Issuu

Friday, June 26, 2020

Weekend

art books entertainment film music events history puzzles animals THE ‘365 DAYS’ CRAZE Pages 8 + 9

Shooting stars

Bahamian puts ‘Love & Hip Hop’ celebs in frame

pg 14 + 15

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Friday, June 26, 2020

photography

A Rose-Coloured Lens

A panorama of Bahamian blossoms

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 to bottom) Cassia (flamingo tree); nightblooming cereus; Petrea (Queen’s Wreath), and bougainvillea in red, pink, and two-toned in pink and white.

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Friday, June 26, 2020

Inside Weekend

MY PERFECT BAHAMIAN WEEKEND – POST QUARANTINE EDITIONJONAÉ RECKLEY CEO OF PUFFEE COTTON CANDY

Q: What is the first thing you did after the weekend lockdown was lifted? “Went to the grocery store; my normal routine.”

Q: What will you miss the most and what did you learn about your time in lockdown?

Interview 4 - 5 Avid fisherwoman Joy Johnson is passionate about feeding Bahamians and doing her bit for the country’s sustainable food production

“I will miss the peace of mind. I looked forward to the mini weekend vacations. I learned I should take time to rest rather than always going, going, going.”

Environment 7

Stylish sustainability with resuable bags

Film 8 - 9, 18

Q: If there is ever another lockdown, what is the one thing you will immediately stock up on?

Bahamians go crazy for controversial “365 Days” drama, plus “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” named “first great comedy of 2020”

“Wine.”

Gardening 10

The Bahamas’ most flamboyant tree

Q: Has COVID-19 affected your travel plans for 2020?

Art 11

“Yes. I was supposed to be on a cruise to Greece in October but had to cancel.”

Transforming Spaces 2020 eyes Fall date

Makeup 13

Clyde Neymour Jr has all the looks Photography 14 -15 Inside the wedding of “Love & Hip Hop” stars Erica Mena and Safaree Samuels

Q: Now that the weekend lockdowns have come to an end, how will you spend your Sundays?

Music 16

“I think Sunday will be the same as the lockdown weekends: stay in, church service via YouTube, cook and relax.”

Canaan lifts up women and inspires TikTok challenges

Books 20 - 21

Dentist turned author changes kids’ perception of dentistry, plus this week’s page-turners

History 24

The legacy of coins

Forgotten Facts 25 Summers in George Town

Literary Lives 24 - 25 The flamboyant literary career of the American lawyer and author best known for his Perry Mason detective stories

Puzzles 26

Animal Matters 27 A potcake poolside chat, plus Pet of Week

Cover I Stanlo Photography

THIS WEEKEND IN HISTORY June 26

• In 1963, President John F Kennedy visited West Berlin, where he delivered his famous speech expressing solidarity with the city’s residents, declaring: “Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner). • In 1993, President Bill Clinton announced the US had launched missiles against Iraqi targets because of “compelling evidence” Iraq had plotted to assassinate former President George HW Bush. • In 1997, the first Harry Potter

novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J K Rowling, was published in the United Kingdom (it was later released in the United States under the title “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”).

June 27

• In 1844, Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement, and his brother, Hyrum, were killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois. • In 1880, author-lecturer and political activist Helen Keller, who lived most of her life without sight or hearing, was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama. • In 1988, Mike Tyson retained the undisputed heavyweight crown as he knocked out Michael Spinks 91 seconds

into the first round of a championship fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

June 28

• In 1838, Britain’s Queen Victoria was crowned in Westminster Abbey. Her reign of 63 years and seven months was longer than that of any of her predecessors. • In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, were shot to death in Sarajevo by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip — an act which sparked World War I. • /in 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France, ending the First World War. – The Associated Press

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interview

Friday, June 26, 2020

Joy Johnson

Her life has always been on the water. And now this mother-of-two and passionate fisherwoman sees the important role she can play in helping the Bahamas with its sustainable food production challenge. The Eleuthera native tells Cara Hunt about how the fishing industry can change the game.

HE COVID-19 pandemic has once again brought the topic of food sustainability to the forefront. And while many Bahamians used their time in lockdown to start work on their backyard gardens, Joy Johnson, an avid fisherwoman from Eleuthera, is excited about the role her industry plays in feeding the nation. “Fish is such a healthy food choice and they are readily available and not processed in any way. We import a lot of meat products and items, but you may not know what you are getting in terms of fertilizer and pesticides, or how they were produced the way you do with fresh fish,” she said. “And so when the government talks about food sustainability, fish is right at the top.” Joy has spent all her life on the water. “I got into fishing as a child,” she told Tribune Weekend. “My whole family would go out on the boat and so fishing was always a part of my life. I have worked at other jobs throughout my life, but always returned to fishing, particularly because it gave me the flexibility I needed to raise my children.” And it’s a family tradition Joy is continuing. “My son also goes in the boat sometimes and I have cousins who go and a 13-yearold nephew. My uncle trained a lot of us and now we are training the next generation.” While fishing allows you the opportunity to see the beauty

of the country first-hand, it does come with its dangers and challenges, she said. “Of course the biggest danger is always sharks. You always have to run from sharks, and of course you can have problems with your boat. But one of the good things about being on the water is that it is a community out there, so if you are on the road and you have a flat tyre, people may pass you by, but out at sea people will always stop to assist you or look for people who are missing.” The Bahamian’s beloved grouper can be one of the most challenging fish to catch, she said. “Grouper is a fish that loves to dodge into the cracks and holes under the reefs, so they are a bit more challenging than some of the other fish, and so you have to reach in to try and spear it, but you have to be careful, because you never know what else can be under there like eels and morays, which can bite you, or lion fish, because as you know they are poisonous. Or sometimes they can try and take your spear.” Despite the dangers associated with spear-fishing, Joy said it’s her favourite form of fishing. “You get to see the beauty of life under the sea. It is a completely different experience from when you are on the top of the water, sitting in your boat. Spear-fishing allows you to pick your prey. And you just have to remember that

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Friday, June 26, 2020

“Fish is such a healthy food choice and they are readily available and not processed in any way.”

“You have to carry your equipment, your spear and your nets, because you never what you are going to find. You may want to catch groupers and not see a single grouper, but you may see a school of jacks.”

when it comes to sharks you are in their home.” Joy said as a fisherman, or fisherwoman in her case, it is important that you be flexible in what you plan to catch. “You have to carry your equipment, your spear and your nets, because you never what you are going to find. You may want to catch groupers and not see a single grouper, but you may see a school of jacks.” Her personal favourite fish is the turbot. “Turbot is such a versatile fish,” she said. “You can make just about anything with turbot. You can mince it, you can make fish fingers, or fry it. But the thing about turbot is that it’s like turkey, it is a fish that you have to know how to season it and cook it, because not everyone can make it taste right.” While the coronavirus outbreak did have an impact on some peak fishing seasons, such as Good Friday, Joy said the industry managed to keep going throughout the lockdown. “People would just call in their orders and we were able to get them their fish.” She said fishing is an activity that requires you to have patience and “to slow your pace down” to achieve a goal. Many people, however, don’t understand the challenges fishermen encounter which must be reflected in their pricing, she said. “You do get some persons who want you to lower your price and they will say things like, ‘Well, I can get it for a cheaper price somewhere else.’ It’s like when you have people who shop local and complain and say well Walmart would have it for this price, but you are not at Walmart,” she said. “You have to understand that you have to maintain your boat, buy the fuel for the boat and you have to provide your helpers with a share of the profits. Also, fishing equipment is not cheap. A decent pair of googles can run you into a hundred dollars, not to mention the actual safety concerns of going out (on the water). And so that has to be reflected in the price and I think most people when they consider that, accept the price.” Now that the beaches are about to be reopened, and with people uncertain about international travel, Joy encourages Bahamians to consider a “staycation” and see the beauty of their own country, especially the beauty of the Bahamian seas.

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Friday, June 26, 2020

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Friday, June 26, 2020

environment

Stylish sustainability By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Reporter | acadet@tribunemedia.net

eusable bags are still relatively new to the Bahamas, but elsewhere in the world they have long been an everyday staple, one that designers have been having fun with. When the plastic ban came into effect at the start of the year there weren’t many options out there for cute, fashionable and biodegradable bags. Local businesswoman Melissa McCartney decided to change that by designing and producing aesthetically pleasing yet functional reusable bags. It turned out to be the genesis of a new ecoconscious company. Officially launched in March, Ms McCartney gave the company the name “EarthTuitive” to reflect that she is in tune with Mother Nature. She said she knew a business of this nature could be viable because there are many Bahamians who are very aware of environmental sustainability and conscious consumerism. She said her tag line, “Earth approved and ready to use”, is what she wants consumers to remember when making their buying decisions. She wants them to make choices that minimise waste and reduce its impact on the environment. “It was always a dream of mine to become a business owner and one that was impact-focused amidst the rising concerns of global warming. Beyond owning a business I wanted something I could feel good about, something that would truly make a change. As a new business owner in a newly developing market segment, there are the expected growing pains and a learning curve to be applied. Having a background in business has helped in the operational aspect of the business, but it has been quite a rewarding and learning experience to understand the ins and outs of the marketing and social media arena and its importance to one’s business in today’s environment. It also meant stepping outside of my comfort zone as a naturally private individual

PORTABLE cutlery is a great way to reduce the use of plastic products

REUSABLE eco-friendly bags by EarthTuitive.

REUSABLE silicone straws and putting myself out there more socially to get the support that the business needs to take it to the next level,” said Ms McCartney. From starting with just one product, the machine-washable, reusable bags than can hold up to 50lbs, she has expanded her

product line to meet the demands of costumers. She now offers portable utensils for on-the-go dining experiences, insulated freezer bags, mesh produce bags, silicone drinking straws, and heavy duty silicone storage bags and lids.

“We know we are not the only ones who get tired of the paper straws melting in our beverage, so pulling out an EarthTuitive silicone straw or reusable utensil is simple and effective... The key is to be adaptable and open to all feedback... We work hard to source the best green products to provide Bahamians with the best alternatives for everyday use items to fill the gaps where possible,” she said. Ms McCartney said she has always been environmentally conscious. Hence, it was a no-brainer for her to come up with an eco-friendly business venture. The overall goal, she said, is to support a minimalist, eco-conscious lifestyle and to raise awareness for the reality of our single-use consumption. “Bahamians love convenience and practicality,” she said, and that is exactly what she is striving to provide with her new company. “Going forward, we have a line of products we would like to introduce to the market, to become your one-stop-shop for all your sustainable (alternatives) for household essentials and personal everyday use items,” she said, EarthTuitive can be found on Facebook and Instagram, at earth_tuitive242.

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 26, 2020

film

What women want: Bahamians go crazy for controversial ‘365 Days’ movie By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

he erotic drama “365 Days” has taken the Bahamas by storm. Like in most countries around the world, the Polish film has been in Netflix’s top 10 for the last three weeks. The movie, based on Polish author’s Blanka Lipińska’s trilogy of books, can best be described as “Fifty Shades of Grey” meets “Beauty and the Beast”, with a huge dose of Stockholm syndrome and featuring sex scenes that leave little to the imagination.

But what exactly is the appeal of a movie in which a man, a Sicilian Mafia boss no less, kidnaps a young woman and holds her hostage, giving her 365 days to fall in love with him before he releases her. A multitude of critics have spoken out against the premise, saying it glorifies violence against woman; some have even called for its removal from Netflix. Bahamian fans of “365 Days”, however, say they are able to separate fantasy from reality and the film should be seen as sexy, harmless fun.

“I know that the premise of the movie seems dark, and in reality I would never condone violence, but this is just fiction,” attorney Tia* told Tribune Weekend. “Did I find the movie sexy? Yes, I did. Did I think it was a good movie? No one ever said it was trying to be Oscar material, but I thought it was silly fun; a way to pass some time in lockdown. I didn’t do too much social analysis on it. Malika, who works in human resources, said to her the movie is like an erotic version of a Disney fairy tale.

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Friday, June 26, 2020

“

MICHELE Morrone as Massimo and Anna Maria Sieklucka as Laura

How can someone say they enjoyed ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and think ‘365 Days’ is creepy?”

“I didn’t have a problem with the premise. I think every woman deep down fantasises about a sexy billionaire falling madly in love with her and sweeping her off her feet. They also have fantasies about having a day of wild sex like Massimo and Laura had on the watch, but they may just not want to say that out loud,” she said. Malika said she is always not here for those criticising a movie they haven’t even watched. “I always love how the people who never actually watch films or shows like ‘Fifty Shades’ or ‘365 Days’ or even Scandal are always the ones to be so judgmental. ‘Oh, he is violent, he’s forcing her to have sex with him; you cant watch that!’ But anyone who watched it knows exactly what happened. She was equally attracted to him and wanted an affair with him. It was consensual, even if it started off creepy. So no, there

was nothing alarming about this movie. Now, I agree the sex scenes bordered on pornography and it’s definitely not a movie youngsters should have easy access to,” she said. Media specialist Desirée said she doesn’t understand where all the outrage over this film is coming from. “I’ll start this off by saying I loved the movie and I plan to watch it again. But I also want to say, during the first 20 minutes of the movie I was completely lost as to what was going on. Then that quickly turned into, ‘oh, this is creepy, what the heck is happening here?’ Then this turned into ‘awww, sexy, cute’ and so forth. Yes, it was a lot going on. There are so many reviews on this movie, but I love that it kept me interested I wasn’t bored. And any woman that doesn’t admit Massimo is sexy is crazy. That man is walking eye candy. I feel there’s a lot that can be taken from the movie, but I just took it as fun; no serious judgement needed. How can someone say they enjoyed ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and think ‘365 Days’ is creepy? Both men were dominant and weird, both women fell in love; it didn’t even take Laura the contractual time to do so. Moreover, I understand there are two more parts to come. I can’t wait to watch,” she said. However, not all Bahamian women are enthused about the love story of Massimo and his captive Laura. “I read the movie synopsis and I knew it was not one for me,” said Marie, a banker who scrolled right on by when it came up on her Netflix feed. “It just seems so ridiculous. In what world is it OK to kidnap someone because you want them to share romantic feelings for you. How is a love story romantic when its foundation is based on the fact that you treated me like I am your personal property. I know people compare it to ‘Beauty and the Beast’, but at least Beauty went to the castle willingly. It seems a bit cringe to me.” Married mother-of-two Michelle said theme aside, she was just not impressed with the movie in general. “I have no problem with the kidnap plot; crime happens in all kinds of really enjoyable movies. My problem was that this was supposed to be a love story. I want to crush on the guy and live vicariously through the girl, but they were both so creepy and unlikable that they me and then there were so many plot holes; it was a confusing mess,” she said. “365 Days” has been a huge hit for Netflix in most of its markets, breaking viewership records and holding on to the number one spot of the streaming service’s top ten for longer than any other movies so far. Fans are now clamouring for the next two instalments, are looking for English language versions of the book trilogy, and are even downloading the film’s soundtrack. *Names have been changed.

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gardening

Friday, June 26, 2020 issues. The Levy Preserve (Bahamas National (Photo/Pinterest) Trust) suggests on their website (http://www. levypreserve.org) that poincianas should be removed from properties. While I cannot find any reference to it in our national invasive species legislation, it is certainly high on my list of invasive species. I would suggest avoiding intentionally planting these trees anywhere near buildings, sidewalks, roadsides, walls, property lines, or anywhere near structures on any property. The roots typically grow very shallow with large buttresses close to the trunk, and they will break up any structure that they are planted too close to. The branches break very easily in high winds, which on one hand is a good thing as it is almost self-pruning, but on the other hand the branches get quite large and they can be a risk when falling. Poinciana seeds germinate easily and readily, and seemingly just about anywhere that they can. We pull these up as they are weedy, they show up all over the property, they grow very quickly, and they quickly become a handful to deal with. The colourful mass of flowers ranges from pale orange to almost a deep red. There is a yellow flowering variety (Delonix regia var. flavida) which is far less common than the orange to red flowering, and there is a lot of speculation as to the origins of the yellow variety and it’s ability to grow true from seed. I have yet to see any definitive studies or results regarding this, and it remains somewhat of a mystery to me. My main advice when it comes to poincianas is be careful. I’ve had a large one removed from our property just this week as it had grown voluntarily on the property line and was endangering a neighbour’s property. It grew too large too quickly, and it had to be dealt with. Use caution if you are considering planting one. If you have some on your property, preventative maintenance is highly recommended; keep the interior of the tree open so that air can freely move through, and trim any branches that get too large. Things to continue watching for in the garden this week: caterpillars, leaf miner, weeds (yes, I consider the poinciana a weed). It is a great time to get some fertilizers applied onto fruit trees and the garden in general. The rains may have leached nutrients from the soils and citrus can be yellowing, as with many other plants. It is always recommended to do a soil test before fertilizing, but experience also goes a long way peacock flower are a few. We mostly refer to in determining what may or may not be needed. it as poinciana, and the name is derived from Consult with your local garden centre if your the name Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy, a garden is yellowing or not growing as vigorously 17th century French nobleman and governor of as maybe it should be doing at this time of year. St Kitts. It is possible that he had a hand in the It is my hope that you have some trees to sit distribution of the tree in the region. As a native under to enjoy the Summer weather out of the to Madagascar, the poinciana has certainly travblazing hot sun. Happy gardening! elled a long way and has taken a firm foothold on our islands and in the tropical and sub-trop• Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at the ical regions around the world. The orange burst Fox Hill Nursery. You can contact him with any of colour brightens neighbourhoods, roadside questions that you may have, or suggestions for and disturbed areas. topics that you might like to see discussed, at While it is useful to provide a light shade, and some bright colour to an area, it is not free of gardening242@gmail.com

The flamboyant tree

he Bahamas in the summertime is hot and it is humid. Without air-conditioning, the sea, or a cool tree to sit under, it can be quite stifling. One tree that brightens up the situation with a burst of colour and a light shade is the royal poinciana. It is synonymous with Bahamian summers. Anyone who has been in the air flying in or out is familiar with the sea of orange that these trees can create. It is quite a sight to behold. I would be remiss to not delve a little into mentioning this tree. Delonix regia has a few common names: the flamboyant tree, flame tree, royal poinciana and

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Friday, June 26, 2020

art

Transforming Spaces eyes Fall date for annual event By JEFFARAH GIBSON

| Tribune Features Reporter | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

HOUGH a concrete date has not been set, organisers are looking at early Fall for the Transforming Spaces Art Tour 2020. The event was originally scheduled for March, but had to be pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the committee has agreed on presenting the event in Fall. “As the Bahamas prepares for the proposed reopening of our borders on July 1, the Transforming Spaces Committee continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation. We wish to assure the art community and our valued patrons that the annual TS Art Tour will be held during the last quarter of 2020. All tickets purchased will be honoured at that time and updates will be forthcoming. Please check our social media platforms for updates,” a statement by the organisers said. Although the event’s highlight is the bus tour weekend, this year will include a series of events hosted by participating galleries leading up to the weekend, from curated walking tours to private and public openings and artist talks, all culminating with what promises to be an exciting closing event. This year the event will highlight the best in contemporary Bahamian art across six sites through eight participating galleries, including: D’Aguilar Art Foundation, Doongalik Studios, Project ICE, The Current at Baha Mar, the National Art Gallery, the University of the Bahamas, Central Bank, and New Providence Antiques. Last year, TS celebrated its 15th anniversary under the theme “Sustainability – I Have A Dream – I Am the Dream - We are the Dream”. In partnership with Lend a Hand Bahamas and its Neville and Nora Dorsett Community Centre, TS facilitated the execution and completion of the ‘Dream Wall of Respect’. This community mural project, located in the historic Lewis Street, adorned the walls of the neighbourhood where Dr Martin Luther King, Jr resided on a trip to the Bahamas 60 years ago. As an extension of this project and drawing on the power of art to transform communities in a positive way, TS has committed to expanding on this theme by highlighting the mission statement of the late Jackson Burnside, one of TS’s founding members. Before his passing, the artist envisioned that “by the year 2020, more persons will visit the Bahamas because of its art, culture, and heritage, rather than merely for its sun, sand, and sea.”

“This is a highly significant year for us,” said Pam Burnside, widow of late artist and secretary of TS. “We formed Creative Nassau (CN) in 2008 in order to showcase Bahamian art, culture, and heritage to the world, and although Jackson was no longer with us in 2014 when CN obtained the highly respected designation for the City

of Nassau to become a City of Crafts and Folk Arts in the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network, we have continued to work towards making Jackson’s prediction a reality. His prediction has reverberated throughout the creative community. This is the year to celebrate, promote, and fortify our position, and TS2020 will reflect this,” she said.

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Friday, June 26, 2020

entertainment

Dolphins and sea lions welcome guests back to Blue Lagoon By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Reporter | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

t’s been a long three months, but for the animals who live on Blue Lagoon island, the wait to interact with their human friends is almost over. The island park recently announced that it will be re-opening on July 11 following its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, sharks, raccoons and Kit the cat who call Blue Lagoon Island home are jumping for joy at the news we are reopening to guests,” said Jessica Robertson, public relations manager at Blue Lagoon. “They’ve had wonderful care, but they miss all the people.” Jessica explained that a dedicated team of members from the island’s zoological department headed over to the private island situated just off of Paradise Island every day throughout the shutdown to ensure that the animals were all well cared for, fed and received the essential stimulation that is usually provided by interaction with the many guests who visit every week. “While we were shut down, our three dolphin babies who were born in early September and October 2019 reached the age where it

is appropriate to officially name them. Babies Noah, Coco and Tingum can’t wait to be properly introduced to the public,” said Jessica. New measures will be enforced to ensure the safety of both team members and guests. In its initial reopening phase, Blue Lagoon Island will be open to the public on Thursdays and Saturdays only. These operating days are subject to change based on customer demand. “When booking an excursion, guests will be prompted to select an 8.45am departure from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal with a 2.15pm return, or a 10.15am departure with 4pm return. Blue Lagoon Island will also offer guests looking for a later start to their beach day an 11.45am departure with the 4pm return. “In accordance with Bahamian law, all guests will be required to wear masks while on the open-air ferries, inside any buildings including the Paradise Island Welcome Centre retail outlets, restrooms, the photo and video lab and when walking inside the Shifting Tides restaurant and also in any other areas where physical distancing is not possible,” said Jessica.

However, she noted that the marine mammal veterinary community has determined that there is no concern regarding the transmission of the virus from humans to the animals or vice versa. Blue Lagoon has received a flood of requests from locals who want to visit the island since the Prime Minister announced that beaches would now be opened. “We are particularly excited to see so many Bahamians and residents reaching out for booking information,” said Jessica. “The Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday morning that beaches can reopen on June 29 was met with tremendous excitement.” “Bahamians are seeking a safe place to gather with family and friends, celebrate milestones that have happened during our collective shutdown and just get out and enjoy the beauty that our Bahamas offers.” While walk-in bookings will be accepted if space remains available, Blue Lagoon Island is strongly encouraging advanced reservations.

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Friday, June 26, 2020

makeup

He’s got the look

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

CLYDE Neymour, Jr is hard at work to become an international celebrity makeup artist one day.

MAKEUP by Clyde Neymour, Jr.

hile the world of makeup has been traditionally female in the past, a new generation of so-called “beauty boys” is staking their claim on what has become a billion-dollar industry in recent years. Big-name influencers like Patrick Starr, James Charles, Jeffree Star and Bretman Rock have raked in millions of views, and sometimes millions of dollars as well, doing makeup for their online fanbases and launching their own cosmetic lines. But despite young men in makeup becoming more normalised, Bahamian artist Clyde Neymour, Jr said people are still surprised after praising photos of his work to find out his gender and his age. “People are shocked most times when seeing my work because I’m a male and (because of) my age,” he said. Clyde first started experimenting with makeup at the age of 16. He would spend hours working on his application skills. Like so many now famous makeup artists and influencers, he worked for MAC Cosmetics for four years where he continued to perfect his craft. This all led to the launch of his own brand, MUA Clyde Roman. “My experience in the beauty field has it’s up and downs. I’ve met so many people from all around the world, kind and warm souls. I’ve learned so much about different arts and styles of makeup, and even mastered those styles. My most memorable client experience was with a lady from Virginia who was battling cancer, while working at MAC Cosmetics. She was so sweet, and when she saw her makeup she started to cry and thank me for enhancing her beauty. Up to this day I still think about her, hoping that she is OK,” she said. Looking at photos of his work from years ago to now, he said he sees a huge difference in his skill level. He said this evolution reflects his hard work and dedication. “I always loved the way people would be transformed with makeup and art. Seeing a smile on people’s faces when they are transformed really moves me. My mom, Cleo M Whyms, is the reason I chose this profession because she supports me 100 percent in my craft and always pushes me to improve and do better. My mom is my number one fan,” said Clyde. During his time in quarantine due to COVID-19, Clyde said he dabbled in new colour stories, posted more on social media and stayed connected with his clients by consistently giving them new content. He said some of the trends that are popular during this season are graphic liners, jewel tone, and bold and bright colours. “Some of my short and long-term goals for my brand are to have my own makeup line, keep growing my social media platform, becoming more international, being able to help and donate to others in need under my brand, and becoming an official celebrity makeup artist,” said Clyde.

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Friday, June 26, 2020

music

Canaan lifts up women and inspires Tiktok challenges By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Reporter | acadet@tribunemedia.net

new song to uplift women by Canaan Caleb Cunningham is a certified hit with Bahamians, raking up over 10,000 streams and inspiring TikTok dance challenges. “Pull Up” is the name of the track, and it’s somewhat of a departure for the artist and his team who have been focused on the R&B genre up until now. “This time we wanted to step outside the box to produce something new and different. So we decided to go with more of a Caribbean, Afrobeat track; something fun, a song that would make you get up and dance, but at the same time be relatable,” Canaan told Tribune Weekend. In addition to switching up the sound, he also wanted the song to have a meaningful message for women in particular. “We decided to make a song targeting young ladies facing insecurities, trust issues, heartbreak and feeling used. We wanted to let them know that we understand and there is someone in the world for everybody. That’s the inspiration behind the song,” he said. Canaan said he is now looking forward to releasing a music video to accompany the song. “A lot of people have been supporting and streaming ‘Pull Up’, sending videos doing our TikTok dance to to the song. We call it the#pullupchallange. So far we are at 10,000 streams and plays. ‘Pull Up’ has inspired of a lot of females, letting them know that despite your skin colour, how you look, or your size, be confident and know you are valued,” he said. “The feedback we’re getting from ‘Pull Up’ makes me, and also (my colleagues) Rome and Tsq Ryan, feel like we’re doing our jobs as artists, and it encourages us to keep pushing, knowing our music is touching the hearts and souls of the listeners.” Music has always played an important part in Canaan’s life – at home, in school and at church. “I can remember as a toddler beating my grandmother’s pots and pans at nine years old, playing in the Holy Trinity Church band, and at age 13, singing on the praise team at Bahamas Harvest Church. I always had a passion for singing, dancing and playing the piano. At the age of 16, I started writing my own my own lyrics to songs. I began exploring software to compose

my music. In no time I was recording and engineering my songs on GarageBand, using my cellphone and Apple earphones,” he said. As time went by, Canaan said he got better at producing clearer and smoother sounds. After connecting with Julien Believe in 2017, he wrote the single “Down on Bay”. Julien became one of his mentors, giving him opportunities to gain exposure through performances and radio show interviews. “He would say, ‘This business is not a sprint but a marathon, learn the business.’ I began to venture out on my own, releasing music independently. My colleagues Rome, Tsq Ryan and I later started our own independent label, Extrasound Records, and started to take music more serious and made it our craft,” said Canaan. Speaking on the evolution of Bahamian music in recent years, Canaan said he is definitely seeing a fusion of the traditional with new cutting edge sounds. “Everyone is always looking for a new sound, so bringing the old and the new together helps us to remain true to who we are. Today there are a lot of Bahamian artists producing that new sound that lifts your spirits and frees your mind. There are so many local artists that have made an impact in my life: Julien Believe, Najie Dunn, Sammie Star, Young Rev and Twindem, and A major,” he said. “Recently, I had the opportunity to work with international gospel artists Sherwin Gardner and Nigel Lewis. They both have made great deposits in my career. But not just because of the music, but also because of the advice they’ve given me, things to look out for and how to get to the top and stay there; also tips one how to create my own lane and my own sound in the music industry. They’ve all been like big brothers to me and were some of first set of artists to to see my talent.” For the remainder of the year, Canaan said his plan is to earn his degree in arts and entertainment. He also wants to continue to build his fan base. “I am working towards being one of the many Bahamian singers/rappers to carry our country’s name all around the world. I want to be the next Bahamian ambassador of my generation... I want to be respected for what I do, because to

be honest, there are a lot of adults that see me and know that I have talent, but they overlook me because I’m young. I want to prove to the Bahamas and to the world that no matter your age, you can conquer the world. Anybody with creativity, the passion, versatility and a voice can do what I’m doing, just not like me. I want to be the one to carry on Bahamian music in the Bahamas for my generation just like Ronnie Butler, KB, D-MAC and Julien Believe did,” he said. The majority of Canaan’s catalogue can be found Audiomack, as well as on YouTube, SoundCloud and Apple Music. He is also working on the release of a music video for the song “Vibes” featuring Janiakey and DJ Ovadose, as well as a mixtape set to come out soon featuring the song “Heart Break”.

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, June 26, 2020

modelling

Veteran model warns aspiring talent to beware of predators By JEFFARAH GIBSON

| Tribune Features Reporter | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

ore than 20 years ago, Bahamian model Pia Glover Rolle was asked during an audition in Los Angeles, California if she was comfortable with “taking off her top” for a shoot; a request to which she vehemently objected. Pia admits it is not uncommon for models to be asked to slip into a swimsuit for an audition, but being asked to show private body parts is a major red flag any aspiring model pursuing a professional career should beware of. Pia, now the president of the PTG Modelling Agency, is warning aspiring models to take extra precautions against those seeking to pass themselves off as professionals in the field, but whose interests can be far more sinister. She is speaking out after several aspiring Bahamian models claimed to have experienced cyber sexual harassment at the hands of people scouting women for photo shoots. Some of the women claimed they were asked to send photos of themselves in swimsuits and even in the nude. Pia said after learning of these social media allegations she thought as a professional and veteran in the field it was important to outline some major red flags models should be aware of. “Back then when I was asked how comfortable I was taking off my top and I said ‘no’, I was told that kind of modelling makes you more money,” she recounted for Tribune Weekend. “So for those who are not strong-minded or do not come from a strong family background, this could be the genesis of a very bad experience. For me, I knew that was not what I travelled to the US for.” That was not only the time Pia experienced a situation like this. “I remember even being out for dinner in California and some men were out at the table and they asked me if I modelled. And of course when a person is asked if they model it makes them feel good, because it is a compliment. They left their card with me and in reaching out I found out that they were in the adult film industry, so of course I did not pursue that opportunity,” she said. Unless the adult film industry is an avenue someone wants to explore career wise, Pia suggests aspiring models, both male and female, protect themselves by having a manager and or an agent to represent them. “What is happening is not exclusive to women, it happens to men too,” she said. “And some of the people being targeted aren’t necessarily model types. but of course if someone

messages them with an opening line like, ‘Have you ever thought about modelling?’ automatically the person’s self-esteem is going to go up a notch,” she said. Pia said while getting messages of this nature may be flattering, chances are the individual reaching out may not be genuine. “First and foremost, find a manager or an agency; PIA ROLLE, former someone who has expemodel and owner of rience not only to protect the PTG Modelling you, but they know the Agency industry and they usually know who the key players are. They know the signs and warning signs. They know what it takes for you to be successful. So it is good to align yourself with a manager or an agency. But not just any agency,” she said. She said doing one’s research is also key. “When people want to join my agency I ask them if they know about me or my agency. But I encourage my models before they get into anything or participate in any project that they should always do their own research,” she said. Other benefits to having a manager is they can ensure that fees for the work models do are properly negotiated. And as for underage models, she added, parents should always be involved in the process.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 26, 2020

film

WILL Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdottir. (Photo/Netflix) EUROVISION Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” Will Ferrell’s goofy and highly quotable parody of the long-running European spectacle, is the first great comedy of 2020 and it couldn’t have come soon enough. There hasn’t been much to laugh about lately. The competition, which was cancelled this year for the first time in its 64 years, is a peculiar fascination for those Americans who are even aware of it. I barely was. And the acts are so eccentric and over-the-top that it almost defies satire. But the film, written by Ferrell with “Saturday Night Live” veteran Andrew Steele and directed by David Dobkin (“Wedding Crashers”), isn’t out for cheap shots at its expense. Instead, it’s a warm riff on a subculture — in the vein of “Anchorman” and “Talladega Nights” — that has the potential to get better with repeat watches. Ferrell has had a few misses lately, but he is back in fine form here as Lars Erickssong, a middle-aged Icelandic man with lovely, wavy Eurovision Song Contest | 123 minutes shoulder-length hair and a childhood dream of winning Eurovision. He’s been devoted to it since seeing ABBA’s winning performance of A fluke lands the classic underdogs in com“Waterloo” in the 1974 edition. This is all much to petition in Iceland against the country’s great the embarrassment of his fisherman father Erick Eurovision hope (played by Demi Lovato). And (an amusingly unamused Pierce Brosnan). although each performance is more disastrous Lars and his childhood friend Sigrit Ericksdottir than the last, they’re able to keep advancing (a particularly brilliant Rachel McAdams) make despite themselves. up Fire Saga, who sing original techno pop Sigrit is in love with Lars, who is charmingly anthems and occasionally covers of “Happy” at delusional but more of a grown up than Ferrell’s the local bar. They’re not exactly untalented but they can’t seem to set a foot right on the stage. standard man-child. Still, he’s too consumed

“

Will Ferrell spins warmhearted spoof in ‘Eurovision’

with Eurovision to focus on her. There’s also a running joke that she is “probably not” his sister. McAdams and Ferrell are, unsurprisingly, a joy to watch. Together they affect an innocent exuberance, enlivened by their chirpy, pseudoIcelandic accents and colourful costumes. Their song is even pretty catchy. And perhaps most surprisingly there is some actual emotion to their relationship. The film gets a burst of funny with the introduction of Dan Stevens’ Russian singer Alexander Lemtov, a highlighted Adonis with an exaggeratedly operatic baritone and a talent for braiding hair who takes a liking to Sigrit. Stevens steals every scene he’s in. Who knew the “Downton Abbey” veteran had broad comedy in his arsenal of skills? A party at his overblown mansion features a massive medley of “Believe,” “Ray of Light” and “Waterloo” with a bunch of actual Eurovision regulars that puts “Pitch Perfect” to shame. There is inexpiable auto-tuning, fireworks and even some shirtless acrobatic valets, because why not? It’s often hard to see comedies for what they are, or what they might be, on first viewing. But “Eurovision” is that rare film that strikes the right chord from the start. And, weirdly, it might even spark some interest in the actual show. “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” premieres on Netflix today. By LINDSEY BAHR AP Film Writer

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, June 26, 2020

entertainment LOST Bullet

Dynasty (series; 10 8.episodes) Top 10 . Floor is Lava Netflix 5 . Feel the Beat (film; 1h 249m) movies . The Snowman (film; 1h and shows 9 59m) . 365 Days (film; 1h 45m) in the 6 Bahamas The Order (series; two 3.seasons) Reasons Why 10. 13 (series; four seasons) . Wasp Network (2h 8m) 7 . The Royal Hibiscus 4Hotel (film; 1h 30m) . Lost Bullet (film; 1h 133m) his innocence when his mentor is killed by dirty cops in this French action thriller.

After failing to find success on Broadway, April returns to her hometown and reluctantly is recruited to train a misfit group of young dancers for a big competition.

A small time delinquent, turned genius police mechanic for a gofast task force, is forced to defend

Teams compete to navigate rooms flooded with lava by leaping from chairs, hanging from curtains and swinging from chandeliers in this new popular reality TV show.

Out to avenge his mother’s death, a college student pledges to a secret order and lands in a war between werewolves and practitioners of dark magic.

Massimo is a member of the Sicilian Mafia family and Laura is a sales director. She does not expect that on a trip to Sicily trying to save her relationship, Massimo will kidnap her and give her 365 days to fall in love with him. An erotic film for fans for the “Fifty Shades” series.

A disillusioned London chef visits Nigeria and struggles with her matchmaking mother and restoring the family’s rundown hotel. She’s heartbroken when

The story of five Cuban political prisoners who had been imprisoned by the United States since the late 1990s on charges of espionage and murder. Starring Penélope Cruz, Edgar Ramírez and Gael García Bernal.

With Bahamians still practicing social distancing, and many working from home with the kiddies stuck in the house, it’s time to turn to Netflix for some entertainment. Here are the top 10 movies and shows Bahamians are watching this week:

she discovers the man she loves is buying it.

This reboot of the popular 1980’s show follows two of America’s wealthiest families as they feud for control over their fortune and their children. New episodes.

Detective Harry Hole investigates the disappearance of a woman whose scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman. Starring Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson.

The final season of the controversial teen drama that started with the mystery surrounding high school student Hannah Baker’s suicide and her cassette tapes. Season four wraps up a multitude of character arcs and reveals what becomes of the characters as they prepare to move on to the next stage of their lives. New episodes.

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 26, 2020

books

‘Sugar Monster’ author reshapes perception of dentistry for children

N THIS time of social distancing, retail shops have needed to rethink how to stay connected to their customers. In the case of the children’s apparel and merchandise store Sandbox, it has been striving to meet its clients’ needs through educational forums addressing the health and well-being of youngsters. This Thursday, the next session will move online and celebrate a new resource for childcare: a recently published book by a Bahamian “momtrepreneur”. Having tackled topics such as vaccines and child nutrition in the series, Sandbox is now providing a platform for both parents and kids to learn about oral hygiene through a special webinar and a book signing event to coincide with the launch of the book “Sugar Monster”. Written by dentist Dr Shamika Strachan and illustrated by her husband Travis, “Sugar Monster” follows the story of a boy who chooses sugary foods and visits the dentist to get a cavity filled. The book is part of the doctor’s mission to change the perception of dentistry as a scary affair for children, but adults may learn something too as they read along. “Even though I am not a paediatric dentist, I enjoy the interactions with children,” says Dr Strachan, who is a mother of two. “I like how vibrant they are and how their minds work, so you get to explain stuff to them in this fun way and see the excited looks on their faces. “I think the root cause of many misconceptions about dentistry comes from wrong information learned as a child. I want this book to help them to feel confident about their oral health – from making the right choices through

‘JUNIOR’, the main character in the book, is based on the Strachans’ son, Travis Jr.

DENTIST turned author Dr Shamika Strachan with her husband, Travis B Strachan Sr, who illustrated his wife’s book.

the foods they eat and oral hygiene habits to what goes on at the dentist, so they can take ownership of their self-care and carry that over into their adult lives.”

On Thursday, June 25, at 6.30pm, Sandbox will present its first-ever webinar, providing Dr Strachan with the perfect venue to connect with parents who want the best for their children. Like the store’s Family Talks series, the event is free and open to the public. All participants need to do is to register. Parents can look forward to discussions about oral health as well as hearing the inspiration and creative process behind Dr Strachan’s first book. On Saturday, July 11, the whole family is welcome to visit Sandbox in Harbour Bay to meet the dentist turned author during her book signing. “At these events, you can expect to be inspired and motivated. Not only is Dr Strachan a mom, a wife, and a doctor, she is also now an author because she pursued her passion,” said store manager Keishan Vaughan. “This educational book will be an essential part of your book collection.” Sandbox is planning to expand its series to include a wide range of topics related to well-being and self-improvement for the whole family, children and adults alike. Register for the “Sugar Monster” webinar on June 25 at info@sandboxbahamas.com.

Apple’s top ten books

1 2 3 4 5

. 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand . White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo . The Dare by Elle Kennedy . The Summer House by Brendan DuBois & James Patterson

. Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov

6 7 8 9 10

. The Guest List by Lucy Foley

. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi . Walk the Wire by David Baldacci

. Deacon King Kong by James McBride . The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

– The Associated Press

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, June 26, 2020

books

New page-turners this week • THE MIST BY RAGNAR JÓNASSON (MYSTERY/ THRILLER) The final nail-biting instalment in the critically acclaimed “Hidden Iceland” series. 1987. An isolated farm house in the east of Iceland. The snowstorm should have shut everybody out. But it didn’t.The couple should never have let him in. But they did. An unexpected guest, a liar, a killer. Not all will survive the night. And Detective Hulda will be haunted forever. • A RECKLESS NOTE BY LISA RENEE JONES (ROMANCE) Passion, seduction, and my family’s secret that could change everything. I went looking for my missing brother, but instead, I found him: Kace August. He’s dark. He’s dangerous. He makes me want things I can’t have and brings me into a world of forbidden seduction. But I just can’t seem to walk away. This is book one in the Brilliance Trilogy. • WHAT’S LEFT OF ME IS YOURS BY STEPHANIE SCOTT (LITERARY FICTION) In Japan, a covert industry has grown up around the “wakaresaseya” (literally “breaker-upper”), a person hired by one spouse to seduce the other in order to gain the advantage in divorce proceedings. When Satō hires Kaitarō, a wakaresaseya agent, to have an affair with his wife, Rina, he assumes it will be an easy case. But Satō has never truly understood Rina or her desires and Kaitarō’s job is to do exactly that – until he does it too well. While Rina remains ignorant of the circumstances that brought them together, she and Kaitarō fall in a desperate,

singular love, setting in motion a series of violent acts that will forever haunt her daughter’s life. • THE ANGEL OF THE CROWS BY KATHERINE ADDISON (FANTASY) This is not the story you think it is. These are not the characters you think they are. This is not the book you are expecting. In an alternate 1880s London, angels inhabit every public building, and vampires and werewolves walk the streets with human beings in a well-regulated truce. A fantastic utopia, except for a few things: Angels can Fall, and that Fall is like a nuclear bomb in both the physical and metaphysical worlds. And human beings remain human, with all their kindness and greed and passions and murderous intent. Jack the Ripper stalks the streets of this London too. But this London has an Angel. The Angel of the Crows. • SEASONS OF STORMS BY ELLE COSIMANO (YOUNG ADULT) One cold, crisp night, Jack Sommers was faced with a choice—live forever according to the ancient, magical rules of Gaia, or die. Jack chose to live, and in exchange, he became a Winter—an immortal physical embodiment of the season on Earth. Every year, he must hunt the Season who comes before him. Summer kills Spring. Autumn kills Summer. Winter kills Autumn. And Spring kills Winter. Jack and Fleur, a Winter and a Spring, fall for each other against all odds. To be together, they’ll have to escape the cycle that’s been forcing them apart. But their creator won’t let them go without a fight.

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 26, 2020

history

How cashless transactions could end the cultural legacy of the coin (THE CONVERSATION) - As shoppers and retailers do away with cash transactions, we may be witnessing the end of a major source of social and historical information – the coin. In the modern age, coinage is increasingly seen as cumbersome, a vector for disease and costly to manufacture. Yet for more than 2,600 years, coins have faithfully preserved insights into human society through the eyes of the issuing state. Coins reveal how rulers wanted their subjects to perceive their politics, their national identity and the social values they wanted to celebrate. Russian novelist Ivan Turgenev wrote in 1861: “the drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book”. Nowhere is this more evident than on coinage, where words are limited. Coins have always conveyed a message and, helpfully for historians, they are anchored to a specific time and place. Historian Harold Mattingly once called Roman coins the “newspapers of the day” – announcing new emperors, naming of heirs, proclaiming battle wins, holiday celebrations and events. The emperor’s new coins Coins of the beleaguered Roman emperors of 69CE – during the Roman civil wars, when imperial reign was reckoned in months rather than years – depict imagery designed to bolster public confidence in the emperor of the moment. Vitellius used imagery of the loyalty of the army. One example depicts clasped hands with the accompanying inscription FIDES EXERCITVVM (loyalty of the armies). The idea was far more aspirational than reflective of reality. That same year, Otho who reigned for 12 weeks, optimistically declared his VICTORIA (“victory”) and PAX ORBIS TERRARIUM (“worldwide peace”) on coins circulated during his fleeting reign. Coins can offer detail where literary sources are lacking or incomplete. A large bronze sestertius (a denomination of Ancient Roman coin) that Titus had minted in 80-81CE, depicts not only external structures and statues but also intricate details of the Roman Colosseum interior. It also shows spectators, staircases, an imperial viewing box, and even depiction of the engineering mechanism for awning to provide shade.

A SILVER Denarius depicting Roman Emperor Otho, who ruled for three months in the year 69 CE. Ancient coins show that rivalry between cities is not new. In Ancient Rome, a city was honoured with the title neokoros (temple keeper) when permission was granted to build a temple to the emperor or imperial family. The city of Ephesus was the first to be honoured with such a title during the reign of Nero (54-68CE). Cities vied to have neokoros on their coinage and in the ensuing centuries more than three dozen cities held the title, some multiple times over. Militaristic exploits were a common theme celebrated on ancient coins. The brutal Roman response to uprising and unrest in Judea resulted in the destruction of the Jewish temple in 70CE. Many coins of the time depicting Judea Capta (Judea captured) were issued by the emperor Vespasian. His son Titus, whose sacking of Jerusalem as military commander was his sole claim to military glory, used coins to exaggerate the Jerusalem victory and secure his own line of succession. Language used Roman coins minted in the provinces away from Rome typically were inscribed with Greek rather than Latin. Rome may have conquered the Mediterranean politically by the first century CE, but Alexander’s spread of Hellenistic cultural and linguistic influences long outlived the collapse of his rule. The linguistic components on coins help provide insight into the terminology used at the time. The word for city founder, ktisths, on coinage helps explain the term’s single appearance in the New Testament – though this has been traditionally translated as “creator” in modern English editions due to the similarity of ktisths to ktizw (meaning: to create). The term’s use on coins makes it clear Peter the apostle was not referring to a cosmological creator but to a city founder and hence sustainer. When Peter writes to the marginalised and fledgling Christian community, he seeks to encourage them with an image of God as founder. Even seemingly innocent imagery can reveal darker meaning. Pontius Pilate’s coinage for Judea showed a ladle (simpulum) and curved rod (lituus). These were commonly assumed to lack human

representation out of respect for Jewish sensitivities. In fact, they were symbols of Greco-Roman pagan religion and imperial cult. This showed Pilate’s allegiance to Roman ideology rather than any Jewish sensitivities. Pontius Pilate used symbolism on Judea coinage. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY Still in circulation Imagery on older coins are very much current and still in use in modern coinage. The Athenian owl prominently displayed on the the tetradrachm coin from the 5th century BCE still features on recently issued 1 Euro coins. The modern state of Israel sought to reverse Vespasian’s ancient war cry with a positive variation of the Judea Capta inscription. The new coin contrasts Judea Capta on one side with Israel Liberata on the other. Money has taken various shapes and forms over human history. This includes feather money, cowrie shells, spade, boat and knife money. But it is the simple circular disk of stamped metal that has endured. These small pieces of stamped metal have preserved insights into religion, community identity, monumentality, language and imperial power for thousands of years. Future historians and archaeologists may find creative ways of mining cultural data out of our digital transactions, but for the time being, modern coinage continues the long human tradition of expression and national identity formation through state issued coinage. •This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: theconversation.com. By Michael P Theophilos Senior Lecturer, Australian Catholic University

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, June 26, 2020

history

Summers in George Town and at Victoria Pond Forgotten facts | Paul C Aranha

JUST finished re-reading Jane Minns’ article about George Town, Exuma that appeared in the January 2003 edition of The Exuma Sentinel, in which she describes what it was like in 1955 when first she went there to marry Basil Minns. My first trip to George Town was in 1948, when I spent the Summer with the Minns family, and it seems over the following seven years the place barely changed. Jane included a sketched map of Lake Victoria – also known as The Pond – and the few buildings surrounding it. I scanned that map and made one big change. I added an X out by the dock, but more about that later. Carolyn Knowles and her son John plus Donnie Johnson and I took an overnight trip on the m/v Captain Roberts for a holiday with Mrs Knowles’ sister, Edith, the wife of Nigel Minns, Basil’s older half-brother. On arrival, we were welcomed as guests of Aunt Melissa, the widow of Uncle Bob Minns, who lived, as Jane rightly calls it, in ‘‘the former Minns house, a two-storey building, which was to become the nucleus of the 20-room Club Peace and Plenty.” By Georgetown standards, it was big. Sometimes we slept at Nigel Minns’ home, at that time directly across the street from Aunt Melissa, on the future site of Basil’s and Jane’s water sports centre. I remember Nigel’s home as having running water, hand-pumped into an elevated tank so one could take a shower. We were not interested in getting clean, but rinsed away a day’s accumulation of salt from hours spent in the sea. The one-room, all-age school had been attended by some of my older siblings, long before I was born. The Commissioner’s office, plus the local jail were still next door to Aunt Melissa’s. The thing I remember most clearly is the one prisoner who was in the tiny three-cell jail. Every morning he let himself out, then busied himself with keeping the government area clean and at the end of the day he returned to his cell and shut himself in for the night. I never saw a lock or key. Kerosene, shipped from Nassau in steel drums, was used for lighting and cooking; electricity was a thing of the future. As for telephones, there was no connection to Nassau and the rest of the world, but there was a landline telephonic system that linked the many settlements to each other. This was run by the government’s Telecommunications Department and each settlement had its own ‘operator’. To make a call, one went to ‘the station’ an asked the operator to put you through to your party. The phones did not have numbers, but each

A GOOGLE Earth satellite image of George Town, Exuma, in the 21st century. It is no longer the underpopulated settlement it once was.

A MAP from Jane Minns’ article “George Town: A 1955 walk around Victoria Pond” that appeared in the January 2003 issue of The Exuma Sentinel one had its own combination of long and short rings (rather like Morse code). One started by putting the receiver to one’s ear to check whether the line was already in use. If nobody was talking (and everybody could listen to all that was said), one turned the hand-crank the appropriate number of times (for example: two long rings and two short rings) and the party you were calling would hear the rings and pick up the phone. Of course, every phone on the island would ring at the same time and, quite possibly, be picked up to listen in. Television was unknown, so eavesdropping was entertainment. Electricity, running water and telephones were still things of the future. Donnie, John and I had lots of playmates, including Ronnie Carrol, but mostly the Minns family – Douglas, Eileen, Phyllis, Alice, Godfrey, Rosemary

and Michael, and the Minns kids were excellent boatbuilders and taught us Nassauvians how to carve a 6”’-long sail boat and fit it with a sea-grape-leaf sail, for racing across Victoria Pond - a distance of about 300 yards. Here, I was at a great disadvantage. I was the only one who could not swim, so I walked around the Pond, to a spot near John Marshall’s shop, to wait for the racers to arrive. John’s was the only shop that sold Cracker Jack. For those too young to remember, Wikipedia says, “Cracker Jack is an American brand of snack food consisting of molasses-flavoured, caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts, well-known for being packaged with a prize of trivial value inside.” The Cracker Jack slogan was “The more you eat, the more you want.” How right they were! The Royal Navy man-o-war HMS Sparrow came to George Town and the sailors were very friendly to us kids. One day when we were at the dock, at the spot marked with an X, I was pushed off the dock into deep water, but crew members of the Sparrow, seeing that I couldn’t swim, hauled me out of the water. I’m not sure how many of my playmates realised that I, too, was a part of the Minns family. My dad’s mother was born Rosetta Agnes Minns and Uncle Bob was her nephew. I had been pushed in by my second cousin once removed. Thanks to her, I started learning to swim as soon as I got back to Nassau and, again thanks to her, at boarding school I was captain of our inter-house swimming team. • For questions and comments, e-mail islandairman@gmail.com

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 26, 2020

literary lives - Erle Stanley Gardner

THERE has been a resurgence of interest in Gardner’s work in recent years, and last Sunday HBO premiered a new “Perry Mason” miniseries based on the pulp author’s books. It stars Matthew Rhys as the titular character and serves as a 1930s’ origin story for the super lawyer. (Photo/HBO)

ERLE Stanley Gardner (July 17, 1889 – March 11, 1970)

The master of pulp fiction Sir Christopher Ondaatje delves into the flamboyant literary career of the American lawyer and author best known for his Perry Mason detective stories.

“The real trouble with the writing game is that no general rule can be worked out for uniform guidance, and this applies to sales as well as to writing.” – Erle Stanley Gardner Erle Stanley Gardner was born in Malden, Massachusetts, on July 17, 1889, and graduated from Palo Alto High School in California in 1909, before enrolling at Valparaiso University School of Law in Indiana. His father was a mining engineer who travelled widely across the United States. As a young man he boxed for purse money and unfortunately was expelled from Valparaiso University for hitting his professor following an altercation. Not distracted, he returned to California and pursued his legal education on his own, passing the state bar exam in 1911. Gardner began his legal career working as a typist in a law firm for three years, but after he was admitted to the bar he became a trial lawyer defending Chinese and Mexican immigrants. Eventually he founded the Court of Last Resort in the 1940s – now called the Case Review Committee – dedicated to helping people who were imprisoned unfairly or could not get a fair trial. For a while he travelled as a salesman before setting himself up as an attorney in the Los Angeles area where he practised successfully until 1933 in the Ventura firm Sheridan, Orr, Drapeau and Gardner. In 1912, Gardner wed Natalie Frances Talbert, a legal secretary, and they had one daughter, Grace. They separated and the marriage was dissolved in 1935, although the couple never formally divorced.

“After you’ve written a story, the thing to do is sell it. Sounds simple, and it is, if one will follow certain basic principles of salesmanship.” – Erle Stanley Gardner Gardner practised law by day, and wrote by night. He enjoyed litigation and the development of trial strategy, but was otherwise bored by legal practice. He began writing for pulp magazines and sold his first story to a pulp magazine in 1923 when he was 34 years old. His first Perry Mason story, “The Case of the Velvet Claws”, was published in 1933; and his first Bertha Cool story in 1939. He contributed more stories to Black Mask – estimated to be over 130 – than any other of the magazine’s stable of wellknown writers: Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and James Mallahan Cain. “The Perry Mason series was boosted by the Saturday Evening Post, which serialised them from the 1930s to the 1950s, and, latterly, by the TV series, starring a lugubrious Raymond Burr as Mason, which ran from 1957 to 1966. As a plot-writer, Gardner loved unexpected twists, surprises and ambushes on the reader – typically in a courtroom climax. The hardboiled quality of his early work gave way to an easiergoing, ironic mode of narration, particularly with the aptly named ‘Cool’ series, but he always took great professional pains with the legal accuracy of his plots.” – John Sutherland Lives of the Novelists, 2011 Gardner set himself a quota of 1,200,000 words a year, and he was paid a minimum of

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Friday, June 26, 2020

THE FIRST Perry Mason story, “The Case of the Velvet Claws”, published in 1933

ACTOR Raymond Burr (left), who portrayed the famous Perry Mason in the TV series, and author Erle Stanley Gardner on the cover of TV Guide, July 1964

GARDNER’S longest-serving secretaries, the three Walter sisters: Ruth “Honey” Moore, Peggy Downs, and Jean Bethell, who all inspired the fictional secretary Della Street in the “Perry Mason” series. three cents a word. Under the pseudonym A A Fair, Gardner wrote a series of novels about the private detective firm of Cool and Lam. In another series, district attorney Doug Selby litigated against attorney Alphonse Baker Carr. Prosecutor Selby was always portrayed as the courageous and imaginative crime solver, while his antagonist, A B Carr, was the wily proponent of guilty clients. “If you like the story then don’t hold back in telling me about it, and if you don’t then please keep your opinions to yourself.” – Erle Stanley Gardner While the pulp magazines flourished, Gardner set up production of his fiction on factory lines using dictaphones and armies of secretaries. In 1937, Gardner, now a very rich man, left Los Angeles for the Rancho del Paisan Ranch in Temecula near Riverside and the Baja Peninsula 50 miles away, where he lived for the rest of his life. When the pulp fiction market finally dried up in the 1950s, Gardner turned to writing short stories for Collier’s Magazine, Sports Afield, and Look, but most of his post-war articles were non-fiction articles on travel, history, and forensic science. Gardner made an uncredited appearance as a judge in “The Case of the Final Fade-Out” (1966) – the last TV episode of the Perry Mason series. When Gardner’s wife Natalie Talbert died in 1968, Gardner married Agnes Jean Bethell, who had been his secretary since 1930. Perry Mason’s fictional secretary, Della Street, was a

composite of her and her two sisters, Peggy and Ruth, all of whom worked for Gardner as secretaries. “Gardner was an avid sportsman and ...spoke fluent Mandarin. Many of his early clients were indigenous Chinese. He was a keen naturalist, particularly expert on the breeding habits of the grey whale. Although guns figure centrally in many of his stories, his own favoured weapon was the bow and arrow and he was a frequent and expert contributor to ‘Ye Sylvan Archer’ magazine.” – John Sutherland Lives of the Novelists, 2011 Erle Stanley Gardner died on March 11, 1970 at his ranch in Temecula – the best-selling American writer of the 20th century. He was cremated and his ashes scattered over his beloved Baja Peninsula in California. NEXT WEEK: The British author and playwright best known for her 1935 story “National Velvet”. • 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 Secrets of the World’s Best-Selling Writer: The Story Telling Techniques of Erle Stanley Gardner (1980) by Francis L and Roberta B Fugate.

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Girdle, Quinsy, Fable, Brick, Bestial (clue), Schedule, Fend. down: Emblazon, Ebbs, Horse, Nourish, Pundit, Naked, Aghast, Symbol, Amber, Infest, Impound, Bribe, Eddy, Jewelled.

tV croSSword

wordS Weird

MuddlESoME Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea

28 A negative return by a 6 E B White 7 Reg Wexford 8 Newnham 9 Xanadu pound without a key (6) 10 New Zealand

about a socialist leader (6) 3 9 1 7 2 1 22 Gentleman gets small 4 2 5of1 paper 3 3 2 amount (6) 1 8 2 1 now4 living 3 24 Old Irishman, 2 1(5) 2 3 1 abroad 8 9 3 7 5 4

SuMthiNg 6x2=12, 3x4=12, 3x6=18

SMall croSSword

2 7

TARGET

across: 1 Stand down, 7 Aura, across: 1 Mayim, 6 Pond, 8 Arquette, 8 Bible, 10 Vic, 11 Or else, 10 Angel, 11 Young, 12 Bright, clock-wiSE 13 Perspires, 14 Roasts, 16 Ova, Best described as a number crossword, the task in15 Kakuro Tate, 16 Spence, 17 Hank, is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid19 Ajar, 20 Endlessly. 18 Noise, Dear, army, myna, nape, peri, ride. is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 19 to America, 9, so 21 Sudoku Rose, 22 Madge. with several given numbers. The object is to place down:the 1 Saxophone, 2 Turret, 3 Nail, the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its down: 2 Also, 3 Margot, 4 Webb, numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, 4 Dig, 5 Obverse, 6 Necessary, left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the 5number Belgravia, 6 Penance, 7 Del, QuiZ of thE wEEkthe same 8 Bespoke, 9 Mermaid, 12 Lethal, each 3x3 box contains number 9 Quentin, 14column Stelling, and each on its top. No number may be used in the same block more 13 Tess, Alas, 17 ESL. only once. The difficulty level Corden of the3 Lecter Conceptis 15 Sudoku Hear, 18 Kate, 20 Eva. than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis 17 Kakuro 1 Golf 2 James increases from Monday to Sunday croSS douBt 4 Chelsea 5 1950s 6 American increases from Monday to Sunday. tV show: Sunnyside 7 Tragedy 8 Texas 9 James across: FETID Gandolfini 10 Brideshead Revisited. down: MISTY

1 6 3 9

DYr E i t t X E

Quick croSSword ● The

callYesterday’s 0907 181 2585 for today’s Answer target solution Sudoku

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

BATTLESHIPS

EASY PUZZLE

10 11

13 15

20 21

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Down 1 Not working when Across: 1 Orbit, 4 On paper, there’s a quarter 8 Gnu, 9 Tall story, 10 Albumen, missing? (8) 11 Excel, 13 Droopy, 15 Assume, 18 Order, 19 Guarded, 21 Hush 2 Close of play (8) money, 23 Tar, 24 Rapidly, 3 She’s not improved 25 Title. by the golden touch (4) Down: 1 On guard, 2 Blue blood, 5 Sort of silver currently 3 Totem, 4 Oblong, 5 Possess, produced (12) 6 Pro, 7 Royal, 12 Coup d’etat, 6 Food on the turn? (4) 14 Pyramid, 16 Endorse, 7 Hang around and see it 17 Agency, 18 Other, 20 As yet, 22 Sap. return again (6) 8 Your first task about midnight is making a dairy product (6) 11 Not exactly a heavenly Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution sound (4,2,1,5) 15 A girl in distress sought by Across: 1 Peach, 4 Camelot, Lohengrin (5) 8 Lac, 9 So it seems, 10 Cortege, 16 About to sum up 11 Nouns, 13 Trance, 15 Typist, the brother of 18 Banjo, 19 Calypso, 21 In the Romulus (5) news, 23 Dip, 24 Haggard, 18 Calculating a pudding 25 Order. mixture (6,2) Down: 1 Polecat, 2 Ascertain, 3 Haste, 4 Coiled, 5 Masonry, 19 They should have safety 6 Lee, 7 Tests, 12 Unimpeded, pins in them (8) 14 Cholera, 16 Trooper, 21 Signs of interest to 17 Screed, 18 Bligh, 20 Lasso, astrologers (6) 22 Tag. 22 It’s excessively used by composers (6) 26 The lowest place in motor racing (4) 27 Get keen on having some man around? (4) Down Across 1 Close call (4,4) 1 Fall asleep (3,3) 2 Impasse (8) 4 Job very easily 6 7 8 3 Total failure (4) done (8) 5 Whole9 Mythical female heartedly (12) warrior (6) 6 An 10 Ornamental wrist unsophisticated chain (8) provincial (4) 12 A pack animal (4) 7 Fusillade (6) 14 8 Approve 13 Domineering (5) 16 formally (6) 14 Bondsman (4) 11 Nationwide 17 An alternative (5-2-5) choice (6,6) 15 Up to the time 18 19 20 Be the decisive of (5) factor (3,3,6) 16 Light meal (5) 23 Uppermost 18 Everything point (4) considered (3,2,3) 19 Politically motiv24 Type of oar (5) 25 ated killer (8) 25 Capital of Peru (4) 21 Destitute 27 28 Biased (8) person (6) 29 Annoy 22 Be of good persistently (6) heart (4,2) 30 Greed for gain (8) 26 Silvery white 31 Capital of metal (4) 27 Counterfeit (4) Germany (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

9 10

3 1

THE ALPHABEATER 2 8 9

1 2 5 3 4 8 1 2

targEt cAn you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid

TODAY’S TARGET Good 12; very good 19; excellent 25 (or more). Solution tomorrow

Across 1 Doesn’t go in for reducing like posh people (6) 4 Males score in intellect (8) 9 A piece of land away from home (6) 10 Pretty collection (8) 12 Bird in difficulty (4) 13 Likely to snap under pressure (5) 14 Equipment changed on the road (4) 17 It’s a country that’s not in dispute (7,5) 20 Deliberate the return of revolutionary spirit it’s a crime (6,6) 23 They enable backward looking people to progress (4) 24 Join one in a new tune (5) 25 It shows how to make one’s mark (4) 28 Understood the devil came to a lawful end (8) 29 Made a false impression (6) 30 A secluded walk (8) 31 Politician in new test case appeals (6)

Friday, June 26, 2020

1 x Battleship 2 x cruiser

3 x Destroyer 4 x submarine

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

Extra letter

Target across: 7 Trade; 8 Verruca; 9 Parlour; number hopEfully floe aflop folly– or foulblack square. represents letter 10 Tiger; 12 Obsequious;uses 15 Open-minded; hello hole holey holly holy hope As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet words in 18 Smirk; 19 Trumpet; 21 Spanner; hopeful HOPEFULLY hullo hypo the main 22 Igloo. lope loupe phyllo pole poll the grid too! is used. But you haveploy to complete body of down: 1 Stupendous; 2 Hairy; 3 Veto; usepoly the given letters and black squares below 4 Averse; 5 Protrude; 6Chambers Dungeon; 21st 14 Pelican; the grid to start. the grid is ‘rotationally 11 Resolution; 13 Bumpkins; 16 Nature; 17 Spell; 20 Century Unit. symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the Dictionary same if you turn the page upside down. (1999 Solution tomorrow 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”.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

427

0907 181 2

(Deduct three min each extra clue lett

full solutio

0907 181 2

*Calls cost 80p per m your telephone co network access c

29 40 28 7 Yesterday’s 36 37 22 34Answer 33Kakuro

30 31

K H

■■ 32 ■

34 35

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

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

Solution tom

1 Flipper

2 slender

3 simulate

4 Digit

5 rule

6 smile

7 Gear

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Friday, June 26, 2020

animals

PET OF THE WEEK

BUDDY and Chief enjoy the warm sun

A poolside chat Animal Matters | KIM ARANHA Buddy: “Hey Chiefie, this sun feels good on my old bones.” Chief: “I know Bud. I have noticed that your back legs are bothering you quite a bit.” Buddy: “It’s not easy getting older, I notice that the two-leggeds walk slower once they have grey hair.” Chief: “Not Mum then! Because I heard her tell her friend on the phone she was never R going to have grey hair.” Buddy: “I notice that they are going out a bit more now. I hope she is not going back to being busy all the time. I like having her in the house more and more. It’s really fun now the air-conditioning is on to see how many times a day we can get her to stand up and walk around her desk to open the door.” Chief: “Sometimes I can get her to do it four times in an hour. I just stand there and bark at her as loudly as I can come up with. It makes her jump when she in concentrating on something else. But she always gets up for ‘door duty’.” Buddy: “Mum told me she is going to have me measured for wheels in case I need help with my back legs. She says she is doing it as a precaution and then I can get to know them before I need them, if I ever do.” Chief: “That’s a great idea, Buddy. Can I try them out when you get them? We must be about the same size.” Buddy: “Sure you can, Chiefie, if Mum says it’s OK.” Chief: “You are taking some medication for your joints like I am aren’t you, Buddy? I know Mum gives me pills and I think you take more.” Buddy: “I do, Chiefie. And I take a heart pill every day. It was discovered that I have an enlarged heart and that was compromising my lung function, so by taking this one pill every day I pant a whole lots less and feel a whole

lot better. I also take three Cosequin a day – spread out – Rimadyl and Turmeric tablets. It’s good to have a family who takes care of you.” Chief: “Yes, at the Bahamas Humane Society they call it responsible ownership. If only we had thumbs we could take our own pills.” Buddy: “The thing is that we are so smart but some people just don’t realise that. They think that simply because we cannot talk we must be stupid. If only they knew what we think about all day.” Chief: Last week Garmin stole this huge container of turtle food off the desk in Mum’s office. He carried it outside; I mean it was really big. Once he was outside, on the grass, he realised that he didn’t have thumbs, silly boy. Thank goodness, or he would have got it open before I got Mum. I stood in the garden and told him to put it back, but he wouldn’t, so I just stood there and barked until Mum heard the barking. I used my ‘it’s urgent’ voice and she came right out and took the turtle food away from Garmin.” Buddy: “Not all people with dogs are able to understand the many different tones to our barks. We have such sensitive ears that we can understand each other immediately. Some two-leggeds get it and others, sadly, go through life without caching on. I am glad Mum heard you. Garmin can be obnoxious with turtle food. Personally I don’t see why he wants it so much.” Chief: “Remember Garmin had a very rough start to life and was found in an abandoned baby carriage on Balls Alley. I heard him say he survived off mud puddles and bugs, when he went to the BHS he was on a drip for a while… and he was just a baby, all alone. It was his first day out of hospital and in with the other puppies when he saw Mum and chose her. He had big ears and no fur.” Buddy: “That’s why sometimes he has emotional problems, the past never completely left him. He needs a lot of reassurance. Did Mum get mad when she found him with the turtle food? Chief: “No not really. She just laughed and

(Photo/Patricia Vazquez)

Playful Parker By The Bahamas Humane Society

arker is a loving two-year-old potcake currently at the Bahamas Humane Society looking for a new home to call her own. She’s outgoing and enjoys meeting new people. She gets along well with most other dogs but isn’t too sure about cats. She’d love to check out the beach with you and she’ll loyally guard your home in exchange for food and a safe place to lay her head at night. Do you have that just right home to offer? Come and meet Parker! Adoption hours are 11am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday. Parker looks forward to meeting you.

•

Our Thrift Shop is back! Opening hours are Wednesday/ Thursday/Friday 11am to 3pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm. Be sure to wear your mask. Donations gratefully accepted.

told him not to do it again, and now the food is on a shelf he can’t reach.” Buddy: “Some people would have yelled at him! He was upset with her for taking it away, but not for long.” Chief: “You know, Buddy, we are back in the paper with one of our chats because we are so popular?” Buddy: “Yes, I heard that we are getting fan mail. But that doesn’t surprise me, twoleggeds love to hear what we are thinking. I guess we’ll be back again in a few weeks.

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Friday, June 26, 2020