TRAVERSE CITY -- Bea Houghton's 30-year commitment to her volunteer fire department is just one reason she was named the 2008 National Cherry Festival Distinguished Senior.
Karen Rosa, Long Lake Township Supervisor, and others in the township office nominated Houghton because she's always willing to help, and doesn't ask for anything in return.
"She never expects any special recognition for the things she volunteers for. She is the person behind the scenes. She is always there and community is very important to her," Rosa said.
Houghton is a life-long resident of Long Lake Township and has volunteered for a number of charitable causes. But she cites her 30 years of service to Battalion 10 of the Grand Traverse Fire Department-Rural Division as the most rewarding.
At 74, Houghton still goes on medical and fire calls when needed, but said she leaves the "heavy stuff" to younger volunteers. These days she mostly takes care of writing up fire and medical reports.
Houghton also was active in the local Parent Teacher Organization and served as Long Lake Elementary School's librarian for more than 20 years. As a volunteer, she was instrumental in starting the Reading Center, where she cataloged more than 2,000 books to ensure summer reading material was available for everyone in the community.
She normally shuns the spotlight, but Houghton said she was elated by the recognition.
"My personal opinion is I don't like this kind of thing, but I have received so many phone calls from people to congratulate me. I think they did a really beautiful job putting the program together."
National Cherry Festival
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