Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – It’s official. Sonia Anderson and Roger Lee are the 2023 Outstanding Becker County seniors after they were awarded their commemorative plaques at the Becker County Fair on Thursday afternoon.
The county’s outstanding senior awards were presented by Mahube-Otwa and recognizes a man and woman whose volunteerism, dedicated time and talents have made a positive impact on the community over the past year.
Lisa Stroschein, Becker County senior coordinator for Mahube-Otwa, said Becker County has been awarding an outstanding senior at the county fair every year since 1973 because the program was part of the Minnesota State Fair until last year.
“The nominations can come from anyone and anywhere in the community,” said Stroschein. “Sometimes businesses, sometimes friends and family, the form is not really daunting. It used to be daunting, we’ve changed it, we’ve made it simpler. And I think it shows because we’ve had a surplus of nominations this year, and that’s just great.”
Stroschein presented the awards under the Big Tent and she read portions of Sonia Anderson’s nomination letter as an introduction before bringing her up to the stage to present her with a commemorative plaque.
“This wonderful lady is described as just awesome and always positive,” said Stroschein, during the ceremony. “She always has a smile on her face. She spends time by visiting individuals and helping at her church, as well as, giving people rides to appointments. She is also a member of the Becker County Senior Council, Miss Sonia Anderson.”
Sonia Anderson smiles after receiving a 2023 Outstanding Becker County Senior award at the county fair on July 27, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
Anderson is a member of the Becker County Senior Council and, Stroschein said, she is just a positive person who always has a smile on her face.
Roger Lee, she said, has been inspiring enough with his volunteerism that he was nominated twice, by two different people.
“The male winner has so much volunteer experience that he was nominated twice, by two different people,” she said. “His volunteerism includes many hours of time devoted to his church, time and energy spent with the Fuller Housing program, and last, but certainly not least, his unwavering devoting to the Sons of Norway, as well as, the curling club. It’s said that if there is a community event, Roger Lee will be there.”
The Becker County outstanding seniors than posed for photographs with family, friends and other nominees. Following the ceremony, free pie and ice cream was served to the attendees.
Sonia Anderson, left, and Roger Lee, smile for a photo after being presented the 2023 Outstanding Becker County Senior awards during the county fair on July 27, 2023. (Michael Achterling / KDLM News)
Stroschein said it’s easy to run this award in Becker County because volunteerism seems to be a core belief for lakes area residents.
“We’re just blessed with so many wonderful volunteers in our community,” she said. “It makes our jobs easy.”
Nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Becker County Senior award will begin in the spring.
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