Recipients of this year’s Kewanee Park District “Child’s Best Friend” award was Everett Whitcher, left, and Jacque Verscha. Accepting the award for the Verscha was Tony Verscha, center, and Kathy Meyer. [Submitted photo]

The Kewanee Park Board bestowed the annual park district “Child’s Best Friend” award on two local residents at the board meeting Thursday.

Receiving the honors were former KPD Commissioner Jacque Verscha and business owner Everett Whitcher.

Verscha received the honor posthumously, and Tony Verscha and Kathy Meyer were presented with the award. Verscha resigned her board position in 2022 after serving almost two six-year terms and passed away on Sept. 19, 2022.

Kewanee Parks Executive Director Andrew Dwyer said that although he wasn’t able to serve very long with Commissioner Verscha, he did know that Northeast Park was always her favorite.

Save-A-Lot business owner Everett Whitcher accepted his award from Board President Steve Brackett. Whitcher has done a lot of good work not only for the community but for the parks, as well, said Brackett.

Whitcher said he’s been in business for a long time, and acknowledged his community for providing him with the ability to give back.

“I’ve been so lucky and it’s the community-that’s why I’m in business,” he said.

**This story has been edited to reflect that the award for former Commissioner Jacque Verscha was given posthumously.