Soroptimists recognized

OUR LAGUNA

Soroptimist is a made-up word -- but it means a lot. Soro stands for

women, optima for the best. It has been combined as a name for an

organization dedicated to advancing the status of women and human

rights.

With 55 years of service in Laguna Beach to its credit, the local

chapter of Soroptimist International knew what it was doing when it

honored Ruth Geis, Julia Johnson and Sande St. John for their

contributions to the community.

Geis was named Soroptimist of the Year, Johnson and St. John each

a Woman of Distinction.

“This was the first time we went outside the club for our Woman of

Distinction awards,” luncheon committee member Margaret Warder said.

“It was a big deal for us.”

Almost 200 people attended the Spring Awards Luncheon and Bonnet

Parade, held April 17 at the Montage Resort and Spa.

The luncheon raised about $5,000, enough to cover the checks

presented to Geis, Johnson and St. John, with a bit left over.

Geis divided her award between the Christopher Reed Foundation and

melanoma research. Johnson’s check went to the National Charity

League, and St. John presented her check to Ben Blount to assist

veterans through the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

“This wasn’t meant to be a fund-raiser,” Warder said. “But the

Montage really worked with us, and we received almost $800 in

donations, plus proceeds from the silent auction and opportunity

prizes.”

This year, the club has donated more than $40,000 to good causes,

impressive for a group of only 30. Club donations included renting

buses to take third-graders to museum tours, scholarships, La Playa,

Laguna Beach Little League, Sally’s Fund for transportation of

seniors, the American Assn. of University Women and the Ebell Club.

Most of the funds came from the rental of a building and parking

lot the club owns on Broadway. Proceeds from a fall fund-raiser at

the Laguna Art Museum are earmarked for the docent program, so dear

to the heart of award winner Geis.

“I need to be a member of Soroptimists,” Geis said. “One person

can’t do it alone. The Soroptimists make a difference.”

Geis makes a difference, luncheon co-chair D’Anne Purcilly-LeBon

said.

“She is passionate about the museum.” Purcilly-LeBon said.

Johnson is passionate about volunteering, luncheon co-chair Kelly

Vizolay said.

She donated her check to the National Charity League, to which she

and her daughter, Candace, belonged when they devised the children’s

literary program as their community service project. Candace Vizolay

has since graduated, but the program is still going strong.

Candace Vizolay, a No Square Theatre Scholarship winner two years

ago, sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at the luncheon, accompanied

by Laguna Beach High School teacher Gary Shapiro.

Each recipient was given a minute to speak. St. John needed every

second just to list the organizations that sent representatives to

honor her at the luncheon.

“If you live in Laguna Beach, you know Sande St. John,” Warder

said. “You have probably been coerced or involved with projects by

her. She moved here in 1984 and entrenched herself in the community.

It would be difficult to find an organization she hasn’t been

involved in through the years.”

“I am so honored and overwhelmed,” St. John said. “The real heroes

in this community are in this room.”

Among those at the luncheon whose lives and organizations St. John

has touched: Patriots Day Parade 2003 Citizen of the Year Marilyn

Thomas, 2003 Patriot of the Year Don Black and 1998 Patriot of the

Year Gigi Blount, who shared the honor with her husband, Ben; Anne

Wood of the Cross Cultural Committee; Lee Winocur Field and Erika

Waidley from the Community Clinic; No Square Theatre’s Phoebe Ward;

Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Kim Maxwell;

Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. member Jenny Goodno; Patrick Freeman; Katy

Moss; St. John’s son Derek and daughter Shanin; Sharon Ashauer and

Laurie Marsella, mother of Joey Masella, for whom St. John has helped

raise funds for medical expenses.

Hatted ladies paraded their spring bonnets before the luncheon.

Prize winners were Bree Burgess Rosen’s purple and red stunner; Judy

Akin-Palmer’s straw hat, freshly planted that morning with

alstromeria, carnations and a daffodil in a miniature flower pot; and

Mary Jo Mancuso’s theme hat. Sabrina Johnson won the prize for the

best children’s hat.

Vizolay and Cathy Carlson were the judges.

Soroptimist President Nancy Lindsay wore a feathered coral hat to

match her outfit. Her sister, Vicki Gaines, who was the official

photographer for the event, chose a coral, orange and yellow striped

straw hat to go with her tropical colored print dress. Laguna Beach

Woman’s Club President Kimberly Salter wore a purple hat, the favored

color of feminists. Carla Gravely’s top hat was trimmed in lace,

satin ribbon, fruit and flowers. Sandra Thorton and former Mayor Lida

Lenney, who arrived with the daughter-in-law Sonia Campbell, wore

straw hats.

Campbell was among the donors of silent auction items. Other

donors were the Montage, Debbie Steel Purcilly-Le Bon, Walter

Vizolay, Lydia Delgado, committee member Bonnie Egan and Donna

Schuller, wife of the Rev. Robert A. Schuller, who gave the

invocation.

The guest list also included committee member Cathy Wilkinson;

President Lindsay’s sisters Donna Brady and Kay Marselles; Father

“Mac” of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church; Violet Richardson

Community Service Award winners Liz Nelson and Leslie Schmalzried;

Laguna Beach National Charity League President Anna McLemore, Jean

Raun, Sandra Pink, Mayor Toni Iseman and Laguna Art Museum Director

Bolton Colburn.

For more information about Soroptimists International, call

683-1393.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call 494-4321 or fax 494-8979.