The good old days have evoked profound respect and moral. If anyone can take away anything from the good old days, it would be safe to say morality and respect were the order of the day.

The addressing of the elderly must be prefixed with STA or MAAS. Growing up we all had to say Mass Carl, Sta Maisey, Maas Alva, Sta Mena, Mass Rennie, Sta Leta etc. The respect and honor was a privileged to give and receive. Young people were regarded as the future of the next generation, now they are called generation X. The elder loved to hold a conversation with the future generation on the verandah or just on the street. Nowadays it is difficult, the melting pot of the community as well as other activities has deterred this communal interaction somewhat.

If we look back at the quality of rapport and interaction we have with the elderly, it would be safe to say that we all have learned something in some shape or form. The tools, the jokes, the love, the respect, the admiration for the simpler things in life and most of all the inner peace. A few of us will say not many of them were nice but in my opinion most of them were peaceful and serene individuals who wanted us to avoid the pitfalls and the mistakes they have made in the past.

So lets all bear witnesses to all the great royalties that the elderly has given to us, all the memories and the stories they have told. They cannot be erased. I endorse this medium to share the legacy and richness of our experiences in the community.

The vendors at the Sandy Bank Schools were so different back in the days. Their main purpose was to have fun while they were selling their grater cake, candy etc. They were focus on you the buyer/student and ensuring you get your moneys' worth. It was a pleasure to see their faces light up when they sees us. They needed to make a living, however it seemed like it was a hobby at times. Back then Quality was the order of the day, today it is quantity, if any.

Thank you, the good old days.

To all the elderly that have touched my life in some shape or form I say a very big thank you. Your good deeds and kindness will never be forgotten.

Well said Karen Davis! Keep up the good work.

Karen you could not have said it better. As children the elderly gained respect. They were so protective they were our parents away from home. As a child they are some people who realy touched my life some may have passed on but they might never know how many lives they touched. I can name afew. Remembering Miss Mag James she was a role model to me and that inspired me to enter the Postal Service.Miss Emily Swaby She was one of my best friends always being protective of me giving me little tips. I can never forget Miss Ivy Blair, she was not only my supervisor but an example. She helped moulded my life to face the outside world. I could name more but these three played a very important part in my life God bless all those who we could have counted on,and listened to what they had to say. Hi Nurse Forbes,

Miss Veda:

The truth is that you touched many lives while you were in the Postal Service. You made a sterling contribution to our Community and so I guess the persons who touched your life, and mentored you, passed on something through you to all of us. Most of us remember your days in the Post Office with fondness, even though we were children you treated us with dignity and respect. Thank you for leaving your footprints on our hearts.

No one answered as to the origin of 'Sta & Maas'. For me the titles were Miss and Maas. Miss needs no explanation , Sta for sister and came from the practice of calling members sisters, and maas must be for master. I guess Mr was reserved for strangers, in conjunction with a surname, and wouldn't go well with first names.. hence maas!
This is my theory!