If you ever have occasion to be in the main lobby of the Riverside Township Hall, go and have a look at the Bill Jansky Award plaque, placed prominently on the wall next to a showcase.
The plaque, which commemorates winners of the annual award given by the Riverside Township Lions Club, is named after the late Bill Jansky, a longtime Riverside resident and businessman.
He owned a grocery store in town, was a member of the Riverside Economic Development Commission and active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club and the Presbyterian Church.
The award was established in Jansky’s name to recognize citizens who have exemplified Jansky’s qualities of good citizenship.
This year’s honoree is Jill Mateo, who works tirelessly in the village, serving as chairwoman of the Riverside Planning and Zoning Commission, president of the Riverside Junior Woman’s Charity, president of the Riverside Arts Weekend board of directors and many other worthy causes.
Her volunteer service in the community has made her a deserving recipient of the Jansky Award.
The Riverside Township Lions Club will bestow the Jansky Award upon Mateo at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at the Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care, 2800 Desplaines Ave. in North Riverside.
Mateo will receive the Jansky Award plaque, which she will take home for a period of time before it is returned to its home in the township hall for all to see. Anyone interested in attending the dinner or learn more about the award may call 447-5219.
The evening will include a short Lions Club business meeting and a presentation by award-winning comic book artist Phil Hester, who will tell his story of overcoming a progressive eye disease that threatened his career.
Well done: Congratulations also to St. Mary’s parishioner and Council of Catholic Women member Cindy Ruska and Mater Christi Church Guild member Carol Davidson for being named Woman of the Year by their respective parishes.
They will join other women from parishes within the Chicago Archdiocese being recognized for their service to their parishes at a luncheon on May 18, 2019 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. Information may be found through the various parishes. Congratulations, ladies.
Overheard: Quote from my son, which he said he thought he would never have to say, “I have to cut my grass before it snows!”
