09292023 WEEKEND

It’s sweeter in The Bahamas

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

THERE is a new hotspot in town where Instagram influencers and TikTokers are flocking to in hopes of creating the perfect, colourful content, and where those with a sweet tooth are indulging themselves to their heart’s content.

“I Dream of Sugar” on the corner of Bay and Market Streets strives to be a new landmark and mustsee tourist attraction in Downtown Nassau.

The over 15,000 sq ft space not only offers customers an array of candy from around the world, numerous flavours of ice cream, inventive drinks and other treats, it also boasts an upstairs bar, the Sugar Rush Lounge, where the art of mixology and making candy meet, and adult patrons can relax and enjoy live performances.

“The storefront was part of a vision to create a super optic that would become a brand landmark for Bay Street. It encompasses a Candyland Courtyard entrance to entice one’s tastebuds for sweet treats,” said general manager Raymond Bethell.

“We were well aware of the

need to aid in the revitalisation of the Downtown project. In an effort to (come up) with project for both visitors and locals alike, we wanted to create a new destination experience.”

Mr Bethell said I Dream of Sugar is unique as it is the largest state-of-theart candy store within the country, and in fact, the Caribbean region.

“We pride ourselves as being more than just a candy store…(We have) treats ranging from jelly beans to signature milkshakes and nostalgia confectionary. Our brand is a fusion of Bahamian culture with a vision to bring to life the kid in people of all ages,” he said.

“We have over 305 bulk candies within the store. There are packaged treats and candy games with retro kids TV characters. We also carry 24 flavours of locally made ice cream, hence we also offer 24 milkshake opportunities.”

Mr Bethell said the store was strategically laid out to ensure patrons have an amazing experience.

“It’s an inviting environment where one can relax, unwind and take a trip around a candyland with a kaleidoscope of colours that uplifts your spirit,” said Mr Bethell.

“We must say a very big thank you to our local patrons…We thank them for the consistent support.”

Mr Bethell said there are some great ideas planned for the upcoming holiday season. For example, there will be a Halloween trick or treat extravaganza and a Christmas Candy Wonderland in the upcoming months.

‘Our brand is a fusion of Bahamian culture with a vision to bring to life the kid in people of all ages.’

‘Bee-Hamian’ – A new spelling bee game show is creating quite the buzz

By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

COMEDIAN Jaquay Adderley, better known as Das Quay, is slowly but surely becoming a household name, and now he is adding game show creator and host to his already extensive repertoire.

He said Bahamian audiences can be prepared to be “entertained and amazed” by his new game show, “Bee-Hamian”.

Jaquay said he is looking to redefine family entertainment and bring the thrill of a spelling bee competition to Bahamian living rooms.

The game show, which premiered this Monday on the Our TV channel, will give contestants of all ages and backgrounds the chance to spell their way to a cash prize of up to $500. The show’s first season consists of eight episodes featuring a diverse array of 24 contestants, including influencers, kids, and individuals from various demographics.

What makes the show unique is the fact that many of the contestants will be familiar faces.

“One of the show’s unique features is the participation of beloved social media influencers, creating a dynamic blend of entertainment and competition. You’ll have the opportunity to cheer for your favourite influencers as they put their spelling skills to the test, all while enjoying a healthy dose of laughter and suspense,” said Jaquay.

“Bee-Hamian”, he said, has all the ingredients that make for a good television show – from the tension-filled moments as contestants step up to the mic to spell a word to the jubilant celebrations that follow a successful spelling.

“The show’s format ensures that viewers of all ages can engage with the excitement and even dream of participating themselves in future seasons,” he said.

Even before it premiered, “Bee-Hamian” had been generating buzz on social media.

Jaquay’s dedicated followers were eagerly awaiting the show’s premiere, expressing their excitement to not only watch but also potentially participate in upcoming seasons.

The “Bee-Hamian” team hopes Bahamians will tune in to join in the spelling buzz.

Jaquay has experienced steady success over the years on the local entertainment scene.

He is a writer, producer, actor, entertainer and comedian, who also created the popular character of Bertrum Oh Bubbler. He has devoted his life to using his voice, influence and existence to spread joy, laughter, light and inspiration through the arts in fun and creative ways.

Jaquay strives to display his originality and creativity on social media, concerts, events, stage plays, a wide array of commercials and even television. With nearly 100,000 fans and followers across social media, his comedic videos are in high on demand.

Some of his most popular videos are “Divorce-a-grams Be Like”, “Frustrations of a Funeral” and “Frustration of a Begger,” which have tens of thousands of views.

Jaquay’s love for the stage has led him to work with many writers and producers such as Terez Davis-Nixon, Kerel Pinder, Rakel Dean in “Dirty Laundry”, and most recently, he toured North and South Carolina, and Chicago with Gospel Effects Entertainment for “Tomorrow Still Ain’t Promised” stage play.

He has also written and produced his own play, “For His Sake”, which was successfully performed in Marsh Harbour, Abaco. The play deals with themes of adultery and some of its unconventional outcomes.

Next up for the comedian is a role in the upcoming sequel to the movie “The Pages of My Heart” by director Deon Gibson of New Vision Film.

JAQUAY DasQuay Adderley is the creator and host of the new Bee-Hamian game show. Top right, Jaquay in the upcoming movie ‘The Pages of My Heart’ - Part II.

Keysha Edwards Taylor

After facing and coming to grips with some of the darkest moments in her life, this artist has co-written a song which celebrates the strength of women. Additionally, the singer-songwriter tells Cara Hunt about the book she has penned to give voice to her pain and help with the healing process.

Keysha Edwards Taylor believes there is power and healing in victims of abuse speaking out about their experiences.

This is why she decided to write a book, “Deep Book – My Journey to True Inner Peace”, to chronicle her own journey, and why she will perform a special song at the Trailblazer Awards on October 7.

She will be performing “Strength of a Woman”, a song she co-wrote Gina Rodgers which is featured in the documentary “Two-Faced: Gender Inequality in the Bahamas”.

She sings the song together with Yvonne Christine Stroy-Martin and Dr Tessa Scott

For Keysha, writing a book was a way to help her process some of the darker moments in her past, which included incidents of molestation, assault and addiction.

The book started as journal entries to help her come to terms with what had happened to her.

Celebrating her 40th birthday, she said, served as a catalyst for her to explore some of the lingering wounds and seek to really make peace with the past.

“Turning 40 was really a time for self-reflection,” she said. “I had to ask myself, ‘Why am I this way?’ I had to revisit a lot of painful moments, including having difficult conversations with my father and other persons.”

Keysha said process was a deep, painful one, but also a necessary one.

“It also has made me stronger; this thing that was meant to break me has made me shine and go harder,” she said.

Keysha said this process is so important for women who find themselves in similar situations, so that they can eventually to heal from their trauma and speak out, which is why she is so willing to appear at the Trailblazer Awards.

The awards are being held under the theme “Fight for Equal Rights”. The committee behind the event includes veteran journalists Gina Rodgers Sealy, Lindsey Thompson and Felicity Ingraham.

Gina explained that the idea behind the awards is to honour Bahamian women who may be frequently overlooked and underappreciated, and who may be treated as if they did not possess basic human rights.

“We got together to lift up our sisters and put crowns on their heads,” she said.

There will be three women receiving Lifetime Achievement awards at the event: Dr Sandra

Dean Patterson, founder of the Woman’s Crisis Centre (now the Bahamas Crisis Centre); attorney, writer poet, filmmaker and human rights activist Marion Bethel, will be honoured for her involvement in the Woman’s Movement in the Caribbean, and Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin, who presently the longest serving female Member of Parliament and the first female chairman of a political party in the Bahamas.

Other awards will be presented to the Zonta Clubs of New Providence and the Nassau Chapter of Links.

The committee will also be presenting the Champion of Change award to individuals who stood tall in the face of adversity, pushing for the procurement and the advancement of human rights and women’s rights. These honorees are Gaynel Curry, human rights activist; Terneille Burrows, founder/president of Rise Bahamas; Erin Greene, human rights activist; Alexus D’Marco, human rights defender and executive director of the Bahamas Organisation of LGBTI Affairs; Mike Russell, chairman of Rotary Road to Peace; Prodesta Moore, founder of Women United, and Inspector Kendra Whyms of the Domestic Violence Task Force Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Additionally, there will be a screening of the documentary created by Gina Rodgers Sealy, “Two-Faced: Gender Inequality in the Bahamas”.

The documentary takes an in-depth look at the challenges Bahamian women have faced over the years.

Keshya said when Gina reached out to her to be involved with the project, she was only too happy to assist.

“She was a good friend of my mother’s (the late cultural icon Kayla Lockhart Edwards) and I knew that I wanted to be a part of this movement,” she said.

“I believe that it is so important that women stand and up and say something. If something happens and you know that it is happening you, need

this weekend in history

September

to tell someone, but so often we don’t want to say anything because we are scared or embarrassed.”

Keysha said she believes healing starts with telling of the tale.

The first step following a traumatic experience, she said, is dealing with what has happened to you internally and make peace with it. However, she said that speaking out about the abuse gives you power and a platform.

“I am not saying that that platform has to be

RUDOLF Diesel

write a book or speak in public in front of many people; it could be that you sit down with just a close friend and say, ‘Listen, I need to tell you what happened to me’… as simple as that; it’s all a part of the healing,” she said.

The Trailblazer Awards take place on Saturday, October 7, at 6pm in the Atlantis Theatre. Tickets are $75 and are available at Hoffer and Sons on Cable Beach or by visiting the Trail Blazer Facebook page.

The Weekend Fashion Report Black Music Action Coalition Gala

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

HIT Keke Palmer

Karin says: “The dress looks like it may be a tad bit too tight up top, but new mom Keke is glowing. I really like the juxtaposition of the sheer sleeves with the heavily sequined gown. Her hair looks fab as well; as do her big statement hoop earrings.”

Cara says: “The girls are hanging on for dear life, but despite that ‘party at the top’ look, it’s still quite the elegant glam look. Love the classy ponytail, and the hoop earrings work really well with the overall look.”

FAIL Doechii

Karin says: “That much lace just always ends up looking cheap, sorry. It’s like she appropriated a giant bright red table cloth for the occasion. And I hate that the totally unnecessary should pads are so visible.”

Cara says: “Something is a bit off. It looks almost too matronly, like a mother-of-the-bride in cheap lace. It’s really just unflattering and shapeless. And I don’t think the train added anything of value.”

SPLIT Michaela Jae Rodriguez

Karin says: “I don’t know; it kinda just hangs there. It looks like it doesn’t properly fit up top and she had to squeeze herself into the gown. I do like how the beaded skirt is draped though; like a silver metal curtain. But overall, it just doesn’t do much for her.”

Cara says: “I really like this. I always like a beaded strappy-strap situation, and I think this dress just fits her so well. It’s really pretty. The silver is very flattering and I like her long flowy hair.”

FAIL Chanté Moore

Karin says: “Remember what I said about the lace worn by Doechii? Well, this is even worse, mainly because it’s in this awful neon pink. Just why? And then she had the bad taste to pair it with a hideous faux fur stole. A complete and utter fail.”

Cara says: “OK, no. Not a fan of any it; not the fur shrug, which makes no sense paired with the itchy lace onesie, or those awful shoes, or the thing on her head. It’s like she just grabbed a random mess of clothes and threw them on as she walked out of the house.”

By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

What started out as a flirtation over the phone resulted in a union that culminated in a beautiful wedding inspired by New York high society and emphasised simple elegance.

Shandeka Griffin and Carlos Ingraham first met through a mutual friend, and then continued their budding relationship over numerous phone calls.

“We spoke for months before seeing each other. We finally met at the mall and after that moment the rest was history,” she said.

When it came time to making their union official, Shandeka said she was inspired by the weddings shot by New York society photographer Maxwell Jennings.

He is a Ghanian photographer who moved to the US at the age of 15 and attended the New York Film Academy. He has photographed some of the most glamorous weddings the city has seen, particularly for

‘High society’ styled comes to Old

Local couple inspired by famous African designer and

his African clientele.

Shandeka said she wanted that same aesthetic for her own special day.

“My vision of the wedding was inspired by weddings from his YouTube channel,” she said.

The couple chose Wynette McPhee, owner of Alexandra Rose Group of Companies, to make their vision a reality.

“Everything we bought to Ms McPhee,

She was nothing short of amazing,” said Shandeka.

Wynette McPhee created a simple, but perfect wedding for the couple.

She explained to Tribune Weekend that the bride had a very clear directive for her big day.

“She wanted a blush and plum wedding and she wanted it to be simple and sweet for their 200 guests,” said Wynette.

Shandeka and Carlos said their “I dos” during a ceremony held at Annex Baptist Church, which was followed by a reception at the White Mansion at Old Fort Bay.

“I only met with the bride and she kept saying, ‘I want it to be really nice’,” said Wynette.

To create the “simple beautiful setting”, she decided to use ivory as the grounding colour for the design.

“We didn’t want the colours to clash so we used an ivory textured tablecloth and we built from there.

The florals were a mix of sunken orchids, which the bride loves, and

(PHOTOS BY KEVIN GRANT)

styled wedding Old Fort Bay

photographer celebrates big day with simple elegance

When it came to Shandeka’s wedding gown, she was also initially inspired by online photos of dresses and had particularly fallen in love with the gowns by Nigerian designer Ese Azenabor, who is known for her grand bridal dresses with dramatic silhouettes and detachable pieces.

Shendeka chose someone closer to home to design and create her own stunning dress dress: noted designer Patrice Lockhart. Meanwhile, Kedar Clarke styled the men’s outfits.

Their big day was near perfect, but Carlos said it was also bittersweet because several members of his immediate family had passed on and could not be there for the special occasion.

fresh arrangements,” she explained.

Wynette said the simple arrangements complimented the more elaborate decorations which were set up at the front of the reception space, which included floral runners and glass tables, as well as golden chairs for the newlyweds.

“It was special to me, because it was the day I married the woman I love. My mother, father and grandmother were not there,” he noted.

“It was a milestone in my life. It was special to have my grandfather still alive to see it and to have our baby girl as our flower girl and all our family there to see it,” he said.

How to reduce the pH of garden soil

GOOD day, gardeners. How does your garden grow? Are you preparing your garden beds yet? Let’s say that you’ve tested your soil and the results are showing that it’s slightly alkaline, with a pH of 7.6, for example. What is to be done now, and how do we go about lowering the pH to a range that allows for the uptake of nutrients?

First, we have to understand why the pH is so critical: the pH of the soil dictates what nutrients can be released for use of plant material. Why is most of our soil alkaline?

Alkaline soils are primarily caused by a calcium carbonate-rich parent material weathering (developing) in an arid or dry environment. While the numbers seem small, it’s important to know that the pH scale is logarithmic, so a change in 1 pH unit

reflects a 10-fold change in acidity or alkalinity.

Bear in mind also that each plant has its specific range that allows for its greatest performance. Cabbages, for example, grow best between 6.0 and 7.5, tomato plants grow best between 6.0 and 6.8, and cucumber plants also perform their best between 6.0 and 6.8 on the pH scale.

The accompanying graphic shows the range of the most important nutrients and where they are most available. A 7.0 on the pH scale is considered neutral. This is also the point that has the widest availability for plants of nutrients in the soil. Most of our native soil will be above 7.0 and it helps to bring that down towards 7.0 for the greatest uptake availability. What problems are caused if soils are alkaline? The availability of many plant nutrients in soils,

including iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, is reduced at high pH values.

Iron chlorosis in plants, caused by inadequate iron, is a common problem in alkaline soils.

Phosphate, a macronutrient, may also be limited in these high pH soils due to its precipitation in the soil solution. How do we lower the pH? Elemental sulfur, iron sulfate, or aluminum sulfate can be used to reduce soil pH. Elemental sulfur can be added to soil as it forms sulfuric acid when it reacts with water and oxygen in the presence of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Iron and aluminum compounds can be added to soil, as they cause the release of hydrogen when they react with water. Sulfuric acid may also be added directly.

Additions of appreciable amounts of organic matter will help to acidify the soil as microbes decompose the material, releasing CO2 which then forms carbonic acid. Organic acids are also released during humus decomposition. Peat and peat moss are highly acidic forms of organic matter and it is readily available.

Application of acidifying fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate, can help lower soil pH. Ammonium is nitrified by soil bacteria into nitrate and hydrogen ions. Soils naturally containing carbonates, or lime, such as our islands, that which are at their very existence composed of calcium carbonate, are very difficult to acidify, and it may take years before a significant change in soil pH is seen. Even then, the carbonatic parent material will continue to weather, producing more soluble carbonate and buffering the soil solution pH.

Choosing plants that grow well in mildly alkaline soils can

be selected. This is the most reasonable “treatment” option for soils that have developed from carbonatic parent material, i.e. Our entire Bahamas. Vegetable garden plants such as asparagus, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, carrots, lettuce, parsley and spinach grow well in soils whose pH is between 7.0 and 8.0. Most fertilizers of any repute will contain certain amounts of ammonium sulfate. This information is found on a fertilizer label under the “derived from” heading below the nutrient content chart, and will read “sulfate of ammonia”.

Now, which fertilizer to use ought to be chosen after noting the nutrient content of the test. If, for example, the native soil is high in potassium, well then there is no reason to add a fertilizer with high potassium such as a 05-05-15. Better would be to add a 06-02-00. If it’s high in phosphorus, don’t add a 20-20-20, add a 12-04-12 for example. Be sure that when seeking to lower pH, that the fertilizer being used is derived from sulfates, along with the addition of a peat-based amendment and the application of mulch on top to continue the inclusion of organic materials that will help gradually and slowly acidify the soil. This hereby concludes today’s science lesson.

Peat moss, elemental sulfur, iron sulfate, aluminum sulfate, ammonium sulfate, and mulch, are your friends in an alkaline garden setting. Read the label of any product being considered! As always, I wish you happy science-based gardening.

• Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at Fox Hill Nursery on Bernard Road. You can contact him with any questions you may have, or topics you would like to see discussed, at gardening242@gmail.

Bahamian artists can join global music community to make intimate live music

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

With the goal of putting local artists in the spotlight and allowing music-loving audiences to discover new local talent in an intimate space, Sherwood Rahming has created Sofar Sounds Nassau.

The organisation, the local music artist explained, is a Bahamian-based extension of the global Sofar Sounds brand.

“This is a platform dedicated to nurturing community between artists and music lovers, so in that way, Sofar Nassau is about bringing the spirit of community to our music events on a small scale,” he told Tribune Weekend.

“Artists can be experimental as they try new things and showcase new music, and attendees can discover new music and new artists.”

A recording artist, producer, studio owner and engineer, Sherwood got his start back in late 2011.

He learned early on how to come with the best beats to rap and sing to, all while honing his skills as an engineer.

“I picked up the guitar somewhere around 2016 to use in my production, and really got more comfortable with it in late 2017. So now and then you can catch me playing guitar for a few other performers and for myself at shows,” he said.

Sherwood said for some time now, he has been aware of the global Sofar platform, initially coming across it on YouTube.

“I noticed that the performances always seemed intimate and engaging; not like the typical concert with massive crowds and a huge stage far away from the audience. And from the beginning I felt as though a platform like this would be great for us in Nassau, because we have so many amazing artists creating great music but are limited to where they can showcase and actually be heard,” he said.

“Sure, there are lots of bars and restaurants that have singers performing, but they typically function as background music to people eating and socialising. But Sofar Sounds aims to put music at the centre, and invites people who genuinely want to hear music from local talent to come out and enjoy themselves.”

Since launching this year, he said they have hosted several amazing artists from many genres, including Geno D, Chase Fernander, Judah Tha Lion, Bodine Victoria, and Sherwood himself.

“The idea has been to show how versatile and dynamic Bahamian artists are. Along with that, we’ve established a house band giving artists who don’t play an instrument or have a band of their own, access to professional musicians to bring their live performance to life. We’ve dubbed the band The BRDRNS BND, pronounced ‘The Bredrens Band’, consisting

of multi-instrumentalists, producers and engineers,” said Sherwood.

The core members of the band are Hashaun Adderley on keys and bass, AbiYah Woodside on bass, Darien Francis on guitar and keys, and Sean Cunningham on drums.

“What’s unique about Sofar Nassau is its approach to hosting live music events. Sofar shows are secret in that guests don’t know who’ll be performing until they arrive, and to receive the location of the venue, you must buy a ticket first. This appeals to the curiosity in people, and allows them to genuinely show up for the music, and not just a favourite artist of theirs,” he explained.

“Sofar shows are also always collaborations with a different local venue each show, aiming to highlight different spaces right here in Nassau. This year we’ve had the pleasure of being hosted by Syrah, Sapodilla Estates, Project ICE, Rip Tyd, The Gallery and Wine Bar, and Studio Café.”

And with this only being the first year, there’s much room for growth.

“Artists who perform at a Sofar show become a part of a global community of artists who have access to Sofar opportunities around the world, such as residencies, tours and performances in different cities. So overall, I see this as the foundation for a true

appreciation for the music coming from local artists,” he said.

Sherwood has been hand-picking the artists for each show to curate dynamic lineups with musicians of varying experience. As a producer and engineer, he said he’s aware of a lot of artists who are active locally, so he has tried to select ones based on how well their music may fit the theme of any given show.

“There is also an application to perform, which I encourage any aspiring performers to apply through. Through the application process, we can see all the interested artists and view their content to determine which shows would be a good fit for them,” he said.

“As it relates to venues, we simply want to host music in spaces that are unique and lend themselves to letting the music be the focus. Some people have reached out to us, inviting us to use their space as a venue, and others we’ve asked ourselves. I think we can all agree that an aesthetically pleasing space is always a good start. And some spaces have very niche perks to them, like art galleries and outdoor gardens.

Sherwood describes the Sofar shows as intimate, refreshing and engaging.

“When an artist is on the Sofar stage, the audience is locked in and grooving. And after each show, people walk away having found a new artist or new song that they love. It’s really an atmosphere where artists can feel comfortable, now that the audience is actually listening to them,” he said.

Sherwood said there may be a new Sofar show before the end of the year, which may be a New Year’s show, but overall, they are already preparing for an exciting 2024.

literary lives – Dorothea Lange (1895-1965)

Through a lens of empathy

Sir Christopher

Ondaatje revisits the American documentary and photo-journalist best known for her extraordinary Depressionera photographs.

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.”

– Dorothea Lange

Migrant Mother, the now legendary and haunting photograph by Dorothea Lange, taken in 1936, has now become a permanent symbol of the American Depression years.

By the time the photograph was published, Lange had already joined other photographers working for the newly established Farm Security Administration.

In 1960, Lange spoke about her experience taking the photograph:

“I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions. I made five exposures, working closer and closer from the same direction. I did not ask her name or her history. She told me her age, that she was thirty-two. She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding fields, and birds that the children had killed. She had just sold the tires from her car to buy food. There she sat in that lean-to tent with her children huddled around her, and seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped me. There was a sort of equality about it.”

Dorothea Lange was born Dorothea Margaretta Nutzhorn – of second-generation German immigrants on May 26, 1985, in Hoboken, New Jersey.

She gave up her middle name and assumed her mother’s maiden name when her father abandoned the family when she was 12 years old. This was one of the most traumatic incidents in her life.

The other was that she contracted

polio when she was seven years old that resulted in a weakened right leg and a permanent limp. She never got over it.

Lange started life as many people of her background did. After graduating in photography from Columbia University in New York City she worked for several New York photography studios before travelling the world with a friend, Florence

Bates, until the trip was aborted in San Francisco because of a robbery.

She settled there and eventually opened a successful portrait studio. Lange found herself inspired by the West Coast and its nature.

In 1920, she married the artist Maynard Dixon and moved to Berkeley across the bay and had two sons.

The young artistic couple travelled extensively and appeared at many

society events together. But behind closed doors, they had many challenges, as both of them wanted to pursue their careers. While Lange was the family’s top earner, Maynard expected her to prioritise his career. He was often away from home and left Lange and their children alone to pursue his art. And according to gossip, Maynard was having extramarital affairs during these trips.

Meanwhile, Lange grew less and less enchanted in her portrait clientele and moved her camera from her studio to the people in the street.

One day in 1932, deep into the Great Depression, she saw a breadline of homeless people below the window of her apartment and went down to photograph them. She never worked in her studio again.

“To know ahead of time what you’re looking for means you’re then only photographing your own preconceptions, which is very limiting, and often false.”

– Dorothea Lange

Her first picture White Angel Breadline of an old man leaning against a railing in front of a soup kitchen, holding a tin cup with a wrinkled hat pulled over his eyes, brought her instant recognition and led to her being employed by the Federal Farm Security Administration.

In fact, Paul Taylor, the Professor of Economics at the University of California, was so impressed with her work that he asked her to work with him on a report on seasonal farm labour.

The Taylor-Lange Report on the pitiful despair and hunger of migrant farm workers led to the creation of camps and provision of food relief.

DOROTHEA Lange atop an automobile in California in 1936. In her lap is a Graflex 4×5 Series D camera.

‘A family in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, are forced to leave their home during the Great Depression, June 1938’

In 1935, Lange divorced her husband and married Taylor. For the next five years they documented rural poverty and the exploitation of sharecroppers and transient displaced farm families.

Lange’s photographs were widely distributed free to newspapers across America and her images became famous as representing the Depression era.

Migrant Mother was the image that won her immediate attention – first published in the San Francisco News. The editor published news about the starving conditions in the camp and the Government rushed aid to help prevent further disastrous conditions.

The photograph perhaps made Lange the most famous woman who ever worked with a camera. Twentytwo of her other photographs were published in John Steinbeck’s The Harvest Gypsies when it was issued later that year, and inspired the author to write The Grapes of Wrath (1939).

Dorothea Lange was an unusual woman who never sought the beautiful

things that are the usual subjects of photography and never hesitated in sacrificing the affluence that was her birthright for the insecure life photographing subjects in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and California – the sad eyes of children, exhausted mothers, and the gnarled hands of cotton pickers. The migrants liked her – because she cared.

“It is not enough to photograph the obviously picturesque.”

– Dorothea Lange

In 1941, Lange was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for achievement in photography – but she gave this up after the Pearl Harbour attack to record the plight of Japanese Americans from the West Coast.

She covered the internment of these families and her images were so obviously critical that the American Army impounded most of them.

They were not seen publicly for another 50 years. Today these

almost horrific photographs (pitiful) can be seen in the National Archives and at the Bancroft Library at the University of California, Berkeley.

Lange accepted a position in 1945 as Faculty for the first fine art photography department at the California School of Fine Arts. Later, in 1952, she co-founded the photographic magazine Aperture.

After Life magazine commissioned her to do a photographic documentary of the death of Monticello, California, and the displacement of its residents because of the damming of Putah Creek to form Lake Berryessa, they then refused to run the piece. Consequently, Lange devoted an entire issue of Aperture to the work. She never hesitated to portray the cruelty of the world.

“Seeing is more than a physiological phenomenon… We see not only with our eyes but with all that we are and all that our culture is. The artist is a professional see-er.”

– Dorothea Lange

In the last two decades of Lange’s life, she suffered from severe gastric problems, bleeding ulcers and post-polio syndrome. She died of esophageal cancer on October 11,

1965. She was 70 years old.

Curiously, in 2006, an elementary school was named in her honour in Nipomo, California – very near the site where she photographed Migrant Mother.

She was inducted into the California Hall of Fame at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts on May 28, 2008.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Master of Photography by Daniela Mrazkova, and Wikipedia.

LANGE’s iconic 1936 photograph of Florence Owens Thompson, Migrant Mother.

‘Ex-Slave with a Long Memory, Alabama, 1938’

CHILDREN at the Weill public school in San Francisco pledge allegiance to the American flag in April 1942, prior to the internment of people of Japanese heritage.

Towards a democratic franchise: Voter bribery

FORGOTTENFACTS ByDRSTEPHENBARANHA

CORRUPT elections have long plagued democracies – a phenomenon not unique to the Bahamas, despite bribing and treating of voters being illegal. Bahamian law defined treating as providing, or paying for the expenses of others to provide, “meat, drink, entertainment … for the purpose of corruptly influencing” voters.

Early 20th century observers describe Bahamian elections as “conducted in the ‘Eatanswill’ manner,” a trope popularised by Charles Dickens, in which elections become a carnival. Proponents of the secret ballot hoped that its introduction would change this.

The first election utilising secret ballots throughout the Bahamas occurred in 1949. Afterwards Attorney General Cole, having concrete evidence of bribery, opined “that a series of prosecutions should be commenced.” He conceded that it was not just a case of “the rich and powerful candidates descending upon the unsuspecting electors … and corrupting them by a systemic campaign of bribery … All through the statements there are instances of the electors demanding money either in order to vote for a particular candidate or in order to vote at all.” This corroborates something Governor Dundas had said in 1938: “The significant remark has been heard that ‘it does not matter to us who is in the House, but Two Pounds is of interest to us’.”

Cole believed that especially the evidence pertaining to Crooked Island would hold up in court. The bribery there had become known because the losing candidate, Eugene Dupuch, not only accused his opponent, Artemas Pritchard, but also incriminated himself by admitting that he paid voters to attend campaign events. Prosecuting the brother of House Speaker Asa H Pritchard, a member of an immensely influential family, bore risks. Cole and Acting Governor Evans worried whether the impartiality of juries could be relied upon if the defendant was a member of the Bay Street elite, whether bribed voters turned witnesses might not be enticed to take the fall instead thus ensuring that the bribing candidates get off scot-free, how a trial might further taint the relationship between Government House and Bay Street, how such a trial would impact racial tensions, and whether the publicity might negatively impact tourism. Evans asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for guidance. His reply lacked the “more positive indication as

to the line they ought to take.” Thus, Evans and Cole did not follow through.

In 1956, one election cycle later, bribery occurred again. In Abaco, Frank H Christie, according to the Attorney General, paid out in excess of £450 in bribes to voters. Christie was charged, as were four of his agents. The agents’ cases went to the Magistrates Court on July 10 and 11 respectively and were committed to trial before the Supreme Court for October. Christie’s trial before the Magistrates Court began on July 23. The agents could not testify as they awaited their own trials. An application to move the Supreme Court trial forward was denied; the Chief Justice held that fixing a special session “would not be in the interest of justice” despite this having been regular practice in the past. An application to adjourn the proceedings before the Magistrates Court until after the completion of the October trial was denied for similar reasons. In absence of key witnesses, the

Magistrate discharged Christie. When Christie’s agents went to trial in October, the voters who had previously testified changed their tune. Nonetheless, all four agents had previously confessed to bribing voters.

The first one, Jonathan Rolle, had confessed after the losing candidate, Colyn Rees, suggested that he would not be prosecuted. The defence argued that the confession should be inadmissible, citing the Evidence Act: “No evidence shall be given of any confession in any criminal proceeding if the making of the confession appears to the court to have been caused by any inducement, threat or promise proceeding ... from some other person having authority over the prisoner with reference to the charge.” According to the defence, Rees was such a person in authority. Ruling that Rees was not such a person in the sense of the statute, the court admitted the evidence. However, Rees himself then appeared as a witness for the defence testifying that Rolle perceived him as such a person in authority, and that therefore “no weight should be attached to the confession.” The jury acquitted Rolle.

The second agent, Bartholomew McIntosh, confessed after the Local Constable told him that Rolle had already confessed and he better follow suit. The defence alleged that the police must have rearranged McIntosh’s statement, for McIntosh, a Baptist minister, would not have been “capable of expressing himself in the manner in which the statement was written,” because he was “not very bright.” Agreeing, the court ruled that McIntosh’s confession was inadmissible and ordered the jury to acquit him.

The evidence against the remaining two agents, Joseph Cooper and Wilton Sawyer, was the same as that against McIntosh, causing the Crown to enter a nolle prosequi in their cases. After this fiasco, Cole decided not to recharge Christie. He retained his seat in the Assembly, but resigned as Deputy Speaker.

When the secret ballot was introduced in the Bahamas, it was already common knowledge that it alone would not curb corrupt practices. In the United Kingdom, the Ballot Act of 1872 was augmented by the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act of 1883, which mandated publication of candidates’ expenses, and which limited campaign spending. Nothing comparable ever became law in the Bahamas. Recently, election observers of both the Organisation of American States and the Commonwealth have strongly recommended the introduction of campaign finance legislation in their reports.

• For questions and comments, please send an e-mail to islandairman@gmail.com

CHARLES Dickens’s satire of British parliamentary elections in the fictitious Eatanswill, Essex

DR STEPHEN B ARANHA

Animal matters

Kim Aranha

The cane toads are back . . . or did they ever go away?

Back in 2020, while we were all coming to grips with COVID, we were also warned that there were cane toads out there and that they were dangerous to our small pets and young children.

I think we were all so absorbed with the terrors of the pandemic and the ramifications of being locked up and down that (at least for me) the memory of the cane toad dimmed quite quickly. I was busily wiping everything in sight with disinfectant.

However, alas, there was obviously limited vigilance and now there is a resurgence of them. I wrote about them in Spring and warned that they were gradually multiplying. Now there are official warnings issued by government agencies to beware and keep your distance.

I have spoken to a couple of vets from various parts of New Providence and they have only seen one or two occurrences of confirmed cane toad poisonings so far.

Poisoning in pets manifests in the following symptoms:

1. Excessive salivation, foaming and drooling a lot (caused by the mucus membranes becoming irritated by the poison)

2. Pawing at the mouth

3. Vomiting

4. Diarrhea

5. Lack of coordination

6. Disorientation (is your pet confused, off balance, wobbly or falling over?)

7. Muscle twitches and tremors

8. Seizures

9. Panting and laboured breathing

10. Increased heart rate

11. Elevated temperature

Clearly, you need to get your pet to the vet as quickly as possible. If there has been a sighting of a cane toad, inform your vet and also inform the authorities. If you live in a gated community, tell your security.

If you think your pet has been “attacked” by a cane toad, put on gloves (don’t get poisoned too). Immediately wipe out the pet’s mouth using a damp cloth (especially if the pet is drooling excessively).

Using a fresh cloth, wipe the eyes and nostrils (particularly if eyes are red or appear irritated). While you are doing this, have somebody phone your vet and tell them you are coming, and you suspect your pet has come in contact with a cane toad.

Not only dogs are at risk, but cats are inquisitive little souls; they are just as susceptible, and what about small children?

It is absolutely essential you go to the vet as quickly as possible so he can flush the toxin out of your pet’s body as

soon as possible.

Bodies of fresh water, ponds, swamps and lakes are breeding areas. In your own garden, make sure there are no receptacles that are holding water; keep them empty. Watch out for stacks of “stuff” such as empty pots, building supplies, wood, old toys, anything that would make a good hiding place.

Remember, outside lighting attracts bugs; bugs attract frogs and toads. So keep your lights on less where your dog walks in the evening. Use a torch on evening walks. Nighttime is the most dangerous time.

I am told by very reliable source that diluted Dettol will humanely kill a cane toad, so have a spray bottle available.

These very unwelcome visitors came in as passengers in plants, soil and grass over the years; imported from Florida where there is a high population of cane toads. Let’s face it, that is also how the corn snake got into the Bahamas. I suppose this can be blamed on

inadequate inspections of imports.

One thing to look for when you want to identify if the creature on your back porch is a benign frog or a dangerous cane toad is to observe the way it sits.

The cane toad will sit with its front legs propping it up, unlike the frog which rather lays on his belly. Cane toads do not have suckers;they do not possess toe pads, and no webbing between their “fingers”. They have claws for digging so you will not ever see them attached to a wall or a window.

Of course, none of us really want to get up close and personal with these unattractive and unappealing fellows.

We just want to be done with them, but to do so we must take the threat very seriously and report sightings. I would say report it on Facebook, tell the National Trust, the Ministry of Agriculture, put it on your Facebook page, make sure people are aware where they are in New Providence.

Watch out for their eggs. Cane toads can lay up to 30,000 eggs at a time.

The cane toad has no natural enemies in the Bahamas, because nature didn’t have to consider that threat. Man (once again) made this mess, and no man scrambles to sort it out.

This is not an animal that has many natural predators. Australia has been trying to rid themselves of the cane toad for many years, and not very successfully. I guess it is our turn now. -

Zappy Zandy

By The Bahamas Humane Society

Fluffy Zandy is most likely a chow mix. She’s about three and a half years old and is really hoping to fnd her forever home soon. (This crate business isn’t her preferred way of being!)

Zandy loves to go on the Wednesday and Saturday dog walks and behaved impeccably at the opening of the Bahama Games. She is friendly with other dogs and loves people, but would be better with no cats around.

Have you a place in your heart and home for Zandy?

If so, come into the Bahamas Humane Society to meet her or call 325-6742 for more information. Zandy looks forward to meeting you!

• Forever Home Fridays, Second Chance Saturdays and Happy Tails Tuesdays are a chance for adopters to meet and greet their potential future furry family members in the reception at the BHS. Come and meet the dogs and pups from 11am to 3pm(Saturdays will start after clinic ends).

( PHOTO BY LINDA GILLARANHA )

Little Bahamian beauty queen places third in international Galaxy Pageant

By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

SHE may be small in stature, but Hadassah Kemp is making big strides. The Little Miss Galaxy Bahamas finished third overall during the international pageant last month in Orlando, Florida.

Hadassah was crowned Little Miss Galaxy Bahamas in June 2023 and participated in the Galaxy International Pageant in Orlando where her performance and presence left a lasting impact on pageant officials, contestants and audience members from around the world.

For the pageant activities, Hadassah participated in a pyjama night party, an all-white party, judges’ interview, and the fashion wear and evening gown segments.

Hadassah’s mother, Ferrice Kemp, said she was moved to tears by her daughter’s performance.

“Hadassah’s overall performance was excellent from start to finish. She not only made her family proud, but she also made her country proud by placing third in her category,” she said.

It was pleasing to witness her daughter’s success, especially after expending much effort on preparing for the event.

“A lot of effort was put into the preparation of this pageant as well as getting her prepared physically and mentally to compete,” said Ferrice.

“Fundraisers were held to help with cost of attire, costumes…(there were) donations as well. As it relates to training, the director of the Bahamas Galaxy Pageant, Andrea Knott, along with myself trained and rehearsed with Hadassah weekly until the date of the international pageant.”

Hadassah Kemp.

Being the overachiever Hadassah is, she really wanted to place first. She was initially disappointed by third place, but her mother used this opportunity as a teachable moment.

“At first, she was a little disappointed that she came third, because she honestly wanted to win the international crown. But I reminded her that she is still a winner, and she did a great job for her first international pageant. After the crying and feeling sad, she was proud of herself and stated that she will continue to put her best foot forward in everything that she does,” said Ferrice.

“As a mother of an intelligent, talented, gifted and gorgeous little girl, I am beyond proud of her accomplishments; it’s like watching a mini me doing such an excellent job at such a young age and it really warms my heart to see her succeed. Everything that she puts her mind to, she works hard, excels and comes out on top.”

Hadassah will be competing again in Galaxy

International Pageant next August. She is determined to bring the international crown back home to the Bahamas. Hadassah is an ‘A’ student on the principal’s list at the Temple Christian Elementary School. She is also the face of a non-profit organisation which is named after her: Hadassah’s Helping Hands Foundation. She is a ballet dancer at Karar Dance Academy, where she is currently a two-year recipient of the Jacob & Ilka McPhee Scholarship award, an athlete and a member of the Xtreme Athletics Track Club where she medals in most races.

Next year is already shaping up to be a busy one for Hadassah. In addition to competing in the international pageant for a second time, the little beauty queen will also be travelling to New York City for the Intensive Dance Week and experience life in the Big Apple, “where dreams come true”.

She will continue her philanthropy work through the Hadassah’s Helping Hands Foundation and as Little Miss Galaxy Bahamas by helping people in need.

“Hadassah is truly an exceptional little girl who excels in everything that she does and she never ceases to amaze me,” said her mother.

LITTLE Miss Galaxy Bahamas