Susan Mattos: Learning from the errors of our ways

The computer keyboards around our office have been “smokin” these past couple of weeks and when that happens we are always worried that a typographical error is going to slip through the cracks. Dean usually has more than just a few sleepless nights in anticipation of the phone calls and we do what we can to assure him that while we do our very best to prevent errors….sometimes stuff just happens.

Well…it did and I would like to apologize to Filomena Almeida Lopes, the 1975 Our Lady of Miracles queen whose crowning photo appeared in our special publication last Thursday. Her photo states that her sidemaids were Mary Botelho and Mary Nunes – not so – her sidemaids were actually Tina Faustino and Lorraine Avila. The two ladies mentioned were actually Filomena’s aunts who appeared in another photo that did not get published.

Filomena was kind enough to bring in several photos from her collection and we certainly appreciate it! In speaking with her about the photo that was published I learned that the priest crowning her was Father Borge who happened to baptize her as a baby in the Azores. It was a special moment for the two of them. Thank you again Filomena.

We can’t say enough to all of the people who shared their photos with us for our OLM 75th Anniversary Edition – truth be told, we could have published the entire paper with just the photos that we received – it was wonderful! We hope that you enjoyed reading about the many traditions and events that have transpired over the years and have helped to make the OLM Celebration one of the largest in the country.

While the novenas and smaller gatherings have taken place earlier this week, the larger events such as the Bodo de Leite (cow parade in English,) the candlelight procession, the traditional parade and the bullfights all take place starting on Saturday. Gustine will certainly be a busy community this weekend.

My all-time favorite is the Bodo de Leite – I know it’s crazy to listen to those squeaking cart wheels going down the road but the majesty of those huge oxen walking down the road with their owner walking confidently in front of them and guiding their way is absolutely amazing to me.

The squeaking cart wheels go back to the Azores where the carts were used to transport milk on the narrow roads around the islands. You could hear the squeaking for miles and would then know not to set out on the same road because it was in use. Also, each one of the carts had their own squeaking characteristics so you might even recognize who was actually on their way – I just love that!!

It’s these small simple things that make the traditions of this celebration so wonderful – of course we cannot forget the deep devotion to Our Lady of Miracles – without the faith and devotion to her nothing else really matters.

If you have not had the opportunity to experience the OLM Celebration, I urge you to do so – it is one event that you don’t want to miss.

Adding my two cents

Speaking of events…while the other columns on this page already sing the praises of the Newman Fall Festival, I have to add my two cents! Great job! It was just a few weeks ago that the continuation of the festival was in jeopardy – you certainly would not have known that this weekend as the festival went on without a hitch (well, there were probably a few in the background that the general public didn’t know about.) Our thanks to the entire committee for a job well done – can’t wait to see what you do next year after having a whole year to plan!

Newman’s quasquicentennial around the corner

Speaking of planning…it was brought to my attention today by Roger Sherman that Newman will be celebrating its 125th year in 2013. We can hardly believe that it has been 25 years since the stupendous centennial celebration that took place in 1988. Time flies when you are having fun so Newman city officials might want to start planning now!