Ramona Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Elaine Lyttleton with Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

Elaine Lyttleton says she was "absolutely astonished" when her name was called to receive the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ramona Community Awards Gala. The honor came in recognition of all the work she has done and continues to do to put our community on the map. Her role in the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association, among other duties, enabled her to pursue a Ramona wine festival, which became the Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival, with proceeds supporting the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, which she also founded.

Lyttleton and her husband, Norm Case, own Hatfield Creek Vineyards & Winery. When the couple moved to Ramona in 2006 with its recent American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation, their property was 6 acres of bare land, equipped with a well and a 1,120 square foot cottage. They built it into the beautiful winery it is today and named it after the creek in the canyon at the bottom of the vineyard. Before moving to Ramona, Lyttleton lived in Carlsbad for many years. She was the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Chairperson of the Board and helped to get Legoland in Carlsbad.

Lyttleton started the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, a 501(c)(3) corporation, and is the group's president. Their mission is to encourage economic vitality by increasing tourism, promoting community pride, and celebrating our rich cultural heritage through an outstanding outdoor visual arts program. The project, which was created to beautify Ramona, now has more than 30 murals helping to encourage people to stop and visit our town and local businesses. "The main goal is to have artwork in public places," says Lyttleton. She added that she wants people to stop in our town and spend money in this community.

The Ramona Art, Wine & Music Festival, which supports the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, will celebrate its 13th year on Nov. 1 at Begent Ranch. The festival is a celebration of local art, wine, and music benefiting Ramona murals. The event focuses on area artisans and the wine industry, with an increased emphasis on music this year, given the growing Ramona music scene. Lyttleton is planning this event and says it will take a lot of her time. "It's a big deal."

"I wanted to promote the community," says Lyttleton. "And to promote the wineries." She hopes to create economic development in our community by creating jobs and helping small businesses succeed. "Receiving this award means that my efforts have impressed people, and I have made a difference," she adds.

Lyttleton is working on a lot of projects and says she doesn't want to get bored. She asks, "What am I going to do in the next 20 years?" We look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the years ahead. Congratulations, Elaine, on your achievements, and thank you for all you do for the Ramona Community!

Photo by Heather McGhee.