Happy Birthday Victor Hugo Padron

 

April 1st would have been Victor Hugo Padron’s birthday!

I have been reading some of the emails back and forth among my classmates. I was gratified by Elvis’s finding of an email message from Mario to a group of friends. It seemed that Mario was writing to us.  Actually, he was, but at an earlier time.  Then we remembered John Ibarra’s birthday via our email group. Both are remembered via their families. I immediately sought some type of old correspondence with my good friend, Victor Hugo Padron; I found none. He did not have children, no surviving family members that I know of.

As young men: we spent so much time together. We worked selling records at Variety Records at the Omni mall, parking cars at the Montmartre Hotel, playing football with my family in the front yard. On his own, he actually took my younger brothers and sisters to Disneyworld. Mom always admired him for doing that. There are so many memories. Since he passed before the internet fully developed, and before the times of “You’ve got mail” and there were no Elvis communications, nothing googable is available. I would like our good friend to be remembered.

I first met Victor in LaSalle in Sister Anthony’s class, first period; we were taking Algebra 1. He sat in the third or fourth row next to the wall. I sat two desks behind him. He was quiet but would speak up when he had to. He may have also been in my Phys Ed class in third period with Coach Grosso. I know he was in English class with Sister Agnes Rita Huber, eight period.  Later in life, we would reminisce about making our classmates laugh as they were presenting in front of class. Victor and I would become very good friends. 

I played Junior Varsity Football as a sophomore. People may not realize that Victor was in our JV team. He was number 80 and played defensive end. The reason I say that you may not realize it is that in the JV picture on the yearbook (1973) many of the names are wrong, including his. He is right next Carlos Fernandez and Rocky. He was actually a pretty good player.

In, or around the year 1973, he got a quadraphonic stereo. I remember going to his house to see and hear it. More importantly, that day I met his mom (Rosalia or Chalía), dad (Victor Hugo Senior) and Aunt Hilda.  Beautiful family. They were playing dominoes in the dining room. I noticed his dad was in a wheelchair. I joined in the game. Having come from a family of avid players, I felt right at home. I sat across from the younger Victor, so we were on the same team.  As we played, Victor Senior ran me through an interview. I guess he wanted to get to know his son’s friends. He would quiz me about certain things. He would ask me stuff, he just wanted to get to know me. Chalia was one of those ladies who just tried to make life better for everyone. Wonderful conversationalist. She would pay attention to both Victors; They were both loved. Later on, as Victor drove me home, he half apologized for his father.  I had found the father’s questions to be endearing and actually, I looked forward to playing Dominoes with them.  Later, going to his house became a ritual and we would finish studying and end up at Victor’s eating Churros con chocolate that Chalia would make.

In junior year, our group decided to celebrate Victor’s Birthday. It was a surprise party. We developed this convoluted story where I and Victor would go somewhere. When we returned everyone would be at the house. That day, I remember going to the house early. Several of our classmates were already there. I do not know where Victor was. Someone taught me how to make onion dip. I had never done that before or tasted onion dip. Trouble is, I ate a lot of it. I left to bring Victor back and everyone continued the preparations. Somehow, Victor realized what was going on yet, pretended he was not aware. We returned to his house. Victor came in the house. All the lights were off. I stayed outside; I am not sure why. I believe in our convoluted story; he was only returning to pick up something.  I just heard “Surprise” and music started playing. Everyone seemed happy. I guess Victor realized I was not in the house, and he came out of the house and brought me a drink.  I asked, what is in the drink? He said “no te preocupes” (do not worry about it) we always said that. I drank it and went inside the house. As I entered, the whole house started spinning. On the right side of the door in the porch, Maria Rivas was sitting, talking to someone. It was either Georgina Tercilla or Graciela Balanzategui. I came in and just said “Why is everybody moving so much? Why is everyone spinning around?”  Maria realized I was not well. I just remember Maria signaling to the person next to her, and that person getting up from her seat and walked towards the dining room. Maria said “Ven Ramon sientate aqui, al ladito mio” (Come here Ramon and sit here right next to me). I was very happy to sit right next to Maria.  Later I realized she was making sure I was okay. Maria, if you are reading this, I really appreciated it. I sat there for a while. I remember getting up a bit later, probably searching for onion dip.  I guess I was better. 

Later in the evening, we ended up at The Machine Shop on Coral Way across from the Sears Store and next to Stern Brothers Plumbing. It was one of our favorite hangouts. For those of you who may not be familiar with the place, the machine shop had air hockey tables, pinball machines etc… There were no electronic games except possibly pong. Space Invaders and Pacman were not out yet. There were two parking lots for the shop. One was on the left of the store and the other behind the shop. We parked on the side parking lot. You could drive from one of the lots to the other, but the passageway was kind of narrow.  A car could fit comfortably through it, but a larger car and a person walking right next to it would just barely fit. At the Machine Shop, I was pleasantly surprised that some of the ladies had gone with us. We kind of separated into small groups and played pinball.  It was then time to go, and I exited via the back door of the establishment and Victor, Fabio and I (just saying that makes me sad) were walking towards the car on the side parking lot. We were going to go into the side parking lot when I heard a screeching sound and Victor and Fabio yelled, Watch out Moose! I did not understand what was happening. Victor and Fabio looked scared. One of the cars sped through the passageway and to quote Agent 86, “Missed me by that much”. Seriously, it was really close. Fabio and Victor, both told me that there were guys who were trying to “talk” to the ILS ladies who were with us.  I did notice that the ladies had been kind of gathering around us at the time and all these guys we did not know were around.  Both Victor and Fabio said that they were trying to run me over. I did not really think so. I just thought they were trying to scare me. They succeeded. That day Victor and Fabio may have saved my life.

Victor and I would spend a lot of time together. In school I remember one instance, I believe in PreCal, when the whole class was getting out of control and Mr. Thomas said, “That is so funny that I can’t see straight”.  Victor did not realize that Mr. Thomas was very upset and just started laughing hysterically.  Mr. Thomas had a lazy eye and Victor thought he was making fun of his own issues.

When Victor’s mom passes, he and the rest of the family moved to a house which was parallel to Coral Way, one block north of the Ibarra’s but 5 blocks west. He was always welcome at my house. Actually, he was welcome at the houses of several friends.  He became part of my family and theirs.

At the time, I felt we were being kind to him, he seemed to be so alone.  Only now do I realize he was being so kind to me. After my brother Robert passed, he would always insist that I go out with him and other friends to do stuff. We would end up catching a movie, going to the machine shop, the student union at UM, and play ping pong or playing pool. It was during that time when several expressions came to be. If the group had absolutely nothing to do: “We can go to Fabio’s house and stare at Fabio’s mom.”  No one really knew why we said that. She was a very nice lady.  And, “Portate bien o te vas a la casa con Fabio.”  (Behave or you are leaving with Fabio). We were horrible to Fabio, another great guy. We would reminisce about ILS. I usually did not feel like going out.  Now I think I was going through an understandable depression.  None said anything about it, I did not even realize it until another friend said something to me. That friend just said “Estas hecho una plasta.”  (that one is hard to translate but he meant you are being a real down).  I realized he was right.

Seven of us: Rocky, Ricky, Charlie, Giz, Fabio, Victor and I went on a one-week cruise in the Caribbean.  Spending seven days with seven guys and meeting seven girls from Tarboro NC, was indeed memorable. We also met a guy named Fred. He was the second violinist with the Cleveland Orchestra. He must have been around 70 years old. He was having a great time. He would sit at our table. I spoke to him numerous time and what I remember the most about him was how much he missed his wife. His wife was at home. I guessed he traveled separately from her.  He also taught me tablature notation for guitar. Fred came by to visit in Miami a few years later. I remember Victor, on the first day of the cruise, sitting, drinking a beer. He was sad because the trip would be over in six days. All through the trip, Victor was having a good time. I still remember him laughing at some of Giz’s jokes and the jumping frog which landed in strategic places. And Fred would pick it up.  There are so many memories. One of these days I would like to arrange a get together for the five that are left and tell the stories, again. Never gets old.

Sometime later I told him I wanted to ask Lourdes out on a date. I was always a coward about those things. He totally encouraged it, almost made it possible. He arranged for dancing lessons from friends. He even planned the trip. The couples double and triple dated many times. Later, Victor was the best man at my wedding. I always thought he would be a part of my family as Lourdes, and I had children.  Sadly, Victor and I did not see each other too often after I was married. I was not sure why.  Partly it was because when you are married and have children your life is completely changed. I did miss him. Cristina was born and I wanted him to meet her. I invited him over to our apartment at the University of Miami. It was in the morning. He brought a gift; I think a dress for Cristina. She may have been maybe a couple of months old.  We talked about stuff for a little while, just reminiscing. When he left that day, I never saw him again. Many years later, I was practicing with Cristina for the father daughter dance at her wedding. We choreographed exactly the way Maria and Victor taught me how to dance. In that way, he was part of the ceremony, although no one else realized it.

I am so grateful to Victor. He really was there when I needed him. I am thanking him now.

I always wanted to ask him a question:

Just what was in that drink?

Happy Birthday my friend. Fight on LaSalle.

Moose

I agree about the alcohol.

 I agree about the alcohol. 

On September 17, 2012, I was teaching the late general chemistry class and I received a phone call from Paula's best friend letting me know Paula had been in a bad accident.  I, my wife and my three other children rushed to St Mary’s Hospital in Palm Beach to be with her.   

My beautiful daughter was in a coma, hit by a drunk driver. 

In a true testament to  her resilience, with a lot of work and help from God, excellent medical intervention and two firefighters/paramedics who happened to be on the scene coming back from a hunting trip when the accident occurred, she survived.  

She went on to obtain her doctorate in pharmacy in 2017. She currently works at CVS Pharmacy and teaches part time at FIU.   She is okay.  She is more than okay.  She is my beautiful daughter.  I have learned a lot from her.  

Although I may enjoy a drink every now and then, I have no time for irresponsible drinking.

One day I will tell you the whole story of her recovery.  It is inspiring, but it is painful for me to experience it again.  Her story appeared on the front page of the Palm Beach Post.  The link is below.  

https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/2017/05/20/woman-graduates-college-years-after/7899304007/

Woman graduates college years after awful wreck caused by drunk driver Paula Lopez-Trigo had just started her second year of pharmacy school and was cruising down Interstate 95 near the Blue Heron Boulevard exit when a Jeep Cherokee driven by a woman with an empty bottl… www.palmbeachpost.com

Be well; take care of yourselves and fight on!

Saying hello to two old friends

Around two years ago, in early October, I received a phone call from Giz. He told me Nestor was in town. Giz wanted to arrange a visit with Mr. Mederos, Nestor’s dad, and our math teacher. I loved the idea and we arranged to meet at Mr. Mederos’s house at a certain time. Fabio, Rocky, Giz, and Moose were going to say hello to two old friends: Nestor Mederos and Nestor Mederos.  

 

I began thinking about our days in LaSalle. I also wanted to ask Mr. Mederos a question. It had been bothering me for a long time.

 

The day arrived and Fabio called. He was not going to be able to go due to health issues.  Little did I know that would be the last time I would speak to Fabio.  Then Gizmo called. He had another commitment. He could not go. Both of them were disappointed. I know they both wanted to go spend some time with both Nestors.  

 

Rocky and I met outside the house. Then we called Nestor and he came out to greet us. We both went inside the house and Mr. Mederos was there. He was looking amazing! It was a real pleasure seeing an old friend.  

 

The house was a nice house, very comfortable. We sat in the living room. Someone commented about the artwork. I had been to Mr. Mederos’s homes, both in the Roads and in Coral Gables and did not remember that much artwork. They looked like Lladrós, lots of Lladrós. Lourdes and I had recently purchased one and they were pricey. Mr. Mederos said they may look like Lladrós, but they are not. They are actually Mederós. He and Nestor said that since he had retired, he had to find something to do so he took up art. I was impressed. Nestor was proud of his dad. They showed me some of the sculptures. I am not an art critic, but I thought they were really good. Nestor then said that he also has paintings. We went to another room, a studio, and he showed notebooks full of watercolor paintings. Some were works in progress. There was one I particularly liked of two young girls, I guess around six years old each, they looked like sisters. They may have been the same girls but with different expressions. I liked the expressions on their faces. We then sat down in the living room. We continued talking. We each spoke a little bit about ourselves and our families. Nestor talked about the time that his mom discovered he was the opening act for Julio Iglesias. Mr. Mederos smiled as they were reminiscing. I was most curious about Mr. Mederos. After he left LaSalle, he went to teach in a school in Miami Lakes. He really liked to teach those kids because he was serving a good purpose. Those children really needed him. He felt like he made a real difference in that school. We kept talking about other interesting things. I told him that when I teach my classes about anything involving the Pythagorean Theorem, I remember him fondly. I also pronounce it as the Peetagorean Theorem. My students usually laugh at the way I say it. I tell them because that is the way I learned it. That is the way it should be pronounced. They usually do not realize I am just messing with them. They think I learned that in the old country. We then spoke about the treasured reward for an educator; to be a positive influence in someone’s life. A couple of times Mr. Mederos told Nestor “Mira a ver si hay algo para servirle a los muchachos” (Check to see what we can serve the boys). That really reminded me of the days when a group of us were studying at his house. He would say that to Nestor and Ms. Mederos. Brought back good memories. Also do you know how long it has been that someone refers to me as a “muchacho”?  

 

I had heard of Mr. Mederos long before I had met him. He was my brother’s and sister’s math teacher in ILS. He remembered my sister, Teresa even now. His family lived on 26^th road, right next to Sts Peter and Paul. I used to deliver newspapers and would pass by his house in my bicycle every day to go to my paper route. I of course knew Nestor very well. I met Mr. Mederos in Geometry Class in the seven hundred building. He was a nice man, more comfortable speaking in Spanish, but fluent in English. He was easy to listen to. He had studied law in the old country. At times he had a certain way of saying things with a certain smile and I did not know whether he was being serious or just messing with you. He made geometry fun. Well at least I know I had a blast. I am being serious about that. Occasionally, he would assign a problem for us to solve. Usually, it was some kind of proof. Then he would say Extra Points! I remember me, Rocky, Gizmo and Fabio frantically trying to work it out. The first couple of students who would get the answer would get a + 2 in red in their notebook. Sometimes he would give you three points. One time I got five points. I never did get seven. It would have had to be a difficult problem. At the end of the grading period, he would tally the extra points and he would add it to your grades. For proud nerds like me that was important. It made the class fun. I looked forward to going to his class. The extra points helped. I try to emulate that in the introductory Chemistry Classes in College. More important than the extra points were that we did not want to disappoint him. We wanted to impress him. Subsequently I also took Algebra 2 with him, I was happy to be in his class.  

 

I wanted to ask Mr. Mederos a question. It had been bothering me for a long time. I was finally going to get the chance. I did so when we were walking back from the studio to the living room. It was in 1974; I was taking Algebra 2. We were taking the final exam. I completed the exam early. And, to help a friend who, I shall not name, I passed my scrap paper with my notes from the exam back to my friend. He was struggling to finish the exam. I went to the front and handed in my exam. A few minutes later Mr. Mederos asked me: “Ramon where is your scrap paper.”  I did not know what to do. So, I said something very loudly like: “So you are asking for my scrap paper" kind of imitating Agent 8. I said it again and my friend who had the scrap paper slipped the paper into the crevice between his desk and the back of my chair. Somehow the air currents played tricks on us, and the paper very slowly, ever so slowly floated down, swinging back and forth, between the two rows of desks. I snatched it while it was still in midair. The paper was floating right in front of Mr. Mederos. I then gave the paper to Mr. Mederos. There is no way Mr. Mederos could have missed that. He knew what was happening but purposely ignored it. After all these years I finally was going to ask him the question. Did he know I helped someone cheat? I asked him if he remembered that. I asked him if he knew that I had given the student behind me paper so he could copy it. Mr. Mederos said no he did not remember. I dropped the topic. I did not want to remind him. Did not want to disappoint him.

 

We continued talking for a couple of hours. I and Mr. Mederos talked about teaching and the “new methods of teaching.”  After a little while, Rocky and I decided to bid our farewells; it was getting late. Just before we got up and took a picture of the group, Mr. Mederos said to me quietly so only I could hear him: “Estoy muy orgulloso de ti”    

  

That must be worth at least seventy times seven extra points.  

 

Thank you, Mr. Mederos. Thank you for all you did for us and being a wonderful example to all of us. 

 

Fight on! 

-Moose 

senior film

 Hey Rocky, 

Thanks for sharing the movie with us.  It literally brought back memories.  

I had forgotten that when it was first shown we had three projectors. Two for slides and the movie. Now I remember that and how impressed I was by it.  I later saw a professional show using that technique.  Our senior film was better done.  

I began thinking of what I remember about the wrap.   

I think it took place on a Sunday, I am not sure.  I vaguely remember returning from Sts. Peter and Paul Church and someone telling me that Mono had either come by or phoned.  He seemed to be trying to say something to my dad but he was not being very clear.  My dad told him I had left to wrap the school. Mono was trying to avoid saying what we were going to do.  My dad had already raised four of us that graduated from ILS.  He knew the ritual.  Although to be truthful I do not think he realized the magnitude of the project.  Neither did I.  Also most classes before us did it after they had graduated.  We did it before graduation.  Real risk takers we are.  There was the threat of not graduating. 

I was not even aware this was planned but Victor must have called to let me know and that he would pick me up.  I think my dad knew about the wrap before I did.   

Victor Hugo Padron, whom I miss very much, picked me up at my home and we drove to the rendezvous point, the parking lot at Coral Way Elementary.  There a pickup truck would pick us up.  Our only instructions were: bring a screwdriver.  I kept wondering if it should be flathead or Philips head screwdriver.  Are we going to take something apart?  I had no idea.  We arrived at our destination.  A number of other operatives were already present, I do not remember who.  All of us loaded to the back of the pickup truck and were dropped off at the second rendezvous point, the drop off site outside the seawall, north of the high jump pit but closer to the trees.  In the pickup truck a lead operator explained that we were to jump the sea wall and gather, I am not sure where, and wait for further instructions.  I had placed the Philips head screwdriver in my pocket.  I jumped the seawall and almost performed an impromptu appendectomy on myself but I was okay.   We gathered and awaited our instructions.  Since I really did not know what was going on I really felt I was on some kind of mission.  The theme from Mission Impossible kept playing in my head.  I considered that the soundtrack to our adventure.    

We were notified of the third rendezvous point.  It was one of the classrooms closest to the main office in the Immaculata Building.  They had rigged the locks of the doors so we could access the room after hours.  There, Gary Nellis was present, dressed in full army regalia.  Gary can tell you what the regalia was; he looked great.   There, we were explained the process going forward.   

Operatives had been picked up at several points in the neighborhood.  There were several strategically placed lookouts at the drop off site.   There were operatives on the roof of the science building. They had a signal system letting us know to hide since people or law enforcement was around.   

Our colleagues had acquired 472 packages of toilet paper which had been “donated” by the Four Ambassadors” hotel chain.  I am not all that sure of the number.  We apparently had contacts on the inside. These were stored below Portable J where now the girls’ softball practice field is located.  There was much preparation for the event.  Wire had been criss crossed in the field behind the cafeteria were many guys have fond memories of hunting beaver after lunch.  We were also told what the purpose of the screwdrivers was.  We would use them as spindles from which to unwind the toilet paper.  We were also warned about the possible dangers of putting them in your pocket when jumping the seawall.  (Thanks!) We would separate by groups and each group would consist of several pairs of operatives. We worked in pairs and one would throw the toilet paper up into a tree or other structure, in such a way so it would unwind.  The partner would catch it and throw it back.    The blackboard had drawn up plans of regions to wrap first; which group would do each job.  Apparently, there were a number of rendezvous points where pickup trucks would pick up the operatives.   I remember very little about the meeting in the room.  I remember generalities.  I do remember Carlitos and his beer belly.  That is so clear to me.  Do not know why.  It must have been impressive.   

We had a great time that evening.  We did not cause any permanent damage, thiswas important to me and to all of us.  I do not remember particulars of the wrapping itself.   

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, the police arrived.  Apparently there was some yelling and someone called.  I remember running to the original rendezvous point, the pickup trucks would pick us up in groups.  We quietly hid and waited for the pickup trucks.  I finally arrived home, via pickup truck followed by a ride from Victor.  I barely has enough time to take a shower, make and drink around four coladas to look awake, get dressed and wait for Rocky to pick me up at home.   

The next day, at the usual time, we arrived at the school. As we drove from the entrance to the parking lot, we saw the campus.  It was beautiful, it was surreal.  When I recently saw a Christo sculpture, it reminded me of our own artwork, in the field behind the cafeteria.  It looked amazing. 

You could tell who had participated.  This was not difficult.  We were the ones that looked wired on coffee.  I remember talking to one of the young ladies and she told me she was so proud of all of us.  I think she realized I had been a part of it.  I do not know how.  

During third period, we were all called in to an emergency assembly.  Father Lechiara spoke to the class and basically told the class that all of it had to be cleaned up.  He also said to start now.  If any paper was left, the whole class would not graduate.   

We spent the day cleaning up the campus.  It was all back to normal except for some toilet paper at the top of the Australian Pines.  I was proud that no permanent damage was done and that the campus was picked up.    

Much later, when I saw the senior film, the mission impossible soundtrack was quickly replaced by Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.  It was listening to that soundtrack when Rocky posted it, that brought all these memories.  It is amazing how music brings back memories of certain instances we appreciate.    

Thanks Rock 

Fight on  

Moose 

 

Vizcaya

 I was inspired by Elvis's pictures of Vizcaya under construction.

I found some additional picures from Vizcaya at around that time.

I used Google Earth to find some landmarks

Below is the same view many years later

And below is the same pictures with landmarks labeled

I think I have way too much time on my hands.

best

Moose