It is my joy to serve as Secretary to the CNA Board of Directors. I am from the Oldest City, St. Augustine, Florida, and originally from Managua, Nicaragua (like the song)… Since it is my luck to contribute these notes at this time, I wish to take the opportunity to wish a Happy New Year to y’all.

I share a passion for numismatics, philately and history with my husband Enrique, also a member and currently on the CNA Board of Directors. My early life fostered an interest in History. I was educated in Spain, Nicaragua and New York; as a consequence I had to approve History 101 from different countries and perspectives. My father, Carlos, was President of the National Bank of Nicaragua and I had the privilege of serving as Secretary to President Anastasio Somoza.

My interest in Money comes from these fine gentlemen and was reinforced when I married Enrique, an avid collector of Cuba and Nicaragua who has to be budgeted most conscientiously.

We both fled Nicaragua in 1978, the last Cold War episode in the Americas, and came to refuge in Los Angeles. It was my first time for dodging unfriendlies and a re-run for Enrique, who is most proud of his Cuban origin. We are now retired and spend quite a bit of time arguing about our collecting and trying to instill the same interests in our grandchildren: Ashton, Kendra, Enrique and Andrew. Our son, Enrique is proud to serve in the Army, and our daughter, Marysol, is a California banker.

CNA President, Francis X. Putrow and fellow member, Dr. Carl Meisner, were frequent bidding adversaries and now very dear friends. We spent some years debating the idea of a Numismatic Club and are very happy that the idea came to fruition and that we share the same passion with such a large group of collectors. We think our Association will help in promoting interest and knowledge in the complex history and enduring values of our once good neighbor, unfortunate Cuba.

I can always be reached at MARYSOLATFLORIDA@BELLSOUTH.NET and look forward to our next meeting in Ft. Lauderdale.