Easier questions
A Beaconite who recently interviewed Governor Boyd McCleary about his first year in the Virgin Islands spent about 45 minutes discussing weighty issues such as national security, disaster management, the economy and the territory’s relationship with the United Kingdom. But towards the end of the interview the Beaconite was able to sneak in a few easier questions. For example, what does Mr. McCleary enjoy about living in the Virgin Islands? Getting out on the water, he said. “It’s a terrific place to relax, and I think that after my first year I realised I need to do more of that,” he said. The governor also said he has enjoyed becoming involved with several charitable organisations, including VI Search and Rescue, Rotary and Special Olympics. Last year, in lieu of hosting a Christmas party, Governor’s Office staff volunteered to restore a former employee’s house that had been damaged by heavy rains. Mr. McCleary said that the staff is looking for ideas for future community projects. “If anyone has any ideas, we’ve got a team of people looking for a job,” he said.
Giving directions
A Beaconite who has been feeling at home in the territory for a while must finally be starting to look like it. The reporter was walking down Main Street on the way back to the Beacon office when she noticed another pedestrian carrying two full shopping bags walk one way on Main Street, then the other. Then the woman doubled back again. She was clearly frustrated when she turned to ask the reporter how to get back to “the pink building by the ice cream place.” The reporter happily directed her down a footpath in the right direction. She hopes the shopper found her destination without too much trouble.
Helping out
A Beaconite buying a soft drink came across a dire emergency in a Road Town shop this week: A young boy dropped a toy (or, more accurately, a stick) behind a shelving unit. “Shuuuupes,” the boy said, not merely sucking his teeth but firmly articulating the syllable, with a kind of cynicism that, in a better world, might have been unknown at such a tender young age. Unable to reach Spiderman, the Beaconite was forced to swing into action himself, attempting to grab the stick with a clothes hanger. But the plan backfired, as the stick fell lower to the floor, and the Beaconite could sense the growing scepticism of the little boy and his female companion. With his heart racing and smile fading, the intrepid reporter looked around the store for another piece of MacGyverable merchandise, or, at the very least, a quick escape route. Suddenly, he was overcome by a wave of inspiration, literally brought to his knees, where he confirmed the bottom panel of the shelving unit was removable. The panel came off, the crisis was averted, and the Beaconite paid for his beverage and was on his way.
Déjà vu?
Last week’s Dateline: Paradise column, titled “Gov’t: Get ready for slow season,” may have seemed familiar to some readers. This is because it was reprinted from June 25, 2009, giving Editor Freeman Rogers a chance to take advantage of this year’s slow season by taking a vacation. The Beacon inadvertently neglected to explain the reprint in last week’s edition.
Eager to learn
Monday was the first day of primary school for many students around the territory. In the morning, a Beaconite working on a back-to-school story at St. George’s Primary School saw many reception students who were distressed about leaving their parents. Soon, though, they seemed to have forgotten their woe, and started interacting happily with each other and their teachers. And, when the reporter returned at the end of the day, she found that several students were sad to be going home. One girl even cried when her father came to pick her up. The Beaconite hopes the students will still be as excited about school at the end of the week.