DECEMBER 09
Q. MODERN DAY TRIVIA: rr&gd continiously brag about their mean fat chihuahua... His name is Benny... What THREE Bennys is he named after?
A. Benny is named after: (1) Benny More, the Cuban singer; (2) Benny and the Jets, the famous Elton John song; and, (3) Benny Rodriguez, the Latino star in the greatest movie of all times, the Sandlot.
NOVEMBER 09
Q. What brand was the gas station in Real Campina?
A. If I remember correctly, it was Texaco... (Most other stuff, I'd rather forget :-) )
OCTUBRE 09
No trivia... Put out call for trivia.
SEPTEMBER 09
Q: A quien le dicen Toti y quien se lo dijo primero?
A: Toti se puso este apodo el mismo al poco tiempo de aprender ha hablar.
AUGUST 09
Q: With all the young people going off to college in the familia, who in the familia was the first to study abroad? (And, yes, it is a somewhat of a trick question!)
A: Celestino Sotolongo went to study in Philadelphia in the early part of the 20th Century. (See more info on this as an answer to another trivia question on this page.)
JULY 09
Q: What three professional schools did Mario Sr., attend?
A: Escuela de Derecho; Esculea Profesional de Peridismo Manuel Marquez Sterling; and, Escuela de Ciencias Sociales y Derechos Publico - all in La Habana.
MAY 09
Q: At $5.0-6.0 for a pack cigarettes, would you be willing to buy it for someone you just met? [This Trivia question gets to the story of how a certain old couple in our familia met.]
A. Mario & Geraldina were introduced to each other as a result of the fact that Geraldina was a friend of America (Jose Miguel's mom) and Mario was a friend of Miguel (Jose Miguel's dad). Mario & Geraldina posed a being married in order to help America and Miguel, who were going to meet relatives but had no chaperon and so Mario and Geraldina acted as the chaperons (back then it was totally an expected scenario that if you were not married you had to have a chaperon). Geraldina, as addicted as she was to nicotine, ran out of cigarettes and because they were supposed to be married Mario had to go buy her the cigarettes. Geraldina used to say that she thought it would have looked bad if she had gone herself since they were supposed to be married. Of course Mario went and got the cigarettes (and continued her addiction). The rest is history.
ABRIL 09
Q: ¿Quien es este tipo? ¿Donde està? ¿Como le decian? ¿Quien de los que reciben
este e-mail es el unico que estubo en este lugar?
A. Este es el tipo que recojia las pelotas en el terreno de pelota en el Cerro. (El stadium despues le cambiaron el nombre a Latino Americano.) De la familia que lee este e-mailer, Mario Sr., es el unico que ha estado en este estadium.
MARCH 09
Q: What is the name of the hotel that Tia Carmin and Tio Paco used to stay at when they visited Miami in the 60's? Where is it?
A: Tia Carmin and Tio Paco used to stay at the CACTUS Hotel on SW's 8th St and 9th Ave... We used to go over in the afternoons and enjoy their over-sized tub - or was it a pool?... The hotel unfortunately no longer exisit, but the memories will linger on forever... Toti in a leg cast; Rembe getting in the pool; Tio teaching him how to swim; Carmencita being a brat (but a beautiful brat!)... And Tio screaming (ok, some things NEVER change!)
FEBRUARY 09
Q: What does the name "GERALDINA" mean? What is its origin?
A: Its orgin is GAIROWALD, formed from GAIRA ("lance", "javelin") and WALDA ("to be strong, to command"). It's 'day' is MARCH 10th, in memory of Bishop St. Gerald (the 'male' version of the name.)
JANUARY 09
Q: What month has the most combined celebratory and commemorative dates in both branches of our familia?
A: July! There are a combined 13 such dates in the Rodriguez Branch and 7 in the Dominguez Branch, which makes for a total of 20 gifts and/or card - almost like Christmas!
DECEMBER 08
Q: Where did Mario Sr. work at during his 'high school' (colegio segundario) in Cuba?
A: Mario worked in the "Obras Publica Department", the place where his father had worked in previous years.
NOVEMBER 08
Q: Which two of our elderly have recently decided that its time to 'hang up the wheels' and stop driving (both for the same reason)?
A: Both, Mario and Tio Jorge - both in their 80's - have had recent car accidents and decided it is time to let others do the driving for them. Most recently, Mario had an accident in Moultrie. He is in some pain, but mostly ok. Tio Jorge had his accident a couple of months ago in the Country of Miami... Both made a wise decision!
OCTOBER 08
Q: Where did Geraldina (la vieja!) go to post-secondary education? For how long? And, where did she stay?
A: Geraldina went to the University of Habana for a couple of years. Se lived at a boarding house with Rosalina, her mother, who insisted on accompanying her during her studies!
Q: How did Lino burn himself? - And what does Alicia Ortega have to do with it?
A: When Lini was 4 months old (1951) El Viejo Lino burn himself while working at Tio Carlos' bar. He was trying to light a propane gas grill when it exploded in his face and arms. He was rushed to La Habana were he spent about 5 months recuperating. There he was helped tremendously by the Ortega family, specially Alicia. He - and Beba - later finished their 'vacation' in Guanabo, at the beach house owned by his brothers.
SEPTMEBER 08
Q: We now know the dangers of smoking... And thus we insist to all our young people: DON'T SMOKE!... However, once upon a time, many of us would boast about the many ways we could smoke - in the bathroom; in bed; while running; etc... But, very few of us could smoke by holding the cigarette with our toes... WHO in the familia would do this feat and show it off to (hint) her children and friends?
A: Nancy! [Geraldina's sister]
AGOSTO 08
Q: Who in the family has sung in Carnegie Hall?
A: Angela Howard. I sang Schubert's Mass in G with my high school choir and an orchestra in Carnegie Hall. I was on the front row and had a great view of the audience and the hall. The choir that sang before us sang my favorite classical piece of music: Mozart's Requiem. It was awe inspiring to sing in place with so much history.
JUNIO / JULIO 08
No trivia... Used the opportunity to request.
MAYO 08
Q: What are the three apartment complex that are most important in the lives of Reemberto & Geraldina, where are they, and what are their names? [HINT: All three start with "P".]
A: La Pachanga, Pastorita, and Peachtree Gardens...
Pearchtree Gardens is on Peachtree Road in Atlanta, just north of Oglethorpe University. It was here that Geraldina lived with her famiily for years - and where Reemberto first visited her. It was (is, actually - it still exists) a 'sprawling' complex so large that it had its own 7-Eleven!... It was here where Geraldina (the elder) would take Reemberto to the kitchen - a tiny little thing (both the kitchen AND Geraldina!) - and drill him on the Sotolongo/Aguero Klan to ensure that her daughter would be well taken care of... An update from Marion, Jr: For better or worse, Peachtree Garden Apartments no longer exists. The entire sprawling complex was demolished and is now being redeveloped by Sembler properties as a mixed-use project named Brookhaven Place. Even the interior streets have been removed and/or renamed. For those of us who spent so many of our formative years there, it's another important place from our past that has disappeared.
Patorita, though we never lived there, was where many of our friends - and family (some of which get this e-mailer!) lived. It was at the intersection of Piedmont Road and Sidney Marcus Blvd - what is now a shopping center. These apartments were where many recent Cuban arrivals lived in the 60's and 70's. The name comes from Havana's most notorious housing project, Pastorita.
La Pachanga (942 SW 6th St, Miami Florida!) is where Reemberto, Toti, Celestino, and Carmita landed in 1966... This 20 or so U shaped complex remains in the heart of most of the Ortega family in particular... Most of them lived there at one time or another... And, oh yes, they were different times: I distinctively remember getting on the Ice Cream van and going around with the Ice Cream man for hours! --- and, nothing happened (other than gaining a few non-negotiable pounds that are still with me!)... This place was named "La Pachanga" because it was just a constant "familia party" 24/7!.... We do have a picture of La Pachanga in our webiste HERE
ABRIL 08
Q: What is the relationship of the world's largest chocolate maker to Cuba? AND what does this have to do with our familia?
A: I found myself in the halls of a hotel in the REAL 'chocolate city', Hershey Pennsylvania recently when oh to my surprise, I look at the pictures in the walls and they were all of Hershey, Cuba!
Well, little did I know that through WWII, the famous chocolate candy maker got its sugar from our homeland!... Fascinating pictures and very kool stories...
Now, however, it has all become 'nostalgia for sale', including the Hershey Spa's "Cuban experience" and its famous message, the "mojito sugar scrub" - FOR REAL! - If you don't believe me, visit HERE
And what does this have do to with our familia? Well, I wonder - and here I go creating a myth - if when Abuelo Celestino came to study pharmacy in Philadelphia, there was some sort of relation with Hershey... After all, he returned to the US years later and lived in the 'sugar trail' of the Mississippi (New Orleans.)... Also, in Philly, he stayed with a family who had the last name of Gerkins, which is the same last name as Caya's husband... (Caya was his neice, the sister of Nena, and Fifa.)
See HERE for a couple of fascinating pictures.from Hershey, including an original sugar bag.
MARZO 2008
Q: Who is the only couple in the family that got married in a winery? And, how were their vows unique?
A:Well, Lola (Nancy's oldest daughter) and Charles were married in a California winery. The wedding was to be outside, but the rain brought it inside... But, no matter; it was a GREAT, memorable wedding - especially the vows, which they wrote themselves:
I promise to be your lover, companion and friend.
Your partner in parenthood.
Your ally in conflict.
Your greatest fan and your toughest adversary.
Your comrade in adventure.
Your student and your teacher.
Your consolation in disappointment.
Your accomplice in mischief.
Your strength in times of need.
But most of all…
I’ll be the jam in your jelly roll.
FEBRERO 2008
Q: WHERE in our family's walls can you find THE ONLY picture of Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth AND Jesus Christ IN THE SAME FRAME!?
A: Jose Carlos has managed such a photo feat AND has it framed at the Heladera... See it HERE!
ENERO 2008
No trivia this month because the computer went down.
DECIEMBRE 2007
Q: ( note: This one is done with the permission of the 'guilty' party - indeed, she was the one that shared this story with me... It is shared in a 'loving' way :-) ) Which childless sister would take a baby from the crib and tell him - silently so his mother would not hear it - "hay hijo, tu madre no tiene la culpa de ser tan yegua"?
A: According to Beba, Elena would take Rembe out of the crib and would utter such words in his ears after - straight out of a Gabriel Garcias Marquez novel - the two sisters would fight w/o cause for no reason at all...But, then again, what else was there to do in Campina? :-)
NOVIEMBRE 2007
Q: Who in the familia celebrated 50 years of her "Class Graudation" from the Universidad de La Habana?
A: Tia Carmin joined the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the "Colegio de Faramacia" of the "Universidad de La Habana". The event was at the Big Five in Miami. According to tia Carmin, this year is not really the 50th anniversary, but it seems that class was the last one to graduate befor the 'regime change'; so they've kinda of just adopted the 50 year mark as a good reason to party :-)
OCTUBRE 2007
Q: ¿Que hija de Celestino y Carmita le pusieron "La Negrita", quien se lo puso, y por que?
A. Abuelo le puso "La Negrita" a Tia Maya cuando ella nacio porque tenia un 'tan' natural que sobresaltaba nuestras raices Moras.
SEPTEMBER 2007
Q: ¿Cuando se abrio la heladera King Cream?
A: Se ha encontrado un 'coupon offiicial' que indica que la heladera se abrio Septembrie 24 del 1966, hace ya mas de 40 años!... Y, es interesante ver en el coupon que hubo OTRA heladera King Cream en el Northwest!!! (Gracias a Carmencita por la foto... veala AQUI.)
AUGUST 2007
Q: ¿Cual es el mes en que han nacido mas familiares - y por que?
A: Pues parece que el mes en que mas familiares han nacido es JULIO... ¿Por que?... Bueno, es sentido comun: 9 meses antes de Julio es NOVIEMBRE, que es cuando empieza el friito! :-)
JULY 2007
Q: ¿Cuales son los TRES centrales azucareros mas cerca de Real Campiña y de Camagüey?
A: Muchos sabemos que PERSEVERANCIA y COVADONGA estan cerquitica de Campiña... Pero, creo que el TERCER central mas cerca es o bien MANUELITA (al oeste) o PORFORTUNA al este... Segun el mapa que Iggy me regalo por el dia de los Padres, los dos estan mas o meno a la misma distancia del "Centro del Universo", Campiña.
Cerca de Camagüey se encuentran VERTIENTES (al sur); SIBONEY (al oeste); y AGRAMONTE (al este.)
Ahora bien, el H.D.L.G.P. que controla Cuba hoy ha cerrado varios de estos y le ha cambiado los nombres.... Para mas detalles, visita AQUI
JUNE 2007
Q: What is Geraldina & Reemberto's connection to the Benny More band?
A: Our beloved tio Samuel knows EUGENIO LAOSA, Benny's trumpet player very very well... Indeed, he still sees him often in Miami... When Tio Samuel was visiting us recently and saw the video of Benny on YouTube, he immediately recognized him and promised to get his authograph when he gets back to Miami.
MAY 2007
Q: Who invented baseball?
A: HAH! So you probably thought that it was "Doubleday" in the USA in the mid 1800... NO NO NO!!! "Beisbol" was invented by the Cubans!!! ... YES SIR! ... According to the Spaniards the Cuban Taino indians used to play a game with a 'bate' (thus the word 'batey'!)... See pics and more info at: HERE
APRIL 2007
P: For the Rodriguez Klan: We know Toti played College baseball in North Georgia College... Who else is the only one in the familia to have played a mainstream varsity sport at the college level?
C: Well, Erik Rodriguez actually played FOOTBALL at Rice University in Houston in the early 90's... As he shared with us during his recent visit to DC, he also considered the Naval Academy & Citadel.
MARCH 2007
P: Who is the oldest person in both sides of the family with a MySpace?
C: We hear Maria del Carmen Rodriguez actually has a MySpace! - Check it out and be her "friend"!
FEBRUARY 2007
P: Who was the first one in the family to buy a ture "21st Century" car?
R: Geraldina & Reemberto bought their Toyota Prius Hybrid at the end of 2006. The car is truly more like a computer with wheels than a mechanical machine with a computer!... Plus, after a month of driving it, it truly does get 50+ miles per gallon!... And, it is interesting to note that we live in the area with the highest number of Prius per households in the county!
JANURAY 2007
...No trivia this moth: Put out a call for new ones...
DECEMBER 2006
P: According to Tio Paco, which 'uncle' used to pay for most drinks during the parties back in Cuba in the 50's?
R: Tio Paco tell us that Tio Nico (AND tio Carlos!!!) would always pick up the tab at all parties... (Can you imagine THAT? :-) )
FREEBIE:
P: How many times did Abuelo enter the US through New Orleans?
A: As it appeared in the e-mailer:
Extra Cute Story for the Ages:
[I've actually located the ship's manifest for Abuelo Celestino's 3 trips into New Orleans! The following is some background info I shared at work for an event we are doing in New Orleans:
NOTE: and for you purist who can not distinguish between myth, mythology, history, and fact, I do welcome corrections!
My roots in New Orleans run deep and long, if not consistent and permanent.
My grandfather entered the US through the port of New Orleans three times early in the 20th century (1914, 1919, and 1923.) He came first to study chemistry at LSU in 1914 (and subsequently at the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy, entering through the Port of New York in 1917.) He returned to New Orleans three months after marrying my grandmother in 1919 (only three months after he met her at the tender age of 17.) She became pregnant and wanting to give birth in Cuba, they promptly left New Orleans. After having two girls in Cuba, they once again sought fortune along the Mississippi’s sugar cane industry, entering New Orleans in 1923. They had children in New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago, and again in New Orleans (the last one being my mother in 1927.) With the depression looming, they yet again returned to Cuba - this time with nothing but the cloth on their backs… And, after nearly 40 years, incredibly enough they returned to the US via New Orleans in 1966. This time one of my brothers and I (age 11 and 9, respectively) were with them. We had left to join the Cuban exiled diaspora on the first of only two legal flights of US citizens to leave Cuba (after all, my mother was American - though she spoke no English!) We arrived in New Orleans with only the cloth on our backs, promptly relocating to Miami where we found a loving community that clothed us, fed us, housed us and nurtured our spirit until we were able to be on our own.
Now, nearly 40 years to the date, I return to New Orleans as part of the NeighborWorks America’s Training Department team responsible for coordinating the Community Organizing Symposium.
I certainly feel strong kingship with the proud tradition of the New Orleans spirit, dreaming of my grandparents walking the same streets as today’s New Orleans; listening to the same music; enjoying the same food… And I certainly feel kinship to those that Katrina forced out of New Orleans into this 21st century diaspora… How will they stay rooted in their New Orleans heritage? How will they balance the love for the past with the challenges of the future?... How will their children relate to the New Orleans way of life as they seek their own path in Houston, Atlanta, or wherever?... Will they return and be part of the rebuilding – or seek fortunes elsewhere?... Will that make them any less New Orleanian?
NOVEMBER 2006
P: Cual es la unica provincia (de las 6 originales) en la cual nunca ha vivido ningun pariente nuestro?
C: Pinar del Rio! - En las otras cinco (La Habana, Matanzas, Las Villas, Camaguey, y Oriente) han vivido parientes o bien Dominguez/Varela o Rodriguez/Sotolongo... Y si estamos equivocado, por favor dejanos saberlo enviandonos un correo electronico.
OCTOBER 2006
P: What experience regarding 'teeth' (yes, "dientes") connects Lino & Suzette's wedding to Rembe & Geraldina's wedding?
C: Incredibly enough, at both our weddings "teeth" were lost!... Most recently at Lino & Suzette's wedding Samuel lost his dentures when after inexplicably getting sick and having to puke outside the hotel, he seemed to have misplaced them... After much search, including inquiring witht the hotel staff and posting posters with a 100pesos reward, they were fortunately found - in his coat pocket!
At Rembe & Geraldina's wedding some may recall that Beba misplaced her dentures and the wedding had to be delayed for about 30 minutes while she found them! :-)
SEPTEMBER 2006
P: Who were the ring boy and ring girl at our wedding?
C: They were Linito & Amy!... Both were 'cute as a button' and have grown to be outstanding young adults. Amy is in Pittsburgh doing her PhD in biology and Lino has recently finished his studies at Georgia State University and is now an immigration lawyer for Catholic Charities.
AGOSTO 2006
P: Can you match the 5 old geezers with the old 40 year old picture found HERE?
C: En la nueva: Lini, Toti, Chuchi, Ibri, Rembe... Esta fue tomada en la fiesta de graduacion de Linito en el patio de la nueva casa de Rolando c. 2006.
En la vieja: Atras, Ibri y Lini. Alante, Toti, Rembe, y Chuchi... Esta fue tomada en Campina c. 1960.
JULY 2006
P: What is the link between Arllington Cemetery, Cuba, and Atlanta?
C: The Arlington Cemetery has various links to Cuba. At its main entrance, one of the key statues is of a General that led the American army in the Spanish-American War. Additionally, and more surprising, is the reference to "Santiago de Cuba" on the relief of the Arlington Cemetery Ampitheatre (behind the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.) Interestingly enough, two columns down is the word "Atlanta"! Off to one side is the mast of the Maine!!!
JUNE 2006
P: What was the name of La Habana's baseball stadium pre 1959 AND what was the name of the stadium before that one?... and for extra credit: When was the first baseball game played in Cuba?
C: The stadium's name was "El Estdio de la Habana"; and before that it was "La Tropical", in Marianao.... The first baseball game in Cuba was played in 1878 - you can actually do a google search and see a picture of that stadium, el Palmar del Juneo.
MAY 2006
P: Who is the only couple that was born in the same hospital?
C: Juanito & Maritza were both born in Mercy Hospital in Miami!
APRIL 2006:
P: We know that some of the progressive women in our family have chosen to keep their last name to honor their paternal heritage rather than 'be owned' by their spouse's last name... BUT: Who has pushed the envelope and BLENDED the parents' last names to create a new last name for her children?
C: Rembe & Iggy's last name is a 'blended' last name... The first part of their last name (RODRI) comes from their father while the last part of their last name (GUEZ) comes from their mother... Therefore, their last name is RODRIGUEZ!
MARCH 2006
P: Who is the only one in the family (as far as we know) that owns a patent?
C: Dr. Geraldina Dominguez owns a patent as the co-inventor of the DNA ENCODING INFECTIOUS RUBELLA VIRUS. The co-inventors are Terryl Frye & Chin-Yen Wang. They invented it in 1992 at Georgia State University. Since it was an academic pursuit, the Univesity has the right to all the royalties... So, no personal financial reward will ever be reaped from it. Check it out here
FEBRUARY 2006
P: What is the original name of Camaguey?
A: Camaguey was originally founded in 1514 under the name Puerto Principe. It was not until the second half of the 1800's that it was renamed Camaguey. (I am not sure why, how, or exactly when... If you do, let the rest of us know!)
JANUARY 2006
P: Cual era la poblacion de Real Campina en los 40's?
A: Parece haber sido aproximadamente 2,000 personas... El municipio de Aguada de Pasajeros tenia menos de 25,000! Para mas informacion, visita: AQUI
DECEMBER 2005
P: Who is Samulito named after?
A: This is an easy one! - Tio Samuel, of course! (Though Samy's nose is certainly smaller --- thank God!)
NOVEMBER 2005
P: What was the apartments were Toti & Rembe first lived in the US of A called and why?
A: "La Pachanga"!... On SW 6th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue in Miami, Fla... It was called "La Pachanga" because most all of the 20+ units were occupied by folks everyone else knew and it was a constant "pachanga"... Lots of Ortegas lived there, so did some of the folks that became 'friends for life'... oh, them days :-)
OCTOBER 2005
P: Who is the only family member to have played college baseball?
C: Toti, of course!... He played for North Georgia College as he pursued his Chemistry Degree.for six years (and yes, it was a four year degree, but he was in the "6 yr Plan.")
SEPTEMBER 2005
P: What kind of books did Abuelo Celestino have in his bookcase in Campina?
C: (According to Chuchy)... About abuelo Celestino's book case: To the best of my recollection, he had a set of hardcover Illustrated Encyclopedias like books in English. I vividly remember seeing pictures of Napoleon and the Panama Canal Zone, among other pictures. My guess is there were some of the textbooks that he used while attending Temple University.
AUGUST 2005
P: What is Reemberto Jr.'s middle name?
C: Trick question! - He has NONE... - Neither does his dad... With a name like Reemberto, who needs one?
JULY 2005
P: What is our family's connection to Abraham Lincoln?
C: According to Beverly's geneologist-expert aunt, Bev's mom's great-great-great-great grandfather was a cousin of Abraham Lincoln!
JUNE 2005
No Trivia in memory of Bev.
MAY 2005
P: How many brothers and sisters did Abuela Carmita have, what are their names, and what is the order of their birth? (Trick question!)
C: Elpidio Aguero Rocio y Amalia Medrano Castillo tuvieron 12 hijos, la primera fue abueal (Carmen) y despues tuvieron a tres seguidos que murieron (Elpidio, Amalia, y Guillermina.) Increiblemente, a los proximos tres hijos les pusieron los mismos nombres!... Y despues tuvieron cinco mas (Aurelio, Sylvia, Alejandro, Joaquin, y Mario)
APRIL 2005
P: What is the distance from Real Campina to Perseverancia (now renamed Primero de Mayo?
C: It is a mere 3 kilometers! - That is barely more than what I walk every morning to the metro station... It truly highlights the 'smallness' (yet Greatness!) of our 'home-town'.
MARZO 2005
P: Cual es la historia del primer carro de Tio Samuel?
FEBRERO 2005
P: Given Mario Sr's misfortune in Moultrie (i.e.: getting broken into) who else in the family has been the victim of such petty crime in the recent past?
C: Well, Reemberto & Geraldina were broken into at their Lawrenceville Highway house back in the late 80's. They came home to find the door busted in. Fortunately the only things taken were a t.v. and Reemberto's high school ring - which is sorely missed, to say the least. Also, at the supposely 'safe' Winbrooke Lane (Tucker) location, the car was broken into a couple of times and most neighbors rushed to get their carport enclosed because of a rash of robberies. In Miami, the 'de Varonas' were totally wiped out recently... even in the 'country of Miami' it simply ain't safe...
And from Tia Bev: I remember a time when we never even locked our doors. In KY & TN your neighbors would run anyone off they did not know that was around your house with a little thing they called a shot gum and some rock salt.... We got hit in Conyers not long after we moved in they must have got spooked during their activities because they only made it to the door with th microwave which was really annoying because I was hoping they would take it because I wanted a new one. They did take our stereo and video camera. Pa & Toti secured the house before the police arrived and as you can imagine the Conyer's police were not overly concerned and told us Barney told us to buy new stuff because we would never see our old stuff again. Jackie was the first to open the door and in true fashion took off screaming and running all over the yard, I had the wonderful pleasure of spending the evening killing all the bugs that were flying around inside the house that came in through the broken glass. We were also broken into in Lithonia but the alarm scared them off. It was a group of kids. If memory serves me correctly Tia Carmen house in Lawrenceville was hit also. All I can say is I know what a terrible feeling that is and thank the Good Lord none of us were hurt.
DECIEMBRE 2004
P: Todos sabemos que Linito tiene el nombre de su padre que en vez tiene el nombre de su padre, Lino... Pero: Cual es el origen del nombre "Lino"?
A: Lino es un derivativo del nombre Linus, que fue el segundo Papa de la Iglesia Catolica.
NOVIEMBRE 2004
P: Why was Tio Jorge named Jorge?
A: Given the renowed commitment to the great U S of A, Abuela & Abuelo decided to name him after the US president whose birthday was closest to his day of birth. Well, he was finally born Feburary 18, six days past Abe Lincoln's birrthday, but only 4 days before George Washington's birthday... To think that we almost had a Tio Abrham (well, we do have an Ibrahim :-) )
OCTUBRE 2004
The Hurricane That Almost Wiped Out Campina
[per Tia Carmin]
In October 1952, a nameless (back then they were all nameless) hurricane ravaged Real Campina. It did not tear down the family house - only a few 'tejas' came loose. But, the house of 'tio Jesus' (next door) was substantially damaged. It had to be rebuilt to one level. The Church too was lost. It was rebuilt in 1994. The theatre - yes Campina did have a theatre - has never been rebuilt.
Only tia Carmin, tia Lucy, tio Ibrahim, abuela & abuelo were home - everyone else was elsewhere. But Nico & Jorge rushed back in time to help clean up the mess.
One of the remaining stories from the hurricane is the "Cieba Rosarios" that started as a result of some of the town-folks spending the whole hurricane inside a ceiba tree. The "Ceiba Rosario" is celebrated to this date.
Lastly, another piece of trivia: Leandro Pineiro a mere baby at that time spent the hurricane in the bathroom of the house of none other than Dulcita Amador.
SEPTEMBER 2004
AGOSTO 2004
JULIO 2004
Due to our move to DC, these Trivia Months due not exist
JUNIO 2004
P: Cual fue el primer regalo que le hicieron a Reemberto cuando lluego de Cuba?
A: Al lluegar de Cuba el 28 de diciembre del 1966, Rembe [y Toti] perdieron la oportunidad de recibir regalos de Santa Claus en los Estados Unidos dos dias antes y de los Reyes Magos en Cuba dos semanas despues. Pero, una "prima segunda", Alicita la sobrina de Tio Carlos (hija de Berta y Pepe) le trajo un carrito de modelo, de los que se tienen que construir con goma. El carrito era un Firebird del 50 y pico... Y estuvo con Rembe hasta que se desintegro en los 90s!
MAYO 2004
P: Before Geraldina and Reemberto met, two individuals from their respective families had met a long long time ago... Who were these folks?
A: Heriberto Varela, the brother of Geraldina's mom (also named Geraldina, of course!) knew very well non other than Elpidio Aguero, a brother of Reemberto's grandmother, Carmita. They both lived in Camaguey were (I belieive) they were both into drugs (legal that is.) Heriberto owned a pharmacy and Elpidio was a dentist. [If I am wrong on this one, someone please correct me!]
ABRIL 2004
P: Carmita y Celstino tubieron 4 nietas y 10 nietos... Que caracteristica unen a las cuartro nietas que los nietos no pueden reclamar?
A: Ninguna de las nietas (Carmencita, Qusi, Yoyi, y Cari) tienen hermanas!
MARZO 2004
P: Todos sabemos que tio Jorge cumplio 80 anos recientemente - que alegria!... En la celebracion de ese evento tan grande se pudieron reunir los 8 hijos de Celestino y Carmita... Dado que ya tienen anos avansados este gran grupo de individuos, cuantos ojos que ven y cuantas cenos quedan entre ellos?
A: Pues bueno, segun comos se cuenten... Porque ahi algunos de los ojos que ya estan idos y otros estan jodio por completo... Pero si mis calculos estan bien, entre los 8 quedan mas o meno como 12 ojos que ven... El de tia Elena fue el primero que se fue cuando era todavia una nina; y mas reciente tuvimos lo de tio Nico - y a Beba puede ser se le vaya uno pronto; entonces esta tambien el segundo de Tia Elena... hmmmm.... Cuando lo de los cenos tenemos a tia Carmin y a Beba (que yo sepa); asi que entre las 6 mujeres quedan 10...
FEBRUARY 2004
P: Segun la mitologia familiar, de que se murio Celestino el viejo?
A: Celestino se murio tres dias despues de abuela Carmita. Segun los medicos no hubo causa medica por la muerte - solo explicaron que murio de un 'corazon partido' por falta de su amor... Segun la mitologia familiar, cuando abuelo se entero que abuela habia muerto le dijo a sus hijos: "hijos, no tengo por que vivir, asi que es hora para yo morir". Al proximo dia, el tambien murio.
JANUARY 2004
P: Who caught Geraldina & Reemberto's wedding bouquet at their weeding?
A: It was Alina Alvarez - whose daughter [Lissette] caught it at Kaki & Michael's wedding last week!
DECEMBER 2003
P: What is the connection between our family and Igancio Agramonte, the great Cuban Patriot?
A: Igancio Agramonte's house in Camaguey was purchased and lived in by the LaFuente family (Geraldina's sister (Nancy's) dad).
NOVEMBER 2003
P: Who was the only family member that made it to the Olympics - as a player?
C: According to Tia Carmin, JOAQUIN Aguero [abuela Carmita's brother] - better known as Maniplota, was on the Cuban Basketball Olympic Team in the 1940 Olympics.
OCTUBRE 2003
P: Who is Iggy named after?
C: Iggy's full name is Ignacio Javier. He is named after San Ignacio de Loyola. His middle name is also "Ignatian": San Francisco de Javier, San Ignacio's 2nd in comand who spent most of his life in China... and no, there is no indication that Iggy will be a priest :-)
SEPTEMBER 2003
P: What is the relationship between the new cheap-cheap stores in Miami (Ño - Que Barato! y El Dolarazo) and our family?
C: According to Tia Teresa, the owner is her first cousin.... hmmm.... I wonder if this one is truly true... For example, I was under the impression that the store "Pepe y Berta" was owned by Tio Carlos's brothers - not true!...
AGOSTO 2003
P: Como se conocieron Tio Ñico y Tia Teresa?
C: Segun cuentan las malas lenguas (Tia Lucy) Ñico fue a Camaguey en una de sus muchas aventuras de vender arroz. Por allá en Camaguey se fijó en una muchacha que estaba dando vuelta por el parque Y dió la casualidad que era hija de un señor con el cual Ñico estaba negociando Ñico le menciono esto a Elpidio el cual le dijo "Ñico, esa muchacha es una de las mas solicitadas en Camaguey - es muy linda!" Esto solo le dio mas reto a Ñico para enamorar a esa tal Teresa y, antes de un año, se caso con ella!... Y el resto es historia!
JULY 2003
P: Where did "el viejo Lino" get his big nose?
C: DEFINITIVELY his mother Zoila... If you do not believe it, check out the miscelaneous foto page on our web-site.
JUNE 2003
P: Who was the first Macias to meet the first Sotolongo? [Trick question!]
C: Panchito Macias (father of Tio Paco) actually met Abuelo Celestino IN PHILADELPHIA! - while they were both studying there... Little did they know at the time that they were the future parents of one of the most "fairytale" matrimonies Cuba had ever known: Tia Carmin & Tio Paco
MAY 2003
P: Who is Carmita's grandchild that has gotten closer to the Major Leagues?
C: Ibri was recruited by the Oakland A's and played shortly for their farm team in Puerto Rico in the early 70's...[IBRI: If this is incorrect, correct me! :-) ]
ABRIL 2003
P: Quienes de los hijos de Carmita y Celestino fueron de luna de miel (hace aaaaaños) a Camaguey?
C: Segun Cari: Tia Lila y Tio Chucho y Beba y Lino fueron de luna de miel a esa bella ciudad.
Bonus Trivia Question:
P: Cual es el origen del Tinajon Camagueyano?
C: Se dice que el origen del tinajón es andaluz, y que allá se utilizaba para conservar los aceites, especialmente el de olivo, de ahí que los conquistadores trajeran el modelo para nuestro Camagüey. La fabricación de tinajones camagüeyanos comienza a principios del siglo XVII (barro cocido); numerosos artesanos convirtieron su manufactura en un esmerado trabajo de artesanía, con detalles decorativos y siempre con cifrados personales y la fecha de fabricación. Para mas inforamción:http://www.camaguey.cu/tinajon.htm
MARZO 2003
P: Todos sabemos que Beba se llama 'Genoveva" y que el nombre viene de la familia de abuela... Pero: Que personaje famoso en la historia de Cuba se llamo Genoveva tambien?
C: La esposa de Tomas Estrada Palma, el primer presidente de Cuba, se llamaba Genoveva.
FEBRUARY 2003
Q: Of all of Carmita's children, who had the shortest "courtship" (noviazgo)?
A: My understanding is that Tio Jorge and Tia Mechi had the shortest courtship less than six months. As a matter of fact, some folks came to the wedding thinking that Tio Jorge was getting married to his ex-girlfriend, just to be charmed with Tia Mechi!
JANUARY 2003
Q: Que viejo(a) ha pasado mas tiempo en el hospital?
A: Actually, this is a tricky question. The answer depends on lots of points... [1] Are "clinicas" in Miami considered hospitals?... [2] Do we count only overnite stays or do emergency room visit counts also?... [3] Are hospital stays a fair measure of illness? [What if we were to see who takes the most medication?... who complains the most?... who goes to the Doctor more ofter?] etc etc etc... Anyway, I know Beba has spent at least a couple of months when all is said and one with... But, I think Tio Nico may be leading the charge in the Hospital Stay category... How about Tia Elena? and Tia Maya?... Do visits to the psych count (Tia Lucy)?... hmmm... Maybe well have to sit down one day and identify the true winner of the S.I.A. (Sotolongo Illness Award)... I am sure we'll have plenty of pleasent - and not so pleasent - opportunities to do this :-)
DECEMBER 2002
Q: How did Reemberto get his name?
A: The legend goes that when he was born his parents insisted on a unique name, so when someone suggested "Remberto", they went for it. However, when he was only a few days old and his parents took him to the market-place, they ran across a friend who asked: "What is your son's name?" When they said Remberto, she responded: "Wow!, that is my Cuqui - my son's - name too!" Well, since Cuqui was the "town 'social butterfly'", Remberto's parents HAD to change his name, so they simply added an extra "e" to make it 'ReEmberto"... and thus another legend was born!
NOVEMBER 2002
Q: What sport did Lino (el viejo) play in 'High-School'?
A: El Viejo Lino actually played BASKETBALL in the infamous "Progresiva" in Cardenas... There is a newspaper clipping somewhere that shows him making the winning shot of a game... It is quite something that this is the game his youngest granchild (Iggy) excels at.
OCTOBER 2002
Q: Como le decia Qusi a Jorgito? Como le decia Jorgito a Qusi?
A: Segun Niquito, Quisi le decia a Jorgito "Yoyo"; y, Jorgito a Qusi "Cheti"... Como es claro, esto era cuando vivian en la Isla del Encanto (Puerto Rico) por sus primeros anos de sus vidas.
SEPTEMBER 2002
Q: What is the only name that appears once on all three or our generations, yet is NOT in a father-son or mother-daughter relationship?
A: Jesus... Chucho, Chuchi, y Manolito ("Manuel de Jesus Amador"!)
AUGUST 2002
Q: Who is the only of Abuela Carmita's children who was married outside of Cuba?
A: Trick question!... It was Tia Elena's second marriage, to Oscar Ladero... It is rumored that Tio Jorge got him drunk one day when Tial Elena visited Puerto Rico, and the rest is history!
JULY 2002
Q: Who is the only Sotolongo to have been clinically diagnosed as sane?
A: NO ONE!!!! .... According to Dr. Dominguez, it is clinically impossible for any of us to remove the "Sotolongo" gene from our chemical composition. Therefore, the best we can do is learn how to "manage" it - sort of like the Alcoholics... So, we are considering starting a peer group to be known as SAs (Sotolongos Anonymous)... It is said that the gene desipitates after Sotolongos marry into other families; however, in certain cases the combination of the Sotolongo gene with other certain family genes (like say, Dominguez) can actually exponentially expediate the resurgance of the Sotolongo gene!!!!... Bottom Line: The Sotolongo gene can actually be stronger in our offsprings and in future generations!...
JUNE 2002
Q: How did Beba and Lino meet?
A: As the story goes, Beba was a young 13 years old girl and she was playing "yaquis" at the house of one of tio Carlo's cousins in Campina (Oscar?). Oscar and Lino knew each other and were hanging out and around the house. When Lino saw Beba, he supposely told Tia Maya (already married to Tio Carlos): "That (Beba) is going to be the mother of my children"!... and the rest is history... Lino was 18 at the time. Three years later they bacame 'novios' and few more years later they married and lived (happily?) ever after :-)
MAY 2002
Q: Who taught Tia Carmin how to drive?
A: Wicho!... In Miami in the early 60's... Her driving skills remain legendary to this day... To those that do not believe in Angels, just take a ride with Tia at the wheel and you will!!!
APRIL 2002
Q: How was the connection between Perseverancia and Real Campina started?
A: [Si miento es porque no capte el cuento exacto cuando me lo hizo Tio Carlos... Jose o Wicho: Si tienen informacion adicional, dejenmelo saber... Anyway: It seems that in the 40's, Tio Carlos used to go for Sunday drives with his friends in his convertible. One day, a friend of his [Canyon?] said "hey, let's go back to Perseverancia via Campina". The other guys said, "why? There is NOTHING there!". But, they went ahead and went through Campina anyway. And, lo and behold, there were in the porch of a certain house, quite a few young girls sitting around. When the classy convertible went by, the all happily waved. One in particular, caught Tio Carlos eye: Tia Maya. Subsequently thereafter, he would drive by Campina and Tia Maya would be out on the porch and they would exchange waves... Until one day they met and the rest is history... [Supposely, Perseverancia had an excess of boys and Campina an excess of girls, so the connection lasted for many years after!] One more point: Perseverancia is no more; it remains in our memories only... Its name has been changed to 1ro de Mayo.
MARCH 2002
Q: How did Tia Lucy and Tio Ibrahim meet?
A: According to Chuchy: "I have to agree that it was Tio Jorge that introduce them. There was an episode when our mother went to Yaguaramas to 'recruit' young man for a dance in Real Campina. She was wearing an Almendares cap and she then flirted/recruited our father. I believe he might have been fixing a tractor at the time(go figure!!). He went on to tell her that he would attend the dance under one condition: she would have to promise to dance with him, and with him alone, ALL NIGHT. I beleive our mother did not commit, or so she claims. He did go, and they did dance that all night, 'on a brick' .The rest, as they say, is history."
FEBRUARY 2002
Q: Cual fue el primer tipo de carro que Tio Paco se compro?
A: Segun Ibri: Tio Paco's first new car was a "Hillman", a cute little thing he bought in Havana.
[So, who made the Hillman?!?!]
JANUARY 2002
Q. What is the origin of the last name Rodriguez?
A: Rodriguez comes from the german "Rodrigo". It's literal translation would say: "the son of the illusterous chief". Most come from the "Orden of Santiago", led by the Captain Pascual Rodriguez who died in Mexico in 1704.
DECEMBER 2001
Q: What institution connects Tio Paco, el viejo Lino, y Elian Gonzalez?
A: All three went to school in Cardenas that at one time was called "La Progressiva"... which, by the way, was a Presbetyrian school.
NOVEMBER 2001
Q. Perseverancia was the sugar mill where some of us lived... What was the name of the other sugar mill south of Campina on the way to Playa Giron ?
A. "Covadonga"... Hey, look it up on most any map... While Campina seldom - if ever - appears on a map, Covadonga and Perseverancia do.
OCTOBER 2001
In memory of 911, there was no trivia for this month.
SEPTEMBER 2001
Q. How did Tio Jorge lose his finger?
A. Aha!... so you did not even know he is missing a finger?!?... Check it out!... He lost it when he slipped on a sheet of ice in his carport c. 1973 in Atlanta's worst ice-storm in decades. It truly messed him up pretty bad because it short-changed his capacity to fulfill his profession: Being a quality waiter at high-end restaurants (which he loved to do, by the way!)
AUGUST 2001
Q: What was the name of the Tio Ñico's business in Puerto Rico; why was it named so; and, what city was it in?
A: Tio Ñico's business was called ANSO, for ANtonio SOtolongo. It was in the beautiful city of Bayamon - "Bayamon me encanta"!
JULY 2001
Q: What did Abuelo Celestino used to call his dearest wife, Abuela Carmita?
A: Celestino used the loving term "Gabina" to get his sweetheart's attention... [Does anyone know where the term Gabina origniated? If so, e-mail it back!]
JUNE 2001
Q: Where were Celestino and Carmita's children born?
A: According to Tia Lila, here's the list, from oldest to youngest:
- Lila and Maya: Camaguey
- Jorge: New Orleans
- Elena: Chicago
- Nico: St. Louis
- Beba: New Orleans
- Lucy and Carmin: Campina
MAY 2001
Q: Where is the original KING-CREAM heladera?
A: The original King Cream heladera is in PONCE PUERTO RICO. I went there about a year ago, and was stunned to see - right in the middle of downtown Ponce, a perfect replica of our beloved Miami institution!
APRIL 2001
Q: Which uncle ran out of his apartment with no cloth under his coat and why?
A: As the story goes, TIO JORGE ran out of his apartment - with nothing on but his trench coat - during the 1963(date?) hurricane in Miami to alert everyone that "el ojo esta lluegando". The guy at the grocery store next door finally had the nerves to tell him: "Jorge, no tienes ropa bajo esa capa!"
MARCH 2001
Q: Which cousin bothered Abuelo Celestino by tickling him on his bed?
A: I am a witness to this fact: When Abuelo Celestino was in his deathbed en "La Pachanga", WICHO kept coming over and tickling his feet. Abuelo finally screamed: "Oye maricon, dale pal carajo de aqui!"
