At the conclusion of the inaugural Barrington Concours d'Elegance awards ceremony Rick Dresang of the UEMSI Motorwerks Team presented a special award called the Mark Award.  It is fitting that this special award was presented for the first time at the first Barrington Concours.  The recipients were Dee Beaubien of the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, Mary Bradford-White of the Barrington Concours d'Elegance, and Ginger Spitzer of Cowboy Dreams in honor of the successful first Barrington Concours d'Elegance. 

The Mark award is presented in memory of Mark Donahue.  Mark was a multiple SCCA National Champion, as well as the 1972 Indy 500 winner, 1968-69-71 SCCA Trans Am Champion, 1973 SCCA Can Am Champion, and inaugural IROC Champion.  The Mark is given to a person that has shown dedication, focus, and contribution in efforts to better serve either the preservation of history or a charity.

The Conservation Foundation introduced the recipients of its 2004 Open Space Awards at its October 19th 2004 Membership Luncheon.  The deserving winners, Jerry and Sarah Ward and Robert McGinley, put conservation easements, the first in their respective areas, in place this year and have demonstrated their commitment to the protection of open space and natural areas through this decision and other acts of stewardship.

Mr. McGinley, along with his siblings, inherited the 421 acre Horizon Farms in Barrington Hills.  Thanks to their decision to place the property under the protection of a conservation easement, passersby on Algonquin road will forever enjoy the vista of horse pastures, rolling hills, and woodlands.  The Horizon Farms easement is Illinois' largest easement on private land to date.   The Conservation Foundation had the privilege of working with the Barrington Area Conservation Trust to complete the easement.

Barrington Area Conservation Trust's first project, which protects the 420 acre Horizon Farms from suburban development, won the 2004 Garfield Farm Museum Agricultural Preservation Award.  The conservation project done in conjunction with the William McGinley family, who own the land, is one of the largest private conservation efforts in Illinois history.  The McGinley family, along with the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, are co-winners of this award.

Only select organization and individuals who significantly advance historic preservation, agricultural preservation, and environmental conservation receive the award, Jerome Johnson, the museum's director, said.  Barrington Area Conservation Trust President, Mary Bradford said, "This award should speak to land owners, letting them know resources are available to help them plan the future of their land and their community.  It should also speak to the general public and say beautiful land will remain so if, and only if, we think of the future and protect it.