Blog

By Jill Carlson, Class of 2013

DAN 2021, The Year of the Docent, celebrating 50 years of docents and our second virtual event, began with the always greatly anticipated photo montage carefully assembled by Kathleen Carpenter ’06 and Susan Pappas ’05.

A trumpet fanfare introduced Constance Rajala ’08 and Dick Clark ’08, our M.C.’s for the evening. They introduced a series of important speakers. John Rutledge, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CAC, gave a glowing tribute to all of us. Next, Lynn Osmond celebrated the excellence and dedication of docents, especially over the past year, and as we look forward calling docents the backbone of CAC. Kent Foutty ’09, Docent Council president, praised the flexibility and resilience of docents. Mayor Lori Lightfoot was a surprise visitor. She praised docents as ambassadors for the city, equipped with knowledge capable of putting Google to shame.

Next Sylvia Dunbeck ’87 narrated a wonderful history of CAF/CAC from acquiring Glessner House and the beginning of docents in 1971, highlighting important events to the present.

At this point, Constance and Dick challenged docents with a trivia question. It was a Latin quote on a plaque “somewhere.” Mary Brugliera ’95 was quick with the answer – “If you see a monument, look around” at a Christopher Wren church in London.

Then it was time to recognize Milestone Docents.

10 Years

Val Adams, Debra Campbell, Susan Duda, Pam Duke, Margaret Eagan, Mary Ennis, Cindy Everett, David Gottlieb, Fawn Gottlieb, Douglas Harrison, Tina Hurley, Robert Joynt, Katherine Lorenz, Larry Mages, Robert Michaelson, Patrick Murray, Nancy Schwab, Leanne Star, Barbara Weiner

15 Years

Barbara Butz, Kathleen Carpenter, Barbara Clark, Mary Dedinsky, Michael Mader, Lynn Miller, Barbara Puechler, Patrick Pyszka, Ellen Shubart, David Smith, Ronnie Jo Sokol, Annemarie Stohl, John Tullsen, Carol Van Dyke, Cathy Walsh, Lorie Westerman

20 Years

Ted Jackanicz, Joann Linzer, Heather McWilliams, Pris Mims, Linda Winke, Nancy Loewenberg Young, Jeff Edstrom, Joe Frey, Jim Harmon, Jim Javoric

25 Years

Maria Corpuz, Alan Lessick

30 Years

Peg Conway, Roberta Culhane, Lena Hansson,

35 Years

Tom Drebenstedt, Dan Fitzgerald

40 Years

Joe Cain

Special recognition from the staff followed

Above and Beyond – Cindy Schneider ’10 and Claudia Winkler ‘07

One Team – Ellen Shubart ‘06

And then Service Awards were announced.

Ross Wirth ’19, Gloria Hinrichs-Nelson ’16, Wayne Johnson ’16, Lynne Hensel ’10, Larry Kameya ’13, Leanne Star ‘11

Finally, Outstanding Docent was presented to Leslie Clark Lewis ’09.

Before the evening ended, Susan Pappas ’05 and Donna Gabanski ’94 announced a “priceless” gift for docents. “Celebrate” is a booklet containing remembrances of these 50 years, created with docent contributions and photos. June delivery is planned. Watch The Bridge for updates.

“Thanks for the Memories” played in the background as DAN ended – “A Nice Memory.”

 

Special note: 

 CLICK HERE to view the video of DAN 2021. Be sure to copy and paste this password:  p.rQ6gf*  when requested. 

To read all the good things said when introducing the award recipients, CLICK HERE.