All Outdoors TV Show Taping Live at Stoney Point Grill November 27th

A Note from Don Dziedzina of Illinois Outdoors:

Nov 27 we will be taping two All Outdoors TV Shows at the Stoney Point Grill, 191st St. & LaGrange Road (enter between Dennys and White Castles on 191st St.) in Mokena. Check out the post on my site in the Outdoor News forum. We're doing two shows at 7PM and 8 PM and after each show we will have a free raffle. A lot of very nice prizes have have been donated for the raffle.

Our main guest for the first show will be Jeff Hall, general manager of the Bass Pro Shop in Bolingbrook. I know he'll enjoy meeting with you to talk about some of the exciting things coming up at his store this winter.

During our second show, Dale Bowman will be joining us. Again, here's your chance to see the man behind the outdoor articles in the Chicago Sun Times.

We will also bring Duke O'Malley up on stage for a few minutes to recognize him for a great accomplishment. On Feb 9, Duke will be inducted into the DNR's Illinois Outdoors Hall of Fame. Here's our chance to shake his hand, not to mention a standing ovation.

Rich, Ron, Ray, Jim and I are all looking forward to meeting you. Come early for a good seat and enjoy the shows.

Illinois Conservation Advocates to be Inducted into Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame
Don Dubin, George Fell, Duke O’Malley to be Honored February 9

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Three tireless advocates for conservation, natural resource protection and outdoor recreation in Illinois have been selected by the Illinois Conservation Foundation for induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.

Don Dubin, the late George B. Fell, and John R. “Duke” O’Malley have been selected from among dozens of nominees submitted by citizens from throughout the state. They will be inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the annual ICF Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.

“The three men selected for this high honor have accomplished so much in furthering the cause of natural resources protection in our state that they are most worthy of induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Acting Director Sam Flood, who serves as the chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. “No one did more for natural areas preservation and protection in Illinois than George Fell – and anglers of all ages are better able to enjoy wetting a line in Illinois thanks to the efforts of Don Dubin and Duke O’Malley. We will be pleased to add them to the roster of distinguished Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame members.”

Don Dubin of Lincolnwood is one of Illinois’ foremost advocates for improving and expanding fishing opportunities in the state. Dubin was instrumental in the formation of Salmon Unlimited in Illinois, an organization that helped launch the stocking of salmon and trout in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan in the 1970s. Dubin also worked with state conservation officials in support of dedicating angler license and stamp fees for fish hatchery production and the opening of the IDNR Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery in Mason Co. Dubin promoted creation and expansion of the muskie program in Illinois as president of the Chicagoland Chapter of Muskies, Inc. An expert woodcarver and taxidermist, Dubin’s works have been acclaimed in national and international competition, including a “Best in the World” award for his wood carving Bluegill in Walnut at the 2001 World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Competition.

In 2007, Dubin’s advocacy for fishing and fishery enhancement resulted in him being enshrined as a “Legendary Angler” by the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum.

George B. Fell of Rockford was a visionary conservationist who led the effort to protect natural areas in Illinois and throughout the nation. From a leadership position with the Ecologists Union in the late 1940s, Fell became the first executive director of the organization under its new name – The Nature Conservancy – in 1951. After returning to Illinois in the mid 1950s, Fell founded the Natural Land Institute and later authored the state Conservation District Act and the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act. Fell was a founding member of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, later serving as executive secretary. He helped manage the commission’s efforts to protect natural lands and worked to conduct the first Illinois Natural Areas Inventory and a comprehensive study of the state’s threatened and endangered species. As director of the Natural Land Institute, Fell worked to acquire tracts that helped establish Castle Rock State Park and Franklin Creek State Natural Area. He was the namesake of the George B. Fell Nature Preserve in Ogle Co. In 1993, Fell was named one of the Sierra Club’s “100 Environmental Heroes.” George Fell died in 1994.

John R. “Duke” O’Malley of Chicago is best known to readers of the Daily Southtown as the south suburban newspaper’s outdoors columnist for nearly 30 years. Duke is also known to tens of thousands of children and adults as the host and chief fundraiser for one of the state’s most popular free kids fishing events – the Duke O’Malley Fishing Derby. It was held each June for 20 years. The fishing derby introduced as many as 1,000 youngsters each year to the fun of fishing. O’Malley hosted “Let’s Talk Fishing” programs throughout the winter to promote fishing and raise money for the kids fishing derby. O’Malley’s newspaper columns reflected his interests in fishing and hunting. His writing also reflected his advocacy for getting young people involved in outdoor recreation – as well as protection of wildlife and aquatic habitat.

In addition to the induction ceremony for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, the banquet next February 9 will also include presentations of the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s annual Conservation Youth Achievement Scholarships. Ten students will each receive $1,000 scholarships for their achievements in natural resources stewardship. Nomination forms for the scholarship program are available on the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org. The deadline to submit nominations for the scholarships is December 3.

Proceeds from the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet assist in funding the Conservation Youth Achievement Scholarship program. Proceeds also help fund the popular ICF grant program, supporting natural resource protection, environmental enhancement and education projects statewide.

For more information on the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet, contact Executive Director Greg Legan, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/785-2003, or check the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.

The ICF is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1995 to support the programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

f you see any newsworthy items, please send a link or copy of the item to Info@chicagofishinglinks.com.  Be sure to include your name, e-mail address and source of information.