Anguilla Has Changed
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Many people remember Anguilla's past with fondness and nostalgia.

Daisy Wong has composed a poem entitled "Li'l Bit A Guinea Corn Porridge" about those early days.

Teacher Patsy Adams has written a book of poetry about the past, "Windows to Yesteryear".

David Carty writes passionately about the history of boat racing in Anguilla.

David Berglund has put together a survey of Anguilla's shipwrecks.

And the whole community is involved in restoring historic Wallblake House.

Joy Goodge Musselwhite, [email protected], writes about the good "ole days"...

Hello,

I grew up on Anguilla (1962-1976) and I enjoy your news. It is hard to believe that this is the same island that I remember. When I was there my family had a diesel generator to give us electricity and it was used sparingly. We bought ice at the ice plant. Most of the roads were dirt. And it was a real treat to shop at Albert Lakes. Oh, and the johnny cake was an everyday thing. You could have them fried or baked.

Then came the British Invasion, which brought us better roads not to mention a few other things. I use to love to go to the Haskins place with my parents, while they visited over coffee, I could roam the beach or play with the cats, they had 15-20 cats. And I loved playing in the formica. We didn't have to lock our doors back then either... you just pulled them to when you left. And the beaches were beautiful... you could go to Shoal Bay walk the beach and find tons of sunburst shells. I often walked from our home in Island Harbour to Shoal Bay, thru the "bush path" and not see a soul. No one minded you crossing their land and you could stop at any house and ask a drink of water and it be given to you. When a family would be building on their home, neighbors all around would help, not for pay but just because they cared.

And the toys we played with... broken bits of china put in an old parfume bottle with a bit of water. Broken plates made our dishes in my little bush house. An old tin can was the pot and pull a few of those red berries off a tree, add some water and you had soup. We would play for hours... doll house. Then there was jacks, only played with rocks... no ball. And jump rope until your legs hurt. Jack be nimble, jack be quick!

We didn't have fancy toys or electronics... in fact we didn't have a T.V. I remember going to the Webster's house on Friday nights to watch Hawaii Five-O. My kids ask me if we were poor, no we weren't poor, we just enjoyed the simple things in life.

I called my best friend last week, she lives in Island Harbour. I called to see how her mother was doing. Her mom was like a mom to me too. I probably spent just as much time eating in her house as in mine. I asked how mama was... she's not been well. So we got to talking about the old days... it brought tears to both our eyes. Time has flown by, I haven't been there since 1986 and now I need to come home to see a dear friend before she passes on. I'm afraid to come home because I am afraid of the change...everyone that has been back tells me how it has changed. I even have a brother that lives there and has asked me to come visit but I've clung to the good ole days. I know change is good but it's always hard to go back home when you know it's nothing like you remembered.

Thanks for being a link that has helped me keep up with the changes there. I will get to see the new Anguilla but I will still remember the old Anguilla. I cherish it because it is home.

Joy Goodge Musselwhite

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