So much has happened since we last chatted. So let’s play catch up.
I had the most wonderful birthday weekend this year in March. The highlight was being reunited with Melanie Grace Gerald, the daughter of my late best friend, Valerie Hall Gerald, from my NY days. Melanie came into St. Thomas as a part of the Essence of Joy Alumni Singers (EOJAS) from Penn State U. What is pretty amazing is that after years of searching for her, I had “found” Melanie Grace on Facebook mere weeks before her St. Thomas trip. I hadn’t seen her since the day of her Mom’s funeral 26 years ago. She has grown into a wonderful young woman of whom her Mom would be ever so proud. Plus she looks so much like Val.
EOJAS is a group of extremely talented singers led by Dr. Anthony Leach who is an extraordinary choir director in a class all his own. The group performs sacred and secular music from the African and African-American tradition and have performed in the US and Europe.
The performance at Prior-Jollek Hall received a standing ovation at the conclusion of their stirring concert. I was a proud “Auntie” when Melanie Grace sang a goose bump raising solo of The 23rd Psalm. Some of the other highlights from the ensemble which caused break out applause from a very appreciative audience were, “No Mirrors in My Nana’s House” which was my personal favorite, “Walk Together Children”, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, “I Heard the Preaching of the Elders” and “Anthem of Praise”, which featured soloist Fran Betlyon…..simply awesome!
On the morning after the EOJAS joined the worship service at the St. Thomas Reform Church which is celebrating a 350th anniversary. The congregation which is led by Rev. Jeff Neevel included residents of all faiths with Rabbi Stephen Moch and Jackie Jeffries from the Hebrew congregation, Penny Woods and members of her family, Georgeann McNichloas, Drs. Kab Kim and Hae Pak, JoSandra and Sam James, Shay Skye, Albert Lynch, Don Hebert, Luke Davis, Andrew Bowers, Rebecca McDonnell and Rena Roebuck in attendance. A special shout out to EOJAS member and St. Thomas resident, Timothy Abraham for working with other members of the STRC congregation to bring his choir to St. Thomas. Thanks Tim. Let’s bring them back soon.
Also in March we enjoyed yet another wonderful art opening at Oceana gallery. Master chef and owner of Grand Cru and Oceana restaurants, Patricia La Cort brought painter, “Reypalm” and his wonderful Caribbean scenes to St. Thomas and those attending the opening were so impressed that several pieces were sold on the spot. This artist has a special way of capturing the sea in all of its glory and majesty. You still have a few more days to catch the exhibition which is upstairs of Oceana restaurant in Frenchtown. Among those checking out the opening were Eunice Summer, Betsy Bryan, Jane Marsh, Erik Miles, Boyd and Sandra Metz, Ronnie Miller and Shirley Bronston.
If you haven’t yet picked up a copy of “How to Escape a Leper Colony” by St Thomian writer and scholar, Tiphanie Yanique, get one soon. Tiphanie, a professor of English and Creative Writing at Drew University, was back home recently to take part in a special book signing at the home of her good friend, Jahweh David. Surrounded by friends who included Jahweh’s Mom, Carol Wade, Mary Alexander, Ayesha Morris, Empress PJ, Notnu, Nadine Matthew, Tregenza Roach, and Eranah Davies, Tiphanie read selections from her debut novel, which is available at Dockside Bookshop and from Amazon.
