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Roberto Vale Ares was a Cuban freedom fighter involved in exile guerilla groups, including Comandos L (formerly Comandos Libertad) and Alpha 66. Vale Ares worked with Tony Cuesta and performed numerous small guerilla operations in Cuba.

Francisco Vallhonrat was a Cuban writer, journalist, and Republican Party organizer based in New York City. He was key in the Republican Party's efforts to court the Cuban exile community in New York and New Jersey.

Norman Van Aken: Timeline

1951 Born in Diamond Lake, Illinois

1972 Began culinary career as a cook at “Tom & Jerry's Fireside” in Libertyville, IL

Early 1980’s Partnered with restaurateur Gordan Sinclair to open “Sinclair’s American Grill” in Florida

1985 Worked at “Louie’s Backyard” in Key West, where he is visited by Charlie Trotter

1986 Coined the term “New World Cuisine”

1988 Published his first monograph, Feast of Sunlight

1989 Executive Chef at the Betsy Ross Hotel’s “A Mano” and “Stars and Stripes Café” in Miami Beach, FL

1995 Opened his restaurant “Norman’s” in Coral Gables, FL, which is nominated “Best New Restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation.

1995 Published, The Great Exotic Fruit

1997 Published, New World Cuisine

2003 Opened “Norman’s” at The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, FL

2003 Won the James Beard “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America” award

2005 Norman’s in Coral Gables named a finalist for The James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Restaurant.”

2010-11 Operated the Norman’s 180 at The Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables, FL

2012 Published, My Key West Kitchen

2013 Published the autobiographical book, No Experience Necessary: The Culinary Education of Chef Norman Van Aken

2016 Published, Norman Van Aken’s Florida Kitchen

2016 Inducted into MenuMasters Hall of Fame

2019 Norman’s at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, FL closed

José Varela Zequeira was born in Nuevitas in the Province of Puerto Principe, Cuba on 19 March 1854. He was the first son of José Varela y Recamán, a Spanish sailor, and Faustina Zequeira y Agüero from Camagüey. Varela Zequeira was soon joined by two younger brothers, Calixto (1858-?) and Eduardo (1860-?). In the 1860s, the Varela family moved to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. While Varela Zequeira was a university student, his father passed away, and the family returned to Cuba in the early 1870s. In Puerto Principe, he met two men who were to become life-long friends: Esteban Berrero Echevarria and Enrique José Varona. The three friends formed a literary circle, the “Galería de retratos.”

Varela Zequeira moved with his family to Havana, where he taught at Berrero’s school. Berrero’s wife, Elena, introduced him to his future wife, María Rodríguez y Velasco, in 1876. The two married on 17 June 1881, and together they had five children: Clara (1882-?), Consuelo (1885-1887), Sarah (1887-?), and José (1895-1915), and Roberto (1899-?).

During this time, Varela Zequeira continued his medical studies at the University of Havana, obtaining his degree in 1887 and completing his doctorate in 1900. He was active in the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País, serving as its secretary from 1891 to 1894. As a member, he advocated for educational reform, especially in the sciences. Beginning in 1890, he also became a vocal supporter of Cuban independence. Notified by a friend that he was about to be arrested, Varela Zequeira left Cuba for the United States in 1897.

From New York, Varela Zequeira traveled with Borrero to Costa Rica, where he was joined by his wife and children. The family returned to Cuba in 1898, and in November of that year, he was named vice –director of the Hospital “La Benéfica.” He became its director the following year and served as such for the next 27 years. He also served as faculty at the University of Havana in various positions.

While he was an active and respected doctor and professor, Varela Zequeira was also known as a writer and today is recognized as one of Cuba’s preeminent poets. He was honored at a ceremony in 1938 commemorating the 50th anniversary of his graduation from the University of Havana. Varela Zequeira passed away on 25 December 1939.

Beatriz Varela is the granddaughter of José Varela Zequeira. She was born in Havana and is a graduate of the University of Havana and Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was professor of linguistics at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and the University of New Orleans. Beatriz Varela has written several books and articles, including a study of her grandfather’s life and works, José Varela Zequeira (1854-1939): su obra científico-literaria in 1997.