841 Spruce Street Winnetka, IL 60093 | Tel: 847.446.4451 | Fax: 847.446.4452 | email: director@winnetkanorthfieldchamber.com
Recognition Lunch
Seated: Geraldine Lawhorn Standing: Bob Berger, Karen Templeton-Fell, Gerardo Sarabia,
Cortney Miller, Sally Tomlinson, E. Gene Greable, Mike Leonard, Liz Taylor
The Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce’s held its 35th Annual Recognition Lunch on Wednesday, May 4th at the Winnetka Community House. The annual lunch recognized Winnetka residents, community leaders, business members and area volunteers. There was a networking event, a fashion show, guest speaker, awards and a silent auction.
The guest speaker , Mike Leonard was honored with the Village Steward award.
Leonard is a feature correspondent for the Today Show on NBC and a 27 year Winnetka resident. Leonard has written a book, The Ride of Our Lives: Roadside Lessons of an American Family.
Elizabeth Taylor of North Shore Community Bank was Business Woman of the Year. Liz has served on: Board of Directors of Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and North Shore Senior Center. She is a member of the Winnetka Woman’s Club and she supports the Winnetka Community House’s Antique & Modernism Show, Family Service of Winnetka-Northfield, and The Hadley School for the Blind.
The Man of the Year was E. Gene Greable. Greable moved to Winnetka in 1973. The Village of Winnetka has benefited significantly from his civic experience, which includes: Village Trustee of Winnetka Village Council, Special Task Force for New Trier High School-“Education Beyond 2000”, Winnetka District 36 School Board, Winnetka Park District, Winnetka Plan Commission and the Winnetka Caucus.
Karen Templeton Fell was the Woman of the Year
A valued volunteer Templeton Fell has been on the board of the Winnetka Community House and has chaired the Antiques Show. Karen has served on: the Winnetka Youth Organization, The Winnetka Theatre, the Village’s Building Review Committee and the Winnetka-Northfield Family Services Board.
The Public Safety Employee of the Year was Officer Gerardo Sarabia. Officer Sarabia, a ten year member of the Winnetka Police Department. Sarabia visits schools and gives ride-a-longs to winning students as “Officer Friendly”. He is an inspiration to all that come in contact with him.
The Winnetka Village Employee of the Year was Cortney Miller, Head Golf Professional for the Winnetka Golf Club. Miller has a clientele of students including: High School State Champion, Chicago area player of the year, Club most improved Division 1 scholarship golfers. He has given over 4000 private golf lessons.
The Educator of the Year was Geraldine Lawhorn from The Hadley School for the Blind. Geraldine Lawhorn has been an instructor with The Hadley School for the Blind for more than 40 years. At 94, she is still teaching Hadley’s “Elements of Poetry” course. Jerrie lost her sight around the age of 12 and her hearing at 19. She graduated from Marshall High School in Chicago and studied drama and music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She was the first African-American deaf-blind person to earn a college degree, receiving her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 1983.
The PTO Volunteer of the Year was Sally Tomlinson from Hubbard Woods School. Sally has been a tireless volunteer for the Winnetka Public schools for years. Recent projects include: Great Books, Skokie Washburne Hog Wild, Mosaic Project, Book Fair, Hubbard Woods--Guatemalan Potluck Community Dinner.
Hubbard Woods Motors, 985 Green Bay Road Winnetka, celebrated 50 years in business.
Bob Berger, owner of Hubbard Woods Motors was recognized for his Golden Anniversary Celebration. Berger started his business in 1961, at Oak Street Phillips 66 gas station at Oak & Lincoln. He purchased the location at 985 Green Bay Road in Hubbard Woods in 1983.
The 36th Annual Recognition Lunch will be April 25m 2012 at the Winnetka Community House. We are now accepting nominations for the Recognition Lunch awards.
Nomination forms can be downloaded via this link
