Lake County seniors honored for volunteer service

For the most part, these folks are more comfortable behind the scenes than on stage.

Active volunteers in their churches, libraries and clubs, 20 Lake County-area senior citizens were in the limelight Tuesday during the 28th Annual Senior Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at Key Lime Cove Resort in Gurnee.

Sponsored by Waukegan-based Lake County Council for Seniors, the awards recognized the hundreds of hours the volunteers have spent serving at hospitals, senior citizen groups, senior centers and other venues.

The winners were chosen for "making outstanding and selfless contributions for the benefit of others, without reward or recognition," said LCCS President Doreen Lagoni.

The group was treated to lunch and a special Elvis Presley tribute performance by Travis Morris. The hip-shaking, lip-curling singer got plenty of applause and some blushed faces in the crowd.

The 20 honorees were: Darlene Clauson, Antioch AARP Chapter 387; Mickey Donahue, United Methodist Church of Libertyville; Betty Fisher, Waukegan Church Women United; Ethel Flesher, Lake County AARP Chapter 150; Bob Friedlander, Kitchen Klangers; Anne Frost, Eldercare@Christ Church; June Gardisky, Warren Township; Kittie Harden, Waukegan Housing Authority; Nancy Kreuser, Advocate Condell Medical Center; Frank Kuzmickus, Little Fort Lions Club; Ann and Harry Larson, Zion Benton Public Library; Marge McKee, AARP Chapter 2691; Deacon Jack McMahon, Rolling Hills Campus; Ruby and Tom Neton, Waukegan Moose and the Exchange Club of Gurnee; Carol Potrykus, Catholic Women's Club of Lake County; Candice Quinn, Park Place Senior Center; Grace Stephenson, Lake Villa AARP Chapter 3978; and Pearl Watts, Barton Senior Residences of Zion.