The Wkndr Tv Highlights Portland

The talented folks over at the Wkndr Tv had the great idea to feature Portland in the popular weekend lifestyle series. As such, I was more than happy when they invited me to share some of my hometown's best offerings with them.

See some behind-the-scenes shots captured during production.


Film crew captures the view from the Bonnie View Hill Hotel property

Wkndr Tv series host Donalee Curtis hanging out Dale Westin of the Errol Flynn Marina

The crew prepares to film a trip to the Blue Lagoon

Donalee makes a stop at Boston beach

Donalee, Kandice and O'rain relax in the Blue Lagoon after a long day of filming

GG Visits Fairy Hill Paper Project

Their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Most Honourable Lady Allen arrive at Nature's Handmade Paper in Fairy Hill.
The Fairy Hill Natures Handmade Paper Project, which I featured earlier here, yesterday hosted Their Excellencies, Governor-General, The Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen as their islandwide tour took them through Portland. The modest gathering comprised members of the paper project, Fairy Hill Citizens' Association and local Justices of the Peace.

Gloria Dorman, project manager, led a tour of the facility which included a paper-making demonstration. The Governor-General was particularly impressed with the group's innovative use of recycled paper and local natural fibres in the creation of premium quality paper products. In his address to the group, he commended their resourcefulness and pioneering spirit. He also expressed a desire to see more communities in Jamaica employ this approach to solving the problems they face.

Here are a few photos I captured of the visit.

Entrance to the Fairy Hill paper project office.

Gloria Dorman, Nature's Handmade Paper Project Manager greets Sir Patrick Allen while Lady Allen looks on.

Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen meet members of the Fairy Hill Citizens' Association.

Eulalee Cousins demonstrates the paper-making process.

Sir Patrick Allen addresses the small gathering

Cleo Bennett of the Social Development Commission continues the tour. 

Sir Patrick  and his team prepare for their departure.

Port Antonio Synchro Swimming Team Making Waves

Port Antonio Synchro Swimming team members; Jamielya Shaw, Charlotte Ausan, Shernet Swearine-Gullotta, Dajone Leslie, Ajoni Llewellyn and Nyouka Baugh 
The Portland chapter of the Island Aquatics Synchro (IAS) club has been creating waves on the local synchronized swimming circuit. The six-member Port Antonio Synchro team dominated the 3rd Jamaica International Synchronized Swimming championships in October 2011 with all six girls placing in top positions. Then, earlier this year, the team had all six members qualifying for the national team set to represent Jamaica at the CARIFTA swimming championships scheduled for April 2012. Here again, the team is expected to blow the competition out of the water.

The team's performance should come as no surprise, however, as the members are under the expert tutelage of double Olympic gold medalist for Russia, Olga Novokshchenova. Olga now lives in Port Antonio and meets with her team 4 times each week for syncrho training as well as beginner's swimming lessons.

I had the pleasure of meeting Olga and her team at the 3rd annual Port Antonio Synchronized Swimming show held at the Fern Hill Hotel swimming pool a couple weeks ago. Here are some photos of that event as well as a video showing the girls in performance. The team would love your support, especially in the form of sponsorship. So please feel free to email them at portisynch@yahoo.com if you are able to help in some way.

Port Antonio Synchro team about to perform

Port Antonio Synchro team in performance

Port Antonio Synchro team

Double Olympic gold medalist Olga Novokshchenova gives a stellar solo performance

Port Antonio Synchro team after a performance

Port Antonio Synchro Swim Team from Pretaportie on Vimeo.

Fairy Hill Women Empowered through Paper-Making

Welcome sign to Nature's Handmade Paper Project office 
The Nature's Handmade Paper Project has been a mainstay of the Fairy Hill community in Portland for over 20 years. The project grew out of the 'coming-together' of a few women to create employment and skills training for women in the area. Today, the group still stands strong creating employment and training in the art of paper-making for women in the Fairy Hill community. Project participants use recycled paper and plant fibres to create a variety of paper products including; guestbooks, photo albums, greetings cards, notecards and envelopes.

Over the years, the project has found support in the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Rural Enterprise Agriculture and Community Tourism (REACT) project. Local hotels, craft vendors and tourists have been major patrons of the group's handmade paper creations.

I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting with them last week and got a glimpse of the paper-making process, thanks to the adept Julia Smith. Here are some highlights of that visit.
To make orders or for more information you can contact Project Manger, Gloria Dorman at 876-993-8172.   

Julia Smith of Nature's Handmade Paper Project expertly demonstrates the paper-making process


Julia adds water to shredded paper before blending


Julia examines the pulp


The pulp is set in a mold

Plant fibre is often added to the pulp

Finished product made by Nature's Handmade Paper Project

More products from Nature's Handmade Paper Project

Handmade note cards

Free Winnifred Beach Benevolent Society Stages Peaceful Protest

Protestors gather in Port Antonio square.
If you were in Port Antonio this afternoon, you might have witnessed or participated in the peaceful demonstration organised by members of the Free Winnifred Benevolent Society, FWBS. The protest which got underway at about 12:30pm, was directed against the Urban Development Corporation, UDC, as part of the society's efforts to maintain free public access to Winnifred Beach.

Dozens of protestors marched through the Port Antonio square bearing placards and giving interviews to local media representatives in attendance.

Here are some photographs of the event, taken by Port Antonio photographer, Dr. Vidal Smith Jr.

Protestors marching through town centre.

Demonstrators being interviewed 

Port Antonio and Prêt-à-Portie Blog on Travel Channel International

I am delighted to learn that Travel Channel International chose to feature both Port Antonio and the Prêt-à-Portie blog in their recent "Its a Woman's World" series. The show follows host Camilla Andersen on her travels around the world as she meets and learns from local women.

This short video I've included shows part of her journey through Jamaica. Look out for the Port Antonio section which starts at 9:12. Enjoy!

Another Portie Photoshoot...

It comes as no surprise that Portland is the destination of choice for people given to creative expression. Musicians, singers, actors, movie makers and fashion directors are just some of the many who've found inspiration in this tranquil paradise.

Dawn is no different. A jewellery & fashion designer from Arizona, she fell in love with Port Antonio and felt compelled to photograph a few of her pieces here. The session was great; lovely weather, great location and awesome lighting. Here are a few of my favourites from yesterday's shoot.

A Cultural Journey From Africa to Jamaica

A section of the audience at the Great Huts Resort.
This past Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Great Huts resort to see their cultural show. It was a Saturday night well spent and I'm still indebted to my friend Terri who emailed me about the show.

A visit to Great Huts itself is always a treat, but in addition, the local treasure that is the Manchioneal Cultural Group took the audience on a musical journey from Africa to Jamaica. The group, performing for over 30 years, started off the journey with traditional folk dances which have their roots in Africa. These included Brukins, Dinki Mini, Kumina, Quadrille and Maypole. The journey continued with Ska and Rocksteady then on to Jamaican popular dances. The show was informative, engaging and the dance forms masterfully executed. I regret only that I didn't capture it all on video.

The good news is that there will be many opportunities for you to see them perform live as they're at Great Huts in Boston every other Saturday from 7pm-9pm. Make an effort to see them, it'll be worth it!      

Artwork on display at Great Huts by (Top) Kenyan artist Mazola & (bottom) Jamaican artist Nakazzi Hutchinson

(left) Great Huts owner Dr. Paul Rhodes welcomes the audience. (right) Manchioneal Cultural Group leader Richard Derby.

Members of Manchioneal Cultural Group in performance

Manchioneal Cultural Group in performance

Some of the younger members of the cultural group in performance

Port Antonio Welcomes "It's a Woman's World" Film Crew

Dean and Tom film Camilla as she arrives at my house.    (Neville Reid Photo)            
This past weekend was especially thrilling.

Europe's Travel Channel International was filming in Port Antonio for its upcoming, "It's a Woman's World," travel documentary series. The series which will feature four (4) exotic locations; Turkey, South Africa, The Philippines and Jamaica; is unique to the "Travel Show" genre as it introduces viewers to each country from the perspective of the local women encountered.

As such, I met with host Camilla Andersen and the Woman's World crew, and introduced them to some of my favourite Portie attractions and activities to be featured in the Jamaica episode of the series. Our tour included a trip to my alma mater, Titchfield High School, a visit to one of Port Antonio's most gifted nail artists and lunch at Cynthia's at Winnifred beach. It was satisfying to know that the group enjoyed Port Antonio and easily declared it their favourite parish.

It's a Woman's World is expected to be aired in October 2011. Until then, I've included some behind-the-scenes shots of the day's filming.

Filming continues at Titchfield High School while Producer Julia look on.     (Neville Reid Photo)

(Neville Reid Photo)

Navy Island as seen from Titchfiled High School.     (Julia Cornes Photo) 

Jamaican-inspired nail art as done by Kimesha. (Photos by Julia Cornes). 

Guru Ram Das Healing Centre

(L) Lunch prepared from organic farm produce. (R) Mangal Jot Kaur owner and operator, Guru Ram Das Healing Centre.

One of my favourite places to re-focus and re-energize is the Guru Ram Das centre in the Commodore hills of Portland. Owned and lovingly operated by Mangal Jot Kaur, the centre experience figures highly on my list of things to do in Portland. Have a peek at my conversation with Mangal Jot to see what you may be missing. 

Prêt-à-Portie: Where are you from originally?

Mangal Jot: I was born in Paris, France. My mum is French and my dad is from Benin, on the West Coast of Africa.  A few weeks short of my 18th birthday, I moved to London where I lived for 17 years until I came to Portland.

Prêt-à-Portie: Why did you choose Portland and what do you love most about living here?

Mangal Jot: Years ago while still living in London, I read a newspaper article about Portland and thought that if I was to go back to Jamaica, I would have to visit Portland.  When I was first thinking of relocating on the island, I gave myself four days holiday in Portland during which I just fell in love, and it was clear this is where I wanted to be. 

There are so many things I love about living here, the fact that we are surrounded by so much natural beauty makes me feel in awe every moment of the day. 
 

Prêt-à-Portie:  What was your inspiration for starting the Guru Ram Das Healing Centre?

Mangal Jot: Ultimately, it has to be my love for the One in all.  And my eternal gratitude for those teachings which have not only changed my life but also saved my life and allowed me to serve others along the way.  I wanted to create a beautiful and peaceful space where people can come to learn to relax, renew, understand, transform, heal and empower themselves.

 

View from Guru Ram Das centre
Prêt-à-Portie: What are some of the services you offer at the centre?

Mangal Jot: Private consultations, healing conversations, counselling for couples and children, conflict resolution & mediation are also offered.  I have a business background and offer Business Strategy Coaching and Mentoring also. Private Yoga Classes are also done by appointment, meditation and deep relaxation for all levels and beginners are always welcome.  You can stay on to share a delicious Ital lunch made with products from the farm. In coming months, we are planning to offer more classes, workshops & retreats geared towards the healing and empowerment of women and their families.

Prêt-à-Portie: What has been your proudest moment/biggest accomplishment at Guru Ram Das Healing Centre? 

Mangal Jot: Looking back, I guess it was keeping up when I could have given up, and with "Keep up, you'll be kept up!" imprinted in my mind, a favourite Kundalini Yoga mantra, this was never an option, and for that I am infinitely grateful. 

Prêt-à-Portie:  How long have you been a yoga teacher and how did you discover yoga?

Mangal Jot: I have been a Kundalini Yoga teacher since 2001, so this year marks my 10-year anniversary. I discovered yoga in 2000 after a challenging time when I lost my job, an illness, another failed relationship and feeling depressed for as long as I could remember. I hoped and prayed for something to take away that feeling of emptiness, pain and aloneness. I took my first class at my local gym in Brixton London and it was love on the spot. I loved the way it made me feel, in my body, my mind and my whole being. I felt different, like that heavy feeling was lifted, relaxed yet energised and I just wanted more of that. I decided to do the teacher training, and the more I learned and practised, the more I felt, "This is great, it works, and I just have to go and share it with the world."

Prêt-à-Portie: What are the benefits of the practice? 

Mangal Jot: The benefits are many and put simply, it helps you self-adjust in every sense of the term, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But ultimately, there is nothing more true and real than personal experience because it goes straight to your heart and this is where healing and change take place. With an open heart and mind, come and try it for yourself, and you will understand why so many people from all ages and walks of life are making yoga and meditation part of their lives. 

For more information or to make appointments call 876-585-7994. 

Mangal Jot prepares for a Kundalini Yoga session