Pepperpot 2015 6 14

St Margaret’s Primary School

► Page XVI

records stellar performance at NGSA 2015 - thanks hugely to the indefatigable efforts of Grade Six teacher Ms Kathryn Persico-Newton

Celebrated NGSA tutor Mrs. Kathryn Persico-Newton

St. Margaret’s top achievers pose with their teacher, Mrs Kathryn Persico-Newton, at right

POLICE CORPORAL OLABESI JOHNSON

- A ‘straight-up’ law enforcer who refuses to take bribe, especially from the minibus fraternity ► Page VI

Sunita Durgah ► XL achieved her childhood goal of becoming a ► V teacher Page

Page

- appointed HM at just age 37

Mrs Sunita Durgah

DARREL PUGSLEY has the ‘Midas Touch’ in music

JAY ANDERSON ► Page X

Corporal Olabesi Johnson on her GPF issue motorcycle

Breaking out of the mould as he reaches for the stars

Darrel Pugsley, the man with the musical ‘Midas Touch’

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

► Page IX

My Father’s Bride

II

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

H

By Maureen Rampertab

Marissa.”

An illusion, a strange dream, what is this?

She smiled sweetly as though she was seeing him for the first time, but behind the smile, he saw a flicker of surprise. His father put his arm around his shoulder, a proud look on his face as he now introduced him.

“Marissa, this is my son, Arvin.”

The smiled faded from her face, and disbelief flashed in her hazel eyes, “Your son?”

“Yeah, I’m seeing him now, after ten years.”

The shock of his father’s announcement was still reflected on Arvin’s face, and the father said to his son, “I’m guessing no one told you about her.”

he had thought she was single. As they sat down for dinner, he glanced at her hand and saw she was now wearing her wedding ring.

His father seemed happy, a pleasant tone in his voice, and Arvin silently questioned, “Does he know what he’s doing, married to a woman less than half of his age, who parties at nightclubs as a single woman?”

Arvin spoke to her in a cordial manner, trying in his mind to distance himself from her, but the deep attraction he had felt was like a magnet drawing him to her, to the apologetic look in her eyes, the pure innocence on her face.

The dinner was supposed to be a wonderful affair with some of his favourite dishes that his father remembered as they tried to recapture some of the time lost in those years he was away, but Arvin couldn’t savour the delicious meal, his mind was too tense.

After dinner, his father requested he join him in the study for a few drinks, so they

“No,” Arvin answered, the ‘not-interesting’ and ‘witch’ description he got from his sister and mother definitely not fitting the beautiful young woman for whom his heart had spoken.

“What do you think?” his father asked, admiration on his face as he looked at his young wife.

“Unexpected, but beautiful,” Arvin answered, in honesty, trying to regain his cool composure.

Unexpected indeed it was for him, because he had never seen her until last night, when

can continue their conversation. She stayed for a little while, learning a little about Arvin’s life as a soldier as they talked, then she excused herself. A little while after she left, the father asked his son, “What do you think of my decision to marry someone so young?”

Arvin did not answer for a long moment, drinking a shot of scotch before voicing his opinion. “Personally, I don’t think it looks good, given your three children are older than her; but if it makes you happy, then I guess I’ll have to accept that decision.”

IS father’s voice seemed to be coming from far away as he introduced his young bride.

“Arvin, this is my wife,

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

An unexpected twist, the irony of life

(continued from last week)

His father nodded, pleased with his understanding, “It’s good to hear that son, because no one in the family approves, and I’m sure your mother must be wishing everyday that when I die I go to hell, but there is something special about Marissa that has given life a new meaning for me.”

“I’m sure it does, but how long will that last?” Arvin asked on a serious note.

His father sighed and took another drink, “I don’t know.”

It was late when Arvin left, the emotional distance between him and his father somewhat bridged, and he knew he would stay connected because of family, but he would not return to his home again. He paused by his car, looking up at the upper flat, and saw her standing at the window, partially hidden behind the curtains, looking at him.

A moment woven by magic touched their hearts as they looked at each other, but such a love would be forbidden.

He stopped at a bar on his way home, his mind deeply disturbed; and drink after drink, he questioned himself, “Why did this have to happen?”

She was so special: that sweet smile, her natural beauty, and lustrous reddish-gold hair, but she belonged to his father.

“Is this really happening? Why did it have ► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

My Father’s Bride ► From page II

to be her?”

Questions, troubled thoughts and no answers, but he was trained as a soldier to stay strong in all situations, and just one day after, he managed to bring his emotions under control.

“I will not see her again,” he instructed himself “And soon I will forget her.”

But some things are easier said than done, and with just one week left on his one month vacation, he was at the city mall looking for small souvenirs to take back for his friends in the army base when a soft voice said behind him, “Hello Arvin.”

He turned around, and that beautiful feeling in his heart he had tried to let sleep awakened as h e l o o k e d a t h e r.

She was dressed casually in tights, an off-shoulder top and her hair pulled back in a pony.

“Hey,” he responded in his usual casual manner.

He could see the regret in her eyes as she looked at him.

“I’m sorry, I did not know…”

“That’s okay,” he interrupted her, “I’ve been away so long I did not know such changes had happened.”

“So I guess you too will hate me now,” she asked, a slight edge of distress in her voice.

H e s m i l e d w r y-

ly, “Why would I do that?”

She tried to smile and failed, just wanting to talk with him; but something so simple had become burdened by tension, unlike that night at the club when they had danced. Life’s irony had not touched their lives then, free they were, like butterflies, but now they both seemed trapped in nets.

She turned to leave, not sure what more to say to him, but his words stopped her. “ Te l l m e , w h y weren’t you wearing your ring that night?”

This time she managed to smile a little, “It was a girl’s night out and I wanted to feel free, but not to attract anyone.”

“Why did you dance with me then?”

She did not answer for a long moment, then she looked at him and said, her words a soft whisper, “There was something special about you I liked.”

He watched her go, his emotion like a brewing storm “Such a storm,” he warned himself, “once unleashed, would create havoc in the family.”

He knew he would have to leave and not return.

He met his father for lunch the next day at a Brazilian restaurant, noting the pale look on his face and

how little he ate of the sumptuous meal ordered.

“You don’t look good,” Arvin observed “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m fine,” he said with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder.

“You’re on a diet or something?”

“No, soldier,” his father joked “I’m just trying to keep fit.”

Arvin noticed he had thrown off a lot of weight and did not look robust and energetic the way he knew him. He expressed his worry to his mother, but, in her unforgiving mind, she thought differently.

“How long do you think an old man like him would last with a young girl?”

It was a question he had no answer for, and on the eve of his departure, Arvin visited his father to say good-bye.

He had not wanted to return there, but he did not know how to say ‘no’ to his father; and deep down inside, he wanted to see her one last time, but she was not at home. His father alone await him in the living room, looking even paler than the last time Arvin had seen him. “ Yo u ’ r e s u r e you’re not suffering from some form of illness?” he asked.

“I have a good doctor, son, don’t worry about anything.”

They spoke for a fairly long period, because Arvin was not sure when he would visit again. “ Yo u ’ v e b e e n away so long,” his

father stated, “why don’t you request to be assigned closer to home?”

“It had been a thought,” Arvin admitted, “but now I’m not so sure.”

“I have been living with the hope that I’ll see you again one day, never mind you didn’t hear much from me,” his father; confessed “So it’s kinda hard seeing you leave again.”

For the first time, Arvin saw a flicker of pain in his father’s face, a brave and strong man, now older and weaker.

“I will ask of you one thing, though,” he continued.

“What is that?”

“Please don’t hate Marissa like the family does; she’s a nice girl.”

Arvin nodded,

III

touched by his father’s request; but before he could answer, Marissa came home, looking prettier than ever in a white babydoll dress.

“How can I hate her?” he said to himself, “when every time I look at her something in my heart speaks of love.”

“I wouldn’t,” he assured his father, “and I’ll consider visiting sooner than I planned, for your sake.”

Those were pleasing words to the father he had found in his heart to forgive, but his feelings were torn to shreds as he walked away from something most beautiful, a love that could not be his - his father’s bride.

To be continued…

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

Meat T rain

By Neil Primus IN the days when the train was in use, as it ran along the East Coast of Demerara, there are many incidents of and stories told of collision with cows, sheep and goats.

Whenever this occurred, the train continued on its way and the villagers rejoiced. Fresh, free, meat. From every home people would erupt and grab as much meat as they could. Back at home they would immediately start cooking or salting the meat because refrigeration was a luxury in those days.

Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!

The noisy steam engine got closer.

Bang! Thud!

The noise was unmistakable. A cow had been hit. As the train sped on the villagers were galvanized into action.With an assortment of pots, pans, bags and bare hands, they descended on the dead cow. In less than fifteen minutes there was little evidence of the accident.

Because of the lack of electricity, one could clearly see the many firesides being lit and pots being cooked. That night families feasted on pepper pot, cook-up, curry and more. Excess meat was stored for later.

The next morning old Franklyn decided to cook his potion of the night’s bounty; the head.

Because it was pitch dark the night before, he had not been able to do anything but store his share. Now it was broth time.

As he unwrapped the meat he began to have a feeling of unease. Something was not right. After carefully examination he discovered that he had stored the head of a donkey. Franklyn threw his head back and roared with laughter. He would pay anything to see the faces of those who cooked and ate the night before.

He took his time before breaking the news. As he walked slowly from house to house, he could not resist the humor of the situation. Some people shut their door and began cussing.

Others immediately started throwing out the food. A few just shut their eyes and ate anyways. Brenda was quite candid.

“De meat I buy at de butcher could be anything! Beef, horse, donkey or human!”

She thanked Franklyn and returned to her meal a knowing smile on her face.

Three weeks later train pass, train hit animal, but only two people run out; Franklyn and Brenda. It seemed that as soon as the train hit the animal villagers heard the “Hee haw! Hee haw!” of a donkey and they kept their door locked. Franklyn and Brenda had beef for a month. Now whenever train passes nobody does mind.

board caused them to sink below water level. Everyone got their shoes wet when crossing.

Meanwhile the leader was in full flow. The sword swished, twirled and twisted. As he passed each tomb he gave it a loud broadside with the sword Crack! Bang! Pow! Things came to a head when he struck the wrong tomb.

As he led the procession, he smashed the sword against a green tomb and passed on. Unknown to him the tomb had a hole at the opposite end and had become the territory of a large hive of African bees.

The annoying sound triggered an immediate retaliation.

Bees swarmed and charged the leader and all in the procession.

In a matter of seconds a well-organised procession disintegrated into total chaos.

The sword was used to try to swat the bees.When that did not work it was abandoned and the owner raced away as fast as the soggy ground would allow.

When the attack started the Pall Bearers were halfway across the bridge. They were trying to take tentative steps to prevent too much water from soaking their shoes. The dark cloud of avengers soon put paid to that notion.

As vicious stings hit every exposed area, they were forced to resort to self-preservation. Godfrey was unceremoniously dropped and the party fled swatting themselves as they went.

Those coming at the back of the procession got off lightly.

When they realised that bees were on the rampage they took off early. Only a few stings came their way.

Godfrey had an old aunt named Dorothy. She was over sixty and quite overweight. When the bees hit she stooped quickly and snatched up her shoes. You see, she had borrowed them from her cousin and had promised to return them intact.

With agility that was unusual for one so old, she huffed and puffed past many younger folks and made it to the safety of her friend’s car.

The exodus was something to see. There was running,

slipping, falling, bawling and slushing.

Slip!

Slush!

Splat!

Squish!

Some fell flat. Others slipped and in slow motion hit the mud on their backsides. One man started to go, seemed to catch his balance then began to teeter once more. When it seemed that he was okay he fell flat on his face.

Bash!

Mud and water separated to accommodate him.

Two kids; a boy and a girl were having fun during all this chaos. They ran a few yards, stopped, then took off again.

They hopped, jumped and ran. When they reached to safety on the outskirts of the burial ground they looked disappointed that the fun had ended. They still enjoyed some more laughter at the comical, messy confusion unfolding before their eyes.

All they had to show for their experience were two or three stings. They were the lucky few.

By the time the cloud had settled the funeral goers were scattered to every point of the compass. It was after dark when some of them were able to quietly complete the purpose of the day.

As for Godfrey, while all hell was breaking lose, he was floating serenely along the trench. They located the casket when it was dark and floated it back to the bridge. From there they picked it up and took it to the tomb. It was one of the quietest burials I had ever seen. The leader had vanished completely.

For weeks after, Godfrey’s family and friends talked about his funeral. Most of their comments were not about the deceased. They remembered with clarity the charges of the bees and the flight of the bereaved. They certainly would never forget the stings, swellings and pain inflicted by the angry proprietors whom they had unwittingly disturbed.

The Funeral Ceremony G

By Neil Primus

odfrey was an easy going man. He worked at the wharf and was very popular. He was divorced and a father of six; all girls. The last two daughters were not for his former wife.

He was a heavy drinker and smoker. One of the two habits caused his demise.

Word of his death spread quickly. The night wake was well attended. His big children paid for his funeral expenses. He would be buried in three days.

The day of his funeral arrived. It was a rainy Saturday.

Rain fell all day. It stopped that afternoon an hour before his burial.

Now Godfrey was a member of the Lodge Society. It was one of those ‘hush hush’ organisation that kept certain secrets.

Godfrey never spoke of the activities that took place in the Lodge meetings.

His Lodge brothers turned out in their numbers to attend his funeral. The brother at the head of the funeral procession was dressed in his magnificent uniform and had his glittering silver sword swinging as he marched.

The procession moved off from his residence in Caravan and headed for the cemetery. When they arrived there they found the area to be wet, muddy and difficult to negotiate.

All was made ready for the final march to his place of intern. The procession moved off. The leader marched with vigour, banishing his sword. The bearers struggled to keep up because of the slippery ground.

Left! Right! Left! Right! The leader forged ahead. Slip, Slush, Squish, Slush. The bearers tried to keep up. It was laborious work for them. In order to reach the designated burial plot they had to cross a make shift bridge.

This bridge consisted of two shaky boards placed parallel to each other and spanning the narrow trench. Because of the rain, the trench had spread its bank and stepping onto the

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

V

Sunita Durgah achieved her childhood goal of becoming a teacher - appointed HM at just age 37

S

By Telesha Ramnarine

UNITA Durgah, headmistress for the 133-yearold St. Stephens Primary School, believes that a successful teacher must be very patient, fair and dedicated in order to achieve positive results from students.

Durgah, a relatively young headmistress, was raised at Louisiana Village on the beautiful island of Leguan, in the Essequibo River. She spent 12 years with her grandparents before moving to the city to complete her secondary education.

At just the age of 37, she was appointed headmistress of St. Stephens and has been in this post for the past two years.

Though there is the possibility of her serving in the secondary education field, she is quite comfortable at the primary level and has ensured that she took the time to qualify herself.

Durgah attended Louisiana Nursery before pressing on to Success Primary and Leguan Secondary. After coming to Georgetown to live, she was transferred to Campbellville Secondary and this is where she completed her secondary education. After CXC, she taught for one year at the Redeemer Primary School and then left to be trained at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). She afterwards went back to Redeemer Primary and taught until 2013 when she was appointed to her post at St. Stephens Primary.

In 2003, Durgah enrolled at the University of Guyana and spent four years. She did the Bachelor’s Degree in Primary Education and was one of the youngest members coming out with a ‘Credit’ in Primary Administration.

Furthermore, in 2010, she did a management course that was compulsory by the Ministry of Education. Hence, she now has a certificate in management.

Durgah is currently pursuing her ‘Masters’ in Primary Administration.

Mrs Sunita Durgah

A SIMPLE LIFE

With her youngest child Arshad.

Durgah has been a teacher for the past 20 years and this is the dream she nurtured as a child. “Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher. I am satisfied and contented. I think that personally, I did well for myself.

“Growing up, we didn’t have access to luxuries that children would normally have in Georgetown. We had a simple life and we had our books. In my time, you just had to listen to the teacher, go home and revise. You didn’t have access to all the text books available now and the television. We listened to the radio. And that was it. In my time, you had to have self-motivation. You had to want to do it,” she related.

With some of her students at St. Stephens Primary

“Growing up in the country was a beautiful experience.

You had so much freedom. You go into the backdam when it was rice cutting season, went and pick the fruits, go in your neighbours’ yard and climb their trees, catch shrimps in seine…”

Durgah is of the belief that to be a good teacher, one must be fair, patient and very dedicated to their job. “Children know what we are thinking; they know if we like them or not; if you are genuine; if we are lying to them. Do the best you can for them and you will get results,” she urged.

“I always tell my staff that human relationship is very important but it must not make us compromise our duties and responsibilities on the job.”

As for complaints of a small salary in the teaching profession, Durgah said: “The money part is just an excuse because once you have the basics, you can achieve things in life.”

She appreciates the following quote from a Chinese philosopher: “You have to watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; what your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

THANKFUL FOR A FAMILY Durgah, a committee member for the regional and national science fair, said her life would be complete only after her kids, Janet, Mohamed and Arshad, complete their university education. Janet attended Queen’s College and Mohamed was the valedictorian for Campbellville Secondary last year. They both were successful at their CSEC exams and are currently law students.

“My husband is from a family of lawyers. You need to guide your children. It’s always good to have a plan. It may not always work out in your favour but you may get ideas from it to branch out into other areas.”

She credits her dedication and hard work to her mom Deorani and dad Jeewan. “Growing up, I saw my mother working very hard and she is from the old school where they really had to work hard. She got me at 16 and had to work on a chicken farm and this was a lot of work for a young person.”

“My mother was my pillar of strength. She taught me that you have to work hard to achieve things in life. I am also thankful to my husband Abdul Ali. He was my neighbour when I came to Georgetown. He is the best father the kids could have ever wanted. He does everything for them.”

VI

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

POLICE CORPORAL OLABESI JOHNSON - A ‘straight-up’ law enforcer who refuses to take bribe, especially from the minibus fraternity

By Michel Outridge

CORPORAL Olabesi Johnson has been in the Guyana Police Force for 10 years. When she joined the GPF, she had no say regarding where she would be placed, but she is coping well in the Traffic Department, considered male-dominated.

She said that although her workplace is dominated by male colleagues, it poses no problem to her, since they consider her a big sister and she knows her standing within that group relative to being respected.

She told this publication that her first name, Olabesi, is an African word meaning ‘joy is multiplied’. She said it suits her well because she is a very jovial person.

Olabesi had been stationed at the Brickdam Police Station Traffic Department for five years. She was promoted to Lance Corporal after being adjudged Best Cop in 2011, and her second promotion came later. Johnson was later transferred to the Ruimveldt Police Station, then to the East La Penitence Police Station, where she is currently based as the Licensing and Certifying Officer.

She is widely known in the city as a “straight-up person who cannot be influenced into accepting a bribe”, especially from the minibus fraternity. They have a special name for her that would not be mentioned here. And whenever she is spotted on the GPF-issued motorcycle, minibus operators suddenly become circumspect.

Ms Johnson’s motto is very simple: “You do the crime, you do the time”. Of course, a ticket is issued for most traffic violations.

She says, “It is not about money,” because once drivers are paying a police rank to turn a blind eye to certain things, they can do anything in front of that rank and automatically they own that rank; and that is how disrespect comes about, especially since they talk about these things among themselves.

This upright Police Officer says she starts her day quite early. At 7am, she can be found at Roxanne Burnham Gardens by the New Guyana School, directing traffic up until 8:45am.

From 9am to 11am, she is at the East La Penitence Police Station, where she is examining vehicles for fitness; and by 2pm, she is ready to hand out prepared documents -- licences, etc.

Ms Johnson added that, no matter where she is, once she

Corporal Olabesi Johnson on her GPF issue motorcycle observes an offence being committed, she acts.

With that attitude, small wonder she has made more than 10,000 cases. And law-breakers would do well to note that she

is not someone to be resisted when effecting an arrest.

At 37, she is in a committed relationship, and said she is working on adding children to that relationship. She is a career-oriented, ambition-driven woman who is not all cop, but has a softer side in that she can take a good joke.

This city girl who was born and raised in D’Uurban Street, Lodge is the eldest of five siblings. She said that after writing CXC at North Ruimveldt Multilateral School, she attended GTI, after which she decided to apply to join the GPF. Four years after applying, she was called by the GPF, and found herself in a batch of 32 female recruits at the Police Training College.

Prior to being called by the GPF, she had a regular job as an assistant to the then supervisor of Pritipaul Singh Fisheries.

She confessed to losing a few friends because of her no-nonsense demeanor as a traffic cop in the Guyana Police Force, but she admits she has gained other friends because of this same attitude.

She says she steadfastly refuses to succumb to the temptation of taking anything as ‘incentive’ for doing her job, noting that she has taken an oath and is very serious about her job, no matter what the consequences.

Johnson advises that one must firstly have respect for self if one desires to be respected by anyone else. She noted that no job is ‘easy’, and with the GPF it is no different; but she says she has conditioned her mind to work, and hard works pays off if one aspires to succeed.

She explained that once a person stands firm in their belief, that person is unlikely to stray from their guiding principles; because, at the end of the day, people’s lives depend on law enforcement officers to enforce the law and do the right thing.

Johnson noted that there is no substitute for the life of any person; a few dollars cannot bring back the life of a person once lost. And she said that once an upright person does the right thing, the deserving consequences will follow.

She aspires to attain the highest rank in the Guyana Police Force, and is determined to continue working assiduously to achieve her goal. With God first, Johnson said, she will succeed. Her motivation comes from knowing that motorists, pedestrians, school children and others depend on her every day to assist them, and she is there to serve the people.

Man has Night Vision injected into his eyeballs

A

By Janet Fang

group of biohackers say they’ve figured out a way to inject our eyeballs with night vision, or low-light vision anyway. The procedure has allowed one superhuman to temporarily see over 50 meters (164 feet) in the dark.

The team from California-based Science for the Masses (SfM) utilised a compound called Chlorin e6 (or Ce6), which is found in some deep-sea fish. It’s also occasionally used to treat night blindness and even cancer. Previous studies have injected the chemical as a photosensitiser into animal models. “After doing the research, you have to take the next step,” says Jeffrey Tibbetts, SfM's medical officer. So SfM’s biochem researcher Gabriel Licina agreed to become a human lab rat.

First, Licina’s eyes were flushed clean and his eyelids were stretched out with a speculum (no blinking!). Then Tibbetts used a pipette to drop 50 microliters of a blackish solution - Ce6 mixed with saline, insulin, and dimethlysulfoxide (DMSO) - into his eyes. Specifically, he was aiming ► Continued on page XI

Gabriel Licina

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

VII

NSTAD preparing for Tulsidas … this could very well mark the beginning of a renaissance for lovers of good theatre

T

By Raschid Osman HE National School of Theatre Arts and Drama (NSTAD) assumes responsibility for education and training in drama at a tertiary level in all regions of the nation. This includes the production of qualified professionals and the promotion of improvements in the fields of theatre and drama. The NSTAD is in the process of becoming a part of a Caribbean and a national network in the provision of academic and technical proficiency in these fields.

The above is the national mandate of the NSTAD, and if the school fulfills this, then the theatrical offer-

ings coming our way will soon be worthy of commendation. And this is a welcome phenomenon.

What passes for theatre nowadays leaves much to be desired. Our theatre today is a far cry from what used to be. One recalls the golden age of theatre through the 60’s and 80’s, with the Theatre Guild Playhouse being the Mecca of memorable productions.

Those who were around at that time still remember Eileen McAndrew and Ron Robinson in Tennessee Williams’s ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, Clairmont Taitt in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ and Margaret Lawrence in Knotts’ ‘Wait Until Dark’, to name a few.

Chances are that the NSTAD will live up to its raison d’etre. At its helm is UG’s Al Creighton, himself a noted art and theatre critic, and veteran actor and broadcast personality, Margaret Lawrence.

Creighton’s recent lectures with NSTAD students have been dealing with stagecraft as the class prepares for the staging of Tulsidas next month.

Members of the class will direct the production, design the costumes, choose the music. In fact it will be their production, in every sense of the word, and we are eagerly awaiting the showing.

This writer is optimistic about the manner in which the class translates Creighton’s lectures into a stage event, and we hope it will mark a new beginning in the theatre renaissance we are so desperately in need of.

Here’s to a successful staging of Tulsidas and we wish the NSTAD class all the best.

TAILPIECE: The Classique Dance Company

Margaret Lawrence and Clairmont Taitt in Eugene O’Neil’s ‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’, staged at the Theatre Guild Playhouse in 1990

was among a number of other dance organisations at the National Cultural Centre last evening.

And if the company, with Clive Prowell as Artistic Director, lives up to its reputation, the show was grand indeed. Over the past 15 years, the Classique ensemble has been managing stellar performances, informed by choreography filled with stunning, extensive vocabulary and sumptuous and unbelievably athletic lifts.

VIII

The tactical mistake of being a married man with a girlfriend

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

Dear Wayne & Tamara,

I

'm dating a man going through a divorce. His soon-to-be ex wanted the divorce after she cheated. She even told him he should find himself a girlfriend and offered to help him find one.

Now that he has me in his life she is extremely jealous and causes trouble with their two young children. She and her mom tell them horrible things about me to get them to hate me. They say things like "daddy would rather be with his girlfriend than you" and "it's her fault we aren't together anymore."

This woman does irrational things that scare the children, like jumping in front of my boyfriend’s car so he can't leave. She said that was because he didn’t look her in the eyes when she spoke to him. All this was done with their two children watching from the backseat.

What can I say to help these children cope? I don't want to make it worse, but I have so much anger towards his ex that it's hard to stay objective.

Margi Dear Margi,

********************

One of Napoleon’s strengths was that he could analyse a campaign without emotion or rancor. Every new surprise in battle, every time reinforcements failed to show up, every time an enemy changed strategy, he countered with a new strategy. That’s why he was a master of warfare.

You, too, are caught in the middle of a war. The man you are dating married the kind of woman who would cheat on him. That proves she didn’t care about him, just as her current

actions prove she doesn’t care about her kids. Her mother seems to be cut from the same cloth.

A woman like this may never run out of steam. That is why once a person decides on divorce, they should do it as quickly as possible. If your boyfriend was divorced with a girlfriend, he would be in a much stronger position than he is as a married man with a girlfriend.

That tactical mistake was his.

What his wife did, cheating, is wrong. What your boyfriend is doing now is technically wrong. Kids don’t comprehend technicalities. “Mom and dad aren’t divorced, dad has a girlfriend, so dad is as bad as mom.” That’s what his wife is saying and what the children half-believe.

She lost her boyfriend or whoever she was cheating with. Her offer to find her husband a girlfriend was both a defensive ploy and a way to humiliate him. Now, however, the very thought of you makes her jealous. It’s like a reflex.

You and your boyfriend need to watch for things that minimize her mood swings. With everything you try, see if she gets better or worse and keep a record of the results.

Your first strategy should be to withdraw from the field of battle. An unseen enemy is hard to fight. This woman should not be able to lay eyes on you, and your boyfriend should not mention you. If either of you must communicate with her, text is best. Texting is perfect because it holds a written record.

Keep a record of all the interactions with her: missed or delayed exchanges of the kids, how she handled it, her lies, what the kids say she is saying. But don’t pump the children for information. For truly over-the-top behaviour, ask a lawyer for advice.

The turmoil caused by his wife can never affect your interactions with the children. Once she senses she is getting a reaction, she will feed off your negative response, so you both must remain unflappable.

The children will respond better to your actions than to your words. They will figure out who the good parent is. Don’t play counselor to them. That is not your role. Your role is to nourish them and to provide positive experiences which they can cherish and whose memory will give them strength.

Wayne & Tamara

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

IX

DARREL PUGSLEY

has the ‘Midas Touch’ in music

I

By Alex Wayne

F one were to seek for a music producer/arranger/composer of any merit on the Guyana shores, the name Darrel Pugsley would most likely be recommended. Lovers of Guyanese music would most likely remember him as one of the lead keyboard players with the Brutal Jammers and Heat Wave Band.

This happily married 33-year-old, who attended Sand Creek Primary School,

He has also shared the same stage with other international acts such as Akon, Buju Banton, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, ‘Capleton’, Beres Hammond and Tony Matterhorn, just to name a few.

Boasting the enviable experience of working along with musicians in and out of studios almost everywhere, this dude, a former arranger/ composer/producer at Brutal Tracks Studios, is presently similarly engaged at DP Studios, which he owns, and offers the total package of graphic designing, video ed-

Sheer riveting musical talent

President’s College and St. Rose's High, operates between his native Guyana and Manaus and Sao Paolo in Brazil. He has played (keyboards) for, and/or toured with, artistes such as Serani, Cecile, Kiprich, Mr Easy, Collie Buddz, Spragga Benz, Jah Melody, Louie Culture, Turbulence, Natural Black, Natty King, Rupee, Peter Ram, and many other popular names; yet he remains true to the Guyanese music industry.

Operating out of his Mc Doom home studio (DP Records) almost weekly, Darrel churns out hit after hit, and these immediately invade and claim the local airwaves.

Just ask song divas Lisa Punch or Michelle ‘Big Red’ King, ‘Isla Man’ or Jackie Hanover, amongst other Guyanese artistes, and they will confirm what is being said here.

iting, and audio engineering.

His musical productions cover the genres of R & B, HipHop, Dancehall, Reggae, Contemporary Jazz, Samba, Reggaeton, Soca, Forro, Indian, Soul and Pop-rock.

His work has definitely been heard, but many never knew the face behind the creativity. This musician/engineer/businessman has been in music professionally for more than two decades, having started playing the guitar as a child, compliments of his father. He also plays bass and rhythm guitars. He came to Georgetown, Guyana at age nine, happened upon music by accident, and has made it his career.

He composed and arranged seven tracks on Natural Black’s album titled 'Guardian Angel’, which was launched in Barbados; and he has worked with a host of other artistes, including

the likes of Mondale Smith, Tandy, Kester D, any many more.

Truth be told, this Guyanese all encompassing musician also own an online radio and television station, and is the voice behind many advertisements for most of the major companies in and out of Guyana. And he's nowhere close to touching forty!

With an ever-increasing portfolio of accomplishments, he's not one to blow his own trumpet. He humbly said, “My goal is basically to push the artistes that I work with towards much success…. It’s not about me, it’s about them and taking Guyanese music to the international arena in a professional manner, so that Guyana wins positive publicity."

He has further stated: "It’s not about me…I started the record label for my artistes."

In studio, he has worked with all of the bigger names locally. In the Gospel arena, Darrel has produced music for Psalmist Sean Sobers, Mariam Williams, Kester Dean, Bro Ravi, Solid Youth, and Bishop Qwame (live in concert); and he has done international Gospel collaborations with Jay Square, Jah Kiley, ‘Baby C’ out of Trinidad, Mr. Jay out of the

Bahamas, St. Matthew out of Jamaica, and DJ Evangelist out of Canada, to name a few.

A point to note is that, for several years, his productions also won first and second places at the Schools’ Mash Calypso competitions.

While many producers simply have a studio, Darrel has a projector that a producer has at home to do projects

after hours. Not so long ago, he worked on projects with artistes from Germany, the US, Brazil, Africa and Guyana.

Darrel started producing music while still attending school. He had much practice at home and at Zoe Media Productions owned by Obed James (best engineer,Guyana), and at Dominion Stu-

dios by Pastor King. He was paid courtesy calls after a major vehicular accident that landed him in hospital and dictated he was supposed to undergo brain surgery for a clot in his brain. Those clots gave him terrible headaches, which came with bleeding from his nose. However, he notes: "Music literally healed me as I was gonna

Darrel Pugsley, the man with the musical ‘Midas Touch’

Darrel Pugsley has paved the way for a superb musical invasion on the local shores

study medicine en-route to being a medical surgeon. But I couldn't study anymore, and listening to much music and spending time with the keyboard kept the headaches away."

He said it was a miracle that he didn't have to undergo surgery any-more. Thank God! What keeps Darrel’s interest is, as he puts it simply, "The technology.

I've seen it grow. I started producing when protools didn't exist in Guyana as yet. I was very fortunate to have access to the very first protools digi01 system in the country, which was released in 1999. Now I'm privileged to be using protools 10 HD." His arrangements have always made the top ten of the Carib Soca Monarch competitions over the years.

JAY ANDERSON Breaking out of

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

the mould as he reaches for the stars

The very talented Jay Anderson

wouldn't fit in," Walcott disclosed.

He recalled being told by a girl in 9th grade that he didn't “belong” and that his dreams were beyond achievable, especially since he was a 'foreigner.'

However, that has changed dramatically.

"A lot of the people who taunted me are now Jay Anderson has a far way to go in his musical my well-wishers and sideline cheer leaders," endeavours he confided.

The culture difference would have

By Alex Wayne shocked many who were suddenly confronted with a fast-paced First World experience when previously they were accustomed to slipping out UMAINE Walcott, aka Jay Ander- of the house to go swimming, and experiencing son, is someone all youths should two seasons in their homeland. Intimidation and emulate. Humble, focused, ambi- peer pressure were the order of the day, but he tious and a real achiever, this US- used those ‘barriers’ as facilitators, and the evbased Essequibo lad, like many er-present motivation from his mum Lurine Jones, Third World youths, was uprooted from a life- a Guyanese nurse working in the ‘big apple’ style steeped in rustic customs at age thirteen spurred him on. to start, as it were, a new life in the ‘Big Apple’ Although he couldn't swim, he joined the swim (New York City, USA). team in high school, and did pretty well. But givHis father took him there with the promise of a en his Guyanese primary school talent shows, he better life. Now, more than ten years later, he has gravitated into music. He had written one poem completed high school and college and has, not so when he found his Mojo. Jokingly, he says it was long ago, graduated with two degrees, a major in about romance and girls. law and a minor in criminal justice. Ultimately, he "My brother had hip-hop instrumentals, and is aiming to become a criminal/ corporate lawyer one day I was ‘vybing’ to the tracks on a web cam as well as a politician; but music is his first love, and that is when I realized that I could do this. It and that’s no secret. was a case of music coming to me more than I "In my mind, I envisioned that I would be was going to it, from age seven when mum bought intimidated; and sure enough, I was told that I me a keyboard, a guitar and a microphone," he

J

revealed.

Jay Anderson is now arguably one of Guyana's best ‘Hip-Hopsters’, with countless tracks, three singles, and three videos. Looking back a couple of times, he was approached by talent scouts, including a European-based record label, to drop school and do music. But while the offers were tempting, his mum was a stickler for "education and qualification first, anything else after." With a sense of pride, Jay Anderson admits, "I don't regret my mum's stern Guyanese values, because she is ‘a long-term person’ and thanks to her I'm a graduate on my way to higher heights with a firm educational base; and music is still there."

Having graduated, he moved to completing several conferences with the United Nations; but with those concluded, he is now taking a break from academics and his focus is going to be on his music.

So look out for this Guyanese kid as he goes full steam into his quest to land on the music mainstream circuit in hip-hop, dancehall, pop, and R and B, because he's gunning for the top.

His releases to date are, ‘My Life’, ‘Do it the way I Wanna’, ‘Don't do It’, ‘Popular’, and a few others. As he works on being booked for live appearances on local and international stages, he continues to release several other songs.

His advice to Third World youths is: "Stand for something and believe in you while taking kindly the wisdom of the years, and you can and will be more than just popular.”

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

XI

Heartbreaking moment as…

Widow reduced to tears after finding note from WW2 hero husband hidden on wall - 71 years ago

A British widow was brought to tears after she travelled to Normandy in France to see a message her late war hero husband wrote in a barn 71 years ago.

Ruth Bettle, 84, ‘went to pieces’ after tracing her late husband’s steps from the D-Day operation and tracking down the message he had written on a wall in pencil after D-Day. The writing in Putot en Auge, near Caen, had remained untouched since Sergeant Vic Bettle wrote it in 1944.

He had parachuted into Normandy on June 5 and helped to drive off the Germans as his battalion secured villages one by one.

When Mr Bettle took shelter in the barn he wrote on a wall: “Sgt Vic Bettle, 7th Parachute Battalion, 19th August 1944. We chased them out this morning.”

Mr Bettle, from Havant, Hants, died three years ago at the age of 93 and did not see the inscription for himself, although he knew of its existence after a French man staying at the chateau wrote to him in 1998 after reading it.

Like so many veterans, Mr Bettle did not speak much

about his service during the Second World War. Wanting to find out more, Mrs Bettle and her daughter Karen French, 51, went on a coach tour of Normandy.

They mentioned the inscription to their guide, who led them to the barn.

Mrs Bettle, a mother of two, said: "Walking up the path towards the manor, I kept thinking ‘What if it is not there?’

"Then I saw it and I just went to pieces. It was happiness and sadness. The emotions just ran wild.

"I could imagine Vic saying ‘come on lads, let's write something on this wall’. I just wish he was with me to see it too, it was so emotional. I wanted to cry, I wanted to laugh. If Vic was with me I would have probably hugged him to death - I was so proud. It is all I have been able to think about. With the VE Day and D-Day commemorations, it is still so vivid.

It was lovely - I will never forget it."

After surviving the war, Mr Bettle, of the 6th parachute regiment, spent the rest of his life working for a tarmac company in Portsmouth.

FULL OF EMOTION: Ruth Bettle, 84, with the writing on the barn wall of her late husband Vic Bettle Daughter Karen French, of Waterlooville, Hants, said: "Dad would have been really proud. He would just say everybody did what they had to do and he was just lucky to come home alive. He was quite humble."

Ruth Bettle said: “I just wish he was with me to see it too, it was so emotional.

I wanted to cry, I wanted to laugh”

THE WRITING: Vic Bettle’s message on the barn wall

A younger Vic Bettle in his uniform

The 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion was an airborne infantry battalion of the Parachute Regiment, which was formed by the British Army in World War II. On June 6, 1944, the Battalion landed in Normandy and many men were scattered or landed on the wrong drop zone.

So badly scattered, by 3am, commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Pine-Coffin had only around 40 per cent of the battalion at the forming up point.

However, the battalion managed to meet with the coup-demain forces of the 2nd Battalion, Ox and Bucks Light Infantry at the Caen and Orne bridges.

They then set up a defensive perimeter against German counter-attacks.

Despite the ferocity of the attacks, the battalion and the coup-de-main forces were able to hold the Caen and Orne before being relieved. (ukmirror.com)

Man has Night Vision injected into his eyeballs ► From page VI

for the conjunctival sac, which should help carry the compound to the light-sensing retina. DMSO increased the permeability of the cells for better absorption.

“To me, it was a quick, greenish-black blur across my vision, and then it dissolved into my eyes,” Licina said. He then put protective lenses in his eyes to block out some light; sunglasses helped too.

After two hours, the team tested Licinia's newfound superpower in a dark field. At first, Licina was able to see hand-sized shapes about 10 meters (33 feet) away. In time, he was able to recognise symbols (like numbers and letters) as well as objects moving against different backgrounds at longer distances. (iflscience.com)

(photo credit: YuryZap/shutterstock.com)

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

SEVEN SIMPLE TIPS TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE Smartphones have become the world's most popular cameras because they're always with you, are easy to use, and allow you to quickly take and share pictures.

They are far more portable than cameras and the quality of smartphone photographs has steadily been improving. Today's flagship smartphones can create

Selective focusing/ refocusing images

Finding the right object to focus on - either in the foreground or the background - can sometimes make the image much better, rather than just pointing the camera at the scene and hoping for the best. Smartphones that let you refocus after taking a shot allow you to experiment and get the best photo.

Some smartphones such as the HTC One M8 come with dual rear cameras that allow you to do this really effectively, but other smartphones use software tricks to let you change the object in focus.

Quick launch

stunning images, but remember, any tool is only as good as the person using it.

Buying yourself a top of the line smartphone doesn't guarantee great photographs. Photography is a skill that needs practice, even if you are using a camera phone. If you want to improve your smartphone photography skills, I've got some useful tips for you.

When to use the HDR mode

Trying to take a picture with bright and dark areas in the same frame? Use the HDR (high dynamic range) mode, present in most smartphone cameras. This mode helps balance out the lighting in a picture - the lights aren't too bright and the shadows aren't too dark - so that

Remember how long it took for your digital camera to start before you could take photos? Launching the camera app is a lot quicker, but can still take a fair bit of time if you've locked the phone, for example. Most phones allow you to work around this limitation though, and quick launch the camera, so you can take pictures in moments.

For example, the Samsung Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 Edge let you do that by double tapping the home button.

Almost all other smartphones also have similar quicklaunch shortcuts. Look for a similar way to launch the camera quickly to make sure you don't miss out on the all-important moments.

Camera button

Another useful tip is to use the volume buttons or a dedicated camera button on your phone to click pictures in landscape mode. This helps you keep your hands steady while clicking pictures, as opposed to shaking the phone when tapping the on screen button. If your phone does not come with a dedicated camera button, check the settings to see if you can set one of the volume buttons as the shutter instead. Many third-party apps on Android will let you do that, if the stock app doesn't.

Light

no details are lost.

To do this, the phone takes the picture twice, at different exposure levels, and then software balances these images into a single shot.

Photography is known as painting with light for good reason. Without light there's no photography so it's important to learn how to use light to your advantage.

This is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the light is ideal for capturing landscape shots as well as monuments since midday light tends to ruin most landscape shots. Foggy conditions or when the sky is cloudy are not great for

photography but you can still click great pictures.

Foggy conditions are best for portraits because there are no shadows or harsh light. Fog also adds a bit of mystery to photographs. Take a scene where you're clicking a picture of a small settlement in the hills. A bit of fog around the settlement makes it seem mysterious and adds a slight charm to the picture. The emphasis is on making the best of the lighting conditions instead of giving up when nature doesn't cooperate.

Composition

Look around you and you're likely to find at least one great photograph waiting to be clicked. The hard part is to compose the frame. There are a few basic rules to get the job done. The first is the rule of thirds. Most smartphone cameras have a grid view. Once you enable this, you'll see that the screen has four lines that divide the frame into nine equal parts. The rule of thirds says that your subject should be on one of the lines, preferably where these lines intersect. This isn't a rule you must always follow but if you are a beginner you will notice that sticking to this helps you click better photographs.

Another important point is leading lines. You should use lines in a picture to lead you to the subject. For example, you could compose the picture of a boy sitting on stairs in such a way that the hand rails start at either edge of the frame. The rails create lines that lead you to the boy.

The decisive moment

The last of the basic rules is perhaps the most important. Patience is a virtue that photographers need.

Capturing an event at the right moment is the difference between a good picture and a great picture. It's important to evoke emotion - surprise, wonder or awe - through a picture. And that can only be done if the photo has been clicked at the right moment.

For example, a picture of a path between the walls of two houses is ordinary. A child peeking out from behind one of these walls adds life to the picture. Waiting for that moment is worth it. These basic tips should help you click great photos.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015 12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 12, 2015 XIII

NGSA results...

The children who made the Top 100 1% POSITION 1 2 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 11 11 11 11 11 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 58 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75

NAME

Solomon Cherai Shania Eastman Celine Farinha Shreya Persaud Isabella Hussain Afeefah London Travis Isaacs Bhedesh Persaud Reanna Mc Curchin Timur Singh Nicholette Gouveia Ismaaeel Bacchus Serena Persaud Gianni Carpenters Roxanna Singh Atishta Seenarine Samuel Benjamin-Huntley Shivesh Mohamed Kaydonna Wilburg Kimberly Jonas Diana Charles Christel Mangra Shenay Baksh Jadyn George Ashlee Jack Lallchan Gajadhar Priyanka Ramjist Ayjha Griffith Jada Duke Joshua Kalekyezi Daequon Burnette Duvina Seurattan Zuri Singh Tianna Budhram Andrew Chinnatambi Narissa Naikram Kirtisha Nandalall Ashantie Singh Ethan Chinapen Anthony Sukra Swasti Saytoo Nkechi Layne Priscilla Jailall Khemraj Goberdhan Shane Patandin Suraj Singh Damesha Mc Intosh Jessica Rupnarain Marissa Moses Sofia Hakh

Rasheina Ogle Mikhail Da Costa Jamal Thom Michael Prass Sanjay Persaud Arheana Kowlessar Daniel Persaud Khushal Lam Jamani Patterson Jamie King Valicia Atwell Ambalika Singh Jamahl Burkett Kim Chong Tarico Henry Amelia Persaud Patrick Thompson Daniel George Ronneil Lord Mollyann Lovell Angelie Balram Crystal Nunnally Julian Rodney Jaydon Alves Jaya Ramkumar Akeem Mason Sarona Fraser Naomi Stephen Lorelei Kanhai Tatyana Ali Chaya Singh Azzareya Allicock

SCHOOL

Success Elementary " Peter’s Hall Primary Academy of Excellence " Success Elementary All Saints Primary New Guyana School St Margret’s Primary St Gabriel’s Primarey “ ISA Islamic Marian Academy New Guyana School Enterprise Primary Uitvlugt Primary Leonora Primary La Grange Primary St Gabriel’s Primary Success Elementary “ “ School of the Nations Mae’s Under 12 Success Elementary Rosignol Primary Success Elementary

“

New Guyana School Mae’s Under 12 St Gabriel’s Primary Fisher Primary St Margret’s Primary Windsfor Forest Primary St Margret’s Primary Academy of Excellence “ “ Peter’s Hall Primary Blairmont Primary Taymouth Manor Primary Regma Primary Graham’s Hall Success Elementary Mae’s Under 12 Novar Primary Success Elementary “ Mae’s Under 12

“

St Gabriel’s Primary Stella Maris Primary St Gabriel’s Primary New Guyana School Cornelia Ida Primary Leonora Primary Lusignan Primary Leonora Primary Academy of Excellence St Gabriel’s Primary “ Graham’s Hall Primary Westfield Prep Stella Maris Primary Green Acres Primary St Gabriel’s Primary New Guyana School Mae’ Under 12 “ “ Marian Academy Mae’s Under 12 Success Elementary “ “ “ “ “ Mae’s Under 12 Marian Academy Mae’s Under 12 Regma Primary

MARKS REGION 530 529 526 526 526 525 525 525 525 525 524 524 524 524 524 523 523 523 523 523 523 523 523 523 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 522 521 521 521 521 521 521 521 520 520 520 520 520 520 520 520 520 520 520 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 519 518 518 518 518 518 518 518 518

4 4 4 3 3 4 6 G/town “ “ “ “ “ “ 4 3 3 “ G/town 4 “ “ G/town “ 4 5 4 “ G/town “ “ 2 G/town 3 G/town 3 “ “ 4 5 2 10 G/town 4 G/town 5 4 “ G/town “ “ “ “ “ 3 “ 4 3 3 G/town “ “ “ “ “ “ G/town G/town “ “ “ “ 4 “ “ “ “ “ G/town “ “ 10

POSITION

NAME

75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 94 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148 148

Aselah Najab Safaran Rahim Rhea Ramotar Aaron Sarwan Damani Eversley Sephora Persaud Dominic Hamlet Nechemiyah Levans Latoya Woolford Aaishah Shaw Shaniya English Romona Sangster Manisha Ramlal Yashoda Hansraj Shezeena Mohamed Mesha Sealy Ratnashari Narine Quissieana Odle Simran Persaud Christin Richardson Quintiana Prince Tylor Grandison Antionne Andries Damian Braam Kareemah Rasheed Lugard Mohan Nathan Gangadeen Shania Sukhu Raissa Young Alroy Nurse Abishai Molaha Arun Mangar Daniel Somrah Jeremiah Headley John Mc Grath Idris Allen Joshua Butts Dominic Chan-a-sue Vihdydevi Lalchand Steven Narine Wallyndee Roberts Hansvahini Maraj Ajani Merchant Shannon Persaud Aeneas Booker Zane Low Shomari Wiltshire Sarah Dhanraj Mark Sharma Samuel Booker Shamar Sukhu Jafari Jacobs Krystal Persaud Jaheim Hutson Meer Rahaman Rennata Nickram sarah klautky Alex Rohoman Jasmin George Aditya Sukhai Maria Benjamin Shamika Baldeo Raul Moore Rahema Bacchus Melissa Kellman Sasha Serrao Aria Matthews Alex Samad Shemaine Clarke Shaves Banwarie Sruti Jairam Jessica Gobin Michell Shivcharran Shania Harvey Roshonah Edwards Cassandra Kippins Bhudram Singh Raphel Nurse Amba Skeete Ashley Drakes Adasina West Deshawn Lynch Lian Winter Leyon O’Brien

SCHOOL

Al Ghazali Academy St Gabriel’s Primary St Margaret’s Primary New Guyana School Green Acres Primary ABC Academy Green Acres Primary St Margaret’s Primary Uitvlugt Primary Academy of Excellence Success Elementary La Bonne Intention Prim.

Academy of Excellence Leonora Primary “ St Margaret’s Primary Uitvlugt Primary Academy of Excellence “ Taymouth Manor Primary Green Acres Primary “ New Guyana School Marian Academy Stella Maris Primary St Margaret’s Primary North Georgetown Primary Stella Maris Primary Al Ghazali Academy Green Acres Primary Bath Primary Mae’s Under 12 Rose Hall Primary Mae’s Under 12 New Guyana School Success Elementary “ Mae’s Under 12 Bath Primary Mae’s Under 12 “ Success Elementary “ Camille’s Institute New Guyana School Mae’s Under 12 “ “ “ School of the Nations Graham’s hall Primary Green Acres Primary Mae’s Under 12 All Saints Primary Marian Academy St Ignatius Primary Marian Academy ABC Academy Wismar Hill Primary Hampton Court Primary Academy of Excellence Greenwich Park Primary St Margret’s Primary Montrose Primary Annandale Primary “ “ Mon-Repos Primary Academy of Excellence CV Nunes Mc Gillivary Primary Patentia Primary Kawall Primary Green Acres Primary Westfield Prep All Saints Primary Stella Maris Primary Watooka Day Primary New Guyana School “ “ Success Elementary “ Mae’s Under 12

MARKS REGION 518 518 518 518 518 518 518 518 518 518 518 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 517 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 516 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515 515

G/town “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 3 “ 4 “ 3 “ “ G/town 3 “ “ 2 G/town “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 5 G/town 6 G/town “ 4 “ G/town 5 G/town “ 4 “ “ G/town “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ 6 G/town 9 G/town “ 10 2 3 “ G/town 4 “ “ “ “ 3 2 3 “ “ G/town “ 6 G/town 10 G/town “ “ 4 “ G/town

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 12, 2015

XIV

11 Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

Georgetown today...

What a transformation!

AS widespread clean-up of the city of Georgetown continues, several stakeholders on Tuesday joined hearts and hands in a concerted effort to transform and beautify the landscape of the Public Buildings and its environs, preparing it for the first sitting of the National Assembly under the newly elected APNU+AFC Government.

The Guyana Chronicle sought comments from the proverbial man-in-the-street, and got the following reactions from citizens on how they feel about the initiative.

“When people can go to that extent, it means they really have their country at heart, and want to see it looking good. Hats off to all who have come on board! However, I think the Council should be more stern on people who litter, and impose stiffer penalties on them.

“The best of luck to the new Government, and may God inspire their leadership.”

--and people couldn’t help but notice

WHARTON MC LENNON, TCL employee: “I think that this activity is very good, though it has been lacking for many years; and the Public Buildings look wonderful. I’d be glad if they could keep it up, and I hope that, along with the transformation on the outside, there will be transformation on the inside as well.”

JAVIN VANVEEN, self-employed: “It is good to see volunteers working towards cleaning up this Public Buildings area, if nowhere else. This place is supposed to be clean at all times, because this is the centre, and people coming into the country will have to pass this way.

“All in all, I like how the place is transformed this morning, and I pray they would keep it up. What is on the outside of a building gives an impression about what goes on inside; so, from now on, only good things can go on inside there.”

SHAKA HEYWOOD, Education and Culture employee: “What I am seeing here today is a good move on the part of the people; it is nice that citizens from different backgrounds and different organisations can come together to clean up and make the Public Buildings look respectable once more, so that when people visit this country, they can respect us and the building and what it represents.

“It is a really good move, and I think that the spirit should live on; but I still feel that they should remove all the ‘junkies’ off the street, because they are the ones who take little or nothing from people who have money to dump garbage at all corners of the streets.

“Furthermore, this is Parliament, and they should not be sleeping out here. Also, they should place bins along the way, because if there are no bins, the same ‘junkies’ would go through the garbage and have it flying all over the place.”

MARISSA BALRAM, public security employee:

LATISHA NILES, student: “From what I have seen, President Granger is doing a good job; he has started off on the right footing, and I pray God will bless him to continue to move this country on to prosperity, with people living in brotherly love and unity. “It is clear that this man stands for cleanliness; and that should be our watchword.”

“I feel good about it; it’s looking nice, and makes Guyana look good. When I walked down the road and saw the changes, I was surprised, because it looked really clean.

And this is how it ought to be; it’s looking nice. “Congratulations to those who came out here and made this possible.”

JASMINE PRIMO, public security employee: KONNELLA DOVER, student: “I am really witnessing changes after the elections; and no disrespect, but normally, ‘junkies’ used to be here, hanging out around the Public Buildings. Well, I always wanted to know what connection is there with vagrants and what goes on in a Parliament. But now I am seeing that they have been moved, and out here looks so different. It’s so clean!”

“I am excited about the changes. When I saw this area looking so spotless, I began wondering if they swept it or something like that. It is really good to see Parliament Building looking this way. I feel proud to be a Guyanese.

“But let’s try to upkeep it. I also feel that bins should be placed at every corner to prevent people from littering.”

RICARDO WALLOSE, former MP under the Burnham Administration: “The people’s Parliament has once more come to its glory; and so, on behalf of myself and the people of Guyana, I would hope -- and I think and always say -- that God puts who He wants in Parliament to do His work and represent the people.

“President Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo will move this country forward, because they were sent by God.”

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

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XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015

St Margaret’s Primary School records stellar performance at NGSA 2015 - thanks hugely to the indefatigable efforts of Grade Six teacher Ms Kathryn Persico-Newton

By Shirley Thomas ST. MARGARET’s Primary School has created quite a name for itself at the recent sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment examinations (NGSA).

From a class of 43 students who wrote the exam-

ination, six ranked among the nation’s 100 top performing students; seven were awarded places at the prestigious Queen’s College; 15 got placements at other senior secondary schools, such as Bishops’ High, St. Roses High, St. Stanislaus College and St. Joseph’s High; and

the remainder were awarded places at Grade ‘A’ schools.

Those awarded places at Queen’s College are: Reanna Mc Curchin (who placed among the nation’s top ten students), Zuri Singh, Andrew Chinatambi, Rhea Ramotar, Nechemiyah Levans, Lugard Mohan and Mesha

Sealy. The professions they aspire to pursue include lawyer, medical doctor, police commander, journalist, military commander, and veterinary doctor.

Under the tutelage of class teacher Mrs Kathryn Persico-Newton, a 47-yearold graduate teacher who has taught at that school ever since she was 18, the students applied themselves diligently throughout the academic year leading up to the exams, and did their parents and school proud.

PRIDE AND JOY Beaming with deserving pride and joy at the school’s results this year, Mrs Persico-Newton, who began tutoring children for the Common Entrance Exams in 2003, stated, "This school has a legacy of excellence."

She recalled that, in 2005,St. Margaret's had topped the country, securing more than 20 Queen’s College placements under tutor Ms Gem Moriah. , but this is the best she (Persico) has achieved so far.

She outlined that, at St. Margaret’s, the children preparing for the NGSA are placed in the examination class as soon as those of the previous batch would have completed writing their examination. The intention is to not have them wait until September.

“And that is because you want to give them a full year of preparation,” she explained.

Commenting on their performance in classroom as they prepared for the examination, Mrs Persico-Newton

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variably, the children would score high marks. “But because it is a placement examination, so many other children in the country were ahead of them, so that child might not have been placed in a senior secondary school; but they still have high marks and the potential,” she explained.

“So my point is that the secondary schools have to realise that they are getting good children, and they need to capitalise on this and push the children,” she reasoned.

She said, too, that it could turn out that the child takes up the place offered, and in the long run outshines all others in the CSEC class.

“Therefore, parents need to accept the results and, importantly, congratulate the child and give them all the support and encouragement to move on,” she urged.

The subjects covered in the examinations are English (focusing on composition, vocabulary, spelling, comprehension and grammar); mathematics; sciences and social studies (including map work).

Celebrated NGSA tutor Mrs. Kathryn Persico-Newton recalled that the students did very well, and were particularly strong in Mathematics and English. “But at the examination they excelled in everything, and scored in the nineties,” she declared with a sense of justified pride and satisfaction.

DETERMINING PLACEMENT From time to time, and at different schools, parents complain that their children score high marks and are not given placements in a school commensurate with their capability and their marks scored. Mrs Persico-Newton referred this newspaper to the Ministry of Education for an explanation of this situation. Albeit, she said what one needs to take into consideration is that, even though a particular child may be very ‘bright’, on the day of the exam, that child might not have performed as well as another, whom that child would outshine under normal circumstances.

Conversely, she said, the child might have been nervous at time of writing the examination, and so did not perform as per hopes or expectations. All these things should be taken into consideration, this sage teacher reasoned.

Mrs Persico-Newton said the highest overall mark in the examinations is 535, but what has been observed is that, in-

WORK ATTITUDE Asked what the work attitude of the children of St. Margaret’s was like while they prepared for the exam, Mrs Persico-Newton impulsively replied: “Oh, they were very businesslike. They had a drive to ‘do it’. There were times when I was at home and the phone would ring and I would hear the passion and enthusiasm in their voices, ‘Miss, we’re doing so, so, so’.”

While some private schools in Guyana specialise in their tutelage in Grades Five and Six, the NGSA tutor in a Government school is responsible for teaching all the subject areas, thus making the job more demanding. But with a passion for what she is doing and the desire to see her children excel, Mrs Persico-Newton gets about the task selflessly and resolutely.

AN EVENTUAL TWIST Of interest, Ms. Persico-Newton recalled, is that on graduating from secondary school, (St. Roses and Queen’s College) her mother, Mrs Juliet Persico of the Exams Division, considering teaching to be a very prestigious job, proposed to her that she take up teaching; but she, in turn, was adamant that she would not. Her mother eventually won out, and so, at age 18, she joined the staff of St. Margaret’s as a pupil teacher.

To her horror, the headmistress placed her in charge of practically the worst class - children who could neither read nor write. “She said to me, ‘if you can manage to teach these children with my help, then you have the guts to be a teacher’.”

Mrs Persico-Newton took up the challenge, and, with the guidance of the HM, was able to make it. Ironically, in time she developed a passion for the job; and, in 2003, she was placed in charge of the Common Entrance class (now NGSA), where she eventually developed what could be likened unto a mother/child relationship with the students.

Having excelled, Mrs Persico-Newton, under the guidance of graduate Headmistress Ms. Georgeania Lewis, continues to be responsible for that class.

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SYNERGIES The children of St. Margaret’s, well rounded and well prepared for the examinations, invariably perform well. But asked what might have motivated this year’s stellar performance, Mrs Newton-Persico credits it in part to increased attentiveness and the zeal to soar to the top on the part of the students, as well as increased parent-involvement in the children’s welfare.

Additionally, the HM had introduced setting of tests in science and social studies based on what the students had done in Grades Four and Five, in addition to routine revision.

“Technically, I would say (that) preparation for these exams starts from the time the child enters the school, because some of the things that come up hinge on what the child would have done in Grade One, Grade Two…so it’s like a chain; it’s a cycle,” she said.

A system in place also prepares them to transition into the secondary school system. Mrs Persico-Newton pointed out that, in the third term, when the students go back to the Grade Four teacher, there is a structured transition programme which prepares them to adjust and cope when they would have entered secondary school.

And NGSA tutor Mrs Persico-Newton had a message for adults: “Parents should not be afraid to approach teachers for help in relation to the children’s work. Moreover, they should keep the children off too much television, Facebook and other social media”.

And what gave her the extra zest to keep up with the demands of the curriculum, while giving the children individual attention: “Throughout this past year, the response was heartening. More parents seemed to be genuinely interested and so there was an open line of communication between parents and teacher and constant interaction. Then there was whipped up enthusiasm on the part of the children and their behavior better. This was good, because sometimes you find that it is the behavior that affects their performance,” the evidently gratified NGSA-Whizz recounted.

Mrs Persico, whose 21-year-old daughter is currently reading for a BSc degree in Law at the University of Guyana, is herself a graduate of the University of Guyana. But first she did a three-year training stint at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), from where she graduated as Best Student in English Options and Best Student in Social Studies.

She entered University of Guyana in 1999, and majored in Education. She completed both the Certificate in Education and the Degree in Education with distinction in 2003.

Having completed her studies, Mrs Persico-Newton faithfully returned to St. Margaret’s, where she continues to mould the students for transitioning to secondary education, while performing the duties of grade Supervisor for the top floor. .

Mrs. Persico-Newton’s parting message to the students, as they prepare to move on to other schools: “Remember to keep focused. Remember the sacrifices that your parents made and will continue to make. Stay away from negative things. And whatever your aspirations, what ever professional path you wish to pursue, start focusing on it now.”

St. Margaret’s top achievers pose with their teacher, Mrs Kathryn Persico-Newton, at right

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The many sides of Mahendra Khusial, aka ‘Selector Charlie’ - a man with the driving ambition to be his own boss

By Michel Outridge MAHENDRA Khusial, called ‘Selector Charlie’, is a part-time selector of music with the ‘Basil P. Radio Show’ which airs on Sundays from 6pm to midnight on 98.1 FM with radio broadcaster Basil Persaud.

He also works with Persaud from Mondays to Thursdays during the hours of 6pm to 7pm, and on 90.1 iRadio as he selects a mixture of music, including oldies.

This enterprising young man is determined to accomplish a lot, but is, for now, contented with the simpler things in life.

After four years of being Selector Charlie, this spritely but reserved individual has said that, in the next couple of years, he see himself running his own ‘spare parts’ business, where he can be his own boss. That is, he wants to be self-employed.

He is a full-time sales clerk attached to Uniparts spare parts store on Sheriff Street, but does selecting of music on a part-time basis at weddings, parties, and other func-

tions which require music.

Presently 18 years old, Mahendra said he got into the world of music when he met Basil Persaud at a relative’s house party four years ago, and he has not regretted his desire to get involved in music selection, since he always liked music.

Mahendra told this publication that, for him, music is life; it is an instant stress reliever, and he is very passionate about what he does because it eases his mind.

He said: “No matter how difficult it is, it can be achieved with hard work and dedication.”

He urges the youths of today to stay focused and build their careers and lives by having a positive outlook and an open mindset to be successful in whatever they undertake.

For now, ‘Selector Charlie’ remains humble and is working towards achieving his lifelong goal of establishing his own business. He can be contacted via WhatsApp on 670-7919, and on BBM on 566334ad.

He stands ready, willing and able to perform for hire at any function.

Mahendra Khusial, aka ‘Selector Charlie’

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The use of antibiotics in dentistry

A Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART DDS.

ntibiotics are u s e d to fight bacterial infections. They may be taken in pill or liquid form, or used as a mouthwash and

then swallowed. Antibiotics are also given by injection. Produced by bacteria, moulds and fungi, antibiotics have the power to destroy or inhibit the multiplication of other types of organisms, especially bacteria. Some antibiotics are effective against fungi and a few viruses as well. Penicillin, erythromycin,

and tetracycline are the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in dentistry.

Usually taken for gum infections and abscesses, antibiotics are commonly prescribed after extractions of infected teeth and during root canal therapy. If certain medical conditions such as a heart murmur are present, an-

tibiotics are prescribed before any treatment to prevent infection.

Once an antibiotic is ingested, it may be toxic to intestinal bacteria. Desirable (“friendly”) bacteria as well as undesirable ones will, therefore, be poisoned and destroyed. This leaves the ► Continued

on page XXIII

Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015 â–ş From page XXII intestinal walls unprotected against irritating or unabsorbed foods, causing inflammation of the tissues. Similarly, if an antibiotic is taken for a long period of time, the particular strain of bacteria it is meant to destroy may eventually become resistant. As a result, mutant strains of bacteria are produced. Another side effect to long-term intake of a particular antibiotic is that by destroying bacteria, it produces an imbalance in the microorganism population. For example Candida, which is a yeast organism, proliferates with long-term antibiotic use because much of the bacterial population is destroyed Antibiotics may produce an assortment of gastrointestinal complaints and a variety of allergic reactions that range in seriousness from mild rash to shock and even death. In addition, most antibiotics interfere with the estrogen in birth control pills, rendering the pills inactive. Blood cholesterol levels are raised by some antibiotics, since bacteria that help rid the body of cholesterol are destroyed by the drug.

Since its discovery in 1941, penicillin has been the antibiotic used for the majority of dental infections. The occurrence of side effects depends on how well an individual tolerates the drug. A person allergic to penicillin will usually experience a reaction with half an hour of taking the drug. In some allergic reactions the muscles in the throat become constricted, causing breathing difficulty. In more serious reactions, the capillaries dilate, causing shock, which, if not treated immediately, can lead to death.

Other side effects of penicillin use reveal themselves from two hours to three or more days after taking the medication. These include fever, mental changes, edema (abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues), abnormal heartbeat, inflammation of the kidneys and renal failure, swollen â–ş Continued on page XXIV

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The use of antibiotics in dentistry ► From page XXIII

tongue, many types of skin rashes, and inflammation of any or all parts of the mouth. Because penicillin crosses the placental barrier and is excreted in the mother’s milk, its use should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

The antibiotic choice for individuals allergic to penicillin is erythromycin, which was first used in 1952. Although food reduces erythromycin absorption, it may be necessary to take this drug with meals because of its adverse effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Erythromycin is distributed to most body tissues and excreted via the liver in the bile, and in urine and feces. Side effects associated with erythromycin include gastrointestinal irritation, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. All the side effects disappear when the drug is discontinued. Individuals taking digoxin, warfarin, or

carbamazepine, and those taking theophylline for asthma or bronchitis, may experience adverse reactions to erythromycin and should, therefore, avoid taking it.

Discovered in 1948, tetracylcline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that affects a wide range of microorganisms. It concentrates in the liver and is excreted into the intestines via the bile. This drug should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women or by children between the ages of two months and eight years because of its side effects. Tetracycline is secreted in the saliva and the milk of lactating women, and is stored in unerupted teeth of nursing babies. When the teeth erupt they have permanent stains, which darken with age and exposure to light. A decreased growth rate in bones has also been demonstrated in infants and fetuses who have ingested and/or been exposed to tetracycline.

Although tetracycline is prescribed for severe gum disease, it should be taken with caution because of its many side effects. Some of these side effects include lightheadedness, dizziness, and vertigo. People taking this drug should not drive or perform any hazardous jobs. In addition, tetracycline reacts negatively with antacids, iron, oral contraceptives, barbiturates, and warfarin.

With long-term ingestion of tetracycline, the targeted organisms may become resistant to the medication. Because the resistant strain of bacteria cannot be destroyed by any antibiotic, the condition is called a “superinfection.”

There are other antibiotics prescribed in dentistry, but like the above-antibiotics, they should be taken with caution and only when absolutely necessary. More importantly, always let a dentist or physician prescribe your medications.

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

A confirmed bachelor…

Eric is terribly scared of women

(Guyana Graphic, August 14th, 1959) ERIC is a confirmed bachelor, not because no woman would have him, mind you; it is just that Eric wouldn’t have a woman. Probably you’ll say that the chap is queer.

That’s what his lawyer thought - and said yesterday, and that’s the opinion which Magistrate Dan Debidin shared.

“He’s one of those chaps that are scared of women,” declared his counsel.

“He’s one of those chaps?” echoed Mr. Debidin. “You’d better leave it at that,” he advised.

However, Eric seems to have good cause to be scared of

women, and particularly two women. They are his neighbours -- Jean and her mother Ruth. The bachelor Eric, Mr Debidin was told, cannot have peace from the two women. Indeed, on one occasion, Jean rushed in upon the chap while he was having a bath, and horsewhipped him with an electric cord doubled in four; and all he did was to yell, and he never retaliated.

He did nothing in defence of himself.

However, when Eric and his neighbours appeared before Mr Debidin, neither of the women admitted they were a thorn in his side. In fact, according to young and vivacious Jean, Eric is not the woman hater he pretends to be.

NO MIXING According to Jean, Eric may not like to mix with other women, but she knows that he is in the habit of pulling and tugging at her, and more particularly when he is under the influence of alcohol.

“We would like you to do something about these two wom-

en,” Eric’s lawyer told Mr Debidin, opening up the proceedings.

“These two women are mother and daughter,” counsel went on to explain on Eric’s behalf, “and they would not leave this man in peace. On this day, the daughter pelted this man with a brick which struck him in his mouth and broke his tooth,” the lawyer complained, while Eric bared his teeth to show the broken incisor. “He came out of his room and asked why she pelted him,” went on the lawyer.

“He lives alone?” Mr Debidin enquired.

“Yes, sir,” the lawyer replied.

“And where was this girl when she pelted him; in his room?” the magistrate asked.

“Oh no, sir,” counsel hastily replied, knowing his client very well and, no doubt, well aware that Eric would never entertain a woman in his bachelor’s room.

“She pelted the man while he was standing at his door.”

“She was not in your room?” Mr Debidin turned to ► Continued on page ask Eric himself.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 14, 2015 From page XXVI “No, sir,” Eric answered, seemingly in shock that Mr Debidin would even think about such a thing. “She pelt me and knock me in me mouth.”

“A direct hit,” remarked Mr Debidin, and Jean smiled her thanks at the court’s compliments on her accuracy.

“She even invited him to come out and do battle,” Eric’s lawyer once again took over.

“No, I do not believe that she would invite a man to fight,” declared Mr Debidin as he eyed the youthful and petite frame of Jean.

“Sir, there are certain men who can be beaten by women,” rejoined Eric’s lawyer. “And I am afraid that my client is one,” he added.

And Eric uttered not a word in defence of his manhood.

“This man is terribly scared of women,” went on counsel.

“Even when he was going to the station to make a report, she took an electric wire and hit him.”

“Why are they after you?” Mr Debidin asked Eric.

“I don’t know,” Eric replied; “must be because ah working,” he added weakly.

“Are you married?” asked Mr Debidin.

“No, ah single.”

“Oh, you are a bachelor and you do everything for your-

self?”

“Yes sir, cook and sweep and wash,” Eric answered with the pride of a housewife.

JEALOUSY “Well, there are many men who are bachelors and work, and still women are not like marabuntas on them,” Mr Debidin pointed out. “Did you ever make any advances on this girl?”

“No, but dey does come to my room,” Eric disclosed.

“Why won’t you leave this man alone,” Mr Debidin then asked Jean.

“Sir, I wasn’t there that day. I’m working and I was not there,” she replied. “This man is a man like this: He likes to handle me and pull at me, and go on with antics,” she explained. “Because I living with somebody, it bring a lot of jealousy,” Jean declared.

“I don’t know if he don’t want to express his feelings,” she added, “but he’s highly annoyed if he sees me with anybody.”

“Were the two of you ever friends?” asked Mr Debidin.

“No, sir,” Jean replied very positively.

“Well, what sort of love is that?” Mr Debidin asked, turning to Eric. “You love at a distance?”

“So far, Your Worship,” and it was Jean, not the shy Eric, who answered.

“Well, he’s saying that you pelted him and horsewhipped him; and while he was in the bath at that,” the magistrate

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pointed out.

“Yes, I do believe that you cast an eye on her,” he told Eric.

“That’s an offence only in Maryland, America,” Eric’s lawyer observed.

“She’s after you, or you are after her?” asked the magistrate.

“It is she who after me,” Eric cried out. “Is she after me!”

“Yes, from the little that I have heard, they are taking advantage of you in this yard, particularly the daughter,” Mr Debidin said.

“He may, in his own way, smile at you and admire you,” the magistrate told Jean, “but that is because he is human, neighbourly, and wants to be friendly.”

“She’s pestering this man,” Eric’s lawyer commented.

“And he’s taking it in the right spirit,” declared Mr Debidin, “or cannot,” he added.

“She beat the man with an electric wire,” declared the lawyer.

“Good fun,” observed another lawyer.

And before Eric’s lawyer could have replied to that, Mr Debidin brought the proceedings to a close by ordering Jean to sign a bond. Jean’s mother, he found, was not the trouble maker; it was the young and attractive Jean.

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

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English

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