Where there is a will, there is a way! That is the message Nevis Island Minister is sending out to the Nevis youngsters.

“You can achieve regardless of age.” Nevis Minister Hensley Daniel said this to the youths of Nevis, as he celebrated Nevisian author and senior citizen Bertram Roach of Hamilton for his novel, Only God Can Make A Tree.

Daniel recently told the Department of Information he was proud of Roach’s achievement and offered public acknowledgement of his accomplishment.

Sun St. Kitts/Nevis newspaer quotes:

“What that must say to the younger people, is that if you develop a purpose in life and you work toward achieving that purpose, you can do just about anything. Mr. Roach says to Nevisians you can achieve regardless of age,” he said.

Daniel, who is also responsible for youths in the island, urged young people to get busy instead of wasting time to get involved in crime, violence and drug abuse.

This book actually sounds like amust read for me, as a Nevis Lover!

The novel, published by Athenia Press in the United Kingdom, tells the story of post-slavery Caribbean life.

According to Roach, his book details the culture, festivities and realities of the period and place. It was set in St. Kitts.

“This is not the usual story of pirates and local stories. It tells of what happened to the offspring of the slaves and the mixture of the races….

“I grew up on a sugar plantation in St. Kitts and Nevis. The stories I tell are my real stories,” he said and added that he had already completed the manuscript for his second novel.

BOOK DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS… PROVIDED BY ATHENAPRESS.COM:

Adrian is the son of a black Caribbean woman and an Irish immigrant father, and is blessed with the pale skin and European features to allow him social mobility in the rigidly hierarchical society of twentieth-century Caribbean life. He falls in love, but is offered the opportunity to improve his social standing, and thus the rest of his life, if he can suppress his heart’s desire and decide with his head. Will he choose Julia, the only woman he has ever really loved, and settle for being an overseer, or will he opt for the plantation- owner’s daughter, Alice Mills, who could provide him with the social standing he has always dreamed of?

The consequences of his eventual decision are weighty and far-reaching, affecting not only Adrian, but all those around him, showing the harsh realities of life in this earthly paradise. Set on the idyllic islands of St Kitts and Nevis, this gripping saga is the true story of a family of mixed race and mixed fortunes.

You can buy his book online at any of the following websites:

amazon.co.uk

alibris.com

eruditor.com

borders.co.uk

Glad to share the good Nevis News

Becca Briley

St. Kitts and Nevis Motto: Country Above Self

The beautiful display of NEVIS CUSTOMS and NEVIS CULTURE can be seen anywhere on the isalnd, but are always celebrated through various annual festivals, events and activities. The Nevis Museums proudly preserve it’s history.

Great insightful Government and Nevis Information can be found at the Ministry of Culture from the Nevis and St. Kitts Government Website One of my FAVS

The national Nevis flag: features green for it’s fertile lands, yellow for it’s year-round sunshine, black for the African heritage, and red for their struggle from slavery through colonialism to independence. It also displays two white stars on a black diagonal bar, symbols of hope and liberty.

The center of the Nevis coat of arms: is dominated by a shield at the base of which is a lighter in full sail. A red chevron is highlighted by two poinciana flowers. At the top of the shield is the head of a Carib, supported by the fleur-de-lis and a rose. These symbols represent the early inhabitants of the islands, and the influences of the French and English.

The Nevis national flower: is the poinciana or flamboyant, named after Monsieur de Poincy, the first French Governor of St. Kitts, who is said to have introduced it to the region. Its scientific name is Delonix Regia and it is said to have originated in Madagascar. The flamboyant is one of the most striking trees of the tropics, with its umbrella-shaped crown and its compound deciduous leaves, and red and yellow scalloped flowers followed by long, black seedpods. It blooms from May to August.

The national Nevis bird: is the brown pelican, Pelecanus Occidentalis. In its youth, it is brown on the head, neck and upper parts of the body, and mostly white below. As it matures, the majority of the body becomes dark brown while the upper part of the head turns white. During the postnuptial molt the adult’s neck turns white. The neck and head are not extended during flight. Brown pelicans are sometimes solitary feeders but may also be found in small flocks as they feed on schools of fish near the surface of the sea. They can be found throughout the West Indies and in the sub-tropic regions of the Americas. They nest in colonies along the coast in low trees and in bushes.

National Nevis Clothing:
St. Kitts and Nevis’ Official National Wear reflects the true “Caribbeaness” of its people. A combination of African and European influences which have shaped the history of St. Kitts and Nevis is evident in both the male and female outfits.

The wear is casual and comfortable in my mind. That’s why I love to visit. I love linen and get to get away with it at any time of the year on Nevis Island!

Women’s Wear
It was customary for African women to scrap their heads for protection. The main dress is off-white cotton, with a corset top and an ankle length, wide flare petticoat bottom. The beige cotton sleeves are short and puffed by using the drawstring. A short lap skirt made from crocus is worn over the main dress to protect it from dirt. The madras “Cane Soda Wrap”, which was used to cam soda while fertilizing sugar cane, is draped around the waist. The crocus drawstring bag was a safe nay for women to secure their mane).

Men’s Wear
A straw hat trimmed with madras offered protection from the hot day’s sun. The short sleeved, v-neck jack shirt trimmed with madras is made from off-white cotton. The design is similar to traditional shirts worn by African men. The beige cotton, ankle length pant is a reflection of the local fabrics that were commonly used during the colonial period.

You can view all of this fun information on the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Website!

You can also READ ABOUT THE BIRTH OF NEVIS HERE!

ALSO… Check out this list of the Heritage and Historical Sites on Nevis

Becca Briley

The International Soca Awards (ISA) were held at the Marriott’s Grand Ballroom in St. Kitts on Saturday, October 18th.

SOCA, the up-tempo and energetic gyration associated with the jump-up music genre was recognized and celebrated. Many awards were distributed.

ALSO, BE SURE TO VISIT THE >>>NEVIS MYSPACE PAGE <<<IF YOU HAVE NOT YET!!! IT’S PRETTY

Preceeded by a green carpet-style entrance, the show, held under the auspices of Minister of State with responsible for Tourism, Richard “Ricky” Skerrit, saw the attendance of many government officials including St. Kitts/Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Minister of Health Rupert Herbert, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, International Trade and Industry Hilary Hazel and Chief Secretary Joseph Edmeade.

SUN St. Kitts & Nevis reported on the SOCA award outcomes and events happenings.

The well-known calypso veteran for St. Kitts Nevis, Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero was awarded the Howell Fame Award.

The award was accepted by his nephew, President of Mobile Indirect Channel at Cable and Wireless, David Lake. Lake was also one of the sponsors for the event and accepted the award on behalf of his uncle due to Nero’s health conditions.

St. Kitts-Nevis road march champions for Carnival 2007-2008, the Grand Masters with the tune Boom Bam Bam were nominated for favourite up-tempo soca song of the year, while lead singer out of the Small Axe Band, Maurice “EK” Flanders, was nominated for favourite soca male of the year with the tune Naughty Shorty.

For Best New Soca Female Artiste of the Year - St. Kitts-Nevis national, Juliette Mills, was nominated.

On the night of the ISA, Celebrity Mas Crew out of Trinidad & Tobago unveiled the Birds and Butterflies costumes to join in the St. Kitts Carnival this year. An after-party was held at Club Kactus with acts including Nu Vybz Band “De Suga Band” International and the Grand Masters.

A percentage of monies from the show is intended for the clean-up of the Federation after the passage of Hurricane Omar.

Oh… And for those who don’t know exactly what SOCA MUSIC is… Socafreak.com gives the lowdown on SOCA…

Soca music is music to jump, wave, and “wine” to, amongst other ways of dancing. Most soca songs are written to generate crowd response and therefore a soca song which fails to give rise to these particular ways of dancing (jump, wave, wine, etc.) is usually not a good one. Such a song won’t be given much radio airplay. “Wine” is derived from the word “wind” and “wining” is a type of dance consisting of hip movements. Usually there’s bodily contact.

The complete list of 2008 Soca Winners is as follows:

Best New Female Soca Artist
Zoelah

Favorite Up-tempo Soca – Male
Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Female Soca Vocalist of the Year
Mo Wuk by Patrice Roberts

Favorite Soca Information Website
www.toronto-lime.com

Best Soca Compilation Rhythm
Lego Me Riddim

International Soca DJ of the Year
DJ Spice

Favorite Groove Soca – Female
Wukking Up by Patrice Roberts

Favorite Groove Soca – Male
Soka Junkie by Mr Dale

Soca Humor of the Year
Phone Card by Crazy

Soca Song Writer of the Year
Kernel Roberts & Machel Montano - (Unconditional Love, Blaze D Trail, Make Love)

Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration of the Year
Pressure Boom (Remix) by Ricky T. ft. Mr. Vegas

Best Soca Collaboration Groove
Gyal Farm by Kerwin Du Bois & Shal Marshall

Best Soca Music Video
Desire by Skhi

Best DJ Soca Mix CD of the Year
Soca Twins Addicted 2 Soca Mix CD 08

Soca Artist Album/CD of the Year
Flame On by Machel Montano

Soca Road Mix of the Year
Leh Go Me Riddim - Ricky T - Pressure Boom (Road Mix)

Soca Producer of the Year
Kerwin Du Bois - (Breathless, 2 Days, Gyal Farm)

Soca Chutney Song of the Year
Bring It by Hunter

Overall Female Soca Artist of the Year
Faye-Ann Lyons-Alvarez

Overall Male Soca Artist of the Year
Machel Montano

Soca Song of the Year
Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons
Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Best New Male Soca Artist of the Year
Problem Child

Favorite Soca Online Radio
www.soca919.com

Male Soca Vocalist of the Year
Carnival Please Stay by Shurwayne Winchester

Female Soca Performer of the Year
Faye-Ann Lyons

Male Soca Performer of the Year
Machel Montano

Soca Duo or Group of the Year
3 Canal

Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo of the Year
Machel Montano & Mighty Sparrow - Congo Man

Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year
Soca Gold - Various Artist 1 2008

Favorite up Tempo Soca of the Year – Female
Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons

Over All Soca Band of the Year
Machel Montano HD

Over All Soca Chutney Artist of the Year
Hunter

Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year
JMC Triveni

Best Soca Chutney Collaboration of the year
Hunter & Bunji Garlin - I Want Meh Rum

I can dance to SOCA Becca Briley

West Indian Nations conglomerated in New York City on Labor Day at the 41st West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade!

Make Sure you visit the West Indian-American Day Carnival Association Website at http://www.wiadca.com/

The vibrant and festive West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade makes its way through Crown Heights on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn yesterday.

The food was plentiful: Oxtail, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, roasted corn, and jerk pork were sold at stands along the route…

The parade yesterday, which ran to the Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn from Crown Heights, was a sea of neon spandex. Performers gyrated on 4-foot stilts and women in giant butterfly costumes with pterodactyl wingspans strutted by.

The crowd lining the parade route — sometimes up to seven people deep — were clad in their home countries’ flags, many wearing face paint in the colors of Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti, and a dozen other West Indian nations.

And of coarse Nevis Island was there proudly representing Nevis Culture and Nevis Cuisine…

At the Nevis booth, parade watchers lined up for homemade specialties such as salt-fish cake; johnnycake, a flour-based fried patty, and goat water, a soupy combination of goat, scallion, carrots, celery, and potato.

I LOVE this quote… “It’s just West Indies pride … one big last hurrah before the summer’s over,” said Zach Bynoe, 25, insisting the parade is not about competition between the small countries.

The Nevis booth is a family-run affair. For the past 20 years, Barbs Frances, 45, and her extended family have driven a rental truck from the Bronx to sell their food starting at 5 a.m. Despite the heat coming off her skillet as she fried the salt-fish patties, Ms. Frances was smiling. The day is all about “seeing everyone who you’ve known for a long time,” she said.

You can read the entire article HERE from nysun.com

A new season is approaching and we can almost say “ta-ta” to a Summer Nevis Vacation. Not to worry though, the Island of Nevis offers incredible NEVIS DEALS all year round

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley