Springfield “Celebrity Citizen”

Brad Turasky, vice president of Turasky Meats, was named a “Celebrity Citizen” of Springfield Friday, Feb. 8, in a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion.

A third-generation owner in the Turasky family meat-processing business, Brad was honored for his successful volunteer work in bringing the 2015 American Association of Meat Processors convention, with its 1,200 to 1,500 members, to the Prairie Capital Convention Center and Hilton Springfield. (According to the Feb. 9, 2013 State Journal-Register.)

A fourth-generation Springfield Lithuanian-American, Brad is the son of Joe and Carolyn Ann Turasky, and the great-grandson of the late Joseph Turasky, born in Lithuania in 1881. Related post.

Newest Lady Buckeye

I also just learned from Violeta Abramikas Abad, who grew up in Springfield attending St. Vincent de Paul Lithuanian Catholic Church, that her grand-daughter Vanesa Abad has been named to the 2013 rookie class of the Ohio State University Lady Buckeyes women’s soccer team.  News story here.

Vanesa is a midfielder who hails from Barrington, Ill, though she recently visited Springfield and her great aunt, Regina Abramikas Buedel, with her grandmother, Violeta.

A senior at Lake Zurich High School, Vanesa has had three years of club experience with Sockers FC and lettered in soccer all four years at Lake Zurich. She is a four-year member of the ODP Illinois state team and Region II pool, a two-time all-sectional, all-area and all-conference pick from Lake Zurich.  Vanesa also has been captain of her Lake Zurich team for two years, and tallied 31 goals and 26 assists over her first three high school seasons.

An all-around, multi-talented athlete, Vanesa also lettered in basketball and cross country.

The daughter of Michael and Ana Sanchez Abad, Vanesa enjoys snowboarding, camping, running and spending time with family and friends. She has two sisters, Catalina and Sophia. Her great grand-parents, Walter and Stephanie Abramikas, immigrated to Springfield as displaced persons after World War II.  Walter’s brother Vincent Abramikas and his family also lived in Springfield for several years after World War II before moving to Chicago.