A delegation of 49 persons comprising seniors and stakeholders travelled to St. Martin on Thursday, October 1, 2015, in observance of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. The delegation was the guests of the St. Maarten Senior Citizens Recreational Foundation which hosted a reception and special programme in their honour, at the Reverra 1, in Sandy Ground St Martin. A large part of the Anguillian delegation comprised members of the Anguilla Retired Persons Association (ARPA).
The highlight of the day was the honouring of seven seniors: two from Anguilla, two from French St. Martin and three from Dutch St. Maarten. Anguilla’s two recipients were Ms Rose Brooks of South Valley and Mrs Ursilla Connor, of South Hill. Ms Brooks made her contributions in the area of education and health. Mrs. Connor was honoured for being the oldest known Anguillian, residing on Anguilla. She is 102 years old. Both were present to receive their awards and expressed gratitude before the large gathering to all who played a part in their selection. The awards were all hand-crafted by Mr Hays Hayson, a 78 year old senior of Dutch St. Maarten. The gathering was told that when Mr Hayson heard that the honouree, Mrs. Ursilla Connor, was 102 years old, he substituted the award he had previously made for a much larger one standing approximately 3 1/2 feet tall.
Mrs. Hyacinth Hughes, Dr. Oluwakemi Linda Banks, Ms Bertha Geraldine Carty and Mr. Timothy Hodge recited poems for the occasion. The latter two were inspired to write their poems during the activity. The well over 300 persons were further entertained by live music provided by St. Maarten’s lead jazz band, Impax Band, the Jolly Boy SXM band, King Timo and guitarist Winston Vlaun.
All members of the delegations received tokens from the St. Maarten Recreational Foundation. Senior Social Worker, Mr. Clive F. Smith also received several gifts of games from the Foundation on behalf of the senior citizens in Anguilla. It is the Foundation’s hope that seniors of Anguilla will learn to play the games so that when the seniors from both islands come together they could share in the playing of the same games.
ARPA treasurer, Mrs. Ursil Webster-Brooks, also received gifts on behalf of the absent members of the Association. Presentations were made to the St. Maarten Recreational Foundation by Mrs. Ursil Webster-Brooks and Mr. Clive F. Smith, on behalf of the Anguillian delegation. Mrs. Marva Hanson-VanHennigen, who was instrumental in extending the invitation to Anguilla, was the recipient of a copy of the book “Finding My Way in a Strange Land”, written by Anguillian, Mr John Brooks who was at hand to present an autographed copy of his book to Mrs. Hanson-VanHennigen.
Mr. Smith, who gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the Anguillian delegation, also made an apology for the Honourable Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers who was unable to attend due to other competing commitments on the same day. He also thanked The Anguilla Social Security Board for sponsoring the boat fare for the Anguillian delegation.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
