Our Members in the Community
Two notable events occurred in April that are worthy of mention. First, on April 16, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Salcines Park at the corner of Howard Avenue and Main Street. The revitalized park honors the Salcines family and other important figures in the history of West Tampa.
The second was E.J.’s presentation of the annual Frank Duckwald lecture at the Tampa Bay History Center, which was held on April 17. This well-attended lecture focused on Spanish immigration in the United States. The Centro appreciates the research undertaken by Emiliano and his interesting and spirited presentation.
Juanita and Emiliano Salcines, for whom the park was named in 1991. Emiliano came to West Tampa in 1918 and opened up a department store. He was referred to as the “Mayor of West Tampa”.
A Heartfelt Expression of Gratitude
As many will recall, the Centro Español and Centro Asturiano held welcoming gatherings for the descendants of Spaniards who came to Tampa from out of town in March to celebrate the inauguration of the Invisible Immigrants exhibition at the Tampa Bay History Center. [If you are interested in watching the recording of the opening day ceremony, it can be found by selecting the following link.]
One of the visitors, Lori Becker, was so moved that she penned a long note of appreciation for our joint efforts. We thank her for her kind words and are happy to present the following excerpt from her note:
At the beginning of March, I traveled to Tampa for the U.S. opening of the Invisible Immigrants: Spaniards in the United States exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center—and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
The weekend was filled with incredible moments: touring the last historic cigar factory still in operation, gathering at Centro Asturiano and Centro Español for music, dancing, and celebration, and sharing meals with fellow descendants at Columbia, the oldest Spanish restaurant in the country. But it wasn’t the events that moved me most—it was the people.
Meeting other descendants from across the country felt like stumbling upon a family reunion. I heard stories from complete strangers that could have come straight from my own childhood—stories about growing up in Asturiano homes, surrounded by grandparents who carried the culture of Asturias with them to their new lives in America. There was something intimate and almost unexplainable about it. It felt like coming home.
Visiting the exhibit itself was another deeply moving experience. To see so many familiar faces—my own family, and others I’ve known through the years—featured in the photographs and videos (many from my inherited collection) was extraordinary. The exhibit is not just a historical display; it’s a living, breathing portrait of our shared, and precious, identity.
My grandma Anita took me to Spain when I was 14 for my cousin Jose Maria’s wedding. I stayed at the family farm in Quilono, visited Santa Maria del Mar, the birthplace of my Grandpa Chic, and walked the same streets they did. I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of that trip at the time, but I do now. I’ve been back three more times as an adult, and each time I fall more in love—with the land, the people, and the part of myself that feels most at home there.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have also been in Madrid in January 2020, when Invisible Immigrants opened for the very first time in Spain. Many of the people I met there were also in Tampa. How lucky am I to have experienced both ends of this incredible journey?
Thank you to James Fernandez, Luis Argeo, Anthony (Tony) Carreño, Cristal Lastra, and everyone else who made this weekend in Tampa so meaningful. You didn’t just organize an event—you built a bridge between generations and across miles. You made space for us to remember, reconnect, and belong.
I’ll be forever grateful,
Lori Becker
As a reminder, the Invisible Immigrants exhibit runs through August 3rd at the History Center. Please consider experiencing this great testimony to the Spanish immigrant story in the United States.
A New Book by One of Our Own
We are happy to report that Donna Piñero Parrino, native of Tampa, long-time administrator at the University of South Florida, and member of the Centro Español, recently published her memoir about growing up in Tampa, specifically Ybor City. The tome is titled Work, War, Wit, Wisdom – Lessons and Legacies from Ybor City. The book was published digitally by the University of South Florida’s Digital Commons. The memoir contains forwards by Dr. Gary Mormino, E.J. Salcines, and Andy Huse. It can be obtained via Google or other search engines.
Congratulations Donna!
General Membership and Spring Social Meeting
The Centro Español will be holding a combined General Membership and Spring Social meeting at our clubhouse in West Tampa in June. The purpose of the General Membership meeting will be to elect a new slate to Directors, which we are required to do by our By-laws every two years.
Details regarding date and time will be announced soon.