Posts in category Life & Style

Vincentian-born novelist releases another masterpiece “Fate’s Instrument” Egbert Gaye Montreal novelist H. Nigel Thomas gives what he considers to be a simple reason for writing: “I feel a compulsion to explore the complex mystery that is the human animal.” A compulsion made even more urgent after thoroughly consuming two novels by renowned Trinidad and Tobago author, Earl Lovelace, “The Dragon Can’t Dance”, and “Wine of Astonishment,” along with the political masterpiece “Salt Eaters” from the late Toni Cade Bambara, a provocative African-American, author/film-maker. “I was really taken by their storytelling style and it made me aware that I could write, …

Egbert Gaye Although it doesn’t happen regularly, it’s not unusual that a typical day at work for Sharlene Royer might include a concussion or a broken bone or two. You see, a typical day at work for this Montealer could involve falling off a ledge 30 feet above the ground, ejecting from a speeding vehicle or engaging in lengthy periods of hand-to-hand combat or with weapons. That’s what she does as a stunt-woman/actor or as a stand-in for big name stars such as Halle Berry, Zoe Saldana, Vanessa Williams, Rosario Dawson, Ciara Renée, Paula Patton, Monica Arnold and even the …

Once a Globetrotting musician, Joel Campbell now calls Montreal home Egbert Gaye For all of history, brilliant minds have been grappling with the complex connection between two words: fate and destiny. One relates to what will happen inevitably , the other we will do inevitably. In tracing the path that lead him to Montreal after many years of playing on some of the world’s biggest stages with some of music’s biggest names, the story of Joel Campbell, a young British-born musician, hinges on those two words. He says there’s no denying that is was inevitable that he came to Montreal. …

Leonard Wharwood: activist, community organizer and diplomat Egbert Gaye When it comes to community building and organizing, Leonard Wharwood was a giant of a man. Dependable, hard working and smart, he was a go-to guy for the many organizations and groups with which he was associated for the past 30 years or so. His passing on Thursday, August 23 has left a void in our community and a patch of sadness in the hearts of those whose paths he crossed during his endless hours of work developing his business and assisting others. He was only 60-years-old when he died following …

“Every generation faces their own problems. I can’t say for certain that this generation is interested in confronting the problems we face today.”   Egbert Gaye On a hot summer day, Dan Philip, head of the Black Coalition of Quebec was sitting in his office on Decarie reading a recent article by Richard Martineau published in the Journal de Montreal. Of course, he and his organization came in for a lot of slag from Martineau who fancies himself a columnist and a commentator as he muses on the legitimacy of advocacy groups such the BCQ. “Dès qu’il y a un …

Egbert Gaye Ed Note: In 2014, Caylah Cruickshank entered Tulane University as a top-rated student athlete on a full scholarship amid wild expectations of success on the basketball court and in the classroom. After three years of hard work and exciting highs at the highly rated university, she leaves having met those expectations and some. Here’s how she sees her journey forward… My name is Caylah Cruickshank and I recently graduated from Tulane University. On May 19, 2018, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Minor in Marketing. As a Division 1 scholarship student-athlete, I …

We have come to know Zafirah and Zarina Archer as the youngest steelpan playing duo with Martin Albino Savoys and performing under the name “Z Connection.” As students at Riverdale High School, the sisters are equally outstanding in their achievements and their aspirations. This past semester, Zafirah graduated with honors and received a   special scholarship from the Pearson Teachers’ Union for her “exceptional achievement.” The scholarship is awarded to a student wishing to pursue a career in the educational field. Zafirah plans on becoming a psychologist and Special Aid Counselor. Zarina, who will graduate next year, also made her parents …

Jada Burke is blazing a trail of excellence as she leaves Mother Teresa High School in Barrhaven, Ottawa. In addition to copping several major academic awards, the 17 year old, who participated in the   Provincial Women’s Hockey  League, as a power forward,  has earned a scholarship to the  prestigious Lindenwood University in Missouri where she will play in the  NCAA Division 1 for the 2018-19 season. Jada, who is the daughter of  Eton and Sharyn Burke and sister of Jaren Burke who was featured in the pages of the CONTACT after he received a scholarship to attend the prestigious RPI  …

A group of former players of the West End Recreation Soccer League made their way to the home of Mr. Earl Gordon in NDG on June 30, to pay a special tribute to the man they call “Mr. G”, who was the driving force behind the league, and who played an instrumental role in their development as young adults. The day was flavored by a tasty Caribbean BBQ together with appropriate choices of refreshments, lots of “old soccer talk”, and highlighted by the presentation of a plaque to the man who ran the league almost single-handedly for close to three …

Egbert Gaye Richard Parsram is a child of our community, who so many of us saw grow up at his family restaurant, Caribbean Paradise, in LaSalle. What we weren’t aware of is the creative fire that has been raging in his gut from his teenage years and now fueling his desire to make his name on today’s cultural landscape with his music, his film projects, and through merchandizing. Although the young Richard of yesterday is still the shy big-little kid at the restaurant, these days his relentless energy is driving him to build his empire on the foundation of his …