Kisbey wins SMAK Attack community clean-up competition

KISBEY — For over 25 years, the SMAK Attack Award has been going strong between the towns of Stoughton, Manor, Arcola and Kisbey.

This friendly competition judges towns on neatness, including mowed grass, weeded flower beds, cleaned alleys, removal of old vehicles and trimmed tree branches.

Each town takes great deal of pride in receiving this award and it is a fantastic way to get the town cleaned up for when guests come for a visit.

Competition is always tight, making it challenging for judges to choose this year's winners.

Audrey Rasmussen, Heather Thomas and Beth Corrigan, all from Carlyle, travelled to each town before noon, checking how the town looked.

Last year, the award went to the Town of Arcola, and the luncheon was held in Kisbey, and Arcola, being the defending champion, hoped to win again this year.

When the judging was over, representatives from each town met at the Arcola Optimist/Legion Hall for lunch.

The judges once again said that the competition was close, but in the end, only one town could win, and this year, the prestigious SMAK Attack Award went to the Village of Kisbey.

Elisa Jackson, Kisbey’s mayor, said they spent hours on the tractor, and they only have one town person.

“The community really pulled together and pitched in to get her done,” said Jackson.

“Luckily, we never received any of the major storms, so it did not slow down the cleanup,” she said.

Jackson praised the people of Kisbey for always helping each other, when they know of someone who has issues, others step in to give a helping hand.

Cathy Burton, Town of Arcola’s assistant administrator, handed over the award to Mayor Elisa Jackson at the luncheon.

Next year, the towns will once again try to win the award, while Kisbey will try to be the winning team again.