Birthday wishes for Josephine Brand and Lorraine Hopson
Well, happiness is indeed contained in a kitten's body! Double the fun, double the trouble if it involves two kittens, one now larger, and one smaller. If we ever wondered if it was no fun to have only one cat per household, we now know the truth. When our Marmalade Pouncer gets to rough housing with little Simba, who the neighborhood now realizes should be re-named Nala (the female lion cub in The Lion King ), laughter rings out! Their antics are so cute and their energy and curiosity are boundless! Three families in our cul-de-sac share Nala.
A dip back to the Barrera anniversary party. We discovered that the Rev. Mike Barrera, the well-liked minister of the United Baptist Church on International Boulevard , is the son of the late Annette and “Death” Barrera. “Death” was the owner of the popular Town & Country eatery in the 50s and 60s. He was the brother of the honoree, Anthony “Bugs” Barrera. Bugs and his lovely Sylvia celebrated 57 years of marriage with a wonderful gathering of family and friends.
We often joke that you better be careful when bestowing a nickname. They stick for life, long after anyone can explain the origin. We had friends called “Jitters,” “Toots,” and “Bumpy.” We'll lay odds that no one could call their real names off hand. But everyone remembers the popular sisters by their nicknames. The de Llano/Hornberger brothers are still known as “Bumper” and “Boxey.”
It was good to see George O. Jackson. The multi-talented photographer's exhibit , “ The Essence of Mexico” will be shown at the Smithsonian Institute in the near future.
Our readers know of our devotion to animals. We are so grateful for others who also value and love our four-legged friends. Lovely Diana Farias and her beautiful daughters are at the top of the list. Diana gets railroaded into “just one more year” as president of the Laredo Animal Protective Society every year. At the 4 th annual Veteran Dogs of War K-9 Officers and Service Dog Memorial Service at San Agustin Plaza , our camera caught, among others, Border Patrolman José García and his German Shepherd “Chewy” and Customs' Marcel Delgado and his Labrador Retriever “Rock.”
Yes, one wants to participate in volunteer organizations for the good that they do, but a real bonus is the people one meets through belonging to these groups.
The late Angela Borchers and Patsy Sanditen tugged at our heartstrings until we became devoted to the Kidney Foundation of Laredo, which they co-founded. How we miss them.
The group held its annual awards dinner at the Sirloin Stockade recently. Carlota Gomez is the president. Treasurer is Clarissa Chapa. Among those present were Angelica Cortez, Cata Marulanda, María Amelia Villarreal, Yolanda LaFleur, Lourdes Rangel, Esperanza Villagomez, Olga Hovel, Dora Wolfe, Ana María Peña, Veronica V. García, Jennie Reed, and Josefina Luera. Hostess was cute and efficient Sorayda Vega. While working at the Sirloin Stockade, she is pursuing a career as a Biomedical Technician at Laredo Community College . All wished her success.
Among the July birthdays were Josephine Brand and Lorraine Hopson. Josephine celebrated her 95! Lorraine was 65. Both ladies are real troopers and full of the spirit that has helped them achieve these milestones. We wish them both happiness!
Josephine's was celebrated among family and close friends at her luncheon, which was hosted by her family. Among those present were her daughter Linda Deutsch and her husband Seymon, their daughter Debbie Falic and her husband Jerome, and their children Jennie, Rachel, and Joseph, who came from Florida . Also present were Terri, Mark, and Lisa Deutsch and Lenora Brand. Barry and Gail Sanditen came from Austin with their children Sarah and Britt. Beverly Blumenthal and Pauline David came from Dallas . They are the daughters of Joe Brand's brothers. Josephine's beloved Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa gifted her with a long-stemmed red rose for every year of her life. Also present was her great friend Elizabeth Foster.
Lorraine 's daughters Debbie Gilpin and Veronica Ramirez prepared a beautiful luncheon at Veronica's home for their mom's 65 th birthday. They prepared the menu and Lorraine 's San Antonio pals brought the gorgeous cake.
Margaret Hopson and her daughters Helen and Elizabeth came from San Antonio . Helen is excited that she will be a deb this year. Lorraine 's pretty little granddaughters helped their moms serve the ladies. Jacqueline, Cassandra, and Arabella Ramirez and Hannah Gilpin were dressed in the latest fashions and were real helps.
Alta García, Beatriz Azios, Karen Hopson and baby Miles, D. J. Utterback and her daughters made up some of the family members attending. Friends included Tami Summers, Ana Muller, Bebe Slight and her daughter, Margie Rubio and Allison Salido, Dora Wolfe and Jennie Reed.
San Antonio friends included Tina Melson, Kay Jackson, Amelia Luxford and her pretty daughter Lisa, Joann Mata, Sandra Carabaza, and Carol Shippee.
Until next month . . . it is a short ride we have in this life . . . make the most of it.
