HOPE FTW HOPE NOVEMBER 2015 YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A POSTAL EMPLOYEE OR HOPE MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES!

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1 HOPE Message From the President NOVEMBER 2015 President Michelle Grant Vice-President Joann Scarpelli Treasurer Mary Diaz Secretary Tan Rhoten- Coleman Trustee Sylvia Alvarez Trustee Robert Chovanec Hello members, We are well on our way to accomplishing our goals for We are getting the word out about our organization, building our membership, working within the community, and raising funds for our scholarship program. The 2016 scholarship applications were due April 15 th. The committee should be meeting soon and should be announcing this years recipients. We have several events happening this year. First is our Sunday Funday! Get your teams together for the HOPE Bowling Tournament which is this Sunday, April 24 th. HOPE is cruising to Jamaica! Seven fun filled days at sea via Carnival Cruise Lines! Be sure to get your $25 deposit in by April 30 th! For more information on the bowling tournament or cruise, please see the flyers in this newsletter. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A POSTAL EMPLOYEE OR HOPE MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF OUR ACTIVITIES! I would also like to mention that the 16 th Annual HOPE Golf Tournament has been moved this year to October 3, We apologize to our faithful golfers who golf in our tournament every year for the inconvenience. Squaw Creek Golf Course is currently under renovation. We will announce more information about where the tournament will be held next month. Congratulations to our raffle winners. Jaime Garcia was the lucky winner of the grand prize a 55 Samsung Smart Television. Carla Gonzales won the $100 bill and Mary Staub was the winner of the $50 gift card. Congratulations and thank you to all who purchased tickets. Your support is appreciated. It s not too late to become a member of this organization. If you want to go old school and fill out the application included in this newsletter and mail it to our PO Box or, you may go online at ftwhope.com and sign up and pay online with PayPal! FTW HOPE ftwhope@gmail.com This month s meeting is at the Dixie House Café. We will be discussing the following: Scholarship Program Bowling Tournament Cruise Cinco De Mayo Golf Tournament Hispanic Heritage Month Have a safe and happy Cinco de Mayo! See you on Thursday, Michelle

2 Sunday April 24, 2016 CITYVIEW BOWLING LANES 6601 Oakmont Boulevard Fort Worth, TX (817) $20.00 per bowler League Style Bowling / 3 Games 4 Members per team Mixed (at least 1 male or 1 female) Tournament Bowling 1:00 P.M. - Registration will begin at 12:00 Tournament will begin at 1:00 p.m. Completion of last game 9 Pin No-Tap ( 9 pins counts the same as a strike) To register or for more information, please contact Mary Diaz or Daniel Mata

3 If you want more information, please contact: Joann Scarpelli or Mary Diaz Day Western Caribbean Cruise January 28, 2017 February 4, 2017 Don t miss this opportunity. Come, join HOPE on this Fundraiser Carnival Cruise vacation! When you book through HOPE, you will be helping us to raise money for our scholarship program. This allows HOPE to award more scholarships to high school seniors and adults who want to further their education! It s a win for us and a win for you! Plus, you will have a great time. Your time on the cruise is yours. Book through HOPE and get a great deal and discount. CRUISE WITH HOPE IN 2017! MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT BY APRIL 30 TH TO RECEIVE SPECIAL GROUP PRICING

4 History of Cinco de Mayo: Battle of Puebla In 1861 the liberal Mexican Benito Juárez ( ) became president of a country in financial ruin, and he was forced to default on his debts to European governments. In response, France, Britain and Spain sent naval forces to Veracruz to demand reimbursement. Britain and Spain negotiated with Mexico and withdrew, but France, ruled by Napoleon III ( ), decided to use the opportunity to carve a dependent empire out of Mexican territory. Late in 1861, a well-armed French fleet stormed Veracruz, landing a large French force and driving President Juárez and his government into retreat. Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez ( ) set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a rag-tag force of 2,000 loyal men many of them either indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry and sent them to Puebla. Led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza ( ), the vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. On May 5, 1862, Lorencez drew his army, well provisioned and supported by heavy artillery, before the city of Puebla and led an assault from the north. The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash. Although not a major strategic win in the overall war against the French, Zaragoza s success at Puebla represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and bolstered the resistance movement. Six years later thanks in part to military support and political pressure from the United States, which was finally in a position to aid its besieged neighbor after the end of the Civil War France withdrew. The same year, Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who had been installed as emperor of Mexico by Napoleon in 1864, was captured and executed by Juárez s forces. Puebla de Los Angeles was renamed for General Zaragoza, who died of typhoid fever months after his historic triumph there. Cinco de Mayo in Mexico Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where Zaragoza s unlikely triumph occurred, although other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open. Cinco de Mayo in the United States In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is widely interpreted as a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with substantial Mexican-American populations. Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the 1960s, in part because they identified with the victory of indigenous Mexicans over European invaders during the Battle of Puebla. Today, revelers mark the occasion with parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano. Confusion with Mexican Independence Day Many people outside Mexico mistakenly believe that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican independence, which was declared more than 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. That event is commemorated on September 16, the anniversary of the revolutionary priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla s famous Grito de Dolores ( Cry of Dolores ), a call to arms that amounted to a declaration of war against the Spanish colonial government in 1810.

5 Battle of Gonzales October 2, 1835 The first shots of the Texas Revolution were fired when fighting broke out at Gonzales between Mexican soldiers and Texas militiamen. When Domingo de Ugartechea, military commander in Texas, received word that the American colonists of Gonzales refused to surrender a small cannon that had been given to that settlement in 1831 as a defense against the Indians, he dispatched Francisco de Castañeda and 100 dragoons to retrieve it on September 27. Though Castañeda attempted to avoid conflict, on the morning of October 2 his force clashed with local Texian militia led by John Henry Moore in the first battle of the Texas Revolution. The struggle for the "Come and Take It" cannon was only a brief skirmish that ended with the retreat of Castañeda and his force, but it also marked a clear break between the American colonists and the Mexican government. Siege of Bexar October 27 December 9, 1835 The siege of Bexar (San Antonio) became the first major campaign of the Texas Revolution. From October until early December 1835 an army of Texian volunteers laid siege to a Mexican army in San Antonio de Béxar. After a Texas force drove off Mexican troops at Gonzales on October 2, the Texan army grew to 300 men and elected Stephen F. Austin commander to bring unity out of discord. The Texans advanced on October 12 toward San Antonio, where Gen. Martín Perfecto de Cos recently had concentrated Mexican forces numbering 650 men. Cos fortified the town plazas west of the San Antonio River and the Alamo, a former mission east of the stream. Battle of Lipantitlán November 4, 1835 The battle of Lipantitlán occurred on November 4, 1835, on the east bank of the Nueces River three miles above San Patricio in San Patricio County, directly across from Fort Lipantitlán. A Texian force of around seventy men under Adjutant Ira J. Westover engaged a Mexican force of about ninety men under Capt. Nicolás Rodríguez. The Texans scored an important victory. Battle of Goliad October 10, 1835 The battle of Goliad was the second skirmish of the Texas Revolution. In the early-morning hours of October 9, 1835, Texian settlers attacked the Mexican Army soldiers garrisoned at Presidio La Bahía, a fort near the Texas settlement of Goliad. La Bahía lay halfway between the only other large garrison of Mexican soldiers at Presidio San Antonio de Bexar and the then-important Texas port of Copano. Battle of Concepción October 28, 1835 The battle of Concepción occurred on October 28, 1835, the opening engagement in the siege of Bexar. After the skirmish at Gonzales on October 2, the Texas army under Stephen F. Austin grew to 400 men as it advanced on San Antonio. Gen. Martín Perfecto de Cos, with a Mexican army that peaked in size at 750 men in late October, fortified the plazas in San Antonio and the Alamo mission across the river. The battle, which occurred near the site of Mission Concepción, was the first engagement of the siege of Bexar and resulted in Mexican forces withdrawing to defensive positions in Bexar. Grass Fight November 26, 1835 The Grass Fight, on November 26, 1835, became the last engagement in the Siege of Bexar before the final Texian assault on the town. In November Col. Domingo de Ugartechea had left San Antonio with a cavalry escort to guide reinforcements to the garrison commanded by Gen. Martín Perfecto de Cos. After the departure of Stephen F. Austin to represent Texas in the United States, the Texian army elected as commander Col. Edward Burleson, who continued to harass Cos while scouting for the return of Ugartechea. Texian forces intercepted a Mexican cavalry unit west of town which they suspected of carrying the payroll of the army. When the fighting ceased, the Texians determined it was actually a foraging expedition carrying grass for the livestock. Battle of the Alamo February 23 March 6, 1836 The battle of the Alamo (February 23 March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13- day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar. Santa Anna's cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States to join the Texian Army.

6 Battle of San Patricio February 27, 1836 Gen. José de Urrea, through a network of spies, kept track of the Johnson-Grant forces and left Matamoros with about 400 men. Upon learning that Johnson was camped at San Patricio, he put his men through a forced march during a bitterly cold, wet night and arrived at San Patricio at 3:00 A.M. on February 27. His first action was to send thirty men under Capt. Rafael Pretala to the ranch where the horses had been taken. In the attack four men were killed and eight taken prisoner. In San Patricio Urrea reported sixteen killed and twenty-four taken prisoner. Johnson and four men quartered with him managed to escape and made their way back to Goliad. Texas Independence March 2, 1836 The Convention of 1836 wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, organized the ad interim government, and named Sam Houston commander in chief of the military forces of the republic. The convention met on March 1, 1836, in near-freezing weather in an unfinished building belonging to Noah T. Byars and Peter M. Mercer, his business partner. Forty-four delegates were assembled on the first day of the convention. Fifty-nine delegates finally attended its sessions. Twelve of the members were natives of Virginia, ten of North Carolina, nine of Tennessee, six of Kentucky, four of Georgia, three of South Carolina, three of Pennsylvania, three of Mexico (including two born in Texas), two of New York, and one each of Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Canada. Sam Houston, Robert Potter, Richard Ellis, Samuel P. Carson, Martin Parmer, and Lorenzo de Zavala had all had political experience in Mexico or the United States in state or national government, several in both. After the examination of credentials of the members, the permanent officers were elected; Richard Ellis was president and Herbert Simms Kimble was secretary. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on March 2, and members began signing it on March 3. The convention then proceeded to the writing of the constitution and election of ad interim government officials. With the report of the approach of the Mexican army, the convention adjourned in haste in the early morning hours of March 17. Battle of Coleto Creek March 18, 1836 The battle of Coleto Creek, the culmination of the Goliad Campaign of 1836, occurred near Coleto Creek in Goliad County on March 19 and 20, Originally called "the battle of the prairie" and "la batalla del encinal [oak grove] del Perdido [Creek]," it was one of the most significant engagements of the Texas Revolution. The battle, however, cannot properly be considered as isolated from the series of errors and misfortunes that preceded it, errors for which the Texas commander, James W. Fannin, Jr., was ultimately responsible. The most exasperating decision confronting Fannin was whether to abandon Goliad after having fortified it, and if so, when. Still, he continued to fortify Fort Defiance, as he christened the La Bahía presidio, and awaited orders from superiors to abandon the site, knowing also that a retreat would not be well received among his men, who were eager to confront the Mexicans. When he finally departed, his force was caught in open country by forces under General Urrea and forced to surrender. Fannin and his men were returned to La Bahia where most were eventually executed on March 27 in what became known as the Goliad Massacre, an important rallying cry for Texian forces. Battle of Agua Dulce Creek March 2, 1836 The battle of Agua Dulce Creek, an engagement of the Texas Revolution and an aftermath of the controversial Matamoros expedition of , occurred twenty-six miles below San Patricio on March 2, Dr. James Grant and his party of twenty-three Americans and three Mexicans were surprised and defeated by a Mexican force under José de Urrea. Six of the volunteers escaped, five of whom joined James W. Fannin, Jr., at Goliad and were killed in the Goliad Massacre on March 27; six were captured and taken to Matamoros as prisoners; all others were killed in the engagement. Battle of Refugio March 12 15, 1836 The series of fights that together make up the battle of Refugio occurred between March 12 and 15, 1836, during the Texas Revolution, at Nuestra Señora del Refugio Mission in Refugio County. In early March 1836 Carlos de la Garza and about eighty rancheros, serving as scouts and advance cavalry for Mexican general José de Urrea's invading army, raided the village of Refugio. On March 10, during the Goliad campaign of 1836, James W. Fannin, Jr., sent Amon B. King and twenty-eight men to Refugio to help the families besieged there escape to Goliad, knowing that their destination lay in the path by which the main Mexican force under Urrea was expected daily. Battle of San Jacinto April 21, 1836 Houston placed his forces in battle order about 3:30 in the afternoon while all was quiet on the Mexican side during the afternoon siesta. The battle line was formed with Edward Burleson's regiment in the center, Sherman's on the left wing, the artillery under George W. Hockley on Burleson's right, the infantry under Henry Millard on the right of the artillery, and the cavalry under Lamar on the extreme right. The Twin Sisters were wheeled into position, and the whole line, led by Sherman's men, sprang forward on the run with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" "Remember Goliad!" The battle lasted but eighteen minutes. According to Houston's official report, the casualties were 630 Mexicans killed and 730 taken prisoner. Against this, only nine of the 910 Texans were killed or mortally wounded and thirty were wounded less seriously.

7 Recipe Ingredients: Empanadas 2 cups of flour 1 tsp salt 2 tsp baking powder milk ( as needed) 2 tbsp solid vegetable shortening 2 cups vegetable or olive oil Recipe Instructions: Do you have a recipe you would like to share? Send your recipe to ftwhope@gmail.com Fried: To prepare delicious empanadas, combine flour, salt and baking powder and sift together thoroughly. Using two dinner knives, cut shortening into flour mixture until mixed. As you go along, add enough milk (water may be substituted) to slightly moisten dough. Dough should be easy to handle, but not sticky. (In the event that it becomes sticky, add a bit more flour.) Let stand for about ten minutes. On a lightly floured wooden cutting board, roll dough until thin. Using a jar top, cut dough into eight circles, about four inches in diameter. Place one heaping teaspoon of filling in middle of each circle. Fold dough over in half, then pinch edges together in a semicircle to hold in filling. Heat oil in deep frying pan until a drop of water sizzles when it lands in the oil. Fry empanadas in oil until golden brown-about three minutes per side. Drain empanadas on paper towels. Oven: If you want your empanadas to have a nice golden finish, then you can brush them with egg wash (a whole egg whisked or egg yolk plus a few drops of water whisked). Bake the empanadas in a pre-heated oven. I usually bake them at 375F-400F, the temperature will vary based on the oven and the size of the empanadas. I bake the smaller sized empanadas at 375F. The baking time also varies (again based on the oven and size), but it s in the range of minutes the empanadas will be ready once they are golden. Empanadas: Empanada is a pastry crust or meat pie with a filling of beef and vegetables, ham and cheese, or other stuff in an oven, or fried.

8 HOPE is partnering with Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth by collecting pop tabs! Recycled beverage tabs help support the Fort Worth Ronald McDonald House program, a home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children being treated at nearby hospitals. Save your tabs and once you ve collected enough to fill a container, call Michelle Grant at and she will make arrangements to pick them up.

9 HOPE MEETING Thursday, April 21, S Blue Mound Rd Saginaw, TX, Dinner 6:00 PM Meeting 7:00 Hope to see you on Thursday!

10 FORT WORTH CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Hispanic Organization of Postal Employees Fort Worth Chapter, PO Box , Fort Worth TX Membership Application Membership Dues: $20 Please Print Name: Address/C/S/Z+4: AC/Phone: Hm/Cell/Wrk (Circle One) DOB (Month/Day) Personal **: NEW Member RETURNING Member Referred by: Signature Date **All correspondence from this organization is sent via . This includes notices, announcements and the HOPE newsletter.