Former Mt. Prospect mayor Farley leads 2014 Shining Star contingent
Gerald “Skip” Farley has attended every Celestial Celebration banquet in the event’s 21-year history, either as Mount Prospect’s longtime mayor or as a devoted village citizen.
He will attend the next banquet in a new role — award recipient.
Farley will receive one of the 14 Shining Star awards that will be handed out at the 2014 Celestial Celebration, taking place Feb. 7. The Shining Star awards honor people and organizations that have made special contributions to life in Mount Prospect.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would one day stand on that type of platform,” Farley said Wednesday. “It is an honor and a surprise. I do think there are others who are more deserving.”
Farley will receive the Living Legend Award. He served as mayor from 1989 to 2005, and as village trustee for 10 years before that. He was a visible leader, active in issues like downtown redevelopment and flood control.
As delighted as he is to be named a Shining Star, Farley said he’s equally happy to see the Celestial Celebration event going strong more than two decades after he helped launch it.
“It’s great that we still take time to honor the good things that happen in this community,” he said.
The other Shining Star award winners for 2014 are as follows:
Ÿ Champion for Youth Award: John Camardella
Ÿ Good, Better, Best Neighbor Award: Ken Gordon
Ÿ Home Town Award: Joe Pentz
Ÿ Toast of the Town Award: Mount Prospect CERT Team
Ÿ Stand and Deliver Award: Keir Rogers
Ÿ Rising Star Award: Alexandra Wilson
Ÿ Unsung Hero Award: Clare Toffenetti and Mary Welk
Ÿ There Ought To Be More Like You Award: Jeff Prostko
Ÿ Volunteers Volunteer Award: Paula St. Louis and Tom Shute
Ÿ The Star Spangled Award: Jerry Clauser
Ÿ Best Business Award: Susan Dozier, American Chartered Bank
Dozier, a second vice president at American Chartered, said she was notified earlier this week that her bank was named a Shining Star.
“I was so honored,” she said. “I’m lucky to work for a bank that really encourages us to get involved in our communities. But now I have to actually write a speech!”
Information about the Celestial Celebration banquet, which is organized by the Mount Prospect Special Events Commission, is available on the village’s website, mountprospect.org.