OCTOBER 18 - 31, 2011
Unique exhibits on display as museum opens, Oct. 22 BY STEPHANIE ROJAS
T
he Coral Gables Museum will debut several exciting exhibits when it opens to the public on Saturday, Oct. 22. The museum building, which once served as a police and fire station for the City of Coral Gables, will house five unique exhibits, including “La Florida: Discover, Explore and Commemorate,” a one-of-a-kind exhibit featuring 50 historic maps from Spain, as well as a tribute to Anthony Abraham, one of South Florida’s most prolific philanthropists. Museum members are invited to enjoy a Spanish-themed brunch at 10 a.m., followed by the opening to the general public at 1 p.m. “The Coral Gables Museum is excited to finally launch its inaugural exhibits this October,” said Arva Moore Parks, acting director of the Coral Gables Museum. “The exhibits celebrate Coral Gables’ rich history, including our special connection to Spain.” The largest exhibit to be featured this fall will be “Creating the Dream: George Merrick and his Vision for Coral Gables,” which also serves as the theme for the
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MUSEUM, page 6
Gablettes: Family legacy for mother and daughter
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
SUZETTE WANNINKHOF
Barbra Harley is pictured in 1985 as a Gablette. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY GARY ALAN RUSE
E
lizabeth Harley, a 10th grader at Coral Gables Senior High School, is proudly carrying on a tradition shared by her mother, Barbra Harley. Barbra also attended Gables High and was a Gablette in 1985. Elizabeth now is a Gablette wearing the distinctive “checkers” garb that is the trademark of the school’s spirit dance team. Gables High opened in 1950 and the Gablettes are celebrating their 35th anniversary this year. Barbra Harley was born and raised in the Gables and has lived there 42 years, so becoming a Gablette was a natural progression for her.
Elizabeth Harley currently is a Gablette. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“I went all through the Coral Gables Schools — Coral Gables Elementary, Carver Junior High, Ponce [de Leon Junior] and then on to Gables High,” Barbra said. “In the spring of my ninth grade year, I tried out for Gablettes and made it. I was so excited because I had always heard about them and watched them perform when my brothers played football at Gables. It also helped that a lot of my friends were trying out so we all did it together.” Barbra said that when her daughter decided to try out for the team she was pleased that she was following in her footsteps. “I am thrilled that Elizabeth made Gablettes two years ago,” Barbra said. “She
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GABLETTES, page 6
ALEX ROMANACH
YUBISAN VENTURA This is another in a series of profiles of outstanding students attending schools in Coral Gables. These students excel both inside and outside the classroom. See profiles beginning on page 7.