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MAY 2019 941.349.0194|ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC
INQUISITIVES Topic of discussion will be “The Problems, Issues, and Controversy Surrounding Vaccinations Today.” page
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VOLUNTEER
Meet Anita Kincade, Volunteer Emeritus at Mote Marine Lab
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ARTIST
Get to Know Marie-Louise McHugh, Artist and Neighbor page
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KID’S CORNER
www.THELANDINGSOFSARASOTA.com
Landings resident Guillermo Vidal: an immigrant’s story
Guillermo Vidal fled Cuba as a boy. Born in 1951, he was to rise through the ranks of the Colorado Department of Transportation and become executive director and part of Governor Roy Romer’s cabinet. Following his stint with the state, he took a job with the city of Denver as manager of public works and deputy mayor, ultimately becoming the 44th Mayor of Denver in 2011 after then mayor John Hickenlooper was elected governor of Colorado. Following that stellar achievement, he became President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Metro Denver. The story of his early life is a remarkable one. Born in Camaguey, Cuba, to Roberto and Marta Vidal, he and his brothers were sent by themselves to the United States in 1961 via Operation Peter Pan. They ended up at the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Pueblo, Colorado, and were not reunited with their parents until four long years later. Young Guillermo had the fortitude to overcome this difficult beginning, going on to earn a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado. He then became a registered professional engineer, garnering 37 years of experience in the public sector of state and city government. He is the author of two books. The first was Boxing for Cuba-An Immigrant’s story, in which he details the difficulties of his family’s immigration story that began in Cuba. He came from an affluent, upper middle-class Cuban family with servants who catered to their every need. His two brothers were fraternal twins and a year and a half older than Guillermo, and he looked up to them.
By Diana Colson
His father was a successful businessman, while their mother was both gorgeous and gregarious. Their marriage was extremely volatile, often making he and his brothers the casualties of their marital war. His father seemed cold and emotionally aloof, appearing to resent his youngest son. No matter how hard he tried, Guillermo could not gain his father’s approval, even later as a high-achieving adult. His mother was emotionally unbalanced, prone to bouts of rage that culminated in the physical abuse of her three sons. Guillermo spent his childhood walking on eggshells to avoid his parent’s ire. Then came Castro’s Revolution and the boys’ subsequent exile. The parents made the unthinkable decision of sending their three boys to the US seeking political asylum. Family members were supposed to meet them at the Miami airport, but they did not. In a strange land, Guillermo and his brothers felt utterly deserted and abandoned! An American based refugee program called Operation Peter Pan took over. It had placed 14,000 Cuban refugees in orphanages and foster homes around the country. Guillermo and his brothers were sent to a Catholic Orphanage in Pueblo, Colorado, relieved at least to be together! Although they were fed and clothed, the orphanage was an austere place run like a prison. Within its confines emerged a culture of violence. It was a terrible experience, much like Lord of the Flies! Continued on page 22
ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY BBQ REMINDER
Meet Jared Gracia-David, almost 18 years old, a senior at Pine View School
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Be sure to mark your calendars for our Annual Memorial Day BBQ on Monday, May 27th. This is normally one of the largest events of the year with around 140 people in attendance, including roughly 30 veterans. It will be the normal menu of hot dogs and hamburgers with all the side dishes. Military veterans, the guests of honor, will be complimentary. Look for the sign-up sheet in the Tennis Pro Shop.