Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Aug. 7.
Friday evening, July 27, 2018, as a part of the Sugar Grove Corn Boil opening ceremony, Sean Michels, Village President and Jackie Link, Chamber President announced the awarding of the 2018 Sugar Grove Citizen of the Year to Mary Ochsenschlager. Mary was nominated by colleagues, neighbors, and friends. They cheered from the lawn, as Mary accepted the award, and joined Michels and Link, and those present in front of the main stage.
Previous winners include:
2017 Al Markus2016 Ruth Frantz
2015 Bob Bohler2014 Wayne Parson
2013 Joe Didier2012 Helen Jorgensen
2011 Lil Adams2010 Beverly Holmes Hughes
2009 Jim Wilhelm2008 Karen McCannon
2007 Joe Wolf2006 Pat Graceffa
2005 Karen Pritchard2004 Arnie and Byrel Liefheit
2003 David Seraphin2002 Kevin Tindall
2001 Delmar and Ruth Krieghbaum2000 Stan Anderson
1999 Chris Dayvolt1998 Terry Siebert
Mary and her husband Irv moved to Sugar Grove over 43 years ago. They are loving parents to four children, Katherine, Andrew, Anna and Hugh and proud grandparents to John, Michael, Elizabeth and Ed.
Mary, a naturalist, is well known, respected and appreciated throughout the village for her commitment to promoting farm land, conservation of land, organizing cleanup efforts at Bliss Woods, supporting local Farmers Markets, volunteering and helping at Between Friends Food Pantry of Sugar Grove.
The Kane County Chronicle published an interview with Mary on May 10, 2016. It contained the following quote, “I’ve got to work for the environment. It’s in my gut.”
She enjoys sharing her passion for nature with others and her passion developed into a career when she joined the St. Charles Park District and became its first naturalist and youth nature program director. She also joined the Kane County Plan Commission in the 1980s, where she spent the next 20 years working to reduce the negative impact of development on the environment.
Mary retired 9 years ago and her activities and organization affiliations include Monitor for Kane County Forest Preserve of Bliss Woods, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Conservation Foundation, numerous book clubs and she is an avid jogger and traveler.
Comments regarding Mary’s nomination include; “Even though she has officially retired from public service, …she is busier than ever working to create a healthier environment for us all”, “Wise, hard-working, passionate and tireless”, “Mary has influenced people through her wisdom, passion and enthusiasm”, and “Mary has dedicated her life to nature, the environment, and the Sugar Grove community”.
Established in 1998 by the Village of Sugar Grove and the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce & Industry as an annual recognition program, “Citizen of the Year” is intended to recognize, from among the nominations, the selected individual or group, which this year best exemplifies that pioneering spirit which helps our village grow and prosper. The Village of Sugar Grove and the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce & Industry appreciate the involvement of the many people and local businesses that help recognize the Citizen of the Year recipient.
Clearly, Sugar Grove is blessed to have such a selfless individual in the community.
Local supporters and contributors to the Citizen of the Year include: Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Sugar Grove Farmers Market, Sugar Grove Public Library, Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, Dan & Pat Graceffa and Village of Sugar Grove.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce
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