Congratulations Mike Molsbergen
for Going the Extra Mile!
Michael Molsbergen, our very own Chief Deputy Coroner of Madera County, was named Investigator of the Year for 2006 by the California State Coroner’s Association. This is the organization’s most prestigious award and it was presented to our very own Chief Deputy Coroner by the Madera County Sheriff John Anderson on Wednesday, September 20th 2006 at the Radisson Hotel in Fresno in front of a crowd of around 200 people.
“What is most extraordinary about this year’s award,” Anderson said, “is the reason why I believe they singled out Molsbergen.” John Anderson said Mike was honored for his help in reuniting an Oregon woman with her half sister who had vanished after the 1985 murder of their mother in Madera. The woman in Oregon named Jeanine Westergaard, called the Madera County Coroner’s office in her search for her half sister, Theresa Josephine Velasco, who was one year old at the time they were separated. They had been separated for over 20 years and it took Mike less that a day to investigate and bring the two sisters together, going through four name changes and twenty address changes.
This task that Mike undertook was not part of his job description, but his dedication and enthusiasm in undertaking any assignment or case is what made him stand out to the coroner’s association. “I believe few agencies are blessed to have the kind of spirit and personal dedication Mosbergen exhibits,” Anderson said. “It is his overwhelming devotion to his job, and the personal pride he takes in every assignment he takes on, that makes him a standout.”
Jay Chapel is proud to work with Mike as our Chief Deputy Coroner. He is always there to support our efforts in helping families through a very difficult time. We can always count on him for his outstanding professionalism and personal fortitude.
CONGRATULATIONS
MIKE ON YOUR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD!
YOU DESERVE IT!
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Heather Lewis ~ Layne Studios
Heather Lewis, who is a Madera artist, recently painted our beautiful murals in the lobby of Jay Chapel. She has also created another beautiful mural in one of our visitation rooms and is getting ready to start on another for our visitation room. We appreciate the work she has done for Jay Chapel and through her work; we are able to provide our community’s families with a peaceful and serene setting to say “good-bye” to their loved ones. We thought we would have the community get to know her better by featuring her first in this new area of our website: Featured People & Events in Our Community.
Q: When did you first realize your talent as an artist? Heather: “When I was 5 years old my mom had a coffee can that had jungle animals on its label. It was sitting on top of the kitchen counter and I got a pencil and started drawing the picture that was on the label. I showed it to my dad and he thought I had traced it. It was at that point that my parents really encouraged my creativity.”
Q: Did you ever take art classes? Heather: “When I was in 4th grade I took a woodshop class. My parents were very crafty and creative and always included us kids in their different projects. When I turned 8 years old my dad bought me my first oil paint set with only the primary colors (we were on a teacher’s salary). Those colors included red, yellow, blue and white. This was the first time I started to learn how to mix colors to make a different color. When I got into high school, I took art classes but the teacher pulled me out of the normal class and asked me to do individual study where I learned how to do portraits.”
Q: What are the different mediums of art that you do? Heather: “I work with water colors, pastels, oil, and acrylics. I have also done bronze sculpture and children’s book illustrations in pen & ink.”
Q: What is your favorite art medium to work with? Heather: “Well, I have settled into acrylic. I work quickly with it and I found comfort in it because when I became pregnant it was less toxic, and when I had children, it dried faster so the kids were not able to mess up the painting.”
Q: When did you begin Layne Studios? Heather: “Layne is my middle name. I began dreaming of having my own business doing what I love when I was in high school. First, it started out as a hobby. Then, I began to see a demand for people wanting me to create things for them and I got my business license in 1998.”
Q: If you had to choose one piece of work that you’ve created that is your favorite, what would it be? Heather: “It is about the third piece of art I ever created my sophomore year at Hoover High School. It is an oil painting portrait of me and my three sisters. It is about 24” x 36” and it received the top honors of the art department and also hung in the Leo Politi library for some time. This piece is my favorite because it was at this epiphany moment that I knew I was going to be an artist.”
Q: What pieces of artwork have you created in Madera County? Heather: “In addition to the many, many residential murals, I created the Villa de Bella Salon on Howard Road as well as the bronze Bas-Relief portrait of Lee da Silva located at the Madera High School football field. I also recently designed a wine label and limited edition art for Children’s Hospital of Central California. This effort was coordinated by the Alegria Guild and all proceeds from the wine sales will be given to Children’s Hospital.”
Q: How long have you lived in Madera? Heather: “Since 1993.”
Q: What organizations are you involved with in Madera Heather: “I am currently President of the Board of Directors for the Madera Arts Council, I am working on a project with the Alegria Guild of Madera and I am actively involved with my children’s extra curricular sports activities. My husband and I also own a race car so you will also find us at the Madera Speedway.”
Q: Who inspires you? Heather: “Michael Angelo inspires me. His work is one of a “master” and will live on and on. In August I am planning to go to Italy to view the works of the masters and maybe take a few classes as well. I can’t wait!”
Q: What are your future plans? Heather: “I am planning to have my own art gallery. I just have to find the right building. I also would like to create a school of art so I can teach and pass down all the technique and style I have learned over the years.”
Q: What are you thankful for? Heather: “I am thankful for my God given talent and the ability to use my talent to bring peace and joy to people through my work.”
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