Word from the Publisher/mensaje de nuestra fundadora Querídos lectores...

Wow, back-to-school season is upon us! I love as this season changes to fall, but I always get a little melancholy.

As a kid, I had to earn my school supplies and school clothes because at that time my dad was in college. We all had to do our part.

As such, my sisters and I worked in the fields alongside my cousins and although it was hot, and it was work, some of my favorite memories come from those times. We laughed, we talked, we tanned, and we planned what we would buy with our money.

For my sisters and I we didn't plan for our entire earnings because we gave our checks to my parents. We knew that they were struggling, and it was okay whatever they gave us. That seemed to also be what all our cousins would do. And the allowance that was given to us was used for clothes that my sisters and I would also share so that we would have more variety during the school year.

The end of summer also reminds me of my childhood when my grandfather Juan E. Castro took us fishing, which was his favorite past time. We called my grandfather "Papi”, and I can still recall how he wore a hat and smoked a cigar. My grandfather was an avid fisherman. And because each of his young kids paralleled my three younger sisters and me, someone always tagged along with him.

He loved the quiet time. And after he would teach us how to bait our hooks, Papi would share stories of when he went fishing as a kid. We'd ask him many questions, and in his animated way, he would respond. Over the day we would increase our laughing and loudness, which probably made him regret he took us.

Like most kids, we had a short attention span and lots of energy. Even though fishing was fun, exploring the lake was even more exciting. You would have thought we owned the lake as we made our way all over - and someone always managed to get in the water even though we were told multiple times not to.

I chuckle as I think about how my grandad did not complain when we wandered off, probably so he could have some peace and quiet.

When we got hungry, he fed us bologna with the red ring that you peeled off before you ate, or potted meat, on white bread. That was really roughing it.

After lunch, we napped - gently being lulled by the sound of the wind, water against the bank, singing birds, and the cool shade under his station wagon. The warm day absorbed all the energy out of us. When we woke up, we were synergized and ready to repeat fishing, playing, and enjoyment of the day.

When it was time to leave, we packed up and everyone fought to sit in the front. Once again, we were loud and excited, and by then my granddad was ready to take us home. Although he wouldn't say it, he enjoyed everyone wanting to spend time with him. Soon, summer was over, and it was time to get ready to go back to school. The first week was tough as we got back into the rhythm of a school schedule. As classes ended, I'd meet my sisters and we'd rush home, kick off our shoes, and play outside until the sun went down.

Then, summer turned to fall, and I think all of us longed to go fishing and enjoy the days of simplicity and summer fun.

On that note, we urge you to join us August 5, 2023, for our 14th Annual "Vamos a Pescar, Let's Go Fishing" FREE event. Our objective is strengthening families, and building community. We use fishing as a hook to bring families together, and experience fishing in a relaxing and safe environment with family and friends. It's free and its safe. You can pre-register at www.letsgofishinglubbock.com

I urge you to visit our website at www.latinolubbock.net for all the info you may need or to read Latino Lubbock Magazine. You can also reach us at (806)792-1212 or (806) 544-6526. And of course, please keep sending us your news and info.

Y como siempre, Latino Lubbock is committed to highlighting the numerous contributions of our Latino community. Thank you to those who support our publication. We are grateful to have 100,000 readers monthly.

Please continue to support our advertisers who help make it possible to keep our publication free. Thank you for your support and May God bless you! ¡Gracias por su apoyo! Que dios los bendiga. PEACE and random acts of kindness. Que las bendiciones de dios estén contigo en abril y siempre!

Sinceramente, Christy Martinez-Garcia Publisher & Latino Market Specialist

"Lubbock News from a Latino Perspective"

Celebrating 17 Years of Commitment to our Community