Anyone who announces he is going shopping at Kirk’s should not be surprised if asked -- “Which one? Kirk Home Centre? Kirk Supermarket? Kirk Freeport? Or?”
As we researched newspapers for the past 45 years to bring our readers
this special feature on our 45th birthday, we realised quickly that as
much as the Cayman Islands has changed, it has remained the same,
despite the influx of people.
Take headlines, for instance.
Concerned with the rampant crime and growing immigration restrictions in
the Bahamas, Brian took his cue from his chums in the financial
industry and on the golf course and made the move to Grand Cayman in
1972.
“Grand Cayman, in those days, was truly a paradise and it was absolutely
perfect for a good family life. As I had a wife and two small boys it
just seemed perfect for us.”
November 1st, 1979…my starting date at Cayman Free Press. It was a
Thursday, I didn’t have a drivers licence or a car, had to hitch a ride
to and from work every day. I was excited and apprehensive. It was an
interesting time - the “Good Old Days”. Great friendships, teamwork,
even the fights and squabbles are all great memories.
Following are few of the choice headlines that appeared in the Cayman
Weekly, Cayman Compass and Caymanian Compass over the years.
Some of you older folks getting close to senior citizen category may
remember the “Tommy the Turtle Truck,” an old, rusting, beat up Ford van
with illustrations of Tommy The Turtle and Myrtle painted all over it.
Reading, these days, is a chore for Olive Miller. Without her Assist Vision machine at her Pines Villa apartment she can’t decipher legal papers or correspondence.
Three decades have past since I first walked through the doors of Cayman Free Press.
Next May will mark the Caribbean Utilities Company’s 45th anniversary.
For more than 450 years after Christopher Columbus first recorded a sighting of the Cayman Islands, and for more than 250 years after its first permanent settler, there was no media here.
My favourite first memories of joining the team at the Caymanian Weekly now Cayman Free Press are good times spent together, no pressure and a pleasurable working environment.
The transition from William H. McTaggart Sr. to Uncle Bill was gradual but inevitable.
The cost of living continues to rise. And not even the sky seems to be
the limit. The recent substantial increases in the prices of gasoline
and propane will naturally lead to other rises because the commodities
relate to other patterns in our society.
It is not often that amongst the refugees reaching our shores there is a highly qualified professional man. However, with the last arrivals was a Doctor who has a medical degree and Specialist training and is accompanied by his son. His wife and daughter were left behind.
The Women’s Guild held its Mothers’ Day Meeting on the 16 at 7.30 p.m. There was a Programme of Recitations and Readings on “Mother”, and a short Play depicting the various stages of Mother hood. There were two Solos. The meeting was very well attended.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Manderson are here from their home in Houston, Texas for a few months. Jacob has not completely recovered from the accident he sustained to his knee, and has to use crutches.
Mr. Val Anderson paid a brief visit to Ja. On the 3rd taking his
daughters back to school. Miss Harriet Hutchings returned to school on
the 5th after the Christmas holidays. Mr. Gaylord Bodden, only son of
Mr. and Mrs. Audley Bodden, spent Christmas and New Year with his
parents and returned to St. Croix where he is stationed. Captain and
Mrs. Ashton Reid of Kingston had a pleasant visit to the island with
Mrs. Reid’s relatives.
Welcome to Mr. Lepair Barnes who arrived from New York last Sunday to spend his vacation with his family.
Nurse Lue Rankine of New Jersey desires through this medium to thank all those kind families and friends who extended so much sympathy through letters and cards and by other ways and means during her recent sad bereavement in the loss of her dear adopted Granddaughter Zeta Mae Forbes who departed this life under tragic circumstances during the Christmas Season of 1971.
Mr. and Mrs. Ian Campbell and daughter, Elizabeth, will leave Cayman Brac on October 21. Following a few days in Grand Cayman and a short stay in New York, they will be returning to Southampton, England. Mr. Campbell is a cartographer with the Cadastral Survey Team and Mrs. Campbell has been Sister-in-Charge at Faith Hospital since January 16. The family will be missed by their many friends here.
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