International Greeter Day delights in Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach recognized contributions of greeters Sunday during the second International Greeter Day.

More than 100 people stopped to say hello and learn about greeters such as Michael Minutoli, the man who waves to motorists and passersby on the corner of Brooks Street and South Coast Highway, Martin Yewchuk said.

Yewchuk and his wife, Tabatha, who are Laguna Beach residents, established the day to thank greeters throughout the world for their work and to give people the opportunity to meet Minutoli.

The tradition of greeting in Laguna Beach dates to the 19th century with Old Joe Lucas, a Portuguese sailor who welcomed stagecoaches as they arrived, according to the website greeter.org.

Eiler Larsen, the shaggy-haired, heavily-bearded man who wore slacks and sandals, would wave and grin at visitors, saying “hello” and catchphrases like “delighted to see you” and “are you alive?” the website said.

The Laguna Beach City Council proclaimed Larsen as the city’s official greeter in 1963, the only person bestowed with such an honor, the Coastline Pilot reported in a 2016 story about a documentary produced by the Yewchuks called “The Greeter.”

Tabatha Yewchuk relayed one person’s comment about Minutoli: “I could be having the worst day and and I see Michael and I have nothing to be upset about.”

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce