2010 Keynote Presenter:  TBA

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2009 Keynote Presenter:

REID LEWIS

"Meeting Challenge Head-On!"
The Adventure of LaSalle: Expedition II

     Meeting Challenge Head-On! The Adventure of LaSalle:  Expedition II is an extraordinary motivational program offered at the TPAC, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 20. What are the ingredients for a successful assault on the impossible? Reid Lewis knows and will share the story. During the American Bicentennial, he led an intrepid 23-man canoe expedition through the cruelest Midwestern winter in history - re-creating, in painstaking detail, La Salle's epic 1681 epic voyage from Montreal to the Gulf of Mexico.
     For 8 agonizing months, using nothing but 17th Century clothing and equipment, his expedition endured a series of unbelievable hardships -- both physical and mental -- that welded a loose collection of 20th Century city-dwellers into a toughened band of wilderness survivors. Time and again, they were advised that their project was "impossible." Yet, they arrived at their destination within twenty minutes of their promised arrival time -- and lost not a single man getting there.
     People Magazine called it a "dramatic" and "arduous" historical adventure, re-created in "harrowing detail."  The Reader's Digest called it a "remarkable journey." Encouragement poured in from well-wishers like Jacques Cousteau, Sir Edmund Hillary, President Carter and Prime Minister Trudeau.
      Reid Lewi's presentation is a fully produced, multi-media spectacle including live narration by Reid Lewis in person and in costume, a powerful audio-effects track and vivid image programming and projection.  In story and song, Reid Lewis relates the humor, frustrations and adventures of the voyage with a style that is highly entertaining and profoundly moving.
      "Meeting Challenge Head-On!" has a powerful impact on audiences.  Lewis invites us to welcome the obstacles in our lives.  It is only in testing ourselves against them that we begin to realize our true potential.  The men of LaSalle: Expedition II were ordinary Americans to start with.  They rendered themselves extraordinary through their accomplishment.  The message here is that anyone can do the same.  The ingredients of greatness are no mystery.  Lewis dramatically illustrates the importance of:  Defining goals; achievement is built on planning, organization, preparation, logistics.  Mental attitude; success is a state of mind before it is a fact.  Powerlessness is an illusion.  You can refuse to be intimidated by the word "impossible."  Persistence in overcoming obstacles; the will to achieve is the condition of survival and leadership.  Superhuman problems yield when they are attacked in human-sized chunks -- one day at a time.  Pride: you are worthy of success.  Individuals can make a difference, even in an age dominated by giant government programs and specialized superstars. Judgement:   knowing when to go, when to stand pat.  Accomplishment depends on the flexibility to adapt to circumstance, coupled with the courage to take risks.
      Mr. Lewis is traveling from Elgin, Illinois for the June 20 presentation.  He will be introduced by Ralph Freese, legendary owner of the Chicago Land Canoe Base who has been called an Urban Voyageur by numerous media sources. Tickets for the performance are $10.00 at the door.  All proceeds will be applied to the not-for-profit purpose of the Washington Island Canoe and Kayak Event and create seed money for Year II of the event.

REID HENRI LEWIS

Early in his career, Reid Henri Lewis, a French teacher by profession, found himself expanding the scope of his activities to include the promotion of French-American culture. He has appeared in films and on TV portraying French characters such as La Salle in the Cousteau special on the Mississippi River and in "The Good Gang Express", an Emmy award-winning production by CBS-TV, Chicago. In addition, Lewis led two authentic reenactments: the 4month, 2,800-mile Jolliet-Marquette Expedition, and the 8-month, 3,300-mile La Salle: Expedition II which went through the coldest winter in the history of the Midwest. Both canoe expeditions included over 700 dramatic presentations given to communities along the route. Lewis has worked to encourage cross-cultural understanding by creating study programs in France and the United States and is serving on Mayor Daley's Chicago Sister Cities International Program, Paris Committee. He gives presentations on French-American culture throughout the United States and abroad as a way of encouraging good relations between the peoples of different countries. "If we truly believe in peace on earth," says Lewis, "we must transcend the turmoil of politics and focus on the common bonds of people throughout the world."

One of these bonds is the challenge to treat our natural environment responsibly. In all of his work, Lewis has incorporated a strong ecological component for which he has been recognized by the National Audubon Society and the Izaak Walton League. In the Cousteau special on the Mississippi River, 11h century observations on the environment are compared with those of the 20th century. Currently, Lewis is director and president of Aventure Francalse, Inc. a total immersion in French program conducted at the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center near Chesterton, Indiana.

Lewis has been recognized by and is a member of the Explorers Club of New York, the Adventurer's Club of Chicago and most recently, he was made an honorary citizen of Fresse, France, presented the Vermilion Medal of the city of Paris, France and named "Chevalier" in the Order of Academic Palms by the French Ministry of National Education.