Sunday, January 28, 2007 11:34 PM

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago's
43rd IndependanceAnniversary Ball
Aug 20th 2005
Brooklyn Marriott Hotel

On August 31,1962 ten nationals of the republic of Trindad and Tobago, Hugh Baird, Charles Prince, Cecil TJ Redman, Catalino Rodriguez, Constantine Smith,Nicholas Stephens,Wilfred Tull, Noel Warner,Herbert Carty and Arnold Homer,employed at the United Nations founded the Trindad and Tobago United Cultural Association,Inc.-TATUCA.

From 1962 to 1998,TATUCA,hosted the Trindad and Tobago Independence Anniversary Ball.In 1998,the leadership of TATUCA met with the honorable Terrence A.L.Walker.Consul General of the Republic of Trindad and Tobago,seeking to restore some of the prestige and grandeur of the Independence ball.TATUCA felt that the government representative should play a greater facilitatory role in the Ball.All Trindad and Tobago organizations in New York City were invited to join TATUCA in hosting the event.The involvement of a wider swathe of the community led to the formation of the Trindad and Tobago Independence Ball,Inc. TATIB.TATUCA continued to be a major investor of the ball,and provided the seed money for the event.

Since the enlistment of the Consul General in the Organization of this annual gala under his patronage three traditions have been established:
Government Representation at the event:
Support for a charity in Trindad and Tobago
Honoring Nationals abroad and in Trinidad and Tobago who have madec positive contributions to promote the republic.

In September 2002, the committee of the fortieth Independence Anniversary Ball created the Trindad and Tobago Independent Celebrations Inc.(TATIC) to replace TATIB as host and expand the scope of the Ball committee and to increase awareness and membership.

The 43rd Ball started off with a cocktail hour ,with music by 2004, New York Panorama Champions, Pan Sontas -Steel Orchestra.After the cocktail hour everybody made there way to the Grand Ballroom,National anthems of the United States of America and Trinidad and Tobago were played , an Indian dance Performance was done by Dance duo Romanee and David, which the Audience enjoyed immensely.
Mr Frank Wharton,Esq who was the Master of Ceremonies ,made welcoming remarks and introduced ,the Consulate General of Trinidad and Tobago,Dr Harold Robertson who got up and thanked the community for attending the 43rd anniversary Ball,he also cracked a few jokes which people enjoyed, after the consulate general The Honorable Philip Sealy, Trinidad and Tobago's Ambassador to the United Nations, and the Minister of Public Administration and Information for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,Dr Lenny Saith ,both made welcoming remarks with Dr Lenny Saith bringing greetings from the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

After the welcoming remarks, every body enjoyed the listening to the Parang Musical presentation while they enjoyed their dinner and desserts ,it definitely was a Carnival atmosphere.
Once we finished our Dinner we waited for the Awards Presentation, The Following people were honored Honorable Justice Michael De La Bastide ,president of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Aldwin Albino Distinguished Musician and Musical Arranger, Dr Elizabeth Nunez, Anheuser Busch's Distinguished Community Service Award, Mr Nigel Traverso, Distinguished Athlete award, Mr Roy Peake Distinguished Entrepreneur and Darrel Brown, Distinguished international Sprinter ,Special Youth Award .Mr George Anthony Chan, President of TACTIC ,did the closing remarks.

The following events also took place, Indian Arrival Day, Emancipation Day, Republic Day Borough Hall, and Trinidad and Tobago Heritage Day at City Hall.

On Sun Sept 18th 2005, the 9th Annual Miss Trinidad and Tobago New York ,Pageant took place at the Fashion Institute of Technology (Haft Auditorium) located at 27th street and 7th avenue. Over 15 contestants from NY Participated,each one of them did a Runway Fashion Show,wore Designer Evening Gowns,Carnival Costumes, and performed different talents,for example, calypso music. Caribbean Comedy,Folk Dance,and other artistic performances.Eaach one of them did a great job and I am sure it was a very difficult task for the judges to pick out one winner,
.The 1st runner up was Fayola Alibey Miss D' Abadie, and the New Miss Trinidad and Tobago NY 2005 ,is Penny Bernard Miss San Fernando.

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