AUTOBUM – By: Ewalt (Waltie) Ainsworth

Ewalt Ainsworth

This article has been written by Guyana-born Ewalt (Waltie) Ainsworth.  He left Guyana in the early 1980’s and now lives in New Jersey. He is now almost totally blind but this impediment has not stopped his academic studies or his ability to craft his interesting and sometimes amusing stories about Guyana, the USA, and life.  E-mail: jenewalt@aol.com

We have published a previous article entitled:   Small Change still on my mind  

AUTOBUM  –  By: Ewalt (Waltie) Ainsworth

June is the month of weddings and every boy and girl, irrespective of country of origin, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity et al, looks forward to tying the nuptial knot.  June, real name, got married in the month of June, on her birth date and was unable to consummate the marriage.  Her husband was returned to prison immediately after the ceremony.

The husband has been incarcerated for more than 18 months and originally was scheduled to be released a week before the wedding day but encountered some technical problems regarding immigration.  Originally, he was charged for grand auto theft and had done his time.  The problem he encountered has to do with his citizenship.           

History of Wm Fogarty Store, Georgetown, British Guiana

As a child growing up in Guyana (then British Guiana), you became familiar with the name of Wm Fogarty from your first step.  That applied to your parents and grandparents.  Fogarty’s Store was there at that time and will still be here for generations to come.

From time to time, have you wondered where the Fogarty’s Store came from?  Who established it?  What really is the relevance of Fogarty’s Store that was always present in your life, one that you will look forward to visiting and being assured of the best quality of goods and services?

Here is a peek into the history of Fogarty’s Store.   

Time to decide where we stand on Caribana

Posted by Arnold A. Auguste on Thursday, May 26th, 2011 in Share News –Caribana News  Opinion

By ARNOLD A. AUGUSTE, Publisher/Editor – Share News

In a recent conversation, Denise Herrera-Jackson, the CEO of the Festival Management Committee (FMC), the organization which has run the Caribana festival for the past five years, told me that the FMC’s aim is to wean the festival off of the City of Toronto’s funding. She said her organization is working to attract sponsors for the festival which will make it less dependent on the city.

While it is a great idea to work on attracting more sponsors – and there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to do so since any other event of Caribana’s size and draw would be an advertiser’s dream – the comment just serves to underscore the fact that they, and just about everyone else who has ever been involved with Caribana, still see the city’s financial contribution as a grant, as funding, as a gift. It is not and should not be perceived as such. It must be seen as an investment in a festival which brings in a massive return – to the city, the province, the federal government and to all the hotels, restaurants and other businesses which benefit from the more that $450-million the festival injects into the economy each year.

Funding is for community organizations such as those helping new immigrants settle into the country; groups working to house and otherwise assist the poor; groups working with youth, especially youth from disadvantaged areas of the city or seniors; groups which provide services that governments, unable to provide themselves, fund to help meet the social and even cultural needs, especially of the disadvantaged. Or those huge feel-good events – such as Luminato – which make a big show but generate little by way of economic impact.
But, not a festival such as Caribana.             

Letter on Denis Solomon – by Joey Jagan

Dear Editor,

I would like to share, from personal experience, the achievements which Guyanese are capable of by relating the educational voyage which an old friend of mine completed with great distinction. Denis Solomon , a school-mate of mine from Queens College(1961-1967), was always an achiever and always brought home to his Syrian – Guyanese parents living on Smyth Street , grades which were always at the top of his form(class) at QC. Denis, I remember, always won prizes for bringing first or second each and every term at QC and was a good friend and one to look up to with admiration because of his disciplined approach to his studies, his humour and unique Syrian-Guyanese “look”, respectful and correct in every way and always, neat and well dressed. My father , President Cheddi, always liked Denis’ disposition and encouraged me to be more like him, especially in my studies; these were the times when Denis often visited at Red House to play cricket and just “hang out”.          

“Thank you Tiger – Shivnarine Chanderpaul”

“Thank You, Tiger – Living and making history with West Indian cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul”

  JULY 10, 2011 | BY KNEWS |  SPORTS 

Colin E. H. Croft

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

You would think that I am mad, but I am very sure that I knew Shivnarine “Tiger” Chanderpaul long before he was born.  I knew of him perhaps before his father thought of him!

I believe that we should all be very pleased to be alive to celebrate Shiv’s record-breaking achievement of becoming the most capped West Indies Test player ever, with, now, 133 Tests.
If we really appreciate our cricket and cricketers, we should give tremendously great homage to a guy who has survived everything thrown at him, even West Indies team captaincy, to soldier on, regardless!
By now, many would know that the little village of Unity-Lancaster, in the Mahaica area, up the East Coast of Demerara, in Guyana, with approximately 2,000 inhabitants, has produced two West Indies Test cricketers, “Chanders” and me.  That is not bad at all, for such a little place!
To add to that, both outgoing President of Guyana’s Cricket Board, Chetram Singh and outgoing President of Republic of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, are also our ‘country-men”, products of Unity-Lancaster.  It would not be an idle boast to claim these achievements as being unique for any village.
I am very proud to be fortunate enough to have my name associated with these erstwhile performers, especially Shiv.  While I did not know the two presidents well in their youth, I have come to know them fairly well in professional life.  I certainly knew Chanders’ father, and uncle, ‘much better than well’!

TORONTO FOUNDATION – Dinner-Dance – September 17, 2011

“Helping to Feed and Educate Underprivileged Students in Guyana”  

TORONTO FOUNDATION

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

CANADIAN VISION CARE – GUYANA TEAM

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO OUR  DINNER & DANCE

IN AID OF

HELPING TO FEED & EDUCATE UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS IN GUYANA   &

BRINGING THE GIFT OF SIGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF GUYANA BY THE CANADIAN VISION CARE – GUYANA TEAM

Date       Saturday, September 17^th. 2011.

Place             Elite Banquet Hall, 1850 Albion Road, Rexdale

Cocktails         6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. –Vince on the Steel Pan

Dinner              7:45 p.m. –                 –  Jan Morgan –Trumpeter

Entertainment  Popular D.J. “PAUL” –  Narie Mahabir on the Sax.

Donation         $55.00 per person

Endorsed By: The Consulate General of Guyana, The Rotary Club of Bramalea, Brampton, ON, and the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.

 Toronto Committee and Ticket Info:

• Shanta De Abreu:  416-409-0990       sdeabreu@trebnet.com
• Gordon Collins:  905-274-7292            gordcoll@rogers.com
• Nandi Mahabir-Broomé:  905-270-6164   nmusbio@hotmail.com
• Paul Mahabir:  613-258-5170             :  pmahabir@yahoo.com

“HELPING TO FEED AND EDUCATE UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS IN GUYANA”

The Toronto Foundation: “ Helping to Feed and Educate Underprivileged Students in Guyana” came into being in November 2002.  This project involves feeding schools in the general Guyana Diaspora where it has been identified that the nutritional needs of the students are not being effectively met.  Through participation in this initiative, students are enabled to reap full benefits for the educational information being passed on to them.

 The Toronto Committee has successfully held seven (7) fundraising banquets from which they were able to garner a total of $86,224.00, (inclusive of 2010 Dinner/Dance that raised $13,200.00).  This amount has been utilized, with the assistance and administration of the Guyana Committee to feed the following seven (7) schools.

1.   Malgre Tout Primary                            West Bank Demerara
2.   La Grange Primary                               West Bank Demerara
3.   Kuru Kururu Primary                           Linden Highway
4.   Supply Primary                                      East Bank of Demerara
5.   Mashabo Primary                                  Ituribisci Lake (Hot & Cold)
6.   St. Francis Xavier Boys Dorm.            Charity, Essequibo
7.   Abram’s Creek Primary                        Pomeroon River

Two more schools in New Amsterdam have recently been added.

           The Toronto Committee is effectively and efficiently monitoring the situation in Guyana and even participates in the feeding of the children at the schools.  In essence, this program is working and needs your continued support.

 ************

Canadian Vision Care  – Guyana Team

For over 20 years, the Canadian Vision Care – Guyana Team has been travelling to Guyana to provide free eye care to areas where these services do not exist and to the people who are not able to afford this care. We work in partnership with Guyana’s Ministry of Health and local service clubs, who assist with the planning and logistics for the projects.

 Our team provides a complete eye examination, including free prescription eyeglasses if required. Our nurse conducts a diabetic and hypertension clinic with counseling for disease management.  Cataract surgery with IOL implants and pterygium surgery have been performed by our ophthalmologists. As well, vision screening at local schools is often conducted to identify children with eye-related problems.

 Our team is made up of volunteer ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, nurses and assistants, who not only give their time and skills but cover all related costs for their travel, meals and accommodation. However, other expenses such as purchasing supplies, equipment, medications, eyeglasses, etc. must be financed through fundraising activities such as this gala.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  In advance we thank you for your help as we bring this Gift of Sight to the people of Guyana.

February 2011, 6-day Clinic in Anna Regina, Essequibo:

Patients Seen: 1300

Eyeglasses Distributed: 1050

Patients Referred to MOH for Eye Surgery/Treatment: 42

*************

Attend our Dinner-Dance on Saturday,  September 17th  2011

A wonderful program is planned and you are assured of a great time. Here is the Flyer –  Toronto Foundation -2011 Dinner&Dance

Frank Sinatra – It Was A Very Good Year -1965

 FRANK SINATRA IN THE STUDIO… a fantastic look at making a recording of one of his hit songs…  “It was a very good year”.

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Comment:  Frank Sinatra was not necessarily my favourite, however musicians and singers, and other interested parties might have a good look at this…the vocal control, the confidence, the subtleties (not sub-titles..(;>)), the orchestral arrangement….an interesting mini-documentary on a great master…and a great song…  

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Lets go back to 1965 …. and visit United Western Recorders Studio 1 in L.A. Watch the master at work with Gordon Jenkins and a top notch studio band .

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GUYANESE ONLINE NEWSLETTER – JULY 2011

GUYANESE ONLINE NEWSLETTER – JULY 2011

Read/Download >>> July 2011 Newsletter–GuyaneseOnline

                                                (Click Link above)

This is the latest edition (#17) of the Guyanese Online Newsletter.

This newsletter has 17 pages and contains many articles and advertising of events by various Associations in the USA and Canada and one from London, England.

Inside this Issue

• Pg 01– Elections Update
• Pg 02- Editorial – Sir Ronald Sanders on “War on Drugs”.
• Pg 03- Guyanese Online Blog Information
• Pg 04 – Associations News and events
• Pg 05- Associations News  and events
• Pg 06- Associations News and events
• Pg 07- Associations News and events
• Pg 08- Associations News and events
• Pg 09- Associations News and events
• Pg 10- Commentary on OMAI and the gold industry
• Pg 11– Guyana News
• Pg 12- Guyana News
• Pg 13 – Tourism News
• Pg 14 – Caribbean /Regional News
• Pg 16 – Agriculture Special Feature: Grow More Food Campaign #1-5
• Pg 17 – Last Lap Lime – Toronto  Advertisement

‘We do hope you find this publication interesting.

Read/Download >>> July 2011 Newsletter–GuyaneseOnline

                                                   (Click Link above)

Cyril Bryan, Editor and Publisher

E-mail: guyaneseonline@gmail.com or cybryan@gmail.com

Last Lap Lime – Toronto – Monday August 1, 2011

Paramakatoi: Through the eyes of a Coastlander

By Samantha Balkaran Bipat

I AM a trained Agricultural science teacher originally from the Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) district. Presently, I am attached to the Paramakatoi Secondary School, and am proud to have the privilege of sharing my experiences of this unique village.

I am aware that it is not uncommon for teachers from coastal Guyana who are assigned to interior locations to feel misplaced. That has not been my experience.

I arrived at Paramakatoi with a sense of apprehension about the challenges of adjusting to a new environment; a different culture. My assignment to the interior had not been supported by my friends and relatives. They were concerned chiefly about the remoteness of the community. Paramakatoi lies atop of one of the Pakaraima Mountains, and is not easily accessible, except by aircraft.

My decision to accept this challenge was both personal and professional. I am a teacher, and my duty is to share my knowledge. At a personal level, I saw this as an opportunity to work with a community where there was a particular need for my skills.

I sensed, somehow, from the moment I arrived here that I would benefit immensely from this experience. The sense of security that I felt upon reaching Paramakatoi was immediate. What touched me most was the openness with which I was accepted in what is a closely-knit community.

There was a time when I subscribed to the axiom that luxury makes life. I understand now that there is a great deal to be derived from a simple life. When you are able to commune with nature, and to learn the ways of a tribal people — the Patamunas — your life is enhanced in ways that cannot be realised through luxury.

Most of my afternoons are spent admiring the varying green carpets of trees that unfold for miles on far off mountains. The sunsets at Paramakatoi are the best I’ve seen, as the sun faints away slowly behind huge mountains, producing some of the most magnificent rays one can imagine. As night falls, the temperature drops sharply, which causes me to sleep in two pairs of socks and jerseys of the thickest fabric I can find. The beauty of the night sky keeps sleep until late into the night; the well-defined constellations, the far-stretching Milky Way and the rising of a full moon are indescribably beautiful sights. The moon creeps up from behind one of the great Pakaraimas, and, for a moment, sits majestically on its peak. On dark nights, candle-flies can be seen in their thousands, creating magical twinkles.