Diana Talley was among the 2021-22 honorees presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards from the NWMC on September 8th. She delivered a humorous and moving acceptance speech worthy of standing amidst the best-of commencement speeches inspiring the next generation of trades people just entering the workforce. For those of us “oldish-timers” who were present, there was hardly a dry eye in the room because her words reflected similar experiences for so many of us in this community. Nostalgia can be powerful but this common thread of kindness was also notably present amongst our younger tradespeople who overcame stage-fright and shared their stories at this year’s Wooden Boat Festival. Powerful stories all!
After some real effort to convince Diana that her speech needed to be archived on our website, she humbly handed it over. Thank you Diana. I am pleased to share the PDF HERE.
Diana Talley 2022 WBF Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech
IN THE END – By Diana Tally
A 2021/22 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient’s acceptance speech
“I used to believe that I was surely born in the wrong century. When I happened upon the waterfront and began immersing myself in everything boats, my personal choices always seemed to lead me to the technology of the way back when; rowboats, skiffs, sailboats, all engineless, building boats with a brace… a lack of education or experience, no doubt, or a touch of the armchair romantic.
When I first came to Port Townsend with my Kettenburg 38, it needed a bit of work. Jim and Daubie Daubenberger made my acquaintance and could not have been more helpful or supportive of my project. They had both sailed extensively on K 38s and had a love of them, which I too eventually came to. But I remember feeling so proud, so with it, when I said to Daubie, “ I’m really excited, I finally have a modern rig.”
Daubie laughed and said, “Diana, this boat was built in 1949. This is not a modern rig.” But it was the first boat I’d owned equipped with winches.
As I discovered things like engines, electricity, plumbing, power tools, even epoxy, I realized I had been born in the perfect time. Long enough ago to have cut my teeth on the traditional arts of the sailor/Boatbuilder, but also to be in a place and time where innovations were everywhere.
My first teachers were mostly older men, many who had lived their youth embracing those traditions. My great fortune was that I was geographically and culturally placed, by accident, where I was able to meet so many of the Northwest’s designers, sailors and boatbuilders. And they all saw my genuine curiosity, and desire to learn.
I found that most people are just thrilled when you ask them, “how do you do that?” and they are happy to share their unique knowledge. It’s a gift to ask and a gift to tell. My education was an unexpected gift from all of these people.
But I’m here tonight because of my relationship with my community, so I’d like to share a small part of that with you all.
I moved here on the invitation of a boat shop owner who knew my work and my need to relocate. Jan Watson was his name, Raven Marine. He shared a large shop with David Vohs and Steve Langhorst in the Boat Haven. “We have a ton of work going on and could use another shipwright. It’s all work-boats. You can name your own wage and work for yourself outta the shop.” I said YES! My first job was laying a new foredeck on the tug Noreen. Glory work!
The boys could not have been better shop mates, teaching me, making me laugh, supporting me. Months later when my 10 year old came to live with me, Jan said “I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a single working mother, but I’m sure it’s hard. I want you to come to work in the morning after you get her off to school and leave in time to be there when she gets home after school.” Who does that?
But then there was the issue of affordable housing. “It don’t come easy.” Ringo Starr.
I was moving to town with two canvas bags of hand tools and nothing more. I was penniless. My old friend Ricky Oltman let me stay on board his fish boat until I found other digs. Don Fauth and Jack Finney, new friends, were both merchant seamen. They had opposing schedules, 6 weeks on, 6 weeks off. They also had beautiful sailboats moored across the dock from each other. C Dock. The cool dock.
They let me live aboard while they were out at sea, when one came back I would move across the dock to the other boat. I built a dock box and had a phone installed with an answer machine in it, just to stay in touch. No one ever asked for money.
And then there was Rob Iverson at the Landfall. A girl’s gotta eat but I was seriously living in poverty. I’d eat a short stack every day, that’s what I lived on and between paychecks, Rob carried a tab for me. (I was so thin!)
Ed Louchard made room for me in his very crowded shop so I could work on my mast.
And then there was Brion Toss. The first autumn I was here, isolated from family, He made sure I had a Thanksgiving dinner to attend, friends around the table, understanding how such a small gesture can make or break someone. He made me want to stay here and make Port Townsend my home.
These people didn’t know me at all. But they were showing me great kindness. I paid attention.
Moving to Port Townsend taught me a life lesson I had not noticed before; that life and especially life here, will be as much or as little as you invest in it.
“…in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make” Paul McCartney.
Probably 20 years ago I was working a job in the shop with a lovely young woman. I said, “All things must pass.” She looked at me quizzically, I said, “George Harrison.” She said, “Who’s George Harrison?”
That was 20 years ago and my first indication that I might already have been past my pull date.
Anyone who knows me well understands a few things about me; I love people, I love community, I love big dinner parties. We’re here to pay attention, help each other; just say yes!
One last thing about me; my friends know how I feel about them. It’s important to me to tell the people you love, you love them. Often. There are so many people I love who have helped me live well; especially these past several years. I cannot list them all this evening, but I’ll wager 5 bucks you know how much you live in my heart.
But there is one person, one man who I must call out tonight for I have blessed or cursed him every working day of my life, depending on the job at hand. And that of course is Ray Speck, who providentially inspired me to this life.
“All you need is love, love is all you need”. John Lennon.”