The women of Nonsuch in Portland share a laugh and a dance as they prepare a feast for a graveside party. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE FOLLOWING are letters providing feedback on our new community feature 'Roving With Lalah' done by reporter Robert Lalah which appears every Thursday in The Gleaner.
If you want Robert to visit your community, send him a note at robert.lalah@gleanerjm.com or editor@gleanerjm.com or by fax at 922-6223.
Highlighting these wonderful communities
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I am very delighted with the article on Nonsuch grave digging. It is a welcomed and much needed change to showcase the lighter side of life, or death and, at the same time, highlight the wonderful people and communities there are in Jamaica.
Almost every time I read the papers, except for the sport pages, the articles are devoted exclusively to the spiralling crime rate, corruption, police excesses, Government failure, or the general economic malaise.
We are not meant to live in perpetual bliss nor are we meant to live constantly purporting only horror, doom and the second coming of Christ!
I really enjoyed this feature and I look forward to The Gleaner's continued publication of articles of this nature.
I am, etc.,
THEODORE MITCHELL
theodore@mof.gov.jm
Certainly another side to Spanish Town
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I am surprised at the bad news coming out about Spanish Town.
During a not-so-recent visit, I found the place vibrant with much of its history still intact.
A friend and I visited the museum there and we were dismayed at the neglect of a very interesting place which has much of our heritage intact.
I do believe that there is another side to Spanish Town aside from what we hear in the news. How about a Spanish Town appreciation society?
I am, etc.,
CYNTHIA TAYLOR
hyacinth16@btinternet.com
... Lalah did a good job
THE EDITOR, Sir:
The article written by Robert Lalah deserves high praise. It is truly an article well written and truly fitting for the period.
I am sick of hearing continuous horrific reports given of Spanish Town. Based on these reports an outsider would have to believe that normal law-abiding didn't exist in such a place.
Well, they are obviously wrong and Robert has done a fantastic job of presenting the other side of Spanish Town.
The article is humorous but has serious undertones which give it quite a nice flavour. This article has allowed emotions of hope and joy to resurface. It was well done. He should continue doing this. Big UP!
I am, etc.,
Jonnelle Baker
omantha@yahoo.com
Informative, entertaining series
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I am a Jamaican residing in Florida, U.S.A., and a regular reader of your articles on Jamaica Gleaner Online.
I find your articles very informative, interesting and entertaining. Keep up the good work.
I am, etc.,
VELMA CHRISTIAN
sculpt_woodwork@bellsouth.net
Revived by these stories
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I just came in from work out of the very brisk and cold New York weather and I feel so blessed, yet homesick, after reading yester-day's article, 'Graveside party in Nonsuch'.
At times like these, when Jamaicans living abroad are going through their different circum-stances or situations, it is really reviving to be visited with stories like these.
Once again, thank you for this article. The avenue you have chosen to reach the people will touch several people and I trust that Jamaicans, there and abroad, will come to realise that at the end of the day, it's unity that will take us to the point that we ought to be.
I am, etc.,
ELAINE GREEN
elaine.green@citigroup.com
What Jamaica really needs!
THE EDITOR, Sir:
This is the perfect example of what Jamaica needs - the love, the togetherness, the hugs, the liquor, the fine cooks and chefs serving one of the best soups in the world. Lord have us mercy, life does not get better than this, no stress. Robert, you are so lucky.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience with us all.
I am, etc.,
HOWARD MUSSON
h.musson@gmail.com
Life goes on ... happily
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Great stuff! Thank you for these articles, they show those of us overseas that life goes on in Jamaica. Happily, too.
I am, etc.,
THERESE CHAMBERS
Therese.Chambers@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
Looking forward to more features
THE EDITOR, Sir:
'Roving with Lalah' is a pretty good and fresh feature. It's funny, entertaining and informative in its own manner.
Looking forward to more features like this that will give us Jamaicans living overseas a different perspective of our homeland, other than that of crime and violence. Thumbs up!
I am, etc.,
DELONIE GREGORY
delonieg@bellsouth.net
Great writing!
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I enjoy reading Mr. Lalah's articles. They are both interesting and informative. Great writing! Keep up the good work.
I am, etc.,
J. STEWART
jrs_10@hotmail.com
Breath of fresh air!
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Your piece on Spanish Town is a breath of fresh air. What you wrote about those guys on Burke Road is exactly what you are likely to encounter if you dare to venture down Hanover Street, a stone's throw from the Gleaner Company.
Unfortunately, the recent killing of the priests has dampened any good vibes that one may want to portray about that area.
But while we mourn the passing of the priests, we must not allow the good work in promoting downtown Kingston by the various Gleaner reporters be derailed by this incident.
I, for one, have to forgive the culprits and accept God's will for my plans. You see, just two days before the killing of the priests, I had offers from two separate buyers for my property in Kingston Gardens.
I need not say what the outcome of the news did to my interested parties, one of whom is a church pastor himself. Yet, Kingston Gardens remains a relatively peaceful area of downtown.
It would be nice if you could do a piece on downtown Kingston.
Coming from Portmore at 6:00 a.m. and driving through the freshly-swept areas of the market, Parade, King Street and environs shows a different picture of downtown - of peace and tranquility, of hardworking people going about their day's work, of hope amidst despair.
And during the day, you can find decent, local restaurants, with palatable dishes and respectful and respectable staff. And the main thing is that you are safe!
I am, etc.
CATHERINE - KGT
