02052021 WEEKEND

Friday, February 5, 2021

photography art gardening history crafts puzzles animals community

Weekend

A HISTORY OF ST ANDREW’S Pages 10 +11

Taking wing Artist finds her voice and international attention pgs 08 +09

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

photography

A Rose-Coloured Lens A study in green

B

eauty is all around us in the Bahamas, on land and in the sea. But many of us are too busy with everyday life to pause and really see and enjoy the astonishing sights that surround us. Veteran photographer ROLAND ROSE captures both the ordinary and extraordinary, and puts it in frame for us so we can see our environment in a new light.

(Top) Thatch palm; (l-r) Casuarina, sea grape, banana, grape.

Friday, February 5, 2021

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Friday, February 5, 2021

Weekend Inside

My Perfect Bahamian Weekend Jillian Roberts Pastry chef

“Well, I have no clue what’s on the menu – as I don’t often plan one – but it’s very likely homemade spaghetti with turkey meatballs and mixed green salad.”

Interview 4 – 5

Frederick Morton, Jr, founder of owner of TEMPO Networks, said Bahamian artists will be able to enjoy more of the spotlight on the Pan-Caribbean TV channel as it celebrates its 15th anniversary.

Q: What will you be doing to keep busy?

“I have a few DIY projects to do aside from trying not to go insane with my three-year-old.”

Puzzles 6 Crafts 7

An inventive mom gets crafty to keep Bahamian kids entertained

Q: If you could be quarantine with any celebrity, who would it be and why?

“I would love to quarantine with Taraji P Henson. She seems real down to earth and I know she likes to do natural hair, which I could really use some help with.”

Art 8-9

A local artist finds her strength and attracts international attention

Forgotten Facts 10 - 11

The story of how the Scots who were thrown out of the United States founded St Andrew’s

Literary Lives 12 – 13

The life story of the ‘Greatest of all Time’

Gardening 14

Understanding the circle of life

Animals 15

It’s Mother Nature’s turn, plus Pet of the Week

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Community 16

St Cecilia’s Student of the Year has a passion for giving back

RAQUEL OLIVER MAKES PEOPLE ‘THINK TWICE’ AS SHE RETURNS TO MUSIC

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net After being absent from the local music scene for several years, Raquel Oliver has returned with a bang – a cover of Celine Dion’s famous power ballad “Think Twice”.

“I took a three-year hiatus to finish college and do some rebranding of myself and my music,” Raquel told Tribune Weekend.

The response to her comeback, she said, has been awesome. Many of her fans were pleasantly surprised, as they believed

she’d given up on music for good.

But that is something she could never do.

The artist, who has been singing since the age of five, considers the official launch of musical career to have been when she was selected to sing the national anthem in ninth grade Over the years she has worked with producers like rapper Padrino, on the song “Stronger and Wiser”; Monty G and DJ Frost on the song “Love”, and Cyclone Entertainment and Mr Ching on the single called “Closer”, featuring reggae artist Richie Spice.

Q: What will you be binge-watching?

“I’m likely to be watching ‘Lupin’ … heard it was a clever series.”

Q: What’s on the weekend menu?

Following the release her cover of “Think Twice”, Raquel said she is now working on a track called “If You Love Me”, featuring Chevaughn by Cyclone Entertainment and Jason Farmer.

She is also working on a song called “Lethal Weapon”, featuring Padrino.

“In my early career I did a lot of R&B music, but as I grew as an artist I ventured out into different genres and other styles of music like hip hop, soul, house music, pop, reggae, and inspirational music,” said Raquel.

The Grand Bahama native said she always wanted to test her vocal range a bit more, and as Celine Dion is one of her favourite artists, “Think Twice” was the natural song choice to do this with.

Hearing the song, she said, always transports her to her happy place, and she wanted to share that feeling with others.

“It was like a rebirth for me to use the ‘Think Twice’ record with the powerful vocals and brilliant melody in a reggae genre. No one has attempted it before, so I took the opportunity to go ahead and give it my all. ‘Think Twice’ is that

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world for COVIDfree weekend, where would it be and why?

“I really want to go to Exuma or Malaysia… they are where I would go if I didn’t have any COVID concerns or restrictions.”

song that I always go to when I want to reflect. It helps me to remember where I came from and how much I have grown into the best version of myself; it’s my reflection song,” said Raquel.

In 2021, with her management team Royalty and Respect, Raquel said she will be exploring all avenues to take her career to the next level.

“For this year, the majority of my projects will be coming out of the Royalty and Respect family, also video production. I don’t want to name the songs right away, I want to keep it a surprise until they are almost completed, but be assured that Raquel Oliver is back and most definitely stronger, wiser and better than before,” she said.

Raquel said she loves her “me time”, so it is not a problem releasing music during a period that calls for social distancing and at-home celebrations. It gives her time to think, be creative and execute her craft.

The singer’s music can be found on Amazon music, Apple music, Deezer, and Spotify.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 5, 2021

interview

Frederick Morton, Jr As TEMPO celebrates its 15th anniversary, the owner of the pan-Caribbean TV network said Bahamians can look forward to having a bigger spotlight cast on their country. The St Croix-born businessman, who has extensive experience of the entertainment industry, tells Jeffarah Gibson about how he wants to continue to unify and instil a sense of pride in the region and in its people.

“

We have always, and still do to a certain extent, value everything outside of the region as having more significance.

TEMPO helped to change that, and as a result, enhanced our Caribbean pride, which is absolutely necessary to a successful future.”

F

rederick Morton, Jr remembers it like it was yesterday; the day he threw a huge celebration in the Bahamas featuring top stars from the region to mark the third birthday of TEMPO Networks.

Now, 12 years on, the pan-Caribbean television channel is gearing up for its 15th anniversary. “ ‘TEMPO Turns 3’ was a beautiful and memorable event held at Breezes Bahamas, right on the beach, with Caribbean stars too numerous to mention, including Allison Hinds, Luciano, Mr Vegas,

Cecile, Tessanne Chin,” Frederick told Tribune Weekend.

Bahamian artists, including Landlord, Sammi Starr, Peter Runkz, Puzzle, Bodine Johnson, Alma Knowles, Royal Blood, and Kenyatta Taylor, also graced the stage at the event that was a lavish display of Caribbean talent.

Frederick launched TEMPO after bidding farewell to his post as a senior executive at MTV. TEMPO debuted on November 30, 2005 under the ownership of MTV Networks and corporate

parent Viacom. Since 2007, it has been owned by its founder, Frederick, and is based in Newark, New Jersey.

As they celebrate 15 years of existence, Frederick said the TEMPO team is doing so with a renewed commitment to showcase the best of Caribbean talent as well as fresh programming, some of which includes Bahamian artists.

“I am super excited to announce that we are about to launch a major television show called “Hip Hop Origins”, which is hosted by Bahamian

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Friday, February 5, 2021

rap artist VK Da General, which explores the impact of the Caribbean on hip hop, including the genre founded by MC Kool Herc, who was born in Jamaica. That show is scheduled to launch this month. I am also working with a major local company to launch an incredibly special music project that is sure to place additional spotlight on Bahamian artists,” he said.

It has always been Frederick’s goal to show the conglomerate of Caribbean talent as well as the culture of each country in the region. This vision was extremely personal, because Frederick’s roots are here in the Caribbean and he believed the network could introduce the unique Caribbean lifestyle to the world.

“I was born and raised in St Croix, the United States Virgin Islands. My parents are from the Federation of St Kitts-Nevis. I attended university in the United States and have lived in the United States for most of my adult life, 20 plus years,” he said.

A Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate in Law from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University provided him the foundation he needed to fulfil what he sees as his call and purpose – to bring TEMPO to the world.

As an attorney at the prestigious New York law firm of Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett, Frederick represented numerous Fortune 500 companies.

His professional stature rose even further when he became senior corporate counsel for Johnson & Johnson and then joined Viacom, where he quickly rose to the position of chief litigation counsel. His mentor was the famed attorney and civil activist Johnnie Cochran.

By the time Frederick became MTV Networks’ Deputy General Counsel of Business and Legal Affairs, he had amassed a concentrated amount of high-profile legal experience in under the course of a decade. He also maintained his passionate immersion in Caribbean culture and knew that he would one day be able to combine the two areas and create a groundbreaking venture.

“I worked at MTV for four years, prior to which I was at MTV’s corporate parent, Viacom, for five years. At MTV, I was senior vice president, deputy general counsel in charge of litigation, intellectual property, and pre-broadcast review. At Viacom, I was in a similar role, but my portfolio included several other Viacom properties, including CBS, Paramount Studios, et cetera,” he said.

TEMPO TV came into being in 2005.

“Once the idea was approved in 2005, TEMPO became an MTV Network property, and I became the general manager. Two years later, I bought TEMPO, the company I founded, from MTV in a management buy-out,” he told Tribune Weekend.

Since TEMPO’s inception, practically every major Caribbean artist has been featured on the network, from international superstar Rihanna to Jamaican icon Buju Banton, Trinidad’s soca star Machel Montano, Grammy Award winner Shaggy, Tarrus Riley, Morgan Heritage, Bounty Killa, Jimmy Cliff, Beenie Man, Kes Da Band, Bunji Garlin, to name a few. This in and of itself was a

major accomplishment and affirmation that the network was trekking in the right direction over the past 15 years.

“The network has without a doubt helped us to appreciate our own culture and to value ourselves in the way that we should. We have always, and still do to a certain extent, value everything outside of the region as having more significance.

TEMPO helped to change that, and as a result, enhanced our Caribbean pride, which is absolutely necessary to a successful future,” said Frederick.

TEMPO, he added, has allowed the Caribbean people to share in their collective experiences, helping to forge a stronger regional identity.

“We, of course, also created a strong platform for our artists to market and promote their amazing work. There is much more work to be done, but TEMPO will undoubtedly go down in history

of one of the institutions that only entertained us but united us as a people,” said Frederick.

“TEMPO has certainly been the platform for Bahamian artists seeking to cross over and have success regionally.”

Frederick encourages Bahamian artists hoping for regional success to ensure their music is demonstrative of their culture, but at the same time also inclusive.

“It is essential to create great music that resonates with the region. Collaborating with other regional artists is one way to help to ensure that relevance. Creating great visual content is a must; top quality music videos, with entertaining behindthe-scenes content, will go a long way. And, then of course, you have to market and promote the work in every way possible,” he said.

As Frederick goes on to put together another 15 years of showcasing the music and lifestyle of the Caribbean, he promises the network will only put out the best, even though the last eight months of the COVID-19 pandemic have made that a challenging task.

“We are constantly improving and expanding our content to ensure that it is not just entertaining, but also maintains the core value of educating and unifying. We started out with a heavy emphasis on music - and that remains key in our line-up - however, we are now truly a lifestyle network, touching on all aspects of Caribbean life: travel and tourism, cuisine, news, documentaries, movies, et cetera. We will continue to expand our content offering, always aiming to improve in ways that move the Caribbean forward,” he said.

XXXX, XXXX, 27 XXXXX, gold and XXXXX, capital across:(6) 1 Rosewater, 7 Thread, XXXX, XXXX. 22 Teased, being unkempt 9 Bedrock, 10 (6) Oslo, 12 Flu, 24 Move four keysFriday, around February 5, 13 Screens, 14 Nag, 15 Rash, university (5)

inconceivable (8) 28 Blamed organisation for chaos (6)

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Black squares:

23, 27, 30, 33, 3 MuddlESo 2021 across: Preciou

17 Cheroot, 19 Social, 20 Handlebar.

down: 1 Rebounds, 2 Odes, 3 Sad, tV croSSword

Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

4 Wholemeal, 5 Archer, 6 Earls, across: 0 XXXX, 8 Daughter, 11 Orchid, 13 Samoa, down: 0 18 XXXX, 16 Sofa, Orb.

THE ALPHABEATER

TARGET Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

HQr i n l EAu

● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. no plurals or verb forms ending in “s”.

TODAY’S TARGET Good 18; very good 27; excellent 36 (or more). Solution tomorrow

Yesterday’s call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution Sudoku Answer

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 Talk of arranging a replay (6) 4 Novelist has to drink without something to eat (8) 9 Star actors upset (6) 10 Scholarly in theory (8) 12 It’s a word of warning of course (4) 13 Time of strain? (5) 14 A record’s high points (4) 17 In need of a rest cure? (4,3,5) 20 It’s useful for making a comeback (6,6) 23 Shoemaking tools (4) 24 Bert’s getting out the port (5) 25 A lifetime of bridge (4) 28 Sinner in action (8) 29 A 3hp Russian vehicle (6) 30 Entertainer; possibly Sudanese (8) 31 Asked for breakfast in bed? (6)

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EASY PUZZLE

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Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Down Across: 1 Patch, 4 Disavow, 1 A fighting opponent (8) 8 Rut, 9 Bare bones, 10 Sweated, 2 A new stricter limit (8) 11 Eagle, 13 Loiter, 15 Status, 3 His victims lose heart (4) 18 Agent, 19 Evasive, 21 Sure 5 By whom hotel guests may thing, 23 Dot, 24 Express, 25 Refer. be taken in (12) Down: 1 Parasol, 2 To the life, 6 Bathing resort with nothing 3 Habit, 4 Deride, 5 Subvert, 6 Van, 7 Waste, 12 Get wind of, under cover (4) 14 Entitle, 16 Swelter, 17 Genius, 7 Ancient city loom designed 18 Aisle, 20 Augur, 22 Rap. the decoration (6) 8 Tax cut (6) 11 It may provide the rear squad (12) Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution 15 Left port carrying cargo (5) 16 Evil character lived up to a Across: 1 Sepia, 4 Fork out, 8 Ego, 9 Snowdrift, 10 Gripped, bad name (5) 11 Organ, 13 Triads, 15 Strops, 18 Tonic, 19 Flavour, 21 Entertain, 18 Missing physical 23 Ice, 24 Steamer, 25 Latin. exercise (8) Down: 1 Sleight, 2 Provision, 19 Criterion followed by a 3 Aesop, 4 Fiords, 5 Redcoat, 6 Obi, 7 Titan, 12 Geologist, cavalry regiment (8) 14 Decorum, 16 Surgeon, 21 Scold a number in a sharp 17 Affair, 18 Tress, 20 Annul, 22 Toe. way (6) 22 Possibly deigns to draw (6) 26 The advantage being sharp gives one? (4) 27 Allow to go for nothing (4) Down Across 1 Person of 1 Deal with importance (8) finally (6) 6 7 8 2 Needing careful 4 Crucial trial (4,4) handling (8) 9 Full-size dummy 3 Clamorous (4) model (4-2) 5 Falsify accounts 10 Loss of (4,3,5) status (8) 6 Difficult to understand (4) 12 A soothing 14 7 Romantically ointment (4) strange (6) 16 13 Solidarity (5) 8 A subterranean 14 Monetary passage (6) penalty (4) 11 As a plea for 18 19 17 Dejectedly (12) leniency (2,10) 20 Use exaggerated 15 Muslim holy flattery (3,2,2,5) war (5) 16 Indolence (5) 23 Debatable (4) 18 Causing 24 Ungainly (5) 25 disagreement (8) 25 Cultivate (4) 19 Window 27 28 Rapturous (8) in roof (8) 29 Insurrection (6) 21 Obstruct (6) 30 Interpretative 22 An even artist (8) chance (4-2) 31 Turn upside 26 A fine linen (4) 27 Token (4) down (6)

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FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off.

Solution tomorrow 1

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3 0

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1 x Battleship 2 x cruiser

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0

Fibre, Mesh, Egg XXXXXXXXXX Bulwarks, Agave down: Prizing, Octaves, Firewo clock-wiS Evil, Hazy, Alcov

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1

3 x Destroyer 4 x submarine

1

targEt cAn you crack the Alphabeater? Each gridXXXXXXXX Extra Spot thE number represents a letter – or black square.

0907 awry flaw flew flow flower flowery Asfowl in Alphapuzzle, of the alphabet 1 Hairbrush(Deduct missi frow lawyer every lower letter MayflowEr QuiZ ofextra t each ismeow used. But have rowel to complete too! black but mewlyou mower wafer the walegridmissing use the given letters and black squares below 2 More snow onful 0 XXXX ware warm warmly wary weal wear tree, green0907 buildin the grid wolf to start. the grid is ‘rotationally weary wolfram womera wore XXXXXXXXX: XXX XXXXX flip symmetrical’ other words, it looks the 3 Chest paper *Calls cost worm wormy– in yawl yowl your tele right same if you turn the page upside down. extra line on networ moon, m Solution tomorrow SuMMit up 118 and 77 4skiLarger pole missing e A 10 9 30 9 14 40 7 32 22 37 3 B C 31 8 7 10 13 32 20 21 2 8 3 D E 22 35 17 8 1 21 30 7 27 23 3 F G 7 17 34 23 8 15 15 8 39 8 2 H I 36 30 12 18 6 16 15 23 19 5 1 J K 34 13 37 9 14 40 8 15 7 24 3 L M 22 2 8 40 21 31 24 16 18 26 3 Yesterday’s N O 3 18 5 3 4 8 13 33 14 1 Kakuro 26 Answer P Q 18 39 16 32 30 11 15 31 30 7 2 R S 39 15 14 13 39 4 8 13 33 3 2 T 14 5 34 17 16 2 U 3 37 33 30 2 V 40 30 20 2 10 26 21 15 34 2 W 1 X Y 11 19 16 10 14 18 11 29 14 40 2 Z 1

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0 M

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● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to your m text DXBEAT to 84901. Texts cost £1 plus your usual o

WORD BUILDER Answer the clues so that each word contains the same letters as the previous word, plus or minus one.

Solution

1

1 Mea

2

2 lar

3

3 roo

4

4 Bra

5

5 Gat

6

6 cou

7

7 Bee

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Friday, February 5, 2021

crafts

M’khel Hanna has come up with her own curated craft boxes to help teach and entertain kids.

Bahamian mom gets crafty to keep kids busy

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

L

ike many moms in this past year, M’khel Hanna struggled to keep her three-yearold daughter entertained and focused during the COVID -19 pandemic.

Holidays and birthdays were particularly difficult given that social gatherings and activities were severely limited.

But M’khel found inspiration in this challenge. The isolation led her to create a new craft business, Khrafty and Kho, designed to be both educational and entertaining “Like everything else, holidays and celebrations look and felt a lot different in 2020, and 2021 will probably be similar. So many events and milestones tied to our favourite memories have all been cancelled,” she told Tribune Weekend.

“As parents, we need to realise that the new normal has not only affected the lives of us as adults, but our kids are feeling it too.”

To address the problem, M’khel created her “Khrafty Kits”, special activity boxes, which are also themed for special holidays and birthdays.

Each one comes with all the materials needed to create three to four themed crafts, snack recipes and a colouring and activity book illustrated by local Bahamian artists.

“Everything from the paint, glue, scissors and all materials and instructions are provided. As the world begins to open up and we’re able to celebrate a bit more freely, it’s still important to spend meaningful quality one-on-one time with our little ones,” she said.

M’khel said the response from parents has been overwhelming.

“In just a few short months we’ve been able to garner so much support from parents looking for simplified ways to keep their kids mentally engaged as we navigate this pandemic.”

Each month, she explained, parents can surprise their children with a curated box with themed activities guaranteed to spark creativity, learning and screen-free fun.

M’khel encourages parents to look at non-conventional methods to help with homeschooling.

“Sometimes we need to take a step back from the conventional methods of learning and hone in on the benefits of arts and crafts. The parent-child relationship is often considered to be the most enduring and significant relationship in one’s life.

With more time at home, children are now able to enjoy spending time with their parents as they complete their kits together,” she said.

“Interaction between parents and children help them physically, emotionally, and socially.”

Additionally, she said parents should allow themselves grace time during this difficult time.

“I’ll always remember someone once told me during the newborn stage, ‘the days are long, but the years are short’, so when it gets a bit difficult, I always remember that these moments won’t last forever,” she said.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 5, 2021

history

St Andrew’s Kirk W hen you drive along Shirley Street, you come to a T-junction where you must turn left on Frederick Street, followed by a right turn onto Prince Street where you will see St Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk. Next time you are stopped by the traffic light on Market Street, take a good FORGOTTEN FACTS look at the Kirk and think about how, and when, it was built.

Seighbert Russell wrote: “You are hereby notified to depart…as you are considered an Enemy to your Country (the United States of America)… therefore, take your all and your family and follow your friends to that Country that the King (George III), your Master has provided for those of your Character…”

Thus did the infant USA hound Loyalists away from their homeland after the American Revolutionary War (1775 - 1783) Some 100,000 men, women and children were forced to abandon their property, worth millions of dollars, as the price they paid for remaining faithful to the British Crown. These Loyalists, as they were called, were helped by the Crown to start a new life, in places like the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, England and Jamaica. In 1783, more than 1,500 of these uprooted and banished Loyalists, with their slaves, landed in the Bahamas, where they were granted land (on many islands, most of which had never been settled), on which to make a new home.

Like many of his fellow Loyalists, Michael Malcolm was a Scotsman (born in Kinrossshire, Scotland, on June 30, 1754) and he was 29 years old.

As far back as 1753, the Rector of Christ Church noted that five or six children of ‘dissenters’ worshipped at Christ Church, but after the arrival of the Loyalists this number increased considerably and the Rector reported to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG): “Most of the planters are Presbyterian Scots, who attended Divine Worship regularly”.

In 1798, 55 Scots organised The St Andrew’s Society, “to cultivate good understanding and social intercourse among the members and, by a light contribution, to form a fund for the relief of indigent worth”. It was to this Society that Michael Macolm wrote on December 1, 1808, as follows:

PAUL C ARANHA

ST. ANDREW’S KIRK 1955

WHEN St Andrew’s was built on Prince Street (on the other side of the wall on the right), Frederick Street had no steps “The greater part of us are Christians, brought up as regards our religious tenets, according to the rites of the Church of Scotland. We have been accustomed to behold, in our preachers, men of superior learning, men who prided themselves in

the love, respect and friendship, of right, enjoyed of their parishioners.

Yet we are deprived, in this Colony, a Colony mostly inhabited by Scotsmen, of those comforts, of those blessings, from which I aver that none

Friday, February 5, 2021

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THIS WEEKEND IN HISTORY February 5

THE LANDING of the Loyalists have been to wean themselves, and the want of which leaves a vacuity, which I now call upon you to assist me in supplying.

As we are attached to the religion and morals of our forefathers, we naturally wish to instil the same attachments into the minds of our children.

Why is it, then, that here alone St Andrew does not have a representative, for the purpose of discharging those functions, at once so consoling and so amiable?

Judging that this Society cannot but accord with these my sentiments, I venture to lay, herewith, before you a list for subscribing towards the expense of passage, and for an annual contribution towards raising and adequate salary for a minister, which list, if meeting the sanction of the Society, and being subscribed by the members, in its behalf, I shall submit to the individual members of the community who…only await your example to follow it up, by liberal contributions, and you will have the glory of having strictly preformed the duties of a St Andrew’s Society.”

When Michael Malcolm died on March 29, 1823, a fellow Scot, Neil McQueen, publisher of The Royal Gazette and Bahama Advertiser, wrote: “It may be said that he was the Father of the Presbyterian Church, in this town, for he was the first to set on foot a subscription for building the Church and he persevered in the measure, until it was completed, and a

• In 1811, George, the Prince of Wales, was named Prince Regent due minister established to the mental illness of his father, Britin it.” ain’s King George III. Thanks to the • In 1922, the first edition of Readfinancial contribuer’s Digest was published. tions of the Scots in • In 1937, President Franklin D the Bahamas, the Rev Roosevelt proposed increasing the John Rae arrived in number of US Supreme Court jusNassau on December tices; the proposal, which failed 22, 1809 and, lackin Congress, drew accusations ing a church building, that Roosevelt was attempting to preached in the court“pack” the nation’s highest court. house until the Kirk was T, ready for public worship.

Today’s birthdays: Actor CE REGEN THE PRIN George IV On June 27, 1810, Stuart Damon (“General g later Kin those persons who had Hospital”) is 84. Actor Charlotte contributed to the fund Rampling is 75. Actor Barbara Hershey is 73. Actor for building, and the Tom Wilkinson is 73. Actor Laura Linney is 57. Singer salary of the minister, elected trustees to Bobby Brown is 52. Actor Michael Sheen is 52. Actoroversee the building of the church and all singer Darren Criss is 34. Actor Henry Golding is 34. matters related thereto.

The men chosen to oversee the erection February 6 of the building were Walter Findley, Wil• In 1756, America’s third vice president, Aaron Burr, liam Kerr, Michael Malcolm, Neil McQueen was born in Newark, New Jersey. Burr’s legacy is defined and James Wood and, when plans for the by his famous personal conflict with Alexander Hamilton new church were finalised, the Freemasons that culminated in Burr killing Hamilton in the famous were invited to lay the foundation stone. In Burr–Hamilton duel in 1804. the Royal Gazette of August 7, 1810, Neil • In 1952, Britain’s King George VI, 56, died at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England; he was succeeded McQueen gave a full account of the laying of as monarch by his 25-year-old elder daughter, who became the Foundation Stone, on August 7: Queen Elizabeth II. “The procession, preceded by the Band of • In 2003, edging closer to war, President George W the 2nd West India Regiment, set out in the Bush declared “the game is over” for Saddam Hussein usual order and halted at the Court House, and urged skeptical allies to join in disarming Iraq. where the Trustees of the Church, with their Secretary, the Minister, His Honour the Today’s birthdays: Actor Mamie Van Doren is 90.

Commander-in-Chief, the Commander of Former NBC News anchorman Tom Brokaw is 81. Actor the Forces, the Members of the Councils, the Kathy Najimy is 64. Rock singer Axl Rose (Guns N’ Speaker of the House of Assembly, the SolicRoses) is 59. Singer Rick Astley is 55. R&B singer/actor itor General and several other Civil Officers Tinashe is 28. and principal inhabitants of the Colony had previously assembled, and joined the procesFebruary 7 sion …When the Grand Master was seated, • In 1962, President John F Kennedy imposed a full the music ceased: whereupon he directed the trade embargo on Cuba.

Stone to be raised, which was done by the • In 1964, the Beatles arrived at New York’s John F architect with proper assistance…”

Kennedy International Airport to begin their first AmeriMany years later, Seighbert Russell can tour. stopped me on Bay Street, seeking an expla• In 1991, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was inaugurated as nation of why Neil McQueen was buried the first democratically elected president of Haiti (he was in the prime spot of St Matthew’s Anglican overthrown by the military the following September). churchyard, where he shared a grave with my mother and her father. I knew that Neil’s Today’s birthdays: Reggae musician Brian Travers sister, Flora, was my mother’s great-grand(UB40) is 62. Actor James Spader is 61. Country singer mother, but it had never struck me that Neil Garth Brooks is 59. Actor-comedian Chris Rock is 56. might have been expected to be interred in Actor Ashton Kutcher is 43. NBA player Isaiah Thomas the Scots’ burial ground. Later, Seighbert is 32. discovered that Neil had fallen out with the trustees of St Andrew’s and become a worThe Associated Press shipper at St Matthew’s.

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 5, 2021

literary lives - Muhammad Ali Cassius Clay

‘The Greatest of All Time’ PART ONE Sir Christopher Ondaatje recalls with awe the life of the American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist who is widely regarded as being the most significant and celebrated sports figure of the twentieth century.

“I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.”

- Muhammad Ali Cassius Marcellus Clay was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942. He was a descendant of slaves from the antebellum South, and was predominantly of African descent, with some Irish and English family heritage. His father was a sign and billboard painter, and his mother a domestic maid. He and his younger brother, Rudolph Clay, were brought up as Baptists. He was dyslexic and he had problems at Central High School in Louisville, and for much of his life.

When he was 12 years old he encountered a Louisville police officer when his bicycle was stolen. He said he was going to “whup” the thief.

But the police officer was a boxing coach, Joe E Martin, who told him that he had better learn to box first. Clay ignored the advice, but later, after seeing amateur boxers on television, he became interested in fighting and started training with Fred Stoner, whom he credits with giving him his style, stamina and system. He later switched to another coach, Chuck Bodak, who trained him for the last four years of his amateur career.

Clay made his amateur boxing debut in 1954 against Ronnie O’Keefe and won by a split decision. He didn’t look back. He went on to win six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two National Golden Gloves titles, an Amateur Athletic Union title, and the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal in the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome.

Despite the adulation on his return to the United States, he and a friend were refused service at a “whites only” restaurant – and Clay reported that, in disgust, he threw his gold medal into the Ohio River. He was given a replacement medal during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta where he lit the Olympic flame to start the games.

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’”

MOHAMMED ALI, born Cassius Marcellus Clay (1942- 2016) - Muhammad Ali Cassius Clay made his professional debut on October 29l 1960 winning a six-round decision over Tunney Hunsaker. He then went on to win the next 18 fights – 15 by knockout. He very nearly lost to Henry Cooper in London who hit him with a left hook at the end of round four. He was saved by the bell, and the fight had to be stopped in the next round because of a cut over Cooper’s left eye. The questionable decision over Doug Jones in Madison Square Garden on March 13, 1963 was greeted by boos and a rain of debris thrown into the ring. The fight was later named “Fight of the Year” by The Ring magazine. By then Clay had hired Angelo Dundee to be his trainer.

Near the end of 1963, Clay had become the top contender to fight Sonny Liston for the

Heavyweight title – held by Liston. The fight was to be held in Miami Beach on February 25, 1964.

Liston was a bruising and terrifying opponent with a criminal past. He had destroyed former heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson with two first-round knockouts. Clay was a seven-to-one underdog. Despite the odds Clay turned the prefight weigh-in into a circus, calling Liston the big ugly bear.

“After I beat him I’m going to donate him to the zoo.”

- Muhammad Ali Many people who witnessed Clay’s pre-fight performance speculated that his behaviour stemmed from fear not bravado. Some even wondered if Clay would turn up for the fight.

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Friday, February 5, 2021 In fact, the outcome of the event was a major sporting upset. Clay’s fitness and speed around the ring allowed him to elude Liston, and apart from a stinging pain in Clay’s eyes at the end of round four, when he begged his trainer Angelo Dundee to cut off his gloves, Clay outclassed his slower opponent. Ointment from Liston’s gloves had caused the problem with Clay’s eyes. Clay dominated the fight until Liston did not answer the bell for the seventh round. Clay was declared the winner and at 22 he became the youngest fighter to take the heavyweight championship from a reigning champion.

“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it.

“I am the greatest! I shook up the world. I’m the prettiest thing that ever lived.”

- Muhammad Ali Almost immediately after the fight Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali and converted to Islam.

Clay, now Muhammad Ali, faced a rematch with Sonny Liston scheduled for May 1965. It was a controversial fight. Midway through the first round Liston was floored by a “phantom punch” and the surprised referee Jersey Joe Walcott did not start his count as Ali did not go to a neutral corner. Twenty seconds later Liston rose back on his feet – ready to fight – but the timekeepers informed Walcott that Liston had been down for a full count of ten. Ali was declared the winner by knockout after a fight lasting less than two minutes. There has been speculation that Liston took a dive after betting against himself so as to pay off gambling debts to the Mob. Slow-motion replays indicate that he received a short right jab from Ali – but hardly a knockout blow.

Ali defended his heavyweight title against the former champion Floyd Patterson on November 22, 1965 and, in an uneven fight which was stopped after twelve rounds, Ali was declared the winner with a technical knockout. He next agreed to meet WBA heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell on March 29, 1966, but the WBA, one of two boxing

associations, stripped Ali of his title after he had joined the “Nation of Islam” and refused to serve in the Vietnam War. The Illinois Athletic Commission refused to sanction the fight. Instead, Ali travelled to Canada and Europe, fighting George Chuvalo, Henry Cooper, Brian London, and Karl Mildenberger. He returned to the United States to fight Cleveland Williams in the Houston Astrodome on November 14, 1966 in what many consider to be his finest performance. He was declared the winner in a third round technical knockout.Ali eventually did fight Ernie Terrell in Houston on February 6, 1967 where he won a unanimous 15-round decision in what the sports reporter Tex Maule wrote: “It was a wonderful demonstration of boxing skill and a barbarous display of cruelty.”

Other critics cited the bout as “one of the ugliest boxing fights.”

After defending his title against Zora Folley on March 22, 1967, Ali was stripped of his title because of his refusal to be drafted into United States army service. His boxing licence was suspended by the state of New York, and he was convicted of draft evasion on June 20, fined $10,000, and sentenced to five years in prison.

He was systematically denied a boxing licence in every state and stripped of his passport. He paid a bond and remained free while the verdict was being appealed.

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people in Vietnam while so-called negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?

So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for four hundred years.”

- Muhammad Ali Ali did not fight from March 1967 to October 1970 – when he was 25 to almost 29 and possibly his best fighting years – while his case controversially wound its way through the appeals process before his conviction was overturned in 1971.

Whilst his case was still in appeal the City of Atlanta Athletic Commission granted Ali a licence to box, and he fought Jerry Quarry on October 26, resulting in a victory after three rounds when Quarry was cut. It was his first return bout after he had had his title confiscated. Just a month earlier the New York State Boxing commission also reinstated Ali’s licence and he fought Oscar Bonavena in Madison Square Garden, resulting in a technical knockout on the 15th round. It was a disappointing performance but it made Ali the top contender to fight Joe Frazier who had assumed the heavyweight title in Ali’s absence.

Ali and Joe Frazier’s first fight was held in Madison Square Garden, New York on March 8, 1971 and was called “The Fight of the Century”.

There was a lot of excitement about the fight between two undefeated champions. The bout was broadcast to 35 countries. There was a lot of name-calling between the contestants.

“Frazier is a dumb tool of the white establishment. Frazier is too ugly to be champ ... the only people rooting for Joe Frazier are white people in suits, Alabama sheriffs, and members of the Ku Klux Klan. I’m fighting for the man in the ghetto.”

- Muhammad Ali Ali found an isolated five-acre farm near Reading, Pennsylvania in the village of Deer Lake. This was to be his training camp for all his fights from 1972 until the end of his career.

The March 1971 fight lived up to its billing.

It was a furious contest with Frazier relentlessly attacking Ali who took more punishment than ever before. In the eleventh round Frazier almost knocked out Ali but he was back on his feet in three seconds. It was a close fight but Ali lost by a unanimous decision – his first professional defeat.

Ali won six fights in 1972, including Jerry Quarry, Floyd Patterson, and Bob Foster. In 1973, Ken Norton broke Ali’s jaw giving him the second loss of his professional career. However, he won another controversial decision in a Norton rematch earning him another fight with Joe Frazier in Madison Square Garden. Frazier had recently lost his heavyweight title to George Foreman. In another close fight Ali was awarded a unanimous decision which set the stage for a title fight with the champion George Foreman.

The incredible title fight against Foreman was nicknamed The Rumble in the Jungle and was held in Kinshasa, Zaire on October 30, 1974.

Foreman was in his prime and had knocked out both Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in second round knockouts.

NEXT WEEK: Mohammad Ali makes his comeback in later fighting years.

THE YOUNG boxer In Louisville, Kentucky

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; The Greatest: My Own Story (1975) by Muhammad Ali; and The Soul of a Butterfly (2003) by Muhammad Ali.

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Friday, February 5, 2021

gardening

The circle of life

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verything is circular (relatively); the earth and its rotation, the weather, the seasons, the sun, the moon, the need to add nutrients, the flowering cycle, the growing times of plants, the lifecycles of pests. But the one constant in a successful garden is balance.

I recently posed the question to “newbies” specifically, in a local gardening group that said (to paraphrase): “What have been the most persistent issues in establishing your edible garden?” And the responses were circular too, in the sense that they have all been asked time and again, and they will continue to persist – snails and slugs, caterpillars, watering (too much or too little), the need to fertilize and its frequency, insect pest infestations, plant spacing, identification, lifecycles and targets of beneficial insects (too often disregarded, in my opinion).

While everyone will have methods that may be unique to them, there are constants that remain when establishing or maintaining a garden and they have to do with the elemental constants: earth, air, water, and fire. Let’s substitute earth for soil, air for airflow (around and throughout the plant) and airspace (in the soil), water… is water, and fire is light exposure. Too little or too much and the results may leave something to be desired when growing plants, whether ornamental or edible.

I would like to reiterate one point that seems to get overlooked: read the label of any pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer, etcetera. If the label wording or directions are somewhat confusing, please, consult with a nursery, garden or landscape professional before going to opinion blogs for clarification. Facts remain that there are specific treatments for specific problems and there is a long history of research behind all of them.

Companion planting can be a simple fix for many commonly occurring pest issues, and it too is often overlooked. Companion planting is very effective, more so when combined as part of the circle that is a balanced garden ecosystem. Too much fertilizer, plants burn, too little and any effect is all but negated. Too much pesticide and the knock on results bring down and destroy a micro-ecosystem and create further imbalance, too little and the constant of pest lifecycles can become unmanageable and it turns into a perceived battle.

Too much watering and plants all but drown from a lack of airspace in the soil. Too little watering and the plant can speed to bolting (going to seed) if an annual, or fail to push new growth (if a landscape plant or similar). The point that I wish to convey is simple: a balanced garden is a place of peace, symbiosis, growth, and repetitive cycles of life and death. All things have their purpose.

Drama plays out in the garden. The give and take that is an eternal piece in human existence,

plays out in the garden. So to all the newbies, rookies, novices, and veterans out there, freedom of information and creating acceptable standards are essential in creating best practices in creating a balanced garden. Share your tips and tricks, and the world becomes a better place.

Misinformation is also rampant (reference the give and take, and just as correct and valid information is out there, so is incorrect and invalid information). This is where I again urge those just starting out to consult with professionals or at the least, the master gardeners (of which there are many throughout our archipelago). Malpractice is also common, even amongst some master gardeners, mostly I blame this on the allowance of some very toxic chemicals

into our market. Please do not rush to the poisons, I beg you. There are ways to create balance in the garden, but the key word becomes this one: patience.

Our day-to-day lives in the Bahamas typically do not depend upon our backyard gardens as a provider of the majority of our staple food goods; we are fortunate in that. We can grow much of what we desire and can use, we are also fortunate in that. Patience remains a constant. Circles of life and of rejuvenation remain constant. For those of you who are having trouble balancing your garden, or even a single plant in a container on a patio, do not be discouraged, and remain persistent. Dedication becomes an afterthought once the gardening bug has bitten. The plant world is huge and hugely diverse. Creating a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing, beneficial space takes time, patience, dedication, education, and did I say patience? Please, go, get out into the garden.

No garden? Get out there and bring it into your space! You can do it! As always, I wish you happy gardening.

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

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Friday, February 5, 2021

animals

It’s Mother Nature’s turn

By KIM ARANHA Animal Matters

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ere we are starting out in the month of February, about near to 12 months of COVID precautions. I do not think that any of us actually envisaged that 12 months down the line we would still be living with restrictions and curfews. I don’t really know what I expected, but I am sure I thought it would not last this long.

I find myself thinking wistfully about things that I used to take quite for granted: I have not been in a cinema for 12 months, yes, I can still watch films on the TV (thank goodness for Netflix) but I used to enjoy the experience of going to the movies and seeing the film on the big screen with the Sensurround audio.

Not to mention travel… get on a plane and fly somewhere? On the 15th of February it will be exactly one year since I left New Providence.

I grew up with parents who were always moving between the Bahamas, Europe and the USA; we were never in one place for more than three months at a time, if that! So this is an all-time first for me.

Unlike many people, I do not actually feel “stir crazy”; I am content at home with my pets, I am slowly uncluttering (though there is a ways to go) and I delight in time spent on Zoom with friends and family…regular “cocktail parties” in New York.

My virtual world is thriving.

What we may be losing sight of is that so much of nature is actually thriving. At the beginning of the lockdown we would talk about the miracle of the rebirth of certain natural features of our planet, but I find that we have now become quite blasé and no longer mention or showcase that.

Many regions and cities are still benefitting from this calm and lack of visitors, no tourists trudging around, making noise, littering, sitting of fountains walls, touching, rubbing and generally damaging things and imposing their human thumbprint on the natural and artistic treasures of the world.

Venice…ahhh, Venezia! The city lovers long to return to the unparalleled beauty of this exquisite city built within the water with canals snaking their way between palazzos and small houses alike… every woman dreams of a romantic weekend in this remarkable city of sighs and dreams. However, Venice’s incredible popularity has also been an environmental disaster.

The almost 30 millions tourists that Venice normally receives annually have not necessarily been kind to this remarkable destination. For those of you who may not know, Venice is actually built on 118 small islands that are linked together by approximately 400 bridges… little surprise that this city of bridges is placed at the top of many an individual’s bucket list.

As a young woman I would visit Venice for magical weekends. It was already crowded with tourists and getting dirty, but nothing could have prepared the city and residents for the tsunami of visitors in buses and cruise ships.

The demise of Venice was unwittingly written all over the faces ofhese over zealous visitors who frequently would visit one Italian city a day (if it’s Tuesday it must be Padova)…. Crazy.

pet of the week

A loving lady

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY

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wo-year-old Daphne is a snuggle bunny, making it very hard to photograph her as she kept rolling over so volunteer Shelley could rub her tummy. This loving lady is seeking a home of her own, one that will be as loving as she is.

Other dogs are fine, and maybe a cat for some variety, just so long as Daphne receives her cuddles! She’d love to explore the beach and go walking with you.

Do you have the loving home that Daphne seeks? If so, call the

SWANS enjoy the peace and quiet of the Venetian canals Photo Marco Capavilla But now Mother Nature is having that well-deserved rest. Venice is breathing again. Last week a friend sent me a video he made walking around Venice at 10pm. There was

nobody there. Piazza San Marco, usually crowded with café tables and chairs and a pulsating throng of humanity, was totally empty. Quite honestly, not even a mouse. Another video was of an aquatic bird enjoying the uncongested canal and fishing most successfully for small fish … in the middle of the city.

I believe that everything that happens in life happens for a reason, even though it is sometimes a bit of a challenge to find out the logic behind some events.

The pandemic challenges one to identify something positive when it has caused so many deaths and so much suffering, but I suppose the one positive reaction to this insular life that has been imposed upon us is that destinations that were literally trampled and flooded with well-meaning tourists have had an opportunity to revert back to some form of peacefulness and normalcy.

Will we learn from this to better control the stampedes? I know Venice is planning to greatly reduce the number of cruise ships it will allow, if any.

Will the Bahamas learn important lessons from these other tourist destinations that will endevour to control the unintentional pillage of precious sites, cities and reserves?

It is ironic that the very plague that is causing mankind such suffering and hardship is actually giving nature a chance to experience a rebirth. The question remains, will we have learned how to treat our national treasures and nature properly when things go back to normal?

Bahamas Humane Society for more information at 323-5138.

Daphne looks forward to your tummy rubs.

• The BHS Thrift Shop is holding a pre-Valentine’s Day jewellery mini-sale on this Saturday, February 6, 10am - 2pm.

Come check it out as you might just find something shiny for yourself or your loved one. All shop proceeds PHOTO of Daphne by Linda Gill-Aranha. go to the BHS.

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, February 5, 2021

community

A community helper

St Cecilia’s Student of the Year gives back

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leven-year old, St Cecilia’s Student of the Year Gerrano Malik Etienne has a passion for learning and giving back to his community. He is one of his school’s top “Mighty Strikers”, but also enjoys math, music and Spanish. He has an affinity for spelling bees, general knowledge competitions and public speaking, and also participates in a variety of clubs.

“In addition to learning in the classroom, my school instills in us the values of patience, respect, friendship, discipline and leadership,” said Gerrano. “I know these attributes will go with me throughout my life and guide my future.”

Gerrano thinks he may like to one day pursue a career in medicine or law. He fully understands that he can be anything he puts his mind to.

“The late Dr Myles Munroe once said, ‘to become a leader, the process must begin with the discovery of a personal sense of purpose’.

I am thankful for my family who help me find my purpose.”

Gerrano is busy in the classroom, however, he is also engaged in several extracurricular activities, including swimming, basketball, flag football and music. He also loves helping others, playing video games and travelling.

As an active member of New Testament Baptist Church’s Junior Church Choir, Junior Usher Ministry and Master Club and a part of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) at St Cecilia’s Catholic Church, he is keenly aware that is it better to give than receive. Gerrano recently identified a community service option he thought would enable him to touch the lives of children his age.

“I believe it is important to give back, and especially to children just like me who are the future of our country,” he said.

With the support of his mother, Malinda Douglas, he organised a food drive for the Ranfurly Home for Children.

Gerrano was able to garner help from his ‘village’ of family, friends, neighbours, the staff of the Vice President of Finance Office at University of the Bahamas and St Cecelia’s “Mighty Strikers”. During the presentation at the Ranfurly Home, Gerrano ended his presentation by thanking the deputy administrator, Princess Burrows, for affording him the opportunity to give back.

In the coming months, he informed her of his commitment to tutor (via Zoom) young adults between the ages of five and nine.

“My favourite Bible verse is, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me’. This verse motivates and encourages me to with all my strength and to never give up on my dreams and goals,” he said.