The Naperville Jaycees presented their 35th Anniversary Distinguished Service Awards Friday evening at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton.
The annual tribute is a time to recognize local individuals for their community spirit and dedication to Naperville—and this year’s committee led by Jennifer Piket accomplished its mission in memorable style.
Armed with horticulture jokes and a Power Point of photos of past stars who had hosted the Oscars, this year’s emcee, Rick Eertmoed, enjoyed his time at the podium introducing the Jaycees presenters, each of whom provided a profile of one of the DSA recipients.
After dinner, Eertmoed introduced Shoshana Frank, committee vice chair, who graciously thanked all the sponsors and the Hilton Naperville/Lisle for support of the event.
Earlier Frank had noted that the Distinguished Service Award provides the Naperville Jaycees with a unique opportunity to highlight and recognize people throughout the community who give unselfishly to make our town a great place to live and work.
“These people,” she said, “contribute their time and talent for the good of the whole, without any expectation of personal return.”
Every February the Jaycees seek nominations from community members for the prized Distinguished Service Award. In recent years, the service organization narrowed the field to eight awards.
In mid-March the Naperville Jaycees DSA Committee—Shoshana Frank, Rosemarie Breske Garvey, Eertmoed, Greg Siegel, Ginny Kula, Brian Scott, Travis Ksiazek, Jen Piket, Kevin Piket and Kevin Coyne as well as (not pictured) Jenna Biversie and Lisa Spaeth—selected recipients of the 2013 Distinguished Service Awards in seven categories as well as the Charles “Chuck” Bueche Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Business Professional: Brien Nagle, Attorney at Law, who had been present at the first DSA recognition in 1979 when he was a Jaycee.
- Community Leader: Thomas Carroll of R. R. Donnelley, who serves on the NCTV-17 Board of Directors and more.
- Public Employee: Karen DeAngelis, Director of Finance, City of Naperville, who led the city through recent tough challenges of an uncertain economy.
- Educator: Sally Pentecost, School District 203 (not pictured)
- Business: Mary Ann Junkroski, Roseland Draperies & Interiors, a business partner with School District 203, just for starters.
- Student Volunteer: Austin Hansen, a 17-year old junior at Naperville North High School, with a resume of volunteer activities that will make any head spin.
- Charles “Chuck” Bueche Lifetime Achievement: Mayor A. George Pradel
- Not for Profit Leader: Peggy Frank, Retired Executive Director of Naper Settlement where she served for 33 years, now with a volunteer role with School Distict 203’s Future Focus.
Friday seven DSA recipients in attendance spoke from the podium and their hearts about the people and achievements that meant the most them. All of them have been inspired to give back generously to the community in countless ways.
Drapery jokes, sandbox jokes, tall jokes, short jokes and witty quips evoked plenty of laughter, a welcomed theme that resonated throughout the evening as the humbled recipients expressed their appreciation to the Jaycees as well as gratitude to family, friends and co-workers.
When Mary Ann Junkroski first spoke into the microphone, the woman whose business for 30 years has been creating attractive window treatments for North Central College, local businesses and homes throughout the city, joked, “Don’t take my picture in front of these draperies!”
Kevin Piket, current president of the Jaycees, had the honor of introducing Mayor Pradel. During his remarks, Piket reminisced about fourth grade at Elmwood School when Pradel, then known as Officer Friendly, visited his classroom. Piket recalled, “He was so tall.”
With his wife Pat, daughter Carol and son Gary in the audience, Naperville’s 40th mayor first thanked his family for practically giving him carte blanche to serve the community he loves.
“Thank you for the privilege of serving you,” he said, also expressing his appreciation to the city council while reminiscing about the teamwork and caring that make the city work. “I hope to have many more opportunities to serve.”
After the final award had been presented, Piket beamed about the success of the evening, noting the DSA dinner was his favorite event of the Jaycees year. He thanked his fellow Jaycees for planning the memorable event that gave the service organization a chance to recognize generous leaders in their community.
“Jaycees are where leaders come to grow,” Piket said.
For more information about the Jaycees, best known for their four-day family festival, Last Fling, every Labor Day weekend, visit www.naperjaycees.org.
Lobster Day is May 11
Next up the nonprofit service organization will host its annual Lobster Day at Centennial Beach, located at 500 W. Jackson. Pre-orders for live ($20 each) or cooked ($25 each) North Atlantic lobsters and 6-8 0z. Filet Mignon ($13 each) can be picked up between 11AM and 6PM, Sat., May 11, just in time for Mother’s Day.
For more information about ordering lobster in support of the Jaycees upcoming fundraiser, visit www.naperjaycees.org.
Thanks to all who helped fill the ballroom at the Hilton with good spirit and camaraderie for the 35th Anniversary DSA. Congrats, Naperville Jaycees!
PN Facebook Posts April 6, 2013 Comments posted under the group photo of DSA recipients.
Great Night! Thank you, Jaycees for recognizing the significant contributions of our outstanding community leaders. Well-deserved recognition for all, and especially touching for Shoshanna (Frank) to introduce her mother! —Julie Carlsen
Congratulations to all. This is what makes Naperville the Best town. It’s giving people. Thank you everyone. —John Harvard
Congratulations, Brien! Well done and well deserved! —Jan Erickson
Way to go BJ (Nagle)! It’s really nice to see that the people of your community recognize the great work ethic you bring to all of your projects. —Bill and Lydia Foutch
Congratulations, Peggy (Frank)! —Lea Delsen
I would also like to thank the Jaycees for giving my dad such an honor. —Carol Pradel
