This week I must take a moment to celebrate the life of my dear friend Mrs. Joycelyne Ashby who, along with her husband Pastor William Ashby, made Anguilla her home some forty-four years ago. Pastor Ashby predeceased her in January 2013 but, together, they founded the Bethany Gospel Hall in Stoney Ground that has had positive effects on the lives of many Anguillians who either became full members or simply worshipped there from time to time. Bethany Gospel Hall has offered a very welcoming sanctuary to persons of differing religious denominations over the years.
Quite deservedly, in 2009, Mrs. Ashby received the Anguilla Badge of Honor and the Queen’s Certificate for her outstanding contribution to music education in Anguilla. Indeed her contribution was perhaps the launching pad for formal music education in our schools, as well as the community, and most likely was a pillar in the architecture of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) music program which I consider to be a Centre of Excellence.
For many years most of our conversations have been over the telephone. She was always giving me encouragement and spurring me on. However, on the rare occasions that I visited her it was always a great treat when she offered to play for me on her trusty piano. Music was her passion — and it was infectious to see her perform her collection of masterpieces. She passed quietly last week after ninety years of blessings. And she will be dearly missed for the blessings she poured out to so many others. May her soul rest in peace!
I must also express gratitude to my dear cousin Flossie Gumbs who celebrated her 100th Birthday on Friday November 14, 2014. She is a contemporary of my father (also Victor F. Banks), her cousin, who by my calculation was a year and a half her senior. He died two months less than fifty years ago in Anguilla. Cousin Flossie lived and worked in the United States for most of her productive life before building her home and retiring to Anguilla. She was determined never to forsake the place of her birth and infant nurture.
I remember her especially for her kindness to our family as well as to many others who have spoken likewise about their experiences with her. Although she never had any children of her own she seems to love children — and in her younger days was always ready with a kind word or a stern admonition as the particular situation warranted. Before she was restricted to home care she was a regular worshipper at Ebenezer Methodist Church. I can see her now in the pew keeping a watchful eye for anyone who did not appear to be exhibiting the proper decorum during the worship service. She never hesitated to give that “telling stare” to anyone that she felt was acting in an unbecoming manner. Cousin Flossie grew up steeped in the sound moral and ethical principles of traditional Anguillian society. Please join me in celebrating another exceptional Anguillian centenarian. In recent times Cousin Flossie has been experiencing that fatigue of mind and body that comes with age — but we thank God for his continued blessings on her life.
This weekend also witnessed the launching of two new and exciting projects, in Island Harbour, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Maclean Webster and family. For me, personally, as I would expect for most Anguillians, the entire event evoked a great sense of pride. The Websters officially launched the Anguilla Sea Salt Company and Anchor Miniature Golf (an eighteen-hole miniature golf course) at the Anchor Complex in Island Harbour.
The projects represent a considerable amount of investment by an Anguillan family and serves to demonstrate the capacity that we have as a people to contribute to our own national development. It also demonstrates how families working together can bridge the generational gap and deliver a project that utilizes our several talents. While Maclean Webster has had a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur in Anguilla and the United States Virgin Islands — these projects were made possible with the support of the collective skills and expertise acquired by his children and their spouses in their several places of training throughout the world. Nor should we forget his dutiful wife and faithful companion “Zellie” (Zelma) who must have been the stabilizing force and anchor as he undertook so many different enterprises over the years.
The importance of presentation and “first impressions” in any new business venture cannot be overstated. The Webster family certainly embraced these basic principles both in their attention to detail in the construction and finish of the projects as well as in the launching of the events. The whole complex is a testimony to good tastes in architecture and decorative design. The Miniature Golf Course incorporates the traditional family home and outdoor facilities in its design thus giving a unique Anguillian touch to the experience.
It was fascinating to watch so many Anguillians trying their hand at the miniature golf game at the opening and thoroughly enjoying themselves. I was one of the five lucky winners to get an opportunity to compete for a 32 inch Samsung Flat Screen television set. I also felt charitable enough to give my winning ticket to someone else who was likewise smart enough to ask Timothy Hodge to play that round of golf on his/her behalf. As a consequence that person ended up with a very early Christmas present. It was all in good fun. Tim had fun — while someone else ended up with a spanking new television. I also had fun because I was able to make someone else happy. All in all it was a great family fun day at the Anchor Complex. The prices are great and I wish the Webster family much success in this new and exciting venture.
The other project, the Anguilla Sea Salt Company, is even more commendable because it is a pioneering venture that is actually based on the Anguillian experience during that period of our history when salt was our main export. It is an innovative venture because it incorporates several uses of the product from the kitchen to the souvenir shop — all made in Anguilla. The merchandizing opportunities are phenomenal. Many persons did not have the opportunity to see the actual operation but it involves the use of our infinite source of seawater in a controlled system of condensation in a green house setting. The packaging and the marketing will be the key to its success and, based on the presentation at the opening ceremony, it is obvious that the younger Webster clan have that entire aspect of the project down to a science. The Anguilla Sea Salt Company is poised to be yet another Anguillian success story. Let us commend the Webster family for their vision and enterprise.
So I will step away from the noise of politics this week to remind readers that there are other social and human interest stories that must form part of our daily lives as Anguillians. Some will bring joy some will bring sadness. This weekend, also amidst the joy, was the sorrow of many Anguillians on the passing of Mr. Stephen Washington Gumbs professionally known as “the Mighty Kinger”. He was one of the earliest Calypso Monarchs in our forty-year history of Summer Festival. His contribution to the art form will be remembered and cherished. We will all remember his dedication to promoting our variety of calypso throughout the region on his own. He will be dearly missed.
There is so much to occupy our minds and our thoughts outside of the sometime depressing world of politics that I thought we should simply spend some time simply talking about our people and the events that fashion our lives and living. There is the sadness of the passing of a loved one; the blessings of long life; the pride of the successes and achievements of our people; the joy of a newborn baby (Farrah and Claire I have not forgotten you guys — Congratulations!); and so much more.
Lets us give thanks! What e’er betides!
