The sloop Providence welcomed the
Ernestina and her crew with a Pizza party when we
arrived last night. We thank Rob Hoffman,
staff and crew for their hospitality! This morning, after a two hour dockside
program for 50 students, we tidied the ship for
visitors for the rest of the day. And what
a wonderful group came aboard! Included were: Joseph
and Albertina Mendes, son of Henrique
Mendes, former owner of Ernestina, and half owner
from 1950 until his family members sold the boat
in the sixties
Oling Monteiro Jackson dedicated
supporter of the Ernestina for 25 years and
president of "Friends of the
Ernestina"
Ronn Tunstall arrived by bus
with 40 kids from the Providence Housing
Authority. They had seen the ship at India Point
Park and came aboard for a look around
Ken Cabral arrived with a pot
full of Catchupa later in the day, and his
brothers Albert and Lenny
visited the ship as well. Ken met us
out in the river while we we were coming in to
Providence in a boat with John C. Meyer,
a videographer. They got some video and stills
for future use. John came down to talk with us
about some upcoming programs with artists.
Anildo Lopes, a former
crewmember who made the 1964 and 1965 trips on
the Ernestina between Cabo Verde and Providence,
RI and shipped out for many years inter-island
and to Africa on the Ernestina contributed food
and music.
Musicians Henrique J. Moniz
"Djicai" crew member on the
packet vessel "Maria Sony" in 1959
between Cabo Verde and Providence, RI.,
Manuel Carlos Fortes "Bexa", Jose
"Mariquinha", and "Joanzinho"
gave as a present their talent and time
Yvonne Smart, Librarian at the
Foxpoint Library and longtime supporter of the
Ernestina
Matt Barros, artist and longtime
supporter of Ernestina
Virginia Golsalves
Johnny Pina,a legendary Cape
Verdean musician, and his son Paul Pina
Albert Torres Perreira, artist
and host of radio program and longtime supporter
Rosemary Santos and friends from
the Heritage Harbor Museum
Joaquina Bella Teixeira,
Director of the Black Heritage Society in
Providence
George Lima, politician and
radio host
Reverend Charles Smith and
several members of the Sheldon Street Church (the
oldest Cape Verdean Church outside Cabo Verde)
Members of the Fox Point School in Providence
Kevin Cute, Costal Management
Cynthia Soares, researcher
working in Brown University
Dana Turken and Melissa
Brough, Brown University Students
interviewing for a radio program
Dr. Richard Lobban, Prof. of
Afro and African American Studies at Rhode Island
College and several of his students
A brief rain shower and we were
all under tarps or below in the fishhold.
Captain: Amanda
Madeira
Program Coordinators: Inette Rex
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