MEDFORD, OR—At its 2016 Annual Meeting on Sunday, September 25, the Southern Oregon Historical Society honored six individuals whose volunteer efforts received accolades from the organization’s trustees, staff, and other volunteers. Two recipients were acknowledged as Volunteers of the Year; three recipients were recognized for their impact as New Volunteers; and one individual was singled out for an Outstanding Service Award.

The first Volunteer of the Year, Larry Mullaly, was cited for working steadily behind the scenes for years on behalf of SOHS. His Heritage Award for “outstanding commitment to preservation and promotion of history” recognized his managing, organizing and moderating the monthly “Windows in Time” events at the Medford and Ashland libraries; coordinating volunteers for setup and takedown of major Hanley Farm events; and also writing and co-producing the popular annual Haunted Field Drama at Hanley Farm in conjunction with the Crater High School Renaissance Academy.

The second Heritage Award Recipient, Pam Sasseen, was lauded for personally photographing every SOHS event, coordinating all SOHS publicity, and moderating the SOHS Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Committee.

New Volunteer Recognition Awards acknowledged the dedication and enthusiasm of Jennifer Laughlin, Sharon Feil, and David Sours—new volunteers who “jumped in with both feet,” “bringing their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm” to SOHS efforts “to preserve and promote Southern Oregon history.”

Finally, an Outstanding Service Award was presented to Vicki Bryden, former SOHS Board member, Board President, Foundation member, and former Heritage Award recipient, for stepping into the volunteer role of Management Committee Coordinator and liaison to the Board of Trustees while still fulfilling all of her SOHS and SOHS Gold Digger volunteer responsibilities.

SOHS Board of Trustees Awards Committee Co-Chairs, Paden Voget and Carolyn Kingsnorth, also cited the cadre of dedicated volunteers who work in the Research Library, at Hanley Farm, on exhibits, and on the many SOHS tours, programs, activities, and events, calling them “unsung heroes” and pointing out that the organization would not be able to function without them.

Featured image above is of Vicki Bryden.