Topanga Historical Society Presents Delmar Lathers – Always Coming Home – Wednesday, April 18

 

PHOTO BY ELIZABETH JOHNSON The Topanga Historical Society is pleased to welcome Delmar Lathers as he relates his stories from the road in a presentation titled “Topanga Kid Sees the World,” at the Community House on Wednesday, April 18.

Topanga has attracted many with its verdant hills and laid-back lifestyle, often leaving those who experience the Canyon with a strong feeling of having arrived “home.” For one Topangan — Delmar Lathers — who grew up here but decided early in life to travel the world searching for his place on the planet, the answer wasn’t obvious at first. But by 1984 after several years of world travel, either hitchhiking or on bike, he found his answer. Right where he asked the question.

The Topanga Historical Society is pleased to welcome Lathers as he relates his stories from the road in a presentation titled “Topanga Kid Sees the World” at its next quarterly program on Wednesday, April 18; the presentation begins at 8 p.m. immediately following a 7 p.m. potluck dinner at the Community House.

Lathers moved to Topanga as a child with his parents. His love of the open road began early, when at the age of 14 he and his 15-year-old brother hitchhiked home to Topanga from Mexico. It took the pair four days and thus began his love of travel, and his collection of stories. By the time he was 19-years-old he had traveled around the USA three times, hitchhiking. A six-month bike tour across Europe and another nine-month stint around New Zealand and across Australia, helped to bring his travel miles on two wheels to more than 11,000.

Through all of his travels he continued to search for a place to call home. At the conclusion of each adventure, he would come back to Topanga to rejuvenate, reassess and figure out where to go next. At the age of 24 he came to realize that Topanga was and always will be home for him, and he consequently hung up the bike on its rack and settled in to make his place in Topanga.

A ceramics art teacher at Rustic Canyon for the Parks & Recreations department of the City of Los Angeles by occupation, Lathers is also known by many as a member of the Topanga Stream Team, a local beekeeper, an avid scuba diver and for his teachings of primitive skills (including starting a fire with sticks). He is also a renowned storyteller and if you’ve not experienced any Delmar stories, you’re in for a treat.

All are invited to share in an evening of good food and to hear from a Topanga kid who has seen the world, as the Topanga Historical Society hosts its quarterly potluck and program on Wednesday, April 18, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Community House, 1440 Topanga Canyon Blvd., in Topanga. Bring a dish to share and utensils. Arrive early for best seating and good grub.