The story of sorrel... The story of sorrel...
SEE PAGE 2
The story of sorrel...
Google the word “sorrel” and you’re in for a surprise. Your rst link will most likely be a Wikipedia page talking about a green plant native to Europe and Asia, which is used as an herb in soups, sauces and salad. Only in small notes at the very top and bottom of the page will you nd mention of “Caribbean sorrel”, which is completely unrelated to the Eurasian sorrel herb.
Apparently, what we call sorrel is a plant o cially known as “roselle”, or hibiscus sabdari a, a close relative of the hibiscus ower. It is unclear how “roselle” became “sorrel”, a name which is used only in the English-speaking Caribbean. In Spanish-speaking countries it is sometimes called “saril”, thought to be derived from “sorrel”. Sorrel is known by many completely di erent names in other parts of the world, such as “karkadeh” in Arab countries, “tengamora” in some
parts of India, and “bissap” in Senegal, Africa.
The roselle plant itself is a shrub with long leaves, reaching a height of anywhere between seven and eight feet. The owers are white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, and have a stout, conspicuous calyx at the base, which becomes eshy and a deep crimson red as the fruit matures. It is the calyces which are used to make the drink we call “sorrel”, through the addition of boiling water, sugar and spices.
The roselle plant is native to Africa, most likely West Africa, and spread via the slave trade to Asia and the West Indies, where it has become naturalized. It is suited to tropical and sub-tropical climates.
And why do we drink sorrel at Christmastime? Historically, there was
A little Christmas Humour
only one variety grown in the Caribbean. It was planted in July/August, and would only bloom in December, thus its association with Christmas. Its bright red colour was an added factor. Nowadays, new varieties have been introduced that allow for production year-round, but that hasn’t stopped Trinidadians from thinking of sorrel as a Christmas drink.
And how can you whip up your own delicious batch of sorrel? There are many ways of preparation. Some cooks remove the seed pods from the calyces, others do not. Some cooks steep the sorrel in hot water, while others boil for 20 minutes then allow the mixture to cool for hours before straining. Some add clove, cinnamon and ginger to taste. The strained mixture is then sweetened, and served chilled.
Rude-olph.
What’s every parent’s favorite Christmas carol?
“Silent Night.”
How did the Jedi know what he was getting for Christmas? He could sense their presents.
What did the wise men say after they o ered up their gifts of gold and frankincense?
Wait, there’s myrrh.
Here’s one sorrel recipe, from eatahfood.com:
Ingredients
• 2 lbs red sorrel washed & deseeded
• 14 cups water
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 3 bay leaves
• 12 grains clove
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 star anise
Directions
1. Add water to a pot along with bay leaves, clove, cinnamon, star anise and sorrel
2. Bring to a boil then add sugar and mix until fully dissolved
3. Allow to cool then strain and transfer to a mug or bottle
4. Chill & Enjoy
The Southerner is a community newspaper, distributed free of charge throughout residential areas in and around San Fernando, including Gopaul Lands, St. Joseph Village, Bay View, Bel Air, Bryan’s Gate, Coconut Drive, Gulf View, Palmiste.
For 2024, 4 issues were published: March, June, September, November.
For information on placing advertisements or articles in future issues of The Southerner, please email thesoutherner.tt@gmail.com
For online versions of each issue, check us out on issuu.com or facebook.
King’s Wharf reclamation set to be completed by year’s end
The San Fernando Waterfront Redevelopment Project is projected to make signi cant progress by the end of 2024, according to the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCOTT).
The land reclamation at King’s Wharf is expected to be completed by the end of the year, according to the corporation.
It will complement the nearby San Fernando Fishing Facility Project, which the corporation says it also expects will be completed by the end of year. The shing facility project will see the construction of a new modern facility at its existing site. A jetty with nger piers which will provide berthing for 50 vessels is under construction. A slipway, a boat and engine repair building, a
72-locker room building and a two-storey building out tted with ice machines, cold storage, wholesale and retail area, washrooms, an open-air food court and administrative o ces are also to be constructed.
Restoration of the Plaza San Carlos Heritage District and Trinidad Government Railway building began in January with contractor UNICOM Ltd. The corporation said it is working with the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago to retain historical elements of the railway building. It is expected to be completed in early 2026.
The demolition and decommissioning of the Lady Hailes former PTSC maintenance compound is almost complete, with the Lady Hailes mixed-use development project set to take its place. Construction is expected to commence in the last quarter of 2024.
The development will consist of 224 residential apartments with rooftop gardens o ering sea views. The development will also feature lower-level and site parking, with controlled entrances and exits. The project will include retail spaces such as restaurants, co ee shops, ice cream parlours, green grocers, and a bakery, all overlooking a plaza area. A connecting bridge link over Lady Hailes Avenue will provide residents and visitors direct access to the seafront boardwalk.
Source: ‘Wharf reclamation to be completed by year’s end’, Khamarie Rodriguez, Trinidad Express, 12/09/24
San Fernando City Month
Call to rename San Fernando scout headquarters after “Lutch”
National Scout Commissioner Mark Ainsley John has called for the San Fernando District Scout headquarters to be renamed in honour of recently deceased former district commissioner Lynley "Lutch" Lutchmedial.
the US on October 11th. His funeral took place on October 26th at the St Joseph RC Church. After the service, his body was taken to scout headquarters, where tributes, including John’s, poured in. A street procession followed before his burial at the nearby Roodal Cemetery.
Lutchmedial, who grew up in San Fernando, worked tirelessly to provide a permanent home for scouts in the south-central zone. During his tenure as district commissioner from 1993 to 2021, Lutchmedial also served as zonal commissioner for Princes Town, Couva, Mayaro and Pointe-a-Pierre.
He was the group scout leader for the First Notre Dame Sea Scouts and authored three books on scouting history. He also owned the Lynley Lutchmedial Scout Museum at his home in Couva, showcasing scout memorabilia and sports-related items.
For his contributions, the Scout Association of TT awarded him its highest honour, the Golden Poui.
For his services to the scouting community, John suggested that the south district headquarters be renamed
the Lynley Lutchmedial Scout Activity Centre. At the funeral service, former San Fernando District Scout Council chairman Wazir Hosein recalled working "Sunday to Sunday", particularly with Lutchmedial and committee member Kenny Arjoon, during the headquarters' construction.
Retired lieutenant commander of the Defence Force, Kirk Jean-Baptiste, said Lutchmedial was his mentor and echoed the call for the building to be renamed in Lutchmedial's honour.
Many others, including Lutchmedial's brothers Carstien and Ramesh, his daughters Shimonah and Ayala, and former national scout commissioner Roger Berkeley, shared their condolences and memories at the service.
Nov 1st – Dec 7th (Selected events)
Mon Nov 18:
City Day
SFCC Civic Reception Ceremony, City Hall Auditorium, 6pm
Sat Nov 23rd
Military and Heroes Day Parade, Skinner Park to King’s Wharf, 9am
Sun Nov 24th
San Fernando Mayor’s 1st annual charity golf tournament, Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Course, 8am
Sat Nov 30th
Pan in de Ville, Parakeet Boulevard, Pleasantville, 5pm
Sat Dec 7th
Mayor’s Ball, Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Club, 6pm
For further information, visit the San Fernando City Corporation facebook page.
Lutchmedial, 65, who joined the scouting movement in 1967 as a Cub Scout, died in
The deceased Lynley "Lutch" Lutchmedial, long-serving member of the Scout Association
Viewpoints
Address bullying from teachers too
I was bullied as a child as I walked the one-mile trek from my primary school to my home. The attacks were meant for my quiet and brilliant sister, but by association, I, too, somehow got bullied. We were both often kicked by the bully.
My father, not to be tri ed with, put a stop to most of the bullying of his children at the primary-school level.
Our primary school teachers have to bear a great deal of responsibility for some of the abuse because we were being beaten for the most trivial, inconsequential actions by teachers who had anger issues.
My mother, who was very much involved in our lives and by extension our education, visited our primary school a few days per week to ensure that this did not happen to her children since she too had been physically abused by her teacher and still speaks of this experience. She is 87.
Nevertheless, I was beaten quite mercilessly because I could not grasp the concept of telling time.
My three children were all bullied and abused at their primary schools, and two of them at the most prestigious all-girls high school in San Fernando. One was verbally attacked at the University of the West Indies and the other at the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, in the presence of their classmates.
Both of my children who were humiliated never returned to their respective classes. They nevertheless graduated and are professionals today.
One of my children feels that I did not adequately address what happened at her high school and the teacher was not held accountable for her actions. I could go on and on about my children’s experiences at every level of school life.
Children seeing abuse by teachers think it’s acceptable behaviour and also act out what is heard and seen. My child recently brought up the incident at her high school, which means there is still some lingering trauma.
We live in a world of bullies, many of them with fake pro les, anonymously attacking anyone who dares to have a di erent perspective. Unfortunately, social media has shown who people really are. I refuse to participate in such odious and harmful behaviour.
This is maybe why my children prefer animals to human beings.
S Ramkissoon
San Fernando (Newsday, 20/10/24 )
Unconquerable Trini spirit
On the night of Friday 27th September, 2024, a history-making crowd of 18,000 came to the Brian Lara stadium to see the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) take on the Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
It was remarkable the way the crowd had their moment in time amidst a “sea of troubles”. The latter seemed momentarily to dissipate. What mattered only was this singular moment, for everyone in their own individual way - some indi erent to the three-hour drive from Port of Spain - felt, at the end, the “sea of red” which they wouldn’t miss for the world.
One indulged her vanity for being the repeated focus of the cameraman. The respectable looking spectator, all bow-tied and long-sleeved, was unable to resist the compulsion to jump up and wave with his raucous neighbour. Or the elderly lady in the hijab, screaming and waving her Trini ag wildly as muscle Andre Russell pulverised his opposite number.
Or the dancing girls giving the wine of their lives once they were on the big screen, and the now-inebriated old-timer, his Carib his ag, spilling on all those next to him, suddenly awakened from his reverie from the thunderous roar generated by Nicholas Pooran’s six. And the moko jumbies and the blue devils, nding a way to relive their Carnival fantasies, the rst precariously moving to the infectious beat of the tassa boys drumming as if there were no tomorrow.
Having had my share of this music, I could only, drone-like, look at it from a distance on TV, but this vantage point enabled me to view the panorama of this unique collective in myriad moments of ecstasy, a view which would have eluded me if I were in the middle of it. The ecstasy seemed to trump, for the moment, all the worry that would bring you pain and misery, like the criminal stalking your home in your absence, or the dishonest politician exploiting your loyalty, or the greedy vendor digging out your eye, or the service professional manipulating you out of your last penny.
And this capacity to put our troubles behind us, even for a moment, in the face of the greatest odds, is not being indi erent or irresponsible but is what makes us truly Trinbagonian: not to allow the troubles of the moment to dampen our spirits but to have faith that there will be a way out of the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” that beset us on a daily basis.
And that, like the phoenix rising out of the ashes, in suspended animation almost, to have a beer with the boys on a Friday, or bubble a pot at Caura, or treat the wife and children to a fun day out at the mall, or to take pride in your outdated Toyota, or have a great time at Brian Lara.
And all this against a background of peoples in many
areas of the world, drowning in their “sea of troubles”, like the average Palestinian not knowing what tomorrow would bring - life or death, or the Venezuelans next door, once a happy people, now having to rummage through the garbage or nd a new place to call home.
The spectators at Brian Lara were winners in their individual moments of ecstasy, leaving their troubles behind...and this too shall pass.
The true Trini spirit is unconquerable, no matter what the odds.
Dr Errol Narine Benjamin (Express, 04/10/24)
N.B. Edited for length and clarity
Gulf City Christmas Launch
Tales and Trails Little Library opens in Palmiste Park
Sixteen-year-old McKenzie-Reece Mahabir o cially opened a mini-library, Tales and Trails Little Library, at Palmiste Park on World Literacy Day, Sunday September 8th, 2024.
The Form Five Naparima Girls’ High School student wanted to share her passion for reading with other children by making books easily accessible in a welcoming space. She said that every child, no matter his or her background, should be able to enjoy and feel the love of reading and getting lost in a good book.
She chose to open the library on World Literacy Day because of the importance of reading. Mahabir explained that reading is the foundation for all education, with literacy being a building block that a child should develop at an early age. She believes that literacy also helps with communication and social skills.
The mini-library, which consists of a simple free-standing bookshelf, is free
of charge to the public, but the books are not to be removed from the park and must be returned. Admitting that initially she was concerned about theft and vandalism, Mahabir said the initiative was built on trust in the community.
Parents are invited to bring their children, borrow a book, and spread a blanket or sheet for the kids to relax and read in the park.
Commending Mahabir on her initiative, Terrence Honore, president of the Palmiste Historical Society, described her as an entrepreneur of
Books are to be returned by patrons before they leave the park
love and sharing. He encouraged her to continue to be an “example to young people in the community”.
Praising Mahabir for undertaking a leadership role, Usha Rampersad, a representative for Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, called on the community to support her initiative.
The library will be open from 9 am to 6 pm daily, and anyone willing to donate can contact Mahabir through her Instagram page talesandtrails.tt.
South students among top CAPE/CSEC
awardees
On November 7th, the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) listed the top regional awardees for the 2024 Caribbean Advanced Pro ciency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certi cate (CSEC) examinations. As usual, students from south Trinidad were some of the top performers.
Among the regional awardees at the CAPE level were:
• Alexis Aqui of St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando, for environmental science;
• Khadine Rambert of Holy Faith Convent, Penal, for outstanding performance in information and communication technology.
At the CSEC level, the awardees included:
• Rizwana Abdool, of ASJA Girls’ College, San Fernando, for most outstanding in visual arts 3D;
• Rishav Persad, of Naparima College, for principles of accounts, sponsored by ACCA.
One south-based student also received a CXC Special Award:
• Zaria I ll, of St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando, for the most outstanding in CSEC geography (Prof Wilma Bailey Award).
The awardees will be celebrated at a ceremony along with other achievers from across the region on December 5 at the National Cultural Centre in Castries, St Lucia.
Founder of the Tales and Trails Little Library, McKenzie-Reese Mahabir
Panman Bertrand Kelman awarded honorary doctorate
On October 28, 2024, Bertrand Kelman, a respected pioneer in steelpan tuning and design, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts by the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT).
CRIME WATCH
Sando Chamber outraged at attack on elderly businesswoman
An outraged San Fernando Greater Chamber called on the police to get a better handle on crime, after an elderly businesswoman was attacked and left semi-conscious, as she made her way from her businessplace on Mon Chagrin Street to her vehicle on High Street.
The incident happened on Friday October 25th, around 5 pm. Indra Ramkissoon, the owner of Indra’s Beauty Salon, was attacked by four young bandits, who snatched her purse, which contained cash and valuables, along with other personal items.
In the process, she was knocked to the ground. She su ered facial injuries and a dislocated shoulder which required immediate medical attention at a nearby private hospital.
The purse was found on the upper oor of another businessplace on High Street, minus the valuables.
Kelman, known widely as "Birch," has been involved with steelpan for six decades. Born in Pointe-a-Pierre, he joined the Marabella-based Southern Marines pan side in the 1960s as a player, playing double second and double tenor. Southern Marines’ panyard was located at Battoo Avenue, near Guaracara river, adjoining the Pointe-a-Pierre oil re nery. Kelman worked closely with Milton (Squeezer) Lyons, original captain (and tuner) of Marines. Lyons became his mentor.
Kelman was asked to represent Marines in the National Steelband, and accordingly was able to travel abroad with that band.
One young man was reportedly held, but released.
President of the San Fernando Greater Chamber (SFGCC) Kiran Singh complained that the lack of police presence downtown is causing more and more people to ock to the malls, leaving downtown to su er due to crime.
Indra’s Beauty Salon operates two branches, one in Port of Spain and the other in San Fernando. Ramkissoon also operates a factory which manufacturers hair products for export. She has been in business in San Fernando for more than three decades.
Worker abducted from South Park Mall compound
An employee of South Park mall was abducted and dropped in a deserted area in Debe on the night of Sunday October 13th.
The victim, an employee of Caribbean Cinemas, was unharmed.
A police report said that around 10 p.m., the 23-year-old victim and a female co-worker had walked to his Nissan NP300 van in the car park near Starlite Pharmacy.
The victim said that upon entering his vehicle he was approached by two men, one of whom pointed a rearm at him. The victim’s co-worker was ordered to exit the vehicle and she ran away.
The victim was then pushed into the rear
Aside from being a gifted player, Kelman had great success as a steelpan tuner, and became famous beyond the southern region. As a tuner, he has contributed to 21 Panorama victories with renowned steelbands like Renegades, Phase II Pan Groove, and Trinidad All Stars.
Kelman is also renowned for his decades spent perfecting the art of steelpan craftsmanship. His work has helped elevate the steelpan from a local invention to a globally recognized instrument. Kelman’s dedication to re ning the instrument's design and sound quality has in uenced generations of steelpan makers and musicians,
passenger seat and the men commandeered his vehicle and drove o . One of the men covered the victim’s head with a plastic bag, police said.
Approximately 45 minutes later, the victim was dropped o along the M2 Ring Road near the T&TEC power station.
The victim overheard his abductors speaking with two other men, then heard his vehicle and another vehicle drive away in an unknown direction.
Sometime later, a passer-by assisted the victim who called a relative who contacted the police.
The victim was met by police o cers who took him to the Mon Repos Police Station and then to the San Fernando Police Station where he was later interviewed.
He told o cers that in addition to his vehicle being stolen, his Apple iPhone X and an Amazon Fire Tablet were also taken.
PC Ramsaroop and other o cers of the Mon Repos Police Station responded and made checks at South Park in Tarouba and M2 Ring Road in Debe without success.
making him an enduring gure in the steelpan community.
Beyond manufacturing, Kelman has been instrumental in promoting the steelpan within educational and cultural programs, working to ensure that younger generations understand and appreciate the instrument’s cultural importance. His contributions extend internationally, as his steelpans have been used by orchestras and steelbands around the world, spreading Trinidad and Tobago’s musical legacy.
C3 Centre
Creche Blessing:
November 17th
On Sunday November 17th, C3 Centre will host its blessing of the crèche, with festivities from 1-6 pm in the C3 courtyard.
The event will be hosted by Ancil Valley. The creche blessing will be o ciated by Deacon Roy Raghunanan.
Live performances include songstress Victoria Gri th, the melodic steelpan of Richarde Bereaux, and parang band La Mansion.
Santa Claus will make a special appearance for the little ones, enabling families to get their holiday photos.
Bertrand Kelman
In October 2024, drinks manufacturer S.M. Jaleel & Company Ltd celebrated its 100th anniversary. The company, started by Sheik Mohammed Jaleel (SMJ) in 1924, is today responsible for over 10% of Trinidad & Tobago’s food and beverage exports.
Sheik Mohammed Jaleel was born in 1895. In 1924, not yet thirty years old, he was a factory worker at the Aerated and Bottling Works factory, which was located at the corner of Keate and Mucurapo Streets, San
Fernando.
The company was put up for sale, and Jaleel used his small savings to purchase the factory from his employers.
By 1930, in an e ort to be more cost-e cient, he moved the plant to his residence at 7 Prince Alfred Street. Together with his twenty- ve employees, the visionary young entrepreneur launched The Jaleel Beverages line of non-alcoholic soft drinks.
The manufacturing process was manual, with the bottles lled with syrup, followed by carbonated water, and sealed with a marble. The rst product, Wonder Beverage, was o ered in two avours. Two products followed in 1938, Applette and Joe Louis Punch. The latter was named after the then-world heavyweight boxing champion. Jaleel showed his marketing prowess by bringing Joe Louis himself to Trinidad, at great cost, to personally launch the brand.
Distribution of the soft drinks was done via horse-drawn carts, which limited the customer base to a 5km radius of San Fernando. SMJ cleverly increased revenue by becoming a distributor of ice for the Electric Ice Company Ltd. This ice complemented the beverages, as very few people had refrigerators, so getting ice delivered with your beverages was a welcome treat. The increase in revenue allowed SMJ to automate the plant.
In 1950 the company signi cantly upgraded its plant, allowing it to produce 90 cases per hour. This allowed S.M. Jaleel to expand the distribution reach across the country, using a newly-acquired eet of 10 trucks. The leading brand at this time was Red Spot.
In the late 1950s SMJ, along with his son Zaid, made the daring move of opening a beverage bottling plant in Grenada.
In the 50s and 60s, S.M. Jaleel had more than a 30% share of the T&T soft drink market. Dixie Cola was launched in 1968 and still exists today.
However, hard times were ahead. The multinational brands stepped in to protect, regain and expand their share. Challenges mounted for S.M. Jaleel, as they did not have the deep pockets to protect or match the competition. By 1974, the company’s market share had dropped to less than 1%. Tough decisions had to be made, and SMJ made the hard decision to put the company up for sale.
However, SMJ’s daughter, Hajin Salaha Mohammed, refused to accept or entertain the option of selling the company to an outsider, and took matters into her own hands. She and her husband, Sha kool Mohammed, bought the company from SMJ. This was just in time, as SMJ passed away in 1977.
Continued on page 13...
Map showing Keate Street and Mucurapo Street, San Fernando. The corner of Keate and Mucurapo was the original location of S.M. Jaleel.
Joe Louis, world heavyweight champion from 1937 until 1949. Sheik Mohammed Jaleel was able to bring him to Trinidad, from the U.S., in 1938, to personally launch Joe Louis Punch.
Bottles of the S.M. Jaleel beverages named for Joe Louis. From Angelo Bissessarsingh’s Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago.
S.M. Jaleel celebrates 100 years
Continued from page 12...
The Mohammeds’ elder sons Jinnah and Hassan took up supporting roles in operations and procurement to ensure the company’s survival. Their youngest son, Aleem, who had quali ed as a doctor in 1979 and started working at the San Fernando General Hospital, was informed by his mother that he had to manage the SMJ business. He protested that he had no business knowledge, but his mother told him, “then you will learn the business!”
At rst Dr. Aleem Mohammed worked in the hospital by day and studied business at night. Mentorship came from his uncle Zaid, who had played a big part in establishing the bottling plant in Grenada. After spending a year in Grenada working in the plant, Aleem assumed the position of Chairman in 1980. He immediately redirected his medical diagnostic ability to business analytics and strategy.
1993 would truly establish the global footprint of S.M. Jaleel, as this was the birth year of Chubby, a soft drink speci cally made for kids, both in size and the range of avours. Within the rst ve years of its introduction, Chubby was being sold in 65 countries across ve continents. High demand across the Caribbean and Latin American region created opportunities for plants to be installed in St Lucia, Barbados, and several franchising arrangements across Latin America. S.M. Jaleel was even the rst T&T brand to successfully enter the Cuban market.
S.M. Jaleel continued its global expansion by setting up plants in Saudi Arabia, South Africa and India. The company scored another Caribbean rst when they signed a franchise agreement for Chubby with Cott Beverages, the 4th largest beverage company in the world, based in Canada. This facilitated production for the North American market. Chubby even became available in Walmart!
Together with his father, Sha kool, they mortgaged the family home and negotiated a loan. This funding led to the expansion and upgrade of the factory, which was then moved to the Otaheite Industrial Estate. Within two years, the company’s market share went back to 30%, after strategic planning and aggressive marketing.
S.M. Jaleel became a pioneer in recyclable glass-clear PET bottles. In 1984 the iconic PET 2-litre “Jaliter” was launched. Also in 1984, the company was the rst to put fruit juice in two-piece aluminum cans, using nitrogen to avoid preservatives. The exibility of their delivery eet (trucks of di erent sizes) meant that the company could distribute from the smallest parlour to the largest supermarket.
Whatʻs in a Name? - the Streets of San Fernando
Have you ever wondered about the origins of certain street names in San Fernando e.g. Freeling Street, Irving Street? Here’s a quick guide.
Some of the street names are in honour of past governors of Trinidad:
• Lewis Street after Governor Lewis Grant (1829–1833)
• Gordon Street after Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon (1866–1870)
• Harris Street after Lord Harris (1846–1854)
A couple of streets are named for former landowners in the area:
• Gransaul Street
• Gomez Street
Other streets were named after British Royalty, and members of the Royal Family who visited San Fernando:
Chubby, S.M. Jaleel’s soft drink for kids, launched in 1993.
Today, Dr. Aleem Mohammed remains chairman of the company. The great-grandson of Sheik Mohammed Jaleel, Eesa Mohammed, is also a company director. At the company’s 100th anniversary recognition and long service awards on October 12th at Achievors Banquet Hall, San Fernando, he paid tribute to his great-grandfather, stating that “His dream was simple: to build something that would provide for his family and serve his community.”
Sources include “Beyond Indentureship: Indo-Trinidadian Entrepreneurs” by Hemraj Ramdath
• Irving Street after Sir Henry Irving (1875–1880)
King George V, at one point the Prince of Wales
Prince Albert Street, named after Prince Albert Victor
Prince of Wales Street, named after Prince George, the then Prince of Wales after
• Freeling Street after Sir Sanford Freeling (1880–1883)
Source: Angelo Bissessarsingh's Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago
South Park Christmas Parade: Nov 30th
South Park Plaza’s Annual Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday 30th November 2024. The highlight will be Santa's Arrival on a Fire Appliance at 4.00pm.
Company founder Sheik Mohammed Jaleel, 1895-1977
Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon
Lord Harris
Esperance Soroptimist Project Wins International Award!
Not for the rst time, Soroptimist International Esperance projects have received international recognition. This is a tremendous accomplishment! Its EPIC (Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities) Sustainable Harvest Programme, implemented at ASJA Girls College Barrackpore, has received multiple accolades:
*It won the Best Practice Award for Education at the Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Federation Conference on November 1st in Edinburgh.
*It was selected to represent the SIGBI Federation to be showcased on the Soroptimist International website in observance of the International Day of the Girl Child 2024.
*It was awarded Best Project at the 27th Biennial Soroptimist International Caribbean Network Conference in Grenada in August 2024.
Exemplary projects like this not only serve as models for other clubs to follow but also help to maintain SIGBI's special consultative status at the United Nations.
Esperance members were proud that The Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad Ltd were con dent enough in their ability to execute the project, that from hundreds of applicants, they, in partnership with the T&T Association of Energy Engineers, were selected to receive grant funding of $100,000 TT. The project aimed to educate, empower, and enable the girls of ASJA Girl’s College to develop and manage a solar-powered hydroponics farm. This project achieved remarkable results:
The girls now see agriculture as a viable career option and better understand its entrepreneurial bene ts. The garden yield increased by 400% compared to the previous traditional grow bed method and sales grew by 700%. Enrollment in agriculture doubled, with students showing enhanced research skills for School-Based Assessment submissions. Crowning these
Leah Steward-Rivas (R) receives the First Place Certi cate in the Education category on behalf of Soroptimist International Esperance at the SIGBI Federation Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.
achievements, Form 5 students achieved a 100% pass rate in Agriculture at their CSEC examinations.
Another project receiving international recognition was ‘Orange Café ~ Esperance Soroptimists Advocate for Change.’ SIGBI featured this project in a Federation webinar for its outstanding work addressing domestic violence. SI Esperance hosted a powerful event featuring presentations by a survivor and experts in domestic violence. The club supported domestic abuse survivors, by donating $3000 to Women of Substance, an NGO in Tobago, that provides support to persons a ected by domestic violence and abuse.
The Soroptimists also continued their support of the Halfway House for Battered Women in the South with a contribution of $4000. This initiative was part of “Orange the World: 16 Days of Activism Against Domestic Violence", a global awareness campaign which runs from November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women) to December 10th (Human Rights Day).
Soroptimists stand up for women. SI Esperance calls on society to adopt values of respect and empathy, urging men to stop hurting women, whether verbally, physically, socially or in cyberspace, because there is #NoExcuse. Harmony begins with respect; self-respect and respect for others. A joke or action is only amusing if both parties nd it so, otherwise it is bullying! We need to treat others as we wish to be treated. Men must treat women as they would want their sisters, mothers, aunts, and grandmothers to be treated. A peaceful world begins with teaching positive behavior to the next generation.
Soroptimists continue to be a global voice for women, working tirelessly to promote equality, safety, and opportunity for women and girls everywhere. To “Orange the World”, let us UNiTE, Come Together and Act Now!
SIGBI featured ‘Orange Café ~ Esperance Soroptimists Advocate for Change’ in their Federation webinar displaying the club’s outstanding work addressing domestic violence.
St Benedict's win SSFL premiership; questions raised about star player
St Benedict’s College emerged champions of the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) premiership, remaining unbeaten after 15 matches. In their nal match on November 1st, they edged St Mary’s College 1-0. The goal, as with many goals throughout the season, was scored by
However, the south school is under investigation by the Ministry of Education over Garcia’s eligibility as a player for the 2024 season. The reasons are summarized below:
• Derrel Garcia was assigned to St Benedict’s College through the SEA 2021 placement and registered at the school on September 14, 2021;
• Garcia’s parents requested study leave from August 2023 to May 2024 for him to proceed on a football scholarship;
• For the academic year September 2023 to July 2024, he was absent for the entire
• On September 25, 2024, the parents of Derrel Garcia wrote requesting his reinstatement;
• Derrel Garcia resumed attendance at St Benedict’s College on October 8, 2024, veri ed by the Attendance Register at the school.
Based on the above, the SSFL said that its Disciplinary Committee will meet on November 14th to decide on Garcia’s registration status.
If the Disciplinary Committee deems that Garcia was not an eligible student player prior to October 8, 2024, St Benedict’s College faces being deducted nine points
and six goals. These relate to their matches on October 2, in which St Benedict’s defeated San Juan Secondary 1-0; on October 5, when St Benedict’s whipped Fatima College 3-1; and on October 7, a rescheduled xture which St Benedict’s also won against St Anthony’s, 2-1.
Rigtech Sonics dominate Mountain Bike Challenge Series
San Fernando-based Rigtech Sonics Cycling Club won the lion’s share of prizes after the fourth and nal stage of the TT Cycling Federation’s Mountain Bike Challenge Series, which concluded on October 27th.
Of the 14 trophies awarded, Rigtech Sonics captured seven, ranging from Under-7 girls to Masters 60-69.
The south team dominated the youth development categories with Nathaniel Sonnilal, Daniel Sonnilal and Ethan Bachan sweeping the Under-17 boys division respectively. The girls’ equivalent
was won by Rigtech’s Precious Sonnilal.
Rigtech’s reign saw them capture the top two positions in the Under-9 girls with Abigail Titte and Renae Titte emerging as winner and runner-up respectively. The boys’ equivalent saw a similar pattern as Rigtech’s Ryan Sheppard and Tyler Titte took the top two positions.
Also bringing home the top prize for Rigtech was Isaac Baird in the Under-11 boys while club-mate Seth Alexander-Smith earned silver. Reon Sheppard (Rigtech) emerged victorious in the boys’ Under-13 with Recardo Titte (Rigtech) placing third.
Walter Paul capped o a resounding performance from the south club as he nished overall winner in the masters 60-69.
Lara: The England Chronicles – Brian Lara's new autobiography
Brian Lara, the West Indies icon and one of the greatest players in cricket’s history, has written a remarkable book about his life and career. Lara: The England Chronicles tells the story of the Trinidadian’s extraordinary career against and in England in his own words – un ltered and unrestrained.
Published by Fair eld Books and written with Phil Walker, editor-in-chief of Wisden Cricket Monthly, this is the de nitive
account of Lara’s incredible career against England as well as for Warwickshire in county cricket.
He saved his best work for England. His two world-record Test innings both came against them, ten years apart. His otherworldly 501*, the highest score in cricket history, took place in Birmingham.
Even his nal game for the West Indies came against England.
Thirty years since his rst world record, and twenty since he reclaimed it with Test cricket’s only quadruple century, Lara is ready to tell his own story: the incomparable highs and harrowing lows of a life lived on the edge.
“Sports will equip kids with the necessary tools to face academic challenges, and provide all-round development.” - Brian Lara
Derrel Garcia
Some of the Rigtech Sonics team members
