Older American of Year honored

LEADING SENIOR-Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber names Marilyn Guild of Thousand Oaks as the city's Older American of the Year. Guild was recognized for her volunteer work at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center where she is an advisory board member for the senior recreation program. Marilyn Guild may have retired from a professional career preparing tax returns, but her volunteer job helping the senior citizens in Agoura Hills enjoy their golden years recently caught the attention of city officials.

Guild, 73, was selected as the nominee for Agoura Hills' Older American of the Year award. The city council recognized Guild's contributions at a council meeting earlier this month.

The Los Angeles Commission on Aging honored Guild and other active, contributing seniors during a luncheon held last month at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

"I was amazed and very proud," Guild said of the honor.

Guild, a Thousand Oaks resident, began volunteering with the Agoura Hills senior recreation program four years ago, first as a tour escort overseeing senior day trips throughout Southern California. Within a year, Guild was selected to join the advisory board for the senior recreation program.

"I love what I do," Guild said. What she does is lead groups of seniors to such fun destinations as the beach, museums and plays. In addition to day trips, Guild takes groups of about 45 seniors on overnight trips four times each year. She said they've vacationed in Yosemite, Laughlin, Nev. and Newport Beach.

"We do all kinds of things," she said.

Guild has expanded her role by developing the Agoura Hills senior lunch group. Each month, she and 20 or so seniors visit what Guild called "very classy local restaurants." An elegant luncheon is planned at the Pierpont Inn in Ventura next month, she said.

"Ms. Guild's energy and dedication to community involvement is truly inspirational," Mayor

Denis Weber said at the council meeting, where he presented her a certificate of recognition as the city's Older American of the Year nominee.