THE TROPICS 
calendar, and it would appear that the Bolins’ 
few weeks away from Banes were busy, but 
nevertheless enjoyable and restfully beneficial 
for both of them. 
Traveling from Havana to Key West by 
ferry, after motoring to Havana, the D. J. 
O’Sullivans began their holiday trip to St. 
Louis, Mo. In St. Louis Sully and Carmen 
were guests of their son, David, Jr., and his 
wife. David, Jr. is with the Container Cor¬ 
poration in the capacity of mechanical engi¬ 
neer. The O’Sullivans, on the completion of 
their St. Louis visit, continued on to New 
Orleans from whence they boarded the SS 
Yaque for Havana. 
Doug Bell, Supt. of District No. 3, saved 
part of his 1957 vacation for the Christmas 
and New Year’s holidays and correspondingly, 
he and Alicia used this time for a trip to Ha¬ 
vana. Here they stopped with sons Jackie 
and Billie and their respective families. The 
Bells have many close friends and acquaint¬ 
ances in the Havana area and did not lack 
for something to do to fill in their time. 
Following a pattern of previous years the 
Robert Kents of Macabi, directed their an¬ 
nual leave activities again this year to Mexico 
City. Visa’s family resides in this metropolis 
where she also lived at one time before com¬ 
ing to Cuba. In addition to his Mexican holi¬ 
day, Bob planned to spend some time with 
his family in California. Visa with the two 
boys, fortunately, on the outward flight from 
Cuba, preceded Bob by some three weeks, 
as Bob encountered several delays enroute 
from Banes which lost him several plane res¬ 
ervations, and completely new combinations 
had to be worked out to offset those that did 
not materialize. 
Marines Visit at Yuletide 
Jackie Webb, 2nd Lt., U. S. Marines, sta¬ 
tioned at Quantico, Va., son of the Banes 
Robert Webbs, was fortunate in being able to 
be home for the Yule holiday. Celebrating 
the event, his parents held open house and 
served a sumptious, delicious buffet supper. 
Accompanying Jackie for part of his stay, was 
his companero, 2nd Lt. Keith Wood, also of 
the Marines and also stationed at Quantico. 
First Visit to Cuba 
From Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mr. and Mrs. 
Louis Iwan were house guests of the William 
J. Kropatsches. Mrs. Iwan is Bill’s sister and 
this was the first trip for the Iwans to Cuba. 
Louis is in the refining end in the production 
Hesse 
GEORGE HESSE, Banes UNIFRU1TCO photog¬ 
rapher-correspondent, back from late vacation 
in Michigan, digs in on the annual report. 
Hesse 
ENROUTE to Honduras P. S. Trichler, company 
IBM supervisor from Boston, visited Banes IBM 
organization recently. L. to r., Gordon Ram¬ 
say, Gladys Mendez and Phil Trichler. 
of high-test gasoline. This couple was met in 
Havana by Bill and Jo and celebrated their 
Cuban debut with a party at the world 
famous “Tropicana.” To further celebrate the 
Iwans visit, after their arrival in Banes, Bill 
and Jo held a cocktail buffet for the visitors 
from Wyoming — a large number of Banenses 
was in attendance and thoroughly enjoyed the 
occasion. 
Preston 
By Jack Gamble 
Holiday on the Avenue 
The Christmas season was officially opened 
when the Swimming Club erected a 20-foot 
native pine in the center of pool; the perfect 
reflection attracting visitors nightly. As 
though not to be outdone by a mere tree, 
Preston’s hosts and hostesses proceeded to 
program a party circuit that was without 
equal in memories of oldest inhabitants. The 
avenue echoed to the steady click of heels as 
day followed day and party followed party, 
building steadily toward dual New Year’s Eve 
affairs and climaxed by a memorable house¬ 
warming on New Year’s Day. 
Visitors (Reading from 
North to South) 
Don Burgess, Lehigh University; Miss Carol 
Barretta, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, 
Pennsylvania; Jimmy and Jody Daniel (nee 
Raines) from Charlottesburg, Virginia. Chick 
Mir, down from hills of Kentucky where he is 
attending Union College; from Forest Lake 
Academy, Maitland, Florida, our Mary Ford 
and Mirtha Keskinnen. Sr. and Sra. Adolfo 
Puig (parents of Olga Onetti), down from 
Havana and Mario Calish, brother-in-law of 
Enrique Onetti, also down from Havana. 
Stray Putts 
The Nicaro Golfers invited Preston to match 
shots and match they did as Paco Thornton 
(N) and Bill Acheson (P) led way with 
identical nets; Juan Dominguez and J. E. 
Burgess breathing hot on their heels. Montez 
Burgess had the field to herself as she lead 
all the way in the ladies division. At the 
Rancho in Nicaro, following the tourney, the 
Nicaro folks sponsored a banquet that was a 
minor masterpiece. To equal it on the fair¬ 
ways would require nothing less than a 55 
for the full eighteen. December 14 a new- 
fashioned Turkey Shoot was attempted with 
Jupiter Pluvius an easy winner. Just to show 
who was boss he poured out another six 
inches on the following day. Since this was 
the first rain in over a month and it hasn’t 
rained since, the tournament committee still 
has a rather shocked look about them. The 
turkeys wound up in the pot regardless. 
Getting a bit of fresh air and sunshine dur¬ 
ing party season, the muscle men and control 
players toed the line for a demonstration dur¬ 
ing a Field Day held December 29. Keen 
competition and spirited play indicate that 
this event may become a fixture. Winners of 
driving were Bill Acheson with 244 average 
and Jack Gamble with a 271 longie. Ray 
Gignac showed the best control with closest 
average on 125 yard Hole-In-One event. Doc 
Summers had nearest attempt with one only 
eight feet off pin. Charlie Laffie spread- 
eagled the field in putting with a total distance 
away of only seven feet in nine attempts. 
J. E. Burgess canned four of his nine to head 
up that department. Olga Onetti led all the 
way in driving including a long hit of 145 
yards. Mims King proved to have most influ¬ 
ence on direction as she led the way in both 
Hole-In-One and putting. Belle Smith brought 
out “Ohhs” and “Ahhs” of galley as she sank 
three in a row to head that phase. 
Liveliest action was provided by score- 
keeper when he discovered, rather late, that 
he was squatted in an ants nest; for a few 
24 
UNIFRUITCO, January-February 1958 
THE TROPICS 
HOLIDAY party time at Preston found everyone in gay spirits for dancmg, of the Maniqui, Doc Summers, above; and some noisy foolishness of all, but 
left; good conversation by the Christmas tree. Jack Gamble, Captain Dixon especially of Tony and Alicia Sita, Ursula Gamble, Martha and Ray Gignac. 
OLGA Onetti, E. Puig and Charley Laffie, Jodyand Jimmy R. Daniels at Preston Holiday Party. 
frantic moments there was a show that made 
the St. Vitus’s dance seem a slow shuffle by 
comparison. 
At the Nineteenth 
Rounding out a great year wherein all 
neophytes amputated satisfactory slices from 
their handicap and the old pros continued to 
hold their form; the Preston Golf Club also 
came of age socially as everyone, golfers, non¬ 
players, and small fry eagerly awaited the 
frequent tourneys. 
Climaxing the year was the second annual 
New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party. As in any 
successful endeavor, the ultimate measure is 
directly related to the efforts of all; however, 
Bea Hughes and Juan Dominguez must cer¬ 
tainly be singled out for the professional touch 
their piano playing added. From the old fav¬ 
orites to pounding, zany combos of rhythms 
to fancy four-handed masterpieces they kept 
the revelers quick-stepping. Doc Summers 
kept his Hi Fi music box humming in the 
interludes. 
The ladies catering was a huge success, 
particularly so if per capita consumption is 
any criterion. The four stalwart piano movers. 
faked out by a very optimistic weight esti¬ 
mate, rallied to the occasion and not only 
moved the leviathan but had enough wind 
left over to huff and puff the balloons into 
satisfactory shape — this latter escapade ex¬ 
plains their sagging cheeks and pop-eyed look 
for the balance of the evening. 
Candles in the Breeze 
Advancing another step along the road to 
old age, Ray Gignac marked his seventh, 
Manny Zuniga his fifth and Paul Gamble his 
fourth. 
Newest Citizen 
Almost arriving in Santa’s sock was Ernesto 
Ochoa, born on December 28. 
Guaro 
By Mae B. Sparks 
Henry Reginald Murray 
The entire community was shocked and 
saddened by the death of Henry Reginald 
Murray after an automobile accident on De¬ 
cember 14. 
Mr. Murray was a native of Trinidad, 
B.W.I., being born there 56 years ago. He 
joined the United Fruit Company as a farm 
timekeeper in 1920 and was at the time of 
his death, superintendent of a district in the 
Agriculture Department. 
His internment was in the Mayari Ceme¬ 
tery. Survivors are his widow, Ana Maria 
Herrera de Murray of Guaro; Dr. Harold 
Murray of Preston, and Henry R. Murray, Jr., 
of Santa Marta, Colombia, to whom we extend 
our deepest sympathy. 
Despedida Gilleard 
A farewell party was given recently in the 
Guaro Club house for Walter Gilleard, a dis¬ 
trict superintendent of Agriculture. 
After 35 years of continuous sendee with 
the United Fruit Company, Mr. Gilleard has 
retired to his home in West Palm Beach, 
Florida. His many friends wish him a long 
and happy retirement. 
Holiday Parties and Vacations 
Richard Smith and Miss Caroline Cutting 
arrived at the home of Dick’s parents, the A. 
F. Smiths, from the University of New Hamp¬ 
shire where Caroline is a senior and Dick is 
UNIFRUITCO, January-February 1958 
25 
