Of Hearts, Hands and Minds by Gerry Bird
For all but two of the past twelve years, the arrival of
March Break has signalled Sandra’s and my
departure for St. Vincent And The Grenadines for
our annual visits with the Bequia Mission’s
charitable partners. Over the years, we’ve been
accompanied on these ventures by student and adult
volunteers, including for the past five years, Mission
Treasurer Jean Holding. In March of 2013, Sandra
and I decided on a change of pace by honouring a
long-standing promise to visit some Lakefield
friends at their rental home in Ajijic, Mexico. While
there, we attempted to establish contact with Brenda
Rogers, a pioneering Bequia Mission volunteer who
along with her late husband Dr. Eric Rogers, had
overseen most of the Mission’s medical projects in
the 1980’s and ‘90’s. A call to the number listed for
Brenda in the Ajijic phone book revealed that she no
longer lived there, but fortunately the book also
provided her email address. Brenda answered my
email almost immediately, and we learned that she
had moved back to Canada the previous year due to
ill health. We agreed to conduct a follow-up
interview with Brenda for this newsletter’s tribute to
Eric and her as “Bequia Mission Champions”. I
hope that you’ll enjoy reading in this issue a
summary of the illuminating, ninety minute phone
conversation that I had with Brenda on June 27th.
Although Sandra, Jean and I were not in Bequia this
March, the Canadian board was well represented on
the island by Linda Sagan Harrier. Along with some
of the Bequia Mission Local Committee members
and other volunteers, Linda was the creative
inspiration and driving force behind the inaugural
Bequia Mission Benefit Dinner. Her review of this
very successful event begins on the following page.
For the fourth year in a row, Debbie March and a
fellow volunteer from Grace United Church in
Peterborough, Ontario travelled to Bequia in March.
In addition to helping out with the Mission’s food
hamper distribution program and the BMLC’s
fundraising Book and Toy Sale, they carried out
another home repair project for a family in need.
You can read Debbie’s account of their work on
page 6.
While I confess that there have been times over the
past twelve years when a very few of us have felt the
weight of keeping the Mission going squarely on
our shoulders, the generous support of donors, our
growing team of committed volunteers, and offers of
help from interested new members has continued to
lighten that load. It really is true that “many hands
make for light work”.
(continued on page 2)
The Bequia Mission was founded in 1970 by The Reverend Ron Armstrong and his wife, June. It is a
voluntary, non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to the support of educational, medical,
and social concerns the Caribbean Nation of St. Vincent and The Grenadines. The Mission was
incorporated as a registered Canadian charitable organization in 1981. Tax receipts may also be issued
for American donors through the U.S. based Friends of the Bequia Mission (see mailing address below).
How to reach us:
Gerry Bird, President: [email protected] or Jean Holding, Sec-Treasurer: [email protected]
RR 4 Lakefield, Ontario K0L 2H0
U.S. Address: Friends of the Bequia Mission, 3969 Colonial Way, Sacramento CA, USA 95817
1
optimism after reading the “Mission Mailbag”
feature at the end of this newsletter.
More importantly for me, I think, is the
revelation that many hearts, hands, and minds
make the journey a lot more fun, energizing, and
creatively diverse. As such, more than ever in
recent years, I am confident in the future of the
Bequia Mission and excited for where that
journey might lead us. I hope you will share that
Although it’s been a busy few months, we wish
all of our readers and supporters a relaxing and
enjoyable summer. And to our dedicated team
of volunteers – a well-deserved rest!
First Annual Bequia Mission Benefit a Success! by Linda Sagan Harrier
Island music was playing and guests were
mingling as the first annual Bequia Mission
benefit got underway at the Fig Tree restaurant
in Bequia on March 10th, 2013. The weeks spent
by Bequia Mission board members and friends
selling raffle tickets and benefit tickets at a table
set up in the harbor and at Bequia Mission local
committee member Carmette Gooding’s store,
Solana’s, paid off. The 56 dinner guests and
countless number of raffle ticket buyers enabled
the Bequia Mission to make a gross profit of
$7,000 Canadian. More importantly, though, the
benefit got the word out that the Bequia Mission
is a strong presence on the island, working year
round to improve the quality of the lives of the
people we help.
about how life changing the help he received
was, enabling him to further his education and
subsequently secure employment.
Morrie Hercules, principal of the SDA
Secondary School in Bequia and a member of
the Bequia Mission Local Committee, said grace
before the delicious dinner was served. Dinner
was followed by a slide show with
accompanying music, highlighting the work that
the Bequia Mission has done throughout the
years. This wonderful show, put together by
Gerry Bird, was, in my opinion, the highlight of
the benefit. Throughout the slide show, there
were cries of “There’s my brother!” and “I
remember her!” and “Oh look. There I am!” It
was clearly moving. When the slide show
finished, everyone broke into enthusiastic
applause, and there weren’t many dry eyes. It
clearly made the point that the Bequia Mission
has a long history, and has touched so many
people.
The evening started off with complimentary rum
punches handed to the guests when checked in,
the ingredients of which were donated by
Knights Grocery. Our own Myrtle James’ band,
Cool Strummings, provided the music while
guests chatted before the program and dinner
started. The setting was lovely. The Fig Tree
opens up to the sea, and the warm breezes and
sound of the waves added to the perfect
ambience. Benefit Chair Linda Sagan Harrier
opened the evening with remarks about the
history of the Bequia Mission and what our
current and ongoing projects are. This was
followed by Bequia Mission Local Committee
Chair Sylvester Tannis speaking about what the
Bequia Mission means to the people of Bequia.
After he introduced the BMLC members and
assorted special friends of the Bequia Mission,
Carmette Gooding introduced Danny Chambers,
one of the young adults who has benefited from
the services of the Bequia Mission. Danny’s
talk was moving to everyone there. He spoke
Denika Compton, another young adult who has
benefited throughout the years from the Bequia
Mission’s help, then gave a lovely talk about
what the Mission means to her. This was
followed by the raffle drawing. Congratulations
to the following winners!
Grand Prize - Faye Marwood of Parry Sound,
Ontario - 7 day self-chartered sailing trip,
donated by Sunsail St. Vincent
First Prize - Joan and Donald Morrison of
Venice, Florida - 4 day self-chartered sailing
trip, donated by The Moorings Canouan
2
Second Prize - Wendy Winzeler of Chicago,
Illinois - 4 night stay for 2 at the Sugarapple
Inn, Bequia
the rest of evening dancing to music while
making new friends and catching up with old
friends. It was a great benefit, and one which we
hope will be the first of many for years to come.
Guests left not only knowing more about the
Bequia Mission, but knowing that money
donated really does make a difference in the
lives of the people of Bequia and St. Vincent.
Third Prize - Brenda Ellis of St. Vincent Snorkelling excursion donated by Dive Bequia
The raffle drawing was followed by closing
remarks by Mr. Hercules. Then guests enjoyed
Benefit Chair, Linda Sagan Harrier,
extends a welcome to those in attendance
Bequia Mission Local Committee Vice-chair,
Morrie Hercules, says Grace
Debbie March, Carlos Monerto, and Solana
Gooding enjoy the festivities
Bequia Mission volunteers,
Richard & Jane Tully
3
BMLC member, Myrtle James (2nd from right)
and friends in the Cool Strummings string band
entertain the guests
Socializing before dinner at the Fig Tree
Danny Chambers gives thanks for the difference
the Bequia Mission has made in his life
One of the Mission’s sponsored, post-secondary
students, Denika Compton, expresses gratitude
4
Medical Projects Committee Report by Linda Sagan Harrier
Throughout the year, the Bequia Mission
continues to send basic medical supplies to the
island. This includes simple drug store items
such as antiseptic, bandages, gauze, blood
pressure cuffs, etc. It also includes sutures,
which are very much in demand there but
impossible for them to get. When I went to
Bequia in February, I carried an extra suitcase
filled with more things, and was able to deliver
them to the hospital and the Paget Farm clinic.
It’s wonderful to see first-hand how extremely
appreciative the nurses are to receive these
sorely needed supplies.
One day when I was visiting the hospital, the
young daughter of one of the nurses had come
after school and was pulling pieces of cotton
from a cotton bale, rolling them into cotton balls
for the patients. The nurse told me that they use
them sparingly for cotton balls are hard to find.
It was another example to me of how we here in
Canada and the U.S. take the simplest things for
granted.
The opening of Bequia’s new Medical Clinic
Many thanks to the friends of the Bequia
Mission who have donated money and medical
supplies. A special thank you to Grace United
Church and to Women on The Move for their
generous monetary donations. The Bequia
Hospital staff is very grateful for the help that
you provide.
Bequia Mission Local Committee Chair,
Sylvester Tannis
Editor's Note: The new Medical Clinic, which is located on the current site
of the Bequia Hospital in Port Elizabeth, had its grand opening in March
2013. The Bequia Mission was well represented at the opening ceremony, as
BMLC Chair Sylvester Tannis spoke and Linda Sagan Harrier was asked to stand
for acknowledgement of her role as Chair of the Mission's Medical Projects
Committee. We thank Sylvester, Linda, and the donors of much-needed funds and
supplies for their contribution to this important area of Mission service.
5
Grace United Church Project Update - Have Hammer Will Travel! By Debbie March
Editor’s Note: Once again, Debbie March and
friends from Grace United Church in
Peterborough, Ontario travelled to Bequia in
March to repair badly deteriorating homes
whose inhabitants are chronically ill, elderly
shut-ins, or persons with disabilities. Their first
undertaking this year was repairing the home of
Ramol and his family in Paget Farm. Sandra
and I had first met Ramol in 2001 when he was a
student at the Sunshine School For Children
With Special Needs. Now well into his twenties,
Ramol , who is unable to walk or talk, no longer
attends Sunshine, but lives with his mother and
about six other family members in their small
home near the fish plant in Paget Farm.
step-son were able to help us. This was a huge
help because we were lacking the help of Gerry
Bird this year. With their help we were able to
tear down and reconstruct the entire wall in 3
days. We were a well-oiled machine! Carlos
and the men were up on the wall, while I spent
most of my time on the ground sawing and
handing materials up to them. We left paint and
said we would be back in a few days to check on
their progress. This left us time to work on a
couple of other projects. We tore off part of a
roof that was leaking and re-aligned the roof line
so hopefully the house will be dry during rainy
season. We were also able to help Betty, a local
business woman, rebuild her shop. It was a treat
to be able to work with local Bequia carpenters.
When we returned to the Ollivierres’, we were
pleasantly surprised to see that they had finished
painting the entire house – purple, with white
trim. It looked fantastic. They also took the
initiative of stripping off the cedar shakes from
the back wall and were going to replace some of
the rotten boards with extra boards that we had
left. Once again, I felt it was a very successful
trip and can’t wait to return to Bequia next
year.”
Ramol (3rd from left) with family members
Debbie writes:
“WOW! I have had the opportunity to travel to
Bequia for four years in a row. Each time I go
down I meet more people and love my work
down there even more. My friend, Carlos
Monerto, and I arrived in late February and
began work the next day. Many of you who have
traveled to Bequia may know Ramol and his
family. Carlos and I ordered the wood that we
needed to rebuild the wall of their home. Our
pleasant surprise was that Mr. Ollivierre and his
Renovations completed and painting in progress
6
Honouring Our Bequia Mission Champions – Dr. Eric and Brenda Rogers
by Gerry Bird
Brenda and Eric Rogers
Looking through old newsletters and meeting
minutes which we’ve inherited from the early
days of the Bequia Mission, it is impossible not
to be impressed by the enormous contributions on both the social and medical fronts – of Dr.
Eric Rogers and his wife, Brenda. Sandra and I
had met the Rogers on only one occasion
previously, at our first Bequia Mission Picnic in
2001, and we were totally captivated by the fond
memories and “stories from the trenches” which
they and other early Mission volunteers shared
with us on that occasion.
of having been an undiagnosed celiac for a
number of years”, the passion which fuelled
Eric’s and her long-standing volunteer service
with the Mission, roughly from 1985 – 1995,
quickly becomes apparent.
But their story begins much earlier. Brenda
graduated from the St. Catharines General
Hospital School of Medicine in 1960 and
attended the University of Western Ontario for a
year to obtain her Nursing Education Certificate.
Twenty years her senior, Eric had been a
graduate of Western’s School of Medicine. He
subsequently trained as an intern at Harvard and
went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career
as a general surgeon in St. Catharines from 1951
– 1985.
Sadly, Eric succumbed to kidney failure in July
of 2008 at their home in Ajijic, Mexico. On
June 27, 2013, I was able to reach Brenda for a
pre-arranged phone interview at her apartment in
the village of Markdale, about 60 km southwest
of Owen Sound, Ontario where she now lives.
She had moved to Markdale from Mexico in
March of 2012 for medical reasons, and to be
closer to her three children. While Brenda is
currently, in her own words, “house bound with
severe arthritis and osteoporosis as a result
Brenda laughs as she recalls how she and Eric
first met at a Halloween party, and how
afterwards she went home and told her mother
(who thought she was “crazy” at the time) that
she had just met the man she was going to
marry. She lovingly characterizes her late
husband as “a hands on, down-to-earth, practical
sort of guy, who did a lot of general practitioner
work in addition to surgery.” Eric was also an
7
excellent teacher, as was Brenda herself, a skill
they would both draw on later in life, while
serving with the Bequia Mission and working
with local medical professionals in St. Vincent
And The Grenadines.
arrive back in Bequia until around 6 p.m. each
evening. During these years, Eric operated a
free medical clinic on Bequia three times a
week, and also conducted home visits to see
elderly shut-ins and others who couldn’t make it
to the clinic themselves to see a doctor. About
once a week he would make the long trip up St.
Vincent’s winding, windward coast road to the
town of Georgetown, where he would host
another free clinic. And occasionally, he and
Brenda would travel to the more remote
Grenadine islands of Canouan, Mayreau, and
Union Island to hold clinics there as well.
The Rogers had first visited this tiny eastern
Caribbean nation when, for a couple of weeks
each year, they would charter a sailboat which
was skippered by a man from Bequia. In time,
Brenda and Eric decided that they would like to
help the man’s family out financially, and they
were referred to the Bequia Mission as a
recommended vehicle for their donations. And
so, in 1984, their long friendship with its
founders, the Reverend Ron and June Armstrong
began. That year, Brenda and Eric participated
in one of the Mission’s “work-play” tours, and
following Eric’s retirement in 1985, the couple
returned to Bequia that September for four
months. They extended their stay to six months
for each of the next ten years so as to devote
more time for Bequia Mission humanitarian
work in SVG. By this point, they had purchased
a small bungalow on the Black River near
Washago, Ontario, which they could more easily
close up and leave empty for half of the year.
For most of their time in the islands, Brenda
taught psychiatric nursing to the staff at the St.
Vincent “Mental Home”, as it was known then,
as well as at the School of Nursing. She also
instructed a course in non-violent restraint at the
newly-opened SVG Police Academy. Through
her instructional courses, Brenda forged close
friendships with many of the people she worked
with. Without ever asking, she would be met by
a policeman each morning at the St. Vincent
ferry wharf, and driven to wherever she was
teaching that day. She also recalls being named
a honourary member of the St. Vincent Nursing
Council, and being presented with a certificate
and pin at a very moving ceremony to
commemorate the occasion.
As if their lives weren’t busy enough, the couple
was also involved in a number of other projects
at this time. For example, it was during these
years Brenda recalls, that the Bequia Mission’s
extensive shipping program was born. In fact,
she and Eric would frequently arrive in SVG
each year with twenty or more cardboard boxes
of donated medical supplies. Most of these were
consumables that would otherwise have been
discarded after a single use from the St.
Catharines Medical Centre, and which Air
Canada graciously allowed to accompany them
free of charge. With Eric’s help, the Mission
arranged for a gastroscope (a device for
examining the stomach) to be shipped to St.
Vincent and doctors at the Milton Cato
Memorial Hospital in Kingstown were trained in
its operation. A friend of the Rogers from
Canada assessed children at schools and
orphanages throughout SVG for deafness, while
another visiting friend (a clinical psychologist)
conducted stress management workshops for
nursing administrators, and even some members
of the government who eagerly signed on. Eric
was also instrumental in securing many of the
donated woodworking tools for the Mission’s
newly established workshop for the handicapped
on Bequia in about 1986, and a year or two later,
oversaw the opening of the lab at the Bequia
Hospital. Brenda remembers that Ron and
June’s daughter, Judy and her late husband Mac,
who had founded the still very popular Bequia
restaurant, “Mac’s Pizza”, donated the
refrigerator for the lab.
These honours were richly deserved, as Brenda
and Eric both invested countless days of
exhausting but gratifying volunteer service on
behalf of the Mission. For her part, Brenda
would leave their rental cottage at 5:30 a.m. in
order to make the one hour crossing aboard the
Friendship Rose to St. Vincent, and wouldn’t
In addition, Brenda and Eric participated in
several more work-play tours between 1986 and
8
Following Eric’s death, on July 4, 2008, Brenda
remained in Mexico for another four years
before returning to Canada and settling in
Markdale. While her mobility is now limited,
with the use of two canes, she tells me, she is
able to “shuffle about half a block”. The view of
the trees from the back window of her apartment
reminds Brenda of Windermere, Ron and June’s
summer home, but she is hopeful of moving a
little farther down the street soon so that she can
walk to the nearby Anglican Church. She looks
back fondly on their years of Mission service,
and working with other volunteers like Marg and
Joe Foster, Doris and George Mercer, and Helen
and Bob Weaver to name only a few, as “the
best ten years of their lives”. I can’t help but
think that this is only fitting, as she and Eric no
doubt improved a great many lives during their
time in SVG – and unquestionably saved more
than a few. As such, we are pleased to honour
Dr. Eric and Brenda Rogers as this issue’s most
deserving Bequia Mission Champions.
1995. Over time, they became so closely
identified with the Bequia Mission and their
good friends, the Armstrongs that many local
people found it hard to distinguish Eric from
Ron Armstrong - to whom Brenda acknowledges
he bore a very superficial resemblance. She
laughs as she recalls that Ron even had a special
t-shirt printed up for one of Eric’s birthdays that
read “I’m not Ron” across the back.
When Bequia’s steep hillsides became too much
for him to negotiate, Eric retired permanently in
the mid-1990’s, and eventually became ill with
an aortic aneurism. He and Brenda moved into
an apartment in Orillia, Ontario where they lived
for about four years. In about 1998 the couple
began spending most of their winters in the little
town of Ajijic, on the shore of Lake Chapala in
central Mexico, and in 2003 they became nonresident Canadians. In their early years in
Mexico, Brenda told me that she longed for
Bequia, but gradually came to love Ajijic almost
as much as her Caribbean second home.
Long-standing Anglican Priest Retires
Thanks to Betty and Ches Fulton for forwarding
this photo which a friend had sent them from
Archdeacon Charles Adams' final service at St.
Mary's Anglican Church in Bequia on November
29, 2012. Some of our long-standing members
will remember Fr. Adams as a contemporary of
the Rev. Ron Armstrong during the early years
of the Bequia Mission. The following excerpt is
from an on-line posting in The Vincentian,
SVG’s national newspaper.
The Diocese of the Windward Islands has
announced the retirement of the Venerable
Charles Adams (Emeritus) Rector of the Parish
of St. Mary, Bequia with Holy Cross, Paget
Farm; St. Michael, Canouan; Mustique and St.
Matthias, Union Island, and generally as a priest.
Archdeacon Adams has been Rector of the
Parish of St. Mary for more than forty years, and
has served as Archdeacon of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines for approximately thirty years. He
also served at the St. George’s Parish Church,
Archdeaconry of Grenada during the
interregnum in 1984-85.
Archdeacon Charles Adams (right).
A release from the Office of the Diocese of the
Windward Islands, says, “The Diocese gives
thanks to God for his many years of service, he
was instrumental in the building of the Bequia
Anglican High School, and has given yeoman
service to the people of Bequia through his
ministry and involvement in social and
community work.”
9
From the Mission Mailbag
We always enjoy hearing from Bequia Mission friends and supporters. Here’s a sampling of the
correspondence we’ve received since the last newsletter.
February 21, 2013
To The Bequia Mission
for several weeks in Trinidad, she is now
convalescing at home in Bequia. It’s been a
slow and arduous journey, but thankfully she is
expected to make a full recovery in time. Our
thoughts and prayers are with Solana, Carmette
and Frank (Chief), and the rest of their family at
this difficult time.
With Love from Solana Gooding, Solana's
Bequia, an effort to help raise funds to support
your feeding program. Simple and hopefully
effective. Proceeds will be given to The Bequia
Mission. Best Regards, Solana Gooding,
Solana’s Boutique, Bequia
Editor’s Note: Solana is the daughter of our
good friend and BMLC Treasurer, Carmette
Gooding, and runs the family’s business,
Solana’s Boutique, in Port Elizabeth, Bequia. A
couple of months ago we received the sad news
that Solana had suffered a serious fall on board
a small boat in rough seas near Bequia. After
undergoing back surgery and being hospitalized
Solana and Carmette at their shop in Bequia
(March 2009)
10
February 25, 2013
Hello Mr. Bird,
I knew Ron and June Armstrong when I attended
their church in Richmond Hill, Ontario. They
were wonderful people. I attended their church
28 years ago before my eldest son was born.
While I lived in Ontario, I was very busy raising
my two sons and teaching French in schools in
the Durham District School Board.
teaching French and later teaching grades 1
through 4. I have over two thousand children's
books in my personal library and many teacher
resources. I hope to return to Whitby, Ontario
(my home where I raised my two sons) for a
wedding on May 25, 2013.
Could your mission use some of my children's
books (Kindergarten to grade 5 reading levels)
and various teaching supplies? I have too much
to send to you by mail. I know that they would
fill my 2008 Subaru Forester. However, you
would have to store the materials/books. I don't
have the money at this time to be able to ship
them to Bequia myself. Hoping that I can be of
assistance in the future. Yours truly,
I have remarried and am now living in
Fredericton, New Brunswick (my extended
family lives here). I have always wanted to help
support the Bequia Mission. I am not in the
financial position to do that as of yet. However,
I am excited about what you have been doing
and continue to do.
I don't know how I could be of assistance. I will
be retiring this fall after a 40 year career
Mrs. Brenda White (Cathcart)
Fredericton, New Brunswick
March 17, 2013
Hello:
My name is Celeste Williams. I am the daughter
of Leah K. Pollard Williams, who passed away
February 12 in a Florida nursing home after
being in failing health for several months. She
was 83. My mom was a proud native of Port
Elizabeth, Bequia. She left the island at the age
of 19, traveling from the tiny, non-electrified
island to the island of Manhattan.
was a lifelong avid reader. (She was also an
artist and poet -- most of her subjects involved
the sea) I wanted to have a fitting tribute to my
mother's memory, thinking that donations to the
Bequia library would be that -- that books and
reading materials would be purchased to further
education and literacy on the isle.
In my grief and eagerness to make it so, I relied
on what turned out to be an outdated internet site
highlighting "Friends of the Bequia Library." I
hope that no one sent donations to the
nonexistent address. I have spent the last few
weeks trying to get information on the library. I
have been dismayed to find that while the
Bequia library is supposedly a "branch" of the
national library on the main island, it is in major
disrepair and has been sorely neglected. I
understand that there is another library at Paget
Farm, but that it is entirely funded privately by
Australian (?) benefactors.
Though she was only able to return home twice
in her years living in her adopted country where
all three of her children would be born, I can
attest that the island never left her. She regaled
us throughout her full life with many, many tales
of life on her beloved Bequia. Her last earthly
trip there was with me and my husband in 1988.
I admit that I believe she traveled there again,
one last time, on the day of her death.
One of the stories my mom told us was of her
childhood fear of traveling by boat to St.
Vincent to go to the library. My mom, who
taught for a short time before she left the island,
I desperately want to do something meaningful
11
and lasting in my mother's memory. It is
important that if I direct friends and
acquaintances to contribute that it be to a
legitimate charity that will use all funds as
intended.
any real-time details you might give, including
your tax-exempt status and any other details that
might help. For the memory of my mom, I hope
this correspondence yields results. Thank you
for your time. I hope to hear from you soon.
I came across the "Bequia Mission" site online. I
am interested in learning more about your
organization -- whether you are still active and
Sincerely,
Celeste Williams,
Indianapolis, Indiana
Editor’s Note: Bequia Mission board member, Linda Sagan Harrier, who has overseen previous
donations of books (left over from the annual BMLC Book Sale) to the Paget Farm branch of the Bequia
Library, provided more information for Celeste. As a result, she has decided on the following, very fitting
tribute to her mother:
June 22, 2013
One of her poems:
Dear Linda:
Memories
I am sorry it has taken so long to get back to you
about my plans for a Bequia memorial for my
mom. I think we have decided to make a
contribution (approx. $300 total so far), with
trust that it will be used accordingly. Ideally, I
would like books to be purchased for the library,
but it is hard to be so specific from so far away...
with such a small donation, besides! Some
friends in my book club have already sent $50,
and I am sending a $250 check by mail to the
Sacramento address that is on the website.
Swiftly they pass! Some linger awhile –
pleasant ones, sad ones, all savored.
The wheels spin and focus on the screens of
years -The ocean, majestic and beautiful, then rude,
angry, frothy.
Lush green valleys, absorbing the moisture of
brooks and rivers, going to the depths, yet
reaching for the sun.
Shoals, sand, horizons, sunsets, sunrise, dawn,
dusk, eventide.
They play sweet strains of music in my memory.
The jasmine -- oh, its fragrance lingers!
Water from the well, salty.
From the spring, bubbly, cold and flowing free.
Tamarinds sticky and sweet.
Frogs in the stream at the roadside.
On and on, I remember.
My mom wrote a lot of things about Bequia that
I found in some blank books in her things. I
hope to compile her writings and do intend to
send copies to the island to be included in her
honor in the library, hopefully by the end of
2013.
Thank you again for your help. Mom would
thank you, too.
Leah Keturah Pollard Williams
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April 15, 2013
Hello Mr. Bird,
Please allow me to introduce myself; my name is
Shawna Harvey, youngest daughter of Mary and
David Harvey of Toronto, Ontario and Spring,
Bequia.
have an alliance with the events and fundraising
coordinator at MCCT, one of our local churches.
I would like to offer my available time, skills
and contacts to help raise money and/or acquire
items for the Bequia Mission - donation item
drives, charity dinners, raffles, auctions,
concerts, BBQ's, celebrity involvement, etc.
I have been vacationing in Bequia for the last
several years, when work allows, and have heard
of all the good things the Bequia Mission has
accomplished over the years. I am very
interested in contributing to the Bequia Mission
in any way needed. I have many years of event
planning and fundraising experience, contacts in
the Toronto business community, especially
within the culinary/hospitality community and I
Please let me know what projects you have
planned, items that are in need and/or
fundraising goals you would like to see realized
and how I may assist you in accomplishing these
tasks.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Shawna Harvey, Toronto, Ont.
June 14, 2013
Hello, my name is Rick D Scull and my wife
Adele and I have been travelling to St Vincent
and the Grenadines (Bequia) for about 10 years
now. We seem to be spending more time in the
last few years on Bequia. I started my SVG
adventure on a travel agent fam [familiarization
trip] and fell in love with the place. The people
of SVG treated us unlike any other Caribbean
destinations we had visited. The warmth and
charm of the people who are genuinely nice
because they are, and not for how they can profit
from a visiting vacationer. If a request was
possible, either in a hotel or restaurant, then it
would happen and I coined the phrase that the
“can do” attitude is alive and well in St Vincent.
I have made many friends on my visits to
paradise, many locals as well as lots of
Canadians who seem to love the island as well.
I found out about your organization last year
with the [Bequia Mission Benefit] raffle and met
with Linda who was selling her heart out on the
Belmont walkway. We try and go for a month
now around Feb-Mar.
If there was any
volunteer work you require help with during that
period and if we are able to participate then that
would be great. It would be nice to give
something back to the island that has brought us
much joy.
I'm pretty handy with my hands, much of my
employment and businesses have been in
security and construction trades, and I am
currently a chef and baker with a catering
company. Adele assists me in the retail portion
of my business as well as administration and has
been my right hand for the last 35 years. If any
of this sounds of interest let me know. Thanks.
Rick D. Scull,
Innisfil, Ontario
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June 11, 2013
To the Members of the Bequia Mission:
The Board of Management, staff and students of
the Bequia S.D.A. Secondary School again
extend to you and the members of your
organization our sincere appreciations for your
donations of supplies to the institution. These
supplies are timely, useful, needed and are
sincerely appreciated. In spite of the current
difficult
financial
conditions,
your
organization’s willingness and ability to
continue to make these contributions is
admirable. Our school welcomes these supplies
which enables us to use scarce financial
resources for other necessary areas of normal
operations.
Thanks again for partnering with us to educate
the children of our island and our deepest
appreciations to all who contributed in the
venture. Only the future will inform the true
value of your annual contributions. Sincerely
yours,
Morrie Hercules
Principal, Bequia S.D.A.
Secondary School
We greatly appreciate your letters, photos, encouragement and support. In addition, we also
welcome your suggestion of a person(s) who you feel is deserving of being honoured as a Bequia
Mission Champion(s) in a future issue of the newsletter, and why. Please address all
correspondence to:
The Bequia Mission
RR4 Lakefield, ON
Canada, K0L 2H0
Or contact us by email at:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Although our website is in the process of being updated, you may also visit us at:
www.bequiamission.org
Tax receipts will be issued for donations from both Canadian and American supporters.
Canadian donors may direct their contributions to the above address, while our American
supporters are invited to contact: Friends of the Bequia Mission, 3969 Colonial Way,
Sacramento CA 95817. Donations may also be made online at www.bequiamission.org.
Thank you for your support!
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