“They have been nominated by friends and family who know of their devotion to Los Alamos and want to recognize them publicly,” said Living Treasure of Los Alamos Board Treasurer Rosalie Heller.

 

Heller explained that the Living Treasures of Los Alamos organization began in 1999 and was modeled after a Santa Fe group. Living Treasures was created to celebrate the enormous role that so many of local senior citizens have played in the history of Los Alamos. Through their voluntary efforts, they have come to serve as models and mentors providing inspiration with their involvement, commitment, perseverance, hope, heart and wisdom. “They are the folk heroes who live among us.”

 

“Now it’s 15 years later and are 79th, 80th and 81st treasures will be installed today,” she said, adding that their stories are documented at livingtreasureslosalamos.org.

 

Living Treasures Board Member Dr. Robert Thomsen introduced the newest Treasures and presented them with certificates and flowers as wells as medallions crafted by Dobbins Studio in Santa Fe and funded by an anonymous donor.

 

Heller told the audience that it takes a lot of dedicated people to maintain Living Treasures and mentioned several including the Living Treasures Board – Dale Arnink, Karen Brandt, Jim Gautier, Pauline Schneider, Tammy Thorne, Sarah Rochester, Kyle Wheeler, Thomsen and Heller.

 

Marilyn Stevens has calligraphed the invitations and certificates for the Treasures since 1999.

 

Colleen Olinger interviewed this year’s Treasures and wrote their stories: Read stories here.

 

“Colleen isn’t here today as she is taking her 90-year-old mother on a sailing trip,” Heller said.

 

PAC 8 records all of the interviews and ceremonies each year and Jim Gautier photographs each Treasure after which he and his wife mount and frame them for their places on the Los Alamos National Bank wall. Gold Leaf Catering serves the reception, which is a gift from LANB.

 

“LANB has been our main source of support since the earliest days … paying for the invitations and mailings, the generous reception and contributing the extensive wall space for Jim’s photos,” Heller said. “Truly, LANB is a Living Treasure in its own way.”

 

 

Dr. Robert Thomsen presents John Stewart with his Living Treasure award. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Dr. Robert Thomsen presents Gene Mortensen with his Living Treasure award. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Chamber Director Katy Korkos pays tribute to her longtime friend Teralene Foxx. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com