Class reunions, weddings, and the WBCA gears up for the 108th Celebration

Well, another month has whizzed by. Our cats continue to drive us nuts as well as amuse us and we have class reunions to report on and the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association has named the Parade Marshals for both the Youth Parade and the Grand International Parade.

A special Celebration it will be, indeed, as it is Laredo 's 250th anniversary as well as the 108th anniversary for the big Celebration that is unique for honoring our first president in such a large way.

The late Lamar Bruni Vergara, humanitarian extraordinaire, will be honored at the big 2005 Anheuser-Busch parade, and will be represented by the Trustees of her humanitarian Trust, Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr., and Joe Martin III.

The United Way of Laredo , as an organization, will lead the IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars. Thomas Gates, WBCA president, said the entities were chosen for their continuous commitment to the improvement of the community of Laredo . A good choice!

Laredo's great friend, Elizabeth Sorrell, sent us a clipping of her grandson Andrew Norman Sorrell and Renee Riedel's wedding. They were married at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Austin . Andrew's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schleicher II of Austin and Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Norman Sorrell of Colorado Springs . The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gene Reidel of New Braunfels .

Jim and Donna Young once again hosted the annual reunion of the Foundation named Los Amigos de Las Cincuentas at their home near Bulverde. Originally begun for the Class of '58, it has expanded to include all of the graduates of the 1950s. The group has raised thousands of dollars for scholarships for Martin High graduates.

This year, we visited with Eva Serna García, who grew up in Hebbronville. She married Fred García, MHS class of '56, now of San Antonio . She knew our pals Carol Dodson and Diane Leatherberry. Carol, widow of Judd Gee, now lives in Houston and Diane is a successful writer and jewelry designer known as Dian Malouf. She lives in Dallas with her husband Don Malouf.

Minerva Gallegos, class of '56, married Jack Reeves, whom she met in San Antonio . Also at the reunion were Terry Acosta and Margarita Romo Collazo, class of '60. She married Fernando Collazo, class of '56. They live in Bulverde. Many more Martinites gathered under the oak trees to recall the “Happy Days.” We will report on more of them next issue.

The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of galas and special events as well as outstanding concerts in the beautiful new auditoriums at Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International University. They are each just the right size for the concerts. We missed the gala that honored 25 of the organization's greatest supporters at the Laredo Country Club, but hear it was greatly successful! Honored were patrons of the arts Josephine Brand, Judge Louis Bruni, Judge Solomon Casseb, Jr., E. H. Corrigan, Seymon Deutsch, Dr. Ramon Dovalina, Elia Hilda Espinosa, Mayor Betty Flores, Josie Guerra, Gary Jacobs, Sam Johnson, Julia Watson Jones, Barbara Kazen, Dr. Ray M. Keck III, Richard Kilmer, Roslyn Mandel, Joe C. Martin III, Guadalupe Martinez, Ann Neel, Theresa Nimchan, Dennis Nixon, Hortence Offerle, Alma Gloria P. Resendez, A. R. Sanchez, Jr., and Sen. Judith Zaffirini.

Ramon and Violeta Zertuche coordinated the gala affair. David Malcolm Brown, J.D., is president of the LPO. Brendan Townsend is music director.

Sunday afternoon, pal Carolyn Jordan went with us to TAMIU where the audience was treated to the clever rendition of Phantom of the Orchestra by Justin Locke. This was followed by Dance of the Blessed Spirits from “Orpheus e Eurydice” by C. W. Gluck, Danse Macabre, Op. 40 by C. Saint-Saens, with solo violin performance by Richard Kilmer, and Night on a Bare Mountain by M. Mussorgsky. A marvelous afternoon!

We were invited to the world premier of Janine Turner's directorial debut, Trip in a Summer Dress, a short film. We regret that we were unable to attend. The film stars Janine, as well as Kathleen Early, daughter of our friends Joyce and Frank Early. We have been fans of Janine since her days in Northern Exposure. She is currently being seen in a commercial, where she is at her most beautiful. Our little “Beany,” as her parents call Kathleen, is still happily living in New York City and appearing in various productions around the country, while awaiting her big break. This film will be entered in the Cannes Film Festival and we await Kathleen's big break as well as Janine's directorial rise.

A dip back to the United Way bash at Lago del Río brought out so many of the volunteers who make the wheels turn. At one table under the stars were Crime Stoppers Connie Cavazos, Peter Ortegon, Lynne Nava, Ramiro Saucedo, Blanca Flores, Rosie Reyes, and friends Ron Cutlip and Anna Haynes.

As we have said before, one of the greatest benefits to being part of volunteer organizations is the people one meets. Lilian Dickinson is the assistant director for Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center . The executive director and chairperson is still the venerable Ruthe Cowl, who has served in this capacity for lo these many years, without one cent of recompense. A true volunteer with a heart of gold, Mrs. Cowl is a treasure! Lilian has been part of the organization for many years, as well. At the recent United Way meeting, Lilian spoke of all the good things the Center does. The other co-host for the meeting was the Border Region MHMR Community Center , which serves individuals with mental illness and/or mental retardation. The Center is most lovely, and has a large campus, offering many services. It is located on the old Air Force Base.

Good friend Molly Martinez dropped by the photo of her and Joe's daughter, JoAnn, and her fiancée Michael Patrick Davis, of San Antonio. They will be married on December 11 at San Agustin Cathedral.

JoAnn is the granddaughter of the late José R. and Eloisa Martinez and the late Alejo and Dolores Gonzalez. Michael is the son of Carmelina Rocha Davis and grandson of Emilio and Maria Rocha.

The bride-to-be graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies specializing in Reading . In 1998, she received her Master's of Science in Education from Texas A&M International University with a specialization in Bilingual Education and Reading . She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Texas A&M Kingsville with a specialization in Bilingual Education. JoAnn is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Texas A&M Kingsville System Center in San Antonio .

The prospective groom graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He is pursuing a Master of Arts in Legal Studies at Texas State University . Michael is currently employed at Trinity University Police Department in San Antonio .

SMW debs are being honored with parties amidst their practices. Recent honorees have included Dana Norton, who was honored at Fuddrucker's. Hostesses included Irma Deutsch, Mara Hamblin, Gina Ramirez, Tanya Rose, Chulita Martinez, Margie Norton, Frances Salinas, and Starr Zolton.

Another party honored Dana , Frances , and Katherine Hearn, Mo LaMantia, and Stephanie Alston. Hostesses included Sara Courser, Marianne Lamont, and Amanda Lamont.

Deb Betty Voltz enjoyed a dinner at the Olive Garden hosted by her four aunts, Araceli Martin, Martha Martin, Betty Bunn Moreno, and Minnie Dora Haynes. Also at the party were SMW president Rebecca Wise and her husband Bill, Martha 2005 Annie Dodier, her husband David, George 2005 Richard Haynes and his wife Rosa Imelda. Also present were Betty's father Jim Voltz and his wife Vilma, her escort's parents Carlos Benavides and Maggie Benavides, and her aunt Sally Zuck. Also her aunt Adriana and uncle Pepe (José) Prieto from Dan Antonio.

We look forward to the Tamalada and Holiday Food Festival at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall Saturday November 20 at 5 p.m. in Encinal, sponsored by Hecho en Encinal. The tiny town is on the verge of big things and we wish them well.

Till next month. . . .