2016-2017

Dwayne and Marilyn Bower

Category: 2016-2017

Dwayne and Marilyn Bower haved shared many things in their 49 years of marriage. They are the "personification of all that is volunteerism in Ojai". Owners of Zee Medical, they make time to help out in the Ojai Community. They contribute their time and energy from providing his collection of vintage restored cars for the Ojai 4th of July Parade and Ojai Day to supporting the alumni reunions at Nordhoff. They donate a medical van for the running events in Ojai each year. Dwayne has been a prime advocate of local water rights in the Valley. The dynamic duo are dedicated to preserving Ojai. They have fought to "Keep Ojai, Ojai". To quote Dwayne, "Part of life is giving, so this is what we enjoy, too".

Helen Peterson

Category: 2016-2017

Like other Living Treasures, Helen Peterson is recognized for her bountiful volunteer work. She feels she had never done anything that unusual. "I just saw things that needed to be done and did 'em."

She has provided safe haven for abused women. She raised a special needs son and became active in the Special Olympics for which she drove the participants up and down the coast of California.

She shares stories of Ojai as a docent of the Ojai Valley Museum walking tours. Her family has been a part the Valley for over 100 years.

She started teaching in Ojai in 1954 then taught military children and their families in Europe in the late 50's and 60's. She returned to Ojai and taught till retiring in 1991. She worked on special programs with at risk youth until 1994.

Ms. Peterson has volunteered at Twice Sold Tales and Ojai Libraries Bookstore. She volunteers at the Homeless Shelters each year and helps with Share the Harvest, the food pantry distribution program. Helen observed, "Well, I just go along quietly and do what I do--what I feel is right for me to do--and I hope if I inspire somebody by my actions, that that's the result that happens."

Jerry Kaplan

Category: 2016-2017

Jerry, long-time member of the Rotary Club of Ojai and retired business consultant personally worked with Sanford Drucker on establishing the Living Treasures as a combined intitiative supported by the Rotary Clubs of Ojai and Ojai Rotary West

His charitable and civic actvities included, but not limited, to helping to initiate the Ojai Golf Classic which supports the Ojai Educational Foundation and Ojai Valley Youth Foundation. He was active in the Municipal Advisory Council and served on the boards of the Youth Foundation and Ojai Valley Community Hospital. He has sponsored "Meet the Candidates Night" in his home and was a leader in the "Stop the Trucks" movement. which prevented hundreds of truck trips a day through Ojai. Jerry has worked on getting the flood maps of the East End of Ojai redrawn. Helping young people has been his passion whether it be interviewing 8th graders at Matilija or hosting Career Conferences through the Youth Foundation. To quote his wife, Anne, "He is sort of a spark plug the provides the initial spark."

Joyce West

Category: 2016-2017

Joyce was stunned when she learned she was named a 2016 Living Treasure. "There are so many people in this valley you know. It's amazing when you think of the percentage of people who volunteer and they volunteer willingly and there are so many talents here that we're very, very fortunate." Joyce is one of those people.

She has served as President of the Festival Women's Committee for the Ojai Music Festival.She has been active with the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation and Guild which has raised over a million dollars which has been used to improve the technology and services of our hospital.

Her husband, Al, a Living Treasure as well is supportive of her many endeavors. Her first volunteer experience was with Help of Ojai. "I helped there for a long time and enjoyed it." Since then, she has been involved with numerous groups and projects.

Lillian Tally

Category: 2016-2017

Lillian Tally has had a lifelong love of music starting with playing the flute in 6th grade.

Years later, she found herself still involved with music. She helps the Ojai Unified School District in many ways. Ms. Tally helps with planning, organizing, and coordinating of the elementary school music programs.

"For many students, music is the connection with school--their social life, a way for them to express themselves."

She has volunteered for the Music Van part of the Ojai Music Festival's Bravo! program. They bring their van full of instruments to every school so that all of the 4th graders can try them, leading many of them to play with the Ojai Unified School District Bands.

Lillian is an active member of Ojai Rotary West and the Ojai Valley Women's Club. She adds, "I really enjoy all aspects of the community that we live in, whether it's public education, the different social organizations, as well as community service organizations. I think all of them are vital to any community."

Stan Greene

Category: 2016-2017

Stan quips, "I think I'm a spotted dog." He says he is like the dog at a firehouse and, when the bell rings, the dog comes down and jumps on the firetruck. His care for the Ojai Valley is exemplified in his tireless efforts on behalf of the Citizens to Preserve the Ojai. His first battle was over the proposed expansion permit for Petrochem, a petroleum refinery, near Casitas Springs. Another battle that took 14 years was against the proposed Weldon Canyon Landfill. Stan has been a ardent supporter and activist in the Ojai FLOW Committee to have the Casitas Municipal Water District manage the water rather than the Golden State Water Company. "When people ask you about your life and all the things, I don't think so much about the work, but rather what you have done for your community."