What an amazing day! The weather was beautiful, the dolphins were jumping and the air was filled with music. (Pause for a few bars of "Here Comes the Sun")
Speaking of the Sun - Mother Nature sure shined her spotlight on the Adopt a Beach program this year. AaB volunteers walked away with not one, not two but three (count em three!) awards this year. Wowi Zowi! (nod to Roby) I had prior knowledge of two of the awards - but I have to say the third one was a total surprise.
Mark Aubrey (Beach Master) was presented with the Watershed Task Force Volunteer of the Year Award. (applause/applause!)
The Zoller Team (Joe Zoller, Bob Bewak, and J. C. Hartley) walked away with the Watershed Task Force Team Award. (applause/applause!)
And I was surprised and honored when Bill Hart and John Dorey presented me with the coveted Stephanie Dorey Blue Water Dolphin Award. (gasp, hand over my heart!)
It is difficult to put into words what this award means to me. Stephanie was/is one of my heroes. I will treasure it always as a visual reminder of my time with you, the Adopt a Beach program and the amazing things we were able to accomplish together.
Most of you already know this, but for those of you who don't - Stephanie Dorey was a former San Clemente mayor and a legendary coastal advocate. Among her many environmental accomplishments was the formation of the Watershed Taskforce and the Adopt a Beach program. After Stephanie's death in 2007, the Watershed Taskforce created the dolphin award in her memory.
I also want to send a shout out to Shorecliffs Middle School, this year's recipients of the Blue Water award. Students in the school's Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) class gather recyclables and turn them in for money which ultimately is donated to needy families and school events. Impressive!
Check out the article and slide show in the OC register
And the San Clemente Times also did a great cover for us this year:
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