Grandpa Lyle’ Gerard reads to Sarita School students during a visit. Since the beginning of March, Sarita Elementary School has enjoyed a visit from Minnesota friend, Lyle Gerard, who is a retired educator with 36 and 1/2 years of experience.

He has taught English, grammar, literature, speech and drama.

Gerard prides himself on helping students improve their reading and study skills.

Grandpa Lyle, as he is known, from Lutsen, Minn., is regarded as a beloved community treasure and world traveler by the Library Friends of his hometown in Cook County.

Grandpa Lyle has made two trips around the world where he had the opportunity to visit such places as Vietnam, the Canary Islands, Spain, Holland, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia.

In his spare time, he reads to people in nursing homes or volunteers to read to children in local libraries and schools whenever he can.

His first visit to Texas, mere weeks ago, brought him to the small community of Sarita where he has volunteered at the school every day.

“The staff has been so welcoming; there’s something really special about Sarita Elementary School,” Gerard said.

He has worked with some of the students individually.

“Grandpa Lyle makes it fun; he helped me with my sight words,” Austin Gonzalez said.

Part of his day includes a lesson in Spanish from Sarita resident, Lina Gutierrez.

“It was an honor; to think of me teaching a teacher, and with him being a World War Two veteran, I was glad to do it,” she said. “I will miss him; I hope he can come visit us again next year.”

The community has adopted “Grandpa Lyle” into the family and has been able to show him part of the world known as South Texas.

Grandpa Lyle has been to a wedding, a birthday party, Kings Inn restaurant, La Paloma Ranch, the King Ranch, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, the Naval Air Station for the air show, and to La Parra Ranch.

“I am absolutely amazed by the flowers; it’s a miracle to have seen so many varieties of flowers in one place,” Gerard said.

“In northern Minnesota, if we have a spring, there are a few flowers that bloom, but never the profusions of blossoms that you are blessed with here,” Grandpa Lyle said.

“The children here are as delightful and charming as the children back home, but we don’t have the diversity of children that you have here,” he noted.

“Serendipity has given me a wonderful month here in South Texas, and I’m so thankful to everyone who has been so gracious to me.”