Throw the book at her

March 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am so upset. I received an article today from a good friend, regarding another friend, George Welch.

Some years ago, a friend called down to Bermuda and said that a friend of his was going to be visiting the Island for a long weekend, however, due to booked flights, she had to arrive a day before the rest of her friends. The call was made to Lionel (Policeman) Simmons, asking if that friend could stay with his daughter for the night and for someone to pick her up at the airport.

That friend was me. That was 1979. Between my childhood and now, I have visited Bermuda, 24 times. While in Bermuda in 1979, I was treated like a princess by these people and couldn't understand why. We couldn't find the private cottage that my friends were staying in – and they took me back to St. Georges and "kept" me for the entire weekend. There were several wonderful families involved.

They showed me their Bermuda. I was so baffled by their kindness and hospitality. Then came Sunday, sitting in The Carriage House, during a wonderful brunch before my flight home. I cried when I had to leave. Lifelong friendships ensued.

How grateful and lucky I feel that I came to Bermuda a day before my friends. On a separate visit, George Welch was out of the Country, and offered me the apartment downstairs from his, so that I would be safe with my personal bodyguards nearby. It was my friend's birthday – and I remember failing miserably, trying to make a cake for him in a microwave, before cakes were made in microwaves, in George's apartment.

I am so lucky I didn't ruin his microwave. I had many conversations with George when I visited the Island. He was my inspiration for attending Chapman's Piloting School in Florida. He came to New Jersey and joined my family and entire office at our annual holiday party. What a wonderful friend. The point to this letter – Bermuda – you were an amazing paradise with little crime and a great reputation.

The article in your paper, telling how this woman Gaynette Holder took my friend George for his entire life savings is so hard for me to digest. Throw the book at Gaynette Holder, so this cannot happen to anyone else. Mr. Welch did not deserve this, after spending a life of service and kindness. If she doesn't end up in jail for a long time – I know that God will never forget.

Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown and former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith, I request from you … do something so that the rest of my friends never succumb to the evils of people like Gaynette Holder; by passing legislation for the harshest penalties possible. Thank you for spending time with my friend and bringing him a cake. I wasn't able to visit but did call him. I hope he remembered me – or does some day.

LEIGH

New Jersey

We felt at home

March 1, 2009

Dear Sir,

It has been ten years since my last visit to Bermuda. I was very unhappy to find Triminghams gone, and saddened to see the state of the traffic on the roads. My wife and I decided not to rent cycles due to heavy traffic and the speeds that cars and bikes are travelling on the roads. Hamilton has become so congested, that my wife and I decided to spend time at both ends of the Island. It was the best decision we could have made! St. George's was wonderful. Very historic and the people in the shops were fantastic. We had lunch in the Square and the fish was excellent. We returned to our hotel by bus and must commend the female bus driver for her very pleasant and helpful manner. She was also a good driver.

We also visited Dockyard. We went in the morning and visited the mall first. It was a good variety of shops. We most enjoyed the art shop, Crissons and a trendy dress shop at the other end. My wife met and introduced me to the custodian of the mall. The soft-spoken, articulate man was a wealth of knowledge. We discussed Bermuda customs like the Cup Match, kite flying, nick names, codfish and potato breakfast on Sundays. He told us some interesting stories about the Casemates Prison. We then went to the Craft Market and had an enjoyable time talking to the people there. Bermuda has a lot to offer tourists, but our experience with the people of Bermuda is what tourist are looking for. My wife and I laugh at some of our experiences while in Bermuda. For example, our waiter called us Uncle and Auntie, our taxi driver called us cousin and the custodian called me his buddy — how is that for making us feel at home!

DAN AND KATHY CROSBY

Knoxville, Tennessee