Our Laguna: Patriots Day Parade brings out the town

March 3 was a day to remember.

"Never Forget" was the theme of the Patriots Day Parade. It was a reminder to those who participated in it and those who watched it to respect what our flag represents, those who defend it and why they defend it.

The annual parade featured rescued puppies, restored classic cars, residents and representatives of city government, numerous charitable organizations and businesses, and the 2012 honorees: Grand Marshals Dorene and retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lee Butler, Patriot Louise Buckley, Citizens Betsy and Dr. Gary Jenkins, Junior Citizens Caroline Cannan and Bryce Blanton, artist Jorg Dubin, Athlete Natasha Strickland, essay contest winner Niva Razin and program cover artist Anton Faicchio.

Beach Harbor Limo provided the limousines for VIPs.

Nancy and Gary Beverage and Michael Tauber had the task of picking the winning entries, except for special awards.

The Marshal's Trophy was presented to Waste Management, a longtime goal of the company's "Energizer Bunny" Michelle Clark.

Twisted Stitchers' "yarn-bombed" car, decorated with pieces of needlework — a 15-hour project — and driven by Michelle Boyd, won the President's Theme Award. The 46 individual pieces included Boyd's grandmother's potholders covering the backside of car's side-view mirrors.

The Soroptimists won first place in the classic car competition with a 1954 Packard Caribbean, owned by Philo Smith, driven by Maggie Hempen and ridden in by the group's honorees, Faye Chapman and Kathleen Burnham.

Ruby's Diner came in second and the Rotary Club in third.

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Other car awards

Auto — Antique:

1st: Rick Strollo

2nd: Richard Leger

3rd: Orange County Chapter, Sons of American Revolution

Auto — Contemporary:

1st: Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn., owned by Susan and Rockney McGill

2nd: Festival of Goddesses

3rd: Mission Hospital of Laguna Beach

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Float awards

Community/Service:

1st: Y Adventure Guides

2nd: Combined Honors Choruses of Top of the World/El Morro elementary schools

3rd: Boys & Girls Club

Youth:

1st: Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn.

2nd: Pacific Marine Mammal Center

3rd: Laguna Beach Little League

Commercial:

1st: Hobie Sports

2nd: Sawdust Art Festival

3rd: Pageant of the Masters

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Novelty Awards

Community/Service:

1st: Laguna Beach Library

2nd: Kyne Dance Academy

3rd: Garden Club

Commercial:

1st: Cal Elite, Rancho Santa Margarita

2nd: HIP District

3rd: United Studios of Self Defense