FALMOUTH, Trelawny

THE most strident cheers for awardees during the Heroes’ Day Civic and Awards ceremony staged by the Trelawny Parish Council in association with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) here in Water Square, were reserved for ice cream vendor, Edward Anderson, popularly known as ‘Shorty’.

The well-known and amicable Anderson, who is held in high esteem among Trelawny residents, especially children, has served thousands of scoops of ice-cream during a career that spans over four decades, was recognised for community service during the function on Monday.

Anderson, who is the father of six children and is now the grandfather of 10, was bestowed with the Mayor’s Award, especially for his unwavering generosity.

It is normal to see Anderson nimbly negotiating the bustling streets of Falmouth on his bicycle, on which the carrier is stockpiled with ice cream and cones, ready to serve his waiting customers with his infectious smile.

“Whether they are in possession of money or not, the anticipation among ice cream-loving children to satisfy the yearning of their taste buds is heightened whenever the horn to signal Anderson’s approach is picked up. Every child in every corner knows and listens out for the sound of Shorty’s horn on holidays and Sundays, especially. No child is hesitant to approach Shorty, even without money, and no sum of money is too small to be served ice cream when Shorty rides around,” a section of the citation at the ceremony read.

It added: “Shorty has contributed in so many small, but impactful ways; from the smiles on his customers’ face, to his generosity in helping children in his community who are always in need of assistance to attend school. Parents are always grateful and indebted to Shorty, as they know that whenever they see him it would be very fitting to give him some money because there is very little doubt that their child or children is/are given ice cream without their knowledge.”

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer West, the unassuming Anderson, who conceded his love for giving the frozen food delight to needy children, said that sometimes he ends up receiving much more than the cost of the product from their parents at a later date.

“When you give dem (children) ice cream an’ a ride a gwaan, somebody jus’ stop yuh. What you believe dem stop yuh for? (They say) see $1,000 or $2,000 here, because you give mi children ice cream. But nuff of the ice cream man dem won’t do dat because dem say dem naw give weh anything,” he broke out into a bout of his contagious laughter.

“Sometimes mi go out a grass and the pickney dem have one little $30, mi don’t lef dem. Some of the mothers will come an’ seh, ‘Bwoy, a five of dem and mi have $100,’ mi give them a one scoop and mek dem get a eat and gwaan.”

During the interview, his facial expression took on a stern look and his voice transformed into a serious tone, which conveyed the message that he was in a hurry to end the interview because he was fully aware that scores of children were waiting to be served delicious ice cream.

“Right yah now mi have to go move right now, because me have some pickney a wait wid dem little $40 and $30. Dem a wait pon mi to sell dem, because no one else naw sell dem for that money. So mi have to go Hague, Martha Brae and come roun’ back to Falmouth when mi leave here now,” said Anderson.

One of Anderson’s many admirers at the awards ceremony was overheard saying that “Shorty is the only person who is now selling ice cream on cones

for $50″, adding that

the benevolent micro businessman was the reason for her attendance at the function.

Anderson’s journey in the ‘ice cream business’ started out in his native Duanvale community in Trelawny 40 years ago, selling ice cream on his bicycle for an area resident.

After relocating to Martha Brae, before taking up residence in the nearby Falmouth, he began to sell the product for himself.

“Shorty has maintained his integrity and is respected by the general community. He epitomises charity and as stated in 1st Corinthians 13 verse 30….,” said his citation.

Other persons receiving the Mayor’s Award at the function were Olive Graham, Omar Jack, Glenville McDonald, Joselyn Miller, Derrick O Smith, Ivylin Thompson and Charles Wilson, while 11 Parish Awards were presented to Carmelita Collins, Dorothy Gibbs, Trevor Gordon, Kelvin Knight, Eslyn Lindo, Maudlyn Dilworth McEnough, Nigel Moore, Juliet Palmer, Lloyd Thompson, Lynette Williams and Ripton Williams.