Calico Puzzle

Eiler Larsen was born in Aarhus, Denmark in 1890. His father managed the city’s poorhouse, and later served as mayor. Larsen left Denmark while he was in his teens, visiting Siberia, Argentina and Chile. He attended college in Minnesota when the U.S. joined the First World War. Larsen enlisted and was wounded in France. He had dozens of odd jobs, including gardener, writer, potter, actor and fruit picker. Throughout his life he served what he called “a mission of friendliness.” He stood day after day on street corners, waving and shouting to anyone who passed. He carried a satchel filled with books and candy to hand out. He said, “Too many people driving along the highway are frowning and look unhappy. By waving, I make them smile and thousands of people have a happier day before them.” Larsen never lived in one place for very long, but Laguna, California named him the official town greeter in 1964.