usvi-on-line
Oh what a (fort)night! October 2011 Trip Report Part VI
Oh what a (fort)night! October 2011 Trip Report Part VI
Link to Part I: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21721
Link to Part II: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21727
Link to Part III: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21748
Link to Part IV: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21762
Link to Part V: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21283
Sunday, October 9
This day turned out to be a departure from our normal snorkel-snorkel-lunch-villa STJ schedule. For starters we had a pretty long, fun, but tiring day before. We also had company coming to visit today. Deb and Jay were coming over from St. Thomas, and a local couple, Mickey and Frank, that Barb and Chet know from "back home", that now live on island, were also planning to come and have happy hour with us at Allesandra.
So we decided to hang out, catch up on some reading, relax, and take our time getting ready for happy hour (isn't it great when the big thing you have to concern yourself with is happy hour?)!
Early morning view from the deck
And another...
While Mr. & Mrs. Random ran down to St. John Market for supplies, EagleRayLover was keeping up with James Patterson's latest:
Whodunit?
I decided to play with the camera a little - here's the result from one of the new tricks I learned:
Cool!
Deb and Jay were coming over from St. Thomas to spend the day with us, and planned on catching the noon ferry at Red Hook. As we were driving in to town to meet them, we got a text saying that Jay wasn't able to find a parking spot in time for them to catch that one, so they'd be delayed an hour. Since we had some time to killl in town we decided to go to Mongoose Junction. Didn't feel like shopping much, and there wasn't a whole lot of activity, but fortunately the Tap Room was open. We sent a text to let Deb and Jay know that we were "in a good place" so if it took them a while to get to STJ, we could manage!
Our stay at the Tap Room was cut short when we got a "we're on the ferry!" text. But it was OK since that meant we'd soon be seeing our friends!
Deb and Jay (mrscaptainjay and captainjay)
We managed to pick them up in front of St. John Spice (shameless pug!) and then we were headed back to the villa. Once all of the introductions were complete, we got down to serious business...
Jay, Deb, Leslie, Chet, and Barb
Appetizers on the deck - literally!
Alittle while later Frank showed up, but Mickey wasn't with him. It seems as though there was a group of Sicilians staying at Coconut Coast (which they manage) and one of them, who doesn't speak English, was late getting back with the rental car. Mickey had stayed behind to help coordinate the search/wait. We found out later that the guest eventually made it back safely, but that he had driven all of the way to Lameshure before realizing that he was lost. So he had a beer, calmed down, and managed to retrace his route back to coconut Coast. according to Mickey, once he made it back they all rejoiced, then the group headed to town to celebrate his safe return! We never heard any follow up, so I guess it's safe to assume that they all made it back from town!
It was a great day, and the sunset even looked like it was going to cooperate!
Nightfall didn't mean the end of Happy Hour. We feasted on some of Barb's gourmet creations (no food porn - it went too fast!), kept the drinks flowing, but best of all, had a great time swapping stories and hanging out together!
Frank has Jay and Chet spellbound
Deb and Jay look relaxed!
Leslie looks skeptical - I must have been telling the story!
Eventually, all of the working folk decided that they had better be getting back home, so when we left to take Deb and Jay back to catch the ferry Frank decided that it seemed like a good time for him to hit the road as well, closing the chapter on a very nice day, although one that was quite different than what we usually do.
Monday, October 10
OK - yesterday was "villa day", so we're certainly getting up today and getting back in the water, right? Not so fast...
Today is the Columbus Day holiday, and since the local kids are out of school, it's also the day of the 3rd annual "Just Play" event, put on by Using Sports For Social Change. So bright and early we headed to the ballfield in the schoolyard by the traffic circle, checked in, got our assignments (Rosi was among those working at the check in station), and joined the other volunteers out on the field. There were stations set up for soccer dribbling, football throw, basketball shooting, soccer shooting, and 50 yard dash events.
The kids were divided into small groups by age, volunteers were assigned to lead each group, then they rotated through all of the stations where scores were recorded. This took all morning and the schoolyard was a beehive of activity, cheers, and the sights and sounds of kids at play!
Coaches Chet and Barb look on as kids "practice" ahead of the event
Leslie helps with the basketball shooting
Leslie and Barb ended up as group leaders, and Chet and myself were a permament part of the soccer shooting station.
Leslie and her group
Go in!
By the time all of the groups had completed all of the stations it was "almost" time for lunch to be served. To keep the kids entertained while that was being finalized they had all of the volunteers divide into two groups and compete at tug-o-war. The kids howled at all of us "old folks" straing, struggling, and, in some cases, falling down!
While they were still laughing, the word was given that lunch was being served, and the kids, youngest groups first, lined up outside of the cafeteria. Lunch was provided and prepared by Mathayom/St. John Catering, and once again, they did a fantastic job! Chicken, pasta, salad, and bread made for a tasty, hearty, and healthy meal!
All of the structured activities had been completed before lunch, but that didn't mean that the fun was over. Kids had the option to spend time engaged in "free play" using all of the equipment that was out and available, and you could see them shooting soccer and basketballs, hitting tennis balls, and generally running around and having fun. One of the more popular activities was a game of flag football. led by today's guest speaker, for NFL Super Bowl winner Roland Williams!
There was also entertainment, featuring some of St. John's finest:
Zumba!
Eagle Ray Zumba!
Even football players like to do Zumba!
Local calypso artist King Fidel
Love City Pan Dragons!
At last it was time for the grand finale. All of the scores had been tabulated, and the event organizers were now ready to hand out the trophies and medals to the top finishers in each event in every age group. All of the kids crowded under the big tent that was proding some much needed cover from the sun.
But first, Roland Williams spent a few minutes speaking to all of the kids. He talked a little bit about his football and broadcasting careers, then some about the imortance and benefits of getting out and being active. He was a very entertaining speaker and had a way of getting all of the kids to participate with him.
Then Dean Doeling, the founder and driving force behind Using Sport For Social Change, started calling out the age group top finishers and winners as the kids cheered for each other as the names were announced and the awards were handed out.
After the awards were all distributed all of the kids were given a goody bag, and many stuck around for the chance to get an autograph from, and to talk to, Roland.
And then it was an empty field. The remaining volunteers did an amazing job of gathering the sports equipment, taking down tents and tables, cleaning trash off of the field, and generally returning the Sprauve school ballfield to the same condition (if not better!) than it had been at the start of the day.
I have to say that the support that the local community (as well as that of a few visitors) was outstanding and heartwarming. A good number of people on this forum, many who could not even be at the event, sent donations such as sunscreen, goody back items, etc. And the local sponsors that provided everything from tents, sound equipment, food, water, ice, and much, much more, was incredible!
To learn more about this awesome organization and its mission, visit the web site, http://usingsportforsocialchange.com/
Finally, exhausted but happy, we headed back to Allesandra for a dinner of grilled pork tenderloin, some welcome refreshment (and a shower!), and what may have been the best sunset of our whole trip!
And last, but not least, some well earned relaxation...
Ahhhh!!!
I'm pretty certain that everyone at the villa slept well that night!
Link to Part II: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21727
Link to Part III: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21748
Link to Part IV: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21762
Link to Part V: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21283
Sunday, October 9
This day turned out to be a departure from our normal snorkel-snorkel-lunch-villa STJ schedule. For starters we had a pretty long, fun, but tiring day before. We also had company coming to visit today. Deb and Jay were coming over from St. Thomas, and a local couple, Mickey and Frank, that Barb and Chet know from "back home", that now live on island, were also planning to come and have happy hour with us at Allesandra.
So we decided to hang out, catch up on some reading, relax, and take our time getting ready for happy hour (isn't it great when the big thing you have to concern yourself with is happy hour?)!
Early morning view from the deck
And another...
While Mr. & Mrs. Random ran down to St. John Market for supplies, EagleRayLover was keeping up with James Patterson's latest:
Whodunit?
I decided to play with the camera a little - here's the result from one of the new tricks I learned:
Cool!
Deb and Jay were coming over from St. Thomas to spend the day with us, and planned on catching the noon ferry at Red Hook. As we were driving in to town to meet them, we got a text saying that Jay wasn't able to find a parking spot in time for them to catch that one, so they'd be delayed an hour. Since we had some time to killl in town we decided to go to Mongoose Junction. Didn't feel like shopping much, and there wasn't a whole lot of activity, but fortunately the Tap Room was open. We sent a text to let Deb and Jay know that we were "in a good place" so if it took them a while to get to STJ, we could manage!
Our stay at the Tap Room was cut short when we got a "we're on the ferry!" text. But it was OK since that meant we'd soon be seeing our friends!
Deb and Jay (mrscaptainjay and captainjay)
We managed to pick them up in front of St. John Spice (shameless pug!) and then we were headed back to the villa. Once all of the introductions were complete, we got down to serious business...
Jay, Deb, Leslie, Chet, and Barb
Appetizers on the deck - literally!
Alittle while later Frank showed up, but Mickey wasn't with him. It seems as though there was a group of Sicilians staying at Coconut Coast (which they manage) and one of them, who doesn't speak English, was late getting back with the rental car. Mickey had stayed behind to help coordinate the search/wait. We found out later that the guest eventually made it back safely, but that he had driven all of the way to Lameshure before realizing that he was lost. So he had a beer, calmed down, and managed to retrace his route back to coconut Coast. according to Mickey, once he made it back they all rejoiced, then the group headed to town to celebrate his safe return! We never heard any follow up, so I guess it's safe to assume that they all made it back from town!
It was a great day, and the sunset even looked like it was going to cooperate!
Nightfall didn't mean the end of Happy Hour. We feasted on some of Barb's gourmet creations (no food porn - it went too fast!), kept the drinks flowing, but best of all, had a great time swapping stories and hanging out together!
Frank has Jay and Chet spellbound
Deb and Jay look relaxed!
Leslie looks skeptical - I must have been telling the story!
Eventually, all of the working folk decided that they had better be getting back home, so when we left to take Deb and Jay back to catch the ferry Frank decided that it seemed like a good time for him to hit the road as well, closing the chapter on a very nice day, although one that was quite different than what we usually do.
Monday, October 10
OK - yesterday was "villa day", so we're certainly getting up today and getting back in the water, right? Not so fast...
Today is the Columbus Day holiday, and since the local kids are out of school, it's also the day of the 3rd annual "Just Play" event, put on by Using Sports For Social Change. So bright and early we headed to the ballfield in the schoolyard by the traffic circle, checked in, got our assignments (Rosi was among those working at the check in station), and joined the other volunteers out on the field. There were stations set up for soccer dribbling, football throw, basketball shooting, soccer shooting, and 50 yard dash events.
The kids were divided into small groups by age, volunteers were assigned to lead each group, then they rotated through all of the stations where scores were recorded. This took all morning and the schoolyard was a beehive of activity, cheers, and the sights and sounds of kids at play!
Coaches Chet and Barb look on as kids "practice" ahead of the event
Leslie helps with the basketball shooting
Leslie and Barb ended up as group leaders, and Chet and myself were a permament part of the soccer shooting station.
Leslie and her group
Go in!
By the time all of the groups had completed all of the stations it was "almost" time for lunch to be served. To keep the kids entertained while that was being finalized they had all of the volunteers divide into two groups and compete at tug-o-war. The kids howled at all of us "old folks" straing, struggling, and, in some cases, falling down!
While they were still laughing, the word was given that lunch was being served, and the kids, youngest groups first, lined up outside of the cafeteria. Lunch was provided and prepared by Mathayom/St. John Catering, and once again, they did a fantastic job! Chicken, pasta, salad, and bread made for a tasty, hearty, and healthy meal!
All of the structured activities had been completed before lunch, but that didn't mean that the fun was over. Kids had the option to spend time engaged in "free play" using all of the equipment that was out and available, and you could see them shooting soccer and basketballs, hitting tennis balls, and generally running around and having fun. One of the more popular activities was a game of flag football. led by today's guest speaker, for NFL Super Bowl winner Roland Williams!
There was also entertainment, featuring some of St. John's finest:
Zumba!
Eagle Ray Zumba!
Even football players like to do Zumba!
Local calypso artist King Fidel
Love City Pan Dragons!
At last it was time for the grand finale. All of the scores had been tabulated, and the event organizers were now ready to hand out the trophies and medals to the top finishers in each event in every age group. All of the kids crowded under the big tent that was proding some much needed cover from the sun.
But first, Roland Williams spent a few minutes speaking to all of the kids. He talked a little bit about his football and broadcasting careers, then some about the imortance and benefits of getting out and being active. He was a very entertaining speaker and had a way of getting all of the kids to participate with him.
Then Dean Doeling, the founder and driving force behind Using Sport For Social Change, started calling out the age group top finishers and winners as the kids cheered for each other as the names were announced and the awards were handed out.
After the awards were all distributed all of the kids were given a goody bag, and many stuck around for the chance to get an autograph from, and to talk to, Roland.
And then it was an empty field. The remaining volunteers did an amazing job of gathering the sports equipment, taking down tents and tables, cleaning trash off of the field, and generally returning the Sprauve school ballfield to the same condition (if not better!) than it had been at the start of the day.
I have to say that the support that the local community (as well as that of a few visitors) was outstanding and heartwarming. A good number of people on this forum, many who could not even be at the event, sent donations such as sunscreen, goody back items, etc. And the local sponsors that provided everything from tents, sound equipment, food, water, ice, and much, much more, was incredible!
To learn more about this awesome organization and its mission, visit the web site, http://usingsportforsocialchange.com/
Finally, exhausted but happy, we headed back to Allesandra for a dinner of grilled pork tenderloin, some welcome refreshment (and a shower!), and what may have been the best sunset of our whole trip!
And last, but not least, some well earned relaxation...
Ahhhh!!!
I'm pretty certain that everyone at the villa slept well that night!
Last edited by augie on Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Come see us!
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Randy in MD
- Posts: 395
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:04 am
- Location: Shady Side, MD
A good time for all the kids, and for those who volunteered.
Hey Augie, it's been a few months since I've read a trip report and went back and started with Part 1. Love the part where you talk about sitting in the jeep at Maho waiting for the shower to pass and listening to the rain on the roof.....I was right there for a second. Thanks!
Trip report 2009
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Hey Augie, it's been a few months since I've read a trip report and went back and started with Part 1. Love the part where you talk about sitting in the jeep at Maho waiting for the shower to pass and listening to the rain on the roof.....I was right there for a second. Thanks!
Trip report 2009
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Trip report 2008
So good, so good, so good!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
-
EagleRayLover
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:56 pm
- Location: St. John -WooHoo!!
The Just Play event was absolutely amazing and seeing the pics of my little friends again with trophies reminded that at the beginning of this event, my 7 and 8 year olds didn't want anything to do with me or with each other. They were not nice to each other,fighting, hitting, and yelling mean things, and were very grumpy if they did not win. BY the end - they were all rooting for their teammates, saying "good game" whether they won or loss, giver each other (and me) massages and letting the "crazy old white woman ( their words) out sunscreen on them. But at the end of the day - this event taught us all valuable lessons about the importance of giving back to the island we love so much and I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!Thank you so much Dean Doeling for bringing this and Just Swim and Just Surf to the VIs. I am proud to call you my friend!!! 
Leslie, Kids Night In Babysitting
