April 15, 2002 – Brooding clouds hung over Roy L. Schneider Hospital, as they did over much of St. Thomas, Monday afternoon. But then V.I. Carnival paid a house call on the ill, the infirm, and those who care for them, and suddenly, for them, things looked a lot brighter.
The Schneider Hospital mini-carnival has been a tradition since the mid-1990s — a way to take the spirit of mas in to those unable to get out to enjoy it. Some of the older fans of the fete said they go to the hospital for the show, then take their places on the senior citizens reviewing stand by Roosevelt Park on the parade days.
"My favorite?" an elderly man in a white shirt, a black fedora and a shy smile pondered when asked what he liked best about the hospital show. "I like all of it," he answered.
A day after their coronation, Carnival Queen Cubie-Ayah George and King Kory Davis began their royal duties officiating from the front row of the hospital audience along with Gov. Charles W. Turnbull. Joining them were reigning senior beauty Lucille Solomon, Miss V.I. American Classic, and her consort, the Classic Man of the Year.
But the night belonged to another royal, Elisa Nicholson, the newly chosen hospital queen. Nicholson said she worked at Schneider Hospital for 13 years coordinating patient care, then left the Virgin Islands for a while and had just returned when she was chosen queen by popular vote. "It's great, it's fun," she said, happy to mention she is the niece of the woman crowned the first modern-day V.I. Carnival Queen 50 years ago, Carmen Nicholson (now Sibilly).
Before the assembled group of about 60 patients, seniors, hospital employees, dignitaries and children, a collection of mostly young troupers put on a show featuring moko jumbies, a marching band, a step show, quadrille dancing and some Traditional Indians.
A small group of adults donned their Carnival costumes and frolicked to the sounds of the night's house band, Milo's Kings. The gray, kerchiefed head of a wheelchair patient perked up at the sounds of the band, and a small girl began to bounce in her seat. When Ira "Dr. Sax" Meyers kicked in with the melody, the man in the white shirt and black hat rose from his seat and began to ding-o-lay. And next thing he knew, a smiling Queen Cubie-Ayah joined him for a spin around the lobby floor.
King Kory reached for Solomon's hand, and the governor couldn't resist a turn or two with Nicholson. Photographers snapped, the dancers twirled and patients bobbed in their seats, enjoying not only the merry-making but also boxed dinners of conch and saltfish and a twilight sky that lent just a little more color to the night.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
