WHO WE ARE
The Hoffmans made a generous gift of their home, located at 595 Laneda Avenue, Manzanita, Oregon, to establish a new community center for North Tillamook County. Their trust
directed that a nonprofit organization receive the property, and develop then
maintain the community center. Thus Hoffman Center was born.
Board of Directors
Stewart Martin, Neahkahnie - A retired business lawyer who revitalized Manzanita's Spindrift Inn, Stewart is quite involved in community affairs and Rotary. Seeking to let his artistic spirit soar, soon after coming to Manzanita, he auditioned for Oklahoma! He was hooked, has been in several plays, musicals and a couple of operas, and sings with local choruses. He also enjoys hiking the area, occasionally sketching or taking photos.
David Dillon, Manzanita - A retired U.S. Navy officer and former local newspaper editor, David is a writer and photographer. He is a great fan of classical music - particularly Italian opera. David was a personal friend of the Hoffmans and is married to an artist. He holds a BS in Broadcasting and MS in Business Administration.
Gene Dieken, Nehalem - A native of eastern Iowa, Gene was educated as a fine art photographer at the University of Iowa. He later pursued a career in newspaper publishing that included a daily newspaper in Iowa and Willamette Week in Portland. In 2001, he left Portland to become a full-time coastal person and recently purchased the local web portal, http://neahkahnie.net. Gene is currently leading the renovation of the former Treasure Cave building on Laneda Avenue. The Hoffman Center purchased the building last fall and intends to transform it into the first home for Center programs.
Vera Wildauer, Manzanita - Wildauer spent 20 years in bank marketing, most recently as marketing director for a community bank in Everett, Washington. She has prior non-profit board experience, most notably for Bridgeways, a mental health agency, for nine years, with five years as board president and chair of the public relations committee. She is co-founder of the Manzanita Writers' Series, a program of the Hoffman Center. Along with writing and reading at the Open Mic, she enjoys painting and photography. Wildauer moved to Manzanita full time in 2006, but has been coming here with her family regularly since 1975, all the while knowing that she would have to live here permanently someday.
The Hoffmans
Lloyd and Myrtle Hoffman were married in 1957 and moved to Manzanita in 1973, following retirement, and became active in the community.
In 1985, they donated a portion of land for the new Manzanita Library. They continued to live next door.
The Hoffmans were affable people who loved art, music and their community. They were honored as Manzanita's Citizens of the Year in 1994.
Lloyd died December 2, 1999 at 91. Myrtle died April 3, 2004 at 94.
The Hoffman Center
The Hoffmans bequeathed their home, located at 595 Laneda Avenue, Manzanita, Oregon, in a manner of speaking, to the citizens of North Tillamook County. Their trust directed the establishment of a nonprofit organization to develop and maintain the site for the benefit of the community.
