Zweber, Murphy named Scott County's Outstanding Seniors

Mary Pat Murphy of Belle Plaine and Ben Zweber of New Market are the winners of the 2006 Scott County Outstanding Senior Citizen award.

They will receive the award during the Senior Citizens Program at 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Scott County Fair, in the Gazebo. Dave Minar of the County Fair board of directors will make the presentation. The program includes music and free ice cream, to be distributed by Cedar Summit Farm of New Prague.

Ben Zweber

Ben has been very involved with the Alpha Pregnancy Recourse Center and Maternity Home in Savage. He has served on the board of directors for seven years and has volunteered for various maintenance and organization projects for the home, assisting as temporary CEO as needed and providing other support for the women and babies who rely on the organization for support and counseling.

He was instrumental in the Alpha House project. He also supports the center's annual Walk for Life, getting donations, walking and storing the float.

Ben is an active member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in New Market and the Knights of Columbus, where he has volunteered his time freely in many ways. He is also an active member of the New Market-Elko-Webster Lions, a hospice volunteer, does fundraising for the New Market Fire Department, has supported the Girl Scouts, provided dictionaries to third graders, volunteers at Mala Strana Health Care Center, is a member of the Queen of Peace Hospital Auxiliary, and the Scott County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board, working to bring senior housing to New Market. He received the director of the year award from the Minnesota Valley Breeders. He resides with his wife, Mary, in New Market.

Mary Pat Murphy

Mary Pat Murphy of Belle Plaine has given to the community through her volunteering at her parish, the local nursing home, the hospital and in the Belle Plaine area. She has been a longtime volunteer at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine, where she has served in many ways. She is a volunteer at the Lutheran Home nursing home in Belle Plaine. Her community involvement also includes membership in the Queen of Peace Hospital Auxiliary, including stints as vice president and president.