Thoughts from the Publisher

by Neena StrichartThis time last year I wrote my column about the marriage proposal delivered by Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association. Surprising his long-time girlfriend Alissa Sablan, Blair asked her to marry him during the 2013 Belmont Shore holiday parade. Grasping an interviewer’s microphone during the event, Blair got down on one knee right there on Second Street and proposed to the love of his life in front of throngs of parade participants and viewers. After Blair’s beloved regained her composure and answered in the affirmative, they were officially engaged. Earlier this year, they tied the knot, and the rest is history.

Equally surprising and poignant, our buddy Lou Blanchard recently decided to find a creative way to propose to his sweetheart, Dyana Dulin. Last week, at the Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party at The Grand in Long Beach, he put his carefully thought-out plan into action. After all the other raffle prizes had been claimed, it was announced that there would be a special grand prize to be won by some lucky party-goer. Yes, you guessed it; one of Dyana Dulin’s tickets was drawn. She was the winner of the special prize. Joining her at the podium to claim her winnings was her boyfriend, Lou Blanchard. Unknown to Dyana, she was the only one entered to win that particular prize. Having no clue as to what was happening, Dyana looked around to see what she won when suddenly her darling Lou took the microphone and said, “From now on, when someone asks, ‘Where did you get this guy?’ Dyana can honestly say, ‘I won him at a raffle.'”
Then, on bended knee in front of 90 people, he asked her to marry him. She was so surprised, she could barely respond. After a moment or two, she caught her breath and said “yes” as he slipped a beautiful engagement ring on her finger.
Okay, men (or ladies), those of you considering popping the question need to really get imaginative. The folks written about above have really set a high standard! Below are quotes on marriage from some pretty famous people. Enjoy!

“Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.” —Franz Schubert

“My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.” —Winston S. Churchill

“By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.” —Socrates

“Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.” —Abraham Lincoln

“When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.” —Prince Philip

“I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her own way. And second, let her have it.” —Lyndon B. Johnson

Read more at brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_marriage .

Note from Neena: Since our next issue will be out on Dec. 26, I want to wish our readers a very Merry Christmas. Remember the reason for the season. Bless you all.