Evening star., 1922-10-29
Charming Chatelaine
Continues Tradition
At Panama Legation
Senior and Sonora -Alfaro
Bring Interesting Family
to Capital-Were Former
ly Stationed Here.

The legation of Panama has long
been known for it's charming chate-
lalnes. and just now it is a particu-
lar matter of congratulation that
Senior Dr. Don Ricardo j. Alfaro, the
recently appointed minister. has
brought to the capital one Of the
most gifted and charming of them all.
f;oth the minister and Sonora de AL
faro find themselves on familiar
ground in Washington. for he was
secretary OF the legation in 1910
when Senior c. c. Arosemena was
minister. and he has since then
visited here to make special investi-
cations.
Sonora de Aifaro is the daughter Of
a distinguished business man of the
Isthmus, Mr.. Emanuel Lyons who,
going to Panama from England in
his youth, married a native daughter,
and has resided there continuously
ever since. Senior Don Emanuel
Lyons, commercial attache- of the
Panama legation here. is the brother
of Sonora de Alfaro. and his charm
ing wife. Sonora Dona Beatriz Alfaro
de Lyons, Is the sister of the min
ister
The tendency is for more youth in
the diplomatic corps-a younger gen
Grafton of diplomats-and this brings
groups of interesting children. Senior
and Sonora de Alfaro have five chill
dren, the eldest, u son named for his
father. Is now student at Central
High School. He began his scholas-
tic career in Washington as a tiny
lad at the Force School, and is now
~ixteen and belongs to the cadets.
lie is immensely pleased with his
experience among American boys.
The two younger sons. Ivan. who is
ten. and Rogelia, who is seven. are
English sufficiently to attend a near
by school,, possibly the Force. A
graceful little girl. who bears her
mothers name. Amelia Lyons. is five
ored of roller skates and is quite
active in that direction. An infant
daughter. Yolando. less than a year
old. makes up this pretty group, The
legation OF Panama is situated at
1719 Rhode Island avenue and is a
pleasant house. furnished in soft tones
and exquisite wicker and willow ware,
and is always filled with flowers
quite accessible to everything In which
either the minister or his wife Is
specially concerned, it is proving en-
tirelv adequate. at least for the present.
Sonora Alfaro Is still in the early
thirties and is a woman Of dignified
presence, suggesting in her tones and
carriage tne Brlt1Sh more tnan the
Latin. Both she and her husband are
affiliated with many philanthropic
movements In Panama and they were
constant attendants at the Red Cross
conferences held In this city recently.
Both are active members of this So
ciety in Panama, and, while 1t is not
Vet established in the national sense.
there is much interest in the work
and very generous contributions to
provide funds for emergencies or
ratastrophes. Panama, the sonora ex-
plains, having such an equable cli-
mate and nature-so lavish in fruits
and nuts-there is never the poverty
Of colder lands, and even when it ex-
ists the vital problems of clothing
and fuel play a minor part. Fuel is
never needed and clothing can be
sparse indeed before there is acute
suffering. Nevertheless, Sonora AL
faro says, the Red Cross and the st.
Vincent de Paul Society, to which all
her family belong. find ample cases
TO keep them busy nearly all the
year.
Like so many of those Of British
descent. Sonora Alfaro takes the re-
sponslbilities of life seriously and
charitable affairs engross all the time
which may be spared from her home
duties, with social affairs relegated
20 minor role except on special oc-
caSfonS.