2 U.S. Independence Day 2015 U.S. Independence Day 2015 3 Message from the President of Costa Rica would like to convey to the American Col- ony in Costa Rica my best wishes on the IFourth of July. You are part of our nation: You became members of Costa Rica the mo- ment you set foot in our country. Those of you who have been living in Costa Rica for a long time can attest to the warmth and friendship of Costa Rica towards the United States. Allow me to wish you well, since I will not be able to be with you on this very important occasion when you commemorate the independence of the 13 colonies. All the best, and ¡Pura vida! Luis Guillermo Solís President of the Republic of Costa Rica Message from the U.S. Embassy n behalf of the government of the United Services section is ready to help! We encour- States, the staff of the U.S. Embassy wish- age everyone to celebrate democracy this 4th of Oes all Americans residing in or visiting July by taking the necessary steps to vote in the Costa Rica a wonderful Fourth of July holiday! 2016 U.S. elections. We recommend overseas This is an important day to come together, remem- U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing Feder- ber our history, and celebrate our great nation. al Post Card Applications to ensure receipt of your One of the U.S. Embassy’s top priorities is ballot. We invite you to go online to http://co- to provide excellent customer service to the near- starica.usembassy.gov for more information. ly one million American citizens who travel to or We are very proud to celebrate the day reside in Costa Rica. From assisting those in peril with you and share our continuing commitment to renewing passports to answering any question to uphold the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit you may have, the Embassy’s American Citizen of happiness for all Americans. 4 U.S. Independence Day 2015 U.S. Independence Day 2015 5 Message from the American Colony with a little more knowledge of U.S. history. At the picnic you will see, displayed on the podium, origi- nal Liberty Bell artwork by our member, friend and world-famous artist, Mr. Jim Theologos. This art- work can on seen the front side of all of our 2015 T-Shirts, worn by our 300 volunteers at this year’s picnic. Why, when and where did the Liberty Bell be- come part of our history? The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of Amer- ican Independence, located in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. The bell was commissioned by a London foundry in 1752 and was cast with the lettering “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” The bell cracked when rung after its arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen whose names appear on the bell. It was used to summon lawmakers to legis- lative sessions and to alert citizens to public meet- ings and proclamations. The bell was not rung on nce again we are here celebrating our tra- July 4, 1776, after the vote for independence by the ditional Fourth of July Independence Day Second Continental Congress, but was rung after OPicnic. This is the 55th year the American the official reading of the Declaration of Indepen- Colony Committee has united us for this gather- dence four days later. In the 1830s the bell was ing of Americans living in and visiting this lovely adopted as a symbol by abolitionist societies, who country of Costa Rica. Many of us are accompanied named it the “Liberty Bell.” by our Costa Rican friends and family members as So let the bells ring for us today, and truly en- well. joy this day of celebration. This year we celebrate by recognizing our Liberty Bell: “Let Freedom Ring.” Charles Turner Every year when I attend this event I go home President, American Colony Committee Editor: th Katherine Stanley Obando JULY 4 Contributors: Zach Dyer, Jonathan Harris, Robert Isenberg EVENT Design and Layout: PROGRAM Mariana Urbina, haimeluna News Real Estate Travel www.ticotimes.net realestate.ticotimes.net travel.ticotimes.net [email protected] / (506) 2258-1558 6 U.S. Independence Day 2015 U.S. Independence Day 2015 7 8 U.S. Independence Day 2015 U.S. Independence Day 2015 9 10 U.S. Independence Day 2015 U.S. Independence Day 2015 11 A Look Back at a Different World: Remembering the Fourth of July Picnic, 1965 JONATHAN HARRIS | THE TICO TIMES Archives / The Tico Times ifty years ago today was simply unforgettable. where but where I lived then – which, of course, is Sure, I was all of 6 years old, and had only where I live now. A location obviously selected to be Fjust begun to have my surroundings indelibly within walking distance of the picnic in San Rafael imprinted into my future memory, but if you were de Escazú. around back then you must remember, too. The The Embassy Residence was special to us for skies were bluer than they’ve ever been since. The several reasons. One reason that stands out even grass was huge and very green in the empty pas- more than the picnics themselves was that John F. tures that surrounded the old U.S. Embassy Res- Kennedy shook my brother’s hand at an event there idence. There were cows roaming the streets, and two years before. JFK had Costa Rica thoroughly we all had cattle guards to keep them (mostly suc- smitten, and my brother was no exception: I don’t cessfully) out of our homes. think he washed his hands for years afterwards. Of It was a very special day. My family woke ear- course, my mother later inadvertently threw out my ly and walked to the Embassy Residence for the pic- brother’s diary where Mr. Kennedy wrote a note to nic, which, as it is today, was held in the morning to his friend Michael. avoid afternoon showers. It may have been the last Seen from the enlightened perspective of time my Dad had to hoist me on his shoulders most 2015, Costa Rica was a different world in 1965. It of the way because I couldn’t keep up. If I had been seems unreal to describe that world now. The coun- asked then where I would be living in 50 years, I try was embarking on its new path forward that would have wondered why I would be living any- had started in 1948. We Continues on Page 12 12 U.S. Independence Day 2015 U.S. Independence Day 2015 13 adopted this country as well. The holiday was a time to hold hands and celebrate both our coun- tries’ heritage, and vow to move together towards a better future. Thanks to Jack Fendell, who started the American Colony’s July 4 picnic tradition, we continued to live our shared lives and our shared heritage. The picnic epitomized our two cultures learning to live, and grow, together. There were relatively few American families in Costa Rica then, and we knew them all. In fact, it seemed to me that my parents knew everyone on the planet, but certainly everyone at the picnic, U.S. and Tico. There was no visible security entering the Fun and games at the former Ambassador’s Residence. picnic except for the very impressively outfitted Archives / The Tico Times Marines who couldn’t help playing with the kids. Everyone was welcome, regardless of nationality. were very isolated. No IDs were checked. It was a party for all. The former U.S. Ambassador’s Residence as it appears today. Alberto Font/The Tico TimesTimes We didn’t have U.S. fast-food chains. We couldn’t even buy ketchup. My favorite birthday present was of greeting us personally. The adults mingle, which lined up for them, all screaming as the scratchy reel a small bottle of Welch’s grape juice, which to me means the kids are let loose to run around. Parents of endless black-and-white Woody cartoons started was a fine wine. We didn’t have American TV, and go get a drink (beer?), and walk around in their to show. It was hot. We were all hungry and thirsty. movies arrived years after their original release. Sunday best laughing loudly, making us very glad It was loud. It was very, very fun. I can picture ev- Transportation by horse out here in the boonies to go and do all the kid stuff there is to do. There ery corner of that garage. The rat-a-tat theme song was still commonplace. Poisoned meat was still are the games – three-legged races, sack races, egg rings in my ears as I remember it. thrown in the streets by the authorities to control tosses – the same theme there always was and al- I also remember being told that the Secret rabies. All Americans spoke Spanish, very well, and ways will be. Service had brought down the latest Woody car- most of our friends were Costa Rican; they wel- But I had two favorite events. I think we all toons just for us on a special plane. comed us in their homes, as they were welcome in agreed. You simply had to get on the oxcart that did Food was plentiful, and wonderfully un- ours. We were assimilating. The 4th of July picnic healthy. As I recall, it was free, and all we had to Costa Rican President Daniel Oduber addresses picnic-goers at continuous loops around the oval driveway, and was our one opportunity to parade Uncle Sam and the Bicentennial Celebration.