Brooklyn print edition (PDF) - Caribbean Life

Aug. 3–9, 2012 • Caribbean Life • Brooklyn/Staten Island • Page 26Vincy picnic gets bigger, betterPicknic crowd bursting at its seamsPhoto by Nelson A. KingBy Nelson A. KingThe annual Vincy UnityPicnic at Brown’s Bay ProvincialPark in the 1,000Islands area in easternOntario, Canada, continuesto burst at its seams,as thousands of nationalsdescended on the picturesquesite on Saturday, July21 for the massive extravaganza.More than 20,000 nationalstrekked from majorcities in North America –including Toronto, Montreal,Ottawa, New York,Philadelphia and Boston –throughout the Caribbeanand the Diaspora, and evenfrom home to participate inthe spectacle.In picture-perfect weather,they dined, drank, chilled,“ole-talked,” gyrated to hypnoticsoca vibes, and just hadplain fun at the expansivepark bordering the St. LawrenceRiver.Amid the gaiety, nationalsdevoted time in expressingtheir sentiments to CaribbeanLife, proclaiminggenerally and unapologeticallythat they were havinga time of their life.“It’s very inspiring,” saidClem Hewitt, who drovefrom the Bedford-Stuyvesantsection of Brooklyn,with his son Nigel.“I love the atmosphere,”added Hewitt, enjoying hisfourth 1,000 Is. picnic. “Iget to see a lot of people Ihave not seen in years. It’svery heart-warming.”Sisters Annie, Maude andLena Kidd, said the picnicprovides a great opportunityto unwind from thehustle and bustle of dailyliving.“It’s my first time coming,but it wouldn’t be thelast one – while I’m alive,”said Annie, who, with hersiblings, was among fourbusloads of compatriots,who undertook the 10-hourjourney from Brooklyn,organized by the umbrellaVincentian group Councilof St. Vincent and theGrenadines Organizations,U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO).“I kept hearing about it(picnic), but I never knewthe culture behind it,”chimed in Lena. “I’ll beback next year.”A busload of nationalsfrom Pennsylvania hadalso undertaken the trek,organized by the St. Vincentand the GrenadinesOrganization of Pennsylvania(SVOP).For the second successiveyear, COSAGO and SVOPcollaborated in providingmeals, hotel accommodationand other activities forpicnic-goers.The groups also used theoccasion to raise funds forthe nation’s participationnext spring in the annualPenn Relays in Philadelphiaby raffling a largeflat-screen TV, among otherprizes.“I always look forward tomeeting all these Vincentians,”said Brooklyn residentSonia Thompson, whobrought along her son Alex,for the fourth time, on theCOSAGO-SVOP excursion.“This is a cultural thing.”50 YEARS OFSELF RULEContinued from page 5Myrie AKA Buju Banton, apopular, dancehall reggaeartist arrested by federalofficers on drug-relatedcharges.2010: Air Jamaica ceasesto operate under Jamaicanownership.The name Christopher“Dudus” Coke indeliblyinscribes cause for PMGolding’s declaration ofstate of emergency whencrime and violence marsthe year. Reportedly, 73Jamaicans are killed in thequest to smoke out the USsought-after crime figurefrom his Kingston communityknown as TivoliGardens. Coke was notcaptured there but in acar allegedly headed to thecapital city of Kingston.Dressed in women’s clothing,he was seized, handedover to federal authoritiesand extradited to the USA.2011: Prime MinisterGolding steps down andalleges he will no longerseek elective governance.He is replaced by AndrewHolness. Later that sameyear, Portia-Simpson Millerwins in landslide elections.Popular reggae dancehallpersonality Buju Banton issentenced to 10 years.2012: Simpson Millertakes oath of office andinaugurated prime minister,the first female everto take the oath of office.Dudus pleads guilty andis given 23 years. PrinceHarry represents hisgrand mother QueenEliza beth II who is celebratingher golden jubileesimultaneously with theisland’s milestone achievement.Ironically, duringthis same year as in 1962(Empire & Commonwealthgames) — Jamaicanathletes are vying fortop track and field medalsat the Olympic Games.onThe Company You Can Trust • Est. 190950” CLASS LED 1080p HDTV66 SHOWROOMS SERVING NY, NJ, CT, PAfor The GamesLOCATEOUR 66SHOWROOMSOUR LOWESTADVERTISEDPRICE EVER34% OFF 1.800.696.2000OR VISITPCRICHARD.COMDEBT PROBLEMS?Get a Fresh Start!Bankruptcy Law Center New York(718) 625-1888Former Judicial Law Clerk to Bankruptcy Judge25 years of bankruptcy law experienceClover Barrett & Associates, P.C. Stop foreclosure& keep your home! FREE Consultation