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Vol. 33 No. 6
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Filmmaker tells part of Haiti’s story ly, creatively or artistically, l e av i n g h i m s t u c k a s h e searched for a stronger narraB a l dw i n re s i d e n t A l a i n tive approach. After stepping Martin, 45, never set out to away from the project for nearbecome a filmmaker, but a ly three years, inspiration decade-long passion project, struck. “I was asking myself, ‘How his documentary “The Forgotten Occupation,” is now reach- can I be honest?’ when it ing national audiences and comes to this film,” Martin reshaping how Haiti’s history recalled. “My grandfather was always someone I was thinkis understood. By day, Martin, ing about, and I wh o g rew u p i n said, ‘What if I just Jacmel, Haiti, write a letter to before coming to him?’” the United States at E ve n a f t e r h e age 13, is a banker, settled on the which makes filmf i l m ’s s t r u c t u re, making a nightscompleting the and-weekends pur- AlAIN MARTIN project remained suit for him. The Filmmaker dif ficult. At one documentary point, Martin said, explores the U.S. the film went occupation of Haiti from 1915 through 19 cuts and several to 1934. Seeking a way to editors as he struggled to engage audiences while pre- shape the story. “The editing senting complex history, Mar- was the hardest part,” he said. tin framed the film as a per- “We just couldn’t get the story sonal letter to his late grandfa- right for a long time.” ther. Following the assassination “I uncovered such horrible of Haitian President Jean Vilfacts about the U.S. occupation brun Guillaume Sam in July that I just wanted to share that 1915, President Woodrow Wilwith people,” Martin said. son sent U.S. Marines into He described an early ver- Haiti to “restore order” and sion of the film as “bland and “maintain political and ecoboring,” saying it failed to Continued on page 13 “move the needle” dramatical-
By AllYSoN FERRARI
aferrari@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald
Creole cooking class at the library Chef Cheryl of Chara’s Kitchen and Catering, a Bellport-based business, joined Baldwin community members at the Baldwin Public Library for a Creole cuisine cooking demonstration on Jan. 27. Above, Chef Cheryl shows patrons how to make beignets. Story and more photos, Page 3.
Plaza Elementary School explores its aviation history with drone curriculum By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
“Where learning takes flight” is the motto for Plaza Elementary School in Baldwin, and that phrase took on a literal meaning on Friday, when fifth graders flew drones around their classroom. The school has adopted an aviation theme focused on collaboration, creativity and character as part of the 6Cs in education (Character, creativity, critical thinking, communication, citizenship, and collaboration.) This school year, principal Mark Gray and assistant principal Nicole Glier introduced a school-wide project incorporating drones and other aviation-related themes across all
grade levels. As part of the Baldwin School District’s commitment to hands-on learning, the young pilots are now mastering the fundamentals of drone flight. In January, students underwent training using high fidelity, web-based flight simulators — a critical step in building muscle memory, precision control and safety awareness before transitioning to real-world flight. “At Plaza, we’re starting to build upon our legacy,” Glier said. “Our fifth graders are working with drones, and they’re learning about the connection to our past here at Plaza.” The school sits on the historic site where Continued on page 10
T
his film feels like my gift to Haiti.