Jill Boomer, Editor

Pat Kimbro, Assistant Vice President of Liberty Bank in Godfrey recently presented a check to 2010 Miss Jersey County, Emily Brunaugh.

Congressman John Shimkus last week received the National Rural Water Association's "Friend of Rural Water" award after being nominated by Steve Fletcher, Washington County Water Company, based in Nashville (IL).

Fletcher. who also sits on the executive board of the organization, said "Congressman Shimkus has led the effort in Congress to provide small communities with technical assistance and compliance training that ensures federal regulations don't overwhelm small and rural communities' resources. Drinking water and wastewater quality are two critical elements in a rural community's environment and vialbility. Drinking water quality is one of the mot pressing public health concerns in rural America and is essential for long-term economic stability. Congressman Shimkus has been a friend from the very beginning of his tenure in Congress."

Shimkus said, "It is an honor to be recognized for helping rural water companies and rural areas in general. My district is mostly rural, and I know both the positives and the problems that brings. It's my job to help, and when a recognition like this comes along, it is just a sign that I'm doing what I should be doing."

The National Rural Water Association is a non-profit, community-based organization of over 27,000 rural water companies and small communities. It strives to protect and enhance drinking water safety and water quality in small and rural communities.

Taking part in the presentation to Shimkus at the Washington County Rural Water offices in Nashville, were, Bill Teichmiller, CEO of EJ Water Company, Greg Bates, manager of Jersey County Rural Water, Shimkus and Fletcher, manager of Washington County Rural Water.

Elizabeth A. SchwabElizabeth Schwab of Jersey County was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame during a awards ceremony held on the Director of Agriculture's Lawn at the Illinois State Fairgrounds recently.

Schwab started as a 4-H leader of the Carrollton Busy Bees in Greene County. She later moved to Jersey County where she led 4-H clubs for 25 years and continues to be active in both Extension and 4-H, working with the Homemakers Education Association and the Jersey County 4-H Foundation. She received a commemorative 4-H Hall medallion and will be added to virtual 4-H Hall of Fame at illinois4hfoundation@illinois.edu.

For the second year in a row, a group of Jersey Community High School students, the effort spearheaded by senior Sydney Norman, held a car wash to raise funds for clean water. Last year, Norman and friends raised over $750 and worked with the Jerseyville Rotary Club as part of their international project. With the assistance of Rotarian Stephanie Abbajay, the funded a project in a school district in the Philippines which paid for the construction of wells for schools who did not have safe, clean water. With the funds from the car wash last year, the school, which has an enrollment of approximately 1,000 children now have sanitary water to drink and to wash in.  This year's project, again with the Jerseyville Rotary Club, will benefit a similar project providing clean water and sanitation in underprivledged countries. The Jerseyville club will have "in-club" fundraisers throughout the fall to add to the amount raised by the car wash. Helping Sydney with the clean water project Saturday at Medford's Food Mart (who donated the water) on State Street were, seated, Kimmy Hughes and Kayla Brosie; standing from the left, Katelin Randolph, Billy Loellke, Ned Nilsson, Macie Hanneken, Norman, Greta Meisner, Abby Meyer, Tyler Lacy, Sam Welbourne and Megan Witt. They raised $756.28 in donations Saturday and Norman said, "I am extremely proud of our accomplishment and am totally ready to find the right project so we can put our funds to use."