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local Thursday 25 augusT 2022

A Friendship that Started 50 Years ago in Beirut comes Full Circle in Aruba

Clyde R. Harms Sr.

Ruth Harms was born in Aruba, Kansas, New York the decades to this date. Margaret and husband ther operated. The interest
Aruba, Margaret Kelberer and Venezuela. She had Ruth became like another George Leiter spent two in purchasing the property
was born and raised in Bei- attended Près Fleuris in sister in the Kelberer family years as teachers in Trini- turned into an oral offer to
rut, Lebanon. They met at Bluche sur Sierre, Switzer- and often went to spend dad and Tobago and dur- purchase. A few weeks lat-
the American Community land the last two years, but time with the family in their ing that period they visited er a contract of Sale and
School (ACS) in Beirut in decided to transfer to ACS. vacation bungalow near Ruth’s parents in nearby Purchase was signed.
1972, 50 years ago. Marga- International Falls at the Aruba a couple of times.
ret’s dad was an executive Margaret and Ruth formed border of Canada. On vari- On April 11, 2022 the No-
with Arabian American Oil a close friendship and de- ous occasions Margaret When Ruth’s dad celebrat- tarial Deed of Sale was
Co (Aramco) in Dhahran cided they would together also accompanied Ruth on ed his 90th birthday, Mar- signed and Ruth came to
and Ruth’s dad was the attend Macalaster College vacations in Aruba. garet and George returned Aruba to be present at this
head of the Computer De- in Margaret’s home state to Aruba to join the fun. historic moment. Margaret
partment of Esso Libya in Minnesota. During their In the intervening 50 years, They also hinted they were became the owner of the
Tripoli. four years at Macalester Ruth and Margaret contin- interested in purchasing house where Ruth’s god-
both lived in Turk Hall where ued to see each other at the property. Four months mother had lived for many
Margaret had attended their friendship blossomed. least every other year and later, when Annie, Marga- years and where Ruth’s fa-
ACS since first grade. Ruth Together with the other watched each other’s chil- ret’s youngest sister was go- ther had lived since 1987.
had graduated from the students who lived on the dren grow. Margaret was a ing to reach 50, the sisters The friendship that had
Oil Companies (middle) second floor they called bridesmaid at Ruth’s wed- arranged to celebrate the started half a century be-
School in Tripoli in 1970 and themselves the Turckeys ding in 1979 and Ruth was big event in Aruba at Mila- fore in Beirut had come full
before that, had attend- and formed a bond of present at Margaret’s wed- gro’s Garden Apartments, circle in Aruba.q
ed five different schools in friendship that has lasted ding. an Airbnb that Ruth’s fa-