Carmine Daniele, a retired salesman for the American Automobile Association (AAA) ate his way into the White Castle Craver's Hall of Fame.

His craving for the little square hamburgers, and his writing about it, led to his selection as one of 10 people across the country to be inducted.

"He definitely exemplified the craving to the fullest extent," said Sudina Palmer, marketing coordinator for White Castle. "This is the third year we have run the contest. People write an essay about how White Castle has been involved in their lives or how they crave them."

Daniele, 78, of Green Township, received a plaque at the induction ceremony last month in Columbus.

His love for White Castles is spread over 70 years, he said.

"We use to swim at the Fenwick Club downtown and after swimming, we would gather our pennies and go to White Castle at Sixth and Broadway. They only cost a nickel then. And you could get six for 25 cents," Daniele said

Daniele said after spending two years in the Navy, he couldn't wait to hit the White Castle. "I even stopped by Sixth and Broadway and ate about four of them before I went home,'' he said.

He still eats White Castles, but not like he used to.

Daniele has a black belt in karate and keeps active even after two hip replacement operations. He worked at AAA 35 years before retiring in 1988.