Former teacher Sharon Robbins was named the 2006 recipient of the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce Senior Award at Friday’s awards banquet.

Robbins, a retired communications teacher from Chesterton High School, taught for 28 years and has retired to “a very busy and productive life,” said presenter Jane Walsh-Brown.

Robbins has served on the Westchester Public Library Board of Trustees since 1997. In addition to terms as library board president, she has shared her personal expertise and experience, giving book reviews, leading a young adult book group, a Junior Great Books Group and by teaching beginning and intermediate bridge to hundreds of local residents.

Robbins also volunteered, helping the library through its financial crisis from 2002-2004, serving as a weekly volunteer in the Reference Department.

Robbins has also volunteered with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore as a house docent and school guide at Chellberg Farm and as a volunteer at the Visitor Center Information Desk.

Robbins was an enthusiastic supporter of the lease by the WPL of the Brown Mansion and served on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Duneland School Corporation’s restoration of the historic structure.

“With my own office now in the Brown Mansion, I have a profound appreciation for the wonderful job that Sharon’s committee and the school corporation did,” said Walsh-Brown.

Robbins’ service to her community is “distinguished by her warm and gracious public service, her infectious enthusiasm for new ideas, positive approach to problem solving and her steadfast and long-term dedication to the organizations for which she volunteers,” Walsh-Brown added.

“On behalf of the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce and the members of our community, I would like to thank Sharon for her service and to present her with the 2006 Senior Service Award.”

Posted 1/30/2006