Day out for 'recycled teenagers'

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Montego Bay Cultural Centre in association with the National Council for Senior Citizens, St James Chapter, staged its inaugural 'Golden Heritage' celebrations last Friday, as part of activities to commemorate National Heritage Week.

The senior citizens, who were dubbed 'recycled teenagers', mounted tables at the cobblestone courtyard at the front of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, with traditional Jamaican delights, including dookoonu, jams and jellies, art and craft pieces, including, cushions and baskets which they made themselves.

Valerie Lewis O' Bryan, manager of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, said the Golden Heritage celebration was the expression of Jamaica's rich cultural heritage in the embodiment of food, music, dance, poetic and lyrical expositions.

"Today, we celebrate all that has made us a strong, resilient and great people to whom belongs this wealth that is our heritage. We are a people that are powerful beyond our own beliefs. Let us embrace the opportunities we have been given to lift ourselves to greater accomplishments."

concert

A concert featuring the seniors was also held with Mera Salmon, activities coordinator for the St James Council for the Senior Citizens as emcee.

Girline Nelson, Senior Citizen of the Year for the parish of St James, was the first delivering a spirited rendition of an original gospel piece she wrote and sang, Wash Out Your Mouth, which went over well with the audience.

The Retired Teachers' Association, St James Chapter, kept the pace light and very jovial as they took to the stage to give a comical performance in a poetic piece, Give Me Teaching, which revolved around the classroom, troublesome students, 'dunce bat' and others.

The brother-and-sister pair of Pearlie and Sam of the Accompong Town Maroons also thrilled with their performance of a traditional Maroon dance, Sam played the small Congo drum while Pearlie danced.

Nelson returned with a second original song, written from the Book of Proverbs, which advised men and women on attributes to look for in choosing a life partner.

One member of the audience, Marge Granston, said the event was exceptionally good.

"I enjoyed it. A nice little reminder of our history," she said.