Flashbacks
Flaskbacks articles
History Of Musical Groups -Los Shadows
In the absence of a photo of Los Atomicos del Caribe, in the 1960’s, here is a long remembered group, Los Shadows. This band became the very first all-electric band on the island displacing the accordion, acoustic guitars and banjo.
History Of Musical Groups -Daddy's Orchestra
After enjoying La Banda de San Pedro in 1920’s and 30’s we move on to Daddy’s Orchestra in the 1940’s and 50’s. Here is the famous Daddy Paz at the saxophone, first owner of Daddy’s Club and the famous Mr. Severo Guerrero I who was also the all time Carnival song composer.
History Of Musical Groups -Banda de San Pedro
One of the island's great artistic institutions was La Banda de San Pedro. Created in the 1920’s, La Banda was the result of a long-standing musical tradition in San Pedro.
San Pedro’s First Road
You are standing on the beach of the Village of San Pedro in 1965 more or less by the area of present day Coconuts Resort and Perla Escondida. This was the first road of San Pedro and it ran from the primary school all the way to Victoria House. This road was trafficked by a few Land Rover Jeeps owned by Paradise Hotel, Tio Pil of Coral Beach, and Nando Trejo Sr.
San Pedro Old Cental Park
The first arrangement at Central Park was wood benches with a small concrete court for basketball. The San Pedro Action Committee (Dimas Guerrero, Norman Eiley , Genaro and Angel Nuñez, Manuel Heredia Jr.) changed it to this site with concrete benches. Later the first Town board under Chico Gomez added this lovely Maya Fountain in honor of our ancestors and there were monuments to honor coconut farmers and fishermen. Then there were bleachers and a stage. All of that was destroyed to make way for what we have today. In this Flashback we see high schoolers and teens enjoying five-a-si
Edgar Gegg Friend of Sanpedranos
It is with profound sadness that we learn the passing away of Mr. Edgar Gegg, dad of our friends David Gegg and Angela Gegg. We post this flashback for his many Sanpedrano friends who had personal dealings with Mr. Gegg. He was the owner of a prestigious store, The Vogue, located at the bridge foot on north side Belize City. Sanpedrano friends used to get products from The Vogue on Credit and he was always so generous in allowing unlimited them time to make payments. In this Flashback Mr.
Early Days at San Pedro High
Ever since Mr.
The Famous Celi Mac
This wonderful lady,Celi McCorkle, could be on the headlines several times each year, except that she chooses to work behind the scenes. It started way back in the 1950’s when she became the first Sanpedrana to go to high school in the city. She is the Tourism Pioneer of San Pedro and again behind the scenes pumping water up the elevated water tanks with a hand pump. Celi has been involved in practically everything that has to do with the development of San Pedro including BTIA, BHA, health, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, the airstrip, the high school, culture and more.
Feliz Año Nuevo at Marino's Club
A happy New Year and Welcome to the Baile de los Casados (Dance for Married Couples Only). At first it was traditionally called Baile de los Viejos (Dance of the old people), but changed for obvious reasons. In this Flashback, Luis Nuñez, owner of Marino's Club, and Polo Nuñez, are ready in Marino’s Club where the much anticipated dance was held every year on December 31 starting at 8 p.m. and interrupted for one hour for the midnight mass. The bar is well stocked with good old Belikin and Seven up, Coke, Pepsi and other traditional liquors like the Parrot.
Birth Of Jesus Re-Enacted
Every Year for the Christmas Season the birth of Jesus Christ is re-enacted by schools, church groups, and others.
San Pedro Christmas in the 1960’s
Don’t be scared Children. Christmas is Christmas only that Santa had to wear a mask here because of the dust and the strong glare of sunlight in the tropics. Santa arrived from the North Pole to the tropics in the 1960’s by skiff and Emcee Allan Forman entertained him and some 200 children at Central Park where gifts were distributed.
It’s Paranda Time
In the Garifuna language “paranda” is a dance like chumba and punta. In San Pedro a paranda referred to a group of guys either drinking or serenading to the girls. You have all heard of the serenade or singing romance ballads to the girls at midnight during their sleep.
Rush Hour In The Early Days
In the earlier days of tourism, this was rush hour at the San Pedro airstrip. Tropic had its fleet of two five passenger planes used to transport tourists from International airport to San Pedro and then offered three flights a day for locals to Belize City. Maya also had its nine passenger twin engine Islander and one or two three seaters. Don’t worry about the modern amenities now offered; this was considered top notch back then. Indeed tourism and transportation in San Pedro have come a long way.
NO SHIRT! NO SHOES! NO PROBLEM!
This is the beautiful San Pedro Village that started attracting visitor to our Island since the 1970’s. Ruby and Tom Kirkpatrick discovered the Island since the 1960’s, bought their property, built their Casa De Amor, and started enjoying since then until today. On the left coming towards you is the old Police Station, the Church bell tower, the unfinished R.C. Church and the ever famous Fido’s Restaurant and Bar. On the right Papa Blake’s House, Marciano “Mash” Salazar’s house with Scotia Bank downstairs, and Jenny’s Store.
The First Island Pilots
A very popular career chosen by young men in San Pedro when commercial aviation was commencing with three-seaters was piloting. The first Sanpedrano pilot to come back with his license was Nando Trejo, but there is something very special to boast about Ramon Nunez’s Jr. Certification in piloting. The newspaper clipping and photo speak for themselves. Please note also that there have been two women, Celi McCorkle and Florita Ancona, obtaining commercial licenses in piloting.
San Pedro's First And Only Elementary School
This is San Pedro Roman Catholic School built in 1963. Its former wood building had been destroyed in 1961 by Hurricane Hattie and this one was more than enough for some 150 students. It is San Pedro’s first and only primary school for many years. Note the absence of a fence as there was no need to keep any vendors out of the grounds. You can still see many students without shoes because of the sandy streets that filled up their hoes with sand. Still you could see coconut palms providing the island look.
Conch in Abundance
When the lobster season used to close on February 15, the fishermen in San Pedro relied on conch for their living. Conch flourished along the shallow waters of Ambergris Caye and along the grassy patches along the reef.
Entertainment at Fido's
Good entertainment has always been the trademark at Fido’s and this goes way back to the 1970’s. It all started with Wil Nuñez with his guitar and his harmonica and at times joined by Chico Flores with maracas and drums.
Hip Hip Hurray
Hip Hip Hurray is a British term which is an expression of joy and victory and was commonly used in festivities. We have been assured that this was also the joy word used by renowned emcee Mr. Allan Forman in the 1950’s and 60’s. Mr. Allan Forman spiced up all public and patriotic events in his days including the coronation of Miss San Pedro in the 1960’s.
Proud To Be Miss San Pedro
The Miss San Pedro Pageant goes back to 1955 with our very first Miss San Pedro, Miss Leni Aguilar Alamilla. At times they were appointed by the primary school principal. At times they were selected with a popularity vote of the public. But most of the time they have been chosen with a panel of judges.