02032023 WEEKEND

Dental professional honours grandmother’s legacy with new stylish scrubs brand

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

When most people think scrubs, they think doctors, nurses and other medical personnel. But while conducting research for her new business venture, Dannia Kemp was surprised to learn just how many other professions wear scrubs to work.

Now the owner of the new local scrub wear line The Winnie Brand, Dannia said her goal from inception has been to target anyone who wants to be comfortable at work.

She told Tribune Weekend the professionals that love and have purchased The Winnie Brand include, but are not limited to, makeup artists, healthcare professionals, hairstylists, aestheticians, others in the beauty industry, and housekeepers. She has even had a banker and an attorney purchase a pair of scrubs to wear to work.

Dannia, who has been a dental hygienist for more than 10 years, said The Winnie Brand was inspired by “the precious memories” she has of her grandmother.

Her late grandmother, she said, worked tirelessly every day until the age of 85, selling uniforms and basic necessities to households throughout the Bahamas. When she passed away in 2019, Dannia thought it the most devastating experience of her life, as her grandmother had been more like a mother to her.

“Creating this brand was a part of my healing journey. Miss Winnie, as she was affectionately called, was known as the sweet, old lady that worked upstairs in the uniform department in Sandy’s Department Store. She was always very stylish and particular in what she wore. She and I connected and bonded many days on what we would wear to outings. I was compelled to honour her name and legacy. Creating stylish, comfortable uniforms in her name could not have been a more perfect idea,” said Dannia.

When asked if she’s inspired by any local or international scrub wear labels, Dannia said FIGS is one of her favourite brands. They are one of her favourite international companies because of the way in which they always give back to the community.

“Giving back is something my grandmother strongly believed in. I remember the stories she told about

her days of working in the department store. She would tell us stories of how single mothers would come into the store, mentioning that they did not have lunch money to give their kids. My grandmother would reach into her pocket and give the mother whatever tips or money she had with her at the time. Giving back

is something she strongly believed in,” said Dannia.

The Winnie Brand is presently an e-commerce uniform apparel company. It is a family-owned business that delivers right to your doorstep.

“We have made each style easy to choose from by naming each one after a family member. The most popular style are our jogger scrubs. Gone are the days of wearing boxy, wide-leg scrubs that are not comfortable or stylish. Our most popular colour is black due to the high demand of our women in the beauty industry. Our women in the beauty industry are killing the game of looking and feeling professional,” said Dannia.

Personally, she loves both the Kristy and Leslie collections. Both styles bring a different feel to a work day, she said.

“My hope for the brand is to share a piece of Miss Winnie with you. We hope that when our collection is worn, that her drive, passion and work ethic come alive in you too,” said Dannia.

DENTAL hygienist and business owner Dannia Kemp

Inspired by personal trauma, local author seeks to help others heal their pain

By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE ROAD to healing is often a difficult journey, and one that is sometimes not talked about. Seeking to break the mould is Bahamian Daveia Strachan, who details her path to healing in a new book she hopes will serve as a beacon of light to those who are on the journey like her.

In writing “Evolving: Finding the Light Within”, Daveia learned to let go and push past the obstacles that prevented her from loving herself and healing invisible wounds.

In the book, she shares her nuggets of earned wisdom through a compilation of quotes.

This book, she told Tribune Weekend, is centered around persistence, learning how to let go of the things that do not serve you, healing trauma, and most importantly, embracing self-love.

“Many people helped me along the different themes and seasons of my life. This is my way of paying it forward. We all encounter challenges in life that make us feel like quitting, we all experience some pain and trauma that we wish we didn’t, and we all know the importance of self-love but often struggle with truly embracing it. These are all things we’re faced with and need to know how navigate it,” she said.

The author’s primary goal is to help people who may be finding great difficulty on the journey to healing.

“I want to help any readers along this journey; reassure them that they are not alone, and provide them with tools that they need to find their own light. If you’re ready to start your healing journey and say goodbye to negative patterns and people that have entangled you, then ‘Evolving: Finding the Light Within’ is for you,” she said.

The book, Daveia explained, not only offers “provocative illustrations” and texts that reach your soul, but also presents tools for you to really do the work.

She said anyone who is looking to improve the quality of their life can find the book helpful, including even those as young as 12 years of age.

“We all need tools to do the inner work. I want to see people do the work to become the best version of themselves rather than repeat old patterns that will leave them stuck. Provide encouragement to promote positive change,” she said.

“Remember, evolution doesn’t come by hiding the less desirable parts of ourselves or trauma, we find the light within when we embrace our scars, overcome our fears and give ourselves permission to shine.”

AUTHOR Daveia Strachan

Hopefully, after reading the book, people will be more emboldened to face their fears, she said.

“I will help readers to be more self-aware. Help with sharpening their emotional intelligence. Create a habit of journalling.

“Evolving doesn’t come by hiding or ignoring the less desirable parts of ourselves, we find the light within when we embrace our scars, overcome our fears and give ourselves permission to shine.”

Daveia was born and raised in Nassau. She graduated from St John’s College in 2006. Two years later, the author moved to the United States to pursue bachelor’s degree at the University of Central Oklahoma.

As a customer success manager in the US, Daveia enjoys writing and aspires to leave an impact on others with her thoughts and words.

“Evolving: Finding the Light Within” is now available at Logos Bookstore in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza at a holiday discounted price.

For more information, contact daveia.melissa@ gmail.com.

Vocab Bahamas

For this local comedian, spoofing is serious business. He studies his subjects closely in order to always deliver the best and funniest skits possible. After having gone viral several times now, he tells Cara Hunt how his unique Bahamian humour helps him garner thousands of views on his videos and memes.

While imitation is often considered the greatest form of flattery, for comedian Vocab Bahamas it is a passion that has turned him into a local social media sensation.

Vocab has gone viral with a series of videos, photos and memes where he reenacts some of the most talked about events in the Bahamas, in most cases down to the smallest of details.

It all started back in 2017 when the comedian decided to reenact a story making the rounds of a man who dressed as a woman to steal from Wendy’s.

“That was the first time that I really tried to be exact with it and it just led to more and more,” he told Tribune Weekend.

“People really started watching them during the pandemic.”

Prior to that first viral video, Vocab dabbled in making memes and short videos. One such video was called “The Bahamian ducking school starter pack”. He also did a video spoofing the DJ Khaled-Rihanna collab song “Wild Thoughts”.

Those two videos got lots of play, much to his surprise.

“Facebook has a way of humbling you. I remember I used to do a few things here and there between 2014 and 2017, and when my Facebook memories came up, I would see like 10 likes. Now the likes are in the thousands,” he said.

And it’s been an unexpected journey.

“You know how people say, ‘Oh, I always knew I wanted to do this’ or ‘I have been doing this from a child’. Well, that was really not me. I have been doing this for a while, but I think it took a couple of years for me to realise that out of everything I ever did, this actually makes me happy.”

Vocab attended school in the US and at one point considered pursuing a career as a rap artist.

“In high school I was really into linguists and I would read the dictionary on a daily basis to find new words to use. I knew all the literary devices and this guy at school started calling me Vocab, and before that people used to just call me Bahamas. I combined the two to become Vocab Bahamas. That was going to be my rap name, but now it’s my comedy name. I always want to carry the Bahamas with me wherever I go.”

Vocab said his impersonations allow him to present his own style of Bahamian comedy.

“I wanted to be a different voice than other people and have my own thing going on. I think we can all do things in our unique way.”

He said he finds inspiration from all sorts of sources.

“Sometimes it may be a photo or a news report, or someone will send me something or say, ‘You really need to do this’.”

He can often get a video or meme down in a few hours.

“What usually happens is that I had a piece of clothing already or I will say, ‘Oh, I just saw that hat in this shop’ and so I have an idea where I can get the props I need.”

He also researches his subjects.

“I really try to capture them and mimic them as close as possible, whether it be the way they smirk or the way their nose flairs. Sometimes I will take hundreds of pics before I am happy and ready to post.”

And his subjects usually get his humour.

“I know that the ‘Singing Bishop’, Lawrence Rolle, and former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis have seen some of my work and liked it. In fact, Bishop Rolle has looked at pictures of us

this weekend in history

February 3

• In 1959, music stars Buddy Holly (22), Ritchie Valens (17) and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson (28) boarded a chartered Beechcraft Bonanza plane in Mason City on a flight to Moorhead, Minnesota - and minutes later were killed as it plunged to the ground. Investigators blamed the crash on bad weather and pilot error. Buddy Holly had just hit number one with his band The Crickets with their single “That’ll Be The Day”. Many of Holly’s songs went on to be released after his death, while The Big Bopper was known for his song “Chantilly Lace”, and Richie Valens was best known for La “Bamba”. The crash became known as “the day the music died” in another song, “American Pie”, by Don McLean.

• In 1953, Jacques Cousteau

published his memoir “The Silent World” about his time exploring the oceans. It became a worldwide hit and led to an acclaimed documentary three years later.

• In 1966, the Soviet Union achieved the first controlled landing on the moon with the unmanned spacecraft Lunik 9, which landed in the Ocean of Storms.

February 4

• In 1861, delegates from South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana met to establish the Confederate States of America.

• In 1974, Patty Hearst, the granddaughter of news mogul William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, who demanded $70 in food be given to every needy person from Santa Rosa to Los Angeles. The Hearst family gave away $2m of food but the SLA demanded more. Things took a stranger turn when two months later an armed robbery took place of a San Francisco bank - with Patty Hearst pictured as one of the robbers. She declared on tape that she had joined the SLA of her free

side-by-side and joked, ‘Which one is me?’ He actually has said he would like us to meet and do something together, which I know what would be a lot of fun. I recently did one after the Junkanoo shack burnt down and the guy’s son reached out to me.”

When it comes to comedy, the Bahamas is a gold mine, according to Vocab.

“We are just so different. When you look at other comedians from around the world, they just cannot get our accent down. It’s the emphasis we place on our words and the way a single word can have so many different meanings just by how you say it. I also think that culturally we are just nosy; we always want something to talk about. And Bahamians may be well-mannered, but we are quick to tell you about yourself if you make us mad. And so, all of that just makes us so funny.”

And those funny moments will ensure Vocab keeps us laughing for a while.

He is excited to expand on his comedic efforts this year and has a number of projects in the works.

“This year, I want to take things to a new level.”

will. More than a year later, she was arrested - and claimed she had been brainwashed. Nevertheless, she was jailed but later pardoned by President Bill Clinton.

• In 2004, Facebook - then called The Facebook - was launched as a way to connect Harvard students with one another. Launched by Mark Zuckerberg, more than 1,000 signed up in the first day.

February 5

• In 146BC, the Punic Wars between Carthage and Rome

finally came to an end after more than a century of fighting. The destruction of the city of Carthage sealed the Roman victory.

• In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt announced a plan to expand the Supreme Court to as many as 15 judge - but his plan was later struck down in a Senate vote.

• In 2003, US Secretary of State Colin Powell gave a speech to the United Nations, justifying the US invasion of Iraq. The speech was considered a turning point in the conflict.

(l-r) Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper

down: Thickset, Okapi, Betwixt, Pottery, Sage, Couplet (clue), Seal, Zombies, Manhood, Vital, Mystique.

MuddlESoME

tV croSSword Broadcast News The Departed The Witches of Eastwick

across: 1 Samia, 6 Mork, 8 Minister, 10 Anton, 11 Piven, 12 Elisha, 15 Avid, 16 Modern, 17 Tate, 19 Edmonds, 21 Penn, 22 Cerys. down: 2 Andi, 3 Amanda, 4 Ashe, 5 Crossfire, 6 Manford, 7 Ken, 9 Nesbitt, 13 Army, 14 And Mindy 17 Trip, 18 Ewan, 20 Mee.

clock-wiSE

Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

Alto, Tool, Oles, Espy, Pyre, Real

QuiZ of thE wEEk

3x9=27, 6x4=24, 9x5=45

SMall croSSword

across: 1 Sarcastic, 7 City, 8 Growl, 10 Pie, 11 Pianos, 13 Endeavour, 14 Attain, 16 Ore, 18 Acted, 19 Tics, 20 Test tubes.

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

down: 1 Scapegoat, 2 Aiding, 3 Cyan, 4 Sri, 5 Topcoat, 6 Clearness, 8 Gloated, 9 Gadgets, 12 Quince, 15 Tutu, 17 Let.

27 Party poster moved around threshold (8)

28 Emphasise a state of nervous tension (6)

THE ALPHABEATER

tV show: Ridley

1 To, 2 Jamie Bell, 3 1980s, 4 Duran Duran, 5 Ridley Scott, 6 Mark Ronson, 7 Richard Nixon, 8 Maine, 9 Zeus, 10 Hg.

croSS douBt

across: FUGUE down: SCALE

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Across

1 Basis of pancake for buffet (6)

4 Wooden horse (8)

9 Luggage returned to a place in Greece (6)

10 Tyres can burst in race (8)

12 Our gestures reveal a yearning (4)

13 Rough number (5)

14 A club with lofty aims (4)

17 Nostalgia seems not to need hospital treatment (12)

20 The same as complete agreement? (2,10)

23 Means of transport sometimes sprung (4)

24 Her home is the earth (5)

25 Not a square dance presumably? (4)

28 Many a creature seen in a wood (8)

29 Weapon needs new repair (6)

30 Regular correspondence between sides (8)

31 Produced in a dramatic way (6)

Down

1 The bogus arrangement asked for (8)

2 People take part in it on the side (4,4)

3 Consumes when tea’s served out (4)

5 Extremely important parts of the body (5,3,4)

6 Dish from the Wild West (4)

7 A person’s character aunt is upset about (6)

8 Intentionally exasperating? (6)

11 I can report it improved, doctor (12)

15 Turncoats of course (5)

16 Business attracting a lot of interest (5)

18 Fighting and winning (8)

19 Announced a number have cleared out (8)

21 Impressions of a country’s postal service (6)

22 Possibly border on a criminal act (6)

26 Backward - hence a monster (4)

27 Lent; not lento (4)

Across

Across: 1 Axiom, 4 Despoil, 8 Rap, 9 To speak of, 10 Arizona, 11 Agony, 13 Starve, 15 Ragbag, 18 Clean, 19 Leaflet, 21 Dressed up, 23 Nab, 24 Romance, 25 Yield.

Down: 1 Arrears, 2 Implicate, 3 Motto, 4 Dismay, 5 Smetana, 6 Oak, 7 Lofty, 12 On balance, 14 Venison, 16 Go to bed, 17 Sledge, 18 Cider, 20 Apply, 22 Elm.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Across: 1 Class, 4 Flouted, 8 Ass, 9 Intestacy, 10 Dosages, 11 Get-up, 13 Scatty, 15 Steppe, 18 Baton, 19 Allured, 21 Smugglers, 23 Wan, 24 Elector, 25 Tares.

Down: 1 Czardas, 2 Assistant, 3 Swing, 4 Fetish, 5 On sight, 6 Tea, 7 Dry up, 12 Top drawer, 14 Tonight, 16 Endings, 17 Career, 18 Baste, 20 Liszt, 22 Use.

EASY PUZZLE

1 That is to say (6)

4 Means of access (8)

9 Persuade with flattery (6)

10 At top speed (4,4)

12 Luxuriant (4)

13 Prepared (5)

14 One of the Great Lakes (4)

17 Anonymous (12)

20 To delight (4,8)

23 Impel (4)

24 Bring about (5)

25 Smile radiantly (4)

28 Pink long-legged wading bird (8)

29 Attractively oldfashioned (6)

30 Exchange as compromise (5,3)

31 Mirth (6)

Down

1 US golfing great (8)

2 Stately and dignified (8)

3 Flower symbol of purity (4)

5 Legal but crippling demand (5,2,5)

6 Prevailing custom (4)

7 Beekeeping establishment (6)

8 Hired assassins (6)

11 Begin to understand (3,3,4,2)

15 Wild (5)

16 Exclude from admission (5)

18 Certain to succeed (4-4)

19 Branch of mathematics (8)

21 Strike repeatedly (6)

22 Large tropical lizard (6)

26 Magnitude (4)

27 Large marine foodfish (4)

Quick croSSword

o Y l G B A r G o

across: 1 Derogatory, 7 Overt, 8 Riotous, 10 Undulate, 11 Stun, 13 Impose, 15 Regret, 17 Ogre, 18 Spectrum, 21 Slither, 22 Mason, 23 Topsyturvy. down: 1 Dread, 2 Ruthless, 3 Gyrate, 4 Trot, 5 Rooster, 6 Voluminous, 9 Sanctimony, 12 Newcomer, 14 Portico, 16 Spirit, 19 Risky, 20 Thus.

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? in making a word, each letter may be used once only. each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. no plurals. Verb forms ending in s permitted.

TODAY’S TARGET

Good 9; very good 14; excellent 18 (or more). Solution tomorrow

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition) call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS

FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off.

Solution tomorrow

targEt

rEcoNVENE

cere cone convene convener core cove coven cover crone encore even ever neon nerve neve never none once oven over RECONVENE reeve rove veer veneer

cAn you crack the Alphabeater? each grid number represents a letter – or black square. As in Alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet is used. But you have to complete the grid too! use the given letters and black squares below the grid to start. the grid is ‘rotationally symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the same if you turn the page upside down. Solution tomorrow

extra letter 0907

(Deduct three each extra clue full 0907

*Calls cost 80p your telephone network access

Yesterday’s Kakuro Answer

● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to your mobile, text DXBEAT to 64343. Texts cost £1 plus your usual operator

WORD BUILDER

Answer the clues so that each word contains the same letters as the previous word, plus or minus one.

Flirting with flowers

By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

Her love of flowers first emerged after she took a nosedive into the colourful world of weddings and event planning.

Now a certified wedding and event planner, Crystal Gibson has become so enamoured with everything floral that she has built her new business venture all around flowers.

“I was captivated, my interest piqued, and I just had to learn more about flowers and the art of arranging them,” Crystal told Tribune Weekend. Today, she finds herself making multiple trips to local floral shops for her new floral business called The Flirty Flower. There, she specialises in floral gifts for all occasions - especially for upcoming seasons and events like Valentine’s Day – and arrangements that are both beautiful and meaningful.

“Since we are fully launching this month, we have decided to offer our rose boxes. Our rose boxes feature sultry red roses aligned pavé style, which is a floral technique where leaves are trimmed, the stems cut fairly short and the flower heads are placed very closely together. Arranging flowers in the pavé style gives the finished design a lush, luxurious look. And this is exactly what we are going for – a lush, luxurious design. Why? Because love is a luxury and should be treated as such,” said Crystal.

When asked what makes her designs “flirty”, Crystal said she enjoys having fun with flowers and she hopes that all her arrangements reflect a certain level of playfulness.

“Though The Flirty Flower has officially launched this year, I have been working on my business since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic. One night I had a dream of creating floral art on canvas using silk florals. It was something I did to beat the boredom during the pandemic, and needless to say, creating those floral pieces on canvas was pretty fun and satisfying,” she said.

“I loved flowers at that point, but I wasn’t quite ready to play with them in the traditional way they are arranged. Then, my mother was gifted a beautiful arrangement after my stepfather passed away during the pandemic, and every time I looked at the arrangement, I got a good feeling on the inside. At that moment, I realised the true value of flowers and why people pay what they pay or spend what they do on flowers. The emotional impact that you get when you receive a bouquet makes flowers very valuable.”

Crystal enjoys the freedom of creating something that is solely her own when it comes to The Flirty Flower; her vision and products. She also enjoys the fact that her personality, which is a bubbly, fun and flirty one, is reflected through her business branding, products and services.

“Personalisation is what makes us unique. For example, I was recently asked to create a sympathy arrangement for a nurse who passed away. The client requested it be done in our rose box pavé style. I made the design unique by using the deceased’s favourite colour, which was purple, added photos of her and a few medical props like a stethoscope, a pill and medical scissors. Her mother was blown away. She felt the arrangement was well thought out,” she said.

“I like thinking the design through and determining how I am going to make it as personal as possible while also remaining true to the flirty and fun nature of my brand.”

No matter which gifting trends come and go, Crystal believes floral arrangements will always remain a timeless option for special occasions.

She said the beauty of flowers and the emotional value they can offer to those gifting and receiving will never ever get old.

Going forward, she hopes to change the way flowers are gifted. The overall goal, she said, is to create beautiful, meaningful designs that create a good feeling on the inside of everyone who sees her work.

“Building my brand is number one on the priority list, as well as increasing our following on social media. Expanding is also in the pipeline for The Flirty Flower, so stay tuned,” said Crystal.

Native trees to play host to everything that flutters

Good day, gardeners. I was asked an interesting question this week asking about which native trees play a significant role in hosting lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). These insects play a crucial role in the ecosystem by serving as pollinators and as a food source for other species.

Several species of native trees in the Bahamas are known to host lepidoptera, providing the insects with food, shelter, and a place to lay their eggs. Here are a few of the most common trees in the wild that support these beautiful insects:

• Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)

- Mahogany is a host plant for several species of lepidoptera, including the giant swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) and the zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus).

• Wild Tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum) - This fast- growing tree is a common sight in the Bahamas and is known for its dense canopy and attractive pink and yellow flowers. The wild tamarind is a host plant for the tamarind twig borer moth (Papaipema tamarindi), which feeds on the tree’s leaves and stems.

• Gumelemi (Bursera simaruba)

- Gumelemi is a host plant for the Gulf Fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae), which feeds on the tree’s leaves and uses it as a place to lay its eggs.

• Wild Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)

- The wild lime is a host plant for the key lime butterfly (Parides sabinus) and the giant skipper butterfly (Megathymus yuccae), which feed on the tree’s leaves and use it as a place to lay their eggs.

In addition to serving as host plants, these native trees also provide important habitat for a variety of other species, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. For example, the mahogany provides shade and shelter for a variety of bird species, while the wild tamarind provides food for small mammals and insects.

While mammals are rare in the wild, save for several bat species, the raccoon has become an issue on many islands and can be a bit of a pest. Rodents are not very common in the islands outside of human populated or farmed areas from what I know.

The protection of these native trees and the preservation of their habitats is essential for the survival of lepidoptera and other species. Unfortunately, many of these trees are under threat due to habitat loss and degradation, as well as the introduction of invasive species, such as the casuarina.

There are several steps that can be taken to protect these native trees and the species that depend on them. One important step is to reduce the amount of habitat loss and degradation by implementing conservation and management practices, such as reforestation and the use of sustainable agriculture methods. Additionally, efforts should be made

to control the spread of invasive species (ie, mandated removal of casuarinas!), which can outcompete and displace native trees and their associated wildlife.

Another important step is to raise awareness about the importance of these native trees and the role they play in supporting lepidoptera and other species. This can be achieved through education and outreach programmes, which can help people understand the importance of protecting these habitats and the species that depend on them.

Other trees that are hosts to lepidoptera include, but not limited to, the following: Black olive (Bucida buceras);

yellow elder (Tecoma stans); wild guava (Psidium sartorianum); poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum) – this is also a favourite food source for white crown pigeons; pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia); coco plum (Chrysobalanus icaco), and buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus).

I remain a believer that no property owner ought to be allowed to scrape the land clear of all trees. Healthy ecosystems are vital the health of our planet, our nation, and our communities. Trees are proven to positively affect mental wellbeing, and their shade is invaluable in the searing heat of summer. They provide food and homes for wildlife. Considering that our number one industry is tourism, I’ve never heard of, nor can I imagine a recreational tourist that seeks to visit a hot, congested, angry and polluted, treeless island. I avoid some sections of some roads in New Providence simply because they are miserable to me and are highly undesirable in my world, covered in tarmac and concrete, without a decent tree to be seen. Our surroundings when native trees are removed, become less valuable to us all, but go ahead and take down that tree to fit one more car in that parking lot, that’ll make all the difference. Sure, it will. Welcome to the jungle!

Please clear your land with a bit of discretion and leave some native shrubs and trees! Remember, when butterflies and birds used to flutter and fly around in abundance? Let’s look after what is given to us a bit better, please. You can do it. As always, I wish you happy gardening.

• Adam Boorman is the nursery manager at Fox Hill Nursery on Bernard Road. You can contact him with any questions you may have, or topics you would like to see discussed, at gardening242@gmail.com.

Horticultural Society returns with bigger and better plant sale

The Bahamas largest and most varied plant sale, The Horticultural Society of The Bahamas (HSB) Annual Plant Sale, is back, set for this Saturday, February 4, from 9am to 1pm at The Retreat Garden on Village Road.

“We are all overjoyed to be back! This sale draws buyers from all over the Bahamas,” said HSB President Dail Pearce.

“We expect our members to go all out for our first big sale since 2020.”

Mr Pearce is chairman of the Plant Sale and has served as president of the nearly 40-year-old group more times than anyone else. His orchids, bromeliads and adeniums are legendary, and many will be on sale this year.

For this, the first plant sale since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the $5 or less section of the sale has been expanded and is a perfect Valentine’s Day shopping area for children, according to past president Cindy Wilde.

Fruit trees will have their own section this year to make shopping easier in this popular category, added HSB past president Shirlene Godet.

“Helping beautify the nation is one of the society’s goals. As a result, unusual plants and sound advice on growing them are featured at the Society’s popular sale each year,” said Beryl Sheasby, another legendary grower, an authority on bromeliads and chairman of the society’s 40th Anniversary Committee.

“Restore your storm-damaged gardens from this HSB sale with fruit trees, water plants, roses, orchids, or other exotic or bedding plants - all at amazingly good prices,” said former HSB president Eric Butler.

Fruit trees, herbs and hanging baskets, bromeliads and orchids are always popular and in great supply at this sale. There will be special booths by: Flamingo Nursery for orchids and supplies; Marina Greaves with water garden features and creative containers and unusual plants; bedding plants, herbs and fruit trees from Errol Strachan’s Garden of Edem; Donnell Garden &

Nursery specialising in hand painted Spanish pots; Muriel’s Garden specializing in adeniums, succulents and bromeliads.

HSB founding member, realtor Sara Parker points out, “I cannot wait to see what the long gap has

allowed us to grow! The HSB plant sale is always a great source of ‘curb appeal.’ Also, native plants to keep us looking like the Bahamas.

“This sale is your best chance to restock your garden after the storms and to prepare for Spring fever and

Easter,” said HSB treasurer Sarah Lobosky, another former HSB president and a prime mover for the plant sale.

“I just love to see all the happy faces of people getting plants they love! My favourite is orchids. It is smart to be one of the first in line for the opening. The best stuff goes fast,” said long-time HSB newsletter editor and secretary Georgette Dames.

There is no admission charge. Parking is free in the Queen’s College parking lot.

Plants range in price from less than a dollar to more than $100, depending on size and rarity. HSB members grow the plants and label them for sale with 10 percent of the sale price going to the HSB.

No plants will be sold before 9am on Saturday, warned past president Alma Evans. She urges members to bring plants, labelled with proper sales tags, between 2pm and 6pm today.

Officers advise shoppers to arrive early, wear hats and sunscreen, bring their own boxes, bags and trucks. Some help is available for transporting large plants to the parking, courtesy of Queen’s College.

Founded by the late Sara Bardelmeier in 1983, the HSB conducts field trips and participates in horticultural shows. The HSB now includes more than 100 members, including all the garden clubs, top horticulturalists, and family island growers.

The HSB officers for 2023 are:

President and plant sale chairman Dail Pearce

Vice President Pamela Palacious Seyfret

Treasurer Sarah Lobosky

Assistant treasurer Joanna Robertson

Secretary Georgette Dames

Assistant Secretary Barbara Hepburn

Historian Kent Lightbourn

Assistant historian Dorie Bowleg

HSB plant sale committee members (l-r): Secretary Georgette Dames, past president Barbara Hepburn, treasurer Sarah Lobosky and president and sale chairman Dail Pearce. Not pictured is vice president Pamela Palacious Seyfret. (Photo/Sara Parker, HSB Publicity)

Literary lives – Anderson Cooper and the Vanderbilt Family

A famous newsman with an illustrious background

Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about the New York Times bestselling author and journalist Anderson Cooper, who has just teamed up with historian and novelist Katherine Howe to write about the rise and fall of his legendary American family – the Vanderbilts.

Anderson Cooper was born in New York City on June 3, 1967. He was the younger son of writer Wyatt Emery Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt. His maternal grandparents were Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt and Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt.

His great-grandfather was Cornelius Vanderbilt who founded the Vanderbilt shipping and railroad fortune. He has two older halfbrothers from his mother’s marriage to conductor Leopold Stokowski.

Cooper is the primary author of CNN news broadcast show Anderson Cooper 360°. He is also a correspondent for 60 Minutes on CBS News. After graduating from Yale University, he toured abroad shooting footage of war-torn regions for Channel One News. He was hired by ABC News in 1995.

In 2001, Cooper joined CNN and was given his own show in 2003. His reporting of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 increased his popularity, and for his coverage of the Haiti earthquake he was given the National Order of Honour and Merit by the Haitian government. In 2011 he hosted his own daytime talk show Anderson Live. He has won eighteen Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards, as well as the Edward R Murrow Award in 2011 from the Overseas Press Club.

As a baby Cooper was photographed by Diane Arbus for Harpers Bazaar. When he was three, he appeared on The Tonight Show with his mother. Seven years later he modelled for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Macys.

Wyatt Cooper, his father, died on January 5, 1988 when he was 50 years old following open heart surgery. When Anderson Cooper was 21 his elder brother, who was two

years older than him, killed himself by jumping from the 14th floor terrace of Gloria Vanderbilt’s New York City penthouse apartment. She later wrote about his death in A Mother’s Story. Cooper claims that his brother’s suicide sparked his interest in journalism.

After Cooper graduated from Dalton School in New York he travelled in Africa, contracted malaria and then attended Yale University, majoring in political science and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989. In the early 1990s he lived in Vietnam for a year and studied Vietnamese at Vietnam University, Hanoi. Unable to get

employment with ABC, he persuaded Channel One to allow him to take his Hi8 camera to Vietnam where he assembled reports on Vietnamese life and culture, which was eventually aired on Channel One. In 1992, he followed this by filming stories from many war-torn regions including Somalia, Bosnia and Rwanda. He became desensitized to the violence.

In 1995, Cooper became a correspondent for ABC News, eventually being promoted to Anchor on its World News Now programme. Four years later, on September 21, 1999, he took a job as host on ABC’s reality show The Mole – and left after its second season to join CNN. In 2002 he became CNN’s weekend prime-time anchor. On September 8, 2003, Cooper became the anchor of Anderson Cooper 360° on CNN.

“I think the notion of traditional anchor is fading away … I think you have to be real and you have to admit what you don’t know, and talk about what you do know. I tend to relate more to people on television who are just themselves – for good or for bad.”

– Anderson Cooper CNN

He is a prolific journalist who covered the tsunami in Sri Lanka, the Cedar Revolution in Beirut, Lebanon; the death of Pope John Paul II; the Niger famine; and the Royal wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles

Following his coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 he gained superstardom.

“Hurricane Katrina served to usher in a new breed of emo-journalism – skyrocketing Anderson Cooper as CNN’s golden boy and a darling

of the media circles because of his impassioned coverage of the storm.”

Broadcast and Cable magazine

CNN’s Newsnight increased from 60 to 90 minutes and was made permanent by Jonathan Klein – the president of CNN’s US operations. Cooper’s 360° programme was expanded to two hours and moved to the 10pm Newsnight slot. Two years later he signed a multi-year deal with CNN allowing him to continue as a contributor to 60 Minutes doubling his salary to a reported $4 million.

CNN’s Heroes: An All Star Tribute; and Planet in Peril were featured in 2007. The new show Anderson 360° was premiered in 2012 and led to a new multi-year contract, where he was allowed to moderate the election debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Cooper has authored a variety of articles for Details and other magazines; and published Dispatches from the Edge for Harper Collins. He co-authored The Rainbow Comes and Goes with his mother Gloria Vanderbilt which landed on multiple best-seller lists.

In 2012, Cooper publicly announced that he was gay.

“I have given some mistaken impression that I am trying to hide something – something that makes me uncomfortable, ashamed or even afraid … The fact is I’m gay … and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.”

– Anderson Cooper New York Times

In 2021, Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe published Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty – a history of the Vanderbilt family going back to his Vanderbilt ancestors who came to New Amsterdam in the 17th century. Until the death of his mother Gloria Vanderbilt, Cooper had downplayed his association with the legendary Vanderbilt family. By the time Cooper came of age, the Vanderbilt fortune, once the greatest in North America, had dwindled to nothing. His mother was a serial spendthrift who frittered away $4 million – or over $60 million in

struck a deal with the British (who had closed New York harbour) and moved supplies not only down the East Coast, but also overland on the railroads. At nineteen he married his first cousin Sophia Johnson and had thirteen children, twelve of whom survived to adulthood. He died on January 4, 1877, passing on business matters to his son Billy from his deathbed. His last words were “keep the money together”.

His staggering fortune was fought over by his descendants, but his son Billy, who had learned some good lessons from his father, managed to double the money left by the Commodore. Subsequent generations competed to find ever more extraordinary ways of spending it, and by 2018, when the last Vanderbilt was forced out of The Breakers – the 70-room summer estate in Newport, Rhode Island, Cornelius Vanderbilt – the Commodore’s grandson and namesake – the family was unrecognisable to the tycoon who stated it all. They basked in the Commodore’s wealth, hosted lavish galas, and became synonymous with unfettered American capitalism and high society.

today’s money – but that was nothing compared with her ancestors.

As Cooper and Katherine Howe report, when eleven-year-old Cornelius Vanderbilt got his first job on his father’s ferry-boat in New York harbour at the beginning of the nineteenth century, it was impossible to imagine that he would be able to pyramid his humble beginnings into two empires – shipping and railroads – with a mixture of hard work, timing, and ruthless cunning, melded with a hunger for money. He would become the richest man in America.

With money from his mother, when he was sixteen, Cornelius bought his own periauger (a shallow draft, flat bottomed, two masted sailing vessels with oars). Within two months he had run his own father out of business – ferrying products between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan. He drank and whored and never flinched from a fight. The older boatmen nicknamed him “The Commodore” and it stuck. When the British blockaded the East Coast of the United States to stop Americans trading with France in 1812 he saw the real money-making opportunity,

Now Anderson Cooper, the great-great-great-grandson of the Commodore, together with help from historian Katherine Howe, has written a rollicking American history of a family that moved from the wharves of old Manhattan to the lavish drawing rooms of Gilded Age Fifth Avenue, from the ornate summer palaces of Newport to the Courts of Europe and all the way to modern-day New York.

Vanderbilt is an American triumph and tragedy different from any other biography – and it is well worth reading. It is an insider’s story that pulls no punches and hints that despite his denials, the inventive and entrepreneurial blood of his Vanderbilt family still runs proudly and powerfully through the creative and imaginative veins of Anderson Cooper.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia and from Vanderbilt – the Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe.

GLORIA Vanderbilt with her sons Anderson Cooper, left, and Carter Vanderbilt Cooper in their home on March 30, 1972, in Southampton, Long Islan

CORNELIUS Vandebilt (c. 1844–1860)

‘Nassau – Beauty beyond words’

Last week, I wrote about the 1905 book “The Bahama Island”. The feedback has encouraged me to offer more of that text, limiting it to the introduction:

“Nassau, the capital of the Bahama Islands and chief port of entry, is situated on the north shore of New Providence and protected from the open sea by Hog Island, a long, narrow strip of coral rock which acts as a natural breakwater.

Between this breakwater and the town is the harbour of Nassau. It is, in reality, a channel, between New Providence and Hog Island, about half a mile wide, and deep enough to accommodate large vessels. The value of the harbour is, however, impaired by a small island known as Potters Cay. This cay so impedes the channel that vessels of over 200 feet in length are deprived of swinging room. Toward the eastern end, the channel opens to shallow banks frequented only by small boats, and toward the western end the entrance is impeded by a dangerous bar, impassable when a heavy sea is running.

No words can describe the beauty of Nassau, as one approaches the harbour from the sea. The ocean of deep sapphire suddenly changes to a lagoon of emerald-green, surrounded by shores of snow-white coral sand. Beyond, the white limestone houses of the town, intermingled with groves of graceful palms, and half concealed by gorgeous poincianas, rise on a gentle slope against a sky of purest blue. The green, transparent water; the intense blue of the sky; the blotches of blood-red poincianas; the snow-white drifts of coral sand; the vivid green of the foliage — all these unexpected, and yet harmonious, contrasts strike the eye together, and stamp on the memory a picture of rugged beauty which nothing can efface. The impression thus received, does not suffer when later the tourist wanders about the quaint old town, to examine at leisure the details of this picture.

Nassau is a village of picturesque homes and pretty gardens. Every house has its flower garden, where the pawpaw, datura, palm, oleander, banana, poinciana and bougainvillea

grow and bloom together in careless beauty.

As one strolls along the clean white streets, a surprise is in store at every turn; now it is the graceful drooping bells of the datura, a little later the delicate perfume from a hedge of oleanders, in the distance the brilliant crown of a poinciana, and in almost every garden the bougainvillea can be seen in all its glory. There is, probably, no cleaner, or more wholesome town in the West Indies than Nassau. Its streets, built out of coral rock, are kept scrupulously clean. They are smooth as asphalt and, being white, do not absorb heat, a quality which well adapts them to a tropical country.

For the entertainment of tourists, two large and well-constructed hotels have been erected. One of these, the Royal Victoria, an old landmark of Nassau, was purchased by Mr H M Flagler in 1898 and completely renovated. In addition to this, he built, on the water front another hotel, the Colonial, large enough to accommodate six hundred guests. It is provided with every modern convenience, and forms a part of the

vast hotel system, which Mr Flagler has built up, along the eastern coast of Florida. There is also another hotel, the Clifton House, neat and well managed, but not so pretentious and less expensive than those just mentioned.

The former Governor of the Bahamas, Sir Gilbert T Carter, was an enthusiastic botanist, and devoted much time and attention to the gardens about Government House. Here, may be seen, brought together in one place and artistically arranged, many of the most interesting of the native plants and some of the most beautiful exotics.

Nassau has none of the attractions which are frequently associated with many winter resorts, such as piers, stores of bric-a-brac, casinos, etc., but it has many attractions in which other resorts are lacking.

One of the objects not to be overlooked is the huge silk-cotton tree, Ceiba Peltandra, which stands immediately behind the Post Office. (Sadly, no longer there.)

Aside from the striking appearance of this tree, it has an additional interest in that a sketch of it, which now hangs in the Public Library at Nassau, was made over a hundred years ago, in 1802. This drawing shows that the tree at that time had the same figure as to-day, and approximately the same proportions. It is difficult to estimate the age of this tree, but it is said that it was the first silk-cotton tree brought into the Islands, and that it is the parent of all the others in the Bahamas.

Beautiful and interesting nooks, which give one an idea of the beauty of tropical vegetation, are found among the ocean-holes in the estate of Mount Vernon. In the shady recesses of this quiet spot one can sit and sketch by the hour amid orchids, huge. ferns, palms and other tropical plants. New Providence is well supplied with good roads either for walking, riding or bicycling. And for one who likes to explore there will be found no end of diversion. Another delightful experience, which the tourist should not miss, is a visit to the celebrated Sea Gardens. These gardens, which are situated about five miles from Nassau in the channel between Hog and Athol Islands, are in reality a small coral reef. On looking down into the clear water, one sees the most gorgeous fishes dart in and out amongst the various coloured coral heads and waving plumes of gorgonias, like butterflies in a garden of brilliant flowers.

Other points of interest are the picturesque forts Charlotte and Fincastle, which are located on the highest points of Nassau, and command a fine view of the harbour, and the surrounding country.”

• For questions and comments, please send an e-mail to islandairman@gmail.com

PAUL

BOUGAINVILLEA

Master of disguise

By KIM ARANHA Animal Matters

As we prepare for the Academy Awards spectacle – some of us with more enthusiasm than others – we anticipate seeing some pretty outlandish and amazing sartorial efforts on the red carpet, as well as in the best costume category. Some of the creations on display will be out of this world and you wonder how anybody came up with the idea, let alone wear it!

This brings me to nature’s natty dressers, or more precisely, masters of disguise. If there were Academy Awards under the sea, there would clearly one winner hands down: the octopus.

The octopus with his six legs, two arms, two stomachs, three hearts… and are you ready for this…nine brains! (that is one central brain and one for each tentacle).

All of these organs are contained in its dome shape head.

They are to most brilliant dressers of them all. They can change shape and colour at a whim.

The octopus is a very intelligent creature. It knows how to change appearance to suit the situation or danger presented to them. The octopus even knows how to use items to store things in, very advanced for the underwater community.

We have octopuses in the Bahamas, and I have previously written of the little one who lived off Bird Cay and when I came home, he was one of the first friends I checked on. He lived in a little reef that jutted out from some rocks on the shallow end of the island.

He was not very big and lived there for years, it was a sad day when I returned and no longer saw signs of an active habitation under his rock where his cave home was located. I guess none of us are here forever including octopuses who only have a life span of six month to five years, so I guess my Berry Island friend was a pretty old gentleman by octopus standards.

All octopuses are capable of disguising themselves to look like the rock they are hiding by or even the sandy bottom, they can alter their colour, shape and size, but there is one species of octopus that goes above and beyond called the mimic octopus. This diva of the undersea lives in southern Asia and is capable of assuming 50 different personas and is capable of knowing which persona is the most appropriate when trying to escape an aggressive predator.

An all-around softie

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY

Copper is a young male potcake, about ten months old. He’s a softie both inside and out: soft fur, loving personality.

He’d really like to be in a home with another dog who ‘gets’ him as he doesn’t much care to be alone. He’s house-trained, but would be fine inside or outside.

Copper hopes to be attending the Rotary of South East Nassau Pet

The mimic octopus is such an incredible expert at camouflage that the species was only just discovered some 20 years ago yet has been in existence for centuries.

You know, you must be pretty good at hiding and deception when the likes of Captain Jacques Cousteau never saw you.

It is funny that some people are not aware that octopuses are a very important part of Mediterranean cuisine. I personally do not like calamari – those round circles that are somewhat reminiscent of onion rings always make me think of my buddy who lived in his cave off Bird Cay. So, no thank; I’ll pass. Some people like to accuse the octopus of being predatory. There are tapes showing a large octopus catching and killing a shark in a tank at the Seattle aquarium. Clearly as this attack was caught on tape in an aquarium because they could not understand what was happening to their resident sharks; it is undisputable.

How big does an octopus grow?

Show on Sunday, February 5, where the Bahamas Humane Society will be bringing some adoption animals. Collins House, noon to 6pm. Copper hopes to see you there, or you can call 325-6742 for more information.

• The BHS Thrift Shop is holding a preValentine’s jewellery sale on Saturday, February 4, from 10am to 2pm. Come check it out! You might find something for your loved one or yourself, and support the BHS at the same time!

The Bahamas has the mediumsized Caribbean Reef octopus in our waters. These are pretty shy and are more likely to be seen on night dives. They are not very large and are timid by nature and are monogamous creatures who only mate once in their lifetime.

Over the centuries there have been stories about the Luska that supposedly live in blue holes in the Bahamas and gobble up little boys. Many people assume that these stories may be derived from imagination or sightings of giant octopuses.

The largest octopus species is the Giant Pacific octopus, which can attain a weight of over one hundred pounds and grow up to sixteen feet, though one was over 30 feet and 600 pounds according to the National Geographic, but as their name suggests they are not known to live in the Bahamas. Maybe Luska could be inspired by the Giant Ocean-going squid, which was finally caught on tape a few years ago. That’s another article.

Meanwhile, I recommend watching some of the excellent footage on the internet of octopuses changing their appearances to thwart predators and actually scare them away, they certainly prove that they deserve the title of master of disguise and the Academy Award for the best dressed sea creature will undoubtedly be presented to them.

There is so much to see and learn right before our very eyes, remember to keep an eye out everywhere you go, or you might miss something special.

THE MIMIC octopus

(Photo/Linda Gill-Aranha)

pet of the week

HG Christie & CAB Gallery crown winners of ‘This Island of Mine’ competition

Atrio of talented Bahamian artists have won cash, bragging rights and other prizes, thanks to HG Christie.

Committed to supporting and highlighting Bahamian talent outside the real estate industry, the country’s oldest and largest real estate firm teamed up with the CAB gallery to provide the opportunity for budding artists to showcase their talents and their patriotism as part of its ‘This Island of Mine’ campaign.

The theme, which was chosen as an ode to the islands, gave each artist the opportunity to share with the country and the world the things they appreciate and cherish most about the island they chose.

Submissions were collected between August 22 to November 18. To be considered, participating artists were required to tag both @HGChristie and @CabGalleryandStudio while using the hashtag #HGCIslandofMine. The works were then reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges comprised of members of both HG Christie and CAB Gallery curators.

“We were so impressed with the quality of the work that was submitted,” said CAB Gallery founder Natascha Vasquez.

“I’ve always believed that local artists have a wealth of artistic talent that deserves to be showcased on both the national and international stage.”

When the judging was complete, Samantha Sawyer was chosen as the overall winner and recipient of the thousand-dollar cash prize. Her piece, entitled ‘Abaco Arise’, was created to inspire hope after hurricane Dorian. The 18x4 acrylic features Abaco iconography, including the Hopetown lighthouse as a “light of hope” on the headpiece.

“This piece holds a special place in my heart because of the life it holds despite that difficult time,” the artist said.

Samantha’s cash prize meantime will do much more than purchase new art supplies; 10 percent of her winnings will be donated to the Breast Cancer Society in honour of her grandmother.

“My grandmother actually worked in HGC’s Marsh Harbour office and so it was fitting to me that I make a donation in her name,” Samantha explained.

Taking the second-place spot was Faith Francis, who received a framed limited edition Jessica Whittingham piece for her depiction of scenes from the Hope Town Regatta.

“I was inspired by the natural beauty of Abaco,” the 16-year-old artist said. “I especially wanted to highlight regatta time because it’s such a special time in Abaco.”

Rounding out the winning trio, in the thirdplace spot was Maria Diamantis, whose piece earned her studio time credit at CAB Gallery to create her next masterpiece.

The social media competition was the brainchild of HGC President and Managing Broker John Christie and coincided with the company’s yearlong centennial celebrations.

“As the top real estate company in the Bahamas, and Christie’s International Affiliate for over 25 years, we wanted to focus on art, youth, and culture” he explained. “Being the first time, we have ever done something of this nature, I was particularly and pleasantly surprised. I think the winners represent the level of talent our community has to offer.”

SAMANTHA Sawyer’s ‘Abaco Arise’

MARIA Diamantis’ ‘View from the dock, looking out to sea’

FAITH Francis’ ‘Regatta Time in Abaco’