IN THE SPIRIT OF CONTINUED CELEBRATION OF OUR 25th ANNIVERSARY YEAR…
PLEASE ENJOY “A MOMENT IN HISTORY” FROM FIRST PRESIDENT CAROLYN CEFALO.

“That evening we put together a group who were interested in developing the Historic Homeowners Association of Coral Gables. “

Hello my name is Carolyn J. Cefalo and I served as the first president of this 25-year old organization.

In 1984, my husband and I purchased a home in the Chinese Village and together began a several year project of restoration. I often visited Ellen Uguccioni, the Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Coral Gables, seeking advice and often complaining about the lack of information-sharing among owners of historic properties. I found it difficult to work with various contractors who wanted to take things out which were worth preserving and not wanting to do the work necessary to preserve history. Ellen encouraged me to start an organization to bring owners of historic properties together, be a force in Gables politics, share information, and encourage the preservation of the wonderful history of the Gables.

I was a faculty member in the School of Communication at the University of Miami and had some resources available to me. I talked the Colonnade Hotel into giving us a room with cookies and coffee one evening, got a mailing list of homeowners from Ellen, had an artist at the School put together an interesting drawing of the city and sent out invitations to all the homeowners. That evening we put together a group who were interested in developing the Historic Homeowners Association of Coral Gables.

Our next meeting was at the Merrick House and I cannot remember all the folks who participated but Roy Black, Vince Damian, Sarah Anderson (our first treasurer who incorporated us) were all there. Vince incorporated us and picked up the cost for that and Sarah continued the renewal for many years.
I was the first president and a fellow from the French Normandy Village, Martin Leake, was the first secretary. We rotated meetings from home to home. Edsel Icaza dropped out about the second or third meeting when we began to discuss having small dues to pay for postage and some social gatherings. We put out a newsletter and we worked very hard to grow the organization. Roy Black lasted about a year and Chris Tyson about two but usually the wives picked up and soldiered on. Also Mayor Raul Valdes Fauli was very helpful and opened his home for a tour and social to stimulate membership early on and picked up all the cost for us. Lisa Bennett was involved early on and did wonderful work with the group.

I don’t know if Ellen is around any longer but I do see the Slesnicks from time to time when I return to the U for activities. I have been on your mailing list for many years and follow with interest your activities and have always been proud of the role I played in starting this venture. While still in the Gables, I was called the founder of the Homeowners Association which was not necessary but I like to be remembered as a part of the early history.

Thank you,
Carolyn Cefalo Horich