Museum honors volunteers

Volunteer of the Year David Nelson

The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is rarely closed, but on one day a year, it locks its doors for just two hours so that awards may be presented to what it calls “its amazing group of volunteers.”

This year's special presentation took place at an appreciation luncheon held at Robson's Mining World, and was attended by more than 120 volunteers.

The Museum's top award for “Volunteer of the Year” went to Wickenburg resident David Nelson whom, along with his wife Linda, has volunteered since 2003. Nelson serves as a monitor in the Museum's galleries, helps with special events and assists Collections Manager Nathan Augustine.

“Whatever is needed, whenever it is needed, you can count on David being there,” said Marilu Rix, director of volunteers.

Two very familiar faces at the Museum, Jim and Jeanne Bansner, received DCWM's 2007 “Outstanding Service Award.” Known for giving the Museum's history exhibits tender loving care, the couple also monitor in the galleries, and Jeanne provides tours as a master docent. Jim Bansner has logged in thousands of hours building the Museum's popular, miniature histories known as dioramas.

“If the Museum were a human body, the Bansner's would be the heart that keeps it beating,” Rix told those attending.

The Museum's “Lifetime Service Award,” which goes to the volunteer who has contributed more than 2,000 hours of time, went to Jean Blake who has contributed over 3,000 hours to date. Jean works in the Museum Store on Tuesday mornings; and in 1998, she and her husband Rich were named “Volunteers of the Year.”

Also recognized with special awards were Janie Ruoti (“Ms. Museum Award”); Chuck Chapin (“Mr. Museum Award”); Carole Liggett (Ms. Loyalty Award”); Pete Burggraaf (“Mr. Loyalty Award”); Jim Goodhue (“Rookie of the Year Award”); Ed Romanski (“Out of the Walls of the Museum Award”); and Sergio Horcos (“Roped In Award”).

The Museum's prestigious “Don Tomlinson Award” for having served the greatest number of hours in a single calendar year went to Nancy Hayes who volunteered a staggering 800 hours during the year, working tirelessly as a store consultant for The Museum Store, Ranch Dressing and Just for Kicks.

Joining the Museum's equally prestigious � Hour Club” for volunteering 1000 hours throughout their years of service were Suzi Disser, master docent; Kathy Irwin, Las Senoras auxiliary board member and a trustee of the Museum; Glenn Kardinal, Administrative Offices volunteer; Mary O'Dell, volunteer in the Museum's stores; and Tina Wuerthele, past president of Las Senoras and a volunteer throughout the Museum.

Also receiving recognition for cumulative hours of service were Jayne Anker (2,950 hours); Jeanne Bansner (4,475 hours); Jim Bansner (3,890 hours); Jane Baxter (3,050 hours); Jean Blake (3,100 hours);Helena Chapin (2,125 hours); Ruth Schlecht (2,375 hours); and Sally Weisel (5,075 hours).

With the summer season about to begin, the Museum invites both new and longstanding members of the community to “try their hand” at Museum volunteering.

“We plan to open our summer show, ‘Cool-lection,' to the public in late May and welcome anyone who would like a cool and productive part-time, summer job,” said Rix. “We can very quickly give you a crash course in ‘Arizona's Most Western Museum!'”

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