Columns

Alright, I know that the majority of my readers know that I am involved with the Anguilla Tennis Academy. With that in mind, it has been one of my goals to attempt to stay away from writing articles that deal directly with the ATA in order to ensure a certain amount of objectivity. I have, in the past, mentioned things about the ATA because I believe in the work it is doing for the community on an impartial level. On a partial level, I am directly involved with all the decisions made as I am the director and I must say that this year’s summer camp is going to be amazing! So, I have chosen to dedicate a full article to it this week.

Alright, I know that the majority of my readers know that I am involved with the Anguilla Tennis Academy. With that in mind, it has been one of my goals to attempt to stay away from writing articles that deal directly with the ATA in order to ensure a certain amount of objectivity. I have, in the past, mentioned things about the ATA because I believe in the work it is doing for the community on an impartial level. On a partial level, I am directly involved with all the decisions made as I am the director and I must say that this year’s summer camp is going to be amazing! So, I have chosen to dedicate a full article to it this week.

‘Life begins at forty!’ they say. Since turning forty I have tried several new things… like scuba diving.

As the month of April is dwindling down, it is important to realize that summertime in nearly upon us. Around this time last year I did a series of articles about summer options for the youth. In these articles it was also mentioned that summertime is of great value as it is a time in which youth can really grow and learn more self realization.

After completing one year of dedicated service to Anguillian children, Ian Brunswick has left Anguilla to pursue other endeavours. Although his shoes will be difficult to fill, I am sure the new director, Ryan Kuja, will do his very best. Although the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club is relatively new, it has had much success. Ryan plans to maintain this high standard as he is very devoted.

‘Anguillian Scouts off to the 21st World Scout Jamboree!’ My ears pricked up at the announcement over the radio. At a time when there is so much bad press about Anguillian Youth, it is good to hear such positive news.

Jesus willingly condescended to walk with folk of low degree. He was willing to be a friend to the poor and needy. Later, He would select unto Himself twelve common men whom He would befriend and teach, and disciple and love, even more than He loved Himself. In fact, He later took the initiative, by divine order, to establish His church and regarded its members as being synonymous with His own body – the body of Christ. By His example, He encouraged His followers to love and respect others: not focusing on their failures but, like friends, looking beyond their faults and endeavoring to meet their needs.

This past weekend was very busy for all involved in the tourism industry with the influx of visitors for the Jimmy Buffett concert. One of the events I had to attend as a representative for the ATA was the charity auction held at Zurra, one of Anguilla’s newest and finest restaurants owned and operated by Melinda and Bob Blanchard. It was during this charity event that the auctioneer, Mr. Art Egel, principal of the Alwyn Allison School in West End, offered up for auction a cricket bat and jersey signed by Omari Banks.

I was five years old and I needed a bagpipe player desperately!

I wanted to dance the Highland Fling. I had seen it on the television and it looked easy. I was up on my tiptoes with my arms above my head before you could say ‘Robbie Burns’! The fact that I was a chubby little child with no poise or grace certainly did not stop me either.

Not long ago, we commemorated how Jesus was born in an austere stable under the stars in Bethlehem. His coming meant that there would be a conspicuous change to the spiritual condition of His people. By His power, He would deliver them from the hands of their oppressive enemy – not just their political or military enemies now, but more so, the enemy of their souls. Now we are on the verge of celebrating how He arose in triumph over the grasp of death from a gloomy, cold tomb early one Sunday morning, over 2000 years ago.

Although I am a columnist for The Anguillian, I am not privy to the actual make-up of the paper each week. I am sure that only the permanent staff of the nation’s newspaper is aware of the paper’s full contents. It is for this reason that I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to read last week’s paper as it carried at least ten articles specifically dealing with youth related issues in Anguilla. Recently, I received a letter which highlighted the fact that I have been living in Anguilla for a short period of time.

In a previous edition of The Anguillian, there was a press release that specifically highlighted a philanthropic effort by a man named Paul Lowerre. Mr. Lowerre is a frequent visitor to Anguilla and has developed a love and admiration for the island and, most importantly, its people. Of course, Mr. Lowerre is a tennis fanatic and therefore, when considering how to contribute, he decided to help the Anguilla Tennis Academy. He consequently set up a Youth Scholarship Endowment Fund through UBS Financial Services, a company of which he is a vice-president. This endowment fund began with his initial contribution of USD $30,000 from which the interest could fund, each year, two to three children in the After School Program run by the ATA.

By Penny Legg

OK I know now there are some totally mad keep fit enthusiasts on Anguilla!

The ladies keep fit session in the Ronald Webster Park starts at five in the morning and runs until six, which is when the police physical training session starts. My husband and I left our cosy bed on Wednesday to visit these two activities.

Wasted Youth

She glanced in the mirror at her reflection.
What she found there was far from perfection
She looked at her nose she considered too long
She looked at her lips that appeared all wrong

I am writing this edition of Celebration of Youth from London, England. This majestic city has all of the luxuries of the modern world as well as much history. Anguilla is, of course, an overseas territory of England and therefore there is a large connection between the two in terms of history, governmental proceedings, and culture. During my travels here, I have played tennis at the prestigious Queens Club as well as other tennis facilities. In my interaction with Londoners who have been, or live in Anguilla, they all make the same comments about the opportunities for children in both London and Anguilla.

“What’s ‘snogging’?” asked my American tennis opponent recently just as I was about to serve.

I missed the serve completely.

“What did you say?” I asked her, thinking that I had misheard.
“’Snogging’, what is it? I’m reading a British novel and it keeps coming up. What does it mean?” she replied.

The only way to preserve a nation’s culture is through education. Whether it is in the schools, through community outreach programs or even in the homes of the people. In order for a tradition to continue, children must be made aware of the value and purpose of the custom. Although cricket, football and tennis are popular in Anguilla, sailing is still considered the national sport. Sailing competitions, regattas or boat races bring the community together and people come out in large numbers to lyme and enjoy the craftsmanship and skill of the sailors.

“Art is the Queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world,” (Leonardo da Vinci.)

Ever since I can remember, there has been a push in schools to make sure children know reading, writing, arithmetic and science. Of course, these areas are essential for one to become a functioning member of society. But I have said many times that if you take away the arts, what will be left to write about? I have never proclaimed to be an artist or writer but, by my formal education, I have studied art and literature to the highest degree.

The process for seeking and obtaining admission into a higher education institution is quite competitive these days in many ways. With the rapid growth in Anguilla, there is now, more than ever, a need for advanced personnel in almost every field imaginable. Currently, as we all saw in last week’s edition of The Anguillian, there has been an influx of imported labour.

As we grow older the holidays alter as our perception changes. Yet, if we want the holidays to continue to be an important time of the year, it is vital that the youth continue our traditions. In the last 25 years, the Christmas holiday has become overwhelmingly commercialized. It seems that spending money and splurging has become commonplace.