Oceanside CA— Anita Romaine and Linda Walshaw have been named Oceanside’s “Seniors of the Year” for 2019. The announcement was made by Deputy Mayor Jack Feller during the annual Senior Expo, hosted by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, at the Civic Center Plaza on Thursday.
“It’s amazing!,” said Anita Romaine. “It’s amazing to be appreciated by the people you volunteer for and the community. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Romaine has been an Oceanside resident since 1970 and has been a volunteer with many schools and organizations including Civitan and the Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation at which she is currently the treasurer. Romaine helped spearhead the the formation of the O’side Film Festival in 2009.
“I am so grateful,” said Linda Walshaw. “It’s such an honor just to be nominated. It’s very hard work but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I very much appreciate the thank you from everybody.” she added that it was wonderful just to have her friends and family at the event. Walshaw is Vice-Chair of the City of Oceanside Housing Commission, a member of the City of Oceanside Homeless Ad Hoc Committee, former Vice President of the Alliance of Citizens to Improve Oceanside Neighborhoods, former Board Member and Ombudsman of Oceanside Manufactured Homeowners Alliance, former Board Member of Rancho San Luis Rey Homeowners Advisory Committee, the founder and Chair of the Oceanside Mobilehome Advisory Committee, just to name a few of her volunteer activities in Oceanside. The Oceanside Mobilehome Advisory Committee (Oceanside ‘MAC’) is a free resource for seniors, low income families, the disabled, blind and retired veterans who need legal referrals or other resources.
The two honorees received medals, flowers, gift certificates and a year-long membership to the Friends of the Oceanside Public Library along with their names affixed to plaque which hangs in the Oceanside Country Club Senior Center.