Machesney Park Historical Society

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President / Secretary

Pro Tem - pending election

Born and raised in North Park, Illinois Stephen now lives in the house his father built when was just five years old. After spending many years living in other states and traveling throughout Europe and North America, he eventually found his way back home.

Curious about what had changed—and what had stayed the same—during the years he was away, Stephen started the Machesney Park Nostalgia Facebook group. The page quickly became a place where locals could share old photos, memories, and stories about the community’s past. 

With experience in nonprofit organizations and a lifelong love for local history, Stephen now serves as Secretary of The Machesney Corporation. Semi-retired and working in the freight industry, he enjoys helping preserve and celebrate the history of the place he’s always called home. 

Stephen is a cat lover whose interests include Art and the history of the Civil War and World War II.

Advisor

Village of Machesney Park

 Chris Galetsis was elected Village Clerk in 2025. With a background in  education and strong interest in local government, he brings a  thoughtful and practical approach to public service. 
As clerk, Chris  is responsible for keeping records of Village meetings, managing  agendas, and ensuring that local government remains transparent and  accessible to the public. He also handles notary duties, public notices,  and supports the Village Board in maintaining compliance with state and  local regulations.

Beyond his role as clerk, Chris also works as  a teacher, which is an experience that has shaped his ability to  explain complex topics, stay detail ordiented, and connect with people  from all walks of life. He also serves on the North Suburban Library  District as a board member. In his spare time, Chris likes to travel,  read books about history, and cheer his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears,  hike, and spend time with his wife and family.

Chris takes pride in doing the behind-the-scenes work that helps serve his community and support the Village's operations. s.

Advisor

Founder/Historian of

The Machesney Project

Museum Curator at Veterans Memorial Hall

Mike Frederiksen graduated from Carleton University (Ottawa, Ontario) with a degree in psychology and history. His love of history developed at a young age under the guidance of his history-minded parents. No family vacation growing up was complete without a visit to a historic site or museum. Mike has a passion for local history, preservation and aviation history.

Mike currently serves as Curator of Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum. He previously served as the Curator, Collections Manager, Education Director and a Volunteer for the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum for over 10 years. In addition to his duties as curator he serves as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, Board Treasurer of the Rockford Historical Society and on the board of directors of the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels museum. 

Mike has spoken extensively on Fred Machesney and aviation history in the northern Illinois region.

Mike is the co-writer for “Images of America: Belvidere and Boone County,” (Arcadia Publishing, 2015). He is currently working on a book on Rockford aviation legend Fred Machesney.

Advisor

Executive Director

Vintage Wings & Wheels Museum

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Advisor

Roscoe Township

Historical Society 

 Tracy  developed her love of family history while spending the summer of 1976  with her Grandmother, Margaret Worden Schoonover. In 1985 she became a  certified genealogist and spent many years researching not only her own  family but has done countless genealogies for others. She is the  Chairperson for the Roscoe Township Cemeteries, Secretary and Historian  for the Roscoe Township Historical Society and is the Children's  Christian Education Superintendent at the First Congregational Community  Church in Roscoe. She is currently writing an updated history book for  Roscoe. 

Volunteer Coordinator - Pro Tem

Photos & Graphics

With more than twenty-two years of experience in the Dallas Public School System,  Sandy has built a career dedicated to education, service, and community involvement. While in Dallas, she served as a volunteer coordinator, helping connect families and community members to programs that supported local schools.

The heart of her life has always been family. She is the proud mother of two daughters—one who is studying engineering at Texas A&M University, and another who works as a funeral director in Dallas.

Now a new resident of Machesney Park, Sandy is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to The Machesney Park Historical Society, where she looks forward to learning, serving, and helping build a strong volunteer community.

Machesney Incorporation Committee

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Machesmey Incorporation Committee

If there’s one thing Diane Zabawa loves, it’s being part of the Machesney Park community. A resident since 1978, Diane has spent decades lending her time, energy, and heart to making the village a great place to live.

She’s a former president of the Harlem Music Boosters, served on the Machesney Park Incorporation Committee, and even helped lobby for a senior housing facility to meet the needs of local residents. Diane has always believed that when people come together, good things happen—and her work proves it.

Outside of her volunteer efforts, Diane owned The Transcription Specialist, providing accurate and reliable transcription services for doctors, lawyers, and small business owners. Her attention to detail and love of history make her a natural fit for her role as Historian with the Machesney Park Historical Society.

Diane is proud to help preserve and share the stories that make Machesney Park special, ensuring that the village’s rich history is remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

Machesney Incoorporation Committee

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Community Enrichment Advocate 

I'm excited to be named Community Enrichment Advocate for the newly  created Machesney Park Historical Society . Born and raised in 

" The Parks " I graduated from Harlem High School - 1989 and from Rock Valley College - 1995 - A.A.S. Human Services.

After  working over 20 years in Retail Customer service I now work as  Administrative Assistant for The Arc of WBO in Rockford . I am a well  known Self -Advocate in our local Disabled Community. I look forward to  volunteering my time helping to discover and share Machesney Park's past  and to enrich our Village for the Future by sharing my talents as an  Advocate and previous experience from Alpine Rockford Aktion Club where I  served 10 years as an Officer/ Board of Directors / Fundraising  chairman and committee co- chair.

VOLUNTEER

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VOLUNTEER

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos.

VOLUNTEER

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos.

VOLUNTEER

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos.

VOLUNTEER

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos.

VOLUNTEER

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos.