Honorees

2011 Honorees: Breaking Barriers 

Joe Zingo

As the Artistic Director for Actors Cabaret of Eugene and one of the original founders, Joe Zingo, age 67, is directly involved in both the day to day operations of the theater, as well as planning for the future. Mr. Zingo is currently directing, designing and constructing the set, creating a lighting design and designing and sewing the costumes for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Concurrently, Mr. Zingo is also developing the script, designing the set, costumes, lighting and directing the World Premiere and National touring company production of CHANGING MINDS.

Mr. Zingo's work as a dramaturge has a national reputation, and his commitment to nurturing and producing the works of local authors is unmatched by any local arts group.

Award-winning journalist Carolyn Scott Kortge discovered a different life path when this non-athlete reasoned that even a “klutz” could walk, and she joined a group of fitness walkers in the mid 1980’s. One step led to another. Eventually she earned bronze and silver medals from the USA Track and Field Association’s National Masters Championships. In 1998 Carolyn combined her talents and interests in writing her first book, The Spirited Walker, based on the idea that fitness walking can simultaneously be a meditative practice. The popularity of the book led her to another career as a speaker and workshop leader around the country. Two years later, walking guided her through cancer treatment and recovery. Now, her recently published book, Healing Walks for Hard Times and her groundbreaking workshops for cancer patients encourage walking as a healing component.

LTD Board member, Ed Necker has survived two serious accidents, one causing severe physical damage, and the other brain injury. His first accident broke 'everything from my waist down except my ankles." He was not expected to walk again, but proved medical staff wrong by walking unassisted out of the hospital 11 months later. His second accident left him with a brain injury, and in a wheelchair. During his rehabilitation he was first a resident in Eugene Sheltercare’s Uhlhorn program, subsequently becoming a volunteer and then President of the Board of Directors. Because of his interest in transportation for people with disabilities, he was invited to serve on LTD's advisory committee for specialized transportation. He later became committee chair. In 2008, Oregon governor, Ted Kulongoski appointed Ed to the Lane Transit Board of Directors.

Without the vision, dedication and fund raising efforts of retired high school English and journalism teacher, 79 year old, Frank Long, people in Cottage Grove say the new Cottage Theatre building would not exist.

Active in the local theatre since 1981, Frank spearheaded a fundraising campaign for a new building when the lease on their 'theatre,' a former health food store, was in jeopardy. Building on a $30,000 grant from a local foundation, he asked 100 people in Cottage Grove to donate $1,000 each. More fund raising followed and the state of the art, 1.1 million dollar Cottage Theatre opened in 1998, and expanded in 2006, making a reality of Frank's vision for a theatre where adults and children could work together. His dedication continues today as a board member, volunteer grounds maintenance worker and actor.

Victoria (age 66) and Alberto (age 71) are a married couple originally from Lima, Peru. Motivated by the lack of economic resources in their home country to support their children’s college education, they immigrated to Oregon in September of 2003.

Limited formal education, linguistic and cultural differences limited their potential to achieve their goals. Nevertheless, they worked hard at many low-skill jobs, saved their monthly income, and were able to support their children’s education. Both of their sons completed graduate degrees in Peru thanks to their parents’ economic and moral support. They also supported their children’s families in moments of economic distress. Since 2008, they have been one of eight families who own the Small Farmers’ Project in Eugene and participate in the Huerto de la Familia (The Family Garden).

Marthana Guglielmo

At 91, Marthana Guglielmo breaks barriers every where she goes. She does it by educating those around her that vision loss is not the end of the world.

Marthana became legally blind at age 85 and instead of relying on others for all her needs she attended classes to teach herself all the skills she needed to maintain her independence. After attending the classes as a student she was asked to become a mentor. For three years she taught everything: white cane mobility, communication, personal skills, cooking, etc. Her mantra is, “you can still do anything, only in a different way.”

Pam Ring

For over 30 years Pam Ring, 62, has been passionate about helping people with developmental disabilities and their families. As Executive Director of the ARC of Lane County she has been the spirit and catalyst behind the ARC's motto of “changing mind, changing values, changing lives”. Pam has worked consistently to overcome the barriers inherent to full inclusion, access to services, and the protection of rights of individuals and their families.

2010 Honorees: Wisdom, Beauty & Strength

Cheryl Colstadt

72 years

     Jerry Williams

  68 years

John Attig

74 years

Lu Herr

80 years

Petra Austrebertha Tirado Mena de Wagoner

88 years

Ruby Brockett

74 years

Willa Reich

72 years

Beverly Farfan, 61 years, and her mother Donna Farfan, 88 years

    Lois Mortensen 70 years

2009 Honorees: Capturing the Oregon Spirit

Alfretta Spores

Lifelong Plant Lover

89 Years

Dick Smith

Recognized Community Organizer

85 years

Leslie Brockelbank

Peace & Social Justice Activist

85 years

Pat Patterson

OSU Master Gardener™

70 years

Theodore Palmer

Long-time Arboretum Volunteer

73 years

Joan Acker

Sociologist of Gender Equity

85 years

Marcia Allen

Advocate for Historic Preservation

85 years

Joe Blakely

Author of Oregon History

69 years

2008 Honorees: Active in the Arts

Ayla Talpai

67 years
Fiber Artist

Con Sheffer

79 years
Musician

Juretta Nidever

75 years
Photography and music

Kenke Kobayashi

81 years
Memorial designer / watercolorist

Shirley Froyd

71 years
Water media artist

Philip Bayles

61 years
Conductor

2007 Honorees: Working for a Better Tomorrow

Dr. Donald England

83 years

Research and education in brain function

Howard Pinnock

100 years

Supporting sustainability and community

Jerry Prud'homme

62 years

Social justice and affordable housing

Margaret Graziano

90 years

Working with prisoners

Marian Malcom

68 years

Human rights activist

Martin Acker

85 years

Mental health educator and counselor

2006 Honorees: In Motion After 60

From left to right:
Jim Matekja, 68 years, pole vault

Carol Clark, 77 years, weight lifting

Jane Dods, 70 years, hiking

Beth Feris, 92 years, fitness enthusiast

Ruth Frohmuth, 81 years, fitness instructor

Mary & Marv Krenk, 86 & 89 years, dance instructors

Melanie Reske, 75 years, shotput
Bud Proctor, 77 years, ski

2005 Honorees: Adventures After 60 - Opening New Doors

Annadon Sage

71 years

Choir director

Bob Davis

65 years

Encore performer

Bob Wilson

62 years

Theater director

Connie Pomeroy

74 years

Active volunteer

Earle Elison

76 years

Community builder

Rosie Mock

83 years

Web master

Thelma Doak

102 years

Writer

2004 Honorees: Adventures After 60 - Opening New Doors

In clockwise order

Louis, 91 years, Walks, gardens, bakes, enjoys life to its fullest
Wilma, 85 years, Committed to service, mentor, leader in her neighborhood
Herb, 75 years, Active with community boards and organizations
Delight, 69 years, Active with youth and elders in her community
Anna May, 77 years, Active volunteer serving seniors and her church
Viola, 76 years, Helping those in her commuinty; always there for others
Charmaine, 68 years, Singer, activist, and teacher
Alice, 65 years, Attorney, helping those who need her knowledge and expertise
Thomas, 84 years, Peer counselor, dedicated to helping others
Kay, 63 years, Psychologist, author, business owner, backpacker