We started planning a community gathering. To get better acquainted, several Hispanic families wanted to fix a festive Mexican meal to thank the volunteers working to restore and preserve the historic Triangle Motel just across the street. The families that we'd already met included the volunteers who came and started the tree-trimming. They seemed so interested and excited about a project that could be such a benefit to the northeast end of Amarillo, a sadly neglected and needy area. We thought a community involvement would help in many ways.
However, plans can quickly change. To make a long story as short as possible, Gustavo Ferrusquilla, 38, one of the tree-trimmers, was brutally beaten to death at the Club Balloo in Amarillo, leaving behind two teen age boys and their mother. They have no insurance or Social Security. Pat Kenney, Alan's Superintendent, is a member of the family. He suggested that we make the occasion a Benefit for the family, which was held October 14, 2006.
The plans stayed about the same. A meal of authentic Mexican recipes enticed the families and volunteers to gather together, enjoying the chance to make new friends and tasting some of those delicious dishes.
The Benefit Gathering October 14, 2005, for the Fersuquilla family was great. The weather was cool and it sprinkled several times, but the canopies Alan and Pat put up worked well. The food was brought over around 3:00, and people started dropping in. The meal was as delicious as we promised-- home-cooked, authentic savory recipes. A great big thank you to all those neighbors who cooked and worked so hard to help make Saturday such a memorable day. And it was. About 60 people attended in a come and go fashion that helped people get acquainted.
We borrowed a bunch of chairs, 2 6-foot tables and 4 garbage cans from the Amarillo Senior Citizen Center. I don’t know what we’d have done without them. Pepsi-Cola sent over a bunch of soft drinks and Wal-Mart did also. It was such a terrific day, and all for a good cause, too. What a delight to watch little ones standing in line to drop bills in the donation jar. They told us there was enough to help on some of their bills.
Lots of the men, and kids, too, enjoyed the horseshoe pitching court. Those horseshoes are sure heavy. I would be afraid if I threw one it would soar straight up and hurtle back down to conk someone, or me, on the head. William Ferrsuquilla and Rosendo Barron ended up as the champion team, beating all challengers - and there were a bunch that tried.
Then we roasted marshmallows over the big campfire site. It's been so long since I'd eaten one that I'd forgotten how they melt in your mouth. A friend of Alan's, Richard Casarez, played the guitar and sang, and I did some cowboy poetry. People seemed to enjoy both performances. It was a beautiful evening and we were warmed with the thought that we were able to help a grieving family.
Alan, Pat and Marianne
ajm.trianglert66@yahoo.com Alan J. McNeil, Owner
mmmltx@nts-online.net Marianne McNeil Logan, Secretary
This is my poem which was published in the Route 66 PULSE Newspaper's
October 2008 edition, page 9.
Route 66
Historical Restorations
Route 66 is in the news—
endangered Mother Road—
antiquities must be preserved
with seeds of knowledge stored.
What memories hide inside walls
that shadows block from view,
as history of yesteryears
intrigues like mysteries do?
Historic sites have future now
along Route 66
to bring prized treasures back to life
when dreams, commitment, mix.
Route 66 recalls the strength
of sixty years ago,
the pride and power of strong and brave
who helped our country grow.
As
As once known gems deteriorate,
it takes determined team
to reconstruct historic sites--
and persevering dream.
The heritage of long gone days
must be preserved for youth
so they can find ancestors' steps
and know the pride in truth.
There’s magic in old memories
connecting to the past,
so youngsters learn of history
through sites rebuilt to last.
Route 66 holds promises
in strength of the Old West,
as reconstructed relics rise
to prove we passed the test.
More exciting news on recent happenings! The National Park Service people from Santa Fe, with the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, were here last week on Tuesday. We enjoyed meeting them. Michael Taylor and his assistant, Kaisa Barthuli, really impressed us, and I think the Triangle impressed them. Alan wasn’t able to get off work to meet them, but they checked the motel out carefully, took notes, and took pictures. We will be applying for a grant in February, and winners will be notified next July.
Another important happening. This is nearly unbelievable. Denise Blakemore at Rental Service Corporation was so impressed with the idea of restoring such a significant historical site that she wanted to be personally involved. She donated a backhoe to be used over this weekend. What a marvelous way to show concern for local structures that belong to history and need to be preserved. Man, things are really getting done with that huge machine. RSC, just off Grand Street at 3900 I40 E., is one of the largest firms for machinery rentals in the country. Their headquarters are in Sweden. Denise, your name and RSC will be listed at the top of our billboard as our way of saying thanks.
Another generous donation was the 30 gallons of biodegradable cleanser from Leo Martinez at Hughes Cleaning. When we get water, that will be the first job done. His thoughtfulness is also greatly appreciated. We’re adding PayPal to our web site to make it easier for others who would like to make donations.
We appreciate all the publicity the site is receiving. Ron Warnich’s articles and pictures in his newsletter “Route 66 News”; Margaret Foster at National Trust On Line News HTTP://www.national trust.org/Magazine/index.htm In Washington, D.C. wrote the Story of the Week after interviewing Alan over the phone about the challenges faced in trying to restore a condemned historical structure; Emily Priddy of Tulsa wrote a page and a half article about the Route 66 Work Day August 19, published in the second
issue of the Route 66 Pulse Newspaper. She is a terrific writer.
The City’s 90 day inspection for progress will be Tuesday morning at 10:30. It went quite well. They seemed surprised and pleased with the progress. Their report, and I believe ours, too, will be on the agenda Tuesday, October 3, at 3:00 in the City Commissioners Court on the third floor of City Hall.The Triangle Motel progress will be discussed during the 2:00 pm work session Sure hope there will be lots of interested people in attendance! That means YOU, if you’re in the area. See you then, we hope.
Thanks to those who attended.
Till next week...
Alan, Pat and Marianne
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