ANNUAL AUDUBON PICNIC – JUNE 29, 2013
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
FAREWELL TO DARLENE CHIRMAN, AFTER 12 INCREDIBLE YEARS
Whether it was for the “50th Anniversary” bash, Darlene Chirman’s farewell, or the wonderful weather, on Saturday June 29th, over 125 members of Santa Barbara Audubon and guests gathered under the shady redwoods at Stow Grove Park and spent a lively afternoon visiting, eating, and celebrating.
Three large tables barely accommodated all of the picnic potluck dishes and brought folks back for more than a second helping. In celebration of the “50th” we were blessed to have several of our founding members present. They enthusiastically shared stories of “how it all began” and memories of political activism on behalf of birds and their habitat. There were “50th” t-shirts and hats to buy, silent auction items to bid on, and Glendessary Jam’s toe-tapping music to enjoy.
Before the brief Annual Meeting (Board candidates elected by vote of the SBAS members present), Darlene’s leadership and extraordinary work to restore natural landscapes was recognized by laudatory resolutions from the US House of Representatives, the State of California, Santa Barbara County, and Goleta City Council. California Audubon’s Garry George was present and National Audubon sent congratulations. County Supervisor Janet Wolf spoke touchingly of Darlene’s impressive achievements on behalf of us all. Our farewell was capped with an unrehearsed singing of “Good-bye, Darlene” (aka “Good Night, Irene”) and the Chapter’s gift of a John Iwerks painting of Arroyo Hondo Preserve. The Preserve announced it will name a trail after Darlene in gratitude for her decade of work there.
If you left anything at the picnic area, contact Dolores Pollock for your “lost and found” items:
email hidden; JavaScript is required
Darlene with Gift of John Iwerks Painting – Photo courtesy Jim Cencer
John Walker announces Darlene’s Grove at Arroyo Hondo – Photo courtesy Jim Cencer
Long-time Leaders: Jan Hamber, Joy Parkinson & Jim Mills – Photo courtesy Jim Cencer
Sam and Darlene with 50-yr member Ruth Tapper – Photo courtesy Jim Cencer
Supervisor Janet Wolf Lauds Darlene – Photo courtesy Jim Cencer
Thank-You Darlene Banner – Photo courtesy Jim Cencer
Veteran Audubon Leaders: Joy Parkinson, Lee Moldaver, Rob Lindsay & Jan Hamber – Photo courtesy Brina Carey
Singing Goodbye, Darlene with Glendessary Jam – Photo courtesy Jim Cencer
