HPACG
6th ANNUAL FOUNDER’S DAY CEREMONY &
COMMEMORATION OF GEORGE EDGAR MERRICK’S ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH
[140 but who’s counting?] & ROXCY BOLTON’S CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY
June 3 2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE & ROXCY!

ON BEHALF of the Board of Directors of the HISTORIC PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION OF CORAL GABLES … Thank you for sharing this beautiful OCCASION with us in celebration of the 6th annual Founder’s Day event in recognition of George Merrick’s birth legacy. This year also marks the birthday of another legend, Roxcy Bolton’s 100th!

HPACG BOARD OF DIRECTORS. From left to right: Karelia Martinez Carbonell, Alba Biondi, Alice Goldhagen

A KEEPSAKE WITH ROYAL MEDAL

The framed keepsake hangs inside the Coral Gables City Hall on the second floor by the commission chamber displaying Merrick’s “Isabel la Catolica” Spanish medal, the Founder’s Day Official Proclamation circa 2022 and HPACG’s Inaugural Founder’s Day Ceremony Invitation circa 2021.

The framed keepsake hangs inside the Coral Gables City Hall on the second floor by the commission chamber displaying Merrick’s “Isabel la Catolica” Spanish medal, the Founder’s Day Official Proclamation and HPACG’s Inaugural Founder’s Day Ceremony Invitation circa 2021.

HPACG President Karelia and Former HPACG Vice President Jane celebrate the 6th annual ceremony launched in 2021.

A DOUBLE CELEBRATION MARKS THIS SPECIAL DAY!! 

Bonnie Bolton, daughter of Roxcy Bolton, with HPACG President Karelia pose in front of George & Roxcy’s birthday portraits.

Torta de Santiago

The cake, “Torta de Santiago” is a special delicacy from Spain in honor of George Merrick’s admiration for Spain and its cultural and architectural heritage. Merrick used the phrase “Where your Castles in Spain are made real” to describe his ambitious plans for the city he was creating one hundred years ago.

Make a wish and blow the candles!

The program not only honored and celebrated George Merrick’s 140th birth anniversary, but also celebrated Roxcy Bolton’s 100th birth anniversary –

 

City Founder George Edgar Merrick & American Feminist and Civil Rights Activist Roxcy Bolton share a birthday 40 years apart. Merrick was born June 3 1886 and Bolton was born June 3, 1926. Happy Birthday to two great minds and visionaries!

Coral Gables founder George E. Merrick was born less than 15 years before the turn of the century. He grew into the “modern man” of the 20th century—an entrepreneur and visionary; a millionaire who gave away most of his fortune before he lost the rest of it; a civic leader; and a poet. He was active in Coral Gables for less than a decade from 1920 to 1928 and in that time built a new city —the City Beautiful. His city marked its centennial last year in 2025.

Roxcy O’Neal Bolton was an American feminist and civil rights activist hailed as Florida’s pioneer feminist. She founded Florida’s NOW chapter, Women in Distress, and the nation’s first Rape Treatment Center. Bolton championed the Equal Rights Amendment, persuaded President Nixon to proclaim Women’s Equality Day, and campaigned to include men’s names for hurricanes, influencing NOAA policy. Her advocacy tackled equal pay, anti-rape laws, maternity leave, and more.

ROXCY was one of the original INFLUENCERS!

“Key to the City” presented to Roxcy Bolton before her passing in 2017. Then-Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli once said, “A budget hearing without Roxy Bolton is like a garden without flowers.” He was referring to the late beloved activist whose spirited presence enlivened civic life.

“A Big Thank you”

To Rita Tennyson for agreeing to host our party here at Birdie Bistro, formerly known as “Burger Bob’s” – Roxcy’s favorite eating and meeting spot.  Rita was also present to accept a meaningful gift for her place from The Honorable Don Slesnick. “The City agreed to have the “Alhambra Water Tower” hung by Wednesday before 4 pm. with a sheet covering be placed over it so we could unveil it during the Coral Gables Historic Preservation Association’s Merrick Birthday Party celebration.” DS

Accepting the gift is Rita Tennyson. The framed architectural rendering will hang in her restaurant, Birdie Bistro. Architect Ana Alas [in pink] created the piece as part of her firm’s “Inking History” project to support historic preservation.

The architectural rendering of the Alhambra Water Tower now hanging at Birdie Bistro. The inscription reads: “Gifted to the City of Coral Gables, 2026 by Don Slesnick Coral Gables Mayor 2001-2011 *Inking History Project GAA Architects*

MORE THANK YOU: Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, The Honorable Dorothy Thomson, and The Honorable Don Slesnick, The Honorable James Cason, The Honorable Bill Kerdyk, Chief Hudak, Attorney Vincent Damien for joining us today. Mr. Damien was a founding board member of HPACG when it was established in 1991. Ms. Thomson was the first and [to date] the only woman Mayor in Coral Gables. I understand the Mayor Thomson and Roxcy worked together at Southern Bell as young women just starting their careers.

Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson represents the City Commission and shares her appreciation for all attending the ceremony.

Former Mayor Dorothy Thomson poses with the birthday portraits and keepsakes.

HPACG board member Alice Goldhagen shares a toast with Former Mayor Don Slesnick

From left: Former First Lady Carmen Cason, Former Coral Gables Mayor James Cason, Bonnie Bolton, Ajit and Maria Alicia Asrani, and Karelia, HPACG President

Darlings of preservation. Alejandro Nunez, Jeanette Pressman, Karelia, and artist Ray Corral

Community Leaders. Former Mayor James Cason, Former Commissioner and Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, and Attorney Vincent Damien. Mr. Damien was a founding board member of HPACG when it was established in 1991.

Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak shares anecdotes of his friendship with the late Roxcy Bolton. Roxcy was one of the Chief’s most loyal supporters.

Happy Birthday to George & Roxcy

Chief Hudak and Ms. Bolton

In great company! HPACG members enjoy the ceremonial celebration.

_______________________

Images by Vicki Cerda

MEDIA

6th Annual Founder’s Ceremony June 3 2026

Facebook