Sounding Off: Happy birthday, and thanks

Editor’s note: Joanne Sutch is writing for the Beautification Council.

Laguna came out in force Oct. 1 to celebrate Harry Lawrence’s 96th birthday and to thank Mr. Laguna for his vigilance and efforts on behalf of our city.

As founder of the Beautification Council in 1952, Harry holds a special place in the hearts of former and current Beautification Council members. Harry’s standard of “clean, quaint culture” and his vision and passion for Laguna Beach forged committees, codes, laws, civic action and much more.

It is impossible to enumerate Harry’s astounding contributions. Rather than try, the Beautification Council prefers to lovingly look at Main Beach and Heisler Park’s coastline and to just whisper “Thank you, Harry” with respect and awe.

He forged and sculpted the postcard-perfect Laguna Beach area we love and enjoy.

As Harry explained in a Chamber of Commerce interview, “It took 21 years of work creating Main Beach. The police chief challenged me in 1950 “” at the time, there was a bowling alley there, and bars. It took our team 21 years in creating what you see today. I asked why we can’t buy that property through the city. It cost $3 million “” to me, it’s worth $100 million, to have that beach from Hotel Laguna to Las Brisas.”

Billboards and signs once cluttering Main Beach fell victim to Harry’s committee’s codes, which today still separate us from many other beach cities.

In 1959, the prestigious Laguna Beautification Awards were created and first presented by Harry’s Beautification Council under the Chamber of Commerce.

More recently, the Beautification Council raised awareness of street end improvements through its Street End Project. Since then, many have been planted and revamped, with Brooks and Diamond street ends fully funded by our city.

Forest Lane is another of Harry’s Beautification Council efforts, in conjunction with the City and the Arts Commission.

The cobblestones, renovated restrooms, bench and plantings serve as a more beautiful backdrop for our alleys. Soon, look for a new bathroom art mural and a new replacement mural on Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s wall.

Please, everyone take a moment to nominate a beautiful Laguna Beach place (residence, commercial or public space). Beautification awards submission deadline is Oct. 31.

Suggestions and photos should be mailed to the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, 357 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651 or e-mailed to Michelle Clark at mclark4@wm.com.

Thanks, “Mr. Laguna,” and Happy Birthday.”

JOANNE SUTCH lives in Laguna Beach.