Reggae reigns supreme

 In my book, the 1st Palm Beach Reggae and Arts Festival at Old School Square in Delray Beach was so successful, I hope it will become an annual affair.

 This after I only attended 1 of what is a 3 day affair (Friday to Sunday). 

Saturday night featured the dynamic Inner Circle band.

Despite driving to West Palm often, I had never been to Delray Beach before although having lived in nearby Tamarac for 10 years.

Barry (right) with one of his band members.

So have to big up my cuz Barry, (Colin), leader of the popular Tallawah Mento Band for not only telling me about the festival but also transporting me.😊

You know Jamaica has birthed so many fantastic musicians of every genre over the years that I can never stop feeling super proud to be a Jamaican.

Soaking up the fun with Caroline 

One of my top favorite dance bands in the 1980's was Inner Circle with the unstoppable Jacob Miller. I still get goose bumps remembering that terrible Sunday afternoon when he crashed around 3 pm and died on Hope Road.

For weeks every radio station was playing his monster hit "Dreadlocks nuh live inna tenament yard," as we mourned.

Although I collected many Inner Circle tapes and cd's over the years, I lost track of this dynamic band decades ago, thinking they had disbanded. (Pun intended😁).

Thanks to my cuz Barry, I learned this week  that not only were they still around but also, they had built a virtual musical empire in Miami. 

Naturally most of the original members are no longer around but last night's lead singer, Trevor 'skatta' Bonnick, and the fantastic musicians had us out of our seats for over an hour last night. Skatta belted out hit after hit

and would you believe he never took a break to even drink  water!

They were fantastic.

Carolyn in the groove

Inner Circle in action last night

Before Inner Circle came on, there were three earlier bands kicking off the entertainment at 6pm.

My next favorite was a latin band called Xpermento with members drawn from Argentina, Colombia Cuba Puerto Rica.

Xpermento in action

They delivered not only great latin music but also, good reggae and pop. I suspect we will be hearing a lot more about them.

Ojay and Sahara.

Two performers Ojay and Sahara, are children of the great reggae artist Ernie Smith. They performed with 'The Resolvers'. Ojay has a wonderful voice like his father and Sahara is full of stage vibes.

The first band that got things moving was Yvan& Legal Roots. They were pretty good too.

A small crowd kicked off with them at 6 pm, but the crowd blossomed as things proceeded.

It was a great afternoon and hopefully this will really become an annual affair.

On

Congratulations and thanks to Atty. Lloyd Stanbury for conceptualizing and producing this excellent event👍.

Inner Circle's amazing upcoming world tour!

It has affected us all!

We Jamaicans are scattered throughout the world. Two things remain true about us though.

 Firstly, no matter how far away from home we migrate to, most of of hang on for dear life to our Jamaican roots. 

Secondly, many of us either received a devastating blow from the most vicious hurricane to crash into the Caribbean, destroying much of the south west section of our beautiful island home, or have friends/family who were.

 That was hurricane Melissa which struck on October 28 2025. (https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2025/11/i-weep-for-black-rivervictims.html?m=1)

In our family, those who received the worst blow were my 91 year old cousin Nellie a retired teacher, and her 92 year old husband.

Third from right, 91 year old Nellie, beside her is 92 year old husband EV, and beside him my cousin Dor, who keeps the family fire burning on the island👍.


When our African ancestors were freed from slavery in 1834, most had no education.

For you see, the devout Christians who had enslaved them for centuries after kidnapping and bringing them across the Atlantic, had deliberately kept them in ignorance.

Fortunately, there was a handful of Christians who did not subscribe to the religious dogma, that Africans were not human.

Among them was a religious sect called Moravian.

Recognizing that the newly freed slaves needed to be educated, in 1861 they established a teacher training College for women, named Bethlehem, in Malvern, the rural district in which I was born.

Although my great grandmother had no formal training, she had become a teacher.
However her daughter, my grandma, who got the opportunity for higher education,  attended Bethlehem teacher training College as did many other female members of my father's family.

 In fact, I recall with some embarrassment how when I was horrified that my daughter wanted to become a teacher after I had spent so much money sending her to college, she reminded me that the family has a tradition of teaching and it had nothing to do with money!🫢🫣.

As usual, she was right.

I even traveled to nearby Cuba some years later, to meet many cousins who were born there, as a grand aunt had migrated to that neighboring island to teach English.

So yes, Nellie proudly carried on the family tradition for decades before retiring to Brighton near the St. Elizabeth /Westmorland border. This district is some 35 miles from Black River, the epicenter of that miserable hurricane.

At age 91, she and her 92 year old husband

spent many terrifying hours in the night of October 28, trying to stay safe and dry, as the hurricane peeled the roof of their home piece by piece.

Fortunately they were eventually rescued by kind neighbors. 

This is what is left of their home today.😭.

It took Dor (who lives in the city and fortunately was unaffected by the monster), weeks to locate them, and even now, three weeks later, the area still has no electricity or Internet and only spotty cel service. 

I guess many will say they escaped with their lives so they should be grateful.

But how do you really rise and rebuild again after 90?

Many Jamaicans are in similar situation, but when you have your youth, it's a natural advantage, psychically and psychologically.

A section of Bethlehem Moravian College.

Update 31st December 2025.

Although it appeared incredulous that my 90 plus year old relatives would be building new accommodation, they sure are!!

Hope they will feel much safer here. 🙏

It was fun

The Tamarac Concert series on the Greens, tend to be quite good. Tonight it was Smooth STB band with a tribute to the great Santana. 

They are really a Latin band as it's members are from: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Peru, Dom Rep and a few others, though of Latin descent, are from New york.

As usual, our activist Mayor Michelle was on the ground, welcoming the attendees personally. 

She is such a people person, I would be shocked if she ever loses an election in Tamarac!

Smooth STB played quite a few of Santana's popular tunes and to tell the truth, once or twice I couldn't just rock in my chair but had to get up and move on the grass😁.

to

My 93 year old friend Cora caught the vibes too!

It was fun but when they say 7-9 pm, there is no deviation.

Yup. We all enjoyed it.😊

THE FIRST REVIEW!

                       

 After much hesitation, I published "Looking Back......the struggle to preserve our freedoms" in November 2015.

This was a Semi-autobiography which was dominated by my activities between 1970 and 1980, first as a PNP activist, then as a JLP activist.

This was the period when my little island was on the verge of a civil war.

The publication got great reviews, but none better than in a humorous 45 minute interview with Cliff Hughes on Nationwide Radio.

Listen to it at;  https://youtu.be/Bye6K9uwmzo.

After that, all copies on the island sold out instantly. However, paperback and kindle versions were still available on Amazon.com at; Amazon.com : looking back by Joan Williams.

When I migrated to the USA, I relaunched it at Pembroke Pines Library in Broward County, Florida, in 2017 (Joan, my views: Florida launch of "Looking back...." (joan-myviews.blogspot.com).

The reviews from the Jamaica Observer, Caribbean Today and Caribbean National Weekly were so good that the book has continued to do very well, especially with Jamaicans living abroad.       

To tell you the truth though, I have not been paying much attention to it, except to glance at the monthly sales logs which Amazon sends me.

Then out of the clear blue sky, about two weeks ago, I got an email from Amazon advising me that the book had been selected to become an audiobook. 

The voice would be done by AI,(Artificial Intelligence) they said. 

To tell the truth, I never visited the link they sent me until I got a follow-up email from them asking me how I felt about the project?

That’s when I finally listened to it on Audible at; LOOKING BACK......... by Joan Williams - Audiobook - Audible.com,  and I could not believe how good it sounded!

I immediately shared the link widely on my blog and was pleasantly surprised that by the following day, a 5-star review was posted on the page.

I have reproduced it below.   

                                     THE REVIEW

“Title: "Looking Back: A Riveting Account of Jamaica's Turbulent Political Years (1970-1994)" by Joan Williams

 

Rating: 5/5

 Joan Williams's "Looking Back" offers a compelling narrative of Jamaica's political upheavals during the crucial years between 1970 and 1994. For readers like yourself, who may have left Jamaica during this period, this book serves as an invaluable window into the tumultuous events that unfolded under the leadership of Michael Manley and Edward Seaga.

 Williams provides a ringside view of Jamaica's political landscape, delving deep into the ideological clashes, social unrest, and economic challenges that gripped the nation. Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, she paints a vivid picture of the power struggles between the People's National Party (PNP) under Manley and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) led by Seaga.

 What sets "Looking Back" apart is its ability to offer nuanced insights into the complexities of Jamaican politics. Williams doesn't shy away from addressing the controversies, violence, and human toll that marked this period. Yet, amidst the chaos, she also highlights moments of resilience, community spirit, and the enduring quest for social justice.

 One of the book's strengths lies in its balanced portrayal of key political figures. Rather than resorting to simplistic caricatures, Williams presents Manley and Seaga as multifaceted individuals with distinct visions for Jamaica's future. By exploring their policies, personalities, and legacies, she enables readers to grasp the motivations driving these leaders and the impact of their decisions on the country's trajectory.

 Moreover, "Looking Back" offers valuable lessons for understanding contemporary Jamaican society and politics. Williams skillfully connects past events to present-day realities, illuminating the roots of ongoing social issues and the enduring legacy of this pivotal era.

 In conclusion, "Looking Back" is a must-read for anyone interested in Jamaican history, politics, or society. Joan Williams's engaging prose, thorough research, and insightful analysis make this book a captivating journey through Jamaica's turbulent past. Whether you're a newcomer to Jamaican history or a seasoned observer, "Looking Back" offers fresh perspectives and profound revelations that will leave a lasting impression.

 Everett Smith, Esq.

Law Offices of Everett Algernon Smith, P.A.

POB 8487.

Coral Springs, FL 33075.”

 I am extremely grateful to Amazon for having selected this publication, for such prestigious treatment, for as we are often reminded - “Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it.”

 If I can play even a small role in ensuring that Jamaica never again treads that path, it will be well worth it.

 Your feedback is invited; gratestj@gmail.com

 

Thanks Amazon.

It was such a a pleasant surprise when I got an email from my publisher Amazon, saying my autobiography "Looking Back....." had been selected to be converted into an audiobook!

This is link:  https://www.audible.com/pd/LOOKING-BACK-Audiobook/B0CY2MZL4H. 

I listened to it and it sure has been well done using AI. 

This autobiography was written in 2015 but the Florida launch was  in October  2017. (Joan, my views: Florida launch of "Looking back...." (joan-myviews.blogspot.com).

 It has been doing quite well on Amazon as a paperback for years.

 I guess that's why they selected it for the upgrade to an audiobook. 

Thanks Amazon. It's a great listen😊.

Other Links; Joan, my views: Joan Williams, former local host, looks back to go forward (joan-myviews.blogspot.com)

Joan, my views: An excellent book review (joan-myviews.blogspot.com)

Youtube; Joan Williams - YouTube

Exploring my roots.

 For some strange reason, for decades I had labored under the illusion that I had a very small family. 

The late Schoolie

To be fair, I knew most of my mom's family but not too much of my dad's, although

I did know and worship his mom, Mary Marshall, (nee Smith) fondly called Schoolie, (as she had been a school principal).

My brother Bernie and I stand in front of Schoolie's grave at Middle Quarters in St. Elizabeth, with Zacky, one of the many young men she mothered during her lifetime.

      

My late father.

Schoolie is the one who taught me everything about slavery, that we were members of the strong, fierce Mandingo tribe out of Sierra Leone, and that I should always stand up for my rights.

Schoolie and her husband Joseph aka Teacher.

She died at the ripe old age of 103!

I did at some stage, meet her big brother George (uncle George) who she adored.

 Their father died when she was only 14 years old and he dropped out of school so he could work on his dad's farm to support the family and ensure that she got an education.

He lived in Woodlands, St. Elizabeth and raised his family there. I remember going to visit him at least once and meeting many of his immediate family when I was quite young.

However my best memory of that visit was that there was a shop attached to the house from which I was given many candies and other goodies.😁.

As Schoolie aged and her health deteriorated somewhat, she had to go to live with Uncle George's family as my father who had always been there for her when everyone else was overseas, predeceased her by 7 years.

Uncle Prim 

Eventually her younger son, Winston aka Prim, returned from the USA to take care of her.

The super talented Barry, rehearsing at home with his Tallawah Mento Band.

Uncle George was the grandfather of the talented Colin Smith who I think I knew for most of my life, through him. 

I however knew him as Barry and years later we reconnected and I became friends with his wife Anette too.

L-R. Anette, Barry, Judi, Bernie at "Winedown," Silver Sands, Trelawny

It was through Uncle George that I also knew another cousin from the Smith side too.

He was the late Winston Gayle. He lived with us for a while in Malvern St. Elizabeth and even became somewhat of a big brother to me.

Years later when I moved to Kingston, we reconnected and I met his lovely wife Ruth and son Robert who is a mirror image of his dad, only taller.

Robert and his wife Caroline.

Even before I retired, I started to dedicate more attention to getting to know more about my extended family. 

That's what took me on my last trip to Cuba in 2012....to meet cousins I learned lived there.

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-cuban-connection.html?m=1

There I met seventeen quite close cousins!

The next trek was to Canada: https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2018/08/family-time.html.

Then Seattle, Washington: https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2019/08/finding-family.html.

Peter and his twin boys

 I even met a cousin, Peter, and his twin boys who live in Kenya, while I was vacationing there in 2021!

All these were however relatives of my paternal grandfather, Joseph Marshall aka Teacher, thus called as he had also been a school teacher before becoming blind.

I suspect that I never got to know his family when he was alive, as I had only met him once when I was very young and had been terrified of him as he had a big white beard and wore dark glasses.

 I had never before seen anyone with dark glasses or even a beard, I recall😁.

His dark glasses were not to make a fashion statement though, but because he was blind.

However, it was only when I retired and migrated from Jamaica to Florida in 2016, that I reconnected with Barry (aka Colin) and really started to find out about my extended family from Schoolie's side, through him.

The beautiful Miss Aggie.

That's when I realized that my extended family on her side was really big too!

Shortly after I arrived in Florida, it was his mom's birthday and I was honored when he invited me to the party. I had not seen her for decades, so was really grateful that I got the opportunity to spend her last earthly birthday with her and meet her children and many of her children and grandchildren.

That night, I spent a long, wonderful time with her, catching up on all sorts of family history while refreshing many of my childhood memories.

She died shortly after that party and at her funeral, I met even more of the Smiths.

It was again through the Barry connection that I learnt that the Smiths and other members, were planning a family reunion for July 2023 and resolved to attend to get to meet more of my kin.

The Silver Sands posse L-R: Coretta,Judi,Joan, Bernie, Lolita.

While the majority of the attendees stayed at the Grand Palladium in Lucea, we stayed at my brother's place in Silver Sands, Trelawny.

 On Wednesday 19th July we met with up with everyone else who attended, to travel to St. Elizabeth to really dig into the roots.😊

Four busloads of happy troopers set out, most of us decked out in our yellow family reunion t shirts.

Our first stop was at a small shop just outside of Anchovy, St. James, for snacks and drinks and to begin the joyful interactions.

Then it was on to Middle Quarters where Schoolie had spent most of her life. 

While her home has been sold and remodelled, standing proudly below the house is a Moravian Church which she had donated the land for, as she was an extremely religious person.

As her great granddaughter Coretta now owns the land beside the church, she had spoken to the pastor to have it opened so the family could look around.

However the team there seems to have planned an entire church service for us with hymns, prayers and songs of praise!

The next stop was to the nearby, well kept YS Falls, to which our father had often taken us, long before it was developed into a major tourist attraction.

I think I can say without fear of contradiction that everyone had a ball there and the lunch we had pre-ordered was really good.

As the YS property is also a working farm, we could see cows and horses grazing peacefully in the well kept paddocks. (It's times like these I feel I should become a vegetarian, but the flesh is weak😡).

In the shuttle to the falls 

Shy doctor birds doggedly visit their seed trays dispite the disturbance by humans.

It was very reluctantly that everyone finally dragged themselves from the refreshing and scenic falls. We had other places of historical significance to the family to visit and time was really moving fast as we were having such fun😊.

After traversing the scenic countryside carefully, (due to the roads being quite narrow and winding), we arrived at Woodlands District where the late George Smith and his family had lived.

This is a picture of the original home but it is only on arrival that I realized that it was no more. 

But the family home there had burnt to the ground 😡.

As I understand it, when the Smiths moved into Kingston, they allowed an elderly couple to reside there. Unfortunately, during a power outage, they lighted a candle and the home caught fire. 

The husband died but the wife survived.

A very sad story and the pics are below.

The information was provided by Hope, also Uncle George's grandchild.

The beautiful hills surrounding Woodlands District.

Above is a picture of the Smith's home in Woodlands painted by the extremely talented artist Barry Smith aka Colin. Immediately below it, is what the property looks like today!

Family members explore the periphery of the former family home in Woodlands.

Uncle George, like his sister Schoolie, was also an ardent member of the Moravian religion and the beautiful church on the hill was the one they attended.

Most of his immediate and extended family are buried in the cemetery belonging to that church.

Uncle George, his wife and one son's tomb are fenced together in the cemetery.

As family members looked for the tombs of their relatives and reminisced, dusk was beginning to fall so we had to rush off to Seaford Town in Westmoreland from whence the Schulfer family had hailed.

 Interestingly enough, it was the previous year that my brother and I had travelled to that district out of curiosity, as it has an extremely interesting history.

The blog I wrote after that visit, can be found at:

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2021/08/

At the time of our visit, we had no idea that we had family with ties to that area!

Sections of Seaford Town.

As night was fast approaching and we had to go back to Montego Bay and Lucea, we did not tarry long there though.

It was an absolutely wonderful, well planned and fun filled day, but there is no happy ending.😡.

Our second big get-together should have taken place at the Palladium on the following Saturday.

We really looked forward to the event, thinking everything had been set in stone.

We however never knew just how obnoxious, irresponsible and dishonest some members of Palladium's management team were!😡

The arrangements had been to have an all-white dress banquet for all the family, (those in property and those who were staying elsewhere) so we could get to know each other better and take photos for posterity. 

For in reality, on the very entertaining bus trip the previous Wednesday, we only got the opportunity to interact with those travelling on our own vehicle.

 Naturally, as we weren't staying there, we were required to pay to attend and since it was to be a very special occasion, no one had any problem with the cost.

However, it was only after we had made all our plans, that the hotel management attempted to extort additional funds from us, by demanding that we had to book into their hotel for at least two nights!

Coretta at Silver Sands.

That demand was counter to any agreement that had been made with the organizers and definitely not acceptable to those of us, who had been having a wonderful time at Silver Sands.

So despite the preparations we had made, we refused to accept their terms to attend the much anticipated banquet😡.

In other words, because they reneged on the agreement, they defeated the major component of the reunion!

(I hope all who did reviews on that property, mentioned how unprofessional and unreliable the management there is, so unwary families and visitors planning major events can be forewarned.)

 Fortunately, the banquet that we could not attend, was held on the closing night of Reggae Sumfest, so we were able to find alternative entertainment there:

 https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2023/07/sumfest-sell-off.html?m=1.

As good as that festival was though, it couldn't compensate for the anger and disappointment we felt at being deprived of the opportunity of meeting and getting to know better, members of our extended family who attended the important, once-in-a-lifetime reunion.

See also:

https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2023/07/birthday-bash.html?m=1

MEMORIES 

NB. A number of the pics above were borrowed from the family reunion's What's app page.