Sen. Hillary Clinton’s warm welcome

Sen. Hillary Clinton, former first lady and current candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president, appeared at a fundraiser in Laguna Beach on March 3.

About 75-85 people joined Clinton at a catered luncheon at the home of Stevan and Rona Gromet.

Stevan Gromet said that Clinton spoke for about half an hour and then answered a number of questions before leaving to catch a plane to Atlanta.

The senator, who was presented with a handmade blanket by students, told the crowd, “I’m traveling a lot this year. This blanket will remind me of the warm reception you’ve given me in Laguna Beach.”

March 3 was also the day of the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade. Many streets, including Park Avenue, were closed, so a route had to be worked out that avoided the closures.

Since Clinton is a former first lady, Secret Service officers scoped out the location prior to her visit, and accompanied her all the time she was in Laguna Beach.

“She [Clinton] was very safe,” Gromet said.