Louis Roney: Duo Sole review and more

• Monday evening b.w. and I went to a concert of dance music from Bolivia, Argentina, and Spain presented by the Orlando Philharmonic at the Plaza Live Theatre. The evening titled “Duo Solé: Music and Dance,” was organized by Mauricio Céspedes Rivero, principal viola of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. In retrospect the performance was a sound concept soundly delivered for people on a hot summer evening in Orlando — and what a refreshing idea.

The dancers were Ernesto and Jenny Caballero of Alboreá Dances and Alberto and Selena Hoyos from Tango Orlando. Costumes were striking in color and design and the dancing was easy on the eyes and charmingly entertaining — more, por favor, Mr. Rivero!

• The next evening, Tuesday, Aug. 9, we had a delightful evening and a delicious supper in the impressive home of Gene Hawkins on the shore of Lake Maitland. Hawkins’ spacious place is eminently suited for entertaining and the evening’s guests made known their enjoyment of Gabriel Preisser’s well-delivered, beautiful singing. Guests included Pat Mica, Ernestine Beattie, Dr. and Mrs. J. Daniel Mancini, Dr. Francille MacFarland, artist Lorraine Wood, Bonnie Trisman, talented baritone Gabriel Preisser with his b.w. Christine, and architect Victor Morel. Ah! Music…

• Now we learn that the Obama administration seems to have paid a $400 million ransom to Iran to free four American-Irani hostages illegally held by the Iranians. (This is part of $1.7 billion promised and since paid to the Iranians.)The perception of this act alone suggests extremely poor judgment. Simultaneously, the U.S. has enormous military power at its disposal to free our hostages in an effective, proper, and able way. What earthly use is there in our placing military force in places where the other side fears us, and then at the same time giving them notice that we do not intend to utilize our strength in our own behalf? Meanwhile the U.S. had just paid Iran $150 million and cancelled sanctions against them… Great negotiating Obama and Kerry! Wish we could say, “You’re fired!”

P.S. Since the Obama administration turned over the $400 million U.S. dollars, Iran has taken two more American-Irani hostages! While we seem to ask for little, we seem to be giving enormous quantities of American wealth to our enemies — ransoming our hostages? — something we said the American government would never do!

• Please let me reiterate the exhilarating feelings I have experienced since returning to Winter Park, the scene of my youth. The old streets are still there, some of the buildings, and time has reframed for me almost all the old pictures. I regret the loss of many of my school mates and wish they could still be here with us. Life’s big changes are immutable and what people leave behind them are only negatives of faded photographs. One unforgettable Winter Parker whom I knew in the old days, and later in New York City, was the stunning Sally Hammond who died up North some 20 years ago. Sally’s extraordinarily beautiful face maybe could not stop a clock, but it sure could slow down most guys she passed on the street anywhere. She had beauty that one can never forget. The motion picture of life in a particular town is repopulated as one continues living there. New people come and go and long-timers stay as fate wills. The future of Winter Park is around us everywhere.

• We’re asked to elect a candidate who is less unfit than the other.

Old Thomas Jefferson had it right again: “Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without a rudder, is the spot of every wind. With such persons, gullibility takes the helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck.”