A visit with Aldo Tatangelo;
at the Ursuline/St. Joe's reunion

As we go to press, we are still stunned with the loss of the seven astronauts who were so close to a triumphant landing after their weeks in space. Perhaps ashamed at how blasé we have become, many of us are not even paying attention when humans are orbiting or exploring so far above us. We take it for granted, and find it easy to forget the dangers in the job they make look so simple. The risks are great, and these brave men and women take them readily, feeling the risk is worth it for the cause they believe in. It makes one so proud to learn who these bright and courageous young people were. Some of the sentiments that stay with us after the memorial service in Houston are "life is not a rehearsal," "whatever you want to be in life, you're in training for it now," and "they were examples to us all as they reached for the stars and probed the wonder of God's creation." We will feel their loss deeply as once more we mourn, but will be inspired by their examples and lives and remember that great endeavors are inseparable from great risks.
The birthday celebration for our dear friend Julia Deliganis was filled with happiness as her large family came from near and far to share it with her. Who could know that in a matter of days, her son Jimmy, who had enjoyed the party so much, would pass away so suddenly, claimed by a heart attack after a short illness. Our sympathy goes out to the family members, who at least have cherished memories of that last happy gathering together.
Joe Mike Cullinan, the beloved husband of Melita Kowalski Cullinan, also passed into a greater life. He died in San Antonio, making this the second Cullinan passing recently. Our wonderful Maggie died in Houston. Although she still missed her hometown friends, she had adjusted with her usual spunk to her new life near her children Mike and Peggy. That cheerful giant Cliff Pichot also left us. Hard shoes to fill.
One of the great characters on Laredo's stage has to be former Mayor Aldo Tatangelo, the Italian from Rhode Island who made the Mexican border his home, enveloping the peoples of this area with a tremendous affection. Aldo will be 90 on September 16th, the date Mexico earned independence from Spain, and sharing this celebration date is a coincidence that he finds very moving. He still feels so strongly about our city and its needs that his doctors have forbidden him, after major heart by-pass surgery, to be actively involved anymore. He tends to react more vigorously than they would like, to the frustration he feels at the sometimes-slow pace of progress.
Guests to his home are encouraged, or dragged, around the walking path that encircles his beautiful back garden, as he growls his displeasure at this or that and the fact that he is no longer a young man. The former amateur boxer does a daily turn on his stationary bike on the beautiful terrace of the home he designed himself, while listening to Italian music. He relishes the fact that he is frequently asked to speak to college students and civic groups. He prods them to "get involved."
Aldo and seven other outstanding citizens were honored at the 29th Laredo Latin-American International Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. His Honor was named Sportsman of the Year for his continuing interest in sports and the youth of our area.
Officers of the organization include President Andres Ramos, Jr., Director Pitin Guajardo, and Committee Members Eduardo "Lalo" Cavazos and Peter Lizcano.
Honored with Mayor Tatangelo were two of Mexico's top international business leaders and sports enthusiasts; a coordinator for baseball talent in Latin America; a world series game-winning pitcher; a sportswriter who encourages and promotes Latino athletes; a nationally recognized college tennis coach; and a South Texas coach with a record of 298 wins and only 67 losses.
Since 1975, Laredo has recognized the achievements, and contributions of Latino athletes and sports personalities. Other outstanding men and women who were honored this year were the late Ing. Alejo Peralta y Diaz Ceballos, his son, Ing. Carlos Peralta Quintero of Industrias Unidas, for their philanthropy, sports enthusiasm, and international business acumen; Alejandro Peña, a native of the Dominican Republic, who became a star pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets; Cuban native Rafael Avila, a scout in Latin America for the Los Angeles Dodger for many years; Dr. Sara Carrasco, famed Laredo Junior College tennis coach; David Flores, San Antonio Express-News sportswriter and author; and Eleuterio "Lou" Garza, educator and Roma High School basketball coach.
The good ol’ days were relived at the recent combined 1972 Ursuline/St. Joe's Academy reunion held at the home of Valerie Leyendecker for classmates, spouses, and friends. Most still live in the Laredo area, but John Matthews came from Colorado, and Micki Bruni Jones, Clay Garner Berry, and Laura Casso came from San Antonio, as did Martha Hall Riklin and hubby Rand. Mark Haynes now lives in Brownsville.
We have become more and more interested in "native plants," or what we used to refer to as weeds. One of our amateur theories is that it is not a good thing to get further and further away from natural things. We used to fertilize with animal manure, now it is with what we call "plastic stuff." Seems like real sugar is probably better than "the blue stuff" or "the pink stuff." Can it really be a coincidence that the people we most always see using "diet" stuff are overweight? Are we out of kilter? What does it mean if we have to spend so much on fertilizers and bug killers that our homes and lawns are toxic dumps, and the only thing we have to do to take care of a garden of wildflowers or native plants is just keep them from multiplying by giving them to friends or making another bed? Shouldn't we learn something from that? As we try to convert our thirsty lawn to more natural plantings, we are continually fascinated as they flower in their time with no help from us but neglect.
As we learn to call these little blessings by their real names, we are continually amazed as their beauty fills our yard and patio. Fountain grass sways in the breeze, magnificent fuchsia bougainvillea cascades over the walls, and draught-resistant Mother-in-Law's Tongue and Spanish Daggers add a saucy, desert touch to the landscape. And all they need is minimum care and water!
The Grapevine, as the Women's City Club monthly newsletter is known, made its way to our mailbox again and we are again struck by the amount of work this energetic group of ladies does. President Amanda Bean's message ended with the slogan "Doing together what we could not do alone."

(By The Way appears monthly in Greater Laredo magazine. It is reprinted here with permission.)