A busy month welcomes spring

 

March came in, if not like a lion, with buckets of rain, and we are grateful, if unaccustomed to such bounty. Among the things that kept us hopping were a combined birthday party for our Vela family in San Antonio, the wonderful Women's Hall of Fame event, reconnecting with friend Sylvia Bird, a great party given by cousin Rosanne Winch Potts at her new home for her little niece Emily Rose Lozano, the 54th Flower and Art Show, a new Martha and George . . . another busy month!

We went looking for the meeting of Dr. Jim Earhart and the Alliance for Fairness to All Citizens (AFAC) group, not realizing it had been canceled, and met instead Carlos Valle, visiting instructor of Urban Studies and History at TAMIU, eating breakfast at the Pan American Courts & Café Motel and Restaurant, that venerable landmark on San Bernardo. Our grandmother Kate Lang took us there to eat lunch as kids. We especially remember the NuGrape sodas in their glass bottles. Vintage photos dot the walls.

Carlos was with George Kurczyn, Elizabeth Kurczyn Valle, and owner Sandra Rocha Taylor. George is interested in renovation and preservation and has a furniture business here. He and his wife have bought a vintage home in the downtown area. It was a very interesting chance encounter. Hope to see them again.

AFAC is dedicated to promoting responsible use and conservation of natural resources, and lobbying for the creation of much needed parks space and preservation of green spaces in Laredo . The Río Grande International Study Center on the campus of Laredo Community College is also devoted to this end. Our water is precious and all of us need to more aware of taking care of what we have before it is lost.

Our friend Philip Deliganis and his cute fiancé Pamela Smith will be married April 24 in Houston . Philip grew up in Laredo and now lives in Houston .

Former Laredoans Henry and Patty Hopson Kahn's daughter Hannah Flor Kahn Hopson was married in Monterrey , Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Carlos Castro. The bride is the granddaughter of the late Dr. Ben and Marge Hopson and Henry and Maria Luisa Kahn. Several family members went for the nuptials. They included Helen Pellegrin, Rosie Hetland, Michael Hetland, Mary Lou and Corbett Holmgreen, Andrew Holmgreen, Maruca Kahn, and Gloria Coleman Flores. The nuptials took place at the beautiful home of the bride's parents.

The Laredo Commission for Women held its Eighth Women's Hall of Fame Celebration at the Laredo Civic Center Ballroom on March 7. Sylvia Bird and Diana Garcia were in charge.

Honored were Raquel Valle-Senties, the Arts; Diana Varela Saucedo, Civic and Volunteer Leadership; Esparanza Ayala Sanchez, Education; Sister Rosemary Welsh, Health; Michelle García Hinojosa, Law Enforcement; and Blanca Varela Nalaschi, Professional Military.

The reception was lovely and well attended. A video clip of each honoree was shown. Many of the past recipients were there to help honor the new inductees. It was wonderful to re-connect with long time friend Sylvia Martinez Bird.

How we miss Elizabeth Sorrell! Our joke on entering a festive occasion with our camera is, "Elizabeth Sorrell is here," but what a poor substitute we are for our beloved social scribe that we lost to San Antonio . She does send the occasional column from the Alamo City , keeping us abreast of Laredo connections she comes across. She misses her beloved Laredo , but is content and making the best of things, as she always does.

Rosanne Potts and Annette Winch invited guests to come by to "Sip and See" beautiful little Emily Rose, daughter of Stephanie and Rene Lozano. Ladies galore accepted the invitation and gathered at Rosanne's beautiful home that she shares with hubby Dr. Fred. The beautifully restored home is filled with art and the furniture of Rosanne, her late mom Rosita Winch, and the Potts family. How good it was to visit with friends seldom seen, with new ones and with shared relatives. The home is beautifully decorated, with perfect little gathering spots throughout the home and grounds. Fred wandered about, we are sure feeling a little out of place, but welcoming all the chattering females.

Little Emily Rose made her appearance with a sleepy little smile. Her brother Jacob was also part of the scene, making himself at home with all the good food.

At the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, flowers, from the humble to the exotic, filled the room with their glory. Everything from the majestic Spanish Dagger with its huge white flower, to bouganvillia, orchids, sweet peas, firecracker, esperanza, and more had been gathered to welcome Spring. Exotic orchids were provided for the exhibit by Dr. Phyllis V. Creamer, Lynne Twiss, and Phil Lane .

They were part of the 54th annual Flower and Art Show, "Border Blooms," sponsored by United Methodist Women. The president of the women's group is Mrs. Delia Whitfield. Proceeds help support the church's missions and outreach activities. This includes two Nuevo Laredo children's homes, the Douglas Home , the Salvation Army Home, and contributions to Habitat for Humanity.

The show's chairperson was bubbly Hortense Offerle. The show was dedicated to the memory of Billie Moore. Originators of the show included Woncele Dublin, Hazel Snow, Lois Sullivan, Hazel Skinner, and Nell Shanks. Laredo 's artists, gardeners, and flower enthusiasts have supported the show ever since. Each year, an artist is featured. This year, Cristina Salinas Castillon was guest artist. Also showing art pieces were Barry Reed, Tere García, and Hillary McAllister.

We were sorry to have missed the guest artist. She is the daughter of our friend, the late Dr. Ezequiel Salinas, and her grandparents were the late Judge Ezequiel Salinas and the beloved artist Elvira Salinas.

Tables were dedicated to past show enthusiasts the late Laura Oden and Ann Shanks. For many years, Ann, a gifted photographer, honored friends with her humorous Christmas cards. Long before computer technology made cut and paste so simple, she painstakingly inserted herself into famous scenes. A collection of her cards from the collection of Barry and Jennie Reed was displayed. One could see her wiping her brow while digging the Grand Canyon, going after King Kong in her small plane as he hung from the top of the Empire State Building , or churning down the Amazon with Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn. Clever lady. She was the daughter of Nell Shanks, one of the show's founders.

Among those who brought flowers from their gardens were Ann Neel, Leona Alston, Ruth Fierros, Gloria Guajardo, Julia Watson Jones, Marilyn Mapus, Dr. Wilburn Ottmers, Lynne Twiss Odom, Dr. Rosa María Vida, and Sharon Yeary.

The committee included Geneva Widener, Eileen Hale, Rachel Bohmfalk, Amy Kuly, Doria Sparenberg, Anna and Katy Chaves, and Gloria Guajardo. Others included Pastor Judith Sellers, Aacia Vasquez García, Ty Starnes, Zelma Heck, Dolly Claes, Peggy Frost, Dorothy Neuman, Kay Kriewald, Manica Vazques, Lisa Vazquez, and Jan Little. Men lending a hand included Dennis Kriewald, Mervil Moore, Hank Neumann, John Hale, Perry Widener, and Charles Whitfield.

Little Shelby Rose Yeary made her debut March 11th. She was born to Amber and Norma Yeary and weighed in at 7 lbs . 2 oz . and is 18 inches long. Sisters Maegan and Bailey think she's great. So do grandma and grandpa Amber and Sharon.

We did not realize that Josette Palacios played the piano so well! At an impromtu get together because Louise Kahn Gutierrez is visiting, she and Louise tickled the ivories, to the delight of all. Of course, the Kahn sisters, and their brother Robert, produce pure magic on the guitar, but the piano recital was really nice, together with much visiting and catching up. A talented family. Dropping by to say hello were Bobbie Zuniga and her daughters, JoEmma Sherfey and her daughter, Josephine and Nando Zuniga, and their daughter Annie Dodier.

Well, if we were offended last month, we are outraged this month. The survey that listed Laredo as the worst place to live in the whole country made our blood boil! The very ambience described in the paragraph above is one of the things that make our town special. We are reminded more often than not by newcomers that they love everything about Laredo . With the new Laredo Entertainment Center , the activities available through the two colleges, the Laredo Philharmonic, etc. etc. There is plenty to do here if you look, and the temperature is not so bad if you stay out of the noonday sun! It beats freezing to death, in our book! Anyway, fie on him and his survey! We like it just fine! So there!