Fifth Annual Founder’s Day Ceremony in Coral Gables with a taste of Spain that included a tenor who sang “Granada” and an almond tarta from Galicia

On a legendary, but wet Tuesday afternoon in June, a group of Gables movers, shakers and HPACG society members gathered at the grand Coral Gables residence of June and Allen Morris to celebrate the fifth annual “Founder’s Day” — a festive event to honor the man who turned a South Florida pioneer village into one of America’s premier garden cities — a city which in turn this year celebrates its Centennial of its 1925 incorporation.

It was by divine intervention, through The Honorable Dorothy Thomson, that brought the ceremony to the Morris home, and well, let’s leave it at that. The gathering was quite spontaneous and absolutely lovely. Everyone felt so welcomed. A better outcome could not have been predicted. No words are enough to express the kind gesture and generous hospitality. May the good works of Thomson and Morris manifest into great blessings.

At this annual Founder’s Day tribute, sponsored by the Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables, the program not only celebrated George Merrick’s birth anniversary, but also highlighted the City of Coral Gables own 100-year old milestone. The theme reflected the foundational ties that bind Coral Gables and Spain. The city’s own heritage was founded on Merrick’s admiration for Spain’s cultural and architectural wealth. Merrick was so enamored with Spain that he used the phrase “Where your Castles in Spain are made real in Coral Gables” to describe his ambitious plans for the City he was creating. A special bond between the two entities forged years ago continues to this day.

Spanish kings have been intertwined with Coral Gables history from the very beginning.

In 1927, King Alfonso XIII decorated George Merrick with the honorary title of “Real Orden de Isabel la Católica” and King Felipe VI recently bestowed the prestigious Spanish civil order to The Honorable Raul Valdes-Fauli. “Not too many people can boast about that honor and it is a wonderful history that binds both Spain and Coral Gables,” observed Deputy Consul General Gabriel Cremades at the inaugural ceremony in 2021.

In keeping with the Spanish theme, professional tenor, Aurelio Gutierrez, sang a powerful operatic rendition of the iconic Spanish anthem “Granada” to begin the ceremony. HPACG President Karelia Martinez Carbonell introduced Mayor Vince Lago who welcomed and thanked everyone for being loyal to the legacy of George Merrick, loving the City and it’s heritage. Other special guests included three former mayors: The Honorables Raul Valdes-Fauli, James Cason, and Dorothy Thomson. Each shared their own congratulatory words and experiences leading the City Beautiful.

Later, an almond cake was presented with two candles, one for George Merrick and the other for the City of Coral Gables. Everyone gathered and joined tenor Gutierrez in singing a most enthusiastic “Happy Birthday.” The cake, known as “Tarta de Santiago,” also paid homage to Spain.

Guests enjoyed unlimited Sophie Baron champagne along with passed hors d’oeuvres that included grilled flank steak on French bread, plum tomatoes skewers with fresh mozzarella, and mini Cuban sandwiches.

In attendance, among other notables, were Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, Historic Preservation Board members Marlin Ebbert, Michelle Dunaj and husband David Lucking, Michael Maxwell and Valerie DeWitt. Also, Great Gables Guide principals Robert and Robin Burr; Landmark Advisory Board members Alice Goldhagen, Ajit Asrani, and past Vice Chair Jane Maranos. Others included Vicki Cerda, Zully Pardo, and Jeanette Pressman and husband Alejandro Nuñez. Over 40 members and friends weathered the rain to celebrate the day.

If there was an underlying theme to this congenial gathering, it was gratitude. The setting, the provenance, the attendees, existed in the here and now. At the very least for one memorably rainy but enchanted afternoon.

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The Historic Preservation Association of Coral Gables is a 501c3 non-profit founded in 1991. The Association promotes the understanding of the importance of historic resources and their preservation.  For more information and/or to support the mission of HPACG, please visit www.historiccoralgables.org