Two names added to Palatine Park District Honor Roll
On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Palatine Park District honored its volunteers at the 13th annual Volunteer of the Year Luncheon at Cotillion Banquets in Palatine with guest speaker Harvey Foster.
The park district recognized Gene Dorsch and the late Rose Buchanan as distinguished volunteers through the Palatine Park District Honor Roll. Volunteers are added to the Honor Roll, which is awarded through resolution by the board of commissioners, to those who have had significant years of service and demonstrated an outstanding contribution to their organization.
Gene Dorsch
Gene Dorsch was active in the Palatine Rural Park District and was on its board before it merged with the Palatine Park District in 1976. Gene served as an ally of the Palatine Park District and helped make this merger possible.
He also managed a team with Palatine Boys Baseball in 1974 and eventually became the baseball board president. He recruited key individuals from managers and coaches to serve on the PBB board. With his help, PBB, now Palatine Youth Baseball/Softball, become a model organization, and eventually became a charter affiliate of the Palatine Park District.
Gene also served as president of the Palatine Hills Golf Association and is the only former PBB board president to ever sink a hole-in-one at the Palatine Hills Golf Course.
Rose Buchanan
Rose Buchanan was involved with the Prairie Woods Audubon Society since its formation in 1973 and remained an active supporter until her death in 2009. Formerly a docent for the Field Museum, her research involved prairie plants and how they were used for food and medicine by Native Americans.
Rose helped the 7.5 acres of pristine prairie to become a protected prairie, registered in the Cook County Natural Areas Inventory. Over 100 species of native plants grow there, many among the rarest in Illinois.
When the prairie was saved, the decision was made to turn it over to the park district. They needed $35,000 to take over the property and preserve it. Rose headed the fundraising efforts and as an avid quilter donated a queen-size quilt that alone raised over $1,000.
Rose held every board position of the society, and was the Prairie’s representative to the Sierra Club and National Audubon Society. She was also a volunteer with the Palatine Historical Society as was her husband.
Volunteers of the Year
In addition to recognizing Honor Roll inductees, the Palatine Park District recognized its Volunteers of the Year.
The following volunteers were recognized for their years of service in their organization: Courtney Renwick, 1 year, Palatine Opportunity Center; Christine Van Duys, 3 years, PAFA Cheer & Flags; Dutch Schultz, 3 years, The Polar Express; Thom Lange, 3 years, The Polar Express; Katherine Conick, 5 years, Theatre Nebula; Doug Myslinski, 5 years, Palatine Amateur Football Association; Chris Popovich, 5 years, Palatine Children’s Chorus; Brier Nelson, 5 years, Palatine Tiger Shark Swim Team; Keith Hoover, 6 years, Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council; Stacy Plichta, 6 years, Palatine Gymnastics Club; John Hogan, 7 years, Palatine Baseball Association; Marty Josten, 9 years, Palatine Youth Baseball/Softball; Pat Noonan, 9 years, Rolling Meadows Renegades Youth Hockey.
Terry Ruff, 10 years of service, Palatine Celtic Soccer; Scott Buchta, 10 years, Algonquin Longhouse Inc. NFP; Bill LaSchiava, 14 years, Palatine Panthers Wrestling Club; Jean Gallo, 15 years, Palatine Stable; Tim McCabe, 17 years, Algonquin Longhouse Inc. NFP.
Nancy Lloyd, 20 years of service, Prairie Woods Audubon Society; Dave Hammer, 20 years, Palatine Historical Society; Lee and Kathy Weir, 20 years, Palatine Celtic Cup; and Larry Niemczyk, 25 years of service, Palatine Hills Golf Association.