Your support was great

Dear Sir,

Having just completed the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii I felt compelled to submit this public letter of thanks and hoped that you would permit it's printing. I have been inundated and humbled by the overwhelming support of literally hundreds of people - friends and strangers alike.

Well wishers have been approaching me over the past few weeks in the lead up to the event - keen to pat me on the back or to let me know that I would be in their prayers. Indeed, it was the thought of these very people after I was well into the event that helped to keep me going until the finish - many thanks to each and everyone of you.

In particular, I would also like to publicly acknowledge my generous sponsors: Maximum Financial Limited and Advance Travel. Last, but certainly not least I would also like to thank Robyn and Brian PECK; Dave MORRISON and the T-Rex Group; Cathy COWEN and the Dolphin Swim Group, Duncan NEWBY; Ian RAWLINS and the BBC Crew for the ongoing training guidance and outstanding friendship and support. Surely, without them, I may never have been properly prepared.

My ultimate hope is that the sort of triathlon will further develop and grow in Bermuda and that there will be many more Ironman finishers in Bermuda's future. Thank-you!

GILBERT DARRELL

Finisher

IRONMAN 2002

Lunch served with love

October 30, 2002

Dear Sir,

The Eliza Dolittle Society would like to thank the people who made our Halloween Luncheon for the Homeless a tremendous Success. We were able to feed 60 hungry people.

Thank you Barritts for the sodas, The Phoenix for the Halloween candy, Meals on Wheels for the hands that cooked and delivered the food.

The Cathedral of the most Holy Trinity for the venue and their continuing support. We received grateful words of appreciation for the delicious chicken lunch.

Last but not least the members of the committee who sacrificed their lunch hour to come and serve. It was nice to have in attendance several people who care for these people daily. It was a great effort.

Together we were able to give a hand up!

I remain sincerely.

MB VAUCROSSON

Chairperson, TEDS

Time for a reality check

October 28, 2002

Dear Sir,

The time for Bermudians to unplug their ears, and take off their blinders or rose-coloured glasses to what is happening has long past. Deception corruption, cronyism and the whole gamut are the order of the day and no one seems to care.

Hon. Alex Scott was deceiving the public from the time the late David Allen was air-ambulanced out of here and back a week later until he was laid to rest. The Hon. Eugene Cox boasts of being in the "black". They inherited a strong economy. Can you imagine what they would have done with it had it been ailing then like tourism which is now all but dead.

We would be lucky to hear any more about the Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal. The Berkeley School project: what about the unidentified document which an unidentified UBP member was supposed to have solicited from an unidentified civil servant according to the Minister of Works & Engineering.

The Jesse Jackson fiasco: He was the best known of the speakers being touted and used as a drawing card and the Minister is now saying all along there was always the possibility he would have been able to attend. Like the Diaspora conference, the Women's Conference was a waste of money. How much they both cost will never be known, because like everything else we pay for, it is not our business.

When Sir John Swan said what the Hon. Terry Lister is now saying about young black men, he was severely criticised. When Mr. Jim Woolridge said what the Hon. Rene Webb is now saying about attracting high income tourists, he too was severely criticised.

There is unrest in every quarter, the likes of which have not been seen before. If people are honest, they would admit that what we have seen and are seeing now in four years, has not been seen in the thirty years of the UBP.

KEEN OBSERVER

City of Hamilton

Teach respect at home

November 1, 2002

Dear Sir,

I am an educator. I wake up every morning with a burning desire to impart knowledge in some way to enhance the lives of the 500 or so young men and women I come into contact with. I arrive at school usually by 8 a.m. and leave sometime after 6 p.m..

I often travel overseas and when I do I am constantly on the lookout for things I can purchase to make the learning environment more interesting. I often visit schools abroad to see how I can improve my department and my school. I take every opportunity I can to further educate myself.

However, as an educator, I have to listen to friends say "you get summers off... what more do you want?" Or listen to a parent call a radio talk show and say with disdain, "teachers are not essential, otherwise they would have been named an essential service". and "We, as parents dress our children... teachers must address them".

As an educator, I have to encounter this level of disrespect as the above parent passes it on to her children... my students. During this past week, at least it has become clear from where this level of negativity and disrespect comes. But I deal with it... because I am an educator and the development of young minds is more important to me than any negative comment or disrespect that can be levelled by anyone... parent, government or other.

SENIOR SCHOOL EDUCATOR

City of Hamilton

A thankyou from us all

October 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

On behalf of Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Bermuda and especially on behalf of the children we serve, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to everyone who assisted with our annual Tag Day held in September 2002.

We would like to thank the Corporation of Hamilton and the Police Service for their corporation, the Press for their coverage and the members of the public whose generous contributions totalled approximately $11,600 this year.

We would like to extend our heartfelt to our volunteers - children and adults alike - with special recognition to our student taggers and the gentlemen from BPIIA who give so freely of their time each year to assist with our fundraising efforts. Thank you also to our sister charities for lending support, supplies and volunteers; we will endeavour to reciprocate these favours.

May we also make warm mention of the owners and managers of the many businesses who so graciously allowed our taggers use of their premises together with the private individuals who organised collections on our behalf at their companies. Thank you also to our BBBS directors, committee members, family, staff and friends who worked tirelessly to plan and coordinate the event.

In closing, we could not have accomplished any of this without such a fantastic team effort - many thanks once again for your participation! Remember, "Friendship makes a world of difference".

MARIA SOFIANOS, PRESIDENT

DWAYNE CAINES, VICE PRESIDENT

Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Bermuda

A new anchor for ZBM

November 1, 2002

Dear Sir,

I have not listened or watched ZBM news for almost six years, because of the quality of reporting, flicking through the channels the other night, I crossed ZBM channel 9, they were discussing breast cancer, as it was breast cancer week; to my surprise I found it very refreshing to listen to the interviewer, who spoke very good English and asked intelligent questions, she came across as a very professional person. ZBM needs more of this type of journalism, you could tell it was very well presented and thought out and precise. ZBM would do well to have her on the main news as an anchor person.

ROBERT HENDERSON

City of Hamilton

Christmas Boat Parade

October 24, 2002

Dear Sir,

Please allow us through this medium to remind the public that this year's Christmas Boat Parade will be held from 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm, Saturday, December 14, 2002.

It is truly a magical event and we appreciate the huge effort all the entrants put into decorating their boats. Bermuda has a wonderful harbour and a temperate climate in December, which lends itself to hosting one of the finest boat parades anywhere.

We would encourage any business, group, association, charity, church or individual to enter the parade by registering at www.bermudaboatparade.bm or by calling 295-0530.

We look forward to another fabulous event.

THE CHRISTMAS BOAT

PARADE COMMITTEE