Fishing in Ontario, Canada

I have been missing in action for a few months but I still have some gorgeous pictures to share. Below are some pictures taken recently on a fishing trip in Ontario Canada. I wish I could say I caught the fish below, but I didn't. That was the handy work of my daughter! She caught 11 fishes that day! I'm so proud of her!

Hampton Reunion 2008

It was wonderful to relive the Hamptonian experience in July. For those of you Hamptonians who couldn't make it, you missed an amazing weekend. You must plan to join us at the next event. Why not join us at www.facebook.com to view additional photos and to hear others share their experience.

Below is my favourite shot of the weekend. Enjoy!

Hampton School Celebrates 150th Anniversary

Hampton School, St Elizabeth, Jamaica.

Join us as we celebrate our 150th annivesary. For a list of activities click on the link below:http://www.hamptonschool.edu.jm/SoA.html

Also join us on FACEBOOK : search for HAMPTONIANS or click on this link :

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7404775978

SUMMA VIRTUTE ET HUMANITATE

Hampton School - Badly Damaged

HAMPTON SCHOOL, my alma mater has once again sustained extensive damage in the recent hurricane. Valhalla was badly damaged along with many of the pianos as well as the computer lab with over 100 machines. The Principal's residence, the tennis court and many class rooms will have to be repaired.

Below are some pictures showing some of the damage.

If anyone can extend a helping hand or send donations please contact: Mrs. Heather Murray, Principal, Hampton School, Malvern P.O., St Elizabeth. Tel : 876 966 5163 Fax: 876 9665115.

Let us make every effort to restore our legacy. If you require more information please feel free to contact me.

DEIDRE S. POWELL

deidrepowell@gmail.com

How mi fi go to mi bed?

Lord mi know mi should go to bed
But mi sit here with mi hand pon mi head
Mi ears tune into the radio
And mi realize Dean naw show wi nuh favour
Yes to di the south the eye shift
But that nuh stops roofs from lift
In Liganeau a house drop
And all now the rain and breeze won’t stop
Manchester seem to be getting it hard
And that near near to my parent’s yard
Di last time mi talk to mi family dem safe and sound
But nuff nuff tree drop to the ground
Lord mi hope nobody nuh dead
Fah lawd Dean is all and more than mi dread
Lawd how mi fe sleep
When wid every new bulletin my heart leap
Mi hafi stay up all night
And keep watch til morning light
And hope seh onuh all batten down
And nothing more drop to di ground

Dean Naw Change Course at all

Mi wake up dis morning wid pain ina mi heart
Hurricane Dean not changing its path
It on its course
Threatening to take on Jamaica and lick down all wi light post

Mi turn on di radio and TV
Jesus dem people in a di UK just a focus pon dem own business
No detail news from yard
Pure tings bout Europe and India an all

So mi heart start hurt me
Mi too far from mi yard
Mi family sleeping
And mi hopping mad

Den mi turn to the internet
God bless the inventa
And thank God that America near
So dem will pay likkle attention to wi affairs

Mi watch all the news and weather forecast
Mi heart beating fast fast
Lord save mi poor island
And mek Dean stay far

The news nuh look or sound so good
Mi tuning into power 106
Thank God fi dem
Mi get live coverage

Mi listening keenly
Mi kneeling down on my knees
Mi begging God
Fi hear our humble pleas

So mi family and friends
Nuh tink Dean easy at all
Cause from what mi hearing
It gaining strength and It naw change course at all!

(c) DEIDRE S. POWELL

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POWER 106 FM : http://www.go-jamaica.com/power/index.html

JAMAICA: HURRICANE DEAN NOT CHANGING COURSE!

Adrian Lester - Jamaican Heritage

My favourite BBC Television show is Hustle. I always found Adrian Lester's character to be strong and articulate. Thereafter I began watching other movies that Adrian appeared in. Yes, I became an Adrian Lester fan! I later discovered that his parents were Jamaicans.

BBC TV has a programme called "Empire's Children" . It traces the history of Britian's famous . Tonight they are featuring Adrian Lester and I wish you could watch it too. It was quite interesting and I loved the nostalgic feeling of seeing the images from home and listening to the good ole Jamaican talk.

The documentary traces his family history which took him to St Mary. You could see he liked the lush greenery, but he seemed to have appreciated the sacrifices his grandfather made start a new life in Britain. He now understood his roots and the significance of the name "Lester."

It was interesting to see the documents which were unearthed in Birmingham which showed the attitudes of British people towards "coloured immigrants".

Adrian's grandparents and mother were from Lester Hill, St Mary. He was born in Birmingham and now lives in South East London.

Protecting Coral Reef

I now realize I have to upgrade my camera to get one that is waterproof. I was totally amazed at the beauty which lay beneath the sea. I'm so drawn to corals and their unique colours and beauty.

I'm just hoping that people will become more aware of their fragile nature and will make every effort to protect them.

Here are some tips on how to protect our Coral Reef.

1. Educate yourself about coral reefs and the creatures they support. Find out about their usefulness. The medicines that have been developed from them



2. Do not empty waste into the ocean or rivers. If you are a boat owner ensure that you do all that is necessary to ensure that waste or pollutants do not escape from our boat into the water.



3. When you dive do not touch the coral or step on them. They are fragile living organisms. Take only pictures of them. Leave nothing behind to destroy them.



4. Do not leave trash behind when you go to the beach ad pick up trash when you see them. Help be the eyes and ears of the reef! Your involvement can make a big difference.



5. Don’t anchor on the reef. If you are boating near a coral reef, use mooring buoy systems when they are available.


6. When exploring the reefs use a trained and certified diver.

7. Spread the word. Get your friends and family involved. The more enthusiastic you are about preserving these fragile creatures the more you will get others to care too.

Schedule for the 1st Batallion Jamaica Regiment

Source of Photo: http://www.jdfmil.org/

As we celebrate our 45th anniversary of independence in Jamaica and celebrate Emancipation Day, we are faced once again with the incredible thinking of those who lead our country.

The Jamaican Battalion are here in London to be part of the Queen's guards and provide entertainment for the Queen's adoring fans at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen's Guard is scheduled to change at Buckingham Palace at 1130 hours and the ceremony finishes at 12 noon.

The Jamaican Battalion will appear on the following dates:

Friday, the 3rd day of August

Tuesday, the 7th day of August

Saturday, the 11th day of August

Friday, the 17th day of August

Tuesday, the 21st day of August