Shooting from the lip Part 3 I remember the names of certain individuals. I recall the bakers, Prax and Specky. I remember the way Specky pronounced the words “currant role”. The manner in which he said it sounded as if he was using a popular obscene word. The word “role” sounded like hole. Doc Mitchell, the politician comes to mind as well as R.C.P. Moore who was once the speaker of the House. Cebert Decoteau made mattresses near the Alms house on Lucas Street. Father Emmanuel taught the youths how to play the steel pan. “Nen” Kate religiously lit the candles in the Catholic Church. Miss Eve sold nut sweetie near Mother Rose school. Morriset and Cutty were barbers. Mr. Sylvester was a good photographer. I recently asked my Brother Chris DeRiggs to send me a copy of a picture Mr. Sylvester took of us at his place on Grenville Street. Tan Millie from Tyrrel Street (now called Herbert Blaize Street) was famous for her hot cross buns. She also brought food to feed the people at the Alms House. Mammy Mae sold appetizing fishcake in River road. A woman called Miss Doris sold blood pudding and Miss Chase sold pudding at the bottom of St. John’s Street. My mother, Georgiana made “tambran balls” and other goodies. Ma rubes also made and sold “Tambran balls”. Nella sold goodies on a little tray near Empire Cinema. Wakax band was famous for music and Ratty and Broko played wonderful music with their instruments. Mr. John Hood was a talented musician. Lord Melody and Papitette sang calypsoes in the Drill Yard and the Mighty Dictator gave us the popular and enduring calypso, “Brighter out of Darkness.” The steel bands, like Angel Harps provided music on carnival day. I remember the “masmen” Away, Brim, and Patterson. I have written about Fatty Derek” Clouden and the Bee Wee Ballet dancers who were talented dancers. It was a joy to see a fellow called Goat do the limbo. I must include the funeral directors: Otway, LA Qua, Pa Pa Hinds and Holas. Important shopkeepers like Mr. Selwyn Marshall on Tyrrel street and Mr. Rush are also worthy of mention. They were noted for “trusting” their customers. It was the habit of letting them have the goods, until they were able to pay. Miss Linda Genesee of River Road was a shop owner. Mr. Sandiford had a small shop on Grenville Street. He was also a magnificent painter and he painted names at the back of the wooden buses that were neatly parked in the Market Square. A friend of mine told me that Mr. Sandiford stopped traffic in Trinidad once as people stood in amazement wondering how a man with no hands could paint so well. Mr. Braithwaite’s shop on the wharf became famous. I recall a man called Tony selling bread and salami and people sitting in Empire cinema devouring it while the movies were in progress. I must mention George E. De Feitas shop, opposite Bata shoe store. Mrs. Romain had a shop on St. John’s Street. Mr. Williams and Mr. Coomansingh also had shops there. One cannot underestimate the vital role played by people of Indian decent in energizing the economic fabric of St. George and indeed the rest of Grenada. The Vienna Store sold shoes as well as Gail’s shoe store. Everybody’s, Granby’s, Amado, Ivan Wood, and Charles of Grenada were stores. Those who sold in the market included Mc Mere Phillip and Mrs. Frederick who sold roti. A man called Balgobin who hailed from Trinidad had a restaurant in the town and the famous Rudolph’s and Nutmeg Bar and Restaurant on the Wharf cannot be omitted. The delicious chicken snack pleased many a palate. It is good to remember the famous Head Masters and teachers: J.W. Fletcher, Mr. Jerome Mc Barnett, Mr. Lenox Phillip, Sir. R.O.Palmer, Mr. Hinds of the famed Hinsey Of Hinsey school, “Daddy Bakes” Baptiste taught at the Grenada Boys Secondary School and later the Anglican High school, Teacher Blanche, Teacher “vie”, Brother Lenard of Presentation Brothers College and Sister Gabrielle Mason of the St. Joseph convent. While I was growing up, all students had to walk on a road called the straight and narrow and when they strayed, the teachers used a leather belt to remind them where the road was. I recall Mr. Green who was a gifted blacksmith operating from his place on the Wharf. He made horse shoes, anchors for the boats, iron gates etc. Horse racing was a big event at Queens Park, Telescope and Seamoon. In those days there was a lime factory on the Wharf and an ice factory near the spot where the post office now stands. There was a lodge on the Wharf too. Mr. Seon had a corn mill near Tyrrel Street. Mr. Robert Fleming and his father, Mr. John Fleming were gold smiths and they also repaired watches. Their business was on Hillsborough Street. “Shorty” Perotte made furniture in Paddock and Mr. Herbie polished was noted for polishing furniture. Daddy Teo was a shoemaker in Grenville Street and Mr. Brown was also a shoemaker. Mr. Walker, another shoemaker, did his work on Lucas Street. During the fifties, sixties and seventies shoemakers were real shoemakers in every sense of the word. They made and repaired shoes. Whole sole and half-sole were not uncommon words. Aunty, who lived near Marryshow pasture was a superb seamstress. Wappo was a tailor. Jimmy Lewis owned a restaurant. Names like Prengay, Brushback, Holly the chief of police, Bud day, Mama Aird, Muffin, Conqueror, Georgie Salab, Big Bertie, Godzilla who came from St. Vincent, Sowhat, Gordon “Danda Rat’ Ward, Bogo the referee, Papa Plug, Ox Johnson, Sampat, Seppie Munroe, Sequence, Big George, Big Dog, Alister Telesford the gifted footballer, Clouden, Ben Roberts, Paul Roberts, Lew Smith and Corporal Bartholomew come to mind. The Corporal was involved with the Police Boys’ Club. Mr. Maitland had an Ice cream cone place near the tunnel and Franco and Nicks sold their famous brand of tasty ice cream. I recall fires that took place in St George. Frenchy store burnt as well as Hollywood Fashion House and Evans store. St. George’s Catholic Boys’ School that was located on top of Canash Hill was gutted by fire. The police used to signal vehicles near that school. There were times the motorists came up the hill without getting the signal and the police sent them right back down the hill. School children used to laugh at that. They also used to laugh at the way Miss Wallace usually took a broom stick to “jook down” shirts that hung from the ceiling in her store on St. Jules Street. The Cold storage on the Wharf was destroyed by fire. Before all those fires, Bianca C, an Italian liner, caught fire and burnt outside the Harbor in 1961. Grenadians were instrumental in saving the lives of the crew and passengers and they also housed them in their homes and places like the GBSS Hostel. The Italian government in thankful response donated a statue which can be seen on the Wharf today. End of Part 3 Anthony Wendell DeRiggs
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 12:17:55 +0000
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