Michael Kelly of the NCACC’s Risk Management Pools presents Gray with a certificate commemorating her selection as winner of the 2009 Frank Bonner Scholarship.

Jones County Clerk to the Board Jennifer Gray received the 2009 Frank Bonner Scholarship from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners Risk Management Pools during an Aug. 29 breakfast. The award honors Bonner, a long-serving Beaufort County commissioner who was instrumental in establishing the Pools.

Gray will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the PRIMA Institute, the premier training program for public entity risk managers, to be held Oct. 26-29 in New Orleans. The presentation was made by former Catawba County Commissioner Bob Hibbitts, who served with Bonner as a pools trustee for many years.

Davie County’s Brenda Hunter was presented the 2008-09 Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners during the NCACC's 102nd Annual Conference, held Aug. 27-30 in Catawba County. Pictured at left, Catawba County Chair Kitty Barnes, Wake County Commissioner Joe Bryan and Cleveland County Commissioner Mary Accor presented the award to Hunter.

State Treasurer Janet Cowell (right) was impressed with the “trash art” seals designed by Catawba County Clerk to the Board Barbara Morris (left) for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners' 102nd Annual Conference, held Aug. 27-30 in Catawba County. The seals were created entirely of recycled products such as bottles and packaging materials.

Lois Askew announced her retirement Sept. 8 as Washington County clerk to the board and assistant to the county manager, a capacity in which she served for 28 years. She has served with the county for more than 34 years.

County Manager David Peoples said Askew has been a loyal, dedicated and outstanding public servant.

"Lois' work performance has been exceptional and world class," he said. "The county is losing a very valuable employee and asset. It will be extremely difficult to replace Lois both as an employee and as a friend to all citizens of the county. We wish her a long, healthy and happy retirement. She has certainly earned it."

Her last day with the county will be Nov. 30.

Transylvania County Clerk Trisha McLeod is getting married on October 3rd at English Chapel United Methodist Church in Pisgah Forest, N.C. She is marrying Andrew Hogan who is a Probation/Parole Officer with the Department of Corrections. They reside in Brevard, N.C. Congratulations Trisha!

Bertie County Clerk Misty Jenkins Deanes graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Arts on May 8, 2009.

Brenda Hunter, Clerk to the Board in Davie County, received MMC certification in June.

Paula Woodard, Clerk to the Board in Johnston County, received CMC certification in June.

Candace White, Deputy Clerk in Cumberland County, received CMC certification in July.

Hoke County Clerk Linda Revels is requesting prayer for her son, Damien Revels with the 30th HBCT, who is serving in Iraq. Thank you Damien for your dedication to our Country!

Carteret County Clerk Jeanette Deese's son-in-law recently arrived home from Iraq. Thank you Chad for serving our Country!

Carteret County Clerk Jeanette Deese has also welcome a new granddaughter into the world! Sarah Riley Kuzcka was born on August 4, 2009. She weighed 7.5 lbs and was 20 inches long. Congratulations!