SINCE crossing over from rap to rake ‘n scrape music, Grand Bahamian artist Alvin “Papa Smurf” Simms has been consistent with releasing singles that demonstrate his versatility as an artist.
And this versatility he showcases in a new single entitled “There She God’.
From performing rap now to singing along to the sounds of rake ‘n scrape music, Papa Smurf’s musical crossover was in part a calculated decision yet one of fate. Since doing so, he believes his sound has been more impactful.
“I’ve been working on my writing for rake ‘n scrape songs, it’s different from rap so I’ve had to study songs from old to new and see exactly how it works and that helps me to put my songs together.
“All the rake ‘n scrape songs I did so far were in respect to the genre, so I kept them all traditional, But with this one I ventured out to add another genre which is House music, and combine the two, they both are working together for the sound of the song.”
This aspect is what he says makes his new song a hit.
“House music with electric guitars for the chorus and good ole fashion rake ‘n scrape for the verses, and a very fun and exciting storyline.
“I think because if the way it put tigger sound wise, it’s something that they could vibe to, and the songs story itself should keep them interested to hear what happens, and they can also dance to it.”
The artist is still working on finishing the album. So far, there are 11 songs on the project and he will be adding three more before its official release.
“The singles that I’ve released off the album like “Woman Is The Boss” and “Jookyana” have been doing good on the radio, and people have been surprised by the fact that Papa Smurf the rapper is doing rake ‘n scrape. I’ve been getting great feedback,” he said.
His intent is to spread rake ‘n scrape music with the world once the album is completed.
Growing up in Eight Mile Rock, Papa Smurf had a real taste of island life, from shooting marbles at home and during lunchtime in the school yard to going fishing with his father in his 12 foot aluminum dinghy boat.
From a young age, his mother would line him and his two brothers up and ask them to sing for her. But it was not until the age of 13 he developed a strong interest in music. Cars, he said, would pass him by playing songs from a number of Bahamian artist.
“The high school children with their boom boxes would walk down the road playing songs from Bob Marley, and at home I would hear songs from Smokey 007 on ZNS radio.”
Papa Smurf said he had interest in different genres of music from hip hop, R&B, soca, to reggae and dancehall. He got his first taste of performing in front of a crowd at the local fish fry in Smith’s Point. He then went on to perform in local concert shows, sharing the stage with local and inter national artists.
Papa Smurf then moved forward to recording his music, and working with recording engineers such as Fritz Bootle, Lester Adderly, and Dave Mackey of T-Connec tion. In 2007 he met Terrance Capron and they later became the rap duo Pos itive Link.
Using Bahamian slang and Bahamian terminology in their songs, they introduced a whole new style of music called “Bahamian Swing” which also was the name of their debut album.
Making a fresh start in 2009 as a solo artist, Smurf dropped his first single “Stop, Look, Listen” from his upcoming album “Over Seven Hundred Strong”. Also from this album release are the hit singles Bahamian Girl and Humble Beast. Lately, he has been making his way through the Bahama Islands performing at Regatta’s Homecom ing’s and Summer Festival spreading his name and his message that “it cool to be a
By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net
THE Island House has announced the launch of its artist residency programme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to invigorate and celebrate the local artistic community.
Embodying a commitment to nurturing creativity and fostering cultural exchange, organisers said this program promises to elevate the Bahamian artistic landscape through collaboration and innovation.
“This is a new initiative that builds on previous work and prioritisation of three creative pillars that really imbue The Island House, and the gathering spaces with character in life and culture,” said Romel Shearer, the Island House’s (TIH) artist residency programme’s music curator and director.
The inaugural cohort of the programme features a stellar line-up of talent such as internationally acclaimed jazz virtuoso Giveton Gelin, innovative producer-selector Wilfried Haslauer (TAO LUMIN), classically trained opera and pop vocalist Danielle Lee, and versatile drummer and R&B singer Jermaine Taylor (J-Tay). These four exceptional artists bring a diverse range of influences and expertise to the residency, promising a dynamic exchange of ideas and creative exploration.
“We’ve long had dynamic programming at TIH around film through our film festival that happens annually. We have a fantastic art collection and an art gallery on property called TERN,” said Romel.
“And we also have been consistently offering a wide array of musical experiences through our unwinding hour music series, which is sort of a staple that happens every Thursday at Yellowbell.”
He said there is also usually an electronic music party that happens monthly at Shima, a restaurant on property.
“We see this as an opportunity to allow our inaugural resident cohort to perform regularly,
And there’s JTay, who has a few singles out. And TAO LUMIN, who releases mixes and also produces on other people’s content. So their original music is something that I think I think we were always trying to incentivise artists to create their own original content.”
experiment, innovate in their artistic practices, and also to collaborate amongst the four of them.
And behind the scenes, we’re also working diligently to help them develop their portfolios, helping them in a way that they market and just the contextualisation of their creative practices. So we’ve been doing a bit of portfolio development.
“We’ve captured some great headshots by Blair Meadows, who’s a really great local photographer. And we’ll also be presenting some masterclasses and workshops led by these resident artists a bit later in the year.”
During their residencies, Danielle Lee and J-Tay will perform at Unwinding Hour, the weekly live music series at Yellowbell, the boutique hotel’s craft cocktail bar. TAO LUMIN is featured at Shima: AFTER_DARK, a monthly electronic music series at the renowned Thai fusion Shima restaurant.
Finally, Giveton Gelin and his collaborators can be seen at the Jazz Club, hosted at The Island House Cinema, showcasing virtuosity in an intimate setting. These artists are also invited to activate spaces across the property.
“We thought it was really important to, first of all, think about the kind of artists that we feel are doing their part and have the ambition to put themselves out there and experiment, and produce their own original music. So all four of them have intention to songwrite and produce their own material and original content. And most of them already have released their own material. Giveton Gelin, he’s launching a new album this year called Island Dreamer that is already receiving critical reception,” said Romel.
“And there’s JTay, who has a few singles out. And TAO LUMIN, who releases mixes and also produces on other people’s content. So their original music is something that I think I think we were always trying to incentivise artists to create their own original content.”
He believes they each offer something unique that really complements each of the offerings on TIH property.
“Shima is sort of a kind of eclectic fusion that has a really kind of fresh contemporary atmosphere. And we thought that an electronic music offering through TAO’s artistry would be perfect for that. Our jazz club, which is hosted in the cinema, we’ve had some really excellent concerts with Giveton and the Jazz Cats and others,” said Romel.
He said the residency programme started a few months ago and will continue for the remainder of the year.
“I should also mention that in this inaugural year we’re keeping the focus a bit narrow to only musical, and expanding it to include all of the creative disciplines as soon as next year. So you can look forward to perhaps us engaging a painter or any other visual artists, writers, filmmakers, poets, whatever it may be,” said Romel.
He emphasised that the artists are all encouraged to think of innovative ways to present their art in other unconventional places on property.
“This is really just you know then what we think is a natural kind of evolution and progression
“This is really just you know then what we think is a natural kind of evolution and progression of The Island House’s commitment to creative culture and elevating our local creatives in an authentic way. In a way that’s really meaningful, so not just sort of exploiting their work just for entertainment purposes - but also just like investing back in their careers and in their aspirations.
We have some really great events lined up. We have our annual independence concert party that’s going to be on July 13, tickets will be on sale for that soon. Our resident artists won’t be featured at that, but we have some really exciting entertainment line-up for that.”
of The Island House’s commitment to creative culture and elevating our local creatives in an authentic way. In a way that’s really meaningful, so not just sort of exploiting their work just for entertainment purposes - but also just like investing back in their careers and in their aspirations.
We have some really great events lined up. We have our annual independence concert party that’s going to be on July 13, tickets will be on sale for that soon. Our resident artists won’t be featured at that, but we have some really exciting entertainment line-up for that,” said Romel.
For more information and updates on the programme, visit the-island-house.com or follow @ the.island.house on Instagram and Facebook.
Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.
Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here?
In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in S permitted.
3 Inhuman, 4 Lexicographer, 6 Oration, 7 Pretend, 8 Accent, 13 Utensil, 14 Enthral, 15 Larder, 16 Empower, 17 Express.
targEt
CAN you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid number represents a letter – or black square. As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet is used. But you have to complete the grid too! Use the given letters and black squares below the grid to start. The grid is ‘rotationally symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the same if you turn the page upside down. Solution tomorrow
thE alphapuzzl across: Sawdust, Culprit, Nostrils, Hubris, Fete, Ponytail, Irate, Human, down: Satanic, Interim, Underway, Bongos, Ugly, Amaze, Dotes, poultErEr eelpout elute erupt euro loupe lour lout lure lute outer poult POULTERER pour pout pouter pule pure puree purer purl purr repute reroute rout route router rule ruler rupee tolu toupee tour tourer troupe trouper true truer tupelo ureter
Answers
FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off. Solution tomorrow
Yesterday’s
Cara says - Idina, you need to let this dress go. It’s making me dizzy and not in a good way. It’s just very confusing and honestly, it just makes you look so dowdy. It’s not a flattering choice at all.
Farah says - The simplicity of this look with its very structure upper frame and design is what makes this look a hit. Her hair style also compliments. Good job.
Cara says - So I am not usually a fan of the foil paper evening gown, but Danai is out here just looking like a metallic goddess. Her skin looks incredible and even though yea the dress looks crumpled, I still think its a winning look.
Farah says - We have seen the gold metallic dresses on the carpet before, but something about the unique geometric hairstyle that makes you not want to turn away.
Cara says - The dress itself is nice but the problem I have is that it is giving mother of the bride vibes. It’s too matronly for her.But the detail on the train is really pretty to be fair. I would have also gone with a bit of a softer hair do.
Farah says- Most of the times I see Alicia Keys on the carpet she does very little to make fashion statement. And in true Alicia fashion this looks falls tremendously short. Reminds me the look your grandmothers would go for when attending in wedding back in the 90s. She tried. Just not hard enough.
Cara says - This green is everything. Such a great color choice. I really like the subtle edges of the gown, because it makes it a bit different from a lot of the other Grecian gowns that are on the red carpet.
Farah says - I’m a big fan of cape style dresses and coats. This dress is a beauty to behold. The olive color structure, and the fabric all make for a cohesive look. Can you imagine how the dress looks in motion? So much beauty and movement.
Cara says - Yes Cynthia, this dress is a work of art. Yes, the girls are hanging on for dear life, but it’s a great fit. My only thing and its just a personal opinion, I hate nose rings- it just makes me think of bejeweled boogers.
Farah says - Striking, bold and edgy is what I give this look. The nose ring and necklace however is a bit disruptive. Nonetheless, she killed it.
THE CAT Island Sailing Club is a nonprofit organisation responsible for planning all events leading up to its annual regatta festival.
Each year, the club hosts a number of fundraisers in effort to continue its mandate, which is to help boost the local economy and give back to the residents on the island.
This year is no exception with the organisation’s biggest fundraiser, the Cat Island Day Festival, now in preparation to be held here in New Providence - this time around for two days on Saturday, July 6, and Sunday July 7.
Charliece Rolle, the association’s public relations officer, said the festival is a chance for Cat Islanders to showcase their native dishes, pastries such as the flour cake, crafts and music by The Lassie Doe Boys.
“Last year’s regatta was named in honour of our Prime Minister, Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis - a native son and Cat Island’s first Prime Minister. This year, under the theme Oh Cat Island, Our Heritage, Our Culture, we have named this 68th Annual Regatta in memory of past president Maxwell Burrows who passed away sadly last year. Mac, as he was affectionately called by many who knew him was an outstanding Cat Islander,” said Ms Rolle.
She went on to say Maxwell Burrows was an industrious family man who loved God, family, friends and anyone he connected with. He was genuine, honest and loved Cat Island immensely.
“Before, during and after his presidency, Mac proved to be reliable. He was a hard worker, a man of integrity and a man of action. The Cat Island Sailing Club Association is truly indebted to Mac and while we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life,” said Ms Rolle.
For anyone who has never attended a Cat Island Day Festival or its annual regatta before, Ms Rolle painted a picture, describing the events as a taste of heaven on earth.
“Our aim for Cat Island Day is to attract not only Cat Islanders, but Bahamians near and far to experience Cat Island here in Nassau. Both Cat Island Day and Regatta are a showcase of local and young talent; with this being the second year that we have featured the CV Bethel High School Pop Band,” said Ms Rolle.
“Usually, Cat Island Day would be a one-day event. After a successful event last year and raving
reviews, we decided to make this year’s event a two-day festival weekend.”
She said people can look forward to the best in Bahamian food and sweet treats. Highlights will also include a full entertainment lineup that includes Dj Rev and Shine 242.
Moreover, as it relates to the Cat Island Regatta to be held from Thursday, August 1-Monday, August 5, Ms Rolle said the team is looking forward to showcasing under the theme “Our Heritage, Our Culture” with its crab catching contests, straw plaiting, watermelon eating contests and more.
The regatta will showcase locally talented artists such as Blaudy, Fanshawn, Shine 242, DMac and Veronica Bishop.
Ms Rolle was happy to share that there is a new executive board behind the association and festival events.
She said: “Last November, general elections were held and a new executive body was elected.
Mr William Seymour was named our president for the year 2023-2025. The new executive body consists of both older members; persons who have been in the club a longer time and newer members who have recently joined.
“I think it’s a good mix because the more seasoned members have a wealth of knowledge that can be passed on to newer members and the newer members, some younger as well can share knowledge on what’s trending now and offer new ways and ideas on how to get the crowd and keep the crowd.”
She believes the most important thing is ensuring to bridge the gap between the older and younger generations, in effort to cater to everyone’s needs at events.
Ms Rolle said: “Sailing is officially the National Sport of The Bahamas. Some of the pioneers of sailing have passed on but it is our duty to keep the tradition alive and pass it down to the generations after us. We wish to involve more of the younger persons, boys and girls especially in Cat Island so next year we will would have a representation at the Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championship.
I’m proud to be a Bahamian. But I’m prouder to be a Cat Islander. So being a part of an organisation that allows me to give back to my island, I am elated. Despite the long days and nights, the back and forth, sometimes trials and disappointments, I would not give this up for the world.”
Ms Rolle went on to say it is nearly impossible to please everyone, but she is hoping the association comes close this year in the execution of the festival events.
“We worked hard and long all year to get here. We are four short weeks to Cat Island Day and seven short weeks to Regatta. I am eager to see the look on everyone’s faces once they experience the treat we have in store for them,” said Ms Rolle.
By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net
THOSE looking to jumpstart fitness efforts may find this weekend’s fun, run, walk is just the activity they need.
The 5k The Jay Way is touted as “not the average” event but it design to keep participants energised, and entertained.
The race, according or organiser and certified group fitness instructor Donovan “Jay” Rolle, is all about “breaking monotony” and making “fitness enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their fitness level”.
This is the 7th annual 5K The Jay Way Fun Run/Walk and will take place at Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre from 6.30am.
JAy said: “Each year, we’ve grown bigger and more exciting, thanks to our amazing participants and supporters. 5K The Jay Way is not your average 5K. It’s a unique, fun-filled run/walk event designed to keep participants energised and entertained with fun surprises along the route.”
The event kicks off with a warmup session led by Coach Jay at 6.30am on race day. The title sponsor, Fast&Up, will provide hydration throughout the route and at the finish line.
Participants, he said, can look forward to a “loaded” swag bag, a finisher’s medal, treats along the route, and post-race health screenings.
There are trophies for the largest group of participants and for the top three male and female runners and walkers in various age divisions (12
& Under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 & 60+).
“This event is perfect for families, fitness enthusiasts, beginners, and anyone looking to have a great time while staying active. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting your fitness journey, 5K The Jay Way has something for you.”
For those who may be new to participating in an event like this, a light pre-workout is a good start.
“For our advanced participants, stick to your usual pre-race routine.
For those using this race as the spark to ignite their fitness journey, focus on hydration, stretching, and rest. Remember, a positive attitude and a can-do spirit are all you need to navigate 5K The Jay Way. Don’t forget to join our warmup session on race day to get those muscles ready,” said Jay.
And as June is Men’s Health Month, Coach Jay is also encouraging people to get active to jumpstart their journey.
“Men’s Health Month is the perfect time to take charge of your
fitness journey. Start small and build up gradually. Hydrate well, get plenty of rest, and make stretching a regular part of your routine. Incorporate fun activities like 5K The Jay Way to keep things exciting. Remember, consistency is key, and a positive mindset will take you far. Give me a call, let’s get moving and make health a priority,” he said.
For more information, contact 242-359-1156 or jayfitness242@ gmail.com.
Good day gardeners, how does your garden grow?
I am still patiently waiting on the guava fruit to ripen, except there’s an issue! Each one that I’ve opened so far has had the larvae of the guava fruit fly inside them. Some say just go ahead and eat it, they taste the same. I say to that, no! Revolting. Disheartening and discouraging it can be, I’m jonesin’ over here! Guava fruit so abundantly, and to not have them suitable to eat is grinding my gears.
Now, typically discouragement and disheartenment are not words that fit into my narrative, but the guava fruit fly is a formidable opponent. From all the research that I’ve done and all of the reading, asking questions et al, has yielded no viable solution to control the pest. While there are natural predators and parasitic wasps that will prey on the fruit fly and its larvae, they’re not in equal abundance as the immature fruit or the guava fruit fly.
What is the solution? Do tell if you’ve got a feasible option that actually works. The best I’ve found is to use a protective bag, such as the fabric ones that are sold at the nursery, paper, or plastic bags. What?! So you’re telling me that I’ve got to go and bag every fruit on the guava tree? No man….! That’s not doable. Technically it is, but I guess I don’t want the fruit that badly.
As I eye around the place to see what I have available to use. Maybe I do. I have never, to my knowledge, seen the guava fruit fly, and I carefully, regularly, scout and observe the guava tree while tipping off new growth to promote increased branching, flowering, and fruiting. As if by some invisible force, next time I turn around, every fruit that is ever so slightly changing colour to signal time for me to pick them, they’ve got spots on the flesh that signal the guava fruit fly infiltration. The scream, the groan, the grumble. Defeated, once again.
Spraying pesticides is all but futile. There are talks of setting traps of solutions that attract the adult guava fruit fly, but most of what I find on this subject says that the efficacy
of this is minimal. Others say that particular cultural practices are necessary, such as keeping the ground underneath the trees clean of debris, disposing of and destroying infected fruit, and so on.
Considering that the guava fruit fly can fly up to 135km (Fletcher, 1989) means that you or I could have the best cultural practices and remain fighting infestations, as any area nearby that hosts the fruit fly will continue giving and giving, it is a difficult one to control.
I cannot find a reasonable deterrent or remedy. I may just choose a certain number of fruit and go the bag route.
I had my first mango of the season yesterday. It was hairy, small, not so juicy, and really not all that great. It was pretty though. Once again proving to me that I will not waste
my time on seed grown mango trees, you can keep those fruits. The only ones for me are named cultivars that are grafted and guaranteed to be uniform and amazing. Raise the bar! Don’t settle for shabby little mangoes. Go out and get a named cultivar, nurture it and enter the gates of mango heaven. The differences are worth every penny, every second of time. There is no comparison between average mangoes and excellent mangoes. No, mangola is not a word, please stop it. It’s nonsense. So, I will bag some guavas on the tree, and I will continue to seek excellent mangoes. I
wish you all the best in the battle with the guava fruit fly should you so be engaged in the same fight as I. I also wish you the best in avoiding shabby mangoes, and that you’re able to get hold of the beauty, the essence, the gift of the best of the best, the truly most high of fruit, the excellent quality mango. As always, I wish you happy gardening.
• Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at Fox Hill Nursery on Bernard Road. You can contact him with any ques- tions you may have, or topics you would like to see discussed, at gardening242@ gmail. com.
Sir Christopher Ondaatje continues his biography of Shirley Temple, the American child actress, who earned $3m before she was a teenager, and ended her film and television career with a successful contribution as a diplomat for the United States of America.
The Independent Theatre Owners Association paid for an advertisement in The Hollywood Reporter in May 1938 that included Shirley Temple on a list of actors and actresses who deserved their salaries, while others, including Katherine Hepburn and Joan Crawford, were excluded and whose “box-office draw is nil”.
That year, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Little Miss Broadway, and Just Around the Corner were released. Both of the latter two were panned by critics, and Just Around the Corner was the first of her films to show a slump in ticket sales.
The following year, Darryl Zanuck bought the rights to A Little Princess, thinking that it would be an ideal vehicle for Temple. He budgeted the film at $1.5m – twice what other films had cost. It was her first Technicolor feature and was a 1939 critical and commercial success. He was also convinced that Temple would successfully move from child star to teenage acting success. Despite getting a substantial offer from Metro Goldwyn Mayer to star Temple as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, he declined the offer and instead cast her as Susannah of the Mounties – her last moneymaker for 20th Century Fox. The film was successful but, because she only made two films in 1939, her revenue dropped and she dropped from Number One box-office favourite in 1938 to Number Five in 1939.
In 1939 Salvador Dali, the Spanish painter, portrayed Shirley Temple The Youngest Most Sacred Monster of the Cinema in her Time, and she was animated with Donald Duck in The Autograph Hound.
In 1940, Lester Cowan, an independent film producer, bought the screen rights to F Scott Fitzgerald’s Babylon Revisited and Other Stories for $80. Thinking that his screenwriting days were
SHIRLEY Temple found her acting career also led to a promising income from endorsements
over, Fitzgerald accepted Cowan’s offer to write the screenplay titled “Cosmopolitan” based on the short story. When he had finished his screenplay, Fitzgerald was told by Cowan that he would not do the film unless Shirley Temple played Honoria – the lead role. Fitzgerald objected, saying that Temple at 12 years old was far too worldly for the part and would detract from the aura of innocence favoured by Honoria’s character. Fitzgerald changed his mind after meeting Temple in July, and tried to persuade her mother to let her star in the film. However, her mother demurred and the project was cancelled. Fitzgerald did however get a credit for his original story when Elizabeth Taylor starred in The Last Time I Saw Paris.
In 1940, Temple starred in two disappointing films at 20th Century Fox: The Blue Bird and Young People. Her parents bought out the remainder of her contract with Fox and sent her instead to Westlake School for Girls – an exclusive day school in Los Angeles. Temple’s bungalow at
20th Century Fox was renovated and reassigned as an office.
Having left 20th Century Fox, the door was open, and she was signed by Metro Goldwyn Mayer, who made plans for her to team up with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in their Andy Hardy series. Arthur Freed, the producer, was accused of making unseemly advances to Temple, and ended the contract before any films were made. Their next idea was to team Temple with Garland and Rooney for Babes on Broadway – a good idea that went wrong when the studio was worried that Garland and Rooney, now firmly entrenched, would upstage the young Temple. Thus Virginia Weidler replaced her and her MGM contract was cancelled. Instead Temple made Miss Annie Rooney for United Artists in 1942 but was not successful.
Shirley Temple retired from movies for two years and concentrated on her schooling.
In 1944, when Temple was 16, David O Selznick signed her to a four-year contract. She appeared in two wartime movie hits: Since You Went Away, and I’ll Be Seeing You. Selznick, however, then became romantically involved with the actress Jennifer Jones and lost interest in promoting Temple’s career. She was lent out to other studios for Kiss and Tell and The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer starring Cary Grant. She then made Fort Apache with John Wayne and Henry Fonda, in which her future husband John Agar appeared. These few films were her only hits of the era. Biographer Robert Windeler stated that her 1947-1949 films neither made nor lost money and produced indifferent performances from her. She was growing up. David O Selznick suggested that she move abroad and gain maturity – even change her name. He warned her that she was typecast – which was true. Her career was at a perilous crossroads. After unsuccessfully auditioning for Peter Pan on Broadway in August 1950, Shirley Temple, realising that her recent movies could not reach the popularity levels of her early performances, announced her retirement from films on December 16, 1950.
But before that, in 1942, she had her own popular radio series on CBS Junior Miss. The series, based on stories by Sally Benson, was sponsored by Proctor & Gamble and directed by Gordon Hughes. David Rose was the musical director. During the final year, Temple was also the most popular celebrity to endorse merchandise for children and adults, rivalled only by Mickey Mouse.
wondered why she had all her adult teeth when in fact she was always losing her primary teeth during her film career. When acting, she wore dental plates and caps to hide the gaps in her teeth. One other rumour that circulated was that Temple had her teeth filed to make them look like baby teeth. Rumours also spread that her hair was not naturally blonde and that she wore a wig. She later said that life would have been a lot easier if she had worn a wig as she would not have had to endure the nightly process and curling and vinegar rinses that stung her eyes.
“She transformed children’s fashions, popularising a toddler look for girls up to the age of twelve, and by the end of the mid-1930s Ideal Novelty and Toy Company’s line of Shirley Temple dolls accounted for almost a third of all dolls sold in the country.”
John Kasson Cultural Historian (Roosevelt Era)
Ideal Toy and Novelty Company in New York City negotiated a licence for dolls with the company’s first doll wearing the polka-dot dress from Stand Up and Cheer! Shirley Temple dolls realised $45m in sales before 1941 (equivalent to $829m in 2021). A mug, a pitcher and a cereal bowl in cobalt blue with a decal of the little actress were given away as a premium with Wheaties. These sales did not stop when her film and radio career tapered off. Successful Shirley Temple items, apart from girls’ dresses, included accessories, soap, dishes, cut-out books, sheet music, mirrors, paper tablets, and numerous other items. Her income from licensed merchandise more than doubled her income from the movies, and in a single year topped $200,000 (equivalent to $4m in 2021). She endorsed Postal Telegraph, Sperry Drifted Snow Flour, the Grunow Teledial radio, Quaker Puffed Wheat, General Electric, and Packard automobiles. Counterfeit items bearing her likeness appeared not only on dolls’ accessories, but even cigars with her face painted on the label. In her memoirs, she lamented that it meant no economic
sense to pursue litigation against unlicensed counterfeiters. Ideal Toy and Novelty Company was one of the few successful litigants.
At the height of her popularity, Temple was the subject of many myths and rumours. False claims circulated that she was not a child, but a 30-yearold dwarf. Rumours were so prevalent that the Vatican dispatched Father Silvio Massante to investigate whether she was indeed a child. People
Between January 1958 and September 1961, Shirley Temple hosted and narrated a successful NBC television anthology of fairy-tale adaptations called Shirley Temple’s Storybook – but the series was not nearly as popular as had been hoped, and neither this series, or a 1960 The Shirley Temple Show, met the stiff competition from Lassie, Dennis the Menace, or the 1960 telecast of The Wizard of Oz. However, she continued to work on television making guest appearances on The Red Skelton Show, Sing Along With Mitch and other shows. When Temple’s films were broadcast on television, the Ideal Toy Company released a new version of the Shirley Temple doll, and Random House published three fairy-tale anthologies under her name. Three hundred thousand dolls were sold within six months, and two hundred and twenty-five thousand books were sold. She hosted the CBS AFI’s 100 Years … 100 Stars award show, and in 2001 served as a consultant for the ABC-TV production of her autobiography Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story.
Shirley Temple became active in the California Republican Party in 1967. She ran unsuccessfully in a special election in California’s 11th congressional district. She ran in the open primary as a Conservative Republican and came second (22.4%) behind Pete McCloskey. In the general election, McCloskey was elected with 57.2% votes. Temple got her start in foreign service after her failed run for Congress in 1967. Henry Kissinger was instrumental in pushing her cause after hearing her talk about South West Africa. She was appointed as a delegate to the 24th United Nations General Assembly (1969) by President Richard M Nixon, and as United States Ambassador to Ghana (6 December 1974 – 13 July 1976) by President Gerald R Ford. She was appointed first female Chief of Protocol of the United States (1 July 1976 – 21 January 1977), and in charge of President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration and inaugural ball. She served as the United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia (23 August 1989 –12 July 1992) having been appointed by President George W Bush. It was during her term as ambassador to Czechoslovakia that she saw the end of communism in the country and was ambassador when the United States began formal diplomatic relations with the newly elected government led by Václav Havel.
Temple served on the boards of directors of The
Walt Disney Company, Del Monte Foods, Bank of America, Bank of California, BANCAL TriState, Fireman’s Fund Insurance, United States Commission for UNESCO, United Nations Association and National Wildlife Federation.
In 1943, 15-year-old Shirley Temple met John Agar, an Army Air Corp Sergeant, and member of a Chicago meat-packing family. She married him when she was17 years old on September 19, 1945, in Los Angeles. Temple bore a daughter, Linda Susan, in 1948, and she helped Agar become an actor. They made two films together, Fort Apache (1948), and Adventure in Baltimore (1949). However, Agar was a chronic alcoholic who had several extramarital affairs. Temple divorced him on grounds of mental cruelty in December 1949, and was awarded custody of their daughter.
In January 1950, Temple met Charles Alden Black, a World War II Navy intelligence officer and Silver Star recipient, who was Assistant to the President of the Hawaiian Pineapple Company. A conservative politician, he was the son of James Black, wealthy President and later Chairman of Pacific Gas and Electric. They were married in California on 16 December 1950. The family moved to Washington, DC when Black was recalled to the Navy at the outbreak of the Korean War. On April 28, 1952, Temple gave
birth to a son, Charles Alden Black Jr, in Washington. After the Korean War ended and Black’s discharge from the Navy, the family returned to California in May 1953. Their daughter Lori was born on April 9, 1954. Black became director of business operations for the Stanford Research Institute, and the family moved back to Atherton, California. The couple were married for 54 years until his death on August 4, 2005, from a bone marrow disease.
Temple was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1972 when she was 44 years old. In the early 1970s, cancer was typically discussed in hushed whispers. Her public disclosure of the disease was a significant milestone in improving breast cancer awareness and reducing stigma around the disease.
Shirley Temple Black died at age 85 on February 10, 2014, at her home in Woodside, California. The cause of death, according to her death certificate released on March 3, 2014, was “chronic pulmonary disease”. Unknown to her public, she was a lifelong addicted cigarette smoker. She is buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park.
Shirley Temple received many honours and awards in her lifetime, including a special Juvenile Academy Award, the Life Achievement Award from the American Center of Films for Children, the National Board of Review Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.
Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. The author acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia.
Today I am very sad. I am sad because every time I think that things can’t get worse for animals around here something happens, and I feel so defeated.
It is very difficult to be the voice of those who have no voice and never will. It is so difficult to move forward in a country that just cannot understand that companion animals are sentient beings.
There was a family who loved their dog (hurray) they were not of great means and lived a modest life. Their dog was not the standard “yard dog” (Hooray yet again), he shared their lives with them in their apartment, he ate snacks from their table, enjoyed mango season with them, went in the car with them. No, he was not “just a dog”.
A few days ago, the Royal Bahamas Police Force were looking for a criminal wearing an ankle bracelet. They went to an apartment complex. The went to where they “thought” the man wearing the bracelet should be. But this is where the story takes a terrifying turn. They chose the wrong apartment!
The climbed the stairs, and according to reports, they failed to knock and identify themselves, they opened the door. (Note to self and all others, be sure to lock your door at all times to gain time to put your pet up in order to save what happened next).
This family dog, dearly loved by his family, did what any family pet in the world would have done. He ran to the door barking. anybody with any experience with animals would actually expect this to occur. In response to him trying to protect his family he was shot and killed, in front of his family, doing no more than what any animal should do.
If you were one on the many people unfortunate to watch the entire video clip that circulated around this island and was a topic of much conversation, you will have been able to see how unkindly and bashfully the owner of the dog was spoken to by the members of our Royal Bahamas Police Force.
There was zero remorse, zero understanding, zero kindness. No, in fact the tone was threatening and menacing. The owner was treated with scorn and told he could be taken away.
Incidentally the man they were looking for did not even live in that apartment but lived the floor below in the same complex.
So where does this leave us all who own animals who would quite naturally defend us?
We have, on more than one occasion, heard of dogs being shot and some killed depending on the expertise of the marksmanship of the Royal Bahamas Police Force policeman wielding the gun.
I have several concerns brought to light, by, yet again, another police shooting of a dog.
My main concern is obviously the fact that a family pet has been killed totally unnecessarily. Why?
Was the officer afraid of the dog? We know that fear of dogs is very prevalent in this country. Did he really feel that his life was in danger? Did he think before he acted? what if a child had run forward and he had killed the child? what would we be saying about this situation then? would we be forgiving the officer, or would we clam up and remain silent.
Pepsi or Coke? Which do you prefer? Well, this outgoing potcake really hopes you prefer Pepsi as that’s his name! Pepsi enjoys going out on the dog walks and loves a good belly rub. Pepsi is about eight months old and would love a home where walks might be a regular event and perhaps some training as well. He’s smart and eager to learn! Do you need a bit of fizz in your life? Come to the Bahamas Humane Society to meet Pepsi, or call 821-4121 for more information.
Pepsi looks forward to meeting you, and telling you all about the upcoming airlift!
Can members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force simply stomp into our homes, without so much as the curtesy of a knock on the door. What are the citizens’ rights? Do we all have to live in fear that mistaken identity or misinformation could bring gun wielding officers of the law into our homes at any given time?
Want to help support the airlift? Become a ‘seat’ sponsor ($350), help purchase a travel crate ($125) or cover pre-flight vet costs ($50). www.bahamashumanesociety.org/ donate Thank you!
The fact that the Commissioner of Police has not publicly addressed this latest shooting and the circumstances is worrisome because it indicates that it doesn’t matter, that it doesn’t warrant any attention and that it will all go away soon enough.
Some years ago, I watched a video of an officer shooting a dog that was chained. Yes, the dog was barking but he was on a chain so was of no danger. He was shot, Target practice? Thank Goodness the dog was only wounded, and the Bahamas Humane Society picked up the animal and he made a complete recovery.
I say this over and over again. Where are we headed? How absolute can power be? Can you just walk into my home and start firing bullets and killing my pet? what are our rights< Do we actually have any?
I do not think that it is unreasonable to ask for an explanation, and a report?
Is it unreasonable for the owners to receive, at least a public apology? I was once told, many years ago, that “a policeman does not have to say he is sorry”, maybe it’s time to rethink it that attitude.
