NEWSLETTER [2006]

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My First Reunion

by Nazeleen Sataur

Reunion 2005! Washington, D.C. I'd been eagerly awaiting this since Sadia (Michigan) first told me about the 2002 reunion in Guyana. I was a little apprehensive at first. Would I know anyone? Would anyone recognize me? However, Sadia, the glue that holds the Class of '73 together, Lena (Guatemala) and Prea (Florida) all planned on attending. I figured I'd know at least 3 people.

Wednesday. Drove down from New York, checked into the hotel, and got to the reception room. Lots of ladies. Saw Marva (Toronto) and Christine (Florida) and became a little more comfortable. Found Lena at the refreshment table. And then the entertainment started. I heard music, steel band music, and then the ringing of the bell. And I immediately went back to my years in Sixth Form, hanging out of the window, ringing the school bell to signal the end of a period or the end of the school day. And then I saw the bell-ringer, in a school uniform no less!

Friday. The Cultural Evening. Somehow or the other, even though I live in New York, I became a member of the New Jersey group for NY's presentation. What a fun night! And I am not being biased when I say that our chapter's presentation was fantastic. From Lorraine's soliloquy to the Small Days opening, to Ride de Donkey, and then Cleveland took the stage! And there was the chanting go Cleveland ... go Cleveland go Cleveland!!! (Note to all: He HAS - to be aplayer in all future presentations!)

Sunday. The Commemoration Service. The fun was over and this day had tears. Memories of those annual walks from school to St. George's came rushing back. The hymns and songs of Guyana that I had not sung for more than 30 years, it was as if I was back in school - time had stood still. If I close my eyes, there was Miss Pieters standing in front of us, reminding us where we should breathe. Those, who here shall meet no more. Let those words not be true.

Seeing Mrs. Jarvis - hey, she's not so intimidating any more! Ms. O'Jon, Ms. Pollard, Ms. Edwards, Ms. Stuart, - they haven't really changed. Washington Chapter - "you done good"! So now we wait for Toronto 2008! I'm hooked! I'm psyched! I'm pumped!

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OUR FIRST

"Family Fun Day"

by Joan McGowan-Findley

Our first family day - The day had finally arrived when a group of us along with family and friends were about to embark on our Family Fun Day. The Fund Raising and Executive Committee members who were on the trip had been given specific assignments. It was a bright Saturday in July and at the pick up location most of the people were on the bus waiting for the stragglers to arrive. We waited for some time, since a family was en route, some many miles away. So we waited, and waited as some folks became more agitated than others. My thoughts on the wait were simply since we were going to relax in a park for an entire day, and since I'm neither a sun worshipper nor a picnicker, a few more minutes would be all right. When the family arrived, the kids entered the bus and the grandmother decided she would drive behind the bus. After exchanging directions, we departed from Brooklyn on our air-conditioned bus to Seaside Park, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

On the bus, we shared a meal of bakes and saltfish, sandwiches, fruit and juices and enjoyed each others' company as we reminisced on the last time we went on a picnic. We arrived at our destination after a comfortable ride of about one and a half hours. Ladies with baskets and coolers, laden down with all the triminings for a great time, disembarked from the bus and started seeking out the "right" spot to lay their blankets. We found picnic tables and before long, two of our male picnickers had two grills going - one for hot dogs and hamburgers and one for chicken. On the tables were dishes of familiar fare - watermelon, fruit salad, cheese straws, patties, pine-tarts, blackpudding, peas and rice, roti and curry, even lasagna, chips, candies, cakes ... lots o food.

After feasting, we proceeded to give the kids our full attention. There were races for the kids of varying age groups, from 4 to 16 - straight races, egg (lemon) and spoon, fast walking, tug-of-war, each participant received a prize. Not to be left out, the elders got into the act, and that competitive spirit surfaced A particular person took home three prizes, just showing us that she still had "it". Another fell and got up and rushed to the finishing line, not even checking to see if she had a broken limb or two. They then proceeded to show their hula-hoop skills. Well, it was something to behold as one grandmother brought it up to her neck and back down. What agility!

The beach was some distance away and the kids were driven there. Two adventurous ones walked, much to my chagrin; they almost had to send the guy in the white coat to get me.

The day was drawing to an end, we doused the grills, packed our baskets, cleaned our area and made our way to the bus, full of fun and food, talking about "let's do this again"our next Family Fun Day. We arrived back in Brooklyn at a decent hour and I believe from the expressions on their faces that the elders had a better day than the kids. But putting all kidding aside, we thoroughly enjoyed the day and a good time was had by all.

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