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TALENT Talent Citizen of the Year: 'She just does stuff' Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 2:00 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News TALENT — Elizabeth Zwick didn’t rest on her laurels after she was named the Mayor's Citizen of the Year because of her many hands-on improvement projects. On a recent morning, despite blustery weather, she and five members of the Talent Garden Club planted bulbs in a city entrance area on Highway 99 just south of Colver Road. That was just after her Talent Strong Women exercise group session, which she finds a good place to recruits helpers for projects. Since moving to Talent in 2009, Zwick has worked on and led numerous projects. They have included a tree nursery, trails, garden spaces, cleanup projects, the Harvest Festival, recycling. “Elizabeth’s efforts are always directed at projects that have real impacts on the citizens of Talent,” Mayor Bill Cecil said when he presented the award last week at a volunteer recognition ceremony in the Community Center. “She just does stuff. She’s just one of the most humble people that I know,” said Garden Club President Sharon Anderson, who received the honor in 2012. “She just does things and doesn’t toot her own horn.” Zwick, diagnosed with leukemia in 2004, has battled health issue since moving to Talent. While walking to physical therapy in 2010 following surgery, she spotted what would be a more direct route through a tangled area along Wagner Creek between Talent Avenue and Highway 99. “I even hoisted the walker over a log and pushed through there,” said Zwick. That determination led to a walking path along the creek created with help from 30 volunteers, city officials and property owner SOS Plumbing. It was her first of many projects. Zwick’s parents were active in the community as she was growing up. “The main thing I got from the two of them is that one doesn’t have to wait for someone else to do something,” Zwick said. As a kid, she was given a hammer and nails to build things to play with. At Christmas, the family made ornaments for the tree and presents for each other. While living on Bainbridge Island, Wash., Zwick was involved with building a community library without outside help. She also helped set up a daycare center. Zwick is liaison to the Talent Parks Commission from the Together for Talent Committee. She admits she’s not good at meetings and just wants to tackle projects once she gets a go-ahead. Three mornings per week, she participates in the Talent Strong Women exercise group. “It’s really central to making things happen in the city, at least for women,” she said. Zwick established the Weed Team to keep city lands pesticide-free, created a rock garden next to the Talent library, organized a walkway effort along Rapp Road and created a map of notable trees in town. She initiated the Children’s Gift Shop at the Talent Friends Church, where kids can select donated presents to give to their parents at the holidays. “I want children to experience that side of Christmas,” Zwick said. Parents are excluded, but adults are present to advise. The kids wrap the presents. “One of her values is not to need money,” said Anderson. When a sign was needed for the tree nursery, Zwick put her artistic talents to work painting one on an old dryer side. When a mini-shed was needed to protect a watering system timer at the nursery, Zwick built it. “Talent is easy to love because it is easy to take part in,” Zwick said when she received the honor. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected] . By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 15, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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