Dr Quincy F. V. Lettsome was hailed for committing his life's work to educating VIslanders during a book launch held in his honour yesterday November 15, 2012. Photo: VINO

A copy of Dr. Lettsome's work on display during the book launch. Photo:VINO

These were the sentiments of Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn as he joined in celebrating the work of Dr Lettsome during a book launch held for the author yesterday, November 15, 2012.
 
The book, which is the fourth in a series of poetry, is titled Virgin Verses IV: Golden Jubilee Anthology, Golden, Echoing Chimes of our Heritage and was launched during a ceremony at the Breezeway of the Government Administration Complex in Road Town.
 
Hon. Walwyn in offering remarks of congratulation and encouragement also said the occasion offered him a reminder of “the importance of our people documenting for ourselves” adding that he felt that it was “important that our way of life was preserved in the pages of work by our very own people”.
 
He further expressed that Dr Lettsome’s life story and experiences would have “coloured his interpretation of our development as a Territory and as a people.” “That interpretation,” he added, “remains an important understanding for my generation, the younger generation and those yet to be born.”
 
The Hon. Minister continued, “We must understand the journey of the Virgin Islander which would give us the drive and pride to protect that same culture, way of life, legacy of success and ambition” that the author has shown.
 
He assured those in attendance that he would continue to make a special push for Dr Lettsome’s book and other books and works of art by Virgin Islanders (VIslanders) to be easily accessible to students throughout public and private schools as it was “important to let [them] understand the valuable experiences of those Virgin Islanders that came before them.”
 
The work, he felt, offered the many cultures that live among VIslanders “a picture of who we are and our achievements.”
 
Dr Lettsome expressed his delight at the launch of his work, which was also part of the celebrations of this year’s Culture Week. He said the poems in the book were about the Virgin Islands and expressed that they were “another aspect of our cultural heritage”.
 
He thanked the Minister for his address and the decision to launch the work during Culture Week. He also thanked the many persons that supported and encouraged his work and also those that contributed to the success of the launch.
 
He expressed that he tried to “reach into the past and connect with the present” in writing many of his poems.
 
The author said he commenced writing in 1956 as a student of the Virgin Islands Secondary School. He reflected that it was around this time that he was asked to write a poem and offered that this may have been the spark that started him on his poetic trail.
 
The book is comprised of 50 poems, he said, with “one for each year of Virgin Verses at that time”. He noted that many of the poems highlighted the cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands, its history, culture, traditions, folklore, legends and customs.
 
The launch was chaired by Director of Culture Mrs Luce Hodge-Smith and also featured brief remarks from Mr Rueben Vanterpool, who provided illustrations for the book, as well as readings of two extracts from Dr. Lettsome's work.

Dr Scholls Shoe Box issue hopefully laid to rest!

The glowing tributes to Dr. Lettsome by the Education Minister yesterday erased much of the gloom that was created a few weeks ago when the world renowned writer, historian and former educator Dr. Lettsome, had taken insult to remarks in the House of Assembly (HOA) made by the Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Walwyn about receiving his [Dr. Lettsome's] manuscripts in a “Dr. Scholls shoe box”.

Dr. Lettsome had said his work could not be compared to the recently launched book on financial services by Ms Ayana Hull, even if it was indeed delivered to him (Minister) in a shoe box, and accused Hon. Walwyn of attacking his reputation.

"Not a book, manuscripts on the history of certain things in the country...Pieces of loose paper, writing down saying this is my research in 2008. An 18 months project at $5,000 per month...Do your little math and that's about $90,000, it done pass the book [Financial Services] long time," Hon. Walwyn said.

The Minister, who did not mention the producer of the manuscript in question, also said there were expenses of travel and meals that took the cost to produce the manuscript even further.