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Pumpkin, a staple in many cuisines, is celebrated for its versatility and year-round availability. This humble squash, available in varieties like calabaza, rough skin, and rupee, is a traditional ingredient in dishes ranging from peas and pelau to veggie roti and pepper sauce. Its soft flavor makes it a perfect match for warming spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, and ginger, enhancing both savory and sweet recipes.

On November 5, the Ganesh Utsav Foundation in Otaheite became a hub of spiritual fervor as devotees from various regions gathered to celebrate Kartik Snaan, a sacred ritual bath observed during the Hindu holy month of Kartik. This annual event symbolizes spiritual purification, aiming to cleanse the body, mind, and soul of sins and negativity. The two-hour service, led by Pundit Sunil Seetahal-Maharaj, included heartfelt prayers and the offering of personal gifts, reflecting the deep gratitude of the participants. Devotees expressed their thankfulness to God for the simple yet profound blessings of life through this water thanksgiving ritual. The celebration was marked by moments of unity and devotion, as individuals clasped hands in prayer and made offerings at the shoreline, embodying the essence of spiritual renewal and communal harmony.

A catastrophic fire in Vega de Oropouche, east Trinidad, on November 7 left three homes and a mini-mart in ruins, but the timely intervention of a vigilant neighbor saved 15 lives, including seven children. The blaze erupted around 3 am in a mini-mart, where LPG gas tanks exploded, rapidly spreading the inferno to adjacent homes. The neighbor, preparing for his market work, noticed the fire and immediately alerted residents by honking his car horn and shouting warnings. His actions prompted the frightened families to flee, though they lost nearly all their possessions. Tragically, a pet dog perished in the flames, and two vehicles were destroyed. Residents expressed frustration over the delayed response from the Sangre Grande Fire Station, which was reportedly locked and unmanned. Firefighters from Arima eventually arrived over an hour later to extinguish the blaze. Taryn Bhola, a resident severely burned while attempting to salvage belongings, described the ordeal as surreal and emphasized the need for better emergency services. Local officials provided immediate aid, including mattresses, food, and access to government grants for rebuilding. The incident has sparked widespread criticism of the fire service’s inadequacies, with Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander acknowledging systemic issues and pledging improvements.

In a recent letter to the editor, Arthur Dash critiques the misuse of statistics in a study cited by Rhondall Feeles of the Single Fathers’ Association of TT. Feeles referenced an unnamed laboratory study claiming that 143 out of 440 men who underwent paternity tests over five years were not the biological fathers of their children. Dash argues that extrapolating this statistic to the broader population is misleading, as it misrepresents the global rate of paternity discrepancies, which is realistically between one to four percent. Dash emphasizes that men seeking paternity tests often already suspect they are not the fathers, skewing the results. Moreover, even using Feeles’ data, two-thirds of the men tested were indeed the biological fathers, highlighting a troubling trend of men contesting child support responsibilities. Dash also points out that many women, especially those facing domestic violence or financial constraints, are reluctant to seek court orders for child support. The Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA TT) calls for addressing these issues to promote gender equality and respectful family relations. They advocate for readily available paternity tests without stigmatization and emphasize the importance of extended family networks in childcare. The letter concludes by urging society to reject harmful stereotypes and support families in navigating complex relationships.