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Produced and Edited by C. Naipaul | Graphic and Layout Design by D. Prince

II

“Don’t cry, Sheila” S (continued)

heila awoke late in the morning with a headache that eased a little after a long, cool shower and a refreshing glass of cold water. Her mother had taken the boys to church so she got a welcomed chance to rest, re-energising her mind and thoughts after the girl’s night out.

“What a night…” she moaned and lifted her head from the cradle of her arms, suddenly remembering the stranger from last night.

“I wonder who he is?” she questioned herself, “Did he mean what he said? How can a simple girl like me, a single mother with two children, interest him?”

Her thoughts were interrupted by little feet running up the stairs and squeals of “Mommy, mommy!” She opened the door and hugged her sons as they threw themselves in her arms.

“Did you miss me that much?” she laughed.

“Yes.” they said in unison, kissing her on both cheeks.

As they settled down with their toys, she said ‘thanks’ to her mother who had been such a great help to her since the boys were born.

“I’ve often told you Sheila, you don’t have to thank me, I’m their grandmother.

Continued on page V

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

III

By Petamber Persaud

Welcome to Guyana’s

Green Mansions

W

ith GuyExpo and tourism in the air, again, I was drawn to the advertised movie, ‘Green Mansions.’ There were other reasons for watching the movie. I still have my treasured copy of the book, having acquired it a long time ago from a market stall in New Amsterdam. The stall was, at that time, operated by a Chinese male who was quite a negotiator once the item was selected. That treasure trove and its operator have since disappeared, relocated I was told, to somewhere on the West Coast of Berbice. I now grieve over the lost opportunity of securing other rare and out of print books from that business.

Two, I do not manage my time well enough to watch a complete movie, but with the book at the back of my mind, I decided to return to something I used to do when I was discovering literature – read the book then watch the movie or vice-versa. It was a fascinating venture to experience the

William Henry Hudson

treatment of the same subject by two differing art forms.

Another reason for staying with the film, as it was rapidly flashing its opening salvo of information, included the cast of established actors - Audrey Hepburn, Anthony Perkins, Lee J. Cobb, and Henry Silva; and known director, Mel Ferrer. Also I was aware of a Guyana-connection namely R. Lal Singh who was technical adviser during the production of the film.

Singh was born in Morawhana, a little known Amerindian village in the North West District of Guyana, living among the Makushi Indians of Guyana until he was almost ten years.

And I know of the author of the book, having done research

Scenes from Green mansions

on him (in this column).

In 1887, William Henry Hudson travelled to British Guiana from London to take up an appointment in a public office.

During that stint, he was a daily visitor to a ‘familiar’ house in Main Street, Georgetown, the residence of a ‘Mr. Abel’ whose full name was Abel Guevez de Argensola.

Abel, poet and naturalist, was a fugitive from Venezuela who refused to return home despite news of a windfall fortune awaiting him in Caracas. He stayed in Guyana, becoming a favourite of Georgetown society, a man held in high esteem and ‘even affection’. The two men were attracted to each other chiefly because of a mutual ‘love of poetry’ even though one was ‘suckled’ on the literature of Spain and the other English Literature. There were other areas of interest shared by the two men and they would ‘tired the sun with talking.’ It was during those bouts of talking, Hudson was gifted the story of ‘Green Mansions,’ the story of Abel’s flight from his homeland and his romance with a spectre girl/creature called Rima in the virgin jungle of South America.

Hudson promised to publish the whole truth of Abel’s story in order to dispel ‘much conjectural matter… printed week by week in the local press.’

That amazing story was only given life in fictional form because Hudson was already a published author and a respected naturalist and ornithologist at a time when those subjects were treated with scant regard. By the time that story of Abel

was made public, Hudson had already published some thirteen books including ‘The Purple Land’ (1885), ‘Argentine Ornithology’ (1888), ‘Fan-The Story of a Young Girl's Life’ (1892), ‘British Birds’ (1895), ‘Hampshire Days’ (1903), and a collection of stories, ‘El Ombu’ (1902).

‘Green Mansions’, the novel, was published in 1904. It falls within that honour roll of first novels on Guyana. ‘Green Mansions’ was the first novel in our literary heritage to be made into a movie. That movie of the same name of the book was released in 1959, and in the 1970s, DC Comics adopted the story in a series, ‘Rima, the jungle girl.’

‘Green Mansions’ is a romance set within another love story – the love of nature.

(To be continued in a series ‘Welcome to Guyana’ through its literature.)

(Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

The Caribbean Press

Scholar’s Dictionary and Grammar of the Wapishana Language

By Tominpainao Ati’o, Wapichan Paradan, Parada-karu Na’iki, Pardauzo-karu Kaduzu Introduction The Wapishana language has a large number of words and a complicated system of word endings in its grammar. This dictionary does not try to include all of the words and all the parts of the grammar. That would take a long book. This is a “scholar’s dictionary” which is made to help people who are starting to learn to read and write Wapishana and to help preserve some of the old words.

Therefore this book does not just list words and their meanings. It also has words that have no English name. It shows how words are used in sentences and stories. And there is an introduction to Wapishana grammar at the end which must be read to fully understand the main part of the dictionary.

Languages like English and Portuguese have taken hundreds of years to develop their spelling systems and they are still making some small changes. Therefore, the spellings in here do not claim to be final for all time. For the present, however, they will be helpful to guide people in their writing of Wapishana.

Like all languages, Wapishana has minor variations from place to place. These are marked as “Variants.” This dictionary does not claim that one variant is correct and another is wrong.

It only shows that one variant is correct and another is wrong. It only shows what the variants are and how to spell them. Much time was spent in trying to find most of the variants and to get clear meanings for the words.

It is hoped that this dictionary will bring much help and pleasure to Wapishanans who are reading and writing their own language. * A message from the WWA The Wapichan Wadauniinao Ati’o (WWA, translated loosely means “Wapishana for our descendants.” It is a group entirely made up of experienced readers and writers in the Wapishana language.

The WWA is committed to: 1. Help other Wapishanas to read and write the language;

2. Promote the Wapishana language in written form; 3. Collaborate with other interested persons and groups on the principles of the writing system presently being considered; 4. Preserve the Wapishana culture which is essentially embedded in the language.

Members of the Wapishana tribe performing at a cultural event at Annai

This dictionary could be used for all who want to learn to read and write Wapishana. It will certainly help standardize spelling (since some persons, other than the WWA, when trying to write the language, use their own spelling). The dictionary also preserves old Wapishana words which describe aspects of the Wapishana culture.

The WWA is happy to be able to help the Wapishana Language Project (WLP) in checking and approving the words in this book.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014 From page II How was your night?”

“It was fun,” she said smiling, remembering the laughter and the mischief. “I hadn’t had such a good time in a while.”

“I know,” her mother said, relieved. “You really needed a little break.”

They chatted for a short while until the boys called for Sheila’s attention. She spent the rest of the day playing games with them, colouring their picture books and watching a cartoon movie. Not every day she was afforded enough time to spend with them because of her work schedule but they shared a good understanding, mother and sons. She sometimes wondered what it would be like for them as they grew older without a father figure. The idea of someone else playing that role in their lives was not appealing to her especially since their father’s betrayal had destroyed her trust.

“Mommy,” Alex tugged at her blouse, “Can we go to the play park?”

“Now?” she asked, looking at the time, “It’s five o’clock.”

“You promised,” Alex reminded her, with an adorable serious look on his face.

“Okay,” she conceded, “The two of you don’t ever forget anything.”

They clapped their hands and laughed happily as she dressed them for the little outing.

It was a small children’s play park adjacent to a fast food outlet and an hour later, Sheila sat down at one of the tables, tired, watching them run around with the other kids. She knew they would be hungry and thirsty again and was about to order something from the outlet when a few boxes of chicken and sodas were delivered to the table. She looked at the waitress surprised, “Sorry, I didn’t order this.”

“I know,” the girl said smiling, “The gentleman coming over ordered it.”

She turned and gasped, “Oh my gosh.It’s him!”

It was the stranger from last night!

“Hi!” he greeted her with a warm smile, “Can I join you?”

“He looks so more handsome in the day,” was her first thought and she nodded a little nervous, “I guess you can, your food is here.”

“It’s for you and the kids. I know how hungry little boys can get so I saved you the trouble of waiting in line.”

“That’s very considerate,” she said with a little grateful smile, “Thank you.”

“This is a nice little place,” he said, looking around, “Do you come here often?”

“No, only when I have the time.”

“A single mother with a strict work schedule.” It was from him, a statement, not a question.

“You know that too?” she asked, “You seem to know a lot about me.”

Before he could answer, the two boys ran up to her, a little breathless, “Mommy, we’re hungry.” Alex said, “and thirsty too.”

Alvin added, clapping his hand.

“Okay, let me get your hands washed and you can have some food.”

They looked at the stranger, a little curious, as they ate and Sheila cautioned them quietly, “Take your time.”

“Okay mommy.” They both said sweetly.

He looked at them then at her, “Cute kids, they have their mother’s eyes, her smile and her dimples.”

There was no mistaking that admiring look in his eyes, she had seen last night.

Questions played in her mind but she was not sure how to ask and as though reading her mind, he said, “You can ask me anything you want to know.”

She looked at him, trying to be brave in her mind because she wanted to know and she asked, “Who are you and why do you have a special interest in me?”

He watched the boys run off to play before he answered her, “I’ve lived overseas most of my life, an engineer by profession attached to an international construction company, has travelled extensively and I’m the head of a charitable group that does humanitarian work within countries that I work in, that’s why I’m here.”

“You’re successful with high standards, wealth and status and I’m just a caregiver.”

“You’re more than you think you are Sheila and when you can recognise that, it will answer your second question.”

She looked at her sons playing for a short moment, wondering what he meant.

What was there he knew about her that she herself didn’t know?”

“Is there anything else” he asked.

“You haven’t told me your name,” she replied, putting her thoughts in her mind to rest.

“It’s Sachin.”

From nowhere, a voice in her head said, ‘Narendra’ and she gasped, “What did you say?”

“I said my name is Sachin.”

“Oh,” she looked a little confused, “I thought I heard you say something else.”

He looked at her a little curious but before either of them could say something else, the boys ran back from the play area and Sheila got up, taking their hands, “I have to go, they look tired.”

“I’ll drive you home,” he offered.

“No that’s okay, I’ll take the bus.”

V

“Don’t cry, Sheila” He lifted Alvin in his arms, “They do look tired. Let me take you home.”

The boys were excited riding in the luxury of a Mercedes for the first time, their tiredness suddenly gone and Sachin looked at her, smiling, “Comfortable?”

She nodded, turning her head to hide the smile on her face, knowing he was teasing her.

She thanked him on reaching home and was saying ‘Bye’ when Alex asked him, “Would you like to see my race car?”

“No, he doesn’t.” Sheila said quickly, ushering them up the stairs.

Sachin shook his head, a little amused at her reluctance to spend any more time with him.

“The kids seem to like me, why don’t you?”

“It’s not that, it’s just that….” Her voice trailed off, not knowing how to explain.

“It’s just that you don’t know how to trust anymore, isn’t it?”

She didn’t answer, just smiled wryly and turned to go but his words stopped her, “How long will you cry? You need to find that little girl again, who had dreams so you can laugh and smile from your heart.”

She turned and looked at him, perplexed, those words seeming to ring a bell in her mind.

“How would you know about my childhood dreams?”

“Well,” he shrugged his shoulders, “all little girls have dreams.”

She looked at him, a little closer, this stranger who just walked into her life from nowhere, wanting to win her heart.

There was something about him she couldn’t quite figure out and she said with the look of someone who had already lost hope, “I lost my dream a long time ago, when the one I shared them with left and he’s not coming back. I can’t find them alone.”

Once again, a name flashed in her thoughts, “Narendra,” igniting such a strong feeling in her heart, she felt tears forming in her eyes and she turned and walked up the stairs, closing the door behind her. She couldn’t quite understand how that feeling came over her, why was she hearing the name of her childhood friend?

“This is crazy,” she told herself as the week began focusing on her motherly duties and her job.

Two days later, coming off duty in the afternoon, she saw Sabrina and Neil waiting by the hospital gates.

“Is everything alright?” Sheila asked, a pang of fear entering her heart, “Where is the baby?”

“Everything is fine, Nurse,” Sabrina assured her, smiling, “The baby is with her grandmother, we want to invite you for her Baptism.”

“Thank you.” Sheila smiled with relief.

“We also want you to be her Godmother,” Neil said.

Sheila was surprised and pleased, “That is so nice. I will be honoured.”

The young couple left happy and that evening as Sheila thought about them and their struggles to build a life, it occurred to her how much Sachin’s charity group could help.

“It means I have to talk to him,” she realised, not sure she wanted to do so but if it meant helping someone, she would have to. “How do I find him?” she wondered.

It was a question that answered itself when the doorbell rang and he was standing outside.

“Hi, Sheila” he greeted her.

“Yes?” she asked, pretending she didn’t know why he was there.

“I wanted to see you.”

He was cool and relaxed and he looked so darn good, she hoped her admiration was not reflected in her eyes. She hesitated for a moment but deep down, she couldn’t deny she wanted to see him too and smiling, just a little, she opened the door for him. The boys were happy to see him and happier for the toy cars he brought for them and the chocolates.

“That’s nice,” she told him. “But try not to be too

generous because I cannot afford to upkeep that when you leave.”

“What makes you think I would leave?”

“I don’t know” she answered uncertainly, “Maybe because you have to return to your world.”

“I can stay here” he said, a serious expression in his eyes, “To make this my world.”

For a short breathless moment his eyes held hers before she looked away, not wanting him to see how his words were affecting her. He noticed her discomfort and calmly changed the topic.

“Did you want to talk to me about something?”

She sighed, relieved, the tense moment was gone and told him about Sabrina, Neil and their baby.

“Okay, I’ll go with you to the Baptism ceremony and have a look at their situation to see what I can do for them.”

“That’s great, thank you.”

“A smile is all I need” he said, teasing her again He came by every evening that week, not staying for long periods because she had to work early in the morning but slowly they were becoming closer and she seemed a little happier. Her heartache and her loneliness were slowly ebbing away and the soothing voice that always spoke to her was now silent. What continued to puzzle her though was little things about herself he seemed to know, from her childhood days, that she had a vague memory of. That feeling that there was something about him, she knew, grew stronger but it continued to elude her.

On Sunday, as promised, Sheila honoured Sabrina’s request to be the child’s god mother and Sachin had a first-hand look at the couple’s living conditions. It didn’t take him long to determine they needed help and as he was talking with the baby’s father, Sheila suddenly grabbed his arm and whispered in a scared voice, “There’s a spider!” She held onto him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder as Neil got rid of the scary critter.

“You’ve been always scared of spiders,” Sachin said, amused at her fear, “It’s gone but you may want to stay close to me just in case it comes back.”

She gave him a cross look that changed to a pleased expression when he gave the young couple a cheque to help with the baby and a promise to help improve their lives. On the way home, he stopped at a small private restaurant on the beach front for lunch. It was beautiful and relaxing, the cuisine excellent and standing on the upper landing looking at the flowing water of the Atlantic, he asked her, “Was it a good day for you?”

She turned towards him, not wanting to hide anymore, the admiration in her eyes and she smiled, the dimples on her cheeks deepening, “It was wonderful.”

He touched her face gently and standing close to her, he said “Now you’re smiling from your heart.”

(To be continued)

VI

Choosing a dentist is no small matter

E

ven when one considers that here in Guyana, for every practicing dentist there is over 20,000 persons, it is not difficult to appreciate the fact that there could be some problem when the time comes to choose which dentist one should go to. Although many persons have little or no choice when it comes to deciding who their dental practitioner should be since they attend a public clinic, the fact remains choosing a dentist is no small matter these days.

How should you go about choosing a dentist? The convenient one not far from where you live? That would be fine, if you are a gambler. That dentist may be very good; but then he/she may not be. The only thing you know about that practitioner is that he or she is very convenient. Ask a neighbour? Maybe, if the neighbour has had a lot of satisfactory work done for age groups in his family similar to those in yours over an extended period of time, and if you respect his opinion. The only problem with this method is that the combination would appear with the same frequency as that of you winning the Lotto.

Now, dentistry, just like medicine, accounting or law, is a profession. It is not a business, although there are business practices and financial aspects to discuss and employ in the practice of these professions. They are looked upon as being different from a business.

Professional people generally get more respect and more is expected from them. What distinguishes a business from a profession, at least in the eyes of the general public?

For one thing, business is characterised by the sentiment of “Let the buyer beware.” In other words, anything the seller can get away with goes. We have consumer protection laws because the consumer needs protection. We have heard about quality control and advertising gimmicks.

A profession should be a field where people of integrity, honesty, trustworthiness and sincerity are retained by the general public. That is not to say that we do not find these admirable qualities in business or business people.

Try asking a dentist to explain his findings in your mouth, the details of treatment, clinical expectations and follow-up visits. Ask about the available options and price of each. Carefully make a mental note of his reaction of your probing questions. Prospective patients should be astute enough to recognise and stay away from dentists who use dentistry more as a business rather than a profession. If your dentist should ever say, “You’ll get the final cost when I’m finished”, beware and don’t fall for that. It is clearly a trap.

The world of dentistry for the layman is an unknown world full of pain, superstition, misinformation and apprehension. It is for this very reason that this author decided to start this column over twenty-two years ago. Since then I have always tried my best to have a weekly publication. My objective is to arm the dental patient with the basic knowledge of dentistry so that they cannot be easily fooled.

The profession becomes culpable whenever there is a general lack on the part of dental personnel to respond appropriately to the patient’s needs while allaying fears and apprehensions. Dentists owe the public for the privileges and financial security they enjoy and must pay with an outgoing concern for their dental well-being.

Your choice of a dentist can affect your dental health for the rest of your life. It should not be a “crisis choice” when you are in pain. At such times you cannot think rationally and make any intelligent choice. If the dentist you get is not your kind of person, thank him, pay him and leave. It will be a lot cheaper in the long run.

Finally, dental care is a two-way street. Each time the machine breaks down, it gets harder and harder to fix, and it will not work quite as well as it did before. If you want success, become a working partner with your dentist. If you find that this is impossible with the dentist you picked, then try another one.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

Did She Trick Him Into Marriage?

Far From Perfect

I

felt in my gut not to marry him. At the time I thought it was just nerves, but now I realize it was the nudging of the Holy Spirit.

You see, he and I are not of the same faith. He does not believe in God and never did. Yet I married him anyway. I didn't want to have sex with him on our wedding night...or the night after. I forced myself, telling myself I had to because we were married.

Prior to my marriage I had two relationships. In both I sacrificed my morals and had sex. My first boyfriend was a young lad who joined the navy. I was 18. We dated a year before he left. He wanted me to move with him. I can't remember why I didn't, but I do remember waiting for him, talking to him on the phone and writing.

Until the day he told me he was going to be a father, and I knew I was not the mother.

It broke my heart.

At 21, I dated a second boyfriend for a year . He broke up with me. After that I hit rock bottom. Eventually I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. Because I was not a virgin, I was judged in the eyes of the legalistic church I was attending. It made me ashamed of my past.

I did not date again until I was 30. The few Christian men I dated judged me when I shared my past and broke it off. Then I met my husband, the first man who did not judge me, the first man I thought would never leave me. I married for security, not love. I married because everyone thought he was a great guy and everyone liked him.

My biological clock was ticking, I wanted a family and I thought he would be a good father. I now see the impact of a spiritually unequally-yoked marriage, not only on me but on my children. I have never felt so alone, sad, empty, in despair and distant from my husband as I do now.

I am most certainly not attracted to him. I do not love him. I have no desire to work things out. Yet I feel stuck because God hates divorce, and I would be committing a sin if I did so.

Esther Esther, his acceptance and openness to you was your husband's undoing. He's a good guy. He accepted you when men of your faith did not. He is honest, responsible and likeable, yet you judge him over that.

You do not want to get rid of him because of your religion. You want to get rid of him for the exact reason you married him. You don't love him and you tricked him.

You made a vow and signed a contract. You went in willingly, and now you pretend blindness. You knew he wasn't the one for you. You used him to get married and now want out, and you can't say one bad thing about him.

What you are implying is, "I'm better than he is, so I can blame him for what I did."

How does being "unequally yoked" connect to marrying a man for money? What does your faith have to do with that?

It is time to test the old adage that confession is good for the soul. Tell him, "I never loved you, I married you for your money and to have my children. I would like to blame our religious differences for what I did, but that would be a lie."

We suspect he cares for you. Let him decide what he wants to do. That's only fair.

What we say about you is harsh, but you can't even understand what you have written.

To be a person of faith or spirituality, you have a long way to travel.

Wayne & Tamara

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

Appellate Court frees convicted robber on bad identification IN 1975 a married couple was sightseeing in the Le Repentir Cemetery when the wife was attacked and robbed of her wrist watch and gold finger ring by a robber with a gold tooth.

Later at a police identification parade that the goldtooth robber was identified to be Vibert Hodge. He was subsequently arrested and charged, tried, convicted and sentenced to prison.

Dissatisfied with the decision, the prisoner represented by his lawyer, Malcolm Taharally appealed the conviction.

The State was represented

by Mr. Nandram Kissoon, a Senior State Counsel (who later became a Justice of Appeal).

The appellant complained to the Appellate Court that since he was the only man on parade with a gold tooth he considered himself wrongly identified at an identification parade, which was unfairly conducted.

The Appellate Court constituted by Chancellor J.O.F. Haynes, with Justices of Appeal, Victor Crane and Keith Massiah heard an appeal which lasted three days They allowed the appeal and set aside the conviction and sentence after finding that the identification parade at which the prisoner was identified was unfairly conducted.

The facts of the case disclosed that the appellant, armed with a knife, attacked and robbed one Violet Ramadan of a wristwatch and a finger ring. When removing the ring he opened his mouth as if to bite her finger to get it off. It was then that she saw he had a gold tooth. Some five weeks later Ramadan identified the accused at an identification parade as the robber.

At the trial there were three different versions as to how the appellant was identified at the parade. The first was given by Violet Ramadan who said she identified him initially by his appearance, but in order to make doubly sure, she asked him to open his mouth. The second was

by Inspector Troyer who conducted the parade. Troyer said Ramadan asked him to

cause the men on parade to open their mouths, and that when they did so, she then touched the accused on his shoulder.

The third version which was given by the accused was substantially the same as that given by Inspector Troyer with the difference that whereas Troyer said that there were others with gold teeth, the accused insisted he was the only man on parade with a gold tooth ,which meant he was urging that the parade was unfairly conduced in that he was identified solely by his gold tooth.

The Appellate Court found that in his summing up, the trial judge did not bring to the jury’s attention the apparent conflict between Ramdan’s and Inspector Troyer’s evidence, nor the fact that Troyer’s evidence that the accused was identified after he had opened his mouth, tended to support the evidence of the accused.

The judge merely left it to the jury to find as a question of fact, if they were minded to believe Ramadan and Troyer, whether the identification parade had been properly conducted.

The accused also said in defence that the charge against him was a trumpedup one, that he had been “framed” by the police because he and the policeman who charged him had an altercation over a girlfriend, and that the policeman threatened “to throw the book at him.”

Nothing was said about this important aspect of the defence to the jury, the Appellate Court had found.

The Appellate Court held : (1)That the apparent conflict between Ramadan and Troyer’s evidence should have been pointed out to the jury who ought to have been advised to be cautious about accepting Ramdan’s testimony that she had primarily identified the accused apart from his gold teeth.

(2) The jury should have been told that if they accepted Troyer’s evidence then Ramadan’s identification at

the parade was unsatisfactory hence, they should attach little weight to her identification in court.

(3)The jury should have been directed that if they believed that the accused was the only man on parade with gold teeth, the parade would have been unfairly conducted and they should attach little weight to it.

(4) The defence was not properly left to the jury. The accused was alleging oppression and victimisation on the part of the police, and the judge should have told the jury to acquit if they believe this was so.

(5) The trial judge was in error when he allowed the accused after conviction to plead to six other charges forming the subject of five outstanding indictable offences with a view to having them taken into consideration and to proceed to sentence him in respect of those charges.

(6) The correct procedure is for the judge merely to ask the accused whether he admits his guilt on the outstanding offences. The accused must be sentenced only once, i.e in respect of the offence for which he was tried and found guilty. The idea of taking other offences into consideration is merely to measure the appropriate sentence.

The Appellate Court allowed the appeal and set aside the conviction and sentences.

Delivering the judgment of the Court, Justice of Appeal, Mr. Keith Massiah said: “The appellant was indicted with and convicted of robbery under arms, contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01. The allegation of the State was that while armed with a knife he had robbed one Violet Ramadan of a wristwatch and a ring. There was evidence that while she was in the Le Repentir Cemetery with her husband on March 30, 1975, at about 4.15 p.m. the appellant went up to her placed a knife to her chest , pulled her wristwatch from her left hand and

opened his mouth as if to bite her finger to get off the ring.

Ramadan told him not to bite her and in fear handed the ring to him.

“Five weeks later, on May 4, 1975, at an identification parade conducted at Ruimveldt Police Station, Ramadan identified the appellant as the person who had taken her watch and ring.

Counsel for the appellant contended in this court, as the appellant had complained in the court below, that the identification parade was unfairly conducted.

“At the trial three different versions were given as to how the appellant came; to be identified. Ramadan said that she identified the appellant and them asked him to open his mouth “to be doubly sure” and that “the gold teeth in (his)

VII

Robber identified by gold tooth

mouth made (her) doubly sure”. Inspector Hubert Troyer, who conducted the identification parade, said something different. He testified that Ramadan “looked at the parade and asked (him) to cause the men on the parade to open their mouths” and that when they did so, Ramadan “then touched the accused on his shoulder.”

The appellant, in his statement from the dock, said that the men on parade were first asked to show their teeth and that he was the only man who had gold teeth. He was clearly saying that he was identified by his gold teeth.

“The sum total of Ramadan’s evidence on this issue is that she identified the appellant partly by his gold teeth, whereas Troyer’s evidence suggests that she

By George Barclay

identified him wholly by them. What must be noted, is that Troyer’s version was the same as the appellant’s, save that whereas the appellant claimed that he was the only person on the parade with gold teeth. Troyer said that there were others.

After citing a number of similar cases in which the Court of criminal appeal had allowed appeals and quashed the convictions, Justice of Appeal Massiah, who later became Chancellor of the Judiciary, allowed the appeal quashed and set aside the conviction and sentence.

Chancellor Haynes and Justice of Appeal Crane concurred.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

A SAD LESSON I

By Neil Primus

n a small remote settlement in the hinterland a group was making ready to depart from the village. It was comprised of seven young men in their early teens and three men of the village. They were on a learning expedition. The boys would be trained in the ways of the village.

The group moved away from the village and headed deep into the forest. They would be away for a few days. As they trekked along the men pointed out bushes, herbs and roots that were used for many different purposes. They fished for lunch then continued on. That night the trainees were allowed to make the fire and roast the catch; two labbas. After eating they slept in hammocks tied to the nearby trees.

Next day they set out early. The elders showed them many fruits and vines. They were also able to spot a few animals like Anteaters, Monkeys, Sloths and Acouri. Soon they were learning the different marks left by animals and how to track them.

The most exciting was the prints of the solitary jaguar. It had passed that way the previous night. They picked up the tracks of a deer and followed it through the dense forest. As they proceeded they came upon a magnificent flatland with rich vegetation. Deers and other animals could be seen grazing in the distance.

The eager group tracked a number of animals including the Labba, Tapir, Agoutie and Anteater. They ended the second day much like the first. The third morning they set off again. They focused on birds especially the Powis and Wild Duck. They

learned to set traps for most of the animals they would have to hunt. The next morning they began their return trip. On the way they caught crabs and roasted them. They picked fruits and ate as they travelled.

One of the trainees at the front of the group motioned for them to stop. He pointed to the forest floor and the elder told them that it was the tracks of a large snake. The group buzzed with excitement. They all wanted to hunt the reptile.

Each youth was armed with a knife, a bow and a quiver of arrows. Two of them had machetes. The elders had old shotguns.

They set out in pursuit of the snake. They followed the tracks for close to two hours sometimes losing it and having to backtrack to pick up its signs again.

The tracks led them to a bushy plain and they spread out sensing that they were closing in on the snake. The oldest trainer named Basil suggested that they break off the search and head back to the village. They ignored him and pressed on.

Hssssss!

tion. The next sighting was different than the others. This time they tried to surround the animal teasing it mercilessly.

“Let’s catch it!”

“No! Let’s kill it!”

CLICK! BANG! The snake writhed and slithered swiftly away leaving a trail of blood. It had been wounded. They chased after it and eventually lost its track when the animal jumped into the river. Disappointed they trudged back to the village each with an exciting story to tell. All except one.

Basil the quiet, elderly man walked back to his village with head hung low in thought. He seemed to have aged rapidly but he walked faster than them all. The group stopped to eat then continued their journey back to the little village. At the village there was excitement and joy for the young men who were now considered adults. They would be joining future hunting parties.

The old man headed for his hut at the lower edge of the village. As he entered he gave an anguished cry. Loud sobbing

One of the youths had come suddenly upon the creature. He sprang back barely avoiding a bite.

“It’s here!”

The group converged on the location. The snake slipped into the vegetation and disappeared. Now they would find out if their training was any good. They soon located its tracks and followed it. Each time they closed in the crafty snake slipped away. It was as if it was reading their minds.

“The next time we sight it go softly. I will shoot it.”

The trainer cocked his weapon and advanced, ready for ac-

could be heard coming from his hut. News of this got around and villagers arrived to attend to their friend. When they entered the small, dark dwelling a great shock awaited them.

Lying next to his aged wife, the old man sobbed as he stroked her wet silver hair. There was one bizarre thing about this scene. The man’s wife lay dead in his arms. She had been shot in the head by a shotgun. When the full significance of this hit them, the villagers withdrew quietly. There would be quiet prayers that night in thanksgiving for the death of a Kanaima.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

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Guyanese Women in History:

Patricia A. Cummings, Esq.

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– Woman of Distinction, Attorney-at-law

ATRICIA A. CUMMINGS was born and grew up in Georgetown, Guyana. Before becoming an attorney, Patricia was the Administrative Director of the Nuclear Medicine/Ultrasound Department at Parklane Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was board certified in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology. Patricia graduated from Ottawa University in 1983 (B.A.) and Syracuse University Law School in 1987 (J.D.) at where she was the recipient of the Best Advocate Award, Edmund H. Lewis Appellate Advocacy competition, The Order of the Barristers Honor, and the winner of the Grossman Trial Competition award. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1988.

Patricia is admitted to practice in all of the trial and appellate courts of New York State; the Federal Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern District Courts. She has served pro bono as Of Counsel to The Bleeding Disorder Association of the Southern Tier and the Girl Scouts Indian Hills Council, Inc. Patricia has also served as a member of, the Board of Directors for the United Way of Binghamton,

Patricia A. Cummings, Esq. New York, the Advisory Council to the School of Education and Human Development, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York, the Broome Community College Foundation, Inc., the Binghamton University Athletic Club, the Tri-Cities Opera, and the Binghamton Local Development Corporation.

Patricia also volunteered for the New York Metropolitan UNICEF Committee. She is a member of the Binghamton Rotary Club #64 and a member of the Broome County Bar Association, the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the New York State Bar Association. She was also a member of the New York State Bar House of Delegates and is a Fellow of the New York State Bar Foundation.

Patricia’s practice area is civil litigation, primarily medical malpractice. Her most significant reported case is Fahey v. Canino, 2 N.Y.3d 148, 809 N.E.2d 645, 777

NYS2d 416 (2005).

In 2010 Patricia was the recipient of the Girl Scouts – Indian Hills Council, Woman of Distinction Award. See the video below to learn more about Patricia and this award.

Patricia serves as a member of the New York State, Third Department, Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission and has held that position since her appointment by presiding Justice Anthony Cardona, in 2007. On August

4, 2011 Patricia was appointed to the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council by New York State Governor Andrew Coumo.

Patricia is currently a practicing partner with her husband at their own law firm, Leonard & Cummings, LLP, serving clients in the Southern Tier and Central New York for the past 14 years. (guyanesegirls@rock.com)

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Meet Timothy Austin

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

-GWI’s Public Relations Officer for the past 10 years

Timothy Austin

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By Telesha Ramnarine EET 31-year-old Timothy Austin, called ‘Tim’ for short, who has been the Public Relations Officer at Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) for the past ten years or so. In fact, this was his first job following his university education.

Austin was born and raised in the city, at Campbellville, and appreciates this because as he explained, he prefers to be where everything is, in terms of accessibility to services and the like.

He shared his primary school years between St. Agnes Primary and Mae’s Under 12 before securing a place at St. Stanislaus College. He then went to the University of Guyana where he majored in media and communications.

In an interview with the Chronicle a few days ago, he revealed that he was then fortunate enough to obtain an internship at GWI through one of his lecturers.

“It worked out well. I started off with no pay, nothing; just learning on the job. There was no public relations person at the time,” he explained.

In about a year’s time, Austin gained permanent employment with the company because his performance was noted and appreciated. This was more than 10 years ago. However, he took a break in between and worked for relatively short periods with Clico and Alex Graham’s

Continued on page XIII

Austin has been GWI’s PRO for the past 10 years

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

Promoting World Water Day on live television

Engaging in a community outreach

From page XII PR Firm.

Growing up, Austin entertained the thought of becoming a film director and this got him into thinking about getting into media and communications, dealing with the public, being out and interacting.

In his teen years, he wrote a small novel and is still hoping to get it published at some point in his life. “It’s a children’s book that has a Christmas theme to it. My major goal is to become a published author at some point. I love writing. I do movie reviews and the like for my blog. Writing is like my passion. One of my dreams is still to have a novel published,” he disclosed.

Community Outreaches Austin particularly enjoys his job at GWI when it involves engaging in community outreach programmes and communicating with people. “Especially the older ones; you would be surprised to see how much people want a listening ear. It allows me to hear what’s going on. You think everything is wonderful with people until you actually listen to some of their stories. The community interaction is the best part,” he revealed.

For this reason, social work has always been something that Austin has wanted to get into. “I really enjoy interacting with people and just listening to their issues. Sometimes people just want someone to listen to. They can come to you with a customer service issue and you end up hearing about their kids migrating or something like that,” he said.

On the opposite side, though, Austin can be quite introverted. “Rather than clubbing or going to see some artiste at the stadium, I prefer a quiet dinner somewhere or the theatre.

I’m obsessed with movies. That’s a conflict I have with my friends because they are more into going clubbing, etc and I never get into that scene. I tried it before and I was completely bored.”

Among other quotes, Austin particularly appreciates the one: “Be more concerned about your character rather than your reputation.” He explained that one’s reputation has more to do with what people say about him. You have no control over your reputation but your character. I mean people can say whatever they want about you but at the end of the day your character needs to be preserved above everything else.”

Austin’s parents are Ronald and Elizabeth who both served Guyana well during their years of employment.

They both have retired. Mr. Austin served with the Foreign Service for over 30 years and was Ambassador to China in the 1990s. Mrs. Austin worked as the Deputy Permanent Secretary for more than 30 years with the Public Works Ministry.

Sharing in GWI’s ‘Water Wise’ School Programme

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Famous quotes from Dr Cheddi Jagan

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

“Britain has handled us and the question of our independence not in our interest, but in hers. ...

(We) have been part of a barter deal with the U.S.A.; part of the price paid for the U.S. government's defense of Empire interests.” *********************************

“In my country, a microcosm of today's world, successive U.S. and U.K. governments have achieved their purpose by force, fraud and rigged elections.” ******************** ************* “It matters not what a Dr Cheddi Jagan person is born, but who they choose to be.” ********************************* “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”

“We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.” ********************************* “Every man dies - Not every man really lives.” ********************************* “Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.” ********************************* “Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be.” ********************************* “It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you place the blame.” ********************************* “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.” ********************************* “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” ********************************* “ Some .. see things that are ... and ask why ? I Dream things that never were ... and ask Why Not! ”

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

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MICROSOFT WINDOWS 10 Here comes the start menu…again!

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es, the Start menu is back. Yes, there are virtual desktops. No, the Charms bar hasn't gone away. And no, we don't know when Windows 10 will ship or what it will cost. But we've seen the technical preview of Windows 10 and the word to bear in mind for this release is productivity.

As expected, the Start menu is the default if you use Windows 10 with a keyboard and mouse, though you can keep the full-screen Start screen if you prefer it. Even on the Start menu, you can pin Live Tiles in multiple sizes on the right, but on the left you also get the familiar list of pinned and recent applications, complete with jump lists for files, the search box that you can also use to run commands and a power button for shutting down or restarting your PC. The search box has all the Windows 8 features, including results from Bing and the Windows store, and a separate Search menu next to the Start button gives you trending topics directly from Bing, too.

It’s a humbling and amazing thing to work on Windows, which is used by over 1.5 billion people in every country of the world. From kids playing with computers for the first time,

to writers and journalists, to engineers, to gamers, to CEOs, at some point Windows has empowered all of us.

In the Windows team, Microsoft is proud of this – but they also know that the world today is very different from the one in which Windows grew up. Today, devices outnumber people.

Connectivity is like oxygen. The tension between the desires for agility versus stability poses a huge challenge for IT Pros.

Experiences – no matter what device you’re on – just need to work. The only thing that hasn’t really changed is the situation for developers – still too much to do, and not enough time.

One way to look at it is that Windows is at a threshold. It’s time for a new Windows. This new Windows must be built from the ground-up for a mobile-first, cloud-first world. This new Windows must help our customers be productive in both their digital work and their digital life. This new Windows must empower people and organizations to do great things.

That new Windows is Windows 10!

Windows 10 represents the first step of a whole new generation of Windows. Windows 10 unlocks new experiences for

customers to work, play and connect. Windows 10 embodies what our customers (both consumers and enterprises) demand and what we will deliver.

Windows 10 will run across an incredibly broad set of devices – from the Internet of Things, to servers in enterprise datacenters worldwide. Some of these devices have 4 inch screens – some have 80 inch screens – and some don’t have screens at all. Some of these devices you hold in your hand, others are ten feet away. Some of these devices you primarily use touch/pen, others mouse/keyboard, others controller/ gesture – and some devices can switch between input types.

I not talking about one user interface (UI) to rule them all – we’re talking about one product family, with a tailored experience for each device.

And across this breadth of devices, it’s delivering one application platform for all developers. Whether you’re building a game or a line of business application, there will be one way to write a universal app that targets the entire family. There

will be one store, one way for applications to be discovered, purchased and updated across all of these devices.

Windows 10 will deliver the right experience on the right device at the right time. It will be our most comprehensive platform ever.

Now, during the design of a new Windows, Microsoft spends time with many diverse customers. One of the most important of these customers is the enterprise. In the past year they have talked to dozens of enterprise customers and listened to how they are using and deploying Windows, and what they need from us.

These customers are betting their businesses on Windows – in the first half of this year, shipments of enterprise PCs grew 14%. In that same time period, shipments of Windows enterprise tablets grew 33%.

With Windows 10, Microsoft will be consolidating its various app stores, officials confirmed during a preview event on September 30 in San Francisco.

Sometime in the coming months (I'm betting late October at TechEd Barcelona), Microsoft will go public with what it's doing on the Windows Server and systems management front with Windows 10. And at the next Build conference in April 2015, Microsoft will talk more about the developer story around Windows 10, I reckoned.

There were a couple of new features that Microsoft execs demonstrated, including a new Snap Assist feature that is aimed at helping users figure out how to "snap" apps sideby-side. Users will be able to snap apps horizontally and vertically with Windows 10. A new task view will help users navigate between Virtual Desktops.

Another new feature, which is not yet part of the Windows 10 preview build, is called "Continuum." Continuum will allow users with two-in-one devices that can connect and disconnect keyboards to more easily transition between the different modes. When a keyboard is disconnected, a back button will appear on the task bar to help users to more easily navigate.

Windows 7 users are among those Microsoft knows are key in winning over to Windows 10. What are yourjudgments?

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

Bigg Boss 8: Karishma Tanna takes a dig at Diandra Soares’ bikini!

Even though there is no swimming pool in Bigg Boss this year, but Diandra Soares certainly found an opportunity to wear a bikini. Yes, the model will be seen wearing a two-piece during the Hijack task in the episode of Bigg Boss 8.

However, Karishma Tanna seems to have a problem with that for she will be seen gossiping about Diandra’s bikini with Soni Singh and Upen Patel. Karishma, who has worn a bikini in her film, Grand Masti will say that unlike Diandra, she wouldn’t ever wear a swimsuit on national television. We wonder why this hypocrisy…

And we do not understand fixation with the word ‘national television’? She has been using this word way too often, don’t you think BollywoodLifers

Tabu: I am a product of hardcore commercial cinema

Tabu on her unconventional film choices, working with Vishal Bhardwaj after 12 years and playing a mother to Shahid Kapoor in Haider.

Ever since the recluse, Tabu isn’t too fond of giving interviews. But when we sit down and I ask her what still gets her excited enough to continue pursuing acting, her eyes light up!

There’s no denying her ability to make each character her own.

In Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider, she plays a complex character — as Shahid Kapoor’s mom. Excerpts…

You’ve played dark characters in Maqbool andHaider.

What attracts you to them?

I am able to see myself easily in them. I feel a sense of alignment with the emotions of these characters. Also, with Vishal, this is his area and a playground for you as an actor.

These characters are roles to die for. Vishal’s writing is his forte, so it’s great fun to do these scenes. The dialogues are

so good that you don’t have to do much… just get on the set and say them.

How different was it shooting both films?

It was very cold during Haider, and extremely hot during Maqbool! I remember the temperature hitting close to 50 degrees in Bhopal, while we were freezing in Kashmir. That apart, they are completely different stories and characters. In Maqbool, Nimmi was unconsciously cunning. In Haider you still don’t know what her intentions are. Vishal and I got back together after 12 years, and we have grown as people, after a long journey and are at different places in life than we were in Maqbool.

Can women-centric films make as much money as big-hero projects?

It isn’t just enough to have an author-backed role for a woman. Woman or man, the most challenging part is to get

Makers of Hrithik Roshan-Katrina Kaif starrer Bang Bang seek action against piracy

Producers of the film had moved to the high court seeking to block nearly 72 websites that may allow online access to the film.

The Delhi High Court Tuesday directed various internet and telecom service providers to block access to 72 websites hosting the yet-to-be released Hrithik Roshan starer Bang Bang.

Justice Manmohan Singh said the court is totally against the piracy of copyrighted material, including movies, and “it is almost equivalent to duplicating currencies.”

“The websites’ owners are committing piracy and collecting illegal profits, who are peeping behind the curtain and laughing at the producers of the movies. If this is not fraud what else? In fact, piracy in copyright cases is a curse to well-established system of the country and it should be curbed and dealt with with iron hands,” the court said.

Producers of Bollywood film Bang Bang had moved the high court seeking to block nearly 72 websites that may allow online access to the film. The film also stars Katrina Kaif, and is scheduled to be released Friday.

Fox Star Studios has sought a blanket injunction against these websites and also hauled service providers in its suit.

The plea said that every day multiple websites provide access to illegal content by communicating films to public without authorization of the rightful owner, adding that this interferes with “theatrical exploitation of film.”

The producers termed the websites as “rogue” and accused them of supporting and hosting the streaming of movies and collecting illegal profits by providing video on demand.

people to come to theatres to watch your movie. It’s the biggest leveller for anyone. No matter how big you might be as an actor or an actress, the task of convincing the audience to come watch your work is never going to change. I feel it’s the writing and the director who can make or break a film.

Over the years you’ve been choosy with your work.

Does that intimidate filmmakers?

You think so? A lot of people think this way, in fact when they meet me they tell me, we wanted to cast you, but we felt you wouldn’t be interested. But they should at least come and ask me (laughs). But I agree that people haven’t been able to judge and come to a conclusion about the kind of roles that I might say a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to. Also, they don’t know that apart from the role there are many other factors for which I say yes or no. Sometimes I say no because of money, or because I can’t trust that person. Eventually, the roles that will come to me will be similar, I don’t expect someone to come with something out of this world, so I make my decision based on the comfort level I have with that film maker or co-actor.

What made you choose Jai Ho? I am a product of hardcore commercial cinema. I have always done commercial films right from the beginning. People tend to forget that, because I did films like Hu Tu Tu or Astitva and others. With Jai Ho, there were many factors that I was comfortable with, so it was very easy for me to say yes. It was a simple decision where I didn’t have to think.

How different is it working today from the ‘90s?

Everyone has vanity vans. There are a lot more people in a unit now than before. I think that actors today are very interactive, out there, open, sharing. Also, directors and actors are more like friends than the days before! The biggest difference is that there are a lot more people and staff in every department.

Were you nervous playing Shahid’s mother in Haider?

I overlooked the mother part because I see characters for what they are. It’s incidental that she’s a mother. And my choices have always reflected that. So I have always gravitated to characters I can play with, these are choices I have gravitated toward. Thereafter, the fact that the character is a mother, aunty or a sister has been secondary. I didn’t want to say no to Haider just because she’s a mother. It would have been a pity if I hadn’t got a chance to experience this journey. It does look odd because there isn’t a huge age gap between Shahid and me, but that is also a reason why Vishal wanted to cast me. Our relationship is supposed to be odd.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

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Yvonne Nelson Hangs Out With Another Hunk: Not John Dumelo!

Over time, Hollywood actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis has come to be one of Yvonne Nelson’s close associates.

The actor is in Ghana at the moment...he came in earlier in the months and we are surprised he hasn’t left yet...maybe he has few things he’s tidying up in Ghana.

The actress and the Haitian born actor, have worked on couple of movies together and we heard she plays host to him whenever he visits Ghana.

That explains why Yvonne makes out time to hang out with him more these days, temporarily dumping John Dumelo as we haven’t spotted the close pair together recently.

Meanwhile, Jimmy is so hot and we know John may not be able to stand the sight of him going too close to Yvonne this way...but that shouldn’t be John’s problem anyway as both he and Yvonne have always claimed they are just friends...or do you think John should be worried and jealous of this hot dude?

Tiwa Savage Marriage Latest: Reveals New Manager After Sacking Husband Tee Billz?

As news of Tiwa Savage, Nigerian singer and songwriter’s alleged matrimonial crisis continues to rage on, the singer appears to be slowly confirming the fears of fans and friends as she recently struck a pose with her new manager, Emeka also known as Meka Millions.

While allegations of infidelity and domestic violence remain unconfirmed, Mekka, we gathered, now receives Tiwa Savage’s phone calls and has been accompanying her to events for a while now.

Will Tiwa Savage overcome these challenges or is this going to be another Funke Akindele?

Ini Edo’s marriage allegedly crashes, husband returns bride price

Ramsey Noah and Genevieve looking good together I remember those days when these two actors, Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Noah were the hottest celebrities Africa had.

Anytime these two stars in a movie, the producer is likely to break a sales record in the market.

They are very talented and cute. Kind of like a perfect match to be but Genevieve is still single and Ramsey Noah is married with kids.

They were spotted together at an event and this picture reminds me of the good old days in the movie industry.

New reports surfacing online allege that actress Ini Edo’s marriage has crashed.

Ini Edo, who got married to her American based business man, Phillip in 2008, allegedly walked out of the marriage weeks ago following accusations of domestic violence and cheating.

“I am sorry to break your hearts but what must be told must be told. This report is authentic and you can take it to the Bank.

“A close friend of the actress squealed that the marriage broke down due to very strong allegations of ‘serial cheating with evidence’ but that the couple who are pretending to still be in talking terms might cite irreconcilable differences.

“The source alleged that Phillips Ehiagwina demanded to have back the bride price he paid to marry Ini Edo and his wishes were granted by her people”, Celebrity Blogger Stella Dimokokorkus reported.

The actress is currently in Makurdi, Benue State shooting a movie. (nollywood stars news.com)

Omotola has more depth in acting than Genevieve Nnaji – Charles Novia Some Nigerian citizens including top Nollywood actors like Joke Silva and Omotola Ekeinde, were honored by the Federal Government.

Movie critique and director, Charles Novia took to his facebook page, to congratulate the awardees and also air his thoughts on Genevieve as an actress.

“Congratulations to the Nollywood recipients of the Nigerian National Awards, which took place today in Abuja. Kenneth Nnebue, Joke Silva and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde were each given National Honours by President Jonathan today.

“Kenneth Nnebue is generally acknowledged as the founder of the home video industry in Nigeria, which later snowballed into Nollywood. His epoch – making movie ‘Living in Bondage’ which he Executive Produced in 1992 generated the unleashing of creative spirits in Nigeria who followed his footsteps and used the affordable home video technology to exhibit their gifts.

“Perhaps without Nnebue’s foray into that sector, the likes of me and thousands of others would never have found the creative leeway we used to show our talents. His award is belated though. But better late than never.

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Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)

MAGISTRATE HITS AT PARENTS WHO LIE TO SAVE MAN DIES AT SICK WIFE’S BEDSIDE CHILDREN

In First Day issues will also be provided at Post Offices at New Amsterdam, Kitty, Bourda, Mackenzie, Suddie and Bartica. *****************************************

(The Citizen March 2, 1978)

(The Daily Chronicle July 12, 1977)

Magistrate Prem Persaud lamented the fact that he could not impose prison terms on parents who come to court and lie in order to save their children from being convicted in criminal matters.

He made the statement when Shurland Best of Princess Street Lodge appeared with being in possession of a revolver and five rounds of ammunition on February 11 last.

Best’s father had come to court a week ago and told the Magistrate that the gun was given to him by a man whose name was mentioned in Court.

But Magistrate Persaud pointed out that the youth in his defence had claimed. that he found the weapon on the D’Urban race course.

“People like you come here to save your children and tell lies, ”the Magistrate said.

“It is a pity that I cannot like in some other countries, send you to prison.”

The magistrate asked the father if he had verified his son’s story rather than coming to court and lying to save him from punishment.

The father replied that he did not and Magistrate Persaud observed that it was clear that the revolver was removed from the home of Best’s employer.

Best was held with the gun when he threatened another youth with the weapon.

He was fined $100 or three month’s imprisonment. *****************************************

“I thought I would have lived to bury you,” a man told his sick wife in the Georgetown Hospital – and then he slumped to the floor and died, as she gasped in horror.

This occurred while Harry Joseph, 60, a former porter of the Georgetown Hospital was visiting his wife who had been hospitalised for several months.

Joseph is reported to have brought his wife up-to-date with all his business dealings and then told her: ” You know I thought I would have lived to bury you.”

The ailing wife, bewildered by his words and tone of voice, gazed at her husband helplessly as he suddenly collapsed and died without another word.

Mrs. Joseph then collapsed in her bed with grief.

The body of Joseph who lived with his family at D’Urban Street, Lodge was taken to the Casualty Department of the hospital where a Doctor certified the death.

A post mortem examination will be performed on the body. *****************************************

STAMPS ON WILDLIFE (The Citizen February 10, 1978)

“Wildlife Conservation” stamps will be released for sale on Wednesday.

This issue in four denominations depicts the Manatee (8 cents) Giant Sea Turtle (15 cents) Harpy Eagle (35 cents) and Iguana (40 cents).

The official First Day Cover for the issue will depict an Ocelot and will be sold at 40 cents each.

A First Day Cover with a full set of stamps will cost one dollar and thirty- eight cents .

A special First Day issue cancellation bearing the inscription “Wild Life Conservation” and dated February 15, 1976 will be provided at the Philatelic Bureau General Post Office .

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR UNCLE EDDIE (Daily Chronicle April 1, 1977)

A memorial service for the late Edward Holford “Uncle Eddie” as he was fondly called will be held at the Uncle Eddie’s Home Tucville on Sunday April 3 at 4.30 p.m.

The service has been arranged by the Committee of Management of the home headed by Dr. Enid Denbow.

The service will be conducted by the Bishop of Stabroek the Right Reverend Randolph George.

A warm hearted philantrophic Guyanese who resided in the U.S.A for a number of years, he never forgot his people and with his accumulated wealth, decided to build the Uncle Eddie’s home to commemorate his true feelings for his fellow Guyanese.

The late Cde. Holford who hailed from Berbice was a former Estate Manager before leaving Guyana in 1924 where he made a name for himself in community activities, organising the Queen’s County Youth Centre in New York.

He contributed freely locally to a number of senior citizen’s home projects, the more recent one being the Uncle

Eddie’s Home.

In 1972 he managed to return home to see the start of the erection of the home which today stands as a quiet living testimony to a man who did not live for himself alone but gave generously to all those who needed assistance.

His name will always be remembered whenever the Home is mentioned.

An invitation to participate in the service is extended to all Guyanese who knew the man and what he stood for during his 80 odd years of life. *****************************************

DENIS WILLIAMS DISCOVERS ROCK CARVING TOOLS IN SOUTH RUPUNUNI (The Daily Chronicle November 20, 1977)

A group of ancient rock carvings found in the South Rupununi savannahs are presently being studied by Denis Williams, Director of Art in the Department of Culture, Ministry of Education Social Development and Culture.

Mr. Williams said that three of his colleagues spent a week at Aishalton in the Rupununi Savannahs where exist the oldest rocks of the Continent of South America making studies for research priorities in Social Anthropology, Archaeology and Agriculture.

Photographs and transfers of the rock carvings are being studied to ascertain the approximate time of their inception.

An important breakthrough in prehistoric studies in this country was the excavation of several tools employed by early man in the engraving of rocks.

This shows valuable light on the technology associated with rock art in Guyana about which nothing has been hitherto known.

It now seems evident that the rocks were carved by pre-pottery using peoples who traversed the Brazilian-Venezuelan and Guyanese savannahs as hunters at a date still to be established.

Members of the expedition were Cde. Denis Williams, Dr. Alain Fournier, a sociologist attached to Upper Mazaruni Development Authority (UMDA), Dr. Philippe Mitrani, a Social Anthropologist attached to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Dr. Lesley Potter, Head of the Department of Geography, University of Guyana.

The team was associated with the recent conference on Human Ecology and Environmental Management sponsored by the National Science Research Council.

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail. com or cell phone # 694 0913)

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Nikolai Basov (1922 - 2001) Nikolai Basov

Basov shared the 1964 Nobel Prize for Physics with Alexander Prokhorov and Charles Townes for fundamental research into quantum electronics, which forms the foundation on which modern laser technology stands.

After four years of military service during the Second World War, Basov studied physics at the

Moscow Institute of Physical Engineers.

In 1948 he moved to the Lebedev Physical Institute, also in Moscow, where he worked under the supervision of Prokhorov. While the pair were searching for a technique to amplify microwave signals in spectroscopic experiments, they hit upon the idea of using a gas-filled cavity with reflectors at either end, in which the microwave beam would be intensified.

Their discovery that this method produced microwaves with an extremely narrow range of frequencies led to the construction of a 'maser' - microwave amplification by stimulated emission

- is a Russian physicist whose pioneering work led to the invention of the laser

of radiation - and, after further refinements, the laser. Working in the US, Townes simultaneously made the same breakthrough.

Basov later became a professor in the department of solid-state physics at the Moscow Institute of Physical Engineers. He was also appointed as vice-director of at the P N Lebedev Physical Institute in 1958, where he became director in 1973. He achieved further recognition in Soviet political life, serving in the Presidium from 1982 until 1989. Basov was a head of the laboratory of quantum radiophysics at the Lebedev institute at the time of his death at the age of 78.

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Harmony Hall A remote settlement best suited for retiring folks desiring peace and tranquility

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By Alex Wayne

here is a saying: “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder,” with which I totally agree. But after my visit to the appealing village of Harmony Hall (also called High Dam), I am sorely tempted to add to that saying that beauty is further accentuated when associated with humble acceptance of its radiance.

I also learnt after visiting this village that beauty can almost become magical when contented beings place great value to its presence with intense appreciation, merriment and simple acceptance.

Now folks, this little village has only fourteen households with a population not yet one hundred, and certainly lacks the luxuries of life shared by many lucky individuals, but the degree of humility, joy and harmony shared among residents have certainly taught me to accept the gifts of Mother Nature and the Creator, and even made me a little envious of those existing in this almost heavenly abode.

With its sprawling pastures, gurgling waterways, golden rice fields and lush foliage, and surrounding rambling cottage houses, Harmony Hall is the ideal location for retiring elders who desire continuous peace and tranquility.

Harmony Hall (High Dam) is a large commercialised agricultural landholding with associated buildings and other facilities in the country of Guyana. Its centre lies at a latitude of 6.65 and longitude of -57.86667, and has an elevation of one metre above sea level.

Sunrise in most cases commences around 05:41 hours, while the sunsets with blazing, scarlet allure 17:40 hours, adding a rare glitzy edge to the settlement.

This village is nestled nicely between the slightly larger village of Glazier’s Lust to the west and the very sparse Carlton Hall to the east on the East Coast of Demerara. Harmony Hall is located some 46 kilometres from Georgetown.

regurgitated and chewed to perfection) Healthy looking dogs yelped and pranced about as horses munched happily on the assortment of juicy shrubs and many grass species in the open pastures. Housewives sat in hammocks humming merry lullabies or tracing patterns in the soil as they awaited their husbands to arrive from the rice fields, all soiled and sweaty from their hard toiling.

Old men sat under swaying tamarind trees, eyes half closed as if in a daze with smiles like ‘merry half-moons,’ plastered on their wrinkly faces. The fusion of coconut palms and abundant fruit trees cast a certain ‘tropical tranquility’ on the village that ignited an urge to just roll out a blanket and ‘throw down’ under the shady tress for a good breezy, afternoon nap.

Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Samantha Farina, a retired nurse revealed that she was actually home alone with the kids as they awaited the return of her husband who was tending to his rice plots in the ‘backdam area’ of the village.

She explained upon promptings that the village was very quiet and peaceful and most suited for retiring elders or Guyanese returning from abroad to settle down in peace and quiet.

“This village is always calm and peaceful and it’s actually a privilege to be living here. We do not enjoy the excitement and modern facilities like some other villages, but we are a humble and contented people and we normally make do with whatev-

My Arrival “Oh goodness; gracious me! The ride to this village aboard a very ‘rikity car’ from the Mahaica Market Square was certainly hilarious. I silently cursed the vendor who advised that I board this vehicle since it seemed to cough and chug its way along the East Coast Demerara Highway, spewing billowing clouds of acrid smoke in its trail igniting the wrath of other drivers and pedestrians.

The almost toothless driver was not to be undone and hurled insults and obscenities at practically anyone who shouted their disapproval of him using the roadways in his ‘contraption’ as they called his car.

It was with great relief that I disembarked the vehicle with eyes burning and gulped in the refreshing air blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean.

But my disgust and discomfort was soon replaced with awe and pleasure as I stood on the edge of this striking village, Harmony Hall.

The winding main road was certainly in good condition as it twisted like a monstrous anaconda among swaying coconut palms and lush, green foliage. Most of the houses were definitely old fashioned, with wide open yard spaces in which hens cackled without a care in the world and sheep dozed in the shade, chewing proudly on their cuds (grass meals they

Welcome to the arresting village of Harmony Hall

This village was definitely quiet, with a comforting, woozy blanket of pleasurable peace about it.

Mingling With Villagers Well there hardly seemed to be much people stirring about so I walked into a yard where a pretty woman was seated in a hammock, obviously lost in her mind’s musings.

She looked up sharply at my entrance and her puppy which she later told me was called ‘Mustapha’ lunged at me with fierce barking causing me to back up in fear. Calming him by speaking to him softly and stroking his neck, the dog soon settled down, protesting softly in its own animal language, eyeing me suspiciously from the corner of its shiny eyes.

After warm introductions we were soon chatting like old friends and we both discovered that we had actually crossed paths a few times when I was employed a few years ago at another media house, and would often visit the Georgetown

er little we have. We enjoy the clean fresh air, lots of fruits as you can see, and we spend much time on our farms, rice field or in our kitchen gardens. That aside, from time to time we would venture outside the village to Carlton Hall nearby where a few entertainment ventures are normally hosted.”

The retired nurse explained that the village was inhabited mostly by Negroes with a sprinkling of the mixed races and that their main source of income is generated through farming, rice cultivation, and the rearing of cattle and poultry.

Some housewives try to make an extra dollar from the sale of eggs or from the fat and healthy chickens they pluck for sale periodically.

Mrs. Farina explained that there are no grocery shops in the village or no scope for entertainment or recreational opportunities.

“This is a very small village and it just a pleasant little alcove where the elderly can retire in calm and comfort.

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Harmony Hall

There are no shops here and to get our groceries we would travel to outlying village or purchase on a wholesale bases at the Mahaica Market which is about five miles from the village. She explained that there were no discos or nightclubs in the village so villagers were content to listen to music from their own stereo systems, watch television, while the grown men would trek to a lone run shop in the center of the village to consume alcohol and listen to ‘yester-year music’ on weekends.

My next stop was to chat with 71-year-old Kingsal Gilgeous who sat humming merrily on a makeshift wooden bench beneath a roadside tamarind tree.

He shared the sentiment that the village was actually a quite ‘comfy location’ but expressed concern that there was never any street lights there.

“This is a very sweet place to live. It is quiet and so peaceful, that visitors refer to it as the fairyland. That may be so, but there is definite need for street lights here because when night falls the place is pitch dark, save for the areas that are illuminated by the lights from buildings. But as you can see the houses are far apart in many cases…. We get good water supply at all times, but in some cases it is almost rusty and unfit for drinking. I am hoping that the GWI can look into that” Mr. Gilgeous expressed the need for a playfield for the youths in the village whom he said were talented in the fields of cricket and football. “We have quite a number of gifted cricketers and footballers here, but there is really no suitable location in which they can practice because we do not have a playfield here. In most cases they have to travel to Carlton Hall or even to Mahaica, or rig up little cricket pitches in their back yards that are often not spacious enough”.

Janita Singh, a security guard at a communications network outside the village lauded the Government for ensuring that the drainage system in the village was almost excellent, if not perfect.

“We do not have everything in this village but we are contented with what we have. We know everything cannot happen overnight since there is so much to do in Guyana,

but our drainage system here is fairly good. We do not really have floods here and the water drains off in reasonable time after heavy rainfall. There are still a few trenches that need to be cleaned but we have no threat of flooding in this area.

However, we need activities here so that our youths can be gainfully engaged during there spare time. I am hoping that the relevant authorities can form a youth group or some organisation here in which our youths can learn new trades and utilise their talents.”

Dale Nobrega, a carpenter affirmed that the village was indeed a calm and attractive location but raised concerns about the lack of scope for employment for youths there.

“This village really nice bass man and I enjoy living hea….

But I am a bit concerned about some qualified youths who are still unemployed in this village. Yuh see bass, de oldah folks would do lil carpentry, farming, rice planting and suh lie we accustom tuh, but dem youths wid subjects looking fuh something bettah, and we ain get nutting fuh dem hea” Harmony Hall of Yesteryear

Harmony Hall has not changed much from its appearance ‘donkey years ago,’ and to tell the story was village elder Philip Nedd.

“I have lived here almost all my life and not much has changed since I was a young boy. In my time when ah used to run around ‘shut tail’ as ah little boy this place was mostly bushes and swampy wastelands. There were hardly any houses here and when yuh find wan house, yuh gat fuh walk lang, lang before yuh finad anatha wan. In dem those days it was flambough lamps and old time wax candles, and we used tuh fetch wata frum one stand pipe in the village. At that time we used go-carts and donkey cart tuh move about, since we had no hire cars, or sometime we would use de train.”

According to Mr. Nedd the level of harmony and unity amongst the race was always present in the village, and neighbours would share meals, vegetables and ground provisions with each other.

Today there are paved streets in some areas, but there is still some room for improvement.

The village is equipped with a health centre, but according to residents very little can be benefited from this institution since in many occasions the staff there are never present to attend to patients and very often persons seeking medical help are told that the institution does not have drugs or medications to tend to illnesses.

The bottom flat of this building was once used as a temporary library according to villagers but even that seemed to have been left to waste.

Some mothers said that the bottom flat is closed up now with barrels of books which have been left to become infested with wood ants and insects. There are no schools in this village and as such the youths attend academic institutions in the nearby Carlton Hall, which has a primary and nursery school or the multilateral facility at Bygeval/ Mahaica.

In the olden times villagers worshipped in their homes or in their ‘bottom house churches.’ Today there is a single Methodist Church there where residents would congregate, save for the few who choose to worship outside the village.

Conclusion Let’s not focus on the negatives of this village. And come to think of it, there aren’t really a lot of them associated with this location.

But stop for a moment and ponder on the beauty of this small settlement and how more wondrous it can become as time evolves. One thing that I can assure you is that with the right moulding minds put together, Harmony Hall can become a next big hit on our priority list of places to visit.

Why not hop in a bus and drop in on the villagers. You certainly will have the time of your lives. But mark well…

Take a mini-bus and avoid the ‘smoky old cars.’ They can be so uncomfortable at times. Bye now folks… Join me next week when we visit the arresting village of Supply on the East Bank of Demerara.

Carpenter Dale Nobrega (left) and a friend use self-help efforts to build the small grocery stall he intends to operate

A well-kept cemetery

To keep the youngsters entertained some fathers would take them on bicycle rides around the village

The men folks would ‘tek ah tupps’ at this rum shop on weekends

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

The lone Methodist Church in the village

What a dreamy little countryside cottage

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Swaying coconut palms adds a certain allure to the village

The Harmony Hall Health Centre

Making the land ready for farming purposes

New houses continue to pop up as the village evolves

Rice cultivation brings in assured earnings for villagers

Getting the groceries for mummy Some trenches in the village are in dire need of sprucing up

Sandy dams and flowing waterways

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Kingsal Gilgeous gave historical information on the village

Heading home after a hard days’ work in the fields

Housewives ponder on the lack of recreational opportunities for their children

Hunters Toolsie Mulchand, Govindra Gobin, Khemraj Ramgobin, and Doodnauth Mulchand makes ready to catch iguana and other wild animals in the backlands of the village

Housewife Janita Singh pleads for recreational opportunities for youths at Harmony Hall

Lovely houses surrounded by lush, green fruit trees

This ferocious little puppy created quite a fracas when I attempted to interview its mistress

A picturesque section of the village

Off to the rice mill with paddy after harvesting

Enjoying a breezy afternoon stroll

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

Nerve impulses to and from the brain travel as fast as 170 miles per hour. Ever wonder how you can react so fast to things around you or why that stubbed toe hurts right away?

It’s due to the super-speedy movement of nerve impulses from your brain to the rest of your body and vice versa, bringing reactions at the speed of a high powered luxury sports car. ******************************** The brain operates on the same amount of power as 10watt light bulb. The cartoon image of a light bulb over your head when a great thought occurs isn’t too far off the mark.

Your brain generates as much energy as a small light bulb even when you’re sleeping. ******************************** The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica. Or any other encyclopedia for that matter. Scientists have yet to settle on a definitive amount, but the storage capacity of the brain in electronic terms is thought to be between 3 or even 1,000 terabytes.

The National Archives of Britain, containing over 900 years of history, only takes up 70 terabytes, making your brain’s memory power pretty darn impressive. ******************************** Your brain uses 20% of the oxygen that enters your bloodstream. The brain only makes up about 2% of our body mass, yet consumes more oxygen than any other organ in the body, making it extremely susceptible to damage related to oxygen deprivation. So breathe deep to keep your brain happy and swimming in oxygenated cells. ******************************** The brain is much more active at night than during the day. Logically, you would think that all the moving around, complicated calculations and tasks and general interaction we do on a daily basis during our working hours would take a lot more brain power than, say, lying in bed. Turns out, the opposite is true. When you turn off your brain turns on. Scientists don’t yet know why this is but you can thank the hard work of your brain while you sleep for all those pleasant dreams. ******************************** Scientists say the higher your I.Q. the more you dream.

While this may be true, don’t take it as a sign you’re mentally lacking if you can’t recall your dreams. Most of us don’t remember many of our dreams and the average length of most dreams is only 2-3 seconds–barely long enough to register. ******************************** Neurons continue to grow throughout human life. For years scientists and doctors thought that brain and neural tissue couldn’t grow or regenerate. While it doesn’t act in the same manner as tissues in many other parts of the body, neurons can and do grow throughout your life, adding a whole new dimension to the study of the brain and the illnesses that affect it. ******************************** Information travels at different speeds within different types of neurons. Not all neurons are the same. There are a few different types within the body and transmission along these different kinds can be as slow as 0.5 meters/sec or as fast as 120 meters/sec. ******************************** The brain itself cannot feel pain. While the brain might be the pain center when you cut your finger or burn yourself, the brain itself does not have pain receptors and cannot feel pain. That doesn’t mean your head can’t hurt. The brain is surrounded by loads of tissues, nerves and blood vessels that are plenty receptive to pain and can give you a pounding headache. ******************************** 80% of the brain is water. Your brain isn’t the firm, gray mass you’ve seen on TV. Living brain tissue is a squishy, pink and jelly-like organ thanks to the loads of blood and high water content of the tissue. So the next time you’re feeling dehydrated get a drink to keep your brain hydrated.

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XXVI no I.D. with me today. No, I forgot my I.D. Just go ahead --$5,000.' Brothers be at the bank -- he's got his birth certificate, social security card, his lotto tickets, his pictures his kid drew, and they're still over in the back going, 'I don't think that's him. I'll tell you what, give him $28.' *******************************

Computer Diagnosis

$8 Bill A crook mistakenly made a counterfeit $8 bill instead of a $10 bill. He decided to try it out anyway, so he went to the bank and asked for change.

The teller looked at the $8 bill and gave the crook two $4 bills as change. *******************************

A.J. Jamal: At the Bank

You seen white people goin, 'Oh, how ya doin', Bob? Ah,

One day Bill complained to his friend that his elbow really hurt. His friend suggested

that he go to

a computer at the drug store that can diagnose anything quicker and cheaper than a doctor. ''Simply put in a sample of your urine and the computer will diagnose your problem and tell you what you can do about it. It only costs $10." Bill figured he had nothing to lose, so he filled a jar with a urine sample and went to the drug store. Finding the computer, he poured in the sample and deposited the $10. The computer started making some noise and various lights started

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014 flashing. After a brief pause out popped a small slip of paper on which was printed: "You have tennis elbow. Soak your arm in warm water. Avoid heavy lifting. It will be better in two weeks."

Later that evening while thinking how amazing this new technology was and how it would change medical began

science forever, he to wonder if this machine could be fooled. He mixed together some tap water, a stool sample from his dog and urine samples from his wife and daughter. To top it off, he masturbated into the con-

coction. He went back to the drug store, located the machine, poured in the sample and deposited the

Continued on page XXVII

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

From page XXVI $10. The computer again made the usual noise and printed out the following message: "Your tap water is too hard. Get a water softener. Your dog has worms. Get him vitamins. Your daughter is using cocaine.

Put her in a rehabilitation clinic. Your wife is pregnant with twin girls. They aren't yours. Get a lawyer. And if you don't stop jerking off, your tennis elbow will never get better." *******************************

Blonde's Connection Down

A blonde complains to a brunette friend that her Internet is down.

The brunette friend offers to let the blonde check her e-mail at her house.

"That's OK," says the blonde. "Why don't you check it and forward me what I got?" *******************************

The Amazing Health Computer

One day, Jeffrey complained to his friend, "My elbow really hurts, I guess I should see a doctor."

"Don't do that! There's a computer at the drug store that can diagnose anything, quicker and cheaper than a doctor.

Simply put in a sample of your urine and the computer will diagnose your problem and tell you what you can do about it. It only costs $10."

Jeffery figured he had nothing to lose, so he took his urine sample to the drug store. Finding the computer, he poured in the sample and deposited the $10.00. The computer started making some noise and various lights started flashing. After a brief pause, out popped a small slip of paper on which was printed: “You have tennis elbow.

Soak your arm in warm water.

Avoid heavy lifting.

It will be better in two weeks.”

Late that evening while thinking how amazing this new technology was and how it would change medical science forever, he began to wonder if this machine could be fooled.

He decided to give it a try. He mixed together some tap water, a stool sample from his dog and urine samples from his wife and daughter. To top it off, he masturbated into the concoction.

He went back to the drug store, located the machine, poured in the sample and deposited $10.00. The computer again made the usual noise and printed out the following message: “Your tap water is too hard.

Get a water softener.

Your dog has worms.

Get him vitamins.

Your daughter's using cocaine.

Put her in a rehabilitation clinic.

Your wife's pregnant twin girls.

They aren't yours.

Get a lawyer.

And if you don't stop jerking off, your tennis elbow will never get better.”

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Pepperpot’s weekly Health Digest…

Best Ways to Relieve Stress Naturally

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he following re m e d i e s f o r stress and anxiety will help benefit your mind and body. Experiment to find what works best for you.

Physically active people feel less anxious and depressed.

Why? One theory holds that aerobic exercise can increase your levels of norepinephrine, a chemical that helps the brain deal with stress more efficiently.

Exercise Ideally, we should spend 30 minutes exercising five times a week, says Alice Domar, Ph.D, founder of the Domar Centre for Mind/Body Health in Waltham.

Massachusetts, but every bit of activity helps.

Acupressure Two points on the back of your neck known as the “gates

of the mind” can ease stress and clear your mind, says Michael Reed Gach, M.D, founder of the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley, California. As an added bonus, he adds, pressing these points can stop headaches from developing.

Tilt your head back and place your thumbs at the top of your neck, just below the base of your skull, about 3 inches apart. Press these spots firmly but gently. “You don’t want to press on the skull, but just underneath it,” Gach says.

“If your thumbs are weak or arthritic, use your knuckles instead.” As you press, take three to five slow, deep breaths.

Finish by letting your hands float into your lap and your chin drop to your chest. Take an additional deep breath, and briefly scan your body to see how you feel.

Music A number of studies show that listening to music, especially classical or baroque, may help you unwind and improve your mood.

Though less melodic, therapeutic CDs of “binaural beats” also show promise as a means of calming the mind and body, according to several studies. These recordings work by projecting two tones of similar frequencies into each ear. This creates a “beat” at a certain frequency in the mind, say proponents, and your brain falls in sync with it; different frequencies call forth different moods.

Web sites such as hemisync.com or appliedmusic.com offer relaxation-inducing binaural-beat recordings.

Herbal Remedies By strengthening your body’s ability to handle stress, a class of herbs called adaptogens keeps everyday pressure from wreaking havoc on your immune system. Dubbed the “king adaptogen,” eleuthero (also known as Siberian ginseng) has been shown to normalise blood pressure and blood-sugar levels and stop stress from draining your adrenal gland’s supply of vitamin C. Herbs such as Asian ginseng, American ginseng, rhodiola, ashwagandha, and schizandra also act as key adaptogens.

Look for adaptogen combo formulas such as bacopa and holy basil, or make your own blend of stamina tea using dried herbs. (Talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.)

Biofeedback Biofeedback may sound too technical to be a natural remedy, but in fact, it’s really just using your own thought processes to gain better control over involuntary bodily functions such as heart beat, breathing rate, and brain function. This technique can be helpful for stress-related problems such as insomnia and high blood pressure.

Sometimes biofeedback patients are hooked up to machines and digital displays that allow them to physically see the effects of stress on the body, represented by peaks and valleys on a graph.

The goal is to change the way your body responds to stress — and therefore change the results you see on the screen — by using relaxation and breathing practices.

Relaxation Tools Walk into any gadget store or self-help section of the library and you’ll be bombarded by products claiming to help reduce your stress in no time flat: From simple stress balls and meditation CDs to iPhone apps and new-age massage tools, there’s

quite a selection out there — but do they work?

Senior editor Terri Trespicio appeared on “The Martha Stewart Show” to discuss her five favourite stress busters. These products are not only effective — they can actually be fun!

Chakra Balancing In this relaxing ritual, you’ll gather stones to stimulate the body’s seven main energy centres, or chakras, in the Ayurvedic tradition. While many massage therapists use large stones to massage out tension in muscles, simply placing stones at strategic points on the body can encourage relaxation.

Unplug at Start and End of Day If checking your email has become as vital to your wake-up and bedtime routines as brushing your teeth, it’s time to unplug.

“Starting and ending the day in stillness is essential to stress reduction, so it’s absolutely critical not to jump into email during either of those times,” says Joan Borysenko, Ph.D, author of “Your Soul’s Compass.”

In the morning and at night, turn off your computer (and TV) and pick up a book — or simply delight in the rare pleasure of doing nothing. A little nature therapy can also ease the stress of too much computer time. A stroll through a park or on a trail counteracts over stimulation and can also boost your mood and energy.

Doing Something Fun A 2004 study published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship found that creating artwork and crafts helped to relax a group of adults who were serving as caregivers for family members with cancer. “It’s incredibly stress-reducing to work on a project that takes your focus away from your own thoughts and worries,” says Borysenko.

Art-making not your thing?

“Some people’s creative expression is their bowling league,” says Borysenko. “What’s important is the combination of doing something you love and engaging in that other-centredness.”

A DIY Massage A DIY facial massage is a great way to loosen the muscles that are habitually scrunched up by stress — think frowning, squinting, and furrowing of brows. Essential oils can calm, center, and energize you by reducing the effects of stress and mental fatigue.

When selecting aromatherapy products, look for pure es-

sential oils derived from plants, not fragrances, which may be chemically produced.

Stop Your Thoughts A technique known as “thought-stopping” can help you halt negative, obsessive thoughts, says Dr. Kenneth Ruggiero, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

The first step is to literally call a halt to this train of thought. If you’re alone, say the word “Stop!” out loud. If you’re around others, think it to yourself. Some people even find it useful to pinch themselves to disrupt those stressful thoughts, says Ruggiero.

Next, choose a positive thought on which you’ll focus instead, such as “I’ve given presentations before, and they went well” or “I know this material better than anyone in the audience.” In doing so, says Ruggiero, you swap a negative, stress-inducing thought for a positive one.

Stand Still If you’ve ever watched tai chi being practiced in a public park or in a class, then you know its defining characteristics: grace, groundedness and balance. What you don’t see is effort, exertion, profuse sweating, or any other outward signs of rigorous exercise. That’s because the philosophy behind this ageold practice is not “harder, faster, stronger,” but slower, flowing, and balanced.

Tai chi’s series of “forms,” practiced in slow motion, promotes the healthy flow of qi, or vital energy, throughout the body to improve balance, enhance coordination and focus, and build strength while reducing stress.

Weekend Pampering After a busy week, treat yourself with a few days of bath and body treatments that will leave you invigourated and refreshed. If you have the time and resources, consider a spa vacation at one of these mindand-body retreats.

No need to stress about spending lots of money on a luxury spa, however: With the right ingredients, you can pamper yourself right in the comfort of your own home. (Information gathered and extracted from healthdigezt.com) Join us again next week where we will be telling you about Healthy ways to help protect your eyesight and ward off vision loss and Natural Ways to Revive and Brighten Tired Skin.

Chronicle Pepperpot October 5, 2014

Integrated Farming

By Clifford Stanley

T

he United Nations has designated 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming to raise the profile of unsung agricultural workers and spotlight the roles they play in the face of challenges like climate change, malnutrition, and poverty.

Like Family Farming, Integrated Farming (IF) or the concept of IF, is the wave of the future.

Experts in the European Union (EU) have said that IF is the most efficient way to a productive environmentally friendly and socially responsible agriculture.

IF also known as Integrated Bio-systems is a farming system which consists of the simultaneous cultivation of food crops (like corn or rice) and tree fodder (trees or shrubs used for animal feed), together with the raising of sheep, pigs, ducks and fish.

The proponents of IF systems assert that a judicious mix of agricultural enterprises like dairy, poultry, piggery, fishery, etc. suited to the given agro-climatic conditions and

socio-economic status of the farmers would result in prosperity on the farm.

“Integration of different agricultural enterprises with crop activity as base would provide ways to reuse and recycle produce/waste material of one component as input in the other linked component and reduce the cost of production of the economic produce of the two components and finally to enhance the net-income of the farm as a whole.

For instance, the crop can provide animal feed/fodder for the livestock, and the livestock fertiliser (manure) for the crop- one’s waste is indeed another’s food.

So each component sustains one another: the crop residues serve as feed to the livestock and fish, and in turn, the wastes from the livestock and fish serve as fertiliser to the crops.

Some livestock can also act as weed control by foraging on the weeds.

Additionally a bio-digester is an important part of the IF system since livestock waste together with crop residues, can be placed in it to be digested to produce practically free fuel for household cooking and electricity.

Some important elements of the IF system are Integrated Soil Management, Integrated Crop nutrition ; Integrated Crop Protection through Integrated Pest Management; Integrated Animal Husbandry, Health and Welfare , integrated Water use and protection ie: Using and re-using water as efficiently as possible and waste management and pollution control.

IF is said to be a traditional Chinese practice which has in recent years been further supported by the concept of an allround 'development of agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries

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and other sideline occupations.

However while the IF system may appear to be a very useful, implementing it is not as easy as it looks.

It is not merely addition of one or more components to the farmer’s existing system, but an entirely new farming system which requires a new set of management practices.

The need for keeping all the elements in balance is a major requirement of the system because over concentration in one will result in the detriment another, experts have said.. (To be continued)..

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Sonia Noel F marvels Belizeans during 33rd Independence celebrations -with fantastic fashion display

or the celebration of the 33rd Independence of Belize, its National Institute of Culture and History decided to incorporate a fashion and style segment into the annual showcase.

Caribbean Fashion Icon, Sonia Noel of Guyana, was invited to the premiere event as the Guest Designer, and according to many media officials, she did not disappoint. During CARIFESTA, Ms. Diane Haylock, President of the institute, was formally introduced to Ms. Noel and was very impressed with her work and contribution to Caribbean Fashion and the Creative Industry in general.

"Celebration 'N Style” was a new event of the Belize September Celebrations Calendar 2014. It involved a talk shop in the day with aspiring young Belize fashion designers, led by renowned Guyanese designer Sonia Noel; and a fashion show in the evening in the gardens of the Government House - House of Culture.

“It was a fabulous show with four Belizean designers and Ms. Noel rounding out the show with her unique Caribbean flair and flavour. I anticipate Celebration N Style becoming an annual event in Belize. September is a month in which two Belize National Days are commemorated, one being Independence Day on the 21st September," Ms. Diane Haylock said.

Friday last the House of Culture played host to the Fashion Showcase, in a beautiful garden setting. Veteran designer Dana Brown, as well as Julie McCord, Maureen Navarette, and Babriella Barrera all from Belize displayed their pieces to a very receptive audience. But it was Ms Noel, who once again stole the show. Closing the showcase, displaying pieces from her First Resort collection, Noel proved why she is regarded as one of the region's best. Noel recalls that the response from the other designers and the public was nothing short of amazing. And it wasn’t just 'lip service,' many patrons purchased and ordered pieces as the show was over. On one of the many TV and Radio Continued on page XXXIII

Some of Miss Noel’s designs that were showcased in Belize

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From page XXXII programmes she was invited to; host of the popular morning show, 'Open Your Eyes', William Neal, commented "OMG, the creativity and originality in your work...we have never seen anything like it."

On the other part of the visit, the Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts collaborated with the National Institute of Culture and History of Belize, to host a Fashion Talk Shop as part of the official programme where Noel functioned as facilitator. There were interactive sessions with the young designers on design and development with specific references to culture, story- telling, traditional techniques and socio-historical linkage that influence their individual style concept. The participants were very receptive and overjoyed to be part of the informative talk shop on fashion in the Caribbean. Noel responded that "there is lots of talent here in Belize and I feel overwhelmed to share my knowledge and to be able to contribute to the wider fashion Industry in the region." Noel also challenged Belizeans to support local fashion and make it a duty to add a local designer piece to their wardrobe. The Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts is dedicated to facilitating and creating opportunities for young people to display and realise their creative potential, while contributing to the awareness and eradication of social issues. The last venture was a fund raiser for the Guyana Sickle Cell Association dubbed Style Mission.

The new Caribbean magazine-Making Style was also introduced to Belize. On her trip to Belize, Noel said: "It was an honour to be invited by the Cultural Department for such an important occasion. I feel so much love from officials, local designers, and the public, and I have a distinct feeling that this will be the first of many trips, God's willing."

Ms. Noel attended many official functions and Xunantunich Mayan Ruins while in Belize.

Sonia Noel at the state reception with the Govenor of Belize, Sir Colville Young, and President of Belize’s Institute of Culture and History, Diane Haylock

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Amanda Bynes Missing After DUI: Parents ‘Don’t Know’ Where She Is

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ore bad news for the parents of Amanda Bynes — they reportedly ‘don’t know’ where their daughter is following her arrest on Sept. 28. And, they don’t even know who posted her $15,000 bail!

Amanda Bynes has hit another rough patch. The 28-year-old actress turned fashion student was arrested for driving under the influence in Van Nuys, California and now her parents, Rick Bynes and Lynn Organ are not only in denial of their daughter’s issues, but also reportedly have not spoken to her — and have no clue where she is.

Amanda’s parents told TMZ they found out about their daughter’s arrest like we did — from the media.

They also just kept answering “don’t know” to questions about where she was or who posted her bail following the arrest — but it wasn’t them.

Following Amanda’s many issues over the years, she was living with her parents until July. Her conservatorship ended earlier this month and she moved to Orange County and was attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Irvine, California.

Amanda’s Family In ‘Denial’ Over Issues She was staying out of the limelight until her most recent arrest and HollywoodLife.com learned exclusively that her parents are actually in denial of how serious her issues are again.

“Not only is Amanda in denial over the severity of her ongoing problems, but so is her family,” a source close to the actress told us. “It’s not a shock that she was picked up by the cops … again. It was only a matter of time. There’s this shame attached to mental illness, so unfortunately it’s not treated and it only gets worse. If Amanda was a diabetic, wouldn’t she be given the proper treatment? Of course she would.

Amal Alamuddin’s Wedding Dress: See Her Oscar de la Renta Gown

Mrs. Clooney looked lovely as she said ‘I Do,’ clad in a stunning, off-the-shoulder creation crafted by designer Oscar de la Renta — and now you can get your first look at George’s blushing bride right here!

A style star is born! Amal Alamuddin, 36, has left us amazed with her style transformation over her wedding weekend as she showed off one stunning designer dress after another — but nothing was as breathtaking as her wedding dress! People magazine features the first photos of the happy couple, and Amal looks beautiful clad in a white Oscar de la Renta gown with a long veil draped over her brunette locks.

Sure, we honestly never thought the day would come when George Clooney, 53, was officially off the market, but we couldn’t be happier to see him settle down with such a smart and stunning woman — and Amal looked simply breathtaking as she walked down the aisle on Sept. 27 in Italy for the couple’s symbolic wedding ceremony. While there was much speculation over what the bride would wear for the nuptials, we think her Oscar de la Renta gown was the perfect choice for the special day.

Amal, a civil rights lawyer, may not be used to getting glam for big premieres and walking the red carpet, but after taking one glance at the beautiful bride as she came down the aisle we certainly don’t think she’ll have a problem!

Amal Alamuddin — Wedding Dress Speculation: The bride-to-be was spotted visiting the Alexander McQueen headquarters earlier this month, on Sept. 3, where she spent a couple of hours upstairs, leading to much speculation that she would wear a dress from the fashion house. When she left, she was seen kissing a seamstress with a pincushion armband behind — way to throw us off, Amal! Although Sarah Burton, (the head designer for McQueen), didn’t craft her wedding dress, just the night before, on Sept. 26, Amal looked striking as she stepped out in a commanding red dress that featured a high-low hemline from the fashion house. With her brown hair worn down in a voluminous blowout, she added a bold red lip to the look, making it really pop!

George Clooney’s Wedding Suit: While all eyes were on Amal in her gorgeous gown, her new hubby looked quite dapper himself, relying on his go-to label, Armani, for the couple’s wedding day. Since George often is decked out in the fashion house’s duds for award shows and premieres, we weren’t surprised he turned to Italian fashion designer for the special suit.

George Clooney & Amal Alamuddin’s Wedding Weekend: Prior to the ceremony, George was spotted dining with Cindy Crawford and Anna Wintour, but Amal was nowhere in site, (she was clearly primping and prepping). After the ceremony the fun didn’t stop there! On Sept. 28 the festivities continued as the couple joined their guests for lunch. On Sept. 29 the couple was legally married in a civil ceremony, where Amal wore a stunning white pantsuit by British designer Stella McCartney, complete with a wide-brim hat.

Drake On Rihanna: If I Was More Like Chris Brown, It Could Have Worked

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rake knows how to wrap a tour — with a bang! During the Sept. 27 show, he took the stage and actually talked about his ex, Rihanna and his frenemy, Chris Brown! Watch the video here.

When an epic dance battle broke out between Drake and Lil Wayne during their concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, Texas, the “Started from the Bottom” singer revealed that he should really get better at busting a move — just like Chris Brown! Then maybe he could have held onto Rihanna. Whoa — is he still missing Ri Ri? Drake Loves Rihanna: It Could Have Worked “I just been listening to too much Breezy lately, I just had to do it,” Lil Wayne, 32, said after he shocking the crowd with a sick dance move on Sept. 27. Of course, Chris Brown is known for his dance moves, so it’s no surprise Weezy got some inspiration.

However, Drake then broke it down, too — and shocked the audience even more with his comment.

“Maybe I should’ve brought that sh-t out earlier. Maybe I could’ve made that sh-t work a little better with Rihanna,” he said, much to everyone‘s surprise.

Chris Brown & Rihanna Still Talking?

Of course, Drake, Rihanna and Chris had been in a love triangle for years, but they are all now on great terms. Chris and Drake have actually been spotted in the studio together, and Chris recently revealed he and Rihanna are still seeing each other.

“We’re friends. Nothing too serious… We’re not trying to start a life together right now, we’re just having fun,” he said on Entertainment Tonight on September 25. Ok, we’re confused. But at least they’re all civil, right?