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Friday, June 10, 2022

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Weekend

Cooking in a storm Pages 08+09

Down home New exhibit celebrates culture and country

pg 07

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 10, 2022

home

Clarity makes it a bright, bright sunshiney day in the space you choose to lighten

“I

t’s gonna be a bright (bright) sunshiney day.” Remember those lyrics from the song “I Can See Clearly Now” by Jimmy Cliff that they used in the movie “Cool Runnings”? What always stuck with me is how when they cleared away all the obstacles, the sun just moved right in and the words reflected the instant change in mood. How, I wondered, would this apply to creating the bright, bright, sunshiney interior, clearing all the obstacles in the way? And then I did it, quite by accident, noticing that as I collected some of my nine-month-old son’s infant toys and a swing he has already outgrown to give them to a friend who just had a baby; the living room did not just feel larger, it felt sunnier. It took me back to the basics. The easiest way to a bright sunshiney environment is to declutter. Or as Justina Blakeney says, “The first step for creating a home with good vibes is to achieve some clarity, both literal and figurative.” By clarity, designers mean knowing exactly what purpose a space is going to be used for. The lighting that works for a reading nook, for instance, might look out of place in a guest bedroom. Clarity means pulling together the right pieces and décor in the right places. But let’s begin with a few tried and true tips to get started on the road to clear thinking in space planning. Start with purging any items that no longer bring you joy. If looking at an item is more likely to make you wonder why you put it there than it is to bring a smile to your face, remove it. You don’t have to chuck it, it may work elsewhere, but declutter the space you are working on, only keeping what you need or what brings you joy. Now you are ready for a good oldfashioned cleaning. There is nothing like getting out the rag or Swiffer and cleaning literally from ceiling fan

SOFT fabric window and wall treatments make this window seat perfect for daydreaming (Photo_The Cottage Journal)

THIS Hunkerphoto shows how a small corner can become an inviting nook

home to a “zenned out house” where down right to the baseboards even you can relax and restore? Do you those hidden behind furniture. want your home to be an entertainWith the thoroughly cleansed, ment centre set up to host social sparkling and decluttered space, events? Every room should have a bring in as much natural or reflected purpose so don’t short yourself on light as possible. Look at ways to time thinking about what purpose incorporate mirrors placed strategiyou truly want that room to serve. cally across from windows to reflect Once you have identified more light into the space. how the room will funcBring in artificial light tion and its purpose, start with the use of a salt making notes on how best lamp, table or floor lamp, to optimize the space. or hanging pendant. If it’s a master bathNow that your space room that you wish to is feeling fresh and relax in, make a note to brighter think about how add a candle, an orchid do you want the space or plant. If it’s a room to look and feel? What that you want to feel do you want the space energised, incorporate to provide? What is its patterns and energising purpose? Do you want it LIFE BY bright colours. Bring in to be fun and energised different bold textiles with lots of bold colours? DESIGN that work within the color Or do you prefer to come BROOKE PYFROM

TRANSFORM a plain bathroom with some candles and greenery.(Photo_Tatjana’s World) scheme. If the room’s sole purpose is simply a landing area, a drop zone for cell phone, keys and the day’s accumulated junk, buy an interesting basket or tray to hold the items on the landing table. Add another basket on the floor or storage bench to hold shoes. Start small by decluttering and cleansing and then start to think bigger with two questions what is the purpose of the room and how do I want to feel within the space? You may be surprised at how you can achieve your own bright, bright sunshiney days in the space you call home. • Brooke Pyfrom is the proprietor of Oasis, Sandyport, and Oasis, East Shirley Street. She sources exceptional pieces from around the world to combine trendy with traditional.

Friday, June 10, 2022

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

food

Redefining Bahamian culture with seafood By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

n opening her first restaurant, Jemelia Joffre decided to do two daring things. One, she introduced a seafood dish not many Bahamians are familiar with, and two, she called it “Crabby Juice”. She said most people are surprised when they learn the name for her business started off as a joke. It was after a few drinks, while on vacation with her family, that Jemelia made a joke about starting a company called Crabby Juice. “No one took me seriously at the time, and to be honest, I didn’t even take myself seriously. When I finally decided to embark on this new journey, I was really nervous about how the name would be received by the Bahamian public. Luckily, for me, the name worked just as it was intended,” she told Tribune Weekend. Today, customers have grown to love her seafood boil with signature sauce, and they’ve also grown to appreciate the name. “The majority of my patrons find it hilarious. While there are a few persons who are not fond of the name, my response to them is usually ‘just give me a few years and the word ‘crabby’ will have a whole new meaning in Bahamian culture.” Jemelia started Crabby Juice Bahamas in February of 2020 following a positive dining experience abroad. “I was inspired by a restaurant while visiting family in the United States during a summer vacation in 2019. This was my first time ever trying a seafood boil and I was blown away. When I returned home, I went on a mission to find seafood boils on the island. To my surprise, there weren’t many options and when I tried them, I didn’t have the same ‘wow’ experience that I had when I was abroad. That is when I decided to try making them myself.” Jemelia said her ultimate goal is to have a restaurant where people can come in and have the same experience she had when she first tried seafood boil. “I’d also like to mass produce my sauce to have it sold in local food stores and possibly even internationally,” she said. Crabby Juice’s menu includes nine seafood options” clams, mussels (black and green), crayfish, shrimp, lobster, snow crab, blue crab and stone crab; all paired with corn, smoked sausage and red skinned potatoes, with an option to add sweet potatoes or eggs before being drenched in the signature house sauce. “There are over 13 different herbs and spices that go into making our sauce,” explained Jemelia. “That is more flavour than Colonel Saunders’ KFC secret recipe. My favourite combo is the

SEAFOOD boil options by Crabby Juice stone crab, shrimp and lobster, which is a customised option on our menu.” Jemelia said the Bahamian Most Bahamians who’ve had my crabby, loved it and I’ve had tons of repeat customers. I try to take each person’s feedback and use it to make my product the best on the market. According to my regulars I’ve been able to do just that with many of them refusing to eat seafood boils anywhere else. My goal for this year is to expand. I would like to add more seafood options to the menu, double my client base and hopefully move into a small commercial building,” said Jemelia.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 10, 2022

interview

The McCardy family It’s a family affair for this clan of creatives who are seeking to inspire the younger generations with their work. They tell Cara Hunt all about their passion for creating colourful educational books, tailor-made curricula, as well as child-friendly praise songs and kids’ music videos.

ADRIA Brooke McCardy and Kristi Lee Collie

The Tribune | Weekend | 05

Friday, June 10, 2022

t is said that the family that works (plays/preys) together, stays together. And this certainly seems to be the case for the McCardy family, whose bonds were strengthened after going into business together. The McCardy family is seeking to inspire a new generation of young readers through their multimedia brand Colour Me Reading. The project, which was originally the brainchild of sisters Adria McCardy and Krista Collie, began with a series of children’s books. The brand has now evolved to include children’s videos and a curriculum for Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools, as well as a DVD of children’s praise songs. And it truly has become a family affair, with members of the extended family lending their various talents to expand and improve the brand. Hope McCardy, the girls’ mother, told Tribune Weekend that her family has a history of working with children both in church and educational settings. She herself is an educator who has taught high school science, worked as a home-schooling instructor for 14 years, and has also served in various children ministries at her church. The sisters penned their first book, “Dave the Brave”, in 2016 using their middle names Brooke and Lee. Since then, they have gone on to write several other books, such as “Crayons and Colours”, “Mr Friend”, and a series of books centered around children praying for themselves, their family and their friends. Adria has a Master’s degree in Communications and serves as the brand’s creative director. She has always had a love of poetry and writing, As the brand’s creative director, she aims to publish books that make children happy. Krista serves as the brand’s technical director. She is an engineer with degrees from Taylor University and the University of Alabama. She has over five years of construction project management and two years of college math/physics tutoring experience. Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom to her three boys. She said one of her biggest passions is encouraging and helping others. “Being a mother has pushed me even more to make a difference in the lives of little ones. Brooke and

CARDINAL McCardy and Hope McCardy

RASHAD MCCARDY, a ‘Jack of all Trades’ for the brand

Lee’s aim is to help give kids a solid foundation by blending Christian-based stories with stimulating activities in the hopes of inspiring creativity uniqueness and meaning for every child everywhere,” said Krista, mother to The sisters also have many years’ worth of experience working in children’s ministries such as the AWANA Clubs.

THEO MILLER, the brand’s editor and assistanct music producer, with his wife, Nicole McCardy Miller “My daughters both had a vision to combine reading with colouring. They wanted the kids to be exposed to something that would help them to dream, imagine and build up godly character,” Hope said. Lisa Bastian joined the team as a writer. She has 20 years’ experience in Christian ministries and is currently the director of the Joshua Generation (JG Kids) at the Most Holy Trinity Anglican Church. “In 2015, I decided that I wanted to create my own curriculum and so that is how we came up with the Wisdom Wagon,” Lisa told Tribune Weekend. The Wisdom Wagon curriculum features easy-to-follow lesson plans with original songs. “With God’s grace, guidance and blessing and divine favour, we seek to provide quality resources that assist in building courage, truth, character and wisdom in our

children. Our core desire is to see our children grow to impact their families, communities and nation for the honour and glory of God,” said Lisa. Hope explained that the family began to create songs to go with the curriculum during the pandemic. “We created these videos and ZNS asked us if they could air them in 15-minute segments,” she said. Another family member, Theo Miller, who is married to Nicole McHardy-Miller, was on hand to assist with that project, serving as editor and assistant music producer; he also lent his vocal talents to the videos. “Everything was able to just click to get this project off the ground,” he said. “God just put everything into place.” The family was able to create 13 episodes that ran on ZNS two to three times a week during the pandemic and can still be seen on Saturday mornings. “So far, the feedback from the kids has been extremely positive,” said Hope. “They are always excited.” The target audience is children up to 12 years of age. Hope said the project has definitely brought the family closer and strengthened their bond. Everyone in the family has lent their talents to the project, including Rashad McCardy who serves as the production associate for the DVD and CDs. Hope’s husband and father of Adria and Krista, Cardinal McCardy, serves as the brand’s public relations manager. He says he is Colour Me Reading’s biggest fan. Hope said of her husband: “He believes in us and passionately supports our vision to inspire and build up our nation’s precious children. This enthusiasm makes him utterly invaluable in the role of marketing and public relations.” “Our goal is just to give as many children access to our brand as possible,” Cardinal added. The McCardy family is also working on a series that will encourage and teach children how to budget and save their money. For more information, visit www. brookeandlee.com.

Peroxide, Verify, Launch, Zither, Amends, Operatic, Fawn, Grit, Equable. down: Accuse, Import, Rosy (clue), Inherit, Supply, Rather, Petrol, Accrue, Texture, Fibs, Acidic, Dawned.

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

shaded letters: Goodnight

words BEANO

8x4=32, 4x5=20, 2x9=18

MuddlesoMe Mornington Crescent, Bethnal Green, West Ruislip

sMAll crossword

Across: 1 Scarecrow, 7 Hype, 8 Laugh, 10 Boo, 11 Primal, Across: 1 Jimmy, 6 Hudd, 8 Van 13 Superglue, 14 Uncles, 16 Ant, Zandt, 10 Calum, 11 Brett, 12 Edward, clock-wise 18 Peter, 19 Poem, 20 Emergence. Best described as a number crossword, the task in 15 Erin, 16 Tracey, 17Kakuro Gail, down: 1 Shipshape, 2 Cyprus, Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid is to fill all of the empty squares,19using numbers 1 to 9, so Topi, Pipe, Peso, Solo, Loin, Into Diamond, 21 News, 22 Bully. with several 3 Ream, 4 Cab, given numbers. The object is to place the 5 Rubella, the sum of each horizontal block equals the 3 number its down: 2 Ivor, Yvette, to 4 Kate, Wholesome, 8 Learner, 9 Pipette, numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so 6the each row, left, and the sum of each vertical5 block equals the number Stratford, 6 Heather, 7 Dom, each column and each 3x3 box contains the12 Quebec, 15 Cope, 17 Per. same number QuiZ of the week on its top. No number may be used in the same block more 9 Nardini, 13 Duty, 14 O’Carroll, only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku than once. The difficulty level 17 ofGunn, the Conceptis 18 Lips, 20 Kakuro Apu. 1 Pea 2 Are 3 Bee 4 Kiki Dee 5 Q increases from Monday to Sunday increases from Monday to Sunday. 6 Beady Eye 7 North Sea 8 Jay-Z 9 K cross douBt tV show: Top Boy 10 ABC. Across: BAWLS down: BLOOM

tV crossword

20 Deal with composer in conversation (6) 27 21 light when3 2 5 Attach 8 7small 9 9 3Friday, 1 June confused 7 9 8 6(6) 8 5 22 Caught performance at 1 2 6 1 6 2 2 3 4 American plant (6) 6 9 5 8 7 1 24 Set a test for flavour (5)

scientist (6)

suMthiNg

6 3 2 1 2 4 1 9 4 7 4 9 2 8 1 3 2 7 9 7 2 1

tmr mrA DoY

Quick crossword ● The

Target Across: 1 Salute; 4 Circle; uses 9 Incandescence; 10 Charter; 11 Ideal; words in 12 Hardy; 14 Venue; 18 Basin; the 19 main Suffice; 21 Accompaniment; 22 Enlace;body 23 of Player. down: 1 Smirch; 2 Lackadaisical; 3 Tenet; Chambers 5 Incline; 6 Consecutively; 7 Evenly; 21st 8 Ferry; 13 Dynamic; 15 Abrade; 16 Essay; Century 17 Letter; 20 Frill. Dictionary (1999 edition)

TODAY’S TARGET Good 17; very good 26; excellent 35 (or more). Solution tomorrow

Yesterday’s call 0907 181 2585 Sudoku Answer for today’s target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS Across 1 Vocally in top form? (2,4) 4 A list of the obvious? (8) 9 Song about a sailor overseas (6) 10 Destined to be admitted to the church (8) 12 Double act now extinct (4) 13 An addict may be fined (5) 14 Is half left in the water (4) 17 Early news from a rare book sale (5,7) 20 It gives an impression of permanence (9,3) 23 Cattle complaint (4) 24 Present a degree (5) 25 All right we’ll drop the apostrophe (4) 28 What gun-runners take part in? (4,4) 29 It goes round a piece of preserved ginger (6) 30 Negative poles seen to change? Absurd! (8) 31 Centre to be rebuilt in modern style (6)

10 11

13 15

20 21

24 26

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Down 1 Switch choices Across: 1 Cycle, 4 Dracula, 8 Urn, 9 Spielberg, 10 Silence, occasionally (2,3,3) 11 Oscar, 13 Let off, 15 Adored, 2 Colours of average 18 Known, 19 Raphael, 21 Prokofiev, 23 Tom, 24 Tolstoy, quality (8) 25 Tosca. 3 To expose a lie it needs Down: 1 Counsel, 2 Canaletto, hammering home (4) 3 Essen, 4 Drivel, 5 All told, 5 Family ties for the mother’s 6 Use, 7 Anger, 12 Cervantes, 14 Find out, 16 Dilemma, boy (5,7) 17 Brainy, 18 Kaput, 20 Pivot, 22 Oil. 6 One vehicle described as terrible (4) 7 He is sent out after some hesitation (6) 8 I tried a more orderly Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution arrangement (6) Across: 1 Refer, 4 Settled, 8 Sou, 11 Bows? Nonsense! (12) 9 Democracy, 10 Moabite, 11 Sat 15 Run yet remain still (5) up, 13 Drills, 15 Enosis, 18 Mimic, 19 Mustard, 21 Potentate, 23 Err, 16 They have posts out in 24 Element, 25 Titan. Lagos (5) Down: 1 Resumed, 2 Feudalism, 18 A way to earn extra money 3 Radii, 4 Summer, 5 Tucks in, 6 Lea, 7 Dry up, 12 Testament, in court (8) 14 License, 16 Sadiron, 19 Star as a roof-raiser? (8) 17 Impart, 18 Maple, 20 Sheet, 22 Tie. 21 Get on a bit frenetically (6) 22 A money changer who had a farm (6) 26 Honest expression of agreement (4) 27 Vain and lazy (4) Down Across 1 Art of 1 Greek messenger clockmaking (8) of the gods (6) 6 7 8 2 Colourful and 4 Violet/purple improbable (8) gemstone (8) 3 Comfortable (4) 9 Negligent (6) 5 Useful way to 10 Distinguishing achieve aim characteristic (8) (5,2,2,3) 12 Keen-sighted wild 6 Lean to one 14 cat (4) side (4) 7 Annual (6) 16 13 Thick (5) 8 Compete 14 In addition (4) against (4,2) 17 18th Century 11 Instinctive English 18 19 tendency (6,6) painter (12) 15 Trembling 20 Very influential poplar (5) member (7,5) 16 Nimble (5) 23 Recess (4) 18 Uninformed (8) 25 24 Contaminate (5) 19 Sudden flight in 25 Rapid rise in panic (8) 27 prosperity (4) 21 Flow over and swamp (6) 28 Oily (8) 22 Agree (6) 29 Highly 26 Place’s distinctive embellished (6) atmosphere (4) 30 Abandoned (8) 27 Forehead (4) 31 To bandage (6)

EASY PUZZLE

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

9 10 2

2 4

1 3

1 x Battleship

3 x Destroyer

2 x cruiser

4 x submarine

tArget cAn you crack the Alphabeater? each grid

AppellANt ante appeal APPELLANT number represents a letter – or black square. apple elan lane lapelevery lappet late of the alphabet As in Alphapuzzle, letter lean leant leap leapt lent nape neap is used. Butpaella you have to complete neat paean palate pale palletthe grid too! use thepane givenpanel letters andpatella black paten squares below palpate pate peal peattopelt penal plane the grid start. thepent gridpetal is ‘rotationally planet plate platen plea pleat tale symmetrical’ tape teal tell – in other words, it looks the

(De each

*Calls you ne

same if you turn the page upside down. Solution tomorrow A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1

2 THE ALPHABEATE

TARGET

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

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

10,42022

3 Yesterday’s 25 34 39

14 Kakuro 33 5 Answer 8 2 13

G F

■

● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to yo text DXBEAT to 64343. Texts cost £1 plus your usu

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

Solut

The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, June 10, 2022

art

June in review – Sue Katz and Jessica Whittingham’s ‘Down Home’ By Emma Wagner

s summer draws near, the CAB Gallery and Studio ends their first exhibition season with the brightest cluster of material, colour and free flowing imagination possible with the collaborative collage works exhibition ‘Down Home’ by Sue Katz and Jessica Whittingham. This incisive observation explores the rich cultural landscape of our archipelago depicting life, routine and the intrinsic beauty and vibrance that exists on our shores. Combining objects both found and fabricated, the two artists work within the confines of their distinguished style to explore the meaning of ‘down home’.

Currently pursuing her Master degree in Counselling Psychology at McGill, Jessica is a humble, effervescent addition to the art scene and has baffled us all with her self-taught artistry. Her delicate technique beautifully tackles a highly challenging genre with poise. Having spent her earlier years painting, Jessica began experimenting with surrealism collage in 2018. Since then, her work has evolved immensely but vintage imagery is still the crux of her style. This body of work marks a new iteration of Jessica’s continued engagement with colour, form and her eager experimentalism. Her use of embellishments, texture and conspicuous pattern continues to intensify with every canvas.

Sue’s unrivalled use of colour to masterfully shape the vivid spirit of a market scene both then and now will always have a permanence. Her work captures so much more than what’s pictured but rather the palpable energy and vibrance of our culture stored epically in each piece. Incorporating organic shape and material that engage all five senses, Sue’s work draws on Bahamian history highlighting communally experienced scenes, sights, objects and spaces in the most tremendous assemblage of colour. The level of detail in a single square inch of Sue’s canvas’ catapults you into sensory overload. Peppered with retro ephemera, and Bahamian momentos; Sue’s work is always so much fun to decipher!

Both artists have an affinity for the seemingly unremarkable. Jessica builds her pieces centered around old, overlooked photographs of people who have made contributions – great or small – to our country and culture. Fishermen, spongers and straw makers, the true grit of this island nation, feature prominently. Their impact is felt and Jessica pays homage by centering her work around their integral footprint. Sue too effortlessly captures the real essence of ‘down home’, the simple, beautiful period that sadly seems to have passed us by. These scenes present as an era bygone, something so perfectly simply that we long for and recall with the fondest of memories. Life has transformed and the modern word is complex,

vast and automated. Perhaps the subliminal take home from this exceptional array of work is to try and not let the complexities of today undergird your daily life. Go sit by the sea this summer. Ending with a bright bang, ‘Down Home’ is the last show of this season but if you haven’t seen it yet, it’s on until June 17 In the interim, CAB will have an eclectic collection of works by Thierry Lamare, Sue Bennett-Williams, Lynn Parotti, Amos Ferguson, Kendal Hanna and Roland Rose among many others on display throughout the summer. A much-anticipated solo show by Max Taylor in September will end the hiatus and kick start the next show season.

SUE Katz (left) and Jessica Whittingham

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 10, 2022

gardening

Leaf-footed insects

common pest that is popping up around the garden at this time of year is the leaf-footed bug, Leptoglossus phyllopus. These insects rarely cause a serious infestation and they feed on a wide variety of crops, causing damage to the foliage, stems, fruits and vegetables. Today there was a nation of nymphs going to town on one of my tomato plants. I also found two winged adults flying around from plant to plant. I was successful in removing the nymphs and one adult by trapping them in a plastic bag that was then sealed and disposed of in the trash bin after crushing the insects. Gross, maybe,

but it is far better than spraying unnecessary chemicals that help nothing and harm everything. The second adult escaped and took flight. It has now been placed higher on the bad bugs wanted list. Leaf-footed bugs are found in the Bahamas throughout the year, and they are most active during the warmer months, especially now! These bugs pierce or puncture fruit, often causing secondary infections and rot. They can be a major pest in agriculture, and they can cause significant fruit damage and loss. The website Gardening Solutions describes them as such: “Their piercing-sucking mouthparts allow them to suck nutrients from the stems,

A LEAF-footed bug leaves, and fruits as they move from plant to plant. Because the adults are winged, they can be very difficult to control. Leaf-footed bug nymphs are about the same shape as the adults, but without “leaf-footed” extensions on their legs. They range in color from deep orange to light brown and have no wings….. Knowing the difference between Assassin bugs and leaf-footed nymphs can help you spare the insects that are on your side. The eggs of leaf-footed bugs are easy to spot. They are golden brown and laid in a single row or chain. Find them along a stem or the underside of a leaf. They are roughly cylindrical and lay end-to-end forming a rod shape.” Here’s the thing; leaf-footed bugs look very much the same as a beneficial (helpful) insect, the Assassin bug. Accurate identification is the key in any pest control program. Be sure, before considering or reaching for chemical options. As is par for the course, once a pest insect becomes an adult it is harder to control, and more serious measures may need to be taken. This highlights the importance of regularly scouting crops of value and accurate pest identification. It is always more efficient to control a pest when it is young, or in insect terms, a nymph. Do not panic if you come across these (typically for us) orange nymphs on some of your food crops or ornamental plants. They can be easily controlled by mechanical and cultural methods, and if worst comes to worst, then it may be necessary to treat with chemicals. In all the honesty of my opinion, 9 out of 10 times these need no control. Unless of

course there is only one tomato plant to feed on or there is intolerable fruit damage occurring! This again reiterates the cause for planting more than is needed, to help create balance in the micro-ecosystem that is the garden. If there are no bugs, then there is no life. While it is imperative for certain conditions to be sterile, the garden is not one of those places! With the longer days, warmer temperatures, and higher humidity that we are experiencing now, many garden pests will be stopping in to have their lunch in the garden. It is an important time to be out in the garden eyeballing the plants of value for harmful pests. Keep your eyes sharp on those plants that may be being grown to give food or for aesthetic pleasure alike if you hope to see the expected results. Please remember, chemical control is the last line of defense, not the first. I hope that you are all enjoying the longer day lengths like the bugs are. Get to know the bugs in your garden, some of them are there to help you and some that are there can have us all taking two steps forward and one step backwards. Monitor, identify, and only act where needed, the garden has a way of balancing itself without our help, but sometimes a pest is a pest, and it must be dealt with. 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.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, June 10, 2022

community

The late Vera Chase-Poitier hailed as a historian and storyteller By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AHAMIAN author and historian, the late Vera ChasePoitier, is being hailed for her passion for storytelling and continuous nurturing of young writers. Mrs Poitier-Chase, who died earlier this week, has left behind a unique legacy. Through her life’s work, she sought to record the past and present; packaging and presenting it through her distinctive brand of storytelling. She also sought to raise generations of writers through her role as a historian and president of the Commonwealth Writers of the Bahamas. The Office of the Spouse expressed condolences on the passing on Mrs Chase-Poitier. “The Office of the Spouse is deeply saddened by the loss of an extraordinary Bahamian, Mrs Vera Poitier-Chase, founder and president of the Commonwealth Writers Club of the Bahamas.” Mrs Poitier-Chase had a big heart. For decades she selflessly nurtured, encouraged and supported young writers from all strata of society. She simply inspired them and brought out the best in them. Several students have already written books of short stories, insights and poems. Mrs Poitier-Chase recently led a large delegation of young talented students and teachers on a courtesy call to the Office of Spouse of the Prime Minister, received by Ann Marie Davis. Mrs Davis received several books written by the young students as gifts. She was highly impressed by the superlative quality of writing

and encouraged them to continue to express themselves and to write and educate. “Mrs Poitier-Chase had great ideas to do more with her club, to go to another level. The Office of the Spouse expresses deep condolences to the family and friends of Mrs PoitierChase. Her generosity and dedication to improving the lives of many will never be forgotten.” Bahamas Press Club President Anthony Capron also hailed Mrs Chase-Poitier for her contributions over the years. “A published author, Mrs Chase began writing as a child in Sacred Heart School and Xavier’s College. A career banker with Royal Bank of Canada, her writing continued throughout her life.

“Vera possessed a strong sense and love of history and family, and in conversations, she often reminded people of her Cat Island ‘Poitier’ roots,” he said. “She had an affinity with and bonded well with young and aspiring writers, whom she gladly helped hone their creative skills. We send condolences to her family; she will be sorely missed.” Mrs Chase-Poitier was known for her storytelling. She had a keen interest in genealogy, ancestry and even researched her own. Her writing interests have always been short stories, poetry, lyrics, fiction and non-fiction. She began writing at the age of ten, stories of her home town and islands supported by Catholic nuns from the Sisters of Charity

VERA Jane Chase of Mount St Vincent in New York. After high school she continued her education, including Creative Writing at the Canadian Institute of Bankers, Toronto, Canada, and received the “Letter of Accomplishment” for success in Marketing Skills, English Language, Literature, Organisational Behaviour and Business Strategy. Mrs Chase-Poitier had a passion for mentorship. On July 2, 2004, several esteemed writers including

Mrs Chase-Poitier instituted the Commonwealth Writers of the Bahamas - a nonprofit writing organisation. She and fellow writers were concerned that not enough Bahamians were writing and recording present times for future generations. The organisation experimented with the idea of finding these writers throughout the Bahamas. This was done by implementing a writing competition called the Annual Short Story/ Poetry Competition, which attracted scorers of writers throughout the country and was held for more than 10 years consecutively. The organisation assists students in their youth programme with creative writing, literacy and leadership skills. The goal is to establish a hospice in Nassau to accommodate students from the many far away islands in the Bahamas. This would enable them to attend workshops. The Commonwealth Writers’ focus has been on student writers, aged 7-17. The organisation promotes literacy, Bahamian history and culture, also, ensuring that students are morally and educationally equipped for the future. Mrs Chase-Poitier has authored several books including: “Take Me Back to Guanahani”, which was on the list of “required reading” in Bahamian schools; “Pirates Paradise”, a book of short stories and poetry showcasing the life of Blackbeard and the pirates of Nassau. She also wrote “Islands My Islands”, published in 2016, and “In Search of Bahamian History”.

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 10, 2022

Literary lives - George MacDonald Fraser (1929-2008)

A comic novelist breathes life into fictional school bully Sir Christopher Ondaatje remembers the British author and screenwriter who is best known for his series that featured the character Flashman – the notorious cad and bully in Thomas Hughes’s novel Tom Brown’s School Days (1857). “I’ve been a Danish prince, a Texas slave dealer, an Arab sheik, a Cheyenne dog soldier and a Yankee navy lieutenant in my time, among other things, and none of ’em was as hard to sustain as my lifetime’s impersonation of a British officer and gentleman.” – George MacDonald Fraser George MacDonald Fraser was born in Carlisle, England to Scottish parents. His father was a doctor and his mother a nurse. He inherited his love of reading and a passion for his Scottish heritage from his father. Fraser was educated at Carlisle Grammar School and Glasgow Academy. He admitted to being a lazy student, and unable to follow his father’s wishes to study medicine. During World War II, Fraser enlisted in the Border Regiment and served in the Burma campaign (later recounted in his memoir Quartered Safe Out Here, 1993). After completing his officer cadet training he was given a commission in the Gordon Highlanders, serving with them in the Middle East and North Africa after the War – notably in Tripoli. In 1947, Fraser decided against making the army his career and was demobilised. He wrote a series of semi-autobiographical stories – the “Dand McNeill” or “McAuslan” stories – based on his experiences in the Gordon Highlanders in North Africa and Scotland. Fraser returned to the United Kingdom after his discharge and worked as a trainee reporter on the Carlisle Journal. He married another journalist, Kathleen Hetherington, and they worked on newspapers in Canada before returning to Scotland. In 1953, Fraser worked for many years as a journalist for the Glasgow

Herald newspaper, before becoming deputy editor from 1964 to 1969. In 1966, Fraser had the beguiling idea to write about Harry Flashman, the degenerate school bully and fictional coward created by Thomas Hughes in Tom Brown’s School Days (1857). In one memorable scene Flashman roasts Brown, a junior, over a fire. Flashman eventually meets his fate when, having drunk himself stupid, he is brought back to school insensible on a hurdle. Doctor Thomas Arnold, the headmaster of Rugby school, expels him. Fraser’s sensational 1969

book Flashman was the beginning of a twelve-volume series over the next thirty years recounting what becomes of Flashman. The book proved to be notably popular and enabled Fraser to become a full-time writer – moving to the Isle of Man where he would pay less income tax. The novels received praise from such esteemed authors as PG Wodehouse. “Yellow to the core – but damnably funny – Flashy is discovered to have ended up, in the opening volume, a hero of the first Afghan war ... In a final siege of an outpost in Jellalabad, his unconscious body is

found by the relieving force wrapped in the regimental flag, dead bodies all around. It is assumed that this is an act of conspicuous gallantry. In fact he was intending to give it to the Afghans in the hope that they would spare him. He returns to England a national hero and is honoured with one of his monarch’s first Victoria Crosses.” – John Sutherland Lives of the Novelists, 2011 The series of further Flashman novels were presented by Fraser as packets of memoirs written by the ageing Flashman looking back on his

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Friday, June 10, 2022

ACTOR Dominic West dressed up as Flashman for Heywood Hill’s ‘Operation Flashman’. As one of London’s leading book’s stores, it is seeking to introduce a new generation of readers to George MacDonald Fraser

days as a hero of the British Army during the 19th century. His wholly disreputable career is notable for the accuracy of his historical settings – a remarkable achievement for Fraser. He published his first Flashman sequel Royal Flash (1970) at the same time that he published The General Danced at Dawn – a series of short fictionalised short stories about his military experiences in a Scottish Highland regiment. More boasts and fictionalised adventures followed in Flash for Freedom (1971), together with The Steel Bonnets (1971), a non-fiction history of the Border Reivers of the Anglo-Scottish Border. Fraser was an industrious writer. “I led him on his disgraceful way, toadying, lying, cheating, running away, treating women as chattels, abusing inferiors of all colours, with only one redeeming virtue, the unsparing honesty with which he admitted to his faults.” – George MacDonald Fraser The film rights to Flashman were bought by Richard Lester who was unable to obtain financing, but he hired Fraser to write the screenplay for The Three Musketeers in 1972, resulting in two popular box office hits The Three Musketeers, and The Four Musketeers which launched Fraser’s screenwriting career. Following Flashman at the Charge (1973). Fraser wrote the screenplay for Royal Flash, directed by Richard Lester – but it was not a success at the box office. Fraser continued with his successful Flashman stories: Flashman at the Great Game (1975) and Flashman’s Lady (1977). There were six more Flashman stories – all successful – between 1982 and

2005, ending with Flashman on the March. “Looking back over the sixty-odd years, life is like a piece of string with knots in it, the knots being those moments that live in the mind forever, and the intervals being hazy, half-recalled times when I have a fair idea of what was happening, in a general way, but cannot be sure of dates or places or even the exact order in which events took place.” – George MacDonald Fraser While writing these ever popular Flashman stories, Fraser produced another collection of Dand McNeill stories, McAuslan in the Rough (1974). He was hired to rewrite Crossed Swords (1977) and Force 10 from Navarone (1978) – the latter directed by Guy Hamilton who arranged for Fraser to do some work for Superman (1978). He worked on the film Ashanti, and wrote an unused script for Tai Pan to

star Steve McQueen. The American (1980) was a more serious historical novel, and he was one of several writers who worked on the James Bond film Octopussy (1983). He worked on the script for Red Sonja (1985); was reunited with Richard Lester on The Return of the Musketeers (1988); and released a final volume of McAuslan stories The Sheik and the Dustbin (1988). In 1992 he published his memoirs of his experiences during World War II, Quartered Safe Out Here. He wrote a short novel about the Border Reivers of the 16th century, The Candlemass Road, in 1993, and The Light’s on at Signpost (2002) was a second volume of memoirs, focusing on Fraser’s adventures in Hollywood and his criticism of modern-day Britain. “Other lands have known what seem to be greater upheavals ... but these do not compare with the experience of a country which passed in less than a lifetime from being the mightiest empire in history governing a quarter of mankind, to being a feeble little offshore island whose so-called leaders have lost the will and the courage, indeed the ability, to govern at all.” – George MacDonald Fraser Fraser didn’t survive much longer. He died some months later of cancer in 2008. Following his death, a novel was discovered amongst his papers Captain in Calico. It was published in 2015. • Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia; Lives of the Novelists (2011) by John Sutherland; and Biography: the Road to Bestsellerdom by Christopher MacLehose.

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Friday, June 10, 2022

history (L-R) DENYS ROLLE (17291797). Portrait by Thomas Hudson JOHN ROLLE, 1st Baron Rolle (1750–1842) in his peerage robes. Portrait by Thomas Lawrence

What’s in a name?

PAUL C ARANHA

FORGOTTEN FACTS

The legacy of Denys Rolle and his son John

n a local restaurant, without deliberately eavesdropping, I heard one of my fellow Bahamians explaining how he was a descendant of Lord John Rolle’s. His explanation was very convincing, and often heard, but far from the truth. All Bahamians who bear the name Rolle are, for sure, connected to, but not descended from, John Rolle, Baron of Steventon in Devon. John Rolle (1750-1842) was the eldest son of Denys Rolle. (17291797). The family was the richest in Devonshire and, in 1764, Denys obtained a grant from the crown of 20,000 acres of land for a plantation

in East Florida, an area recently ceded by Spain to Great Britain, following the Seven Years’ War. Later, he acquired an additional 54,500 acres, from other settlers. His plan was to create a Utopian settlement for English families, but Rolle’s harsh treatment caused them to run away. After that, he used African slave labour. With the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1783, Britain returned Florida to Spain and Spain returned the Bahamas to Britain. While it is true that Colonel Andrew Deveaux led a successful attack on Nassau and defeated the Spanish occupiers, the fact is that the Spanish occupiers

would have handed Nassau back even without an attack Like most of the Loyalists who left Florida to come to the Bahamas, Denys moved his slaves to the Bahamas, where he had been granted lands on Great Exuma. Upon Deny’s death, Lord John Rolle inherited estates in Mount Thompson, Ramsey, Rolletown, Rolleville and Steventon – estates that he never saw because he never came to the Bahamas. On August 1, 1838 when slavery was abolished, many slaves adopted the surname of their owner, which was also the case with Lord Rolle’s

Rolle slaves. They also took over the Rolle lands on Exuma. It is often said that Lord Rolle gave his properties to his slaves, but this is not the case. In his will, he directed that all his properties in the Bahamas were to be sold, but there is no record of any of the land having been sold. The slaves simply stayed on the lands, claiming ownership by possession Today, the Exuma telephone directory contains three columns of listings of the name Rolle. • For questions and comments, please send an e-mail to islandairman@gmail.com

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Friday, June 10, 2022

animals Animal matters Kim Aranha

itting in my sitting room on the sofa watching the final event of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. I am not alone, my sweet 12-year-old Garmin sits beside me, or rather lounges, as only a Bahamian potcake knows how. I distinctly hear a voice say: “I want to be a corgi,” “I beg your pardon?” “I want to a corgi “ “Whatever for?” My goodness me, that was the wrong thing to say. The attributes of being a dog in the United Kingdom vs being one in the Bahamas tumbled out randomly like a waterfall in summer. In the UK, dogs are sentient beings and have rights - they are not classified as dogs and house dogs! How exactly is that? I think about it and I know exactly how. Dogs in the Bahamas who are not small, fluffy and cute are instantly relegated to the yard – true I have to admit uncomfortably. People are calling the Bahamas Humane Society and ask if there are any “house dogs”, a big dog, in the minds of many belong only in the yard. It is wrong and a very sad canine fact of life - dogs of all sizes should be house dogs, sweet loving animals who are very cuddly and protective. “I want to be a corgi.” “Again, what is this nonsense? “Mum, all through the jubilee we have seen reference to the Queen’s corgis! Drawings, cartoons, puppets, stuffed toys! We have seen them dressed up and being held lovingly in their owners’ arms, filmed on television and interviewed. Yup, being a corgi is the way to go!” I look at my comical and very handsome 60-pound potcake who came from the Bahamas Humane Society 12 years ago. He is so right, this country has so far to go with our treatment of animals. The corgi is a very sweet looking dog who weighs between 35 and 30 pounds. They were bred to be herding dogs. The Queen got her first corgi when she was a girl and over the years has had more than 70 corgis. They are without a doubt a symbol of Her Majesty. They say they frequently preceded the Queen, running ahead of her through the palace halls and greeting whoever

A fantastical account of watching the Jubilee events Potcake Garmin watching the Jubilee festivities... and the corgis.

Lilly the corgi enjoys the Royal Pooch Party, celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in Manchester, England. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)

is waiting to meet with her. Many people consider them Her Majesty’s ice breakers and conversation starters. Suddenly “I want to be a corgi” makes total sense to me - the symbol of respect and love for animals – “It’s like this, being a corgi is something special…” Well, yes, they are paraded, admired and respected, but honestly would even a corgi be any better off in the Bahamas? The Bahamas Humane Society constantly sees dogs and cats being abandoned, surrendered and disregarded - we have so many puppies and kittens. Nobody bothers enough to have them spayed or neutered. The baby animals are dumped at our doorstep with no concern as to how they will survive without a mother’s milk or love. Would a corgi be treated any better in the Bahamas? Not for long, I’d wager. Many people buy expensive dogs and then find they need care and attention. Not willing to provide either, they neglect them and then either bring them to the shelter and surrender them in appalling condition or just dump them anywhere on the side of the street And sadly, I have to tell you that we cannot even care sufficiently to call a meeting of the government -appointed Animal Control and Protection board that was created a full three months ago…again. In order for animals to be treated properly we need everyone to take this seriously, to embrace the need for kindness to animals. If we are not able to get one small arm of government to call one meeting, what does that tell you about the whole picture? “I want to be a corgi.” “Yes, my sweet Garmin. I bet hundreds of thousands of dogs want to be a corgi. They want to be loved and treated as they deserve to be treated.” So, Garmin and I continue to watch the festivities and everything is so beautifully done. I swear every time a corgi is on the screen my little friend flicks his ears forward; he is watching the television with me. I stroke him and feel his soft fur under my fingers and think how lucky I am to have such a good friend and companion. Garmin, if you want to be a corgi, you have earned the right. You can call yourself corgi, my little royal friend.

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society

All white party kicks off inperson summer celebrations pandemic seems to be Summer is here, the time to party. under control, and it’s Heineken’s recent exclus wa A popular event sive white party. the dress code was As the name implies, . And guests at the toe all white from head to ere the party was held, wh , ub Cl h ac Be et ns ent Su with music, entertainm enjoyed a night filled and cold beer. Heineken brand repMichaela Munnings, hite theme added a all-w resentative, said the event. the to nt me re’s unique ele en any colour, but the t “We could have chos ep nc co the t ou ab g riguin always something int lour white is clean, co of a white party. The We want to reposition g. hin res ref d classic an er ium international be Heineken as the prem e over the decades,” she lov that we’ve grown to ly. said. t was also by invite on The glamorous even d an e lux gree of class, “There’s a certain de invite-only events. to d he ac att n tio sophistica d the opportunity to As a brand, we wante ct blend of influencrfe intimately host the pe stakeholders to kick y ers, customers and ke scene locally,” said Ms nts off the return-to-eve Munnings. butler who passed ll The event featured a rimp and garlic, as we sh rs, tte around conch fri . ds ea tbr fla om ro sh as steak, onion and mu featured fried calamari, The live food stations o-glazed island jerk ng pulled pork sliders, ma ers. ew skews and shrimp sk t by fire dancer Anjel There was entrainmen the Expressions band s by ica and performance Fernander. ase Ch ist art and guest s provided by Baby D Additionally, music wa d Big L. an and Playhouse DJs AI

(Photos/Clifton Barry Photography)

Friday, June 10, 2022