Guyana Cultural Association of New York Inc.Newsletter – December 2011
Download Newsletter: DECEMBER 2011_GCA_Newsletter
Letter from the Editor
Seasons Greetings
It is hard to believe that another year has gone by, in the blink of an eye. Christmas is here again, and as we know, this season is one of the most exciting times of the year.
Christmas is a time to feel a spirit of happiness. But most importantly, it is a time to connect and feel especially close and thankful for familyand friends.
Many may argue, despite the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and the colorful fairy lights that adorn houses everywhere, Christmas in America can in no way compare to the wholehearted feeling we experienced back home, especially on Christmas Eve. My extended family who lived in one big house got together to polish the floor, hang the curtains, and as we use to say, put up the Christmas tree.
I feel a sense of nostalgia, and yearn for those wonderful bygone days of waking up to a breakfast of pepperpot and freshly baked bread. Those days, as kids we raced to the Christmas tree and were happy with whatever toy awaited us from our grab bag Santa.
I can remember my uncle Art Brooms – one of Guyana’s former Jazz greats back then, made sure that music was in the house. We were awakened by that infectious rhythm of the drums, and symbols that penetrated the Christmas season. He was the only person who bought me a toy car for Christmas, but it never bothered me that it was mostly suited to a boy, I was happy none the less that it was a Christmas gift, from my uncle.
As we share and give thanks for the smaller things in life, I want to thank Cousin Lenny who never had much but who shared his few cents in the most warm and kind way at Christmas time. You see Cousin Lenny was an old man who lived in the Archer Poor House, an elderly home for the less fortunate people in Guyana. But this never stopped him from walking to Princess Street where I grew up, to take my siblings and cousin to see Father Christmas.
This was the biggest treat ever during the festive season because every year, Cousin Lenny would show up. He made this an all day outing. We could arrive at Fogarty’s on Water Street from Lodge, by foot, to receive our gifts from Father Christmas and then walk to a cake shop on South Road for a bottle
of lemonade, before making the trek back home.
This selfless act by one poor person is an experience I will never forget. So, as we celebrate this Christmas time, and everyday in our lives we should remember it is not what you have, but whom you share it with.
We at GCA would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, and the very best of good health and prosperity in the New Year.
We look forward to an exciting season of stirring cultural programs to enthrall and inspire you. Cheers!
Letter from the Editor
Tangerine Clarke
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