Linden’s 40th anniversary
Interviews By Cathy Richards
Overseas-based Guyanese spoke with us about Linden at 40 and their expectations for the town week celebrations that coincide with the 40th anniversary. Linden Town Week runs from April 25 to May 3, 2010.
Geraldine JosephWatson, Past President of the Linden Fund USA: ‘This is my second year of attending the celebrations in Linden. It is a pleasure to return and assist the community that I grew up in. Linden is rich in its heritage and we as former residents of this beautiful community must be able to assist. It is wonderful to be coming back to my roots and assisting in any way I can. I must applaud the persons who are working to keep our part of the country alive [and] also the persons responsible for all the events during this festive week. I sincerely hope that persons will return to this beautiful land we grew up in and gained [the] education that has helped us in this world. I wish Linden all the best in this coming week and may we… forge ahead love and respect for each other.’
Melvin Patterson, New York: ‘I think that everyone in Linden and the rest of Guyana should get involved in the further development of Guyana. The fact is, Linden is very key to Guyana and for [it] to be 40 years old says a lot. This year’s town week celebrations should be… supported by all of Guyana. I am not a Lindener by birth but the fact that I am Guyanese means that Linden is a part of me. I would like to see the town week celebrations this year being the biggest and best of all. It is very important that the business sector see the significance of this and give their fullest support, this year more than ever. People of Linden congratulations and celebrate this milestone with pride. We in the USA and the rest of North America are celebrating with you. Happy 40th! You have gone a far way through the years. I recently visited and the transformation for the better is very evident. Brighter days are coming.’
Ron Bishop, New York: ‘I visited the town of Linden, I was born or lived there… and I have pleasant memories. During my most recent visit I was a guest of Mr Shanghai and his wonderful family and the hospitality that myself and friends experienced gives testimony of what has been propelled by the masses of Lindeners, which says that residents there are a very hospitable people. Linden is still a very beautiful town as it was many years go when I visited. To attain the age of 40 is worth celebrating and on this note I want to say to Linden happy 40th,our prayers are with you. You are now transforming from being mainly a bauxite town; there will be many challenges in this regard because new things are going to take place, so my word to you is to just be open to new ideas and everything will work out for the better. They have always said that Linden can be the breadbasket for Guyana and I believe that. Hold your heads up high Linden, you are a great people with great things ahead.’
Keith Thomas, Brooklyn NY: ‘For the times that I have been in Linden I have noticed a change in the way people live there, and I don’t mean this in a negative way. I must say that I am a bit surprised to see Linden has developed to the stage that it is right now, this is wonderful. I have known Linden during better times but there is a big difference because at that time Linden was Mackenzie. This means that it was much smaller and things would have been much easier. I must note however that growth is good; if you were to stay at the same level all these years that would not have been a good thing. As you go through this phase of change just keep focused, look out for one another, work together and you will get the support from the wider world. Happy 40th and good luck for the future. I am sorry I cannot be there for the town week festivities but I know that this year is special to you and you all would enjoy it to the fullest. We’ll be here in the USA following it on Guymine.com and in the Stabroek News.’
Aubrey Saunders, New York: ‘Happy 40th to my birthplace. I am from Linden born, raised, educated, and worked [there]. For me there is no other place like Linden in the world, no matter where I go Linden is home for me. Circumstances beyond my control will cause me not to be around for the town week celebrations this year, but I just returned to the US from Guyana a few days ago. I was in Linden too to register my support for the town’s anniversary. I want to say to Linden and the whole of Guyana support each other. Older folks say life begins at forty, so Linden you are now begging to live. You are now a true adult and are in the position to make wise and mature decisions that would result in the positive growth and development of the town. I also want to see the creation of jobs for all levels of people… New things will come your way, new people will come also – the good the bad and the indifferent – but as long as you stick together and be positive you will reap the best result. Bauxite is down but hundreds of other economic activities are coming; some are already in the palm of your hands, take full advantage and work it. Have clean and memorable fun for this 40th celebration while at the same time you do your thing for the town week.’
Shundell Austin, Connecticut USA: ‘I am very happy to be back home here in Linden, the place of my birth and I am so excited that I could come at a significant time when Linden is celebrating its 40th year of being a town. I left here over nine years now and returning the place look a little strange. I am so used to see all the little stalls at the river corner and those things. Now they have all been removed and you could really see and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Demerara River. This is a positive development. I love the upgrade that has been done to the river front, especially at the Mackenzie shore where persons could sit and relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Linden. This says to me Linden is going places and it makes me proud to say I am a Linden Poker Street girl. I sincerely pray that the people could stay together… Only Lindeners know how to love and show care and compassion… Happy birthday and let the party begin.’
Sharon Adams, Connecticut USA: ‘I am back to celebrate with my home folks the 40th anniversary of Linden. For the time I have been away there has been some development. It hurts me when I hear people say that Linden is a depressed town; it is not. Linden is going through a phase and that phase will result in Linden achieving its ultimate goal and that is becoming the capital of Guyana. There was a time when Linden supplied the capital city of Georgetown with electricity. This is an indication of what’s yet to come. So some things are happening a bit slow, but be patient, work together and stay together; be open minded and we would achieve great things. I am not the type to be around the town day happening but it is very nice for me being back home to celebrate our anniversary. Whatever is being done or has to be done I hope the leaders get the fullest support of the government and the business community to make this year’s activities good.’
Keith Semple, New York: ‘The 40th anniversary of the Town of Linden is an achievement that is worth celebrating. From where we sit here in the USA we have been doing our best to give back to the town that has nurtured us and given us the skills we now possess to work in the USA. I am a member of the Linden Fund USA and through this organization hundreds of Guyanese, Lindeners and even non-Guyanese have been doing so much to ensure that we give back to Linden by providing scholarships and so much more for our people. The town day celebrations have always been very special me too, and the Linden Fund. We look forward to coming back to share in the fun and frolic, contribute through tangible investments and reach out and touch in many ways. This year is very significant since the town is now 40 years old. Hundreds of Lindeners, Guyanese and others are coming back for this big celebration. My appeal is for the business community to support Linden’s celebrations wholeheartedly this year more than ever. Linden, greater things are yet to come and we are there with you.’
Linda Felix, USA: ‘The heights great men reached were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their fellows slept, were toiling on through the night. This is Linden; we are getting there; our hard work throughout the years is beginning to pay dividends. Today Linden is experiencing a transformation from a mere bauxite mining town and is venturing out into other economic activity. This matches the developmental stages of a human being, when one attains the age of 40 one would have made many mistakes and gone through many tests and trials. However the outcome is a mature individual who can make informed and wise choices and decisions. Linden you are at that point and you are not alone. From this end hundreds of Lindeners are making significant contributions to ensure that they do their part for the development of our home town. We are coming home by the droves this year to celebrate this milestone. I am the secretary of the Linden Fund USA and we would be playing our part. Through our Linden Chapter the groundwork is afoot. Be assured that we love Linden and would continue to do our best to support Linden in its upward thrust. I make a personal appeal for the business community, government and non-governmental organizations and international donor agencies to support Linden in celebrating its achievements over the past 40 years.’