Pepperpot 2015 6 28

RUQAYYAH BOYER

launches first installment of new brand: ► Page XXVIII

‘PROVOTIQUE’

Prince of darkness!

'Devil' statue hidden for 1,000 years spotted in cathedral ► Page XXVI

GUYANESE ARE

study HIGHEST spea…rhea ded PAHO CONSUMERSalsoby indic ates rampant OF PURE bully ism in ALCOHOL schools ► Page VIII

GEPAOA celebrates

48 YEARS of existence

… Prominent Guyanese Page scholar hails efforts ►XII

Princess Star Competition rakes in surprising untapped vocal talent

► Page XL

► Page XVI

-contestants continue to laud NAMILCO’s support to the event

TRIUMPH VILLAGE

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

alight with radiant smiles despite various challenges ► Page XIX

The Mermaid’s Treasure

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By Maureen Rampertab

moonlit night, the shimmering water of the serene river and the mermaid sitting on the bank, combing her long golden hair.

Anillusion it seemed, from the pages of a fairytale book but from the bank of the river, an artist’s brush captured the mythical beauty on canvas. She smiled at him, singing softly, verses of their love story.

He paused and looked at her, her beauty so defined, it mesmerised him still, since that first

moonlit night when he had seen her as she had risen from the water like a dream. He had followed her, drawn like a magnet and almost drowned in the deep water. She had saved him,and thus began a unique love story with a human and a mermaid.

He had wanted her to be his bride but the cosmic nature of man and sea creature forbid such an alliance for she could not live on land and he in the sea. A beautiful love story could have ended there but he could not let go of a dream that his young heart had believed in, that became real.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

II

“I want to be with you forever, Annabella,” he had whispered, his face buried in her golden tresses.

“What do I do?” she had wondered, night after night until she had risked her life, to go to the darkest depths of the ocean, seeking a white pearl for a magical lotion to give her legs to walk on land. She could never forget the unbelieving look in his eyes when she had risen from the water, not as a mermaid but as a human girl.

Edward finished the painting and taking her hand, they swam to the inlet, their little playground, the fun and laughter of two happy souls, keeping the night awake.

On land, the manor was her home with Edward, but often the sea called for her, for it was ► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

III

The Mermaid’s ... ► From page II

her real home, the home of the mermaid and she would answer that call, every time. One night when the sky was dark, a trembling voice called for her from the seas.

She woke up with a start, “Grandma…”

She felt in her being something was wrong and Edward taking his boat out to the river in the dark of the night, waited for her as she dived down to the depths. She had always been her grandmother’s favouritechildfor her bravery and courageous spirit and the old womanhad chosen her to hold the key to the mermaid’s treasure, a legacy from the descendants.

It was a chest lying hidden in a corner of the sea and only two magic words could find it and open it.

“When the time is right,” her grandmother had told her, “You will know.”

That time seemed to be now, as Annabella held her grandmother’s weak hands for she had grown old and with her last breath she whispered to her, the magic words. It was a deep loss for Annabella but memories of her life was as fresh as the sea breeze.

The deep promise Annabella made to her grandmother would in her mind, stay unbroken to pass on to the new generation and life went on smoothly until at dusk one day, on her way home to the manor, unaware of an evil force on its way.A sudden storm swept her and before she

could regain herself, two vicious creatures of the Dark Sea World trapped her and she was taken away.

Annabella opened her eyes and found herself in the chambers of the mermaid queen of the underworld, whose deep passion for power had wreak havoc on the mermaid kingdom until grandma Syrena had banished her. That had happened before Annabella was born but now that her grandmother had died, the evil had risen again.

The queen wore the precious gems of the sea world that accentuated her astounding beauty but the evil glint in her green eyes, betrayed such beauty of the queen of the sea.

“So my little mermaid,” she said with a satisfied smile, “your grandmother is gone, whilst I’m still here, but she made a grave mistake passing on the mermaid’s treasure to you.”

“The legacy has to be protected.” Annabella said bravely.

The queen looked at the young mermaid for a long moment then she said with a sinister edge in her voice, “Such a handsome young man, your Edward.”

A sudden feartouched Annabella’s heart that was reflected in her blue eyes and the queen said, “You risked your life to be his bride, so great is your love, so what would you do now to save his life?”

“What do you want?”

“The magic words to the treasure chest for it’s rightfully mine.”

“No it’s not, it must never fall into the hands of evil.”

The queen said in a low, menacing voice, “Think carefully my little mermaid, or you will lose the love of your life.”

Annabella was locked in a cell, but she tried not to be overcome by fear, she had to find a wayout, for she held the key to the mermaid’s Kingdom. She closed her eyes to think of everything her grandmother had taught her and after a long while, a bright light flashed in her eyes, a little smile on her lips as she sang softly, a song of enchanted words that could reach every corner of the sea.Themesmerizing song casted a spell on the demon sea creatures and cautiously she made her escape before the spell could be broken. But the maze of passages impeded her and she found the main exit a little too late. At the entrance, two manta rays were waiting and the Queen, her eyes, almost spitting fire, appeared behind her. Annabella was trapped once again and at that moment she thought she would never return to Edward and her family, when from nowhere, a manta ray was fallen by a spear, then another. Annabella spun around and with lightning speed swam for open sea, straight in the arms of a scuba diver.

It was Edward!

He had escaped the queen’s demons who had tried to capture him. Annabella’s father and his army of mermen came on the scene and a battle ensued below between good and evil.

The beautiful, evil queen was defeated, once again and the mermaid’s love story continues.

Facebook addict terrified of being tagged in same outfit twice - spends £500 a month on clothes

A Facebook addict spends TEN TIMES more than the average woman in the United Kingdom on clothes a year because she hates being tagged on social media in the same outfit twice.

Millie Clarke, 25, spends up to £500 (Sterling Pounds) a month on clothes because she is so fearful she will be photographed in the same outfit twice.

The Public Relations assistant, who lives with her parents in Birmingham, England has converted one of the spare bedrooms in their home into a walk-in closet to store all her dresses, many of which have only been worn once.

Recent research by the charity Barnado’s estimates that the average woman spends £64 a month, or £768 a year, on clothes.

But Miss Clarke, from Birmingham, spends more than TEN TIMES that to ensure she is not snapped in the same outfit twice and that she keeps up appearances on social media.

Like many other girls her age, she is petrified of being pictured in the same outfit on different occasions.

Recent research by the charity Barnado’s estimates that the average woman spends £64 a month, or £768 a year, on clothes.

She said: “It started when I was 17 and I set up my Facebook account.

Everyone always took pictures at parties and when we were out and about I started noticing that I’d been snapped in the same outfit twice and I hated it.

“Like all young girls in their twenties, I do check my Facebook countless times a day and check the photos, especially to see that I’m not wearing the same outfit,” she said. (UK Mirror)

Millie Clarke shows off her varying outfits on Facebook

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

The Guyana Annual 2014 – 2015 THE theme of the most recent edition of The Guyana Annual Magazine is ‘the passage of time and anniversaries’.

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his 2014 - 2015 issue of the magazine is dedicated to A. J. Seymour whose birth centenary (January 12, 2014) was celebrated by the National Library with a breathtaking production of ‘See More Poetry’ at the Theatre Guild Playhouse and other activities including the mounting of a plague on the house where he lived on 23 North Road, Bourda, and finally, the induction of the writer into the National Library Hall of Fame for the Literary Arts.

With reference to the life and work of Seymour, there is information on the books he wrote like ‘Growing up in Guyana’, publications he edited like Kyk-over-Al, anthologies he published like ‘Treasury of Guyanese Poetry’, and there are also tributes by Dr Ian McDonald, Seymour’s daughter, Joan, and Seymour’s niece, Jacqueline de Weever, all firsthand encounters with the writer.

Poet, literary critic, radio programmer/broadcaster, anthologist, ‘nativist publisher’ and cultural historian, A. J. Seymour was born on January 12, 1914, grew up in Georgetown, but spent many delightful August school holidays in New Amsterdam, in the neighbourhood of N. E. Cameron, Jan Carew, Wilson Harris, the Abbensetts and Edgar Mittelholzer. Seymour died on December 25, 1989.

This issue also highlights the anniversaries of important dates, events and organisations in our history like 1823 – the Demerara Revolt, 1838 – Emancipation and the start of indentureship, the centenary of aviation in Guyana, the centenary of the Everest Cricket Club, the centenary of the Rose Hall Massacre, anniversary of the University of Guyana, anniversary of the Theatre Guild, 50th anniversary of Michael Ford Bookstore, to name a few.

The features in this issue include the proverb of Guyana according to Alan Fenty, photography and copyright by Michael Lam, ‘from Newfoundland to Guyana’ by Stephanie McKenzie, an article tracing the trade of saltfish for rum and molasses between the West Indies/Guyana and Newfoundland/Labrador. There is a tribute Sheila King titled ‘Sheila – King of Children Literature’, who a longstanding contributor of children literature to the magazine and who is Guyana’s oldest living writer.

In addition to its objective of making space available to emerging writers of poetry and short fiction, the magazine has provided material for young adults and has showcased the writings of young writers.

Founded in December 1915, bearing the title, ‘Chronicle Christmas Annual’, the magazine has outlived many other such publications, undergoing numerous modifications to meet the need of its readership and to carry out its mandate which is to preserve our identity and cultural integrity. The main noticeable change to the book over the years was its name; started as the Chronicle Christmas Annual, it was renamed the Guyana Christmas Annual and finally in the new millennium it was labelled The Guyana Annual becoming a truly national magazine instead of a year-end, Christmas-oriented publication.

The main rival of ‘The Annual’ was ‘The Christmas Tide’ which folded in 1950. ‘The Christmas Tide’ was produced by the Argosy newspaper. ‘The Caribia’ produced by B. G. Litographic didn’t survive for very long. However, we cannot diminish the significant contribution these magazines made to Guyanese literature where a nation needs a literature for self-identity, self-expression and self-propagation.

More importantly, those magazines served to preserve our literary heritage. It is amazing the quality of writing and quantity of information to be found in their pages, notwithstanding, the authors of those pieces who were or who eventually became prominent members of society.

The magazine is now published by Guyenterprise Ltd., with support from Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh and corporate sponsors without whose help the publication would fold like so many others.

Dr Singh resuscitated the magazine in 1998 when he discovered that such a fun source of family entertainment and education has gone dormant for a few years. The magazine is now available from Guyenterprise, Lance Gibbs Drive and Irving Street, Queenstown.

Petamber Persaud in his editorial closed with the following thought: ‘Time spent reminiscing (with The annual) is time redeemed’.

A centenary souvenir edition is under production.

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

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Agencies under purview of Ministries of Governance and Presidency in recent clean-up activities

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INISTER of Governance with responsibility for the environment sector, the Hon. Minister Raphael Trotman, has reiterated his ministry’s support of efforts being undertaken, with the Region Ten Administration Office receiving backing for their clean-up conducted on May 31.

Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon indicated that the clean-up focused on the central business district, and extendedto other communities such as Amelia’s Ward and Blue Berry Hill, and will be a continuous exercise.

The Chairman also expressed his gratitude for the ministry’s commitment to the effort, and spoke of plans to push forward with the enhancement of the mining town by developing green spaces in areas such as the Cenotaph and the Water Wheel.

In addition to Linden, the Minister has also pledged support for clean-up and enhancement activities, and will strengthen working relationships with agencies responsible for these efforts.

Agencies under the purview of the Ministry of Governance and the Ministry of the Presidency also joined in the clean-up activities, conducting a massive cleanup of the Kitty Seawalls, where the last remaining mangroves in Georgetown are located.

Additionally, the EPA’s Litter Unit continues to support these efforts by charging persons caught in the acts of littering and illegal dumping. The Ministry has also been supporting group enhancement activities by way of a donation received from AnsaMcAl Limited, and funding from the Pick it up Guyana Initiative.

Cenotaph monument earmarked for beautification

Clean-up of Linden organised by Region Ten's Regional Office on May 31

EPA staff conducting clean-up of Kitty Seawalls on June 5th

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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

MASTERMINDS behind the country’s biggest frauds, robberies and burglaries have been revealed -- and they are not Guianese!

They are the ‘Free French’, and there is a move now to get the authorities to do something to get them out of the country.

During the war, quite a few men from Cayenne slipped onto these shores in the small boats, under the guise that they wanted to join the “Free French” army of General De Gaulle, to fight for France.

But instead, they set a new pace in local crime, accounting for some of the biggest and most successful burglaries in the country.

At first they lived off the fat of the land by hoaxing people that they wanted to repair their boats to go to French West Africa to carry on

the battle with General De Gaulle. They got lists typed, and headed them with fictitious names.

Then they placed substantial sums of money besides the names with forged signatures.

Many people fell for the racket, assuming that the pathetic stories told on the lists were true.

After this tactic became known, and the police began to hunt them down, they switched to big crime, and opened a new chapter in local criminal records. So clean were their methods of entering places and opening safes that even the police were baffled at first.

But as safe burglaries became more frequent, the police were able to pounce on the ‘Free French’, and so solved some of the big-robbery mysteries.

Some, however, remain unsolved to this day.

While some of the ‘Free French’ concentrated on burglaries, others were using new tricks to fleece people of money. They pretended to be agents, and went about -- especially in rural areas -- collecting orders, which were never fulfilled.

Unsuspecting people gave them large sums of money after being shown samples of items like bed sheets. Many of the victims cried for weeks after.

Some, pretending to be honest, took ‘curios’ from local dealers and never returned to pay their debts.

And on and on they went.

Some of the ‘Free French’ have become good Guianese citizens.There is nothing against them; but the bad eggs have got to be thrown out.

Inside the courts…

Hyacinth is a woman who stands no nonsense (Guiana Graphic September 8, 1959)

HAS the “levy” cart ever moved up in front of your house? No need to answer this question, because it is an embarrassing experience.

Hyacinth knows how embarrassing it is, and she is one woman who doesn’t like to be embarrassed.A stalwart woman she is, and she stands no nonsense from either policemen or bailiffs.

Indeed, on the last occasion she was in court, it was for telling off a policeman. And when he attempted to reply, the cop felt the heavy weight of Hyacinth’s fist.

This time it was not a policeman, but a bailiff named Ulric. And he too came in for some rough treatment from the Amazon.

Hyacinth’s reputed husband, it seemed, owed his landlord a couple months’ rent, and he was dilly-dallying about the debt. So the landlord obtained judgement against Hyacinth’s boyfriend, and, on that particular afternoon, had accompanied the bailiff to levy upon the household furniture.

That was when they came up against the burly Hyacinth. “You all come like carrion crows,” she stormed as the officer of the court made his entry with his execution writ in hand.

And when he attempted to carry out the levy, not heeding the initial warning blast from Hyacinth, she promptly lifted him up and deposited him out of the house.

The fact that all this took place in the presence of a uniformed policeman gives you some idea of the temperament of the woman.

And yesterday morning, when she appeared before Magistrate Arthur Chung, she pouted insolently as she passed the said policeman on her way into court.

“Ah guilty sir!” she conceded when asked to plead to the charge. “But I would like to explain.”

Of course, Hyacinth knew that that was her privilege, because she is no stranger to the court.

First, however, she had to listen to the prosecution state his case, and the prosecutor stated briefly how she had pushed and chucked the bailiff against the wall, and then had lifted him bodily out of the house.

DIFFERENT STORY Hyacinth, however, had a different story to tell. It was the bailiff, she said, who had acted illegally.

According to Hyacinth, the bailiff was not content with levying on her reputed husband’s belongings, but he actually attempted to carry away some of her property, and that was when she intervened.

“Sir, I was not at home when they went there,” she explained to Mr Chung. “I was out, and when I returned, I saw the bailiff and the landlord in the house. They say that they come to levy,” Hyacinth went on, still pouting and being quite annoyed it seemed.

“Ah tell the bailiff man you can’t go ahead and levy my things. I ent living hey, ah only stopping hey. Then he start moving out de things from de house, and I turn and tell he de gentleman only owe $36 and alyuh carrying away all de things.

“Sir, the things they had already was more than $36,” she explained to Mr Chung. “Dey was taking away more than de money.He then go in a room and was carrying away some wares belonging to me. And I tell he is not de gentleman own, is me own, and I don’t owe them; but they won’t hear me.”

“Ah tell dem I don’t know anything bout rent,” Hyacinth added finally.

“Is anything known about her?” Mr Chung enquired casually, though it was he who had fined Hyacinth just a week before, and it was doubtful whether he could forget such a frame as hers.

MORE A COMMAND “Yes, sir, she has a list,” replied the prosecutor as he passed up the record and Mr Chung perused it.

“Fifteen dollars,” he announced without commenting on Hyacinth’s list of convictions.

“Time to pay!” and it was more in the nature of a command than a request.

Mr Chung, however, ignored Hyacinth’s tone and allowed her a month’s respite.

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

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

VII

21 years ago…

Highway robbery victim is cinema magnate Anand Persaud - two convicted robbers lose appeal, each sentenced to 10 years in jail

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By George Barclay

INEMA magnate Anand Persaud was going to Gaudeloupe in 1994, and was on his way to the Timehri Airport when armed highway robbers Christopher Goudge and Kenrick Benn attacked and robbed him of millions of dollars in foreign currency and jewellery.

Persaud, who now owns a television station, was able to identify the robbers; who led an alibi defence at their trial and alleged that they were elsewhere at the time the crime was committed.

The mixed jury, however, rejected the alibi defence, accepted the story as told by Persaud, and returned a verdict of guilty of robbery under arms in relation to both accused.

Justice Claudette Singh, the trial judge at the time, then sentenced each accused to 10 years’ imprisonment, making a grand total of 20 years in jail for the two convicts.

The prisoners appealed their convictions and sentences; but the Guyana Court of Appeal, constituted by then Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr Cecil Kennard, and Justices of Appeal Mr Lennox Perry and Mr Prem Persaud, dismissed the appeals and affirmed the convictions and sentences.

At the jury trial, the accused were represented by Mr Mortimer Coddett, while Attorney-at-Law Mr Arif Bulkan, of the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), prosecuted.

At close of the prosecution’s case, defence counsel submitted that the State had failed to make out a case against the accused, and urged the judge to free the accused at that stage, rather than calling on them for a defence. But after legal arguments from both sides, Justice Claudette Singh, who later became Justice of Appeal, overruled the no-case submissions and directed that the case be decided by the jury.

The first prosecution witness called was the virtual complainant, Mr Anand Persaud. He recalled that on May 9, 1994 at about 10:15am, he was in a taxi proceeding to Timehri Airport, en route to attend a Rotary meeting in Guadeloupe.

He had an airline ticket and Guyana passport in his possession. He said: “I had a gold ring on my right hand which had a 37 point diamond inset. I had a gold band with the name ‘Anand’ inscribed on the band on my right hand. There were 29 diamonds inset on the band. I was wearing three gold chains with three pendants. I had my wallet in my left side pocket containing $3,000 Guyana dollars. I had a brief case containing US$9,865 (and)

travellers cheque amounting to US$240,000. The brief case was on the front seat of the car on the left side. I was sitting about the middle of the back seat.

“The gold chain with pendant was valued (at) about Gy$450,000; (the) band and ring (at) about Gy$445,000. When we were by the gas station at Soesdyke, I heard as if the tyre was punctured. I spoke to the driver, (and) as a result, the driver subsequently pulled over and stopped approximately 20 yards to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

“After the car stopped, both of us came out and opened the trunk. The driver and I were the only persons in the car. He took out the spare wheel. I observed that it was

Cinema magnate Anand Persaud was robbed in 1994

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr Cecil Kennard

soft. The driver left and walked towards the gas station. I closed the trunk. I was standing outside of the car, alone, looking at the traffic.

“I saw a maroon-red motor bike turn off the highway.

There were two persons (on it). The motor bike then travelled on the west carriageway of the public road.

As the two persons came closer, the bike went about 15 feet after passing the car. The men were looking at me, and I at them. Then they turned around and they were travelling south to the eastern carriageway. I was still standing outside of the car. The rider asked me if I needed help. I said ‘No’. They rode off south and made a left turn onto the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. I had seen both of them before that day.

I had seen the rider around Strand Cinema and around Charlotte Street.

“Shortly after the accused rode off, I went back into the car. I was in the back seat. I closed the door, (leaned

George Barclay

over to the front and) started the engine and turned on the air conditioner. While I was there, I saw the same two men -- about five to seven minutes after -- turn right off the highway, turn right on the eastern carriageway proceeding north. The motor bike stopped on the eastern side of the eastern carriageway. They stopped by the middle of the car on the eastern side.

“Number 2 accused came off the motor bike and opened the left front door of the car, pushed his body inside and said, ‘This is a hold up!’

Witness Persaud added, “I fired a cuff at him. He came out of the vehicle and pulled a gun from his waist and took out a magazine from his left pants pocket. He inserted the magazine into the gun, cranked it, came back with it and pushed his body in the vehicle, put the gun to my stomach and said, ‘You f%@&g dead!’

“He pressed his gun (to my stomach) and said, ‘Lay down! Lay down!’ Witness added, “I lie down face up.

Then I saw the right front door of the car open. The Number 1 accused came into the car. He was facing me, and (he) placed a gun to my head. The No. 1 accused then pulled off my band marked ‘Anand’, pulled off my ring, told me to take out my wallet from my left front pocket.

“I took it out and handed it to him. I gave it to him because he still had the gun pointing at my head.

Justice Claudette Singh “While the No. 1 was was the trial judge doing this, the No. 2 acduring the cused removed the three 1994 court case gold chains with the pendants. He pulled them off.

The No. 1 accused told the No.2 to get the briefcase and the passport and ‘leh we go’.

“They then left the vehicle, replaced their respective guns at their waists. The No. 2 accused placed the briefcase in front of him on his belly and rode off towards Georgetown”, witness said.

Witness explained how he had gone to a city hospital two days later where he identified the accused, who was a patient at the hospital.

Witness had testified that, around the middle of December that same year, he identified the No. 2 accused in a minibus.

On the strength of the testimony of Anand Persaud, both accused were convicted by the jury and sentenced by the judge to a total of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Their appeals to the Guyana Court of Appeal were unsuccessful.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

GUYANESE ARE HIGHEST CONSUMERS OF PURE … study spearheaded ALCOHOL by PAHO

By Tajeram Mohabir in Grenada

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UYANESE aged 15 and older are the most prolific drinkers of pure alcohol in the world.

According to a new study titled’“Heavy drinking and violent behaviour in youths in Guyana’, on average, Guyanese consume some 8 litres of pure alcohol in

2010 compared to the global figure of 6.2 litres.

The study spearheaded by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) was presented at the opening of the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 60th Health and Research Conference at the BK Taylor Hall, St George’s University Campus, Grenada on Thursday last.

It found that about 15 per cent of male drinkers (10 per cent of the population aged 15 plus) engaged in heavy episodic drinking, that is, they con-

also indicates rampant bullyism in schools

sumed at least 60g of pure alcohol at least once per month.

The findings compiled under the supervision of PAHO representative to Guyana Dr Williams AduKrow was presented by Prithi Singh, an official of the local United Nations (UN) office.

Singh’s presentation to the gathering of eminent scientists and public health officials of the region and further afield indicates that not all risks to health comes from disease since in the case of young people, a large number comes from unintentional injuries and violence.

The World Health Organisation (WH0) and other health organisations have been at the forefront advocating for policies that address the relationship between alcohol use and violence.

The Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was done in light of scarcity of statistics on the consumption of alcohol in youths and violent behaviour.

FOCUS Singh reported that focus was placed on 13-15 year olds and some 2392 students participated.

The 2010 GSHS measured alcohol use; dietary behaviours; hygiene; mental health; physical activity; protective factors; sexual behaviours; tobacco use; and violence and unintentional injury. ► Continued on page IX

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015 ► From page VIII It found that 44 per cent of boys and 34 per cent of girls drink alcohol more than once per month; 80 per cent of boys and 77 per cent of girls drank alcohol before they were 14; and some 34 per cent of boys and 24 per cent of girls drink alcohol excessively.

The findings also revealed that 51 per cent boys and 25 per cent girls were in physical fights one or more times; 41 per cent boys and 33 per cent girls were injured one or more times; and 40 per cent boys and 36 per cent girls were bullied one of more times.

From the data presented, there is a high prevalence of violence in girls. This was reflected by 33 per cent having been physically attacked in a 12-month period, 36 per cent bullied, and 25 per cent involved in physical fights. This data, PAHO said indicates that bullying is a serious problem among adolescents in schools.

A two-stage cluster sample design was used to produce data representative of all students in Forms 2, 3, 4, and “other” in Guyana.

Explaining the process, Singh said in the first stage, schools were selected with probability proportional to enrollment size, while in the second, classes were randomly selected and all students in selected classes were eligible to participate.

Data was collected from the use of self-completed questionnaires.

Singh told the Health Conference that based on the data collected, in-school adolescents differ from their counterparts out of school and pointed out that the results may not be applicable to all adolescents in Guyana.

EARLY DRINKERS “Young people who begin to drink in early teens are more likely to become dependent on alcohol within 10 years as compared to those who begin to drink in late teens and early 20s,” she said.

IX

Singh also noted that intentional injuries resulting from violence are another public health problem that account for high loss of life and disability among young people in the region with a great proportion from effects of drinking.

A high number of accidents in Guyana is caused by drunk driving, many of which result in deaths.

Alcohol abuse is also a main cause of verbal abuse and domestic violence.

Locally, there is no written policy adopted or revised pertaining to the fight against alcoholism. The industry is also a handsome contributor to the local Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

There is also no legally binding regulation on alcohol advertising and product placement, as well as no legal regulations on alcohol sponsorship sales.

And while a national legal minimum age limit for purchase of alcohol exists, it is not rigorously enforced.

Singh also noted that key data on violence as a result of alcoholism is lacking and while efforts are being made to tackle the scourge, it is not always informed by data.

She said the way forward is to strengthen data collection so as to reveal the true extent of the problem.

Tackling heavy drinking and violent behaviour also require building capacity for violence prevention, the development of a comprehensive and data-driven national action plan, and the integration of violence prevention into other health platforms.

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Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART DDS.

HERE is the concept of socialisation, which is the term given to the process whereby we learn the values and norms of a group or society.

It is an ongoing and gradual process which continues throughout life. By the age of three years, for example, children know many of the basic norms and conventions practiced, in their culture, such as the ‘correct’ toys for boys and girls and the occupations that adult males and females typically enter.

Children are very adept at picking up norms and rules which make health care in general and oral care in particular, an important aspect at this stage in everyone’s life.

The process of transmitting general cultural information, including ideas about health, is termed primary socialisation.

MacEntee et al. (2011) suggest from their study of 521 people aged 70 years and over that the oral health and related behaviours established early in life are crucial.

An interesting oral health example was provided by King (2012), who interviewed a group of mothers with young babies to establish the degree of comparison between mothers’ and children’s sugar intake.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Age and Oral Health

This researched discovered that mothers who consumed excess sugary foods had the bad habit reflected in their infant off springs. For example, mothers had a habit of sampling their babies’ feed before giving it to them.

If the mother has a so called “sweet tooth”, they would tend to sweeten the child’s milk to suit their (mothers) own taste. So, the experiment showed babies with a high sugar consumption also had mothers with a high sugar consumption.

These early childhood habits, once learnt, would have a longer term impact upon the permanent dentition and possibly lead to obesity. The outcome of the parent acting as a role model for the child has also been demonstrated in adolescence.

There is a proven association between parent and offspring oral health behaviours, such as tooth brushing and the drinking of sugar-free mineral water.

Children should be the number one priority in the development of dental services, so that the dental health of future adults can be safeguarded.

There is also the relationship between age and oral health, where older people often present particular oral health problems. Those who have always attended the dentist regularly will probably continue to do so and retain some or all of their teeth.

One study investigated the oral health-related quality of life reported less dental pain or discomfort, fewer eating problems and less were positively related to use of dental services.

Researchers Slade and Spencer (2013) investigated

the social impact of oral conditions in 1217 older people. It was found that older age was associated with significantly greater amounts of impact, with edentulous males reporting higher impact scores than edentulous females. About 10% of this sample reported problems with chewing food and avoidance of certain foods fairly or very often. These impacts reflect a lifetime of disease experience.

Levels of dental anxiety may also vary by age. The Corah Dental Anxiety Scale was administered to a sample of 580 people aged between 50 and 89 years of which were classified as anxious/fearful.

Older individuals had lower scores than the younger, meaning that they were more willing to be treated, although when an older dentally anxious person scored high they were less likely to have a source of regular dental care, less likely to have avoided or delayed dental treatment.

Members of the primary dental care team should recognise that the general quality of life is clearly linked to oral health in older people. The dental condition may contribute to nutritional intake.

Systemic diseases and the medications taken to treat them will also often have sensory function. It has been proposed that organisations of oral origin development of alliances between primary and oral medical care teams, to ensure that any general health assessment of an older person included an oral component, and that oral conditions, once identified, are treated.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Maximising the use of Rainwater Harvesting during the rainy season

There are two marked rainy seasons during the year in Guyana - a long rainy season from April to August and a short rainy season from November to January.

However, due to the change and variability in climate, weather patterns are becoming unpredictable, not just in Guyana but across the region and around the world.

The May -June period is known for frequent and most times intense rainfall in Guyana. This can result in inundation because of too much water on the land with little drainage capacity in some areas. The rainy season can be frustrating since outdoor activities often times have to be cancelled due

to bad weather leaving us trapped indoors.

This week’s article points to how the current rainy season which is upon us can directly be of benefit to us and not just farmers and our aquatic friends.

Rainwater harvesting refers to the gathering and storage of rainwater running off from surfaces such as roofs or which has falls directly into a storage container, e.g., barrel.

Many techniques can be applied to harvest rainwater whether in households or industries. Techniques can range from simple to complex depending on the desire and intended use and amount. The most widely used technique is roof rainwater harvesting, this allows users to capture and store a high volume of water compared to the open air method.

Rainwater is second only to distilled water in terms of its purity. However, a number of factors can affect the quality once collected and stored.

These factors range from the roofing and storage materials used, birds, lizards and other animals which might come into contact with the harvesting system, and most importantly sanitary practice by harvesters themselves. Once done properly and carefully following best practice methods, benefits can be maximized.

The rainwater can be used for both potable and non-potable uses depending on the quality and the user’s desire. If you are skeptical or think that the rainwater might not be safe for consumption, it can be stored and used for washing concrete, cars, watering gardens, washing dishes, flushing toilets, showers and for washing clothing.

It can also be used for drinking and cooking since, accord-

ing to the Global Water Partner – Caribbean 2009, several of the more arid islands in the Caribbean such as Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands, still practiced rainwater harvesting in spite of access to the municipal potable supply.

Residents on these islands still favour rainwater in meeting their drinking and cooking needs. Rainwater harvesting can reduce the demands on traditional ground and surface sources especially tap water and save you big on water bills.

It also offers environmental benefits since during the rainy season, collecting rainwater can help to reduce floods in some

XI

low lying areas. Apart from this, it also helps in reducing soil erosion and contamination of surface water with pesticides and fertilizers from rainwater run-off which results in cleaner lakes and ponds.

Harvesting the sky’s water is free and helps conserve scarce water resources, so next time there’s a downpour ensure you catch some of these benefits.

Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

GEPAOA celebrates

XII

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

48ofYEARS existence … Prominent Guyanese scholar hails efforts

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada:- Certified Faculty Member of the University of Phoenix, USA, Guyanese Dr Aubrey Bentham has exalted the efforts of the Guyana Ex-police Association of America (GEPAOA) on the attainment of its 49th anniversary.

Delivering the feature address at the association’s annual dinner and dance, held recently at Antun’s Banquet Center in Queens, New York, the

Guyanese academic highlighted the role played by members of the then British Guiana Police Force and subsequent Guyana Police Force in the moulding of the South American nation.

Dr Bentham, who disclosed that he was the last son from a proud police family, opined that during those days, policing was a profession and not just a job and the main objective was to protect your towns and villages. He also recalled that in 1962, the British Mirror described the then British Guiana Police Force as the best manned in the Caribbean and 10 years later as

Newly-elected President of the Guyana Ex-police Association of America Leroy Charles (right) presents the Presidential Award to outgoing President, Leon Gibbons

among the 10 best in the hemisphere.

Dr Bentham praised members of the police force for establishing a strong social ties, citing among other things that they had the best cricket and track and field teams and the best male voice choir in the world.

While praising the sterling contributions of members of GEPAOA, Dr Bentham urged them to “never forget our dear land of Guyana.”

Apart from his attachment at the University of Phoenix, Dr Bentham was also a senior County ► Continued on page XIII

Long-standing member Mona Griffith collects her award from the president.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

XIII

GEPAOA celebrates

Another awardee Lambert Watts collects his plaque

Member Carol Moore receives her award (Frederick Halley photos)

Government Manager with 26 years of public service and a recipient of a National County Award. During his tenure with government, he was a founder-member of the County’s first Diversity Committee and received a County Executive commendation for participation on the Black History Task Force. He has held several elected positions in the County’s African American Employees Association, including president, first vice-president, corresponding secretary and executive member of the board of directors.

Dr Bentham has been instructing at the University of Phoenix for the past 15 years in course disciplines such as Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Politics, Communications and Management.

The eminent Guyanese scholar received his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Florida; a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Bowie State University, Maryland; a Graduate Diploma in Policy Science from the University of Maryland and a Doctorate in Education and Sociology from Morgan State University.

Newly-elected president of GEPAOA, Leroy Charles also addressed the audience, which included members from sister organisations, urging those present about a famous Dr Martin Luther King quote, “we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools.”

According to Charles, he was deeply moved and honoured to be elevated to the position of presidency and thanked the members “for the confidence you have placed in me…”

“I am consciously aware of the task ahead and I promise to provide the leadership expected of me to the best of my abilities and to work in close cooperation with the membership as a whole. We have come a long way since our founding members formed our association 48 years ago and it is necessary that we continue to uphold our motto to work together in brotherhood and unity as we move forward in the future, “ Charles lamented.

Charles pointed out that “we cannot rest on our laurels, since we are living in an independent and rapidly changing world, a world in which information and communication technologies are constantly evolving and creating new environments, new standards, new kinds of interaction, new behaviours and new forms of competition, all of which affect non-profit organisations such as ours. It is one of my goals to react in a positive way to these changes.”

Charles replaced Leon Gibbons who served as president for almost five years and is now in the capacity of treasurer. The former president received the presidential award.

The association also used the opportunity to present awards to several of its members. Among those honoured were Oswald Gordon, Mona Griffith, Cecil Rawlins Sr, Lambert Watts, Carol Moore, Cecil Williams and James Stewart.

► Continued on page XII

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

WIRELESS CHARGING

W

- QUICK AS WELL AS CONVENIENT

ireless charging has always felt pretty futuristic, but now it's about to get fast too. The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) has announced a forthcoming update to the Qi standard that will allow it to deliver up to 15 watts of power to smartphones without using cables. Several manufacturers already offer wired fast charging for their devices, providing as much as 60 percent charge in as little as 30 minutes. The latest Qi specification empowers them to extend this speed to wireless charging as well.

There's no word on when compatible devices will hit

the market, but the Qi standard is currently supported by the likes of Samsung and LG: keep an eye on these manufacturers for your future fast charging needs.

SAMSUNG TRANSPARENT TRUCKS - A life-saving change Making use of its abundance of outdoor displays, the Korean company has stitched together a video wall of four displays at the rear of the truck, which transmits video captured by a wireless camera at the front.

Samsung says it's now working to obtain regulatory approval for the deployment of its so-called Safety Truck.

However, the idea doesn't appear economically practical at large scale. The camera might be cheap and simple enough to install, but four displays per truck would be a major investment for any transport company to make, especially since it wouldn't lead to any direct financial benefit. Still, it's impressive that Samsung has managed to overcome the technical challenges (like solar glare) of realising this otherwise laudable idea.

A more realistic solution to improving information while driving will be provided by Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication (V2V) systems, which are expected to arrive in US cars next year.

This is a form of networked intelligence whereby your car transmits data about its position, direction, and speed, and receives the same about cars around it.

It can thus issue alerts about unsafe driving by others or notify of any collisions ahead even before any other drivers have had the time to react. In that way, V2V does even more than just give you vision the way Samsung's Safety Truck would, though making big trucks transparent is undoubtedly a much cooler application of technology.

iOS 9 will delete Apps to make room for System updates The iOS 9 beta 2 sports a new feature that temporarily deletes apps from devices with limited space to make room for system updates.

Users of smaller capacity 8GB and 16GB iPhones reported issues of finding space to install the 4.3 GB heft of previous update iOS 8.

This feature may reduce those frustrations for users when they upgrade to the relatively smaller 1.3 GB iOS 9 update.

Apple shared new details on iOS 9 during its WWDC keynote earlier this month. The next update to the operating system powering the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices will extend battery

life, increase general performance, enhance security, improve the user interface and much more. iOS 9's biggest focus is on intelligence and proactivity, allowing iOS devices to learn user habits and act on that information, opening up apps before we need them, making recommendations on places we might like, and guiding us through our daily lives to make sure we're where we need to be at the right time.

Siri is at the heart of the changes, and the personal assistant is now able to create contextual reminders and search through photos and videos in new ways. Swiping left from the home screen also brings up a new screen that houses "Siri Suggestions," putting favourite contacts and apps right at your fingertips, along with nearby restaurant and location information and important news.

SONY MEETS MICROSOFT IN GAME CONSOLE MUSCLE MATCH Beefed up and slimmed down, the new 1TB PlayStation 4 Ultimate Player Edition (UPE) is scheduled to arrive soon, very soon! Along with doubling the storage capacity

of the original PlayStation 4, the Ultimate Player Edition of the console is about 10 percent lighter and consumes about 8 percent less power.

The lighter, roomier PlayStation 4 UPE, with its sleeker chassis, serves as Sony's answer to the 1TB edition of Microsoft's 2015 model year Xbox console, which rolled out earlier this month. With the launch of the 1TB version of its latest console, Microsoft slashed the MSRP of the original Xbox One to US$349.

It's always nice to see refined versions of consoles, with minor improvements and sleeker form factors. The purchase of either console, however, will be based on price, content, brand loyalty, user experience and functionality.

The important thing is that the functionality is proven to work for gamers and developers, so there is no need to change other aspects right now," he pointed out. "The memory is enough. It is keeping the console fresh and cutting-edge.�

The 1TB console willlikely become the standard size within a year -- so don't be surprised if we see a 2TB one this time next year!

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

XV

Pakistan morgues run out of space - as heat wave kills more than 1,000

by Syed Raza Hassan, for Reuters THE worst heat wave to hit Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi for nearly 35 years has killed more than 1,000 people, a charity said on Thursday last, as morgues ran out of space and residents rushed to supply over-stretched public hospitals.

Tents offering iced water

and rehydration salts have mushroomed on street corners, run by rival political parties and the military. Residents in one neighbourhood hacked into a main water pipe and then danced delightedly in the spray.

The heat wave in the Pakistani city of 20 million people coincided with severe electricity cuts, leaving many without fans, water or light, and the beginning of the holy

A man pours water on his head to cool off from the heat in Karachi, Pakistan, June 25, 2015. (Reuters/ Akhtar Soomro photo)

month of Ramadan, when many Muslims do not eat or drink during daylight hours.

Some shops have refused to sell ice or water during the day, citing religious laws that mean they can be fined. It is also illegal to eat or drink in public from dawn to dusk.

Temperatures shot up to 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) last weekend, the hottest since 1981, although they dipped to 38C (100F) on Thursday last. Forecasters have been predicting rain for days, but there has been no significant fall.

An influx of dead means body bags have stacked up on the floor of the morgues, said Anwar Kazmi, a senior official of the charitable organisation the Edhi Foundation.

"The refrigeration unit was not working properly because there were too many bodies," he said.

Kazmi said more than 1,000 people had died of heat-related causes so far.

The provincial government had done little except try to blame others, he said.

"We pay tributes to the doctors and staff of the government hospitals who are working tirelessly treating an endless number of patients," he said.

Hospitals called in student

doctors to work extra shifts and appealed for basic items like sheets and stretchers.

Decades of chronic neglect by successive civilian governments or military regimes have gutted social services like health and education.

Many public hospitals said citizens dropped off carloads of iced water and other

supplies. The number of patients was slowly declining as the temperature goes down, doctors said.

Jinnah hospital had an overwhelming response to its appeal for cold water and stretchers, said Dr. Tasneem Butt, and a charity had arranged for rented air conditioners. As she spoke, her

Labourers build mass graves to bury victims of the intense heat wave in Karachi, Pakistan, June 25, 2015.

(Reuters/ Athar Hussain photo)

phone rang with a call from another donor.

Behind her a motorized rickshaw pulled up, a young woman inside shouting for help her as her father slumped out into the arms of volunteers.

(Additional reporting by Katharine Houreld; Editing

by Nick Macfie)

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

PRINCESS STAR COMPETITION rakes in surprising

untapped t vocal talen -contestants continue to laud NAMILCO’s support to the event

N

By Alex Wayne

o one ever expected for a second that the 2015 Princess Karaoke Star Vocal Competition would have raked in the abundance of top class untapped vocal talent like it did when the event commenced

“We am very disappointed with the lack of interest corporate Guyana has shown towards promoting this event and at the moment we are still awaiting responses from some entities although our proposals’ were sent to them over a month ago. This goes to show that most of our Guyanese businesses still continue to execute ‘entertainment suicide’ by refusing to give much support to meaningful entertainment initiatives that involves local talent, and continue to plug huge sums into less positive events the minute foreign artistes are involved” Meanwhile many contestants are highly appreciative and continue to applaud the efforts of the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (NAMILCO) who at the initial auditions surprised several contenders with hefty food hampers containing all the products they manu-

facture. The promoters are hoping that unlike other entities NAMILCO will continue its support to the initiative as the competition progresses.

The competition which runs until August 22, 2015 will see the eventual winner receiving a substantial cash sum, a trophy, bragging rights, spa treatment, a paid weekend to a top resort, a recording deal, commercial exposure and the chance to represent Guyana at the international leg of the competition in Trinidad The venue came alive last Saturday evening as thirty very talented amateur singers battled for supremacy and a chance to represent Guyana vocally in Trinidad. A second and third place winner will also receive trophies and other consolation prizes.

To date the Trophy Stall (Bourda Georgetown) has been highly recommended by promoters since it will provide the three trophies for the

dy T’ was a sizzling Ruff Kut Studio’s ‘La competition guest performer at the on June 20 last.

This of course is the general consensus of the panel of distinguished judges and the promoters.

The contest which was specifically designed for only amateur singers has attracted singers from Berbice, Victoria, Georgetown, Linden and Bartica and those concerned are quite shocked that such caliber of vocal talent was not extracted by other similar competitions.

Coordinators of the event expressed great disappointment that corporate Guyana has not given the expected support to the initiative, explaining that it’s high time our corporate entities stop running after foreign talent and artistes and start promoting our very own.

The judges that will determine the fate of contestants

► Continued on page XVII

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Lashaun Charles

DJ Mongo Slade

XVII

Lisa Walcott

PRINCESS STAR Oquela Jones

Sylene Griffith

COMPETITION ► From page XVI

top three winners. Promoters have extended their gratitude to Trophy Stall’s management for donating trophies for their recently hosted Interregional Karaoke Contest which was hosted at the Brick Magnet Night Club (Georgetown) and was won by Marriot’s Hotel’s Oquela Jones who is also a main attraction in the Princess Star competition.

The clock is ticking…

At the first round of the competition which kicked off inside Club Next (Princess International Hotel) on June 27 last, most of the twenty five participating singers showcased high class performances while a few brought ‘lack-lustre entries’ that did not find favour with the judges.

At the June 27 round it was quite evident that the competition was among Georgetown’s Lashaun Charles, Iodele Gilbert, ‘Queen Maria’ and Michael Spencer of Victoria.

Charles turned up the heat to screeching degrees with her performance with matching props and creativity that took the panel of judges to Chronicle’s own Alex Wayne is the MC of the event

► Continued on page XVIII

XVIII

► From page XVII their feet. ‘Queen Maria’ dropped a bombshell as she belted out her selection adding saucy moves, superb vocals and a certain sultry sizzle that had judges and audience whopping in delight.

Miss Gilbert who was the last contender brought the curtains down with resounding applause as she sang Etta James ‘I’d rather go Bling’ with such provocative showmanship that all around there were murmurs

that hers’ was a perfect finish to the night’s proceedings.

Mr Spencer made a grand entrance but those in attendance all agreed that his entry was not one of his best performances. He has however, vowed to demolish the competition as the event progresses.

While the talented fourteen member hip-hop group ‘Young Dillaz’ made it to the first round most of them feel apart miserably forgetting their

lyrics and presenting ‘frozen performances’ that disappointed their fans.

Only two of them made it through to the second round of the contest.

The Dark Horses…

The favourites to win this com petition may be riding high waves of ecstatic glee but the judges are continuously warning that they should look out for dark horses in the event who have already show great signs of

eventually taking the bull by the horns.

Oquela Jones continues to get better week after week and as they judges have indicated, ‘anything can happen where this lad is concerned’. That aside Marriot’s Hotel Lisa Walcott is rapidly showing her intention to upturn the field as she moved this week from number fifteen at the audition to rake in a spot amongst the top then.

Bartician Dameon Apple has also show great improvement and his colleague Sylene Griffith have also turned the table last week moving from number sixteen to number seven in the competition.

But that’s not all folks… Seasoned karaoke stalwarts, Junior Corbin, Sandra King, ‘DJ Mongo Slade’ and Sharon Jacobs have all vowed that they will bring out their ‘A’ Game much later in the competition to take the crown from Charles, Gilbert, Spencer and ‘Queen Maria’ who are crowd favourites.

Another great contender is Amanda Khanai who has never entered a vocal contest before but has the potential to upset the field with the right showcase according to the judges.

Up for notable performances also are newcomers Michael Leung and karaoke enthusiast Winifred Mason.

The was the first

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

audition inside ‘Club Next’ (Princess International Hotel) as singers from around Guyana battled fiercely to receive the judges nods to take them to the first leg of the ‘Princess Star Karaoke 2015 Showdown’ which will take place at the same v e n u e o n S a t u r d a y, June 20, 2015.

At last Saturday’s auditions the battle was fierce as each singer fused vocal power with catchy moves to gain the judges attention.

At the end of the event three lucky singers were highly when they realized they had won three hefty hampers containing all the products of the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc, (NAMILCO) It was quite evident that each singer was doing all they can to bring their ‘A’ Game to the stage as they presented for the audience and judges.

The panel consisted of Karaoke Queen ‘DJ Madonna, Ruff Kut Studio’s ‘DJ Cody’, top fashion designer and singer, Jason Shurland, overseas based musician and author Jamall Adams, and certified Guyanese musician, Devon.

Browne Tears were shed as a few were told by the judges, ‘to come again next year ’ after their lack luster performances. But amongst the twenty five who made it to the first round three performers literally took the judges and audience to their feet in

thunderous applause.

Those performers were Lashaun Charles and Junior Corbin of Georgetown, and Michael Spencer of Victoria, East Coast Demerara.

The event has attracted entrances from singer from Linden, Berbice, Bartica, and Georgetown, and the West Demerara district.

The twenty five lucky contestants short listed will face off at the first round of competition inside Princess H o t el ’s ‘ C lu b N e x t ’ on Saturday, June 30.

Admission to this event has been set at $500.

Making it to the first round are Oquela Jones, DJ Mambo, Sandra King, La shaun Charles, Petal Bailey, Crystal Moore, Iodele Gilbert, Petal France, Winifred Mason, Junior Corbin, and Lisa Walcott.

Others that were successful are Michael Spencer, Damion Apple, Silyne Griffith, Oconell Morgan, Brian Gonsalves, Shawn Williams, Kevin Scott, Gino Fullington, Qusa Pollard, runway diva, ‘Maria’, Sharon Martin, Amanda Khanai, Elizabeth Leung, and Sharon Jacobs.

Join us every Sunday for Pepperpot exclusives on the Princess Karaoke Star 2015 Competition.

Make sure you are inside the Princess Hotel’s ‘Club Next each Saturday when the excitement begins at 8:30 pm….. See you there folks…

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

XIX

TRIUMPH VILLAGE alight with radiant smiles despite various challenges

Q

By Alex Wayne

UITE honestly I was always intrigued by this village and of course a little awed by its somewhat serene “yester-year aura” and still present old-world

charm.

This was truly a “countryside haven” with strikingly colourful cottage houses all clustered together, lending a certain refreshing neatness and uniformity to the village.

The chirping of coloured birds filled the air as they darted among the many fruit trees sucking the sweet nectar from blossoming flowers. The whirring

A picturesque section of the village

wings of dragon flies kept a continuous droning in the midday sky as they darted about. Their beauty was further accentuated with the intrusion of feisty little butterflies appearing out of nowhere like frothy little bubbles filling the breezy alcove.

I was definitely taken aback by the lustrous and almost tantalizing ambience of this village and I knew my short visit here was going to be one I will remember for a long time to come.

My dear readers, I was in the impressive village of Triump, located just over six miles from the city of Georgetown.

This large village is inhabited by mostly East Indians, but there is also a sizeable percentage of Afro-Guyanese and a smaller ratio of people of

mixed races residing there, all living in peace and harmony.

The village is flanked by the equally enthralling village of Mon Repos to the east and the slightly larger Beterverwagting to the west.

This village is separated by several small divisions named Doctor Miller Street, National Walk, Suraj Drive, Ogle Street, Republic Drive and a few others.

As some residents dictated, this village has a population of almost 2000, all living comfortably in dreamy little cottage houses and otherwise larger, sophisticated abode.

WHAT REFRESHING CAMARADERIE This village for sure dispels any suggestion of ethnic divisions in our beautiful Guyana.

One would expect that with the village being largely populated by one ethnic group, there will be differences as some may want to rumour. As a matter of fact, this village should always be highlighted as a location where ethnic fusion and harmony are vibrant factors that propel development and jovial relationships among the races there.

The rich camaraderie among residents was certainly refreshing, not to mention the welcoming warmth bestowed on firsttime visitors by jolly residents.

The fresh, crisp “country breeze” seemed to ooze comfort and solace into the inner soul and the merry chatter of the people was like fairyland music to the ears. This was infused by peals of mirthful laughter and the bellowing of cattle, drowning out the pitiful bleating of young lambs for their moms who somersaulted freely alongside grassy dams and roadside trenches. ► Continued on page XX

XX

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

TRIUMPH VILLAGE ► From page XIX ARRIVAL

Thank goodness I did not have to endure the recklessly speeding mini-bus drivers plying the Georgetown/Mahaica route, as my driver to this village was a cheery, starry-eyed fellow who chatted warmly as we made our way to the village.

He even directed me to a popular, elderly resident in the village, whom he said would be more than ready to detail to me the making of the village.

What I did not bargain for was the size of the village and by the time I was finished with my rounds here and there, my shirt was clinging to my body as I was sweating profusely. And the scorching rays of the midday sun were certainly not making my job easier.

Nevertheless, the warmth of the people and the welcome I received had me forgetting my discomfort as I was soon lost in their merry tales and laughter.

I had visited this village once before, but briefly and after my recent detailed exploration I was squarely under the impression that every being and location has an exciting story behind it.

Well I disembarked at a location where the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Office was situated, and noticed the bustle of villagers and outsiders as they trekked in and out of the building

ever did not waste time in expressing his hopes that the new Government in power will heed their lamentations about their very bad roads and execute the necessary repairs to make transport in and out of the location a much easier and more pleasant experience.

“Dis village really nice, an everybody hay ah live like wan big family… In Triumph we nah get no segregation or no conflict with wan anadha…

Everybaddy ah live wid love fuh dem neighbah….

Dis ah wan really nice place bai…,” Ramnarine told the Chronicle in his inimitable and familiar country-side ‘patwa’ dialect.

“Ahwe ah get good wata fuh drink, electricity and although de drainage nah perfect, it reasonably good. Me only problem is dem road hay really bad and ah bruck up dem people vehicle…When de rain fall dem hole ah full up with wata and it ah become real uncomfortable fuh de people wha ah live hay… Me hope dis new Govament gon look into dis plight and mek life easia fuh we,” he continued.

My next stop was at Mr Christopher Alfred, who, with a loud guffaw began fixing his collar and wiping his face as soon as he realised he was the object of media attention.

He too lauded the beauty of the village and the merriment of its people, but noted that while harmony reigned abundantly amongst the residents they are plagued with the problem of really bad roads, even though they were lamenting this plight

The sandy streets twisted and turned like snakes amongst the comfortable cottages and I marveled at how the youths darted in and out of the grocery shops. Even the sheep, cattle and goats seemed to be enjoying at leisure the calm of the location as they munched on grass by the roadside.

Quite fat and healthy looking puppies pranced about without a care and a few of them even ran up to me and sniffed my feet with “doggy curiosity,” before darting off for their ‘animal romping’ in the tall grass or bushes.

THE TRIUMPH OF OLD This village certainly is showing great signs of development and this is quite evident in the number of shops and other businesses that are springing up there.

I would have loved to have gotten informa-

The traditional bicycle is still widely used as a form of transport around the village

Bakewell in Triumph Village provides ready employment for many young villagers tending to their various important business dealings with haste and a certain deep concentration.

This building I soon learnt housed an Education Department, Registry, Accounts and other offices that attended to the needs of residents of Region # 4 and outlying areas.

As I walked about the village, some upon spotting my media identification card, bravely enquired of my reasons for visiting and offered to help me with directions and valid information.

Chatting with 58-year-old Shivpaul Ramnarine further heightened my belief that the village was certainly suited for one desiring some pleasant, ‘countryside solitude’.

While he affirmed that the village was indeed inhabited by wholesomely happy people, he how-

for ages now Declaring that “life is beautiful in Triumph”, Alfred said the village is a very nice place to live with residents living in harmony “like one big family”.

In every nook and cranny, villagers loudly applauded the beauty of the village and the rich camaraderie shared by the inhabitants.

Their blissful tales made me long to relocate and their stories were further heightened by the somewhat soft and cozy ambience that oozed from the location. As I breathed in the fresh air I just felt happy to be there.

My eyes swept across the long line of eye-catching buildings, made more attractive with the array of fruit trees and tropical flower plants that so nicely decorated well swept yards and pathways.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015 Cattle enjoy the lush green of the Triumph pastures

XXI

Residents are calling for an upgraded playfield

Residents lament the state of their roads tion as to how the village got its name, but I was told by many that persons who may have been able to provide that information have already died and have made way for a new and younger generation.

Nonetheless, it seemed that retired headmistress Jean Cadogan, popularly known as ‘Aunty Jeanie’, was the person everyone was sent to, to obtain detailed information on the location.

She was quite a merry and pleasant woman and was ready to share her experiences and knowledge of the location.

HOW TRIUMPH GOT ITS NAME As history dictates, Triumph was one of the villages bought by slaves after the abolition of slavery.

On May 8, 1839, 62 ex-slaves pooled from their savings the princely sum at the time of $52,000 to acquire the estate of Baron Von Gronigen, a Dutch coloniser who held on to his lands during the British occupation of the colony. The

Taking the happy little ones after school

name ‘Beterverwagting’ literally translates as `Better for waiting’ was chosen by the purchasers for these lands.

Three years later, one Lambert Christian acquired the area immediately east of Beterverwagting and sought to confer the name ‘Plaisance Profitt’ on these lands. His wish was frustrated, since the name Plaisance was already assigned to another village a few miles west of these lands. In the circumstances, the name ‘Triumph’ was chosen for the area.

Baron Von Gronigen must have been a benevolent coloniser since the occupants of these two areas of land chose to refer to these holdings as BARON. With the passage of time, that name has crystallised into a generic term and residents of Beterverwagting/Triumph deemed themselves Baronians.

Those early Baronians demonstrated a good sense of planning. Their village was the first coastal one in British Guiana to lay out lots running east to west in order to take advantage of the drainage and irrigation canals which ran north to south.

On August 31, 1857, the proprietors of the district met at the train station and established the first fully elected Village Council.

The village market attracted customers from all parts of the country and was perhaps the busiest place in Guyana on Saturdays. In attendance were itinerant vendors such as ‘Knowledge’ with his erratic pricing system; ‘Brown Betty’ pedalled popsicle carts all the way from Georgetown; newspaper vendors Derek Katchay and Mr. King making home deliveries; and invariably, the walking lexicographer, Prophet Wills. Food vendors such as Amechand (Baccoo-Boy) and Hydar offered ‘aloo ball’ and channa in competition with Gertrude, who boasted the best black pudding and souse in all Guyana.

TRIUMPH TODAY Today, Triumph is a very spectacular village that sports a vast arrangement of lovely houses, shops and other businesses. But in times gone by this impressive location was certainly not what it is today.

Living there as a young girl ‘Aunty Jeanie’ shed light on the makings of the village in the ► Continued on page XXII The Neighbourhood Democratic Office at Triumph

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TRIUMPH VILLAGE ► From page XXI

olden days.

“This is by far one of the most impressive villages on the East Coast of Demerara. Here we live as one big, happy family despite our race or creed.

We harbour or share no negative difference, and we often like to call ourselves the ‘Big Family’.”

“In my days as a young girl growing up, this village was not as developed as it is today. In my childhood days Negroes and East Indians lived as one.

This has always been the custom in this village…

My foreparents were popular for rearing goats here for over a 100 years. And I could remember the days when there were birthday celebrations, neighbours would come and beg for a goat and my grandmother would just give it to them freely regardless of their race.

The yards were not fenced and it was such a pleasant sight to see the children hopping about playing marbles and hop-scotch…I can remember the days when an East Indian man gambled out his entire property and we took him in with his family and he stayed with us for months. Such was the degree of love and harmony amongst neighbours…

“In my time we had no electricity so to get around at nights, some used gas lamps or flambeaus (lamps made with cloth wicks soaked in kerosene, in bottles). To get water we had to gather at two standpipes in the village and often fights broke out when village bullies did not want to wait their turns to fill water. At one time a young man made the mistake to push me out the way and given the fire-ball I was…My fists began flying like crazy,” Aunty Jeanie said.

“In zero time I tore off his shirt, scratched up his entire face and using my bucket, beat him until he

fell in a nearby trench from which his friends had to pull him out,” she related, a grin on her face.

She related that in the olden days they bought fresh meat every day for cooking since meat was plentiful. There were many poultry farmers in the village. Those days, most were employed as farmers

Popular Karaoke Dj, ‘Al Christie’ offers ready entertainment to villagers

and cane-cutters at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) sugar estate, while there were a few fishermen, and vendors. Drainage was not the best of the best, but villagers used forks and shovels to clear drains and small trenches to prevent flooding.

ENTERTAINMENT & EMPLOYMENT Triumph is customarily a quiet village and there is only one disco there, called ‘GenipTree Disco’, where villagers would gather on weekends for reveling and to have their fill of the alcoholic spirits.

That aside, villagers wait for occasional birthdays or for the massive wedding celebrations, where relatives, friends and well-wishers will revel for days to come in wild, festive abandon.

Today villagers are ambitious and try their best to find some sort of gainful employment.

While there seems to be many shopkeepers there, there are a few masons, still a few farmers, while some persons still continue to rear their poultry.

That aside, many are occupied in various positions in the sugar estates along the lower coast of Guyana.

The Bakewell Facility in the village also opens doors for numerous levels of employment for many villagers. Just a few are employed in administrative positions inside the RDC Office.

CONCLUSION Triumph is indeed a true reflection of its name with its mystical fusion of adorable people, pictur► Continued on page XXIV

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Google wants to bring free wifi to the world

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O longer will we have to buy an overpriced coffee to get a rubbish wireless internet connection. Google is reportedly rolling out free wifi in New York (United States) as part of a trial the company hopes will eventually span across the whole of the world.

The internet giant has even gone as far as to set up a company specifically dedicated to the task, called Sidewalk Labs.

How will they do this you ask – through turning 10,000 of New York’s old phone booths into ad-supported ‘Wi-Fi pylons’.

These converted booths are also intended to provide cell-phone charging, free domestic phone calls and a touch screen information hub about the city and transit directions.

According to Bloomberg News, these ‘pylons’ will be rolled out across New York this autumn. (Matt Payton for Metro.co.uk)

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Residents are peeved at outsiders who dump refuse along their road shoulders

One of the many thriving grocery shops in the village

TRIUMPH VILLAGE ► From page XXII esque landscape and frolicking, tumbling animals.

The joys and merry laughter of its inhabitants combined with its exquisite casting of tropical flowers, lush vast pastures and galloping animal kind, make it a “must see location.”

Make sure you put this village on your “trekking calendar” to ensure you obtain and enjoy the ‘Triumph Experience’.

Motorcyclist gingerly maneuvers along one of the disintegrating roads in the village

A tired farmer rides home after a day of toiling in the backlands

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Vet arrested for smuggling heroin inside puppies

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By Carri-Ann Taylor for Metro.co.uk OLICE have arrested a vet for smuggling heroin…by implanting it in puppies.

Andres Lopez Elorz, 33, is accused of being part of a drug trafficking gang that sent liquid heroin between Colombia and the United States.

Elorz was arrested in 2005 during a raid on a clinic he ran in Medellin, Columbia where officers found 3kg of heroin implanted in three puppies.

However he jumped bail and fled to Spain where he got married, had two kids and even continued working as a vet.

The authorities caught up with Elorz, originally from Venuezala in 2013 and he was arrested but later released while the Spanish considered his extradition.

Elorz was arrested again in the northwestern town of Santa Comba, on Saturday last and it is thought he will now be sent to the United States to face criminal proceedings.

Five puppies were used by Colombian drugs traffickers as mules (Picture: AP Photo/DEA)

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Prince of darkness!

'Devil' statue hidden for 1,000 years spotted in cathedral

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By Steve White

T is the devil they didn’t k n o w. F o r 1,000 years a tiny Satan has been hiding high up on the historic Chester Cathedral in England.

Now high-tech flying drones has uncovered the little devil – capturing close-up footage of 'Chester

Imp' for first time since the Cathedral was built.

Drone camera operators filming the building for a history tour found the carving nestled high up in the nave, close to a window.

They have dubbed it ‘The Chester Imp’ by historians.

A spokesman for the cathedral said they knew a sculpture was

there, but footage taken by the flying drones gave them their first close-up of it.

Legend has it that a medieval priest was overseeing the construction of the cathedral and was startled to see Satan staring at him through one of the windows.

The next morning a stonemason was sent up to carve an image of the devil in chains

in an attempt to frighten him from ever returning.

The remote-control drone operators had been given exclusive

‘Hell of a job’: A drone operator spotted the little devil

access to the cathedral and were capturing footage for the city’s new Chester Unlocked history trail when they spotted the pint-sized

demon.

They had been commissioned by social enterprise Big Heritage, which is working with busi-

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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This is why you should never park in a disabled parking space

By Kara O'Neill

A man returned to his car to find it had been completely covered in blue and white sticky notes - with a huge disabled symbol stuck across the driver's door If there was ever a reason not to leave your car in a disabled parking space without an official badge - then this is definitely it.

This man was soon regretting his choice when he returned to his car to find it completely covered in blue and white sticky notes.

Creatively, someone had arranged them into the disabled badge symbol, with a blue background and a white outline of a man sat in a wheelchair.

Amused onlookers immediately whipped out their phones to record the embarrassing incident as the man furiously removed the sticky pieces of paper from his windscreen.

He then attempted to drive off several times before realising his vision was seriously impaired by the hundreds of blue and white notes.

After ripping a number away from his driver's door and front windscreen, the man finally sped off in a hurry, as witnesses are heard laughing loudly at him in the background.

The cringe-worthy footage has clocked up more than 10,000 views on YouTube after it was uploaded on June 24.

It is thought the incident occurred on a street in

Maringa, southern Brazil.

It is not clear whether the man faced repercussions for his choice of parking space from police. (UK Mirror) ‘Awkward’: The man returned to his car to discover it was covered in blue and white Post-It notes

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Ruqayyah Boyer launches first installment of new brand:

‘PROVOTIQUE’

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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By Alex Wayne

EIGNING Miss Guyana International 2014, former Miss Guyana Universe 2012 and the former Miss Guyana World 2013, Ms Ruqayyah Boyer, has recently launched her official brand, named ‘PROVOTIQUE’.

‘PROVOTIQUE’ is an innovative and dynamic trademark that will play host to several small businesses to be introduced in Guyana and the diaspora throughout the upcoming months.

PROVOTIQUE’s first installment was virtually introduced via its official Facebook page as PROVOTIQUE IMAGE & BEAUTY PAGEANT CONSULTANCY, which is the first small entity under the new brand.

Miss Boyer says this first installment for the brand ‘PROVO T I Q U E ’s I M A G E A N D BEAUTY PAGEANT CONSULTANCY’ includes two sections of services. The first is the image consultancy aspect, which would offer professional services and advice to managers, politicians, ► Continued on page XXIX

Ruqayyah Boyer is one unforgettable presence whom Guyana is fortunate to have as a beauty ambassador

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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Ruqayyah Boyer launches first installment ... ► From page XXVIII

Reigning Miss Guyana International 2014, Ruqayyah Boyer

diplomats, working professionals, entertainers, actors, brand ambassadors, models, television personnel; or any individual needing advice, assistance or referral in an effort to aid in developing and improving their public image, and improving their self-confidence.

The second aspect would cater to providing professional advice and services to anyone wishing to compete in a beauty pageant or modelling competition.

In this regard, Ms Boyer is quite the expert; she would have gained much needed experience and would have undergone a series of training for both image development and beauty pageant competitions, having participated in several such while representing Guyana at three of the world’s highest ranking pageants. She has also been a part of the modelling circuit, both locally and internationally, for over five years.

She explained that in addition to the usual consultancy that would be offered, there would be an additional offer of pre-pageant coaching packages available to engage ‘one-onone’ or groups interested in such competitions locally and internationally. Those would be an extra introductory treat.

Boyer expanded that while ‘PROVOTIQUE’ would be introducing a brand of small businesses that cover a cross-section of fields, it is not the end goal for her profes-

sional career.

Additionally, the image and beauty pageant consultancy, while officially launched on June 22, 2015, will commence services on July 1. Interested clients would be attended to on an appointment basis, and can book ahead via email at consultprovotique25@yahoo.com or by calling telephone number 592-691-6274 from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 4pm, and on Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm.

Boyer emphasised that pageantry has played a great role in her public image and her personal growth, and since her last competition in Japan, she has been approached constantly by several individuals locally and internationally for assistance in the field of pageantry and image development.

She believes that image is very important for anyone to be successful in life, and as such, has decided to use her experience and knowledge to help influence and navigate a pathway for others who are seeking such insight. She is certain this would grant them opportunities that weren’t available to her before she had ventured into the beauty pageant and image industry.

She hinted that work is already being undertaken for the second installment of PROVOTIQUE, which is to be launched early in August or September of this year.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

‘Chester Cathedral’: Legend has it a medieval priest saw Satan peering through window

‘Hell-o there’: Cheeky imp has been hidden on Chester Cathedral for 1,000 years

'Devil' statue hidden for 1,000 years ... ► From page XXVI ness group ‘CH1 ChesterBID’ on the project.

Big Heritage managing director Dean Paton said: “The drone cameras were able to get up close to parts of our beautiful 1,000-year-old cathedral that haven’t been seen since it was built, and that’s incredibly exciting not only for us and the team at the cathedral, but, we hope, to the whole of the city.”

Bizarrely, close-up footage of The Chester Imp taken by drone cameras was mysteriously corrupted when the team came to download it.

“The mystery continues it seems!” added Mr Dean.

Woman carrying cocaine in breast implants - arrested at Colombia airport

A Honduran woman carrying 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) of liquid cocaine in her breast implants was arrested at the airport in Colombia's capital Bogota a few days ago, police said.

Paola Deyanira Sabillon, 22, was attempting to travel to Spain when her apparent nervousness aroused suspicion in the security line, airport police colonel Diego Rosero told journalists.

X-rays revealed a recent surgery on Sabillon's breasts and she confessed that an unknown substance had been implanted which she was meant to take to Barcelona, police added.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation showed that the surgery took place at a clandestine clinic in the city of Pereira, in western Colombia.

The implants were removed at a Bogota hospital where Sabillon is also being treated for an infection.

Some 300 tonnes of cocaine are produced per year in Colombia, long a hub for drug production and trafficking. (Reuters)

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Abstinence campaigner Bristol Palin is pregnant Bristol Palin ‘Abstinence advocate’ Bristol Palin has announced she is expecting her second child. (Picture: Todd Williamson/Invision/ AP)

XXXI

BRISTOL Palin, the daughter of high-profile US politician Sarah Palin, has announced on her blog that she is expecting her second child.

Bristol launched a high profile ‘abstinence’ campaign after falling pregnant with her first child when she was 18 - just one month after her mum Sarah was selected as John McCain’s running mate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

And to say the 24-year-old is less than thrilled with the news of her current pregnancy is a bit of an understatement, according to a report in the online ‘Metro.co.uk’ news site.

In her blog she wrote: “Honestly, I’ve been trying my hardest to keep my chin up on this one. At the end of the day there’s nothing I can’t do with God by my side, and I know I am fully capable of handling anything that is put in front of me with dignity and grace.

Life moves on no matter what. So no matter how you feel, you get up, get dressed, show up, and never give up. When life gets tough, there is no other option but to get tougher. I know this has been, and will be, a huge disappointment to my family, to my close friends, and to many of you.”

And to make things worse for Republican America, she called off her wedding to Medal of Honour winner Dakota Meyer a month ago.

Bristol announced her first pregnancy shortly after her mum Sarah was chosen as John McCain’s running mate in the 2008.

Sarah said Bristol and the baby’s father, later revealed to be Levi Johnston, would marry, but the couple eventually broke up.

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Advise in building truer marriages, real homes and stronger citizens

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Dear Wayne and Tamara, have come a long way. A long, long way since I first bumped across the best relationship direction providers out there.

The first step ranged from recognising the marriage I was in was not part of the “better or worse” promise I made, to recovering from childhood abuse.

My ex-husband hates you guys! More steps.

Finding the courage to get a divorce…recovering from the breakup of a special relationship that could never have worked…saying yes to a proposal out of being tired of waiting…and backing out from all of these soon enough to not cause too much damage.

Also, loving my children, not disarming them with their niceness, teaching them to stand up for themselves and telling them that putting up with blatant wrong was never the “nice” thing to do”.

And I found and lived my life to the fullest even when the relationship/marriage I waited for all my life was not happening.

Fast forward to the most beautiful period of my entire life, the kind I would wish for my children. I met this man at a stage where, guided through three direct answers and through the answers you had for others, I knew I was not going to settle for anything but real.

It took nearly eight years from the time I decided to end my terrible marriage. Today, Wayne and Tamara, I am the most content soul. I found him halfway around the world and that, too, online. I refused to follow anybody's rules, any books, but did what felt right and natural.

Coincidentally, he will say to everybody that the highlight of our relationship is that it simply felt natural from the beginning. We simply feel we belong to each other and there has never been any pretense from either of us.

We will soon be married, but it’s not about finding someone to marry. There were many along the way who proposed, but I refused to accept anything but the person who felt like my man.

I did wonder for years why I was ► Continued on page XXXIII

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Advise in building truer marriages ... â–ş From page XXXII unlucky. Putting modesty aside, I have learnt to see that I am told by many I am good-looking, intelligent, with a heart full of empathy, saving souls and lives secretly.

Giving away the little time I had to help strangers even, I am a rather non-judgmental, humanitarian, secular individual and an entrepreneur. I have high standards of morality and never ventured into the casual dating world. Yet, I was single.

I am so glad I didn't settle. He and I are other halves, without each other now we cannot comprehend being with anybody else. We both agree we are in gratitude not only for the patience we had to find each other, but in gratitude that his spouse cheated and that mine was an abuser. For we would not have met each other had this not happened.

Wayne and Tamara, you have touched so many lives, many of whom may never have reached out to you, but you are more than doing your bit in building truer marriages, real homes and stronger citizens. We in turn try and pass your message around, and I am sure a few lives I have touched have opened their eyes from the learning and direction you provide.

To be with him has meant wrapping up a dream business that just started to pay off and leaving the country I was born in.

Yet both of us didn't for a moment hesitate.

Naysayers around us think we are mad. For once I don't see the need to convince anyone. His and my true friends just know that we are right and only asked the right questions.

Thanks, Wayne and Tamara. I owe this life to you. I have been your distant daughter.

Audrey ****

Dear Audrey, Thank you. You give us too much credit and yourself too little, but thank you.

Wayne & Tamara

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ARIES - Monday could be an especially fortunate time for you, particularly if you’ve been working hard and are hoping to see your efforts rewarded. Stay alert - this is the time when opportunities can appear out of the blue. Even so, make the time on Tuesday to read through important documents to avoid mistakes. The presence of Mars in Cancer will stir up home and family affairs, motivating you to get ahead on projects that may have fallen by the wayside.

TAURUS - Good news can make all the difference to your family situation, particularly if you’ve been waiting on a decision or information. It seems you have reason to celebrate! There’s also a powerful focus on communication, encouraging you to be compassionate and forgiving regarding past hurts. This isn’t a time to hold grudges. Reach out and make amends. Even if a misunderstanding wasn’t your fault, making the first move shows maturity. Later, a new gadget could be the perfect time-saving tool.

GEMINI - Monday’s positive transit can coincide with an unexpected encounter that could have soul-mate potential. It’s also possible you’ll be inspired by this person to collaborate on a special project, one that’s deeply meaningful to you. Personal desires are also emphasised and might be the reason you’re tempted to go bargain hunting this week. If you have a yen for an expensive item, you could find it at a reasonable price if you know where to look. The weekend brings the chance of an instant attraction.

CANCER - A dynamic transit could coincide with a windfall, the chance of a new job, or an opportunity that’s too good to pass up. Whatever experience comes your way, you’ll feel all the richer because of it. Get ready as Mars hikes into your sign midweek, giving you additional vitality and courage. Even so, it helps to respect different opinions, as this influence can encourage you to rise to the bait. However, a minor spat can sometimes clear the air, so there’s no need to be overly careful.

LEO - An idea or inspiration could spur you to action, and it might result in a plan that brings you satisfaction and fulfillment. Be sure to listen to your intuition on Monday, as it may be crucial in bringing a special opportunity your way. Meanwhile, it helps to take care of matters close to your heart, particularly if a situation needs a sensitive touch to resolve. A focus on your spiritual sector might urge you to be warm-hearted and friendly and avoid unnecessary arguments.

VIRGO - An intuitive hunch could lead you to just the bargain you’ve been hoping for. Pay attention if you feel you should visit a certain shop or online site or even call a friend. The item you’re pining for could soon be yours. There’s also a lively social scene showing up, particularly from midweek, when friends rally round and invitations become more plentiful. This is the perfect time to network, whether you’re hoping for more business or the perfect romance.

LIBRA - The start of the week has excellent potential and may involve a stroke of good fortune. A meeting could put you in touch with information or opportunities that make quite a difference in your life. Plus, a desire to forge ahead can see you pushing past doubts and fears to achieve a personal goal or career plan. Don’t wait until you’re in the right mood. Go for it and the results should follow. Your original style and taste in clothes could greatly impress someone over the weekend.

SCORPIO - Progress at work could be the result of an upbeat transit that enhances your chance of success. If the offer of a job or contract comes up and it’s something you desire - grab it right away. This is one chance that won’t last long. Later, travel plans could be on the agenda - and you may be drawn to places that have a certain mystique about them. This is also an opportunity to hire a coach or mentor who can help you fulfill your potential.

SAGITTARIUS - Information or fresh perspectives could inspire you to take a new path. Whether this is the result of reading a book or hearing a talk, you may discover new tools with which to shape your destiny. The focus shifts to your zone of shared finances midweek, stirring things up and encouraging you to take action to resolve any money difficulties. Don’t leave things too long, however, as it’s best to tackle them now to enjoy greater peace of mind.

CAPRICORN - There’s the chance of a windfall, small raise, or other money coming your way early in the week. What’s more, it could be unexpected and so a bit of a surprise. It’s also possible that you’ll hear positive news about a loan or other credit. The focus swings to relationships and interactions as Mars moves into Cancer for the next six weeks or so. If you want to make progress in a key relationship, you’ll need to share feelings and not keep them to yourself.

AQUARIUS - Friends seem to be very supportive of you, so much so that the early part of the week could bring a pleasant surprise your way. Perhaps someone will make an offer that you can’t refuse - and that you’re unlikely to receive again. Even so, be on the alert, as surprises can show up out of the blue. Health and lifestyle matters gain in importance, too. A renewed sense of purpose might encourage you to work out daily or be more mindful of your eating habits.

PISCES - Finances get a boost early on. It’s possible you’ll get a windfall or raise out of the blue. A lucrative deal or contract could also show up, and you’ll be eager to accept. There’s more good news, too, as Mars moves into your romance and pleasure sector to enhance your chances of finding that special date. There’s no need to try too hard - the right person will come along when you’re absorbed in activities you enjoy and happily engaged in doing what you love most.

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XXXIX

Urling and Eric Phillips of the Guyana Football Federation Normalisation Committee. Discussions are being held between the Federation and Miss World Guyana Franchise Holder, Natasha Martindale who attended the courtesy call with local Miss World Guyana organiser, Natalya Thomas, and world renowned Guyanese designer, Roger Gary.

Three weeks ago, the Normalization Committee had discussed a social partnership with Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry. The Federation hopes to work with Rafieya Husain and the Miss World Guyana organisation on domestic violence among Youth.

Minister Henry is currently overseas where she is leading Guyana’s Delegation to the Commonwealth’s Education Ministers Conference.

From Left is Local Miss World Guyana organiser, Natalya Thomas, Miss World Guyana 2014, Rafieya Husain, Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Franchise Holder Natasha Martindale, and renowned Guyanese Designer Roger Gary

Miss World Guyana Rafieya Husain pays courtesy call on Education Minister

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EIGNING Miss World Guyana 2014, Rafieya Husain paid a courtesy call last Friday on Minister of Education, Youth, Culture & Sport, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.

Rayiefa placed Guyana on the World Map by placing in the Top 10 in the 64th Annual Miss World held in London which was contested by women from 121 countries. She was also crowned Continental Queen of the Caribbean.

Moreso, Rafieya further excelled in the Beauty with a Purpose section — the heart of Miss World — where contestants were asked to present a charitable project they have been working on in their homeland. In this section, the judges gave equal first place to Misses Brazil, Guyana, India, Indonesia and Kenya, after being unable to separate them.

Rafieya’s presentation focused on ‘Domestic Violence’ among Youth in Guyana.

Rafieya is here in Guyana where she played a major role in last Friday night’s gala and crowning of Miss World Guyana 2015 at the Marriott Hotel.

Also attending the courtesy call were Clinton

Here comes the bride, all dressed in...

toilet paper?

Designer Donna Pope Vincler (center - L) reacts after her creation ‘Top Hat, TP and Tails’ won the 11th annual toilet paper wedding dress contest in New York on June 17, 2015. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid photo)

A model walks the runway wearing ‘Garden Party’ a design by Carol Touchstone during the 11th annual toilet paper wedding dress contest at Kleinfled’s Bridal Boutique in New York on June 17, 2015. (Reuters/ Brendan McDermid photo)

Models prepare for the annual toilet paper wedding dress contest (Reuters photo) THE wedding dresses have it all -- long trains, full layered skirts, floral appliqués, ruffles and sparkling bodices. Their detailing is the kind you see on designer gowns made of silk and lace. But they're not.

They're all made out of toilet paper.

The gowns were showcased at the finale of the annual Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress

Contest in New York on Wednesday last. Ten designers vying for a US$10,000 prize painstakingly putting them together from the most basic materials.

The rules were simple, contest co-creator Laura Gawne told Reuters. "They have to use Charmin toilet paper, any kind of tape, any kind of glue and they can use needle and thread," she said.

"No closures, no Velcro, nothing. No attachment of fabric, nothing," said her co-creator, Susan Bain.

The sisters Bain and Gawne began the competi-

tion to promote their wedding site. The contest, now in its 11th edition, is held in conjunction with toilet paper brand Charmin.

This year, it was held at bridal store Kleinfeld, which will turn the winning dress into a ready-to-wear gown.

Before the show began, designers applied the final touches as models held onto toilet rolls needed for the add-ons.

"We have 4,585 petals that were all hand-cut and traced," Carol Touchstone, who came in third place, said of her floral dress. "We used

tape, glue and Charmin."

The winner was a tuxedo-style halterneck dress with a removable jacket, accessorized with a top hat and bow tie, by Donna Pope Vincler.

She said it took her about three months, 22 rolls and lots of tape and glue to make.

"It's amazing how strong glue and toilet paper can be. After I made it I was hitting on it like a drum ... it's very sturdy," she said.

"I don't even know how many layers (there are)- I just did it until I thought it would stay together."

(Reuters)