Pepperpot 2015 5 03

LIVING THE DREAM

The life story of Newtown boy ► Page RAJESH CHINTAMAN IX

A truly award-winning journalist

Rajesh Chintaman

► Page X

SWEETENING SUGAR ► Page VI

RENNIE CHESTER

There is nothing wrong with honestly working hard for what you want ► Page XXVIII

► Page VIII

with fewer hiccups

- move afoot to tap into US$100M ethanol industry

BURCHMORE SIMON A man of many ► Page XI

musical wonders

Renne Chester

DEADLIEST ANIMALS Around the World ► Page XXXI

Go for it!

- girls encouraged to ► Page embrace ICT, become XVI leaders in the sector

UNITY

IS A PLEASANT RURAL VILL AGE

- inhabited by simple, jovial and hardworking residents

Produced and Edited by Mark Ramotar | Graphic and Layout Design by Duane Prnce

► Page XIX

Continuation from last week….

Rainbows and Roses (CONCLUSION)

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

II

- a story of friendship, loyalties and legacies

T

By Maureen Rampertab HE return journey to the city captured her interest just as the trip home did and though she was tired, sleep teasing her mind, Aarti stayed awake, her eyes photographing all the beautiful things and scenes of her home country.

It was a vacation of a lifetime because it gave her a renewed sense of belonging and with her job as a journalist, putting her so often in danger zones, she knew a tomorrow for anyone is not guaranteed so she always embraced each new day of her life with love and positive thoughts.

It was late in the afternoon when they reached her hotel and after a long, refreshing bath, she fell into blissful sleep until Arvin and Devina came back to take her for a night out with a few of her friends.

The 704 Sports Bar on LamahaStreet, Georgetown was a relaxing and entertaining place with intricate, modern designs and the award-winning 15 Years Old Demerara Rum that made her feel like she was sailing down a smooth river somewhere. The popular topic of cricket amongst the guys, the IPL matches and upcoming CPL tournament were of greater interest than the home series between England and West Indies but there were still some comments.

“You must be proud of England going 1-0 in the series,” one of Arvin’s friends said to Aarti.

“Yes, I am,” she agreed, “But I am a West Indian at heart, never mind they are not doing well.”

She raised her glass and everyone in the group cheered.

A little while later, Devina nudged her gently and inclined her head slightly, to a small group of people that had just walked in, “Look who’s here.”

Aarti turned and saw it was Diana, feeling pleased to see her but she was not sure if her friend would want to speak to her, given she had changed. It was some time later, when Diana looked her way and Aarti raised her hand a little in greeting but Diana just smiled a little and turned back to her company, a woman and two men with somewhat serious looks on their faces.

“She doesn’t look too happy,” Aarti said quietly.

“She chose her path and the people she wants to walk with,” Devina stated.

“I hope she finds her way back from the dark,” Aarti wished with sincerity.

That night in her dreams, she saw dark horses galloping towards her, snorting

fiercely, a wild look in their eyes.

“I wonder what that is all about,” she thought as she sat next morning on the balcony sipping a cup of tea.

Diana had spoken to her briefly before she left the Sports Bar and though Aarti tried not to let the change in her friend bother her, it stayed in her mind and after listening to a few excerpts of Diana’s speeches from her platform in the political arena, she became a little worried.

“I thought she had grown up to be someone with a loving, pleasant personality,” Aarti mused, “Not so harsh and negative.”

The receptionist called, interrupting her worried thoughts to inform her, some friends had arrived and Aarti hurried down to meet them. They had driven up from Berbice at her invitation for a day trip to the Kaieteur Falls. It was a day of fun and excitement, a day she would remember forever as she marveled at the world’s tallest single-drop waterfall, one of nature’s wonders.

She took some beautiful pictures of the amazing scenes and the golden frog found near to the falls.

Her wonderful vacation plans were coming into being slowly and she went to sleep that night, happiness in her heart, like a loving embrace of the enjoyable time shared with her friends and the natural exotic beauty of a country her eyes were blessed to see.

A long drive across the Demerara River Bridge to the West Coast of Demerara was her next trip, a county where the Dutch had established their presence after setting up the first trading post on the Essequibo river before the arrival of the French and the English. The West Coast was also ► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

III

Rainbows and Roses ► From page II

an impressionable place touched by progress, the beautiful houses and business entities that depicted innovative thinking that had advanced over the years.

Arvin was taking her to a special place in the sugar estate backlands, a place where colonial history had left its indelible mark. They drove down a long road to the Uitvlugt sugar estate where security personnel were waiting to escort them to the backlands. It was an unforgettable trip by motorboat up the conservancy, a wide expanse of smooth black water like a lake, dotted with palm trees that gave her a feeling of being somewhere in Florida.

On the way, they saw farmers coming out of their farmlands with canoes filled with pineapples and a few anchored canoes with boys casting lines to catch the freshwater fish, Lukanani. The scenery was breathtaking, an artist’s dream but what captivated her mind the most was the tranquility, in a world of its own.

They stopped at a sluice built in colonial times to draw excess water from the conservancy, an emblem of engineering brilliance and as the boat drove further along the black water, exhibits of history enthralled Aarti’s mind.

A colonial guest house stood not far from the banks of the creek and standing just behind it was a replica of a logie. “ Wo w ! ” A a r t i e x claimed as she read entries from a guest book dated since 1900, “So far away from the outside world, hidden in this dense area, classic pieces of history.”

“And soon it will be 177 years since our ancestors came as indentured servants to these

shores,” Devina told her.

“Remarkable,” was all Aarti could say.

Her vacation continued with walks about the city, shopping at the various malls, the local craft booths on Main Street and a visit to the Botanical Gardens. On exiting the Botanical Gardens, they were drinking the thirst quenching snowcones with the sweet syrup when an African man passing by said in not a nice tone, “Happy Elections.” “ O h t h a t ’s a n e w greeting,” Devina responded quietly but an African woman standing nearby said, “Don’t let it bother you because at the end of the day, we still have to work and live, side by side, and if I fall down here now, would you pick me up or would you leave me?”

“Will pick you up,” Devina and Aarti said at once.

“Good,” the woman said, smiling.

As they left to have lunch and continue their shopping, Aarti thought: “That’s a woman with a fair mind” and she rued that her friend, Diana, had ventured into the dark.

Once again she wished, “I hope she finds her way back.”

Aarti had invited her to come along with them on the day out but she had declined, saying she had more important things to do. Devinabrought her back to the present by suggesting they eat lunch at the German restaurant but on the way, Aarti noticed a large roadside food stall selling a variety of West Indian dishes and she requested Devina to stop.

“Are you sure?” Devina asked uncertainly.

“It’s a new experience,” Aarti convinced her and it sure was, as they ate the best cook-up

rice ever with salt fish and local guava drink.

“One of the most memorable things about this vacation,” she said, “Is the food, the cuisine of six races, heavenly delicacies.”

The food stall was owned by two African sisters with friendly personalities and a refreshing warmth in their smiles, so different from some others, whose passion, hate and anger seems to slap you in the face.

That night, it was dinner at the hotel’s poolside, a wonderful affair, ladies only, then to the casino, James Bond 007 style.

A weekend at the Lake Mainstay resort on the Essequibo river for her friends from Berbice and Georgetown was planned to bring the curtains down on her vacation and once again, Diana declined to join Aarti and the other girls because she was busy with election campaigning. The weekend at the resort, a little paradise, was great fun, the sandy beach, swimming, boating, jet-skiing on the mighty Essequibo river, nature walk and bird sighting.

Aarti couldn’t stop marveling at the natural exotic beauty and the uniqueness of the tourist resorts there on the Essequibo and she expressed her sentiments, not fearful anymore to offend anyone for she had seen enough to voice her appreciation.

The three-week vacation was almost over but at the end of it she felt wonderfully pleased and happy, except for losing her best friend, the last thing in her mind when she went to bed, the last night of her vacation.

She dreamt that night, she was standing on the water’s edge of the Corentyneriver, the wind whipping past her and she heard voices as though

those who had perished in the depths during the crossing were calling her.

“The souls of those who came as slaves and who came as indentured servants linger in those same depths but today there is so much hate.”

In the distance, she heard the sounds of horse’s hooves and the earth shuddered as they drew closer, hate dressed as wild men on untamed horses with wicked swords unsheathed.

They were coming for her, because she spoke of love and she closed her eyes knowing they would draw her blood, then a voice shouted, “You can’t hurt her, leave her, she is my best friend.”

Aarti opened her eyes and saw Diana standing in the way of the wild horsemen to stop them from hurting her.

The telephone rang, breaking the dream and Aarti sat up with a start.

The receptionist was

calling to say she had a visitor, who said she was a friend. It was 1 o’clock in the morning and Aarti had to check in at the airport at 4 o’clock.

She hurried down to the lounge and saw it was Diana looking very upset, as though she had been crying.

“Are you okay?” Aarti asked, very concerned.

Diana didn’t answer for a moment then looked at Aarti, tears in her eyes, “I’m sorry I turned my back on our friendship, I’m sorry I couldn’t speak to you with love, I lost my way Aarti, I’m sorry.”

She broke down crying and Aarti hugged her, comforting her the best way she could, because she was crying too. Aarti took her up to her room and they drank cups of tea, talking for the rest of the morning hours until 4 o’clock. Aarti’s dream was real, Diana escaping from the darkness, banishing hate from her

heart.

“I followed my husband,” Diana admitted, “The man I love, with whom I thought I had a good future and I lost my way.”

“I was so worried for you,” Aarti said, “That I kept wishing you would find your way.”

“I hadn’t seen you in a such a long time,” Diana said with regrets, “And I declined to spend time with you, now you’re leaving.”

“We still have the rest of our lives,” Aarti reassured her, “I will be visiting here regularly and you can come to visit me in England.”

“Great,” Diana said, feeling a little better.

The two friends embraced as the clock struck four - two best friends reunited, hate defeated and their love, like roses, won.

For them, life will now be like rainbows and roses.

IV

THE DECLINE OF THE ARTS TODAY

I

By Terence Roberts

T is probably fair to admit that the perception of a decline in the arts has been a repeated observation since antiquity, and may become apparent by an interest in diverse examples of how art is made, and how numerous aspects of our world keep changing.

For the average person there may be no awareness of a possibility of a more comparative and self-conscious effect of the arts upon ourselves; but for the idealistic artist it becomes normal to seek creative approaches to art-making which will arouse, focus, and sustain interest.

THE RESERVOIR OF WRITING In creative writing the first structural unit of communication is the sentence; but though comprised of words, the creative sentence has no obligation to make their arrangement obey a step by step simple logic, for example, such as what I am trying to explain here, now. For this reason, the more we regard the history of creative writing as a reservoir of examples about how 'quality' is maintained over a 'quantity' of written banalities, we are led to ignore categories which divide the use of written language into 'poetry' and 'prose'.

Everyone adores Shakespeare for the use of his language.

However, as a playwright it is his closer relationship (than us) to the three profound classic Greek dramatists of BC, Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides, that we first see a more concise use of language which no doubt influenced Shakespeare by their works imagistic, figurative, and tonal qualities. In a play by one of these dramatists a messenger brings unhappy news to a king; the king becomes angry upon hearing it and verbally assaults the messenger, who replies: "Your heartache were the doer's, your earache mine". This sentence is a synthesis of both a precise explanation, or understanding, and profound linguistic artistry. In another of these Greek plays a mother chastises her daughter with: "You infamous wretch!" to which the daughter replies: "Infamy is caught by contact with the infamous".

LANGUAGE QUALITY To regard such use of language as relevant only to the category of antique oral stage dramas, but not to prose fiction, would be to censor the freedom of creative writing on the whole. But such freedom is curtailed from the start if we regard prose fiction as nothing more than the grammatically correct unfolding of a 'story', minus the more particular narrative detail of an engaging tone of voice, the representation of time passing, or sight drawing in detail what it sees, or juxtaposed words and descriptions which use language to travel in and out the human mind, into the external world, via sentences, paragraphs, fragments, or chapters.

PETRONIUS' EXAMPLE In 'The Satyricon' by Petronius we read the narrator's description of being taken care of by the poor young woman, Oenathea: "For my part, I was admiring the ingenuity bred by poverty, and a sort of artistry evident in each object: No Indian ivory

set in gold shone here; no marble pavement gleamed beneath our feet, beguiling the earth-floor with its gift; instead a willow bed-frame topped with straw....cups molded by a cheap wheel's easy turn; soft limewood drinking bowls, and wooden plates made from the pliant Osier-tree; and jars stained by the dregs of wine. The walls around, packed with light straw and random mud applied, were lined with rustic nails, from which there hung a broom of slim reeds, tied with rushes green, that lowly cottage guarded other wealth dangling from smoke-stained beams; soft service-berries, dried Cretan thyme, and clustered raisins hung, entwined among fragrant wreaths." Is this rural Roman scene simply obsolete antiquity, or is it still a reality somewhere today?

The language of Petronius' 'novel' therefore preserves timeless organic earthly reality. In this sense, art does not 'decline'.

APULEIUS' EXAMPLE In the 2nd century AD, 'The Transformation of Lucius', or, 'The Golden Ass', by the Roman writer Lucius Apuleius, appeared, and here we see the universality of vivacious creative 'novel' writing, offering stories within stories, reeling cinematic imagery before cinema was dreamed of, and imaginative and magical transformations concerning a young man turned into an ass by a Goddess, then thankfully back into human form at the novel's end, in chapter 18, which begins: "I rose at once, wide awake, bathed

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

(Part VII) Terence Roberts

in a sweat of joy and fear. Astonished beyond words at this clear manifestation of her God-head, I splashed myself with seawater and carefully memorized her orders, intent on obeying them to the letter. Soon a golden sun arose to rout the dark shadows of night, and at once the streets were filled with people walking along as if in a religious triumph. Not only I, but the whole world, seemed filled with delight. The animals, the houses, even the weather itself reflected the universal joy and serenity, for a calm sunny morning had succeeded yesterday's frost....the crash and thunder of the surf was stilled, the dark clouds were gone and the calm sky shone with its own deep blue light."

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

Joseph Ruhomon Guyana’s first modern intellectual of Indian ancestry

H

E knew the power of words to hinder, harm, hurt, heal or help; he used words to heal and to help.

He knew the power of the press to influence change; he used the press to make a better society. He knew the value of books to educate; he used books and his writings to educate and to help foster a literate society.

He was only twenty-one when his intellectualism surfaced publicly as he made the following pronouncement: “Books are one of the greatest blessings in life, and the educated mind which dives into literature enjoys a pleasure which a rude uncultured mind knows nothing... for the newspaper press today is one of the greatest forces in this world…”

He was at the time expressing his concern about the slow intellectual progress and development of Indians in British Guiana, after he discovered that “they do not know what it is to cultivate the barren wilderness of their minds and the great good that would accrue…they do not know what it is to acquire knowledge…which would give them power…”

In time, his power of perception and discernment increased, and his opinion was sought after.

In 1894, he delivered a groundbreaking lecture in Georgetown, titled, ‘India; the Progress of her People at Home and Abroad, and How those in British Guiana may Improve themselves’. He popularised the phrase, ‘Guyanians’, although he was already wearing the labels of ‘East Indian Christian’, ‘Indianness’ and ‘East Indian Creole’.

Such a situation was as much an identity crisis as it was due to the prevailing influences under which he was nurtured. His main beliefs were tried and tested as his popularity soared. As late as 1922, he was still pointing the way forward to the people who came when he delivered the lecture, titled ‘The Transitory and the Permanent’, at the East Indian Young Men’s Society in Georgetown.

That 1894 lecture was published later that year, making it the first major publication by an Indian in the colony. And it was made possible through the help of the Rev. H.V.P Bronkhurst, the Wesleyan Minister to the Indians from 1860 to 1895, who wrote a “foreword to it, underlining the author’s call for an Indian social organisation”.

He witnessed formation of the British Guiana East Indian Association and its powerful organ, ‘Indian Opinion’, perhaps influenced by the ‘Indian Opinion’ founded by Mahatma Gandhi, a few years earlier in 1904. Both organs became the voice of marginalised Indians, giving vent to their grievances while publicising their aspirations and culture.

He also lived to see the formation and development of several other groups, including The East Indian Young Men’s Society (EIYMS) in 1919, which his brother Peter spearheaded; the Balak Sahaita Mandalee (child welfare society) in 1936; the East Indian Cricket Club in 1914, the Corentyne Literary & Debating Society in 1937, and the British Guiana Dramatic Society.

Along with his teaching and preaching, he found time to write, contributing to a column called ‘Indian Intelligence’ in the Sunday Chronicle, and was contributing editor to a Berbice newspaper called ‘The People’.

He was also an acknowledged pamphleteer, producing works like ‘Good and Evil’, ‘Signs and Portents’, and ‘Records of the Past’.

He was born in 1873 at Albion Village on the Corentyne Coast of Berbice, and was educated at the All Saints’ Anglican School in New Amsterdam, and privately.

He was literate in Hindi, feeding on the vast glorious literature of India, especially in respect to culture and philosophy. He also kept abreast of current developments in India, including the exploits of Swami Vivekananda, Prince Ranjitsinhji, Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore (who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913).

He entered the world of work as an apprentice bookkeeper (1885 – 1886) at plantations Smythfield, Adelphi and Rose Hall. In 1887, he served as an apprentice in the Immigration Office at New Amsterdam. Between 1888 and 1893, he served as a clerk at the Alms House and issuer at the Public Hospital in New Amsterdam. In 1908, he was on the editorial staff of the Daily Argosy.

Between 1916 and 1925, he was head of Davson’s Printery, Stationery & Bookstore in New Amsterdam. He was Joseph Ruhomon.

When Joseph Ruhomon, the chemist, thinker, poet, litterateur, editor, died in 1942, he had already brewed a portion for the independence of all ‘Guyanians’.

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

V

VI

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

SWEETENING SUGAR with fewer hiccups - move afoot to tap into US$100M ethanol industry

E

By Tajeram Mohabir XTENSIVE focus is being placed on the production of bioethanol as work continues on crafting a legislative framework that will create a US$100 million market from the sale of blended fuel for the transportation sector.

But the work begins with the upgrading of all the sugar factories throughout Guyana. This is one component of an overall plan the current Government will roll-out if re-elected to office, preferably with a majority in the Parliament.

And the funding will come from the minimum sum of $20 billion earmarked in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) Manifesto: PPP/C Vision 2.0, to diversify the industry and return it to economic vibrancy.

Speaking with the Chronicle, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy acknowledged that significant work has been done on the Skeldon Sugar Factory in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and part of the $20 billion will be spent on further work to ensure the factory functions at optimum.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Modernisation Project at Skeldon is to be the lifeline of the sugar industry in the future.

The project involves expanding cane cultivations, the establishment of a refinery and facilitating the co-generation of electricity for the national grid.

The factory enhancement will see the boiler systems at the plants at Albion and Rose Hall, Region Six; Blairmont, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Wales and Uitvlugt, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); and Enmore, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) being upgraded to improve their respective capacities.

In some cases, new boilers will be added to improve production capacity over a 24-hour period. Dr Ramsammy said the broader intention is to equip the factories to be on slate as the Industry moves to diversify its commodities.

“In the case of Albion, we have made it very, very clear. Albion will become a major producer of bioethanol. The plant there is a small plant but it allows us to develop the skills to operate a bioethanol plant. So, GuySuCo workers are gaining valuable experience in running a bioethanol plant. We are also doing work to ensure that the bioethanol plant, once we are very familiar with how it operates, we have the skills to expand it.”

The objective, the Minister explained, is to produce bioethanol for local commercial use, supporting value-added in the industry while aiding in its economic buoyancy and health.

Government spends about US$5 million annually on the purchase of ethanol. The ethanol imported

is used primarily in food production, cleaning of hospitals, factories and laboratories.

ENOUGH FOR LOCAL NEEDS The amount of ethanol produced by the Albion demonstration plant is enough to meet the needs of GuySuCo, but the Corporation, Dr Ramsammy said has the capacity to satisfy the national demand, and creation of a new industry. This is the direction that he said Government is moving, and it is doing so in a grounded rather than an ad hoc manner or plunging head-on into the business.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who also has responsibility for the Energy sector, has been working with the support of his technical officers, to craft a legislation to promote blended fuel in Guyana, more particularly a 20 per cent bioethanol mix.

Currently, 25 vehicles from GuySuCo and the Ministry of Agriculture, including the one driven by Minister Ramsammy are powered by blended fuel.

The legislation in the making, though new to Guyana, is not new to countries the world over.

Jamaica has passed a law allowing for a 20 per cent blending in fuel for its transportation sector. A similar legislation has been enacted in Brazil, but with no a ceiling, while some countries in Europe permit a mixture of up to 40 per cent bioethanol.

In the case of Jamaica, there were some hiccups.

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy The 20 per cent bioethanol was supposed to come from its sugar industry, but it was unable to generate that amount consistently.

“They went too fast in it without developing the expertise. We have spent the last two years developing the expertise. Our intention is that when we can ► Continued on page XII

Work continues on crafting a legislative framework that will create a US$100 million market from the sale of blended fuel for the transportation sector

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

VII

All factories throughout Guyana will be upgraded to ramp up sugar production in the industry

Efforts are being made by GuySuCo to diversify its products to withstand the vagaries of sugar prices on the world market

SWEETENING SUGAR ► From page XI produce enough bioethanol that the policy decision is also being made that we make it law that all fuel sold for transportation must be blended fuel. We have to make sure we have the capacity; we do not want to create a law then we have to import another product. So we are going to do this in phases; when we can produce enough ethanol, we will also bring in the law,” Dr Ramsammy told this publication.

Banking on the idea becoming reality, there will be no need for changes in the engine of the most modern vehicles on the market in terms of adjustment to operate with blended fuel, but for the old one, a certain yes!

GIVEN MARKET “So we have a given market, a local demand that you can create by a policy decision, which instead of importing all the fuel for the transport industry, you

pass the law for blended fuel then provide the second component for a blend through a local industry,” said Dr Ramsammy, who is a microbiologist by profession.

This will enable Guyana to produce enough bioethanol to meet local demand, and the US$5 million that it spends annually can be channeled into enhancing the operations of GuySuCo. But this aside, the potential for a thriving industry is great as the transportation sector has been rapidly growing with some 20,000 vehicles being imported into Guyana every year.

“The legislation will create a new industry and as the transport industry gets bigger and bigger, so will the demand. It is not going to get smaller; the demand for transportation is going to get larger and larger and the demand for 20 per cent bioethanol as we speak is about US$100 million,” he said.

It might require private investors to ensure steady supply, but Dr Ramsammy said GuySuCo can meet the demand, noting that this is why the government has been talking about opening up of

Part of the $20 million earmarked for the sugar industry will be spent on the Skeldon Sugar Factory

the Intermediate Savannahs and Canje Basin.

An optimistic Dr Ramsammy contended that if all goes well, Guyana can become an exporter of clean energy as many countries are now trying to move away from dependency on fossil fuel In addition to bioethanol, bagasse is used to fire the factories, but the Agriculture Minister said there is a large mass of the substance which is an environmental problem.

These, he said, can be converted into energy, which can be used by GuySuCo. He also pointed that not only the Skeldon factory but several other estates such as Albion and Enmore, are being considered for co-generation, using bagasse to produce energy.

These are all part of efforts by the Sugar Corporation to diversify its products to withstand the vagaries of sugar prices on the world market.

The commercial production of bioethanol, Dr Ramsammy said, is all but a small component of the biofuel industry when oil is discovered here.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

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

Inside the Law…

BOODRAM SIMPLY LOVES PRAMS

B

oodram is really an uncontrollable old rogue...a rogue with what seems to be a penchant for baby perambulators (strollers or prams).

On Friday he was before Magistrate Arthur Chung on a charge of being found with a ‘pram’ believed to be stolen.

And yesterday morning (Tuesday) he was back before the court on another unlawful possession charge.

Again, too, the object of Boodram’s dishonest attention was another ‘pram’.

And now no doubt there are two mothers somewhere in the city bemoaning the fact that they cannot take their babies out for a stroll because their prams are missing.

But Boodram showed no remorse for being so mean.

He even managed a smile when Magistrate Chung sent him off to the Camp Street resort for a three months stay.

Last week Boodram was held as he propelled the baby carriage along Croal Street.

It seemed clear then that he was headed for a junk stall in Stabroek Market.

This time however, the old chap did not attempt so bold an adventure.

Though in some respects his most recent escapade had some more sinister aspects.

Boodram was found in the compound of the Bourda Post Office.

And since it was going on to 11 at night, he simply could not claim that he had gone to buy stamps or do some business of banking.

In fact he just could not say why he was there at all and that earned him the additional charge of being found on the premises and being unable to give a satisfactory explanation of his presence there.

And yesterday that earned him the title of rogue and vagabond.

UTTER DISGUST But Bodoram did not seem to care about these titles.

Indeed when he was arrested it was with utter disgust and annoyance that he explained that it had been a longstanding habit of his to sleep on Government premises.

In fact he seemed bothered that he was aroused in the first place.

The ‘pram’ however was another matter.

(Guyana Graphic, August 5, 1959)

And bearing in mind his recent visit before Magistrate Chung with another ‘pram’, Boodram tried to bluff his way out when confronted.

“Is me pram,” he told the enquiring Policeman. “Me get am from Campbellville,” he added without even waiting for the question to be asked.

However, the proferred explanation was too vague to be accepted and pressed by the cop for more specifics on ownership, he subsequently recalled that it was really from Buxton that he had gotten the pram.

His conflicting reports however only helped the Constable to become more suspicious.

So yesterday morning Boodram was before Magistrate Chung on two charges.

And he decided to plead guilty to both.

And the prosecutor related to the Court how the bedraggled fellow was found sleeping in the Post Office Compound cuddled up with his prized possession of a pram.

“What do you want to say?” Mr Chung asked him.

“Nothing sah! I begging sah!” he pleaded right away.

“And me find the pram by the gardens. Me say is somebody leff am dey. So me tek de pram.”

“He was before me last week for the same thing,” Magistrate Chung recalled.

“Is de same pram….”

GARDEN STORY “How could it be the same pram?” demanded the Magistrate.

“De Police got the pram in Alberttown Police Station,” declared Boodram.

“And weren’t you here last Friday in connection with a pram too?” the Magistrate asked.

“This other wan me find in de garden too” was the casual explanation as if finding prams was an everyday experience in the fellow’s life.

“Do you admit three previous convictions?”

“Yes Sah but me begging Sah. Me no got wuk.”

“Three months for unlawful possession,” announced Mr. Chung.

And Boodram stopped begging.

“And two months for being found in the Post Office Compound. You‘re also deemed a rogue and a vagabond,” added Mr Chung.

But Boodram seemed hardly to hear.

He stepped out of the dock barefooted and in his khaki shirt and was hurrying off to prison when the Magistrate stopped him.

“You have some fines to pay in connection with the first pram. You’d better write and ask that the warrants be issued.. make one go at it,” Mr Chung advised in a friendly way and Boodram promised to do that and departed quite cheerfully.

SONNA Sonna like Boodram is a headache to Magistrate Chung.

Indeed with 90 convictions to his credit he is much more trouble-some.

This time he was before Mr Chung on a charge of larceny.

Sonna’s biggest weakness is his love for the bottle and as he himself admitted yesterday, the majority of those 90 convictions were in pursuit of the happiness inside the bottle.

It was Saturday and Sonna in his accustomed state of unemployment was faced with the prospect of a bleaky August holiday.

So he set about to remedy that situation and thereby earn himself enough for a holiday drink.

He strolled boldly into Booker’s Self Service and set about helping himself in the literal sense.

But in the Saturday morning crowd of shoppers, he stood out a mile as one who needed watching. And Store Detective Lakan Mentus did just that.

KNIFE TRICK As Sonia moved about the counters, Mentus kept a careful eye on him.

And his alertness paid off for he saw when Sonna slipped a knife off the counter and into his pocket.

When Sonia appeared before Mr Chung yesterday, he pleaded guilty but then he tried to bluff his way out…quite foolishly too.

“I didn’t come out the store with it,” Sonna explained.

“Ah was looking for someone to ask the price,” he added.

“Then you’re not guilty,” Mr Chung told him.

“Ah guilty sah. Ah guilty,” Sonna quickly assured the Magistrate.

And of course he had his reasons.

He was sent to prison for three months and he departed to his familiar Camp Street resort.

STEVEDORES CAUGHT WITH BRASSIERES FINED $50 (Guiana Graphic, March 20, 1959)

Meanwhile, Magistrate Dhan Jhappan yesterday warned stevedores that he would send them to prison for unlawful possession in future.

He said that they had no right to steal as they received good wages.

The Magistrate issued the warning before imposing a fine of $50 on Brentnol Baird who had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession.

Baird was held up on the waterfront by a Constable who saw him looking bulky about the waist.

Two brassieres were found in his possession when he was searched.

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

LIVING THE DREAM

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

IX

The life story of Newtown boy RAJESH CHINTAMAN

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ROM humble beginnings in the Georgetown ward of Newtown 37 years ago, Rajesh Chintaman first worked as a photo-journalist with the likes of Mike Norville, Winston Oudkerk and Cullen Bess-Nelson at the Guyana Chronicle.

Fate, however, had a different plan for him, and this was manifested fifteen years ago when he was recruited to help with the creation of a new newspaper in St. Maarten.

Today, after numerous struggles, Rajesh has achieved much, and has become a shining example to young men anywhere in the world.

Currently an editor at The Daily Herald, a newspaper which serves St. Maarten and the North-eastern Caribbean, the animal lover and humanitarian thinks that achievement is just the tip of the iceberg in terms

including, but not limited to, regular public rapid HIV Testing Day, counselling people upon receiving their (positive or negative) results, and fundraising to keep the foundation afloat.

Chintaman and AIDS Foundation President Dr. Gerard van Osch were the initiators of the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation Secretariat. The setting up of this physical office and the hiring of two staff members have taken HIV/AIDS awareness into a higher gear by consolidating planning efforts and programmes.

Approximately three years ago, Chintaman was one of the people on the frontline pushing for a structured self-esteem and healthy lifestyle programme for teenage boys. The need for such a programme was also very acute to balance “Girl Power” – a target programme for high school girls.

“Real Talk” emerged after research by Emory University and constant collaboration of AIDS Founda-

dation for the Poor and Needy, a charity that provides a box of non-perishable foods to more than 300 people. This is also a voluntary position for Chintaman.

The foundation is a non-denominational organization.

Chintaman is a Paul Harris Fellow, having been chosen by the Rotary Club of St. Maarten in October 2014.

He received the Elton Jones Award “For dedicated and exemplary service/work in the field of HIV/ AIDS” in St. Maarten in 2012.

Rajesh is recipient of the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) Crystal Pineapple for Excellence for the period 2009/2010. He received this award for Outstanding Community Service in the “individuals” category.

That aside he is the best friend a guy could have.

Rajesh Chintaman has a distinct passion for animals of his future.

Rajesh Chintaman has been involved in HIV/ AIDS awareness work in St. Maarten for more than a decade. He transitioned from reporting on the fight against this silent epidemic to the forefront of awareness by volunteering with the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation. Today, Chintaman serves on that foundation’s Board of Directors in a voluntary position to which he dedicates a substantial amount of time each week.

His tasks as lead coordinator cover planning and coordinating several of the foundation’s activities,

tion and Government. Real Talk will enter its second year at the start of the new school year in August.

This programme can be considered Chintaman’s signature project. He recruits volunteer facilitators and trains them to conduct the programme, which has seen much success in the past year. He also serves as a facilitator of Real Talk.

Chintaman carries out his volunteer work with AIDS Foundation in addition to his day job as an editor with The Daily Herald. He is also a founding member and vice president of the Bishop Ellis Foun-

Rajesh Chintaman in his younger days

X

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

A truly award-winning journalist

I

By Michel Outridge was excited when I learnt that, on Sunday last, my media colleague Shirley Thomas had received an award from the Guyana Division of the Salvation Army, for distinguished service to that humanitarian movement as the Secretary to its Advisory Board.

The award was presented to Ms. Thomas by visiting Territorial Commander of Salvation Army Caribbean Territory, Commissioner Gerrit Marseille, during a Recognition Ceremony, on the occasion of the Army’s 120th Anniversary in Guyana. The venue was the Guyana Pegasus.

The plaque reads: “Presented to Shirley Thomas, Advisory Board Secretary, In recognition of your Significant Achievement in Quality and Length of Service in the Salvation Army; Your High Moral Character and Integrity and Compassionate response to Human Needs.”

Ms. Thomas has been on the Advisory Board for about 19 years, and among her distinguished service to The Army over the years, was her representation of the Advisory Board at the International Advisory Officers’ Conference at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island in The Bahamas, in 2008.

But despite being in the media for more than 20 years, Shirley Thomas, a truly award-winning journalist, is a genuine humanist, but prefers the simpler things in life.

She is a humanitarian at heart, one on whom one can call at any given time and find willing and available to lend support.

I met Shirley many years ago, and from the onset she struck me as a person who is well-rounded and learnt. And there is this motherly side of her that drew me to her; and she is the one I can seek when I am in need of proper ‘girl talk’ or advice.

Not so long ago, she was the one that sat with me in prayers when some days were not so well and our only resort was to seek divine intervention. She is a tower of strength and a bulwark of moral support.

I simply do not know how she generates the energy, but she is always on the go, visiting the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) almost on a daily basis, where she is ready to listen to the ailing who have been abandoned by their relatives.

Religiously, Shirley would visit every ward and talk, pray, and even take things that those patients are in need of, such as towels, clothing, and utensils among other things.

She describes herself as a ‘people person’, and I can authenticate that testimony because Shirley is truly such a person.

Growing up, at age 14, she would have to pass the government hospital on her way home from school in Mabaruma, North West District, Region One (Barima/Waini), and she would visit patients and ask them if they needed anything.

This was a daily thing for Shirley, who began working towards satisfying the material needs of those patients. She would even go into her mother’s wardrobe to take clothing and others necessities from the home to those patients.

Her desire was to set up the patients’ little cupboard with the basic necessities, such as a vase of flowers, soap, towels, a few pieces of clothing, and utensils that would make them more comfortable during their stay in the hospital.

It was always in her to help people in distress; and her mother, Iona Allen, was like that too, and was very active in church, she being a Roman Catholic and Parish Lay Charity (PLA) at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church at Mabaruma. She later became Secretary to the Ladies of Charity department of Our Lady of Fatima Church at Bourda, where she was also organist.

Part of her responsibilities was to take things for senior citizens who were ‘shut

ins’ at home, and for the ailing folks at hospitals.

Shirley said her mother was the perfect lady. She spent her time assisting the less fortunate, givi n g g e n e ro u s l y from her personal resources. As the organist at Veteran Freelance Lady of Fatima, Journalist and Humanitarian, Shirley Thomas she would visit the Palms every Sunday for the church service, in which she played for the residents in a thrilling and heavenly display of musical expertise. The residents eagerly looked forward to that moment each Sunday.

Sadly, Iona Allen passed away in 1994, two weeks after she sustained a fall.

Even when Shirley had first moved to Lamaha Park in 1996, she was the driving force behind family-oriented fun-day, cleaning up campaigns and fund-raising activities in that community, where she introduced the very first children’s party with Santa Claus back then.

Shirley told this publication that, whenever she embarks on a mission, she feels as though she is doing what her mother would have done, and she feels obligated to assist in any way possible.

Shirley has a general calm about her, and she can talk with anyone who is in distress and be able to convince that person that all is not lost. She would often attend funerals and comfort and support bereaved relatives of persons, who may have lost their loved ones tragically.

The mother of one holds a Diploma in Public Communication (UG) and was an Information Officer at Guyana Information Service before she began her media career, in which she won five PAHO/WHO Caribbean Media Awards for Excellence in Health Journalism.

Shirley also secured two environmental (Biodiversity) Reporting Awards, and was afforded a scholarship for the International Conference on Environmental Journalism in the Amazon in Brazil in 2003.

This seasoned freelance journalist was also employed with the Ministry of Health as Campaign Coordinator for the “Me to You” HIV/AIDS Behaviour Change Communication Campaign in 2004-2006.

Shirley also volunteers her services with the Salvation Army Advisory Board – Guyana Division, as Secretary and Public Relations Officer. She sits on the management Committee for the Programme of Abstinence for Guyana, and is the holder of many certificates from overseas scholarships she was awarded for her sterling work in the field of journalism.

From 2003 to 2006, she headed a media HIV Care and Support Group, responding to the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children and mothers drawn from the Bourda Prevention-of-Mother-to-Child-Transmission programme, initially with funding from the Ambassador’s Fund for HIV. Between 2006 and 2008, she attended three Caribbean International HIV Workshops in Barbados and Suriname.

In 2008, Ms. Thomas won the prestigious International AIDS Society Media Scholarship to attend and cover the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, and a Scholarship from the Washington-based National Press Foundation to attend a period of training in reporting on HIV/AIDS. At the conclusion of the programme, she was accredited a ‘J-2-J-‘’ Fellow in Health and Science Reporting.

BURCHMORE SIMON Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

XI

A man of many musical wonders

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By Alex Wayne

Crossfyah.

He is always situated somewhere in any major effort EORGETOWN, the capital of Guyana in to develop Guyanese music, and has made unselfish South America, is a potpourri of cultural contributions to this cause. As one of Guyana’s leading influences, and is traditionally referred to bass players, he accompanied calypso contestants in the as the Garden City. national competition, and the Home Care effort that took Anyone seriously talking about music a group of calypsonians to Barbados to record at the Blue in Guyana must mention the name of Burchmore Simon, a Wave Studios. leader and innovator in a country that has serious limitation In 1993, against insurmountable odds, he released the in its scope for music development. first packaged album by a Guyanese group at home. The Burch, as founder and leader of one of the country's most song, "Number One Lady" from that effort, became a popular bands, the EC Connection, has survived 16 years as a household favourite across Guyana, and propelled the EC professional musician in any sense applied to that phase. His Connection band into an overseas market. exploits include touring, writing, producing and arranging There has since been no turning back for this son of the compositions that always impress his audience, whether in soil, who continues to create great music by which he reinEurope, North America or the Caribbean; and he has shared vents himself. He has been responsible for the formation of the stage with such notables as Byron Lee, Sanchez and many groups, and for the development of many talents, like x2, Kode Redd, Vanilla, Tennicia Defreitas, and many others.

He toured England in 2006 when X2 performed at the Crystal Palace Stadium for ten thousand patrons.

Burchmore enjoys vegetarian foods, has been a practising vegetarian for the past 30 years, and is a firm believer in keeping fit, as evidenced by the number of times he visits the gym.

Burchmore also enjoys athletics, and looking at movies featuring actors Denzil Washington, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishbourne, Sally Fields and Julia Roberts.

Kross Kolor Records now ranks as the major recording studio and production centre in Guyana, and this has resulted in the happy circumstance of both label and Burchmore rising to national prominence. Kross Kolor Records has so far been the crowning glory of Burchmore's achievements, of which he intends to make the sky the limit.

His first compilation, "The Beginning", which saw him merging the talSome of today’s most successful artistes were groomed at the Kross Kolor Studios ents of eight of the top

Burchmore Simon

performing artistes in Guyana, has proven to be the beginning of great things. Since that recording, he has been sought after by leading advertising agencies, producers and performers.

Burchmore is a trained musician and music educator, having studied classical guitar and piano under the auspices of the Government of Guyana.

Burchmore is a level-headed individual who has consistently shown dedication in every aspect of his life. He has been a committed family man and an excellent role model for any young person to emulate.

PRODUCTIONS The beginning of this label has resulted in a rebirth of the music industry in Guyana, and has injected new life into writers, arrangers and other players in related fields. Many Guyanese artistes have made names for themselves in other countries they have adopted as home, but the local industry has not developed over the years.

Kross Kolor Records was established in 1996 by Burchmore Simon with the objective of getting exposure for his song writing talents, the performing talents of his compatriots of all backgrounds, and to ensure that Guyanese culture and music enter and stay on the international scene.

Kross Kolor boasts a roster of the top Guyanese artistes, covering all genres of music from rap, reggae, soca, gospel, R&B to "Foja", the new world beat sound.

SOUND GARDEN STUDIO is where the Kross Kolor sound emanates, utilizing logic and protools DAW softâ–ş Continued on page XXIII

XII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

Goodbye, Windows 7

W

ith no funeral, retrospectives, accolades, or notes of sadness, the Windows 7 era has come to an end.

Microsoft stopped selling Windows 7 licenses to PC makers last Friday. So no more new PCs with Windows 7, with the exception of existing inventory. Windows 7 Professional will remain on sale as a standalone product for a very limited time.

What does this mean for the vast number of Win-

Microsoft dogs. Bob, the graphical cartoon-like OS, is not even allowed in the official Microsoft timeline.

Who knows when it was discontinued? Front Page, a world-beater of a Web development platform (largely ruined by Microsoft) ended with no fanfare. There are plenty of examples, but they generally are not key operating systems. Even Windows ME never seemed like anything serious and it definitely wasn't released to fix anything.

Windows 10 appears to be a little like an OS designed to fix Windows 8.1, an OS which did get a lot of complaints (perhaps reluctantly). Goodbye, Windows 7, and good riddance.

TECH COMPANIES HELPING RELIEF IN NEPAL -Facebook to match user donations to Nepal earthquake relief

dows users? Apparently, not much. New machines are equipped with Windows 8, and Windows 10 is just around the corner. We can now see Windows 7 for what it was: a place-holder designed to assuage the hordes of critics who did not like Vista.

Windows 7 refuses to talk to the other machines on the network. It won't talk to one of the Epson printers and new drivers cannot make it work. It turns its nose up at the old Network Attached Storage (NAS) device I use. There were some patches that allowed it to see the NAS for a while, then it crapped out and the connection never worked again.

Windows 7 showed up in the market to "save" Microsoft after the company failed to market the feature-heavy Vista properly and the public soured on it.

After all these years, I can accurately conclude that Vista was head and shoulders above Windows 7.

Windows 7 was a defensive OS designed to pare down Vista and clean it up to make it more presentable.

In the process, it felt more like XP than Vista.

The things it could not do were too numerous, but because the hatred of Vista was so extreme nobody wanted to whine about Windows 7 lest they look like complainers. If you have not noticed, there has been a trend towards passivity amongst the tech media.

They've given up. Complaining does not really work.

Fixes make things worse. Windows 7 was the best example of this.

Thus we have no retrospectives for Windows 7, nothing. It's kind of the way it was with a lot of other

Nothing quite unites mankind like natural disasters.

Be it nations or corporations. Much like the Japan Earthquake and more recently the Uttrakhand floods, technology companies have once again stepped up to assist relief and rescue efforts in Nepal after it was shattered by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. From the biggies like Google and Facebook to new-age internet companies like Viber and Uber, tech firms have come up with a host of initiatives to find missing people and get in touch with them. Thumbs up to tech with a conscience, we say!

Facebook Security Check: Facebook has come up with a feature that allows people in areas affected by the recent earthquake to update their safety status.

People can mark themselves "safe". Facebook is using its Safety-Check feature which it launched in 2014 for

this purpose.

Facebook is urging its users to support victims of the Nepal earthquake with the promise that it will match every dollar donated up to $2 million. Facebook said that its matching funds will be distributed to local relief and rescue organisations working to provide immediate and ongoing relief.

Google Person Finder: Google is helping locate thousands of missing people in Nepal through its free, accessible to everyone, Person Finder tool. Google's Person Finder is a free tool that helps friends and family members search for missing persons after a calamity.

Viber: the instant messaging and internet calling company has made calls from Nepal free of cost for a couple of days. Viber has switched off 'Viber Out' billing so users in Nepal can make free calls to mobile and land line numbers anywhere in the world for the next 48 hours Uber: Uber India has joined in the relief operations by offering to make donations from its users reach the PM's Relief Fund. An email from the company to its users stated that "At its core, Uber is a logistics platform.

Using it to make it easier for more people to join in this massive relief effort is our tiny contribution to the people affected by this calamity. Uber is connecting your donations directly to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund across 11 Indian cities in an effort to help raise funds.

‘SMART BULLETS’ CAN HIT MOVING TARGETS

In what some might consider a terrifying development, the U.S. military has passed a key milestone in creating self-steering bullets.

Using technology developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), experienced and novice shooters alike demonstrated that they could hit moving targets during a series of tests.

Military snipers are often faced with having to hit moving targets in difficult conditions, such as high winds or dusty terrain like that found in Afghanistan.

DARPA's Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) programme was designed to increase snipers' accuracy in these situations, by improving their range and reducing the time required to hit a target.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

XIII

Omotola headed to South Africa

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- for ‘Poverty is Sexist’ campaign

ETERMINED to join the fight against poverty among women, Nollywood super diva cum activist, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is currently in South Africa doing just that.

The beautiful mother of four, who's better known as ‘Omo Sexy’, would be joining the ONE Campaign,as well as lead other celebrities in promoting Women Empowerment.

The campaign is tagged ‘Poverty is Sexist’, meaning that women and girls are most seriously affected by poverty. And in order to eradicate extreme poverty, there is a serious need to promote women empowerment. 'Poverty is Sexist' was conceived to support the ‘Africa Union Year of Women Empowerment’.

It was formally launched on Thursday, April 16 by the ONE Campaign in Abuja, Nigeria, at a policy forum that was attended by representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), Equity Advocates, and Save the Children Nigeria among other organisations.

Omotola left for South Africa on

Jay Z to comb Nigeria for fresh blood

AMERICAN rap star and businessman, Jay Z, has revealed plans to shop for new music acts in Nigeria and other African countries.

The husband of Beyonce made this known when he defended his Tidal streaming service as viable, and a boon to artists after a much-criticised start to the revamped company.

“We are here for the long haul. Please give us a chance to grow and get better,” Jay Z wrote in one of a volley of messages last Sunday on Twitter.

It would be recalled that Jay Z had earlier this year bought Tidal’s Swedish parent company, Aspiro for $56M amid the rapid growth of streaming services, such as Spotify, Rhapsody and Deezer, which allow unlimited on-demand music.

He also rolled out a redesigned service on March 30 at a New York event featuring fellow stars, including Madonna, Daft Punk, Kanye West and his wife, Beyonce.

The artists said that they wanted to take charge of streaming’s future, amid criticism by musicians, notably superstar Taylor Swift, that industry leader, Spotify offers insufficient compensation.

But a number of critics, including British band, Mumford and Sons, voiced dismay at Tidal’s launch, and especially the sight of highly-paid stars complaining about payments.

Jay Z hit back and accused unnamed “big companies” of spending millions of dollars in a smear campaign against Tidal.

“Tidal pays a 75 per cent royalty rate to ALL artists, writers and producers, not just the founding members on stage,” he wrote, saying that independent artists could keep 100 per cent if they worked directly with the company.

April 27 to participate in a music thriller accompanying a campaign song that will be performed by top African female singers, including Omawumi (Nigeria), Judith Sephuma (South Africa) and Victoria Kimani (Kenya). The song will be co-produced by Cobhams Asuquo and Masterkraft.

The song will be used to promote the campaign across the world, and will be officially launched in Nigeria, Mozambique and South Africa during the World Economic Forum for Africa and the African Union Summit.

The campaign has a petition, which calls on African leaders to fast-track the fight against poverty, by investing more in women and girls, and ensuring that resources put to the service of women and girls are transparently and accountably used.

Speaking about her new role as ambassador for ONE Campaign, Omotola said: "I am fortunate to be a young woman living her dream; a trailblazer of my generation. But I also recognise that many women and girls are not so fortunate.

“Women and girls are hit hardest by the effects of extreme poverty, but when we invest in women and girls, we increase and accelerate the chances of overcoming extreme poverty – for everyone. That is why I have joined the ONE Campaign’s ‘Poverty is Sexist’ campaign, and I call on the public to join me by signing the petition.”

Akwa Ibom gov’t warns residents against eating ‘cow skin’

AKWA Ibom State government has warned residents of the state to desist from eating cow skin, popularly known as ‘Ponmo’, as research has shown that the consumption of the cow skin has led to the increase in cancer and liver problems in the State.

At a press conference in Uyo mid-week, the State Commissioner for Agriculture & Natural Resources, Mr. Godwin Afangideh, represented by Director of Veterinary Services in the State, Dr. Obot Obot said the high quantity of salt used for the preservation of the cow skin has been traced to have adverse effect on the liver of the consumers and also increases the risk of having cancer.

“The state government, through the veterinary services directorate of the ministry, has embarked on a sensitisation campaign in some markets in the local government areas to talk to the people about the danger of consuming such meat. The veterinary officer, who was in charge of the sensitisation campaign, went to different markets and talked to the people on the imperatives of how to watch out for toxic meat following reports of its importation into the country.

Cow skin meat, which is five times thicker than ordinary skin meat, is injected with a toxic substance called formalin used for its preservation.

This formalin, in the long-run, is capable of causing cancer and liver problems due to high concentration of salt used for their preservation,” he said.

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

Talent of Craft Creativity:

Traceyann Massay

launched

Traceyann Massay

‘Unique Baby Gifts’

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By Shivanie Sugrim

The unique and lovely craft work of Traceyann Massay

ifted with the talent of craft creativity, Traceyann Massay has made a grand entry into the business industry by establishing her online store titled ‘Unique Baby Gifts.’

This gifted and inspiring woman, who is in her early thirties, is on a mission to create custom, handmade diaper cakes for all baby occasions. Initially, her first crafting was cross stitch bookmarks led by diaper cakes, which was birthed a year ago.

The idea of launching this baby business was fostered by the limitations in the uniqueness of baby gifts and shops in Guyana.

“I knew that a diaper cake would be an ideal product and I thought I can do this,” said a confident Massay.

After gathering a few baby items such as pampers, wash cloths and bottles, Massay crafted the diaper cake and presented it to a friend on her baby shower. Thereafter, she continued presenting such unique pieces with the same style, leaving everyone in awe. She then launched her facebook page where she began showcasing her products and receiving compliments for such a unique entry into the business arena.

As a young girl, Massay would be with her Grandmother doing embroidery projects and making doll house with recycle items around the house. As the years went by, she found herself making gifts for family and friends that brought a smile to their faces.

She was then encouraged by her foster mother to utilise her talents to earn an income.

Challenges were then faced in relation to finding funds to incorporate the business such as building inventory and finding the right mentor for this type of business.

The materials are sourced online from Michael and Joann’s crafting stores in the United States of America and also Walmart.

“It has been a journey! My gifts are as unique as me. They are all conversational pieces. It’s a new way of presenting a package to the mom-to-be,” shared a beaming Massay.

This inspiring personality sees her business going places and aims to venture out supplying baby and maturity clothing as well as planning baby showers! Her goal is to grow this unique business so that she can have the opportunity to be around her family whilst having a successful career that she truly enjoys.

The gifts are price conscious. These include: Butterfly Diaper cake, purse diaper cake, wash cloth bouquets, baby clothes bouquets, sleeping baby diaper cake, baby wipes cases among other unique creations, costing around $4,500 to $20,000.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE

XV

I

Dear Wayne and Tamara, t was a normal Saturday and my boyfriend was playing on my cell phone.

So I grabbed his phone and as I did, a flirty text appeared from another woman. I was in complete shock.

I asked him who the woman was and he said she was someone he dated the weather. I could talk to my family about it, but they like my boyfriend, and if I back in tell them what happened, they will not trust him again. college. On ocI know he made a mistake. I know deep in my heart he is very sorry. I don't want casion, he said, to be angry and resentful anymore at all. I want to trust him again, but I just can't. they still speak, and on occasion AMBER "she likes to flirt." I told him I did not find that acceptable.

I asked if he When ‘Iago’, one of Shakespeare's villains, says "oft my jealousy flirted back and shapes faults that are not," is he describing you? We ask because the he admitted he evidence against your boyfriend is weak. One flirty text is bantering, did. I asked if not betrayal. he ever did anyIn the absence of established ground rules between the two of you, thing sexual with this doesn't constitute a violation. Or is this where you are coming her behind my from? Holding this over his head makes you feel superior. Henceforth, back. He swore he never did in the two years we've been together. you can carry him around like a dog with a bone in its mouth.

To make a long story short, there was a huge confrontation. I threatened to leave him People are not bones. We would not subject him to your suspicious and move back home with my parents. He begged me not to go. He was apologetic and gaze for the rest of his life. Unless you can accept his explanation this even cried. In front of me he told her not to contact him again and she agreed. time, end the relationship.

I forgave him, but now I'm having a hard time trusting him. Whenever I see him texting, I wonder who it's with. I have an urge to check his phone whenever he steps away.

WAYNE & TAMARA In October we moved in together. I agreed to stay because I love him, but there are days I want to jump in my car, drive away and never look back. My emotions are like

Dear Amber,

BEST MAN?

M

Dear Wayne & Tamara,

y fiancé and I are getting married this year. My future sister-in-law just told me she slept with her brother's (my fiancé's) best friend who is also our best man. Our best man is married and not only married, but married to a woman who is one of our close friends.

She was in a relationship when she did this, and not only did they sleep together, they slept together several times.

His wife and I are close friends, and she disclosed to me that her doctor told her that her husband, our best man, gave her an STD! Genital warts!

I feel I should tell my fiancé what his sister and best man are up to, but I also feel it could be a Very Bad Idea! My sister-in-law swore me to secrecy. I told her I wouldn't tell, but it's driving me crazy. What should I do?

PAM

“The problem with being best man at a wedding is that you never get a chance to prove it.”

Dear Pam, Your fiancé's sister gave you a wedding gift: she made you an accomplice to adultery.

Having compromised her own ethics, she wants to compromise yours as well.

But when she's found out, what will pop out of her mouth?

Pam knew. She will deflect as much blame on you as she can. She got to unburden her soul and what did you get? Nothing.

Nothing from nothing is nothing. Go ahead and tell. ­

Go for it!

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

- girls encouraged to embrace ICT, become leaders in the sector

I

By Tajeram Mohabir nformation Communication Technology (ICT) is the fastest growing sector in the world, but girls and young women are behind, even though they are capable of being equal contributors.

International reports estimate that 95 per cent of all jobs now have some kind of digital or ICT component. It is still estimated that more men and young men work in the industry.

Some of the reasons cited for girls and young women not being attracted to the vibrant, dynamic sector include: they do not perform well in Math, they are not being smart enough, they do bad in science, and the area sounds boring.

One cannot be certain if these ‘reasons’ are really true, or whether many girls have been made to believe them.

But it is true that women and girls are known to possess many natural strengths.

They are care-givers, relationship builders, communicators, the first to try new things - innovators, holders of knowledge, creative, and builders of solutions.

CARICOM’s Deputy Secretary-General, Ambassador Dr Manorma Soeknandan said it is time girls and women constantly examine and use these natural strengths to determine their best career and life choices.

“We can use these natural strengths to develop and enjoy careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, including ICT,” she said in an address broadcast online in member states of CARICOM. The occasion on Thursday, a celebration of Girls in ICT Day, was hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana under the theme ‘Expand Horizon, Change Attitude’.

Girls in ICT Day provides an opportunity for girls and young women to see and experience ICTs in a new light, encouraging them to consider a future in technology.

The observance was the second by the CARICOM Secretariat and the third worldwide.

Students examining exhibits at the CARICOM booth on Thursday last

It is an initiative supported by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) member states in Plenipotentiary Resolution 70 (Guadalajara, 2010) to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of ICTs. This year’s sub-theme is ‘Girls and Women and Innovation’.

Dr Manorma Soeknandan, CARICOM’s Deputy Secretary-General

CHANGE “When one hears innovation -- one thinks of ICT. However, at the simplest level, innovation just means to change or make something new or try something new. So we hope we can change your thinking or that what you experience today can help you to change and influence others (both boys and girls) – to do something new which adds value to yourselves, your community, your country and this Caribbean region and the world,” the CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General told her Caribbean audience via video link.

The countries tuned into the broadcast were The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Haiti, Montserrat, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Anguilla.

At the secretariat, there were students from several local schools and the University of Guyana.

Also addressing the occasion through videoconferencing, CARICOM Youth Ambassador in The Bahamas, Khadijah Young, said the video connection is testimony of the power of ICT. ICT has changed the world tremendously since practically everything we do involves some form of technology: from the Smartphone, to the classroom, to the modern means of transportation today.

Young also urged her audience to embrace ‘girl power’, step out of their comfort zone and embrace the emerging field of ICT.

REACH FOR THE STARS! She said females can do well as their male counterparts in ICT, urging them to: “Go for it!” “Reach for the stars!” And work hard to achieve you goals.

ICT is about people, for people and it is now everybody’s business. It is also foreign policy and world affairs, legal affairs, human and social development, security, trade and economic development, gender issues and religion.

In developed countries, several studies and reports support the fact that when more women and girls join the workforce in sectors supported and dependent on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), there is accelerated social and economic development.

They therefore bring a special perspective to the STEM field.

The history of women in ICT goes all the way back to one of the first computers called the ENIAC, which stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer.

In 1946, 69 years ago, the first programmers of ENIAC were young women since it was considered ‘not sufficiently manly’ to do that type of work.

“You should need no further proof that women -- young women -- were there at the beginning of the information revolution.

“I am sure that we would all agree that there are many things we can do or would wish to see that make our Region better. Access to ICT services and education may be two of those things on your list. ICT is one of the sectors which can make a positive contribution to the development of the Region. We need more success stories in our Region from all sectors – in particular, we need many more from ICT if we are going to truly transform our Region,” Ambassador Soeknandan said. ► Continued on page XVII

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Go for it!

XVII

Some of the reasons cited for girls not being attracted to the ICT sector include: they do not perform well in Math, not being smart enough, bad in science and it sounds boring ► Continued on page XVI ROLE MODELS

A Starr Computer representative interacts with participants at the exhibitions

But she said there is need for more role models, to encourage companies and businesses to open more opportunities for internships.

Importantly too, she said greater attention should be placed on spreading positive messages about Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and ICT, and the role and relevance of ICT in schools at all levels, in particular, primary and secondary schools.

“We need to speak more and help more girls join the ICT revolution. But joining the ICT revolution should not lead to devolution or devaluation of our moral/ethics and cultural values. We should not become weak and end up in situations whereby others control us emotionally.

“I challenge you to become active advocates of bridging the gender gap across the Region and the world. Advocate that girls and women study and train for and go after the high-level, high-paying jobs in the ICT industry.

“We need more girls and women’s voices in everything that is happening across the Region. There is always something new happening or something new that needs to happen.

You are not too young to become involved and to lead the charge,” Ambassador Soeknandan said.

ICT is about working with people, solving problems, finding solutions and making a difference to, and in peoples' lives.

“I strongly encourage you to step outside the usual comfort zones (outside of the ‘box’ so to speak) and investigate the endless possibilities available in and through ICT. Especially, the use of ICT in other key sectors (such as medicine, bio-engineering, robotics, news, waste, agriculture and recycling) which will make a difference in your life and in the life of others,” the Ambassador told the gathering at the CARICOM Secretariat and her online audience.

The occasion featured exhibitions from the University of Guyana, Centre for Communications Studies; CARICOM; Digicel; the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T); NT Computec; and Starr Computers.

The objectives were to reinforce the concept of ‘Girls in ICT Day’ within the CARICOM Secretariat and the wider community; celebrate and commemorate the International Girls in ICT Day; providing a modified ‘open day’ to the Secretariat; partner with the private sector to provide an opportunity for girls to get inspired about the ICT sector by introducing them to topical applications and devices; and exposing girls, teachers and staff members to some ICT career options and existing jobs in ICT.

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GEM/PAMPERS present prizes to 10 finalists in Cutest Baby photo contest

The ten lucky finalists and their moms

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

I

T happened just recently at the Duke Lodge in Kingston, Georgetown, when representatives of GEM Magazine and ANSA McAL Guyana were on hand to present PAMPERS gift baskets to the ten finalists of the 2015 Cutest Baby Photo Contest.

A collaborative effort between GEM and PAMPERS –distributed by ANSA McAL Guyana Limited -– the contest was held over a four-week period, within which contestants were required to submit pictures of their bundles of joy along with other required basic information.

Ten finalists were eventually selected by a closed panel of judges for the Facebook phase of the event. With a combination of judges’ points and the highest LIKEs, the cutest baby for the GEM cover was selected.

Winner of the coveted cover spot was little Zoe D’Ornellas, while the other nine finalists were Haley De Nobrega, Meghnad Krishnan, Liam DeVeaux, Krishmar Ting-A-Kee, Sabrina Ross, Nathan Gardner, Emily Cornelius, Isabella Khoslall and Katalia Garraway.

In brief remarks made before the presentations, both the Publisher of GEM, Mr Simeon L. Corbin, and the Public Relations Officer of ANSA McAL, Ms. Darshanie Yussuf, thanked the parents for allowing their babies to participate in the contest; Duke Lodge for allowing use of the venue, the media for helping to promote the contest; and the thousands of Facebook fans and followers, for helping to make the contest an exciting experience.

In the 67th edition of GEM, which will be on newsstands shortly, there will be more pictures and other information about the contest and finalists, so be sure to get your copy.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

UNITY

XIX

IS A PLEASANT RURAL VILL AGE

- inhabited by simple, jovial and hardworking residents

I

By Alex Wayne HAVE always longed to visit a village which has little, if any, ‘ups and downs’ and which, of course, has an ambience that bespeaks pleasant tidings.

And just when I was thinking that finding such a village was a totally impossible feat, I set out with heavy heart on a recent visit to the village of Unity, on the East Coast of Demerara.

When I arrived, I was in no way ready for the pleasant surprises that greeted me, and I soon found out that this village was inhabited by the most jovial, cheeriest, pleasantest, and most contented people found anywhere in Guyana. To top things off, they left me totally amazed with tales of their humble beginnings and their simple means of existence.

Unity is a rural community located on the East Coast of Demerara, and is notable for being the birthplace of three great personalities: Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, former President of Guyana; Shivnarine Chanderpaul, former captain of the West Indies Cricket Team; and Colin Croft, a most talented and menacing bowler who once played in the West Indies Cricket Team.

Guyanese cricketers the Arjune brothers also come from

Former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is probably the most prominent figure to hail from Unity

this community.

Located at the mouth of the Mahaica River, about 20 miles east of Georgetown, this village has a population of about 2,000. Lancaster Village, immediately to the south, has a much smaller population. Fishing and farming are the main industries in the area, with the Mahaica River providing the means for both activities, especially the farming.

The Mahaica Hospital, which includes Guyana’s only leprosy institution, is also close to the village.

In 2012, Shivnarine Chanderpaul rehabilitated the Unity cricket ground. The pitch was relaid, the outfield mowed and levelled, and the pavilion rebuilt. The pavilion was named the Chetram Singh Stand in honour of the former Guyana Cricket Board president.

MY ARRIVAL I arrived in the village when the sun was just beginning to impose its presence, and was greeted by smiling residents, some sitting by the roadside while others basked in the glory of the fresh Atlantic breeze as they enjoyed fresh fruits picked from their own backyards.

While there was a welcoming quietness to the village, this was interrupted occasionally by the bubbly chatter of

housewives and young girls as they readied the midday meal for their spouses and male relatives, who were out fishing or tending to cash crops on their farms.

What amazed me was the dreamy arrangement of very impressive houses, while a fusion of yesteryear cottages gave the village a sedate and alluring appearance. Along the fences of many houses were beautiful arrays of tropical flowers in dashing shades, in some instances lending a quite stylish hue to small pathways and homely alleyways. This was certainly a little hidden jewel waiting to be discovered. I just loved it the moment I landed there.

Wondering what this impressive village was like before, I asked an elderly man called ‘Cross’, and he related that the village was always quaint and nice, with its cluster of houses; but that there were no well-managed roads or waterways like today.

Today there are signs of economic development there, and a few businesses have sprung up in the likes of Dev Auto Sales, A.R.L Machinery, and Double ‘A’ Auto Spares and Gift Shop. There is also a health centre, and the Phantom’s Liquor Restaurant and Bar offers entertainment for villagers. That aside, the K & K Service ► Continued on page XX

Talented cricketers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Colin Croft originated from this village

UNITY XX

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It’s a pleasa their h

► From page XIX

Station is the haven for open air weekend parties and family entertainment for villagers. This facility has an ice-cream parlour, fast food outlet, and the other amenities that come with ‘family entertainment’. There is also the Unity/Lancaster Sports Club that offers leisure time opportunities for youths.

Twenty-one-year-old Johnny Persaud gave me a warm welcome, and even got up to give me his seat as he engaged me in conversation. The young man was particularly concerned about what he described as the inability of qualified youths to find meaningful employment in the village.

“I am very glad yuh come bass, because we get ah employment crisis in the village, especially with youths who just come out of school and trying to find a proper job close by. I have a few subjects and I have been sending out applications, but there is really nothing to do around here; and not everybody would be interested in farming and fishing.

“I want to be able to utilise my qualifications, but I can’t do so here in the village, since there is no scope for much meaningful employment,” he said.

TALKING GARBAGE Johnny and a group of young men were particularly concerned about the garbage build-up in many areas of the village.

He explained that, instead of burning their garbage like the minority would do, some villagers and outsiders would dump garbage practically anywhere, especially on the sea dam.

And the young men said the authorities responsible for cleaning up the village have been doing a haphazard job, and this was reflected in the many irrigation trenches that were overgrown with weeds and other vegetation, and were littered with garbage.

According to two housewives, some careless residents have developed the habit of burning garbage around the bases of some GPL power poles, not realizing -– or perhaps not caring -- that this practice can weaken and/or damage the poles, and cause untold worries for other persons. One gentleman said that signs were even placed at the sea dam to deter persons from dumping garbage there, but this has not made any impact on the culprits.

The people have said that even some businesses in the area would dump large heaps of refuse on the sea dam as well.

It appears as though the people responsible for careless disposal of garbage reside mainly in the squatting area of the village, and vegetable vendor Terry Ramlall was more than ready to explain why.

“Sir,” he said, “let me tell you something: I living in the squatting areas, and the garbage problem there would never done, because some people are just too nasty and lazy. Some of them living there would throw the garbage in front of the houses of their neighbours, and this would normally create big problems.

“Very often, there are cuss-outs because, instead of burning the garbage, some people maliciously throw it wherever they seem pleased. I does normally run into problems with plenty people because of this practice. But nat me; dem know me mouth ain’t gat covah, suh I does let dem have it de mo-

ment dem step out ah line!”

According to Terry the build-up of garbage in this area leaves a pungent scent in some areas of the village, which makes some residents’ lives definitely uncomfortable.

The garbage problem seems to be sorely affecting persons who reside along Cremation Road, the Sea Dam and the lowland areas.

Another concern of some villagers is that during high tides there is flooding in the village, since the water comes over the structure placed there to keep it out.

SEETA RAMLALL’S CONCERNS Seeta Ramlall, a cheery young lady with bubbly, star-filled eyes, is very shy of cameras. She, however, voiced her concern about the harassment meted out to young ladies by young men in the village, who she said would smoke marijuana and harass the young females.

“Sir, dis is a very nice and quiet village, but I get wan problem dat I want fuh talk bout, and dat is them young bais wha deh bout de village smoking ganga and troubling dem lil fifteen-year-old gyal when dem passing. Some ah dem really getting brave and pulling at dem gyal, and when yuh try fuh talk to dem, deh ready fuh cuss yuh out. I think de police should do something about dem!” she lamented.

A CONTENTED SOUL -despite constraints Alfred Balkaran is a 38-year-old fisherman who seems movingly contented despite the constraints encountered in his profession. While he has been a fisherman for the past 21 years, he said, the seasonal availability of fish in the ocean can often bring grave setbacks for those depending on the

Alfred Balkarran makes an honest dollar by catching ‘bush fish’ for sale around the village

trade for survival.

“Me ah do dis wuk fuh 21 years now, and dis ah all me know since me ah wan young bai. Yuh see, me nah guh far in school, suh me had tuh settle fuh de only ready employment in de village. Dis wuk hard bad, and is nah every day ah Christmas. Sometimes we barely ah catch fish, and some day me would come home wid $500 or $1,000, which could hardly cook wan meal fuh de family.

“But wha me guh duh? Meh gat fuh accept life as it is.

At least me ah manage fuh survive and eat every day,” he disclosed.

The obviously humble fisherman informed that he has two daughters (10 and 7 years old) whom he would leave in his mother’s care when he is at sea.

Balkaran, a single-parent, divulged that the mother of his daughters is a selfish character who has no time with him or the girls. He literally begged to let it be known that he is desperately searching for a caring and loving woman. The man was so serious in his bidding that he even provided his phone number: 664-8477.

‘AUNTIE BOOTIE’

A radiant beam of light brightens up the village on a daily basis, and even I was taken aback and marvelled at its intensity. Folks, I am talking of the endearing, mirthful and jolly soul of Dhanandei Ramrattan, aka ‘Auntie Bootie’, who is loved by villagers young and old.

I was instantly endeared of her the moment I bumped into her selling confectionery, egg balls, polouri and lemonade outside the Gibson Primary School. When I told her my business in the village, she girlishly insisted that I sit down and sample some of her delicious polouri.

She begged me for a lengthy period to put my money back in my pocket, and only accepted it when ‘Aun I hugged this sweet soul and informed her that I am who sp aware of her struggles to make a living.

Villagers swarmed her makeshift stall from far and near to savour her items, and her channa was the best I had ever tasted.

The school children hugged her and flocked her like she was an angel, and many of them succeeded in getting ‘freebees’, much to their childish delight.

Grown men and women were all smiles when they gathered at her stall, and I marvelled at the warmth and pure love she exuded.

For the past forty-seven years, this sixty-six-yearold woman has been selling in the village to make a living. Her ailing husband is a pensioner and has trouble with his vision, but he ensures she gets up at 01:30 hours every morning to prepare her items for sale -- a regimen which she says is most times gruelling.

She sells to put food on the table and to pay her husband’s medical bills.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

ant custom for residents to relax in hammocks after a hearty meal

At about 05:00 hours every working day, she bathes and prepares her husband’s breakfast, before heading out to the school compound at 07:00 hours.

She is now appealing for someone to take pity on her and assist her to build a proper structure in which she could sell, since strong gusts of wind would blow apart some sections of a crazy makeshift contraption of old wood, mesh and pieces of rusted zinc sheets in which she sells.

LOVABLE GRANDFATHER I was particularly stirred by the sight of 54-year-old Shaheed Rahaman, all engrossed in showering attention on his cute little grandson, Teeran Rahaman, as he enjoyed lemonade at Auntie Bootie’s stall.

I began chatting with him, and he explained the bond he and the toddler shares. “This little chap here is the love of my life, and I couldn’t live a day without hugging or kissing him.

He is my pride and joy, and gives me extra strength to live on. When I am playing with him, all my stress and problems seem to fade, and my troubles are no more”.

Mr. Rahaman plants a little kitchen garden to keep food on the table, and depends on the little he gets from his children.

He explained that life was hard for him since he left school in Standard Three to help out in the home, and he soon found employment at the Boodhu Coconut Plantation in the village.

He had been a student of the Gibson Government School, and when his father died while he was still young, he and three brothers had to shoulder the responsibility of helping their mother to make ends meet.

He is now ailing from a serious abdominal condition, and had two surgeries recently. This has slowed him up a bit, and he is earnestly hoping that someone out there, or folks at the

ntie Bootie’ is a merry soul preads joy to every villager

Food for the Poor Guyana Inc., would donate some garden tools to him.

Come on, Food for the Poor, pretty please lend a hand, as help is most desperately needed here!

PROMINENT CITIZENS Former President Bharrat Jagdeo originated from Unity Village H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo (born on January 23, 1964) is a Guyanese politician who was President of Guyana from August 11, 1999 to December 3, 2011. He holds a number of global leadership positions in the areas of sustainable development, green growth and climate change.

Prior to his presidency, he was Minister of Finance, and became President after President Janet Jagan resigned from that post for health reasons. He subsequently won the national elections of 2001 and 2006. He was the first President of Guyana to relinquish office in accordance with term limits he signed into the Guyanese Constitution.

President Jagdeo was elected as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in September, 2005. He occupied this position until September 2006.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) identified Jagdeo as one of its inaugural Young Global Leaders in 2006. Time Magazine named Jagdeo as one of their “Heroes of the Environment” in 2008, and he was awarded the United Nations “Champion of the Earth” award in 2010.

Who would have ever believed that a former ‘village boy’ from Unity would have emerged to be president of the Republic of Guyana?

SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL In the year 2012, the villages of Unity and neighbouring Lancaster honoured home grown star cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul at a simple ceremony at the Unity/Lancaster Cricket Ground. The club unveiled a signboard featuring Chanderpaul, and also kick started a cricket Academy in January 2013. The academy was named the Shivnarine Chanderpaul Cricket Academy.

The club had also commissioned the Chetram Singh Pavilion during the ceremony.

Singh is a former president of the Guyana Cricket Board, and he hails from Unity village.

Cricket commentator Naim Chan spoke of Chanderpaul’s achievements in the game; while Chanderpaul, in his remarks, thanked the organisers and said he appreciated the fact that his village acknowledged his contribution towards the game over the years, and support-

XXI

ed him from the beginning of his career.

He was quoted as saying: “Cricket and education go hand in hand. We are here not only to develop our cricket skills; we have to develop better citizens. This would come about through hard work, dedication and determination.”

Shivnarine Chanderpaul was born in Unity Village on August 16, 1974. He provides a notable counterpoint to the contemporary game of cricket, being at the same time inimitable and timeless – no more a product of his period than a kitchen clock, and yet not a creature of the past either.

He goes about it in his own sweet and deceptively frail way, relying on deflections and glides, hands as opposed to forearms, a wand as opposed to a tree trunk, persuasion and perseverance as opposed to power. He is a rubber man put among concrete pillars. In short, he is a reminder that, even now, cricket has many faces, and talent can take many forms.

It has taken a boy from a distant fishing village to remind us that sporting techniques cannot be pinned in a book like a dead butterfly, or refined into a mathematical formula.

Chanderpaul’s career shows that an ambitious sportsman can defy the straitjacket of conventional thought, and even scientific analysis, and still make his way in the game.

Chanderpaul is, and always has been, an excellent batsman. Otherwise, he could not have lasted as long, or produced as consistently. His technique was honed in a geographic – but not cricketing – backwater.

Admittedly, Unity Village did not have advanced facilities or proven coaches, let alone dieticians, psychologists or sponsors; but it did have plenty of fishing nets, tidal waters, and willing assistants.

COLIN CROFT Colin Everton Hunte Croft was born on March 15, 1953 in Lancaster Village, the village that borders Unity. He attended the Central High School in Georgetown, where he developed a reputation as a fearsome fast bowler right from his early days of playing for his high school.

When Croft’s family took up residence in a Georgetown neighbourhood with a reputation for being tough, it must have had some influence on his cricketing career in later life.

After an uneventful beginning in regional youth cricket, Croft was ‘thrown to the wolves’ in his first class debut for Guyana in a famous encounter with Jamaica. He had to come up against a batting lineup that included Lawrence Rowe and Maurice Foster. Though quite quick, the Jamaica batsmen scored heavily off the inexperienced fast bowler. Later in the match, however, Roy Fredericks exacted some revenge by hitting Jamaica’s Uton Dowe for 22 runs in his first over.

Consistent performances in regional cricket earned Croft a place in the President’s XI against Pakistan in St Lucia in 1977, and he seized this opportunity with both hands, taking 10 wickets in the match.

Along with ‘Big Bird’ Joel Garner, Colin Croft made his Test debut at Kensington Oval in Barbados against Pakistan on 18 February 1977, where he took 7 wickets; but his second Test, at Queen’s Park Oval, brought even greater rewards.

Bowling fast leg-cutters, Croft took 8 wickets for 29 runs in Pakistan’s first innings – the best ever figures for a West Indian fast bowler. In addition, he caused Sadiq Mohammed to retire hurt on zero, after which wickets tumbled quickly.

In a relatively brief Test career, which lasted for just five years, Croft established a reputation as one of the most feared fast bowlers around, with apparently no qualms about inflicting pain on batsmen.

Starting in 1994, Croft has been a cricket commentator/ analyst covering West Indies tours and writing extensively for Cricinfo. His first cricket assignment in England was in 1995.

During the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, he provided analysis for the BBC’s Test Match Special radio coverage on all the Guyana-based matches. He continued his analyst’s role during the West Indies tour of England the same year.

In his private life, having been an Air Traffic Controller ► Continued on page XXII

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► From page XXI

from 1973 to 1981 while playing for the West Indies, he obtained a Commercial Airline Pilot’s licence in the USA, with endorsements for the UK, and worked as a Commercial Pilot in the Caribbean.

He was often dubbed as ‘Colin Croft: The meanest of the West Indian fast bowling terrors.’

CONCLUSION

Come ride with me to this interesting village, where the camaraderie and harmony will leave you spellbound. Come swoon in delight at the smiles and pleasantries of the residents, or just hop into the fruit trees and have your fill of tropical delicacies. Whatever

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

you do, stay for a weekend to see how country people party in fine style.

Make sure you call me up, because I definitely want to join you in a little freestyle gyration to some heady country music….

Next week, I will bring you the mysteries of Bath Settlement, where the fun never stops…. Bye for now, folks

Readying a hearty meal of ochroes which came from his own little kitchen garden

A section of the very attractive village The Gibson Primary School at Unity had, not long ago, received computers from the Food for the Poor entity

There is a kitchen garden in almost every homestead

The Gibson Primary School

Students enjoy a game of cricket in the Gibson Primary School compound

BURCHMORE SIMON

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

â–ş From page XI

ware powered by Apple Mac Pro eight core. The equipment is rounded out by a Motu HD 192 sound card, Focus rite octopre amp, Yamaha and Mackie 824 Monitors, Mackie 32 channel controller Roland Modules and Alesis HD 24 hard disc recorder.

Over the years, the studio has produced and recorded over 5oo jingles, telephone prompts and voice-overs for dozens of clients locally and internationally, including those for telephone giants Digicel. Other clients include, but are not limited to: BANKS DIH, DDL, GT&T, DSL, Western Union and Guyana Electricity Corporation.

HITLINE PRODUCTION is the promotional and management arm of Kross Kolor Records. It has developed a reputation for high quality stage productions and promotions. Professionalism is their watchword, and this ensures that their artistes are kept in the public domain as much as possible.

Kross Kolor Records, through Hitline Productions, would like to work with similar organizations worldwide in mutually beneficial arrangements.

BLUE SIMON MUSIC publishes all of the works of its

signed artistes and a number of local writers, thus providing a huge data base of material for almost any genre of music.

Blue Simon Music, through The Harry Fox Agency, will be pursuing licensing, and sub-publishing deals on behalf of its various clients, so those clients can maximize on their creative efforts.

In 2012 Kross Kolor Records signed a worldwide digital distribution agreement with German Publisher Ediciones La Palmera, which publishes in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Kross Kolor Records has produced the works of DISCOGRAPHY Woodside Choir, Steelpanist Colgrain White, Korowka Singers, Jazz keyboardist Trevor John, The Marigold Singers, Miriam Williams, Kester D, Mighty Canary, Sean Bhola, The Mighty Rebel, Classical and Jazz Guitarist Deryck Callendar, Eze Rockliffe, Courtney Noel, Visionsall girls band, Dave Martins, Henry Rodney, Gillo, Rajesh Dubraj, Shelly G, Ballys, Brutus, SBO4,Compton Hodges, Daddy Iroy, Slingshot, Yoruba Singers, Edward Neblet, Mischievous Guys, Jumo Primo, Adrian Dutchin, VANiLLA, B52, Tennicia De Freitas, Jovinski, Spida, Ras Ison, Burning

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Bush, Keep your Day Job, Margaret Vieira, Malo, Big Red, Passion, Lucky B, 24K, Hits and Jams, Ossie O, Ghetto voices, A-rmony, Saiko, Osca B, Truly Blessed.

International artistes that have not been produced but have done work at Kross Kolor Records include: Maka Diamond, Richie Spice, TOK, Elephant Man, Kip Rich, Popcaan.

AWARDS Kross Kolor Records has received the following Accolade Music Awards - Producer of the Year and Studio of the Year Awards.

12 Road March Titles; 7 Soca Monarch Titles; 6 Junior Calypso Monarch Titles; 3 Children Calypso Monarch Titles; 1 Groovy Monarch Title (competition was held once) Kross Kolor Records is a young company that is willing, after careful consideration, to enter into deals covering the entire spectrum of the music industry. It has set itself the task of releasing its entire catalogue into the international market place, besides attending music industry trade shows (Attended WOMEX 2010, MIDEM 2011) and creating extensive touring opportunities for its artistes.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

Japan's crazy 'rollercoaster bridge' forces drivers down a terrifying descent

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ERRIFYING: Eshima Ohashi Bridge in Japan - the third largest of its kind in the world - looks more like a rollercoaster than a bridge. The incredible slopes - a gradient of 6.1 percent - twists and turns for over a mile long.

This terrifying 'rollercoaster bridge' forces drivers to navigate down a steep decent so ships can pass underneath.

The Eshima Ohashi bridge in Japan – the third largest of its kind in the world - twists and turns for over a mile long. The concrete road bridge spans cross Lake Nakaumi and links the cities of Matsue and Sakaiminato. But it’s still not the most terrifying in the world.

The Sidhue River Bridge in China holds the top spot. At an incredible 1509ft high, it's the tallest bridge in the world and connects the cities of Shanghai and Chendo. (mirror.co.uk)

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

Email

Etiquette Tips

I

t is important that whether for business or personal use that you follow the basics of Email etiquette. By being aware of the basic rules everyone needs to follow when it comes to Email, you will be a joy to communicate with while being perceived as a caring and intelligent human being. Here are some tips to follow: 1. Make sure your e-mail includes a courteous greeting

and closing. It helps to make your e-mail not seem demanding or terse. Don't hesitate to say ‘thank you’, ‘how are you’, or ‘appreciate your help!’

2. Address your contact with the appropriate level of formality and make sure you spell that person’s name correctly.

3. Spell check - emails with typos are simply not taken as seriously.

4. Be sure you are including all relevant details or information necessary to understand your request or point of view.

Generalities can many times cause confusion and unnecessary back and forths. ► Contunued on page XXVI

XXV

XXVI

Email

â–ş From page XXV

5. Always make one last check that the address or addresses in the To: field are those you wish to send your reply to.

6. Just because someone doesn't ask for a response doesn't mean you ignore them. Always acknowledge emails from those you know in a timely manner.

7. Be sure the Subject: field accurately reflects the content of your email.

8. Keep emails brief and to the point. Save long con-

versations for the old fashioned telephone.

9. Always end your emails with "Thank you," "Sincerely," "Take it easy," "Best regards" - something!

10. If you bold your type, know you are bolding your statement and it will be taken that way by the other side X10!

11. Stay away from fancy-schmancy fonts -- only the standard fonts are on all computers.

12. When sending large

attachments, always "zip" or compress them before sending.

13. Never send large attachments without notice! Always ask what would be the best time to send them first.

14. Include addresses in the Cc: field for those who you are just FYI'ing. Only use Cc: when it is important for those you Cc: to know about the contents of the email. Overuse can cause your emails to be ignored.

15. When forwarding email, if you cannot take the time to type a personal comment to the person you are forwarding to--then don't bother.

16. Choose your email address wisely. It will determine, in part, how you are

perceived.

17. Posting or forwarding of private email is copyright infringement -- not to mention downright rude. You need permission from the author first!

18. If you cannot respond to an email promptly, at the very least email back

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015 confirming your receipt and when the sender can expect your response.

19. Take the time to review each email before clicking Send to ensure your

message is clear and you are relaying the tone that you desire.

20. And finally... Type unto others as you would have them type unto you!

(Source: http://www.101emailetiquettetips.com)

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

XXVII

RENNIE CHESTER

XXVIII

There is nothing wrong with honestly working hard for what you want

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

By Telesha Ramnarine LOCAL Reggae Artiste Renne Chester recently completed his MBA (Master of Business Administration) with the Australian Institute of Business, and wants young people with a fast-track mentality to know that they would gain nothing if they choose to turn their backs on their academic development.

At just 31 years of Renne Chester age, Renne has this sterling achievement to his credit! He doesn’t plan to stop here, but intends to pursue a Doctorate in Business Administration, specialising in Marketing. He wants to be in a position to provide a secure and stable future for his family while keeping at the back of his head his goal of recording a global hit song someday.

Renne had this to say: “This life is too short, so I would like to retire in my 40s and travel the world, working on a consultancy basis,” He told Pepperpot in an interview a few days ago that he is the proud father of young Antwan, and is currently the Social Media Marketing Officer at the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) where he operates from the Marketing Department. “I enjoy what I do and relish the opportunity to prudently manage the brand image of one of Guyana’s revered companies,” he said.

Renne is recognised locally for many things. He is the host of ‘Epic Hype’, a television show that is aired on National Communications Network (NCN) every Saturday from 13:00 hrs to 13:30 hrs. He was also recognised for being in the top ten of GT&T’s Jingle and Song Competition of 2007 and 2009.

SINGING & ACTING Renne recalled that, as a child, when it came to singing, he got a little push in his primary school. He used to stay back after class to be a part of the West Ruimveldt Boys’ Choir, and he said the teacher apparently saw his potential and helped him along. Other members of that same choir are still singing today, Renne said.

He strongly believes that music is something that should motivate others. “If someone is having a sad day, you could be able to pass a smile to him. So whenever persons hear anything from me, it will always be something positive,” he said.

He writes all of his songs, and they are mostly generated from societal norms or his personal experiences.

Most of his songs are about love, peace and unity. And how he loves to sing to ladies! “I believe this is one of God’s greatest gifts to a man…that of having a woman at his side.”

Explaining his feelings towards music, he said: “Music is my love. I cannot live without singing. If music is taken away from me, I would feel devastated. This is the way I find peace. I am so thankful to GT&T for creating the platform for persons like myself, whom others never knew existed.”

Recently, though, Renee said music has been on a standstill for him. “I have a lot of unfinished work in the studio that I need to dust off and get back to, but I will be performing,” he affirmed. He plans to release two new music videos this year.

Meanwhile, wanting to challenge himself to do new things, Renne recently began acting. “I found out the hard way that, unlike singing, where there is more liberty on stage, with acting, every movement is part of a blocking that must be remembered.”

Last year he starred in the hit stage play ‘Shattered Dreamz’, in which he played the role of a doctor and a father.

This is a play that was written by Sheron Cadogan-Taylor and was directed by Mariatha Causeway. It earned him a nomi► Continued on page XXIX

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015 ►From page XXVII nation for best supporting actor, and he was also accepted into the Horizon Arts Group.

“That moment was overwhelming for me. It was my first time on stage acting and receiv-

Renne recently completed his MBA ing such recognition.”

Renne believes that if there is more support from corporate Guyana, a lot more local artistes would be identified. “I have seen Caribbean artistes celebrated in their country. There is a lot of appreciation for them. But it’s the opposite here. Persons don’t

support their local artistes by buying their albums and so, and we need more to be done in Guyana.”

EDUCATION IS KEY Completing his MBA was by no means easy. Said Renne: “The experience, though well rewarding, demanded an incalculable amount of sacrifices. Malcom ‘X’ said it best when he said “education is the passport to the future”, and that is a quote that I’ve lived by, along with my mother’s advice from a tender age that education is the key to success and something no one can take from you.

Renne said the MBA has provided him with a work-applied learning experience to astutely think as a global business leader in an ever-changing world. “The knowledge garnered has equipped me to function at an executive level, and provide viable solutions to formidable challenges in any area within the company, especially marketing.”

Renne therefore wishes to advise the younger generation to get rid of the tendency of wanting to get

With his wife Amanda and son Antwan

In his role as Doctor Fraser in the stage play ‘Shattered Dreamz’

everything easy and fast. “There is nothing wrong with honestly working hard for what you want.

Your journey is what holds the beauty of your success story. I am successful today because I worked hard for what I wanted, and there is no one on this earth that can stop my will to progress in this life.”

Renne said he married his queen, Amanda, one year ago, and their son just turned 3 years old. “He has already picked up the microphone to sing; like father like son. My TV show Epic Hype has been doing pretty well, with followers close to 4,000 in number.

So I believe the show will be around for a while. Thank you my faithful heart fans. I love you guys,” he said.

XXIX Renne hosts ‘Epic Hype’ every Saturday on NCN

XXX

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

DEADLIEST ANIMALS Around the World

D

anger and especially dangerous creatures fascinate us. Even though we are constantly making efforts to have better and safer life for ourselves, the world remains a dangerous place.

As for wild animals, what determines their danger level might not necessarily be size. What we can formulate with our human brain power? We may think of some of these animals as friendly or harmless, but sometimes even seemingly friendly species become dangerous. Here are the top 10 deadliest animals that could turn any human, smart or dumb, into a tasty lunch or dinner. Many more criteria are still out there. Feel free to add other deadly creatures to the comments. (source:www.wonderslist.com and listverse.com)

1. Mosquitoes Mosquitoes make number one on the list of deadliest animals in world. This small blood-sucking insect kills 2 million to 3 million people each year, worldwide. They are a family of small, midgetlike flies: the Culicidae.

Although a few species are harmless or even useful to humanity, most are a nuisance because they consume blood from living vertebrates, including humans. The females of many species of mosquitoes are blood eating pests. It can spread diseases, most notably malaria. It can also spread elephantiasis, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever and West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes are found in abundance in tropical areas and can also survive the winter in countries with lower temperatures such as Canada. There are over 3,000 types of mosquitoes and all have the ability to transfer population-killing diseases.

2. Jellyfish Affectionately known as the “sea wasp”, The Jellyfish killing more than 100 per year provides a good example of why these graceful, free-floating marine creatures can also be some of the world’s deadliest living organisms. They are mostly found around the Australian coastline, and are most commonly seen in the summer months. Just like any animal, however, jellyfish takes no prisoners when they feel threatened. Box jellyfish don’t even drift; they actively swim to hunt their prey, and a nice human leg or arm can suffer some serious collateral damage. ► Continued on page XXXI

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

XXXI

5. Lion

DEADLIEST ANIMALS ► From page XXX

3. The Shark The shark’s most incredible, virtually X-Men ability is called electroreception. They have organs in their heads called Ampullae of Lorenzini.

Every time any animal moves, it generates a very slight electrical field, and sharks can actually sense this electricity. Thus a person treading water looks like lightning to a shark. A ‘Great White’shark can detect half a billionth of a single volt. If it is within 100 meters, it can detect the voltage of your heartbeat.

Averaging 15 feet long, with rows of up to 300 sharp serrated teeth inside powerful 4-foot-wide jaws, the Great White shark is comfortably at the top of the food chain. It eats a wide variety of species and isn’t too picky, but humans are not preferred, being leaner and bonier than its favorite prey—the fattier seals and sea lions.

4.Hippopotamus After the Elephant and Rhinoceros, the Hippopotamus is the third largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. They are usually found in Africa and are responsible for more human fatalities on the continent than any other large animal. The Hippo is extremely unpredictable, making it the most dangerous mammal in Africa.

Hippopotamus is Greek for ‘River Horse’. Their teeth are so huge that they need large cavities in their heads to accommodate them!

Male and female Hippos tend to have different reasons for attacking. A male hippo will defend its territory, which runs along the bank of a river or lake, whereas the female becomes aggressive in defending her young.

They killed more than 200 humans every year, mostly in Africa.

A full-grown male lion is about 6 inches taller than a tiger and weighs anywhere from 330 to 550 lbs (150-250 kgs), averaging 400. ‘Kings of the Jungle’ and one of nature’s most brilliant predators, lions are fast, cunning and extremely powerful.

They have a sixth sense for hunting and they aren’t very discriminating when it comes to a red-meat dinner. Lions are found on the plains of Africa, but are also held in captivity around the world in zoos and reserves. Lions simply see humans as slower, less-able free lunches, much like Gazelles or a Zebras. These caused over 250 deaths per year.

6.Cape Buffalo Also known as ‘Black Death’, the Cape Buffalo, found in Africa, is one of the most dangerous animals on land. Killing more than 500 persons per year, it is one of Africa’s most dangerous beasts. It is extremely aggressive and unpredictable.

It can weigh between 900 to 1800 pounds, and except for some lone bulls, this bovine species is very gregarious. Herd members are quick to defend each other from Lions, Crocodiles, or hunters, by ramming the predator with their sharp horns. Sometimes a wounded bull will circle around to ambush its hunter from behind.

7. Elephant The Elephant, the largest land mammal, lives in Africa and some parts of Asia. Normally viewed as friendly, it causes more than 600 deaths per year.

Elephants can also be very dangerous to human health.

These lovable, circus-friendly icons can be found in Africa and South Asia, and in a lot of cases, can be found in urban areas where people use their services for tourism, trade and transportation. But, just like a frustrated employee, these hard-working, usually docile creatures never forget poor treatment or being threatened, and that’s why they lash out. An elephant’s legs, trunk, and weight can crush just about anything, and one moment of anger can be lethal. ► Continued on page XXXIX

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

A Cowboy Rides Into Town

A cowboy rode into town and stopped at the saloon for a drink. Unfortunately, the locals always had a habit of picking on newcomers. When he finished, he found his horse had been stolen.

He comes back into the bar, handily flips his gun into the air, catches it above his head without even looking and fires a shot into the ceiling. “Who stole my horse?” he yelled with surprising forcefulness.

No one answered.

“I’m gonna have another beer and if my horse ain’t back outside by the time I’m finished, I’m gonna do what I dun back in Texas and I don’t want to have to do what I dun back in Texas!”

Some of the locals shifted restlessly.He had another beer, walked outside, and his horse was back! He saddled up and started to ride out of town.

The bartender wandered out of the bar and asked, “Say partner, what happened in Texas?”

The cowboy turned back and said, “I had to walk home!”

A True Southern Gal A woman from the most southern part of South Carolina goes into the local newspaper office to see that the obituary for her recently deceased husband is written. The obit editor informs her that the fee for the obituary is a dollar per word. She pauses, reflects and then says, “Well, then, just let it read, ‘Billy Bob died’.”

Amused at the woman’s thrift, the editor says, “Sorry ma’am there is a seven word minimum on all obituaries.” A little flustered, she thinks things over and replies, “In that case, let it read.

‘Billy Bob died – Red truck for sale’. *** Ahmed the Manager After one of the machines at work suddenly went on the fritz, our boss called the repair service and asked to speak to the manager, Ahmed.

“Hello, Ed speaking. How can I help you?” said the guy who answered the phone.

“Sorry,” said my boss. “I was looking for Ahmed.”

“This is Ahmed,” came the reply. “How can I help you?”

“I thought you just said your name was Ed?” asked my boss.

“It is. But whenever I say ‘Ahmed,’ people think I’m saying, ‘I’m Ed.’ So I figured it’s just easier to be Ed.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

Mass Hysteria

A professor of clinical psychology at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, included a lecture on crowd psychology in his annual course. To illustrate mass hysteria, he regularly showed TV news footage of teenage crowds greeting the Beatles at the local airport in the 1960’s.

One year, when he ran the footage, he heard squeals and bursts of laughter from his students.

When the film ended he asked what had caused the hilarity.

Replied one student, “We recognised some of our mothers!”

Missing School The local high school has a policy that the parents must call the school if a student is to be absent for the day. Alice decided to skip school and go to the mall with her friends. So she waited until her parents had left for work and called the school herself.

“Hi, I’m calling to report that Alice is unable to make it to school today because she is ill.”

Secretary at high school answered, “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll note her absence. Who is this calling please?”

“This is my mother.”

Error in Length

A husband and wife are trying to set up a new password for their computer. The husband puts, “Mypenis,” and the wife falls on the ground laughing because on the screen it says, “Error. Not long enough.”

Wedding Ring A teacher is teaching a class and she sees that Johnny isn't paying attention, so she asks him, "If there are three ducks sitting on a fence, and you shoot one, how many are left?" Johnny says, "None." The teacher asks, "Why?" Johnny says, "Because the shot scared them all off." The teacher says, "No, two, but I like how you're thinking."

Johnny asks the teacher, "If you see three women walking out of an ice cream parlor, one is licking her ice cream, one is sucking her ice cream, and one is biting her ice cream, which one is married?" The teacher says, "The one sucking her ice cream." Johnny says, "No, the one with the wedding ring, but I like how you're thinking!"

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

XXXVII

ARIES - A desire for financial growth and security may act as a catalyst for ideas that can increase your income, but this likely won’t happen overnight. However, with persistence you can do very well. Mercury glides into Gemini on Thursday, making this one of the better times to advertise your goods and services, start earning money online, and expand your network of connections. Go easy over the weekend, as the Full Moon in Scorpio could bring out your wicked sense of humor.

Fatcow Teacher: "Kids,what does the chicken give you?"

Student: "Meat!"

Teacher: "Very good! Now what does the pig give you?"

Student: "Bacon!"

Teacher: "Great! And what does the fat cow give you?"

Student: "Homework!"

Are you stupid?

A teacher wanted to teach her students about self-esteem, so she asked anyone who thought they were stupid to stand up. One kid stood up and the teacher was surprised. She didn’t think anyone would stand up so she asked him, “Why did you stand up?” He answered, “I didn’t want to leave you standing up by yourself.”

Dam Fish

A boy is selling fish on a corner. To get his customers’ attention, he is yelling, “Dam fish for sale! Get your dam fish here!” A pastor hears this and asks, “Why are you calling them ‘dam fish.’” The boy responds, “Because I caught these fish at the local dam.” The pastor buys a couple fish, takes them home to his wife, and asks her to cook the dam fish. The wife responds surprised, “I didn’t know it was acceptable for a preacher to speak that way.” He explains to her why they are dam fish.

Later at the dinner table, he asks his son to pass the dam fish. He responds, “That’s the spirit, Dad! Now pass the f*cking potatoes!”

Day Off Two factory workers are talking. The woman says, "I can make the boss give me the day off." The man replies, "And how would you do that?" The woman says, "Just wait and see."

She then hangs upside down from the ceiling.

The boss comes in and says, "What are you doing?" The woman replies, "I'm a light bulb."

The boss then says, "You've been working so much that you've gone crazy. I think you need to take the day off." The man starts to follow her and the boss says, "Where are you going?"

The man says, "I'm going home, too. I can't work in the dark."

Fools Die

There was a preacher who fell in the ocean and he couldn't swim.

When a boat came by, the captain yelled, "Do you need help, sir?" The preacher calmly said "No, God will save me." A little later, another boat came by and a fisherman asked, "Hey, do you need help?" The preacher replied again, "No God will save me." Eventually the preacher drowned & went to heaven. The preacher asked God, "Why didn't you save me?" God replied, "Fool, I sent you two boats!"

What Eve said to Adam Josey wasn’t the best pupil at Sunday school. She often fell asleep and one day while she was sleeping, the teacher asked her a question. “Who is the creator of the universe?”

Joe was sitting next to Josey and decided to poke her with a pin to wake her up. Josey jumped and yelled, “God almighty!”

The teacher congratulated her. A little later the teacher asked her another question, “Tell me who is our lord and savior?” Joe poked Josey again and she yelled out, “Jesus Christ!” The teacher congratulated her again. Later on the teacher asked, “What did Eve say to Adam after their 26th child?” Joe poked Josey again and she shouted, “If you stick that thing in me again, I’ll snap it in half and stick it up your ass!”

TAURUS - Spending money could be a lot of fun as Venus encourages you to purchase the small luxuries you love. Your more logical side may kick in once Mercury moves into Gemini, encouraging you to think about the effects to your bank account. This can be a good time to rework your budget and think about being a little thriftier where possible. However, by the weekend you’ll be ready for some passion, and the Scorpio Full Moon suggests this is exactly what you’ll get!

GEMINI - Relying on gut instinct could help you save time and resources this week. A focus on Taurus and your spiritual sector suggests you should pay attention to those intuitive nudges if you want to get ahead. You’ll be in your element once Mercury enters your sign. Your natural curiosity will come to the fore, encouraging you to swap and share information. Your flirtatious side could be on display, too, tempting you to indulge this weekend even though you know you shouldn’t.

CANCER - There are opportunities for friendly interactions this week. You may be eager to show your gratitude to friends for their recent support. A meal or relaxed get-together at your place could be just the ticket. Even so, you may have one or two secrets that you’d prefer to keep to yourself, no matter how much you trust a certain person. There are times when an idea or information needs to percolate before you air it in public, and this may be one of them.

LEO - A continued focus on your goals and ambitions may be keeping you busy. This is one of the better times to channel your energy into getting ahead. Mercury’s move into Gemini on Thursday can also be helpful, providing opportunities to mix with people who share your ideas and ideals. It seems that arranging and attending events will be an important part of your journey to success over the weeks ahead. Go easy over the weekend, though, as the Full Moon could spell drama.

VIRGO - It’s all systems go if you want to make travel plans. The Taurus focus can help you hunt for bargains online and choose a deal to suit your circumstances and budget. You have a reputation as a workaholic, but it’s time to chill out and enjoy the good things in life. You know you deserve it!

Try to avoid arguing over the weekend, though. A Scorpio Full Moon suggests that you’ll have strong opinions that some are bound to disagree with.

LIBRA - Jupiter forging ahead adds extra sparkle to your social sector. This, along with Venus and Mercury in Gemini, could see you moving outside your comfort zone to expand your network of friends. Looking to date?

Avoid the tried and trusted and seek out something a little bit unusual. The weekend is a different matter, however, as a potent Full Moon may tempt you to shop. If feelings run high, one or two small luxuries might help keep them in check.

SCORPIO - This week brings romantic options - and all on your terms. A midweek transit can be excellent for a special date night that sparkles with tender promise. If there’s someone you’re hoping to impress, this is the time to go for it. The Full Moon in your sign on Sunday could bring out your darker side in all its passion and intensity. While indulging in such feelings it also helps to consider the consequences. Don’t do anything you might regret later!

SAGITTARIUS - You need to look after your body and this is the time to lavish special attention on it. With a tendency to ignore your well-being much of the time, the current Taurus focus is your opportunity to feed it good food and give it the right kind of exercise. In addition, if you make this a regular habit, you’ll have more energy available for other areas of your life.

Stick with friends over the weekend to avoid a brooding mood.

CAPRICORN - Grab opportunities for romance while you can. It isn’t often you get such a sensuous lineup! It’s perfect for wining and dining a significant other. Smell the roses, savour the chocolates, and relax and enjoy the company of someone you love. After this phase, your naturally ambitious persona could lead you into other activities and your love life may take second place. The Full Moon on Sunday can be excellent for a party with a seductive theme.

AQUARIUS - Keep those cookies coming and enjoy spending time in the kitchen or garden. This very easygoing focus is perfect for friendly get-togethers at your place. Once Mercury eases into Gemini on Thursday you’ll be eager to seek out other pleasures, including romance. The weekend could bring your competitive side out into the open. The Full Moon could put you in the spotlight, and you might want to take advantage of that situation.

PISCES - Learning a foreign language could be beneficial, especially if you want to travel. A focus on study and gaining new skills makes this one of the better times to take a course with a practical application. A focus on your home zone could bring on a desire to redecorate and remove clutter, making your nest as cozy and pleasant as possible. The weekend’s Full Moon could bring an excuse to move outside your comfort zone - wickedly so!

XXXVIII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot May 3, 2015

XXXIX

DEADLIEST ANIMALS

► From page XXXI

8.Crocodile

9. Scorpion Resulting in up to 5,000 deaths per year, Scorpions are predatory arthropod animals of the order ‘Scorpiones’ within the class Arachnida.

Found widely distributed over all continents, except Antarctica, in a variety of terrestrial habitats except the high latitude tundra, these eight-legged arthropods can pack a powerful punch. They are a resilient, non-parasitic killer that actually have the ability to distribute doses of venom based on the type of prey.

Buthids, in particular, are the most deadly scorpions and are generally found in Africa, though deadly scorpions have been known to survive and thrive in bone-chilling environments, such as the Andes and the Himalayas.

10. Snake Living snakes are found on almost every continent.

Many species of snakes are dangerous to humans. More than 450 species are venomous, and 250 are capable of killing a person. Most venomous bites occur in Africa, Asia, and North America.

These cold-blooded reptiles are also cold-blooded killers, and it always seems the further you get away from home, the deadlier they get. The toxicity of some snakes are incredibly severe. These things tend to kill humans for one simple reason: they feel provoked. Plain and simple: It’s their natural defense mechanism to lash out with razor-sharp teeth and sink venom into your skin. These caused 100,000-plus deaths per year.The feared ‘Black Mamba’ snake, for instance, is found throughout many parts of the African continent.

They are known to be highly aggressive, and strike with deadly precision. They are also the fastest land snake in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 20km/h.

These fearsome snakes can strike up to 12 times in a row.

A single bite is capable of killing anywhere from 10-25 adults. The venom is a fast acting neurotoxin. Its bite delivers about 100–120 mg of venom, on average; however, it can deliver up to 400 mg. If the venom reaches a vein, 0.25 mg/kg it is sufficient to kill a human in 50% of cases. Without antivenin, the mortality rate is nearly 100%, among the highest of all venomous snakes. Depending on the nature of the bite, death can result at any time between 15 minutes and 3 hours.

Killing up to 2,000 persons a year, it takes a good look at one of these prehistoric beasts to realize just how deadly they can be.

Crocodiles can be found in the southern U.S., the Tropics, Africa, Asia, and Australia, and love the taste of human flesh just as much as that of any other unsuspecting animal it sees. The saltwater and Nile crocodiles said to be the most dangerous. It eats a wide variety of animals, living and dead. Its eyes, ears, and nostrils are located high on the head, which allows a crocodile to see and hear its prey. It ranges from 5 to 20 feet long.