Pepperpot 2015 7 12

- Rebranded hotel set for Five-Star status in September

► Page XL

Meet Jasoda Masidas…

‘Life is too short now that things have changed’

► Page XIII

ALBOUYSTOWN

► Page XIX

- a yesteryear community where residents battle with troubles

The mystery of William Shakespeare ► Page VI

Reverend Gideon Cecil

Dr Astell Collins

The Dr Collins remains Science of committed to serving Iridology Guyana ► Page XXVII

► Page VI

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

Local Natural Therapist Liesl Dale Headley

Black Crows Flying A story of trust, murder and an avenging soul

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

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By Maureen Rampertab

he stood at the water’s edge, her torn dress swirling around her legs, a lone figure shrouded in the shadows of dusk. A foreboding silence hung over the beach as the tamed wind lifted gently the dark tresses of hair falling over her face. A pretty face it was, streaked with sand and dry tears.

A young Asian girl in distress.

What happened to her?

The deep haunting look in her eyes told a story of death, no more tears, no more cries from the bruised lips.

Hushed were the wind, water and sand as a tragedy unfolded the night before, a budding rose crushed by brutal hands. No one heard her cries, her pleas on the deserted beach and when they were gone, a young body was left on the sand, helpless and broken.

She turned and walked back to the mangrove trees, no footprints in the sand for late that night, the pain had drifted away with the tide and one last tear trickled from her eye as she took her last breath.

“How did this happen?” she cried, “They were my friends, whom I trusted to take me home.”

Her heart beating no more, the dead eyes shed no more tears as the angels waited, but she was not going, not now. It was not her time, she did not have to die, not that way. Not for someone who revered God and had good values. She was a classical dancer and a teacher, recognised for her

art and as an educator.

It was all wrong, her death.

Just two glasses of fruit punch she had drunk that night at the Indian Cultural show after a dance item on stage. The tiredness she thought had made her feel drowzy but it must have been something else because she had become dazed during the ride home. She did not notice the detour on to the

lonely road to the beach that would be deserted at that hour.

Betrayed by those who masqueraded as friends, sins of their lust.

“Why? Where is my wrong?” was her soundless agonising cries. ► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

III

Black Crows ... ► From page II “Who are those beasts that brutalised my frail body and took my life?”

They were the unholy kind of Satan’s creation.

“You are my God,” she continued to cry to the Heavens, “I believed in you! Where were you when I cried for help?”

The soft sound of angels singing was not the answer she wanted to hear.

The beach was silent, a dead night as the long figure sat with her head bent, no place in the world for her anymore.

“I died,” she moaned, “my mother and father have lost their little girl.”

A fisherman had discovered her body, lying on the sand, early the next morning. She had stood there, unseen in her spiritual form, watching as the police cordoned off the area and canvassed the scene for clues. Word spread and a crowd gathered, shocked and angry that such a horrible thing had happened to a decent, young girl.

She had watched helpless as her father, shocked beyond words had sunk on his knees and broke down crying as he looked at her brutalised body.

He had looked up at the Heavens, his hands clasped, his voice breaking, “Why...why God, why such a death? Why my little girl?”

When the hours had gotten late, last night and she hadn’t yet come home, her phone turned off and her mother experiencing a deep feeling of dread, her father and cousins had begun searching until daylight.

No one could console him, not even her weeping cousins. What to tell the mother who was waiting at home, battling her fears?

Even the Heavens trembled that day, at the mother’s cries, for the child she had brought into this world, a blessing from God. How then did evil interrupted her life?

The Heavens had no answer, the detectives were still investigating and her killers roamed free with their good looks and fast cars.

She raised her head, slowly and stood up looking at the Heavens, a passion born of tears, pain and anger in her voice, “I will not come home, not until I have destroyed those whose hands are stained with my blood, their lust, their sanity, so another innocent one will not suffer.”

She stretched her arms out and from the abyss of death and darkness, she screamed, unleashing fury and agony.

“I call on you, Satan, from the darkness of hell.

My soul belongs to God but it can be yours for the evil power to destroy those you spawned.”

The sky rumbled, the water became restless and the wind howled as she sat under the mangrove tree waiting, the one whose body laid in eternal sleep but whose soul was restless, waiting for an answer to her quest.

She wanted revenge for she could dance no more with broken wings.

A soft light still shone in the sky, but just before

the break of dawn as the high tide rushed across the sand and the wind whistled shrilly, four black crows flying, appeared from the far horizon. She stood up, the deadly fury in her eyes burning, watching as the dark force drew closer and closer and alighted on the mangrove tree.

Her wait was over.

Satan had answered her call to fight evil with evil!

“For each new day now,” she vowed, “stones will bleed.”

Tomorrow was her funeral, tomorrow tears will flow, shocked voices will whisper as prayers and songs eulogized her life. But doom will descend.

They were all there, wearing black, friends who were true and those, the sinners with fake regrets.

She held her mother and father’s hands and her young brother and sister’s, wiping their tears but she could not comfort them for they could not see her or hear her.

The crows were sitting high in the mango tree, waiting for her silent call for she now possessed a deadly force.

Not a dry eye was there from those who were genuinely grieved after the emotional service and as the viewing began, her killers approached her coffin bearing red roses.

“It’s time.” She called her emissaries of the dark world.

The sign of the black crows, their loud cawing and wild, fluttering wings created a frightening scene among the mourners. They were gone as fast as they came, but left in their wake, were fear and shock.

The news spread like wild fire attracting the media, who sensationalised the strange occurrence even more.

The crows were an ominous sign. Something of such nature had never happened. The Pandits and Priests converged at her home and a cynical smile played on her colourless lips as she listened to them. They opinionated that her soul was restless because of her brutal death and the crows were a sign of a dark force that was present.

“What does all this mean?” her crying mother asked the religious leaders.

“It means the killers were present at your daughter’s funeral.”

Her mother gasped in disbelief, “How… how can they have the face to do that, after what they did to her?”

“Maybe because she was close to them.”

The father looked around, alert, “How can we identify them?”

“You may not be

able to, nor the law, but she will.”

“I don’t understand,” the mother said, distressed.

“The dark force is your daughter.”

Mother and father looked at the religious leaders, shocked, “How can she…?”

“She is in deep pain and her fury is like the fires of hell. Now that it’s unleashed, she will stop at nothing to make her killers suffer.”

Both parents looked at each other, helpless in their grief and the mother said, tearfully, her voice quivering, “T-that isn’t our daughter, she is kind and compassionate.”

“Such a death makes the soul angry and restless,” they explained, “the best thing you can do for your daughter is pray for her soul to find peace.”

She was standing at the water’s edge, not looking at the heavens, darkness now her power, when she heard a soft voice call her name, a voice she knew so well. She turned around and saw her mother and father standing on the spot where her body had been found, deep worry etched on their faces.

“If you’re here, dear and you can hear us,” her father said, “please listen.”

“What happened to you, my sweet child,” her mother said, “was the worst thing that can happen to anyone but you’re a good girl, you can’t fight evil with evil.”

“It’s too late, mom,” she said, suppressing for that moment, the fury within her, not wanting to scare them.

Their words were lost in the wind for no one could stop her, not now. They left a little later, their shoulders slumped, their heads bent, broken by grief.”

“It will end soon, mom, dad; and you’ll feel satisfied that your daughter’s death had been avenged,” she said as she watched them leave.

(To be continued…)

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete - A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 1914 – 2014

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OT every church building you enter into is consecrated sanctuary. There are certain criteria governing the consecration of a Catholic church. One of the churches in Guyana meeting those criteria is ‘The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’ also known as the Brickdam Cathedral. In the book, ‘From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 1914 – 2014’, written by Joanne Collins-Gonsalves and published by the Guyana Heritage Society, it is stated that ‘by 1960, the Cathedral… was finally free from debt and was consecrated on the 10th of October of that year’.

There are other reasons leading to the consecration of a Catholic church which will be

unveiled in due course. Also stated in the book, completing the said paragraph (pages 36 & 37) from which the above quote was extracted is another fact, ‘[t]his consecration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was the conclusion of a long journey that began in 1914 when construction on the foundation of the Cathedral started’.

There were other journeys converging on the above mentioned journey. Some of the other journeys were even longer than the above like the centenary of the Cathedral (1914 - 2014), the arrival in May 1835 of Madeiran Immigrants who were mainly Catholic, and the birthing of Catholicism in Guyana which started since the 1770s. There was, however, one journey in the saga of the Cathedral which is not as long as the others and that is the birthing of this book. The research for this book started in 2004 to mark the Cathedral’s 90th anniversary and it was prompted by the late Past President of the Guyana Heritage Society, Mr Rizwan Khan.

The author, Joanne Collins-Gonsalves was mindful to juxtapose all those journeys in order that the lengthy history of the cathedral can be better appreciated logistically and spiritually. The logistical progress of the church is as inspiring as its spiritual progress.

In his Preface to the book, The Most Reverend Francis Deane Alleyne O.S.B., Bishop of Georgetown, Guyana, stated ‘what was celebrated by the faith community within the walls of the Cathedral spilled over into the celebration of life in homes and in the workplace’. This was referred to as ‘living stones’ – the body of people which made up the church of which was built of stone/s (Ferro-concrete).

The book is divided into three sections. Section 3 ‘Images of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’ reproduces pictures of the destruction and reconstruction of the Cathedral and items saved from the 1913 fire. Section 2 ‘Surveys of the Official Documents and Newspaper Reports’ reproduces documents supporting the author’s dissertation. Section 1, ‘History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’ deals with three structures via the first building named ‘Christ Church’, the second building named, ‘Church of the Resurrection’ and the third building named the ‘Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception’.

It is this third structure that is the focus of this book.

Those three sections are well supported with a ‘Chronological History’, a ‘Preface’ by the Bishop of Georgetown, an ‘Introduction’ by Professor Mary Noel Menezes, RSM, a ‘Bibliography’ and numerous photographs.

‘From Ashes to Ferro-Concrete: A History of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 1914 – 2014’ is an integral part of the story of Guyana. The publication of this book by the Guyana Heritage Society is yet another manifestation of what can be achieved when people work together towards a good cause.

The cause or the motto of the Guyana Heritage Society is ‘To Protect and Preserve’ and its main objective is ‘to promote research on Guyanese heritage through lectures and publications and the preservation of indigenous skills related to the national heritage’. The Society has so far reprinted rare books like ‘Story of Georgetown’ by James Rodway, ‘Centenary History of British Guiana, 1831-1931’ by ARF Webber, and ‘The Twelve Views in the Interior of Guiana’ by Sir Robert Schomburgk. The Society has also published ‘History of Victoria Village’ by William N. Arno.

The Guyana Heritage Society can be contact via email: guyanaheritage@hotmail.com (Persons wishing to respond to this author can telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com) WHAT’S HAPPENING: * The Guyana Annual Magazine 2014-2015 issue in now available at Guyenterprise Ltd., Lance Gibbs and Irving Streets, Tel # 226-9874

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

V

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

OUTBREAK OF MEASLES REPORTED

Medicated salt to be used in treatment against malaria

CIGARETTE ENDS CAUSED MOST OF 1960 FIRES

(The Daily Chronicle - February 4, 1961)

(The Daily Chronicle - January 18th 1961)

(The Daily Chronicle - January 14, 1961)

AN outbreak of measles has been reported. Since the outbreak a few days ago, scores of people from many parts have been flocking the out patients and casualty departments.

People from all walks of life have been affected and had to be taken to the Georgetown Hospital. Quite a few cases received attention from private practitioners.

Workers and school children who are affected are advised by Doctors to stay in bed for about three days.

Mixing with others will spread the infection.

More than one third of the persons affected are those between the ages of 1 to 19.

A new campaign to eradicate malaria from British Guiana’s interior will be officially launched on Saturday morning.

At the Kingston laboratory, all shipments of salt to the interior are being treated with a special anti-malarial drug which does not affect the taste, smell or colour of the salt.

The population of the interior for whose protection the campaign is being launched, numbers about 30,000 in an area of about 50,000 square miles.

The use of medicated salt is a technique which is part of a world-wide malaria eradication drive.

It is already being used in Trinidad, Venezuela and Brazil where the campaign began six months ago and is now beginning to reach the Rio Branco across the frontier.

After the coming week end, all salt supplies to the North West District, Pomeroon River area, Bartica, Cuyuni and Mazaruni and the Rupununi will be medicated salt.

The shipping of any other kind of salt will be illegal.

The Health Ministry is asking for the cooperation of all salt dealers in the interior.

THE Georgetown Fire Brigade answered more than 200 calls from members of the public last year.

It was disclosed that most of the fires occurring during the year were caused by cigarette ends and matches.

Fires caused by faulty electrical equipment and appliances fell 11 short of those caused by cigarette ends and matches.

NOW WILL THERE BE JOBS FOR MANATEES? (Guyana Graphic - September 12, 1959) MANATEES may soon be “applying to Government” for jobs in the drainage and irrigation schemes. Does this sound strange?

No…because Government has already decided to “employ” them. And their job will be a most technical one - to control noxious and other vegetation which tend to choke and obstruct the free flow of water.

Something only the manatees can do at no cost to the Government. These animals have been found to be voracious water plant feeders and it is hoped that in putting them into canals they will prove useful.

TOO LAZY However, a rather serious and alarming problem faces Government - that of getting enough manatees to “work”.

The reason for this is that these creatures are being used up at the dining table. The sloven black animals which are so lazy that they make no effort to save their own lives, are a much sought after delicacy.

No wonder too - one of those huge creatures weighs several hundred pounds … and fetches a high price.

It would appear that the fishermen and “others” benefit from the slaughter of this animal…But who will fill the posts at the Drainage and Irrigation Department.

DIAMOND OUTPUT UP

(The Daily Chronicle - January 20, 1961) THE big diamond “shouts” in the Ekereku area last year, have contributed largely to the bumper production of nearly five million dollars in diamonds recorded at the end of 1960.

Last year’s diamond production rose by about two million dollars to a total of $4,915,900.

The current local price of diamonds is fifty dollars per carat. The price of gold is fifty five dollars per ounce. Gold production last year was about 1,000 ounces less than in the previous year.

Canadian expedition for British Guiana’s jungles (The Daily Chronicle - January 14, 1961)

AN expedition from the Royal Ontario Museum arrives in the country next week for an expedition into the jungle.

It’s mission is to trap and study the South American country’s wild life. Dr R.L. Peterson, 41, is the leader of the party. They hope to find jaguars, cougars, rodents, deer, peccarys pig like animals - and some of the 100 varieties of bats.

The manatee, an aquatic animal which is believed to have prompted the old stories of mermaids, will be high on the list.

Present knowledge of B.G.’s fauna Dr Peterson explained, is based on collections made before 1900.

GOLD MEDAL FOR 1960 LITERATURE (The Daily Chronicle - January 5, 1961)

Mr Jacob W. Chinapen, Headteacher of Massiah CM school on the ‘Upper Courentyne’ and also Chairman of the ‘Upper Courentyne’ Regional Youth Council has received the gold medal which he won for competitive literature in 1960.

It was the top prize which he was fortunate to obtain for his collection of poems entitled “Albion Wilds”.

Mr Chinapen hails from Plantation Albion and it was from there that this versatile teacher got the inspiration to write. Second prize went to Mr Wordsworth McAndrew for his poem entitled “Old Haag”.

At the presentation ceremony was Mr A.J. Seymour who was Chairman of the Committee that supervised the Competition.

STABROEK MARKET ZONING BEGINS MONDAY (The Daily Chronicle - January 11, 1961) ZONING of the eighty-year-old Stabroek Market will begin on Monday, Town Clerk Mr Edgar Adams said yesterday.

He said Stall holders had been given until January 15th to make alternative arrangements for carrying on their business while the work was in progress.

The zoning of the market which was constructed in 1881 will streamline its appearance, facilitate shopping and relieve congestion.

When alterations are completed, grocery, fruit, vegetables, drugs and cloth stores, etc, will each be located in its own section.

Mr Adams said the work should be completed within a few weeks.

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

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

The mystery of William Shakespeare (Part 1)

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By Rev. Gideon Cecil

HAKESPEARE’S legacy to mankind is rich indeed. His gifts to the English Language excel those of all other poet’s put together. He has put words and phrases into men’s mouths for all time. He was the greatest word creator the world has ever known.

He remains the unchallenged champion in the whole field of English Literature. He possessed great insight into the heart and soul of man. No writer has excelled him in portraying the inner personality of the characters he created. He was equally skilled in creating men and women characters.

William Shakespeare, for all his fame and literary pursuits, remains a mysterious figure with regards to personal history. Many critics and literary scholars have asked the questions: Who was Shakespeare? Where did he get his knowledge into human nature?

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon on April 23,1564.

Church records from Holy Trinity Church indicate that he was baptized there on April 26, 1564. He was married to Anne Hathaway on November 28, 1582. William was 18 at the time, and Annie was 26 - and pregnant.

Their first daughter Susanna, was born on May 26, 1583.

The couple later had twins Hamnet and Judith, born February 2, 1585 and christened at Holy Trinity. Hamnet died in childhood at age 11,on August 11,1596.

There are great many spurious accounts about Shakespeare’s childhood years, especially regarding his education. Many of his contemporaries believed that he attended the free grammar school in Stratford, which at the time had a reputation to rival Eton or Oxford University, but there are no records to prove this claim.

The literary scholarship and merits of his works indicated that he was widely read in classics as well as Greek and Roman history. What is certain is that Shakespeare never proceeded to University schooling, which has stirred great many debates in academic circles concerning the authorship of his works.

These debates were in demand by academics because Shakespeare lacked a university education in the formal sense.

Some scholars claimed that Sir Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, Edward De Vere, and Shakespeare’s close friend Ben Johnson were responsible for his writings.

These claims were curious speculations to discredit the immortal works of a true God gifted genius. When the literatures written by Bacon, Johnson, De Vere, and Marlowe were compared to those of Shakespeare’s it was by far more inferior to what Shakespeare had written.

It was more than ridiculous for men who attended Universities to turn over their works to Shakespeare for correction and improvement, whom they referred to as an unschooled man.

Shakespeare started his literary career as any educated young man might have begun by adapting for his purposes the models prescribed by the fashion of his time, the Latin authors familiar to him from his schooling. He needed no hidden hand to be his ‘Ghost Writer’ he was and is still the most quoted and unsurpassed genius of his day until today.

Shakespeare has touched, not only the stuff that men are made of. He has touched the mind of God as it is reflected in Holy Scripture. Behind much of his deepest works lie the profound insights of the Biblical Revelation.

He was a man who had drunk deeply at the wells of Holy Scripture. The Book of Common Prayer (of 1559) and the works of Ovid were the three books by which the developing mind of Shakespeare as a boy and a young man was nourished.

It is more than a mere knowledge of the facts and personalities of the Bible that has given life to his work. In his own words he said: ‘‘What a piece of work is a man! How infinite in faculties!....in action, how like an angel! In apprehension, how like a god! The beauty of the world, and the paragon of animals!’’

(From Hamlet, Prince of Denmark) Where did he get this quotation from? Is it from nature or from his creative genius?

It is based on the Biblical insight from the eight Psalms in the Bible which are as follows:

Reverend Gideon Cecil What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the Son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the seas.

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.

(Authorized King James Bible Psalms 8:4-9) What I have quoted here is a very profound biblical insight in reference to the works of Shakespeare. It is believed that over two thousand of Shakespeare’s quotations are in direct reference to the Bible. How deep a Christian Shakespeare was we will never know but his Will as well as his Sonnets reflected a strong belief in Jesus Christ - also his epitaph written by him. ► Continued on page VII

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

VII ► From page VI

‘Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To dig the dust enclosed here.

Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones.’

William Shakespeare was inspired by greater souls than himself to write. His death was that of a mystery; he died on the 23rd of April 1616, at age 52.

His day of death was the day of his birth, announcing to the world a great soul had departed. His incredible body of work will never again be equaled in Western Civilization.

His immortal, unsurpassed poetry and plays have endured for 451 years. His works will remain a classic in the annals of literary history. Whoever the real Shakespeare was, his life and character were where dreams were made on.

(Persons wishing to respond to Rev. Gideon Cecil can call Tel# 220-7008 or email: gcecil2010@hotmail.com)

William Shakespeare, often called the English national poet, is widely considered the greatest dramatist of all time

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

PETAL’S DOLL COMPLEX

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By Neil Primus

custody’.

Larry frequented the lockups.

“Me friends and me family all dem fed up with me”.

Indeed all his friends, family and even his drinking buddies were totally fed up with him. They thought that he was giving drunk people a bad name.

Larry drank until he could hardly negotiate his way home. Some nights he ended up in the strangest places: The church, the grocery, Ms’ Edna’s pig pen and Gavin’s vegetable garden.

No one made a fuss except Gavin. When he woke and found Larry sprawled all over his lettuces he went berserk.

Grabbing a piece of stick he gave Larry a sound trashing.

This did little to change Larry’s drinking habit.

Every night he would set out at around 6pm to take a drink. No matter how his wife and four-year-old daughter pleaded with him he went ahead. There were four rum shops in Alexander and he knew each one of them well.

Reason being he visited each place every night. First it was Lall’s Liquor Shop, then it was Gavin’s Rum Shop after that he was off to Ruby’s Liquor Hideout and finally he staggered into Khan’s Liquor Outlet.

By the time he was through, he was blind drunk. One thing to note about him, he never bothered a soul for a drink.

He bought his own and only took drinks from close friends.

Larry worked in the mortuary so his salary was very small.

This meant that his family suffered because of his drinking.

Sometimes he tried to be a good father but something al-

Once he went to pick her up at Day Care and left with another child. The girl’s parent (his very good friends) caught up with him and made the necessary exchange.

Tomorrow would be Ria’s fifth birthday. He was determined to make it a special day for her. Nothing would change that. During his lunch break he searched the stores down town and bought her a beautiful black talking doll. He knew she would be thrilled by this. She had been wishing for a doll all along.

After work he headed home. He decided to make a brief stop at Ruby’s. Big mistake. He ended up drinking until 11pm. He was well and truly drunk and could not make it home. Larry ended up sleeping between two tombs in the small dark cemetery. As drunk as he was, he clutched the doll to his chest as he rested.

Loud mouth Patsy was heading home with her crew.

They had partied all night; drinks, drugs, money, sex.

Now they were boasting of their exploits at the top of their voices. It was who could get which man, which man always broken, who ‘fraid dey own shadow’ and who not afraid.

Before she could stop herself, Patsy opened her big mouth and declared, “Me not afraid of nothing!”

Her friends began to taunt her. They challenged her to prove her bravery. Guess where they were when this conversation took place. That’s right, in front of the burial ground. Now the place was pitch dark and the rustling of the leaves seemed to be whispers of Jumbies.

“Bet you can’t go into the cemetery and lie on one of the tombs.”

Patsy tried to avoid the challenge but they started to torment her. Reluctantly she turned and headed cautiously into the burial ground. Choosing a large tomb she stretched out on it, party dress and all. She lay there trembling. And boy was she angry. Why did she have to be that stupid. She

ways got in the way: namely rum.

Larry’s drunken episodes were famous in Alexander.

When his daughter Ria was being baptised he was there neatly dressed (for once) and drunker than was illegally possible. In the middle of the ceremony he dropped Ria into the Baptismal Fount. That ensured that she was well and truly blessed.

promised to talk less in the future.

The wind was chilly and strong. It whipped up dry leaves and sent them scurrying here and there. Some of them landed on Patsy. She sprang up looking around in fear.

Noticing the leaves she lay back down.

Meanwhile, her crew were on the road egging her on and taunting her.

“Yo got fo stay fo 15 minutes.”

HEN the Mighty Sparrow sang his famous hit ‘Drunk and Disorderly’, he must have been making special reference to Larry.

‘Drunk and Disorderly, always in

“An don’t shut yo eye.”

“Girl I jus see something move.”

Patsy shut her eyes tight and prayed for her stupid dare

to end.

“Grrrrrrr!”

Patsy’s eyes popped open.

“Mmmmmm” Patsy pores were standing at attention.

“Mmmmmmm”.

There was something there and it sounded like it was quite close. She sat up and looked around suspiciously It had to be one of her friends trying to scare her. There was a sudden movement off to her right. She focused there.

Something was stirring. It now seemed to be getting up.

She took that as a cue and came upright quickly.

The figure was black and shady but one feature stood out. In its hands it had a tiny baby dressed in white. The baby seemed to have no head, hands or feet. This was the most bizarre thing she had ever witnessed. Then out of the dark form came a tiny sing song voice.

“My name is Jane, what is your name?”

Patsy ignored any attempt of familiarity. With a scream that would make ‘Guns and Roses’ proud, she took off.

“Hi want to play with me?”

Whether you believe me or not, she actually took off.

The woman can now boast of a world record for high and broad jump. Patsy cleared about ten tombs; some were double-deckers. She tore out of the cemetery to re-join her friends but they had sighted the strange figure too and were long gone. Kicking off her high heels she sprinted for home screaming for murder.

“Friend, hic!”

The voice was behind her. She did not even glance back.

Zooooomm!

A figure dressed in black and clutching a black doll dressed in white stumbled down the road. Larry would get home eventually.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

IX

Short Story…

RIVER RATS

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By Neil Primus

andy Cove was a riverain community. There was a dock and many boats used that facility. The larger vessels were experiencing a vexing problem. There were regular burglaries of their ships while in dock or in nearby warehouses.

A crew of river pirates were operating with great skill. They stole from every source they could and stored the booty in an abandoned dock yard. Things went smoothly for a long time. Then their luck suddenly began to change. Something or someone had moved into the area and began creating problems for them.

Old Captain Sawaki had sailed the seas for decades. He had visited every continent and worked on board many classes of ships. When he died at age 67, he had completed a distinguished and full career at sea. He had been in charge of the abandoned dock when he worked here in this country. After his death his spirit returned to the very location.

Whenever the pirates raided any nearby facility or craft they would always find a portion of their booty missing. This caused clashes among them and one man was stabbed several times. He is slowly recovering in the hospital. They continued to blame each other for the missing portion of their loot. It was decided that one member would always remain behind to protect the plunder while the others carried out the raids.

Back at the dock the lookout heard someone moving around. Grabbing his cutlass

he advanced menacingly. He came upon a man dressed in the uniform of a sea captain.

“Who are you?” the puzzled man asked.

“No! Who are you! What are you doing on my dock?” demanded the seaman.

“Your dock? Dis place shut down years ago.”

“That’s what you think.”

“Wait, is you move we things?” The man with the cutlass was rapidly getting angry.

“I took my dock fee,” was the captain’s cool reply. “Each time you dock you have to pay you know.”

The pirate was pissed by now.

“You crazy like rass! We aint paying you nothing. Wen me boys get back is we an you.”

“Why wait.”

The taunting voice was too much for the man with the cutlass.

He advanced with murder printed on his face, his intentions clear.

POW! The man blinked and came awake. He was lying on the dock with his cutlass across his chest. He was looking up into the worried eyes of his friends.

“Who buss up your head boy?”

“Ow….aaah!”

He rubbed his aching head and grimaced. Blood soaked his finger.

“What happened man?”

The watcher told his mates all about the captain.

His friends started to laugh in disbelief.

“Boy you hallucinating or wat!”

The captain suddenly materialised behind them.

“Dock fees please.”

“Dock fees? We gon beat you to death!”

They rushed at the captain as one unit.

Pow! Crack!

Ply! Bam! Bodies tumbled everywhere. Men lay groaning and squirming. They struggled to their feet and headed for the exit. The captain stood blocking it. They turned and ran for the boat. The captain stood there smiling. He seemed to be everywhere.

Pow! “ Ow!” Crack! “Aah!” Bam “Ouch!”

Ply! “Eiee!”

Things began to get desperate.

Ply! Pow! Blam! Crack!

“Ow Gawd, sarry. What yo want?”

Again the steady reply was offered. “Dock fees please.”

They tossed their loot to the captain and plunged overboard.

It was every man for himself. The water foamed with desperate, swimming men.

Some of them would be needing the toilet paper even before they reach home.

X

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Prisoners accuse newspaper of printing ‘impossible’ Sudoku - after failing to solve puzzle

(UK MIRROR): Eighty-six moaning jailbirds have complained it was "impossible" to find a solution to a Sudoku puzzle published in their local paper.

Convicted robber Michael Blatchford, aged 33, and fellow lag Shane Smith wrote a joint letter to the Editor expressing "a lot of disappointment" on behalf of the puzzled prisoners.

The pair are among 533 male inmates at Exeter Prison in the county of Devon in England which opened in 1850.

They managed to complete an "easy" Sudoku which appeared in the paper.

But the two inmates claimed the "hard" Sudoku printed in the twice weekly Exeter Express and Echo on Thursday May 21 was impossible to solve.

They sent the paper a copy of their incomplete effort to find a solution to the puzzle.

The prisoners were unable to check the answer for themselves because they only receive one paper a week - and did not have access to the answer in the following Monday's edition.

Their letter, written on prison notepaper, said: "Dear Sir, I am sadly writing this letter in a lot of disappointment. As you will see, I've enclosed last week's Sudoku page and we - along with 84 other prisoners - believe you printed a 'hard' Sudoku which is impossible to complete.

Being prisoners we are only allowed access to Thursday's issue, so we couldn't verify the truth."

But staff on the Echo carefully checked the answers and verified that - while tricky - the

"hard" Sudoku was possible to complete.

The paper said the jailbirds made several key mistakes in the middle section of the Sudoku - making it impossible to finish.

Blatchford was jailed for four years and four months in May after a court heard how he mugged a vulnerable man in Exeter.

TOO HARD: The sudoku puzzle (filled in by the prisoners) which was believed to be impossible to complete

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

The Science of Iridology

T

By Telesha Ramnarine

HE science of iridology is a very fascinating one! By looking into the iris of the eye, an experienced practitioner can determine the integrity of tissue in the various organs of the body.

As such, local Natural Therapist Leisl Dale Headley has the privilege of hosting other Natural Therapist out of Trinidad and Tobago, Steve Hall, at her clinic on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

The Canadian-trained Hall, who has been in the field for more than 30 years, will be practicing iridology at Headley’s clinic, at Lot 95 First Street, Alberttown, from 7:30 hrs to 16:30 hrs. He is quite capable of making diagnosis of things that have never been known to a client.

Meanwhile, professional iridologists agree that acute, sub-acute chronic and degenerative conditions of the body are all reflected in the iris. This is because the main circuits to every organ, gland and nerve in your body have pathways and endings in your hands, feet and iris of your eye.

In fact, the iris has hundreds of thousands of nerve endings that are wired to the brain and linked to every part of the body.

Therefore, looking into the iris is like looking at a map of the whole body to see where there is strength or weakness.

“The eye is indeed the window of the soul,” said Hall, who added: “What is most valuable about iridology is the fact that weaknesses in body tissues or organs often show up in the eye before they are discernable in medical tests. The iris can show whether By looking into the person has a strong or weak constitution and whether the skin is eliminating well. the iris of the eye, “The iris can reveal if the colon is eliminating well or if it is an experienced blocked up with waste matter or constricted in any way. The iris of the eye indicates whether the immune system is being overworked practitioner can in the body. Sodium rings and cholesterol rings in the eye reveal an determine the excess of sodium or cholesterol in the body.”

An experienced iridologist can observe the general health of each integrity of tissue in body system by looking at particular zones in the eye.

Iridology Mapping refers to the entire process of studying the the various organs iris of the eye, mapping out a chart of what is seen in the eye, and of the body. advising the client of therapies that can enhance their general health.

By reading the map of the eye, and then feeding the body systems and organs in need of repair, greater health and well-being can be restored to the body.

A fee of $6,000 will be charged to see Dr Hall. Contact can also be made with the clinic on telephone numbers 2315500 and 622-6064.

Local Natural Therapist Liesl Dale Headley

‘IRIDOLOGY’: The word ‘iris’ is Greek and means ‘rainbow’ or ‘halo’. The iris is the colourful portion of the eye that surrounds the pupil

XI

XII

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Coast Guard troops complete training with Brazilian Navy

Acting Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Colonel Kemraj Persaud

E

LEVEN members from the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard have participated in, and recently concluded, a naval exercise spearheaded by their Brazilian counterpart termed ‘Exercise Caribex’.

The crew headed by Sub. Lieutenant K. Welcome departed Guyana on the 10th May 2015, for exercise ‘Caribex’, aboard the Brazilian Naval Patrol Vessel named ‘Bracui’. The training exercise was spearheaded by the Naval Patrol Group of the North 4th district.

According to Sub. Lt Welcome, the aim of the exercise was to familiarise members of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard with the various operational procedures aboard the naval patrol vessel in several skilled areas such as Navigation, Communication, Weaponry, Engineering, and Basic ► Continued on page XXIX

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

XIII

Meet Jasoda Masidas…

‘Life is too short now that things have changed’

J

By Telesha Vidya Ramnarine ASODA Masidas’ young days were spent working hard in the back-dam, planting and cutting rice. Her husband, too, did this kind of work but was the holder of his salary each week until he got home. Apparently, it was normal in those days for the son to hand over his entire pay to his mother even as his wife lived in the home.

Mrs. Masidas, now 70, got married to her husband James (now deceased) when she was just 16 years old. She was born and raised at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, before moving to live for a while at Canal Number Two, on the West Bank Demerara.

Before long, her mother fixed her marriage with James who was born and raised at Blenheim Village, Leguan Island. She moved to the island and has been living there to date.

When the young Jasoda arrived at Leguan, she met her husband’s family planting and cutting rice for a living. She had no choice but to take up this kind of work. “I plant and cut rice in my young days. This is the work I take up because I come Leguan and meet my husband and he family doing it.”

Becoming pregnant was by no means easy in those days.

Even though she may not have had to work in the back-dam, she had to stay at home and ensure that the place was clean and meals were cooked. Failure to do this was to her detriment, she recalled.

So, her husband would work in the back-dam but couldn’t keep a cent for himself or his wife. The mother-in-law took all of the money but would give the two of them meals and a shilling (a former British coin) every Saturday, which they took and bought cake or Jalebi.

“When I was young, I had to bear up. I had to go in the back-dam soon soon in the morning to cut rice. We had to say with my in-laws and couldn’t complain about anything. If she hear back we said something, the first thing is that she would not give us food. We had nowhere to go. Them time you didn’t know about money. You had to hand over all.”

Life was hard and the couple had no privacy. “Meh used to punish bad,” Mrs. Masidas told the Chronicle in an interview at her home.

Added to her distress was the death of six of her children!

Being so poor and unable to afford the necessary health care for herself and the babies, four of them got sick and died when they were very little. One other child committed suicide and another died in an accident.

“Them time didn’t have hospital on the island. So your husband had to go call the nurse for them to come home and deliver the baby and stay with you till morning.”

Today, Mrs. Masidas has three daughters alive, Sisto, Sandra and Dhano, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

One of her grandsons, Satesh known as Vijai is the only company Mrs. Masidas has at present. He lives with her in a small concrete house that his grandmother has managed to acquire. “My husband died about eight years now. He was very good to me,” she recalled.

The wonderful Mrs. Masidas lovingly cared for her mother-in-law and her husband’s differently able daughter until their death.

“My mother-in-law die and things change. Life nice now but time too short. But I have a happy living.”

Mrs. Masidas worked hard in the back-dam during her young days

Jasoda Masidas

XIV

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Are You a Smartphone Addict?

You probably hear the term "smartphone" tossed around a lot. But if you've ever wondered exactly what a smartphone is, well, you're not alone. How is a smartphone different than a cell phone, and what makes it so smart?

In a nutshell, a smartphone is a device that lets you make telephone calls, but also adds in features that, in the past, you would have found only on a personal digital assistant or a computer -- such as the ability to send and receive e-mail and edit Office documents, for example.

If you take a look around any public space, a good percentage of those assembled there will likely have their heads down, buried in a smartphone. People love their

• You feel kind of dejected when you sneak a peek at your phone after a long dinner or meeting and you have no new notifications.

Hackers who stole info from Facebook, Apple, Twitter revealed A hacking group best known for breaking into top-tier technology companies Apple Inc, Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc more than two years ago is now believed to be one of a handful of highly skilled independent gangs pursuing corporate secrets for profit.

smartphones. A lot! The number of smartphone "super users" is climbing rapidly, so much so that last year worldwide mobile data traffic was nearly 18 times the size of the entire Internet in 2000.

The crankier Luddites might call this a sign of the downfall of society. And maybe they're right, but it's a fact of today's world that we are just plain addicted to our tech.

Young and old, male and female, we need to be connected in order to get through the day. Below are some signs.

• You get slightly panicky when your phone is out of your line of sight.

• You ridiculously panicked when you accidentally leave it at home.

It’s like you’re missing a limb.

• You sleep with your phone on your nightstand, or worse, in your bed next to you.

• You justify being on your phone all the time because you “might miss a work email.”

• A cracked screen would never stand in YOUR way.

• You prune and manage your apps like it’s the Parliament building lawn.

• You maintain three to five text threads/Snapchat chains going throughout most days.

• At least once a week you freak out that you can’t find your phone, and then realise it’s in your hand.

• Turning your phone off during a flight gives you horrendous FOMO…but also makes you excited, because you know when you turn it on, you’ll have tons of notifications to go through.

• You insist that you can do two things at once — text AND walk, text AND listen!

— but we all know that you cannot.

According to new research from the largest US security software vendor, Symantec Corp, the group appears to be among the few that display significant talent without backing from a national government. The group stays below the radar with a small number of carefully targeted attacks.

"They are very focused, wanting everything valuable from the top companies of the world," FIN4 has less technical skill but uses knowledge of the investment banking world and strong social engineering, or trickery, to harvest email credentials and discover material financial information.

Symantec said its group, which it calls Morpho, dropped out of sight for months after press accounts of the Silicon Valley breaches shone a light on their techniques, which included use of a previously unknown "zero-day" flaw in Oracle's Java platform.

Morpho also used a "watering hole" approach, infecting websites that were likely to attract employees of its targets as visitors. In the best-known case, a website frequented by iPhone developers was infected.

Some had suspected China or another country in the Silicon Valley attacks.

Some of the companies breached, including Apple, said they found no evidence of data being stolen. In a paper being released, Symantec said Morpho came back from its absence to breach a small number of additional technology companies.

It has also gone after the pharmaceutical industry and airlines, typically hitting multiple competitors in a sector and infecting a very few machines, usually in the research departments. Be careful my fellow Guyanese…don’t allow you system to be hacked, protect yourself and you device!

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

XV

ADULT-SIZED BURDEN

How do you tell your dad your mom is cheating on him?

I

Dear Wayne & Tamara, am a girl, 15. My family is generally okay, not exactly warm and loving, but adequate. When I was 11, I found out my mother was cheating on my father with a doctor, who I knew and trusted.

I've kept quiet about the affair for years, but it remains a weight on me, refusing to disappear with the passage of time. I don't know why I am this upset. Is it really something that concerns me? It isn't. The only people involved in the affair are my mother, her lover and my father. Is it my right to be as upset as I am?

I have started scratching and cutting my wrist with a penknife. It is not as dramatic as some people would have it sound. The ritual brings me some peace, some sense of isolation, and some sense of relief.

I see it as a coping method. My mother does not know that I know about her affair or that I cut myself. It hurts. So please, would you tell me what to do?

Hua ********************************

A Dear Hua,

friend of ours, now deceased, was a child psychiatrist. This man was a perfect gentleman, always known for his kindness and concern for others.

We never met anyone who didn't like him or praise him.

Yet once, when he was talking about the parents of troubled children, he said he often wanted to grab the man and woman by the neck and throttle them because they were literally killing their child.

Is your mother's infidelity something that concerns you?

It is. Do you have a right to be as upset as you are? You do.

Why? Because often, we would say usually, when chil-

dren act out in harmful ways, the origin of the problem is their parents. A truism among child therapists says, solve the parents' problem and the problem in the child often disappears, like magic.

Parents are the fabric of the world to their children. A tear in the fabric is a serious shock. Children know what parents are supposed to do and how they are supposed to act. Children are not easily fooled.

When a parent forces a child to live a secret life, the child will find an unhealthy way to cope. That's the way this works.

That is why you are cutting yourself.

Are you to blame? No. This is something you have been forced into by your mother's guilty secret. Cutting is a well-known, natural reaction to behavior like your mother's.

Can you tell your mom what you know? Probably not.

Tell her and she will deny what she is doing or threaten you. Can you tell your dad? Maybe not. Negative feelings attach to the messenger of bad news.

We see only one correct, though difficult, course of action with your parents.

This is their mutual problem. It is for them to solve. You need to give over the cutting and give over the secret. Put it where it belongs. Tell your parents together, at the same time, that you have been cutting yourself as a way to relieve the tension over your mother's adultery.

If either of your parents blames you for telling, they are merely compounding the wrongness. That's like blaming the shopkeeper for people stealing. "If he didn't own that store, people would not steal." That makes no sense.

In a similar way it makes no sense for your mother to say, "It's not my fault, it's hers for telling."

Blame falls on the doer of the deed, not the one reacting to the deed.

As our late friend said, the key for a child's well-being is finding someone who actually cares about them.

Hopefully, one or both of your parents will step up and help you. But if neither does, find an adult who cares about you and who can teach you to cope in non-destructive ways.

Wayne & Tamara

XVI

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

An extra-ordinary Guyanese…

Augustus Hinds, a.ka. ‘Bill Rogers’ - is Guyana’s first international recording artiste

RAS

MICHAEL is

I

met Bill Rogers and Young Bill Rogers some years ago. Every morning Bill senior would be holding Young Bill’s hand as he took him to school. As they passed my home I would come out and join them taking my two guys to the same school.

I liked Bill. He was always pleasant and willing to converse with a youngster like myself but there were things I did not know about this great man. A Guyanese of immense talent, a man of integrity who entertained, educated and was a serious social historian who left quite unselfishly a rich legacy for all Guyana’s youth.

To some persons he was merely an entertainer but there is always more below the surface of an unassuming and humble personality.

Augustus Hinds, aka ‘Bill Rogers’ was born in British Guiana in the year 1906 and by the year 1911 he entered the family business. His two sisters Beatrice and Bernice were known to hold shows at that time and they took him to perform at that early age of five. That was the first time that Bill Rogers had ever made a stage appearance. By age thirteen he was writing his own songs. His first song was ‘Mauby and Pancakes’. It is documented that there was a person, a woman who sold these delectable items on Camp Street opposite the Camp Street jail.

Immediately one can begin to get an idea of the mindset of this young trooper. What is important to know is the social/political situation that prevailed in Georgetown at

Back

that time since it did influence the young Bill Rogers’ way of thinking.

It was the time when Nathaniel Jordon questioned the religious dogma and teachings of the resident Christian religions. It was also the time when Nathaniel Critchlow not only questioned the workings and exploitation of workers but began to mobilise support particularly for the waterfront workers. It was a time when the influence of F’eddy Bandola (a stick-fighter from Buxton whose surname was Jacobs),the celebrated King of Santapee ruled the roost as a popular figure in town. It was a time when the colonial system was desperately attempting to control the labour and especially the worldview of the African population. Bill Rogers would have been aware of this even at his young age.

‘Mauby and Pancakes’ was thus a testimony to the thinking of those times as well as a record of our social history. This though was just the beginning for ‘Bill Rogers’, aka Augustus Hinds. Not only did Bill Rogers perform for his sisters show but he also had learnt the family business which was the making of sweets and himself had picked up the trade, making and selling sweets on the street corners.

Hence, added to the many hats he wore, surely entrepreneurship definitely must be included.

What must be remembered also is Bill organised his own shows which of course gives legitimacy to this claim. ► Continued on page XVII

Bill Rogers (Augustus Hinds) in a 1972 recording session in Georgetown.

(Photograph courtesy Roger Hinds)

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Augustus Hinds ... ► From page XVI

He had organised a group of performers known as the ‘Merry Makers’ which was more or less a vaudeville group that he took around on tour with him.

During the 1920’s Bill Rogers went on tour to Suriname and he also took the opportunity to perform at the Gaiety cinema in New Amsterdam. It was during these years of second decade of the 1900s that Bill Rogers wrote such songs as ‘B.G. Bahjee’ , ‘The Weed Song’ and ‘Daddy Gone to Cove & John’ as well as the popular ‘Fifteen Cents Sweetheart’.

Bill Rogers was a very prolific song writer. His focus remained on the working class population which was his target audience. He wrote for them and wrote of them. His first broadcast on the local airwaves was in 1929. It was the first time that the ‘weed song’ was broadcasted on local airwaves. Around this time too, Bill added magic to his repertoire. In 1934 however, Bill created another first. He sailed by ship to America and recorded for the RCA Blue Bird record label (the largest recording company in the western hemisphere at the time) thirty-four of his songs. This was done in Camden New Jersey but by 1937 Bill Rogers was in Trinidad where he impressively won the calypso crown for that year. He was the first Guyanese to do so.

Bill was also a promoter of his own shows such as the ‘Baby Show’ and the Scholarship Fairs. He was therefore one of the first to play an entrepreneurial role as well as being a performer.

I was told by his son now performing under the title of Young Bill Rogers that many of his shows also featured artists of the time like Sam Chase and Jack Mellow ,Madam O’Lindy actors, comedians, acrobats, etc.

According to young Bill Rogers, his father’s purpose in keeping the ‘Scholarship Fairs’ was to give back something to the society that brought him up. Bill Young Bill Rogers Rogers, he said, was concerned about his people and he wanted very much to help the less fortunate.

The Scholarship fairs were a means of giving a higher standard of education to those less fortunate, than they would have attained in British Guiana, by sending them abroad to study in various fields such as medicine and other academic disciplines.

Young Bill named a few of the recipients of these scholarships, Donald Bobb-semple was one such person as well as Jenny Paul and Imran Ramnarine. It was unfortunate that none returned even to thank his father for his compassionate intervention on their behalf.

In 1952, Bill Rogers was recording again, this time it was for Parlaphone a record company in England. In 1972, he was recording again but this time it was for Carifesta and that recording was done at G.B.C. Bill Rogers died in 1984 but his memory lives on in his music. He is responsible for the creation of a totally Guyanese genre of music, ‘SHANTO’ . He placed Guyana on the musical map with this creation. His songs were a musical pictorial of the society he grew up in. It gave one a sense of the Guyanese environment of the time.

One reason for the loss of popularity of SHANTO music might well have been the issue of copyright. Bill Rogers was known to have sued such persons as Harry Belafonte and Lord Flea. Bill Rogers died in 1984 it is said but his legacy lives on.

Young Bill, his son, now takes center stage at local competitions as well as on trips abroad. He recently returned from Miami. Asked about his own advent into music he stated that he used to participate with his Dad in school shows where his father would do magic and perform.

His first solo act was, however, at the Young Guyana show when he was just age ten.

Over the years he has made an impact himself twice winning the local Calypso Monarch competition. He is also a very versatile performer and is equally at home in the genre of Chutney. He has written a book on his father, ‘The Life and Works of Bill Rogers’ and on July 24th will be on stage again in competition with others for the crown in the ‘Champion of Champions’ competition for only those who have previously won the crown. The first prize, I’m told, is a car. We anxiously await this show.

XVII

(Bill Rogers’ songs are great fun to sing especially this one)

THE WEED SONG

One day ah met an old woman selling An ah wanted something to eat I say I was going to put a Bit in she way But I tek back when I meet I thought she had bananas, oranges, or pears But was nothing that I need For when I ask the old woman What she was selling She said she was selling weed.

She had she coat tie up over she waist And was stepping along with grace She had on a pair of old clogs on her feet And was wiggling down the street Just then she start to name The different kinds of weeds And I really was more than glad But I can’t remember all that she call But these were a few she had Man Piaba, Woman Piaba Tantan Fall- Back and Lemon Grass Minnie Root, Gully Root Granny- Back Bone Bitter Tally. Lime leaf, and Toro Collie Bitters, Carilla Bush Flat ‘o the Earth, and Iron Weed Sweet Broom, Fowl Tongue Wild Daisy, Sweet Sage And even Toyo She had Cat mint, Chinee Mint Soldier rod, Pasture lana And Cowfoot bush Milk weed, brick weed, Bird vine Ants bush Bishop Cap and Rock balsam Surinam Bitters, Wild green tea Sweet finger and worm bush Zeb Grass, Para grass Carrion crow bush Sweet Bitters and Tisane She had Cassava Mumma, Coocoo Piaba Jacob’s Ladder, and Piti Guano Finger Bush, Job’s Tear, Piti Payi Jumbie Basel and White Cleary, Bile Bush, Wild cane, Duck Weed, Aniseed Wara Bitters, and Wild Grey Root, She even had down to a certain bush Wha Bajans does call “Puss in Boots” Oh when I hear how much bush she had I left dumb till I couldn’t even talk She started to call from Camp

Street Corner, An never stop till she reach Orange Walk The Woman had me so surprise That I didn’t know what to do That a girl came and gi me a cuff in mi eye And I did’t even know was who Sweet Broom, Sweet Sage And Lemon Grass I hear dem good fo makin’ tea An wen I hear Zeb Grass and Wild Daisy Dem good to cool the body The woman tongue was even listed And she was calling out all the time She even had a lil Kamwa eye And the other that left was blind She had Tanka Bitters Pomgranum bark, Conga cane Bay leaf, Young Bizzi- Bizzi Young grape vine, Back pain Stinging nettle, Sofamo bush And Broad leaf time Myamar Seed and evergreen leaf Bitter fence bitters jus like gall Saskadoole quashi bitters And Ana Ful or Snake bitters but dat ain’t all She had Bitter Guma, Putagee Bumbo Conga Lana, and Twelve O’clock Broom Sasparilla, Wild Sumatu Soursop Leaf and Hafabit Weed Yoruba Leaf, Sweet Pinpota Bush White Fleary and Christmas Bush Scotch and Sand Bitters And even Monkey Ladder And all the rest you may need She had Cuza Moma basel Marie Sukuya cure and detura Tudor bush, black sage And Mahongany Mee Fenelwood and Office bush Breadnut Leaf, Jumbie bubbie And Stinkin Toe Old Maid bush, Cow Jumper And Wild Mango She had Fat Bush, Elder Bush, Black Pepper Bush French Toya, Cure for all And Capadulla, Tamarind Leaf, Money Bush, Soldier Pusley Pumpkin Blossom And even Devil Dua Neem and Congo Pump, Pingalor, Physic Nut And Lily Root In Fact the only bush That she didn’t got Was bush in the everyday suite!

XVIII

Defendant loses land action before magistrate in 1976…

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Full Court sets aside Magistrate’s decision

By George Barclay

IN 1976, an Essequibo Magistrate ignored a point of law relating to a bona fide dispute as to title of land. He found defendant Sase Budhoo guilty of trespassing on disputed land and damaging a fence, and wrongly granted Judgment to Plaintiff Budhai Singh.

Appellant/defendant Sase Budhoo appealed to the Full Court which ruled that the magistrate ought to have ruled that the defendant had successfully raised a

bona fide dispute as to title to immovable property.

Appeal was allowed. Decision of the magistrate was set aside with costs to the appellant (defendant) Sase Budhoo.

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

Attorney-at-law Mr. K. D. Doobay appeared for the appellant, while Respondent conducted his own defence.

The facts of the case dis-

closed that the Plaintiff Budhai Singh, and Defendant Sase Budhoo were adjoining land owners in possession.

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

The allegation was that the defendant trespassed by digging a drain on the land causing plaintiff ’s fence to fall and become damaged. In the course of the hearing, the dispute be-

tween the parties centered on the existence or non-existence of an inter-lot drain between their respective properties at lots 35 section B and 36 Danielstown, Essequibo .

Plaintiff said there was no drain between the properties when he bought it from Verwayne and went into possession.

Defendant and Verwayne, on the other hand, spoke positively about the drain on the defendant’s side of the fence in question, and the existence of two paals in line with which the fence in dispute was positioned. These paals were later found to be missing.

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

Nevertheless, the learned magistrate gave judgment for the plaintiff on his claim.

Section 3 (3) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Petty Debt ) Act ,Chapter 7:01 provides, inter alia, as follows: “The Court shall not have cognisance of any action in which any incorporeal right , or the title to any immovable property, is or may be in question. …”

On appeal to the Full Court of the High Court , that Court held: (i) That there was a genuine dispute about (a) the existence or non-existence of the drain on the defendant’s side of the fence, (b) the true position of the paals delineating the boundary between lots 35 B and 36 , and (C) the actual position of the fence; (ii) That it should have been apparent to the magistrate that though there was no reliable evidence before him as to the boundary line and the existence of the drain, there were nevertheless competing claims as to ownership of the strip of land undefined though it was, in the vicinity of the existing fence. (iii) That some evidence ought to be taken by a magistrate to ascertain whether he is possessed of jurisdiction to entertain the claim within section 3 (3) of Chapter 7:01. He must ascertain whether an incorporeal right or title to any immovable property is in

George Barclay

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

Appeal allowed. Decision of magistrate set aside with costs.

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

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

Continuing, Justice Bishop said it should be noted that the appellant (defendant) did not in his defence “plead” this objection to the magistrate’s jurisdiction being ousted, but through his counsel, did so at the close of the case. The learned magistrate, unaware therefore that such an objection would be raised, proceeded to hear evidence and in due course gave judgment for respondent (plaintiff) on his claim.

In para 5 of his plaint , the respondent (plaintiff) averred that between January 26 and February 2, 1975, inclusive of both dates, the appellant (defendant) unlawfully and maliciously trespassed upon his land, dug a drain thereon and as a result caused 233 feet of the respondent (plaintiff) said fence to fall down and become damaged.

He specifically claimed as damages $350 for the fence and $150 for the land, but the learned magistrate did not indicate any apportionment under the two sub-heads.

During the trial it emerged, however, that the respondent (plaintiff) had bought Lot 35, Section B, Danielstown, Essequibo from one Francis Verwayne, on February 2, 1973, with the building thereon and the surrounding fence.

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

When Verwayne gave evidence, on May 20, 1975, he said that Lot 35 B and the surrounding fence were his property and denied, inter alia, signing the agreement or receiving the purchase price of $3,000 acknowledged therein.

In short, he denied selling Lot 35 B Danielstown to the (plaintiff) but conceded that the respondent (plaintiff) had discontinued paying him rent in 1973, and held up his son for picking coconuts on the land.

Above all, Verwayne admitted that he had taken no action against the respondent (plaintiff) to recover any rent. The learned magistrate assessed Verwayne to be an inveterate liar and found that he had sold the property to the respondent (plaintiff), Nonetheless, it appeared to be common ground that Verwayne had erected a fence separating the respondent (plaintiff’s) land from the appellant (defendant’s), Verwayne said.

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

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ALBOUYSTOWN

- a yesteryear community where residents battle with troubles

I

By Alex Wayne T has always been my desire to visit and explore the intriguing Albouystown, in south-west Georgetown. But quite honestly, I was so perturbed by the negative tales I would overhear each time I mouthed my intention, that I just kept deferring my visit time after time.

Well here I was since I was summoned by a few friends there to visit the area. While socialising at a karaoke bar, the two men who are loyal readers of our Sunday Pepperpot supplement complained that while I was visiting other villages, I had actually never came to their area.

So here I was, humping and bumping my way on a “cork ball” mini-bus to mingle and interact with the residents.

On arrival there, I was actually taken aback by the somewhat charming yesteryear aura of the area and pleasantly surprised by the much more appealing appearance of some areas. This, according to some residents, were the results of cleaning efforts by the former Government before exiting office, as well as the extensive clean-up campaign that swept Guyana when the new Government took office recently.

Well, at first, some persons were a bit timid and reluctant to speak to me, but I just brought my “ghetto persona” to the forefront and quite soon they were warming and opening up to me.

Of course I bought coconut biscuits, fruit juice and pholouri from some vendors and we were soon chatting away as I digested the very tasty snack items.

Albouystown is a place with a very small popu-

The popular Andrew ‘Six Head’ Gym in Albouystown

lation in the region of Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana.

Sunrise in this location is often expected around 05:42hrs and sunset at 18:12 hrs. This area carries Latitude readings of. 6.8000°, with Longitude recorded at 58.1667°.

INTERACTING WITH THE PEOPLE Our first stop was to chat with food vendor Celeste Liverpool, with whom I am closely associated.

And while she made it clear that she was not going to be deliberating on any negatives, she however saluted the location as an appealing village where residents still battle with challenges they face.

“I am going to be honest enough to face the fact that Albouystown is surrounded with a lot of negativity. Yes, we have seen some not-so-welcoming characters emerging from this location, but that aside, Albouystown is really a nice area with lots of hard-working and industrious citizens who really mean well…we do face many challenges here, and among them is the problem of bad drainage which has been plaguing us for years… we have been forced to live in an area that floods terribly the minute we have heavy rainfall… and with the drainage being bad, we are left at the mercy of water-borne diseases and other health hazards. It is my hope that this new Government will look into our plight so that our younger ones coming up can live in a much cleaner and healthy environment.”

This woman however admitted that some residents are to be blamed to some extent for the flooding, because of their careless disposal of waste and garbage in drains.

Commenting on recent flooding in the area that occurred after little rainfall, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) had indicated that a leakage in the Sussex Street sluice door had caused the problem. According to a press release issued by the ministry, the ► Continued on page XX

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

ALBOUYSTOWN ► From page XIX

which is never out of huge garbage heaps…. Look, the other night we had to chase some individuals in a truck who were trying to commit this beastly act and the other day I was walking in the same area late in the afternoon, when a car pulled up and two men dumped a dead pig by the street corner. The decaying animal is now making many residents very uncomfortable.”

Speaking to several youths in the street, we were told that the area is lacking in terms of employment opportunities for them. And many of them feel that opportunities should be made available for them to fine-tune themselves, to learn new skills that can propel them into meaningful jobs.

Rastafarian food vendor Kimbia Persaud, while allowing me to sample some of his delicious ‘Rastafarian cuisine,” was in high praise for the presence of police in the area, noting that this has somewhat managed to lessen the presence of criminal elements there.

He was high in praise for the new Government, but noted that Guyanese should support the efforts

high water level being experienced was because of a damaged gate groove in the concrete sill of the sluice.

The release noted that while every effort will be made to correct the sluice door defect, this will have to be done in the upcoming dry period as the inlet and outlet have to be blocked off to facilitate the removal and repair of the damaged door.

Sections of Albouystown and surrounding communities woke up to unusually high water just recently, despite the fact that there had been no heavy rainfall around that time.

Public Relations Officer of the M&CC, Royston King, had apologised to residents for the inconvenience and hardship caused by the incident. He also reiterated the council’s commitment to working with the Public Infrastructure Ministry to rectify the problem at the earliest opportunity.

However, some residents are of the view that the Sussex Street canal needs desilting to allow a faster outflow of water during the rainy season.

Junior Wilson, who is a carpenter by profession, lamented on the issue of outsiders coming to the area in the wee hours of the night and disposing of their garbage on the street shoulders.

“People come from outside our village to make our lives a living hell by dumping their garbage on our road shoulders. And one area that seems to be more Residents come here to enjoy their daily supply of Rastafarian cuisine targeted is Sussex Street

of the new Government and do not try to pressure them into making rapid changes.

“I am very happy for the new Government, but I am particularly displeased with the manner in which persons are expecting magic to happen overnight.

They need to understand that restoring Guyana to its rightful glory will take a massive, combined effort. They need to stop expecting major changes in just a little over two months of office for the new administration. It will take time, but from what I am seeing, we are certainly on the right track and we are in the right hands…The Government is too young to bring about the major changes some people are expecting in such a little time…They just need to be patient…”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE At the moment, the An-Najim Masjid and Social Centre is making quite a difference in the lives of many residents and youths by offering Family Guidance and Counselling, Women’s Education and Development, Skills Training, Literacy Classes, Social Relief and Welfare for the elderly and differently abled people.

That aside, the Albouystown Technical Centre (a collaborative effort between the Free Mission Church of Finland and Full Gospel Fellowship, Guyana) is making a difference there also.

This institution is empowering the community in technical and vocational skills and offers classes in computer training, electrical installation, tailoring, sewing, mathematics, English Language and much more. The facility which also has a library and research centre, offers counselling for HIV, teenage pregnancy and domestic abuse patients, a feeding programme, and a medical outreach life- enhancement training.

This basketball court offers leisure time activity for residents

Residents there never fail to have the

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

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Places of worship in the community While Albouystown is plagued with challenges, there are a notable few who have tried to help residents and have contributed in one way or another to their well-being.

Amongst these are the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force ‘A’ Division, who just recently has donated hundreds of shoes to schools in the area.

The move was part of the CIOG and the GPF’s Community Initiative to improve the lives of children in the area. The joint organisations made donations to three schools, including the Albouystown and Selma Fraser Nursery schools.

Coordinator of the CIOG initiative, Omar Cooper, had said that the group would usually make presentations to persons and organisations in the area and is proud to be collaborating with the ‘A’ Division of the Guyana Police Force.

Caren Charles and Yolanda Hassan, head teachers of the Albouystown and Selma Fraser Nursery schools, expressed their gratitude for the initiative. ► Continued on page XXII

eir own annual Phagwah celebrations

Check out the Supreme Quality outlet for the best in creole dishes

The Albouystown Technical Centre

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

ALBOUYSTOWN ► From page XIX In 2013 also the community had got a facelift when several Muslims, in a demonstration of civic pride, took to cleaning up the area which is often referred to as the ghetto by many.

The clean-up campaign was organised by Masjid An-Najim, GMEI, SGDC, YMCA, True vision Foundation and Harpes Eagles. The initiative was well received by residents.

AN APPEALING COMMUNITY This community is an appealing array of youths speeding down the street on bicycles and young girls playing hop-scotch in opening fields.

At the street corners in some areas young men sit playing cards, and mothers chat amicably as they rush about getting items for dinner. Young mothers gossip cheerily from open windows and in some yards, young children chase each other screaming

The Caesar’s Guest House

in delight.

The combination of a few posh buildings and cottage houses lend a somewhat appealing contrast to the community. One outstanding structure is the Caesar’s Guest House and the Supreme Delight joint where everyone gets the best in creole dishes, fried fish and fresh fruit juices.

There is a well maintained basketball court there and several gyms to keep the sport-oriented in tip-top shape. And of course the holy at heart can worship at the An-Najim Masjid or the Epiphany Lutheran Church.

At many corners one can see women selling tasty plantain chips, fried channa and such like on small stalls in front of their houses.

Many would gather every Sunday when Suresh Mohabir and Kimbia Persaud would share free samples from their Rastafarian kitchen. And at weekends, it’s non-stop revelling at the ‘Ghetto Flex Bar’ and everyone is assured of a rollicking time.

Despite the tales of high criminal activity, one has to agree that

Albouystown, if moulded under the right hands, can in time become one of the more appealing communities in this our beautiful Guyana.

One can bump into many snack shops like this on a visit to Albouystown

Our reporter Alex Wayne gets ready to sample some fried channa sold by a roadside vendor

Albouystown has benefited from extensive clean-up initiatives

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

How to Manage Waste in a Spray-Painting Workshop

S

pray-painting is a fast growing type of economic activity in our country. Some chemicals used in spray-painting have the potential to negatively affect people and the environment. Therefore, it is important to manage any spray-painting waste substance in a sound way to prevent any significant impact on society.

Here are some tips to help spray-painting operations to minimise and possibly eliminate harmful impacts of their activities on the environment.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WORKERS The operations of a spray painting shop should not only be managed to ensure environmental protection, but importantly, the health and safety of workers also need to be considered. Therefore, the following practices should be adopted to safeguard the health and safety of workers:

WASTE • ways.

Never dispose of waste solvents, wash water, paint, etc. into the drain or nearby water

• Collect and store all contaminated solvents used to clean equipment in a drum.

• Empty solvent containers can be reused to store either recycled solvent or waste solvent awaiting disposal.

• Rags used to soak up solvents should be kept in a closed container labeled ‘HAZARDOUS WASTE’.

• Any waste that is produced from a spray painting operation should be disposed of at the Haag’s Bosch Landfill.

SPILLS While in operation, spills can occur in a Spray-painting workshop; spills of solvents and paints can cause water pollution and ultimately threaten human health. Therefore, spills need to be effectively managed.

• A spill kit must always be available and employees should know how to use it to manage spills effectively.

• Equipment to be used for the containment of spills should be stored in areas where spillages could occur.

• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must always be worn during spray painting. These include: gloves, goggles, face mask, long sleeved shirts, and long pants.

• Protective equipment should not be stored in the spray booth.

• All employees should know the correct way of wearing each PPE. • A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) should be available to provide information to employees on the hazardous substances used in the workshop. The MSDS should include such information as the health hazard posed by the substance and the type of PPE that should be used while handling the substance.

• Electrical equipment should not be used in areas with flammable vapours, except where wiring has no open splices, breaks or fittings.

• Compressed gas cylinders should be stored and managed following the suppliers recommendations. Air compressors should also be operated according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• Electric motors that power the exhaust system must be outside the spray area and properly placed.

• Fire extinguishers and spill kits should be available and functioning.

• First Aid Kits must be always available.

• Employers must ensure the placing of proper signage around booths, especially, ‘No Smoking’ signs.

• Persons working in booths should be trained regularly in proper environmental health.

Equipment used in spray-painting activities can also be a source of noise. Spray-painting operations must comply with the limits established in the Guyana Standard Guidelines for noise emission into the environment, according to the area where the facility is located.

• To clean up a spill, absorbent material should be used.

• In the event of a spill, use protective gear, such as gloves and goggles.

• Assess spilled solvent, and if it isn’t contaminated, use it for cleaning tasks. Install drain covers or drain valves to stop spills or leaks from entering drains or the sewerage system. Any material used to clean up a spill should be stored in a sealed drum before disposal at the Haag’s Bosch Landfill.

Follow these simple guidelines and be on your way to a productive and rewarding spray-painting business.

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

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE W

By Terence Roberts - in Toronto, Canada

(Part 1) Film Review

HAT is exciting for both today's film fans and film-makers is the ability to see and appreciate certain films, now considered classics, made more than half a century ago. It is obvious to serious professionals involved in film culture that to act as though the latest films from anywhere, or those made a few decades ago, are obviously 'better', or more relevant to our lives because of their contemporary appearance, is totally absurd, and nonsensical. â–ş Continued on page XXV

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WALK ON THE WILD SIDE ► From page XXIV

Terence Roberts

The basis for such a seemingly anti-present tense attitude, which may seem to be biased against the 'latest' films, has nothing to do with time-periods, but everything to do with the judgment of each film based on their total creative quality, without any influence from the decade in which they were made.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION The criteria for preferring these films available in much larger quantity than those of recent decades, rests simply on the total creative composition of each film: Their integrated components, involving opening graphics, soundtrack, cinematography, narrative structure, dialogue, fashion, scene structure, musical theme, natural or architectural environment, and art,

visual and linguistic, used as content.

If such creative aspects of film-making are of no interest or importance to those who view films, then this essay will be of no interest or relevance to them.

OUTSTANDING EXAMPLES Among the thousands of films which exist from countries around the world since the 1930s, there are lesser thousands (most from North America, or Holly-

wood), which exist like perfect ageless examples of that total power cinematic art can achieve.

‘Walk On The Wild Side’ of 1962 (released in DVD in 2004), directed by American Edward Dmytryk, and starring Laurence Harvey, Jane Fonda, Capucine, Anne Baxter, and Barbara Stanwyck, is one. First of all we should consider (in the same special way that the age of these films demand

our search for them) seeing them on the big cinema or auditorium screens, so that their artistic structure can be perhaps more obvious than on the average TV screen, where the film-makers intended emphasis on objects, items, structures, surfaces, etc, may not be dismissed as secondary to any narrative/ story involved. Such details became an attractive visual content in these classic films because their sole big screen

► Continued on page XXVIII

XXVI

‘How is your bite?’

I

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

F your teeth are poorly aligned and you think this is not a big deal you are mistaken. We know that for some people, their bite being ‘off’ causes them pain with Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART DDS. chewing, pain to the jaw joints, pain in the neck, and chronic headaches.

This happens a lot when you have recently done a few extractions or use a denture with missing teeth. In fact, some estimate that over seventy-five percent of all headaches are muscle-contraction headaches that could be related to a poor bite.

If you think of your head as about a six-pound ball sitting on your spine, balanced by all the muscles in the neck, the face and the head, you realise that when one muscle or several muscles get into a bad place, say for instance, a strained position, it can pull in such a way that all the other muscles are strained.

That muscle straining causes muscle contraction. Remember whenever any muscle pains for whatever cause, it responds by contracting. Those contractions can result in headaches.

We often find that people whose bite is off will accommodate by changing their neck posture. As soon as their neck posture changes, they start to have neck pain. This frequently happens to computer users who sit in front a monitor all day long. Additionally, when you affect the spine,the effect ripples from the top to the bottom of the spine. Not only that, bite misalignment, which is also called malocclusion, can cause you to break or crack teeth, or cause dental work to wear prematurely, excessively or even fail. So, the bite being off can be a very big deal.

We know that a bad bite causes a lot of stress to the entire chewing mechanism, and this stress does not relieve itself easily. It takes time and a lot of relaxation. Some people whose bite is off and who have accommodated it for years and years suddenly no longer have the “body energy” necessary to maintain themselves in spite of that bad bite.

Because of their other stresses in life, they find things start to go downhill. They would say, “This is the way God made me, so it must be okay.” Well, it is not okay.

Man is the only mammal that can live without its teeth. All other mammals die without their teeth. Do you think the loss of your teeth is innocuous? Think again. Just because your parents lost their teeth does not mean you will, too.

Are some dental problems hereditary? Yes. How often is the hereditary the reason that you have a dental problem? Very, very seldom. Only in a very small percentage of cases is hereditary the reason that a patient loses his or her teeth. Just because Mom and Dad lost their teeth due to gum disease does not mean that you will. It is more likely they did not care for their teeth, or did not know how to.

Some persons believe that it is normal for their gums to bleed when they brush their teeth or bite into a fruit. Tell me, when you brush your hair do you expect your scalp to bleed?

I think not.

Bleeding gums are the first sign of inflammation. By the way, inflammation is today considered a prime menace to overall health. So no, bleeding gums are not normal but the first stage of gum disease which is called gingivitis.

And gingivitis can make you lose your natural bite since you could eventually wear artificial teeth which has a biting force of just fifteen percent. I have seen TV and newspaper commercials that say certain mouth rinses get rid of bacteria and prevent gingivitis.

Well, that is total nonsense. Only the physical removal of dental plaque can do so.

Think of mouth rinses as perfumes. They obviously serve a purpose but are their use essential? The same way a regular bath is vital in keeping the body clean, regular and effective plaque removal keeps the teeth and gums healthy.

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Dr Collins remains committed to serving Guyana Guyana’s distinguished youth Ambassador Dr Astell Collins continues to inspire his generation with exceptional service to the development of his nation

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NE of Guyana’s distinguished youth Ambassador Dr Astell Collins continues to inspire his generation with exceptional service to the development of his nation.

Since his return from South Africa in December 2012, he has become relentless in his pursuit to do all he can from where he was with what he had.

To date he has facilitated in excess of 250 leadership seminars throughout the various regions in Guyana.

Interestingly these leadership seminars were conducted across the various sectors including all ages, all religious/ denominational divisions and also to the supporters of the political divide.

Additionally, since the transition of his mentor Dr Myles Munroe, Astell has committed to conducting 60 seminars in honour of his legacy. Dr Collins was also invited to the U.S. in March to represent Guyana in Charlotte, North Carolina at a special service in honour of Dr Munroe and here he was honoured by receiving the ‘International Champion of His Community Award’.

This son of the soil has successfully raised our nation’s flag wherever and whenever he travels overseas. He has become an inspiration to countless youth throughout Guyana, the Caribbean, Africa and the USA. However, the trait that distinguishes him is his insatiable desire to serve his nation in spite of the demand for him internationally.

Even as invitations poured in for him to facilitate his BD1 (Better Defined One) Leadership seminars abroad, Dr Collins suspended his international obligations to serve his nation after the elections date was announced. He believed that he had a duty to prepare the youth especially the undecided and first time voters to fully comprehend the responsibilities of their civic duty.

Likewise, he made it clear that he is only interested in serving all Guyanese and refused to be reduced to an instrument of division. To this end, he was able to persuade and inspire those he engaged with.

As a result of his reach, scope and influence not only in Guyana but also abroad, Dr Collins was the recipient of the prestigious ‘Golden Rule International Award’ and was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Golden Rule.

This appointment he said will be used to foster and disseminate a culture of honour in our nation with special focus on the youth. “They are our best and brightest hope,” he exclaimed.

In addition to empowering the youth in the various schools across this nation, Astell used his partnership with the Ministry of Education to empower teachers as well.

To facilitate and accommodate the scope of his leadership seminars which included the youth, teachers, religious organisations and government institutions, he initiated the BD1 National Leadership Revolution.

This was done to also advance his vision that leadership doesn’t need to be reformed but rather revolutionised. Astell believes that there exists a crisis in consciousness and that our individual and collective identity were eroded which has left us exposed to negative influences and our sense of value degenerated.

Thus with a lowered self-esteem our population, primarily the youth are engaged in self-limiting activities that create a perpetual state of hopelessness.

Therefore, in acknowledgement of his service and influence home and abroad Astell Collins was recognised by the United Graduate College and Seminary International with an Honorary Degree of ‘Doctorate of Philosophy in Society and Human Rights’.

Furthermore, in recognition of his accumulative wisdom

and insights, Dr Collins was also appointed as the Advisor for the office of Ambassador Clyde Rivers, who is the Ambassador at Large for the Republic of Burundi. He communicated his desire to use this appointment in Guyana’s best interest.

Additionally, he believes that there exist a number of opportunities for us to expose Guyana’s tourism product and also for the youth of our nations to engage in various developmental initiatives.

As CEO of (Better Defined One) BD1 Leadership with a wealth of experience in leadership development, Dr Collins remains committed to making his contribution to developing the citizens of his nation.

His ideas may seem radical but he believes that the youth remain Guyana’s most under-utilised natural resource which needs to be nurtured and exposed.

Although he is a highly sought after keynote speaker in conferences, seminars and workshops for Government institutions, religious organisations, universities, schools, etc., both nationally and internationally, Guyana remains his priority.

Dr Astell Collins has taken a number of persons on a journey of self-discovery to self-mastery helping them to identify with the concept of UBUNTU (a Zulu philosophy which is the spirit of humanity, i.e., I am because we are). It is taught to catalyse and promote the importance of national unity among our citizens.

As a result, he is respected as a human development strategist who is socially engineering a paradigm shift in consciousness. What’s more, is that this former Medical Technologist (Clinical Pathology specialist) is regarded by many as a global leader among the youth that is affecting change, giving hope and transforming lives.

His passion is to inspire the youth to embrace the idea that there is a destiny that made them necessary.

XXVIII The ‘Bell Light Box’ screening building in Toronto, Canada

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

► From on page XXV

‘Walk On The Wild Side’ movie poster projection guaranteed most of the audience would notice such details as essential to their total visual pleasure. When small private screens shape our responses, film viewing may appear more like a bland, automatic, second-hand function, rather than a venue for gripping visual focus that is not a saturation of commonplace special effects and fantasy made in a technical laboratory.

PRESERED ORIGINAL PRESENTATION Though the projection of thousands of classic films like ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ can be comfortably enlarged now from DVDs on screens of various sizes, steps have been taken, indeed had to be taken, to preserve the original big screen auditorium viewing of these films, not only for educational, but sheer pleasurable entertainment reasons, as when they were first shown in the 1960s and back, when videos and DVDs did not exist.

For this reason in every national city that proclaims itself committed to providing the best intellectual and cultural influence and educational instruction for all its citizens, especially those with the intention of producing, making and enjoying film culture, there exists at least one large cinematic space distinct from others dedicated only to the most commercially made recent movies. This separate space, apart from its large screening room, can also provide an outside café, bookstore, or library, focused on film culture, which is one of the most exciting areas of literature today. Such a film-viewing space is not dominated by nationally or regionally produced films, but rather by constant examples of outstanding classic films made from the 1930s up, since all learning is related to past achievements.

AN EXEMPLARY SCREENING ROOM Such a screening space is the ‘Bell Light Box’ cinematic auditoriums in downtown Toronto, where ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ was brought back and screened recently, as part of its weekly calendar of outstanding cinematic art stretching back nine decades.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Coast Guard troops complete training... ► From page XII

Seamanship.

Sub Lieutenant Welcome also highlighted that during the exercise personnel had the opportunity to be involved in firefighting, damage control, and inland patrols in the Amazon Rivers of Brazil.

Sub Lieutenant Welcome then said: “As professionals of the Coast Guard, this type of training will not only enhance their skills and knowledge in various areas but will also allow the members to perform their immediate duties efficiently and effectively.”

Addressing the success of the troops, Acting Chief of Staff, Colonel Kemraj Persaud says the training and upgrading of the skills of all soldiers is of critical importance and that the exposure gained by these troops agurs well, particularly in the context of the current threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity. “I urge the ratings to make full use of their training, especially at this time when there are threats to our territorial integrity.”

The training comes on the heels of the recently concluded Exercise Tradewinds which saw the GDF Flagship - the GDFS Essequibo and Coast Guard ranks participating in the maritime phase of the Exercise. This training saw participation from 17 different countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK and those in the Caribbean.

XXIX Members of the GDF Coast Guard who participated in a naval exercise spearheaded by their Brazilian counterpart termed ‘Exercise Caribex’

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

CONSUMER CONCERNS:

A walkway down one of the main streets in Georgetown. With former Dutch and British heritage, this path was first a canal built by the Dutch and then a tram line built by the British but then halted back in the 1930s (Photo courtesy Derek’s Travel Blog)

Beautification of Towns enhances quality of life

By Pat Dial NOW that the Central Government and the town councils, including Georgetown have shown some commitment and enthusiasm for clearing the accumulations of garbage and improving drainage, it is apposite that they devote some attention to the beautification, the aesthetics of the towns.

As part of the clean-up programme, it would cost little or no money. And the template for City beautification could be found in the work of the Georgetown Town Councils in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In this programme of beautification, we shall focus on two aspects - the trees and bridges - and will concentrate on Georgetown since the City could be used as an example to others.

For decades now, no one paid any attention to the trees in the City. They were either cut down or died without replacement. And those which have survived need to be trimmed and above all, cleared of the parasites such as bird-vine which infest them. If the trees are trimmed and cleared of the parasites, the aesthetics of the City would immediately improve.

More fundamentally, there should be a systematic replanting of the trees in the City on the basis of horticultural advice. In the past, Georgetown was famous as the ‘Garden City’ of the West Indies and this was largely because of the varied and colourful trees grown in the City.

Almost every street and canal was tree-lined and the trees were expertly mixed.

For example, Broad Street from Saffon Street to St Stephen Street was once lined with cabbage palms. Or upper Brickdam was lined with cannon-ball trees, or Camp Street with flamboyants, Main Street with samaans and upper Hadfield Street with mora trees. The canals were lined mostly with flowering trees such as frangipanni, golden showers or flamboyants.

The trees also had a utilitarian role: they provided fire-breaks in our wooden City, those along the canals consolidated the banks with their roots so controlling slippage and silting up, and the bigger trees such as samaan absorbed a great deal of water and helped in flood control.

The trees were all labelled with their common and botanical names.

In resuscitating the ‘Garden City’, however, planners have to take into account that, today, there are thousands of motor vehicles hunting for parking spaces each day and many parapet spaces need to be kept clear in the busy streets.

Georgetown once boasted of many ornate metal bridges over the canals as, for example, those in the Avenue of the Republic (High Street) or those linking Croal Street to South Road.

Most of these fine and unique bridges were destroyed by thieving vandals who sold the metal to scrap iron dealers. So far, there has never been any police prosecutions of either the thieves or the scrap iron dealers. Repairs to bridges have been ad hoc and do not enhance the beauty of the City. Bridges must be expertly designed for both strength and beauty.

Georgetown and all other Guyanese towns could be transformed into places of beauty enhancing the quality of life once there is the will on the part of the leaders to achieve it.

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XXXII

COPA Airlines celebrates one year of service to Guyana

Y

E S T E R DAY, July 11, marked one year since COPA Airlines, the Panamanian flag-carrier, commenced servicing the

Guyana market.

The airline operates two flights a week out of Guyana, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

COPA Airlines currently offers one-stop

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Passengers disembark from a Copa Airlines flight

connections to 74 destinations in 30 countries in North, Central, South America and the Caribbean. Additionally, COPA provides 12 options in North America,

Guyana Country Sales Manager Nadine Oudkerk including Miami, Orlando, New York and New Orleans.

In a media release issued through its public relations consultants, Sagacity Media, the airline stated: “The airline’s entry to the Guyana market has made it possible for passengers to enjoy more options, while providing scope for more business and tourism-related activities to be undertaken.

The Guyanese people’s response to the service has been very positive.”

Additionally, Country Sales Manager Nadine Oudkerk, said: “Our first year of operation has been very exciting and successful.

This is entirely due to

the tremendous, positive support from our passengers, our committed staff who provide a high level of service, our business partners and travel agents. We thank all our allies for making this first year a memorable one and we anticipate making many great strides and accomplishing many great things together, as COPA continues to serve the people of Guyana.

“COPA remains committed to Guyana for the long haul and providing the best on-board service and on-time performance on the most modern fleet,” Oudkerk concluded.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Pastor Miguel Collymore (Reprinted from GEM Magazine, issue #66)

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ASTOR Miguel Collymore is known for his mellow demeanor. He is not easily provoked, and he tactfully addresses fiery situations. He is a supportive father and husband. He is a man who can weather a storm and remain standing. He has learned to not allow any barrier to stop him from serving the Lord. Philippians 4:13 strengethens him daily.

Pastor Collymore brings with him a wealth of knowledge gained through serving the body of Christ as a Sunday School teacher, Youth Leader, Bible School Instructor, and Assistant Pastor.

Pastor Collymore was born and raised in the South American country of Guyana to the proud parents Louis Collymore and the late Janet Collymore. He has always said he is blessed to have two moms, this is because his dad remarried several years after the passing of his mom to the awesome Lucille Collymore. â–ş Continued on page XXXIV

Pastor Miguel Collymore

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Pastor Miguel Collymore ► From page XXXIII

Growing up in a home where there was freedom of religion, he was able to observe his greatest inspiration his uncle, Reverend Raphael Massiah, take his stand as a Christian.

He began this journey of commitment and dedication to Christ in 1980. After accepting Christ as his saviour, he began serving the Lord at First Assemblies of God – Wortmanville, where he worked as a Sunday School teacher, Treasurer, Royal Rangers Commander, Youth Ministry Vice President and then the National Commander of the Royal Rangers Department.

In preparation for ministry, he attended the Assemblies of God Bible Institute. He also attended and was certified as a Royal Rangers leader after being trained in 1991.

In 1992, he took up an appointment as the National Commander of the Royal Rangers department. Under his leadership, this ministry grew as he travelled throughout the country training leaders and assisting churches in developing their own Royal Rangers programme. Royal Rangers was a ministry for young boys where they were trained to be responsible men in society. The programme focused on the physical, mental and spiritual development of young men.

In 1995 Rev. Collymore migrated to the USA. In an effort to better equip himself for ministry and the direction the Lord was leading him, he enrolled in the Berean College where he pursued studies in Pastoral Theology and Counselling.

In 2000, he became a licensed/ordained Pastor with the New York district of the Assembly of God, where he was serving as the Brooklyn area Commander and Assistant Pastor at Daybreak Ministries Assembly of God. In 2002, he migrated from New York to Maryland where he served as an Elder at Restoring Life International Church in Pikesville, Maryland, until his remigration to New York.

Pastor Collymore is married to Marcella, his beautiful wife of 25 years, and together they have been blessed with Mekisha, Miguel Jr., and Mikhaila with one grandchild, Moriah.

Currently, Pastor Collymore serves under the Leadership of Apostle Medroy and Pastor Cheryl Brandt at Transformation Christian Centre International, he teaches at Community Bible Institute and Seminary, and he is pursuing studies in Christian Education and Theology at the same institution.

He believes that every day is a gift from God and an opportunity to reinvent one’s self so that each of us can be all that God wants us to be. He believes that he should never allow his circumstance to determine how he defines himself or how he worships God. Serving people and seeing them blossom into all that God would have them be brings him the greatest joy.

We honour Pastor Miguel Collymore for his 30 years of service in ministry, and we recognise the calling of the Lord on his life as a pastor to shepherd the sheep.

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

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ARIES - Moods may come and go, especially early in the week, making it hard to get a grip on the tasks and chores that lie ahead. If you’re bogged down with the demands of family members, you’ll need to carve out time for your own plans and projects or the coming days could rush by with you achieving little. Your dreams could be significant and worth exploring, as they may contain useful guidance. On Sunday it’s time to do what you want for a change.

TAURUS - Though it’s tempting to issue ultimatums and get angered by someone’s demands, you’d be better off listening to the advice of a friend who can help you see things from a more compassionate perspective. Either that or keep quiet and go with the flow until a solution presents itself. It really isn’t worth making waves. Starting midweek you’ll find it easier to connect with your instincts when making key decisions, which could be useful if you’re put on the spot later.

GEMINI - If you feel a stab of panic concerning money or another matter, it’s likely because your security seems threatened in some way. The thing to not do is act irrationally on the spur of the moment. Do what needs to be done and then go in search of advice - just make sure it’s reliable and trustworthy.

At times it may seem as though you’re trying to navigate through fog. If you keep your cool, you’ll eventually find the clarity you seek.

CANCER - Is someone getting to you? Even if they’re just sharing a few words of advice, chances are you’ll see it as threat. An edgy link could leave you feeling worried about what someone has planned. You can’t be sure of anything with Neptune in the picture! Bearing this in mind, it would be best to switch to spiritual mode and practice mindfulness or other meditation techniques to get a grip and be more effective. A bold move may be in the cards by Sunday.

LEO - Hidden forces seem to be at work, so you may feel your best efforts are being undermined and wonder how to tackle the problem. The best way to handle it is to relax and do the best you can, knowing that things should be a lot easier within a few days. The cosmos continues to shower you with interesting opportunities so long as you remain willing to move outside your comfort zone. Putting yourself out there can pay dividends in the near future.

VIRGO - Love troubles could be why you’re on edge early in the week, as feelings come to a head regarding a certain person. It’s best not to do or say anything spontaneously that you might later regret. Listen to the suggestion of someone who has some wise words to share. No matter what’s happening, things may not be as they seem. Wait a few days before you make any judgments, as there could be a good reason for what has transpired.

LIBRA - Don’t let family members or close friends prevent you from doing what feels best to you. If you have a goal, stick with it and don’t let others influence you. Your social focus continues to look bright, with plenty of reasons to enjoy some delightful evenings out. This is certainly a good time to expand your social reach and connect with people who may have alternative views and ideas. On Sunday make a point of doing what you want to do - and enjoy it!

SCORPIO - A new direction beckons, yet despite wanting to find out more, you may be reluctant to do so. Perhaps a desire to stick with the tried and trusted is keeping you from exploring new options. Let your imagination take you to new vistas and it might be enough to spur you on. When it comes to romance, a current love affair could deepen and become more fascinating and seductive, which you might enjoy. Expect the unexpected over the weekend.

SAGITTARIUS - You might need to snap to where financial matters are concerned, especially if a decision needs to be made. If you’re thinking of investing in property or anything else, do your homework first to avoid disappointment or bad deals. Alone time might be appreciated, too, particularly if you’ve been busy lately. When you do move out of your comfort zone you’ll have a great time with the potential for a love bond. Avoid impulsive spending over the weekend!

CAPRICORN - Relationships could be somewhat edgy early on, which might put a bit of distance between you and another. You might feel better about things if you can have a heart-to-heart talk. Mercury heading into Cancer can be a good time to clear the air, though in certain cases it might take some courage to do so. Where shared finances are concerned, opportunities for some excellent business deals could show up, as well as the potential to earn extra cash.

AQUARIUS - Health and wellness issues come to the fore, as do work and lifestyle affairs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, perhaps you should consider pacing yourself and even taking some time out to recharge your batteries.

From midweek you may feel more motivated to research your options and find ways to make life easier overall. You continue to be supported by others even if you’re unaware of it, which has to be good news. And your love life sizzles!

PISCES - Passionate feelings seem to be playing out in the arena of romance. Perhaps there are a few games being played, too, in the hope of getting greater leverage in a love tryst. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it might be best to move on to greener pastures. You’re very sympathetic to other people’s problems in general, but don’t overextend yourself by trying to help too much. The weekend is the time to enjoy yourself on your own terms.

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Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015

English

Chronicle Pepperpot July 12, 2015 ► From page XL Ramada, here we are,” the Marketing Manager told the Chronicle.

The U.S. company, which has hotels in neighbouring Suriname, Belize and St Maarten, has already been rebranded Ramada.

Since assuming ownership, Ridley said Princess has been holding its own due mainly to several strategy positions of management. The hotel offers various packages apart from the weekend package as well as special rates.

In Guyana, the competition among hotels is stiff. There are about 10 major hotels competing for the same market.

General Manager Ugur Turetgen

“If we have about 300 people coming to Guyana every day, my market research has shown that we do not have 300 going into these hotels. The majority of them go by families and the smaller hotels. So what we do based on that market research was to set rates that are comparable to those hotels, so that we can attract these people and earn our fair share of that market,” Ridley said.

Princess also has been working with the Guianas to attract visitors and from time to time attracts large contingents of visitors from Brazil and Venezuela who spend the weekend there. There is a special weekend package for families: they can check in on Friday at 15:00hrs and enjoy breakfast and dinner and have access to the swimming pool, gym, Fun City and the hotel’s club, Club Next, all at a nominal rate. The weekend relaxer ends on Sunday at 15:00hrs.

CHURCH TOURISM With parent churches holding their conventions in different Caribbean states every year, Princess has capitalised on the opportunity to establish a foothold in the “Church Tourism” market.

“Church tourism has taken off with a speed in Guyana, only recently we just hosted two big church conferences here. We are also trying to capitalise on the wedding tourism market. Recently, we have found that a lot of people are into the American and British way of doing things. When a loved one dies overseas, the body is brought home for final resting and the family hosts a remembrance ceremony. We are also catering for these events,” the Director of Operations told this publication.

Princes Hotel has been working with the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority since from its inception.

The hotel is awaiting the publication of the annual Tourism Calendar as it plans to provide visitors a memorable and satisfying experience during their stay.

“We treat all of our guests equally, we do not have [a] segregated market here at all. Once you come through that door, you are guest and we treat you courteously,” Ridley said, as she urged all to visit and experience the treat of the-soon-to-be rebranded hotel.

Director of Operations, Ms Petal Ridley

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From Princess to ...

- Rebranded hotel set for Five-Star status in September

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By Tajeram Mohabir

HE Princes Hotel & Casino will have a new look come September when the Hotel and Casino will be rebranded Ramada Georgetown Princess.

Work on the rebranding commenced about two years ago and the vision is to upgrade the imposing hotel located in an area of sprawling development at Providence, East Bank Demerara, to Five-Star status.

The Ramada brand offers visitors a warm and friendly stay. It provides guests with free, high-speed wireless Internet access, cozy beds for a relaxed and restful stay, guest bathrooms stocked with San Francisco Soap Company amenities and a variety of hotel choices to match every trip.

And this includes whether it is a family vacation or a quick stop and recharge, to a full-scale conference or lavish wedding.

Ramada in 1990 joined the Wyndham Hotel group, the world’s largest and most diverse hotel company, with some 7,670 hotels and 667,000 rooms in over 65 countries around the world.

The re-modelled conference hall

Wyndham was ranked second on Fortune Magazine’s “Most Admired” list of hotels, casinos and resorts.

Princess is nearing the completion of renovation work as it prepares for the grand launch of Ramada in September, which promises to be ‘a September to remember’.

To bring Princess up to high international standards, the hotel has invested some US$5 million in renovating and refurbishing of rooms, the lobby and public areas.

General Manager Ugur Turetgen told the Chronicle that thus far, work has been competed on the installation of three new elevators, the guests’ washroom facilities and re-modelling of the swimming pool.

ino

-be-rebranded Princess Hotel & Cas

The re-modelled pool at the soon-to

The Princes Hotel &Casino at Providence, East Bank Demerara

RICH INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE And soon, a Javanese restaurant will be opened, adding flavour and diversity of a rich international experience, and will be made affordable to all. Work on the restaurant is expected to be completed in a month’s time.

Director of Operations of Princes Hotel & Casino, Petal Ridley, also said the conference facilities of the hotel have been re-modelled and upgraded to facilitate simultaneous translations of different languages, with an installed, high-tech multimedia projector and public address system. The soundproof conference hall has the capacity to seat over 500 persons.

The re-modelled hotel will be eco-friendly, featuring state-of-the-art, solar-powered LED technology.

A solar water-heating system will replace the old electric water heater in order to use renewable energy, instead of fossil sources to produce electricity.

All of the 195 rooms of the hotel will also have energy-saving systems as a conservational mechanism to eradicate electricity wastage.

Turetgen said the modern upgrades are in keeping with Ramada standards and are geared to position the luxurious hotel as the hotel of choice in Guyana.

The Princess Hotel was born about six years ago, and the strategy then was to tap into the niche markets of corporate Guyana. According to Ridley, the move earned the privately owned hotel much success.

And with talk of the Marriott coming on stream, management thought it necessary to rebrand Princess.

“We thought that we should be on the same level. It should be a level playing field for international hotel chains in Guyana. So the company’s Chief Executive Officer said Ramada will be the way to go in order to gain Five- Star status,” Ridley related.

HERE WE ARE In Guyana, there is no internationally rated hotel with the exception of the Marriott. But this will soon change, “So ► Continued on page XXXIX