Pepperpot 05 14 2017

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Century single-mother â–ş Page

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– Young, vibrant, wearer of many hats

Stacy with her three children

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

Century single-mother – Young, vibrant, wearer of many hats

By Jasmaine Payne THE thing about gender equality is that while women have strived for it over the decades, now, with the changing roles of women, comes the realisation that she has not been relieved of her traditional roles, but must, in fact, be a wearer of many hats.

Chief among those hats is the title of “mother”, which is seen as a major role in “womanhood”. Today, women embrace their dual rolesm having entered into the world of work, and now, in many cases, there are women who have to put in “over-time” because of the absence of the father in the home; an unfortunate outcome which often results from many factors.

So today, within the definition of motherhood can be found a growing population of single-mothers; women who hold the role of mother, father and breadwinner, all at the same time. So what does today’s 21st Century single-mother look like?

The 21st Century single-mother has to be bold and courageous, setting the perfect example for her children to follow; she commands respect because she gives it. She accepts and conquers the challenges of her role as a mother and professional

because she wants to set the standards her children should live by, moulding them into accomplished adults.

decision for me and my children and I will never regret it, no matter how hard life gets.”

Stacy expressed the wish that men provide more support for their partners in order to help to make work lighter, especially with the load that women bear of balancing both work and the home.

“I wish more men could get a taste of what it’s like to work all day, come home, look after the children, make dinner, assist with homework and give everyone in the home, including the husband or the partner, equal attention. It looks easy, because we (women) make it look effortless, but truthfully, it is a lot. And quite frankly, we can do with some support, more so us single-women,” she said.

She also believes that whether or not men are still in a relationship with the mother of the children, they should always remember that raising a child is a shared responsibility; as such, they need to do their part and not allow the women to be overburdened, which would mean the children are not getting what they deserve from their mother.

REWARDING FOR MANY Being a mother in the 21st Century can be a rewarding experience for many, but there is a flip side for the single-mother, especially when she is also a working professional. She is faced with many challenges in the workplace, and must also function at maximum capacity, as both mother and father, when she gets home.

Just ask 32-year-old broadcast journalist and single-mother of three, Stacy Carmichael. For this young mother, balancing a hectic job and adequately caring for her 10, eight and three-year-old sons is not an easy task. It requires proper planning, patience and an impeccable ability to multi-task.

But Stacy was well aware of the huge task she was undertaking, having been responsible for ending the relationship with her partner not once, but twice in her life.

“Some people believe that because of the struggle of single-parenthood, and the need for children to have both parents in their lives you should try to keep the family together at all costs,” Stacy said.

“But what kind of environment are

Stacy on assignment as a journalist

Stacy Carmichael

you trying to nurture children in? No matter how bad it might look to outsiders, it is better to leave than to stay in a relationship that will only harm your children beyond repair.”

The first time she tried to make the “family” situation work was with the father of her two eldest sons. But a combination of struggles put a strain on the relationship, which led to her very calculated decision to finally leave.

FOR THE BEST “I knew that it was for the best. I felt relieved in many ways, because I knew I was not ready to settle down with him; and I also knew I could undertake the responsibilities of being a single-parent,” Stacy said. Soon after, she would meet the man who would become her husband, and give birth to her third child. But the relationship that she thought would actually be a lasting one was instead filled with many difficulties, including domestic abuse. “After four years of trying to make it work, I found myself having to make yet another hard decision of breaking it off,” she said. “I thought it was the best

AN EVOLVING ROLE To Stacy, the 21st Century mother’s role has evolved and requires much more of her selfless giving, but like every woman, she still wants to feel wanted and appreciated, and would love to know that her hard work is recognised.

Single-mothers are raising the future generation on their own, and while sometimes it is unavoidable, the men who were part of the process should do more. “Yes, there are many superwomen out there battling alone, but even ‘Superwoman’ needs a rest, and needs to know that someone is cheering her on; someone is there to pitch in.

“She likes to know that a shoulder is there, or at least someone is doing their part; at least financially and otherwise,” Stacy said. She credits her family with providing her with assistance in raising her three children, as she does not receive much help from their fathers.

Mothers are invaluable and love to be treated as such, even if a father is not part of the household; it is the expectation that his commitment to his children remains in perfect order, contributing almost equitably to ensure that the children get the best possible lives.

Stacy believes that this is not asking too much. “We single-moms in this day and age have our plates full; we are the great jugglers. And in most cases, we do it seamlessly, because we understand the dynamics; we understand what is expected of us at work and home. We do it not only for ourselves, but because we love our children,” she explained.

It must be acknowledged that the 21st Century mother, and most importantly the single-mother, has two fulltime jobs: One at the office, and one at her home, therefore credit must be given. And her male counterparts must recognise her value and contributions.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

III

Still say it with flowers!

– Moms never grow tired of receiving them

By Shirley Thomas TODAY is Mother’s Day and a time to honour and celebrate mothers, essentially bestowing them with flowers.

But have you noticed how the traditional Mother’s Day gifts of ‘flowers’ or ‘perfumes’ have been gradually replaced over time, to the extent that today, in our Guyanese society, Mother’s Day has almost become synonymous with ‘expensive lunches and dinners’ and expensive items of furniture? And what’s more, “Big Mother’s Day Bashment” as advertised on utility poles in the streets?

Just in case you haven’t, then attempt a survey to determine what percentage of the seats prepared for ‘Mother’s Day’ fundraising dinners and lunches are unoccupied during the meal. Frankly, they are practically sold out.

Though it can be argued that an expensive dinner constitutes a nice treat for some mothers who might be tasked with preparing

is stress-free.

I was nonplussed a few hours ago when I heard certain items of furniture being advertised on the radio for Mother’s Day. These items range within hundreds of thousands of dollars. And guess what? There are people who will purchase those items! On credit!

TREATED TENDERLY Mother’s Day is a day when mothers should be treated tenderly, elegantly, and with gifts, whatever their value, delivered with a touch of class.

The time has come to let families know that it is still quite okay, appreciable, and appropriate for moms to be showered with flowers, scents, cell-phones and comfy sleepwear if circumstances dictate that you do so.

But mothers are loving, caring, and appreciative, and will be inclined to respond with the same measure of enthusiasm had you given her a much less expensive gift. So, let’s

Flowers for Mother’s Day

CHOICE OF FLOWERS So this time around, whatever you choose to give Mom, do not forget that there is always room to pamper her with flowers; tell her you love her with flowers.

And while artificial flowers are easily accessible, and are known for their attractive colours, fresh flowers are also a popular expression of your love and appreciation on Mother’s Day. You may also wish to choose your colours and types of flowers, based on the advice of meaningoflowers.com: ● ROSES: Love or Passion ● CARNATIONS: A Mother’s Love

Tell Mom, “I love you.” Say it with flowers

the family meal day in, day out, and needs to be pampered on this her special day, there is another argument.

Yes, it’s her day, and by all means she should be given the best, but within the giver’s means. It would be penny wise to present her with an expensive gift of furniture that’s taken out on hire purchase, then later on expect her to join in meeting up with the payments.

Maybe if you asked her opinion, she would be inclined to say she prefers a gift that

stop the commercialising and honour her with love and tenderness.

For all intents and purposes, Mother’s Day should be a day for the entire family. It should be a day set aside for showing appreciation, and honouring mothers for the sacrifices they make for their husbands and children; a day when the family goes to church together or at least prays together, since it is said, “A family that prays together, stays together.”

They should dine together; perhaps visit grandparents together; An example of the commercializing visit other loved ones of Mother’s Day in hospitals and jointly execute those little tasks in the home that mom would normally have taken on.

Created by Anna Jarvis in the United States in 1908, Mother’s Day became an official holiday in 1914.

But the day having become heavily commercialised, Jarvis spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar of holidays.

● LILIES: Purity and Beauty ● DAISIES: Loyal Love ● CALLA LILIES: Magnificence and Beauty ● IRIS: Eloquence and Wisdom In terms of colour, meaningoflowers.com says: ● PINK is associated with Innocence, Unconditional Love, Thoughtfulness and Gentleness. ● RED: Deep Love and Passion ● WHITE: Purity, Truth and Perfection ● YELLOW: Trust, Compassion and Respect ● PURPLE: Grace and Elegance

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

Appellate Court prevented Court Case Files tenant from defrauding landlord in 2005

Specific Performance decision dismissed THE appellant (Abhiman Singh) now deceased had entered into a written agreement of sale with his nephew with respect to 20 acres of land.

Just over one month later he sold a portion of the land to his nephew/tenant who applied to the Court for specific performance of the agreement.

The Appellant appealed from this decision.

He contended that he had agreed to sell the respondent 10 out of the 20 acres but that the respondent requested him to sign a document which falsely represented that the sale was in relation to 10 acres.

The Court of of Appeal was constituted by Justices of Appeal Singh & Chang with Additional Judge being Claudette La Bennett: That Court Held: The trial judge failed to consider whether the written agreement accurately reflected the earlier made oral agreement.

Appeal allowed. Decision of the trial judge set aside.

O. Valz, S.C., for appellants.

Fitz Peters for respondents.

Justice of Appeal Singh delivering the judgment of the Court said: Abhiman Singh (deceased), substituted by his widow Liloutie Singh, was the owner of Transports numbers 1023/98 and 1024/78 in relation to twenty (20) acres of land. On 17th day of September , 1993 , Abhiman Singh entered into a written agreement of sale with his nephew Jamna Persaud in relation to the lands as evidenced by the said Transports The written agreement stated the purchase price as $120, 000.

It is important to mention that on 22nd October, 1993 Abhiman Singh sold ten (10) acres of the said lands ,to his tenant Mohabir for the sum of $300, 000. As a consequence Jamna Persaud filed an action claiming specific performance of the agreement of sale in relation to the twenty (20) acres of land against Abhiman Singh and sought a declaration, Injunction and damages against Mohabir.

In his defence Abhiman Singh contended that Jamna Persaud was his nephew and that around September, 1993 at his nephew’s request he agreed to sell him ten (10) acres of the land for the sum for $300, 000.

He further stated that on the evening of 17th September, 1993 his nephew, the defendant visited him and requested him to sign a document which falsely represented that the sale was in relation to ten (10) acres land.

The trial judge decided in favour of the respondent thereby granting him specific performance of the agreement of sale. It is from this decision that the appeal emanated.

Among the grounds of appeal were: (a) The learned trial judge was wrong to find that the deceased Abhiman Singh signed the agreement of sale with full knowledge of the contents thereof; and (b) The learned trial judge made no reference to, and did not evaluate, the discrepancies in the evidence of the respondents and their witnesses.

At page 121 of the record the learned trial judge stated the facts of the case as follows: “ On the 17th day of October, 1993 Abhiman Singh entered into a written Agreement of Sale and Purchase with the plaintiffs for properties situate at Hyde Park, Mahaicony Creek for $120, 000 which

By George Barclay sum was paid in full on the signing of the agreement.”

At page 122 His Honour quoted from the agreement of sale: “It is recorded in the Agreement of Sale ‘Purchase Price‘: $120,00 which is now fully paid by the purchasers to the vendor on the signing of this agreement, receipt whereof the vendor acknowledged.”

The learned judge then went on to make a finding in relation to the agreement of sale.

“I understand that paragraph to mean: (i) the sum was fully paid; (ii) the agreement of sale acknowledges receipt; The said sum was paid prior to the signing of the Agreement of Sale.”

It is obvious that the learned trial judge begged the essential issue by accepting that the agreement signed on 17th September, 1993 reflected the true intentions of the parties when it was incumbent on him to make a finding as to whether the agreement was for the sale of ten (10) acres of the whole of the twenty (20) acres.

The fact that the purchase price was paid prior to the signing of the agreement ought to have put the learned trial judge on notice that there might have been a prior agreement.

At page 108 of the record Jamna Persaud admitted under cross-examination that he “entered the agreement of sale about one week before the 17th.

This bit of evidence clearly establishes that there was an oral agreement prior to the 17th and what the parties did was to reduce that agreement into writing.

Abhiman Singh from his defence did not deny the existence of an agreement of sale but contended that the agreement did not truly reflect the oral agreement.

This was the crux of the case and the question which the learned trial judge had to decide but did not do so.

At page 85 of the record Jamna Persaud testified:“I paid one hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($120, 000) to Liloutie Singh the wife of Abhiman (…) I wrote the cheques on the 10th September.

At page 147 of the record is a photo copy of the cheque dated 10th September, 1993 for the payment of the said sum. On the face of that very cheque the term “Land Transport” is written as well as the word “payment”. It is crystal clear that a word as erased before the word “payment”.

Justice of Appeal Singh in concluding the judgment said: “It is obvious to this Court that had the learned trial judge made a proper evaluation of the evidence his decision might have been different.

Mr . Peters contended that the affidavits of Abhiman Singh ought not to have been used without prior permission of the Court but this objection was not taken in the Court below and as such cannot now be considered.

For all the reasons stated Appeal No. 36 of dismissed trial judge is set aside.

Appeal No. 63 of 2002 is accordingly dismissed.

Costs in the sum of $100,000.

m l i F

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017 #SupportCreativity

By Subraj Singh

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

To be quite honest, I do not like superhero movies that much. Sure, they might be all the rage at this particular point in time, but there is such an overabundance of them, each filled with sci-fi monsters, explosions, and elaborate fight scenes that, sometimes, the whole formula just becomes a bit too repetitive for my tastes.

However, people like what they like, and that is okay. We cannot all like the same things. And, sometimes, even when we claim to not be too fond of one thing (as I have just done with superhero movies), there are times when exceptions within the body of that one thing can be found (as with how I feel about the Guardians

of the Galaxy movies).

The first film in the franchise, released in 2014, was simply a fantastic departure from other superhero movies that I had seen up to that point. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it: the characters, the humour, the actions scenes, the emotional content, etc.

Then, as movies do, Guardians of the Galaxy came and went and I moved on with my life, reverting to not being impressed by most superhero movies and comic book adaptations.

Then, a couple of years later, came the news that the sequel was being released, and I began to contemplate whether I should see Vol. 2, questioning whether it would be as good as its predecessor. I convinced myself

that it would be an inferior film – only, after actually watching it, to be happily proven wrong.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is as interesting and entertaining as the first film.

It continues the saga of the Guardians of the Galaxy (Peter Quill, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Baby Groot, played by Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, respectively) who invoke the wrath of the golden-hued race, the Sovereign, and their leader, Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) before facing off against Gamora’s vengeful sister, Nebula (Karen Gillan).

Later, the group meets Quill’s biological father, Ego (Kurt Russell) and his pet empath, Mantis (Pom Klementieff), as well as Quill’s adoptive father, Yondu (Michael Rooker).

If that sounds like a vast cast and very complicated storyline, then that is exactly right. The Guardians of the Galaxy universe is vast and new and old characters constantly appear, making the story richer in the way all of these various personas are incorporated into the plot and the ways in which new relationships are formed, forcing the characters to interact with each other in newer and subtler ways, which only enhances the audience experience of the film.

Take for example, the relationship between Gamora and Nebula – which, while only glossed over in the first film, is more explored and becomes more layered in the second. Karen Gillan’s performance of Nebula is strong, and her arc of being the villain who comes over to the good side is

V embellished by the fact that the character is not entirely reformed which adds complexity to the scenes where Gamora and Nebula try to overcome their past differences or when either one of them saves the other’s life.

The relationship between Ego and Quill is another interesting one. Ego, Quill’s ever-absent father, finally makes his appearance to both Quill and the audience. Not only do we get to see two really good actors play against each other, but we also get to see much of the emotional content that I was worried would be absent from this film.

This relationship adds new dimensions to the way we see Quill, his mother, his father, and allows us to question the very notion of fatherhood and parents, especially when Ego is contrasted with Yondu.

Even the minor characters and their interactions are worth mentioning. Mantis, for example, and her conversations with Drax are one of the highlights of the film.

The humour is also always sharp and quick, and invokes laughter exactly when laughter is needed. Elizabeth Debicki is a very good actress and her portrayal of the haughty and high-strung High Priestess is very, very funny. One does end up hoping her role in the next film in the series is much larger.

Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is funny, action-packed and entertaining, while managing to continue exploring and developing its characters, its universe and its own mythos. These are all solid reasons why people should see this movie.

Also, Baby Groot.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

“Mommy, I want to talk to you” How should a mother react after discovering her 14 year old daughter was sexually abused by a relative over a three year period? How should that mother react after discovering her daughter is HIV positive as a result of the abuse? What can anyone tell that mother about justice when her child’s abuser was never required to answer for his crime before a jury?

Martha Roberts’ (names changed to protect identity) still struggles to hold back the tears when she thinks about the excruciating ordeal her child was forced to endure for three years. When asked to describe her daughter, Lynn, before she was abused, Martha smiled and recalled, “She was a quiet child, always friendly… you ask anybody about her, she is very friendly.”

That changed one fateful afternoon when the then 11 year old Lynn, went to her Aunt Judy’s yard to get some water. Judy’s yard is located directly behind Martha’s yard. “(Judy’s husband, Jarvis) force himself on her…

He carried her in an old bathroom and told her to bend over. (Lynn) said the first time she hollered and he told she don’t holler. And that is how he started the first time.”

The abuse that Lynn endured that day actually began prior to that. Martha recalled, “Them children used to go by me sister for water and when (Jarvis) play with them, he used to touch her but she didn’t know that was wrong. Jarvis took the opportunity and when Lynn was alone and he threatened her. He said that if she said anything that he would kill her.”

After the incident, Martha, a mother of

six children, noted a significant difference in Lynn’s behavior.

“Sometimes she would open her mouth and make a set of noise.

She became aggressive in her behavior. So I used to want to know why she behaving like that and the rest don’t behave like that.”

Martha also recalled that Lynn would cry almost every day and even talk to herself. However, Martha attributed this to the difficulty and changes of the teenage years.

Martha then recalled the evening when Lynn finally admitted what she was going through. “I got a call from my eldest daughter around 7:30 (PM). She said Lynn went at the back for water since one o’clock and she didn’t come back. I went straight home, Lynn was sitting by herself and I ask her what happen and she told me.”

Martha made a report to the police. Jarvis was arrested and charged but later released on bail. Martha stated that after her brother-in -law was released, he and her sister would curse her and her children. After one of those altercations, Jarvis was arrested a second time and later released.

Since his release, Jarvis and his wife no longer express any animosity to Martha and her family. However, during the police investigation, a medical examination was

carried out for Lynn which revealed that she was HIV positive.

“I did feel bad about (learning of Lynn’s HIV status).” Martha recalled. “It was very hard for me to understand and cope with the situation. But then going to the (Georgetown Public) Hospital, it got some very nice doctors, and we would sit and we would talk…

They counselled Lynn and provided some hope that it is not the end of the world. You could move on.”

“I didn’t disbelieve Lynn when she come to me and tell me… I believed. I believe, yes, but then I don’t know how to deal with that situation… One day she told me, “I don’t know how my life will be now that I end up in this situation.”

Martha and Lynn received further counselling from social workers at ChildLinK. “The counselling that she had and I had, helped us a great lot” said Martha. “To me, I tell myself that I (am a) better parent since I start getting counselling.” Martha admits that she spends more time with her children. She

no longer curses them and listens attentively to them without getting frustrated.

When asked how her parenting approach changed since receiving counselling from the social worker at ChildLinK, she stated, “Sometimes you come home from work; as a single parent you have so much things to do. You have to cook, you have to clean, plus you have children to look after children. It used to be frustrating… it used to tell on your nerves, like the child miserable and you chase them. But then getting the counseling, you know that you have to sit down sometimes and talk to and listen to your children.”

Martha believes that if she had paid more attention to Lynn, she would have come to her sooner.

“She was trying to tell me but I wasn’t listening. I wasn’t paying attention. She did come to me one time and say, “Mommy, I want talk to you.” But it was something I was doing or somebody had come so she said, “Mommy, I will talk to you later because you talking.” But she never come back...”

When asked what advice she would love to give to mothers, Martha said, “Whatever (your children) come and tell you, even if you don’t believe, listen even if you got to spend five minutes of your time.

You cooking, you washing, even if you got to spend five minutes of that time; listen to them. It is very important.”

Martha’s advice to a mother whose child reveals that he or she was sexually abused is, “… A lot of parents, they are aware of certain things and they shame to bring it out to the public… they need to come out and expose the person who did it so that a next child wouldn’t be a victim of it… We need to expose them!”

ChildLinK is a not for profit organization and a member of the Child Rights Alliance which aims to protect children from abuse and violence. To report cases of abuse call 231 7174 or 227 0979. Email ChildLinK: admin@childlinkgy.org for further information on the Child Rights Alliance.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

VII

Standard dental practice FOR decades, the major emphasis in dentistry has been on the avoidance of dental caries. Now dental professionals are realising they need to focus on preventative maintenance of gum disease as well. The techniques exist to eliminate virtually all local factors (plaque and calculus) responsible for gum disease. Therefore, it is not only prudent but crucial for countries like Guyana, whose foreign exchange earnings are inherently linked to national development, to emphasise prevention of oral diseases.

Good oral health requires a team effort between yourself, your dentist and his staff. In order for it to be successful, you must realise that only you can make the effort a success. The outcome will depend on how well you clean your teeth and gingiva (gums) each day. A healthy diet is also important.

Home care involves the use of a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss . Good home care is the backbone of preventing dental disease. One should never forget this statement because it is an important tenet. Brushing and flossing are the two primary methods of providing good home care for you and your children. Brushing with an approved toothpaste can be of significant value when used in a conscientiously applied programme of oral hygiene. The “programme” is one you must orchestrate in conjunction with your dentist.

Your dentist should provide you with regular dental check-ups (taking X rays when necessary ) to detect decay and periodontal disease. That is why, in this author’s dental clinic, check-ups are free after the patient’s first visit. If there are any weak points in your home care, your dentist can intervene and correct the situation before it gets to a point of

urgency. His intervention involves recognising and treating problems that you are not trained to see. He or she provides a thorough cleaning of your teeth on a regular basis to prevent periodontal disease. Often, pit-and-fissue sealants are placed on children’s teeth to help prevent decay. In conjunction with this care, the dentist or one of his staff members will provide you with instructions on how to foster your home care. Once you begin active home care, the staff will serve as a resource for you if you have questions or problems.

In general, dental examinations are usually done every six to 12 months. Some dentists determine this based on your DMF index – a way of counting how many of your teeth are decayed (D), missing (M), or filled (F). It also depends on how quickly you build up calculus (tartar).

Studies show that there are two myths that commonly lead to a lapse in home care. Patients who have been successful in reversing a periodontal problem with a preventative-care programme sometimes believe that some permanent immunity has been created. In addition, some patients who have completed periodontal therapy may feel they have been ‘cured’ with no possibility for recurrence.

Both of these beliefs are false.

When dental professionals focus on prevention, it allows periodontal disease to be intercepted with relatively simple procedures. This reduces the need for complicated treatment options caused by delayed diagnosis.

Today, preventative dentistry is considered a standard of dental practice. It is the primary way to ensure that good dental health and quality care are maintained over a lifetime. If preventative education is minimised

or omitted, most dental professionals would consider this substandard care. A healthy mouth projects an attractive smile that is noticed by all. A person who takes care of his teeth and gums reflects a person who values himself or herself.

Your eating patterns and food choices are important factors in helping to reduce caries (decay) in your teeth.

The reason is that everything you eat passes through your mouth. When you eat foods that contain carbohydrates (sugars and starches), the bacteria in plaque produce acids that can destroy tooth enamel. After repeated attacks, the tooth enamel begins to break down, forming a cavity.

It is important to remember that the acids in foods that contain carbs attack your teeth for 20 minutes or more after you eat. The more often you eat foods such as hard candies, breath mints, or cough drops, all of which stay in the mouth for extended periods of time.

Foods that contain carbs are less harmful if they are eaten with a meal because the saliva production is increased at this time. Saliva helps to rinse food from the mouth. In the final analysis, oral health depends on the effective control of dental plaque.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

Mother’s Day must always be special WHATEVER you are doing or where you are doing it makes this Mother’s Day extra special. We all have various stories of what motherhood means to us, with triumphs and challenges.

Special greetings to my mom, Claudia John, and Brenda Gibson, Carol Brooks, Lorna Welshman Neblette, Veronica Quelch and all those moms all across Guyana! May God continue to bless you all!

I should reiterate that not only women who give birth to children are mothers. My Aunt Corin is an example of someone who never had children, but was an amazing mother.

She spent a lot of time with my two daughters, Mariska and Shonta, when they were younger, and she displayed

Beyond the Runway great motherly skills.

My sister, Nicole, enjoys being a stay-at- home mom, while I enjoy being a working mom.

I felt guilty, when my girls were younger, about not attending all their school events, but they never made me feel guilty. I attended Shonta’s CXC graduation, but missed the CAPE one. She did exceptionally well and was valedictorian.

The only time she ever made a demand on me was when she had to travel to Belize to receive her award for the Best Business Student in the Caribbean for CAPE. That evening as I entered the venue where the ceremony was being held, the Minister of Education of Belize greeted me with great enthusiasm, relating to me that Prime Minister Dean Barrow was very impressed with my daughter. He’d seen her on a TV interview and later met her when the top students paid him a courtesy call.

That evening, as I looked at my baby on stage when Professor Hilary Beckles said, “Can the parents of the brightest minds in the Region stand,” I got very emotional, remembering some of the challenges of raising her without her dad in her life. That was one of my proudest moments as a mom.

My girls make me feel like I have the prize for ‘Number One Mom in the World’, and that makes me try harder to be the best mom possible. They both are making me so proud.

I am now also able to enjoy being a grandmother, to Jaidyn, my eldest daughter Mariska's son.

He brings such joy to my life every day; and he is the example of how beautiful my family tree is and will be.

I spent last Saturday with

with Dr. Sonia Noel

... Inspiring lives through fashion some awesome moms at ‘A Tribute to Mothers’, and one of my favourite moments was the on-the-spot make-over for Cheryl Noel by Makin’ Style.

Her daughter sent me a message; a very touching message saying why she felt her mom should be chosen for the make-over.

In return, Cheryl wrote: “I am overwhelmed and thrilled with my first experience of that exotic treatment of royalty.

“Grateful for everything and everyone who did a splendid job. Thanks, Ms. Sonia Noel. My daughter's speech touched me deeply; to my heart. Words cannot not express my gratitude.”

The other beautiful moms in the fashion show were: Noneika Daniels, Mandy Isaacs, Lorane Sears, Wendy Herdmonstine, Candacy Subrattie, Veronica Murray, Simone Beckles, Alexis Noel and Allana Pheonix.

Lucky mothers won some fabulous prizes, such as beauty hampers, massages, floral arrangements, jewellery and day trips to the Aruwai Resort.

Many mothers left the New Thriving Restaurant very happy; and I am sure they are still smiling today.

Let's continue to encourage each other and thank God for this privilege of being a mother.

The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the centre of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children.

-- Jessica Lange Remember to send a kind message today to someone who is not your mother, but may have impacted your life in some way.

Send us an email @ beyondtherunway1.com , or visit our FB page, BEYOND THE RUNWAY as we continue this beautiful journey called life, BEYOND THE RUNWAY.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

IX

Miss World Guyana ‘keeping it real’ – says Franchise Holder, Natasha Martindale

By Shauna Jemmott MISS World Guyana is determined to keep the pageant unique, using standards set by Miss World International.

That’s the word from franchise holder, Ms Natasha Martindale. And that is why, she said, she is concerned that some local pageant coordinators with other international franchises have added sequences Miss World is known for, even though such sequences are not part of those other international contests.

Over the years, Guyana has stood out in four of the five segments, but the country is yet to produce a queen to shine in the Miss World International Top Model Sequence of competition.

While Miss World Guyana does not feature a platform sequence, the organisation views as critical the ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ with their queens taking their BWP campaigns offstate to make lifetime impressions and changes in Guyana.

Lisa Punch and POTS Guyana have been making strides in their anti-suicide campaign in schools throughout Guyana

The beautiful Miss World Guyana 2017 semi-finalists

and even though the organization is operating with very little funding, the queen and her team remain dedicated to saving lives through awareness and counseling.

“Platforms to me are a topic to be spoken about. Beauty with a purpose is strictly project related -- is it not about saying or talking about a specific cause but rather showing what you have done or is doing to make a difference in the world.

It is a campaign -- a tangible and beneficial community project and the Miss World competition is the only pageant system that has created it and actually made it a significant segment of its entire competition,” Martindale explained to Pepperpot Magazine.

She said too that the ‘sports and fitness’ competition is unique to Miss World as “Miss Word remains the only pageant system that offers a Fitness & Sports competition.”

Martindale said she does not want any other pageant brand to be confused locally with Miss World and as such her organization Majesty International is sticking to protocols and advising other pageants to do the same.

Missworld.org says the winner of the international contest is the queen with the highest overall points and she must be a well-rounded Queen to wear the crown of prestige.

“To win Miss World you must score the highest points awarded for a range of activities and events which take place from the moment the contestants arrive at the competition.

Five challenge events take place in the run up to the final; Beauty with a Purpose, Multimedia, Sports, Talent, and Top Model. These offer the chance for the contestants to shine, giving them the opportunity to win important points,” the pageant website states.

Guyana won the Talent contest in 2015 with singing sensation Lisa Punch wooing the hearts of judges and all to arrive undisputed on top, and becoming a Miss World final-

ist. She also placed in the Beauty with a Purpose sequence.

Other local queens, including Arti Cameron and Althea Shepherd have also placed in the Multi-media, Sports and Fitness, and Beauty with a purpose segments.

Fourteen beauties have started competition for the Miss World Guyana crown, and a Coronation event on June 25 will be the event to welcome a new beginning for one outstanding girl who will be crowned Queen, and win an opportunity to compete against more than 80 other queens internationally at Miss World in China in December 2017.

On April 30, the semi-finalists each presented their ‘Beauty with a purpose’ project at a fair and will on May 31 participate in a shared national campaign dubbed “SelfLove GY”. After that event, ten of the contestants will be selected, each to represent an administrative region, and the finals will begin officially, where delegates will be judged continuously – at every appearance.

The semi-finalists are Ashana Carrington, Nitifah Thompson, Alieca James, Sharda Pramdeo, Hemwantie Seodat, Ariell Ghanie, Nikesia Hussain, Thamesha Watson, Maria Fletcher, Vena Mookram, Manisha Mai-Lee Wong, Crystal Wills, Delisha Wright and Joelly Valentine.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

Another hidden Figure:

The Black Man behind the Computer You may not have heard of Dr. Mark Dean. And you aren’t alone. But almost everything in your life has been affected by his work.

See, Dr. Mark Dean is a Ph.D. from Stanford University.

He is in the National Hall of Inventors. He has more than 30 patents pending. He is a vice president with IBM. Oh, yeah. And he is also the architect of the modern-day personal computer.

Dr. Dean holds three of the original nine patents on the computer that all PCs are based upon. And, Dr. Mark Dean is an African American.

So how is it that we can celebrate the 20th anniversary of the IBM personal computer without hearing much about him?

It certainly isn’t IBM’s doing.

The mass media again are under the spotlight. Given all of the pressure they are under about negative portrayals of

African Americans on television and in print, you would think it would be a slam dunk to highlight someone like Dr. Dean.

Somehow, though, we have managed to miss the shot.

History is cruel when it comes to telling the stories of African Americans. Dr. Dean isn’t the first Black inventor to be overlooked….

Consider John Stanard, inventor of the refrigerator; George Sampson, creator of the clothes dryer; Alexander Miles and his elevator; Lewis Latimer and the electric lamp. All of these inventors share two things: One,–they changed the landscape of our society; and, two–society relegated them to the footnotes of history.

Hopefully, Dr. Mark Dean won’t go away quietly as they did. He certainly shouldn’t. Dr. Dean helped start a Digital Revolution that created people like Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Dell Computer’s Michael Dell. Millions of jobs in information

technology can be traced back directly to Dr. Dean.

More important, stories like Dr. Mark Dean’s should serve as inspiration for African-American children. Already, victims of the “Digital Divide” and failing school systems, young, Black kids might embrace technology with more enthusiasm if they knew someone like Dr. Dean was already leading the way.

Although technically Dr. Dean can’t be credited with creating the computer– that is left to Alan Turing, a pioneering 20th-century English mathematician, widely considered to be the father of modern computer science — Dr. Dean rightly deserves to take a bow for the machine we use today.

The computer really wasn’t practical for home or small business use until he came along, leading a team that developed the interior architecture (ISA systems bus) that enables multiple devices, such as modems and printers, to be connected to personal computers. In other words, because of Dr. Dean, the PC became a part of our daily lives.

We cannot afford to let Dr. Mark Dean become a footnote in history. He is well worth his own history book.

This article was written and published by Tyrone Taborn, CEO and Chief Content Officer of USBE magazine, in 2001, to mark the 20th anniversary of the IBM personal computer. Mark E Dean is now the John Fisher Distinguished Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Engineering. He was honored as Black Engineer of the Year in 2000.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

#SupportCreativity

Merleen Forde TODAY we take time to celebrate all of the women who have had the good fortune of caring for the child/children in their lives.

It is a difficult and sometimes thankless job, but I’m sure most would agree that the world is a much better place because of the great work they’ve done. This week I’d like to share the story of one woman who has, over the years, managed to nurture an early affinity for art into a thriving business as a textile artist, all while balancing her life as a working mother.

Merleen Forde grew up in the village of Sparendaam on the East Coast of Demerara.

She described art as being one of her best subjects in school in spite of the doubts her father had about where a career in the subject could possibly take her. Nevertheless, it was her father who eventually suggested becoming a “commercial artist” as he described it, instead of a traditional, fine art practitioner. Forde considered his suggestion and soon began a rather unconventional journey to becoming a textile artist.

“When I started my work life I started with my father, as a secretary in his business. After that, I worked as a secretary at Guyana Stores Ltd in the agricultural machinery section for a couple of years. When I was at Guyana Stores, my father started a garment factory and was encouraging me to go and work with him. I got my daughter in 1985 and I worked with him up to 1986. After that, I worked with a company called Construction Management Combine Ltd in the personnel section. I left there in

Gifted textile artist and designer

Merleen Forde, textile artist and designer

1989 and came back to work with my father which I did until 1993.”

She went on to describe how her love for designing and sewing her own clothes survived in spite of the various administrative positions she often found herself in.

“I always enjoyed sewing and designing my own clothes. When my father had the factory, we were using fabrics from Sanata

Textiles. We had a good market and would supply clothing to different companies.

I would do some designs for him and he would put out a sample for persons to place orders. While designing my own outfits, I would go to church and persons would ask who made my outfit or where I got it. I would tell them that I sewed it myself and then they would ask me to sew for them. So that’s how I got started.

I left my father’s business in 1993. My daughter was eight-years-old at the time. I wanted to work at home, so that when she got home from school in the afternoons I would be there to pay attention to her schoolwork. So I was happy when I was home.”

Forde spoke fondly of her decision to work from home, a decision that allowed her to better monitor her daughter’s progress in school and also provided the kind of flexibility she needed as a budding textile artist. She admitted that at one point she provided private typing services for students at the University of Guyana before shifting her focus entirely to her textile production, as more orders for her unique clothing eventually rolled in.

She believes strongly that we must remain open to learning new things every day. In fact, years after completing her secondary education, Forde went on to pursue a number of supplementary evening courses at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art in painting, ceramics, textiles and leatherwork between the years 2006 and 2009, and a course in fashion design in August of 2012. In addition to those courses, she also enrolled at the Carnegie School of Home Economics to learn the art of decorating and curtain-making, among other things. She also completed courses in tie-dye and batik, which were offered at the time by the Adult Education Association (AEA).

Forde went on to describe how she came to be affiliated to the Guyana Women Artists’ Association (GWAA), a group that has been actively hosting exhibitions, workshops and various outreach programmes across Guyana for the last 30 years.

“One day I went to a Women Artists’ exhibition at the National Library and I was impressed with the work on display. I saw Sonia Hamilton and asked her how to join the organisation. She told me to speak with Anna Correia, which I did. I went through the application process and started exhibiting

A complete ensemble designed and made by Merleen Forde

with GWAA in 2006. And I guess the rest is history. I’ve also shown work at GuyExpo, Women in Business in Suriname and Go-Invest Canada, to list a few.”

Although she admits her challenges have been few over the years, Forde did say that she would like to see a more consistent supply of quality materials such as paints, fabrics and trimmings in the local market. Another concern of hers was the availability of funds to support the careers of creative professionals.

“I think grants could be more readily available to artists rather than loans, because loans have to be repaid by a certain time.

Sometimes the money you make doesn’t come in time to make the payment by that date and the bank won’t wait on you.”

Nevertheless, Forde remains positive about her career as a textile artist, insisting that it is one of the most “certain” areas in the creative industry. There is always a demand for unique clothing that will set each person apart from the crowd and this, she says, is what keeps her in business.

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

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Vermicompost Fact Sheet WHAT IS VERMICOMPOSTING? Vermicomposting is a biotechnological process whereby earthworms convert waste materials to a nutrient rich material. These earthworms consume organic waste and reduce the volume by 40-60%. The California Red worm (Eisenia fetida) has been introduced in Guyana and has been used in vermicomposting bins to breakdown fresh cow manure at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

Vermicompost is a peat like material rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, micronutrients, plant growth hormones, enzymes and various soil microbes.

Also, vermicompost has a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio) and is highly porous with a high water holding capacity, containing various plant nutrients that can be readily absorbed by plants. Additionally, it improves crop yield by supplying balanced nutrients to the plant roots, increases the organic matter content of the soil which helps to stimulate plant growth.

an approximate area of 6.0 m2, with each bin holding approximately 300 kg of fresh cow manure, 7 kg dried leaves and 15 kg dried grass, producing vermicompost every two to three months. During this period an average of 450 kg of vermicompost is produced when the four bins are harvested. A farmer could utilize 1kg of the vermicompost per plant.

WHAT IS NAREI’S CURRENT VERMICOMPOSTING PRODUCTION? A typical vermicompost bin at NAREI has

HOW DO I GET STARTED? Fresh cow manure should be obtained and placed into an appropriate worm bin to a

depth of 6-10”. On this a thin layer of dried leaves is placed. The California Red worms are then placed on this layer, followed by a layer of dried grass. The bin should be continually monitored and watered every other day, or as required. When all the cow manure is converted to vermicompost, a process that usually takes two to three months, the bin should be emptied and refilled with fresh cow manure.

It should be noted that an appropriate cover/ shed be used for a worm bin to prevent direct exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors.

• Decreases the amount of waste going to landfills and in so doing benefits the environment; • Lends support to the quest in the greening of Guyana’s agricultural sector.

WHAT ARE THE NUTRIENTS VERMICOMPOST PROVIDES?

POSSIBLE USES FOR VERMICOMPOST: • As a seed starting boost that helps support the young plants’ growth; • As a form of organic fertilizer, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers; • As a soil amendment.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING VERMICOMPOST? • Enhances plant growth, suppresses disease in plants, increases porosity and microbial activity in soil and improves water retention and aeration;

The prodigal returns with a vengence

By Abdool A. Aziz MOHAMED Yosuf was a man of God - a devout Muslim who produced two sons -Salim and Satar. Salim followed his father’s footsteps and lived a righteous life. But Satar decided to go another way. Mohamed grieved to death over his Satantic son.

BELIEVE IN HIMSELF As a boy Satar hated devotion to God. He believed in a creator but didn’t like religion. Too much pressure! He became recalcitrant.

He refused to visit the mosque or even pray at home. He believed he could achieve on his own, utilizing all the resources God had given him.

LOYAL TO SATAN At age 16 he left home. It broke the hearts of his parents and brother. He went straight into the domain of Satan who gave him a red carpet welcome. He didn’t do much at school but with a great deal of common sense, he survived. Satan provided for him and he became a loyal disciple.

Foreign Land

He would boast of some of his achievements, saying God loved him and offered him gifts, while his brother with all his prayers remained poor.

EMPTY PROMISE Somehow he ended up in the U.S.A. and with the devil’s help survived a ‘charmed’ life. He heard his father was dying. He hurried home not to offer any sympathy but to get the property.

He bought a will form and forced his dad to sign it promising to turn his life around and care for his ailing mom and younger brother.

THE DECEIT Just after the old man passed away he probated that last will and testament. The house and the land now belonged to him. Did he live up to his promise? No way!

Instead he threw out his mom and sibling. They were forced to seek shelter at the Muslim organization. The community turned against him. He didn’t care, and to add insult to injury he turned the premises into a beer garden.

This was upsetting to the Muslims. Islam forbids alcohol of

any sort.

DEVIL’S POWER All the while he proclaimed that God was providing for him.

How blind! He couldn’t see Satan was at work. The devil has great powers and we can be duped.

Satar buys a car to add to the luxuries MERCIFUL GOD A merciful God of forgiving we create our own downfall.

We court danger only to marry disaster. We allow Satan to run our lives and in the end there are sorrows and regrets. “Too late too late shall be the cry.”

CASH FLOW Well Satar was doing fine and he earned good money from his liquor business. But one night thieves entered his home and demanded money. He tried to fight them off but was shot in the back.

He became a cripple.

OSTRACISED Now handicapped, he advertised for a maid. No one responded. The community abandoned him. He struggled to exist on his

own. Where is Satan? Hiding and laughing at his loyal servant, evil accomplished.

INTERVENTION For days the neighbours saw the house and bar closed up. An enquiry revealed Satar bed-ridden and emaciated. The Muslim organization came to his aid. And they encouraged his mom and brother to move back into their home. Satar burst into tears and as he saw them he tried to get up to hug his mom but he fell back.

MOTHER’S LOVE He begged forgiveness. They said: “We forgive you but seek the pardon from the almighty” As he lay there, pining away, he lamented his guilty lifestyle. His brother told him: “It is better to punish in this world. Relief is in the hereafter. And they prayed together especially past midnight.

THE MIRACLE Then a miracle. Satar lifted himself off the bed and began to walk again! A forgiving God had answered his prayers. He demolished the bar, stopped drinking and turned to the Holy Quran for diving guidance, and in gratitude to God he

converted the bar section into living quarters for his aging uncle.

GOOD DEED He later married a widow and fathered her kids. His mom and brother went back to the heavens so too his uncle. He lived on to a ripe old age serving as a pastor. And forever grateful to his Creator and his mom, who used to go down on her knees and beg God to make him whole.

SOCIAL WORKER He served his community as a social worker- from bad to good. The Lord is so merciful and forgiving.

Try hard to ignore Satan and his cronies and lackeys. They are powerful forces in this material world. And never forget: “What profits a man to gain the world and lose his soul.”

THE BEST INVESTMENT Live here and invest in the here-after. Earn the perennial richness of character. Let’s give back something. What goes around comes around, avoid the pit-falls. Satar’s home later become a shelter for the needy. And the very community that chastised him lauded him as a man of God.

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

US-based charity to widen reach here – wants to make learning fun, one school at a time

By Shauna Jemmott ‘BLOSSOMS of Guyana,’ a US-based non-profit, is thinking hard and outside the box about developing Guyana’s schools and bettering the lives of children at several orphanages countrywide.

And even though the world is advancing technologically, they blend books and computers to create an interesting learning environment, one school at a time.

“We want to make sure that we’re creating an impact, so we’re providing the schools with what is it that they really need,” says team member, Sharon Bollers.

“We wanna make sure that you’re actally using what we are providing; we wanna make sure that it makes sense,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Bollers, who lives in the US, said “Blossoms of Guyana” has had a presence here since 2009, donating educational material like books and other school supplies, and rebuilding libraries, stocking them with books and computers.

Just April, she said, it not only refurbished the library at Houston Secondary School, but also donated several computers and over 2000 books to other schools across the country, including Timehri Primary, St. Agnes Primary, and Golden Grove Secondary.

Since they have started working with school libraries and reading rooms here, Bollers said, they have donated thousands of books and other educational material, but would rather supply according to the demands of the schools they have partnered with, while connecting with new institutions.

AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME But there’s one small problem, however. Because of the magnitude of the work they propose doing here, Bollers said, they could do with a bit more funding.

“The more funding we can get, the more projects we can get,” she said, adding: “Our vision is, in addition of course to maintaining the relationship with schools, to add more schools.

“We were speaking with Supply as well as Soesdyke Primary Schools, and so we’re planning to work with those schools going forward as well. With each school, we plan to add additional services that we will be working on with them.”

She said that many of the schools they’ve visited have expressed a need for other supplies like gear and tools that will develop physical education, sports and other extra-cur-

Blossoms of Guyana’s Sharon Bollers (right) and Damian Bascom (left) during a recent visit to Golden Grove Secondary. With them in the school’s library are, from left, Deputy Headmistress (Ag), Ms Septana Stephens, and Head of the Department of English, Ms. Djanada Charles

ricular activities.

Bollers said “Blossoms” is willing “to help them expand into becoming these learning centres, meeting the visions that they have for their own schools.”

They’re also willing to do even more, as from the little they’ve seen during their regular visits, many of the schools are in such disrepair they could well do with a facelift.

“Blossoms of Guyana” would also like to meet those construction needs, and is seeking to establish a permanent relationship with the Ministry of Education in bringing their plans to fruition,” Bollers said.

“A lot of them really have physical constraints, because the buildings themselves are in need of repairs. And we would love to be able to help them do that. So the more funding we can get, we’d be able to oversee those projects,

Blossoms of Guyana’s Sharon Bollers (far left) with Houston Secondary School students in their newly-renovated library

like we did for Houston,” she added.

HERE TO STAY! “Our focus,” she said, “is education here in Guyana, so we look to support schools and we do so primarily through literacy. And that’s in the form of providing books and helping schools to create libraries or with their reading rooms.

“We’re here to stay, and we’re very interested in seeing Guyana grow and blossom into what we as Guyanese here and abroad see as a great country.”

Meanwhile, Damian Bascom, another member said while the organization has supplied story books, text books, school supplies and computers, one of its priorities is in maintaining relationships with these institutions and providing maintenance for the library projects and equipment donated in order to ensure a lasting and effective project relationship.

“One of our goals is maintaining relationships; just not come in to do a project just one time and then we go into other organisations,” he said.

“Each one of those schools and organisations that we build relationships with, we want to continue to maintain those relationships: Going back, revisiting them, talking with them and bringing them support or maintenance.

“One thing we’re looking at is maintaining the computers; making sure that when we develop the computer labs, they have specific maintenance-type of guidelines going on.”

The organisation is also trying to meet other needs of the school, adding something else to the package each time it returns, as long as they establish successful relationships with such institutions.

While the organisation just concluded a major project, this being the refurbishing of the library at the Houston Secondary School on the East Bank of Demerara, Bascom said “Blossoms of Guyana” itself is seeking to build a division in Guyana which will oversee the successful operations of projects established here.

“One of the things that we have recognised is that in certain schools, there is a teacher responsible for the library, versus a specific librarian that’s making sure that stuff is being monitored.

“That’s an added task for the teacher to be responsible of such activities. A bigger vision will be developing supporting funding for their PTA to hire or incorporate someone that works at the school to deal with the Library activities and the technical side of maintaining the computers,” Bascom said, adding: “And so we were thinking of how we can have someone to go by each school in doing that; understand what is here, what is needed, and how we can really help.”

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

XV ana’s Marine environment.

World Turtle Day will be celebrated on May 23, take the opportunity to learn about what you can do to protect turtles. Here are a few tips to start you off: • Never buy turtles or their eggs; • Never remove turtles from the wild; and • Report the sale of turtles or their products.

Sea turtles also known as marine turtles are found in warm and temperate waters throughout the world. Turtles have been around for more than one hundred million years and are said to be older than dinosaurs. The shell of the turtles are streamlined for swimming through the water and consists of an upper part (carapace) and a lower part (plastron) and all but the leatherback are covered by hard scales which are often used to identify the species.

Remember turtles are important to maintaining health oceans and healthy oceans are the life blood to planet earth and humans.

The female turtle, laden with eggs, comes ashore and digs out a nest in the ground with her back flippers. She then lays her eggs in the nest and buries them (with the sand she dug out) and returns to the ocean. The young turtles after hatching, dig themselves out of the nest and move towards the ocean.

WHERE IN GUYANA CAN WE FIND SEA TURTLES? In the north western region of Guyana lies a ninety (90) mile long beach formed from the shell of mollusks. The beach is located between the mouths of the Pomeroon and Waini rivers and is called Shell Beach. It is the only place in Guyana where four (4) of the world’s seven (7) endangered turtles nest, these are, the Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill and Olive Riley Turtles.

THREATS

Turtle populations worldwide are continuing to decline as a result of human-based activities. Some of these are: ► Accidental capture; ► Entanglement in fishing gear; ► Loss of habitat due to coastal development; ► Pollution: turtles often mistake plastic; bags for jelly fish and oftentimes choke and die; ► Climate change; ► Consumption of their eggs and meat for food; and ► Predators (animals) that feed on young or eggs during breeding season.

SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION At the local, regional and international levels, there are institutions and organisations which work to ensure conservation of the world’s sea turtles. Some well known agencies include; the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS), the Wildlife Management Authority ( responsible for wildlife trade), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Marine protected areas, parks, biological reserves, aquariums etc. provide opportunities

Turtle Facts ► One of the earth’s most ancient creatures. ► Size and diet varies by species. ► Sea turtles cannot retract their legs and heads into their shells. ► The temperature of the sand where the turtles nest determine the sex of the turtle. ► Although they require air to survive they are well adapted to the ocean.

for people to learn more about sea turtles through scientific research, turtle spotting, photography, recreation etc. Cognizant of this and the need to conserve sea-turtles Guyana established Shell Beach as a Protected Area, thus enabling the four species of marine turtles to continue to nest there unhindered.

The Guyana Marine Conserva-

tion Society (GMCS) has over the years, implemented numerous education and awareness programmes on the importance of Shell Beach for turtle conservation, especially in Region 1.This year, on April 22, Earth Day, GMCS launched its Environmental Awareness and Education campaign and reiterated its commitment to protecting Guy-

Source: https://conserveturtles.org/ information-about-sea-turtles-an-introduction/ You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@ gmail.com

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

The poetic engineer bridging Guyana for over 50 years

By Ravena Gildharie Engineer Joseph Walter Holder was called a ‘madman’ when he started building the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) in 1976.

“I remember a man passing one day on a motorbike; he stopped and said to us working on the bridge at that time, ‘you are mad people to build a bridge on nothing. You are wasting taxpayers’ money.’ Because there was literally no foundation for the structure, it was built on floating pontoons, and never done here before,” recollects Holder.

He was 39-years-old then, and the Project Manager tasked with erecting the 1851 metre-long structure, now the fourth

longest floating bridge in use in the world. It is also the world’s longest floating steel bridge. This year, the DHB observes its 40th year of existence and Holder will celebrate his 81st birthday, and 57 years as an engineer.

He currently sits on several technical advisory boards/ committees, is a supervising consultant and lecturers to young engineering students, who calls him ‘The Bridge Man.’ Though the DHB catapulted him to fame, Holder has engaged in many other infrastructural projects that connects Guyana from Berbice to Rupununi. He is documenting these experiences and compiling an e-book that includes pictures from his earliest years in civil engineering, papers on the technical aspects of some projects and his personal ‘Joetry.’ He posts

Joel holder these on his Facebook page but hopes to have it someday published in print.

“The main idea is to share with the young and upcoming engineers, the lessons learnt from infrastructural projects in the past; and also, to let them know why he chose to do certain things the way we did,” explains Holder, one of the founding members of the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE). He and his wife, Ismay, resides in North Ruimveldt,

Joel and Ismay Holder

Georgetown. The couple has been married for 50 years and have two sons, and two grandchildren, all of whom live overseas.

EARLY YEARS ‘Joe,’ as he is popularly called, was born on November 28, 1936 in Bartica; the eldest of 11 children. His mother was a teacher and his father, a foreman in the Transport and Harbours Department Garage in Bartica. The senior Holder was also a bodybuilder and weightlifter, who owned ‘Joe’s Gym.’ Young Joe attended St. John the Baptist Anglican School and at age eight, wrote the Government County Scholarship examination. “I had to travel to the Dolphin School in Georgetown to take the examination, and found Georgetown to be a big city, confusing and exciting,” he recalls.

On his second attempt at the examination, he won a scholarship to attend Queen’s College (QC) in 1947. The relocation affected Joe’s performance during his first year at QC. “I found this disturbing. I discovered, like Dr. Cheddi Jagan, who transferred from a school in Port Mourant to QC, that I was a big fish in a little pond where I grew up, but at QC I was a little fish in a big pond. In my second year at QC I said to myself that famous tautology “Enough is enough!” and set out to change things. At the end of the second year, I placed first in my class following examinations, and every year after that, all the way up Turn to page XVII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017 ◄◄◄ From page XVI

to the sixth form, I was among the prizewinners,” he explains.

He earned a scholarship to the University College of the West Indies (UCWI) to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. He later attended the University of Birmingham, University of Toronto, University of Guyana and University of Pittsburgh; gathering several Diplomas, Degrees and Masters in civil engineering, public works and public administration.

ENGINEER IN ACTION Upon his return from England to Guyana in 1960, Joe became Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department. His first project was the Abary bridge that links Berbice to Demerara. The project was done during 1961 and Holder was assigned to get experience in construction management.

Shortly after, he went to Canada to pursue his Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering and underwent training in the design of prestressed concrete bridges in the Department of Highways, Ontario. When he got back to Guyana, he led construction of the Mahaica to Rosignol roadway in 1965. Two decades later during 2003-2007, Joe guided construction of new bridges across the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks, under a project that upgraded structures between Timerhi and Rosignol.

He had previously rebuilt bridges along the Soesdyke-Linden in the 1990s; replacing wooden structures with reinforced concrete.

As Chief of Works in the 1970-1980 period, Joe supervised

Joe Holder interacting with DHB's current General Manager Rawlston Adams (at right) and another engineer (FB Photo)

construction of the Soesdyke-Linden and Essequibo Coast thoroughfares.

‘DEL CONTE ROAD’ Another project most dear to Joe is the Parika-Gonshen road, but it is yet to be realised. Holder hopes to see it completed before he departs.

Back in 1962, it was his second undertaking when he served as assistant resident engineer to supervise the Venezuelan contractor, Del Conte, to build a 36-mile roadway between Parika and Goshen, located opposite Bartica. That $8 million (British Guiana dollars) project was halted after one year due to disagreements between the contractor and the then government.

The present administration revisited the initiative two years ago and is pursuing the road’s completion.

Meanwhile, Joe also worked on the Mazaruni hydro and road construction as well as the Tiperu Quarry during the late 1960s to early 1970s. During 1980s, he was promoted to Permanent Secretary in the Works Ministry, and was involved in the Linden/Lethem road and Takutu bridge projects.

In December 1974, Joe represented the Guyana government to Rio de Janeiro where he discussed with officials of Brazil’s Federal Highway Department, preliminary location and design of a bridge across the Takutu river, linking Guyana and Brazil.

But, it wasn’t until 33 years later that construction materialised, and eventually the Takutu Bridge was commissioned in 2009.

DEMERARA HARBOUR BRIDGE This project remains the pinnacle of Holder’s career. In 1980, he was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement for his contributions to civil engineering and construction management of the DHB. “The construction of the DHB was not only a struggle with the forces of nature, but also a struggle among various social forces in Guyanese society, during which the utility and effectiveness of participatory democracy in the organisation of social activity was visibly demonstrated,” Joe recalls. The bridge was declared open to traffic on July 2, 1978 at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and according to Joe, one of the largest crowds seen in Guyana attended the event.

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Simone Dowding’s 'A Treat for my Mother 2' tonight

By Telesha Ramnarine GUYANESE artiste and owner of Purple Arts Productions, Ms Simone Dowding, is readying herself for “A Treat for my Mother 2,” one of her latest productions that she has created for Mother’s Day. She wants to move away from the usual Simone joined the Theatre shows that feature drama and has thus opted Guild more than 30 years ago to put on something that will appeal to the culture-oriented mothers out there.

“I want it to be a pure, delightful evening for mothers and to bring back to them fond memories like when they were young, and probably encountered their first lover,” Dowding expressed to Sunday Pepperpot, adding, “It’s all about clean fun.”

Dowding, who joined the Theatre Guild more than 30 years ago, started her planning since last year and even booked the venue, the National Cultural Centre, ever since last December.

She is promising, today (May 14), an evening of songs by Sean Bhola, Bonny Alves, Charmaine Blackman, Kwasi 'Ace' Edmondson, Sheron Cadogan-Taylor, Colin Ambrose, Donald Wallerson, Keith Glen, Winfield James, Barbara Lee, Winifred Mason, and Daria Barrow.

Dowding had also included ballroom dancing on the agenda, along with Indian dances by the Nadira Shaw Dance group, and a fashion show by Nelsion Nurse and Melissa Payne-Bishop.

The event, to commence at 8 pm, will also feature local budding fashion designers and many free treats to mothers. Tickets are currently on sale for $2000 and $1500.

Having graduated from the Burrowes School of Art and other institutions, Dowding has ended up with a total of 13 certificates, and has won Theatre Guild’s Best Actress in 2012 for the play “Old Story Times.”

She works primarily with children through her production house.

Local Artiste Simone Dowding

A tribute to mothers Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

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Mother’s Day is just a few days away, so we’ve decided to give some persons a chance to tell us what their mother means to them.

NAME: Chris Benjamin AGE: 32

“My mother, Lorraine Benjamin, is an amazing, loving, strong, happy, selfless and graceful woman. Her love is the greatest, most unconditional and infinite love I will ever experience in my existence.

“I cannot recount the number of times she has been a shoulder to lean on, but I do know she has never let me down. Even when I did wrong, she still looked out for me.

“She is never afraid to show me where I have been going wrong; and for that, I am eternally thankful.

“A mother's love cannot be replaced, and I do not think anyone could love me as my mother has.

“I love you, Mom!”

NAME: Tasiena Dundas AGE: 28 “My mother, Penny Powley, is one of the most important persons in my life. Without her, I wouldn't be the successful woman I am today.

“Her discipline and love moulded me; even when I was trying to resist, she never gave up on me and my little brother. She is more than just a great mother; she is also a wonderful grandmother to my daughter.

“She takes care of her as if she was her own child. I am forever grateful to her for being my rock. I really don't know what I would do without my mother. I salute all mothers, especially mine.”

NAME: Elicia Chapman

AGE: 28 “To my superwoman; an incredible, amazing and God-fearing individual: My mother, Donna Gouveia Roberts.

“No language can express the strength, beauty or majesty of her love and devotion. It is easy for me to describe how perfect she is, overall, and specifically as a mother, grandmother, and a role model to all.

“She has touched so many lives in such a positive way, and been a blessing to many people. She is such an important person in our lives, and we appreciate all that she does for me and my family.

“Thank you is a very small phrase for all the sacrifices she has made for us every day. I want her to know that they don’t go unnoticed.

“To the world, she may be just a mother, but to her family, she is the world!

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

NAME: Anjanie Singh AGE: 22 “Throughout my life, my mother has always been the strength that holds me up, no matter how tough it got.

“With every struggle that faces us, her shoulders are always there to lean on. She always offered words of comfort and encouragement.

“My mother always finds ways of solving any problem that faces us. I'm thankful that God has blessed me with a mother like her, who makes every sacrifice for us to strive.

“She has been my role model who taught me the many lessons of life, more particularly, the sacrifices a mother can make to ensure her children are happy.

“My brothers and I are blessed to have the world's best mom. We love her unconditionally!”

NAME: Feyona Austin-Paul AGE: 31 “My mother migrated when I was much younger. And even though, at first, I was scared of her taking the journey, as I grew older I realised the depth of the sacrifice she had to make in order to embark on such a journey.

“She ensured that everything my brother and I needed we got; we never really lacked anything, especially as it relates to our education.

“I cannot ask for a better mother. Even though I am married now with children of my own, my mother is still there for me; she gives great advice, and encourages me to push harder to be a woman of substance.

“I owe many of my accomplishments to her, because it was her guidance and motivation that helped me to keep pushing on.

“Thanks mom!”

NAME: Leyland Bacchus AGE: 28 “My grandmother played the role of my mother since I was born; and for that, I am forever grateful, because it is her upbringing that has moulded me into the successful young man I am today.

“She nurtured and cared for me as if I was her child, and corrected me whenever I was straying from the correct path. Even though she is not here with me any longer, I still smile as I reminisce on the moments we shared, especially when I was a child.

“They say a mother's love cannot be compared, but my grandmother loved me no less. I love and miss her, but I am thankful for the lessons she taught me.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

Pushing forward with Guyana’s Green Agenda IN a ‘green’ state, Government is expected through policies, programmes and laws to create an enabling environment where Guyanese can realise their true potential in various sectors. In their economic pursuits, the ‘green’ state teaches reliance on techniques that reduce or eradicate harmful effects on the environment and the people.

This ‘green’ state will offer green and well-paying jobs, economic opportunities, individual equality, justice, and political empowerment.

In his New Year message to the people of Guyana, President David Granger said that the year 2017 will see Government moving purposefully along the path towards the establishment of a ‘green’ state. The plan, he said, would involve the use of renewable energy resources and less dependence on fossil fuels, the promotion of the protection of our natural environment by the conservation of our fauna and flora, economic diversification and other initiatives.

“The establishment of a ‘green’ state will reduce the impact of the economic and environmental shocks which have retarded our development. The ‘green’ state will reduce our country’s carbon footprint. The ‘green state will diversify our economic base and promote increased value-added

President Granger plants a tree at the Earth Day 2017 observance in April

production…We belong to a beautiful, blissful, bountiful country that possesses abundant natural resources. We must care these resources. We must conserve their use for the benefit of present and future generations,” the President said.

In November, 2016, as a result of President Granger’s attendance at the Joint High

Level Segment (HLS) of the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) in Marrakesh, Kingdom of Morocco, Guyana secured an engagement with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to develop a Framework for the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

The ‘Framework of the Guyana Green

State Development Strategy and Financing Mechanisms’ was finalised and made public in April this year and is intended to lay out the elements to be examined and consulted on during the course of the development of the strategy, a process which is expected to last until December 2017.

The strategy will place emphasis on the balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental, to ensure comprehensive implementation and will see several transformative developments. These include: the enhancement of social cohesion and inclusion, improving quality of living for all Guyanese, promoting sustainable lifestyles and protection of the environment, the sustainable use of biodiversity and increased resource efficiency, aiming for a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2025, redirecting and mobilising investments, ensuring transparency and sharing services and decision-making to the population and engaging civil society and creating a space for citizen participation.

President Granger has said that an important feature of Guyana’s ‘green’ pathway to development is ensuring that there is a wide cross-section of stakeholder inputs, to ensure a people-centred approach to the country’s transformation.

It is with this in mind that the President, on May 3, reactivated the Green Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee (GMSSC), which will seek to allow for stakeholder inputs in the governing mechanism of both the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the ‘green’ state development strategy.

The committee includes stakeholders from Government agencies and ministries, including the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Business, Amerindian People’s Association (APA), the Amerindian Action Movement, the Opposition, the Department of Environment, Office of Climate Change, Project Management Office and several other Government and non-governmental organisations. The committee was first established in 2009

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017 the environment and pledged that the board would work to ensure that the agency’s work is in line with the President’s vision.

“We believe that the Green State development strategy is the overarching principle that we are going to use to make some of our decisions in terms of environmental conservation, and also what kinds of development we are going to support and how we are going to support them. And so the idea then is to ensure that the decisions that we make are in consonance with what the President has outlined. We know that there may be some areas of conflict that we have to address, but we will try to ensure that in doing so that we think very carefully about the broader picture and that we need to be rational about our decision-making,” he said.

From the establishment of the Department of the Environment, to the development of the Green State Development Strategy, the strengthening of bilateral relations

XXI to ensure climate-financing partnerships, Government continues to put several steps in place to ensure the advancement of Guyana’s Green Agenda.

These and other steps are just the beginning of a holistic plan to ensure that Guyana’s future is secured as a state, which is able to protect its environment, combat the adverse effects of climate change, while still ensuring the sustainable development of the country.

Guyana’s Green Agenda is a vision of President David Granger aimed at ensuring that Guyana is a country built on environmental sustainability, while balancing its economic development in a manner that ensures the protection of Guyana’s national patrimony while promoting economic advancement. Government will continue to seek opportunities that will see Guyana becoming a Green State where all Guyanese can reap the benefits.

President David Granger said that the year 2017 will see Government moving purposefully along the path towards the establishment of a ‘green’ state

through a Guyana-Norway Agreement and was tasked with establishing a model of environmental governance, but had not met since 2015.

The President highlighted the value of the LCDS, particularly with regard to identifying how countries can be rewarded for providing climate-mitigating services.

However, the President said that the transition toward becoming a ‘green’ state goes beyond the LCDS. This involves a holistic transformation, which aims at human development, poverty eradication, reducing inequality, increasing employment, promoting sustainable livelihoods and building economic and environmental resilience. As a result, the President said that this approach requires sustained consultation and inclusivity, which is where the committee comes in.

Head of the Department of the Environment, Ms. Ndibi Schwiers, said that the committee serves as an important platform for national engagement and a mechanism for the monitoring and evaluation of the Green State Development Projects.

While stakeholder participation is important, the work of the agencies dealing with the environment must also correlate with each other in order to have a unified approach on the path toward becoming a green state.

Following the meeting of the Green Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee, the President met with board members of the environmental agencies, which fall under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, and reminded them that a collaborative approach is needed to protect and preserve the nation’s patrimony.

The President said that frequent communication among these agencies is important to ensure that their work is complementary and cooperative. “Unfortunately, the way some of the agencies and boards grew up, they did not need to develop the habit of collaborating with other agencies and boards… that is an accident of history; but now we deliberately have to work toward getting out of our silos and speaking with each other and I regard this conference, this morning, as an attempt to reach beyond our specific mandates and develop a more multi-agency approach; a multi-year approach, because what you are doing is not just for this year or next year, it is something that will have an imprint on the rest of Guyanese history,” he said.

Moreover, the President said that the Department of the Environment -- which was established in October 2016 -- will help to ensure that a collaborative approach is maintained, but stated that it is also important that the flagship agencies are led by Guyanese, and that the country must develop the expertise to manage the environment in the best interest of its citizens.

At that meeting, board members expressed their agreement with the President’s vision, and stated their intention to heed the Head of State’s call to work together.

Chairperson of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), Dr Raquel Thomas, said that the management of protected areas is an important component of any ‘green’ state. She noted that Protected Areas are an important component of any green state, and that Guyana’s recent pledge of allocating an additional two million hectares of land for conservation is a significant move for the country. She added, however, that the President’s call to walk on two feet with regard to the sustainable use of our resources is also important. “We can’t just talk the talk but we have to walk the walk. I think for this green state economy to work all have to be involved. We need a very stringent public awareness. People might hear of terms, but often they don’t understand exactly what they mean and that’s why it is very important to have people involved. The whole concept about conservation and sustainable use is about people. Areas will protect themselves if people were not involved, so it is really about working around people, working with people and have people involved in the process of management,” she said.

Chairperson of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Patrick Williams, pledged to ensure that the decisions made by the agency will align with the President’s vision. He said that the EPA is aware of the issues surrounding climate change and the importance of protecting

Children are taught about Guyana's flora and fauna during Iwokrama's 21st Anniversary Celebrations

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Mothers and Mothers-in-Law

By Francis Quamina Farrier

TODAY, Mother's Day 2017, has come at a time when both my mother and motherin-law are no longer with us. My mother, Stella, passed away in 1963 at age 58. My mother-in-law, Olive, passed away in 2016 at age 105.

My mother delivered six children: Two died in infancy. My mother-in-law delivered ten children: Two died in infancy.

Both my mother, Stella, and my motherin-law, Olive, were very strong women who laid down the law in the home for their children. Simple though they were, both were fantastic mothers. Their law-abiding lives were a great contribution to the smoother running of Guyana. I regard them both as unsung heroines.

Before I continue, let me tell you about the two great men who were the husbands of my mother, Stella, and my mother-in-law, Olive. My father migrated to British Guiana from Grenada, and worked primarily in the hinterland of the country. He was at home three or four times each year, and spent about two to three weeks each time before returning to his job in the interior.

My father-in-law was a Georgetown citizen who worked at the Transport and Harbours Department in Kingston, Georgetown.

He returned home from work every day. I consider both my father and my father-inlaw as unsung heroes.

However, while my mother died before my father, my father-in-law died at a young age (just 48), leaving my mother-in-law, Olive, a widow in her early forties, to take care of eight young children. It was very difficult.

WOMEN OF DEEP FAITH Both my mother and my mother-inlaw were women of deep faith; both were Protestant before their marriage. Both my father and my father-inlaw were Catholic, and their wives converted to the Catholic faith after their marriage. Both my mother, Stella, and my mother-in-law, Olive, became very active in the Catholic Church, and were shining examples for their children.

In my humble rural childhood home, my mother, Stella, laid down the rules for her children: Three boys and one girl.

Chores were Neuter Gender in our home; there was no "boy wuk and girl wuk" in the home. For my two brothers and I, our sister, Averil, who was the last of my mother's children, was treated like a princess; something which my mother encouraged.

My mother, Stella, drilled it into our young heads to never, ever hit our sister, which is a training all mothers ought to instill in their male children at a very young age. "Bend the tree while it is young" is that wise and practical statement which has

Mother Olive Blackmore: 1911-2016

been with us for a long time.

There were also non-violent punishments in our home, no dinner being one of them. So the offending child would go to the table, lift the cover over the cup and plate, and discover that they were empty.

The system worked perfectly! And my mother regularly pointed out that we should always do the right thing.

SET HER APART One of the things which proved my mother great was instilling in her young boy children the art of being brave.

Mothers who also instill in their girl children that they must never, ever allow a boy to hit them, not even in fun, will greatly reduce the many incidents of domestic abuse.

"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" is a well-known saying, and mothers who drill that "no-violence" rule into their children at a very young age are doing societies a great service.

I say without fear of contradiction, that

Mother Olive Blackmore with her brood

if there were more mothers like my Mother we spent a week with daddy. My knowlStella, there would be zero domestic vio- edge and love for Guyana started during lence in Guyana. those trips to the hinterland to visit my Putting all sorts of schemes in place father. after a young man or young woman beMy dear mother-in-law, Olive, was come perpetrators and victims of domestic a powerful woman in her own right. She violence is like shutting the barn door after was yet a relatively young woman when the horse has already bolted. her husband died. She took the decision Mothers of young children, therefore, to never remarry and worked extremely have a very important role to play in the hard to raise her eight surviving children scheme of the reduction of domestic vio- as a single-mother. Being very attractive, lence. The many influential individuals and there were one or two men who wanted to organisations which are very vocal about become her new husband and step-father to domestic vioher eight growing lence, never seem children. But she to go to the source would have none of the problem, of it, and successexcept to harp fully raised her about the "men eight children into of violence", adulthood. and really nevWhen I started er to say a word visiting her daughabout the "Men of ter, Patricia, at her Valour", and the Cummings Street, "Men of Purpose" Alberttown home, who were propMom sat me down erly brought up and laid down the by mothers like rules: "You leave my Mother Stelat nine o'clock!" la, who possessed At 8:59pm, great parenting Mom would comskills. mence closing The many inall windows. Afdividuals and orter my wife and I ganisations seem became engaged, to miss the fact I respectfully rethat they can requested an extencruit the good sion to the visiting men as partners in period. ‘Moms Oltheir programmes ive’ extended it to against domestic 9:30pm. She was violence, instead always clear with Mother Stella Farrier: 1905-1963 of treating all men her rules; no ifs as violators! and buts.

If only there were many more mothers A SHINING like my mother-in-law, Olive! On matters of EXAMPLE policy, she was firm; and on matters of the heart, she was a darling.

On this Mother's Day, 2017, I hold up SMALL OF STATURE my dear mother, StelShe was small of stature, but an Amala, as a shining exam- zonian of a character, and the envy of those ple of a mother, who, who had financial means. Her children without much finan- were never a constant headache to her, as cial means, trained her were the children of some well-to-do mothboys and girl the way ers. With eight children -- five boys and to treat the opposite three girls – ‘Moms Olive’ never had the gender, and so avoid police visit her home to look for, or arrest, domestic violence. any of her children for breaking the law.

As mentioned be- She made a positive contribution to Law and fore, my father worked Order in British Guiana/Guyana. in the hinterland; he Just imagine if there were many, many was a 'bushman', but more mothers like my mother-in-law, Olive, unlike the average city what a greater country Guyana would be! mother, my mother However, I have to say that the female used to send her three ranks at the Alberttown Police Station, in young sons to visit Georgetown, began visiting my mother-indaddy in ‘the bush’. law when she reached the age of 100.

She would take us to They visited her twice every year at her the Sprostons stelling, Cummings Street home: At Christmastime which was located at and also on Mother's Day, and delivered the extreme western goodies and their welcome company. Those end of Broad Street in female cops recognised the contributions Charlestown, and see my mother-in-law, Olive, made to Guyana us safely aboard the over her long and productive life of 105 all-white river ferry- years. boat, the RH CARR, This year, for the first time, both my which travelled up mother and my mother-in-law are no longer the Demerara River physically in my life, and I wonder whether to Wismar and Mack- they are now sharing their stories about their enzie. special brand of mothering, now that they O u r d e s t i n a t i o n are in the Great Beyond. was at Sand Hills, and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, 2017, to all later Dora, where mothers and mother-figures in Guyana!

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

Dear Uncle Henry, Please listen to my problem. A nice guy married me and has been a great father to my three school-age children. They adore him but now he is asking me to make a child for him. I am worried over my health. Can I do it? Also I worry over the loss of love for the three kids. He says he thinks a baby will bond us. The child will be ‘ours’ but how will the others take it .Will they be happy. Will his love dwindle? Please advise.

Natasha Hello Natasha, This request to have a biological child in a mixed union is common. The step-dad or step-mom believes that a blood offspring will cement the bond of marriage. This may be so but we must think of the step-children. It can be detrimental.

Before you embark on this project, you must talk with them. Do they wish for a sister or a brother? Would they feel insecure and fear losing the love and care of their step-dad or mom? Your kids at this crucial time may say no especially as your husband loves them as his own and vice-versa. Talk with them and do not forget a new born in these times demands a lot.

Can you afford another baby-economically? You already addressed the issue of health. Try your best to reinforce the relationship so your husband can be contented with your three kids. I had a similar problem. I married my maid and fathered her six kids, the youngest twelve. She insisted that I get one with her. I refused saying her kids were mine. That word step is not in my vocab. She felt that a child would do well for the relationship.

That child is still a dream of hers. Now the children are all over forty years. And I am still their dad. She went to the heavens after 25 years of blissful union. I still love her but I can’t replace her. She still lives in my heart.

So discuss with your husband. Tell him and show him, there is nothing to fear. You’re proud of him being the ‘father’ of the children. Let the relationship blossom as it is. If he insists then honor his request. A new-born may bring joy to all. But consult with the young ones as their welfare comes first. Work things out and do your part. ◄◄◄ From page XIX

NAME: Jewel Thompson AGE: 28 “Where do I begin? I basically watched my mother struggle to maintain me and my three brothers as a single-mother.

“My mom really did everything in her power to ensure we got everything we needed; most importantly, education.

“There were days when my mother literally went without food to ensure that we got something in our stomachs.

She never complained, but fought hard; and even in little ways, she tried to make us feel special. “I love my mother, and because of the sacrifices she made, I would always try to make a better life for her. My mother is a perfect example of the kind of mother I want to be whenever I have children; she shows unconditional love. And even when we are going wrong, she still scolds us, because she has told us that her ultimate goal is to see us turn into exceptional men and women, making valuable contributions to our country.”

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Move that body! why exercising while pregnant is important for expectant mothers

The eExperts believe it is safe to exercise during pregnacy

THE human body is an enigma; an ingenious machine that undertakes complex functions on a day to day basis. It is a mechanism that holds the power of self-healing, and which can endure immense amounts of pain.

As we examine the individual functions of our body, it becomes more apparent that these vessels within which we live have been intricately and carefully designed.

More so, the bodies of women and men carry out certain functions differently, and further, there are biological functions that are unique to each sex particularly with regard to our reproductive systems. With women, pregnancy takes their bodies through nine transformative months of nurturing and growing a human child; and what a miraculous transformation it is! And while it is regarded as a fragile period for many women, it has been proven that exercising and other cardiovascular activities even during this fragile period, is even more proof of the body's remarkable abilities and strength.

More and more, pregnant women have been turning to exercise throughout their pregnancies due to the immense health benefits.

One of the more popular examples of a pregnant woman’s determination to continue her active life can be seen in Serena Williams, who won the Australian Open final while eight weeks pregnant.

In fact, our history is laced with examples of women who have actively participated in such activities, dating back to the 1920s when Swedish figure skater Magda Julin competed in that sport in the Olympic Games while four months pregnant.

Yes, exercise and pregnancy, though many questions and concerns may be raised about this dubious pair, the truth is that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves is a soon-to-be mother of two, with her second child just months away from being born. She said that the birth of her first child urged her to begin exercising, and within the last three-and-a- half years, she has lost 65 pounds as a result. Now, with baby number two on the way, Jordana is not about to slow the momentum of her exercise routines.

“It boosts your energy, it lowers the risk of pregnancy-related complications, it helps you to sleep better and improves your overall mood… Those are just some of the benefits,” she said, adding: “I would encourage pregnant women to engage in some form of exercise, especially if they were exercising regularly before pregnancy.”

She’s advising, however, that they simply stay active and consistent in their workouts, rather than overwork themselves, as they still need to consider their and their babies’ safety above all.

BENEFITS If you’re not convinced, here are some of the ways exercise during pregnancy can prove beneficial for women: ► Less weight gain. Women who exercise during their pregnancy have been shown to gain seven pounds less than pregnant women who don’t work out, while still staying within the healthy weight gain range. ► Labour and delivery may be easier. Of course, this is not guaranteed, but exercising the muscles do help in the labour process particularly with regard to stamina when it comes to pushing during labour. ► Lifts your mood. Expectant mothers have reported feeling better with regard to their moods both after a workout as well as throughout their pregnancies in general. ► Less constipation. Pregnant women's intestinal tracts often get backed up due to high progesterone levels and a growing uterus, but exercise, along with a high-fiber diet, keeps your digestive system active. ► More energy. Sometimes the stress of pregnancy can make women feel a bit lethargic, but staying active can fight those feelings. ► Less leg swelling. Swollen legs is a symptom that pregnant women come to expect, but exercise during pregnancy. Your body retains more fluid, and your growing uterus puts

pressure on your veins, impairing the return of blood to your heart. Exercise can limit swelling by improving blood flow. ► Less morning sickness.

Nausea is another feature that pregnant women have come to expect, but exercise can take your mind off of nausea for a while, making you less likely to be overcome by the inevitable morning sickness. ► Faster bounce back after delivery. Women who stay active during their pregnancy are more likely to get up and get back out there faster than women who were inactive. ► Avoid certain risks.

Women who exercise during pregnancy are at a lower risk of preeclampsia, a complication that involves high blood pressure and ex- Jordana Ramsay-Gonsalves is eight months pregnant cess protein in the urine and and has exercised throughout her entire pregnancy which is the number one cause of premature birth. ► Less likelihood of prenatal depression. Some 12 per cent to 20 per cent of pregnant women experience depression, which is linked to poor sleep and marital problems after delivery. Exercise, particularly done outdoors, can help to avoid this.

Is it safe? The short answer is ‘yes’. Medical experts have weighed in and guarantee that for normal pregnancies, exercise is safe and even recommended during pregnancy, particularly if you were physically active before pregnancy. In fact, it studies show that exercise does not put you at risk for miscarriage in normal pregnancies either. It should be noted, however, that this is not the time to focus on exercise for weight loss.

Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider before starting their exercise routine.

Women who exercise while pregnant can gain less weight during those nine months

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Handmade by Naomi Murray IT’S hard to imagine running a full-blown fashion line on your own, much less when you’re just 23 years old. But young Guyanese continue to push the envelope and prove that they are capable of achieving great things, and Naomi Murray is high on this list.

Known by many as the “Prom Dress Queen” due to her signature designs dominating the local prom scene for the past two years, Naomi’s fashion line spans a much broader scope, One of Naomi’s leather bags from her newest handbag collection

and includes hair accessories, custom made bags, ready-towear clothing and formal wear for pageants, prom and other events.

But most impressive of all, every item within N. Murray Designs, as she calls it, is designed by, and hand made by Naomi herself.

Naomi started designing while in Sixth Form at Queen’s College. Though studying Natural Science and well on her way to preparing to begin a medical career, Naomi’s creative abilities continued to call to her. “I knew I was good at both things, so I decided to venture into fashion, because it was something that came naturally to me, so I worked toward developing my vision,” Naomi said.

So she started designing hair accessories, and later ventured into designing handbags and backpacks. Not long after, however, she added clothing to her portfolio, and the rest is history.

Apart from pageantry and prom, N. Murray Designs has been showcased at some fashion shows, including Suriname Fashion Week in 2015. But her business has grown so much, that she is now seeking to increase her visibility while working to establish an official location for her work.

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Naomi Murray wearing one of her own designs

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Queen still driving at 91 SHE IS KNOWN for her love of driving, having learned while serving as a mechanic during the Second World War. And the Queen's fondness for motoring shows no sign of having been diminished as she is pictured beaming in her car wing mirror.

The Monarch was photographed in her Range Rover as she drove herself from the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Wednesday afternoon.

She and the Duke of Edinburgh were attending the five-

day equestrian event, which takes place in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The Queen watches her horse Tower Bridge compete on the first day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Wednesday Credit: James Whatling Having learned to drive while serving in the Women’s Auxillary Territorial Service, the Queen is still often seen in her cars on the Sandringham estate and was pictured behind the wheel of her Jaguar as she returned from service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Park on Sunday.

The 91-year-old Monarch is the only person in Britain who is allowed to drive without a licence.

She is also the only person apart from park rangers who is allowed to drive down the 2.6-mile Long Walk in Windsor.

While she has multiple vehicles and a chauffeur for Royal events, she is most frequently seen in her trusty Range Rover.

At the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Wednesday, the Queen was filmed sharing a joke with Alan Titchmarsh, the television gardener, while watching one of her entries.

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“I currently work at home, and my marketing is strictly social media-based, but the main goal for my business this year is to participate in more pageants and fashion shows, and to find a central location to display my work,” she said.

But for someone who works on their own, from home, depending solely on social media, Naomi isn’t doing too badly.

This year alone, she has already participated in the Miss Region Three Culture Pageant, designing gowns including the gown of the winning delegate, as well as the Miss St Joseph Pageant.

Moreover, with “Prom Season” quickly approaching, Naomi says that she already has 43 clients in line, while also working on dresses for delegates in this year’s Miss World Guyana, Miss Renaissance, and Miss Emancipation Pageants, so if you were thinking about booking her for an

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outfit for your event, the time to do so is now, since this is a lot of work for just one person to do.

Naomi says that even in a saturated marketplace, she is glad to see so many designers emerging, as there is more than enough room for all creative talents.

“A lot of persons see it as being competitive, but I don’t. The way I see it is that you can’t limit the number of persons in a certain profession, so I think everyone has to do things their way to create their brand and stand out in their own way,” she said.

“And if you can do that, people will notice your uniqueness wherever you are, and you will develop loyalty. And once that is done, you will always be able to stand out.” she added.

Beyond her many bookings, Naomi will also be part of the contingent representing Guyana at this year’s CARIFESTA in Barbados in August.

N.Murray Designs at Prom

A Mother's Love

Chronicle Pepperpot May 14, 2017

By Rev. Gideon Cecil

She is like the sea waves coming and going, She is my eternal wind always blowing.

In times of trouble she is always there, She gave me love because she cares.

You hide me like an eagle under your wings, You nursed me as a babe; you are my everything A mother's love is very hard to find, Wherever I go you are planted on my mind.

You are like a hidden diamond in my heart, Your immortal love for me will never depart.

You scold me to be the great man I am today, You are my guardian angel when I kneel to pray.

I see the moon smiling in your sacred eyes, Your pristine beauty is God's everlasting prize.

I hear your words coming like the wind in the

rains, The rains washed out my heart full of pains.

I heard your silent footsteps on the sea shore sand, And the lovely song you sang for me to understand.

You catch me like an eagle when I fall!

You are always there when I call.

A mother's love can overflow the vast ocean, She is God's master piece of love and devotion.

She is like the magnificent moon beam at night, Her pristine beauty outshone the stars silver lights.

Her inward beauty is like an immortal lamp on my way, That showed me the light when I kneel to

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Thee and pray.

A flock of egrets singing on the magnificent sea shore, I think it's my mom singing through heaven's door.

When all wealth and fame fail to comfort our souls Our mother's love to us will never depart.

With these noble words I say a blessed Mother's Day, To all the World's Moms because you are special today.

XXX

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XXXI

New High School Principal

This should be for all of the schools Listen to the young people, F-this, F-that, and not anyone will step up and correct them, even with wife and kids in tow!

FINALLY - - Someone in the teaching profession had the courage to set the standards so badly needed NOW. We watched high school principal Dennis Prager, along with the Governor General and Peter Mansbridge on TV a couple of weeks ago.... What a dynamic, down to earth speaker.

Even though the Governor General and Mansbridge were also guest speakers they did little but nod and agree with him. This is the guy that should be running for our next Prime Minister.

A Speech Every Canadian High School Principal Should Give.

By Dennis Prager .

To the students and faculty of our high school: I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.

I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in Canada have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.

First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white; I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your

ancestors arrived here on slave ships; the only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognise, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity.

And, the only national identity this school will care about is Canadian.

This is a Canadian public school, and Canadian public schools were created to make better Canadians. If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity, race and non-Canadian nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of Canada, one of its three central values -- E pluribus unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by Canadian values. This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorise clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness.

Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interested in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little

outside of yourself really interests you.

Second , I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united Canadian citizens for over 150 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the Canadian job market. We will learn other languages here — it is deplorable that most Canadians only speak English/French — but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English/French, this is not your school.

Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor , everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for red-carpet events than for church or school. These people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the f -word, you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the

words banned by the Federal Government, plus epithets such as "Nigger," even when used by one black student to address another black, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.

Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs.

In this school, self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.

Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue...

There will be no more attempt to convince you that you are a victim because you are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian.

We will have failed if any one of you graduates this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately fortunate — to be alive and to be a Canadian.

Now, please stand and join me in singing “O Canada" & to the flag of our country. As many of you may not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.

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English 2017-05-14

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616) Henry V: Act 3, Scene 1 STUDY SUCCESS Dear Students, Weigh what you eat against your nutritional needs.

Go briskly along with effective study groups for optimum returns knowing that interaction with partners, no matter how briefly, is very profitable at this time. If you need more writing practice, remember that reading, speaking, and listening (discussion techniques) will aid the writing process, and as you practise timed writing, you’ll become less afraid of writing for others to valuate. Let this broadbased encouragement be of benefit to you. Be wise.

Love you READING for UNDERSTANDING Directions: Read the selection, and then answer the

questions.

You can learn a lot about a bird by looking at its beak. Birds such as cardinals, sparrows, and finches have strong, thick, cone-shaped beaks. These beaks are perfect for cracking seeds. Bird lovers place feeders filled with seeds in their yards for songbirds. Woodpeckers, on the other hand, have long, chisel-shaped beaks. They use their beaks to peck holes in trees. Tiny hummingbirds have long, tubular bills that they use in much the same way that we use as a straw.

Herons walk on long, slender legs. Herons have long, straight bills with sharp edges that keep a slippery fish from escaping. Other fish eaters, like the cormorant, have a hook on the end of the beak for holding a fish. Wading birds which have long, narrow bills use their beaks to probe deep in the sand for tasty insects or worms.

The Questions 1. What is the unstated main idea of this selection?

A.. A bird’s beak gives clues of what it eats.

B.. Birds eat a wide variety of foods.

C.. Fish eaters live near the shore.

D.. Most birds’ beaks are irrelevant.

2. Which sentence does not directly support the main idea of paragraph 1?

A.. Birds…. cone-shaped beaks B.. Bird lovers…. songbirds C.. They use …. in trees D.. Tiny hummingbirds….

Straw 3. Which statement best describes the main idea of paragraph 2?

A.. The main idea is stated directly in the first sentence.

B.. The main idea is unsupported by evidence in the paragraph.

C..The main idea is understood from details included in the paragraph.

D.. The main idea of the paragraph does not contribute to the main idea of the passage.

4. What is the main idea of paragraph 2?

A. Herons are fish eaters.

B.. You can guess a shore bird’s diet by looking at his beak.

C..Most shore birds have long legs and are fish eaters.

D.. Shore birds’ beaks are different from those of birds that live in the woods.

5.. Which sentence in paragraph 2 does not directly support the main idea of the paragraph?

A. Herons walk on long, slender legs.

B.. Herons have long, straight bills with sharp edges that keep slippery fish from escaping their grip.

C.. Other fish eaters, like the cormorant, have a hook on the end of the beak for holding a fish.

D.. Wading birds with long, narrow bills use their beaks to probe deep in the sand for tasty insects and worms.

YOUR WRITING Reminders to Better Advance Your Short Story Writing - Dialogue When you are telling story events, try to use good dialogue which serves many purposes in a narrative. Good writers use dialogue to create a sense of time and place, tell about character, foreshadow possible trouble, and move the plot along. You should remember the following about good dialogue: a) Essentially, it is a series of direct words used by a character and is enclosed in quotation marks. b) Dialogue needs tag lines. Tag the words that identify the speaker, such as “said the farmer.” Without tag lines, readers might have trouble figuring out who is saying what.

Too few tag lines can make a dialogue confusing and/ or choppy, and be a story-spoiler. c) The strategy to substitute synonyms such as ‘replied’ and ‘remarked’ for ‘said,’ might be fine in some circumstances; but good writers find it more effective to choose vivid verbs in tag lines to emphasise the difference in a character’s tone of voice for instance.

Example of tag lines: “He’s only playing a confidant!” screamed the young girl… “Get the police for me!” [See the vivid verb ‘screamed’.] d) Include descriptions of character’s facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures, and mannerisms, which show actions related to the utterance.

Here is an example: “Secrecy between parent and child can do a lot of harm, too, though,” said the butcher thoughtfully, as he calculatingly scraped mangled beef from the wood block and began to wipe it off his axe.

Something to Do Search the following dialogue guidelines to find at least one with which you are unacquainted and probably not utilising. Begin to use them when you can.

Guidelines for Writing Dialogue a) Let your dialogue be purposeful. You may want it to reveal character, highlight the relationship between characters, intensify the story action, add suspense, or a combination of any? b) Use words and phrases appropriate to each story character. Consider the character’s age and educational background. Consider the character’s emotional state also. c) Use dialogue to reveal character personality. What are the beliefs of this character? Desires? Fears? Is your character to display nervousness, senility, or boastfulness? d) Because real conversation is going on, make your dialogue sound like real talk. Let it sound believable. Also use appropriate interruptions and pauses. e) Use correct paragraphing and punctuation with a new paragraph for each speaker.

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Entertainment

Harry Potter prequel stolen in Birmingham burglary

Radio 1 breakfast show host Nick Grimshaw seems to think so.

Harry's been a busy boy today. As well as appearing on the Radio 2 brekkie show with Chris Evans, he's also been over the road to chat to Grimmy.

Keen-eared Harry fans (or Stylophiles as we're now calling them) had suggested the song was about the breakdown of his relationship with ex girlfriend and fellow pop star Taylor Swift.

Harry is a bit coy on tackling the subject and jokingly threatens to head to a rival station if Nick continues his gossip-mongering.

Former N-Dubz star Dappy in knife charge

The former N-Dubz star Dappy has been remanded in custody over an alleged altercation outside his Hertfordshire home.

Costadinos Contostavlos, 29, of Hatfield, is accused of assault by beating and possession of a bladed article.

The rapper was arrested at about 16:30 BST on Wednesday.

Magistrates at Hatfield Remand Court refused to grant the former Celebrity Big Brother star bail.

He is due to appear at St Albans Crown Court on 9 June.

A worker at Waterstones holds the manuscript for the auction in 2008

A Harry Potter prequel handwritten on a postcard by JK Rowling has been stolen in a burglary in Birmingham.

The manuscript was penned on both sides of an A5 card for a charity auction nine years ago and sold for ÂŁ25,000.

The untitled 800-word work was taken from Howard Road, Kings Heath.

Reportedly set three years before Harry Potter's birth, it features the schoolboy wizard's father James Potter, and godfather Sirius Black, when they were teenagers.

They are confronted by two "muggle" policemen after a high-speed motorbike chase but manage to escape on broomsticks.

The manuscript and jewellery were taken during the break-in between 13 and 24 April, West Midlands Police said.

JK Rowling tweet The force is issuing the plea for information almost one month on, in the hope "the appeal goes far and wide among Harry Potter fans throughout the world".

Responding to news of the theft, Rowling retweeted a message issued by the police.

The writer said: "PLEASE DON'T BUY THIS IF YOU'RE OFFERED IT. Originally auctioned for @englishpen, the owner supported writers' freedoms by bidding for it."

Petty Peculiarity responded, saying:

"Only thing to do is hand write thousands of them and flood the market!"

The prequel was among several works donated by authors, including Sebastian Faulks and Doris Lessing, to an auction held in 2008 to raise funds for English PEN, which promotes understanding through literature, and Dyslexia Action.

The burglary victim, who only wished his first name - Hira - to be published, said it took a while for the "shock" to set in after he learnt it was taken.

He said the work was "priceless" and if it was sold again legitimately it had the potential to raise more money for good causes.

"I don't think whoever took it or stole it or who might purchase it will really understand the benefits to people out there, what it can do," he said.

"If I can get it back, I'm over the moon, because I'm only going to be doing good stuff with it.

"If it's destroyed, or if it's lost, it's a great loss."

The burglary victim admitted he had only read one of the Harry Potter books.

Investigating officer PC Paul Jauncey said: "We are appealing to anyone who sees, or is offered this item for sale, to contact police."

Entertainment

Everything we know about the Dynasty remake in the UK. But it's slated for the 2017/18 season in the US, which means it should be

A remake of classic '80s TV soap Dynasty has been given the green light in the US. And while there's no news of a return for Joan Collins's Alexis yet (we live in hope), here's what we do know about the reboot.

Stephanie Savage are bringing the series to US channel CW. The pair have hooked up with Revenge writer/producer Sallie Patrick and the original Dynasty creators, husband and wife team Esther and Richard Shapiro.

1. GIRL POWER Two of America's wealthiest families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, are still at war - but this time, the story will be told from the perspective of two women in the thick of it all - Fallon Carrington (played

by Elizabeth Gillies), daughter of billionaire Blake, and her soon-to-be stepmother, Cristal.

But how many of the famous Dynasty catfights will we witness?

4. EVERYBODY LOVES GOOD NEIGHBOURS Yes, he might be known as The OC and Ugly Betty's Alan Dale in the US these days... but us Brits still prefer to remember him as Jim Robinson from Neighbours.

Alan will be starring as the Carrington's butler, Joseph Anders, played by the late Lee Bergere in the original. Fans will remember it was Alexis who hired him when she was married to Blake.

Anders was fiercely loyal to Alexis when Blake remarried - maybe they're still in touch?!

2. IT'S ALL ABOUT DIVERSITY Linda Evans famously played Krystle in the original - this time around, Cristal (spot the spelling change), is a Hispanic woman marrying into a wealthy family. She will be played by The Vampire Diaries' Nathalie Kelley.

And billionaire charmer Jeff Colby, played by John James in the '80s series, will be played by Nigerian-born actor Sam Adegoke this time around.

Blake's chauffeur, Michael Culhane, will be played by African-American Hit the Floor star Robert Christopher Riley, while Empire's Rafael de la Fuente, who hails from Venezuela, will also have a regular role.

3. IT'S MADE BY THE TEAM BEHIND GOSSIP GIRL Gossip Girl creators Josh Schwartz and

5. THE ACTORS ARE VERY EXCITED Several of them have taken to social media with their reactions.

The cast have clearly bonded during while filming the pilot episode, with Rafael posting a video of himself and some of his fellow Dynasty actors singing along to Tracy Chapman's Fast Car..

Alan Dale was also in a celebratory mood as he hit the big 70.

And Robert Christopher Riley posted an emotional image on Instagram sharing the moment he told his mum the Dynasty news.

Everybody say, "Ahhhh."

6. WHEN WE'LL GET TO SEE IT There's no exact transmission date yet and it's not yet known if it'll be broadcast

with us by the autumn. We say, the sooner the better!

Baked Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients • 1 tablespoon cornstarch • 1 tablespoon cold water • 1/2 cup white sugar • 1/2 cup soy sauce • 1/4 cup cider vinegar • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper • 12 skinless chicken thighs Directions 1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy

sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.

2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

3. Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10 minutes during cooking.