Senior center recognizes four local volunteers
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

MUCH THANKS- The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Board of Directors recognized four senior volunteers for their ongoing involvement with the district's many programs during a ceremony at the Camarillo Community Center last week. Those who attended the event include, left to right, board member Paul Rockenstein, honoree Jerry Oakley, board member Elaine Magner, honoree Dick Taylor, honoree Genny Fogeltanz, board president Mark Malloy and board members Patty Hamm and Bob Kelley. Volunteer honoree Renee Sherry is not pictured.

A few years ago, Renee Sherry and her father started taking a watercolor class together at the Camarillo Senior Center.

Not long after, Sherry took over the class and expanded it to include all aspects of fine arts, including oil painting, charcoal and acrylics. Some of her students have gone on to sell their paintings for thousands of dollars.

"The class wasn't really going anywhere, so I asked permission if I could beef it up a bit," said Sherry, 62, who has lived in Camarillo for 16 years.

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District last week honored the art teacher as an Outstanding Senior Volunteer, along with Dick Taylor, Jerry Oakley and Genny Fogeltanz.

"We're servicing hundreds of seniors weekly, and without our volunteers, we wouldn't be able to provide many of the programs and services," said Jane Raab, recreation coordinator.

The volunteers were honored the same day the Pleasant Valley board passed a resolution proclaiming May as Older Americans' Month. More than 11,900 people over the age of 60 live in the district.

Sherry, who has been teaching the art class for five years, enjoys teaching and finds that it helps her develop her own artistic skills. The Pleasure Painters group meets Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in the senior center.

"I would say I'm more of a mentor than a teacher," she said. "I do it because I get more out of it than I think I give. I thoroughly enjoy being with the people there. In any artistic endeavor, you're inspired by the people around you. You learn from other artists."

Taylor, 65, is one of three volunteers who picks up seniors at their homes and takes them to medical appointments anywhere in Ventura County, and he usually drives them home.

After working for the city of Los Angeles' Department of Airports for nearly 20 years, Taylor doesn't mind driving people who are unable to: He drives a Toyota Prius hybrid and gets reimbursed for the gas mileage.

"You get a little disconnected commuting 55 miles away for 20 years," said Taylor, who has lived in Camarillo since 1984. Taylor has been a volunteer driver for six years. "This is a nice way to get connected with the community and meet some really nice people."

Taylor and his wife, Marilyn, have been married for 36 years, and they enjoy traveling. Taylor said his favorite destination was New Zealand, and he recently spent two months in Hawaii.

Oakley, 72, has helped manage and run bingo games at the senior center since 2002. He calls the numbers and has to take care of the antiquated bingo machine, climbing a ladder to replace the indicator lights with new bulbs.

"It's always a problem trying to keep those machines working. They burn out quite frequently," said Oakley, who has lived in the same house in Camarillo since 1960. "They needed some help, and I just thought I'd pitch in and help. I really didn't expect to get into it."

Bingo is played in the senior center three days a week, Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays at noon.

Fogeltanz, 80, has been running the Social Bridge Group for 15 years. She is also the motherin-law of Mark Carlson, financial supervisor for the district.

"We have a very good group," said Fogeltanz, who has lived in Camarillo since 1971.

Fogeltanz grew up playing pinochle and whist, a card game that predates bridge. She usually helps run six to eight tables of participants every Wednesday at 1 p.m.

"Bridge is a game that keeps the mind sharp," Raab said. "It provides an opportunity for seniors to play the game and socialize."