This month Friends is saying goodbye to another long-time member of our Board of Directors, LAURIE PUZO.
Laurie has dedicated over 20 years of service to The Friends of the Napa River and our community, and this month we would like to extend a special thank you to Laurie for her efforts. There is no greater benefit for a community than to have a “Jack (or Jackie) of all trades” offer to volunteer her efforts.
Laurie was certainly one of those, and the Napa River and the community of Napa are better for it. With youthful experiences growing up in the Central Valley of California, professional experiences as a school teacher, administrator, Director of Wine Education for Domaine Chandon – and even a stint in the political arena with Wesley Chesbro and Noreen Evans – Laurie brought a wide variety of talents and experience to her position with Friends. When you consider that she was also, at different times, both a Ski Patroller in the Sierra and a Brakeman (Brake Person????) with the SPRR, you will agree that there was no job she couldn’t handle.
Memories of watching boats operate on Main Street during floods, as she observed the insensitivity of the Corps of Engineers plan to hardscape the Napa River, led Laurie to get involved in sensible solutions to flooding on the River.
Her activities on the Coalition Plan for the River put her in close contact with Myrna Abramowicz and Moira Johnston Block. Myrna and Moira drew Laurie into the Friends group, and she has been contributing to us ever since. Looking back on her time on the Board, Laurie lauds the credibility of Friends when commenting on community issues as our top accomplishment. She describes the eclectic nature of the organization as being a significant contributor to our credibility. Going forward, her continuing desire is increased access to the River for kayaks, canoes, and pedestrians.
While Laurie is leaving her formal position on the Board, she remains available for consultation and is willing to resurrect her “Kiss and Release Fishing Pond” to teach youth about wildlife and recycling along the Napa River. An avid birder, she will also be focusing time on Napa Wildlife Rescue when not working on her garden or orchard.
The Friends of the Napa River are indebted to Laurie for decades of contributions to the organization, and we thank her for the betterment of the community.
Dennis Rinehart