Cape's honorees

Q. How do you know if the time and energy you have devoted to your community all your life has been worth the effort?

Good answer: When you receive the Rush H. Limbaugh Award for community service at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.

Best answer: When you realize, after returning from one of many business trips, that Cape Girardeau "truly is a remarkable place."

That was the experience of James Rust, owner of RM Coco last week when his good friend David Limbaugh announced the award winner.

Two other honors were given during the chamber dinner. Lang Jewelers received the Small Business of the Year Award. And Becka Hollis of Montgomery Bank picked up the Go-Getter of the Year Award.

Rust's long list of community involvement includes leadership roles for Southeast Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri Hospital, La Croix United Methodist Church, Cape Girardeau City Council, the chamber of commerce and other community and civic organizations -- all while building and running a window-treatment business featuring exquisite fabrics, trim and finials with customers in all 50 states.

Roger Lang, the third generation at Lang Jewelers on Main Street, and his wife Judith Ann Lang have renovated the Lang building, restoring its historic charm while providing a modern and well-appointed environment for customers. Both are active in community projects, particularly those like Old Town Cape that boost the visibility and viability of the downtown area.

Becka Hollis, the Go-Getter, is chairwoman of the chambers ambassador's committee and was recognized especially for recruiting chamber members.

All of this year's award recipients represent the best of Cape Girardeau's legions of volunteers and community leaders who make this area such a desirable place to live and do business. Hats off to all of them. The biggest prize, as James Rust said, is returning to Cape Girardeau with the thought, "It's good to be home."