While the four honorees for Citizens of the Years have contributed to the community in unique ways — preservation of history or natural spaces, ministry to the community and artistic talents — all have inspired others through their passions.

The Citizens of the Years honor recognizes long-term contributions to the Oxford community. The Oxford Press and Oxford Kiwanis Club recognize Marjorie Bowers, Martin Miller, Betty Rogers and Sharon Wireback as the 2012 Citizens of Years honorees for their many years of service to a variety of local efforts.

Marjorie Bowers

Marjorie Bowers has used her artistic talents in a variety of ways to help the Oxford community since she and her husband returned to Oxford in 1997, having traveled the world following graduation from Miami in 1962.

“Marjorie is a talented watercolor artist, accomplished author, exceptional musician and lover of history and she has found many avenues in which to extend these qualities to needs of the community,” nominator Bill King said. “Among other literary works, Marjorie completed research on Caroline Scott Harrison, the only first lady of Oxford.”

From that effort, she contributed to the book “Celebrating the Oxford Ohio Bi-centennial 1810 – 2010” compiled by Valerie E. Elliott. Bowers then wrote her own book on Caroline’s life, with sale proceeds to be donated to the renovation work of the Oxford Community Arts Center.

Her musical talents have also been a part of her contributions to the Oxford community.

With Sandra Cotter, she researched and developed historical musical programs relating such topics as the Miami University Bicentennial, the Civil War, Patriotic songs, Flower history with flower songs and Christmas songs with their history and has contributed programs to numerous organizations throughout the Oxford and Hamilton communities.

She has served as a volunteer member of the Hamilton Symphony Chorus, Oxford Chorale, a member and officer of Chapter DC P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), a member of the Oxford Caroline Scott Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and an auxiliary member of the Des Fleurs Garden club.

She has donated her artwork to help raise funds for these organizations and many others.

Martin Miller

Martin Miller was recognized for his long-time involvement with multiple organizations, although support of the Oxford Museum Association was emphasized.

“Marty’s dedication to the Oxford Museum Association is deep and extremely beneficial to that organization,” said Tari Tharp, one of several people to submit nominations for Miller. “He has served on its Board of Directors for at least a decade, has been the association’s vice president and was on the search committee for the new director.”

Miller also coordinates the volunteers for the Apple Butter Festival and the Arts and Crafts Fair, which are the Museum Association’s primary fundraisers.

“Marty also coordinates and maintains the historic gardens at the Doty House and the covered bridge, devoting many hours to this task,” Tharp said.

Miller has also been a major contributor to the Oxford Lane Library and the Oxford Presbyterian Church. He served many years as a board member of the Friends of the Oxford Lane Library and has been active in the library’s annual and monthly book sales.

Miller also donates hours of his time at the annual Share Fest organized by the Family Resource Center. He has served as parliamentarian for many groups and as a chef, he was a volunteer instructor for a class offered by Miami’s Institute for Learning in Retirement.

“He does what needs to be done, quietly, without fanfare,” Tharp said. “Our community is extremely fortunate that Marty Miller gives his time so generously.”

Betty Rogers

“Betty Rogers has been more than just a great volunteer, organizational leader and financial supporter of Three Valley Conservation Trust from its earliest days to the present,” wrote TVCT Executive Director Larry Frimerman and board chair Adolph M. Greenberg in a nomination for her. “Quite frankly, the trust would not have become all that it is today without her heart-felt devotion to the mission of the trust and her tireless commitment to defining and accomplishing all that was required to bring it together.”

Rogers has been involved in many areas of the trust’s growth, including membership, development and fundraising, the latter with leadership in the trust’s primary fundraiser, the annual auction, since it started 10 years ago.

She has also given strong support to purchase the former Fryman farm mill race property and the private land where Oxford’s Black Covered Bridge is located.

The two trust leaders wrote that Rogers has made a great financial commitment to the trust but also took the lead on a general funding endeavor.

“Betty has continued to increase her financial commitment to Three Valley Conservation Trust to help sustain the organization through the down economy because of her passion for the environment, land conservation and the cultural heritage of the Three Valley area,” They wrote. “Dr. Rogers not only created an endowment for the trust, but also a scholarship fund in its name to make it more feasible for graduating high school seniors interested in conservation to attend college.”

While the TVCT has been a big focus for Rogers, she is also known for support of other local efforts, including the Institute for Learning in Retirement, Performing Arts Series, Midday Music, the Oxford Community Arts Center, McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, Animal Adoption Foundation and Oxford Community Foundation.

Sharon Wireback

“One citizen that all of Oxford can appreciate and be grateful for is Sharon Wireback,” said Brenda Frey, who nominated her coworker at the Oxford Kroger. “(Sharon) is passionate for people. It may be through a hug, her beautiful smile, a comforting word, or through her understanding eyes.”

While many know Wireback through her job at Kroger, she has been community volunteer both at work and away.

In 2012, Wireback was named district winner of the Kroger “Passion for People” award.

“The title says it all,” said Frey, the local store’s customer service manager.

Wireback has been the store coordinator for Black History Month, which won district recognition three times. As the store’s inclusion adviser, she listens to employee suggestions and works together to achieve both team and individual goals.

Away from work, she is a board member of the pregnancy care center and has also taught classes with post-abortion support groups.

Wireback has also been a guest speaker at the Oxford NAACP annual banquet and works extensively with the local chapter.

She is a board member of the Oxford Lutheran Church charitable organization and serves as secretary of the PUSH Board council for her church and is also a Wiz Kid Tutor for underprivileged children in the community.

“One of her outreach ministries ‘Sharing is Caring and Caring is Sharing’ encourages and motivates adults with low self esteem,” Frey said.

“You can also hear her beautiful voice singing in the choir and during the Christmas season at the Senior Center,” Frey said. “United Way is very dear to her heart. She is a great advocate to the organization.”