The King and Queen of hearts

The center's annual Valentines Day dance was Feb. 28 at the Clarke County Recreation Center in Berryville. The event was pushed back two weeks due to bad weather.

The coveted crowns are voted on by members of the senior center the week before the dance. The kings and queens of Warren, Frederick, Page and Shenandoah counties and Port Valley and Winchester also were crowned.

They were photographed and ushered to their throne, joining the ranks of the other recently appointed kings and queens already seated at the front of the room.

Howard has been a regular visitor to the senior center for four years, while Ruse, a newcomer, joined a few months ago.

Howard said she loves attending the activities at the center. Among her favorite activities are enjoying fellowship and programs and meeting the new people.

Howard, who sings in the senior center's choir, last performed at the Christmas luncheon. She also is a member of the choir at Austin Grove United Methodist Church in Bluemont.

The Bluemont native has relocated several times in Loudoun County before she and her husband of 54 years, James, settled in Berryville seven years ago. They have six children.

She retired from her job as a receptionist at the National Wildlife Federation in Reston seven years ago.

Howard said the people of Berryville made her feel welcome when her family first arrived.

Its quiet and friendly, she said softly. She later added, with a smile, that she liked being close to the stores downtown.

Although they are both devoted to their significant others, Howard described her fellow royalty (Ruse) as a very nice man and polite. He made a good king.

Howard enjoyed dancing with Ruse to the song Sweetheart performed by the band Mac and Annie.

She danced up a storm, shes still got that spring in her step, said Bonnie Dodson, the center's director.

I was surprised and happy, Howard said, after learning she had been voted queen.

Im going to keep it for a keepsake, said Howard, referring to her crown. "I might not get another one.

Ruse was proud of his crown, saying he would display it on his dresser.

Much like Howard, he was also surprised that he won, but he rose to the occasion.

My wife and I never did anything like this, he said, claiming that the Valentines celebration was the first dance he had ever attended in his life.

He added that he had never seen any occasion that included a finger-food buffet and decorative balloons.

I was kind of excited about it, he said. I never did no dancing. I never had time to fool with things like that.

He returned Howards friendly feelings, but was insistent that he only has eyes for his wife, who is currently staying at Rose Hill. They have three children.

Im a one-woman man, been that way for 58 years, he said.

Ruse lived most of his life in Laurel, Md., where he worked as a vegetable farmer, did construction for a cinder-block company, and drove school buses. He now lives outside of Berryville.

I like living in the country, he said, recalling how he was raised in a rural area. Everybody speaks to you. They see you and they wave.

Ruse visits the senior center in the mornings, enjoying programs or putting puzzles together before eating lunch.

I like it up here, he said. Im doing good.

Clarke Supervisor John Staelin also attended the ceremony, presenting an award on behalf of the Board of Supervisors to Dodson for her 25 years of service to the senior center.