Hamilton Merchants' Association

 

Merchant Member of the Year.....

 

 

 

 

 

  

Shirley Bricker

 

 

by Carol Hibbard

 

To kick off 2008 with a New Tradition, The Hamilton Merchants' Association would like to name "The 1st Annual Merchants' Association Member of the Year". It was a difficult choice to make, considering all the members who made a tireless effort to the betterment of our community. The Hamilton Merchants' Association is proud to announce, Shirley Bricker has been named Merchant Member of the Year.

 

Shirley first moved to Hamilton in 1953 with her husband Donald and 2 small children. she worked along side her husband in their full service Phillips 66 Station, located in the former Hancock County Veterinary Clinic building on Broadway, offering not only gas, but performing mechanical repairs and providing a car wash as well. They later took over the Standard Gas Station on U.S. Highway 136, across from Dadant. Shirley also worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Hamilton as a part time clerk and mail sorter. She was promoted to Mail Processing Supervisor in Quincy, IL and served as Postmaster in Mt. Sterling, IL. When the family left Mt. Sterling, they returned to their home town of LaHarpe, IL to be near Shirley's elderly father. She moved back to Hamilton in 1998.

 

Always wanting to keep busy, Shirley became involved with school activities throughout her children's school years. She was active in PTA, Sports, Little League, and wa a Cub Scout Den Mother. After her children graduated from school, Shirley became involved with various Hamilton City organizations. She has served as secretary for the Hamilton Community Development Coalition and presently holds the Vice President's seat. She is currently Secretary for the Hamilton Merchant's Association. She has served as Treasurer on the Hamilton Library Board and has held similar positions on boards in other towns in which she lived.

 

A local history buff, Shirley furnished exhibits for the Brown county Museum and volunteers at the Hancock County Historical Society. She enjoys helping people find others from their pasts. She would like to see the Hamilton Historical society come to be and feature a museum showcasing Hamilton's rich, interesting history. Shirley, with the help of Karen Taylor, found volunteers to portray historical Hamilton figures and wrote scripts telling their respective stories to visitors as they participated in the Hamilton Cemetery Walk, presented in conjunction with the 2007 Hamilton Homecoming Days. Shirley also spends time volunteering in other venues. While her father was in residence at the LaHarpe Nursing Home, she became a volunteer and helped with resident activities. She has also been seen calling BINGO at Hamilton's Montebello HealthCare Center. You may sometimes find Shirley spending time in the KAH gift shop, as she is a member of the Keokuk Area Hospital Auxiliary.

 

When asked how to become a volunteer, Shirley points out, "There is no shortage of opportunities for those interested. One can always get involved in Senior activities, Historical Societies, schools, churches, the library, clubs, Habitat for Humanity or the Red Cross." She adds, "Just decide what you find enjoyable and you'll soon be rewarded by helping others."

 

We would like to congratulate and thank Shirley Bricker for helping to make Hamilton the community we all call "home"!