THERE was never a dull moment on Sunday at the Orchid Club's annual St. Patrick's Day Tea.

That was due in great measure to the honest to goodness, challenging speech by the principal of CedarBridge Academy, Mrs. Kalmar Richards, and by the melodies of the century-old North Village Band that's continuing on its bouncing-back resurrection under its bandmaster, Major Toki Dill.

And, of course, there were the overall contributions of the Orchids themselves, eager to showcase the dynamic new members they have recruited to their dwindling numbers.

The Orchid Charity Club was founded on October 5, 1949 by Mrs. Ivy Ming-Swan. She has since passed away, as indeed have other founding members. But several others are soldiering on 56 years later, doing good work, raising funds and giving tangible assistance to needy families, the sick and disabled.

And they make cash contributions to such organisations as the Society for the Blind, Sunshine League, TB and Cancer Association, Big Brothers and Sisters and several rest homes.

The tea on Sunday was one of the Orchids' fund-raising efforts. At the outset, a period of silence was observed for two founding members, who had passed away since the last tea. They were Mrs. Sara Wellman Thomas and Mrs. Evi Todd, who were both in their nineties.

Club president Mrs. Phyllis Minks said continuing club efforts to recruit new volunteers and members were paying off. She presented the most recent six ladies who have become Orchids. Mrs. Minks incidentally is one of the moving spirits behind the resuscitation of the North Village Band; and it seemed the band paid a special tribute to her with its rendition of .

Among the many other selections, to the great delight of the audience, were and

The scene was well set for Mrs. Richards to speak. She started off by reminding her audience of Hubert Smith's theme song, . But she said she had serious concerns that as she surveyed the Bermuda scene of today it was not the one Hubert depicted in his song.

"Hubert Smith's song was written to share about the beauty and uniqueness our island home," said Mrs. Richards.

"The title of that song echoes in my mind each day when I read or hear about the senseless acts of violence by some of Bermuda's youth. There are daily occurrences of incidents and Bermuda is indeed another world ? one we do not know any more because we are not who we used to be!

"There are many negative manifestations that are exhibited by adolescents in these challenging times: Violence and crime; vandalism and truancy; negative peer pressure and gang membership; teen pregnancy; child abuse and drug use; unemployment and underachievement; we see them all around us. These are challenging times for our country ? schools are challenged, families are challenged and as we see on a daily basis our communities are challenged."

Talk and promises would not bring about change. She said talk was cheap. Wishing things would change would not bring about change. Only deliberate and wise action would bring the change we needed to turn our communities into safe, healthy environments where all persons could live in comfort because their needs were being met, she said.

She felt that the group that was having one of She felt that the group that was having one of the biggest negative impacts on our communities was "the at risk youth" in Bermuda.

"These are the small percentage of Bermuda's youth who are working to destroy a large percentage of the fibre of the Bermuda that we used to know. If we are real, we will admit that too many of our youth are out of control and too many members of our community are paying the price.

"There are a large number of the youth ? who will be responsible for looking after everyone one of us in this room as we get older ? are unable to look after themselves. Too many are without skills and an education, either using drugs or selling them, stealing and dealing, committing or witnessing violence.

"It's time for Bermuda to wake up, and take an honest look at what's happening here. What is happening touches on all of us in some way and at some time.

"If we have the 'it's not my problem syndrome' ? we are wrong. It is our problem because ten, 20, 30 years down the road when you are older than you are ? what quality of life will you have? If we believe that we can't do anything ? again we are wrong! Everybody who is breathing at this moment in time CAN do something.

"If we have too few people working to improve our communities, then the more likelihood that gangs, violence, drugs will spread. Everyone ? E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E must get involved."

Mrs. Richards told the Orchids and their guests that unfortunately too many thought it was up to the Government and churches to do everything in solving the problems. She went on to outline some of the strategies communities could do improve the situation.

Two of those strategies required a change in attitude about how adults looked at 'at-risk youth' and for them to engage the most precious resource adults have, which was their time, not money. She also saw the need for social bonding with the youth.

Caring adults could make a difference. Every community had adults who cared about the youth; and every community also had many more adults who could be involved in caring for the youth encouragement and support.

It was important for the communities at large and for the criminal justice system to set clear and consistent boundaries so youth would know what is expected of them, and hold them to conform. She urged the teaching of life skills.

"If our respective communities are to improve, we must teach our youth how to communicate effectively, make decisions and manage conflict. These three types of skills are vital for their success!"

In conclusion, the CedarBridge principal stressed the importance of providing opportunities and meaningful participation for the youth. Most communities had sports or church programmes in place for our youth, which she believed were essential.

But what was of overriding importance was the need to have strategies in place to show the youth that adults really do care, and also to invite the youth to participate in the planning and decisions for major events in each neighbourhood or community.