Nine senior citizens honored at the fair

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| Sunday, July 20, 2008 | No comments posted.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Once again senior citizens will have theirday Wednesday at the Porter County Fair. Nine seniors representingarea agencies have been chosen as the 2008 honored seniors and willget recognition at the fair.

Howard Hussong represents the Valparaiso Lions Club. He lives in Valparaiso andis 81-years-old. He is married with two children and fivegrandchildren. His hobbies include reading and collecting books forhis large personal library; also gardening and music. Prior toretirement he worked six years in teaching, five years in insuranceand real estate sales and then held positions in industrialengineering design. He has been a member of the Valparaiso LionsClub since 1969, Valparaiso Elks Lodge and Friends of theValparaiso Library. He has helped provide transportation for seniorcitizens to their doctors and treatment locations and has visitedhospitalized senior citizens.

"Being chosen as an honored senior means that I will be encouragedto increase my efforts in the Lions Club and in other organizationsand on my own to give more help and more assistance to moreseniors," said Hussong.

Clarence "Chuck" Rivers represents the Pines Village Retirement Communities. He lives inValparaiso and is 80-years-old. He is married and has four childrenand 9 grandchildren. His hobbies and interests include tutor,drama, reenactor Bible study, reading, travel, photography,woodworking, water colors, sketching and reading. Prior toretirement he was in the Army, a truck driver, foreign missionbuilder, probation officer, caseworker, foster care, social work,chief juvenile probation officer and licensed mental healththerapist. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He is aBible study teacher and has helped senior citizens.

"It is very difficult to select one experience from 80 years ofliving and say 'this was most rewarding," said Rivers. But he hasbeen on a house building team and found that to be a blessedexperience.

LaVanche West represents the Valparaiso Woman's Club. She lives in Valparaisoand is 90-years-old. She is married and has one child, threegrandchildren. Her hobbies include genealogy, calligraphy,cryptograms and crosswords, reading. She was a teacher for 36 yearsand retired from Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Valparaiso. She isa member of D.A.R., Valparaiso Woman's Club, Ester Circle,Washington Evangelical Church and Hospital Guild, Porter Memorial.She has helped at the Woman's club on "Popcorn Days," baked andmade candies for the club, served as hostess and has taught some ofthe craft programs at Banta and helped with immunization programsfor Woman's Club.

"In my wildest dreams I would never have imagined being consideredas the honored senior. Whatever I have done as a club member hasalways been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I feel trulyblessed and grateful for this honor. Even at 90 I hope that I maystill be able to help in some ways," said West.

Elaine Hanson represents Pines Village Retirement Communities. She lives inValparaiso and is 81 years old. She is widowed with three sons, 7grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Elaine continues to becurious and strives to feed her mind and educate herself on a widevariety of topics. She taught math and science and started theAdult Learning Center in Chesterton in 1975. She also was an armyeducation advisor and helped young men obtain their GEDs. Her clubmemberships include Literacy Volunteers of America, AmericanUniversity Womens Association, VU Womens Guild and Lutheran Guild,and Indiana Association of Adult Continuing Education. Because ofher work with the U.S. Army she was given the Outstanding CivilianService medal and also was honored with outstanding adult educatoraward. She feels it is her mission and an honor to pray for andwith her neighbors and staff at Pines Village. She is deeplyhonored and touched to be recognized at the age of 81.

Will Ryan represents the Bonner Senior Center. He lives in Portage and is71-years-old. His hobbies include jigsaw puzzles, woodworking,8-ball and snooker pool, bean bag, reading and Chicago Cubs. Priorto retirement he was a cabinet maker and exhibit installationsupervisor. He is a member of the Hobart Elks Lodge 1152, BonnerSenior Center and Carpenters Local 1027.

"I am very proud to be chosen as an honored senor," said Ryan. "Ienjoy doing volunteer work for many different activities at thesenior center and helping people whenever I can."

Bonnie Mueller represents Whispering Pines. She resides in Valparaiso and ismarried with two children and three grandchildren. Her hobbiesinclude baking and decorating special occasion cakes, playing inthe VU Community Concert Band and playing with the grandkids. Priorto retirement was a substitute teacher, teachers aid, airlinereservation agent and an insurance agent. She has volunteered atWhispering Pines Nursing Home. She makes their birthdays andholiday cakes.

"I think the most rewarding part of being a volunteer is seeing thesmiles when I come for a visit with my dog, Keyzee and/or mygrandkids. Some of these wonderful people get very little visitsdue to families being spread across the country. To even beconsidered as an honored senior is an honor itself. I would beproud to represent the seniors of Porter County. I have only livedhere 4 years but I have felt "at home" since day one.," saidMueller.

Victoria Mathis represents the Hebron Senior Center. She resides in Hebron and is78 years old. Her hobbies include gardening, pinochle, reading andvolunteering. She is a member of South County Bells.

She has volunteered at the Willows.

"Anytime you volunteer it is a rewarding experience. I was so proudthat they thought I would make a good representative for the HebronSenior Center.

Jan Whiting represents the Friendship Senor Center. She lives in Valparaisoand is 82-years-old. She is widowed with two children and fivegrandchildren. Her hobbies include knitting, crocheting and sewing.Prior to retirement she worked in records at the Valpo Policedepartment and also as a file clerk and office worker at otherbusinesses. She is a member of the Friendship Center and SingleSisters through her church. At the center she makes lap robes,slippers, shawls and loves her time at the center.

"It is real nice to know the persons at the center think enough ofme to have chosen me. I do enjoy being with the people and thefriendship we can share in our later years."

Charlotte Heath-Bailey represents the Village Park Enrichment Center at Banta. She is76-years-old, a widow with two children and four grandchildren. Herhobbies include cards, board games, bike riding, helping out atchurch or Banta with activities. Prior to retirement she worked asa clerk at U.S. Steel Mill, Valpo school lunch program. At Bantashe plays cards, exercises, decorate and helps when needed.She hasworked at the polls for elections and is a member of First BaptistChurch of Valparaiso.

"There is a great group of seniors at Banta. I am more than happyand blessed to be chosen this year. I thank all the members forgiving me this honor. It's an adventure I never thought wouldhappen. I thank God for the opportunity to be here today."

Senior Day at the Fair
Pines Village Retirement Communities and Village Park EnrichmentCenter at Banta, will be hosting a variety of activities andentertainment at the Porter County Fair on Senior Day, July 23.
Entertainment and events will take place in the Buggy WheelPavilion starting at 10 a.m.
“Discovering Our National Treasures” is the theme forthe day.
9 a.m. announcements
9:15 a.m. Funny Dummy Show
10 a.m. Gothard Sisters
10:45 a.m. Discovering Our National Treasures
11:15 a.m.m honored senior presentation
1 p.m. bingo
All persons 65 and older will be admitted free to the fair thatday. Veterans and current military personnel will also be admittedfree. Transportation from the main gate to the hospitality tentand the Buggy Wheel Pavilion will be available. Trolleys will alsotour the fairgrounds.