and Jachin Richardson
The Home Grown Car Club is a new social club in Anguilla, originating in the East End community. The President of the Club is Jachin Richardson, and he is cordially supported by his sister, Avilene Hodge-Carty. Last Saturday, February 13th, they staged a spectacular event at Freedom Park on the outskirts of the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.
The gig, dubbed “Scrumptious Culture Day & DJ Fete, featured a car show, a car raffle and an array of cultural dishes from all across the Caribbean. Jachin and Avilene met with The Anguillian newspaper on Wednesday, February 17th, and shared the details.
“It was our first Scrumptious Cultural Day & DJ Fete.” Avilene said. “We had on display, and for the feasting, dishes and beverages from various islands such as St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Guyana, Jamaica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Nevis, Barbados, Montserrat and, of course, Anguilla. Music was supplied by DJs from across the region as well. On hand was DJ Kue and DJ Play of St. Kitts, DJ Mars of Jamaica, DJ Prophet of the BVI, DJ Deanie of St. Vincent, and DJ Vicious of St. Kitts/Nevis.”
Parliamentary Secretary, Quincia Gumbs-Marie was present to savour the sumptuous regional cuisine, and boasting about her mother’s homeland, Dominica, she touted: “I made my first stop at Dominica, at my mom, Donna Bazil’s booth. Her roasted breadfruit and the smoke herring combo were all I needed. Don’t look, but I am currently in Wesley having a nice backyard cook-up.”
“Come on down to the Scrumptious Cultural Day food fair at Freedom Park,” she said, “and experience the islands.”
According to Jachin, the Car Show Contest was won by two Car Clubs, namely Bass Heads and Quality Sounds. While one of the two rendered the loudest audio, the other was awarded recognition for the cleanest sound, though it was not disclosed which one won which category. Therefore, the $200 prize was shared 50/50 between both Clubs.
Jachin reported that the car raffle aspect of the event related to yet another Club, a bicycle racing team called Off the Chain Cycling Team. “During the course of the past months,” he said, “tickets for the raffle were sold at $10.00 each. Today, Wednesday, February 17th, we are doing the hand-over of those prizes from that raffle. The first prize, the Honda Fit car, was won by Charlene Roberts of The Corpse, East End. The second prize, cash in the amount of US$500, was won by Victorine Brooks of Little Harbour.”
The Anguillan heard from both Sharlene and Victorine who commented about their prizes. Sharlene said: “I was so emotional when I heard I won, that I started to cry with joy. When I got the call last Saturday night I could not believe it. I asked, ‘Is this real?’ I had taken part in raffles before and I had won little prizes, but never had I ever dreamed about winning a new car. This is the biggest and most significant prize for me. I am just anxious to drive off with it now. Straight home! Thanks so much!”
Asked how she felt about her US$500 prize, Victorine replied: “I am so excited to know a ten dollar could give me US$500. It is amazing. I got the call around minutes to 2:00 Sunday morning when Jachin called me and said ‘you coming for your five hundred dollars?’ I was so awestruck. I couldn’t believe it. I was confused wondering what he was talking about. He surprised me. And funny enough, Jachin had been actually harassing me to buy a ticket. Now, thank God it paid off.”
Avilene said that she gets a great reward from seeing people win prizes and she intends to team up with Jachin in the not too distant future to hold another great event. She referred to the Balloon Parade which she spearheaded in September of 2018, and said that she is making plans for hosting another one in September of this year.
Avilene, Jachin and the entire team wish to thank all their fans for their support last Saturday. In particular, they extend thanks to the following entities and individuals: First, to Almighty God; the Anguilla Air & Sea Ports Authority; the Government of Anguilla; the Royal Anguilla Police Force; InAnguilla; Klass FM 92.9; Hi Tek Signs and Designs; Superior Industrial; Creative Distributors; Alert Security; Titanium Sounds; The Lounge; Jim Exquisite Painting and Auto Services; Jovanni Gumbs; South American Exports; and Emoalis.
In addition, Home Grown Car Club extends gratitude to all the other participating Car Clubs — Quality Sounds, Bass Heads, King of the Street and El Chapo.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
