I AM SENIORS by iammagazinett

MISSION Enlighten, Expose, Educate and Empower. THE I AM FAMILY Creative Consultant/Puzzle Writer: Fleur Wheeler Youth Consultant/ Model: Tiffany N. V. Duncan Cartoonist: Miguel Lashley Feature Writer: Ifarounke Deidre Prescod Sex Educator: Onika Henry Holistic Health Writers: Kenya Gale & Dr. Caroline Alexis-Thomas Researcher/Writer Elder Issues: Katharine Inniss Neo-Natal Consultant: Marissa A. Callender Fire Safety Writer: Divisional Fire Officer David Joseph Thomas Head Writer: Patricia Nicole Whiteman Assistant Editor: Shaun Biggart-Hutchinson Editor: Eutille E. Duncan KEEPING IT REAL AND ROOTS AND CULTURE COVER PAGES Photographs by Arlene Massiah Photography FRONT COVER Photograph of Patsy Stewart: Member Golden Members Poetry Club Photograph by Arlene Massiah Photography BACK COVER Collage of Members: Golden Members Poetry Club Photographs by Arlene Massiah Photography MAGAZINE LAYOUT AND DESIGN Eutille E. Duncan CONTACT US:

(868)-294-6233/(868)-714-0924 Email: iammagazinett@gmail.com

THE HAIR (HERE) I AM FAMILY Sex Educator: Onika Henry Holistic Health Writer: Dr. Caroline Alexis-Thomas Creative Consultant/Puzzle Writer: Fleur Wheeler Youth Consultant/ Model: Tiffany N. V. Duncan Cartoonist: Miguel Lashley Neo-Natal Consultant: Marissa A. Callender Fire Safety Writer: Divisional Fire Officer David Joseph Thomas Photographers: Troy Andrews & Allistair Philip Feature Writer/Proof Reader: Patricia Nicole Whiteman Feature Writer/Assistant Editor: Shaun Biggart-Hutchinson Marketing Director: Agatha Keith Editor/Feature Writer: Eutille E. Duncan

THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REVISED FROM ISSUE 7 OF HAIR HERE I AM. OUT OF OBLIGATION TO OUR SUPPORTERS AND ADVERTISERS.

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear readers The Holy Bible states in Leviticus 19:32 “Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. For according to the Chinese proverb: “One generation plants the trees another gets the shade”. So in an effort to show just a little of the honour and respect due to those who have planted the “trees” whose “shade” we now enjoy this issue places special emphasis on the senior citizens in our community. They are often overlooked, but without them we could not be where we are today as a society. It is their struggles and victories great and small which have secured us a place in the world. We ask you to join with us as we seek to do our small part towards honouring our elders as we hope to one day be blessed with the privilege of being among their ranks.

Arlene Massiah Photography For All Your Special Occasions (868)-755-9942 www.arlenemassiah.com

IsayU Clothing. Empowering The Youth Through Fashion.

Established 2012

See us on facebook: IsayU Clothing instagram@IsayUClothing Kirsten Benjamin (868)(326(4116

SHEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ROYAL HAIR I AM! HAIR-DOS OF THE ISSUE.

NATURAL BEEYOUTY HOW TO GROW HAIR FAST

SHE’S ROYAL by Eutille E. Duncan Hair stylist extraordinaire Keneisha Leander was born 8th November 1979 and grew up in the parish of St. Andrews, Kingston on the island of Jamaica. This tall, majestic, beauty of African descent adopted Tobago as her second home in 2014 and has been enhancing the natural beauty of her Tobagonian “sisters” ever since. A wife and mother of three Keneisha often works fourteen hour days at her craft. She opens the doors of her salon K. Leander Xclusive Salon, located at Phillip’s Building Burnette Hill, Scarborough at 8:00am and very often does not close them until 10:00pm. Keneisha states that the long hours would have been difficult for her family if not for her supportive husband. Her commitment is fueled by her inherent love for doing hair. She was “born to do hair” and from a very tender age, she recalls having to braid her own hair; “my mother wasn't much of a hair person by the time I was a

girl of eight she would just part my hair and I would plait it in whatever style I wanted. By the time I was fifteen years old I was doing hair for my friends and family. When I left school I worked at other jobs but I would always do hair in between, I went on like this till I opened my first salon in 2010 back home in Jamaica. When I moved here in 2014 I worked a few places but I would always do hair on the side, till 2016 when I reopened a Salon here”. A woman of deep Christian values Keneisha believes that; “beauty comes from when a woman is

good on the inside, loves herself and feels good about herself, looking good on the outside is just a bonus.” And Keneisha is all about giving that bonus: she does relaxers, and a vast array of natural styles including interlocking natural hair, and for the woman who is into protective hairdos Keneisha can provide you with hand crafted custom wigs, braids or weaves in a variety of styles. A few months ago she featured one of her braid styles and one of her wigs at the Supreme Hair Expo, in Trinidad.

Supreme Hair Expo

She is not limited by age or gender when it comes to hair. And having spent time in the field of care-giving for the elderly she delights in doing hair for the more mature client. The highlight of Keneisha’s day comes when ”I do a style for a cus-

tomer and they love it, I feel great when I’m finished and they look at themselves in the mirror and say; ’you did it. This is just what I wanted, I’m happy I spent my money by you.’ That to me is pure joy, knowing I am doing the very best with my God given gift.” Keneisha would like to tell all the up and coming stylists out there that; ”if you

want to get into hair it is hard work. It can’t be about the money because you will never make it or do your best. The hours are very long and you have to love it and have a passion for it to do it.”

HAIR I AM! HAIR-DOS OF THE ISSUE! Enol Jack-Stewart Style by Lizzie

Arnim Taitt Style by Arnecia Taitt

Jillian Herry Style by Z Beverly Adams Style by Celia

Aphea Solomon S

Sharon Pantin Style by Herself

Nicole Gregouire Style by Herself

Zola John

Style by Asha Toby

Sharon Alfred style by Delisa

NATURAL BEEYOUTY BUILDING A HAIR REGIMEN BY LACI JOSEPH When people see a head of healthy hair the first thing they ask is: "What products do you use?" And as a product mixtress I do know that good products can make or break your hair! For hair to flourish and stay healthy over a prolonged period, I strongly believe that good procedure or a good regimen is as important, if not more important than good products. If you are having trouble with your hair, just take a step back and look at your procedure, and make a few key changes and you can see significant changes in the health or your hair. Ask yourself: Are you deep conditioning more than once every blue moon? Do you moisturize religiously? Do you handle your hair with care, or over manipulate? Are you covering your hair at night? It's these little things that add up and make the difference between a healthy head of hair and damaged tresses. What is a hair regimen? It’s basically a structured routine or schedule of the hair care practices that you perform on a regular basis. Now before you start thinking, I knew it, this natural hair thing is too much work! Just think about it, there are lots of things we enjoy every day that require just a little bit of work - from keeping our bodies fit, to reaping vegetables from our kitchen garden. But after the work the reward is so worth it. I firmly believe hair should be fun, not tedious! So it’s not like I want to take the fun out of wearing natural hair, but I think developing a hair regimen can help you yield positive results in your natural hair journey. Besides, the more you practise a system eventually it just becomes a part of your lifestyle, like second nature. How do you develop a regimen? First you need to decide what are the basic or core functions that your hair cannot do without. Once you have that foundation, you commit to how often you need to perform those tasks and the products and tools you will use to do them. This sometimes requires time, and a bit of trial and error, but once you find what works for you it removes the guess work from being natural, saves you time in doing unnecessary tasks or steps and can save you money by not spending on things you may not need. If you decide, for example, that your basic foundation is: shampooing, conditioning, moisturizing and maintenance/grooming, you will find that even if, say, life gets busy, you can focus on these foundation elements and slack off a bit on some extra activities. Everyone’s regimen may not be the same. Your regimen will need to fit your hair goals, your hair type, even the climate in which you live, and most of all your lifestyle. When building a regimen, here are a few things to consider: Your Personality: Are you a “no fuss” kind of person? Avoid a routine that’s too complicated or elaborate, eventually you may just get frustrated and will not stick to the routine after a while Your Skill Level: Evaluate your skills honestly and then decide what you can improve with practice and what you may need assistance with. Maybe you can do certain aspects of the routine yourself and have someone else help you your weaker areas, for example, styling. Your Lifestyle: Keep your regimen practical and relevant to you and you will be more likely to keep up with it over the long term. Are you a busy working mom with little

time? Try a simple regimen with few steps. A student on a tight budget? Maybe DIY projects using everyday affordable ingredients may be your thing. At the gym every day? You may need to do some tasks in your regimen more often, like cleansing. Your ‘Hairsonality’: What does your hair like? What works for one person’s hair may not work for yours, so listen to what your hair is ‘saying’. It’s not always about what the latest trend is! Consider how you wear your hair whether in locs, a short afro etc and choose tasks that are appropriate. Where do products come in you may wonder? Quality products which are appropriate for your hair type compliment a good regimen and make it even more effective. Experiment with different techniques and different products until you find exactly what fits into your lifestyle and what works best for your hair. After this 'trial period' is over and you find what works for you, just stick to it and be consistent. You will have a solid hair regimen, supported by a strong product arsenal and will be on your way to healthy hair!

JUST BEE YOU: Hair Care & Beauty Products NATURAL PRODUCTS WITH NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS Shea & Aloe Soufflé, Oils & Herbs, Lemongrass Shampoo Etc. AND JUST FOR BEEYOUTIFUL BABY’S SENSITIVE SKIN Try The BABY LOVE Line of Cosmetics

For More Info. Call: (868)-787-0971 Or Visit Us Online At: www.justbeeyoutiful.com/ www.youtube.com/justbeeyoutiful/ www.facebook.com/justbeeyoutiful

HOW TO GROW HAIR FAST. by Kenya Gale, B.S.P.H. In the year of 2009, I began the habit of washing my hair in cool water. I heard it was much better for natural hair than warm water. I realized after doing this, my curls had so much more moisture. I continued washing it in cool water until around 2011. I began getting my hair done by a woman who specialized in natural hair. The first time I went to her was for a wash and press. (Yes, she still used a hot comb!) After conditioning my hair she washed it out with ice, cold water. I felt like I was in shock for awhile. After I regained warmth in my head, the hairstylist explained why she used cold water. Cold water seals in the moisture of the conditioner used. It also stimulates the cuticles in the scalp and â&#x20AC;&#x153;awakensâ&#x20AC;? them, in a way. Stimulated scalp & hair cuticles = faster & thicker hair growth! Defined curls are also something many curly haired girls strive for. Cold water reduces the frequency of frizzy curls. Additionally, cold water smoothens hair cuticles, which gives the hair a healthy and shiny appearance. Regardless of the benefits of washing with cold water, it took me awhile to include that in my hair routine at home. Luckily, I got my hair done every three weeks, which allowed me time to get acclimated with the temperature shift. Before long I was at home turning the water to cold as I washed the conditioner out of my hair. I saw results soon enough. My hair began to grow like crazy. The length, thickness and quality had improved drastically. It slowly began to resemble my hair before I began experimenting with hair dye and heat tools. To this day I still choose to wash my hair in cold water and I would recommend it to anyone with curls.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S UP?

IN DEFENCE OF THE CHILD

IN DEFENCE OF THE CHILD. with Patricia Nicole Whiteman. “Train up a child in the way in he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs chapter 22 verse 6. Lately I have been having some eye-popping, jaw-dropping, mind-boggling experiences that have left me virtually spell bound.

Eye-popping because I recently attended my daughter’s secondary school sports, at Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet. I sat in the shaded stand, all excited and eager to take in the athletic talents of the next generation, out on the tracks. Instead, my attention was involuntarily diverted to the rows of seats within my radar. Girls, their tender now developing bodies indecently exposed. Hairstyles as full grown women, bust spilling out of blouses like an over filled cup of steaming cappuccino, butts clinging to extremely short, tight fitting, skirts and dresses, legs outside like on a Victoria Secret Cat Walk. I became very confused as to my location and started to look around to verify it. Was I in Tobago? Or the Red Light District in Amsterdam. To put the icing on the cake, boys and girls were caressing-petting without a thought or care for who or where they were.

Jaw-dropping because I saw a teenage girl approximately fifteen years of age, fully clad in school uniform, waiting for taxi. On her right leg, embossed a large tattoo! Later in the evening while commuting home, my ear caught the tail end of the news. “Sixteen year old male from Central Trinidad went missing. Left home in three quarter, hipster pants, earring in ear ,didn’t say where he was going.” These children are not working anywhere and receiving a pay check, so they can’t afford any of the things they are wearing. Certainly they are not paying a rent, so they must be leaving from some adult’s home.

Mind-boggling because I am struggling to understand, growing up under the watchful eyes of my surrogate parents the above couldn’t happen. I didn’t even know boys existed until I was about eighteen years of age and even then, there were boundaries. Before I had a second conversation, much less a thought of going out on a date, the chap had to enter the interrogation room of my parents’. There were curfews, gate was closed at six o clock on ordinary nights and ten pm on date night. No thought of fooling them with time was considered because they always sat on a chair by the front door to greet me when I got in. Even when I was well over the legal age for adulthood, they carried out thorough inspection of my attire, to ensure I was leaving their home with all my body parts securely tucked away inside my garment. Declaring my intended destination was mandatory not voluntary.

Spell-bound because after the “THE NEW SCHOOL” parents, we have slackened the reins and allowed our horses to gallop wherever they please. Then we get on digital and print media weeping, gnashing, our teeth while emphasizing what a saint our son or daughter was. If you put bread in the oven when you check you should expect bread not cake. Parents-let us be reasonable. It is unfair not to instill law and order, good moral values, principles and etiquette in our children and then turn around and expect them to be upstanding, law abiding citizens. The Lord loaned them to us to do the above, when we fail to do so then we should be prepared to handle the repercussions.

Also please note, we do not have the right to swear and shout at our children, even go about ill speaking and complaining to any one who would listen, telling them. “mi ha ah boy/ gal dey, only ah bring disgrace to mi name.” That is doing our children a grave injustice. Let us make a commitment to invest more time and energy into fostering goodly and Godly things into them, so later down the road, we can hold our heads up in fame, rather than hanging them down in shame. Here is one parent who took time to do such and is presently holding his head up in FAME! Junior Thomas of Bloody Bay, Tobago is a proud father and single parent of fifteen year old son Juvani Thomas. Juvani shares a few of the values his father instilled in him. “You are known by the company you keep.” “Son, always remember a good attitude will take you a long way.” “Keep a good balance between school work and football.” These values led to him be the only student from Castara Government Primary, to sit and pass the SEA exam for Bishop’s High School, Mt. Marie, Tobago in 2014. Juvani is currently performing well academically. He is also an athlete, he currently plays with both the under 16 and under 19 teams at Bishop’s High, as well as Bertille St. Clair’s Coaching School and also a team from his village of Bloody Bay. He also has had the opportunity to train with the Tobago Zone under 15 team with coach Richard Goddard and others. He has travelled to Trinidad with the Tobago under fifteen team and was due to go to Egypt last August but the trip was cancelled because of the current unrest there. His dedication has paid off and he will be part of a mixed team to travel to Miami in December 2017. This under 19 team has been put together by the head coach at Bertille St. Clair’s Coaching School and Juvani was one of three players selected from Bishop’s High School.

All The Best Juvani In Your Future Endeavors From:

WHAT’S UP? (update on William & Catherine Romeo Reading Hour) by Patricia Nicole Whiteman rd

August 3 , the heavens opened up and hydrated the earth in a mighty way, as William & Catherine Romeo Reading Hour (W & CRRH) embarked on their 1st field trip for the year. The group took off at approximately 10am from the grounds of the Delaford Community Centre in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Bus. There was tremendous rain, thunder and lightening but that did not deter' us, it added to the adventure of the day! First stop, the Kendall Aquatic Centre, where we were given an extensive tour of their sophisticated grounds and an extremely edifying lecture on all things aquatic, which was followed by a fun filled Q and A segment! Next stop, the lovely Turtle Beach Hotel at Courland where we were treated to a wonderful tour of their exquisite, up to date facility. Third stop, the wooded, charming Turtle Beach Park. We had read a hilarious, yet informative book called “Lu Lu The Leather Back Turtle” by Sonia Canel, and as it was the nesting season we decided to visit an actual laying site. Although we didn’t see any Turtles that day the visit brought the facts from the book to life. It continued to rain and we all huddled under the rustic unpainted cabana where we had our picnic lunches! Our sensitive and caring driver, Constable Joseph of the Moriah Police Station pulled up and took us adjacent to the YMCA, where members of staff were kind enough to allow us to shelter for the remainder of the afternoon. We left Courland in a torrent of rain which never stopped until we were back at the Delaford Community Centre!!! The W & CRRH wishes to publicly thank the following for contributing to the success of our field trip for 2017: Senior Superintendent Ms. Joanne Archie and some of her team, Sergeant Guy, Constable Joseph and others too numerous to mention. Mr. Dexter, administrator of the Kendall Aquatic Centre and the rest of his hardworking dedicated team. The pleasant Mr. Scotland and the rest of the Turtle Beach Hotel team. The kind Ms Sherma Joseph and the rest of the YMCA team at Courland. Last but certainly not the least, the sweet and generous Mrs. Diane O’Neil, also Mrs. Breata Melville. Most of all, “ THE TRINITY.”

WEDDING WELLNESS

IF ITS NICE DO IT TWICE

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

HUNT FOR SWEET SPOT

WEDDING WELLNESS: 4 STRATEGIES TO STAY WELL FOR YOUR WEDDING, HONEYMOON AND LIFE EVER AFTER by Caroline Alexis-Thomas, PhD, MPH Planning your wedding and life together after, can be a daunting experience. Along with the excitement of making daily decisions for the wedding and future life together, comes along the stress, anxiety, frustration, fatigue, brain fog! Yet you have to arrive on the ‘most dreamed about day’ full of energy and looking and feeling your best. Wedding Wellness focuses on ‘well body-well living’. It is about strengthening your internal environment (body, mind and spirit) so that you will be better able to handle the external environment (stress, multi-tasking, and endless decisions) that comes with getting married. WEDDING WELL STRATEGIES: MASSAGES Massages activate the body's relaxation response and reduce the levels of stresscausing hormones. It provides the body with energy to move with confidence and good posture because you are feeling well inside and outside. Coupled with a detox programme, you will have a healthier lymphatic system which has removed toxins and waste from your body. At Silk Cotton Holiday Home and Wellness Centre, massages are recommended every 2 weeks leading up to the wedding day. EATING WELL Activities leading up to the wedding day, are going to put the body under stress and emotional trauma. Eating well is to consume a diet that is rich in alkaline foods and low in acidic foods. We offer smoothies and herbal teas which has the effects of calming, alkalizing and repairing the body. Nutritional support for eating healthy throughout the day with regards to intake of excessive salt, sugar, fried foods. HEALTHY HAIR AND SKIN Hair and skin care is very important as make-up and photos are major components of a wedding day. The hair and skin should be cared for with the products that are free of chemicals and preservatives. We have a range of natural hair and skin products and deodorants. These products ensure that your hair and skin get the right amount of moisture, vitamin and minerals for you to look and feel your best on your wedding day and beyond.

POSITIVE ENERGY Positive energy is a necessity. You have to imagine how you want to feel on your wedding day (confident, joyous, happy, relaxed, calm) and develop strategies to achieve that desire. At Silk Cotton Holiday Home & Wellness Centre, we offer budget-friendly accommodations for weekday, daily and weekly stays for you to positively energize yourself. Accommodation can also be utilized to prepare you and your bridal party on the wedding day. Adequate parking space is available regardless of the size of the vehicle. Tie the knot but do not put yourself in a knot before the wedding day.Start your life changing journey with a wellness experience:

CONTACT DR. CAROLINE ALEXIS-THOMAS:

Silk Cotton Holiday Home & Wellness Centre: Call: 868-338-3158 Email: silkcottonholidayhome@gmail.com. Facebook: Silk Cotton Holiday Home-Wellness Centre. Address: Silk Cotton Trace, Bon Accord, Tobago.

Best Wishes on Your Wedding Day and Your New Life Together!

IF IT’S NICE DO IT TWICE by Patricia Nicole Whiteman Marriage is the most scared institution under the sun. The first one took place in the Garden of Eden about 8000 - 6000 BC, in the book of Genesis 2:18 – 25 of the Holy Bible. Once done for the right reason and in the right way according to God’s instruction, it is the most rewarding and beautiful thing one can experience and achieve in one’s lifetime. One such couple, the McPhersons, known throughout the island as “The Love Birds” are certainly living proof of this fact. Anyone sitting in the audience, witnessing the ceremony, held May 27th 2017, couldn’t help being infected with the genuine, steamy love – romance – passion that exuded as former Prison Officer Kenerick (aka Tacka) and former Nursing Assistant Rhoda ( also called Emris) Arthur-McPherson, strolled down the aisle to renew their vows for their fortieth wedding anniversary. Shattering popular belief that the above three are figments of some play writer's imagination and only exist on Hollywood’s screen. Also, this makes Tobago more than just a wedding destination, with glitz and glamour for a wedding day. It proves it is a blessed place, where marriage endures and truly lasts “till death do us part”. What part of the island do you both hail from? Bay Road, Delaford, Tobago, better known as “Liberty City” because here everyone is happy and free! When and where did you two first meet? Infant class at primary school. It started with him bringing me butternut, do you know Diana Butternut? Well just like those. We followed each other from primary school into youth group and as time went by we could not part. Why did you decide to enter the scared institution of marriage? Because we realized during the course of our courting we had all that a marriage should entail. Love, endurance and everything else so on December 27th 1976 we got married Did the union produce children, and how did it affect your marriage, for the better or worse? Yes. I had said to my wife before, “honey, one thing I want you to do for me, make me a red bouncing baby boy, and do you know, that’s just what I got first. So we have three children, and we adopted eight and we also have seven grandchildren. They all brought us blessings and pleasure” Were there storms and how did you weather them? Yes of course, because like every situation marriage has its ups and downs and

testing’s, but we had humility- understanding – respect all these are very important in marriage, and that is how we weathered our storms. It takes two to tangle, so we never practice going to bed vex, we always make it up before. Why do you think your marriage lasted this long? Contentment, commitment, corporation, communication, trust. We realize husbands are the head of the family, and wives are the head of the home, therefore we give each other space to express ourselves. Also with our children we had family devotion and prayers. Any advice or encouragement for young upcoming newlyweds? Try your very best to live according to the vows you took. Do not make hasty decisions and never be too big to say “I am sorry”. Never stop courting each other because we never did; the going out together, dancing, and candle light diners at home, sexy lingerie, weekend and holiday getaways. You see if you stop the marriage will get stale and you need to make each other always feel new and fresh. It is very important to treat each day as the first and don’t forget to regularly surprise each other with the delights you know each other likes and always remember the important dates. Why did you decide to renew your vows? Because our children had recently achieved great success in their endeavors abroad, grandchildren did well in their recent exams, and we are both Gemini’s, (Mr.May 22nd 1950 & Mrs. May 24th1949) so we decided, hey, “if it’s nice do it twice!”

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HUNT FOR SWEET SPOT with Patricia Nicole Whiteman It is said the concept behind dessert is, “salt opens up the appetite and sugar closes it,” hence the reason why appetizers are more on the saltier end of the stick, whereas desserts are on the sweeter end. On my hunt, I found a spot that knows just how to close an appetite after a hearty five course meal. It is none other than, Kenrick’s Ice Cream Delights. Located in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of lower Scarborough, directly opposite the Port. Owned and operated by Kenrick James, originally from Trinidad, but who has resided here in Tobago for the past fourteen years. “I started making ice cream to satisfy the folks who have a sweet tooth,” says Mr. James as he smiled gaily! You can’t miss this spot, it literally screams, ice cream! With vivid rainbow like colours of various cartoon characters, skillfully painted on a quaint little building, bringing it to life. The seating, equally attractive in different vibrant colours as you sit and unwind, also affords customers with a people watching panoramic view of the harbor. The ice creams are made by Mr. James, with authentic local ingredients such as: Mango, Guava, Banana, Sorrel, Passion Fruit, Soursop, Barbadine, Cocopine. Available also are some out of the ordinary ones like: Rice Spice, Chunky Monkey and other surprisingly exotic ones, when you visit you will find out! The flavours coincide with every season and everyone, even diabetics can indulge! Come on down and pick your mix, as you can see, I am enjoying mine! Mmmmmm… See you at the next “Sweet Spot.” Until then, this is Patricia Nicole Whiteman reporting for, “Sweet Tooth.” Note, if you are now starting up a “Sweet” Business please contact us at: iammagazinett@gmail.com or call: 714-0924/294-6233.

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT with Patricia Nicole Whiteman Neatly tucked between lavish residential houses, yet set apart, is a well manicured parcel of land, located at Main Road Riseland Trace, on the right side of Carnbee Main Road coming from Scarborough. This enchanting enclave is magnificently decorated by nature with flamboyant flowering shrubs and trees such as: Oleanders, Bougainvilleas, Hibiscuses, Pride of Barbados, Ixora, Flame of The Forest, all exuding their unique perfume and fragrances into the air for the enjoyment of the nose. Surrounding the flowering plants are Christmas Palms, Ferns, Jatrophas, Nigger’s Mouth and Buttonwood Mangroves. To appease your mouth while you are there, are numerous seasonal, delectable fruits for you to feast on! Julie Mangoes, Mandarins, Oranges, Pomarac, Almonds, Sky Juice (coconuts) You automatically enter a whole new world when you leave the man made black carpet and step on the natural evergreen one! There are leisurely concrete benches placed at strategic points to sit and rejuvenate. You will find a rustic, yet charming, wooden foot bridge over a ravine where the water hits on large stones below, creating a therapeutic sound. The bridge, as you stroll on it, will take you from one end to the other where there is a veggie/herb garden.

As you lay or sit your eyes will behold a whimsical scene of fluttering butterflies, chirping, frolicking birds, buzzing bees, always ready to entertain you! Suited for weddings, picnics or just to shoot the breeze, this slice of heaven on earth is immaculately maintain by the diligent CEPEP crew of the area. There are cute little bins at various intervals through out. All we ask is, “ don’t be mean, leave it clean.” BEAUTIFUL TOBAGO.

LIVING THE WEDGEWOOD WAY WOMAN ON TOP: SHIRLEY COOKE: BAGOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEACH BAR

SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ILLNESS OUTCOMES... SEXUAL SENSE BABY TALK

LIVING THE WEDGEWOOD WAY by Eutille E. Duncan Tobagonian born and bred Rhondy Grandison and his Tanzanian born wife Edith “Eddy” Grandison are the owners and operators of the assited living facility Wedgewood Pines Assisted Living located in South Bend, Indiana. In 2014 the couple; he a business owner and she a Registered Nurse, decided to move their blended family of two sons (his) and two daughters (hers) away from the fast paced lives they led in Washington D.C., Maryland. They both come from traditional backgrounds where family life is of paramount importance and have the deepest love and regard for the elderly, so it was only natural that with Eddy’s medical training and Rhondy’s business acumen, coupled with the desire to give something meaningful back to the society, that they invested in and established a retirement facility like Wedgewood Pines. In addition to accommodation the Grandisons offer their residents meals which are prepared with health and healthful living in mind, with an emphasis on an all natural diet suited for the metabolism of their residents. They also provide daily activities to keep the residents active and involved in life such as; field trips, outings, and gardening in the warmer weather and indoor activities like handicrafts and board games during the colder months. For the residents that are of a more diminished capacity they ensure that they take their prescribed medications on time and assist in bathing and feeding them when and where necessary. The residents are predominantly female (four women and two men) and each person has their own single occupancy room, with the exception of a married couple who share a room. Eddy and Rhondy live on site so as to be easily accessible if an emergency should arise. And Rhondy insited that they would have it no other way as they both “find a lot of value in interacting with the elderly on a

daily basis.” Eddy and Rhondy are assisted in running their “home away from home” for their six elderly residents by a staff of six employees. They work right alongside their staff on a three days per week shift rotation the fist shift runs from 8am to 3pm, the next from 3pm to 9pm and the last from 9pm to 8am.

They intimated that the three days per week, one shift per day system was implemented so that no one person would be overworked. And they stagger the shifts based on the understanding that just as they needed to spend time with each other and their family so did their staff. They would like to share the secret behind successfully running such a facility; “You

can’t treat it like a business. You have to truly love the elderly and enjoy spending time with them and focus on making sure that they are safe and secure and that no one is taking advantage of them, so that they can enjoy the last years of their life being comfortable. In short you should treat them the way you would want to be treated if you are privileged to live to their age.”

WILSON ROAD, SCARBOROUGH (across the traffic light) NEXT TO THE TYRE SHOP. PHONE: 293-1235/304-1327

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SEXUAL SENSE. with Onika Henry B.A, M.Ed.

IT CAN ACTUALLY GET BETTER WITH AGE: SEX IN THE LATER YEARS Even though we age and our bodies change, the human need for closeness, touch and intimacy does not go away. Over the years, our life experiences taught us many things, we might have changed our perspectives and views and so our sexual scripts have changed. Bodies change, physical challenges or disabilities may become a part of our lives and our bodies respond differently to various stimuli, but that does not mean we lose interest in sex or that our lives as sexual beings are over. It means our sexuality evolves, and by extension the kind of sex we have or can have, is also transformed. Before I go further to explain what sex in the senior years looks like, let me explain the difference between sexuality and sex. This is important, so as to clearly understand the value of sexuality and sex in helping us achieve well being. Sexuality is the total expression of who we are as human beings and is a complex interaction of our whole being from physical to psychosocial development. That means it involves our values, attitudes, physical appearance, physiology and anatomy, beliefs, emotions, bonding and intimacy, attractions, our likes/dislikes, our spiritual selves. On the other hand you can think of sex as what happens above and below the waist and in between the legs. In other words sex is about behaviours. If our sexuality is positive and uplifting, then it contributes significantly to our sense of wholeness and wellness. The gift of the seniors years is the accumulation of wisdom and the availability of more time to be physically and emotionally intimate. By the time we have reached fifty we should have developed great self-awareness and acceptance clarity of our preferences, and an openness to exploring aspects of life we did not have time for in our busy fast paced youth. Sex really should continue to improve with time and in quality, pleasure and satisfaction and we can be active well into our eighties and nineties! CHALLENGES AS WE AGE Let me share with you the facts about the ageing human body, as it relates to our sexual function. Both women and men experience slower arousal responses. This can lead to anxiety in people who do not understand that this change is normal. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bodies change in some of the following ways: The vulva, (lips of the vagina = the labia) and the tissue covering the pubic bone lose some of their firmness. The walls of the vagina become less elastic. The vagina itself becomes drier. The clitoris can become highly sensitive, and for some, even too sensitive. The entire male sexual response tends to slow down in the following ways: There is a delay in erection. There is a need for more manual stimulation to

Onika Henry M.Ed. Human Sexuality TOBAGO-BASED SEX EDUCATOR AND SEX COACH: CONSULTS. DESIGNS PRESENTATIONS. PROVIDES WORKSHOPS, TRAINING AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING, TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HEALTH CONCERNS. Contact: (868)-381-3049 Email:ohenrybusiness@gmail.com www.onikahenry.com achieve an erection. The “plateau” phase, or period between erection and ejaculation, is prolonged. Orgasm is shorter and less forceful. The penis loses its firmness rapidly after ejaculation. The refractory period can be quite long, even up to a week in very elderly men. Many chronic diseases can also modify sexual expression. For example coronary artery disease may lead to chest pain with sexual activity, or fear of having a heart attack during sex. Chronic lung disease can lead to breathlessness. Arthritis may impair the ability to use some positions for sex. Embarrassment over physical changes (loss of breast, or limb) may inhibit free sexual expression, especially with a new partner. For some persons, medications taken for many chronic diseases, especially high blood pressure and heart diseases may cause either a loss of libido or impaired performance. OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES I hope you were not daunted or became anxious when you learned of the challenges. They are in no way insurmountable and many elderly enjoy active and satisfactory sex lives, even as they manage the health issues. Here are ways to adapt to your changing body and continue to, or start, to enjoy sexual activity: Realize and accept that sexual arousal takes longer and requires more manual stimulation. In other words, your attitude and perspective about sex in the golden years, is the first step needed to begin to enjoy the sexual energy of your older body. Take all the time that you need to pleasure each other or yourself.

Go beyond the genitals. Do not restrict sex to penetration. Take time to explore all the touching, visual, sound, and even taste aspects of intimacy. Use adequate lubrication as part of your sexual activity. This helps to eliminate irritation of the vagina or painful intercourse. A water-based lubricant is best, because oil-based lubricants and petroleum products such as Vaseline may be difficult to flush out of the vagina, possibly causing irritation or infection. You should make applying the lubricant part of your lovemaking activity. Ask your health care and wellness professionals for additional solutions. Health care and wellness professionals here, include doctors, counselors and therapists. Some women may benefit from the prescription of estrogen creams for extreme vaginal dryness, and some men may need medications that help with erectile dysfunctions. For other persons, the issues may be caused by psychological problems. Do exercise and practice good nutrition. Healthy bodies function better and this extends to the sexual function. THE BENEFITS OF AN ACTIVE (SAFER) SEX LIFE So why should one try to have or to keep an active sex life in the senior years? Let me start with the more immediate or noticeable benefits: mutually gratifying and frequent sex and orgasm boosts self esteem, gives people a positive attitude on life, has a calming affect on a person and makes a person less irritable. On a physical level, studies increasingly suggest that there are a number of improvements we gain from sexual (safer) activity, especially if it’s sex with orgasm. These include:

• • • •

Improvements in digestion Better sleep (we fall asleep quicker and sleep is better and deeper). A therapeutic effect on our immune systems. (e.g. less-frequent colds and flu). Frequent sex and orgasm appears to improve bladder control (by strengthening pelvic floor muscles) Reducing the risk of illnesses like prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease

• • Help with pain reduction and relieves stress And many more.

The frequency of sexual relations may diminish a bit, but our need for caring, love, comforting and intimate touch remains strong. As the saying in the sexology field goes: we are sexual from “womb to tomb.” Reference: Bisoon Ph.D., Jane L.; MD Othniel J. Seiden. Sex In The Golden Years - Your Best Sex Ever... (Boomer Book Series) (p. 10). Books To Believe In. Kindle Edition.

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BABY TALK with Marissa A. Callender MSN, CNM

BENEFITS OF BREAST FEEDING It offers the perfect nutrition for the first 6 months of life before introducing other foods. Your body makes antibodies to fight infection. These antibodies are also in your breast milk to protect your baby from the same infections. Any amount of breast milk will help your baby. The longer you give your baby breast milk, the better the benefits will be. Breast milk can lower risk for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other chronic diseases.

It is also thought that children who are breastfed have a

higher intelligence. Breastfeeding helps you too! You will recover faster and may lose your pregnancy weight easier. Breastfeeding can decrease your risk for certain cancers and diabetes. Try to breastfeed your baby the very first hour after birth. This will help you both to establish good breastfeeding that will last. Put your baby naked against your naked chest (skin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; skin) and cover with a blanket. This will encourage early breastfeeding and bonding. Women who breastfeed within the first hour are more likely to breastfeed at 1 and 4 months after birth. HERE ARE SOME COMMON POSITIONS YOU CAN TRY TO BREASTFEED. CLUTCH OR "FOOTBALL" HOLD: Useful if you had a C-section. This may be helpful if you have large breasts, flat or inverted nipples, or a strong let-down reflex. Babies can be more upright in this position. Hold your baby at your side with the baby lying on his back and with his head at the level of your nipple. Support your baby's head by placing the palm of your hand at the base of his head. CROSS-CRADLE OR TRANSITIONAL HOLD: This position gives your baby support for her head and may help the baby stay latched. This is useful for premature babies or babies with a weak suck. Hold your baby along the area opposite from the breast you are using. Support your baby's head at the base of her neck with the palm of your hand.

CRADLE HOLD: An easy, common hold that is comfortable for most mothers and babies. Hold your baby with her head on your forearm and her body facing yours. SIDE-LYING POSITION: Useful if you had a C-section, but also allows you to rest while the baby breastfeeds. Lie on your side with your baby facing you. Pull your baby close so your baby faces your body.

Located at Patience Hill, Tobago. Facebook: Royal Kreations Email: royalkreations9@gmail.com Tel.#: 1-868-294-4447

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WOMAN ON TOP SHIRLEY COOKE BAGO’S BEACH BAR By Shaun Biggart-Hutchinson Shirley Cooke is a forthright and opinionated character. She’s also determined and knowledgeable about Tobago, about the development of the island and its people and the constant improvement of the tourism industry. She’s also the owner and manager of Crown Point landmark Bago’s Beach Bar. Nestled on the corner of Pigeon Point Road, overlooking Yates Bay, with lively Store Bay and world-famous Pigeon Point as neighbours’ the Bar is also a stone’s throw from Swallows Beach. So, to have survived and thrived in this competitive arena since opening the bar/ restaurant almost 13 years ago - with several Trip Advisor Service Excellence awards to prove it - is testament to the optimism and perseverance a successful business person needs. I met with the Mary’s Hill, Mason Hall native at the spacious bar recently to talk about her experiences, and her forthright views on Tobago’s current challenges. Having spent almost 20 years in the United States both studying and working in the medical industry the University of Connecticut graduate returned to Tobago two decades ago and spent several years contributing to medical missions on the island. With her knowledge and contacts, and collaboration with the Division of Health, she was able to arrange for several medical specialists to serve Tobago. She recalls that during the early 2000s tourism was booming in Tobago and when the opportunity came to open a business - what is now Bago’s Beach Bar - she grasped it enthusiastically. The landmark venue then and now became known for the hospitality shown to local and international guests, it’s welcoming ambience, and its eclectic menu of locally produced food and drinks. The astute entrepreneur has strong – and perhaps controversial - views on the evolution of tourism since that time. Talking about the possible causes of the downturn she highlights several – poor training, labour shortages, the lack of destination awareness, inadequate marketing, the unintended consequences of the Land Licensing Act, and the way crime is managed on the island. Whilst she welcomes the establishment of the Tobago Tourism Agency and the recently launched Staycation initiative to encourage internal tourism by tapping into the domestic market, the poor infrastructure to serve visitors - whether internal or external - and the ongoing inter-island transport problems need to be tackled she cautioned.

Having attended the recent holders meeting with the suggests that Dr Rowley the level of expectation genval, and that his intervention level of urgency or the heart which is the inadequacy of In her view the inter-island as important as the conhighway in Trinidad.

Tobago StakePrime Minister she failed to live up to erated by his arridid not match the of the problem – the ferry service. transportation is struction of any Advocating for a thorough destination audit, or inventory, with systematic data collection she is certain that the downturn in tourism can be reversed. she believes that changes in the demographics of visitors who are looking for value and have limited spending power are all issues to be assessed, linked with the fact that Tobago’s industry is at an early stage of development. With such intervention distinct products can be created for the different parts of the island – with the North East catering for eco-tourism and tranquility, and a livelier contemporary product in the South West.

On the horizon is the proposed Sandals development and the Bago’s Beach Bar Owner has robust views on this initiative which she supports and endorses. Having travelled as part of a TT government delegation to Sandals Grenada - and also a Diamond Member of the group - she is well placed to judge the tourism giant. Emphasizing that managerial and technical capabilities are limited in Tobago and would need to be imported Ms Cooke maintains that Sandals is a tried and tested model, which will increase direct airlift to Tobago, improve destination awareness and enhance labour standards. As a Tobagonian and a Black woman she is well aware that the perception of women in a patriarchal society sometimes has a negative effect. Without bitterness, she talks about the stereotypes which prevail - that as a successful business -woman she must be aggressive, has rejected her own people, and believes she is superior. Rejecting all of these assumptions she suggests a lingering plantation mentality drives these outdated attitudes which come from all sectors and communities of Trinidad and Tobago. Optimism is a feature of this entrepreneur’s personality though and despite the ongoing challenges she advocates that Tobago aim for self-sufficiency in food production and service delivery and strive to tackle any dependency syndrome and as such be embraced as an equal partner rather than a poor relation

SOCIAL SUPPORT AND ILLNESS OUTCOMES AMONG OLDER ADULTS: 65YEARS AND OLDER LIVING IN EAST TOBAGO Researcher: Kathrine Elizabeth Inniss (MSc. Sociology) Evidence have suggested that while women are living longer than men, they are faced with higher rates of illness outcomes (Seeman 2000; Kinsella and Velkoff 2001; World Health Organization and National Institute of Health 2011). Overall health can be influenced by multiple factors, including a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s psychological, behavioural, and social well-being. Social Support is defined as the emotional, instrumental and informational support obtained from oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social network. It includes real or perceived resources provided often by others that enable a person to feel cared for, valued, and part of a network of communication and mutual obligations. According to Seeman (2000) social support usually involved a transaction of needs such as emotional support, instrumental assistance and informational support. TYPE OF SUPPORT Emotional

Informational

Instrumental

DEFINITIONS

EXAMPLES

Expressions of empathy, reassurance, trust, comfort and caring Provision of advice and guidance

Someone who makes you feel better because they listen to your problems A person who can give you trusted advice and guidance on an issue A family member who could give you financial or other material assistance or take you around

Provision of Material aid

The literature further identified that the presence of a positive social support (family or friends) played an important role in the ability of adults to make healthier choices. Research conducted at Brigham Young University of North Carolina reported that people who did not have a strong social support were 50% more likely to die earlier from illness than those who had such support (Blue 2010). My research revealed that the majority of elderly females in East Tobago fit the profile of the national demographic for elderly females, in terms of being widowed, living with relatives, and receiving old age pension as their main source of income. In relation to illness outcomes, the majority of respondents had a medical condition and were being seen frequently by the physician for routine care updates. The majority of the participants in the study noted that despite having a medical condition, they rated their health as good and did not complain much of pain and discomfort.

However, many of them reported that they did not take their prescribed medication on a regular basis. Further results showed that older females who obtained positive emotional support both within and outside the kinship (family) networks were more likely to adapt a positive and proactive outlook towards their health. For example, they were more likely to take their medications and visit the doctor within a stipulated time frame. The elderly females who had someone to talk to were less likely to experience an illness in the past 2 weeks. Communication between kinship networks and close friends reduced the risk of experiencing restrictions in performing their normal activities of daily living. Therefore, the findings revealed a strong relationship between social support and illness outcomes among elderly females 65 years and older. This is as a result of the degree and consistency of social interactions and networks mostly found within the family and close friends. Thus, social support such as assistance with transportation, home and personal care, as well as emotional support such as being listened to, understood, and comforted were seen to reduce the effects of illness outcomes. Hence, the quality and degree of social support made a tremendous difference in lives of elderly persons. Social support is crucial for older adults who rely on family, friends, or organizations to assist them with daily activities, provide companionship, and care for them in order to improve their health and well-being. For further information, you can contact Ms Kathrine Inniss at 1-868-381-3874 or email kathrineinniss@gmail.com

CATERING FOR EVERY OCCASION #47 MT. GRACE, TOBAGO. TEL.: (868)-710-5946/(868)347-8347 EMAIL: artfullydelicious.tt@gmail.com

AH C

TAY: S O CK T A B E

: E O P I EW

C FV S O E

D OINT I S IN Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S P A

AH COME BACK TO STAY by Patricia Nicole Whiteman And so the journey continues, man’s quest for peace, favourable weather conditions, better prospects. Sometimes in some cases, achieving the above, out of desperation, some folks compromise on their safety by putting their fate into the hands of unscrupulous traffickers, who in turn put them into flimsy rubber dinghies to cross treacherous waters. The heart-breaking end resultant times is, horror headlines on major news network about hundreds of men, women, children, their lives ending prematurely in a watery grave before setting sight, much less to stepping foot, on the land they happily gave up or sold their most prized possession for. That is a sad but true fact. Another strange but true reality is. After going through all that and reaching the desired destination, beating the odds and succeeding in their endeavors in another man’s country, a nagging pulling of the heart’s strings starts tugging at the chest. For some, home is where the heart is but for others, it is where the navel string is buried. Here we have one such person who chose the latter. Keith Lakhan, retired film maker/editor. When and where were you born and bred? “I was born in Five Rivers Trinidad and grew up in Laventille, with four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. I am the second to last out of them.” What school did you attend in your early years? “Granny’s Private School, Five Rivers Hindu, Arima Hindu, Moltan Hall Methodist, Tacarigua CM, Belmont Methodist Eastern Boys. My mother was a teacher and every school she taught at, she took me to some of them.” Where, when and why did you migrate? “England, 1961, age11, where I continued my education at Arch Way Secondary Modern. I had no choice in the matter because my parents lived there and sent for the rest of the family.” By what means and how was the journey getting there? “In those days there were charted and flights, which I took one with my cousin. The ride was smooth with Air Caledonia.” How was life there and what did you do? “On arriving in England everything seemed strange and much larger. After completing my secondary education, I joined a film company called “ATV” as a trainee film editor. There I had a very interested career. I was able to work

my way up from a rookie to full pledge film editor. I was fortunate enough to work on some of some of company’s most prestigious film such as: “ John Pilger “ Year Zero”, which was based on the Vietnam War. We were the first to expose to the West the hundreds of thousand of people being murder in Vietnam and Cambodia by Pol Pot’s regime who was trying to take Cambodia back to year zero by killing all the educated people. This was known as “the killing field”. After “ATV”, I went on to freelance with networks such as: BBC, London Weekend Television, even back at ATV. I travelled to United States of America, where I worked with Avant-garde film maker, Don Penny Baker. I also went to Jamaica to work for U.W.I under Chappie who was in charge of the project. I also managed Calypso bands such as: Bachak and Marabunta. Why did you get into film? “In those days to get a job, as for me, it just happened to be in film and I stuck to it. This of course is very significant because not much black folks were fortunate to get into the film industry back then.” Did you ever receive any scholarships/ commendations/ awards in your field? “Yes. After forming my own company with Malcolm Fredrick called “ Bachaks Productions”, we went on to make a comedy series entitled “Get Up Stand Up”, which won the award, “Race In The Media.” What was a typical day of film making/editing like for you? “It was very exciting, with having a staff of over one hundred people, moving from one location to the another and not knowing what to expect, made my day!” Would it be safe to say you liked what you did? “Oh yes! Because I had a career that is second to none.” What was the highlight of your career? “It is very difficult to pin point a specific item because let us not forget, I also promoted calypsonians at the highest level in England such as: Super Blue, Explainer. Lord Relator, all from Trinidad. Also Arrow from Montserrat, Ajamo from Grenada, Becket from St Vincent. My company was the first to take these from the Caribbean to the wider world. After the Soufriere Hill volcano erupted in Montserrat, I came up with the idea to host a fund raising concert to assist victims directly affected. I mobilized some of the top Black Artists in Britain to perform at the Royal Festival Hall. The event was called “Soul For Montserrat.” When and why did you decide to return home? “I came for my mother’s funeral in Trinidad and on my way back, I stopped off in Tobago for a few days at a friend’s home. While sitting in the gallery, a cool breeze hit me and I said to my friend, “I want a piece of this.” After eighteen years living here I have no regrets.” What have you been doing since your return? “I made a film with “Bago Video” call “The Tobago Experience.” I spend my days gardening and interacting with friends at the beach, while evenings I cook and entertain.”

INSIDE SCOPE: A MAN’S POINT OF VIEW Would you support your wife/significant other if she makes the decision to care for her aging parent(s) in your home? Yes because it’s my wife’s parents. Keith Lakhan, age 69 Trinidad

Yes because it can happen to me. Mc Kenzie Trinidad

Yes what is hers is mine. It’s simply love. They are my mother and father too. And you know what ain’t meet you ain’t pass you. It is a Godly requirement and obligation. Max James,

Yes I will cause they were there in the beginning of her up bringing. Job Ben Israel, age 29 Tobago

Yes I would be supportive of my wife to take care of her aging mother in our home. Because no one knows where life will take them and it’s at that junction you then realize that we all need some help in our lives Edward Williams, age 49, Tobago.

I can’t live my mother-in –law all we would be doing is drinking and liming whole day and my wife will have to put us out. I can’t deal with her father either because I done dealing with him in a female form already because he and my wife are the same thing, the same thing. Kedar Abdul Hakim Trinidad

Yes because it’s her parents. Anderson Adge, age 49 Trinidad

Yes I would support her, but also suggest that we get an aid because it’s a 24/7 job and I would want her to have some free time to enjoy life as well. Leeandro Noray Trinidad and Tobago

Yes when I was dating my wife we both took an oath, that her people would be my people and my people hers. There was a mutual understanding in our upbringing that our parents are to respected and that one day they would need us just as we needed them when we didn’t even know ourselves, life is a circle, life is not what you can do for yourself only, but what you can genuinely do in love for others too. We must live our lives in service, give back of our time , give back in our monetary contributions, in our acts of kindness, in our love to one another. So feed the poor, counsel the youth, be a friend to the singles, take care of the aging. Rhondy Grandison, age 46 Indiana, USA

My answer will be based on the relationship with her parents Saoul George, age 35 Trinidad

Once I have the means I would care for her parents. Khaleel, age 63 Trinidad

My first response would be yes I would support because it’s family, but if they have been an issue in our marriage I would be reluctant Joseph Miller Trinidad

Yes I would support my partner in caring for aging parents at home. Supporting elders ia an obligation and a duty. With discussion, debate and unity any misgivings can be addressed and overcome. The rewards of living in such an extended family would far outweigh the inevitable challenges. Our elders are not a burden but a living connection with our past and our history Shaun Hutchinson Tobago My answer will be based on the relationship with her parents Saoul George, age 35 Trinidad

As is always said” once a man , twice a child”. When my wife was a child her parents cared for her, now that they have returned to being “children” and she is now “a man” she has a responsibility to care for them and they became our parents when we became one Walton George , age 57 Trinidad She is my wife we supposed to be one, what is part of her is part of me! Paul Francis, age 68 Trinidad

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with Assistant Divisional Fire Officer David Joseph Thomas Operations & Communications, Tobago. It is widely spoken, that, the older you get the wiser you are. Can we really add value to that statement? Let’s take a walk down disaster lane, with the focus on fire and see if things are different or things are the same. Check this first example: When a house gets destroyed by fire and investigators discover that the heat source was a lighter, who’s likely to make that error the younger or the older? What about the cell phone charger? Who is likely to act without a bother? Who would lime late, get home and try to treat with their hunger and may fall asleep with the pot on the fire? “Young Boy!” said Grandmother “you sure everything in order?” “Yes Mama” and he gone with a partner, next thing is a big fire and neighbors have to rescue Mama WHAT a DISASTER!!! I going and fete later, them children will stay with Grandma. I doing just like they father, He feel he smart, but, I Smarter!!! The next day is a weak, weak bladder with No children, No Grandma and a bowel movement that you cant resist the odor. All because I feel I smarter!!!

WHO IS SHE?

GOLDEN OLDEN

FORGOTTEN TRADITIONS

WHO IS SHE? by Patricia Nicole Whiteman Who is she? She is twenty nine year old Daisia Edwards from Trinidad but currently living in Tobago. Daisia is a mother/ reporter/film maker/ photographer/award winning poet/writer/ creator. What does she do? She writes, makes and produces films, runs her own company: “Jafari Multi Media” , which deals with social mediaweb sites designs-graphic designs-photography-film ingmanagement. How did she into film? Her love for English, writing and being good at the two. In 2011 after reading the book “Towns and Villages of Trinidad and Tobago” by Michael Anthony , she enrolled in a television and video production class. After completing level 1, she advanced to level 2 which included camera operating and editing. Before enrolling in the class she wrote two scripts, a feature film called, “Wild Survival Trinidad Pawi”, in 2013 and “Island to Island Trinidad and Tobago”, so she was well on her way to do filming. Who influenced her in the media and filming world? Locally, Daniel Defental and internationally Oprah Winfrey-Tyler Perry-Ice Cube. Is it safe for us to say she enjoys what she does? Definitely yes because it’s loads and loads of fun!!! Has she won any scholarships/commendations/ awards in the field? She was awarded the Merit Prize Winner of Clico Poetry Writing Competition in 2005 and came second in the UNICEF essay competition in 2008. Shortly after the competition she was hired as a student reporter and communication assistant. Later in 2008 she copped fourth place at the Poetry Competition held by the Poets’ Society Trinidad and Tobago. In 2009, she was the third place Trophy Winner at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs Public Speaking Competition. In 2011 she achieved the title of first place Trophy winner and People’s Choice Award at Roots Spoken Word Poetry Slam. Where can we find her films? “ Island to Island” which is a TV series on Cari Vision-CTV an International Network. What is currently in the pipeline for her? Working on the film “Island to Island” which starts in Trinidad and Tobago and moves up the Caribbean Islands.

What are her future plans? To produce more films, one being a feature film called “Wild survival the Trinidad and Tobago Pawi”, along six others which she has already written. In addition, continuing to run her own company and keep growing into a better person/ parent. She also has plans to get married very soon. She believes in being a super woman, in having a career, doing what she loves and still being a dedicated wife and mother. Does she have any advice for up coming film makers? Take risks and jump into them, that’s what she did and accomplished more than she expected. She believes “Planning is impor-

tant but don’t stay there (planning) and put things off , just make a move and keep moving, because if you don’t you’ll never start.”

GOLDEN OLDEN The Golden Members Poetry Club was founded on 14th April 2016 and comprises of eight members all over the golden age. I was supposed to be a six week progam founded by The Scarborough Library Facility but it grew past the six weeks and its four original members into what it is now. Under the tutelage of their facilitator Patricia Nicole Whiteman these women and one gentleman use this forum to express themselves using poetry: My name is Natalie Solomon. I am a writer of poetry, songs and other readings. I write because with words I am able to express life. Whether it's a life of pain, joy sadness or other lifestyle behavioral tendencies. It can all be summed up with words that I write in past, present and future. WORLD OF MAKE BELIEVE by Natalie Solomon Looking back over the years you would see, that life is not as you believed it to be. As you grow older you begin to understand, why there isn't always someone around to hold your hand. To comfort you and dry away the tears you have cried, as a babe who has fallen or a teen whose loved one died. But seldom things aren't always what they seem, when you are only living in a world of make believe. As a child you have experienced pain but then you still had fun, You shared your life but yes, you still kept secrets for loved ones. You looked forward with excitement to your very own birthday, that made you one year older in a very special way. But as the years increased and you reached puberty, You open your eyes and realize that you are losing liberty. And from this though, there is surely no relief, Because you are still living in a world of make believe. The fact of life surrounds you, some call it growing pains, but then to you, your life doesn't seem the same. As a child you fell victim to dreams that were not real it seems, and now your eyes are opened and you're glad they were just dreams. You could not know because no-one ever told you, life's true meaning, the sacrifices and other things you'd have to do. So you learn from your experiences and then you alone can see, that life is deceiving when you're living in a world of make believe.

My name is Jocelyn Horsford I think love inspires me to keep writing and I am enjoying it.

CHRISTMAS OF LONG AGO by: Joycelyn Horsford I grew up at Sherwood Park, Carnbee, Tobago, in those days it was fun for so! We had a dirt oven, and baked bread, cake, on maphabay leaves which tasted like they came from heaven! Ham was boiled in an oil tin, nothing was known about pastel, that was a Trini thing. It was paime instead, when you ate plenty ,it put you to bed lots of mauby , ginger beer, sorrel, there was no quarrel. Chairs were sand papered and polished, Doors were stained and varnished. New night dresses and mattress we looked forward to, made from grass, Man we made mass! They told us Santa Claus will fill our stockings so we hung them up for our toys, there were so many joys! Neighbours were visited and we shared what we had, everyone from mom to dad. Christmas eve was spent caroling, pitching marbles and flying kite the sky was such a magnificent sight!

My name is Patsy Stewart. I was born on the island of Barbados. When I was about seven years of age, my parents migrated to Trinidad and Tobago. I attended the Tacarigua E.C primary School for some time. Then my parents moved to Kelly Village where I attended the Kelly Village R.C School. I left school in standard six. Years later I married Stewart. I am the mother of six children. THEN AND NOW by: Patsy Stewart When I was a girl I had lots of fun, there were different games we used to play, but for many we had to run and get out the way. Things like hide and seek and Jane and Louisa, also rolling roller and skipping, those games cost parents nothing. I got an old bicycle wheel and a piece of stick, then I pull some vine from off a tree, two turn while others skip and we were in glee. Diabetes in children wasn’t heard of, because they used to run and play, but now it’s only fingers as they sit most of the day. A box of grease and a bottle of gas, put your hand in your wallet, and pay what it cost, might be what you don’t get. What I really want to tell you, is prepare the things you eat, for by so, you wouldn’t dig your grave with your teeth.

My name is Breata Melville I was born on 23rd July 1955. I am a retired educator. I have always had a love and passion for reading and creative writing. Apart from worshipping and praising God and encouraging people in serving God, my hobby is reading. Surprisingly I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really write poems, even though I love and usually encouraged students to write stories and poems at school. However now that I have retired, I find that I can better appreciate the beauty of the expression of poetic speech. I am also now eager to learn and practice to communicate through poetry. THE FUNERAL OF A VILLAGER - LONG AGO by: Breata Melville Wake up people wake up! John Brown from Glamorgan dead! This somber report that pierced the still night, was the death announcement delivered with all its might. For all and sundry to know, just so, when I was a little girl long, long ago. To prepare for the burial, neighbours announced their arrival. Ms. Lydia brought some rice a yard fowl and ice, Mr. Sunny a bag of provision, dasheen, potato, yam and rice. Cousin Mildred offered the chocolate for tea, salt-fish came from Tan Dorothy. All the women gathered by Nen Gerthie with the dirt oven, they set leaven, then bake trays of bread and sweetbread more than two dozen. Uncle James and his friends organized the board made from cedar, to arrange for the building of the coffin with the village carpenter. Of course they will make sure that they have some tequila, while they worked to tide them over and lift the spirits, so it wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trouble them later. Ms. Adina counted her enamel cups to lend for the wake, they were all marked capital AD with red paint at the bottom, so there could be no mistake. On the morning of the funeral just after sun up, the grave diggers ready for their plate and cup. At the cemetery to identify the spot for the grave using a fresh bottle of rum, as was the custom. A few hours later the breakfast and lunch came over, to acknowledge that six feet of digging was hard labour for any grave digger. Finally, the family and friends gathered at the church to grieve, console and mourn, lamenting all the while that John Brown had really gone. Indeed, the village had raised him up and it was the village that put him down, R.I.P. John Brown.

My name is Vera Sebro-Roberts. I attended the Mason Hall Government School. After School I went Calder Hall Commercial School. After many years I got married and currently reside at Allfields Trace, Lowlands. GAMES WE USED TO PLAY by: Vera Sebro–Roberts Rounders, what a game, Confusing, some may say, If you miss the ball you alone is to blame. Hop, hop, hop as we played hopscotch, Most times drawn with a piece of coral, Some children just sit on the side and watch Round and round the waist they go moving their waists as the hula hoop spins If it drops you’re out, so don’t move slow Chip around a chair; don’t lose your space, Different times the music will stop It's just musical chairs, it's not a race Plait up the Maypole, plait it up In and out and out and in, you do, just don’t stop Slippery, slippery pole, climb while tight you hold What lies on top the pole That's your goal.

My name is Paulina Woods, I begin writing poems some years ago. I call them PRAY POEMS, because they were my pray crying out to God, with the struggle I was going through in my life. With God answering my pray, from one thing to another. It made me write more and more to God. Now I do other poems, for writing has brought me joy. THE GREAT SUPREME Written By: Paulina Woods Oh, Father of the world and Great Supreme, You have made Yourself unseen. You watch as men go their own way, not thinking of what they do or say. Sometimes so angry with each other, Forgetting you said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love one anotherâ&#x20AC;?. We always forget how to live, and never remember, how much you give. Our hearts are never pure and true, So I ask What do we do? Mother and children are apart, For lack of Love from the heart. Some earthly fathers are in distress, sons and daughters, with no respect. Help us Father with this world today, for many of your sheep have gone astray. Never the less I know you are there, and always answer to our pray. What can we say, or do for you? Except worship, pray, and try to please you. We will try to do it every day, and You my Father will direct our way.

THE DATING LETTER L. Leila Deonarine So I have heard I hope I do not err What dating was in my parent day And what it is today. Today the girl meets the boy or man In the days of old It was the boy or man Meets the girl or woman. Women's Liberation hit the planet earth It was a storm Things changed. Changed for the better or for the worse The storm calmed With thoughts Of independent Self-freedom. With the East Indian Culture Women’s marriage were arranged Parents and community Were the leaders and dealers Small or big A dowry was expected. Today it’s Women’s Lib. Whilst in the African culture May be similar to East Indian’s They leaned more to the European style of dating for marriage. So the man asks For The lady’s hand Through a written letter.

“Dear Sir Mr. Jacob Israel, I hereby seek permission to marry your daughter, Sunny Raine whom I met on Harry’s wake night. Her exquisite presence whilst serving the goodies had caught my attention. Sir, I am a carpenter I work with my father, Mr. John Sheppard. Sunny Raine really captured my attention I fell in love with her At once I can be a suitable husband.

I know Sir There are many suitors. She is the only woman whom I would like to bear my children. Please, I plead let me have your permission to be responsible for my money on Sunny Raine From this moment to the day of death.

And spend

I remain Your future son in law Jonathan Sheppard. Today it’s Women’s Lib. Have your choice. Mr. Jacob Israel replied: Dear Mr. Jonathan Sheppard, My beautiful, well-mannered, exquisite and talented daughter has many suitors, Jonathan But I will allow you to date her so from this week Saturday you can. You will spend from 1.00pm to 5.00pm with the family Any other days and places you may like to take her out Give two weeks notice. On the 8thSaturday you will be meeting the others who have asked my daughter’s hand in marriage. So you, dear son, see you on Saturday at 1.00pm sharp. Yes The parents analyzed the men Their interest in family life Especially how they communicated with the future wife. The attitude in house-keeping The etiquette and mannerism among other family members, Friends and relatives. Enjoyment for work Provision of basic needs; Like housing, Food, Money And caring for the family in case of crisis.

FORGOTTEN TRADITIONS by Ifarounke DeidrePrescod Following is an excerpt from a speech given at Isese Day Celebrations 2017 by researcher and author of Letters From Nigeria : Reflections of An Ifa Initiate. Ifarounke Deidre Prescod spent four years living among the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Africa researching their cultural and religious practices. The life style of those of us who live in the Diaspora is vastly different from what it is on the African continent and most glaring is the relationship we have with our elders. It took a journey to Nigeria for me to realize how much of a support system we miss when we exclude the wisdom and opinion of informed unbiased elders. Although now worlds apart we share the same beginnings and there are many things we could adopt from African traditional community and family life. The foods they eat are predominately those that are home grown, so ground provision and its by-products of pounded yam amala, fufu, eba etc are used along with locally grown beans fruits and vegetables and are in preference to imported foods. They are meat eaters and eat animals that either come from the wild or are reared locally. They make their own cooking oils from palm nuts and peanuts. We could plant more. The dynamics in the relationships between men and women, parents and children, the community in general and its elders and chiefs and even among siblings is one where utmost respect is given to whoever is older. There is no word for aunt or uncle, only senior or junior mother or father. Nor does the word cousin exist they are either egbon or aburo they are all older or younger brothers or sisters. Polygamy is an accepted way of life and co-wives live in harmony with the more senior wife calling â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the shotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Their entire social structure is one based on showing respect to elders and those in authority. Growing old is a privilege and embraced with pride. In Nigeria if I was not addressed as mother grandma or madam I was being disrespected. I loved being made to feel that the older I got the more precious I became. Let us do this for our elders it is tradition.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN BURNING CONCERN INSPIRATION INLET CHILLAX CORNER

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Crown Point, better known as the “St James” of Tobago because of the 24/7 activities that take place there, is also the tourist hub of the island. One visit to Crown Point and it’s sophisticated topography would appeal to your visual sense; vogue shopping malls, delectable eating places, street side exclusive cafés, leisurely parks, modern hotels surrounded by shrubs, set against a splendid backdrop of a vast expanse of blue green looking sea water. Sad to say, a stroll there these days, will not sit well with your nostrils. An extremely unpleasant odor emanating from the drains has overtaken the atmosphere. This problem however is not exclusive to Crown Point but also exists in the adjacent village of Canaan, in the drain opposite the shops West City Mall, in front of the Nutrition Building. Several investigations proved the waste water coming from the kitchens of various restaurants, consists of fats, oil, blood from meat and other food particles which clog the drainage system, creating the stench. Continual inhalation of such stenches can become irritating to the lungs, which may make one susceptible to respiratory distress or malfunction. Thanks in advance for a speedy response. To this URGENT APPEAL! Sincerely Yours, Patricia Nicole Whiteman

In my quest to uncover the cause of the stench in the drains I encountered Ms Yvonne King, one of the Chefs operating at the Crown Point area. Below she gives a few very helpful suggestions for disposing of kitchen waste in a more environmentally friendly way. These are methods which this civic minded restaurateur practices herself: “Since napkins and paper towels are expensive old newspapers can be used to help suck up small amounts of oil or fats, then put into doubled plastic bags to prevent leakage and placed into public bins for proper disposal. For large amounts of oil and fat the following steps can be taken, 1. grease traps can be installed in the plumbing systems, 2. used oil can be stored in plastic bottles for disposal by Public Health Systems or given to persons who recycle, to burn as gasoline in engines.” Sincerely Yours, Yvonne King

BURNING CONCERN: with Shaun Biggart-Hutchinson Natalie Solomon is an unhappy resident of Calder Hall Phase 1. She contacted us at Here/Hair I Am to describe an unpleasant situation she says she has endured for more than a decade. According to Ms Solomonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report garbage is being dumped into the drain which connects her own and her neighbors p r o p erty. Despite taking remedial action herself and also advising the relevant THA Division she maintains that the problem persists and the health and sanitation risks continue. She has covered the drain with birdcage wire to prevent garbage dumping and has also reported the matter to the Public Health Division periodically over the previous 10 years. With her frustration growing and with no solution being offered Ms Solomon calls on the relevant authorities to address and resolve this ongoing problem.

If You Have A Burning Social Concern You Would Like To Address or Want To Publicly Thank Someone. Contact our writers at: (868)(868)--714(868)-294294-6233 or (868) 714-0924 or email: iamagazinett@gmail.com

Open To ALL Readers 60

INSPIRATION INLET with Tammy Guy-Granderson

Have You ever meditated on the 23 Psalm, well the first sentence at least? ‘The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.”Well I wonder why we allow ourselves to worry when God is telling us that He will take care of us just like any good shepherd does his sheep. However the thing is God will not force Himself on anyone, (He has given us freedom of choice) Worry does not help it only complicates matters and puts hindrances in the way of God’s intervention. Today God is still able to take our problems away, just allow Him into your life, He will make the difference.

PSALM 23 1

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

CHILLAX CORNER THE GOLDEN YEARS D

Alzheimer Bingo Caregivers Dehydration Dentures Elders Golden Grandmas Gray hair

Nursing Home Olden Retirees Senior Therapy Vitals Wheelchair Wisdom Wise

Xerostomia Yesteryear Written by Fleur Wheeler

YUH DID KNOW DAT ? The cobbler William Young from Philadelphia, U.S.A. has been credited with being the first person to differentiate the right foot of shoes from the left foot. Prior to that shoes were just straight and any one was for either foot. They took the shape of the wearers feet over time.

MUMAH USED FUH SEH Whe’ horse reach Jackass does reach. Meaning: The person who takes their time to achieve a goal will get there just as the person who runs ahead.

Moon does run but day does ketch’i. Meaning: no matter how much a person tries to avoid the consequences of their actions they will catch up to them eventually.

Pot ah tell kettle ‘i bottom black. Meaning: You are passing judgment on a situation when in actuality yours is just as bad.

QUIZ THE WIZ 1. What was the name of the baby boy found floating in a basket in the Nile River in Egypt? 2. How old was Joseph when he got his first dream? 3. What was the gender and the name of Hannah’s baby that she prayed for?

1. Moses

2. Seventeen 3. A boy named Samuel

ANSWERS QUIZ THE WIZ

I AM SENIORS

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Living The Wedgewood Way