WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Once again senior citizens will have their day Wednesday at the Porter County Fair. Nine seniors representing area agencies have been chosen as the 2008 honored seniors and will get recognition at the fair.

Howard Hussong represents the Valparaiso Lions Club. He lives in Valparaiso and is 81-years-old. He is married with two children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include reading and collecting books for his large personal library; also gardening and music. Prior to retirement he worked six years in teaching, five years in insurance and real estate sales and then held positions in industrial engineering design. He has been a member of the Valparaiso Lions Club since 1969, Valparaiso Elks Lodge and Friends of the Valparaiso Library. He has helped provide transportation for senior citizens to their doctors and treatment locations and has visited hospitalized senior citizens.

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

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

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

LaVanche West represents the Valparaiso Woman's Club. She lives in Valparaiso and is 90-years-old. She is married and has one child, three grandchildren. Her hobbies include genealogy, calligraphy, cryptograms and crosswords, reading. She was a teacher for 36 years and retired from Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Valparaiso. She is a 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 and made candies for the club, served as hostess and has taught some of the craft programs at Banta and helped with immunization programs for Woman's Club.

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

Elaine Hanson represents Pines Village Retirement Communities. She lives in Valparaiso and is 81 years old. She is widowed with three sons, 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Elaine continues to be curious and strives to feed her mind and educate herself on a wide variety of topics. She taught math and science and started the Adult Learning Center in Chesterton in 1975. She also was an army education advisor and helped young men obtain their GEDs. Her club memberships include Literacy Volunteers of America, American University Womens Association, VU Womens Guild and Lutheran Guild, and Indiana Association of Adult Continuing Education. Because of her work with the U.S. Army she was given the Outstanding Civilian Service medal and also was honored with outstanding adult educator award. She feels it is her mission and an honor to pray for and with her neighbors and staff at Pines Village. She is deeply honored and touched to be recognized at the age of 81.

Will Ryan represents the Bonner Senior Center. He lives in Portage and is 71-years-old. His hobbies include jigsaw puzzles, woodworking, 8-ball and snooker pool, bean bag, reading and Chicago Cubs. Prior to retirement he was a cabinet maker and exhibit installation supervisor. He is a member of the Hobart Elks Lodge 1152, Bonner Senior Center and Carpenters Local 1027.

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

Bonnie Mueller represents Whispering Pines. She resides in Valparaiso and is married with two children and three grandchildren. Her hobbies include baking and decorating special occasion cakes, playing in the VU Community Concert Band and playing with the grandkids. Prior to retirement was a substitute teacher, teachers aid, airline reservation agent and an insurance agent. She has volunteered at Whispering Pines Nursing Home. She makes their birthdays and holiday cakes.

"I think the most rewarding part of being a volunteer is seeing the smiles when I come for a visit with my dog, Keyzee and/or my grandkids. Some of these wonderful people get very little visits due to families being spread across the country. To even be considered as an honored senior is an honor itself. I would be proud to represent the seniors of Porter County. I have only lived here 4 years but I have felt "at home" since day one.," said Mueller.

Victoria Mathis represents the Hebron Senior Center. She resides in Hebron and is 78 years old. Her hobbies include gardening, pinochle, reading and volunteering. 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 proud that they thought I would make a good representative for the Hebron Senior Center.

Jan Whiting represents the Friendship Senor Center. She lives in Valparaiso and is 82-years-old. She is widowed with two children and five grandchildren. Her hobbies include knitting, crocheting and sewing. Prior to retirement she worked in records at the Valpo Police department and also as a file clerk and office worker at other businesses. She is a member of the Friendship Center and Single Sisters 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 of me to have chosen me. I do enjoy being with the people and the friendship we can share in our later years."

Charlotte Heath-Bailey represents the Village Park Enrichment Center at Banta. She is 76-years-old, a widow with two children and four grandchildren. Her hobbies include cards, board games, bike riding, helping out at church or Banta with activities. Prior to retirement she worked as a clerk at U.S. Steel Mill, Valpo school lunch program. At Banta she plays cards, exercises, decorate and helps when needed.She has worked at the polls for elections and is a member of First Baptist Church of Valparaiso.

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