In a surprise announcement, Mayor Bill Carter congratulates Hilton's Citizen of the Year, Al Howe. With many of his family in attendance, Howe received a plaque commending him for his many volunteer activities in the Hilton area. Photo by Walter Horylev.

The Hilton Village Board has chosen Al Howe as its 2001 Citizen of the Year. Howe has lived in Hilton since 1961 with his family.

Howe is a Grand Knight of the local Knights of Columbus Chapter at St. Leo's Church. In this role, he leads many of the local volunteers' efforts sponsored by the Knights, one project being the Adopt a Highway Program to keep Wilder Road between Manitou Road and the high school free of litter.

A veteran, Howe belongs to the VFW, the Moose Lodge and is Chaplain of the American Legion. He can be seen selling poppies annually for the American Legion and ringing the Salvation Army bell during the holidays.

Howe has volunteered at Hilton East Residential Home by driving residents to doctors' appointments. He entertains the residents every other Sunday evening through his participation in the band "Denny and Her Escorts." This band has also entertained on Wednesday evenings at the Gazebo.

Recently, Howe led an effort to establish a Veterans Memorial at the Community Center. Mayor Bill Carter says Howe is a great humanitarian. He has an "adopted" South American child through the Christian Children's Network. He travels to Monroe Community Hospital on Sundays to assist in taking the disabled residents to their meals. In the summer, he volunteers as a guide at the Samson Museum and has entertained the veterans annually for the past five years.

"Howe demonstrates each day of his life as a commitment to help family, friends, veterans and community by making it a better place to live," said Carter.