Praise for Elsa Brizzi Comes From Every Corner

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Editor,

Laguna Beach came together to honor Elsa Brizzi at its annual Woman of the Year event sponsored by the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club.

The gala luncheon was decorated by Liz Roger in bright yellow and blue table clothes with yellow sunflowers and blue wild flowers. The sell-out event was organized by President Barbara Crane and chaired by Susan McNeal Velasquez. Councilwoman Toni Iseman led the pledge of allegiance.

The theme of Elsa’s city contributions was Collaborations and Inspirations and each of the guest speakers addressed what she had done for their groups. Peggie Thomas and Madeleine Peterson, AAUW helpers for the Intergenerational Learning Project and Bi-Lingual Education; Pam Estes from the Boys and Girls Club; Jeanine Edmond from the Senior Center; Valerie Gorrell from LOCA; Kelly Marks and Elsa DePhillips, Elsa’s nephew and niece; drew emotional tears from the speakers and many in the audience. A glowing tribute delivered long distance came from very close friend Sara Velasquez in the Philippines, who spoke from the heart on how Elsa had given her the gift of believing that she could achieve anything she wanted–she could even be president of the United States!

The luncheon ended with singing one of Elsa’s favorite songs, “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with additional verses stating, “Rowing’s fun, but rowing’s hard” and “Don’t stand up and rock the boat. That’s a big mistake!” Carol Reynolds led the singing by all and Dan Delaney was the wonderful pianist for the day.

The luncheon ended with Elsa expressing her deep appreciation for everyone’s being there, hugs and kisses for the speakers, and an emotional outpouring of affection throughout the audience.

These are the moments and times that those of us who live in Laguna yearn for! We were celebrating the good that each of us honors, and honoring how good it feels to join together with a good friend who has done so very much for everybody and asks nothing in return! That’s what Laguna Beach is all about!

President Barbara Crane closed the perfect annual event.

 

Carol Reynolds, Laguna Beach

 

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