Georgia and Gerald Strickfaden surrounded by family and friends at the 2025 Living Treasures event. Courtesy/LTLA
LTLA News:
The local Living Treasures program is a slice of our Americana captured in photos, storytelling and videos sharing the magic of community accomplishments. It is also a vital portion of Los Alamos history and her ability to honor our community elders.
Living Treasures Los Alamos (LTLA) is a non-profit program created by two community icons twenty-seven years ago. Rosalie Heller and Karen Nilsson Brandt built the local program based on the Santa Fe Living Treasures program. The pair assembled a volunteer board and on April 11, 1999, the first local recognition took place on the hill.
The once thriving honoring of our community builders was done twice a year until resources and manpower reduced it to a singular event. The problem with reducing the number of events means that we lose future treasures along the way. Today, the price of medals, food and holding a large-scale event increases while donations diminish for future events.
“Although it doesn’t take a lot of money, this cool tradition is at risk. Remaining funding is sufficient to recognize Living Treasures for only this year and next,” Board Chair Craig Martin said. “Meanwhile, the board’s list of deserving nominees sits at nearly a dozen, with new nominations arriving every year. Without renewed support, individuals whose acts of leadership and service strengthen our community may never receive the recognition they deserve.”
The winners selected for the 2026 class include Linda Daly, John Ruminer, and Kyle Wheeler. Their work to contribute to and enhance community will be recognized at a special event in September. Work is underway to capture stories highlighting many hours of selfless work and capture their essence in a single portrait. All donations made to the LTLA program are used for the sole purpose of honoring our Living Treasures while documenting history and accomplishments.
“During a heartfelt community ceremony celebrating lives of service, generosity, and lasting impact,” Martin said. “Friends, family, and neighbors gather to share stories that reflect the honorees’ contributions, while their official portraits are unveiled before taking their permanent place in the library—a lasting tribute that inspires future generations.”
The recent Living Treasures biographies are now housed in the West Wing at the Mesa Public Library. The ceremony photos and videos for the last three years are also available on the LTLA website.
Current members of the Board of Directors are Don Casperson, Craig Martin, Pamela Massey, Kate O’Donnell, Debbie Reiss, Kit Ruminer, Anna Marie Solomon and Pat Soran. The team is happy to provide additional information about the program or simply visit their historical website at LivingTreasuresLosAlamos.net.
To ensure that the program not only continues but thrives, they welcome donations both large and small. You can contact the program via email to request additional information at livingtreasureslosalamos@gmail.com
