Diana Totten: A True Community Friend

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Diana Totten after a fire. [Photo by Kim Sallaway, see his Facebook page here.]

This week, the Garberville Rotary Club recognized the contributions of Southern Humboldt resident Diana Totten with its Public Service Award. “We have the Rotary award for outstanding public service,” explained Southern Humboldt Rotarian Ernie Branscomb. “It is kinda our highest honor that we give out.”

Totten was honored for the many areas she works to help the community.

“Diana is everywhere,” Branscomb said. “She deserves [the award] more than just about anybody.”

Totten wasn’t recognized for any one act but for the myriad of ways she steps in to assist, Branscomb explained. “She’s always out there helping,” he stated. “She is just a nice person. She’s a hard worker and does a lot for the community.”

The award notes her efforts to improve public safety, her work as a fire fighter, her assistance finding missing persons, and her efforts to introduce young people to nature among other endeavors.

Totten said the presentation was surprise. “It was kind of embarrassing,” she laughed. “Those of us who do emergency services work don’t do it for notoriety.”

But, she said, she accepted the award for the people like her who volunteer to help. “A lot of times “Diana Totten” is plural for lots of people. There are a lot of people who don’t talk publicly….so they don’t get recognized. This award recognizes them, too.”

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Garberville Rotary Club Public Service AwardDiana TottenFor dedication to the Southern Humboldt Community. Public safety. Fire Protection. Fire prevention. Man tracking. Finding missing people. Swift water rescue. High angle rescue. Technical rescue. Work with young people to help them become more aware of their world. Local historian. A true community friend. Clif Anderson, Garberville Rotary Club President 2015/16

Totten said she was touched by the support of the Rotary. “A lot of people there have known me my whole life. I just looked around the room. All those people—it was kind of a collage of the history of Southern Humboldt. To get an award from them meant a lot.”

Branscomb said when Totten received the award she talked about the Mountain to the Sea Wilderness Camp that Totten helped to organize that takes girls 10-14 into nature to teach them about themselves and the wilderness.

Totten explained, “Now being 60 years old, it really becomes important to start passing on things I know. Also to inspire people to go out in the wilderness….I think it is so necessary. My mom used send us outside and lock the freakin’ door. You just went out and had adventures. Every family went camping. Nowdays we virtually have to pass a law to get kids to go outside. Right now kids average five hours a day on electronics.”

At the end of last summer’s Mountain to the Sea adventure, Totten said the girls chose to attempt lighting a fire without matches to show their parents what they had learned. “Everyone of them was successful…Some of them it took almost an hour but they didn’t mind. After spending time in the wilderness, time becomes more fluid. They were successful eventually….The parents wanted to hurry them but the girls were so focused on what they were doing. A short time in the wilderness changes how quick things happen.”

Totten said that it was important that the girls learn to be part of the natural world. “Being part of nature is different than just being there,” she explained.

We agree. And being part of a community is different than just being there. Totten who volunteers to help in so many different aspects is a huge part of her community.

—————

Please note: Diana Totten and I have been friends for over 50 years. I am definitely not an impartial reporter when I write about someone who has given so much to help not only this community but has been a dear friend for most of my life.

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23 Comments
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Eastside
Guest
Eastside
8 years ago

Diana, you’re the best !!!!

Jeff Harnden
Guest
Jeff Harnden
8 years ago
Reply to  Eastside

After spending time in the wilderness, time becomes more fluid.
Time becomes more fluid!

Jeff Harnden
Guest
Jeff Harnden
8 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Harnden

A short time in the wilderness changes how quick things happen!
Wilderness changes things.

ekanfromdows
Guest
ekanfromdows
8 years ago

As someone who doesn’t know her well, every time I see/hear/read about her, it’s in relationship to something awesome! In such a small community that says a lot. You make Humboldt a better place, Diana. For all the posers out there trying to fit in and be considered a ‘local’, take notes….with that little pen thingy on your new phone…

G-ma
Guest
G-ma
8 years ago

HUMBOLDT COUNTY’S own true hero.Thanks for heart of gold you show your community and beyond.We are blessed to have you!!!

Mogtx
Guest
8 years ago

Your the best known you my whole life you deserve this award how’s your mom this is mark olsen come buy my house sometime

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
8 years ago

Thanks Diana! And, A special thanks to Kym Kemp who understands the treasure we have in Diana.
Ernie

Diana isn’t only a local treasure. Recently she was traveling south and came upon a truck on fire. She stopped to assist driver. We in SoHum have a saying that “Diana can be anywhere in Southern Humboldt in five minutes.” That seems to extend to the south highway also.

Hollie
Guest
8 years ago

D – You are the best! Congratulations!

Martin's
Guest
Martin's
8 years ago

Congratulations Diana, well deserved thank you!

Lynn
Guest
Lynn
8 years ago

I know the world would be a much better place with more people like Diana in it. And like they said she is everywhere helping. Best wishes to her.

Tracker
Guest
8 years ago

Congrats Diana! Also glad to see that they honored you for tracking and even put it on the award! Good to see your tracking skills (among many others) get recognition. You rock, Diana!

bingobango
Guest
bingobango
8 years ago

Congratulations Diana!!!

William Shakespeare
Guest
8 years ago

Diana you make the SOUTH FORK CLASS OF 1973 very proud hats off to you. Bill Staples

Tom Pedersen
Guest
Tom Pedersen
8 years ago

Congratulations Diana! It’s really wonderful that the Rotary club recognized you for all you do for the community ! So proud to say I grew up in southern Humboldt county, a place that honors it’s home town hero’s! I wish you many many more years of service !

Mark and Tammie
Guest
8 years ago

Congratulations Diana! This is a well deserved award. You are a great gift to the community and we appreciate you. We remember when we first met you during the Canoe Fire and how you were our ‘go to’ person and how you even washed out dishes. You truly have a servant’s heart!

Z
Guest
Z
8 years ago

Wow! What a list of accomplishments. Very impressive!

Phoenix
Guest
Phoenix
8 years ago

Awwww, what an awesome humble woman! Our community is so lucky to have her and all the other wonderful volunteers too! Thank you for all that you do Diana:)

T
Guest
T
8 years ago

I couldn’t imagine a world without D she is by far the best and what people should strive to be more like.

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
8 years ago

I don’t know you, but I love you!

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
8 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

You are a superhero also, thank you😉

Mogtx
Guest
8 years ago

Hi kym

Shak
Guest
Shak
8 years ago

A remarkable woman!