How many of you out there remember Miss Mike's cake?  If you were not from the immediate area its hardly likely you would have had it as it was sold from her home.  It was a favourite for school children to take a slice to school for lunch and if you had pear to back it up,then you had "gone clear".  You could get a slice for as little as trapence (three pence), next a slice for fourpence hapenny (4 1/2 pence) and the entire length for sixpence.  This would have been the entire cake cut down the centre.  If you got it warm then chances are you may not have any left for lunch as you would have "picked" around it till it was all gone.

Miss Mike's cake was certainly a part of my "good ole day".  RIP Miss Mike.

I miss the first time dark bullah we used to get in the 50's. Wet sugar, boiled coconut oil, ginger, a touch of corn meal, real vanilla and real rose water. Pear a must with it.

Peice of roast yam and a bit of salt cod chased with a little whites...yes sir. Then pot boiled, home parched coffee, especially when the cold winds blow.

Things may have been cheaper when you check the amount of hours you had to work to get it. Importantly most of the food we ate in the country parts, was grown by family or near at hand apart from salt fish, corn meal, flour and rice. Quality was the important thing, quantity was sometimes a secondary consideration. We also eat less 'outside' food.

Yam alone is not Usains secret.

Miss Mike's cakes were the best in Treasure Beach. Many others learned from her, so if you get a particularly nice piece of fruit cake in Treasure Beach today it is probably due to the legacy of Miss Mike!

Wow. Sounds delicious. What else were your favorites as a kid? I love hearing all this talk about the "old times".

Any one remember Miss Inez(Titta) cake and drops, what about Matil cake- and Miss Nancy from Great Bay man those bake stuff was the best

What about Sista Madesta (Winford Lewis mother) gungo soup. She would give anybody who stop by. One could make the spoon stand in the soup-bowl. There would also home-made bammie, thick or thin, freshly made. Ummmm good.

Don't forget Miss Emlyn's sugar head, Miss Neta Grater Cakes, Coconut Drops, Candies. Anybody remember the school lunches under Teacher McLean's leadership?

Who memba Miss Etta snowcone?How she woulda shave the ice and put in yu hand or in a cup an thru the red and orange syrup and then yo go over to Ma Til and get the good old bulla,Bway them de days did nice nu rattid.

Eric, here's another one for you.

Yes I do remember those days of lunches being cooked under a tree at the teacher's cottage, residence of the McLeans. I couldn't wait to hear the bell ring for lunchtime at 12.00 and singing "Be present at our table Lord" before rushing down there. My favourite cook was Miss Etta. She had a warm spot in her heart for me and it translated into a little extra red peas soup. Bless her.

And what about the milk and cheese? Does anyone remember the big aluminium container in which the milk was mixed, sometimes with a little syrup added? Female students from sixth class were chosen to cut the cheese and I think they were skilful in not getting cut due to the thinness of the slices.

The McLean era was a wonderful part of my growing up and if you missed out on these times, trust me, you missed out on a lot.

Gosh I can't forget Miss Evey dumpling and red bean soup. What about Miss Doris Bowl cake. Man those good old days will never come back we were so humble. Getting the milk powder and Bulga, swapping the Bulga for milk powder.

Did you also tried Miss Madesta Beef soup and bammy, stew chicken rice and peas. On a satuday I would pay them a visit just to get some beef soup. That was a regular satuday meal. Good old days. even her irish potato was different.

Well done ms Mike the taste of your lovely cakes linger in our taste bud.
It is more than a surprised to read about miss make cake. Only last week I was telling my husband who is from another side of the island about ms Mike cake.

It is such a pleasure to read about the good ole days, my mother Ms. Mike taught her children, her church, and her community well. (Hello to all her God children) I remember my mama for her voice and the flowers in her garden. She made the world so much brighter. Is see her and hear her voice in her grandchildren. Gary, Micheal, Jason, Fred, Stacy, and Peta Gay and guess what??The greatgrands, all 9 still look a lot like her and have some of her wonderful attributes. God Bless and Prosper Treasure Beach where it all began!!

Jenny Reynolds Nelson

Anyone remember how they would always say that pickny same like dog ? Our mothers or Grannys would make the meal and put before us and we would tell them that we did not want it but as soon as we go to someone else's home whome they would probably tell us not to eat from because they were not too clean, then we would start holla fi hungry.Of cours we would eat from that person and then get our 'huts' trashed when we get home.

Thanks for the memories of Miss Mike's cakes, especially with Christmas approaching - it brings back great memories. I couldn't wait to get the bowl or the spoon for "licking" and watch Papa (Pepper) get in trouble for cutting into one while it was still hot - I was the beneficiary of that hot fruit cake while Mama was fuming mad at Peps. I wish I had learned how to make those cakes.
Blessed Christmas to Treasure Beach.
Madge (Miss Mikes daughter)

"Miss Mike's TB Special", nice lable reflecting St Liz/TB, sensible and sterile wrapping and it looks like a business. Top quality ingredients and St Liz patience. Right price is a key.

If so many remember it, it muss a been more than good. If any of you ladies got Miss Mike's recipe and do make some, I'm in line!

My ex developed an eggless, milk free carrot cake made with organic whole grains, nuts and gm free soya, suitable for vegans. People still waiting for the product to come back, we used to bug her for a sample too.

did anyone remember fudgie and his ice cream,selling from the back of his motorcycle,that was some of the best ice cream in the world.

Did you all know it was Miss Mike and Miss Atilly that baked the majority of all Wedding/Christmas cakes? They were best of friends and they laboured together to do those jobs.
As a child I can remember spending days helping my mother and making trips up and down the hill from one home to the other.
Miss Mike was such a wonderful lady but,I was a bit scared of Mass Neville as he was very strict.
I went to High school with two of her beautiful daughters Jenny and Madge. Wishing one day to meet and have some laughs at all the silly things we got into as teenagers.
I used my mom's recipe to make my own wedding cake and everyone asked who made my cake.Some believed,some were surprised so, I will say thanks to Miss Mike and My Mom, Miss Atilly for what they thought me.

Miss Mike was my god mother therefore I called her Goddie she was one of the kindest people I have ever met. As a child I use to carry messages (no phone back in the day) sometimes I use to resent this because the sun was hot and I wanted to play but when it came to carrying a message to Goddie there would be no resentment because at the end of the journey there was always a pieces of cake or what ever she had you never left her yard empty handed.

Aunt Mernel I too remember mama and goddie baking wedding cakes and decorating them. While I was waiting for mama to go home Mass Neville would entertain me with a wooden toy he had made it was a monkey on a wooden frame that swung around I was enchanted by it. How fortunate am I to have known Mass Neville and Goddie who lives on in my memory.

Old Timer, I hear you. The McLeans were the best. Miss Icelda, Elaine, Aggie and Miss Valrie. Teacher McLean was sooooo strict, but he taught us well and sang along to children's program on the radio. Remember how we read the Children's Own (Sp). I was one of those that cooked and fed the crowd. Sure wish I had some of that good, sweet 'ole' food. MEMORIES, do linger.

I will not forget Miss Mike's stewed plums. It was the best - I have never tasted any plums like that again. This was one of my favourite - as I used to look forward to going down to Grandpa especially during plum time just to get one or two stewed plums to eat during this time. Of course the cake was the best too. Then sitting on the verandah and being entertained by 'Pepper' and the other grandkids.
Such fond memories - those were the good old days.

I have still yet to find some one to out match Miss Mike's weddding cakes. I guess that was just her special gift and her sweet legacy. God bless her soul.

Merry Christmas to all of Treasure Beach.
I was fortunate enough to have spent last Christmas day at Jakes. Last Christmas 2008 I am remembering all the happiness everyone brought into my life, as I celebrate this day with my family I look back with grattiude for the place and the people who made me one of the most fortunate people I know. I am forever grateful for this place of hope and tranquality. May God bless and prosper each of you this Christmas Day and all the days of your life. Love Jenny Reynolds Nelson (Ms. Mike and Mass Neville's daughter) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Decmber 25, 2008

My message might be a little late but it's the thought that counts.I was feeling a bit under the weather so laid in bed and made a few phone calls to family and friends.
Happy Holidays to everyone in and around the TB area.I saw the lovely pictures of the tree gathering and hope next year I will be there to celebrate with you all.
It's been five years since my last visit but nothing happens before the time and, whenever I return home it is always a joy to see everyone even though I stayed much of the time on the hill taking care of my mom and dad who are no longer with us but will always be in our hearts.
God Bless--Happy New Year to one and all.
Murnel Ebanks.

P.S.---Thanks again Rebecca for your thoughtfulness.

Goddie, as she was affectionately called was truly an amazing, caring,loving and kind person. Every one who knew her can attest to this. Whenever you visit her, you never leave empty handed, if its even a bunch of flowers. Rest in Peace Goddie.

Hello Treasure Beach,

After reading all the above, I have to put in my two cents.
Miss Mike's husband uncle Neville (Pepper) was my father Claflin's brother. I loved visiting them and eating some of that cake you are talking about. Uncle Neville was quite a character and Miss Mike was a lovely lady. I loved them both dearly.

I also enjoyed the red peas soup at Sandy Bank School and all the other things mentioned above. Teacher Mclean was the headmaster when I was at Sandy Bank.

I am hooked on this website. Good job. Keep up the good work.
Murnel, maybe one day you will visit Madge in Atlanta and hopefully I will see you.

Those were truly some good old days.

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and wish you all God's blessings for 2009.

Carol Reynolds-Saunders from Atlanta, Georgia.

I'm getting to this thread really late but I have to add. Like my Aunt Murnel and my cousin Cindy I to ran back and forth between My Grandmother Miss Atilly and Miss Mike when they were baking wedding cakes and other treats I never left empty handed with the best treats. I still remember her kitchen pretty well and Mass Neville was always kind. I really loved my Grandmothers and my Moms Christmas cake. Also really worth mentioning is Miss Vivet's ice cream made in a wooden churn, still some of the best ice cream I can remember and because of these wonderful ladies and the others mentioned and bunch more not mentioned I have an Incredible appetite for anything sweat still to this day at 42 years old. Blessed am I. Thank You.
Stewed plums mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Anyone remember stewed wild cherries? I think Miss Mike used to make it. The tree is big, not a shrub like the other one. I cant seem to remember Miss Mikes cake, but I remember Mummys version!!
Hi Jenny, Madge, Milly and Carol, my email address is carlton.rennie.reynolds@gmail.com Let me hear from you all.