L to r: Roy Harrigan, Lion President Cecil Dainty, Nurse Carmelita O’Neal, Dwight Flax, and Geoff Cooke [photos by Astrid Wenzke]

Valley Sound Lions Club Honours Four Citizens

The Rock Cafe in Virgin Gorda was the venue for the 8th Annual Awards Dinner of the Valley Sound Lions Club.

Master of Ceremonies Lion Marion Levons led through the evening, that was blessed by the invocation offered by Lion Bernice Sprauve; followed by the reading of the Lions Code of Ethics presented by Lion Vivian Wheatley. Lion President Cecil Dainty extended a warm welcome to the guests. After enjoying a sumptuous and delicious dinner the awards ceremony commenced, starting with Lion Joyce Ephraim introducing Mr. Roy Harrigan of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, who at the age of eighteen started his teaching carrier at the North Sound Primary School. He changed from teaching in the nineties to become a Senior Administrative officer in the Government's Training division. Mr. Harrigan volunteered on the Disaster Emergency Committee and represented Virgin Gorda on the National Park Trust. He is also a Charter member of the Virgin Gorda Lions as well as one of its Past Presidents.

Lion Tacita Morgan introduced Nurse Carmelita O'Neal, who was born, grew up and received her early education on Virgin Gorda. In 1943 she traveled to Tortola to begin her nursing career at Cottage Hospital. In 1946 she was sent to Anegada as a district nurse and in 1951 she was seconded to Holberton Hospital in Antigua. After her marriage to the late Bregado O'Neal in 1958 she continued to give voluntary service at the hospital, as her devotion to nursing never lagged. In 1961 she was asked to act as temporary Charge Nurse during the absence of Misses Adina Donovan and Geraldine Norman. She acted as Public Health Nurse from 1971-73. When Miss Tatica Scatliffe was appointed she became the second Public Health Nurse. She practiced with love the art of nursing until 1997. A faithful Methodist Nurse O'Neal is a member of the Road Town Senior Choir and the Road Town Women's league. She is also a founding member of the BVI Nurses Association

Mr. Geoff Cooke was presented by Lion Sharlene Rogers. Mr. Cooke, who was born in Zimbabwe/ Africa came to Virgin Gorda almost 36 years ago. A man of few words, but lots of technical skills, he became  known as a boat and engine repairman and even a boat builder. Shortly after he made Virgin Gorda his home he met a lovely lady, Candy. When Little Dix Bay opened he was working as an all-round man in the Marina. Later on he  became Manager for the new Virgin Gorda Yacht Service and Chandlery. He always had a remedy, if some one had a problem and became affectionally known as "Mac Gyver of Virgin Gorda. He resigned from LDB in 1993 and opened his own business "The Workbench". His has volunteered his time and talents on countless occasions to the VG Community.

Lion Nidia George presented Businessman Dwight Flax, son of Norma and Andy Flax, both founding members of the Virgin Gorda Lions Club. Dwight has distinguished himself in various aspects of the Community. In his teens he discovered the world of music, which he later studied in Interlochen. He started the famous Band "Caribbean Ecstasy", which was hired to play on board the Cruise Ship Club Med I while anchored off Jost van Dyke. They liked his band so much that they were hired to cross the Atlantic on board, bringing the tunes of the British Virgin Islands to Europe. Engagements in Europe and the United States culminated in a long term contract with Carnival Cruise Lines. He later formed the Company "Caribbean Bands" which provides musicians to Cruise Ships. He is a role model for the young men in our community and has proven that with persistence and hard work one can achieve positive results in life. He and his Italian wife Paola successfully operate the Rock Cafe, a Restaurant with Italian flair in a Caribbean setting .