An evening to honor Friends of the Library

BARBARA DIAMOND

Two generations of celebrated authors shared the microphone at the

Friends of the Library Dinner -- Theodore Taylor, who was the guest

of honor, and T. Jefferson Parker, who was there to honor him.

“We are lucky to have Ted Taylor in our midst,” said master of

ceremonies Parker at the dinner, held Oct. 28 at Tivoli Terrace. “He

is a man of great generosity and warmth”

Not to mention that he is the award-winning writer of 60 books,

including “The Cay,” “The Weirdo,” “Sniper” and “The Bomb.”

“Jeff Parker is the best crime writer [formerly] in Laguna,”

Taylor said.

And both are admirers of Friends of the Library President Martha

Lydick.

“I can’t tell you how much I love her,” Taylor said.

Lydick organized the tribute to Taylor, which included a

proclamation from Supervisor Tom Wilson.

“I can’t speak as well as Ted and I can’t write as well as Jeff

and I can’t run a meeting like Martha so I took everything T.

Jefferson said and reduced it to a proclamation,” Wilson said. “I

couldn’t get it all on one page.”

Mayor Cheryl Kinsman said that Wilson is always a hard act to

follow and it’s even harder to get the city to pop for a

proclamation. But not this time.

“I am happy to be here and present this to you,” Kinsman said.

A splendid Don Romero photograph of Taylor was displayed at the

dinner. It will hang in the Library.

“My son, who is a cool kid, asked me to say hello to Ted for him,”

Romero said. “I think “The Cay” is the only book he ever read.”

More than 4 million copies of “The Cay” have been sold.

A copy of the book was among the 100-plus books donated and signed

by authors to be auctioned at the dinner. About $1,200 was raised.

Parker, whose latest book is set in the 1960s in Laguna Beach --

even though he no longer lives here, his heart is still in residence

-- also donated a book.

Other Laguna authors who donated books included Bette Anderson,

Roger Johnson and September McGee.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit Friends’ projects.

This year, the group bought $40,000 worth of books and materials.

The Friends also funded entertainment and refreshments for the 315

children who participated in the Summer Reading Program; and bought

three new computers the use of library patrons, a button-making

machine and a compact disc automatic closing message requested by

staff and top of the line digital camera, scanner and printer for

staff use.

Membership in the Friends is the cheapest way to support the

library. Membership is $10, Lifetime memberships are $100 per person,

$150 per family. Businesses can join for $200.

Lydick was elected president of the group for another year at a

brief meeting before dinner. Elected to serve with her: Diane

Lichterman, vice president; Angela Irish, secretary; Diane Connell,

treasurer; Susan Cohen, Magda Herlicska, Nancy and Howard Pink, Judy

Jameson Trulock, Bob Coons and Terry Smith, directors at large.

The evening began with Bree Burgess Rosen singing the Star

Spangled Banner a Capella and then serenading Taylor with “The

Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancho,” his favorite song.

“I thought it was one of the most touching moments of the night,”

Lydick said. “As Bree sang, one lone tear trickled down his cheek. It

made the whole evening worth it.”

Almost 100 library supporters attended the dinner.

On the guest list: City Councilwoman Toni Iseman, Ann Quilter,

Carol Reynolds, Planning Commissioner Norm Grossman, Annette and

Festival of Arts Vice President Bob Henry, Supervisorial aide Eric

Norby, City Treasurer Laura Parisi, Bev and Bob Mosier, former

Councilman Wayne Peterson, Arnold and Bonnie Hano, Kent Russell and

Marv Johnson (Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson was ailing).

Among the family members and friends who attended: Taylor’s wife,

Flora, his sons Christopher and Mark and their families, Patrick,

Caitlon and Whitney Carroll, Pat and Tom Killoran, Alexandra Uhl and

Bonnie Johnson.

PRO BONO

Skim boarder Hunter Poller turned pro on Halloween.

“There is no longer enough competition in my age group,” said the

17-year-old South Laguna resident.

He has participated in a pro contest in Cabo San Lucas as an

amateur and came in 13th.

“That’s good for a first contest,” Poller said.

Poller has been skim boarding for six years, competing for four

years. With the contest season over until spring, Poller will spend

his time practicing.

When the season reopens, sponsorship will pay for three trips and

all entry fees.

“I will probably go to Cabo to participate in the spring contest

there, and then pick one East Coast contest and another on the West

Coast,” Poller said.

Poller is also sponsored by Animal Watches in Laguna Beach, Sector

9 in Costa Mesa, So-Cal Surf and Sport in Dana Point, and Hoven

Vision and Tavik clothing in San Clemente.

“I wear some of the products every day and all of them at

contests,” Poller said.

Poller is a Laguna Beach native, the son of Lee and Keith Poller.

TALK TURKEY

The Laguna Beach Woman’s Club has invited community leaders to

Face the Public from 6 to 10 p.m., Nov. 13 at the clubhouse.

No speeches. No agendas. Just an opportunity to “Talk Turkey,”

with elected and appointed city leaders.

Invitations have been extended to the City Council; city

commissions, boards and committees; the Laguna Beach Chamber of

Commerce and the Laguna Beach Visitor’s Bureau.

No Square Theatre and the cast of Lagunatics will host an Open

Mike Night. Everyone is invited to participate -- maybe after

sampling the wines provided by Don Sabastiani and Sons or the beer

supplied by Laguna Beach Brewery.

No admission fee. Donations will benefit the Woman’s Resource

Center, which will be delivering turkeys and Thanksgiving dinners to

low income and special needs families. For reservations or more

information, call (949) 499-9429.

* OUR LAGUNA s a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.