is honored with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award for the significant contribution she has made to the cultural opportunities available to Warrenville residents and visitors. In addition to her role as one of the founding members of the Warrenville Folk Music Society, Ms. Benkert and her husband also established a Folk Music Center in downtown Warrenville, which is housed in a coffee shop they opened. Along with folk music lessons offered to area residents, the Center offers free folk music concerts on Friday evenings to showcase local talent. On Saturday evenings, the concerts are performed by professional musicians. Ms. Benkert also volunteers her time to entertain and educate local residents -- from seniors to youth -- with folk music at public venues throughout Warrenville (the library, museum, and park district). Often, the audience members learn by playing percussion instruments or toys provided by the Society. Ms. Benkert''s efforts to bring folk music, dance, and culture to Warrenville have inspired many residents to take an interest in the heritage of their community.
Select Illinois Humanities Council programs are now available for listening or download at Chicago Public Media (WBEZ) as a part of Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio library of diverse public events recorded throughout the Chicago region.
