Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Thanks for always printing all the articles you do on Guineamen and the water. It is appreciated.

I noticed in a recent article about how the culture is disappearing. It is, and I thank those who keep it going, but as a 41-year-old Guineaman myself, I can’t help but notice how the paper tends to showcase “Buck Rowe’s” (rest in peace) store and Bena as the heart of Guinea. All respect to them all, but if you want the pulse of down the road, it’s at Marvin’s (Crane’s store) or the state dock or the pool hall down Maryus. Bena is the outskirts.

I was born and raised in Perrin, a double Green on my Deaddy’s side and double Jenkins on my Mumma’s, and they’re from Maryus, Horse Point and Mundys Creek. Severn Circle is the true heart of home and I miss it. I’ve been in prison for 19 years and am just a lowly inmate. I dream nightly of home and my biggest goal left in life is to just once more sit on the pilot house and have the wind flow through my hair as I’m headed back to the creek with the limit, crabs or oysters, I don’t care.

I cleaned croakers for my granddeaddy “Bubba” Green every day as a child, brought over by Aunt Birtha from Uncle Herman Green. And did my share of “hauling” with cousin “Tomboy” Green. My Deaddy “Abby Dog” was an “eeler” and my Mumma was painting crab pot buoys the day I was born. My other Grandfather, “Randy Cale,” would catch the limit by 10 a.m. and owned Southern Lady Seafood.

My uncle “Teeny” Green oysters now and I’ll be home soon to help. So yes, the herd of us thinned but we’re still around. My grandmother Hazel Jenkins, uncle Harry Jenkins, and aunt Faye Deal were all grand marshals, my greatest pride.
So I send a shout out to the waterman and kin who have left us: Bubba Green, Thomas, Elmer and Herman Green, Abby Dog, Bruce and Billy Boy Green, Harry Jr. and Sr. Jenkins, Randy Cale, Robert King, Rilo Bonniville and the late great Uncle Donald West. Peterball too!

And to the living legends: Kenneth “Teeny” Green, Dennis Ray Green and Roger Carra Green, Mike Jenkins, Harry Campbell, Steve Kellum, Helen and Lionel Jenkins and Aunt Faye Green. Richard Green too!

Give ’em a chance. They would love to talk. And don’t forget George Ashe’s Store. That was the real. I’d watch him and Deaddy go over the old maps figuring where to set the pounds, when I was small.

Sorry this was so long. I miss home.

Alfred “Champ” Green
30 months ’til freedom
Greensville Correctional Center
Jarratt, Va.