I want to share some correspondence i have been enjoying the last couple days...
==================
It is with great interest that I read your article Our Community - El Gran
Carnaval de San Pedro.
My mother, Lydia de Ramirez 1917 - 2003, made history on the island of San
Pedro in 1968 when she visited for
Carnaval. She was invited by the "comite cultural" (Sacasa Gough and
others) to help raise funds to build the new
Roman Catholic Church. She flew to San Pedro (with guitar in hand) and
was put up for a few days (no hotels) at
the home of Mrs Martha Guerrero. For two days she went from hotel to
hotel, with several comparsas, and played
guitar for the tousists and led the comparsas. All the money earned was
given to comite cultural for the church.
Lydia had such a great time doing it all, that upon her return to Belize
City, she composed and sang CARNAVAL
EN SAN PEDRO which became a great hit on her radio show, RINCON INFANTIL.
I still have the recording of this song, along with many photos taken of
Lydia during that famour CARNAVAL when
she charmed the residents of San Pedro.

Gustavo Ramirez
(also a former teacher at San Pedro High)

///////////

here's another message with a lil more detail, pics soon...
==============
In 1968 when the COMITE CULTURAL invited Lydia to come to San Pedro to sing
and play her guitar "gratis", they didn't even have money to put her in a hotel.
She accepted the invitation anyway, and stayed at the home of Martha Guerrero
(former Chairlady of the Board of Directors of San Pedro High School). When I
taught at San Pedro High in 1992/93/94 Mrs Guerrero remembered quite well the
time when Lydia stayed at her home. (I have several photos and am in the process
of scanning and will send. Includes - RC school children's welcome to Lydia at the
airstrip and presentation of bouquet. Lot's of signs: "Welcome to San Pedro")

Lydia led LAS CUBANITAS, EL TORITO and many other groups from hotel to hotel
to sing and play guitar. All monies raised went directly to COMITE CULTURAL who
gave to the church. Mrs. Guerrero or Mr Sacasa Gough (or one of the members
who is in the picture that I'm sending shortly) can explain in more detail how the
finances raised were handled. Lydia never touched the money.

Above all, Lydia was touched and most impressed by the kindness and sincerity
of all San Pedranos in 1968. LONG before "Isla Bonita", Lydia composed, sang,
recorded: CARNAVAL EN SAN PEDRO. She played her song of tribute (first?)
to San Pedranos over and over on Radio Belize in her programs RINCON INFANTIL.
I have copyrighted her recording and am quite happy to share with all people
of San Pedro - for public and private playing (not for resale).

Scanned black and white Photos and recording of CARNAVAL EN SAN PEDRO to follow.

Gustavo

From Gustavo....














Here are photos! As I mentioned, I'm in the process of publishing Lydia's Biography.
These photos and many more are copyrighted and are included in my book soon
to be published; you may post any or all of attached photos "Courtesy of Lydia
de Ramirez Institute of Music" ONLY on Amergris Caye.com during Carnaval Week
2005.
Any of these photos placed on that web site must be removed from website
no later than 02-14-2005. You may not use or share these photos nor place them
"permanently" on any other location in San Pedro or in Belize.

I will also send a cassette of CARNAVAL EN SAN PEDRO to you.

Kind Regards

gustavo