New face
The newest Beaconite, Paul Rowley, feels that he is fortunate to have been often blessed by the journalism gods, a phrase used by one who has taught him very much.
And when the gods were silent for a year — while he worked as a teacher in his native Massachusetts — he built them a blog and waited for their return. The Beaconite once read a tweet suggesting that journalists must be the happiest people, what with the lengths they go and hours they spend courting all manners of disrespect (or at least they do where the Beaconite is from). The reporter will certainly go on to deliver the word, and hopes you’ll join him to read it. He’s happy to be here.
History lessons
While out on an assignment last week, a Beaconite ran into Geoffrey Brooks, chairman of the BVI Red Cross, educator and author (and probably several more titles this reporter is missing). Mr. Brooks had a wealth of information about the territory’s history, and shared stories about the RMS Rhone, Salt Island and sugar mills. After hearing his impromptu lesson — and reading Dr. Angel Smith’s recent commentary series about the gradual process of emancipation after 1834 — the Beaconite is feeling inspired. If anyone has a particularly interesting story about the territory’s history — perhaps one that’s different than the popular narrative that has been retold over the years — please don’t hesitate to let the Beacon know.
Exercise motivation
In the past, a Beaconite has enjoyed various sorts of exercise. In fact, at one point she was running five miles at least twice each week. That fitness bug is long gone, but she hopes to get it back soon. During her fit days, she’d walk up fights of stairs without panting, but today that’s far from the case. She’s looking for motivation and is willing to join any fitness groups willing to welcome her. She hopes to lose at least 10 pounds before the end of the year. She can be reached by e-mail at bvibeacon@gmail.com.
Breakfast
A Beaconite who has been on a search for breakfast options recently was delighted to find omelettes, pancakes and even a full English breakfast (Jack Whitehall approved) at Genaker Café in Nanny Cay. She is also looking forward to exploring West End, where she hears waffles and pancakes are abundant.
Massages
Recently, a Beaconite received a gift certificate for a massage at a local spa and decided to explore the various types of massages available. Have you had any strange massage? This reporter would like to know. E-mail ngovougyang@gmail.com
Reactionaries
A Beaconite from the United States was — like any sensible person who saw the news — horrified at the footage of white supremacist reactionaries marching en masse through the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia this month. That their “movement” even has enough juice to leave the angry comment boards of fringe websites should alarm everyone. It is scary and not to be taken lightly. However, the Beaconite would also like to reassure any Virgin Islands residents who may be thinking about cancelling their vacations to the US, or picking different colleges to attend in light of recent events: Do not let the headlines convince you that every other American is rapidly and rabidly adopting a racist, violent ideology. Do not begin to believe that Nazis have reached a number comparable to those with reason and empathy. Just look at last weekend’s Boston rally, touted as the supposed sequel to Charlottesville: Roughly 20 right-wing “free-speech” protestors — who dissociated themselves from neo-Nazis — were met with an estimated 40,000 counter-protestors raucously chanting against white supremacy and nationalism. Well-intentioned people on all sides of the reasonable political spectrum still outnumber the hateful by a huge ratio, and letting the smaller group scare you away just gives them exactly what they want.
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