Glenridge Arnold Pole Dies at 76

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Glenridge Arnold Pole Dies at 76

We want to announce the passing of Glenridge Arnold Pole, affectionately known as Glen. He died on Sunday, Oct. 27, in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. He was 76 years old.

Glen’s funeral will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, at O’Leary Funeral Home at 640 E. Springfield Rd. Springfield, PA 19064. Tributes will occur from 10 a.m. with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m. The interment will be at Fernwood Cemetery in Lansdowne, PA.

All the family and friends of Glen Pole are advised of his passing. He was a graduate of the CAHS class of 1966 and Hampton University class of 1971. He was the devoted husband of Dr. Phyllis Carter Pole and the proud father of Monifa Pole and Mwai Pole. Glen was the third of four siblings and left behind his brother, Alden Pole, and two sisters, Jeanette Wattley and Ingrid Hutchinson.

Glen had a strong interest in business from an early age and went on to become a Global Investment Banker in Manhattan, New York for over 35 years. He also served as the Financial Advisor to Shawn M. Malone, Former Senator, and Former President of the 30th USVI Legislature. Glen’s passion was leadership and positively impacting young men’s lives, leading him to found and run Valor Leadership Academy in St. Thomas and St. Kitts for four years. Additionally, he was a talented singer and would share his love and enthusiasm for music whenever he could.

Glen will be missed, and his legacy will live on through his children and the many people that he impacted throughout his anointed life.

If you wish to send flowers to the funeral home, please do so by Thursday, Nov. 7.

Judge Gives USVI One Week for Proof of Payment to Prison Monitor

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Judge Gives USVI One Week for Proof of Payment to Prison Monitor
The Virgin Islands government was instructed to submit the status of payment invoices on Tuesday by a federal judge. (Shutterstock image)

A federal judge gave the Virgin Islands government one week to indicate whether it paid a court-appointed prison monitor for four months’ work — or explain why it hadn’t.

In a memorandum opinion and order filed in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, Judge Wilma Lewis directed the government to submit the payment status for invoices covering work in June, July, August and September 2024. Lewis wrote that the update should include the date each invoice was received, the date each invoice was due and the date each invoice was paid.

“If any of the aforementioned invoices were not paid within 30 days of receipt, the Territory shall provide an explanation for its failure to do so,” she wrote. The government’s deadline is next Tuesday.

The payment issue came up earlier this year when monitor Kenneth Ray notified parties on April 26 that he would cease work pending receipt of payment for January, February and March 2024. Ray later received payment for January on May 8, according to court documents. The filing noted that the V.I. Corrections Bureau had approved the payments and was waiting for issuance by the Finance Department.

Lewis issued an order to show cause on May 28, noting that the delayed payments were not the first time the Virgin Islands failed to pay a monitor in the history of the decades-old consent decree.

“Indeed, this problem began back in 2014,” she wrote. “On June 6, 2014 — after the Territory’s second failure to timely pay the Monitor and the Monitor’s resulting suspension of services — the Court entered an order requiring . . . that the Territory pay the Monitor’s monthly invoices within thirty days of receipt, in accordance with Defendants’ contract with the Monitor, or face sanctions,” she wrote.

Six months later, in December 2014, the court assessed a $1,000 sanction against the government for its failure to pay a September 2014 invoice. The court further ordered that any future noncompliance — without good cause or a legally sufficient reason — would lead to a $250 fine per day of late payment plus any fees or expenses the monitor incurred as a result.

“After a nine-year hiatus, the problem appears to have resurfaced again,” Lewis wrote in her order to show cause in May.

During a subsequent June 11 court hearing, the untimely payments were attributed to the territory’s “shortfalls between revenue and expenditures,” according to Tuesday’s memorandum opinion and order.

On July 12, the government notified the court that it will “utilize its best efforts to prioritize future payment of invoices submitted by the Court-appointed Monitor . . . during the pendency of the Territory’s current fiscal circumstances.”

According to that filing, submitted by then Attorney General-nominee Gordon Rhea, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. met with leadership from the V.I. Finance Department and Corrections Bureau on June 21 to address the court’s concerns. During that meeting, Bryan directed the Finance Department to prioritize paying invoices submitted by the court-appointed monitor.

Rhea also noted that the monitor’s May invoice had been paid, writing that the “Territory believes the foregoing resolves all issues pertaining to these payments and will notify the Court in the event of any future issues. The Territory consulted Plaintiff regarding this notice, who indicated it did not oppose.”

According to that filing, the V.I. Corrections Bureau submitted the monitor’s invoices on a weekly “Critical List” to the Finance Department, and vendor payments were then prioritized based on discussions between a “stateside third-party consulting firm” and the Virgin Islands Finance Commissioner.

Lewis seemed unimpressed.

“The Territory represented that its use of the Critical List together with follow-up communications to Finance by BOC and the Attorney General’s Office were unavailing, resulting in the Territory’s failure to make timely payments to the Monitor,” Lewis wrote in Tuesday’s order. “In fact, the Territory presented what appeared to be a very dim situation — that it did not know when the issue of Monitor compensation would be rectified due to the Territory’s ongoing financial constraints.”

Lewis also wrote that Bryan’s intervention was appreciated but insufficient.

“In the final analysis, whether Governor Bryan’s directive to Finance is resulting in timely payment of the Monitor’s invoices can best be assessed at this time by reviewing the Territory’s payments over the past several months,” she wrote.

Attempts to reach spokespersons at the Corrections Bureau and Finance Department on Wednesday were not successful. A Government House spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding whether payments to the court-appointed monitor had been made in recent months.

Bryan Stresses Unity and Strategic Outreach Following National Republican Sweep

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Bryan Stresses Unity and Strategic Outreach Following National Republican Sweep
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. discussed the importance of collaboration between federal and local governments Wednesday. (Source file photo)
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory in a press release Tuesday while reflecting on the potential impact national leadership changes could have on the Virgin Islands. This comes as Republicans secured major wins, taking control of both the Senate and House of Representatives with 53 Senate seats and a majority of over 225 seats in the House. Emphasizing the importance of democratic processes, Bryan acknowledged how elections bring public concerns to the forefront and called for unity as the territory navigates this pivotal time. “Elections are critical litmus tests that bring public concerns to the forefront of our national conversation,” Bryan said in a statement. “They reflect the hopes, fears, and aspirations of the people, and today we recognize those chosen to lead. I congratulate President Trump and all the newly elected leaders across the country.” Bryan underscored the influence national decisions have on the Virgin Islands, emphasizing that collaboration between federal and local leadership is more crucial than ever. “From economic policy to disaster recovery, the decisions made at the federal level shape our local reality. I am hopeful that we can work together to develop a clear strategy that addresses the unique needs of our community while advancing our shared goals as a nation.” In a phone interview Tuesday, Bryan pointed to his past experience working with the Trump administration, expressing optimism for a smooth transition. He acknowledged the substantial federal disaster funding—over $8 billion—that the Virgin Islands has received over the past five years and stressed that while challenges could arise, disaster funding likely would not be at risk. “With recent storms like those impacting Florida, disaster funding will remain a priority, even if other areas of support shift,” Bryan said. Noting that he is a Democratic governor, Bryan said the Republican sweep in the House and Senate could offer potential advantages, including a smoother legislative process that may help advance key initiatives without delays. This political shift may streamline legislative action on important issues for the Virgin Islands, such as rum cover-over revenue, which generates significant funding for the territory. Bryan emphasized the importance of reinforcing relationships with national allies and maintaining bipartisan cooperation. “We’re working to ensure that our lobbyists remain strong and that our allies on both sides of the aisle stay loyal,” Bryan said. He highlighted the strategic partnership with Delegate Stacey Plaskett, who represents the territory in the House of Representatives. “We split the work—she focuses on the House while I take the Senate. Keeping those lines of communication open is vital.” Bryan also noted outreach efforts to influential figures within the Republican sphere who have connections to the territory to strengthen local-national ties. Additionally, he expressed new hope for collaboration with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to explore possibilities for revitalizing the refinery, which he views as essential for the local economy. However, Bryan acknowledged potential concerns with energy funding, given Trump’s support for traditional oil and gas industries. While this could impact the availability of certain energy grants, Bryan remained confident in the progress made toward renewable energy initiatives to stabilize the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. “We’ve already secured funding, and we will push for more to continue building our base on green energy,” Bryan noted. On broader national security topics, Bryan discussed border management, expressing hope for practical solutions for maintaining secure borders while focusing on balanced, non-divisive approaches to immigration, particularly as the territory looks to expand its labor force. Despite the uncertainties, Bryan maintained a hopeful outlook. “As governor, it’s my job to look for the silver lining and navigate the changing tides to best serve the Virgin Islands. We will keep reaching out, advocating, and finding opportunities to advance our territory’s interests.”

Head Start Learning Center Opens on St. John

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Head Start Learning Center Opens on St. John
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. snips the ribbon at the grand opening of the St. John Head Start learning center on Wednesday. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)

A grand opening event was held on St. John Wednesday for the first of six Head Start learning centers being built in the Virgin Islands. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. led a group of top officials gathered to celebrate.

Officials congratulated the contractor, Human Services — the agency that oversees Head Start programs — and the Office of Disaster Recovery for working through challenges of completing the first learning center.

Building six new learning centers to prepare children from birth to age five for primary school was part of the territory’s recovery plan from the damages caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Federal funding totaling $42 million has been secured for the V.I. to build replacements for six centers that sustained heavy storm damage.

“This project was completed in one year’s time — and that’s in St. John years,” said J. Benton Project Executive Eric Cusin. “To the JBC team, excellent work.”

Human Services Commissioner Averil George commended the agency’s administrators and staff for the roles they played in keeping the Head Start construction projects moving forward. Families and children stand to benefit from Head Start services, she said, but the project also helps the local construction industry create new jobs, support higher wages and offer new opportunities. “One down, five more to go,” the commissioner said.

Head Start classroom furnished and ready to welcome up to 20 students. (Source photo by Judi Shimel)

Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien said getting the work completed while meeting the expectations of the federal government took “leadership, commitment, strategy and focus.”

“We got phone calls, we got concerns, we got letters about the speed at which we were spending the funds,” she said. “The test has been passed; governor, we told the feds we would get this done, and we got it done,” the director said.

Williams-Octalien said attending Head Start was part of her childhood experience; so did Bryan, so did Senate President Novelle Francis, Jr. and George. Since the start of his service in the Legislature, Francis said he had worked to mitigate the “school-to-prison pipeline” that appears among young people in the territory.

Head Start, Francis said, has been cited in studies as one way to steer the young away from misfortune. Bryan expressed a hope that children coming into a newly-built facility complete with its own playground will foster a sense of self-worth. “Everybody is relevant, and when these kids come through these doors every day, they have to feel relevant,” the governor said.

Assistant Human Service Commissioner Carla Benjamin said she expects the first group of St. John children to attend class at the Head Start Center in Estate Enighed-Contant “when they come back from their Christmas vacation.”

Benjamin, who is based on St. Croix, said she is also looking forward to hearing from families interested in enrolling their children. She added that on her way to the St. John center, she traveled through St. Thomas and caught a glimpse of other Head Start Centers under construction in the Bolongo and Lindbergh Bay areas.

NHC Monitoring Tropical Disturbances as Wet Weather and Hazardous Seas Affect USVI, Puerto Rico

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NHC Monitoring Tropical Disturbances as Wet Weather and Hazardous Seas Affect USVI, Puerto Rico
Thunderstorms with lightning and excessive rainfall are forecast to continue across the USVI and Puerto Rico over the next few days. Red indicates a significant risk of excessive rainfall, orange indicates an elevated risk, and yellow indicates a limited risk. (Photo courtesy NWS)
The National Weather Service (NWS) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has warned that the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico can expect more wet weather over the coming days as well as hazardous marine conditions. Additionally, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to monitor the tropics regarding cyclonic development. “Wet and unstable weather conditions are expected to continue into the next few days,” according to an update from the NWS on Wednesday. “The main [weather] feature [causing the unstable conditions] will be a deepening upper-level trough [an area of low pressure] and plenty of moisture [passing] across the islands,” continued the update. In addition to the passage of an upper-level trough helping to maintain inclement weather, the NWS has noted that an area of low pressure may develop and move over or near the USVI and Puerto Rico by Thursday. The tropical disturbance, called Disturbance #1, is being monitored for potential cyclonic development.
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Disturbance #1 near the Leeward Islands for possible cyclonic development. The potential system has been given a low chance of intensification over the next seven days. (Photo courtesy NHC)
“A trough of low pressure is producing an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms a couple hundred miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands,” according to an update from the NHC on Wednesday. “This system is expected to move generally westward during the next few days, and an area of low pressure could form near the northern Leeward Islands or Virgin Islands [on Wednesday night] or Thursday,” the NWS said. “Afterward, some gradual development of this system is possible toward the end of the week and into the weekend while it moves near or to the north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and approaches the southeast Bahamas,” the NHC added. Regardless of development, the NWS anticipates rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and choppy seas across both U.S. territories. “[There will be] the potential for flooding rains, hazardous seas, [a] high risk of rip currents, and breezy to windy conditions [that] will continue over the next few days,” the NWS explained. “Warm [temperatures] will [occur] at times.”. A Small Craft Advisory and a High Rip Current Risk will be in effect for portions of the USVI and Puerto Rico until at least Friday. Wave heights are forecast to reach up to eight to 12 feet and possibly up to 15 feet.  Hurricane Rafael Heads for Gulf of Mexico; Additional Development Possible In addition to Disturbance #1, the NHC is following Hurricane Rafael, located near the Gulf of Mexico. Rafael, the 17th named cyclone of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, is moving into the Gulf of Mexico and has impacted areas including Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Western Cuba.
Hurricane Rafael, the 17th named cyclone of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, impacts portions of the western Caribbean as the storm moves toward the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo courtesy NHC)
As of 8 p.m. AST, Rafael was packing maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and was moving to the northwest at 13 mph. After the hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico, conditions are expected to become less favorable for intensification, and the cyclone is forecast to weaken. Still, the NHC noted that there is still uncertainty about the storm’s track and intensity. Residents and visitors across the Gulf of Mexico should closely monitor the situation. Finally, the Climate Prediction Center’s Global Tropics Hazards Outlook depicts an elevated chance of cyclonic development over the next few weeks. Hurricane season officially ends on Nov. 30, and the most recent system to directly affect the USVI this year was Tropical Storm Ernesto, which lashed the territory in August.
The Climate Prediction Center’s Global Tropics Hazards Outlook indicates an increased possibility of cyclone formation during the next few weeks. (Photo courtesy CPC)
This year’s hurricane season has been record-breaking, including the explosive development of Hurricane Milton in the Gulf of Mexico at the beginning of October, the extremely high storm surge associated with Hurricane Helene across the southeastern USA in September, and destructive Hurricane Beryl, which rapidly intensified into a major hurricane and brought devastating impacts to portions of the Caribbean in July. USVI residents and visitors are reminded that the weather forecast can change quickly, and it is essential to stay up to date with forecasts from the NHC. Hurricane preparedness tips are available from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Weather Updates Weather forecast details, including severe weather alerts, are available from the VITEMA website and the National Weather Service. The Source Weather Page also publishes a daily weather forecast and offers readers the opportunity to view weather forecast videos and disaster preparedness video segments

Zip Line Accident Victims Back Home With Broken Bones

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Zip Line Accident Victims Back Home With Broken Bones
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter airlifted injured people off a 200-foot zip line platform Friday. (Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard)
A man and a woman hurt in an apparent zip line accident on St. Croix Friday were back home in Connecticut and Missouri with broken bones and other injuries, officials confirmed Tuesday. Jason Bomar, 58, and Jeanne Glidewell, 32, were rescued by U.S. Coast Guard helicopter Friday from a 200-foot-tall platform used by Carambola Zipline. St. Croix Rescue Chief Jason Henry said the two suffered broken ribs, an ankle break, and facial injuries. They were treated in Puerto Rico at the Centro Medico Hospital in San Juan before being flown to the mainland. Officials from Carambola Zipline did not respond to multiple requests for comment on what happened. St. Croix Rescue and Coast Guard officials said emergency personnel were contacted around 1:15 p.m. Friday with reports of a high-speed collision between people on the zip line course. Dramatic video shows Coast Guard personnel lowering down to the platform and pulling the injured people back up. Upon arrival, Fire and Rescue personnel found the two stranded on remote Platform 3, which was only accessible by zipping down to the platform. Fire and Rescue dispatched two teams. The first attempted to reach the platform by an off-road trail using off-road vehicles and eventually hiking on foot because of the challenging terrain and robust vegetation. The second team, which included firefighters, Rescue personnel, and an Emergency Medical Services paramedic supervisor, ziplined down to the stranded people and conducted a thorough assessment, providing medical care. The Coast Guard sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter that carefully hoisted the two off the platform in stretchers.
U.S. Coast Guard personnel rescued injured people off a 200-foot zip line platform Friday. (Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard)
”This case highlights the importance of teamwork,” said Lt. David Tirado Tolosa, Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk aircraft commander for the medevac. “It was a complex location to hoist two injured persons, but our crew and the local rescue personnel did an amazing job stabilizing them which allowed us to conduct the hoists safely. We are very glad to have transported these patients to receive the medical care they required.”

Hurricanes Win Third Consecutive Title at 2024 Viya Bowl

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Hurricanes Win Third Consecutive Title at 2024 Viya Bowl
Antilles Hurricanes and Julius Sprauve School take team picture together before the St. Thomas/St John IAA 2024 Middle School Flag Football Championship Game at the Viya Bowl. (Source photo by Mark J. Daniel)
The Antilles School Hurricanes Middle School Flag Football Team won their third consecutive championship Tuesday evening against Julius Sprauve School (JESS) 12-6 at the 2024 Viya Bull and Bread Bowl at the Joseph Aubain Ballpark. The St. Thomas/St. John Interscholastic Athletic Association (IAA) held what was formally known as the Turkey Bowl on Tuesday evening. Due to the earlier start of the academic school year, a new day was designated to host the annual culminating event of flag football season. Over the decades, the company known as Viya, Innovative, and VITELCO has faithfully supported the St. Thomas/St. John IAA by fully sponsoring this event. This year’s program was originally scheduled to play on Nov. 1, D. Hamilton Jackson Day. However, days of rain and the forecast of evening thunderstorms forced organizers to move the event to Tuesday.   The first game was the Middle School Division Championship Game between first-place team Antilles Hurricanes and the JESS Seagulls, who were the second seed.
Antilles Hurricanes Team picture after winning their third consecutive St. Thomas/St. John IAA Middle School Flag Football Championship. (Source photo by Mark J. Daniel)
Malakai Nieboer got the Hurricanes’ scoring started early, running in a 10-yard touchdown 4:09 into the game. The Hurricanes doubled their score in the third quarter as Nieboer caught a 50-yard bomb from quarterback Sareem Asfour, giving Antilles a comfortable 12-0 lead. That would have been the final score, but the coaching staff of the Hurricanes decided to throw the ball with two seconds left in the game. Seagull defender Joseph Pagan intercepted the pass and took it all the way to the house and scored. The final score of the game was 12-6. The Seagulls recorded four interceptions in the game. Ke’Ano Scatliffe collected two, and Dominic Graf and Pagan each had one.
Omar Brown, blue shirt, tries to pull Ke’Ano Scatliffe’s gold shirt and flag during the Middle School Flag Football Championship Game. (Source photo by Mark J. Daniel)
The second game of the evening was the Middle School All-Star Game. The Bertha C Boschulte Middle School (BCB) was paired with JESS to make the Green Team. Antilles School, Gifft Hill School, and All Saints Cathedral School combined to make up the Pink Team. This was a very entertaining game. Antilles’ Nieboer put his prints on this game early as he took a handoff from the 35-yard line and scampered into the end zone to kick off the scoring with 2:10 remaining in the first quarter. On the first play of the Green Team’s next possession, Antilles School, Torry Griffin intercepted the ball and ran it back for a touchdown. Hurricanes quarterback found Armani Pickering of Gifft Hill for the two-point conversion, giving the Pink Team a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Green Team came alive in the second. BCB’s quarterback, I’am Williams, found JESS’s Pagan for a 40-yard touchdown, putting the Green Team on the board. Williams then threw a second touchdown strike to Re’Kye Hodge from BCB in the quarter. This made the score 14-12 going into halftime.
Viya Bowl Middle School All-Star Green Team. (Source photo by Mark J. Daniel)
Hodge snagged his second interception of the game in the third. He returned it 62 yards, completing what is known as a pick-six. This gave the Green Team their only lead of the game, 18-14. The Green Team’s lead was short-lived as the Pink Team drove the ball down the field. Asfour connected with Griffin on a 10-yard touchdown pass to give their team a two-point lead at the end of the third quarter. The Pink Team added two more scores, a 10-yard run by Kallen Payne and a pick-six by Nieboer, giving the Pink Team 32 points. Scatliffe ended the scoring with a TD run late in the contest for the Green Team. The final score was 32-24.
Viya Bowl Middle School All-Star Pink Team. (Source photo by Mark J. Daniel)
This wraps up the St. Thomas/St. John IAA 2024 Flag Football Season. The IAA leadership would like to thank Viya for its continued support of this annual event.

Walton “Selah” Macedon Dies at 67

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Walton “Selah” Macedon Dies at 67
Walton Macedon, also known as Selah, died Oct. 20 at the age of 67. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jasmine Roy, and brother, Randall “Randy” Macedon.  He is survived by his mother, Doreen Gerard; father, Camille “King Derby” Macedon, Jr.; companion, Angeline “Angie” Williams; daughters, Thema and Isulah Macedon; son, Selah K. Macedon. His grandchildren are Malakai and Kailah Christian, and Daniel N. Salter. His sisters are Sheridan DeGrasse, Majorie Macedon-deLugo, Doreen, Monique, and Michelle Macedon, and his brothers are Henry Sobratti, Jr. and Rene and Aubrey Macedon. He had adopted sons Jahreem Dowling and Andrew F. Thomas and adopted brothers Randolph “Lugh” Feliciano, Gary “Flour Dan” Thomas, Reinaldo “Bodo” Bermudez, Melbourne “Yambu” Clarke, Odesho “Ras Desho” Joshua, and Steven “Champy” Lewis. His sisters-in-law are Athalie and Akita Williams, Denise Thomas, Lydia Gonzalez, and Daniella Granville-Sobratti, and brothers-in-law Allan Graham, Alvaro de Lugu, III, Gary Thomas, and Arnold Williams, Jr.. HIs godmother is Cleone Hector His nieces are Kiswana, Shalisma, and N’Qwanda Williams, Ashley Thomas, Maria T. Rodriguez, Kavida DeGrasse, Jahshanda Samuel, La’Shanda Samuel-Charles, T’Shanny and Ibresha Macedon, Demaris and Daria Belardo, D’Nyah Sobratti, and Jasmine A. Roy, and nephews Jarrod Murphy, N’Quari, Kijante, Shadiqu, and Z’Kjah Williams, Jordan, Justin, and Jamal Thomas, Kareem and Kyron DeGrasse, Aubrey Macedon, Jr., and Henry Sobratti III. He is also survived by special cousins and family: Elaine Sewer and family, Rynel Prescott and family, Naima Brooks-Macedon and family, Hilberto Ayala & Family, Omaliy Barnes and family, Colin Stevens and family, Alice Libert, Adrian Gerard and family, James “Bobo” Bates, Sr. and family, Elston “X” “Makibu” Brooks and family, and Gustave “Leechee” Simmonds and family.  His extended family included The Mango Trees Riders, St. Croix Twin City VW, Fire Walkers, Horse Racing family, Left Lane Cyclers VI, RDC4LYFE family, Warren “Duka” Brown, Gene Stone,  Steve “Stevy” Simmonds, Jr., Daryl Jackson and family, Gregory “Abadon” Ritter, Carl Pereira, Macedon family, Bates family, Seales Family, Sealey family, Horsford family, Roebuck family, Davis Family, and Gerard family; as well as other friends and family too numerous to mention. The viewing will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m., followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 10 a.m. at Island Center. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.  The family respectfully requests that those in attendance wear red, gold, green, or black. Professional arrangements are entrusted to Kingshill Funeral Home.

Richard Grinnell Cleaver Dies at 72

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Richard Grinnell Cleaver Dies at 72

Richard Grinnell Cleaver died September 23 at the age of 72.

Richard Cleaver

Cleaver was born in Jackson, Mississippi, to Sara and Charles Cleaver. He grew up primarily in Grinnell, Iowa, then attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Amherst College, ultimately graduating from Grinnell College in 1975, with a BA in classics and music.

He held a variety of positions, and many years focused on peace activism, including working at the NYC Catholic Worker House with Dorothy Day, the Des Moines Iowa Catholic Worker House, and the American Friends Service Organization, in Ann Arbor Michigan. He also spent time living in Japan, studying Japanese, teaching English, and translating. He obtained a Masters from Sheffield University in England, in Advanced Japanese Studies.

He then returned to Grinnell, Iowa, again, where he worked at Grinnell College as a grant writer. He moved to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2012, where he also worked as a grant writer until his retirement. He remained in the USVI until his death.

Richard was an ever-curious scholar, and a voracious reader, surrounding himself with books on a wide range of topics. He was also a talented writer, having collaborated on or independently published 3 books. He was gifted in multiple languages as well.

He adhered fiercely to his principles and beliefs, loved classical music, and cooking.

He is survived by his sister, Ann Cleaver Bailey.

“Done To Death” Opens Caribbean Community Theatre’s 40th Season

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“Done To Death” Opens Caribbean Community Theatre’s 40th Season
The Caribbean Community Theatre opens its 40th season with Done To Death on Nov. 8. Written by Fred Carmichael, this production of Done To Death is directed by Malerie Gleason, and features Michael Baker, Laura and Serena Bishop, Denise Blanchette, Tyler Donohoo, Bob Gard, Tom Guthrie, Robb Kuczynski, Todd Saunders, Nora Smith, and Lesa Walcott. There are six performances over two weekends of this play at CCT: Nov. 8-9 and 15-16, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and two Sunday matinees at 4 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 17. This play tells the story of once-famous mystery writers who involve the audience as they apply their individual methods to solving various murders. They include a couple who write sophisticated murders, a young author of the James Bond school, a retired writer of the hard-hitting method, and an aging queen of the logical murder. “Ingeniously packed into the script is a parody of every mystery plot, hero, and villain created in the past fifty years. The story alternates between reality and imagination as five mystery writers wrestle with the problem of writing a television mystery series…” – Glens Falls Post Star “Carmichael plays a skillful and fast paced game of guess again with the audience […] Clever and rewarding.” – Bennington Banner Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (age 65+), $15 for college students and CCT members; and $10 for students under age 18, and may be purchased (for cash only) at the CCT box office prior to each show, which opens 45 minutes before curtain. General admission tickets may be purchased in advance online at Eventbrite. For reservations, more information, directions to CCT, or for handicap assistance, email: eileencct@gmail.com. This play is not recommended for children under age 13. Performances are held at the Caribbean Community Theatre at #18 Estate Orange Grove in Christiansted, St. Croix.
The cast of Done To Death
The cast of Done To Death
 
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