go magazine - october 2013

Grundy County’s Own Magazine

October 2013

Women of distinction

Award luncheon honored three women who make a difference

in Grundy County

2 GO maGazine • OCTOBeR 2013

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Shaw Media correspondent: Jeanne MillsapAd director: Rich PonulakArt direction and design: Rob SzekelyAd sales representatives: Gina Ringer, Kelly Limbach and Denise Pankey

General manager: Robert WallInterim editor: Kate SchottShaw Media writer: Christina Chapman-Van YperenShaw Media correspondent: Kris Stadalsky

GO magazine is published four times a year by the Morris Daily Herald (A division of Shaw Media), 1804 N. Division St., Morris IL 60450. The entire contents may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or part, without written permission of the publisher. Advertisements appearing in GO magazine are not endorsements by the publisher. The publisher is not responsible or liable for errors or omissions in any advertisement beyond the paid piece of that advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission from the publisher. © 2013, Morris Publishing Company.

Women of distinction

Award luncheon honored three women who make a difference in Grundy County

4

Grundy County’s Own Magazine

Teaching her heart Barb Rath, business teacher at Morris Community High School, overwhelmed by Women of Distinction recognition

Doing what she loves

Dance director Pam Simpson humbled by Women of Distinction award for just doing what she was raised to do

10

A division of Shaw Media 1804 N. Division St., Morris, Illinois 60450 815-942-3221 www.morrisdailyherald.com

Inside this

month’sWomen of Distinction Edition October 2013

MORRISDAILY HERALD

MORRISDAILY HERALD

8

12

Sharing her heart Hospice Executive Director Joan Sereno honored for following her heart

14 Local history - Morris Paper Mill

7 Bookworm: Not what it seems Terri Schlichenmeyer reviews the novel “The Lost Women of Lost Lake”

4 • mORRiS DaiLY HeRaLD • GO maGazine • OCTOBeR 2013

Women of

distinction

Events

Awards given to three Grundy County women committed to helping their community

by Kate SchottShaw Media writer


Pam Simpson said it was humbling to be in the company of Barb Rath and Joan Sereno.

All three were recipients of the first Grundy County Women of Distinction Award. Simpson said she’s known the other women for years — she and Rath are cousins — and said she’s looked up to both of them her entire life.

“I am honored and humbled to be standing here alongside these two amazing women,” Simpson said.

The award is given to women who have made a difference in Grundy County and who are role models as leaders in their fields and communities.

The first recipients were Rath, a teacher at Morris Community High School; Sereno, Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice executive director; and Simpson, owner and director of Pam’s Academy of Dance. All three were honored Wednesday, October 9th during a luncheon at Chapin’s North.

A special committee whittled the 18 nominees down to the three recipients. The awards were presented by Kim Landers, vice president of Patient Care Services at Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers.

The Morris Daily Herald and Minooka-

Channahon Life created the award based on a similar award given by their sister publication, the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake. Both publications are owned by Shaw Media.

Rath said she was honored to receive the award, and thanked her family, MCHS Principal Kelly Hussey and the man who nominated her, fellow MCHS teacher Craig Ortiz. She noted she was inspired to go into education by teachers she had as a child, and is inspired daily by the nearly 9,000 students she has taught during her 39 years of teaching.

“There’s not a day I didn’t want to go to work,” she said.

Sereno teared up after receiving her award, noting she loves what she does.

“I feel we all have a ministry in life, and mine has been the Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice,” she said.

She thanked her family, friends and patients, adding she believes each person she has encountered is a flower in her life, and “there are many flowers in my garden of life.”

Simpson said she wanted to be a dance instructor since she was 5 years old, and being able to do that through her studios is a dream come true.

“I look at myself as a dance teacher,” she said. “I didn’t think of all the things I do in the community. I’m humbled and thankful to get this award.”

Keynote speaker Diamond Mayor Teresa Kernc shared her journey in public service, starting as an officer with Bolingbrook police to street commissioner for Diamond to mayor of the village. She said while there was a so-called “glass ceiling” when she started her career, “today I believe glass ceilings don’t exist anymore.”

She encouraged attendees to have both male and female role models, and noted there were many “amazing women” in Grundy County who qualified as role models.

In addition to presenting-sponsor Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, major sponsors Exelon Generation and the Greater Joliet Area YMCA joined the MDH in honoring the women, as did keynote sponsor Aurora University and luncheon sponsors Country Financial Terri Gilmoure, the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Morris Retail Association. n

Pam Simpson (from left) and her sister Kim Smith (photo above), after Simpson was told

she was to be a recipient of the Women of Distinction Award. Smith nominated her sister for the

honor. (photo by Samantha Dite – for Shaw Media)

Joan Sereno (photo above right), after being told she was a recipent of the Women

of Distinction Award. Sereno was told the news in September in her office (photo

by Samantha Dite – for Shaw Media)

Barb Rath (right) and Craig Ortiz (left, -photo right), after Rath found out she was one of the first

three recipents of the Women of Distinction award. Ortiz, a fellow teacher at Morris Community High

School, nominated Rath for the honor (photo by Samantha Dite – for Shaw Media)

Barb Rath (from left), Pam Simpson and

Joan Sereno (photo on opposite page),

received the first-ever Women of Distinction

award during an Oct. 9 luncheon at Chapin’s

North Banquets in Morris.(photo by Samantha Dite

– for Shaw Media)


“The Bookworm” is written by Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with her two dogs and 11,000 books.

The BookwormTerri Schlichenmeyer

Not what it seems

Hart delivers another mystery featuring the recurring character, part-time PI Jane Lawless in “The lost women of lost lake.”

Admit it – you’ve done some dumb things in your life.

And now that you’ve admitted it, you can blame it on youth.

It’s okay. You were a dumb kid. From the curfews broken, hearts broken, laws broken, and the bones broken, you did a lot of things you can look back upon now that you’re grown, and laugh.

Laugh, with a little cringing. It’s a wonder you didn’t get yourself killed.

But getting killed was what happened when the past came looking for two women, and in the new novel, “The Lost Women of Lost Lake” by Ellen Hart, shed blood flows like water.

Cordelia Thorn figured she would just lend a quick hand.

Tessa Cornell, Cordelia’s old friend in northern Minnesota, had taken a tumble and hurt her leg. Because Tessa was directing the community play, somebody needed to finish the job while she was healing, so Cordelia volunteered and invited her

best friend, Jane Lawless, along. Jane, a restaurateur and part-time PI, was still mourning the death of her long-time part-ner, and a trip north would do her good.

But though Tessa was happy to have help with the play, she didn’t need any company – particularly not some PI-wannabe.

Not long before she fell, Tessa got a call from Lyndie LaVassar, and it wasn’t good

news: a secret was about to be loose in Lost Lake. The past, it seemed, had caught up with the two women and was about to destroy their lives as well as the reputations of several people in town.

Jonah Ivorsen had enough of St. Louis. He’d hated to move anyhow, so when he decided to hitchhike to Lost Lake, he was sure

his aunt Jill and Jill’s wife, Tessa, would let him stay with them. Jonah was excited to be home and to reconnect with friends, especially his girl, Emily, who said she’d love him forever.

But then a body was discovered and another one followed it fast. Emily was hiding something, the authorities were zeroing in on a mysterious fire, and Tessa was obviously lying to everybody.

Could Jane Lawless sort things out before someone else died?

Oh, how I love books with Jane Lawless in them! Jane is an unlikely heroine and somewhat reluctant private investigator who doesn’t seem to want her hobby to turn into work, yet there’s a will-she-make-it-permanent story thread in this book that’s satisfactorily solved. There’s also a possible romance angle here that teases readers nicely.

But much as I love author Ellen Hart’s main character, the supporting cast in “The Lost Women of Lost Lake” almost all needed to take a dive. I had to work to keep my eyes from rolling, not only because of the clichéd peripheral characters but also for the clichéd things they said. Triteness definitely taints this otherwise fine mystery, alas.

Fans of this series should be able to overlook these faults but if you’re not a fan yet, start with another book. For you, “The Lost Women of Lost Lake” will not be looked upon swimmingly. n

Columnist

©2013

AdventM

ediaG

roup

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Morris Community High School senior Kelly Kolotka is only one of more than 9,000 students Barb Rath has worked with in her 39 years as a teacher, but she is one of many Rath has inspired.

“I don’t know what you couldn’t like about Mrs. Rath,” Kolotka said. “I love taking her classes. She is very honest. She tells you upfront that her class is going to challenge you.

“But my favorite part about Mrs. Rath is whether it is personal, academic or about college, she’ll always give you her advice and I’ve experienced this two or three times this year,” she said. “She really gets to know you personally.”

Rath was one of three local women who were awarded Grundy County’s first-ever Women of Distinction Award from the Morris Daily Herald and Minooka-Channahon Life. On Oct. 9 she was recognized with fellow winners Joan Sereno, executive director of Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice, and Pam Simpson, owner and director of Pam’s Academy of Dance in Morris and Channahon.

“You kind of just do what you do and I guess I never thought anyone was noticing,” Rath said of receiving the honor.

Rath was born and raised in Morris. She graduated from Morris High School in 1970 and then from Illinois State University with a degree in Secretarial Education and a minor in Sociology. She also received her master’s degree from ISU in Business Education.

She began her teaching career at Coal City High School as a business teacher. She was there for three years when she was recruited to her old high school.

“I’ve been at Morris High School ever since. It was home and where my heart was,” Rath said. “The rest is kind of history after that.”

When she returned to Morris, she said it was strange coming back and working with people who once were her teachers. And now, 39 years later, she has worked with several of her former students including one who nominated her for the Women of Dis-tinction Award – math teacher Craig Ortiz.

“I believe that I have been truly blessed, not only have I been able to teach the subjects that I love, but I have worked-with wonderful people and made life-long friends,” she said. “I have been fortunate to teach the children of former students, and to be asked, ‘Are you still over there?’ And be able to brag that I now have a total of 21

Women of Distinction

Business teacher at Morris Community High School awarded Grundy County’s first-ever Women of Distinction Award.

by Christina Chapman-Van YperenShaw Media writer

Teachingher heart


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former students who have become CPAs.”As a business teacher Rath’s job is constantly changing with the

technology, which is part of the reason why she loves it.When she started her career she taught typing on manual typewriters

and shorthand classes. The school was able to put some electric typewriters in the rotation so

students could alternate what they worked on.Eventually the school went to all electric typewriters and eventually

electronic ones that had automatic erasing rather than having to scrape off the mistake and retype the correction, she said.

As technology advanced the school got a computer lab and students went from working on floppy disks to the jump drives they use today. And instead of bookkeeping she teaches accounting and runs the co-op program connecting students with local businesses to experience real- life careers.

“It has changed a lot through the years,” Rath said.In addition to being a business teacher she is also the teacher adviser

for the student council and National Honor Society. Throughout her career she has also coached cheerleading, poms and even the bowling team one year, she said.

“My first love is the student council. I was in the student council here,” Rath said. “I think teachers lose out on a lot when they don’t do any extracurriculars because you see the students in a different light and they see you in a different light.”

Rath will be retiring, or “graduating” as she calls it, in 2016. Turning in her retirement letter was the hardest thing she has ever had to do, even though she had to turn it in four years prior to her actual retirement.

“But it goes by so fast,” she said with a laugh. “Because it is something that kind of defines you. I have four roles in my life: daughter, wife, mom and teacher.”

But now she has a fifth role, being a grandmother and reaching that point makes your life change, she said.

“I don’t know what I could have ever found that I love as much as my job,” she said. n

Barb Rath was one of the three women to receive the first-ever Women of Distinction award.

(photo by Samantha Dite – for Shaw Media)



Although some in Grundy County may know Pam Simpson for the tasty corn dogs they buy from her fundraiser stands at the annual Corn Festival and other events, even more know her for the many other contributions she makes to the community.

Simpson, the founder, owner and director of Pam’s Academy of Dance, was one of three local women who were awarded Grundy County’s first-ever Women of Distinction Award from the Morris Daily Herald and Minooka-Channahon Life. On Oct. 9 she was recognized with fellow winners Barb Rath, a business teacher at Morris Community High School, and Joan Sereno, executive director of Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice.

Simpson was nominated for the honor by her sister, Kim Smith.

“Pam Simpson is a hometown girl who has followed her heart and dreams, and has given

so much to her community in the process,” Smith said in her nomination.

“It is absolutely amazing the life skills Pam Simpson has passed on to her students, which is helping them all to choose the right path for them in life. She is – and has been – a wonderful mentor in Grundy County for the past 20 years.”

Simpson knew she wanted to be a dance instructor since she was 5. Her older sister had begun dance classes, and Simpson couldn’t wait to grow a little older to take them herself.

“I begged a long time,” she said. “After the first class, I walked out and told my mom that that’s what I wanted to do.”

Simpson majored in dance education in college, with a track of commercial studio opera-tions and the goal of returning to her hometown to set up shop.

She began her dance academy in 1993 in Morris as a small studio. It soon became popular

with young women wanting to pursue the dance arts and grew quickly. She’s since added a second location in Channahon, making Pam’s the largest dance studio in the area.

This past year, her Morris studio expanded with a move a couple blocks north from its location on Liberty Street to a 10,000-square-foot facility at 1200 N. Division St.

Simpson’s academy offers hip-hop, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theatre, lyrical and tumbling. Her Dance Company Forte, with dancers ranging in age from 5 to 18, consistently places in state and national competitions. Many of the company’s former members have continued their dance education in college, receiving scholarships based on their talent, com-munity service and academics. Several are dancing professionally today.

But it’s more than dancing that Simpson wants her students to learn while there.

Owner and director of Pam’s Academy of Dance awarded Grundy County’s first-ever Women of Distinction Award.

by Jeanne Millsap | Shaw Media correspondent

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“There is so much more to it than dance,” she said. “They develop self-esteem, confidence, friendships and so many life lessons.”

Included in those lessons is community service – something she was raised with and has continued ever since.

“I always try to teach them how to give back to the community,” she said of her students. “My success comes from being part of the com-munity. I love Morris, and I love Grundy County.”

The families at her academy give to We Care of Grundy County’s Christmas Drive, School Drive, and other needs, as well as help with needs of the community as they arise, such as with the flooding that occurred in the area last spring.

With her new dance studio, Simpson has also been able to offer more to the community in the way of arts. This year, she has begun music education and preschool classes. Bright Beginnings

Early Learning Program is for 3- and 4-year-olds, and is an academic-focused program with introductions to science, Spanish and sign language, and includes gym time, play time, music, art, story time, and even computer classes. There are summer camps for many ages, as well as a summer theatre camp.

New music fun times are for children ages 18 months to 7, and teach the basics of musical counting, instruments and identifying notes.

Simpson said she was surprised when she was named a Woman of Distinction.

“I feel really honored and humbled because I feel the things I do are just part of who I am and not something extraordinary,” she said. “I feel blessed to be in the company of Joan Sereno and Barb Rath, too.” n

Pam Simpson was one of three women to receive the first-ever Women of Distinction award


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Joan Sereno is used to being on the giving end of things.

But in October, Sereno was one of three local women awarded Grundy County’s first-ever Women of Distinction Award from the Morris Daily Herald and Minooka-Channahon Life. On Oct. 9 she was recognized with fellow winners Barb Rath, a business teacher at Morris Commu-nity High School, and Pam Simpson, owner and director of Pam’s Academy of Dance in Morris and Channahon.

Following the luncheon at Chapin’s North in Morris, Sereno, executive director of the Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice, said

she was overwhelmed and even a bit nervous accepting the award.

“It was just wonderful, it was such a nice afternoon,” Sereno said of the ceremony. “It’s wonderful that they decided to do this, and they are going to continue giving (the awards).”

It wasn’t the first time she used that word to describe the honor: Sereno covered her mouth in surprise when she received the news in September of her recognition as a Woman of Distinction, then noted it was “wonderful” to be a recipient of the award.

Longtime friend Terri Gilmoure nominated Sereno for the honor.

“Joan gives of herself daily at all hours of the night or day. She works tirelessly to help people through the hardest time of their lives,” Gilmoure said on the nomination form. “She’s a pillar of strength, compassion, love, understanding, confi-dentiality and kindness in our community.

“She is never short of a smile and a hug. She’s the kind of woman we all strive to be.”

Sereno has been the director of Grundy Hospice since its inception in 1985.

She originally volunteered for Joliet Hospice and cared for patients from Grundy County. The late Father Ted Berst, pastor of Assumption Parish in Coal City, was the one who suggested Grundy


Grundy Hospice Director awarded Grundy County’s first-ever Women of Distinction Award.

by Kris StadalskyShaw Media correspondent

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County needed its own hospice office, Sereno said.“We had so many patients in Grundy County, Father Berst said, ‘Why

don’t we start our own,’” she said.A small group, including Sereno and Berst, met for six months in 1984

making plans for the first community volunteer hospice in Grundy County. The Grundy hospice is one of only three all-volunteer hospices in Illinois.

“In 1985 we opened our doors and took in our first patient,” Sereno said.Grundy Community Hospice consists of the office, a board of directors

and volunteers. Patients are cared for in their own homes or at area nursing homes. Nursing care is provided through Quality Home Health.

As director, Sereno wears many hats and needs to make sure the hospice facility has everything needed to help its patients.

“I have everything that a family needs to take care of a loved one,” Sereno said. “I have everything but the hospital beds.”

But she also makes sure the families are helped as well, including grief counseling for widows, adult bereavement and cancer support groups.

Sereno loves that services through Grundy Community Hospice are all free and that she can provide them to anyone in need of help.

The organization is continually fundraising and its main support comes from the Grundy County United Way, which has supported them from day one, she said.

“That’s what Father Berst’s idea was; you shouldn’t have to be in hospice to get help,” Sereno said.

Over the years Sereno has held the hands of many dying people and their loved ones. She has laughed with family members and cried with them. She has met and maintained many friendships.

When working with a family, she doesn’t worry about what to say, she said. She’s there just for the person passing on and the family.

“I just love what I do. I can hold hands, I can give hugs,” Sereno said. “Everybody has a story and they need somebody to listen.”

Sereno intends to keep on doing what she loves as long as she can.“Everybody has a ministry in life; mine is working with hospice patients

and their families.” n

Joan Sereno was one of three women to receive the first-ever Women of Distinction award



LocalHistory

Morris Paper Mill

Women at the Morris Paper Mill work on the cellophane operation. This machine was used to apply cellophane for making window cartons.

(photo submitted by Pam McNabb)

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go magazine - october 2013

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