In what may be a case of ideal timing, the newly formed Tall Tales Theater and Arts Company will debut Friday at the Children's Parade with the floupe "Circus 2000."
Drama therapist Pamela Ethridge founded the non-profit group to help mainstream special education students. The organizational documents were just filed this week — with a bit of help from her husband, longtime St. Thomas attorney George Ethridge.
Ethridge has many years of experience working with students with special needs, both on the mainland and, for the last five years, on St. Thomas. Last year she ran a program at Peace Corps School called "Storytelling Through the Arts." This year she's "Making Sense" of the five senses through the arts. She also handles the integrated after-school arts program at Antilles School and she has worked with profoundly disabled students at the Gladys Gabriel Annex of Charlotte Amalie High School.
"The whole concept is to try to break down the barriers between the disabled and the abled children," Ethridge said.
To that end, "Circus 2000" features an integrated troupe of about 25 kids ages 5 to 17 who will ride on the float and perform on the parade route.
Actually, Ethridge said, more than 50 youngsters are involved in the project in one way or another — some helping decorate the float or paint the chac-chacs made from flamboyant pods.
Many adults have pitched in, too. One notable volunteer is Jeanne Webb, who took time off from her crafts shop at Tillett Gardens to design and help construct costumes depicting clowns, dancers and a variety of animals. Also high on Ethridge's list is Benita Martin of Gladys Gabriel School.
Ethridge said she has several corporate sponsors as well, among them Bob Lynch Trucking, Tropical Shipping, the Fruit Bowl, Cost-U-Less and Club Rhyno.
This will not be the first time that Ethridge is making a splash at Carnival. In 1996, the troupe she helped organize for the Resource Center for the Disabled took third place. One way or another, she said, she's sure she has another winner.
2 V.I. FENCERS OFF TO NORTH AMERICAN EVENT
For only the second time, the Virgin Islands is being represented at the U.S. Fencing Association's North American Cup Youth Championships.
Jared Etsinger, 14, of The Blades Fencing Club on St. Thomas, and Jennifer Gibbud, 14, of the St. John Fencing Club, are competing in events for their age group on Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. The competition is being held this year at the Disney Sports Center within the Disney World complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mark Hansen, coach and president of the St. John club and also a member of The Blades, accompanied the teenagers to the event, which is expected to attract more than 400 fencers from the United States, Canada and Mexico to compete in three age groups, with 14 being the oldest. There are separate competitions in the three weapons of fencing — the lightweight foil, the heavier epee and the still heavier saber. Etsinger and Gibbud are both competing in foil.
The first time Virgin Islands fencers took part in the North American Cup competition was two years ago, when The Blades sent Etsinger and three other fencers to Plano, Tex. Etsinger, then 12, did the best of the four, advancing to the foil semifinals before losing to the No. 1-ranked fencer in his age division. He finished 24th out of a field of 80 and was ranked 56th in the nation on that basis.
The not-for-profit Blades group was formed in 1994 and grew to attract fencers from St. John as well as St. Thomas. The St. John club was spun off as a separate organization last year.
While Etsinger has been fencing for six years, Gibbud took up the sport less than a year ago. But, according to Hansen, who trained under former St. John resident Chris Jones, an NCAA national champion fencer, and Tony Gillham, a retired University of Wisconsin coach who helped set up the USFA's National Coaches College, Gibbud "has all the right instincts. And she is aggressive."
Blades president Joyce Bolaños noted that fencers reaching the USFA's upper rankings do so by making strong showings at multiple competitions held on the mainland throughout the year.
"Our fencers have the potential to become nationally competitive," she said. "The biggest problem we have is one all youth sports groups experience here — isolation. It is very, very expensive to travel to competitions off island, and yet that is the only way that fencers can get experience and attain national and international ranking."
Bolaños also said The Blades will host its third annual fencing camp this summer, this time in collaboration with the St. John club. Tentative plans are to have two separate week-long camps at different times so that more youngsters going off island during the summer can have the chance to participate. For more information about the fencing programs, call Bolaños at 777-8708 or Hansen at 779-4550.
Jared Etsinger, 14, of The Blades Fencing Club on St. Thomas, and Jennifer Gibbud, 14, of the St. John Fencing Club, are competing in events for their age group on Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. The competition is being held this year at the Disney Sports Center within the Disney World complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mark Hansen, coach and president of the St. John club and also a member of The Blades, accompanied the teenagers to the event, which is expected to attract more than 400 fencers from the United States, Canada and Mexico to compete in three age groups, with 14 being the oldest. There are separate competitions in the three weapons of fencing — the lightweight foil, the heavier epee and the still heavier saber. Etsinger and Gibbud are both competing in foil.
The first time Virgin Islands fencers took part in the North American Cup competition was two years ago, when The Blades sent Etsinger and three other fencers to Plano, Tex. Etsinger, then 12, did the best of the four, advancing to the foil semifinals before losing to the No. 1-ranked fencer in his age division. He finished 24th out of a field of 80 and was ranked 56th in the nation on that basis.
The not-for-profit Blades group was formed in 1994 and grew to attract fencers from St. John as well as St. Thomas. The St. John club was spun off as a separate organization last year.
While Etsinger has been fencing for six years, Gibbud took up the sport less than a year ago. But, according to Hansen, who trained under former St. John resident Chris Jones, an NCAA national champion fencer, and Tony Gillham, a retired University of Wisconsin coach who helped set up the USFA's National Coaches College, Gibbud "has all the right instincts. And she is aggressive."
Blades president Joyce Bolaños noted that fencers reaching the USFA's upper rankings do so by making strong showings at multiple competitions held on the mainland throughout the year.
"Our fencers have the potential to become nationally competitive," she said. "The biggest problem we have is one all youth sports groups experience here — isolation. It is very, very expensive to travel to competitions off island, and yet that is the only way that fencers can get experience and attain national and international ranking."
Bolaños also said The Blades will host its third annual fencing camp this summer, this time in collaboration with the St. John club. Tentative plans are to have two separate week-long camps at different times so that more youngsters going off island during the summer can have the chance to participate. For more information about the fencing programs, call Bolaños at 777-8708 or Hansen at 779-4550.
2 V.I. FENCERS IN NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH EVENT
For only the second time, the Virgin Islands is being represented at the U.S. Fencing Association's North American Cup Youth Championships.
Jared Etsinger, 14, of The Blades Fencing Club on St. Thomas, and Jennifer Gibbud, 14, of the St. John Fencing Club, are competing in events for their age group on Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. The competition is being held this year at the Disney Sports Center within the Disney World complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mark Hansen, coach and president of the St. John club and also a member of The Blades, accompanied the teenagers to the event, which is expected to attract more than 400 fencers from the United States, Canada and Mexico to compete in three age groups, with 14 being the oldest. There are separate competitions in the three weapons of fencing — the lightweight foil, the heavier epee and the still heavier saber. Etsinger and Gibbud are both competing in foil.
The first time Virgin Islands fencers took part in the North American Cup competition was two years ago, when The Blades sent Etsinger and three other fencers to Plano, Tex. Etsinger, then 12, did the best of the four, advancing to the foil semifinals before losing to the No. 1-ranked fencer in his age division. He finished 24th out of a field of 80 and was ranked 56th in the nation on that basis.
The not-for-profit Blades group was formed in 1994 and grew to attract fencers from St. John as well as St. Thomas. The St. John club was spun off as a separate organization last year.
While Etsinger has been fencing for six years, Gibbud took up the sport less than a year ago. But, according to Hansen, who trained under former St. John resident Chris Jones, an NCAA national champion fencer, and Tony Gillham, a retired University of Wisconsin coach who helped set up the USFA's National Coaches College, Gibbud "has all the right instincts. And she is aggressive."
Blades president Joyce Bolaños noted that fencers reaching the USFA's upper rankings do so by making strong showings at multiple competitions held on the mainland throughout the year.
"Our fencers have the potential to become nationally competitive," she said. "The biggest problem we have is one all youth sports groups experience here — isolation. It is very, very expensive to travel to competitions off island, and yet that is the only way that fencers can get experience and attain national and international ranking."
Bolaños also said The Blades will host its third annual fencing camp this summer, this time in collaboration with the St. John club. Tentative plans are to have two separate week-long camps at different times so that more youngsters going off island during the summer can have the chance to participate. For more information about the fencing programs, call Bolaños at 777-8708 or Hansen at 779-4550.
Jared Etsinger, 14, of The Blades Fencing Club on St. Thomas, and Jennifer Gibbud, 14, of the St. John Fencing Club, are competing in events for their age group on Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. The competition is being held this year at the Disney Sports Center within the Disney World complex in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mark Hansen, coach and president of the St. John club and also a member of The Blades, accompanied the teenagers to the event, which is expected to attract more than 400 fencers from the United States, Canada and Mexico to compete in three age groups, with 14 being the oldest. There are separate competitions in the three weapons of fencing — the lightweight foil, the heavier epee and the still heavier saber. Etsinger and Gibbud are both competing in foil.
The first time Virgin Islands fencers took part in the North American Cup competition was two years ago, when The Blades sent Etsinger and three other fencers to Plano, Tex. Etsinger, then 12, did the best of the four, advancing to the foil semifinals before losing to the No. 1-ranked fencer in his age division. He finished 24th out of a field of 80 and was ranked 56th in the nation on that basis.
The not-for-profit Blades group was formed in 1994 and grew to attract fencers from St. John as well as St. Thomas. The St. John club was spun off as a separate organization last year.
While Etsinger has been fencing for six years, Gibbud took up the sport less than a year ago. But, according to Hansen, who trained under former St. John resident Chris Jones, an NCAA national champion fencer, and Tony Gillham, a retired University of Wisconsin coach who helped set up the USFA's National Coaches College, Gibbud "has all the right instincts. And she is aggressive."
Blades president Joyce Bolaños noted that fencers reaching the USFA's upper rankings do so by making strong showings at multiple competitions held on the mainland throughout the year.
"Our fencers have the potential to become nationally competitive," she said. "The biggest problem we have is one all youth sports groups experience here — isolation. It is very, very expensive to travel to competitions off island, and yet that is the only way that fencers can get experience and attain national and international ranking."
Bolaños also said The Blades will host its third annual fencing camp this summer, this time in collaboration with the St. John club. Tentative plans are to have two separate week-long camps at different times so that more youngsters going off island during the summer can have the chance to participate. For more information about the fencing programs, call Bolaños at 777-8708 or Hansen at 779-4550.
CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF 70-YEAR-OLD MAN
A 70-year-old man was killed Wednesday afternoon when his car was struck by a vehicle driven by a tourist on Queen Mary Highway.
Abraham Samuels of Barren Spot was driving east on Queen Mary Highway when his Mercury Tracer was struck by a Jeep making a left-hand turn from the westbound lane at the Concordia intersection.
The iimpact sent Samuel’s vehicle 200 feet down the road, where it hit a parked taxi-bus.
Police and emergency crews had to pull Samuels from his wrecked car before he was transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 2 p.m.
The occupants of the other vehicle were not seriously injured.
Samuels' death is the second auto fatality on St. Croix in recent weeks. On April 6, 69-year-old James Henry was killed when his compact car was struck by a dump truck near the St. Croix Container Port. Henry, of Sion Farm, was killed at approximately 6:45 a.m. when the truck collided with his Chevrolet Sprint after he made a right turn out of Gate 2 at the HOVENSA refinery. The truck dragged the Sprint 250 feet into a lightpole.
Henry was ejected from the vehicle and died on the spot. The driver of the truck was uninjured.
Abraham Samuels of Barren Spot was driving east on Queen Mary Highway when his Mercury Tracer was struck by a Jeep making a left-hand turn from the westbound lane at the Concordia intersection.
The iimpact sent Samuel’s vehicle 200 feet down the road, where it hit a parked taxi-bus.
Police and emergency crews had to pull Samuels from his wrecked car before he was transported to Juan F. Luis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 2 p.m.
The occupants of the other vehicle were not seriously injured.
Samuels' death is the second auto fatality on St. Croix in recent weeks. On April 6, 69-year-old James Henry was killed when his compact car was struck by a dump truck near the St. Croix Container Port. Henry, of Sion Farm, was killed at approximately 6:45 a.m. when the truck collided with his Chevrolet Sprint after he made a right turn out of Gate 2 at the HOVENSA refinery. The truck dragged the Sprint 250 feet into a lightpole.
Henry was ejected from the vehicle and died on the spot. The driver of the truck was uninjured.
BITS AND PIECES
— Carnival is in high gear in St. Thomas and so far it has been wonderful. If you’re not here, you should be. If you’re here and you’re not taking part in Carnival activities, you should be. The Carnival spirit is infectious — and it’s worth catching!
— One interesting addition to Carnival Village this year: a condom giveaway. Several booths have baskets set out with free condoms inside, compliments of the HIV Care Centers. The message on their card: "Jump up and sway for Carnival Y2K….but don’t get carried away!" The card goes on to say that "the correct and consistent use of condoms during sex can greatly reduce your risk of getting HIV" and gives the center’s phone numbers on St. Thomas (774-3168) and St. Croix (772-9501). As Irving "Brownie" Brown (the very deserving honoree of this year’s Village) would say, "Good t’ing!"
— Gov. Charles W. Turnbull did the right thing in requesting FBI assistance to solve the recent spate of shootings on St. Thomas. The only question is, why did it take him so long? The feds had said they were willing to help weeks ago. We should have jumped on their offer immediately.
— Why, oh why, can’t Public Works keep our main roads litter-free? The same bottles and scraps have been in the same place along the Magens Bay Road for weeks. Ditto for Mafolie Road and many other well-traveled byways. They’re an embarrassment. Roadside litter pickup is a simple but important task that has to be done regularly — daily, ideally, but at least weekly. What’s the problem?
— But, to Public Works’ credit, we’ve seen crews in recent days cutting brush along many of our roadsides. One crew even cut the tall growth at the bottom of Mafolie Hill, along Maude Proudfoot Drive, so motorists can again see the stop sign that had been hidden for weeks.
— Before we leave Public Works, we want to raise one other issue: potholes. Just as the issue can be summarized in one word, so can our assessment of Public Works’ performance: pathetic. One pothole on Magens Bay road is so enormous that the St. Thomas Swimming Association could start giving lessons in it until its pool is finished.
— Speaking of which, it is really good news that construction has started on that pool in Estate Nazareth. It has taken forever, but it’s becoming a reality thanks to the persistence of people like Kathy Huttel.
— Does the law still prohibit darkened windows in vehicles? If so, does anyone ever enforce it?
— On the far western end of Magens Bay the other afternoon someone had written in big block letters in the sand, "LIFE IS WONDERFUL." It’s worth remembering.
— One interesting addition to Carnival Village this year: a condom giveaway. Several booths have baskets set out with free condoms inside, compliments of the HIV Care Centers. The message on their card: "Jump up and sway for Carnival Y2K….but don’t get carried away!" The card goes on to say that "the correct and consistent use of condoms during sex can greatly reduce your risk of getting HIV" and gives the center’s phone numbers on St. Thomas (774-3168) and St. Croix (772-9501). As Irving "Brownie" Brown (the very deserving honoree of this year’s Village) would say, "Good t’ing!"
— Gov. Charles W. Turnbull did the right thing in requesting FBI assistance to solve the recent spate of shootings on St. Thomas. The only question is, why did it take him so long? The feds had said they were willing to help weeks ago. We should have jumped on their offer immediately.
— Why, oh why, can’t Public Works keep our main roads litter-free? The same bottles and scraps have been in the same place along the Magens Bay Road for weeks. Ditto for Mafolie Road and many other well-traveled byways. They’re an embarrassment. Roadside litter pickup is a simple but important task that has to be done regularly — daily, ideally, but at least weekly. What’s the problem?
— But, to Public Works’ credit, we’ve seen crews in recent days cutting brush along many of our roadsides. One crew even cut the tall growth at the bottom of Mafolie Hill, along Maude Proudfoot Drive, so motorists can again see the stop sign that had been hidden for weeks.
— Before we leave Public Works, we want to raise one other issue: potholes. Just as the issue can be summarized in one word, so can our assessment of Public Works’ performance: pathetic. One pothole on Magens Bay road is so enormous that the St. Thomas Swimming Association could start giving lessons in it until its pool is finished.
— Speaking of which, it is really good news that construction has started on that pool in Estate Nazareth. It has taken forever, but it’s becoming a reality thanks to the persistence of people like Kathy Huttel.
— Does the law still prohibit darkened windows in vehicles? If so, does anyone ever enforce it?
— On the far western end of Magens Bay the other afternoon someone had written in big block letters in the sand, "LIFE IS WONDERFUL." It’s worth remembering.
V.I. HOUSING AUTHORITY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
The V. I. Housing Authority will accept applications for its 11th Annual Summer Youth Employment Program from May 10 to May 21.
College students will work for 8 weeks, high school students, for 6. Application forms can be picked up and returned to the George Simmons Terrace Office on St. John.
This program is open to student residents of Public Housing, and legal dependents of Authority employees who are 15 years or older and who have completed the ninth grade.
Applicants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and most recent report card, high school or college transcript.
College students will work for 8 weeks, high school students, for 6. Application forms can be picked up and returned to the George Simmons Terrace Office on St. John.
This program is open to student residents of Public Housing, and legal dependents of Authority employees who are 15 years or older and who have completed the ninth grade.
Applicants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and most recent report card, high school or college transcript.
VI HOUSING AUTHORITY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
The V. I. Housing Authority will accept applications for its 11th Annual Summer Youth Employment Program between May 10, and May 21.
This program is open to student residents of Public Hoousing and legal dependents of Authority employees who are 15 years or older and who have completed the ninth grade.
Application forms can be picked up and returned to the Authority's Personnel Offices on St. Croix.
In addition to the completed form, applicants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and most recent report car, high school or college transcript. Incomplete applications will not receive consideration.
For further information call 773-3525 ext.410.
This program is open to student residents of Public Hoousing and legal dependents of Authority employees who are 15 years or older and who have completed the ninth grade.
Application forms can be picked up and returned to the Authority's Personnel Offices on St. Croix.
In addition to the completed form, applicants must bring a copy of their birth certificate and most recent report car, high school or college transcript. Incomplete applications will not receive consideration.
For further information call 773-3525 ext.410.
GERS PRE-RETIREMENT PLANNING WORKSHOP
GERS invites members over 30 years of age to participate in a Pre-retirement Workshop to be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25, in the Conference Room, 3005 Orange Grove.
Learn more about your benefits.
Pre-registration deadline is Friday, May 19.
Learn more about your benefits.
Pre-registration deadline is Friday, May 19.
THE WOMEN RACE 2000
The Women Race 2000 will be held at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, in Frederiksted.
This annual event of the Women's Coalition of St. Croix is in its 16th year.
Participants can walk, jog, or run the two mile marked course.
Entry fee is a $10 donation and all participants will receive a t-shirt with the race logo.
All girls and women are invited to join in this event. Schools, community groups and businesses are encouraged to send teams to participate and show their support.
This annual event of the Women's Coalition of St. Croix is in its 16th year.
Participants can walk, jog, or run the two mile marked course.
Entry fee is a $10 donation and all participants will receive a t-shirt with the race logo.
All girls and women are invited to join in this event. Schools, community groups and businesses are encouraged to send teams to participate and show their support.
CANCRYN JHS MEETING
A special meeting of Cancryn Junior High School students' parents and guardians is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 8, in the school's cafeteria.
Promotional exercises and end of year activities will be discussed.
Promotional exercises and end of year activities will be discussed.
