Red Hats honored at Dilly Dinner

Laguna Greenbelt Inc. honored four docents at the annual Jim Dilley

Dinner, held recently at Tivoli Terrace.

Greenbelt President Elisabeth Brown presented copies of Ron

Chilcote’s book on the greenbelt to Edward Fry, John Albritton,

Kimberly Bixler Leeds and Bob Josephson.

“‘Red Hats’ were the first group of docents that came through

training when the park opened in April of 1993,” Brown said. “We were

trying to find a way to identify the docents. Ed (Fry) went out and

got a carton of red hats. I think I am the only one who is still

wearing one.”

Fry was described as an “educator’s educator,” a past President of

the National Reading Hall of Fame.

“Yeah, but I had to take Elisabeth’s class twice,” Fry said.

Albritton, a resident of Laguna Canyon since 1989, walked “The

Walk.” He is President of the Laguna Canyon Homeowners Assn. and has

degree from UC Berkeley in conservation of natural resources. He also

plays the saxophone.

Leeds, also a trained docent since 1992, was the first of the

“Canyon 21” to be arrested for demonstrating against the grading for

the San Joaquin Hills toll road.

“All charges were dropped because she was a docent and had a right

to be there,” said Harry Huggins.

Jim Dilley, for whom the Dilley Preserve is named, founded the

Greenbelt, inspired by the open space preservation programs in

England.

His widow, Jeannette Dilley, attended the dinner.

Also recognized at the meeting: Wilderness access volunteers, the

WAVs, who greet visitors Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

“We have 50 active members, 25 very, very active members,” said

scheduler Severino D’ Angleo. Stewardship Committee Chair Scott

Thomas said his committee is trying to get businesses in town to

donate materials for the construction and maintenance of a native

plant nursery and restoration. Gahnahl Lumber already has donated a

substantial amount sum of money, according to Laguna Canyon

Foundation Executive Director Mary Fegraus.

“We should think of the canyon as a living legacy,” Huggins said .

“It started before any of us were born and we can keep the legacy

alive by recruiting others.”

-- Barbara Diamond