It must not affect me, It will not affect me, It must not defeat me

The words of Col. Anthony "Bunny" Stearns O.D. (seen second from left). He was introduced to the club by Major Errol Allman a Distinguished Past Governor of the Optimist Club. Major Allman went on to describe the distinguished career of a brilliant pilot and pioneer leaving us awestruck as we listened to his litany of achievements. He kept us in suspense with hints of a "disability" and I am sure I was not alone in wondering what it is about this man that could be considered a disability. Col Stearns gave no hint of anything as he sat and listened to his introduction, laughing intermittently to the various funny anecdotes by Major Allman.

He took his turn at the "podium" (used loosely here) and started to speak about his challenges, the feelings he experienced as he began to lose his sight. He spoke about adjusting his life to meet this challenge, learning new things to help him cope, how he is now capable of "listening to the heart" of those he meets as he is unable to see them and therefore form any judgement. In his own words "when I meet someone I form no opinions".

He stayed for the rest of meeting, laughing and enjoying our antics. We are Sunsetters after all and we must have fun.

I am sure I am not alone when I say - I left that meeting feeling richer for the experience of having heard him speak. A true optimist.

Submitted by Opt Sylvia

Caribbean District Conference - Editorial

Disclaimer - Please note that this editorial reflects the views of the editor - Opt Sylvia - and not the collective view of the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston

It was with great anticipation and sacrifice that I ventured to attend the the last Caribbean District convention of the Celebrate Team. I am pleased about many things - among them

1. I learned a lot - about myself, my district, my club
2. I have every reason to be proud of joining this club and its caribbean wide and international family.
3. That the things that bothered me about my first experience was not the norm and that I can expect better next time around (I will not belabour these particular points as they were adequately addressed by Governor Adrian and Past Governor Eddie Wint)
4. That my club and its family at large gives me hope for the youth that we serve.
5. That the Optimist movement is not about hype and strutting their stuff - but about work, service, self improvement and yes, having fun too.
6. That in service there is joy and if you serve without joy then one truly needs to look at their motive for serving. In truth what should be looked at in this case is whose purpose is really being served.
7. That you cannot be selfish and be a member of this movement - and that if you are - you will be quickly dispelled of that notion

Attending this conference has afforded me the opportunity to continue a journey on which I had embarked, that is, an honest examination of myself and my goals. In Toney Olton's session further explored those questions which I had posed to myself sometime ago

Standing in the Gap

How will I stand in the gap between those who are at their present state of achievement or non-avhievement and their true potential. Who will stand in my gap? Someone once said to me - part of being a true Christian is knowing how to ask for help. I have always been a loner - trying to do as much for myself as possible without asking for help - and then usually at the last minute. What a hard road I had chosen!

Since becoming a member of my club - I have been on the receiving end of so much love and support - that I sometimes have to pinch myself and ask myself if it is real. At this point I have to thank my very dear friend and our Treasurer - Rosie Samuels - for introducing me to this wonderful experience. With my club family I have begun to realise that it does not have to be a struggle. As Toney said - there are six degrees of separation between where you are and where you want to be. In my case - I have found that I am just one phone call away from help at any time.

So for me - my club family stands in my gap - for that I am truly grateful. My intention is to stand in the gap of the youth we serve, to help to create that bridge between where they are and where they have the potential to be.

Legacy
The other question that I have asked myself and which was addressed in Toney's session was Legacy. What will my Legacy be, how do I want others to remember me and how do I want God to see me?

To understand what kind of legacy I would leave behind - I first had to consider my purpose in this life I now possess. I have been in the technology field since 1987 and in the year 2000 picked up back my arts (in this case poetry and my newly discovered talent for photography). My goal is to make these my primary source of income within the next two years. Why is this? Firstly - I dont subscribe to the starving artist theory and secondly I dont see why I cannot earn from what I love doing. Having said that - the technology field has served its purpose for me - and I can now apply this to my art to gain the best possible advantage. My purpose in this life apart from service - is to record accurately through poetry and photography my vision of the world around me, that piece of our culture that will become history, to see in the mundane something extraordinary and to display it to the world.

My legacy I hope will be a fulfillment of this purpose and that it will inspire those around me and those who witness it to move towards defining and fulfilling their purpose also.

What I want others to say of me when I depart this earth - Sylvia ( or Gina Rey) was courageous, never gave up, never lost faith and above all that she was generous with her time, and her resources.

How I want God to see me - That I lived a life of Faith, That my heart was clean and my intentions honorable and that to the best of my abilities I tried to live by his commandments and make this world a better place for at least one person.

To the other four people who sat with me during Toney's session - we have said that we will keep in touch with each other, try to help each other with our needs and so move one step forward. As we agreed - the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. I hope that having gotten back to our busy lives that we will not forget this pormise we made to each other.

In summary, I found the conference both entertaining and educational. The outgoing Governor is a force to be reckoned with, his enthusiasm is as infectious as he is serious about business. I think I joined this movement at the right time.

Look out for pictures soon.

One Love - Opt Sylvia

The sea of red - always a welcome sight. Thanks to all those who participated and supported this very important event. I counted 21 Sunset Optimist of Kingston members all of whom are not in this picture

Police Escort

One of our outriders - I was trying to encourage him to become an optimist but he just said glad to be of help and went on his merry way. 

Our Torch Deliverer

She brought the torch to us 

The Sunset of Kingston Drama group performing the poem Faithless - from the play - Reality Check! - and theatrical production in poetry about HIV/AIDS and drug abuse by Gina Rey Forest 

Ashe in Performance

The group Ashe performing one of their relevant pieces on AIDS 

Diane

Diane gives her testimonial 

Optimists in attendance

 

And Chaos reigned as we tried to keep the last tent from collapsing

As you can see the complete choas which reigned during the freak storm. The over turned chairs, the mussed hair styles. See Diane gamely hugging our Torch and by the way - those footprints on the fence are just being held there by the wind. One thing for sure - judging from the smiles - it is obvious that we optimists can find the humor in any situation. 

Three cheers to the Mayor of Kingston - His Worship Desmond McKenzie who was kind enough to help us hold up our remaining tent during the freak storm 

Motorcade

Yes my dears - we even had a motorcade from the airport to the Police Officer's Club where the official ceremony was held - complete with police escort.

Arrival of the Torch at the Norman Manley International Airport - Kingston Jamaica - July 1, 2006

Well we are optimist but that does not mean we are not to be prepared. Here we are posing with the substitute torch just in case the real one got stuck in customs

Scenes from the Receival of the Torch Ceremony - July 1, 2006

Seen here - L-R, Top - Bottom: Pres Faith, Sec Paulette, Opt Sharron Christie, Pres Elect Lorna and Opt Kerri-Jo nailing down the footprints, JOOI Club President - Sanchez, Opt Shara (decorations) Opt Edna (peeking out from behind Pres.)

Footprints in the Race Against AIDS

These footprints represent our Race Against AIDS and were created with the help of Opt. Kerri-Jo Lyn 

AIDS TORCH RELAY RECEIVAL CEREMONY - JULY 1, 2006

It felt very solemn when I finally held the torch, a symbol representing the involvement of the Optimists in the Caribbean District who assist with education about and reduction in the stigma associated with the disease. By the time it arrived in Kingston, it had done the rounds in the other Caribbean countries where Optimists reside.

It was indeed a team effort by the Planning Committee to ensure that the torch was welcomed in an auspicious manner. Paulette Champagnie, Club Secretary, Sylvia Straw, Conroy Rose, Past President Margarietta St. Juste , Keri Jo Lyn, Jodi Ann Bennett, Shara Anderson-Grant and Asst. Secretary Edna Lindo, worked alongside with me. On the day, other Sunsetters came out to give their unfailing support.

The motorcade of ten cars, departed the Norman Manley International Airport, ably guided by two outriders from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, who provided an impressive look into the life of an outrider throughout the trip to the Poolside at the Police Officers Club.

The Sunset Guard of Honor, including the President of our JOOI Club, were in place, alongside the footprints which were nailed into the ground. On these footprints were written statistics and policy decisions relating to the HIV/AIDS Virus. And then it happened. A freak wind storm, none like which we have experienced. The tents collapsed, the banner blew away, the footprints flew, the exhibitors flyers etc in their tent flew, the chairs slid on their merry way and in order to keep one tent above our heads, Sunsetters and guests braced themselves against the posts, inserting them as they were displaced. And then the rain fell briefly. It was fun to see DOIPG Cecile Hale, holding on to the tent post for dear life!!.

Our programme got underway, and we were all laughing and in good spirits.

Mrs. Rheima Hall, wife of the Governor General, kindly consented to be Patron for the event. His Worship the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Desmond McKenzie brought a Welcome Message and a Priest from the Missionaries of the Poor, an organization which runs an AIDS hospice asked the Lord’s blessings on our function. The Governor’s message was ably read by Gov. Assistant Sandi Taylor and then I addressed the audience.

It was heartwarming to see LTG’s, Club Presidents and other members from other Zones and clubs. We would like to take this medium to thank them for their support.

ASHE an artistic performing group who write a number of works focused on educating the youth about HIV/AIDS did two pieces, which were well received both in the message and artistic form. The Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston has many talented members within its midst. Opt. Lillian Davis catered, Shara Anderson-Grant did the decorations and Sylvia Straw who is a writer, wrote a piece which the Sunset Optimist Drama Group (VP Lorna Gooden, Opt. Conroy Rose and Edna Lindo) performed.

The torch was then handed over to LTG Jean Nash from Zone 2 and the Vote of Thanks given by Opt. Paulette Champagnie. We have included some pictures to whet your appetite. See you at Convention when you can see them all. Thanks to all who attended and to the Sunsetters who assisted in any way.

Submitted by: President Faith McFarquhar-Gordon

Respect for Law Week - May 1 - 7 , 2006

“Learn From Home……….Practice for Life”

May 1 to 7, 2006 marked an exciting and eventful week in the lives of the children at the Duhaney Park Primary School, Hope Valley Experimental Primary School, Calabar High School and the Visions of Hope Recreational Centre.

A flurry of activities were carried out by the members of the Sunset Optimist Club of Kingston which involved:

- A Poster Competition on “What Peace Means to Me” at Duhaney Park, Hope Valley and Visions of Hope
- Calabar High School boys got a chance to see the insides of an Adult Correctional Centre
- Movie evening spent with the children at Visions of Hope
- The boys at Hope Valley also had a chance to interact with a member of the security forces
- Fellowship at the Meadowbrook United Church

We also had a chance to make presentations to the winners of the poster competition in the various institutions.

Approximately 2500 children were reached during the week’s activities.

Report submitted by:
Sec Paulette

Apology from Opt Sylvia

Please accept my apology for the delay in updating this particular item due to the intense activities leading up to the Arrival of the Aids Relay Torch - pictures relating to this event will be posted at a later date

More pictures from the Fundraising Olides Party

A night to remember and indeed it was! The rain clouds came and we watched as they rolled away. The party animals came out in their numbers and partied the night away. DJ Gladdy was there to provide us with music down the memory lane. The outfits were georgeous and sexy.. WOW the pictures will tell all.

By 3:00 am we were on our way home... with smiles on our faces.

The event was the success we envisioned, as we realized the net income anticipated. We look forward to working as a team for the next fundraising event which we promise to be bigger and better!

Yours in Optimism,

Sharron Christie
Fundraising Chairperson

Note from Optimist Sylvia:

Please pay special attention to President Faith and Pres Elect Lorna and Tres Rosie. Unfortunately I could only get the back of GA Asst Sandi - you will have to guess who it was

Scenes from our fundraising oldies party - June 3, 2006

  

And more pictures.....

 
 
 
  

Still more pictures from 3rd Qtr Caribbean District Meeting

 
 
 
  

More pictures from 3rd Qtr Caribbean District Meeting

 
 
 
  

Pictures from the 3rd Quarter Caribbean District Meeting

The Meeting held at the Hilton Kingston on June 3, 2006 was well attended and I am proud to say that there was a sea of red as Sunset Optimist of Kingston made their presence felt.