 | | | Susan Garell Photo Ohlen Alexander | | | | | | A Harvard-trained MBA who is intelligent, graceful and deeply supportive of the arts - but occasionally goofy. A skilled communicator, "power texter," and energetic, highly organized, strategic planner - who also knows how to have fun and is genuinely kind. There were kudos and adjectives aplenty in the air in Orinda on Friday, March 14, and the love was all flowing in one direction - toward Susan Garell, co-president of the Orinda Arts Council and Orinda's 2014 Citizen of the Year.
Co-sponsored by the Orinda Rotary and Contra Costa Times, the 67th annual celebration of community volunteerism and civic engagement began with a social gathering during which impressions of Garell were exchanged freely among attendees before opening remarks were offered by Rotary president, Sue Breedlove; Times editor, Sam Richards; and master of ceremonies, Richard Westin, executive director of the Orinda Community Foundation. Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Anderson personally presented an impressive proclamation - as did Orinda Mayor Sue Severson, City Council Member Victoria Smith, and representatives from state and federal government offices.
But the evening will be most remembered by those present for the touching tributes by the children and adults of Orinda who have benefitted from arts programs that have flourished under Garell's guidance. Lamorinda Idols, Arriana and Kiera Glenn, sang Josh Groban's, "You Raise Me Up" before longtime arts advocate, Myrna Witt, spoke of Garell's sincerity and gift for listening as well as seeing. Witt added that Garell is known for driving out the devil from "the devil in the details," and said, "Susan always ends her emails with 'Best to You,'" - and means it.
"As much as we love our sports," observed Anderson, "the arts are so important in defining and building a community." Garell, she noted, helped shepherd OAC through its lean years to recruit a full board of directors and become an even more vibrant, effective organization.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA