Reunions and gatherings mark busy month

Many activities filled the calendar this month -- reunions, WBCA parties, the Metex grand opening of their great remodeled store. Activities at TAMIU included the reception honoring Sammy Johnson for his contributions to Laredo and the arts. One of the theaters in the new Fine Arts Complex will be named for him. More about this appears elsewhere in this issue.
This is the 50th anniversary of the re-organization of the Laredo Little Theater and a year-long celebration is planned, Sammy said. The original organization was founded in 1922 by Aloysius Notzon and Miss Etta Thaison, later Russell. Hortense Reuthinger Offerle helped restart it.
Speaking of Sammy, he and Charlie held a reception at their home, vividly decorated for Halloween. We were unable to attend, but were told that it was fabulous. Talented Sylvia Jones helped organize the reception. School children and many others stopped by during the afternoon and evening. Vernon and Mary Grace Carroll were among the friends who sat and visited and received callers with the hosts. Many exciting events are planned in the near future as Laredo expands so rapidly!
Little sis Val Leyendecker and her friend Chito Padilla were invited to the King Ranch 150th anniversary celebration by her friends Melinda and Martin Clement. Val has always loved horses and drooled at the beautiful animals auctioned. The legacy dinner took place on the grounds of the main house.
The annual reunion of Los Amigos de las Cinquentas, begun by Jimmy and Donna Young for the Martin High class of '58, has mushroomed and now includes virtually anyone who is of the 50s era, or anyone else who wants to renew old friendships. Each year a different assortment comes. Everyone makes a donation to help pay for the food and for the scholarships the group offers to deserving Martin High School graduates. So far, the total is $23,000, with over $4,000 collected this year. We have learned that other classes are doing the same for their beloved alma mater's graduates. The class of '47 has been meeting annually since they celebrated their 50th in 1997. The classes of '46 and '48 have joined them and they welcome more participation. They will meet November 8 and 9 at the Holiday Inn Civic Center. Under the guidance of Abe Ramirez and Tavo García, they have formed a foundation that has offered more than $10,000 in scholarships so far. Martin High graduates giving back to their community!
At the Amigos‚ reunion in Bulverde, former teachers Elizabeth Sorrell, Annie Bruce Babb, and Norma Brady were special guests and were surrounded by former students, remembering those good ol' days. More on this reunion appears in Elizabeth Sorrell's column elsewhere in this issue.
Tommy Barnes Reuthinger had recently sent us a photo of her mom, Margaret Barnes, and her sister, Hazel B. Dean. Margaret is 90 and in good health. She is known as the lady who walks up and down her apartment complex stairs, because that is part of her exercise regime. Margaret was a nurse in Laredo when the public health unit was located at the old TB hospital. Margaret lives in Alvin, Hazel in Fresno, TX, and Tommy in Sachse.
Kael Gonzalez, class of '53, and his wife, the former Delia Sanchez, class of '56, attended for the first time. Other newcomers were genial Arturo Robles and his friendly wife Patty. He told us the class of '50 would be meeting in Laredo and asked us to join them, which we did and will report on later in this column. Art joined the military after leaving MHS, serving in Korea. He later attended LJC and East Texas State, after which he moved to California and worked for Douglas Aircraft, later McDonnell Douglas and ultimately Boeing. He married Patricia Ruggerio in 1963. They have three children, who all live in California. Their son Stephen is a journalist. After retirement, they moved to San Antonio, where Patty says he is always finding new "old" friends. They love the Alamo City.
Others at the Amigos reunion included Jackson Moss, Mike and Helen Cantu, and Wyman and Betty Gamble. Maxine Love Nilsen and Joanna Lowry literally moved in to help get ready for the reunion and cleaned up after. Joanna has that fabulous Lowry white hair. Rene Ornelas is now recording Christian music. We were so sorry to miss his appearance at the Church of the Crossroads in Laredo. He and his lovely Saundra are regulars at the reunions.
Jim's mom, Louise Young, loves seeing her sons' pals get together. A home is being built for her on Jim and Donna's property. Mike Craig, Benjie and Sherry Wright, and Barbara and Al Barrera always attend. Newcomers included sisters Petra Calvillo Ester and Mary Lupe Calvillo Doll and Nancy and David Cardwell, who were among the group catching up on old times. Donna Young says they will move the reunion back to their home and rent a big tent in case of inclement weather. It is easier to handle from home, she says. The generous couple has a lovely home and large outdoor area that can handle the crowd.
As we entered the lobby of the Executive Club for the 1950 class reunion, we noticed the wonderful display put together by Rosemary Jordan Contreras on behalf of the Lucy Meriwether Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It commemorated the end of the Korean War, in which many Laredoans were involved. Rosemary and her committee worked so hard on this three-year effort, which gained national recognition for the Chapter, and many friends among our deserving veterans.
Reuben García and the late Joe Azios started their classmates on the reunions that they hold yearly. Helen Ramirez García and Beatriz Martinez Azios have continued to serve on the steering committee, along with Martha Cuellar, Irene Navarro, Olivia Bravo, Beatriz Martinez Azios, Elia Ramirez, Josefa Hernandez, Angie Uribe, Ruben García, and Benigno García.
Met cheerful Elia Ramirez Ramirez, sister of our 1957 classmate Tommy Ramirez. She and her husband Rudy live in Colleyville, Texas. Tommy and Rosaura lived in Louisville, near Dallas. He is being "drafted" to head the '57's 50th year celebration!
Ralph and Blanca García live in San Antonio. He was in the Air Force for 30 years, then worked for the State of Texas and for the Department of Defense. He remains active in several organizations and is grateful for good health. Ralph García has three children and five grandchildren. Alicia G. Luna lost her husband Cristobal this year. They had 11 children, 18 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. They had celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Jesus Benavides and his wife Gloria Hernandez Benavides are the only remaining couple who married class members. The others had been Joe and Bea Azios, Candelario and Irene Navarro, and Chris and Alicia Luna. Edelia Vasquez met Bob Morrow in California, at an Arthur Murray dance class, after they had both lost their mates. They come to the reunions every year and were the first on the dance floor.
We enjoyed the gatherings and always take too many photos. We will donate the ones we didn't have room for to the respective scrapbooks.
The cool sounds of the Jim Cullum Happy Jazz Band drifted up to all the floors of La Posada at the benefit KLRN Wine Tasting. Food or wine were served on different floors and guests mingled and tapped their toes to the great sounds. When we were fortunate to have an apartment in the Majestic Theatre Complex in downtown San Antonio, we often listened to the sounds coming from The Landing. Brought back many happy memories. Roby and Mary Margaret Freeman headed the committee. KLRN is such a worthy cause. What would we do without the quality programs that would never appear without these volunteer efforts and contributions?
As we close this column, we reflect on the growing number of former Tigers who are joining the reunion groups after having been away for many years and who remember so fondly their Laredo youth and want to help give others a "hand up" towards their own goals. As retirement arrived, many who traveled widely in their careers are returning home to revel in the old adage about friends, new and old. One is silver and the other is indeed gold!