THE HISTORY OF

PEÑA TAURINA MARYLAND

Peña Taurina Maryland had its beginning when four friends got together on 21 January 1989 to talk about bulls. These original four are Mario Carrión, Matador de Toros from Seville; Pepe Céspedes, son of Matador Paco Céspedes (an honorary member) of Chiclayo, Peru; Luis Flores, banderillero from Columbia and Jim Toland, retired command pilot of Washington's Special Air Mission Wing (of Air Force two and other dignitaries).

Avid traveler Katherine Cave was the first woman to join Peña Taurina MD in 1989, followed by dancer Linda Moll and language teacher Diane DiFerdinando. Wonderful additions were also realized when long-time officials of Taurine Bibliophiles of America Ray Turner and Don Conover joined, sharing their vast taurine experiences. Entrepreneur and knowledgeable of the French/Spanish scene, René Arneodau filled out the European influence while Fernando and Mariana Wandemberg brought their aficion all the way from Quíto, Ecuador. Finally, epistler Gil Arruda became a non-resident member to complete the roster.

The club met every four-six weeks, rotating the hosting between the membership. Video tapes, detailed discussions, demonstrations and "toreo de salon" with both capote and muleta under the watchful eye of Matador Carrión, were the usual program activities.

The club was published in Mexico's "Esto" championing the cause of Matador David Bonilla. Members have been quoted in Spain's "Aplausos" and are always well-represented at NATC conventions and tertulias. In 1993, the management of the club became too much for the current president, Jim Toland, whose job as a commercial pilot was very demanding. As a result, the club was disbanded; the small amount of monies in the treasury was distributed among the members.

by Jim Toland and Kay Cave

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Last updated: 1 August 1996
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