Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce Announces Awardees

The Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its 35th Annual Recognition Lunch on Wednesday, May 4th at the Winnetka Community House. The annual lunch recognizes Winnetka residents, community leaders, business members and area volunteers. The lunch will begin at 11:00 am and will feature a fashion show, a special guest speaker, awards to winners and a silent auction.

For the first time, the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce will bestow the honor of Village Steward to Mike Leonard. Leonard, a 27 year Winnetka resident, is a feature correspondent for the Today
Show on NBC. Along with his job at NBC, Leonard is an author. His book, The Ride of Our Lives: Roadside Lessons of an American Family, is a book about a trip with his parents and children around the United States in a RV. Leonard will be the special guest speaker at the Recognition Lunch.

The Business Woman of the Year is Elizabeth Taylor, North Shore Community Bank. Since 2009, she has held the position of Market President of Winnetka and Glencoe for North Shore Community Bank, after having served as Vice President – Bank Manager for Harris Bank. Liz, an asset to the North Shore, has served on: the Board of
Directors of the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and the 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 is E. Gene Greable. Greable moved to Winnetka in 1973. The Village of Winnetka has benefited greatly from his volunteer work. His volunteer and civic experience 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 is the Woman of the Year. Karen moved to Winnetka in 1971. She is a valued and devoted volunteer. She has been on the board of the Winnetka Community House and has chaired
the Antiques Show. Karen has also been on the board of: 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 is Officer Gerardo Sarabia. Officer Sarabia, a ten year member of the Winnetka Police Department, is best known around the village as “Officer Friendly.” Officer Sarabia visits schools and gives ride-a-longs to winning students. He is an inspiration to all that come in contact with him.

The Winnetka Village Employee of the Year is Cortney Miller, Head Golf Professional for the Winnetka Golf Club. Miller has a devoted clientele of students including: High School State Champion, Chicago area player of the year, Club Champions, Club most improved Division 1 scholarship golfers. He has also given over 4000 private golf
lessons.

The Educator of the Year is Geraldine Lawhorn from The Hadley School for the Blind. Geraldine Lawhorn has been an instructor with The Hadley School for the Blind (based in Winnetka) 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. Born in Dayton, Ohio, she graduated with honors from Marshall High School in Chicago and then studied drama and music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and the Carnegie Building in New York City. 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 is 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.

All are invited to the Winnetka-Northfield Recognition Lunch. For reservations please call: 847-446-4451 or email wcc@winnetkachamber.com.