New Amsterdam Benefit Ball Report – 2012

The Council of Friends of New Amsterdam awarded the Distinguished Service Award, the National Public Broadcasting Media Award, and the Educator Service Award at their Annual New Amsterdam Benefit Ball.

On a pleasant New York Saturday afternoon in October, about 200 New Amsterdam well-wishers gathered in the splendor of the Glen Terrace Ballroom in Brooklyn for the 2nd Annual New Amsterdam Benefit Ball. The event was sponsored by COFONA Inc., the Council of Friends of New Amsterdam, to raise funds to benefit development projects in New Amsterdam. Mr. Vivian Williams, Esq., a well-known Guyanese lawyer born in New Amsterdam, acted as the Emcee for the evening. Mr. Williams performed the role admirably as he conducted the event in an efficient and graceful manner while challenging well-wishers to demonstrate their commitment to the township by contributing to the cause.
To foster the promotion of the town’s unique history, three awards were presented to individuals who made significant contributions to the township over the years, namely, the Distinguished Service Award, the Public Broadcasting Media Service Award, and the Educator Service Award.
The Distinguished Service Award was given posthumously to the Honorable WOR Kendall for his dedicated and distinguished service to the nation as a whole, and the town of New Amsterdam in particular. Dr. Colin Wilkinson described WOR Kendall’s service in the political arena and the significant role he played in championing the cause of the township at the national level. Mr. Oswald ‘Ossie’ Kendall and Ms. Pinky Kendall, two of the children of this illustrious politician received the award on his behalf.
Mr. James Sydney, a venerable radio personality of Radio Demerara, was himself presented with the prestigious Media Service Award. James Sydney will be remembered for his evening serenades on Radio Demerara and for his memorable contribution to broadcasting in general in Guyana. In recognizing Mr. Sydney, Mr. Carlyle Harry remarked that one of the outstanding features of Mr. Sydney’s broadcasting career was his unique niche as a research broadcaster. As a research broadcaster, Mr. Sydney focused on providing ‘facts’ and this gave rise to the well- known program, ‘It’s a Fact!’ This recognition is deserving for a well known figure in the township.
The Educator Service Award was presented to Ms. Elaine Singh, one of the most committed teachers in the New Amsterdam township. Ms. Singh taught for over 55 years beginning from the early age of 16. She taught for many years at Vryman’s Erven Primary School – which later became a Secondary School – and had a short stint in East Canje. She also taught at Berbice High School where she made a significant impact on student performance. Upon migrating to the United States, Ms. Singh continued to serve in the field of Education in the New York Public School System. In receiving the award, the affable Ms. Singh spoke of her commitment to children and to the people of the New Amsterdam township. Indeed, many in the audience were former students of this well-known educator.
In his remarks, COFONA’s President, Dr. Leonard Lewis, outlined a number of projects the organization either contributed to or continue to contribute towards. He also described the 2013 Commemorative Activities to be held in New Amsterdam from July 28th to August 10th. He stated that a series of events will be held to commemorate two significant anniversaries, namely, the 250th Anniversary of the Berbice Slave Rebellion, and the 175th Anniversary of Emancipation of Slaves. These events will examine the experiences of our fore-parents who were brought to Guyana as slaves and reflect on their descendants’ journey through the years down to the present time. Under the theme, ‘From Resistance through Emancipation to Empowerment’, the event will recount the experiences and conditions under which they worked, labored, and sacrificed; but also how they cooperated, and strove to ensure a better life for succeeding generations. This series of commemorative events will include an opportunity to critically examine and evaluate the lessons learned, the gains made, and the challenges ahead.
And so the call goes out for proposals for presentations at the two weeks of commemorative events. These presentations could be papers, dramatic productions, poetry or prose, and should seek to promote the history and events impacting the township. Dramatic presentations on location or on video would also be welcomed. For photographic displays of life in those early years, old photographs will come in handy as we set-up displays and artifacts to commemorate the two significant events.
Persons could also organize family reunions, identify development projects for their organizations, collaborate on ventures that target identified needs, and contribute to programs that need assistance on the ground. How to submit entries will be described in the information package that could be accessed on COFONA’S website.
A 2013 commemorate journal will also be published for the occasion. Persons could participate by identifying and recommending individuals for the 2013 Commemorative Journal. The Journal will recognize 250 individuals who hail from New Amsterdam. A variety of categories have identified, and individuals who contributed to the development of New Amsterdam, and/or to the nation of Guyana will be selected. The public is being invited to submit nominations for persons they believe should be included by completing a nomination form and submitting the form to the Publication Committee by the stated deadline. In addition, persons are asked to begin making plans to travel to Guyana next year to participate in the celebrations.
COFONA is on the internet – on the Audrey Johnson Show! Ms. Audrey Johnson interviewed a number of guests who shared their experiences with the show. These interviews would be made public on the Audrey Johnson internet show. The remainder of the evening was spent on the dance floor by those who were eager to get on their feet at this Benefit Ball.
The general consensus was that an enjoyable evening was spent at this the 2nd Annual New Amsterdam Benefit Ball.