Historic marker dedication

On Saturday afternoon Peter and I attended the unveiling and dedication of a historic marker recording the history of the little Ibarra School for Hispanic pupils that existed on the site before desegregation of schools.  Many 'old' pupils attended along with their families, the decedents of the man for whom the school was named, together with a whole posse of important people...the Mayor, the chair of the Brazos Valley Historic Committee and other elected people.  There was a lot of handshaking and applause for individuals  The opening prayer was prayed, at some length, by a Baptist minister and then after several speeches, the local Catholic priest, in fine lace, prayed some more and in some detail before withdrawing a small plastic bottle from the folds of his clothing and sprinkling holy water on the marker.  It was an impressive occasion and one marked by many photographs of people proudly arrayed in front of the marker.  Here is our own contribution...on the left Patricia Cleere who is on the College Station Historic Committee, in the middle yours truly who has been transcribing the memories of the Ibarra school former pupils and on the right, Anne Preston who runs the Brazos Valley Oral History Project and for whom I 'work'.

In the evening a Chinese colleague of Peter's and his Chinese wife met us for supper at a newly opened Sechuan restaurant, which was full of Chinese students eating...a very good sign.  The food was delicious.  Very spicy!   I am taking Patricia (see above) there on Wednesday evening.