03312023 WEEKEND

Book-loving Fowlers celebrate family ties and natural environment with colourful series

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

WHEN their son Klay was only eight months old, husband and wife Drew and Kelly Fowler began writing books to entertain their inquisitive child.

Given that Klay enjoyed a specific kind of book, they tailored each project to his interests. Since then, the Fowler family, inclusive of their youngest member, son Jace, has not stopped writing. In fact, the initial project has turned into a series of colourful illustrated children’s books now available to the public.

“We wanted the books he enjoyed to better reflect his environment so he would be able to see the scenes lived out from an early age and learn more about the world around him,” Kelly told Tribune Weekend.

The first book the family wrote is called “Sleepy Heads”; this was followed by “Auntie Love” and “My Friend, Uncle”.

The Fowlers hope their books can liven up family story-time with authentically Bahamian children’s tales.

“Sleepy Heads” is a board book for children ages eight months and older. It features animals commonly found in the Bahamas and other Caribbean islands going to sleep in their respective habitats. It introduces young children to the natural island landscape and native animals in a fun and interactive way. It has eyeholes for the

reader to engage the child through the book. The QR code on the back links to fun facts and videos on the animals to learn more. Part of the proceeds from the book are donated to Friends of the Environment on Abaco towards rebuilding their Learning Centre.

“We hope this book sparks curiosity about the Bahamian natural environment in both parent and child and promotes environmental stewardship,” said Kelly.

“A reader may wonder why the blue marlin slows down instead of closing its eyes to sleep. When they look at the fun facts linked in the back of the book, they will learn that fish sleep with their eyes open, as most fishes don’t have eyelids. The reader will also learn about the hutia and why it is no longer found throughout the islands of the Bahamas as it once was.”

This book was made possible with funding assistance from the Charitable Arts Foundation.

“These books are so special to us because they give us an opportunity to include the entire family in fun, loving, legacy-building projects. Every member of the family is involved. Though our children are very young, they have played the most important part. These books would not exist without them. Their lives and interests inspire us every day and have led us to this,” said Kelly.

“Auntie Love”, the first book in a series that reinforces the value of each family member in

a child’s life, tells the story of a unique bond between an aunt and her nephew. Part of the proceeds from this book support the Bilney Lane Children’s Home.

“My Friend, Uncle” is the second book in the family series. It tells the story of a unique bond between an uncle and his nephew. It is a celebration of uncles as playful and supportive role models, mentors, and friends to their nephews, nieces and godchildren.

Klay is named as the co-author on all the books because they are all inspired by him and his love of reading.

“He is excited to see his name on the books and he refers to them as his. He enjoys reading the family series because he can relate to the scenes and identifies the characters as his family members. Though he is happy to read the books, he is still too young to understand the implications,” said Kelly.

“Sleepy Heads” is illustrated by Valerie Bouthyette, while “Auntie Love” and “My Friend, Uncle” are illustrated by Renbert Mortimer II and Tajh Francis of RGMII Waynehead Productions.

For more information follow, the Fowler family @fowlerfamilybooks on Facebook and Instagram.

Bahamian author takes his African history book on tour

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

Bahamian author Mario Woodside, who has penned an easy-to-read history book celebrating African royalty, is on a year-long tour to spread the message of his debut work as far and wide as possible.

The first stop of the book tour for ‘Glory: A Journey Into African Royalty’ was Atlanta, Georgia.

The book offers a quick dive into African history, focusing on four kings and four queens in particular: the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, builder of Great Pyramid at Giza; Queen Amanirenas of the Kingdom of Kush who fought Caesar’s armies; Mansa Musa of the Mali Empire known for his great wealth; Hatshepsut, the second historically confirmed female pharaoh; Shaka Zulu, the famous founder of the Zulu Kingdom; Yaa Asantewaa, the warrior queen of the Asante; Askia Muhammad I, the great king of the Songhai Empire; and Amina of Zaria, the warrior queen of Zazzau.

Mario said he wanted his book to offer “bite-sized snacks” of information.

He chose Atlanta as his first stop, because he said it is has become the“Black mecca” of the US.

There, he was able to share his book with American rappers Pastor Troy and Chubb Rock, as well as make a presentation to the Atlanta Bahamian Consulate Office.

“The book was well-received. Everyone who got a copy was initially surprised to know such a book existed, but after the initial shock cleared away, then the intellectual curiosity consumed them and they just had to have a copy to study the work,” Mario told Tribune Weekend.

“The reach of the book has expanded greatly due to the radio interview I did with hip hop icon Chubb Rock and his team on his ‘Authentic Caribbean’ show, which is syndicated in 10 major cities, so that was a blessing.”

Every chapter of the book, he said, starts with a hip hop lyric which ties into the overall story and theme.

“The inspiration for the book tour is simple; it is me trying my hardest to spread awareness of the book’s existence so that people can see the usefulness of it. My purpose for writing the book was to simply be the change I want to see in this world. One of the greatest things we lost as a people during slavery and the subsequent years is the knowledge of self, history and customs. So, my goal was to create a book that will set aflame a fire in the heart of the reader to fall in love with all that is African,” he said.

Mario said the goal is for this to be a year-long book tour, visiting various markets.

“The next stop is Eleuthera and we are heading back to Atlanta in the Summer to do it bigger and better. We are filling more dates and places daily,” he said.

“The feeling of being able to travel the world and speak about the one thing I’m most passionate about in life is like me living my dream.”

Mario said he is working on volume two of the book, as well as on two motivational books set to be completed in the next two years. He is also converting ‘Glory: A Journey Into African Royalty’ into audiobook format and translating it into multiple languages.

MARIO presents his book to the ‘Authentic Caribbean Show’ team

AMERICAN rapper Pastor Troy with a copy of the book

MARIO during his visit to the Bahamian Consulate in Atlanta

Delroy Stuart

After being heavy his entire life, he suddenly found himself on an amazing weight loss and fitness journey. Now, he tells Cara Hunt, he wants to share his success with everyone by offering free fitness boot camps on a weekly basis. He has even launched his own line of sports attire.

Delroy Stuart is in beast mode. As a fitness trainer and CEO of Power House Fitness, he is committed to helping his fellow Bahamians live healthy lives regardless of their financial situation.

He is currently offering a free fitness boot camp every Sunday morning.

This initiative is aimed at helping those who may not be in a position to pay for fitness services. He wants to give them the opportunity to work with a professional trainer and receive guidance on how to stay fit.

“Fitness should not be a luxury only accessible to those who can afford it. I want to help everyone achieve their fitness goals, regardless of their financial situation,” he told Tribune Weekend.

“By offering free boot camps I hope to inspire and motivate individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.”

It is something he has become passionate about ever since he changed his own lifestyle to become healthier.

“I had the traditional Bahamian childhood. We had all the meat and the starches for dinner and my grandmother used to put orange soda in my baby bottle. I was heavy from the time I reached double digits,” he said.

Delroy said while he was always interested in sports, and would have liked to have played on a team during his school years, his weight made that difficult.

“I was overlooked and that was very discouraging.”

His real fitness journey began after he graduated.

“After graduation, one of the things I did was play basketball a lot. It was just recreational, but I was playing almost five times a week and of course the more I played, the better I got, but I also started to lose a lot of the weight.”

His work also helped him shed the pounds.

“I worked in produce, and the rule is you stock one, you eat one. How else can you tell the customers if the grapes are sweet. So by the end of the day, you are so full that you don’t even want to eat dinner. And I worked a lot of hours, and so the combination of basketball and diet helped the weight to really fall off,” he said.

As with many people who lose a significant amount of weight in a relatively short amount of time, his second big challenge was how to tone his new body and build muscle.

“I started hitting the gym because I wanted my body to be toned and firmed up.”

A friend of his was supposed to be his gym partner, but bailed on him after Delroy purchased his own gym membership.

Initially, he said, he had no idea what he was supposed to do, but quickly learned the ropes from watching

YouTube videos and other gym goers.

It took a few months, but then Delory started seeing results.

“This was back in 2021 and I realised that I was getting really good at it. I felt good and it quickly became my passion.’

It also became his career.

“I wanted to help other people on their path to fitness and so I took a NASMA (National Academy of Sports Medicine) course as a personal trainer and wellness coach,” he said.

Individuals pass a certification exam to earn credentials in personal training, nutrition or wellness coaching.

Wellness coaches work in collaboration with a client’s personal physician to develop a lifestyle plan to help eliminate issues such as high cholesterol, blood pressure and improve overall health.

Delroy said his own weight and fitness journey has changed his life so tremendously that he knew he wanted to help others have the same experience, without having to worry about how to finance it.

“It can be very expensive to go to the gym and sometimes you need

this weekend in history

March 31

• In 1492, the newly unified kingdom of Spain issues the Alhambra Decree, mandating that all Jews that hadn’t converted to Christianity be expelled from the country. This comes after King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castille conquered the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, freeing Spain from Muslim rule after nearly 800 years.

someone to help you figure things out.

“I was always overweight and that led to a lot of insecurity. I tried to be overconfident to hide the insecurity, but as I made progress at the gym, I began to make progress in other areas of my life as well… like flirty, even little things like the confidence to take my shirt off at the beach. I am very sure of myself now, to the point that people may think I am full off myself, but it’s not in a bad way,” he said.

His solution for helping others is his free boot camp on Sundays, which takes place at Goodman’s Bay.

He said it’s a safe place for people of all fitness levels.

“There is no fat shaming or anything like that here. I don’t judge what you can’t do, I just ask that you show up and give me what time you can.”

He said he loves when his clients start barely able to do the basics and then go into full-on beast mode.

“I have a client, for example, who started out not being able to do more than a few squats and now he can run the 66 steps. I have made a monster of him. I don’t think he even wears a shirt no more,” he joked.

• In 1889, the Eiffel Tower opens in Paris. The wrought iron technological masterpiece was created by Gustave Eiffel. It was chosen out of more than 100 designs submitted to honour the centenary of the French Revolution. At almost 1,000 feet, the tower was the world’s tallest manmade structure at the time.

April 1

• In 1976, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne form the Apple Computer Company to develop and sell Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer. It was incorporated by Jobs and Wozniak as Apple Computer Inc. in 1977. It went on to become one of the world’s leading tech companies, valued at $394.3 billion in 2022.

The success of Delroy’s clients is a testament to his dedication and commitment to their fitness journey.

Many of his clients have attributed their success to his personalised approach and his ability to motivate and encourage them to reach their goals.

And he even has a way to help them look good while doing it.

Delroy has started his own clothing brand called POWERFIT, which includes gym T-shirts with fun Bahamian sayings such as “Don’t Lift Then’”, “Thick Guys Save Lives”, and “Don’t be a Jonser”.

“I started the shirts back in January and to date I have sold about 100 of them,” he said.

The free boot camps are open to adults of all fitness levels, and each session is designed to be fun, challenging, and effective. Participants can expect a full body workout that includes a combination of cardio and strength training exercises.

Delroy’s training style is personalised, and he provides guidance on proper form, technique and nutrition.

Classes take place each Sunday (note there is no class this week) at Goodman’s Bay, starting at 8.30am.

You can find details about the bootcamp by visiting his Instagram page, PWRFIT242.

six-year suspended sentence and five years of probation.

April 2

• In 1513, explorer Juan Ponce de León lands on the coast of Florida near present-day St Augustine, claiming it for Spain. He was searching for the fabled Fountain of Youth. It is believed Ponce de León named the peninsula, which he believed to be an island, “La Florida” because the discovery came during the time of the Easter feast, or Pascua Florida.

In 1984, a day before his 45th birthday, soul legend Marvin Gaye is shot and killed by his father at their house in Hancock Park, Los Angeles, after an argument. Marvin Pentz Gay Sr pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, and received a

• In 2005, Pope John Paul II dies at his home in the Vatican. He was the first nonItalian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country. Born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland, he became pope in 1978.

FIRST drawing of the Eiffel Tower by Maurice Koechlin

solvent goes red (7)

TOdAY’S TARGeT

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.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

Across

1 A coming occasion in the church calendar (6)

4 Opening for a photographer (8)

9 It sounds alarmingly like poison (6)

10 Friend goes to States for talks (8)

12 Departed behind time (4)

13 Light cutting instrument (5)

14 The great archer is made to reveal all (4)

17 Prone to drop, I trained to get in proper shape (12)

20 General or private trial perhaps (5-7)

23 Eye-catching gadget (4)

24 Band parts put out (5)

25 Hand over the church keys (4)

28 Uniformed footmen (8)

29 Paper required - the first edition (6)

30 Truss support for royal male say (8)

31 It’s bound to go on foot (6)

Down

1 Bet a long striding gait is natural to it (8)

2 Break with Virginia gets accountant into trouble (8)

3 An elevating Kipling poem of simple innocence (4)

5 Meal made with soft pate; not a vegetarian dish (6,2,4)

6 Bring up; or what you may bring up (4)

7 Odd vigil held by distraught nun (6)

8 They play a supporting role in the studio (6)

11 Senior NCO on board is a weapons expert (6-2-4)

15 Small firms get together over a drink (5)

16 Feature of barley used to make bread (5)

18 In poor health and expired taking the waters (8)

19 Sad beautiful woman reportedly making a bloomer (8)

21 Recoil from a psychiatrist (6)

22 Sounds like respiratory trouble in the chest (6)

26 A winter break? (4)

27 Roman road goes round southern pass (4)

Across

SmAll CROSSWORd

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

27 Damn almonds (4)

SmAll CROSSWORd

28 Ballad none performed, because it’s toxic (10)

ACROSS

1 Total (8)

6 Delicate material (4)

8 Burnt remains (5)

Good 10; very good 15; excellent 20 (or more). Solution next Saturday.

THE ALPHABEATER

lAST SATURdAY’S SOlUTION

For today’s solution call: 0907 181 2583

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

lAST SATURdAY’S SOlUTION

ACROSS 1 Sunlight, 6 Team, 8 Nouns, 11 Victim, 12 Oils, 14 Pea, 15 Larks, 16 Get, 17 Sell, 19 Sleeve, 20 Steer, 21 Less, 22 research. dOWN 1 Strongest, 2 Nail, 3 Interfere, 4 Hum, 5 Establish, 7 Evident, 9 Oinks, 10 Needles, 13 Sable, 18 Ever, 19 See.

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Across: 1 Cloud, 4 Rubella, 8 Rue, 9 Mare’s nest, 10 Inherit, 11 Order, 13 Chunky, 15 Indigo, 18 Press, 19 Portend, 21 Watershed, 23 One, 24 Ringlet, 25 Overt.

Down: 1 Cardiac, 2 Open house, 3 Demur, 4 Rarity, 5 Bassoon, 6 Lie, 7 Alter, 12 Drive home, 14 Kestrel, 16 Oddment, 17 Upshot, 18 Power, 20 Radio, 22 Tin.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Across: 1 Fewer, 4 Library, 8 Yet, 9 Inventory, 10 Address, 11 Hopes, 13 Travel, 15 Feline, 18 Ounce, 19 Clement, 21 Inanimate, 23 Ire, 24 Elapses, 25 Tithe.

Down: 1 Flypast, 2 Withdrawn, 3 Raise, 4 Lavish, 5 Banshee, 6 Ado, 7 Yo-yos, 12 Price list, 14 Eyelids, 16 Extreme, 17 Scraps, 18 Opine, 20 Event, 22 Ada.

EASY PUZZLE

1 Self-effacing (6)

4 Unwavering partisan (8)

9 Type of straw hat (6)

10 Framework (8)

12 Pear-shaped stringed instrument (4)

13 Amusing (5)

14 Not any (4)

17 Hopeful aspect in misfortune (6,6)

20 Unfairly (5,3,4)

23 Handle roughly (4)

24 Seashore (5)

25 Grim fate (4)

28 Unreservedly (8)

29 Deal with (6)

30 Be slow in taking effect (4,4)

31 Dive (6)

Down

1 Desperate (8)

2 In smallest detail (8)

3 A citrus fruit (4)

5 Show total disregard (4,2,6)

6 Temporary calm in storm (4)

7 Hymn of praise (6)

8 Small-time (3-3)

11 Work in harmony (4,8)

15 Nervous excitement (5)

16 Deduce (5)

18 Under obligation (8)

19 Sudden rush of scared animals (8)

21 Ingratiating (6)

22 A Muslim sovereign (6)

26 Slight quarrel (4)

27 Collapse (4)

11 Chiefly (6)

12 Wheat spikes (4)

14 Female pronoun (3)

15 Stand used by painters (5)

16 Novel (3)

R T I E W U N N T

17 Make things with wool (4)

19 Light for warning or guiding (6)

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 on Monday

20 Judd _, snooker player (5)

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here?

21 Meditative exercise (4)

chino clot cloth coil coin colon colt cool coot hollo holt hoot icon into lino lion litho loch loco loin lOINClOTH loon loot loth lotion notch oilcloth olio onto otic toil toll tonic tool

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.

22 Linen art (anag.) (8)

DOWN

1 Every other (9)

2 Sign of an old wound (4)

3 Scenery (9)

4 Old word for ‘your’ (3)

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

5 Necessary (9)

7 Non-professional (7)

9 Smooth (5)

10 Resounding (7)

13 Capital of Oregon (5)

18 Midday (4)

Yesterday’s Kakuro Answer

Call 0907 181 2586 for today’s Target solution

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.

19 Small cake or bread roll (3)

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. All puzzles use The Chambers Dictionary

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

Lizzo represents for the “thick” girls in Paradise Island concert

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

GRAMMY Award-winning singer and flutist Lizzo proclaimed everyone in the crowd to be “thick girls” as she performed at Atlantis’ Making Waves concert event last Saturday.

“Everybody say what’s up to the big girls,” she shouted to the crowd gathered at Casuarina Beach, Paradise Island.

“Now listen, we just came up off our tour. We got all the lights and the props and stuff, but now it is just me, y’all and this stage, and we gone throw down, if’s that OK with y’all. I need y’all to throw down with us. Is the music loud enough for y’all? The stage needs to be vibrating under my feet. It’s not loud enough, baby, we can be louder than the music…help me sing…I’m the one.”

The “Truth Hurts” hitmaker was shocked to find out she had so many Bahamian fans, telling the crowd, ‘Oh, I’m international!”

Throughout her set, Lizzo stopped to focus on concert-goers, engaging and pointing people out in the crowd to hype them up as she continued her performance.

“All my big girls make some noise. You know what they say, Lizzo turning big girls into ho*s. So, I guess we all ho*s tonight,” said the free-spirited singer.

Lizzo’s famous flute and booty shaking also made an appearance during the concert. She performed her hit songs like “Rumours”, “The Sign”, “2 Be Loved”, “Cuz I Love You”, “Truth Hurts”, “About D*mn Time” and “Juice”.

One Bahamian mom in the audience told Tribune Weekend: “I became a fan because of my daughter. We’re both plus-sized and I see how Lizzo builds her confidence. I started to listen to her music and I truly understand why she likes her. So that is why I am here. I wish we had the chance to actually meet her, too.”

Dera, another concert-goer, said: “People can say what they like about her raunchiness. Just look at her on stage! She is doing more jumping around, running around the stage choreography than some of the so-called in shape artists who don’t put on a show like this. This is a show; she doesn’t sound out of breath; the vocals are flawless. There are bleachers here, but there is hardly anyone sitting down. Her energy has everyone on their feet and this is what I came for. I am a big girl, and I can say that fat doesn’t always mean unhealthy. I am so happy I bought the ticket. Lizzo is a big ball of talent.”

Many concert-goers pointed out how empowering Lizzo’s performance was, especially for those women with fuller figures.

“This is my first Lizzo concert,” said fan Anastasia.

“As she said earlier, she was shocked to even know she had this many Bahamian fans. I am shocked too. Everyone is singing along. She is

human and as a human our feelings get hurt, but what I admire about being a Lizzo fan is the confidence you get from following her. She is going to shake that a** regardless of what anyone thinks. Just look at the outfit tonight, all her butt is out! And guess what, it is about how it makes her feel, not others. Her confidence alone makes her look d*mn good. Go Lizzo.”

Melissa, another Lizzo fan, said she hopes everyone gets a chance to see this amazing artist in concert, “because as a big girl, she makes you feel good.”

“There are so many people of different sizes and shapes out here. But she is purposefully just shouting out the big girls. This is something that is not usual, you know. I love that she chose to use her voice for the thick girls,” said Melissa.

Prior to Lizzo’s performance, guests were able to enjoy all the attractions of the concert village, and at the end, they were treated to a display of fireworks over

the Atlantis resort.

LIZZO enjoys the sand and sea on Paradise Island (Instagram/lizzobeeating)

CONCERT-goers have a blast as Lizzo performs (Photos courtesy of Atlantis Paradise Island)

What to plant as spring heats up

Good day, gardeners. We’re in the second weekend of springtime, having had the March equinox 11 days ago on the 20th of March.

The March equinox is also known as the spring or vernal equinox. At that date the sun is directly above the equator and the length of day and night are approximately equal. From that point forward, through the next three months, days will continuously get longer as the sun moves higher in our skies, up until somewhere between June 20th and the 22nd, which is the summer solstice, the longest day of the calendar year.

At that time of year, the sun passes exactly overhead in both Little Exuma and northern Long Island. What comes along with longer days? Hotter heat! In our region, spring is a bit like fall in the north, but instead of it getting too cold to grow good vegetable crops, it gets too hot to grow them.

Combined with our high humidity, often the intense heat creates difficulties in growing tender crops and crops that require cool nighttime temperatures.

It’s a good time to put down a final crop of tomato, cabbage, cucumber and kale, for example. It is a good time to get down first crops of watermelon and pigeon peas as well. Most winter crops, especially tender crops such as lettuce and spinach, will be declining or ready for their last harvest.

Many herbs can still be grown, particularly basil, rosemary, oregano, parsley and thyme. Dill tends to bolt to seed quite quickly starting around now. Arugula, sweet potato and okra can be planted at just about any time, and now is the time for them too.

Lemongrass (fever grass) can be planted at any time. It is lovely in tea, especially when paired with something like soursop for that vitality boost.

When it comes to the landscape, it’s a great time to fertilize anything that has been lacking in flowers, exhibiting

yellowing leaves, or showing a reduction in the size of new growth. Palms are best fertilized with a palm specific fertilizer that has no composted sewage sludge or manure products (e.g. Milorganite), as these have been shown to strongly bind manganese in the soil so that becomes unusable by the palms. The result is what’s known as “frizzle top” and can lead to the demise of even the strongest and most mature palms.

Fruit trees can be fertilized if they’re in a growth stage, but some say that fruit-bearing trees ought not be fertilized when the fruit are developing.

Mango is example, as many cultivars are currently setting fruit. It is important to be careful with the amount of nitrogen used on mango trees at any time, as excess nitrogen will inhibit fruiting. I’ve fertilized citrus, avocado, star fruit, and many others while they were setting fruit with zero adverse effects. I’ve also applied too much nitrogen on mango trees and had them show me exactly how little they actually need.

Winter annuals such as impatiens start looking scrappy now if they’re planted in too much sun. Impatiens can still be planted so long as they’re in a shady location. They really prefer to be in full shade in the first place in our hot climate. Pentas and vinca are two of the sturdiest and best performing perennials to plant through the summer months for accents of colour in pots, garden beds, or landscapes. Once

established, they both require very little supplemental water.

Whatever it is that you’re interested in planting, the timing may dictate success or failure. Often times there are folks who may have success where others do not. We may say, “Oh well, they’ve got a green thumb”. Typically, though, timing is everything, and the conditions in which something is planted are just as important. Make sure to pick the right spot to grow any particular plant, and if you’re unsure, ask your favourite gardening professional!

Gardening is a passion and a skill that is best utilized when it is shared amongst others. While the garden is a place of peace and serenity for many of us, the methods and the results are fun to share with those who are not able to or who may believe that they are unable to garden, for whatever reasons. Share the gift of the garden and reap the rewards of the passion!

As always, I wish you all 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.

PENTAS

WATERMELON

Presenting the Bahamas from a unique point of view

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

Showing visitors the beauty of the islands of the Bahamas through water sports and a world-class experience has been a passion for Demaro Demeritte for many years now.

With his latest venture, D Squared Enterprises, the businessman hopes to make an indelible impression on tourists who travel here from near and far, while also telling the unique story of the islands through various picturesque sites.

Demaro told Tribune Weekend he wants visitors to experience the country through the “wonders of the Bahamas”.

“We realised that many visitors wanted the experience of having the Bahamas all to themselves and on their own terms,” he said.

“I have had the opportunity from a young boy to learn about the water sports industry first-hand as

my uncle is a pioneer in the industry. It awarded me the opportunity to see how the natural resources of my country and my God-given talent are able to positively affect a visitor’s experience of my home, the Bahamas,” he said.

D Squared Enterprises, he noted, has made it a point to assemble the perfect team and industry partners to provide for every aspect of the client’s needs.

The company provides transportation from the airport, coordinates and runs excursions both here in Nassau and in the Family Islands, arranges real estate showings, and even assists clients in becoming resident of the Bahamas.

“We are founded on targeting the needs of our clients and building an experience based upon their desires of what sets us miles apart from everyone else. We are able to offer a myriad of services

and that has created the juggernaut that is now D Squared,” he said.

Making experiences memorable and tailoring them to every client is the part of the job Demaro said he loves the most.

“I enjoy making persons’ dreams a reality. When a client calls and asks about seeing the islands of the Bahamas and allows me to put in the details gives me the greatest joy. I am allowed to show people my country from a different point of view,” he said.

“We have been able to personalise excursions, leaving on our client’s time, making their stops and ensuring that they get the experience that they have always dreamed about.”

And with the country currently bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic, Demaro is intent on expanding the company while also keeping it a boutique experience.

Review: ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ puts the funny in fantasy

By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer

ou’re not a lot of fun, are you,” notes barbarian Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) to brave fighter Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) in the new “Dungeons & Dragons” film, making two jokes at once.

The first is that Xenk, a paladin (or holy knight) in “D&D” lingo, is everything BUT fun — gorgeous, noble, heroic, smart, and did we mention gorgeous? He’s just REALLY not fun, or funny. He’s so not funny, it’s hilarious.

The second, broader joke is that “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” hotly awaited by devotees of the decades-old roleplaying game, makes darned sure to be fun, and funny — enough to laugh at itself. And that’s the thing that makes it work.

At least, for a newbie like me. I’ve never played the game, I confess. But this is a movie, not a game, and I’m

“Yhere to tell you how it works for over two hours at the multiplex. Which is to say, surprisingly, sometimes delightfully well — even if you have no clue what a paladin or Red Wizard or Harper is, or if the term “Dungeon Master” sends your mind straight to “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

The most obvious reason for this success, besides fleet-footed direction by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, is star Chris Pine, whose sunny charisma and smooth knack for comedy, plus an ability to seem like he’s both inside the movie and outside looking in, keeps everything bubbling.

He’s ably assisted by Rodriguez, plus young accomplices Justice Smith as a confidence-challenged (but sweet) wizard and Sophia Lillis as a shape-shifting druid. And then we have a graying Hugh Grant, playing the heck out of yet another comic villain role — a character almost as curmudgeonly as he was on the Oscar red carpet.

Plus, there’s a cameo from another big star, but more on that in a minute. Because first we have to mention the pudgy

dragon. Yes, pudgy. Whatever dragons eat, and we can only try to imagine, he’s had too many.

But back to Pine, aka the bard Edgin, whom we first meet in a dank, freezing prison cell. He’s — well, he’s knitting. Nearby sits Holga (Rodriguez), and her own hobby is eating. She’s not a cordial sort, especially when food supply is at risk.

An appearance in front of a judicial council, begging for a pardon, gives Edgin the chance to tell his backstory. Turns out he wasn’t always a criminal; he was a Harper, part of a spy guild acting for the greater good, but he attracted the ire of the Red Wizards of Thay, which led to the tragic murder of his wife.

Teaming with Holga, he sets out to find the magical Tablet of Reawakening that would return his wife to him and especially their baby daughter Kira (played by Chloe Coleman as a youngster). But they get captured, and their accomplice Forge (Grant), who somehow escapes, swears to take care of Kira.

Edgin, a master planner, devises a jailbreak right during the pardon hearing. They discover Kira is now living in a walled city with Forge, a con-man who turns out (gasp!) to have planned the whole thing, and has convinced her that Dad betrayed her for riches. And now he’s allied with Sofina, a terrifying sorceress (Daisy Head). Forge not only refuses to give Kira back but sends Edgin and Holga to their deaths. Holga, however, quickly

dispatches all the soldiers meant to kill them — all while Edgin tries, and fails, to untie a rope.

Now they need that tablet, but first they need a magical helmet (bear with us.) The quest, upon which they’re joined by Simon (Smith) and Doric (Lillis), leads to the film’s most entertaining scenes. One of these is an impressive, fast-paced sequence where shape-shifter Doric infiltrates enemy lines and then, chased by Sofina, morphs seamlessly into various animal forms and back to herself again.

Another is a comic bit where Pine’s Edgin tries to elicit key information from a series of corpses. Summoned to life by an increasingly effective Simon, each corpse can answer five questions before returning to the grave forever. Edgin keeps wasting his chances with questions like “Did that count as a question?”

Finally, we have Xenk (Page), perfectly cast as a paladin so, well, perfect that he delivers babies in between vanquishing enemies, and provides the crucial help Edgin needs. But for all sorts of reasons, Edgin can’t bring himself to like the guy. Most of all, he can’t deal with his lack of understanding of irony, sarcasm, and especially humour.

He’s probably right. Heroism is all well and good, but humor is crucial. That’s a lesson this film has, luckily, already figured out.

Running time: 134 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

“Dungeons & Dragons”

entertainment

New this week: ‘Tetris,’ ‘Riverdale’ and Chlöe

By The Associated Press

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM

— “Tetris,” a new film coming to Apple TV+ today, explores the wild origin story of how one of the most popular video games of all time reached the world from its Soviet beginnings. Taron Egerton, sporting a Ted Lasso mustache, plays Henk Rogers, the American who secured the rights to distribute it globally from the Soviets and, specifically, Alexey Pajitnov, the Russian computer engineer who created the addictive block puzzle. Directed by Jon S. Baird, the film takes quite a few liberties with the truth to create suspenseful, comedic, Cold War-era thriller.

— With over $2.3 billion grossed at the box office, there’s a good chance you (and everyone you know) has already seen “Avatar: The Way of Water,” James Cameron’s 13-years-in-the-making, $350 million, 3-hour-long spectacle that won over critics and audiences alike, despite over a decade of jokes about its cultural irrelevance. Now after months of playing in theatres

only, you can finally bring Pandora to your living room. Starting this week, it’s available to purchase digitally (its Disney+ release date has yet to be announced).

— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr

NEW MUSIC TO STREAM

— When Joni Mitchell was celebrated with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the event was by invitation only. Now PBS is inviting you to watch a recording of that night from earlier this month. It airs today and features James Taylor, Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Herbie Hancock, Cyndi Lauper, Marcus Mumford, Graham Nash, Diana Krall, Lucius and Angelique Kidjo. Mitchell will sing George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”

— Chlöe — the elder half of Chloe x Halle — is releasing her solo debut, “In Pieces,” today. The 14-track album has features by Chris Brown (on ”How Does It Feel”), Missy Elliott (on “Told Ya”) and Future (on “Cheatback”).

“I hope this project brings healing to those who listen, as it’s

been completely therapeutic for me,” she wrote on social media.

— AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy

NEW TELEVISION TO STREAM

— “Riverdale” returns for its fin al season Wednesday on the CW. Season seven begins with Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jughead and the rest of the gang transported back to the age of sock hops, swing skirts, cardigan sweaters and milkshakes in 1955. Jughead is the only one who remembers where they came from and works to convince his friends that they need to get back to their former lives. Like the previous “Riverdale” seasons, the last episodes will also feature a murder mystery.

— “The Big Door Prize” is a new series on Apple TV+ that’s a blend of sci-fi, comedy and heart. A mysterious machine that can reveal people’s true purpose in life appears in a local drug store and turns a small-town upside down. Some view the machine’s revelations as a push in the right

direction and freedom to live out fantasies. Others feel defensive or let down by what the machine says. The series stars Chris O’Dowd (“Bridesmaids”) in a charming and delightfully silly role — but each episode also focuses on a different character’s reaction to their personal prediction by the machine.

— Alicia Rancilio

NEW GAMES TO PLAY

— Major League Baseball is always looking for ways to reach a younger audience. Which may explain why Jazz Chisholm Jr. — an appealing yet unproven young outfielder for the Miami Marlins — is on the cover of MLB The Show 23. On the other hand, the most intriguing new feature of the annual baseball sim may be more appealing to old-timers: a mode celebrating heroes of the Negro Leagues like Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil. The just-concluded World Baseball Classic tournament is also part of this year’s lineup. As usual, Sony’s San Diego Studio has spent the offseason tinkering with game mechanics and graphics, most dramatically by giving you the ability to scan your own face onto a player. The Show 23 steps up to the plate on PlayStation 5/4, Xbox X/S/One and Nintendo Switch.

— Lou Kesten

The registration of slaves

The effective means by which it was hoped to finally stamp out the slave trade in the British colonies was the periodical registration of the slaves already in their limits. In this respect, as in its whole programme in the interest of the slaves, the British Ministry, now dominated by the party of reform, strove to set an example which the rest of Europe might imitate. Great Britain had led in proscribing the commerce in slaves, she must also lead in giving effect to the abolition of the system.”

Registration was first urged in the imperial Parliament by William Wilberforce (1759-1833) and Lord Henry Peter Brougham (1778-1869), as a measure that should be passed, and applied, at once, in order to forcibly exclude the importation of slaves into the colonies.

West Indian planters and slave owners, residing in the mother country, were on the alert immediately, calling upon those who supported their interests in Parliament to obstruct such legislation, by every means in their power. Rumours of the proposals made to Parliament reached the colonies, where

the feeling against such action was unanimous, on the part of the white population.

Whatever steps might be taken in the mother country to prevent the passing of such a bill were sure to have their approval. The West Indian merchants and planters, in the city of Bristol, presented a petition, in 1816, deprecating the interference with the local institutions in the colonies.

In the Bahamas, the tidings of the activity of the opponents of slavery and the slave-trade seemed to be unknown, or at least unnoticed, until the year 1815, when, on the return of some inhabitants of the Colony from London, information of the movement was brought to them. Two publications of the African Institution, one “A Plan for the Prevention of the Unlawful Importation of Slaves” the other a pamphlet entitled “Reasons for Establishing a Registry of Slaves’ were laid before the local Assembly.

Wild misapprehensions at once beset the members of the House of Assembly. Almost total ignorance of the intentions and methods of the African Institution, or as to what Parliament might do, prevailed. It was only known that something was

proposed to be done for the regulation of their slave property; it might be anything.

In this state of mind, the Assembly met in the summer of 1815. Dissatisfaction was expressed by some of the members at the failure of the colonial agent, George Chalmers, to keep their commissioners of correspondence informed of the progress of this dangerous movement.

Believing that a total destruction of the slave property of the British West Indian colonies had been determined upon, regardless of the rights and interests of those concerned, the House decided upon an appeal to Parliament.

A committee set to work to inform the House of the progress of the movement for registration. It described the African Institution as a society having no connection with, or interest in, the colonies, and ignorant of the conditions in the colonies, and of their local interests and usages, which had put on foot ruinous schemes, and proposed colonial degradation and injury on a comprehensive scale.

On behalf of the Bahamas, the committee denied the existence in them of the evils of which the reform

party complained; denied that registration could remedy such evils, if they did exist; and expressed their conviction that, according to English law, their “venerable charter of privileges” was to protect them from any such interference from outside the Colony.

The whole report is taken up with an arraignment of the abolitionists and a refutation of fancied arguments in favour of the registration. The presentation of it was followed closely by a set of resolutions on the rights of colonial Englishmen, which, together with the report, was forwarded to the Colonial Department at London, to form the first part of the protest of this Colony against the registration system.

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

Animal matters

animals Charming Coco

Kim Aranha

The act and art of giving

The verb to give covers a lot of terrain. Give can be used in many ways with many emotions tagged. One can give generously and not expect anything in return, or you can give endlessly in the hopes of finally reaping the benefits of your labours. You can give of yourself – frequently the most meaningful because of the dedication and time required.

Giving is a good feeling. I find giving gifts that give pleasure is one of the most gratifying things you can do. Gifts of all shapes and sizes can bring such joy, and perhaps change a person’s life.

In the Bahamas we have a very active group of NGOs without whom this country would be in a very sorry state.

The Bahamas turns 50 in 2023 and the Bahamas Humane Society turns 100 years old in 2024. The oldest charity in this country, we enjoy that title rather like a dowager duchess at a debutants ball full of young people. We have stood the test of time and worked our fingers to the bone for every success we have ever achieved. Our thousands of volunteers over the past 99 years have never stopped supporting us, they have never given up.

Lately, we have been very pleasantly surprised with some generous bequests that people have left for the Bahamas Humane Society in their wills. I do hope that those kind and like-minded persons are looking down and seeing what a difference a donation can make after they are gone. You can’t control from the grave, but you most certainly can make a difference. I hope that as time goes on more people will consider us in their wills.

Of course, giving on a regular basis is what keeps non-profits going. We depend on the financial generosity of others every single day of our existence. We would have to close our doors if we were not the recipients of generous gifts on an ongoing basis.

Not all giving is financial and much of the giving that we benefit from is

PET OF THE WEEK

By The Bahamas Humane Society

Coco’s already a bit of a Facebook star, having participated in several of the Wednesday/Saturday dog walks.

This lovely girl is three or four years old and really enjoys the opportunity to be out of the kennel and around humans and other dogs.

She’s a playful, loving potcake who would love to find a home of her own with people she can trust and maybe another dog friend or two.

If you think you’d be a good match for Coco, come to the BHS to meet her, or perhaps join the dog walk! You can also call 821-4121 for more information. Coco looks forward to meeting you!

• It’s jewellery sale time at the BHS Thrift Shop. Saturday, April 1 (no fooling!), 10am to 2pm. Come find something shiny for yourself or a loved one. All proceeds go to the Bahamas Humane Society.

the dedicated help and support of volunteers. Volunteer man hours are essential to our existence and they are so many different things a volunteer can do.

I speak for the Bahamas Humane Society, because, clearly, that is the organisation I know best; the organisation I am the most intimate with.

Some people reach out to us and want to assist us, but they do not feel strong enough to come in direct contact with the dogs and cats we are caring for. I often hear people say to me: “Oh, I can’t volunteer at the shelter, I would want to take all the animals home with me.” You absolutely do not have to deal directly with the animals. There are tons of different ways you can give and help without being tempted.

One thing we absolutely always need is newspapers. We line every cage with newspaper, and as you can imagine, we have to change them fre-

quently. People who collect papers for us are a tremendous help, especially when the papers are neatly folded and bundled in manageable sizes.

We have a very successful thrift shop. Volunteers are always needed to sort, stock, sell and display our wares. The shop is right next door to the Bahamas Humane Society main building. You might see the shop dog and you might hear some barking, but you will not be tempted to adopt.

Our membership programme needs relaunching. Work that can be done at home. There are also social media posts that need constant attention.

However, if you want direct contact, the dog walking programme on Wednesday and Saturday mornings is in full swing. You have an option to walk dogs who otherwise would stay in their pens or join in the puppy/kitten cuddling programme.

People are needed regularly to help with puppies and dogs. Anybody expe-

rienced in training to help the dogs be comfortable on a leash and to sit and stay on command will be helping the dogs be more adoptable. People like a dog with manners, and don’t forget most of our dogs are straight off the street, so a little bit of experience with the social niceties expected of a pup can come in very handy when looking for humans to call their own.

The giving of love is essential in life, just as the receiving of love is essential. When you get involved with pro-bono work, an amazing feeling of good sweeps over you. The knowledge that what you have said, provided or done has actually impacted on a life is a lovely feeling.

If you are not into animals, there are plenty of other non-profits out there, but if you are not into animals, you probably wouldn’t be reading this column, would you?

COCO WITH DOG WALKING VOLUNTEER GAYDEE COMPARATIVO

The Weekend Fashion Report 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

SPLIT

Latto

Karin says: “Leather dresses are not easy to pull off, but she looks amazing in this magenta Rick Owens design! I also love the bouncy corkscrew curls.”

Cara says: “The only thing of interest about this dress is that it’s a really pretty colour. Otherwise, it’s shapeless and boring, and not very flattering on her.”

FAIL Ice Spice

Karin says: “Gen Z’s hottest new rapper is giving me a headache with this optical illusion dress. It’s especially doing something weird around the belly area. The chunky platform heels look bit tacky to me and I’m not a fan of the ‘Baby Girl’ bag.”

Cara says: “I agree. This is headache-inducing. There is just too much movement (imagine it in motion!). I just don’t like it. The ‘eye’ in the middle of her stomach is also creeping me out.”

SPLIT

P!nk

Karin says: “So P!nk couldn’t decide if she wanted to wear a dress or trousers, so she settled for this hybrid monstrosity. I don’t like pleats on the best of days, but here they are extra egregious. Just hideous.”

Cara says: “I love a good white suit on the red carpet. This one is fun and different. I actually really like the pants. They make the suit less boring. Plus, this outfit seems to match her personality.”

FAIL

Doja Cat

Karin says: “I hate everything! From the sleeveless white shirt to the faux fur stole and the oversized faux leather pants. What was the vision here? I know she has a unique sense of style, but this looks like a complete absence of any sense of style.”

Cara says: “This is another case of I like all the components of the look, but not sure if I like them all together. I feel like the coat is really the statement piece and the shirt and pants are so baggy that they are distracting from the coat.”

SPLIT

Bebe Rexha

Karin says: “She’s aged herself by at least 10 years by wearing this. I guess this is supposed to be Old Hollywood glam, but it’s just old. Velvet AND feathers? Pick a struggle, Bebe. Just awful.”

Cara says: “I’m getting vintage 80s vibes from this look, especially with that updo. I’m not mad at this outfit at all. It’s something we have seen before, but she rocks it.”

(AP Photos/Chris Pizzello)