The island’s biggest picnic brought hundreds to the University of the Virgin Islands’ Herman E. Moore Golf Course Sunday as UVI celebrated the 24th anniversary of the hugely popular Afternoon on the Green.
Though last year’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee picnic was a hard act to follow, the spirit carried. If the long lines of cars still arriving after 3 p.m. were any indication, this Sunday had its own followers who stepped right up to the plate, or plates.
This year’s theme was "From Many, We Are One, on a Pathway to Greatness."
Cheryl Miller, who with Dawn Milliner was event co-chair, said, "It’s my role to raise the dollars, plug up the holes."
Miller’s talents – including hot sauce maker supreme and Pistarckle Theater costume designer – are somehow well suited to fundraising
"Our goal is $15,000 beyond cost," she said "This year for the first time local chefs will prepare their signature dishes and sell $3 tastes in the restaurant tent, and that should be our main moneymaker."
She said Buddha Sushi was bringing a taste of the east, Looney Bien added Mexican flavor, while Twisted Cork, Nibbs Catering and Bistro 45/60 made up the other restaurants taking part
Judging by the long line of inquisitive folks waiting at the restaurant tent for its 2:30 p.m. opening, Miller was on to something.
The day was filled with music and dance, folks bringing their plates of goodies to share under the trees with old and new friends and family. The day started with a lovely little dance by the aptly named Cherubin Dancers of Wesley Methodist Church, followed by senior members of the church, who danced a lively step in flaring red skirts.
The creme de la creme of the early part of the day was the V.I. Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s the territory’s first symphony orchestra, under the baton of founder and conductor James Gumbs, a first for the lively afternoon crowd, who sat silently listening to the orchestral music.
Charleen and Douglas Dick – Doug Lewis of radio fame – were taking great enjoyment from the orchestra.
"We’re here just to enjoy ourselves today," said Dick, whose taped afternoon music program was broadcasting on WIUJ as we spoke."It’s a day off."
Charleen Dick, who was a fixture for years with a classical morning program on WIUJ, said the orchestra was a real boon to the community.
"It’s important," she said "People ask about a community, if they have an orchestra. Listen now. This is a Viennese waltz. It’s wonderful. It’s a start."
Oh, yes, there’s the food. My goodness, the food. Boundless bounty from many cultures. New Orleans style jambalaya, spicy rich Puerto Rican pinon, Filipino egg rolls, local dishes ranging from Prudy’s baked macaroni and cheese, red pea soup with pork and without pork, bull foot soup, goat water, potato stuffing, salt fish balls, Caribbean chicken wings, and, of course, kallaloo.
And to wash all that down, there were local drinks: Groovy Gulp Guava Passion, Popeye’s Revenge, ginger beer and Anegada Ice Tea.
Then the desserts, a veritable groaning board filled with coconut drops, sweet potato pudding, pistachio cake and red velvet cake, chocolate fudge cupcakes, soursop cheese cake, guava cheesecake, aloha bread with coconut and pineapple, whole wheat sugar apple bread with walnut and flax, and blue velvet cake.
And very special cupcakes – Tropical Coconut cupcakes arrayed on a wooden palm tree, the creation of 16-year-old Charlotte Amalie High School junior Brianna Hairston, who beamed as she handed out the beautiful little treats. Hairston said she has been baking since she was 10 under the tutelage of her aunt, retired teacher Ellen Murraine, who stood proudly as the cupcakes sold out.
Hairston said she might pursue a "culinary career, or dentistry or journalism." It’s early yet. Sunday she was a happy baker.
UVI Steel Pan Ensemble. the Mungo Niles Cultural Dancers and Dr. Bernard Liburd and the Top Notch Band performed throughout the afternoon. The entertainment also featured a preview of UVI’s upcoming Dancing with the Stars and modeling by I.Q. Productions, followed by Cool Running Karaoke.
For the second year, the Paradise Volkswagen Club led a motorcade of vintage Volkswagen Beetles on the green, where they parked to let people examine the perfectly maintained little gems, bright as new pennies, while the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School Marching Band performed nearby.
The kiddies, many of whom took great fun in showing off their faces painted with whiskers, flocked to the Children’s Corner under the sprawling shade trees, where they played in the bounce house, ran relay races and played jump rope.
This year’s academic tent displayed information from each of UVI’s schools and colleges, along with Access and Enrollment, the Small Business Development Center and the Cooperative Extension Service. A highlight this year was the school’s brand new radio station, WUVI, where UVI Department of Music, Communication, Art and Theater Chairperson Alexander Randal and his students held forth.
The event is sponsored by First Bank, V.I. Waste Management Authority, V.I. Auto Club, Prosolar, Merchants Bank, MSI and Choice Wireless. The funds raised provide student scholarships.
