Rizzuto Selected for NRPA Young Professional Fellowship
Joanna Rizzuto, the Program Manager with the Plymouth Township (PA) Parks & Recreation Department has been selected as MARC's choice for the prestigious NRPA Young Professional Fellowship for the upcoming Congress in October. "Joanna is a very creative and talented recreation professional" according to Kimberly Woodward of the Pennsylvania Recreation & Parks Society (PRPS). Joanna has recently been recognized by PRPS with its Outstanding New Professional Award. The Fellowship will enable Joanna to attend her first ever NRPA Congress where she hopes to learn more about her profession and network with more people on the national level. Joanna will have the opportunity to attend the MARC meeting at Congress in Baltimore.

2008 Mid Atlantic Regional Council Election Results Announced
Ashburn, Virginia, September 1, 2008 -The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is pleased to announce that Thomas Blomstrom has been elected to serve as Chair Elect on the Mid Atlantic Regional Council of NRPA. Blomstrom was inducted at the 2008 NRPA Congress & Exposition (Baltimore, MD).

Tom has an MBA in Management from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. He also earned Bachelors Degree in Economics and Business Administration from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. In 1998 Tom began his current role as the Director of Parks and Recreation for Radnor Township. Before that he was the Recreation Superintendent for Upper Merion Township.

Tom has served as the NRPA Mid Atlantic Regional Council Treasurer since 2005. Prior to his term as Treasurer, he served as the NRPA Professional Representative from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Mid Atlantic Regional Council. In addition to his connection with NRPA, Tom is involved with the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society, the Delaware County Open Space, Recreation, and Greenway Plan Advisory Committee, the Delaware County Open Space Task Force, the Ches-Del Recreation Council, the Delaware County Parks and Recreation Committee, the Wayne Senior Center Board of Directors, the Southeastern PA American Lung Association Board of Directors, the ALA Radnor Run Committee, and the Perkiomen Township Parks, Recreation, ad Shade Tree Board Member.

NTRS Award - Congratulations!
Jeff Whitman, Ed., D., York College of PA, received the NTRS Distinguished Service Award this year at the NRPA Congress. Jeff currently serves as president of the PA Therapeutic Recreation Society (PTRS) and chairs the Recreation Program at York College of PA.

Baby News
Mark Palerino has a new son Connor Riley. He weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and has a big sister Callie.

Congratulations!
B.J. Folk (Blue Mtn. Recreation Commission) for his marriage to Emily Harrity on October 4.

New Director
Dania Ashby has accepted the position of Recreation Director for Windsor Area Recreation Commission beginning November 3rd.

Sympathies
We were sad to report the passing of one of our long- time members, Sarah Clugston, age 54. Sara died Wednesday, August 20, 2008 after a long illness.

Sarah was a member of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society for nearly 30 years, and was active on several committees, including District II executive committee. She served as director of parks and recreation at Hampden Township.

Sympathy cards may be mailed to her husband, Galen Clugston, Jr., 405 Pleasant View Dr., Etters, PA 17319.

John D. Dittmar, 85, of rural Centre Hall, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center at State College.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: World Vision, P.O. Box 78481, Tacoma Washington, 98481- 8481.