Book Launch Highlights — In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe

Event Highlights

Moments & Memories

A full house at the Emilio Wilson Museum book launch — A full house at the Emilio Wilson Museum. Front left: Mr. Joseph Lake Jr. — prominent author, former newspaper publisher, and leading political scientist — alongside his son Shaka Lake. Front right: Pascalle Wong-A-Foe, Marketing Manager for Silver Literary Partner Winair, fully immersed in the celebration.

Motorworld receiving their Bronze Literary Partner certificate — Dr. Nicole Francis Cotton presenting Motorworld with their Bronze Literary Partner certificate, accompanied by her husband Roy Cotton Jr. — July 20, 2026

Dow's Steel Pan Orchestra performing outdoors — Dow's Steel Pan Orchestra set the mood as guests arrived at the Emilio Wilson Museum.

Connis Vanterpool playing saxophone — Connis Vanterpool serenading guests on saxophone as they arrived at the Emilio Wilson Museum.

Guests watching Dow's Steel Pan Orchestra perform — Guests taking in the sounds of Dow's Steel Pan Orchestra as the celebrations began.

Dow's Steel Pan Orchestra youth playing sweet pan — Playing sweet pan — the rich sound of the steel pan, a beloved symbol of Caribbean musical heritage.

Steel pan band performing indoors — The band in full swing, filling the Emilio Wilson Museum with Caribbean rhythm.

Guests standing reverently for prayer — Standing reverently for prayer. In light green, a representative of the Conscious Lyrics Foundation and the Book Fair Committee.

Dr. Nicole E. Francis Cotton making introductory remarks while Ambassador Jeffery Richardson of Interact Livestream looks on — Dr. Nicole E. Francis Cotton making her introductory remarks, while Ambassador Jeffery Richardson of Interact Livestream — Victorious Living Publishing's Livestream Partner — looks on.

Rev. Patmore C. Henry delivering the opening prayer.

Storyteller Ralph Cantave reading from In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe — Storyteller Ralph Cantave, as he reads one of his favourite stories from *In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe.*

Storyteller Papa Umpo dramatically sharing a story — Storyteller Papa Umpo dramatically sharing one of his favourite stories from *In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe.*

Author Oswald Francis addressing the gathering — A powerful address that honoured St. Martin's heritage and the spirit of storytelling, by author Oswald Francis.

Attentive audience members at the book launch — A captivated audience — every seat filled, every heart present; (l to r) Rev. Patmore C. Henry, Joseph Lake Jr. and his son Shaka Lake.

Honourable Bernadette Davis and her husband — Honourable Bernadette Davis, the 2nd Vice President of Saint Martin, and her husband.

Man and child attending the book launch — A gentle reminder of who this story is for — the next generation of St. Martin readers.

Presenter engaging inside the museum — An intimate moment as the programme got underway inside the museum's heritage-rich interior.

Roy Cotton Jr. and Jackie Vrolijk — Roy Cotton Jr. of Love & Inspiration, with Jackie Vrolijk, radio host and daughter of the late Dame Ruby Bute, one of St. Martin's great cultural icons.

Author Oswald Francis and Kathleen Francis signing books — Author Oswald Francis and his dear wife, Kathleen Francis, as she assists him with her penmanship to autograph Jackie Vrolijk and her granddaughter's book.

Author at the signing table — Oswald & Kathleen Francis as they proudly sit at the author's book signing table and savour the moment; that the book is finally launched.

Guest and author Oswald Francis with the book — A proud moment — Representative of Winair, Silver Literary Partner, Pascalle Wong-A-Foe and the author.

Exchanging books at the launch — Books shared, stories exchanged — the literary community of St. Martin in full celebration.

Gold Literary Partner certificate presentation to Cultuurfonds — Presenting the Gold Literary Partnership certificate to Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied's representative, Candia Joseph — in recognition of their generous support to enable the book to be published.

Gold Literary Partner certificate close-up — The Certificate of Distinguished Literary Partnership — Gold — conferred upon Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied.

Rolando Tobias warmly greeting Mrs. Kathleen Francis — Rolando Tobias of the beloved radio show Caribbean Classics, warmly greets Mrs. Kathleen Francis.

Ralph Cantave with author Oswald Francis — Storyteller, speaker, author Ralph Cantave with author and educator Oswald Francis, as he proudly holds his book.

Author Oswald Francis thanking Pascalle Wong-A-Foe of Winair — Author Oswald Francis personally thanking Marketing Manager of Winair, Pascalle Wong-A-Foe for their generous partnership.

A joyful moment at the book launch — Joy shared, stories held close — a celebration of community and Caribbean culture.

Two guests sharing a laugh — Laughter, warmth, and good company — the hallmarks of a memorable launch.

Antonio Samuel and author Oswald Francis with a piece of St. Martin's literary history in their hands.

Mrs. Samuel and author Oswald Francis pose with the celebrated book.

Two guests with a copy of the book — Sharing the joy of a new book — connections forged through St. Martin's literary heritage.

Connie Francis Gumbs and Kamilah Gumbs — A mother-daughter moment — Connie Francis Gumbs, first daughter of the author, and Kamilah Gumbs, his first granddaughter, who is also a character in the book.

The Golden Divas at the book launch — The Golden Divas — elegance, grace, and a love of Caribbean literature.

The fashionable Ms. Lina Lake — The fashionable Ms. Linda Lake, enjoying the scenery of the historic Emilio Wilson Museum.

Roy Cotton Jr., music teacher Marva Richardson, and Dr. Nicole E. Francis Cotton at the Emilio Wilson Park launch.

Dr. Nicole E. Francis Cotton and Roy Cotton Jr. at the Emilio Wilson Park launch.

Dr. Nicole E. Francis Cotton with Joseph Lake Jr. and son Shaka Lake — Dr. N. Erna Mae Francis Cotton with the iconic Joseph Lake Jr. and his son Shaka Lake.

A joyful Bernadetta Davis embraced by daughter Catherine Nicholas and granddaughter — A joyful Bernadetta Davis (c), who says the stories in *In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe* make her feel like a child again — embraced by her daughter Catherine Nicholas (l) and granddaughter (r).

Ms. Lelia Bell and Dr. Nicole E. Francis Cotton — Ms. Lelia Bell, former board member and tutor at VLF, with the visionary of VLF, Dr. N. E. Francis Cotton.

Our Roots Run Deep

Artefacts of the Emilio Wilson Museum

The museum's archaeological collection provided a powerful backdrop — reminding us that our stories, like our heritage, are worth preserving.

Antique milk churn at the Emilio Wilson Museum — Antique milk churn — a relic of island life

Archaeological clay pottery and braziers at the Emilio Wilson Museum — Clay pottery and braziers — Amerindian artefacts of St. Martin

Traditional wooden mortar and pestle at the Emilio Wilson Museum — Traditional mortar and pestle — generations of nourishment

Interior of the Emilio Wilson Museum — The museum entrance hall — where history and story meet

Dugout canoe inside the Emilio Wilson Museum — A historic dugout canoe — the voyagers who came before us

🏅 Our Literary Partners

🥇 Gold Literary Partner

Rain Forest Adventures

St. Maarten

Generous partners of the Sky Explorer 360° Exploration Lift — enriching Caribbean community life one adventure at a time.

🌿 Visit Site →

🥇 Gold Literary Partner

Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied

Caribbean Cultural Fund

Championing Caribbean cultural heritage and literary expression through their generous support of this landmark children's book launch.

🌐 Visit Site →

📡 Live Stream Partner

Interact Livestream

SXM

Brought the celebration to audiences across St. Maarten and beyond through live streaming coverage of the Official Book Launch.

Victorious Living Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to our Gold Literary Partners, Rain Forest Adventures and Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, and our Live Stream Partner, Interact Livestream, whose generous support made this landmark celebration possible.

🥉 Bronze Literary Partner

Motorworld Group

St. Maarten

Left to right: Publisher Dr. Nicole E. Francis Cotton, Victorious Living Publishing • Earlynna George, General Marketing Manager, Motorworld Group • Oswald Francis, educator & author of In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe • Roy Cotton Jr., host of Love & Inspiration with Roy Cotton Jr.

"At Motorworld, we believe that investing in literacy is an investment in the future of St. Maarten. Stories preserve our heritage, inspire young minds, and strengthen our communities. We are honoured to partner in bringing In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe to life and to support an initiative that encourages children and families to celebrate the rich history and culture of our island."

— Earlynna George, Group General Marketing Manager, Motorworld Group of Companies

🚗 Visit motorworldgroupsxm.com →

Victorious Living Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to Motorworld Group for their support of the Official Book Launch of In Emilio Wilson Park with Uncle Joe, whose generous contribution helps us to make this landmark celebration possible.

A Book Launch to Remember

Relive the Moment

Moments & Memories

Artefacts of the Emilio Wilson Museum

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