Sep 16, 2024

September 15, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. Laguna Woods Village residents descended in droves on Clubhouse  2 on Sept. 9 to celebrate the place they call home. Every 10 years since Laguna Woods Village was founded as Leisure World in 1964, residents have marked its history with special events and commemorations. Celebrations were held as well for the 25th and 45th anniversaries. This year, for the 60th anniversary, the Media and Communications Department for Village Management Services, headed up by Ellyce Rothrock, planned an informal gathering that would be informational for residents. “We want people to get to know our many great partners and celebrate our community,” she said of the first such open house to be held. Laguna Woods residents enjoy the music of the Woods Combo on the patio at Clubhouse 2 during the Village’s 60th anniversary celebration on Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rabinowitch Contributing Photographer) Jeanne Chestnut staffs the booth of the Laguna Woods Social Services Department during the Village’s 60th anniversary celebration at Clubhouse 2 on Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rabinowitch Contributing Photographer) At the booth of the City of Laguna Woods, Village residents learned about low-priced taxi service and shredding and notary services available through the city. It was at the Village’s 60th anniversary celebration at Clubhouse 2 on Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rabinowitch Contributing Photographer) Clubhouse 7 in Laguna Woods Village. Sixty years ago, the first residents moved into what was then Leisure World Laguna Hills. (Photo by Mark Rabinowitch, Contributing Photographer) A banner announces the 60th anniversary of Laguna Woods Village as residents make their way into Clubhouse 2 for the celebration on Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rabinowitch Contributing Photographer) Show Caption 1 of 5 Laguna Woods residents enjoy the music of the Woods Combo on the patio at Clubhouse 2 during the Village’s 60th anniversary celebration on Sept. 9, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rabinowitch Contributing Photographer) “Good neighbors,” “Close to the beach” and “Great events and classes” were among the testimonials participants listed. Nearby on the patio, the Woods Combo provided musical accompaniment while a table manned by the Recreation and Special Events Department sold hats, shirts and other Village “merch.” Orange “swag bags” given away by Saddleback MemorialCare were just the ticket for storing the many giveaways waiting inside the building. The clubhouse held dozens of tables representing Village and outside organizations that provide services to residents. VMS’ Landscaping Services was showing off its new electric leaf blowers and the tidy burlap bags that residents can request for their garden clippings, which will then be picked up when full. Transportation Services offered bus schedules and information on getting around the Village and to nearby locations. The Foundation of Laguna Woods Village offered brochures in Farsi, Chinese and Korean as well as English detailing its mission to help residents temporarily in need of financial assistance. The Social Services Department assesses the residents’ need and makes recommendations to the foundation, which then makes direct payments to creditors without revealing the identities of those receiving aid. At a table representing the City of Laguna Woods, City Council member Carol Moore told residents about city offerings such as the Senior Mobility Program for low-priced taxi service and both the shredding and notary services available through the city. Village residents comprise the majority of the city’s residents; about 1,000 people live outside the Village gates, Moore said. Chelsey Tyson, program coordinator for Saddleback College’s Emeritus Division, was a face that residents could put to the school, which offers a wide variety of classes for older students. “I wanted to meet the public, to tell them about our programs and locations, and just meet everyone,” she said. Just two years old, the nearby Moulton Museum fronted a table where docent Sandy Wheeler held forth on the history and holdings of the small facility. Area forefather Lewis Moulton worked on the original ranchland for years before purchasing it and raising sheep and cattle. His artist wife Nellie Gail and their daughters successfully kept it going after his death. A large part of that ranchland eventually became the location of the Village. “We have great artifacts, and we don’t charge,” said Wheeler, sporting a Western hat and a bucket of enthusiasm for the museum, open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Saturday of every month. It is located at 25256 Cabot Rd. on the only remaining sliver of land belonging to the original ranch, she said. Attendees came to the 60th anniversary celebration for a variety of reasons. “I came to see what the Village has to offer,” said two-year resident Mia Ballonoff, Joe Camera, president of the Astronomy Club, said, “I came to celebrate how lucky we are to live here and to appreciate all the employees and people who help out here.” Some came for the food sold inside by the 19 Restaurant or outside by the taco and ice cream trucks. Beating the heat was another reason, as the clubhouse was mercifully cool despite the crowd. Others came for the information. “I was interested in learning the history of the Village, which was built when I was a kid growing up in this area,” said Steve O’Neil, a local anthropologist and archaeologist. “I even worked in the garden plots when I was young.” Andy Ginocchio said he attended “to see the community.” His wife, Gwen, munching a hot dog, agreed. “There’s rarely a party for everyone,” she said. Organizer Rothrock deemed the event “a great success despite the heat and smoke. It was great to see friends from the Village and outside the community come together and maybe even learn something in the process.”