Jeweler's work earns top honors in Illinois

For the third year in a row, jeweler and lapidary artist Gary Kamin of R.C. Wahl Jewelers, Des Plaines, has won at the Illinois Jewelers Association Design Competition. Kamin won Best in Show and first runner up. The Best in Show piece was a pendant of diamonds, blue Peruvian opals and a tourmaline, with the opals and tourmaline being carved by Kamin himself. He also won recognition for a carved agate pendant with a citrine and diamonds. On staff at R. C. Wahl Jewelers for 13 years, Kamin will compete in New York in January against winners from other states. You can see his winning pieces on display at R.C. Wahl Jewelers, 1514 Miner St., Des Plaines, through November.

• Edward C. Moon, former teacher and technical director of the theater department at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, was inducted into the Educational Theatre Association's Hall of Fame for 2007.

Moon, a graduate of the University of Illinois, became involved with the Educational Theatre Association through its student honorary group, the International Thespian Society, chartering Thespian Troupe 2388 at Hersey High School in 1980. He has served in various capacities with the association, including as Illinois State chapter director and workshop presenter at the International Thespian Festival.

• Kenneth Young Center honored Cherry Stoddard at its annual volunteer dinner for her six years of service as a money management volunteer with the Elk Grove Village-based community mental health and senior services agency. Stoddard has a background in auditing, accounting and insurance, helps senior clients manage their money. She serves as a resource for care managers regarding tax information and relieves the anxiety of many elders with her friendship and guidance.

• Hoffman Estates native Sharon DiMaria, co-owner of Dazzles, a full-service salon and spa in Roselle, began serving on the Schaumburg Park District board of commissioners in October.

DiMaria is filling the term left vacant by Nancy Wroblewski, who moved to Georgia. Her appointment lasts through spring 2009, at which time she said she expects to run for election. A longtime resident of the Schaumburg Park District, DiMaria also serves as a religious education teacher at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Hoffman Estates. The Conant High School graduate opened Dazzles 17 years ago with her sister, Diane.

• Patrick Walsh of Arlington Heights, a senior at Northridge Prep School, Niles, was named as a National Merit semifinalist. Walsh was selected for the honor based on test scores, school leadership and academic record.

• Arlington Heights residents Kate Schwarz and Katherine Baird along with Bartlett resident Sarah Zahn were selected for the 2007-2008 Millikin University Women's Choir. Schwarz, a graduate of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights is a theater major while Baird, a Buffalo Grove High School graduate, is a musical theater major. Zahn is a music performance-voice major.

• Palatine native and Deerfield resident Samuel B. Cole, an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, received the Attorney's General's Award for Distinguished Service from the Justice Department during its 55th annual Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Cole was honored for obtaining the largest jury verdict in the nation's history of the federal False Claims Act. Cole attended Winston Churchill and Winston Park schools and graduated valedictorian in 1991 from Palatine High School.

• The Hanover Township Board passed resolution declaring Sept. 19, 2007, Sandra Westlund-Deenihan Day. A longtime resident of Hanover Township, Westlund-Deenihan serves as the president and design engineer of Quality Float Works Inc., a Schaumburg-based float manufacturing business. She received the honor for her commitment to improving the local business environment and her dedication to the community, officials said.