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There's a special aura about having a picnic on a remote, uninhabited island. . . .
2001/10/07 - Click to enlarge pictures

We packed some pelau (a one-pot dish made of chicken, rice and peas and various seasonings), a cooler of drinks and some snacks, and we were off on "Gotcha". Garfield, the boat captain, made his way across the waters in about fifteen minutes. There are two restaurants on the island, one run by Johnno's and the other by Zara's. They were closed the day of our visit, but we were grateful for their shade, tables and chairs, where we spread our picnic.

The beach is gorgeous and the wildlife there seems to be flourishing. The kids had fun coaxing over a dozen bright finches and canaries to feed from their hands and looking for lizards. The coconut trees are quite robust and the natural vegetation is doing well.

Various charter boats including Gotcha can arrange to carry you to Prickly Pear. The return boat trip cost us US$40 per person for our group.

Story and pictures by Janine Edwards

To:   Daily Herald
From: Brenda Carty         
Date: September 24, 2001

Anguillians attend remembrance service 

ANGUILLA-A large cross-section of the community was in attendance at the Service of Remembrance held on Monday evening, September 17 at the St Mary's Anglican Church. It was organized by the Government of Anguilla, the Anguilla Christian Council and the Anguilla Evangelical Association.

Governor Peter Johnstone described the events in America as a horror movie that no one could believe but that gradually sank in as reality that had caused immense destruction and loss of life on a country that prides itself on homespun democracy. He described the enormous sadness, sympathy and effort to be with the people who have suffered, and the bravery that has followed. He suggested that Anguillians will need to be sensitive to visitors' feelings as so many of the tourists visiting the island are from the Eastern seaboard. He ended his talk with the words, "God bless America."

The Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming described the outpouring of love and togetherness that has resulted from the tragic events, noting that this is a lesson for everyone and we all need this outpouring of love. He described how the USA has touched the lives of everyone in some way or another and he thanks the US for all they have done and wants them to know that we are concerned. The repercussions on tourism and the economy were also included in the Chief Minister's brief talk. "When I look at what happened we are nothing," he said, "it behoves us to live as if each day is our last."

The service was led by Rev Menes Hodge and several ministers from the Christian and Evangelical Councils took part including Pastors Ambrose Richardson, Lucien McDonna and Philip Gumbs, Rev Janetta James and Father Herberger. Lessons were read by the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Hubert Hughes. Rev Keithley Richardson, Superintendent of the Methodist Church gave "Words of Comfort". The theme of his talk was to fight back with love, not to be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good. He said his dream is for the USA to go to Afghanistan with food, medical supplies and aid to help the people there who are already in a grave situation. He suggested that love alone will bring peace. In trying to make sense of it all he said that hatred destroys the hater and the hated in acts of terror, that provokes fear and anger and that anger will ferment into more anger and revenge. "Seek comfort and support each other," he advised.

Attending the service were the Governor and Mrs Johnstone, the Chief Minister and Mrs Fleming, Ministers of Government, Permanent Secretaries and Special Assistants as well as other senior government personnel. At the end of the service the Royal Anguilla Police Force band played the national anthems of Great Britain, the USA and the Anguilla National Song. Music during the service was played by organist Lennox Vanterpool.

To:   Daily Herald
From: Brenda Carty      
Date: September 24, 2001

Government of Anguilla expresses sympathy

ANGUILLA-Acting Chief Minister, Eric Reid issued a press release following the tragic events in the USA on Tuesday.

He says, "The Government of Anguilla is shocked and saddened by the scale of the destruction and loss of life which resulted from the apparent terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.

The Government of Anguilla solicits the prayers of the people of Anguilla for the Government and people of the United States and especially for the victims and their families of this terrible tragedy."

He goes on to say that the Anguilla Government condemns the use of violence for the promotion of any cause regardless of its legitimacy and joins with other governments in supporting the punishment of the perpetrators "of these evil acts".

To:   Daily Herald
From: Brenda Carty         
Date: September 24, 2001

Governor sends letter to US President ANGUILLA-At a meeting on Thursday September 13 of the Executive Council the Governor, Peter Johnstone was authorized to send a condolence message to the President of the United States on behalf of the people and government of Anguilla.

The text of the letter reads, "On behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, I offer sincere condolences on the enormous loss of life as a result of the acts of terrorism on Tuesday. Please express to all concerned the deep feeling of sadness and sympathy felt by the people of Anguilla for the suffering, which these despicable acts have caused."

The letter went on to say how although Anguilla is a small island we often host visitors from New York, Boston and the Eastern seaboard and therefore feel a closeness with people from that area, making it much more poignant. He also says how there are several Anguillians who live and work in the affected areas and that the people's thoughts are with them too.

He concludes, "Please be assured that your Government, the people of the United States of America and especially the victims and their families will feature prominently in our prayers."

Stories and pictures by Brenda Carty

For the past 5 months or so, four men have worked this lot, which was provided to them by the Agricultural Department. They are Iahkiah, Jah Youth, Ganga Ashes and Abbazulu, a popular calypsonian also known as I Spy. They plant a wide array of vegetables and fruits like wild lettuce, beets, cassava, carrots, pumpkin, okra, guinea corn, sweet corn, watermelon, bananas, spinach, papaya, thyme, chives, sweet peppers. They plant and reap on a daily basis and then sell their produce at the farm lot (look for their "Organic Food & Plants" sign) and around the island.

Part of their daily routine is to cook a pot of Ital food for their lunch and for friends or customers who may drop by. I enquired about the difference between Ital food and Vegetarian food and was advised that the cooking methods and requirements of Ital food are more strict.

Abbazulu said: "You can't have Ital food unless you include coconut. No salt�no butter�.no packaged seasonings�just the natural seasonings from the ground like garlic, onion�" . They grate coconut in a bowl, add some water and squeeze the coconut juice out. The coconut-water mix is used to cook the vegetables. Also they have a special clay pot that they cook in, as they believe that aluminum pots may leave metallic traces in the food. Abbazulu said: "Clay is from the earth, just like us.." They clean the clay pot with special bushes like Balsam bush or coconut husk.

They are exploring the possibility of cooking Ital food on a larger scale as they see a growing demand. This spot is worth a visit.

Directions: from the airport parking lot, take the only exit and turn left. Continue straight past Island Car Rentals, Anglec and National Bank. Turn left at the light by Albert Lake's Market and drive past the library and the high school. At the roundabout go straight ahead up the row of mahogony trees. You should see the Organic Food & Plants sign on the left before you reach the baseball field.

Story and pictures by Janine Edwards

* These ingredients available at Organic Food & Plants in The Valley.

Method

Wash and peel onion and garlic, chop finely with sweet pepper and chives. Cook rice for 30 to 45 minutes based on brand and cooking instructions on package. Additional liquid may be required if liquid dries up before rice is properly cooked. Rice grains should be separate and not hard but firm. If soy chunks are to be added, they should first be soaked for a few minutes and added with the rice. For a vegetable cook-up, ital rice variation, chopped vegetables such as broccoli and carrots should be added when the rice is almost done so as not to overcook them.

Chopped seasonings are added to taste immediately as the pot is removed from the fire or the burner turned off. They will become tender from the heat of the rice but for best flavour, they should not be cooked. The red and or yellow pepper, green herbs and/or other vegetables should make this a very colourful dish. Garnish and serve with sliced avocado, sprinkled with the juice of a fresh lime.

Recipe contributed by Ijahnya Christian

Young Anguillian entrepreneur Merlyn Rogers created this boutique which aims to live up to the meaning of its name: "beauty and confidence from the inside out", a phrase borrowed from the Walof Tribe of Gambia. Merlyn: "It's all about rejuvenating� rekindling� taking care of yourself�"

The House of Tarru features handmade soaps, scented candles, body oils, bath salts, facial treatments, footcare lines and scented loose potpourri.

Tempting items like "Treasures of the Sea" soap and "Amaretto" potpourri are accompanied by pleasant fragrances. You can find unique items like my favourite� a candle in the shape, colour and size of a real "julie" mango. Floating candles, floral book ends, picture frames, vases and journals always make nice gifts. The boutique also offers a selective line of linen clothing, leather handbags and straw hats.

Merlyn has exciting plans for the upcoming months. She will be introducing complete spa lines from Upper Canada Soap and Candle Makers and also bringing in a French line L'Occitane, who feature spa products made of natural ingredients from Africa. The House of Tarru also hopes to soon offer pedicure services�perfect for unwinding after a long week.

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm; Saturday 10am - 5pm. Tel. 497-8181; Fax 497-3978. Email: [email protected]

Directions: starting from the airport parking lot, take the only exit and turn left, continue straight past Island Car Rentals, Anglec and the National Bank. At the intersection by Albert's Supermarket, turn right and your are in The Quarter. House of Tarru is on the right just down the street.

Story and pictures by Janine Edwards