization that strives to involve more
citizens statewide as friends in these ways
and others, such as legislative advocacy.
To learn more about Friends of Illinois
Parks, call toll-free 1-877-523-4558 or
see www.ILparks.org.
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January/February 2001 / 59
PEOPLE AND PLACES
- In Memoriam -
Sevan S. Sarkisian
Sevan S. Sarkisian, associate professor and coach at the
College of DuPage from 1970 to 1996, died Sunday, Nov.
5, 2000, in Glen Ellyn, of complications from his long
diabetic illness. Sevan, or "Sark" as his close associates called
him, earned his undergraduate degree from Park College
and his masters degree from Indiana University. A recreation innovator, he is credited with creating the Golden
Olympics for senior citizens in many communities. As head
softball coach at the College of DuPage for 13 seasons, he
compiled a record of 385 wins and 103 losses. His team
won six N4C championships and was selected N4C Coach
of the Year six times. After his retirement, Mr. Sarkisian was
the fifth winninest coach in the NJCAA and had coached
15 All-Americans during his 13-year tenure.
Among his many honors, Mr. Sarkisian received the Fellow Award from the Illinois Park and Recreation Movement
for Unselfish Contribution and Devotion to the Professional Fellowship, and the Medal for Outstanding Service to
the College of DuPage. In 1997 he was inducted into the
college's Wall of Fame for his significant contribution to the
athletics program.
— from newspaper reports
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Cory Krizizke was named the director of athletics and aquatics for the
Northbrook Park District. He is responsible for supervision of the two
park district swimming pools, as well as all athletic programs. He brings six
years of experience to Northbrook, having served the Hampshire, Glenview
and Cary park districts in Illinois in various related capacities. He is a 1994
graduate of the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse and holds a B.S. degree
in Recreation Management.
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Ron Malchiodi was appointed by the Veterans
Park District board of commissioners to fill the
vacant position of director of recreation for the
district. Malchiodi, a resident of Melrose Park
who had been serving as recreation coordinator,
brings a wealth of experience to his new position. A graduate of Triton College with an
Associate's Degree, Malchiodi also studied Physical
Education at Northern Illinois University and
has served Veterans Park District in various capacities over the last 10 years. He also studied acting and improvisation at
Chicago's famous Second City comedy club.
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Kim Wascher joined the Village of South Elgin Parks and Recreation
Department as recreation supervisor. She graduated from Iowa State with
a degree in Secondary Education along with a degree in Physical Education from Judson College. She also served with the Hampshire Park District as a recreation supervisor from 1998 to 2000. She will be sharing
responsibilities with the tot, youth, teen, senior, special events and athletic
programs.
Shane Hamilton was hired as recreation supervisor for the Village of
South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department. He is a graduate of Illinois
State University with a degree in Elementary Education. During the past
three summers, Hamilton served as a part-time parks laborer for the department. Upon graduation, he was promoted to full-time recreation
supervisor. He shares responsibilities with the tot, youth, teen, senior,
special events and athletic programs.
Ron Oestreich was named superintendent of revenue facilities for the
Bolingbrook Park District. Oestreich has been the districts aquatic manager since 1996. Prior to Bolingbrook he was facilities and safety supervisor for the Skokie Park District for four years. His honors and awards
include 1999 IPRA Young Professional of the Year Award, 1998 NRPA
Excellence in Aquatics Award, 1998 Ellis and Associates Elite Platinum
Award, 1997 Bolingbrook Park District Award of Excellence, and 1995
IPRA Aquatic Manager of the Year Award. In his new position, Oestreich
will oversee operations of the Boughton Ridge Golf Course, Tenth Hole
Pub, LifeStyles Fitness Center & Spa, and Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park.
Steve Eckelberry joined the Western DuPage
Special Recreation Association as public information manager. He comes to the agency with more
than 16 years of journalism experience. Previously,
he was a production editor with Cahners Business Information. Prior to that he was the manager editor for eight years at Examiner Publications in Bartlett, Ill. Eckelberry also serves on the
Bardett Park District board of commissioners. His
duties will include developing and implementing effective public relations programs, coordinating preparation of written publications and serving as a liaison to community service groups.
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Sara Weber was named program coordinator
for special events and mental health at the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. Originally from Freeport, Ill., Weber completed her
internship at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She is a recent graduate of the University of
Iowa. Her responsibilities include overseeing special events for all ages and programs for the mental health population.
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Tammy Pieper was named the inclusion manager for the Western DuPage
Special Recreation Association. She received a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She has more than
60 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
PEOPLE AND PLACES
two years experience, most recently as the superintendent of recreation at
the Gateway Special Recreation Association. Pieper is responsible for overseeing program development, implementation and evaluation of integrated services. She also supervises, trains and evaluates support staff.
Rend Lake Shooting Classic for the
Physically Challenged
The second annual
Rend Lake Shooting
competition for the
Physically Challenged
took place on October 14, 2000 at the
Rend Lake Shooting
Complex. Physically
challenged individuals from throughout
the Midwest were invited to enjoy this free competition, which included archery shooting and
sporting clays. The event is jointly sponsored by the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources, the Rend Lake Conservancy District, the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, and the Sesser-Valier Outdoorsman Club.
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Rend Lake Hosts Arts Event for
Developmentally Disabled
The first annual Festival of Arts, Education
and Entertainment for
the institutionalized
developmentally disabled in Southern Illinois will be held at the
Southern Illinois Artisans Shop on September 19,2000. This
event is the outgrowth
of the Kiwanis Dave Webster Fun Day held in early September each year
for the past 13 years, and the Kiwanis\RLCD Christmas Party held at
Seasons each year for the past five years.
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Teens Clean Up
The South Suburban
Parks and Recreation Professional Association's
(SSPRPA) Teen Committee contracted with the Illinois Department of Transportation to help with the
Adopt A Highway Program. As volunteers for the
Adopt A Highway Program, the group is required
to choose four dates per year for the next two years to clean two miles of
roadway. Coordinators of the teen committee discussed the possible locations and accessed theses locations for safety and need and ultimately
chose the strip of highway on Route 83 between Central Avenue and
Harlem Avenue. At monthly meetings, SSPRPA decides which agencies
will attend on the chosen clean-up dates. Agencies are then responsible for
showing the safety video to their teens and acquire the clean up items
(bags, vests) from the previous group. Interested in participating or want
to know how to obtain your own piece of highway? Call LeeAnn Fisk at
the Village of Orland Park Recreation and Parks Department,
708.403.7275
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State Treasurer's Office Holds
Financial
Education
Symposiums
State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's office has announced
the dates of two new Financial Education Symposiums. On
Wed., Jan. 17, 2001, a Public Investors' Financial Symposium is scheduled at the McDonald's Lodge in Oak Brook,
Ill. On April 17 and 18,2001, Treasurer Topinka will sponsor her fourth two-day advanced format Financial Symposium in Springfield, Ill., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Contact
Bob Kogut at the Treasurers' office at 312.814.1700.
January/February 2001 / 61
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