46TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY - · PDF filetion’s 5th annual Flag Raising ceremony on...

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Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.Newsletter MAY 15, 2012Volume 2Issue 5

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter

Happy

Mother’s Day!A SALUTE TOMOTHERS EVERYWHERE

Gertrude Dolphin

104not out!

MAY 26, 2012

46TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARYMAY 5, 1838:ARRIVAL OF FIRST INDIAN INDENTURED

IMMIGRANTS IN GUYANA

2


IN THIS ISSUEPAGE 5: A Night to RememberPAGE 6: FeedbackPAGE 8: Mothers, Queens of the UniversePAGE 10: May the month of our LadyPAGE 12: Mayfairs and MaypolePAGE14: 15:Bridget Morris, miracle MomPAGE 17: Honoring MothersPAGE 18: Land of six races and the mixed racePAGE 20: Indian Arrival DayPAGE 22: May 1853, the Chinese arrivedPAGE 24: Muriel GlasgowPAGE 26: Rosalind McLymont

May EditorEdgar Henry

Copy Editors- Edgar Henry & Lear Matthews

Layout and Design by Ashton Franklin & Claire A. Goring

Contributors:Peter Halder, Lear Matthews,Juliet Emanuel, Edgar Henry,Matie Singh, Muriel Glasgow,

Margaret Lawrence, Romesh Singh

Francis Quamina FarrierColonel Desmond Roberts (Ret’d)

Karen Kendall Trev Sue-A-Quan

Beverly Kissoon

PhotographsMargaret LawrencceClaire Patterson-Monah

Col. Desmond Roberts (Ret’d)

IllustrationsCover Design - Claire Goring

Mother’s Collage - Ashton Franklin

AcknowledgementsKaieteur News, Stabroek News

GCA Media TeamAve Brewster-Haynes (Chairperson), Juliet Emanuel, Edgar HenryLear Matthews, Claire A. Goring,Muriel Glasgow, Ashton Franklin,

Margaret Lawrence, Francis Quamina Farrier

Please join our Facebook group, Website: www.guyfolkfest.org

GCA Secretariat1368 E.89 Street, Suite 2Brooklyn, NY 11236Tel: 718 209 5207

It is with great excitement that wecelebrate with our May edition ofthe Guyana Folk Festival newsletter.

I take this opportunity to congratulateGuyanese everywhere on the Republic’scommemoration of its 46th Indepen-dence Anniversary. The Guyana CulturalAssociation joins all Guyanese in honor-ing this historic event that chartered acourse for self-governance and developmentof the land of our birth.

Guyana’s Honorable Diplomatic Corpspearheaded by The Honorable BrentnoldF. R. Evans, Consul General of Guyanawill join the Guyana American HeritageFoundation in New Jersey, in conjunctionwith The City of East Orange, to celebratethis special occasion at the organiza-tion’s 5th annual Flag Raising ceremonyon Friday June 01, 2012 at 44 City HallPlaza, in East Orange New Jersey.

The Golden Arrowhead – Guyana’s col-orful flag - will be proudly raised underthe patronage of the Honorable Mayorof New Jersey Robert Bowser. The cere-mony will run from 4:30p.m. to 8:30p.m.

President of the Guyana TristateAlliance, Ms. Patricia Jordon-Langfordwill join President Ira Lewis, Ms. AllisonButters-Grant, Executive Secretary andTreasurer Mr. Carl Fraser, to host all inattendance.

We at GCA are overwhelmed by yourresponses to this newsletter and wecan honestly say we are inspired by the

many thought provoking comments.Thanks to so many of you for taking thetime to respond, and for sharing your greatinsights and concerns. Indeed, yourthoughts, suggestions, and recommenda-tions, are highly appreciated.

This is the perfect time to let you knowthat interacting with you is a great joy, andwe are thankful for this vehicle, whichaffords us the wonderful opportunity toinitiate a feedback column. In this issuewe have a kick-off segment entitled “Whatour readers have to say?” We always welcomeyour comments and support as we forgeforward.

Please enjoy the diverse articles includingmemoirs of Colonel Desmond Roberts rais-ing the Golden Arrow Head at Guyana’sfirst independence; Maypole plaiting andMay fairs; remembering Mothers on Mother’sday; the history behind Meadow Brook;Guyanese mother of nine with four sets oftwins; the dying art form of the Indian tra-dition Tadjah; and many other interestingfeatures.

Our website www.guyfolkfest.org, ourFace Book page and this newsletter willkeep you informed about all of ourupcoming events.

Enjoy!

Edgar HenryMay Editor

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR


3GUYANESE MOTHERS DEMANDED OUR RESPECT & TAUGHT US TO RESPECT OURSELVES

A SALUTE TO Guyanese

Women of StrengthA strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape ...but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape...

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything ...but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her ...but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future...a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...

A strong woman walks sure footedly...but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...but a woman of strength wears grace...

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...

Happy Mother’s DayWomen of Strength!

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Iwas assigned the Indepen-dence Night parade at the newNational Park. A British Army

officer, Colonel Hefford, who specializedin the now frequent independencecelebrations in the colonies of theempire, was our guide. He seemedconcerned only with “nobody ismessing up my parade.” He said hehad seen it happen in other coun-tries. Perhaps, the colonel was thecommon factor!

My counterpart officer from theBritish Army was Second LieutenantJimmy Jonklass. Jimmy and I sharedbachelors’ quarters in the still under-construction barracks to be laternamed Camp Ayanganna. He was tolower the Union Jack.

After several rehearsals, it wasclear that there were difficulties withthe small made-up flag I was using. Itwas being buffeted and twisted in theNorth East trade winds rushingacross the sea defence wall. Two daysbefore the Flag Raising ceremonies, acrisis suddenly developed.

Colonel Ronald Pope, the BritishArmy officer appointed Chief of Staffto the GDF, summoned me to hisoffice. Colonel Hefford had said that“the Prime Minister had said” that hewanted me off the parade. He toldme that I had shown nervousness. Idenied the accusation but mentionedthe ‘little flag’ problem.

The next day, one day before theparade, I was again summoned toColonel Pope’s office. He said thatthere had been a compromise: Iwould still be the officer on theparade, but he would place our adju-tant, Ulric Pilgrim, alongside me for“support.” I was still to be the flag-rais-ing officer.

It was sheer serendipity that Ulricwas there. The new flag was manymany times the size of the ‘little flag’;and the method of connecting theflag to the halyard was completelydifferent. It took about five long sec-onds for Ulric and I to decide howwe would proceed; Ulric alsoensured that our new national stan-dard did not fall or drag on therecently bituminized surface of theformer grassy Golf Ground.

As the flag began its historic mid-night rise up the flagpole under thespotlight, there was an eerie silencein the park. As I hoisted the standardit dragged reluctantly and limply

along its route. However, as thenew national flag arrived at almost itszenith it was caught by the oceanbreeze and it waved to us beautifullyin dance before snapping loudly outto attention. There was joyous cheer-ing all around the ground.

There was great hope for thecountry when the Prime Minister,Forbes Burnham, invited his formercomrade and the main oppositionleader, Cheddi Jagan, to share themoment on the tarmac, where theyembraced emotionally and genuinely.

The flag had never been seen pub-licly before, not even by the flag rais-ing officers. There was a collectivegasp at its beauty: its symmetricaldesign, its bold colors.

History was created. The GoldenArrowhead seemed then to be point-ing us onward from May 26th, 1966in a new direction of ethnic and polit-ical harmony.

A NIGHT TOREMEMBER

Colonel Desmond Roberts (Ret’d)

INDEPENDENCE1966: FIRSTFLAG RAISING CEREMONY


5MIDNIGHT, MAY 26, 1966

RAISING THE GOLDEN ARROWHEAD:

As the flag began its

historic midnight rise up

the flagpole under the

spotlight, there was an

eerie silence in the park.

As the new national flag

arrived at almost its zenith

it was caught by the

ocean breeze and waved

to us beautifully before

snapping loudly to

attention. There was

joyous cheering all

around the ground.

There was a collective gasp at its beauty: its symmetricaldesign, its bold colors.

2Lt. Desmond Roberts raising theGolden Arrowhead for the firsttime, as Prime Minister L.F. S.Burnham and Opposition LeaderCheddi Jagan look on with pride.

6


WHAT OUR READERS ARE SAYING

Dear Editor of the Monthly Newsletter that is compiledproduced and circulated by the Guyana CulturalAssociation of New York.

Let me commence by complimenting the Leadership ofthe Guyana Cultural Association of New York (G.C.A)for taking this vital communications’ step of sustainingrelations with the public. The advantage of writing for aculturally inspired Newsletter is that I could frame myown contributions in the form of letters to the Editor,instead of a straightforward article.

I am fortunate to be acquainted with the academic/intel-lectual depths and breadths of some of the principalplayers within the G.C.A, I have witnessed several oftheir verbal relays, but unless recorded, those verbalrelays soon evaporate; hence it is a welcome to be ableto read and store their written contributions throughthis ORGAN.

Editor, via this medium, I am being reminded so muchabout cultural and dramatic occurrences that hap-pened during my days of growing up and living inGuyana, that I am imagining how much more benefi-cial the contents of your periodical Newsletters are toyounger generations of Guyanese; younger persons ofGuyanese descent; and especially those young ones whowere not lucky enough to grow up in British Guiana,later called Guyana.

Editor, I want you and your fellow producers to knowthat I have read each and every article in your earlierIssues, with the singular purpose of seeking to grow myvocabulary; and I reaped such a harvest of new wordsand their meanings from those readings that I had tofeed the brain with doses of Milk of Magnesia, andAndrew’s Liver Salt(s) in order to catalyze the brain’sdigestion of those fruits of accumulation.

Editor, I did not only read the articles, but I alsoperused the accompanying pictures over and over,because it was refreshing and optimistic to come upona Guyanese institutional publication that was being

inclusive, by e.g. featuring PHAGWAH,along with other pictures that “ …Crossed Ethnic boundaries…”

Editor, the May Issue of the G.C.ANewsletter will coincide with ourIndependence anniversary, and I hopeand I pray that over time, thisNewsletter will drive us towards greater

cultural freedom.

Congratulations on your Newsletter; you are ensuringGuyana’s cultural future with your numerous features.

Yours Fraternally,

Carlyle Harry

This is SPLENDID!

First, I very much enjoyed all the great education that Ireceived about Guyana -- I learned a lot in a very quickread. Excellently assembled newsletter!

Dan'l

Thank you for this awesome newsletter!

Forwarding to everyone!

Pritha Singh

Every month I say superb, wonderful when I see theGCA Newsletter. Every month the quality gets better andbetter.

Romesh Singh

An outstanding communication!

I would like to, first of all, congratulate the producers ofthe Monthly Newsletter, for an eminent and outstandingcommunication. It portrays and reflect the aims andobjectives of the GCA...art and culture...in a reflectiveyet omnipresent vein. The design, layout and illustra-tions were a roraiman presentation...ars gratia artis.

Peter Halder

It is beyond a "newsletter."

I keep forgetting to mention what a first-rate job isbeing done on that GCA newsletter you all are puttingout. The wealth of information in there, and the qualityof it, is unusual for "awee dis" and all the peopleinvolved should take a bow. I also suggest you find a dif-ferent appellation for it; what you have there is waybeyond a "newsletter.".

Dave Martin

I have read each and every article inyour earlier issues ...

it was refreshing and optimistic to comeupon a Guyanese institutional publicationthat was being inclusive.

Feedback!okinteresting


7

Many of us may know the origins of the twowords - May Day - signifying an emergency ora call for help. In 1923, F.S Mockford, a senior

radio officer in England thought of these words toindicate distress for pilots and ground staff in an emer-gency.

However, Labor Day, which symbolizes an importantcollaborative movement in support of workers’ rights,emerged in 1886, in Chicago, spearheaded by twoactivists and involving over 80,000 workers in theworld’s first May Day Parade. This action spawnedother movements and parades, earning the disdain of“Chicago’s wealthy industrial and banking elite, who tar-geted its founder, Lucy Gonzalez – a former slave - andAlbert Parsons for elimination” to stymie union activi-ties. Parsons called a peaceful protest rally, whichbecame known as the Haymarket Riot/Massacre inwhich seven Chicago policemen died in a bomb blastand led to the arrest, jailing and execution of many ofthe militants.

Three years later, in 1889, May 1st. was declaredInternational Workers' Day or International Labor Day,by the Second Marxist National Conference of social-ist and labor parties) - an official holiday in somecountries when people commemorate the struggle forworkers' rights and protest all kinds of ills of society inmeetings,protest rallies and speeches. May Day isviewed as a fitting call for social justice by workers, forrecognition of the voice of the worker through laborunions. It can be considered the precursor of the con-temporary Occupy Movements, which shine the spot-light on domestic and international class inequities.

Labor unions have been established in many coun-tries. In Guyana, for example there is the GuyanaAgricultural and General Workers' Union; GuyanaAirline Pilots Association; Guyana Labour Union;National Workers' Union (Guyana); Guyana Teachers'

Union; Guyana Public Service Union; Clerical andCommercial Workers Union.

Among the prominent labor activists in Guyanese his-tory is Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the father of TradeUnions (1884-1958). After a struggle of over 30 yearsfor workers’ wage negotiations and rights, in 1917 hefounded the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU), thefirst in the Caribbean. In December 1964, formerpresident Dr. Cheddi Jagan, unveiled a bronze statue ofCritchlow whose contribution is remembered on May1st, which is designated in Guyana as: Labour Day;Workers' Day or May Day.

In retrospect, Lucy Gonzalez Parsons, unlikeCritchlow, has not found a place in social studies cur-ricula. However, she has earned a prominent place inthe fight for working people, women, and people ofcolor, her country, and her world.

The history of May 1st. is intimately tied to the move-ment for the 8-hour work day, to immigrant workersand the long tradition of American anarchism.However in North America, Labor Day has undergonea change in recent years, varying in benefits to differ-ent segments of the population. In general, it deviatesfrom honoring the worker and the socio-politicalstruggles for workers’ rights. Instead, the focus hasbeen on festive activities to celebrate the end of sum-mer; an opportunity for big business sale events; whilesustaining Maypole plaiting and dancing with its “com-munal symbolism”, a tradition common in Guyana.

Sources:

: http://bit.ly/Ji2Fxn; : C. Mohan http://bit.ly/I2h3vK,http://bit.ly/Ji6dzr, http://bit.ly/I42s0F

MAY DAY: RELEVANCE, TRADITION AND METAMORPHOSIS TO LABOR DAY

LABOR DAYORIGINS AND REFLECTIONSMuriel Glasgow


8REMEMBERING MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS & AUNTS ON MOTHER’S DAY

LESSONSTAUGHT BY

OURGUYANESEMOTHERS"You

could betall as alantern

post...but yougot to liedown tosleep"

As we celebrate Mother’sday we must give credenceto the Queens of the universe

and reflect on their sterling con-tribution. Oft times in our com-munities there are unsung hero-ines who are not fully recognizeddespite their incredible effortsand valiant service at a time whengender roles transcend the laborforce.

Guyanese, over the years, havetraveled near and far and havetaken with them that unique dis-cipline, mantle, traditions, educa-tion, commitment and courage tonew dimensions regardless of thechallenges they encounter. Thestruggles and disappointmentsalong the way only made themstronger and more focused, rein-forced by their God fearing stami-na, drive and determination. Weowe it all to parenting, particular-ly the role of mothers in our lives.

We should not take unconditionallove for granted. A mother’s adorationis unique and the ideal mother iseverything for her children andthe mutually supportive relation-ship is the fabric of togethernessand guidance.

News items today have to beenterprising, or it is not consid-ered news worthy. Let us pause torecognize the significance ofMothers and the extraordinaryroles they play in nurturing notonly their biological offspring butalso the inf luence and careadministered to those in societalcircles.

Mothers have a special place in

their children’s lives because ofthe maternal bond that startsfrom pregnancy and continuesthrough infancy, childhood, andadolescence. A mother’s involve-ment and interaction with herchildren are unique becausethere is a strong emotional andsocial connection during the vari-ous developmental stages. Thisfond association comes with aday-to-day unconditional love andcare of the family which has astrong link that exists not only forher children, but also for the wel-fare of their spouses.

Most male parents go through lifecomfortably, without being con-scious of the innumerable tasksour spouses/partners are involvedin raising our children and takingcare of their households. Many ofus men are still dwelling in theprivileges and legacy of our male-dominated cultural norms and prac-tices. If we seriously observe andcount the daily tasks and responsi-bilities of mothers, they are manyand varied, compared with thoseof fathers, when it comes to theunparalleled obligations and chal-lenges of raising children to awell-adjusted adulthood.

Whether a mother is partnered ornot, we assume that she is thelikely candidate for family nutri-tionist, health coordinator andofficial consoler. Beyond the roleof physical and emotional caretak-ing, mothering fosters children’sintellectual and social develop-ment. Mothers create and orga-nize experiences for our children,

both in the routine of everydayhome life and in the specialevents and activities the familypursues outside the home. Moth-ers set expectations as well asboundaries, and at the same time,present themselves as role mod-els and examples for our chil-dren’s observation. In all of thesechoices, a mother’s involvementcontinually shapes a child’s learn-ing and social growth.

A familiar Guyanese/Caribbeanparenting model of a typical fami-ly structure personifies modestresources yet an abundance ofhappiness; sacrificing modernluxuries to make ends meet.Notwithstanding, many familieshave produced high achieverstaking their respective places inpopular and remote regions ofthe world.

A mother’s intuitive recognitionof errors and unequivocal admis-sion of a mistake demonstratesstrong character and responsibility,never compromising values andbeliefs systems and at the sametime setting examples for theiroffspring to pursue.

A mother’s most crucial involve-ment is the guidance she offers asthe child’s circle of friendsexpands. This attachment offersthe child a reassuring center ofsupport and love. Even as thechild matures and spends moretime outside the home, the moth-er remains as a fundamentalguide in all future encounters.

Happy Mother’s Day To MothersEverywhere!

GUYANESE/CARIBBEAN

MOTHERSQUEENS OF THE UNIVERSE

WE SHOULD NOT TAKE THEIR

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR GRANTEDEdgar Henry


9MOTHERS TAUGHT US ABOUT THE CIRCLE OF LIFE “I BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS WORLD & I CAN TAKE YOU OUT”

Former teacher & mentor, we Salute Gertrude Dolphin

“Aunty Gertie”

Gertrude Dolphin or ‘Aunty Gertie,'as she is fondly known by all, wasborn on April 25, 1908, in Nabaclis

on the East Coast of Demerara, and grewup in Victoria Village. Joanna, her mother,was a housewife and Henry, her father,was a headmaster. The second of five sib-lings she is related to the famous branchof the Dolphin family, her father was acousin of C. E. Dolphin, after whom theDolphin Government School was named.

In April 1928 at the age of 20, armed withher qualifications, Aunty Gertie wasemployed as a teacher at the Clarkson Congregational School in Alberttown. She remained there until it closed in January 1929, following which she was transferred to Smith Memorial Congregational School. Here she stayed until her retirement in 1965 at the age of 57. "I love teaching; I started out as a monitor and moved on from there, and if I had to live my life again I would choose no other profession.” Gertrude Dolphin is a wizard at remembering dates, occasions and figures.

She is quick to admit that her life has quieted down a lot now, owing to the fact that she is getting on and cannot move around as she would like. She is losing her balance and hersight. She lives with her brother, two of his children and grandchildren.

104YEARS OF WISDOM.Still going strong!


Within the Catholic Church world-wide,the month of MAY is observed as"The Month of Our Lady". It is the

month when Roman Catholics pay homage tothe mother of Jesus Christ. It has also been animportant part of the annual activities ofCatholics in Guyana. Many May observances arecelebrated with extra praying of the rosary andother special prayers in honor of, and to pleadsupplications to Mary. In Guyana, Catholics havetraditionally done the Crowning of a Statue ofthe Virgin Mary as the pinnacle of the month'sreligious activities, including processions by theFaithful before the actual crowning, within thechurch and outside of the church building.

A popular Marian hymn is often sung during themonth, as follows: -

Let us mingle together voices joyful and gaysinging hymns to our motherthis her own month of May.

As one reflects on these lyrics, one can detect abit of Guyana's National Motto of "One People,One Nation, One Destiny". The chorus of anotherpopular Marian hymn goes like this:

Oh Mary we crown you with blossoms today

Queen of the angels and queen of the May

Oh Mary we crown you with blossoms today

queen of the angels and queen of the May.

While most of the Marian hymns sung inGuyana were composed by non-Guyanese, apopular one composed by a GuyaneseCarmelite nun, the late Sr. Rose Magdalene, isentitled "Gentle Woman”:

MAY YOUR BLESSINGSBE MANY IN THEMONTH OF MAY

10MAY, THE MONTH OF OUR LADY

Francis Quamina Farrier


Gentle Woman, quiet lightMorning star, so strong and brightGentle Mother, peaceful doveTeach us wisdom, teach us love.

A gentle supplication which includes the words"gentle", "quiet", "bright", "Mother", "wisdom"and "love" in the lyrics of this Guyanese hymnby Sr. Rose Magdalene, should be noted. Her"Gentle Woman" is also sung year round inCatholic churches in Guyana, but more so duringthe month of May.

A special Guyanese, who had a great dedicationto Mary and the month of May was the lateCatholic priest, Fr Michael Rose, AA, who wasthe brother of Guyana's first and only GuyaneseGovernor General, Sir David Rose. Fr Michaelwas always deeply involved with the activitiesof the Month-of-May Crowning of Mary in theparishes in which he served over the years.

Indeed, it is with spiritual inspiration and nostalgicsanctity that this May month religious ritual,embedded in the Guyanese Catholic tradition, isshared with our readers. May your blessings be many in the month ofMay.

Dennis De Souza,who hailed fromMahaica, EastCoast DemeraraGuyana, died inhis sleep at theCredit ValleyHospital inCanada. Therenowned inter-national musicianand pianist, was77. After a short ill-

ness the veteran musician, who last performedpublicly about18 months ago, was sufferingfrom Parkinson’s disease and in recent week’spneumonia.

Dennis started playing the piano at the tenderage of 9. He recorded about15 albums and didrecordings for CHFI in Toronto and ColumbiaRecords. (USA). He recently worked on CDs,"Encounters," and “Pakarima."

Dennis preferred to play live music because thecrowd interaction gave him the strength to pickup on the feel of his audience.

His many tours abroad included 27 cities inGermany, the U.K, USA, France Switzerland,South America and most of the islands of theCaribbean archipelago. He also had anotherinterest - Cricket Lovely Cricket.

The Guyana Cultural Association of New York(GCA) recognizes his artistic musical contributionand extends sympathy to his entire family.

MAY THE MONTH OF OUR LADY

Francis Quamina Farrier

IN MEMORY

Dennis DeSouzaFamous GuyanesePianist Passes on

11


MAY THE MONTH OF MAYFAIRS & PLAITING THE MAYPOLE

According to the researchers compilinghttp://www.medievallifeandtimes.info: Theorigin of May Pole dancing dates back to

the pagan times when the Maypole was basically aphallic symbol. Trees have always been the symbolof the great vitality and fertility of nature. Maypoledancing was therefore strongly associated with fer-tility. Traditionally, Maypole dancing was per-formed by young girls from medieval villages aspart of the May time celebrations.

The history of the Maypole and Maypole dancingwas connected with the Druids, Wiccans and theRomans. May 1st. was an important date for theDruids as this occurred when the festival of Beltanewas held, and then Romans came to occupy theBritish Isles. The beginning of May was also animportant feast time for the Romans who were pri-marily devoted to the worship of Flora, the goddessof flowers when the Festival of Floralia was held.Over time the traditions and rituals of the Floraliawere added to those of the Beltane culminating inMay Pole dancing which is still carried out to thisday.

As the British moved from their island home to partsof the Caribbean and South America with theaccompanying human trafficking from Africa, Asiaand other areas and as cultures intersected, adjustedand settled, the custom of maypole, somewhat bereftof its original meaning found a place far away fromtemperate lands.

There was concern among Guyanese, who are everstudious, about the symbolism of the decorated poleand young girls dancing around it. But in general theMay Fair, coming as it did after the soberness of Lent,the relief of Easter, the joy of kite-flying on EasterMonday (this last another subject for discussionamong us) was a much anticipated event.

In Kitty, as soon as schools reopened after the shortEaster break, word would travel around the villagethat "practice" was going to start at St. James-the-LessAnglican School. The entire operation was carefullycalibrated with "month ends." Girls, lucky enough tobe allowed by their parents to take part, gathered onthe appointed day for what was, in essence, an audi-tion. They were put through their paces under the

severe eye of wonderful womensuch as Mrs. Depeazer and a few ofthe older girls. Some boys did takepart but they were usually relegatedto the "small pole." Kitty May Fairboasted two poles, "a big and asmall." To qualify "to plait" a child hadto learn the basic round, in and out,alternating hands as he or she went.

Afterwards came the choosing of the partners andthe buying of the sewing tape. The tape - six or tenyards - was attached to the practice poles and thenthe real work began. "Dum, dum, dum dede dum"Practice! Practice! Practice! While the children werefighting not to make their mothers "look shame," thedesigners of the village, having received the latestWoman's Home magazine, would gather at the Vil-lage Hall, the Anglican schoolroom or the home ofMrs. McCrae (Cousin Baby to family) to discuss thestyle of the dresses. The cooperation among thesewomen was matched only by their dexterity. Tucks,pleats, gathers, tiers, taffeta, organdy, and ribbon!Quite often at the practice following the designer'smeeting a sad child would say, "I want to wear redbut my mother said, 'Not a bit of it. You are wearingblue and your partner is wearing blue and you know-- you don't have to plait. So!'" So all the ribbons ofchoice, matching the colors of the dresses, for theactual plaiting were submitted to Mrs. Depeazer andkept until the DAY!

When the glorious day arrived, the hairdresser(Madam) having done overtime duty and shoes havingbeen sand papered a bit to prevent slipping on thegrass during the plaiting of the maypole, the chil-dren, pristine in color coordinated loveliness ofdress, stepped through the streets of Kitty aroundtwo o'clock and took up their places at the KittyPavilion. The Fair was declared open. After the MayQueen, with her Ladies-in waiting standing near her,bade the plaiters, "Away to the green and dance theMaypole," there was no time for shyness. Childrenfound their ribbons which they were seeing for thefirst time on the poles; swung their best and, then,suddenly it was over. Except for the enjoyment ofthe feast (some of it, paid for of course, passed overthe fence to fairgoers on the seawall): hot-dogs withmustard and frilly lettuce; ice-cream in a cone, fudge,channa and nuts in paper cones, sugar cake, shaveice, drink, little baskets frilly with crepe paper, gamesgalore, the smell of sawdust, wonderful freedomwith your friends!

THE SCENE IS KITTY

Juliet Emanuel

12

13


PLAITING THE MAYPOLE:

Spider Web Design

Pretty little butterfly what you do all dayRun about at Sunday school nothing do but play, Nothing do but play meh da’ling nothing do but play Fly butterfly, fly butterfly don't waste your time all day.

THE MAY QUEENAND HER COURT"Away to the green and dance the Maypole"

Little Claire Patterson, Queen of the 1974

Lodge Village May Fair.

Pretty Little Butterfly!

14


……So when the GCA Team wascompiling the topics for the MayNewsletter, Mothers’ Day toppedthe list. Then Francis Farrier, beingthe resourceful newsman that heis, “suggested” because I was liv-ing in GT, I should write about anintriguing mother he had inter-viewed several years ago. She hadgiven birth to four sets of twins,all by natural child birth.

Francis said Bridget has a “stand”on Camp St. between Charlotteand Regent Sts, opposite a littlechurch. I therefore approached ayoung lady, who I thought fittedthat description and said “I’mlookin for a lady who has foursets of twins.” She repeated, “Oh,the lady with the twins? Godown mo’ to duh stan’ wid deumbrella.” I did as I was told andfound two girls under the over-size multi-coloured umbrella sell-ing confectionery, drinks and cos-tume jewellery. I stated my objec-tive and one proudly said, “Is mymother. She at home.” Later shetold me that her mother’s name

was Bridget Morris and gave methe telephone number.

When I told Bridget what my mis-sion was, she was a bit reluctantbut the name ‘Uncle Francis Far-rier’ worked the magic and weagreed that the interview wouldtake place the following Sundayat her home, 120 Leopold Street. Iwas unsure of the location andshe advised “Just ask for the ladywith the twins!”

And sure enough, three ladies sit-ting on the ‘frontsteps’ of a cot-tage, gaffing and plaiting hairdirected me and even sent a childalong to show me the exact yard.

It was a long, wet, concreted yardand I was faced with two highpadlocked zinc gates. I lookedaround and a buxom lady hang-ing through a push-out woodenwindow in the next lot asked“Who yuh looking fuh?” For theumpteenth time, I replied “Thelady with the twins.” She pointed“Right ova deh.” I knocked on thezinc and a lad opened the pad-lock but when I attempted toenter, he cautioned me “Wait!”Then he looked back, up at thedoor of the top flat of a woodentwo flat building. I followed hisgaze and saw a nicely dressed,friendly looking woman sur-rounded by peeping children.She gave him the nod and Igained entry.

It was a humble and very cleansurroundings. A stand pipe wasrunning as another lad was washingdown the yard. I gingerly climbedup the“suspect” stairs whichwere punctuated by a “landing”,causing me to turn from east to

north as I approached the frontdoor.

Bridget and her nine childrengreeted me warmly and I requesteda group picture before startingthe interview and this wasaccommodated. She laterexplained that she had ceasedgiving pictures because her familyhad been exploited by personswho used them to solicit dona-tions that never reached her.

Then the interview began. Iswitched on my tape and pulledout my notepad. Bridget, withoutprompting, told me her life story.As it unfolded, I stopped writingand just let her words flow overme like a rain of truth, amazementand reality. I said to myself, “Mar-garet, welcome to the realworld!”Her story is one of abuse,determination and the strengthof a woman. She told me of beinghomeless and hungry and howshe was determined that none ofher children would ever pass thatway.

Born 40 yrs ago on the 7th May,she is the one of 8 children bornto Monica Harris and NormalMaxwell. She grew up in Vry-heid’s Lust where she receivedher secondary education.

…but what about this feat ofbearing 4 sets of twins?!! Bridgetdescribes it as a Miracle especiallybecause she had always hopedfor seven children. If geneticshave any influence here, then thefact is that her grandmother bore3 sets of twins and 1 set oftriplets and the children’s fatheris a “twinbench” (the child bornafter a set of twins).

The eldest child is Carl Jr,(16)who is not a twin, but may havebeen because the midwife saidhe was born with two afterbirths.The twins are Joshua and Jenelle(15), Mariha and Matthew (14),John and Jonathan (13) andAndrew and Andrea (11). Thepresence of biblical namesreflects Bridget’s strong faith in God.

BRIDGET MORRISMIRACLE MOM OF4 SETS OF TWINS

Margaret Lawrence

DEVOTED & INDEPENDENT-EMPHASIZES EDUCATION

LESSONSTAUGHT BY

OURGUYANESEMOTHERS"You

playing abig manin this

house?.....wait till

yuhfathercomehome."

SALUTE TO A MOTHER OF STRENGTH, FAITH IN GOD, DETERMINATION

see page 16

15


OUR MOTHERS TAUGHT US IRONY “YUH PLAYING DE FOOL, YUH GUN GET DE FOOL’S PAY”

4SETS OFTWINS

The MorrisFamily

•CARL JR. ... 16 YEARS• JOSHUA & JENELLE ...15 YEARS• MARIHA & MATTHEW ... 14 YEARS• JOHN & JONATHAN ... 13 YEARS• ANDREW & ANDREA ... 11 YEARS

WHILE THERE ARE CHALLENGES, THERE ARE MANY JOYS IN MOTHERING NINE CHILDREN

16


Caring for her children has not been easy. Shereflects on their younger days when “I used tocome home with boxes of medicine from thehospital.” When her last set of twins was born,Bridget became a single parent when she andher children’s father split, but she was determinedthat she would care for her children and wouldnever give them away, even though she hadbeen asked. Bridget emphasizes that educationis important and anyone wanting to help herfamily can assist towards this end. Her grand-mother taught her that “the footside and theheadside must always look good.” Her motto is:“You mus’ always carry yuhself well” regard-less of your situation.

Carl Jr., who is an excellent athlete, specialisesin long distance races and is champion runnerat Tutorial High School and the National SchoolsAthletics. He has represented Guyana inSuriname and Barbados in various relays and isabout to write the CXC examination. Bridgetnow insists that he concentrates on his academics.Andrew and Andrea are preparing for SSEE -Secondary School Entrance Examination.

While there are challenges, there are many joysin mothering nine children who Bridget says arequite talented. On a Saturday night, she wouldput on some music and they would have a bigconcert with dance, comedy and singing. In factMiracle Mom Bridget likes singing and fantasisesabout participating in the GT&T Song & JingleCompetition. She’s sure she can do well but isquite timid and admits she needs a push.

Her children have different strengths and thetwins have a way of complementing each otherin their daily activities. Her rule is to be inde-pendent and while she accepts goodwill, shecertainly does not like to be dependent on charity.She has taught her children to be satisfied withwhat they have and to appreciate a good mealof “shine rice” on occasion.

Bridget’s day starts at 3am when she does herdevotions and then the children rise at 4am to

do their chores before setting off toschool. Her spiritual upliftmentcomes from Pastor Joel at FreedomLife Ministry on Croal St. He hasprophesied that a breakthrough isnear and blessings will pour forth inabundance and she believes solidlyin this pronouncement. Bridget saidPsalm 23 means much to herbecause God will always provide forher family and use her to provide for

others.

Jokingly she related that she was gaffing with afriend about what she fancies for her 40th birth-day. “It must be elegant, with couples..every-thing must nice…. with musical chairs. Sowhen I done tell she all duh. She said, Bridgetlike you getting back. Yuh ain’ realise that yougun be 40 this year? I seh no Karen is not 40.She seh, is not 1972 you born? I cry ‘cause Ialways say when I reach 40 I mus’ have abirthday... and look I reach 40 and nothingeh!” Then softly Bridget admitted to me “I neverhad anything special….I never had a birthdaycelebration.”

When I was leaving I asked the children whatthey were giving their Mom on Mothers’ Day.They smiled and said “A gift.”

Bridget Morris already has a gift…in fact ninegreat gifts.

B - Brave

R - Religious

I - Independent & Industrious

D - Devoted

G - Generous

E - (an) Example

T - Talented

Happy Birthday and an enjoyableMothers’ Day to you Miracle Mom!!

BRIDGET MORRISMIRACLE MOM OF4 SETS OF TWINS

Margaret Lawrencefrom page 14

GUYANESE MOTHERS

TOLD THEIRDAUGHTERS

"Nowhistling inthis house.Good hensdon’t crow”

MY MOTHER SAID: “IF YOU MAKE YUH SELF GRASS, HORSE GUN EAT YUH”

17


GUYANESE MOTHERS ONLY HAD TO GIVE YOU “THE LOOK” FROM ACROSS THE ROOM

IsmaySpooner wasborn onDecember 27,1900, inBarbados atabout ten hermother heardabout inden-tured labourersin the thenBritish Guianaand broughther with her toGuiana. The

work on the sugar estate was hard. “Iworked hard. I baled punt, throwmanure, cut cane, weed grass, breakbricks, fetch bagasse, all for six centsa day. “ Ismay is in remarkably goodhealth and still enjoys singing. Shelives in Little Africa, Corriverton, Berbice.

On May 03, 1914,Alma Hopkinson-Hope Williamswas born atBeterverwagtingvillage (BV) onthe East Coast ofDemerara inGuyana. CousinAlma as she isfondly called livesin Brooklyn andsimply loves tocook. She boasts that she alreadybaked her birthday Black cake withthe number 98 proudly and promi-nently displayed. Cousin Alma has 3children, 10 grandchildren and 6great grand children.

Beryl Layne(nee Young)born in StanleyTown, Berbice,Guyana inNovember 20,1918. Marriedto RocklanLayne she is themother of 11children, grand-mother of 21,great-grandmoth-

er of 2. Beryl currently resides inBurnaby, BC, Canada with her husbandRocky.

EnidJoyce StClairWolfemade agrandentranceinto theworldMondayFeb 9th

1922. Having out lived both her par-ents and siblings her attitude is one ofDaily gratitude for God's grace andMercy: The Joy of the Lord is her strengthOutoing and very outspoken.. everready to offer a word.

Young at heart and youthful inthought

Contented always understandingwhat she has is always enough to share

Exceptional worman of God Simply put after nine decades hermantra is God first in all you do, serveGod by serving people and worshiphim- "If you don’t feel well enough togo to church or Sunday school thenyou can’t get well later in the after-noon to go to the Gardens, Merriman’small or the Seawall"

Inez Bryant,bornDecember 10,1917."The fault isnot in falling,it is in lyingthere;" "work-it is a healthy thing" are justtwo of the say-ings Ms. InezBryant hasmade over the

years. Forthright, clear eyed, sensitive,supportive, cheerful, courteous, non-

judgemental, this woman, now in herninth decade, has been a beacon forher immediate and extended family.Cousins' cousins are her family. And,one word sums up her character, oneword emanates from her and sur-rounds all her family, "love."

Sybil AgathaCaleb will be96 years old onAugust 24. A quiet, kindand caring per-son, she was aseamstress inGuyana beforemoving to NewYork.Her life is cen-tered around her

church and family and even now as shelives towards her centenial year, sheremains the same strong, understand-ing person, always willing to extend ahelping hand to anyone in need.

Linda Albertha Baker fondly knownas Nora (Sis Nora) was born on June

2, 1922 at No.1Village,Corentyne. In 1983, Sis Norasurvived a rup-tured brainaneurysm. Afterbeing in a comafor six(6) weeks,and being hospi-talized for five(5)months, she hadto learn to walk,talk and regain

her cognitive abilities. Today she is ashining example of strength,endurance and the ability to persevereagainst all odds. She is the mother ofsix children.

Born August 10, 1909in Guyana, she is theeldest of nine children.She worked as a store

clerk and as charwoman with thePublic Library for 25 years before retir-ing. Her hobbies are reading, dancing,sewing and traveling.

HONORING WOMEN OF STRENGTHGUYANESE WOMEN 90 -100 YEARS PLUS...SOURCE OF INSPIRATION & STILL MOTIVATING THOSE AROUND THEM

BERYL LAYNE94 YEARS

SYBIL CALEB95 YEARS

LINDA BAKER90 YEARS

DOSSIE LAYNEGITTENS102 YEARS

ENID JOYCE WOLFE90 YEARS

INEZ BRYANT94 YEARS

ISMAY SPOONER111 YEARS

ALMA HOPKINSON98 YEARS


18

LESSONSTAUGHT BY

OURGUYANESEMOTHERS“Whenyou liedownwith

dogs, yuhgun getup widfleas”

Arainbow isan opticalphenome-

non that causes a spec-trum of light to appear in

the sky when the sun shines onto droplets of moisture in theEarth’s atmosphere. The normalhuman eye envisions seven dis-tinct rainbow color sequences -red, orange, yellow, green, blue,indigo and violet. These seven colorsare synonymous to the sevenraces/ethnic groups in Guyana.Alas! Many would argue thatGuyana has six races, namely,Amerindians, Africans, East Indi-ans, Portuguese, Chinese, andEuropeans. In this article I ventureto explain a seventh race that isprominent, but not generallytalked about. Because of the greatmixture of living standards, com-raderie and love in Guyana a cos-mopolitan and multinational“mixed race” emerge in manyvariations.

In conversation, a Guyanese maysay, “Who yuh talking bowt, I inknow he?” and the response: “yuhknow de fella man, de light skinbrown boy from Kamarang?” Skincolor is generally used to describethe individual. For example, Afro-Guyanese – de dark skin boy orde brown skin girl. East Indian -de light skin Indian boy or de fairskin girl or de Madrassi lookingboy. Mixed races represent anoth-er category. De dougla boy; de

light skin or dark skin dougla boy;de dougla boy wit de lil saf’ hair.Afro Guyanese and Amerindian -de buffianda boy; de dark skinbuffianda boy; de light skin buf-fianda girl are examples.

The mixture of Portuguese andAfrican offers another interestingset of descriptions:- de red boy orde light skin or dark skin red boy;or de high color red lady. Thereare those with a combination ofAmerindian, African and Por-tuguese referred to as de Brazilianlooking fella, light skin or darkskin or red looking Brazilian. Chi-nese and Afican mix:- De Chinee-ish black boy, de black boy like egat a lil Chinee in e.

When uncertain, “light skin ordark skin Guyanese fella” will do.East Indians have various defini-tions:- de fair skin boy, de darkskin boy, de brown skin, de blackskin boy. In a serious discussion,such as marriage, one hearsanother definition:- a Chatri boy, aBrahmin boy, a Ahir boy a Chamarboy. If a Brahmin boy is dis-cussed, one hears about a prappaBrahmin. i.e. one that is vegetari-an and who observes rituals, aNarayan, Prashad, Doobay, from alower order of Brahmin or whatis known locally as a Pork Maraj,one who eats beef or pork, drinksrum and seem not to recognizeany of the Hindu precepts.

There are others twhom we find

difficult to determine the racialmix. For example, my friend'sfather was a German soldier whomarried an East Indian woman.His children were known as dempotagee or dem light skin EastIndian boys. French and DutchEuropeans somehow marriedlocal women and settled in thevillage.

According to the 1992-93 Censusreport, the estimate of the mixedpopulation was 7.1% or 50,554persons. However, the census of1999 gave an estimate of 17.6%or 127,628 persons. These figuresindicate a growth of 2.5 timeswithin a 7 year period, somethingthat is physically impossible. Thereasons for this may be due to theunreliability of the data obtainedn 1992 and 1999. Perhaps therespondents may have beenmore inclined to define them-selves as Negro/Black in 1992and that perception may havechanged in 1999.

Apart from the official figures, wesometimes find ourselves quiteperplexed in trying to figure outthe racial mix in the society. Forexample, a few years ago I had adiscussion about poverty with anAmerindian, a Chinese/Black andEast Indian. The Chinese/Blackexclaimed, "we Buck people gatfuh stick together befoe we canmake any progress". I was sur-prised and said “Baatcha!(Black/Chinese had an East Indi-an call name) yuh father was aChinese, yuh in gat no Amerindi-an in yuh!" Baatcha smiled andcontinued with his speech.

So the next time yuh meet aGuyanese, doh confuse yuself try-ing to figure out what is his race,whether he is a Black, Indian,Bufianda, Santantone or any oth-er, yuh brain gun get knot up. It isperhaps best to view the personas “Guyanese” and nothing else.Just remember de motto: “OnePeople, One Nation, One Destiny.”

:WE HONOR MOTHERS WHOSE MEMORIES

GUYANA LAND OF THE

RAINBOW COLORSLAND OF SIX RACES & THE MIXED RACE:DE DOUGLA BOY, DE BUFFIANDA GIRL

& BAATCHA (BLACK & CHINESE WITH AN

EAST INDIAN CALL NAME)


19MAY, THE MONTH WHEN MOST INDENTURED IMMIGRANTS CAME TO GUYANA

Meadow Bank, East BankDemerara, located sometwo miles south of

Georgetown, has undergone a sig-nificant transformation from the vil-lage it was some 175 years ago,when it was heavily populated byPortuguese and the centre of theCatholic Church in Guyana.

With the abolition of slavery in1834, many of the African slaves who

worked on sugar estates eagerly left theinhuman and barbaric conditions to seektheir fortune elsewhere. Portuguese fromMadeira began arriving as indenturedimmigrants in 1835. By 1882, over 30,000Portuguese had immigrated to thenBritish colony. Many settled at MeadowBank, which became the centre of theCatholic Church.

Far away from home, the Portugueseindentured immigrants, inspired by thereligious worship and practices on theirformer island of Madeira, set about re-cre-ating them at Meadow Bank. A RomanCatholic Church was built. It was just anordinary Church, but a devout place ofworship for the Portuguese to fulfill theirspiritual and religious heritage and zeal.Another aim was to encourage andinspire other Portuguese immigrants tosettle at Meadow Bank. Activities featuredsome of the customs and ceremonies ofthe Churches they attended in Madeira.The Roman Catholic Bishop of BritishGuiana lived at Meadow Bank until hegave up his residence to Ursuline Nuns.Ritual Masses were held at the Churchand its activities included jumble sales,bazaars and religious feasts or “festas.”

Among the feasts observed and celebrat-ed by the Church at Meadow Bank was

the Feast of St John theBaptist; the Feast of StPeter; and the Feast of theHoly Ghost. For the Feastof St Peter, a Boat of StPeter was built and waslifted from the home of itspromoter by six persons

along a processional path to the Church.They walked to music and cheers fromcrowds who lined the roads and a bandplayed music from a nearby bandstand.Bread was distributed at the Church.

The largest ritual, however, according toreports, was the Feast of the Holy Ghost.The event began on Easter Sunday. TwoHoly Ghost Flags, red in color with awhite dove in the middle, were taken byfour men who were the promoters. Twogirls, accompanied by a male violin play-er, sang in the group and they solicitedmoney to feed the poor. A Hymn to theHoly Ghost was sung and collections anddonations were placed in a Silver Crownwith a dove on top of it.

During the feast, beggars were fed at theschool in the village. Three altars wereplaced in the school - one covered withsilver, one on which bread was placedand the other was covered with a flag.

Each beggar was given an outfit ofclothes, a pair of shoes, a basket filledwith food and a towel. On occasions, theFeasts ended in bacchanalian revelry, somuch so that the Bishop decided to stopthe Feasts.

Passion Sunday, was, however, stillobserved. Members of the Catholic Guildin Georgetown walked in a processionfrom Georgetown to Meadow Bank carry-ing a Statue of Our Lady of Sorrows andone of Jesus Christ with the cross on Hisshoulder. Sadly, the Church with all of itsStatues and religious artifacts was com-pletely destroyed by fire in May, 1939.Meadow Bank today is not the same as itwas many, many years ago.

MEADOW BANKEAST BANK DEMERARA

Peter Halder

OVER 35,000 PORTUGUESE INDENTURED IMMIGRANTS SETTLED HERE

Portuguese Dancers

THE PORTUGUESEIN GUYANAOf all the religious customs transmitted bythe Portu-guese, theChristmas Novena con-tinues to hold swayamong CatholicGuyanese of every ethnic origin. In the early years it wasmainly in the rum tradethat the Portuguesemade their mark. By1852 79% of the retailrum shops were ownedby the Portuguese andthey retained that monop-oly well into the twenti-eth century. The end ofthe 1860s and the 1870ssaw the Portuguese wellentrenched in business.The Portuguese werealso prominent in theworld of sports: in boxing, cricket andcycling, rugby, football,tennis, hockey, racingand rowing.

20MAY 5, 1838: INDENTURED INDIANS ARRIVED IN GUYANA

On May 5, 1838, a reported 419 Indian laborers, 18 hav-ing died en route, arrived in the then British Guianavia the immigrant ships Whitby and Hesperus after a

hazardous journey of 112 days of crossing the Kala Paani(black water) from Calcutta (Kolkata, West Bengal), India.

As Yesu Persaud has stated in various media in relation to thearrival of Indians in Guyana, slavery was abolished in Guyanain 1834 but the slaves had to serve an apprenticeship of fouryears which ended on Aug. 31, 1838. The liberated slavesworked when they wished and exercised the rights to workon their own terms. This behavior of the freed enslavedcaused tremendous problems for the owners of the planta-tions which led to the imports of labor from various othercountries such as Maderia, China, Malta, Germany andIreland,. However, as Persaud has noted, the “mortality ratewas high” among these newer arrivals to the colony.

Persaud has remarked that looking towards India, therecruiters held out deceitful promises of “easy work, goodworking conditions and high wages.” The laborers were alsopromised that at the “end of their indentureship”, which wasfor a period of five years, they would return to India as “well-to-do men and women with their return fare being paid forby their employers.”

Soon after their arrival in Guyana, these indentured Indianlaborers, whom were a tad bit better off than the slaves, wereimmediately dispersed to the various estates to work on thesugar plantations, which were left vacuumed by the Africanslaves. Disguised as indentured laborers, the new slaves wererestricted to the confines of the plantation they were

assigned to, as traveling between one plantation and anotherrequired exemption passes.

In 1917, transportation of indentured Indian immigrants(1838-1917) ended with approximately 70,000 of the239,000 arrived in Guyana, returned to India. “Many had diedon the colony, never to see their homeland again but manyalso stayed on to build a new life in Guyana.” Persaud haspublicly remarked. Not only did the East Indian people bringtheir long established culture and ancient religion with thembut also their spirit of perseverance and resilience thatenabled them to survive the brutal 112 days sea journey andnumerous hardships of their five years indentureship on theplantations. To the present day, their survival spirit is stillalive among the descendants who continue to make a signifi-cant contribution in every phase of life.

In 2004, the then President Bharrat Jagdeo declared May 5than official national holiday in Guyana. The holiday commemo-rates the struggles and contributions of the Indo-Guyanesetoward building the Guyanese nation. May 5th’s designationcame about as a result of the dedicated efforts of the IndianArrival Committee (IAC), a non-profit, NGO that was formedin 2003. IAC “promotes Indian Culture and deals with issuesand concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin regardlessof their religious and political backgrounds,” stated IAC mem-ber Aditya Persaud as they get ready to “launch the firstIndian Museum in Guyana in the month of May, 2012.” Alongwith all Guyanese, the Indo-Guyanese will celebrate the174th “Indian Arrival Day” of their ancestors at home inGuyana and internationally.


INDIAN ARRIVAL DAYMatie Singh ...THE RECRUITERS HELD OUT DECEITFUL

PROMISES OF EASY WORK, GOOD WORKINGCONDITIONS AND HIGH WAGES

21

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter

LOGIESOLD PLANTATION “LOGIES”WERE USED TO HOUSE MULTIPLE FAMILIES

ON THEIR ARRIVAL IN THE COLONY, THE EAST INDIANSWERE GIVEN LODGINGS IN LOGIES (COMMUNAL LIVING QUARTERS WHERE HINDUS AND MUSLIMSLIVED SIDE BY SIDE) IN HOUSING THAT ONCE HOUSEDTHE FORMER SLAVES. IN LATER YEARS PLANTERSEXTENDED THESE “LOGIES” (CALLED THEN “BOUNDCOOLIE YARDS) TO ACCOMMODATE THE INFLUX OF LATER ARRIVALS.


22 Indentured Chinese workers first came to BritishGuiana from the south coast of China in 1853.Relatively few in number, the Chinese became themost acculturated of all the descendants of indenturedworkers. The Chinese language and most Chinese customs,including religion, disappeared. There were no clansor other extended kinship organizations, and soonmost Chinese did not trace their ancestry beyond thefirst immigrant, because a significant number of theChinese men formed inter-racial unions with locals ofdifferent ethnic backgrounds. Like the Portuguese, a number of Chinese did re-signfor a second and even a third 5-year period of indenturebut once they saw a potential opportunity for bettereconomic prospects they left estate labor, venturingmainly into shop-keeping. Other Chinese engaged infarming and pioneered wetrice production, usingtechniques they brought from China. However, the Hopetown experiment temporarily filled

a vacuum and their success in the charcoal business laidthe foundations of their challenge to the Portuguese.Hopetown is 2 miles up, on the left bank of theKamuni Creek which is a tributary on the left bank ofthe Demerara River, 22 miles up, near to Timehri.It was a large, successful Chinese settlement establishedby the Court of Policy in 1865 under a Chinese mis-sionary from Singapore, O Tye Kim. By 1874, therewere 800 persons living in Hopetown.The main occupation was the making of charcoal andshingles which they sold in a shop in Georgetown.When it became difficult to get wood for the charcoalbusiness, many Chinese settled in the Charlestowndistrict of Georgetown thereby creating a thrivingChinatown area. Nowadays, there is no longer any Chinese living atHopetown, a once flourishing Chinese community.

MAY, 1853:

THE CHINESE

MAY 1853, CHINESE INDENTURED IMMIGRANTS CAME TO GUYANA

23


Born May 22, 1911, at Canal No. 2,West Bank Demerara. Resideswith her daughter Ann Choo-

Kang in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Shewas married to Samuel Yan (deceased) andtheir descendants include: 9 children; 20grandchildren; and 35 great grandchildren. Mabel is a descendant of Loo-Shee/RebeccaLi-a-Tak – the Matriarch of many well knowGuyanese Chinese families including theTing-a-Kees, Lees, Hings, & Mings (she cameto British Guiana from China by boat) – TrevSue-A-Quan’s first publication Cane Reapersfeatured her. Mabel’s parents were Joseph &Mary (Ting-a-kee) Hing; Mary being the sec-ond or third child of William & Louisa (Lee)Ting-a-Kee; Louisa being a daughter ofRebecca Li-a-Tak

Born May 13,1922, at La

Grange, West BankDemerara. Resides in

Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. She was mar-ried to the late Walter Ayres and was recentlydeceased by her husband Stanley Chung.Her descendants include: 4 children; 8grandchildren; and 9 great grandchildren.Doreen is a first cousin to Mabel and also adescendant of Loo-Shee/Rebecca Li-a-Tak.Doreen’s parents were Edwin & Martha(Ting-a-kee) Lee; Martha being the eldestchild of William & Louisa (Lee) Ting-a-Kee

Born November 6,1922, in Georgetown.

She is married to Alvin Hugh

and they both reside at their home inScarborough, Ontario, Canada. Their descen-dants include: 6 children and 2 grandchil-dren. She provided a story for the book“Cane Ripples” about a well-known Chinesemidwife.

Born August 21, 1921, in Georgetown.Resides in England. She was recentlydeceased by her husband Stanley Chung.Their descendants include: 4 children and11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.Gloria is an older sister of Clara Ulex Hugh.

Born April 30, 1920, at Warida,Demerara River. Resides in Barbados. Shewas married to Oswald Kenneth (OK) Yhap.Their descendants include: 4 children and 9grandchildren. Dorothy’s siblings includeChunny Luck who is married to EuniceDeGroot and Alan Luck who is married toJune Lee and the late Zena and Jean

Born April 2, 1921. Resides in Scarborough,Ontario, Canada. She was married to thelate “Tots” Chan-Choong. Descendantsinclude 4 children and 6 grandchildren

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mabel Yan101

Doreen Ismay Cheong90

Clara Ulex Hugh90

Gloria Yvette Chung91

Dorothy Evelyn Yhap90

Joycelyn Chan-Choong91

nee Hing:

nee Lee:

nee Phang

nee Phang:

nee Luck:

nee Low:

Thank you foryour devotion

and commitmentto family

Beverly Kissoon & Trev Sue-A-Quan

A TRIBUTE TO THESE OUTSTANDING GUYANESE MOTHERS: COMMITTED, DEDICATED

24CELEBRATING GUYANESE WOMEN OF ACTION: INTELLIGENT, DETERMINED & SUCCESSFUL


Muriel Glasgow is presi-dent of MGAssociates, Inc. She has worked with UNICEF for

over three decades responsible for facilitating and inte-grating participation in programs to improve access todrinking water, hygiene and sanitation in various coun-tries across the globe.

In addition, she collaborates with private and not-for-prof-it sectors in generating ideas for sustainable programs. Sheenvisions the role of technology that would lift communi-ties out of poverty. She produces Internet radio showsand Podcasts, interviewing people involved in socio-eco-nomic and humanitarian development. As a member ofthe African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, she spear-heads the development of an early childhood programwith Imagination/ Innovation and Creatively Units (ICU’s)where children under six can learn science education.

Described as an avid humanitarian, in 2009, Ms. Glasgowreceived the Ambassador of Peace Award in recognition ofher outstanding work with NGOs, and UNICEF for con-tributing “selflessly to peace, human rights, and develop-ment.” She is a member of the UN Mentoring Program forJunior Professionals and the recipient of the Certificate ofService of the United Nations Panel of Counsel.

This daughter of our native land of Guyana will be hon-ored by the African Cultural Center of New York, in asso-ciation with African Women of Good Governance on May24, 2012 at the New York Academy of Medicine. She is amember of the GCA Media Team, an accomplished busi-ness woman and internationally known for her commit-ment to alleviate conditions of poverty.

Muriel has another dimension – a designer. She is the epit-ome of classic, batik and tie dye African creations. She hasin her possession a stunning collection of one-of-a-kindpieces that include evening attire, casual and intimateapparel. She was one of the first designers to showcase

her collection at the Marble Collegiate Church inManhattan. In her own words she states, “I gain tranquil-ity and strong spiritual freedom from my designs.”

Muriel holds a Master’s degree in Public Health fromColumbia University; a Certificate of Proficiency inFrench and Spanish from the United Nations LanguageProgram; Certificate in French Language and Literature –Universite de Besancon, France; and advanced training inCommunication and Relationships.

Muriel's husband is from Togo; her son and his wifeGregory and Shoko, live in Japan, where Gregory teachesat Columbia University, Teachers' College,Tokyo Campus,and Shoko is a real estate broker.

RECIPIENT OF THE AMBASSADOR OFPEACE AWARD FOR SELFLESS CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE, HUMANRIGHTS & DEVELOPMENT, WORKINGWITH NGOs AND UNICEF

Lear Matthews

MURIELGLASGOW

Muriel Glasgow with Dr. Julius Garvey at historicevent promoting closer cooperation betweenAfrica and the Diaspora, at the Schomburg

With Tyson Beckford and La Quita at Waldorf Astoria


CELEBRATING GUYANESE WOMEN OF ACTION: INTELLIGENT, SPIRITUAL, CREATIVE 25

MurielGlasgow

... as a designer “I gain tranquilityand strong spiritual freedom from my designs.”

26

Rosalind Kilkenny McLymont, bornin Guyana, is the executive editor ofThe Network Journal, a leading

business magazine for black professionalsand entrepreneurs and a partner inMcLymont, Kunda & Co., an internationaltrade and business development strategyfirm.

She is the author of the groundbreakingnon-fiction entitled, “Africa: Strictly Business”and “The Steady March to Prosperity.” Herupcoming fictional suspense novel, “TheContract” is set in Guyana, France and theU.S. The market for this book will be afi-cionados of international intrigue and sus-pense. The book draws on the author'sexpertise and experience gained as a busi-ness journalist; her travels in Europe and herknowledge of Guyana, where she lived for14 years. The plot unfolds within the cut-throat competition for global markets andpresages the downfall of the likes of ArthurAndersen and Enron.

Ms. McLymont has more than 20 years’experience as a journalist, writer, speakerand advisor to companies on global businessand entrepreneurship. She was an interna-tional trade reporter and managing editor ofThe Journal of Commerce. She has publishednumerous articles on international businessin Africa, the Caribbean, the U.S.A, andEurope, and appeared on major media out-lets including ABC’s “Like it Is” with the late

Gil Noble and also on CNN. Further, she hasprovided entrepreneurship training forAfrican and Russian women and served aspresident of the Caribbean Media Associa-tion.

This multi-talented Guyanese sister is therecipient of many prestigious awards; themost recent on May 15, 2012 by MEA Maga-zine in collaboration with the U.S. Depart-ment of Commerce Minority Business Devel-opment Agency. These prominent organiza-tions will be hosting the U.S. - Africa Tradeand Investment Conference 2012 at theWashington Hilton, located at 1919 Con-necticut Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. underthe theme: Celebrating Global Leadership &Excellence.

Rosalind is fluent in French and Spanishand has taught English and French in Ugandaand the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sheholds a master’s degree in Journalism fromNYU, a Bachelor’s in French and a Certificatein Spanish Language and Literature. She is anexpert in T’ai Chi and a certified Zumbainstructor.

Ms. McLymont was extremely supportiveto the Guyana Cultural Association of NewYork (GCA) particularly in the areas of theLiterary Hang and the Symposium. Congratu-lations are in order.

ROSALIND KILKENNYMcLYMONT

CELEBRATING GUYANESE WOMEN OF ACTION: INTELLIGENT, DETERMINED & SUCCESSFUL

RECIPIENT OF THE 2012 MEA MAGAZINE & USDEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MINORITY

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AWARD

AUTHOR OF GROUNDBREAKING NON-FICTION: “AFRICA:

STRICTLY BUSINESS” “THE STEADY MARCH TO PROS-

PERITY” & HER LATEST NOVEL “THE CONTRACT” Lear Matthews


LESSONSTAUGHT BY

OURGUYANESEMOTHERS“Don’tgrudge

anybodywha’ theyhave. You

doanknow howdeh get it”

27


EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF “THE NETWORK JOURNAL” WRITER, JOURNALIST,SPEAKER AND ADVISOR TO COMPANIES ON GLOBAL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

RosalindKilkennyMcLymont

When Frank Bowling leftGuyana as a teen in May

1953, he was not particularly con-scious of his nation’s growing drivetoward independence. CheddiJagan and Forbes Burnham hadjust won the first democraticallyheld elections in the colony, andthe poet Martin Carter had beenholding political rallies right therein Bowling’s hometown, on Main-street, New Amsterdam. But totallyfocused on f leeing a difficultchildhood, and seeing no possibil-ities for a productive social life athome, he was understandablymore concerned about securinghis own personal independence.Frank Bowling was running fasttowards something rather thansimply escaping the land that wasalready an integral part of who hewas. The ‘University of thestreets’, as Carter called his politi-cal rallies, was bypassed fordreams of an actual universitywhere he might be able to furtherhis education and forge a real lifeof his own. Frank Bowling wasnot an artist at the time he left

the country, just a young manwho knew that his destiny laysomewhere else in the big worldout there. British writer, MelGooding, author of the 160 pageillustrated monograph publishedrecently by the Royal Academy ofArts, details the difficult transi-tioning of the young Bowlingfrom an intellectually able butconfused youngster seekingescape from his father’s emotionalindifference and physical abuse,into a young man transformed byhis revelatory visits to the BritishNational Gallery at TrafalgarSquare. By dint of personal discipline andfocus, in a few short years Bowlinghad transformed himself into apassionate artist of formidablepromise. His intensity and roughbut evident talent gained the supportand respect of important criticsand teachers. After attending theChelsea School of Art, a scholar-ship took him to the esteemedRoyal College of Art where hewon the silver medal upon gradu-ation. Of course, none of this was

very easy. It was a dramatic andeventful time in his life—some-thing worthy of a movie. And infact a documentary film manyyears in the making, whichencompasses the long arc of theartist’s life and career, is almostready for release. In the mean-time, twice a Guggenheim Fellow,and Britain’s first black Royal Aca-demician, Frank Bowling, OBE,continues to do what he doesbest. An exhibition at his NY rep-resentative, Spanierman ModernGallery, just concluded, but inLondon, his museum solo at TateBritain, “Frank Bowling: PouredPaintings”, opened on April 30.“Frank Bowling: Recent LargeWorks” opens at HALES Gallery inLondon, on May 31, and “FrankBowling: Recent Small Works”will be at Chris Dyson Gallery,London, on July 6. A Two-manshow of the work of Bowling andfellow Guyanese, DennisDeCaires opened February 28 atthe University of Glyndwr, inWrexham, North Wales. Bowling’s work is represented inmuseum collections around theworld including the Victoria andAlbert Museum, London, The Met-ropolitan Museum of Art, NY; theMuseum of Modern Art, NY;Guyana National Collection,Castelani House, Georgetown,and the Menil Foundation, Houston,Texas, among many others.

THE WORK ISTHE THING

FRANK BOWLINGART & GUYANESE ARTISTS

28

by © Carl E. Hazlewood

Color-drenchedand richlytextured,Bowlings

paintings areconsideredinnovativeexamples ofcolor field

abstraction.

Painted and stitched together canvas is a major featureof Bowling’s abstract paintings. It recalls a childhoodwatching his mom make colorful sari’s and other clothing for her many clients.

Frank BowlingArtist

30


The Hobo!Karen Kendall 1974

His body clung to the deep, dark friendliness of the hole in the side of the wall,His face, void of expressionsagging wearily, red, as though he had been lying under the direct rays of the sun.His fingers clasped tightly around the poisonAs though it was his salvation

Contemplating - what life is for!

Slowly and unsteadily he wavers to his feet, rags hanging loosely about himtremble in unison with his clumsy movements.As he wanders down the street, he stops and scratches his thinning hair.His mate fell prey, only yesterday, to the pranks of some fire brandishing teenagers


People go briskly by- stepping with a purpose-unshakenby the scene- caught up in their own fantasies.Children point and laugh and mischievously grab at his ragged coat,as they careen off of the arms of preoccupied models.The world seems to step over and around him as though he did not exist-unaware of those humans who know not, the time of year, or day.


He sought a familiar spot between two doors, as day slowly hid behind streaks of indigo blueBUT, the pungent odor of burning skin still penetrated his nostrils sohe pushed on in search of another drybut familiar hole. He pulls his rags snugly about himAnd takes a swig of his salvationIt burns its warmth through him,Warmth he so yearns for!

What is life for?

POETS & POETRY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Karen A. Kendall is a Registered Nurse and a Physician Assistant residing inGeorgia. She started writing poems in her late teenager years,after migrating to North America, and has displayed her talents atHoward University Talent Shows, and at the Robin’s Book store inPhiladelphia where she once met Maya Angelou. Karen has alsobeen a guest writer for the ‘Mississauga News’ local newspaper inMississauga Canada.

SUBMIT YOUR POEMS FOR CONSIDERATION TO:[email protected]."

Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc. Newsletter

31One of the impressive cultural events of long ago inGuyana was the Tadjah ( or Tazia) festival. It had aMuslim origin but was eventually assumed by

Hindus. This was frowned on by the Muslims. But the festi-val involved nearly all communities who either joined in,observed or benefited from the spectacle that Tadjah was.

The feature of the event was a towering Tadjah structureabout 30 feet high representing an ornate tomb. It was asight to behold. It’s frame was made of bamboo but it wasfinished in tinsel, pieces of glass, beads, little lanterns, tas-sels and paper in a grand variety of bright, rich colours.During the day, the Tadjah was taken in a procession alongthe road as the following shouted “Hoosein!Hassan!…Hoosein! Hassan!” over and over.

The legend was that the first Tadjah was a tomb built cen-turies ago by Ali, father of Hoosein and Hassan, for thetwo sons he lost through treacherous murder during areligious war. Ali, it was said, was the son-in-law of theHoly Prophet Mohammed. He was married to theProphet’s daughter. Hoosein and Hassan were grandsonsof the Prophet. The tomb Ali built was monumental andcostly, so much did he love his two sons. The bamboo andpaper structures of the Guyana Tadjah, grand as theyappeared, were only poor replicas of the original.

The peoples’ shouts of “Hoosein! Hassan!” were in remem-brance of the young men on the anniversary of theirdeath, observed in the month of Mohurrum (Muharram),according to the Muslim calendar, 10 days after theappearance of the new moon.

The night scenes during the Tadjah festival were alsoimpressive. Lights were everywhere and of all kinds –gaslamps, lanterns, candles, bottle lamps and floatingwicks.

Another attraction of the festival were stick fights. Theywere called “gatkas”. Each fighter had two long, hardsticks called dantas – one danta in each hand. As the fightproceeded, there was no aggressive combat but rather askilful stick play in which the dantas were struck againsteach other, rhythmically, as the fighters danced.

Music was made on drums- mostly large, waist-high- madefrom wooden barrels and sheepskin or goatskin. Thedrums were beaten with heavy wooden drumsticks. In avillage, there were as many as 100 drums lining the roads,manned by drummers competing for applause. Drummingcontinued through the night, accompanied by handclap-ping and singing.

There were other attractions. Many of them were provid-ed to entertain the large crowds and not because theywere Muslim or Tadjah related. The food items on salewere Muslim and Indian sweetmeats . Africans sold black-pudding and souse which were detestable to bothMuslims and Hindus and the sale frowned on but not pre-vented. Some communities even had Greasy Pole climbingor walking across and tightrope walking.

At the end of each festival, the Tadjah tower was throwninto the sea at high tide. Every year, a new one was builtand decorated and again thrown into the sea.

The extravagance of the festival, its kaleidoscope of bright

coloursand theprofusionof eye-catchingdecora-tions ledto the cre-ole term“coolietadjah” todescribeany get-togetheror partythat exud-ed brightcoloursand fan-danglesor even aflashilydressedperson.

THE TADJAHCEREMONY IN GUYANA

KNOW OUR CULTURE, PRESERVE OUR HERITAGE

Peter Halder

CornerMAD MAN!

A mad man at the Berbice Mental Hospitalclimbed a mango tree and stayed there forfour hours among the mangoes. All of a sudden he let go and fell to theground full force. BHAP!A Doctor rushed to the scene, when heasked him why he let go, he said,"Meh Ripe."

PUTTING THE WORDIN PRINTIN BOOK OR

DIGITAL FORM

PUBLISHERS & AUTHORS

FOR INFORMATION

:

TEL: 718 209 5207

Dr. Juliet Emanuel

, Coordinator

THE GUYANA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION’S SIXTH ANNUAL

GCA LITERARY HANGSATURDAY JUNE 9, 2012 1.00 p.m.-7.00 p.m.

The focus this year is the publisher. Anyone orgroup who has published an expression of theword is invited to participate. Technology hasforced a change in the publishing industry.Therefore, authors who have self published arepart of this focus. Poets, novelists, short storywriters, dramatists, essayists, lyricists and graphicwriters are all welcome. This invitation includescookbooks, travelogues, scholarly texts, newspa-pers, newsmagazines and newsletters.

We anticipate a lively, joyous and productiveafternoon.Large exhibition spaces will be avail-able. Readings, performance art, workshops, andinterviews will be part of the program for theafternoon and evening. Included on the programwill be a reprise of Minty Alley, GCA's stunningadaptation of C. L. R. James' seminal novel. Therewill also be a showing of the interviews fromLiterary Hang 2011.

The planned Open Mic Session will begin at 5:30PM. Anyone wishing to take part in this sessionmust register upon arrival at the Hang.

Registration will close when an optimum numberis reached. Each Open Mic performer will have15 minutes to perform. Performances must beappropriate since children attend the Literary Hang.

GCA vigorously encourages wordsmiths of allages to come to the Sixth Annual Literary Hang.The conversation will be sparkling and the worksenchanting.

Refreshments will be available for purchase.

All vendors are responsible for the delivery andremoval of all their products from the venue.

This event is made possible by the gracious collaboration of the Minister andAdministration of the historic Flatbush Reformed Church.

FLATBUSH REFORMED CHURCH890 FLATBUSH AVE., BROOKLYN, NY 11226

32

33


THE GUYANAAMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC.ANNUAL FLAGRAISING & CUL-TURAL CELEBRATION GUYANA’S46TH INDEPENDENCEANNIVERSARYJUNE 1, 20124.30-8.30 P.M.EAST ORANGE CITY HALL44 City Hall Plaza, EastOrange, New Jersey

SPRING GOSPELCONCERTE&P PRODUCTIONSSUN. MAY 20, 2012CATHERINE McAULEYHIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM710 E37 ST. BROOKLYN, NY11226(Bet. Aves D & Foster)

5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.DONATION:$20.00 –ADULTS $10.00 – CHILDRENFor tickets call:Jenny Ferreira @ 917 607 6995Jenny Seymour @ 917 224 4068Errol @ 718 879 2662Phil @ 908 693 2667

THE GUYANA EX-POLICE ASSOC. OF AMERICA, INC.

45TH ANNIVERSARYDINNER DANCE & AWARD PRESENTATIONSAT. MAY 19, 2012From 9.00p.m . GLEN TERRACE BANQUET HALL5313 AVENUE “N”BROOKLYN, NY 11234FORMAL ATTIREDONATION: $100.00 Music by D.J. Hannah

Cyril Bentham -646 823 6907 Mike Jones - 347 385 4115Amos Britton- 908 620 3838

ST. ROSE’S MEMORIALWEEKEND DANCESUN. MAY 27, 201210:00pm - 4.00 a.m.ST. GABRIEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCHAUDITORIUM331 Hawthorne StreetBrooklyn, NY 11226DONATION:$25.00 Contact:917-502-7965/917-796-1723/917-574-2614

ST. JOSEPH’SALUMNIASSOC. (US

Chapter)BLUE & WHITEAFFAIRDance & Fashion ShowSAT. JUNE 9, 2012 ROSE GARDEN4224 Church AvenueBrooklyn, NY 11203(Corner of 42 Street)TICKETS: $30.00 For tickets call:St. Joseph’s Alumni Association718-342-4136ColeFacts Designs321-442-7631

THE UTOPIAN DRAMATISTS TRANSFIGURATION EPISCOPALCHURCH, FREEPORT, N.Y.TENEMENT JUNCTION: EPISODE FOUR“THITHER WEGO, HITHER WECOME”FRIDAY, MAY 11-8.00P.M.SATURDAY, MAY 12 8.00 P.M.[MOTHERS’ DAY EVE DINNER SHOW]

$25.00Dinner served from 6.30 p.m. – 7.45 p.m.N.B.: Tickets for Dinner & Show must bepurchased in advance.

FRIDAY, MAY 18 8.00 P.M.SATURDAY, MAY 19 8.00 P.M.SUNDAY, MAY 20 @ 7.00 P.M.

TRANSFIGURATIONPARISH HALL165 Pine Street, Freeport, N.Y.11520To reserve yours, call:516) 379-1230 between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noonLorraine Phillipe – 917-514-4625Admission for all shows: $15.00. * For dinner and show: $25.00

NEW YORK TUTORIALSUPPORT GROUPSPRING FLINGFUNDRAISER

ST. GABRIEL’S EPISCOPALCHURCH HALL331 Hawthorne St.Brooklyn, NY 11225

FRIDAY, JUNE 15,201210.00 P.M.-3.00 A.M.

ADMISSION: $25.00Music DJ Flexx

For Info:Keith Cadogan-646 252 6606Lorraine Edinboro- 347 365 1456Cheryl Ferdinand- 718 778 0463Ingrid Alleyne Greene-718 531 0693Pamela Granum: 718 735 9186

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY

COME OUT AND SUPPORT THESE EVENTS

TO HAVE YOUR EVENT PROMOTEDIN FUTURE GCA NEWSLETTERS:

Contact Claire Goring

[email protected]

Edgar [email protected]

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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