By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Several TOPS KS 1075 Marion members received honors Friday and Saturday at TOPS State Recognition Days in Wichita.

Ginny Grimmett of Florence was recognized as the 2016 state first-place winner in her weight division with a loss of 47.6 pounds.

Grimmett and Lucille Bitner participated in a “Then and Now” parade across the stage for their loss of more than 50 pounds each since joining TOPS.

Effie Smith was recognized as Marion chapter president. She presented Grimmett with a “most inspirational member” award.

Marie Hofner was recognized as “past royalty.” She was state queen in 1985.

Hofner, Smith, Bitner, and Rowena Plett received pins as longstanding KOPS, members who have maintained their weight loss for a year or more.

The Marion chapter received a placard for losing an average of eight or more pounds per member in 2016.

TOPS, Inc. is an international weight-loss support organization. TOPS is an acronym for Take Off Pounds Sensibly, and KOPS stands for Keep Off Pounds Sensibly.

The Marion TOPS chapter meets at 9:30 a.m. every Thursday at Hilltop Manor activity center.