Pepperpot 20 04 14

II

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

“The Virgin Bride”

By Maureen Rampertab

T

HE glow from the dim light in the room reflected his rugged handsomeness and the loose-fitting shirt over casual jeans, not quite hiding the taut muscles on his body, defining his masculinity. Sarah tried to breathe slowly, the first time her feelings were so affected by a man. From all the stories and poems she had read, every word, every verse was like a sweet kiss.

He came into the room and laid a dress on the bed. “Can you join me for dinner?”

For the first time, a real smile, just a little, touched her lips and he wondered: “Does that smile get any sweeter?”

Dinner in the garden, under artificial moonlight, perfumed scents from the tropical flowers along the borders, and French wine relaxed her mind, taking away the nervousness. Later that night, alone in the lounge, she said to him: “Thank you for saving my life and for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Your smile is all the thanks I need,” he said, knowing she had deep worrying concerns.

The deep blue royal dress she wore, her long, lustrous hair draped over one shoulder and her simplicity, awoke in him something he had never felt before, something he had hoped one day to find, so he would recognise her, a girl of simple sophistication.

“She is no doubt from a decent family,” he thought, “but something seems very wrong.”

Somehow, he felt a strong compelling need to find answers.

“Would you like me to contact your family, so you can return home?” he asked her.

She looked up, alarmed, “No, please don’t.”

He looked at her for a long moment, “What aren’t you telling me, Sarah?”

She took a deep breath and looked at him, a plea in her eyes.

“I don’t want to go back home just yet.”

“Why?” “So my father won’t insist I marry a man I don’t love.”

He stared at her incredibly. “You plunged into a rough river to get away from a marriage you didn’t want?”

She nodded, knowing now what a great risk she had taken.

“That’s real desperation, you could have died.”

“I know but no one would listen to me. Everyone thought he is a great guy and I’m a lucky girl.”

“Why did you think differently?”

“He lives a wild lifestyle with parties and exotic women, but he wants to marry someone pure and innocent, a virgin bride. I’m a simple girl dedicated to God, and saying ‘yes’

(Conclusion)

would betray everything I believe in. I want to share my life with someone my heart desires, in whose eyes I can see pure love.”

The deep passion in her voice edged with pain, and the reason why she risked her life, so astonished Nathan, it left him for a long moment searching for words. The night had grown quiet, only for the whispering of the wind, for in this wooden cabin on a beautiful resort, a young girl’s prayer would be answered.

“I want to help you,” Nathan told her, regrets in his voice, “But I don’t know how I can, because I have to leave in the morning.”

She sighed, resigned to her fate and looked out the window, turning to hold back the tears, “I understand, I’ll have to return home.”

“I leave early in the morning,” he said, “I have my own boat so I can take you to the stelling, or…” he paused for a moment, his heart telling him he should not send her back to something she almost died to get away from, “Or you can come

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com | 692-2117

with me until you decide what to do.”

She turned to look at him, the tears now evident in her eyes.

“Where?”

“My ranch and my lodge are in the Rupununi-a long way from here. I live alone, with a few servants, there’s a school, a church and a market-a beautiful place.”

The tears were now flowing from her eyes, and suddenly she broke down crying. It was a bit discomforting for him.

“Okay, don’t cry. I don’t like to see anyone crying.”

He touched her shoulder but she didn’t stop and realising she probably needed this to release her pent up feelings, he held her close to him and let her cry.

Heaven’s plan was working smoothly.

She stopped crying after a long while and turned away from him to wipe her tear-stained face.

Nathan brought a glass of water for her to drink, and once she was composed, he asked “Feeling better?”

She nodded, “Sorry,” feeling a bit embarrassed for breaking down and crying. She wasn’t sure what came over her, having battled with her emotions so long and her control broke, rushing down a mountain stream.

“So would you like to come with me?”

She thought for a little while, not afraid of being with him, just wondering how much her family would miss her, but he was offering her a chance here to become a brave soul.

“I would love to.” She said with a real little smile.

He reached out and touched her face, wiping a tear stain from her chin she had missed, a warm, comforting look in his eyes, “You’ll love it there.”

Nathan had a sleek twin-engine boat, equipped with all

comforts. A skilled navigator he was, so by dusk they had reached the Rupununi region. The journey to the lodge continued by land with his trail blazing jeep to a beautiful place sitting majestically on top a hill overlooking the settlements and sprawling savannahs. It was a lodge built from rich woods of the South American forest, a European architectural design but furnished with intricate Amerindian décor. Sarah was so tired that after a refreshing bath and warm meal, she fell asleep, awakening till morn. Nathan had left for the ranch, before sunrise and Sarah was left in the care of maid servants, kind and motherly like the woman at the resort.

At the beginning of this new day, in a place far away from home, she could now see the natural beauty, the backdrop of the forest and the unending green landscape.

The lodge was designed in a way so from one patio can be seen the sunrise and the other the sunset. Sarah could almost imagine what the sprawling landscape would look like on a moonlit night. She looked up at the heavens, beyond the clear blue sky and whispered, “Thank you, Dear Lord.” Nathan came home an hour after lunch, and as she watched him run up the steps, that new, beautiful feeling within her sparkled a flame that glowed, spreading a warmth through her body. “What is happening to me?” she wondered. He came in calling for her, his tone of voice, anxious, relieved when she answered him, walking in from the patio.

“I was so worried leaving you alone since early morning but there was an emergency at the ranch, are you rested, did you have breakfast, did Mamrie take ---“. “I’m fine,” she interrupted him, “I was looking at the view. It’s so beautiful and peaceful.”

“I told you, you would love it here, when you see it all you wouldn’t want to leave” See page V

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

III

By Petamber Persaud

F

‘An Evening of Nostalgia’

OR Thursday April 10, 2014 I had umpteen critical engagements but I made time to attend ‘An Evening of Nostalgia’: the work of Godfrey Chin’ staged by Moray House Trust. I was not disappointed. All the challenges (of unfinished businesses) faded away as I became embroiled in the proceeding. From the word go, it promised to be an engaging and entertaining evening with Master of Ceremonies, Mr Vic Insanally, effortlessly wooing the audience with his clear, crisp and scintillating voice. Insanally knew Chin very well and the anecdotes kept coming fast and fleeting, sending us back down the alleyways and byways, down the tenement yards and seawalls, down the cinemas and the bookstores, down the schools and playgrounds of history.

Before we could recover, Dr Ian McDonald, another contemporary of Chin, threw the book at us.

This doctor of letters knows the value of recording our stories and he was high in praise for Chin’s magnum opus, ‘Nostalgias: Golden Memories of Guyana 1940 to 1980.’ McDonald previously described the book thus: ‘It is truly a classic of its kind – a recapturing of vivid memories, bringing the past astonishingly to life again in a way which will delight those who knew those days, instruct future generations, and also enlighten serious scholars of social history and preserve forever the wonderful days and exploits and fun and excitement and humour and games and more of a whole era in a country’s life.’

Then the book was fleshed out to us through the eager voices of students from Marian Academy, Queens’ College and Richard Ishmael Secondary School, who read extracts, namely ‘The romance of the seawall’, ‘Travelling around Georgetown’ and ‘The best of everything:

mauby, black pudding, sweet delights.’

Yes, the students were intrigued by the work of Godfrey Chin, and their performance portrayed this.

And what a performance it was, a performance conducted by the indomitable litterateur Dr Joyce Jonas.

After that performance, there was no letting up in edifying and entertainment us, as Al Creighton did ‘Remembering Theatre Guild’, Allan F e n t y ‘ G ro w ing up in Kitty’ ,and Joe Singh ‘Growing up in Tenement Yards.’ These three presentations were preceded by the presenters’ personal accounts of engagement with the man and his work.

The printed programme of the event described Godrey Chin as unique among Guyana’s social historians and raconteurs. His anecdotes are a seamless blend of what he called “titbits, old talk, gaff, picong”, stuffed with detail and spiced with that particular brand of self-deprecating humour so beloved of Guyanese, something between a ‘steups’ and a ‘tantalise.’

Godfrey Chin made an impression wherever he went, sometimes healthy, sometimes, plain impish; all, how be it, refreshing, entertaining and educating.

P r o u d s c h o o l b o y, naughty school boy, victorious athlete, haughty ballroom dancer, peeved businessman, prize-winning costume designer, consummate actor, writer, quasi-historian, ‘cook shop fly,’ Winfield Godfrey Chin was born in the late 1930s in the heart of the Garden City, Georgetown. He grew up in the best of times, in the worst

of times, witnessing the changing fortunes of his homeland.

Chin recalled vividly

impression on our history book. It was here he surmounted his greatest challenges and savoured his greatest victories. It was here he wallowed in his favourite subjects ‘Girlometry’ and ‘Boyology’ and where his ‘assured ‘A’ grade each term was for being Talkative, Troublesome and Terrible.’ But his moments of glory came in school sports.

This distinction in the sport arena he carried over into his adulthood, going on to represent Guyana in hockey GODFREY CHIN on 54 occasions in-

his school days. He started out at a private kindergarten crèche on ‘Regent Street, between Yong Hing’s Grocery and Coppin’s two cents cherry drink parlour, west of Bourda Market.’ He graduated to Smith Church Congregational School in Hadfield Street where his kind teacher ruled his slate with a nail. Here he was initiated into the three R’s – Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic and is still proud of the lessons he learnt scoffing ‘at current generation of sales clerks who must rely on calculators’. At that early age, he was reading avidly the daily comic strips including ‘Phantom’, ‘Mandrake’, ‘Orphan Annie’, ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Prince Valiant.’ Chin recalled how ‘the free Public Library encouraged our literary yearning with the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Biggles, and Billy Bunter’.

Busy-body as Chin was, the devil still found mischief for him where he couldn’t face a certain teacher and forced to play hockey for almost a term.

It was during his days at Central High School (1948 – 1955) that Godfrey Chin made quite an

cluding two Panam Games.

Chin died in 2012, but his legacy will live on in our hearts and in our memories. On Thursday, April 10, 2014, Moray House ensured his legacy was passed

on to a new generation.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING!

•The 2013-2014 issue of The Guyana Annual magazine is now going into production. This issue is dedicated to A. J. Seymour and will focus on the increased interest in photography, the expanding arenas for cultural activities, what’s happening in the Diaspora (Guy-Aspora) and will continue its role championing the cause of locally based emerging writers and of Guyanese writers in general, offering space and encouragement for their work.

•World Book & Copyright Day will be commemorated by the National Library on Wednesday, April 23, in the Conference Room, starting 5 pm.

•Standby to restart THE JOURNEY, an evening of literature.

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

Selected Poems

By Egbert Martin

Introduction by David Dabydeen

survives about his mother or any siblings. A.J. Seymore, who described his as a “fair mulatto,” states that “from early youth he was confined to an invalid’s bed, as a result of illness.”

The Colonist, a Guyanese journal, first published his poetry when he was nineteen years of age, and thereafter he was a frequent contributor to the Argosy and Echo.

His patrons were James Thompson, editor of The Argosy, and George Anderson Forshaw, Mayor of Georgetown. It was said that Thompson would visit Martin at his home in East Street, Georgetown to collect his poetry for printing in The Argosy. Martin gained a degree of international prominence in 1887 when he won an empire-wide competition for adding two verses to the British national anthem, an event sponsored by the London Standard to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. He died on the 23rd of June 1890. His death certificate states his age as twenty-nine and the cause of death as “phthisis” (tuberculosis, or ‘consumption’, also known as the ‘White Plague’ because its sufferers appeared markedly pale. It may well be that Martin was a “fair mulatto” because of his medical condition).

His death was registered by his cousin Edwin Heyliger, so it would appear that Martin was partly of German ancestry.

EGBERT MARTIN, who published under the pen name ‘Leo’, was the most accomplished and prolific of Guianese writers in the 19th century.

Highly praised by his contemporaries, the great West Indian/ American collector and bibliophile, Arthur Schomburg, described Martin as “one of the greatest Negro poets in history.”

Nineteenth-century Guianese journals commented on the quality of his writing. The daily Chronicle declared him to be “the ablest of the poetical writers of whom British Guiana can boast” and the Berbice Gazette spoke of him as “one whose works plainly bespeak talent and ability of the highest order.” Lord Tennyson was said to have admired his work. Today Martin is almost totally forgotten, his work routinely ignored in anthologies of Caribbean writing. Only two copies of his Contemporaries and first book of poetry, Leo’s poetCultural Milieu ical Works (1883), are traceable in libraries worldwide; only one British Guiana, though a lonely colony in copy of his second collection, South America, separated geographically from the David Dabydeen Leo’s Local Lyrics (1886), has rest of the British Caribbean colonial possessions, survived; his collection of short was not a backwater in cultural terms. In 1851, stories, Scriptology (1885), is untraceable. the Athenaeum Society (possibly modelled after London’s Very little is remembered and recorded of Martin’s life. He Athenaeum Club, founded in 1823 for men of scientific, litwas born around 1861, presumably in the capital, Georgetown. erary and artistic talent) was established in Georgetown and His father, Richard, was a journeyman tailor. No information hosted dramatic performances. The Assembly Rooms, owned

by the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society, was also a leading theatre venue, containing an auditorium which could seat up to one thousand people. In the 1860s, establishments like the Adelphie Theatre and the Philharmonic Hall staged “numerous plays, musicals and operas…by local clubs and foreign theatrical companies.”

There were regular performances by members of societies like the Amateur Dramatic Club and the Histrionic Club, and later, the Demrara Dramatic Club and the Georgetown Dramatic Club. On the 17th of April 1890, two months before Martin’s death, the Georgetown Botanical Gardens was the venue for a program of music played by the Militia Band, including works

by French composers Daniel Auber and Emile Waldteufel.

Literary texts were available in the reading rooms of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society and in educational establishments like Queen’s College: N. E. Cameron lists public readings of works by Shakespeare, Horace, Byron, Homer, Racine, and Ovid at Queen’s College in the 1870s.

Learned people like Martin’s patrons would have owned personal libraries and made their books available to each other.

The cultural milieu of the nineteenth-century Georgetown produced local musicians, actors and directors. Among the most notable poets were Simon Christian Oliver and Thomas Don. Oliver was a schoolmaster who was writing and publishing in the 1830s. He was relatively wealthy, his son being a business man and his daughter receiving an education in England. Don, by contrast, was a former slave, and like African slaves in the New World, he became literate by exposure to the Bible.

His book, pious Effusions, published in 1873, consisted of hymn-like stanzas on religious subjects. These poets belonged, according to P. H. Daly, to “a generation of Spiritual Men… however much they engrossed (themselves) with the affairs of their temporal order, they saw only the spiritual side of their synthesis.” The following generations (late nineteenth-century/ early twentieth-century) represented by poets T. R. F. Elliot and J. E. Clare McFarlane, nurtured racial pride or protested about social injustices.

Martin’s poetry Apart from the odd poem like ‘The Negro Village,’ which speaks of the African-Guianese history of “toil and struggle” and asserts their humanity, the capacity to love, to form families and to be governed by “nobler passions”, Martin’s poetry is more preoccupied with spiritual matters. Given his frail physical condition, it is unsurprising that he writes extensively on change, disintegration and death. His meditations on the passage of time can be startlingly postmodern in their sense of dimensions beyond the linear.

‘Tis looking back that gives the future colour, Because, in life, we find The past analogizes all the future Upon plastic mind; Foreshadowing what “will be,” and what “had been”, A mingled repetition Of words and deeds, events, and many a scene, And fantasy and vision (‘Looking Back’) See page V

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

“The Virgin ...

Sarah hardly had any time for herself for every day there were visitors to the home to see her. Only at nights when she went to bed was she alone to think.

Nathan called late in the night, every night but they couldn’t talk much because of the poor phone reception. She held onto his voice, missing him the way she did, with every breath she took. It was love she had told the Lord she could wait for.

“I have to go back,” she whispered softly as she lit the candles in her church. “I can’t stay away any longer.”

Six days and nights had passed since she went home and never in his life had Nathan felt so empty. She had filled his life with something so special and beautiful, he wanted never to let go. “Please send her back to me, dear Lord.” he prayed, standing and looking at the stained glass cross in his little old church. “You had changed the current of the water and sent her to me, I know that. You knew I would fall in love with her because you know what my heart desires, so please don’t keep her away from me.

I love her so much.”

“I love you too,” a soft voice said behind him.

Nathan froze for one heartbeat of a second and turned around. She was standing there, a picture of simple elegance, in a little floral dress, her long hair falling loosely down her shoulders.

Sarah had left by air early that morning, the longest journey of her life and ran all the way from the lodge to the church. She was a little breathless when she had gotten there and heard a part of his prayers.

“Sarah!” There was a tremor in his voice when he spoke her name, pure love in his eyes and only such love could bring tears to a man’s eyes. She smiled, wiping his tears, “You’re crying now.”

“The thought of not seeing you again---” She put a finger to his lips, “I came back to tell you, you’re the one my heart desires, the love I saw in your eyes is what I want.”

With his lips close to hers, he asked, “Will you be my bride?”

“Yes.” She answered.

Words were not needed anymore as they stood there, in each other’s arms, the candles in the church, burning brighter, heaven’s master plan completed.

They sat down for lunch and continued talking, “Is that why you stayed?”

“Yep.” He answered her. “This little unknown part of the world I fell in love with, the ranch is like a lifeline to me, and the lodge I designed and helped to build with my own hands.

This place is like my own little paradise.”

He took her out to see more of this little paradise, his home, meeting the natives who were like his family, and the love and honour she saw them extend to him was evidence of the important role he was playing in their lives. She saw the new modelled school, which immediately caught her interest but the one thing that made her gasp and stare at in awe was the church, the replica of an old English church, an invaluable piece of history.

“It was here a long time,” Nathan told her, “Many missionaries travelled here to spread the word of God.” It made such a deep impression on her mind, it caused tears to well in her eyes.

“You’re not going to cry again, are you?” he asked, moving closer to her.

She laid her hand on his shoulder, laughing a little, “I can’t help it.”

He put his arms around her waist casually and said a little teasingly: “You’re too emotional.” Two weeks went by, and the days and nights spent, visiting the ranch, bathing in the river with the children visiting other scenic locations, and dinners just for two brought them closer and closer to each other. It was two people falling in love, sharing time with each other, smiles and laughter. At times he would embrace her and kiss her lightly on the cheek or twirling her hair between his fingers, yet they said nothing to each other, as though waiting on something.

The second day of the third week, Nathan came home from the ranch, somewhat worried.

“I think you need to see this,” he said to Sarah, handing her his phone.

It was the video of her father crying on National Television, apologising to her and begging her to come home.

Selected...

From page IV

And yet, whilst recognizing the ways in which time ravishes the human body, moulding and sculpting past and future together into an aesthetic of suffering, Martin is constantly seeking a perfection of form that transcends the material, that is not, nor cannot be, shaped by time. Sudden moments of natural beauty (‘Thanksgiving’; ‘Along Yon Stretch’) yield intimations of divine truth, and of a space beyond time “Where all that’s rich is permanent/ Where visions bright endure/ Unchanging, blessed and beautiful/ And true for evermore.” The echo here of Keats is diminished elsewhere, for Martin constantly struggles to maintain his faith in the truth of beauty. In ‘Disappointment’, Wordsworthian sentiments about intimations of immortality are dismissed in favour of a Darwinian vision of nature:

With hasty hand I tire the flower And flung it from its place; And since that agonizing hour, For me it lost all grace.

Anon I thought, in pensive mood, How ‘midst a gem so fair, In hidden ambuscade there should Repose a viper’s lair (‘Disappointment’) Martin effects a Christian synthesis between the truth of decay and the truth of beauty: it is through suffering that man is made perfect (‘Made Perfect Through Suffering’). For martin, the poet is almost a divine figure – “he weaves a song divine” (‘The Poet’). The poet is God’s alchemist:

He takes into his hands the clay

All shapeless, black and dull,

Tears every harsher vein away,

And leaves it beautiful;

Leaves in the place of what had been

A mass of baseless mould,

A figure, shape, or fantasy,

Transformed to purest gold

(‘The Poet’) Men like Sir Walter Raleigh came to the Guianas in search of gold, but died in penury, for the true gold is the poet’s imagination. The poet creates, through his imagination, but he also perceives the perfection of what already exists: A golden glow if ripping clouds Serenely saileth by, As if the hand of God has writ A poem in the sky (‘Along Yon Stretch’)

From Page II

Sarah grew a little pale, “Oh my God.” She looked at Nathan, “When was this?”

“I received it a few hours ago. It seems they reported you missing and have been searching for you.”

She sat down weakly. All the worry released from her mind coming back in a rush.

“I have to go home. I can’t leave them to suffer like that.”

He didn’t answer, turning to look at the window, a dreadful feeling in his heart.

“What if she doesn’t come back? ” “Nathan.”

He turned, swallowing hard to hide his feelings, “I know you have to go. I’ll send out a message to inform them you’re fine and you’ll be home soon.”

She saw the pain in his eyes and understood his hesitancy for her to leave because she was feeling the same. She got up and for the first time she made that move to put her arms around him, “It’s just so they know I’m okay.”

He smiled, a smile that came from his heart and hugged her close to him, standing there by the window, two hearts beating in unison.

He took her home the next day by air, neither of them saying much during the flight, tense and worried. There was a large gathering at her home waiting for her return-families, friends, colleagues and all the church members and even some of the little children from her class.

Sarah was overwhelmed by this show of concern from those whose lives she had touched. Her father was the first one to reach her, breaking down in tears and hugging her.

It was a heartening scene, everyone crying and hugging her, wanting to know what had happened and where she had been. Nathan got no chance to say goodbye and left, travelling back that same day to the Rupununi. Nothing was the same anymore. He missed her so much as the days went by-her perfume scent, her smile sweeter than he had wondered it to be, the sound of her laughter and her tears.

“I love you so much Sarah,” he said quietly, “but I was afraid to tell you. Will I see you again?”

Perfection of form is what Martin’s poetry strives to achieve. His body is that of man, subject to decay, but his poetry is testament to faith in a perfection that survives such decay.

Martin is, above all a poet; hence his mastery of the cadences of Victorian verse as well as the network of allusions to English poetry from the Medieval period onwards.

Hence, too, his utmost delight in the spaciousness and poetical quality of English words: his poetry is sprinkled with adjectives like ‘umbrageous’, ‘eocene’, ‘auriferous’ and the like. Martin may have been a Victorian writer in terms of his using the language and formal models of his age, but he was also conscious of his role as a Guianese poet. In the ‘Preface’ to Leo Local Lyrics (the title of the volume being provocatively “native”) he admits to having been criticized for composing too many precious, universalist poems, and declares his intention of providing a few “tropical studies” for his Guianese readership.

A poem like ‘The Sorrel-Tree”, celebrating the gracefulness and lushness of the Guianese fruit, is, for its time, a radical effort: in the next century Derek Walcott was to confess to a nervousness about introducing local fruits, like the mango, into a poem, since they lacked the English canonical status of, say A. E. Housman’s cherry (from ‘A Shrophire Lad’). Poems like ‘The Creek’ and ‘The Spirit Stone’ attempt to convey Guiana as the habitation of spirits alien to a Christian worldview.

Although he does not name the ghosts (‘jumbies’, ‘churiles’, ‘ol’higues’, ‘backoos’, etc.) and in the ‘Preface’ appears to belittle “Creole superstitions and the peculiar beliefs of Indian animism”, his poems still strive to recognise a landscape haunted by non-human presences:

I fear the forest and its rivers clear, I fear its loneliness, its depths I fear, For spirits live, and moan, and wander there.

(“The Spirit Stone”) It would take some seventy years before Guianese writers – Edgar Mittelholzer, Wilson Harris, Jan Carew, Martin Car-

V

ter, and more recently Pauline Melville and Fred D’Aguiar – begain to use as resource the mythical dimension of the Guianese landscape.

In the month before his death, the Guianese newspapers waxed wroth on the impropriety of language in the streets of Georgetown: “it is exceedingly painful to hear and witness the extraordinary amount of indecent language and unbecoming behavior exhibited by drunken women every hour of the day…in the very face of the police, the offensive language is used…”) (Daily Chronicle April 18, 1890).

It was not until the next century that a new poetry arose, based on the thew and sinew of the Creole language of the street. The ‘vulgarity’ (diction and tone) of the new writing would appear to be utterly different from Martin’s, but the poetic project was the same: the quest for El Dorado, sifting through the rubble of experience for the gold of the imagination.

VI

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

Friends Without Benefits MY husband and I have been married 30 years. We love each other, get on well and consider each other best friends. Our ongoing problem is sex.

My husband has never been attracted to me, for whatever reason I will never know. (He’s not gay.) We have tried counseling and even splitting up for several years, to no avail. Finally, in my 40s I decided to have an affair which lasted eight years.

It was the best thing to do under the circumstances, until my husband found out.

He didn’t blame me. He forgave me, such is the kind and loving man he is, but he could not accept me continuing in the relationship. So for the last year we have attempted to have a sex life with each other. I feel I have to beg for it to happen, and when it does, it feels like a duty and obligation with little pleasure involved.

I feel angry and resentful towards him now. I feel celibacy is the only option for us, or going back to an affair, which would hurt him terribly and probably split us up

again.

Victoria Victoria, since the 1980s, V8 vegetable juice has run the same commercial. It opens with a man or woman eating junk food. Then someone smacks them on the forehead and says,

Gum disease is the most widespread illness affecting mankind

T

HREE weeks ago I extracted sixteen teeth from a patient at one sitting and installed an immediate total denture. His problem was severe gum disease.

All of this man’s teeth were literally dangling in his jaw.

This is the most devastating condition in dentistry. And it all starts with gingivitis which is the most common disease that involves the gum while caries is the most common affecting the teeth. In fact, gum disease is by far the most widespread illness affecting mankind.

Characterised by red or inflamed gum (gingival) tissue, it is experienced by just about everyone with teeth from time to time and in varying degrees. Sometimes the inflammation appears as a thin red or bluish red line – marginal gingivitis – around all or a few teeth. Depending on whether the condition is generalised or localised.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene.

If teeth are not brushed, gingivitis develops within a week as bacteria-infested plaque deposits from around and just beneath the gum. If there is gingivitis although the person has good oral hygiene then HIV infection should be investigated.

Some systemic diseases induce or exaggerate gingivitis.

Spontaneous haemorrhaging may indicate a serious disease such as leukemia. In fact, any disease that interferes with the blood’s normal clotting mechanism, including haemophilia, uremia, and liver disease, is likely to cause haemorrhagic gingivitis. These include taking drugs such as heparin sodium (heparin is a component of normal blood). Heart attack or stroke from clots forming in blood vessels narrowed by cholesterol deposits (a completely different type of plaque) can also cause bleeding of gums.

Many people with no heart disease take low dosage aspirin for its blood-thinning quality, which reduces the risk of heart attack. Millions of arthritis victims are on high doses of aspirin, which can also contribute to bleeding gums.

With chronic gingivitis gums bleed easily to touch and pressure with little or no pain, although some patients complain of slight soreness. In more severe cases, gums bleed when eating as food presses against the tissue. The toothbrush and dental floss turn pink, and saliva and rinse water are red with blood as one spits out after brushing.

Early gingivitis can be cured by self-treatment thorough daily brushing and flossing to remove irritating food debris and soft plaque deposits. A soft nylon brush should be directed at a 45-degree angle and jiggled in a massaging motion directly on the gum. Special rubber cup massagers are also available.

If gums are not firm or appear puffy, the rubber tip attached to a brush should be inserted between the teeth to a massage the gum tissue called the interdental papilla.

“You could’ve had a V8.” Consider yourself smacked.

The problem isn’t the sex. The problem isn’t the cheating.

The problem is you married a man who has never been attracted to you. That’s the problem to fix. It explains the counseling that didn’t work. The trial separation that didn’t work and the cheating that only made things worse.

Why isn’t the obvious answer the right answer?

There is something you are getting in this marriage.

Something you are staying for. That’s the tradeoff you made, the something you exchanged for a sexless marriage. There is no patch, jury-rig or duct tape to fix that.

Wayne & Tamara

Stimudents or toothpicks are also effective. Oral irrigation removes debris but is ineffective against plaque deposits.

Irrigation is a supplement, not a substitute, for brushing and flossing. If inflammation and bleeding do not clear up after one or two weeks of conscientious oral hygiene, a dental construction is in order. Once plaque and tartar are firmly established on the teeth and beneath the gum, professional prophylaxis, including sub-gingival scaling is necessary to remove these deposits.

Around the third month of pregnancy and during menstruation, some women experience minor gum inflammation, including swelling and enlargement of the interdental papilla.

Occasionally, a large overgrowth of the gums takes place at the border of a few teeth. This so-called pregnancy tumor is not a neoplasm but rather a response of the gum to local irritation.

Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menstruation, particularly in the presence of poor oral hygiene, are the cause of this gingivitis.

The condition is painless and notable mainly for an increase in the size of gum papilla and minor bleeding on brushing. The gums also appear bluish or bright red.

Careful brushing and flossing reduce inflammation and swelling. Hard calculus must be removed by a dental prophylaxis. If a growth on the gum becomes annoyingly large, it can be removed surgically. However, most symptoms disappear after pregnancy and the cessation of menstruation.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

VII

Defendant loses land action before magistrate…

Full Court overrules Magistrate’s decision

I

N 1976, an Essequibo Magistrate ignored a point of law relating to a bona fide dispute in relation to title of land.

He found defendant Sase Budhoo guilty of trespassing on disputed land and damaging a fence, and wrongly granted judgment to plaintiff Budhai Singh.

Appellant/defendant Sase Budhoo appealed to the Full Court, which ruled that the magistrate ought to have ruled that the defendant had successfully raised a bona fide dispute as to title to immovable property.

The appeal was allowed and the decision of the magistrate was set aside with costs to the appellant (defendant) Sase Budhoo.

The Full Court was constituted by Chief Justice Harold Bollers and Justice of Appeal Aubrey Bishop, (who later became Chancellor of the Judiciary.)

A t t o r n e y - a t - l a w M r.

K. D. Doobay appeared for the appellant, while the respondent conducted his own defence.

The facts of the case disclosed that Singh and Budhoo were owners of adjoining land.

In the Magistrate’s Court, the plaintiff sued the defendant for trespassing on the land which the plaintiff allegedly bought from one, Francis Verwayne, but the title had not yet been perfected to him.

The allegation was that the defendant trespassed by digging a drain on the land, causing the plaintiff’s fence to fall and become damaged.

In the course of the hearing, the dispute between the parties centered on the existence or non-existence of an inter-lot drain between their respective properties at lots 35 and 36 Section B, Danielstown , Essequibo .

The plaintiff said there was no drain between the properties when he bought

it from Verwayne.

The defendant and Verwayne, on the other hand, spoke positively about the drain on the defendant’s side of the fence in question, and the existence of two palls in line with which the fence in dispute was positioned.

These palls were later found to be missing.

At the conclusion of the hearing, it was submitted by the counsel for the defendant that the court’s jurisdiction was ousted by reason of the existence of a bona fide dispute as to the title to the land. Neverthe-

“The Court shall not have cognisance of any action in which any incorporeal right, or the title to any immovable property, is may be in question.”

less, the magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiff on his claim. Section 3 (3) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Petty Debt) Act, Chapter 7:01 provides, inter alia, as follows:

On appeal to the Full Court of the High Court it held: (i)That there was a genuine dispute about (a) the existence or non-existence of the drain on the defen-

dant’s side of the fence, (b) the true position of the palls delineating the boundary between lots 35 B and 36 , and (C)the actual position of the fence.

(ii) That it should have been apparent to the magistrate that though there was no reliable evidence before him as to the boundary line and the existence of the drain, there were nevertheless competing claims as to ownership of the strip of land, undefined though it was, in the vicinity of the existing fence. (iii) That some evidence ought to be taken by a magistrate to ascertain whether he is possessed of jurisdiction to entertain the claim within Section 3 (3) of Chapter 7:01.

He must ascertain whether an incorporeal right or title to any immovable property is in question or may be in question, and if he has a doubt whether such right may be in question, he should decline jurisdiction; (iv) The appeal will be allowed because, on the evidence, the magistrate ought to have ruled that the defendant/appellant had successfully raised a bona fide dispute as to title to immovable property.

The appeal was allowed

and the decision of magistrate was set aside with costs.

In its judgment, the Full Court had referred to 19 cases.

Justice of Appeal Bishop, who delivered the judgment of the Court noted that the main ground argued by the counsel for the appellant (defendant) was that: “The Magistrate’s Court, had no jurisdiction in this matter, objection to which was formally taken before the decision is that the jurisdiction of the Court was ousted by operation of section 3 (3) of the Summary jurisdiction (Petty Debt) Act Chapter 7:01, as there was a bona fide dispute as to the land, and the fixtures thereon-the subject matter of this action.

Justice Bishop added that it should be noted that the appellant did not, in his defence, “plead’ this objection to the magistrate’s jurisdiction being ousted, but through his counsel, did so at the close of the case.

The learned magistrate, unaware therefore that such an objection would be raised, proceeded to hear evidence and, in due course, gave judgment for respondent (plaintiff) on his claim.”“In para 5 of his plaintiff , the respondent (affidant) averred that between January 26 and February 2, 1975, inclusive of both dates, the appellant unlawfully and maliciously trespassed upon his land, dug a drain thereon and as a result caused 233 feet of the respondent’s (plaintiff) said fence to fall down and become damaged. He specifically claimed as damages, $350 for the fence and $150 for the land but the learned magistrate did not indicate any apportionment under the two sub-heads.”

During the trial it emerged, however, that the respondent bought lot 35, Section B, Danielstown, Essequibo from one Verwayne on February 2, 1973,

By George Barclay

with the building thereon and the surrounding fence.

In support of the said sale, the respondent tendered the agreement, Ex. “A.” He also testified that he had been living on the land prior to the sale, and had paid Verwayne no rent since purchasing the land. The respondent complained that though these were the facts, Verwayne had refused to formally convey the property to him.

When Verwayne gave evidence on May 20, 1975, he said that lot 35 B and the surrounding fence were his property, and denied, inter alia, signing the agreement or receiving the purchase price of $3,000 acknowledged therein. In short, he denied selling lot 35 B Danielstown to the (plaintiff), but conceded that the respondent had discontinued paying him rent in 1973, and held up his son for picking coconuts on the land.

Above all, Verwayne admitted that he had taken no action against the respondent to recover any rent. The learned magistrate assessed Verwayne to be an inveterate liar and found that he had sold the property to the respondent.

Nonetheless, it appeared to be common ground that Verwayne had erected a fence separating the respondent’s land from that of the appellant.

After recounting this and other instances, including the bona fide dispute, the appeal was allowed and the order of magistrate set aside with costs to the appellant.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

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

NEW TAXI FARES

(Guyana Chronicle March 1, 1980)

SHORT drops in and around the towns of Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden will cost between five cents and ten cents more when a new taxi fare structure goes into operation today.

But the fare for long journeys can cost as much as $1.05 cents more, according to the schedule released yesterday by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The fares have been stipulated between hundreds of points, and fares for drops in between points have been standardised at 45 cents and 75 cents, depending on the areas where the taxis and hire cars are operating.

For example, in Georgetown, journeys within the boundaries of Water Street, Sea Wall Road, Vlissengen Road and Princess Streets will cost 45 cents instead of 40 cents.

However journeys starting within these boundaries and going to Kitty, Newtown and Campbellville up to Sheriff Street will cost 5 cents more, i.e 55 cents instead of the previous fare of 50 cents.

For drops east of Sheriff Street to Prashad Nagar and Lamaha Gardens, commuters will have to pay 85 cents, an increase of 10 cents.

Taxi fares from Georgetown to Rosignol will now cost $9.05 cents instead of $8.10 cents; the same vice-versa.

Along the Corentyne, New Amsterdam to Crabwood Creek will cost $8 as against the previous fare of $7.15 cents.

GUILTY WITH AN EXPLANATION (Guyana Chronicle March 6, 1980) GERALD Thompson of Providence East Bank Demerara was “saved from destitution” by his friend Hershell Bourne, but he repaid him by stealing his radio and selling it for only $10.

And when he appeared in court charged with simple larceny, Thompson pleaded guilty with an explanation.

The police said that Bourne was listening to the New Zealand-West Indies third test match when he fell asleep.

At that time Thompson was in the house, but when Bourne woke up, his friend was no longer there.

In explanation, Thompson said that he suffered from “fits” and sold the radio so he could see the doctor.

However, it turned out that the police found Thompson “stoned drunk” in a rum shop in Lombard Street.

Making a second explanation, Thompson said that some sailors had threatened to kill him, and he was taking a “last drink” before they did so.

Magistrate Oscar Parvattan told Thompson that apparently he wanted to be present at his own wake.

Thompson was remanded to prison until Monday pending the report of the Probation Officer after which he will be sentenced.

GOING FOR US$1M

(Guyana Chronicle March 18, 1980) THE Guyana one cent black and magenta stamp, reputed to be the world’s rarest stamp, is to be auctioned in London for US$1M. Reports reaching the Chronicle said that the auction sale could take place tomorrow.

In 1856, the British Guiana Government issued the one cent magenta and only one copy of this stamp sur-

TWENTY-FOOT CHIMNEY AT CAVE (The Guyana Chronicle August 17, 1980)

THE eight-member exploration party which recently discovered one of four caves believed to have been used

by Amerindians as a hideout from Spanish soldiers had a rough time during five hectic days According to reports the one cave discovered has only two small entrances –one through a 20-foot chimney and the other through a narrow hole surrounded by huge boulders.

The explorers including one woman had to squeeze their way through the boulders. The chimney the Chronicle understands might have been built by the Amerindians in order to let air and light into the cave.

It is however large enough for an average sized person to enter by using a length of rope.

The party headed by well-known Guyanese mountaineer Adrian Thompson returned to the city last Saturday after failing to find the other caves. The National Science Research Council is now examining the information collected by the explorers on the caves believed to be in Ewentipu Mountains, now Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 657 2043)

vived.

Its corners are clipped and an ugly scribble defaces it, but it is now rated as the most valuable stamp in the world.

The Collier’s Encyclopaedia of 1967 states that in America , textile manufacturer Arthur Hind amassed a stamp collection that sold for almost US$1M in the depth of the Great Depression which started in 1930 and lasted until the late 1930s.

It included the British Guiana one cent black and magenta.

MARTIN LUTHER MORIAH

(Guyana Chronicle March 3, 1980)

THE staff and pupils of Fyrish Primary School on the Corentyne are planning a grand valedictory function in honour of their Headmaster Mr. Martin Luther Moriah on April 2.

Cde. Moriah started his early education at Hopetown, now Hopetown Primary, in 1930.

On January 1, 1955 he was appointed Senior Assistant Master at Fyrish Congregational, and after holding various senior positions in both Berbice and Essequibo, he returned to Fyrish Primary as Headmaster in 1973.

Apart from his administrative duties , Cde. Moriah is a long-standing and ardent member and Deacon of the Congregational church, one time Chairman of the Hopetown /Bel Air Local Authority, and was appointed Chairman of the Naarstigheid/Union District Council in 1970.

He served as Secretary of the West Berbice Union of Local Authorities during 1965-1975, member of the Executive of the Guyana Association of Local Authorities (GALA) ; Honourary Member of Region 3, Branch of GALA. He is also a co-operator.

CUSTOMER CHEWS UP GLASS

(Guyana Chronicle March 8, 1980)

RESTAURANT Manager Walter Sookmangal has seen all sorts of curious happenings among his customers when they become intoxicated but in his eighteen years in the business, he had never seen a customer chew up a glass-that is until last week.

He was busy in the bar one night when somebody called him out.

As he looked he saw a male customer who had just drunk a “half” with his friends chewing one of the drinking glasses.

The man ran away with his mouth bleeding and when Sookmangal examined the glass which was left on the table, about a quarter of it had been bitten off.

Later he told the Chronicle representative: “I have seen all sorts of crazy things in my 18 years as a liquor restaurant manager, but this beats all. His friends offered to pay for the glass but I reported the matter to the Reliance Police Station. His friends told me that the man is quite normal, so it could only be the rum that caused him to act like that.”

RATS A SERIOUS PROBLEM (Daily Chronicle February 2, 1980)

A community effort is needed to rid the City

of a high rate of infestation by rats.

Education Officer of the City Public Health Department, Dhanpaul Persaud, has called on citizens to get involved at the community level, since a single infested house could lead to re-infestation of homes that are free of these pests.

The Public Health Officer was speaking on the “Rat Problem” at a public lecture that was organized by the Bel Air’s Lions Club at the Campbelville Government School.

Persaud pointed out that it was impossible to keep out rats and mice by sealing off one’s home, because they can enter through a hole that is half an inch in diameter and some of them were so clever and so skilful that they could climb lamp posts, travel along power lines ,and enter homes, so that a cooperative effort involving an entire neighbourhood was needed.

Persaud explained that destroying the breeding places of these household rats and cutting off their food supply was a more effective way of routing them than poisoning.

He said that rats and mice are so clever that they can detect when poison or a rat trap is set for them.

It is important that homes and their environs be cleared of junk, rubbish heaps, piles of old paper or cloth and old shoes in order to destroy breeding places and discourage the establishment of these.

These provide the necessary warmth and protection for the rats and mice to build their nests.

Food scraps, no matter how little, should be disposed at in a way that these pests cannot get to them.

Persaud said that a single female and her offspring can breed as much as 2,000 of their kind, and that there are about five to six hundred species.

Unlike humans, the teeth of rats keep growing, and they have to gnaw on wood and other hard materials to wear them down.

If the teeth become too long, the creature is unable to feed properly and dies.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

FOLKORE

As The s e i l F w o Cr

By Neil Primus

T

HE village of Sand Height lay along the sea coast.

It was a remote community that depended on two things for economic survival; fishing and farming.

Everyone got along well with each other.

When someone did not have enough, he only had to ask his friends and neighbours and they would willingly help.

Sand Height had one major problem; the people were superstitious, down to the last resident.

Everything was going okay until the Jumbie Birds started to arrive. No one knows why they came. One by one, yard by yard, they began visiting, hopping and cawing. The people began to panic. Then old Ms. Lord died. That confirmed it.

They were now sure that the Jumbie Birds had caused her death. People spent plenty of time shooing them away from their property. They were afraid of the consequences.

IX

house. I don’t know how he recognise dat the house tumble up. Under normal circumstance you can’t tell the difference.

Then people start complaining that they see spirit. A small girl say she see a bright light shining in de sky an was spirit. An old man complain dat shadows does be moving around and carrying on conversation.

It was hard to rely on his testimony because he

Then a series of accidents began to occur. Vibert was drunk and heading home one night when he stump he toe fell down in a concrete gutter and break he foot.

Thelma bruk she hand trying to control the crazy bull cow she got. It pull she and slam she hand into a tree and it bruk.

Colin buss he head playing pelties with brick. The child got cock eye plus he hand so lap that he try to pelt up in a tree to kill a bird. Somehow he managed to pelt straight up. De brick end up bussing he head.

Danny complained that he clothes missing from the line but if you see Danny clothes you would realise that is either a junkie or a madman thief them. De clothes old like Moses.

Narine say he go home and find he house tumble up.

Ever since he wife dead de man didn’t sweep or clean up the

THE word “toy” comes from an old English word that means “tool.”

Smokers are twice as likely to develop lower back pain than non-smokers Humans are born with 300 bones in their body, however when a person reaches adulthood they only have 206 bones. This occurs because many of them join together to make a single bone The reason why hair turns gray as we age is because the pigment cells in the hair follicle start to die, which is responsible for producing “melanin” which gives the hair colour In 1960 there were 16,067 gambling slots in Nevada. By 1999, this number rose to 205,726 slots which would be one slot for every 10 people residing there It takes the Hubble telescope about 97 minutes to complete an orbit of the Earth. On average, the Hubble uses the equivalent amount of energy as 30 household light bulbs to complete an orbit.

The two factories of the Jelly Belly Candy Company produces approximately 100,000 pounds of jelly beans a day. This amounts to about 1,250,000 jelly beans an hour Pucks hit by hockey sticks have reached speeds

was half blind and deaf in one ear. Another woman say she see three naked black men. Everybody suck dey teeth because she had a serious problem when it comes to men.

Somebody send for de Obeah Man. When he arrived he go from house to house checking. He see de Jumbie Birds and he hear all de stories. It tek him a week before he give de verdict.

“Dis village build on a Dutch burial ground a n d somebody disturb the spirits.”

They immediately stopped some workers f r o m digging up a plot of land behind the houses. The man was paid handsomely and he departed.

Things seemed to be returning to normal.

The Jumbie Birds visited less and less and very soon they disappeared. Just as they thought all was well, another problem began. Jumbie Birds clear out but Crapo and Snakes invade. Everybody say that de Jumbie Birds send they friends.

of up to 150 miles per hour The “naked recreation and travel” industry has grown by 233% in the past decade The Planters Peanut Company mascot, Mr. Peanut, was created during a contest for schoolchildren in 1916 Most lipstick contains fish scales The sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the english language The expression cooked “al dente” means “to the tooth.” What this means is that the pasta should be somewhat firm, and offer some resistance to the tooth, but should also be tender Of married couples, 70% of men and 60% of women have cheated on their spouse No piece of paper can be folded in half more than 7 times More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes The first couple to be shown on a sitcom sleeping in the same bed was “Mary Kay and Johnny.”

Asthma affects one in fifteen children under the age of eighteen A one ounce milk chocolate bar has 6 mg of caffeine Throughout the South, peanuts were known as “Monkey Nuts,” and “Goober peas,” before the civil war Scallops have approximately 100 eyes around the edge of its shell In 1810, Peter Durand invented the tin can for preserving food The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth is called Arachibutyrophobia Men in their early twenties shave an average of four times a week Colour is not an indicator for the taste or ripeness in cranberries Each year there are approximately 20 billion coconuts produced worldwide A chicken with red earlobes will produce brown eggs, and a chicken with white earlobes will produce white eggs Not all polar bears hibernate; only pregnant females polar bears do There is a restaurant in Stockholm that only offers all-garlic products. They even have a garlic cheesecake Serving ice cream on cherry pie was once illegal in Kansas

X

SIR ALEC GUINNESS

A

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

- An exceptional ability to look different in every role

LEC Guinness de Cuffe was born on April 2, 1914 in Marylebone, London, England. While working in advertising, he studied at the Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art, debuting on stage in 1934 and played classic theatre with the Old Vic from 1936. In 1941, he entered the Royal Navy as a seaman and was commissioned the next year. Beyond an extra part in Evensong (1934), his film career began after World War II with his portrayal of Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations (1946). A string of films, mostly comedies, showed off his ability to look different in every role, eight of them, including a woman, in one movie alone, Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). His best known recent work was as the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and its sequels. He earned a Best Actor Oscar and Golden Globe in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and an Honorary Academy Award (1980) for “advancing the art of screen acting through a host of memorable and distinguished performances”. Academy nominations have included The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) (actor); The Horse’s Mouth (1958) (screenplay); Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) (supporting) and Little Dorrit (1988) (supporting). He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1959 Queen’s Honours List for his accomplishments in theater and the film industry. Sir Alec Guinness died at age 86 of liver cancer on August 5, 2000.

Known for playing multiple complex characters and changing his appearance to suit.

Often played noble and fiercely proud leaders and authority figures Often worked with David Lean and Ronald Neame Deep smooth voice Reportedly hated working on Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) so much, Guinness claims that ObiWan’s death was his idea as a means to limit his involvement in the film. Guinness also claims to throw away all Star Wars related fan mail without even opening it.

Father of actor Matthew Guinness and grandfather of Sally Guinness.

He was one of the last surviving members of a great generation of British actors, which included Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson. “de Cuffe” is his mother’s surname; he never knew the identity of his father (source: obituary, Daily Telegraph, 7

August 2000).

He was awarded the Companion of Honour in the 1994 Queen’s Honours List for his services to drama.

He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1955 Queen’s Honours List for his services to drama.

He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1959 Queen’s Honours List for his services to drama.

He was a huge fan of the television series Due South (1994).

Despite popular belief, he never uttered the line “May the force be with you” in any of the Star Wars films (the closest he came was “the force will be with you”).

He was voted third in the Orange Film 2001 survey of greatest British film actors.

The qualities he claimed to most admire in an actor were “simplicity, purity, clarity of line”.

He made his final stage appearance at the Comedy Theatre in London on May 30, 1989, in a production called “A Walk in the Woods”, where he played a Russian diplomat.

His widow, Merula, died on October 17, 2000, just two months after her husband.

In his last book of memoirs, “A Positively Final Appearance”, he expressed a devotion to the television series The Simpsons (1989).

His films were studied by Ewan McGregor in preparation for his role as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) to ensure accuracy in everything from his accent to the pacing of his words.

Received an honorary D.Litt degree from Oxford University in 1977 and an honorary D.Litt degree from Cambridge University in 1991.

Was a Grammy nominee in 1964, in the Spoken Word category, for the album “Alec Guinness: A Personal Choice” (RCA Victor Red Seal: 1964), on which he read a selection of his favorite poems.

Had starred as Eric Birling alongside Sir Ralph Richardson in the first-ever showing of “An Inspector Calls” at the New Theatre in London on October 1, 1946.

He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Special Award in 1989 (1988 season) for his outstanding contributions to West End Theatre.

Biography in: “Who’s Who in Comedy” by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 198-199. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.

Has been succeeded in two of his roles by actors from Trainspotting (1996). Guinness portrayed Adolf Hitler in Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973). Robert Carlyle portrayed Adolf Hitler in Hitler: The Rise of Evil (2003), while Ewan McGregor succeeded him in the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Ewan McGregor was not the only actor in the Star Wars prequels to study his performances. The voice for the character Watto was modeled after Guinness’s performance as Fagin in Oliver Twist (1948).

Though he often spoke critically of Star Wars, the three leads, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, have always spoken very fondly of him, praising him as being a very professional actor who was always respectful to the people he worked with.

Reportedly answered one Star Wars fan’s boast that he had seen the first movie over a hundred times, with a nod and the words “Promise me you’ll never watch it again.”The boy was stunned, but his mother thanked Guinness.

George Lucas said Guinness was very patient and helpful to him during the filming of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), even to the point of getting the other actors to work more seriously.

Harrison Ford said that Guinness helped him find an apartment to stay at when he arrived in England to film Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).

Won Broadway’s 1964 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for “Dylan”, in which he played the title character, poet Dylan Thomas.

Both he and his wife Merula converted to the Roman Catholic Church in the 1950s.

He is buried at Petersfield Cemetery in Petersfield, Hampshire, England.

Has appeared with Kay Walsh in five films: Oliver Twist (1948); Last Holiday (1950); The

Sir Alec Guinness

Horse’s Mouth (1958); Tunes of Glory (1960) and Scrooge (1970).

Despite being two of Britain’s most distinguished actors of their generation, he appeared in only two films with John Mills: Great Expectations (1946) and Tunes of Glory (1960).

Great-grandson Otis Marlon Simeon Guinness-Walker, born in 1995.

Celebrated his 62nd birthday during the filming of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) in Tunisia, where the Tatooine scenes were filmed.

Was considered for the role of Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express (1974), which went to Albert Finney.

In certain prints of The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), a film in which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, his last name is misspelled “Guiness”.

In his autobiographical volumes, Guinness wrote about an incident at the Old Vic when, in the company of National Theatre (which originally played at the Old Vic) artistic director Laurence Olivier in the basement of the theater, he asked where a certain tunnel went. Olivier didn’t really know but confidently decided to take the tunnel as it must come out somewhere nearby, it being part of the Old Vic. In reality, the tunnel went under the Thames, and they were rescued after several hours of fruitless navigation of the dark, damp corridor. Guinness remarked that Olivier’s willingness to plunge into the dark and unknown was characteristic of the type of person (and actor) he was. As for himself as an actor, Guinness lamented at times that he didn’t take enough chances.

Went bald on top, and according to his “Time” magazine cover story of 21 April 1958, he was embarrassed by it but chose not to wear a hairpiece in private life. He told the “Time” writer that he had shaved the top of his head as a young man in his first professional acting engagement, playing a coolie. It never grew back properly after that, he lamented.

Had played the Fool to Laurence Olivier’s first King Lear under the direction of Tyrone Guthrie in 1946 when he was 31 and Olivier was 39. Olivier was generally considered less-than-successful in the part due to his youth and relative lack of maturity in classical parts (though his contemporaneous “Henry V” was a smash and hinted at his future greatness as an interpreter of William Shakespeare).

However, Guinness received raves for his acting. Both actors went on to knighthoods and Best Actor Oscars in their long and distinguished careers.

Was the subject of a cover story in “Time” magazine for the week of April 21, 1958, shortly after he won the Best Actor Oscar for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957).

In the last year of his life, Sir Alec had been receiving hospital treatment for failing eyesight due to glaucoma, and he had been diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer in January 2000. By the time his liver cancer was discovered in July 2000, it was at an extremely advanced stage, making surgery impossible.

Had his first speaking role on the professional stage in the melodrama “Queer Cargo” (he did not appear in the film). At age 20, the tyro actor played a Chinese coolie in the first act, a French pirate in Act 2 and a British sailor in Act 3, a foreshadowing of the shapeshifting he would do in his cinema career, where he once played as many as eight roles in a single film (Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)).

Is the only person to receive a best acting nomination See page XIX

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

XI

FUN & FESTIVE COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS FOR AN EASTER BRUNCH L IGHT DRINKS with fun, fruity flavours are always a great option for a brunch. If you are looking for a few great Easter-ready cocktails and mocktail recipes that everyone can enjoy. Easter comes with many traditions; from egg hunts to Easter baskets and springtime crafts, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the day with friends and family. If you’re the one hosting Easter brunch this year, you’ll want to make sure everything is ready when guests arrive in their Sunday best. While you may already have the menu set, there are still drinks to consider. Stock your brunch bar with these delicious cocktails (for the adults) and mocktails (for the kiddos) to add a little something extra to the event. > Known as “The Buckley” this pretty pink drink is a fantastic option for an Easter brunch. Not only does it have a colourful, impressive appearance, its sage and lime-infused flavours are sure to impress.

This option is definitely for adults only though as the ingredients list calls for gin and Campari, which gives the drink its pink hue. > Brunch wouldn’t be brunch without a fantastic sangria option. With the Cranberry Punch with Apples & Strawberries you can Fruit cube create an alcoholic version with red wine or make a batch for the whole family with fruit juice only. The beauty of this recipe is that it is simple and delicious, while the addition of apples and strawberries adds to the stunning presentation. > This next drink option is all about the kiddos. These Fruit Cube Mocktails include delicious, non-alcoholic ingredients and ridiculously cute fruit ice cubes. You can even get little ones involved in creating them by letting them choose the fun shapes and their favourite fruits to include. These will definitely make for a memorable and fun Easter brunch.

The buckley

EASTER DECORATIONS

Need some ideas for how to decorate your home for the Easter holiday? Between Easter bunnies and Easter eggs, there are many ways that you can be creative with your Easter décor. Easter decorations for the home usually incorporate pastel colours of pink, green, blue, and yellow. For a modern look, use brighter versions of those same colours. > Easter Décor: Include handcrafted Easter Bunnies, decorated eggs, and baby chicks in your Easter party decorations. You can buy these items and other Easter decorations at a local craft shop, party supply store, or online. If you are feeling creative, you could also try your hand at making some of your own Easter decorations. Another great idea is to do some Easter crafts with your children which you can then put on display as decorations for your Easter brunch or dinner party! > Table Settings: If you are planning to have an Easter brunch or dinner, there are many Easter table decorations that you can incorporate into your table setting. First, set your table with a tablecloth, table runner, and place mats. Try to use solid colours wherever possible to keep your table from looking too busy. Delight your guests with beautiful dinnerware in Easter colours like green, yellow, and pink. Use festive napkin rings to reflect the season as well. Another Easter table decorating tip is to avoid using scented candles in your table settings because it will interfere with the food aromas. > Flowers: With spring in full bloom, there is no reason not to incorporate flowers into your Easter decorations.

Add a few vases of flowers to give your room a beautiful spring look. Easter flowers like daffodils, tulips, lilies, and irises will bring vibrant colours to your table setting. Another decorating idea is to fill the vase with jellybeans instead of water. This should be done just prior to the party though so the flowers do not wilt. > Centrepiece: A great Easter table centrepiece idea is to paint a small tree branch white, then stick it to a foam craft ball to secure it. Place the foam ball into a festive Easter pail. Then, hang miniature glass Easter egg ornaments from the tree branches. Another Easter centerpiece idea is to get a

punch

Cranberry

Table setting

large clear vase and fill it with your beautiful decorated Easter eggs.

SIMPLE PAPER KITE FOR A TODDLER Easter is a great time to fly kites. Here is a simple and fun kite pattern that is perfect for kids (kids 2 to 9 used these kites!). Decorate their papers first before following these instructions to “assemble” the kites: Step 1: Gather materials (one piece of paper, a ruler, a pencil, some yarn or string, a stapler, and a hole punch) Step 2: Fold paper in half Step 3: Along the folded side of your paper, measure and mark off at 2 1/2 inches (point A) and at 3 1/2 inches (point B) Step 4: Take two corners of your paper and staple them together at point A. Step 5: Punch a hole at point B Step 6: Tie a long piece of yarn through the hole you’ve just punched.

Step 7: Fly your kite on a windy day.

Step 8: Expect lots and lots of laughs and “Wows!” and running around.

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

Kaanchi actors SNAPSHOT: Salman Khan arm wrestles with his nephew Yohan WE all know Salman Khan is a family man and he adores kids.

Mishti, Kartik kiss He spends time with the kids of his family whenever he gets time.

The actor was recently snapped arm wrestling with his nephew, (Sohail Khan’s son) at his Panvel farmhouse. This snapshot 30 times to getYohan one was taken as part of the star’s Being Human campaign. The tagline this picture is ‘Today I Wear Mischief’. The picture is adorable perfect shot! for and Yohan has also preferred to go shirtless like his famous uncle.

Vidya Balan

S

UBHASH GHAI’S forthcoming film Kaanchi is generating a lot of buzz. Thanks to the reports that the lead pair Mishti Mukherjee and Kartik Tiwari took 30 retakes for a kissing scene. Newbies Mishti Mukherjee and Kartik Tiwari got carried away during a lip-lock scene so much that the director had to shoot the scene 30 times to get the final shot.

Rumours are abuzz with the pairs growing fondness for each other. They have been reported to be spending a lot of time together off the shoot. A source close to the film crew told a leading daily, “both being relative outsiders, they have grown really fond of each other and now are considering taking their relationship a step forward”.

Well, the fate of the film will tell us whether their love is for keeps or just another marketing tactics.

I don’t have friends or best friends in the industry

Aditya Roy Kapur on Filmfare cover TEN years, five films, three link-ups and one bumper hit, you can sum up his life in one line. But Aditya Roy Kapur insists he’s much more than just that. After enjoying small screen highs as a VJ, this fresh prince of romance went through a low when he tried his hand at the big screen, thanks to abysmal choices as London Dreams, Action Replayy and Guzaarish. But his histrionics and his Afro made you take notice of him in those duds too.

Call it plain coincidence but just as he let go of his curls, his spate of tough luck left him and his career straightened out along with his locks. He’s currently being toasted by the paparazzi, which has been linking him to every hot chick in town. After having spent 10 years in showbiz, he knows how the game is played.

He tells you frankly that media magicians can produce smoke without fire. And he’s canny enough to be part of the publicity blitz to stay ahead of the game.

THE Dirty Picture babe doesn’t have such a flowery picture of Bollywood. Vidya Balan has certainly moved on from her favourite designer Sabyasachi Mukherji as well as politically correct statements. This talented babe who is forever under the media scanner for her style statements recently made some candid statements in an interview to a popular filmi magazine. Vids not only confessed that she had a ‘prosecution’ complex, but also went on to talk about happy married life and having no friends in Bollywood.

“I don’t have friends or best friends in the industry so I don’t know if I should be answering this. But it is also difficult to keep in touch with people beyond a film. As long as there is fondness and affection and no ill will, it’s fine.

There are people I am extremely fond of like Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi and of course Dia Mirza, not because I am doing a film with her (Bobby Jasoos) but there has always been warmth between us. Every time Sonakshi Sinha and I bump into each other there’s genuine affection that I feel.

Even when you meet for five minutes it’s nice, you feel good about it.

Like Nimrat Kaur and I go back a long way. When Nimrat came to Mumbai, I was working with Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) and I remember meeting her there.

We kept in touch over the years. But in the last few years we lost touch. I didn’t know she was doing The Lunchbox. But I am so happy for her.”

Priyanka Chopra’s photoshoot for Raine OUR desi girl has turned the covergirl for a popular Hollywood glossy.

Priyanka Chopra is the covergirl for Raine’s quarterly issue. While we weren’t that impressed with the cover, the

Sexy as always

photoshoot was certainly something. The Exotic babe surely knows how to set temperatures soaring. On the cover, Priyanka has posed in a sating pink outfit.

Frankly, it has a very night-wearish look, of course luxury nightwear. PC’s arched back looks sexy but this isn’t one of her best covers for sure. Neither do we like the outfit nor the hairdo and posture. In fact, through the photoshoot, there are many more poses which are hotter than this one.

Priyanka is seen wearing a bustier and a pencil skirt during the shoot. She makes us go ‘oooh’ with her attitude. And her slender figure is totally drool-worthy.

She looks quite a bombshell with her hair pulled back and wethinks that this shot is more cover worthy than the one which actually made it to the Raine cover. You get to see Priyanka in more outfits through the photoshoot and boy; she makes our heart beat faster!

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

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Won’t Quit Acting For Music -Jennifer Eliogu Story by Nathan Nathaniel/Nigeriafilms.com THE singer, who recently delved into music, says singing is actually her first love. “I stumbled on acting because I just went for an audition years back and was chosen. I guess I got carried away by acting,” she said.

“An actor can act all his life except he decides to take a

break or the scripts stop coming in. I would never quit acting for singing.

“Close friends know how much I love singing and I always do ‘karaoke,” the actress stressed.

Jennifer already has two songs with videos to go with them.

I and W4 were never in a relationship...

Story by Akin Omobose/Nigeriafilms.com I know by now we should have known who this gorgeously looking diva is, as she was recently featured on our website when she disclosed that she can never be caught wearing skin cut.

But this time , our correspondent also caught up with the super star, as she cleared the air on the news going viral online that she pose n*de for a certain amount of money in a New York Magazine . Enjoy.

How did you come about music?

Music for me is something I’ve always wanted to do and love, so I just wanted the right time to get into it and I believe this is the right time.

What does music mean Adokiye to you?

Music means everything to me, they say music breathes life into any troubled soul, but I breathe life into music. It’s part of me sometimes when i am sleeping am singing, when dancing I’m singing, so it’s just something I love.

We once heard that you and W4 were having affairs was that true?

No, we were never in any relationship but we were just friends and he was a colleague too What can you say about the nude picture that went viral online ?

Well, that actually got leaked, though I modelled when I was in New York. I worked with few people and at that point in time, somehow, some pictures came out even when all the process have not gone far and I never pose nude I just showed my skin I didn’t expose the essential part as a woman. And for the fact that I’m showing skin, doesn’t mean am posing nude I also am an architect and creativity is part of my thing. You know as an architect being creative architectly is something I should know. So, if you ask me, I will say that I didn’t pose nude I only showed skin because I didn’t show the part I was suppose to show .

Were you really paid for it?

Officially I was paid But do you ever regret posing nude?

Like I said, am an architect and creativity is part of my thing, I do music I sing music, I think music I sell music and I interpret music. And as an architect, as a musician, I’m creative and I have never for once regretted what I did. But at the end of the day I just want people to believe that what

I do or how I did it, they should just understand and believe positively that I have a lot to show and a lot to tell people through my music.

What was your parents’ reaction towards the picture?

My parents are understanding, because they know the daughter they have. They know what I do doesn’t affect me psychologically and physically so they support me in anything I want to do and I don’t do anything without informing them.

How will you define Afro pop song or music?

It’s a general music that is beautiful. I will like to say that afro pop to me is a genre that brings you close to home and I think Afro pop genre or music should be something traditional for me as an artistes, it’s something that is so beautiful and has a lot to speak about Africa.

Nollywood actress, Jennifer Eliogu, has expressed her desire to stay in the movie industry despite her love for music.

ADOKIYE

compare to four years ago .Now you can compare our entertainment industry with the international entertainment industry Where do you see yourself in future?

By God’s grace am going to be a household name like the ex- pop stars in Africa and I want to work with Rihanna I hope to work with her soon. Also, I don’t want to do music in Nigeria though Nigeria is my root, it’s a place that I will never leave, its where am coming from. But no matter how I try to go international, my afro pop is something that will actually impact in whatever I do in music Your education background?

I studied architecture professional architect and I graduated four years ago from Marithas University Are you dumping it for music or what?

For now it’s on pause for music

So how did you start music professionally?

Well, like I said I’ve been waiting for the right time, so I just thought okay the time I started was the right time and I felt like going into it officially

How was growing up like?

It was strict; it wasn’t fun because I grew up with a mind set of becoming a reverend sister. All my life from Kindergarten to university level, it was always private Catholics Missionary School. So I wasn’t like a normal kid though it was fun.

Which Nigerian artiste do you look up to ?

Well people that I will say I respect what they have done and what they are doing are the likes of Onyeka Owenu , King Sunny Ade and Bob Mally .Bob Mally is somebody I will keep loving his music and I also respect Tiwa Savage .But Internationally I have a lot of them like Lorry hill , Bob Mally , Rihanna and Madonna and I listen to their songs a lot because I love what they are doing

So, what stops you from becoming a reverend sister after school instead of music?

You know this thing goes with the call; sometimes you love something so much and so bad but at the end of the day if it is not your call.

So, becoming a reverend sister is not something you just like and venture into it, but with lots of prayer and consultation and as time goes on you will discover that it is not your call

What do your songs talk about?

I always have a message that I pass across with my songs, I just don’t sing because I want to and I love to preach about love I also wish to be the next Saint Valentine, to send messages to people .

When I sing let people understand what I believe and to tell them that it’s just one thing that you need to keep you going and that is love. The love of Christ should be in us, lets love people and our neighbours

Your words of advice to fellow upcoming artistes: Yeah, it’s not easy of trying to fight for your name, fame , platform recognition and your music, but I will like to say what you need as an upcoming artiste is just having God by your side in anything you do. Because you might do a hit and at the end of the day people will not like it, that’s why they say man purpose and God disposes, always have God by your side , be hard working and focused in all you do .

Apart from just releasing your single what else are you doing presently?

I keep working, I work all the time, and presently by God’s grace, am trying to venture into movie so with time am going to enter into the movie industry .Because acting for me is a natural skill, so movie is something am beginning to consider

Challenges?

I think challenges are everywhere, getting into a new thing is a challenge, not to talk of fighting for the acceptance. So it’s a big work that’s why I said with God by your side things will just be getting better

What are the changes you’ve observed in the entertainment industry?

Entertainment industry in Nigeria is coming up strong,

What makes you different from other artistes?

It’s my kind of music. I’m making myself different in the sense that I want to make my kind of music different, I want

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

Guyanese Women in History:

Shakira Baksh (Caine) did Guyana proud S

By Michelle Gonsalves

HAKIRACAINEwasbornShakiraBakshonFebruary23,1947toaGuyanese Muslimfamily.Thedaughterofadressmaker,sheaimedtofollowinthefootsteps ofhermotherandbecomeafashiondesigner.Itwaswhileworkingasasecretary thatShakirawasurgedbyherbosstoparticipateinthe1967MissGuyanacontest which she won.

ShakirawentontocompeteattheMissWorldcontestinLondon,andfinishedinthird

Shakira Baksh with husband, Sir Michael Caine

Shakira in a dress sewn by her mom which she won Ms. Guyana World 1967

place.

The year 1967 was the only one in any grand slam pageantinwhichthreeSouth Americancountriesmadeit as the final three – Shakira Baksh, Madeleine Hartog Bell(MissWorld1967),and MariadelCarmenSabaliuskas. Afterwards, Shakira madeapermanentmoveto Englandtoworkasamodel and actress.

Shakiramadeheracting debutin“CarryonAgainDoctor,” a British comedy film directedbyGeraldThomas and starring Kenneth Williams,SidJamesandCharles Hawtrey. There she had an unaccreditedroleasScrubba.

Sheresurfacedin1970castas KarlChambers’friendonthe UK/Americancomedy/musicalfilm“Tomorrow”which wasdirectedandwrittenby ValGuestandstarredOlivia Newton-John,BennyThomas andVicCooper.From1970 to 1973, Shakira appeared asSHADOOperativeonthe shortlivedaction/sciencefictiontelevisionseries“UFO,” starringEdBishop,MelOxley and Dolores Mantez.

OnJanuary8,1973,ShakiraweddedBritishactorSir

SHAKIRA CAINE

MichaelCaineinaquietceremonyinLasVegas.TheymetafterCainesawherappearing ina“MaxwellHouse”coffeecommercialandafriendgavehimhertelephonenumber.The couple has a daughter, Natasha Haleema.

Always interested in fashion, and drawing on her mother’s career as a dressmaker, Shakirabegantodesignclothingandjewellerywhicharesoldinmajordepartmentstores throughouttheUKandUSA.Shakira’screativityhasexpandedtoincludepainting,andher work has been auctioned for charity.

ShealsoappearedwithherhusbandinJohnHuston’s“TheManWhoWouldBeKing”, playing the part of Roxanne.

ThefollowingisanoriginalGuyanaChroniclearticlefollowingShakiraBaksh’swin in1967,whichwasreprintedintheGuyanaChronicle’sChristmasAnnualofthatyear.

See page XVIII

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ARCHIMEDES

A

ONE OF THE MOST EMINENT SCIENTISTS IN CLASSICAL ANTIQUITY

RCHIMEDES of Syracuse was an outstanding Greek mathematician, inventor, physicist, engineer and also an astronomer. Although not much is known about his life, he is considered as one of the most eminent scientists in classical antiquity. He established strong foundations in the field of physics, particularly in statics, hydrostatics and explained the principle of the lever. In his lifetime, he made many incredible inventions such as designing innovative machines, including screw pumps and siege machines, After intensive experiments, it is concluded that the machines designed by Archimedes are capable of lifting attacking ships out of the water and even setting ships on fire using an array of mirrors. Undoubtedly, Archimedes is considered the greatest scientist and mathematician of ancient times. He applied the ‘method of exhaustion’ in calculating the area under the arc of a parabola with the summation of an endless series and gave a marvelously precise approximation of pi, the symbol. He also identified the spiral that bears his name, designed formulae for the volumes of surfaces of revolution and also invented a technique for expressing extremely large numbers.

Archimedes was born in c. 287 BC in the seaport city of Syracuse, Sicily, which was a self-governing colony in Magna Graecia.

His birth date is based on the calculations done by the Byzantine Greek historian John Tzetzes who concluded that Archimedes lived for around 75 years. In ‘The Sand Reckoner’, his father’s name is mentioned as ‘Phidias’, who was an astronomer, about whom nothing much is known. Plutarch marked in his ‘Parallel Lives’ that Archimedes was related to King Hiero II, the ruler of Syracuse. However, many aspects of Archimedes are still mysterious. For instance, whether he ever married or not or whether he had children are details that aren’t available at all. According to the information available, it is supposed that during his youth, Archimedes may have studied in Alexandria, Egypt, where Conon of Samos and Eratosthenes of Cyrene were his classmates. Archimedes had also referred to Conon of Samos as his friend and, on the other hand, two of his works viz., the Cattle Problem and the Method of Mechanical Theorems have introductions focused on Eratosthenes.

Famous Discoveries And Inventions

Archimedes’ Principle The most popular tale about Archimedes is regarding how he discovered a method for calculating the volume of objects with irregular shape. According to Vitruvius, a crown for a temple had been made for King Hiero II, who had supplied the pure gold to be used and Archimedes was asked to verify whether any silver had been used by the deceitful goldsmith. Archimedes was expected to solve the problem without damaging the crown and thus the option of melting it down into a regular shape was ruled out. One day, while taking a bath, he discerned that the level of the water in the tub increased as he got in, and comprehended that this effect could be used to determine the volume of the crown. As water is incompressible practically, so the crown after submerging would displace an amount of water equal to its own density and it would be possible to calculate the density of the crown if mass of the crown was divided by the volume of water displaced. Archimedes was so excited that he ran on the streets naked (he forgot to dress up), crying out ‘Eureka!’ meaning ’I have found it!’ The test was conducted successfully, concluding that silver had certainly been

mixed with the gold.

Archimedes Screw Archimedes analysed the requirements in his home city of Syracuse and tried to make inventions useful for the people at large. The Greek writer Athenaeus of Naucratis had mentioned how King Hiero II instructed Archimedes to devise a gigantic ship, the ‘Syracusia’, which could be used to travel lavishly with supplies as well as can double up as a naval warship.

Thus, Syracusia is known to be the largest ship built in olden days. Athenaeus had claimed that the ship was capable of carrying 600 people and consisted of attractions such as garden decorations, a fitness center and a temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, to name a few. Archimedes invented a screw to remove the bilge water to prevent the massive ship from leaking a substantial amount of water through the hull. ArArchimedes chimedes’ screw could be described as a device with a spinning screw-shaped blade inside a cylinder. It was turned manually and could also be used to relocate water from a low-lying water body into irrigation canals. The Archimedes screw is still used to propel liquids as well as solids like grain and coal.

Claw of Archimedes The Claw of Archimedes is a weapon that he devised in order to guard the city of Syracuse. The claw is also referred to as “the ship shaker,” and comprised of a crane-like arm from which a large metal-grasping hook was hung. When the claw was plunged onto an attacking ship, the arm would swing upwards, lifting the ship out of the water and perhaps even sinking it. Contemporary experiments have been done to examine the practicality of the weapon and, in 2005, a television documentary ‘Superweapons of the Ancient World’ constructed a form of the claw and declared that it was an effective device.

Heat Rays Lucian, the 2nd century AD author, scripted that during the Siege of Syracuse (c. 214–212 BC) Archimedes shattered enemy ships with fire! After many years, Anthemius of Tralles wrote about burning-glasses as Archimedes’ weapon. The device, also known as the ‘Archimedes heat ray’, was used to direct sunlight onto approaching ships, causing them to catch fire. Even a Greek scientist ‘Ioannis Sakkas’, conducted a test of the Archimedes heat ray in 1973. During this experiment, 70 mirrors were used, each coated with copper and were about five by three feet (1.5X1 m) in size. The mirrors were faced at a plywood replica of a Roman warship, 160 feet (50m) far.

When the mirrors were focused precisely, the ship burst into flames in a matter of few seconds.

Mathematics The genius Archimedes was even capable of using

infinitesimals in a manner similar to the modern integral calculus. Through proof by contradiction, he gave answers to problems to a great degree of exactness, while defining the boundaries within which the answer laies. This modus operandi is known as the method of exhaustion. Archimedes also extended his intelligence in the measurement of circles when he gave the value of the square root of 3 as lying around approximately 1.7320512. The actual value is approximately 1.7320508, making this a very accurate calculation. In ‘The Quadrature of the Parabola’, Archimedes verified that the area encircled by a parabola and a straight line is several times the area of an equivalent inscribed triangle. He expressed the answer to the problem as an infinite geometric series with the common ratio 1/4.

Death And Legacy When Syracuse was captured in 212 BC, during the Second Punic War under General Marcellus, a Roman soldier killed Archimedes despite explicit orders to not harm him. According to the popular tale by Plutarch, Archimedes was studying a mathematical diagram and a Roman soldier ordered him to come and meet General Marcellus, but Archimedes resisted, saying that he had to finish working on the matter. The soldier was furious and killed Archimedes with his sword. However, Plutarch has also mentioned another possibility to Archimedes’s death, that he may have been killed while endeavoring to surrender to a Roman soldier. According to this legend, Archimedes was carrying mathematical instruments and was murdered because the soldier had the impression that those instruments were precious items. General Marcellus was obviously enraged, and the fate of the soldier can only be assumed. The last words accredited to Archimedes are: “Do not disturb my circles!” but again, there isn’t any concrete proof that Archimedes did, in fact, utter these words and they aren’t mentioned in the brief given

by Plutarch.

A sphere carved within a cylinder covers the tomb of Archimedes. This is based on a remarkable invention made by Archimedes proving that the sphere has two thirds of the volume and surface area of the cylinder (including the bases of the latter). This is considered as his greatest mathematical accomplishment.

There are many legacies attached to Archimedes: * A crater on the Moon is called ‘Archimedes ’to revere him’ and a lunar mountain range is known as ‘the Montes Archimedes’. * The asteroid ‘3600 Archimedes’ is named after this ancient scientist. * The Fields Medal for exceptional achievement in mathematics illustrates a portrait of Archimedes, along with his proof relating to the cylinder and the sphere.

The message around the head of Archimedes is a quote credited to him that reads – ‘Rise above oneself and grasp the world’. * Archimedes has also appeared on postage stamps issued by Spain (1963), Nicaragua (1971), East Germany (1973), San Marino (1982), Greece (1983) and Italy (1983). * The exclamation of ‘Eureka!’, attributed to Archimedes, became a state motto of California and relates to the discovery of gold near Sutter’s Mill in 1848 that ignited the California Gold Rush.

Such was the brilliance of this great personality that almost every scientific field can boast of having adopted something from his inventions. The lack of details available regarding his personal life only adds to the enigma of this great man and makes him a cult figure for the intellectuals.

Caption: (Archimedes photo)

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

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Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

Guyanese Women in History:

Shakira Baksh

FROM PAGE XIV

(By Claudette Earle)

TALL, stately Guyanese beauty Shakira Baksh made world headlines in November this year when she was judged the third most beautiful girl in the world

at the Miss World 1967 contest held in London.

The first girl to place Guyana on the map at an international beauty pageant, 20-year old Shakira had months earlier captured the hearts of her compatriots when she claimed the crown easily in the Miss Guyana contest, sponsored by the Jaycees of Guyana.

On the night of the Guyana finals, Shakira made a striking appearance on stage in a scintillating gown of gold sequins. It featured a cold shoulder effect and a train which draped gracefully from her other shoulder.

She was stunning, the rich gold material set off her dusky complexion superbly.

The Governor-General Sir David Rose and his wife, members of the diplomatic corps and their wives were among the large audience which cheered Shakira to victory that night.

But this was not the first stage victory for Shakira.

She was chosen out of nine other young lovelies to be Miss Deepavali, 1966.

Yet Shakira, is not only endowed with beauty, she has brains as well. It is a common sight to see her promenading the short distance from her home in King Street to the Public Free Library in the afternoons.

She is an avid student of languages, and though she hates admitting it, she reads Philosophy for pleasure.

“I would like to study languages at a good university abroad”, she keeps saying.

And now I think her dream has come through.

Shakira intends to spend the next few months in England reading languages.

Her success in London Shakira shortly after winning the Miss Guyana has helped her greatly. She Contest (Photo from Guyana Chronicle Christmas was thrilled to bits, as any Annual 1967) girl would be, to place third in such a fabulous contest.

Although she was tipped to be among the first five, Shakira was excited and overwhelmed to be placed third. “I am happy to win, and I know that my success will do a lot for tourism in Guyana.”

With success came floods of congratulations from every quarter. She was caught up in a heady whirlwind of special engagements, film and television tests, and swank interviews. Little wonder that, in a letter to her mother, Mrs. Saab Baksh, Shakira confessed that she was becoming a little tired of all the activity.

Shakira’s success has gone further than just making Guyana feel proud. It has made us realise, however late that might be, that the Guyanese beauty is as good as any at international contests. It has made us confident of sending other beauties to future world pageants.

We hope that the day will not be too distant when we will open the annals of our history (and see) the name of the Guyanese who will have captured the title of Miss World.

Well done, Shakira!

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

SIR ALEC ...

From page X

in any of the Star Wars movies.

Contrary to popular rumours, he did not hate working on the Star Wars films. What he hated was the fact that many of the Star Wars fans would only ever remember him as Obi-Wan Kenobi despite all the success of his previous roles.

Guinness was a member of the Old Vic group organized

by John Gielgud in the early 1930s, which also included, among others, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quayle and Peggy Ashcroft.

He was made a Fellow of the British Film Institute in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture.

Had played the role of Osric in John Gielgud’s theatrical production of “Hamlet” in 1934. In Laurence Olivier’s 1948 film version, this role was played by Peter Cushing, with whom Guinness appeared years later in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). The film was also Cushing’s first collaboration with future Star Wars cast member Christopher Lee. While filming The Swan (1956) in Hollywood, he met James Dean, just days before the young actor’s death.

Sir Alec later recalled predicting that Dean would die in a car crash: when Dean showed Guinness his newly-bought Porsche, Guinness advised him to “Get rid of that car, or you’ll be dead in a week!”. Guinness unfortunately proved right.

According to playwright Neil Simon, Alec was reading the script for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) while on set filming Murder by Death (1976) and commented that Star Wars may be a “good one”.

Favourite actor of both David Lean and Ronald Neame.

Had worked on many of both director’s films.

During his service in the Royal Navy, he commanded a landing craft invading Sicily and Elba, and helped to supply soldiers in Yugoslavia.

Upon notification that he was to achieve a lifetime achievement Oscar, he was not keen but expressed thanks. He informed the Academy that there was no way he would even consider flying to California to pick up this award. Academy President Fay Kanin, asked Dustin Hoffman who was doing promotional work from Kramer vs. Kramer in London, to meet with Guinness and persuade him to attend. As both men had very similar attitudes to their past work, Guinness warmed up to the idea and agreed to attend.

Was considered by producer Hal B. Wallis for the lead role in Visit to a Small Planet (1960) at the same time with Danny Kaye and Jerry Lewis, the last one eventually getting the role.

Has appeared in several of David Lean’s movies. In them, he has portrayed Englishmen, an Arab, a Russian and an Indian.

Preferred working on stage to appearing in films.

He also preferred appearing in newer plays rather than the classics, so that his performance would not be compared to how previous actors had played the part.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1559 Vine Street in

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Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

Though knighted, he did not like being referred to as Sir Alec Guinness.

His stepfather fought in the Irish War of Independence.

At a young age, Guinness received acting lessons from Martita Hunt, who dismissed him after two lessons, telling him he would never be an actor although lessons were resumed at a later date.

After Guinness won a two-year scholarship from a dramatic academy, John Gielgud, one of the competition judges, offered him a role in his production of “Hamlet” in 1934.

His experiences with the Royal Navy involved shipping supplies to Yugoslav partisans during World War II.

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Spotlighting those who helped shape Guyana’s best artists Visitors to the “The Tutor Exhibition” contemplate “Kissed” (2004) a Nicole BissooWilliams Acrylic painting

By Michelle Gonsalves FOR OVER two decades, Castellani House (The National Art Gallery) located at the corner of Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue is the place to go if you want to see the finest Guyanese Art Work.

Normally we see the work of talented students; this time however, the ongoing exhibition is shining the spotlight on the people who helped to shape Guyana’s best artists. The exhibition is showing off the work of the tutors of the E.R. Burrowes School of Art. Most of the tutors are past students of the school and come from a tradition of bonding, said Acting Curator of Castellani House, Mr. Ohene Koama.

In those testing days of financial constraints even a meal seemed impossible to many, but a solution by way of a “bush cook” saw many smiling faces. It was the sculptors who led the way in the cooking since a mistaken chip of wood in the pot was more tolerated than a lump of pint or even clay. This act of bonding strengthened the barriers against any likely ethnic, class or economic discrimination that might have impeded unity. These tutors are living testimony of survival against those social political and economic constraints that constantly presented themselves.

Continuing in the tradition of unselfish gains, the Tutors are seen mentoring and nurturing, in formal ways, those who have come with a willingness to learn the requisite skills that will determine See page XXXV

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Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies

By Clifford Stanley

ATTRACTING hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden can bring a sense of delight.

Hummingbirds, said to be nature’s perfect helicopters, are attracted to tubular-shaped flowers.

Humming birds are often heard — by their hum — before they are seen.

Their feather colours are a combination of brilliant iridescent and metallic.

Their beaks are needle-like in shape.

They have extremely strong chest muscles that account for 30 percent of their body mass. These muscles enable them to roll their shoulder joints back and, using their wing tips projected in a flat figure of eight, they hover.

They establish this ex-

traordinary feat of 200 beats per second in the same manner of a variable-pitch rotor on a helicopter.

By slightly altering the wing angle they can move forward, backward, sideways and with ease perform upside-down maneuvers. There are about 10,000 species of birds but only 328 kinds can hover.

Hummingbirds don’t have a sense of smell. They are attracted to colours — bright red, pink, and orange.

Hummingbirds enjoy flowering nectar-rich plants.

Zinnias are a great attraction for them.

Vines which attract hummingbirds include morning glory.

But many are opportunistic feeders. As long as a See page XLIII

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Stewartville A simple village with many of its yesteryear characteristics intact

By Alex Wayne THINGS were certainly looking up for me this week as I was heading to Stewartville, West Coast Demerara which I was told has a certain pristine beauty to its somewhat still ‘yesteryear appearance.’ On arriving there I felt quite at home since in some ways this village reminded me of my hometown, Calcutta, on the East Coast of Demerara.

Stewartville is a village in Guyana on the Atlantic Coast along West Demerara. There are four sections in the village: Stewartville Housing Scheme, Sarah Lodge, Stewartville Old Road and Stewartville Sea View.

Stewartville is about 10 miles (16 km) west of Vreed-enHoop, and is separated on the east from the neighbouring community of Leonora by a trench. The community of Uitvlugt is immediately to its west. The village is populated by various ethnic groups, and the fusion to me seems quite attractive. With the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1834, freed men began making group and individual purchase of land in the village. By the 1860s many Africans had settled in the Creole village of Stewartville and were working on the West Coast Demerara estates. There is a record of four Sierre Leonians in 1874 petitioning from Stewartville for a grant of crown land to cultivate rice on Hog Island, Essequibo.

Later, estate workers originally from South India came to the coast and introduced their own traditions. The Indians mostly settled in areas between the Afro-Guyanese villages.

A mosque was built in Stewartville

. Excessively high tides on October16–17, 2005 caused breaches of the sea defences on West Coast Demerara. In November the government announced it had approved contracts for emergency repairs. $102M was to be spent on obtaining and laying boulders along the sea defence line at Stewartville and Leonora. The work was being funded from a 38.9 Euro grant agreement under the Eighth European Development Fund. In December 2009 a high spring tide caused waves that over-topped the seawall and flooded many yards in Sea View.

In October 2010 the contractor working on a project to repair the sea defences recommended using riprap construction as an alternative to building wave walls. With riprap construction, loose boulders absorb the force of the waves.

Unlike wave walls, which tend to be undermined, crack and require expensive repair, riprap defences need little maintenance.

Simple means of survival Some villages really stand out and rank high on the charts for simple means of survival, and Stewartville is no exception.

And this fact was dictated by the individuals with whom I interacted around the village. One very kind woman (Katherine Semple) offered me a seat under her makeshift vegetable stand to escape the downpours and our conversation revealed quite a lot about her simple existence.

This very elderly woman who seemed very peppy at age sixty -nine explained that selling vegetables and ground provision by the roadside has

Stewartville in times gone by It was Katherine too who was willing to tell me a little about Stewartville as it appeared in the olden days.

Living in the village almost from her early childhood she explained that in her time the village was a very underdeveloped settlement where residents would go to great lengths to ensure they existed in comfort.

According to the good lady, some areas of the village was very bushy and transportation in those days were the horse drawn and donkey carts, which were later replaced (not completely) by bicycles and later vehicles as the petals of modernisation unfurled. In her time young girls played ‘hop scotch’ in the dusty streets and dams while energetic males would engage in feisty games of marble, cricket and football, which in many times ended in verbal disagreements and even fist fights.

Many used water from flowing ponds and trenches, until the era of stand pipes and artesian wells arrived.

The houses were mostly cottage style, many of them with shingle roofs, while a few were even covered with coconut branches.

She reminisced on having little picnics and ‘bush cooks’ with her girlfriends in their back yard or open fields after which they would play circle tennis until their mothers bellowing would bring them scattering home from wherever they were. There were really no fancy shops or boutiques there, and in Katherine’s time the little girls were mostly clothed in home sewn dresses that lacked a proper finish.

While today Stewartville has evolved considerably, the village however somehow still hold signs of its somewhat yesteryear appearance.

Drainage seems to be a major problem in this village.

Most of the trenches are overgrown with weeds, bushes and

Just a few would indulge in the beau tician side of thin gs for a living around 1911. As of 2011 the village had a population of about 2,500 which has however increased significantly over the years.

Climate Temperature is fairly steady throughout the year at between 25 °C (77 °F) and 27 °C (81 °F). There are two wet seasons in May–July and in December–January. Average monthly rainfall ranges from 104 millimetres (4.1 in) in September to 383 millimetres (15.1 in) in June, with about 2,670 millimetres (105 in) annually. Stewartville has a secondary school, serving other communities in the region.

Interacting with residents Quite honestly many persons were a bit bashful about speaking to the media and the few that did, chatted with some amount of reluctance.

However a vendor Sybil Bacchus engaged me in conversation and divulged that while things are gradually looking up in the village, everything is not however perfect. She spoke about erosion of their shore which she said has been a continuous problem.

been an occupation she has been indulged in for over ten years.

She explained that her ailing husband ‘Ronald’ was never able to do strenuous jobs because of an ailment and as such she was forced to find something to do to help out in the home.

“I am a poor woman and my husband was always sick most of the time. So I had to find a way to help feed and clothed the six children we made together. I does mek a lil good raise most times, but sometimes sales can be real bad and very slow. On those days I will pick meh eddo leaf from the back yard and mek stew fuh de children and we use to enjoy it, ‘ital style.”

A seemingly contented soul, Katherine still comes out on the road early to sell, although her two daughters insist that she quits the profession altogether. “My daughters do not want me to sell here.... They want to take care of me themselves, but they are married now and have their own lives and family to tend to. So while I will accept the little they give me, I still want to sell to earn something for myself. Besides I am still fit for my age, so it’s really not a problem.....”

And just as in every other village, everyone tries to make an honest living

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Open parties are a much anticipated treat to many villagers

said several individuals would normally excel at the CSEC examinations but remain in the village unemployed or is forced to engage in professions that do not give credit to their credentials.

Donkey drawn carts remind us of the traditions of our countryside villages

various plant parasites.

There is just not much scope for employment in this village and the few occupants are not too interested in having kitchen gardens as is the case in the surrounding villages.

Some residents are either pork-knockers in the interior, or sell in shops, food stalls or other businesses that have sprung up in the village. Others are content to have obtained job as teachers at schools in and around the village, while other travel miles away to work with various entities as labourers.

One woman noted that regular employment abounds periodically during the rice harvesting seasons, when rice farmers in areas outside

Self Help Indulgence What struck me and was very pleasing to the eyes is the manner in which villagers exuded a ‘ready to go attitude’ and seemed ready to ‘fix things’ in the village and not wait on the relative authorities who sometimes seems to drag their feet on issues.

As we walked about the village, young men could be seen weeding drains, and yards overgrown with bushes, whiles others were observed mixing cement by the roadside to make repairs, and alterations to their homes.

We were very surprised when we were told that some of the more magnificent buildings in the housing scheme

Enjoying the sun in the tropics

Young men of varying races were seen at intervals chatting quite amicably at the street corners, and ever so often their loud masculine guffaws and boisterous laughter will ring out as jokes are told and many engaged in their popular ‘tantalise sessions.’

Amusing reflections

I was transported to Stewartville in a mini bus packed like “sardines”

the village will require plenty of manual labour for harvesting, paddy drying and milling.

Speaking for a group of young men liming in the streets, 19 year-old Shawn Williams noted that there is not much scope for academically qualified youths in the village. He

were actually built through combined family efforts. Sure it seemed villagers are actually gifted tradesmen.

Ethnic fusion Some residents reported that many years ago there were serious ethnic classes in the village, and while that may have been so, things seemed to have changed for the good. And this could be affirmed from the jovial and pleasant interaction amongst residents of varying races in the streets, over fences and of course in the shops in the village.

Every village certainly possesses a certain little juicy gossip that would cause you to buckle over with laughter and Stewartville was no exception.

One very sassy lady seemed to be the gossip icon in the village and upon gleefully enquiring she said: “Dis village full a tek ups like anywhere else..... Ah gon tell yuh a story but me ain’t want me name call...”

She related amidst peals of laughter that in October 2010 a boat carrying drinks and other products from the Banks DIH company to the Essequibo Coast developed leaks and had to be grounded on the Stewartville foreshore. Mud had apparently got into the pump, which would not start, and the engine room flooded. After the tide receded, the boat leaned to one side. Some boxes fell off and were reportedly taken away by residents. Giggling hysterically the woman said that night, dozens of people climbed onto the boat, taking soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, as well as other products such as biscuits and bottled water, and drained the fuel from the boat’s tanks.

She said some started drinking while they were looting.

One man, it was reported apparently became drunk, and See page XXIV

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Stewartville...

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Youngsters are trying to make an honest living

‘Tinasha’ is quite a fashion figure in Stewartville Village

From Centre fell into the water and drowned between the boat and the sea wall.

She seemed to have every bit of information on the happenings in the village; because she let on that in March 2011 a fire broke out in the village. A fire tender was quickly dispatched from Leonora Fire Station, and used the water in the tender to stop the fire from spreading. When the fire-fighters attempted to get more water from the nearby canal, it turned out to be full of silt and debris, which damaged the pump. Again my informant divulged that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) had been failing to maintain the canals during that period.

Notable people Allan Carlyle Miller was born in Stewartville Village on September 19, 1898. After training in the southern United States as a doctor and a Baptist minister, he returned to Guyana and established the Guyana Missionary Baptist Church Lott-Carey. The well-known artist Donald Locke was born there in 1930. Locke started to study painting under E. R. Burrowes in the Working People’s Art Class in Georgetown in 1947. In 1979 he moved to the United States, dying in Atlanta Georgia in December 2010. In 1973, Stewartville was home to Diana Amelia Barrow, who was 107 years old. She was the mother of six children, two of whom had died, and had 23 grandchildren.

Retired Justice Oslen Small and former Chancellor of the Judiciary Keith Massiah, were also prominent personalities who hailed from Stewartville.

Sad tidings Villagers still reflect and talk about the ghastly incident that occurred in the village not so long ago that involved farmer Jamaludin Sattaur, 56, who was also an ex-soldier, was found murdered in his Stewartville home. They said his home was invaded by bandits twice.

According to reports, his reputed wife, Genevieve Hartman, 62, a security guard then attached to the Ministry of Agriculture at Den Amstel, had left home about 06:30 hours for work leaving her husband home alone.

She returned home at 07:00 hours on the following morning and opened the front door to the building via the lower flat and found her husband’s lifeless body near the stairway by the kitchen. Villagers said the man’s face was covered and his head was bashed in. The wife had run out of the house screaming and alerted the neighbours.

Some said that the entire house from the lower flat to the upper flat was ransacked, suggesting that the perpetrators had spent a lot of time inside the building.

It is believed that the intruders gained entry to the upper flat of the house by using a wooden bench to scale the window on the eastern side and then they entered the upper flat of the house and burglarised the place of valuables.

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MARCEL RAYMOND HUTSON -A man who elevated himself from poverty through education, persistence

By Telesha Ramnarine

M

ARCEL Raymond Hutson took the advice of his father from a very early age and paid attention to his education. The family was poor and hadn’t the nicest of conditions to deal with in East La Penitence Housing Scheme.

But throughout those times, Hutson’s dad, Richard, now deceased, always stressed the importance of taking education seriously as he felt it could have taken the family out of their poverty.

Hutson, 48, is now the Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility

for over 400 primary schools in Guyana. He describes himself as someone who is gentle but firm; a no nonsense kind of guy.

In 2005, he was appointed District Education Officer for Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and in 2007 he was appointed Regional Education Officer for Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice). Under former Education Minister Shaik Baksh, Huston was appointed Principle Education Officer responsible for all schools in Georgetown.

Hutson has thus reached this conclusion: “A man’s life is not determined by his beginnings. If one is persistent, one could actually achieve. It

Marcel Raymond Hutson

wasn’t always easy. I know about not having food to eat.

But with God’s help, one can rise from the ashes. I think I have done well if I were to grade myself coming from the background I came from.”

Hutson went to Ms

Thomas Nursery School and then to East La Penitence Primary. He started school late and so could not write what is now known as the National Grade Six Exams, for which he is now a key person. So he had to do the Secondary School Proficiency Entrance Exam and this aided him to secure a place at Christ Church Secondary.

Hutson became a work study student at the Central Medical Laboratory and when his time was up, he decided to stay on and work for one year without pay. But eventually, the quality of his work was observed and he was hired as a laboratory aid.

“My father taught me certain principles that if you stay in one place long enough, you might gather something. He always said a rolling stone gathers no moss,” Hutson said in explaining his decision to work without pay.

He thought he would gain invaluable experience by sticking around the lab and besides, staying home each day doing nothing did not appeal to him.

Hutson eventually applied to Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and was accepted as a student. So he had to leave work with pay to go and study. But this worked out just fine for him.

As compared to the $300 he was earning, CPCE offered teachers $400 to care for their study expenses.

“To tell you the truth, up to this day, of all the pubic servants, teachers are the best paid. When you compare a teacher’s salary to other public servants, teachers are higher paid up to this day,” he said.

Hutson graduated from CPCE and went back to the same primary school he attended. He then moved to St John’s College which facilitated his attending the See page XXXIV

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MARCEL RAYMOND ...

From page XXXII University of Guyana (UG).

He started doing sociology and graduated with a degree. In 2000 he went back to UG and did a post graduate course in education

your initial response must never be for pay but you must recognise you can impact the lives of people. If your focus is strictly on money you will be miserable. It is a calling, a vocation. But if you’re looking for money, it may not be

“A man’s life is not determined by his beginnings.

If one is persistent, one could actually achieve. It wasn’t always easy. I know about not having food to eat. But with God’s help, one can rise from the ashes. I think I have done well if I were to grade myself coming from the background I came from.” administration.

In 2009 Hutson got a government scholarship to do a Masters in Education with the Nova University in the United States and UG combined. Of the 40 in the class, only five persons graduated and he was happy to be among those.

Huston has this advice for persons wishing to enter the field of education: “When you decide to become an educator,

the best place for you to be.”

He credits his success with inspiration from his father who kept talking to him about how he can become a successful individual. His exposure to the Bible later in his life also served as inspiration to him.

Hutson enjoys working along with Education Minister Priya Manickchand.

“We have a very energet-

With his family

Hutson making a presentation in China

ic and lively minister.

What I like about her is she believes that good things come at a cost.

And the beautiful thing about it is she is always willing to pay once the services are good.”

Hutson, a pastor with the Assembly of God

Church, is married to Deborah and they have a son, Yeshua. His mom, Winifred, almost touching her 80s, is still around.

Continued on page XXXIII

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Spotlighting those who ...

From page XX their future in the visual arts. Bestowed with the responsibility of bestowing knowledge in the various disciplines, the tutors are seen as the vanguard of the institution. The tutors whose work is on display are Administrator Ivor Thom (Drawing, Sculpture), Director of Studies Jynelle Osborne (Painting), Everley Austin (Ceramic Art), Robert Cumming (Textile Construction), Vandyke David (Ceramic), Sheena Henry (Children Classes Vocation Workshop), Dawn Isaacs (Ceramic Art), Nicole Bisoo-Williams (Colour Theory and General Studies), Genghis Khan (Painting and Drawing), Josefa Tamaya (Three Dimensional Foundation Course and Sculpture), Dahlia Peters (Ceramic), Volda Russell Ramsammy (Textile Design and Basic Design), Joseph Saunders (Computer Graphic Art) and Sean Thomas (Graphic Art).

History The E.R. Burrowes School of Art was founded in 1975 by the late Director of Culture, Dr. Denis Williams, Artist, Art Educator, Pioneer Archaeologist and Anthropologist. The Institution was from the onset modeled on the British curriculum of formal Art training.

Founded after Guyana became independent in 1966 and a Republic in 1970, and also after the groundbreaking Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta) in 1972 that was held in Guyana, the school was a timely addition to the cultural life of a young nation.

Its predecessor is the Working Peoples Art Class (WPAC) which was formed by Barbadian ‘Father of Guyanese Art’ E.R. Burrowes in 1948.

Dennis Williams was a member of the WPAC. On returning from hi Art Scholarship in Britain, he felt compelled to continue the tradition of art groupings,

Dancers (2012) a bronze piece

by Ivor Thom

which he knew best, resulting in him forming an art institution and naming it after his teacher and mentor E.R. Burrowes.

The school survived many trying times during its 39 year existence, moving from the village of Eccles on the East Bank, to Sophia East of Georgetown and then to Carifesta Avenue where it presently sits.

The Castellani House was named in 1993 after its architect, Cesar Castellani, when the inaugural collec-

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tion of the Art Gallery was first shown. The original building was constructed during 1879 to 1882 and was the residence of the Government Botanist George Jenman beginning in 1883.

L.F.S. Burnham resided there from 1965 until his death in 1985, during his tenure as Prime Minister and later, President of Guyana. The Castellani House is the home of the National Art Collection.

The exhibition will continue until May 3, 2014.

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Artists ‘have structurally different brains’

By Melissa Hogenboom Science reporter, BBC Radio Science

ARTISTS have structurally different brains compared with non-artists, a study has found.

Participants’ brain scans revealed that artists had increased neural matter in areas relating to fine motor movements and visual imagery.

The research, published in NeuroImage, suggests that an artist’s talent could be innate.

But training and environmental upbringing also play crucial roles in their ability, the authors report.

As in many areas of science, the exact interplay of nature and nurture remains unclear.

Brain scans revealed artists have more grey matter in parts of their brains

Lead author Rebecca Chamberlain from KU Leuven, Belgium, said she was interested in finding out how artists saw the world differently.

“The people who are better at drawing really seem to have more developed structures in regions of the brain that control for fine motor performance and what we call procedural memory,” she explained.

In their small study, researchers peered into the brains of 21 art students and compared them to 23 non-artists using a scanning method called voxel-based morphometry.

These detailed scans revealed that the artist group had significantly more grey matter in an area of the brain called the precuneus in the parietal lobe.

“This region is involved in a range of functions but potentially in things that could be linked to creativity, like visual imagery - being able to manipulate visual images in your brain, combine them and deconstruct them,” Dr Chamberlain told the BBC’s Inside Science programme.

Participants also completed drawing tasks and the team looked at the relationship between their performance in this task and their grey and white matter.

A CHANGING BRAIN Those better at drawing had increased grey and white matter in the cerebellum and also in the supplementary motor area - both areas that are involved with fine motor control and performance of routine actions.

Grey matter is largely composed of nerve cells, while white matter is responsible for communication between the grey matter regions.

But it is still not clear what this increase of neural matter might mean. From looking at related studies of other creative people, such as musicians, it suggests that these individuals have enhanced processing in these areas, Dr Chamberlain added.

“It falls into line with evidence that focus of expertise really does change the brain. The brain is incredibly flexible in response to training and there are huge individual differences that we are only beginning to tap into.”

Another author of the paper, Chris McManus from University College London, said it was difficult to distinguish what aspect of artistic talent was innate or learnt.

“We would need to do further studies where we look See page XXXVII

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Hilary Duff & Mike Comrie Do They Look Separated to You?

Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie don’t look like people that recently separated instead; they were hanging together at Coachella this weekend looking every bit the married couple.

Duff and her NHL player hubby announced their separation back in January, but still managed to take a family vacation together over Valentine’s Day. Perhaps this relationship isn’t over until the divorce attorney sings.

Artists ‘have structurally ...

From page XXXVI

at teenagers and see how they develop in their drawing as they grow older - but I think [this study] has given us a handle on how we could begin to look at this.”

Commenting on the small sample size, Prof McManus said: “Since the results were statistically significant then clearly there was the power to find something, which almost by definition means it was large enough.

“And also of interest is that other people have also had hints at effects in similar locations. Obviously in an ideal world we’d like 1000 subjects, but that isn’t realistic.

It’s always a compromise between cost, practicality and interest.”

NO ‘RIGHT’ SIDE Ellen Winner of Boston College, US, who was not involved with the study, commented that it was very interesting research.

She said it should help “put to rest the facile claims that artists use ‘the right side of their brain’ given that increased grey and white matter were found in the art group in both left and right structures of the brain”.

“Only a prospective study could get at the question of innate structural brain differences that predispose people to become visual artists, and this kind of study has not been done as it would be very difficult and very expensive to carry out.”

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Selena Gomez’ parents - Blindsided by firing SELENA GOMEZ’S mom claims she got ZERO warning that the singer was axing her as her manager until the story hit the media. Selena’s mom Mandy Teefey says she and Selena’s stepdad sat down with the singer Thursday after the story came out and asked Selena if she was absolutely sure she wanted to move in a different direction.

Selena said yes. Mandy tells us she thought last month’s conversation was just talk and she’s having a hard time processing the fact that she’s no longer Selena’s manager.

Selena’s mom and stepdad had managed the 21-yearold since her big break at Disney, Selena told her parents she’d outgrown them and wanted bigger management.

Mandy says she respects her daughter’s decision and plans to continue producing several movie projects with Selena, including the upcoming “The Sky Is Everywhere.”

Ultimate Warrior Passes away

WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior. Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter. We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans.

Ultimate Warrior passes away WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans.

Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana, his two daughters, his mother, his two sisters and his two brothers.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

The best & worst dressed stars from the Mtv Movie Awards

THE 2014 MTV Movie Awards were a hit as Hollywood’s A-list stars in movies, music and TV flaunted their stuff the red carpet for the wild show.

While the award show is known for being a more casual affair, there were definitely some stars who nailed their looks and a few celebs who missed the mark.

Ellie Goulding looked gorgeous in her white gown. The dress fit the “Lights” singer like a glove, and we love the cutouts in the waist. Nicki Minaj also looked super sexy at the award show -- her skin-tight black gown definitely put her curves on display! And Jessica Alba looked like a ray of sunshine in her high-waisted golden skirt and white crop-top combo -- she definitely had one our favorite looks from the night.

Not everyone nailed their red carpet looks, though.

Iggy Azalea’s dress was just all wrong -- from the fit, to the crazy embellishments -- the outfit did nothing for the rapper’s amazing figure. Shailene Woodley’s ensemble was also a miss. The color of “Divergent” star’s look clashed with her fair skin tone and the tied up top didn’t look quite right with the pleated skirt. And while we love us some Rihanna, her white satin coat and body suit looked more like pajamas rather than an award show look.

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ARIES - You may feel somewhat dissociated today, as if you’re watching yourself from a distance. This discontinuity between mind and body can be disconcerting, but it can also be a fascinating exercise if you attempt to see yourself from an objective view. You are feeling fragile, though, and the least show of opposition -- particularly if it comes from someone you don’t much like -- could elicit an emotional response that is wildly out of proportion.

TAURUS - The green-eyed monster strikes today. Are you going to let it take over? Your feelings of envy may be directed at a lover who seems to be having too much fun outside your presence, at a friend who receives some very good news or at a coworker who is showered with recognition you feel is undeserved. Showing anger, attempting to control people or engaging in any other negative actions may temporarily mask your feelings, but eventually you’ll have to face your own vulnerability. The sooner you do it, the sooner you’ll feel a sense of relief.

GEMINI - If you’ve been putting off a visit to the doctor because you’ve just been too busy, pick up the phone and make the appointment today. Whether you need to investigate a symptom or are taking a proactive, preventive approach by arranging for a physical or some other kind of routine testing, you are taking the right step. Your health is your most valuable asset and it deserves as much care as the other aspects of your fast-paced lifestyle.

CANCER - Peer pressure and pushy salespeople can be hard to resist, but you want to give all forms of intimidation a wide berth today. Look at these urgings for what they are -- others’ attempts to influence your will and your actions. Even if no harm were to come from your acquiescence, you would still have a lingering feeling of having been manipulated. Stand your ground and don’t allow anyone to take advantage of you.

LEO - Now is not the time for superficial judgments and snap decisions.

Whatever situation you’re facing deserves very careful consideration and a thorough check with your intuition. Taking what appears to be the path of least resistance could find you trudging up a steep, rocky hill in the very near future. Look to your interests and be aware of what others could stand to gain.

VIRGO - Your desire to get ahead could find you in an audience of equally ambitious folks, listening to an exciting business presentation. But hold your horses before you go galloping off in pursuit of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Does this opportunity truly have the potential the presenter depicts? The only way to find out is to banish the stars from your eyes and thoroughly investigate the company and its claims. Insist on references, not just pep rallies, and check the firm’s reputation with business and governmental agencies.

LIBRA - Demands on your time, your cheque book or your emotional support could leave you drained and feeling somewhat selfish by the end of the day. Perhaps too many people are laying claim to various parts of you, causing you to feel as if you have no energy or time for yourself. This kind of dependence rarely goes away on its own, so you may need to take a series of small steps spaced out over a period of time to disengage their grip.

SCORPIO - You forge ahead like a locomotive full of steam today. Nothing can stop you -- you’re so compelling no one even bothers to stand in your way. Quite the contrary. Everyone is trying to jump on your train and go for the ride of their lives. Enjoy the attention and the accolades, but remember that even the mightiest engine needs to stop and refuel from time to time. All that huffing and puffing might mean you’re tired.

SAGITTARIUS - The pictures in your head may seem more real than what your eyes actually see today. You’re so wrapped up in your own thoughts there’s a danger you could bump into a post or step off the curb without looking. When others speak to you, you may not hear them at all, or it could seem as if they’re calling to you from across a wide canyon. Preoccupation is the natural result of an active imagination, but don’t allow yourself to disengage completely from reality.

CAPRICORN - You effortlessly see both sides of a question today. Consequently, you have no trouble making decisions as circumstances demand and no problem explaining the reasons behind your conclusions. The best part is you don’t feel the least bit of hesitation or ambivalence; the right choice seems so obvious. Others respect your integrity and fairness, so they accept your conclusions without protest.

AQUARIUS - Work may not be as satisfying these days as it once was.

Maybe you’ve grown so used to your job that it no longer stimulates your creativity, or perhaps your principal interests have simply moved in another direction. Reconciling this situation could be as simple as adding some extracurricular activities to your after-work existence or as complicated as changing careers. Only you can decide which course is right.

Pisces - Has your heart been bruised recently? You’re feeling so sensitive that the slightest emotional prod could cause a big lump to form in your throat or send you running out of the room in tears. The unwitting agent of your distress may need as much consolation as you do. They will be shocked that their innocuous remark elicited such a reaction. You definitely need some solitary time to sort through your thoughts and feelings.

XLII

CXC

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

And though hard be the task, “Keep a stiff upper lip.”

PHOEBE CARY (1824-1871) Keep a stiff Upper Lip STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, Continue to be apprised about information most good dictionaries tell us. They tell about such useful information as: abbreviations used in writing and printing; parts of speech; rules for punctuation, compounds, and capitals; variant spellings and pronunciations; accent marks; division into syllables; synonyms and antonyms; specialized meanings, cross references; and etymology. Sometimes a word is given a special label to indicate its standing in the language such as “Colloquial,” “Slang,” “Dialect,” “Obsolete,” “Obsolescent,” “Archaic,” or “Poetic.” Be wise.

Love you The Passage 112 New Road Hampton, New River April 16, 2014 Dear Grandma and Grandpa, Thank you for the sweater you sent me for my birthday. It fits perfectly, and I love the colour. I wore my new sweater to the Baby Hats competition at church last month and got lots of complements.

School is going fairly well. I really like my English Language classes.

We are learning about paragraphing, and I think it’s very interesting.

Maybe I’ll be a lawyer when I grow up.

When are you coming out to visit us? We haven’t seen you since last August. You can stay in my room when you come. I’ll be happy to sleep on the couch. (The TV is in that room!!)

Well, thanks again and hope all is well with you.

Love, Genevieve About the Passage The passage is a personal, friendly letter. Genevieve thanks her grandparents for a birthday present and gives them some news about her life.

What to Do 1. Discuss the five parts of this letter with a study partner in the presence of a young learner.

2. What is the purpose of this letter? Write a friendly letter to your person of choice.

Grammar Incomplete Construction A. Do not omit a word or phrase which is necessary to complete a grammatical constructions or to fill out the logical meaning of a sentence.

The syntax of the English sentence permits the omission of words and phrases in certain situations when the omitted words and phrases are clearly implied by the context: but the word or phrase thus implied must logically and grammatically fit the place from which it has been omitted.

WRONG: The car has been washed, and the mats replaced.

RIGHT: The car has been washed, and the mats have been replaced.

Explanation: In the first sentence, we should expect the verb has been to be implied; but the subject, mats, is plural. To say The mats has been replaced would be grammatically incorrect. The following sentences illustrate a proper form of omission: RIGHT: The prevailing north winds had warped the trees around the old barn and swept salt spray against the windows.

The auxiliary had may be understood with the verb swept.

RIGHT: Harriett’s eyes were sunken and dull; her cheeks, hollow.

The verb were may be correctly supplied in the second clause.

B Do not use incomplete comparisons or correlations.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

English

WRONG: On the way to South Rupununi we motored through the most beautiful mountain scenery.

RIGHT: On the way to South Rupununi we motored through some parts of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Guyana.

The phrase, the most beautiful scenery, implies a comparison which is not carried out. Do not use the superlative degree (most) simply to gain intensity of expression. The words so and too are frequently used in conversation as intensive expressions, as in the sentences: “I am so tired.” “It was just too beautiful.” This usage is incorrect. So implies that. Too implies for.

The intensive very, when used with a past participle, cannot be used alone in formal discourse, but is correct only when used with the adverb much.

WRONG: I was very fatigued by the long discourse.

RIGHT: I was much fatigued by the long discourse.

Something to Do Correct the errors in the following sentences: 1. After Megan made her one hundred and eleventh run, the battle was turned and Jaguars’ team routed.

2. Selvon may have thought that Selena was too beautiful.

3. Mr. Barker always shows a great regard and interest in inmates at his private children’s hospital.

4. Milestone is larger than any village on the coastland.

5. Dandridge was one of the most prosperous, if not the most prosperous, rice farmer in the county.

6. John and Sons does more business than any ammunition store.

Reading Questions 1-5 are based on the following selection.

During the summers off the coast of Alaska, long hours of sunshine warm the icy waters. Microscopic water plants begin to bloom, and tiny marine animals flock the warming waters to feed on them. The tiny animals, in turn, lure the giant humpback whales to the waters.

Because these whales have rows of filters in their mouths instead of teeth, the tiny creatures are a perfect food source. As water flows through the filters, the filters trap the small animals, which the whale eats.

Humpbacks also eat larger fish, such as sardines or mackerel. In fact, humpback whales spend most of their time eating because they need an enormous amount of food to remain active and warm. Each whale eats between 4,500 and 5,000 pounds of food each day!

As autumn nears, the days grow shorter, causing the water to cool.

Food supplies are not so plentiful in the cooler water. Because of this, the humpback whales move to warmer waters near Hawaii. There they stay until summer days call them northward.

1. What is the effect of longer hours of sunshine?

A Microscopic plants begin to bloom B Whales create a bubble net.

C Humpback whales return from Hawaii.

D Sardines and mackerel are plentiful.

2. Tiny marine creatures are a perfect food for humpback whales because A they live in cold water.

B they are easy to catch.

C these whales have filters in their mouths instead of teeth.

D most large fish do not eat them.

3. Why do humpback whales spend so much time eating?

A Food takes a long time to consume.

B Hunting takes a lot of energy.

C They need a large amount of food to stay active and warm.

D They stay to eat as much as they can before the waters cool.

4. What is the main reason humpback whales leave the waters of Alaska?

A The sun shines for more hours per day as autumn nears.

B Fewer fish are in the water after the whales have been there.

C The whales’ food supply is not as plentiful in the cooler water.

D The humpback whales always spend the winter near Alaska.

5. Which is an effect of changing seasons?

A The whales move east.

B The whales move.

C The whales move to deeper water.

D The whales move to shallower water.

Chronicle Pepperpot April 20, 2014

Attracting Hummingbirds ...

From page XXI

flower has nectar, it doesn’t have to be tubular or red.

Hummingbirds are a gardener’s friend. Many gardeners say so, because they feed on insects such as mosquitoes and aphids.

Sometimes they glean the insects from bark or foliage and other times they will dart to and from a perch to feast on a cloud of mosquitoes.

Then, there is no more

delightful decoration for a garden than nature’s own--butterflies.

On a warm sunny day these visitors provide color and motion that it is agreed by many gardeners, doubles the pleasure of gardening.

For these enthusiasts it is fortunate that it takes very little effort to make the yard attractive to butterflies! Butterflies like bright, sunny areas.

These insects are particularly attracted to hot-coloured, fragrant flowers.

The flower nectar they need for energy is available in lots of different flowering plants.

They will visit your yard in search of those that are most easily accessed by their long, coiled tongues, or proboscis, which enables them to reach deeply into

the centre of flowers where the glands that produce the sweet nectar are located.

They get further nutrition from moisture from puddles and raindrops, rotting carrion and other

liquids—even it is said human perspiration if you stand very still--that provide traces of minerals and nutrients not in nectar.

The Best Butterfly Blooms are composites, umbels, and panicles, whose clusters of small florets provide many sips plus a place to pause.

These include flowers

XLIII that are brightly colored in lavender, purple, red, orange and yellow or , flat or tubular in varied lengths and fragrant particularly single-flowered types where the nectar is more accessible Flowers which attract butterflies include zinnia, lantana, marigold and sunflowers.