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From the Glenview Park District:
The Glenview Fourth of July Committee is pleased to announce the results of its search for home town heroes, who will be honored at the 43rd Annual Glenview Independence Parade this Friday.
In conjunction with this year’s parade theme, “Home Town Heroes,” parade organizers asked residents to nominate someone who lives or works in the community and who embodies the definition of a hometown hero. All nominees have been invited to participate in this year’s parade and, with their permission, be given the chance to have their story published in local media. The nominees’ accomplishments are many and varied but they all share the distinction of being a home town hero because they have made a difference in the lives of others.
Here are the “Home Town Hero” recipients and highlights from their nomination submissions. The full stories will be posted on the Glenview Park District website at www.glenviewparks.org after the July 4 weekend.
1st Lt. Michael Beslow is a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. He flew various aero medical evacuation missions in Iraq and is in back home in Glenview to present flags he kept onboard with him during his missions to children at Willowbrook School and other organizations thanking them for their support while he was in Iraq.
Joyce Bleser has a long history of serving the Glenview community as Director of the United Way; organizing and administering the Volunteer Organization of Glenview, and volunteering with such organizations as Helping Hands of Glenview, Values Committee and Glenview Youth Services.
Julie and Joseph Burke are instructors at the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) Black Belt Academy in Glenview. Through their guidance, they instill values of integrity, self-control and perseverance in their students.
Sam Cipolla, a graduate of Glenbrook South High School is battling Pancreatoblastoma, a rare form of pancreatic cancer, with great courage. She continually thinks of others before herself, staying upbeat and positive. She blogs about her experiences at 1tuffcookie.blogspot.com.
Wendy Groesch, a P.E. teacher at Springman Middle School also coaches and volunteers for many school activities. She goes the extra mile for her teams, including throwing a pasta party for the kids she coaches. Wendy’s parents are both in wheelchairs and her devotion and care for them shows no bounds. She is a wonderful example to all.
Sandy Hausman founded the Glenview Prairie Preservation Project to save Air Station Prairie and helped organize Dog Owners of Glenview (D.O.G.) to promote a dog park in Glenview. She founded and publishes the Glenview Watch, a web site and blog that informs citizens about local government activities and events.
Sister Paulanne Held of OLPH devotes boundless energy to the Needy Family Fund, benefitting many Glenview families. According to one resident, “Sister always has a box of band aids to help those less fortunate but she really looks for long term solutions.”
Tom Jacobs was born and raised in Glenview and works as the Maintenance Manager at Thomas Place. He has an infectious smile and is always ready to assist residents. He volunteers as a 5th/6th grade football team coach at OLPH.
Dr. Dave Jones, a P.E. teacher at Pleasant Ridge School also serves as the school’s garden master and talent show director. He is a tireless fundraiser for many charitable efforts, including Jump Rope for Heart.
Teddie Kossof, owner and president of Teddie Kossof’s Salon & Day Spa has made himself and his talents available to help many causes; particularly raising funds for Youth Services. “He is one of the North Shore’s most recognized businessmen.”
Lori Lambert Tracz, an outstanding math teacher at Attea Middle School, Lori has faced incredible personal challenges as her son, Kevin, was diagnosed with leukemia. She organized a team of walkers to participate in the Leukemia Walk and raised over $15,000.
Patty Marfise-Patt is the Westbrook-Glen Grove PTA president; a scout den mom, GEF and Friends of Youth Services (co-chair of the Girlfriends Charity Boutique). Patty helped host a Mother’s Day Tea for bilingual students and their mothers. She is the mother of three young children.
Norma Morrison was the first woman trustee in the Village of Glenview. As a founding member of the C.O.W.S. organization, Norma worked hard throughout the 1990’s to raise money and awareness of the importance of saving Wagner Farm for future generations. She campaigned to close the Lutter Dump and served on the Historic Preservation Commission.
Todd Price, director of Wagner Farm, has brought Wagner Farm from a dream to an exciting reality which preserves Glenview’s farming past and provides educational opportunities to all. Todd works tirelessly helping visitors and spends his free time looking for ways to enhance visitors’ experience at the farm.
Pam Rawa, a fifth grade resource teacher at Pleasant Ridge is an outstanding and nurturing educator. She works with children who have learning challenges and demonstrates caring patience with both students and parents.
Sgt. John Rohrer of the U.S. Army is a member of the Military Police Program, a highly selective school. He has served in Iraq was awarded a Military Commendation for heroism for saving the lives of two fellow soldiers and recovering the bodies of two other soldiers killed in action in a rocket attack on their base. He was awarded the Combat Action Badge.
Dave Tosh, Springman Middle School’s Athletic Director has dedicated his life to working with Glenview’s youth since 1963 when he began his teaching career. Besides to serving on the Village Zoning Board, he has coached many baseball teams (the field at Westbrook School along Lake Ave. is named in his honor.) He continues in youth baseball as an umpire. Dave has accompanied Glenview eighth graders on their annual Washington DC trip for over 40 years.
Sue and Brian Walsh have chosen to share their compassion with some of the poorest people of Haiti. They have raised community awareness and support for their efforts to bring medical care and supplies to those in need. Their mission has grown tremendously through Little By Little, a non-profit organization.
Matt Whipple helped establish the group STAND (Students Taking Action Now in Darfur). This group has raised funds and awareness for Jebel Ori School, which was violently attacked in 2003. The school serves nearly 573 students.
Jeff Wienski, farm manager at Wagner Farm, kept the historic site in good shape during the period between the Wagner family’s ownership and the time the Glenview Park District took it over. “If it weren’t for Jeff, the farm could have deteriorated perhaps beyond repair.”
