10-10-2004, 12:06 AM
[size 2]PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation recently recognized several individuals for their dedication and hard work in the state parks system. The awards were part of the division’s fall meeting, recently held in Huron.[/size]
[size 2]Vicki Seger, Madison, was named the 2004 South Dakota State Parks Employee of the Year. Each year, one employee who exemplifies the true mission of the division is selected for this honor. Seger, park manager of Lake Herman State Park near Madison, was recognized for her leadership role in the restoration of the historic Herman Luce cabin and for bringing a number of special events and programs to park visitors.[/size]
[size 2]Willy Collignon, park manager of Angostura Recreation Area, and Roger Steinhauer, equipment shop foreman at Custer State Park, were honored with Awards of Appreciation. Collignon was recognized for his work to supply visitors to Angostura Recreation Area with opportunities for water-based recreation, despite the low water levels effecting the reservoir. Steinhauer was commended for his more than 20 years of service at Custer State Park. In his current position, Steinhauer is responsible for maintaining a fleet of more than 100 vehicles as well as numerous pieces of miscellaneous equipment, from ATVs to graders to bulldozers.[/size]
[size 2]The 2004 Team Award was presented to members of this summer’s "low water" team. The group was recognized for their work to provide boaters with access to the water, despite the low water levels on Lake Oahe and northeast South Dakota lakes. Recipients from the Glacial Lakes Region were Rhet Russell, Bob Manderfeld, Duane Thomas, Harlan Aase, John Pallansch and Mark Lukonen. Oahe/Sharpe region staff were Ryan Persoon, Joe Miklos, Pat Buscher, Tuck Durham, Ross Hatheway and Jack Pringle. Employees honored from the Pierre office were Greg Otkin, Emilie Miller and Jeff Peters.[/size]
[size 2]Long-time seasonal employees Arden Gerdes of Custer and Sue Dumke of Yankton were honored as 2004 Seasonals of the Year. Gerdes has worked the past 20 seasons at Custer State Park, both as the lead grounds maintain worker and in his current position as the park’s entrance station crew leader. Dumke was honored for her work as a seasonal park ranger during 15 summers at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton.[/size]
[size 2]Jerry and Sandy Muschkat of Harlingen, Texas, were named South Dakota State Park Volunteers of the Year. The Muschkats, who are in their third year of volunteering for the Division of Parks and Recreation, were recognized for their outstanding customer service as campground hosts at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre.[/size]
[size 2]Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer told those honored that, "Your positive attitude, dedication, hard work and willingness to put forth an extra effort is reflected in your work and is enjoyed by the many visitors that visit the state parks and recreation areas each year."[/size]
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[size 2]Vicki Seger, Madison, was named the 2004 South Dakota State Parks Employee of the Year. Each year, one employee who exemplifies the true mission of the division is selected for this honor. Seger, park manager of Lake Herman State Park near Madison, was recognized for her leadership role in the restoration of the historic Herman Luce cabin and for bringing a number of special events and programs to park visitors.[/size]
[size 2]Willy Collignon, park manager of Angostura Recreation Area, and Roger Steinhauer, equipment shop foreman at Custer State Park, were honored with Awards of Appreciation. Collignon was recognized for his work to supply visitors to Angostura Recreation Area with opportunities for water-based recreation, despite the low water levels effecting the reservoir. Steinhauer was commended for his more than 20 years of service at Custer State Park. In his current position, Steinhauer is responsible for maintaining a fleet of more than 100 vehicles as well as numerous pieces of miscellaneous equipment, from ATVs to graders to bulldozers.[/size]
[size 2]The 2004 Team Award was presented to members of this summer’s "low water" team. The group was recognized for their work to provide boaters with access to the water, despite the low water levels on Lake Oahe and northeast South Dakota lakes. Recipients from the Glacial Lakes Region were Rhet Russell, Bob Manderfeld, Duane Thomas, Harlan Aase, John Pallansch and Mark Lukonen. Oahe/Sharpe region staff were Ryan Persoon, Joe Miklos, Pat Buscher, Tuck Durham, Ross Hatheway and Jack Pringle. Employees honored from the Pierre office were Greg Otkin, Emilie Miller and Jeff Peters.[/size]
[size 2]Long-time seasonal employees Arden Gerdes of Custer and Sue Dumke of Yankton were honored as 2004 Seasonals of the Year. Gerdes has worked the past 20 seasons at Custer State Park, both as the lead grounds maintain worker and in his current position as the park’s entrance station crew leader. Dumke was honored for her work as a seasonal park ranger during 15 summers at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton.[/size]
[size 2]Jerry and Sandy Muschkat of Harlingen, Texas, were named South Dakota State Park Volunteers of the Year. The Muschkats, who are in their third year of volunteering for the Division of Parks and Recreation, were recognized for their outstanding customer service as campground hosts at Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre.[/size]
[size 2]Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer told those honored that, "Your positive attitude, dedication, hard work and willingness to put forth an extra effort is reflected in your work and is enjoyed by the many visitors that visit the state parks and recreation areas each year."[/size]
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