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Milliner, Carnival Village Get the Party Started

Carnival Village 2012 opens in honor of Zeathea "Patsy" Milliner.Lights were brilliant, even in the early evening; cameras all over the place; and oh, the action. With a simple cutting of a white ribbon marking the entrance to Carnival Village Friday night, the 60th celebration of Carnival was off and running.

Standing proudly with Gov. John deJongh Jr. as the ribbon was snipped was Zeathea "Patsy" Milliner, in whose honor the 2012 Village was supposed to have been named “Pat-See-Vale.”

Actually, the sign says “Pat-Seeville," but master of ceremonies Athneil "Bobby" Thomas made it clear that was in error. "She really wanted it to be vale, as in a valley, that she could sit and gaze over."

Gaze Milliner did, in between accolades for service over the 12 years she has served as Carnival chairperson. It’s been a big part of her life, from the time she was propped up on a milk box in 1952 to see the parade, to serving as a Carnival Committee member for 26 years.

Thomas said, "People just know Patsy from Carnival, but she had a 40-year career with the Department of Education." With that remark, and to Milliner’s surprise, Vernelle de Lagarde, president of the St. Thomas-St. John Local 1825 chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, presented her with a plaque for her work at Lockhart Elementary School and for her service as secretary with the local AFT chapter.

Milliner kept her remarks short and sweet. She thanked the committee and all her family. "I am humbled to have the village named in my honor," she said, with a wide smile. She signed off graciously, telling her constituents: "I know you want to party, and so do I."

DeJongh spoke even more briefly. "Patsy first said I could have 20 minutes, then she changed her mind, and said just one minute. So, I wish for everybody to enjoy each other and to be with each other as we make our way to our Virgin Islands 100th anniversary in 2017. Go to the children’s parade, the adults parade, enjoy yourselves:"Diane Shackhove's Booth 27 took top honors.

Then came the prizes every booth owner was awaiting. Booth 27 took top honors, sending Diane Shackhove running up to the stage, with her partners in green T-shirts running behind.

Shackhove literally jumped in the air at the news. "We’ve been doing this for five years," she said later, adding, "Oh, I’m just so excited." She said the top item at her booth is her roast pork.

After leaving the stage, the governor was a bit more expansive. He was upbeat while answering reporters’ questions about the territory’s current financial status.

"I see it as the glass half-full,” deJongh said. “Everyone in the world is going through tough economic times right now. Each year will get a little better, if we work together. I’m optimistic for our future."

On to more immediate concerns, the governor looked happy, as he looked over the joyous Carnival crowd. "We have started opening the village on Friday instead of Monday," he said, "so everyone has the weekend to enjoy."

On a more serious note, deJongh pointed out the recycle bins placed around the village by the Waste Management Authority. "I want people to see them, and to use them," he said. "This is part of an educational effort, and what could be a better time to introduce them?"

The bins were provided by the Virgin Islands Conservation Society in partnership with the Environmental Association of St. Thomas- St. John (EAST) and My Brother’s Workshop, with the assistance of WMA and St. Thomas-Water Island Administrator Barbara Petersen.

Veteran Carnival-goer Al LaBorde was quietly snapping his camera as he watched folks milling about, comparing dishes, renewing friendships over a drink or a chicken leg. "I was at the very first one in 1952," he said. "I haven’t missed one since, except for the 10 years I spent in New York."

LaBorde and his wife, Claudia, recently spent about 12 years in Florida. "And I came back for every Carnival," he said. "Things were so different with the first one. We didn’t have amplifiers then. People just played and sang. I remember the Duke of Iron playing in that parade. Then it started raining," he said, "and we all sang ‘Rain don’t stop the Carnival.’ That’s where the title of the famous book came from."

Friday night had no rain. As a star-filled sky looked down on the village, it was clear that nothing in the last 60 years has stopped the celebration.

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