CHILDHOOD FRIENDS — Kingsville businessman Willie Garza is pictured with childhood friends he had not seen in 60 years during the 50’s Reunion held Saturday at Riviera Beach. He is pictured with Manuel Cerna of El Paso, left, and Benito Homero Cerna of Apple Valley, Calif. (Gloria Bigger-Cantu). By Gloria Bigger-Cantu

It was the reunion that topped all others because many of the guests had not seen each other since they were in elementary school. After recognizing each other hugs, addresses, and promises to see each other were exchanged. Most of the guests at the 50’s Reunion echoed the fact they had not seen each other in 50 or 60 years

Over 400 guests attended the 50’s Reunion at the home of Edelmiro “Miro” and Mary Lou Rodriguez home in Baffin Bay in Riviera Oct. 17. The majority of guests had been classmates at Austin Elementary School.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT — Edelmiro “Miro” Rodriguez addresses the guests at the 50’s Reunion held at his Baffin Bay home Oct. 17. Rodriguez thanked the people who assisted them with the planning of the event. He also thanked the guests for being present and praised them for their accomplishments. The majority of the guests had attended Austin Elementary School and over 75 percent present were professionals. He also honored those friends who had died. Also pictured are the hosts and wives who assisted with the success of the event. Pictured from left are Gil Bazan, Mary Lou Rodriguez, Pamela Kay Bazan, Victoria Garza and Willie Garza. (Photos By Gloria Bigger-Cantu) The invitation read “Miro Rodriguez, Gil Bazan and Willie Garza invite you to a Reunion of Friends and Classmates Before and After the 1950’s. You are invited to join (maybe for the last time) your friends and classmates from childhood.” Apparently, the majority of people who received the invitation decided to attend because this could be the last reunion. They bought old pictures of themselves, yearbooks and other treasured memorabilia from the past. H.M. King High School graduates who attended the reunion ranged from 1945 to the 1970’s.

GUEST BOOK — People signed their names and addresses as they arrived Saturday at the 50’s Reunion. Calana Arredondo signs the guests’ book. Sylvia Colin Wasek, left, and Gracie Arredendo are in charge of the guest book. Wasek traveled from Virginia to attend the event. C.P. Arredondo of Falfurrias and Mrs. Rodriguez are standing. Guests traveled from California, Maryland, Virginia, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Washington D.C. Mexico and numerous cities in Texas to attend the reunion that began at 2 p.m. and ended at 11 p.m. Saturday proved to be perfect weather with a cool breeze blowing during the afternoon for the Frank Najera, center of Kingsville pictured with Ricardo Villagomez, left of Kerrville and Armando Mascorro of San Antonio. festivities that included dinner, Los Agues band from San Antonio, David Salinas and the Sol Tejano and a DJ.

TEEN FRIENDS — Rachel Carrales, of Austin and Maggie Benavides Cabaza of Corpus Christi greet each after 30 years at the 50’s Reunion. Guests ate dinner on large tables covered by white linen underneath large with tents. The Rodriguez couple of Houston own two Ninfa Restaurant franchises; one at College Station, and one in Waco. A young staff from College Station served the beef ,chicken fajitas, rice, beans. Several soft drinks, wine, beer and water were available. Guests danced to the music of Los Agues band in the evening.

The idea to host an event like this one stemmed from talk years ago when friends met and kept telling each other they needed to have a reunion. Finally, tentative plans began last year but the actual preparation began over six months ago when Rodriguez began getting his property ready at Baffin Bay. He upgraded the property and cleared the land for a parking area and guests were transported from their vehicles by golf carts.

Gil and Kay Bazan are pictured with Miro Rodriguez. “We have not seen friends in 50 years and we have had a tremendous response,” Rodriguez said.

“We have a friend Gilbert who used to go to Austin Elementary School and we had not seen each other over 40 years; we miss each other so we decided to get together,” said Mary Lou (Colin) Rodriguez, referring to the idea of having a ‘50’s reunion.

“I am pleased at the turnout because it turned out great, and I had a chance to work with Miro,” said Bazan.

MEMORIES-Mary Ann Colin is pictured with her uncle Henry Trevino, 82, who traveled from San Antonio with his niece to attend the 50’s Reunion. He brought a collection of pictures from Austin Elementary School and H.M. King School. Trevino is the brother of the late Isabel Canales. “This is a great event that happened. Miro and Gilbert were very generous and we are very appreciative,” said Garza. “Most of us attended Austin Elementary School.”

Rodriguez addressed the guests briefly as he thanked everyone for their RSVP’s, telephone calls and attendance at the event. He praised everyone’s achievements and successes. After his brief speech, Carlos Lerma, former Kingsville city manager, gave Rodriguez, Bazan and Garza a gift of an autographed photo of his friend Charles Haley, a five time Super bowl winner.

FAMILY MEMBERS-Arnold Alvarez, of Huntington Beach, California, is pictured with his sister, Nora Alvarez Rothwell, of Round Rock, Texas, and cousins at the 50’s Reunion. His cousins are from left Andra Alvarez McDonald of Richmond, Virginia and her mother Irma Alvarez McDonald of Rockville Maryland. Lerma later said, “It was wonderful for these guys to make a go of this very successful reunion.”

“This required a lot of organization and this a wonderful gesture of the hosts. They did this (reunion) out of the kindness of their hearts,” said Edna Williams Ybarra said.

“I visited with people I had not seen in 60 years,” she said.

“This 50th reunion is one of the best at our age, and it is wonderful talking to people who knew us and our parents that watched us grow up in this community,” said Dr. Noe Flores, a retired professor and an HMK High School Class of 1958 graduate. Two of his brothers, Noe and Humberto Flores were also present. (Flores Park is named after two brothers who died in military service).

DINNER-Guests at the 50’s Reunion enjoyed a fajita beef and chicken dinner catered by Ninfa’s. Miro Rodriguez and his wife own two Ninfa Restaurants. One in College Station and the other one in Waco. “The last time I saw some of these people they were 18 years old,” said Benito Cerna Homero Cerna, who traveled from Apple Valley, California, for the event.

“I think it is wonderful because it is like a family reunion,” said Rosa Belia Garza Haley, of Corpus Christi, HMKHS Class of ’57. She bought an album with photos including a certificate she received after completing the sixth grade in 1952 at Austin Elementary School.

“It feels like high school again,” said Rachel Carrales who traveled from Austin for the event.

MANY CLASSES HERE High School graduates from different years attended the 50’s Reunion. Pictured from left are Anna Garza Allen, Class of 1974; her sister Rosa Belia Garza Haley of Corpus Christi, Class of 1957; Mary Jane Garza of Austin, Class of 1973; Tonche Lozano and Maria Lomas Garza, Class of 1945, both of Kingsville. Maria Luisa Garza showed her pictures taken in 1944 when she was a young girl to her classmate Tonche Lozano. Both ladies graduated in 1945.

“I am amazed at this because this is the first time I have attended a reunion and all the people are friendly,” Maria Luisa Garza said. (She is the mother of international artist Carmen Lomas Garza).

Arnold Alvarez traveled from Huntington Beach, California, for the reunion. He left Kingsville in the early 70’s and worked as a teacher and counselor for 37 years in California Now retired, he manages his real estate beach properties in Huntington Beach.

“I get to visit not only with friends but also relatives,” Arnold Alvarez said.

His sister, Nora Alvarez Rothwell, of Round Rock, Texas and also Belize, brought six former H. M. King High school friends with her.

“You feel that love and instant gratification of a generation of admiration that has been lost,” Rothwell said expressing her thoughts on the reunion.

“Everybody knew everybody in Kingsville; we had that small town closeness and you felt secure growing up in a small community,” said Rothwell, HMKHS 1961 graduate and retired educator.

Arnold Guerra, Class of ’59 brought his H.M. King High School yearbook and pointed to his picture. A retired educator, he taught English for 40 years in Wharton.

“This reunion brings a lot of memories of Austin, Memorial and the high school,” said Guerra who attended the event with his wife Delia.

“No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each others’ worth,” written by Robert Southey is the quote Guerra ended his comments about the reunion.