The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Most Peru residents would probably agree that the hundreds of Jamaican men who come to our community from August through October are part of the fabric of our community. They harvest our apples and spend thousands of dollars in our local stores.  We see them at the Grand Union, in Stewart’s or the Dollar store each evening or on a rainy day. Nevertheless, they’re an enigma for most of us. We see them. We may say hello to them; but, few of us know them.

Forrence Orchards employed 187 Jamaican men this harvest season. While a few will remain until late December, most departed over the past two or three days. Yesterday, November 1^st, the Peru Gazette spoke to a few of the men who live in Forrence’s Mannix Road housing. They were waiting for a bus to pick them at about 4 p.m.

They all said it had been a good harvest season and they enjoyed coming to Peru. Most are family men with a wife and several children at home. They come from several Jamaican parishes and they will rarely see each other after returning home. Rudolph Darlington said he’s been coming to Peru for the last 23 years. He has three children and earns his living growing Irish potatoes on his 5 or 6 acre farm. Delroy Hanlon has six children and grows Blue Mountain coffee on his small farm. Rudolph Peddie grows ginger, yams and pimento on his small farm. He spoke proudly of his ancestors who came from Africa as slaves only to escape to the mountains and fight for Jamaica’s independence.  Another man said he is a chicken farmer while a younger man is proud of being a mason. It is always a pleasure speaking with these hard working, friendly and courteous men.