05052017 weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

books beauty film fashion music gardening food puzzles

Weekend

belles of the ball Pages 14&15

Stepping out Taking local talent to the world Entertainment, page 11

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

life through a lens

Planting the seed

S

EEDlings’ Place and NaturaLife came together last Sunday to host the ‘Eat, Move n’ Groove’ wellness extravaganza.

The event, held at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, was aimed at inspiring people to lead healthier lives.

The all-day affair featured vegan cooking classes and a fitness dance party with both local and interna-

tional experts.

Among the five presenters was author and master raw food chef Khepra Anu out of Washington, DC, who gave a live demonstration.

There were also classes on pole dancing, belly dancing and African dancing. The latter of which was taught by Akosua Akoto from Baltimore, the CEO, founder and lead choreographer of the popular dance workshop ASA! Kelenya.

Have you taken a selection of photographs that might make a Life through a lens feature page? If so please submit it to weekend@ tribunemedia.net for consideration

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Friday, May 5, 2017

Inside Weekend

My perfect Bahamian weekend Candice McPhee Attorney-at-law

Interview 4 - 5 Cara Hunt talks to Shonalee KingJohnson about losing her sister to lupus and the future of Lupus 242

Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch?

“Saturday lunch, because you are more relaxed on Saturday. And sometimes Saturday lunch ends up lasting into Saturday night drinks.”

Carnival 6 Soca superstars Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin take the stage

Food 7 Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Books 8 - 9 Best-selling Bahamian author releases new novel, plus two artists create antibullying colouring book Entertainment 11 A hip hop take on the art of dance

Music 12 Grammy-Award winner Jeffrey Osborne admits to love of cracked conch

Belles of the ball 14-15 Kingdor National Parkinson Foundation 17th Annual Gala Ball Film 17 Bahamian filmmaker launches production company in Canada, plus five surprising facts about ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ star Groot

Podcasts 18 Shows to listen to during your coffee break

Gardening 19 Jack Hardy on summer planting Beauty 20 - 21 CurlyFest Bahamas returns bigger and better for second year

Literary Lives 22 - 24 Anthony White, the ‘bird man’ of the Bahamas Forgotten Facts 25 Salt Cay – John T McCutcheon’s Treasure Island

Animals 27 Kim Aranha laments the disregard of natural resources, plus Pet of the Week

Q: Wine, Kalik, rum or cocktail?

“Wine, because nothing beats a nice glass of Moscato.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“I like the beach, but there is something about being home lounging on the sofa in PJs that’s just awesome.”

Q: What could you not do without?

“I need my phone. I love that my boyfriend calls me to make sure I’m OK throughout the day.”

Q: Weekend away: where would you go?

“London! I love London. It’s such a culturally diverse city.”

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday • Da Cultural Village Time: 12noon - 6pm (continues on Saturday) Venue: Arawak Cay Enjoy live music, good food, Junkanoo rush-outs crab catching and pineapple eating competitions, as well as hair braiding and straw plaiting demonstrations throughout the day. Nightly entertainment starts at 7pm. General admission is $25 ($15 on Saturday).

• Music Masters Concert Time: 8pm - 2am Venue: Arawak Cay Soca superstar star Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin take the stage together with the Music Masters semi-finalists.

• Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Time: 5pm Venue: Green Parrot Bar & Grill Enjoy a delicious Mexican menu, a speciality margarita bar and DJ Ron spinning live.

• 5 de Mayo, The Real Fiesta

Time: 8pm Venue: Senor Frog’s Partake in an authentic Mexican buffet and all-night drink specials.

Saturday • Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Road Fever Time: 12noon Route: From the Thomas A Robinson Stadium to the Western Esplanade Road Fever is the original Bahamian masquerade street party that closes out the annual Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

It is a costume parade incorporating a unique mix of live and recorded music with masses of people “shaking up the streets”.

• Great Glasses Play Day Time: 12noon - 2pm Venue: Lenses, Rosedale Lane, Palmdale The Great Glasses Play Day is an event targeted towards children and their eye health. The event will focus on the importance of children

having their eyes tested on an annual basis to aid in early detection of any eye health issues.

• FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas Time: 3pm (continues until Sunday) Venue: National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park The semi-finals of the competiion kick off with Tahiti v Iran followed Brazil v Italy. At 6pm the Bahamas make a special appearance in a match against a Fifa All-Star team.

Sunday • Lupus 242 Annual Church Service Time: 11am Venue: Bahamas Harvest Church Each year, the Lupus 242 support group worships as a family at the home church of one of its members.

This Sunday, they will worship with Nneska Williams at Bahamas Harvest Church on Prince Charles Drive.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

interview Lupus has given her a mission in life and helped her connect with many amazing people, but the disease has also caused her immeasurable loss. As the world observes Lupus Awareness Month, Shonalee King-Johnson talks to Cara Hunt about how the support group Lupus 242 got its start and how she is determined to carry on her late sister’s work.

Shonalee King-Johnson

L

upus has always been a part of Shonalee KingJohnson’s life. Her mother, Gwendolyn King, has battled the chronic autoimmune disease for the past 40 years.

Her sister, Shanelle Brennen, fought it for more than 20 years before she died due to complications from the illness on March 2 this year.

It was Shanelle’s dream and vision to start the Lupus 242 group as a way to provide support for other persons battling the illness, but also to raise awareness and support from the wider community.

“A lupus fighter by the name of Debi Humes started holding support meetings in the early 2000s, but she became ill and could not take it any further,” Shonalee told Tribune Weekend.

“In 2011, Shanelle had a particular bad flare-up where she was unable to work for a few months and it was then that she approached me and said that we really needed to get this support group off the ground, because while she had support as she was going through life with lupus, she thought about others who didn’t have anyone.

They probably felt isolated and alone.”

Shonalee admitted that she felt a bit overwhelmed by the idea of starting a support group, but soon realised that this was a perfect platform for her family who had been so affected by the illness.

Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease affects an estimated 5.5 million persons worldwide. Studies show that lupus is caused by several factors, including genetics, environment and hor-

“I had seen my mother battle it all my life and my sister for most of my life. I had seen the times when my mother was low and people would pray over her bedside thinking that the end was near, and I had seen my sister get sick.” monal imbalances in the body. Lupus is often hard to diagnose, with symptoms ranging from severe pain to fatigue and unexplained flare-ups impacting random parts of the body, especially internal organs. There is no known cause for the disease, and presently statistics on the number of persons in the Bahamas living with lupus are limited.

“For me, lupus was a household word. I had seen my mother battle it all my life and my sister for most of my life. I had seen the times when my mother was low and people would pray over her bedside thinking that the end was near, and I had seen my sister get sick,” said Shonalee.

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Friday, May 5, 2017

“For me, there was a feeling of helpless. I can’t take the pain away. I can’t make you better, but I realised that this group is something that I can use my skills in marketing and public relations to raise the profile of this illness. It truly gave me a cause and a purpose that was bigger than myself.”

Together, the sisters launched Lupus 242, with Shanelle as president and Shonalee as vice-president. Immediately they realised that while lupus was affecting many families in the country, there was still a considerable lack of knowledge about the illness.

“People were aware of the word. They may have known or heard about someone who had lupus in passing, but they were unclear about what it entailed,” she said.

The group had about 20 members in its first year and set about raising awareness through a Facebook page, media appearances and articles.

While Shonalee focused on advocacy and awareness, Shanelle ensured that persons were who were living with lupus had a venue for support through the group’s monthly meetings.

“That was really Shanelle’s area. She was the one who called them, supported them and encouraged them from her perspective of living with lupus for so long. Lupus is not a pretty thing, it is very sad and it is very painful, but they were able to come together and find humour and release from what they were going through,” Shonalee explained.

“I have met so many amazing persons through Lupus 242. I hate that we had to meet over this, but they have greatly impacted my life. It has forced me to be focused on other people and not just my immediate family.”

In addition to the monthly support, during the month of May which is Lupus Awareness Month, the group launched several signature events, including a church service, a tea party, the Hope Floats balloon release ceremony to celebrate the lives

“I have met so many amazing persons through Lupus 242. I hate that we had to meet over this, but they have greatly impacted my life. It has forced me to be focused on other people and not just my immediate family.”is determined to carry on her late sister’s work. of persons who have passed on, and POP (Put On Purple) Fridays, where persons are encouraged to wear the official colour representing lupus to help raise awareness of the condition.

“We have now grown to about 50 plus persons since year one, five years later,” she

said proudly.

However, Shonalee and her Lupus 242 family suffered a major blow in March with Shanelle’s death.

“It’s something that has affected not just my family, but the Lupus 242 family so much,” she said. “And preparing for this year’s Lupus

Awareness Month is so much harder without her, but I know that this is something that we have to keep going. I look at my mother and she says to me, ‘We cannot lose momentum.

We have to continue in her honour and in celebration of her life’, because at the end of Shanelle’s illness when she

couldn’t physically attend the meetings she was still focused and dedicated to the cause.”

This month, Lupus 242 will hold a number of activities to commemorate Lupus Awareness Month, all in honour of Shanelle’s indomitable spirit and the spirit of all the people who battle the illness.

On Sunday May 7, the group will worship together at the Bahamas Harvest Church,.

“An important date every year on our calendar is May 10, World Lupus Day, which is commemorated globally. It’s a day when we stop to recognise the impact lupus has on lives here in the Bahamas,” said Shonalee.

“And while we know that this year the date falls on the day of the Bahamas’ general elections, we are encouraging all Bahamians, especially persons who would like to dress in neutral colours while voting, to POP at the polls – put on purple, vote, take photos, post online using the hashtag #POPAtThePolls and tag our group.”

On Friday, May 12, Lupus 242 and Big Picture Paint & Sip Studio will hold a POP, Paint & Sip fundraising event, and then on Saturday, May 20, Bahamians will gather at the top of Fort Charlotte for Hope Floats – a balloon release ceremony to remember those who have died from lupus. This year, the event will be held in honour of Shanelle.

A Lupus 242 health talk with local rheumatologist Dr K Neil Parker is scheduled for Saturday, May 27, at the Harry C Moore Library at the University of the Bahamas.

The month of activities will end with a presentation to the Rotary Club of Old Fort Bay. To support the cause, persons can attend events and purchase Lupus242 T-shirts, wristbands or bumper stickers.

Proceeds go towards local awareness initiatives and global research. For more information on the group and upcoming events, visit www. facebook.com/lupus242, email lupus242@outlook.com or call 525-9967.

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

section

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Friday, May 5, 2017

food and drinks Photo/Michael St John

Tacos by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville

Fiesta time!

A frozen margarita

Chicken fajitas

By CARA HUNT cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

A

re you ready for a rocking fiesta? Today is Cinco de Mayo, so it’s time to break out the sombreros, grab an ice cold margarita or tequila shot, and celebrate the Mexican holiday right here at home.

The holiday commemorates the day in 1862 when the Mexican Army defeated the French forces at the Battle of Puebla. It was an unlikely victory achieved under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.

In the United States and here in the Bahamas, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond its original purpose.

The date has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture.

In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, for example, through military parades.

So if you are looking to join our Mexican amigos in celebration of this special day, here are a few local ideas of where to party.

The Pink Octopus on West Bay Street will dish out a selection of tacos with shrimp, short ribs, sheep tongue or fried grouper, and

A green guacamole salsa offer margaritas at the price of two for one all day.

If you want to hop on over the bridge, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is the place to go. The popular hangout spot is having what they call a ‘Cinco de Drinko’.

They will offer $5 margaritas, $5 Patron shots and $3 habanero bombs. The drinks will be the perfect choice to accompany the $2.50 tacos which are on the menu.

Hungry guests can chose between pork, chicken and fresh fish tacos. Throughout the evening, DJ X will provide live music.

Meanwhile, Senor Frog’s Downtown will offer guests a traditional Mexican menu including all the favourites

such as salsa guacamole, fajitas and tacos, all in their usual party setting.

And of course the Green Parrot Bar & Grill on East Bay Street will once again offer a delicious Mexican menu complete with a speciality bar with $4 premium margaritas and DJ Ron spinning live.

If don’t feel like going out to celebrate, consider having friends over for a homemade taco bar instead.

Just get some shells and tortillas, a choice of several meat fillings and have all the assorted toppings on hand with a choice of tequila, margaritas and Coronas to wash it all down.

Happy fiesta!

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

books

The haunting continues Demand increases for Bahamian author’s novels

The top audiobooks on Audible.com The Associated Press

By BY FAY KNOWLES

W

ith an impressive number of pre-orders, best-selling Bahamian author Tanya R Taylor has released her 16th book and the second in her “Haunted” series – “The Haunting of Merci Hospital”.

And this new book is already on the Amazon Hot New Release list along with best-selling authors like Dean Koontz and Stephen King.

According to the popular “America’s Most Haunted” TV show, the first book her “Haunted” series, “Haunted Cruise: The Shakedown”, propelled Ms Taylor into the ranks of “horror greats”. And a Blogcritics reviewer wrote: “Tanya R Taylor is the possessor of one of the most ingenious and infinite minds in the horror genre to come along since Clive Barker, Stephen King and Ruth Rendell.”

“The Haunting of Merci Hospital” tells the story of the mysterious ongoings at an established medical facility. Catherine Lucene is fairly new at Merci, a highly regarded nurse whose reputation for excellence and compassion precedes her. She gradually becomes aware of the inexplicably sinister happenings at the hospital, but the underlying cause of it all evades her. Will Catherine’s determination to uncover the truth help preserve the lives of those not yet lost –including her own – or will her curiosity of the unknown propel her into a horrifying

1. For We Are Many: Bobiverse, Book 2 by Dennis E Taylor, narrated by Ray Porter 2. The Fix by David Baldacci, narrated by Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy

Author Tanya R Taylor state of being she never knew existed?

In addition to her successful “Haunted” series, Ms Taylor said her “The Real Illusions” saga, of which the final instalment was released last year, has also been a hit with readers.

Ms Taylor’s books “Cornelius” and “Infestation: A Small Town Nightmare” were best-sellers on Amazon and continue to be popular.

All of her books have made Amazon Kindle’s Top 100 Paid Best-sellers list in several categories. She writes in various genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, thrillers, science fiction, mystery and suspense.

And her most recent release, “10 Minutes Before Sleeping”, the story of a young woman named Eva who is left on the doorstep of a neighbour as a child, abused, neglected, rejected and without a legal footing, shows that she can write a good drama, too.

This book was a number one Hot New Release and made Amazon’s top

The latest instalment in the “Haunted” series.

100 in several categories. Paperback copies of “10 Minutes Before Sleeping” are available locally at Logos Bookstore in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

Meanwhile, Ms Taylor is listening to her fans’ wishes and is releasing part four in the paranormal “Cornelius” saga. The new instalment, “We See No Evil” , will debut on June 6.

And later this year, watch out for “The Contract”, a story of intrigue, deception, betrayal and murder.

This is a work of fiction based on the special agreement between the Bahamas and the United States which was in effect from 1943 to 1965, where Bahamian citizens migrated to the US on short-term contracts to work in agriculture.

For more information about this author and her books, visit www. tanyaRtaylor.com, www.amazon.com/ author/tanyartaylor or www.facebook. com/tanyaRtaylorbooks.

3. Hattie B Magical Vet: The Dragon’s Song by Claire Taylor-Smith, narrated by Penelope Rawlins 4. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, narrated by Lenny Henry 5. A Quiet Life in the Country: A Lady Hardcastle Mystery, Book 1

by T E Kinsey, narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden 6. The Heartfix: An Online Dating Diary by Stella Grey, narrated by Penelope Rawlins 7. The Handmaid’s Tale: Special Edition by Margaret Atwood, narrated by Claire Danes, author and full cast 8. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, narrated by the author 9. We Are Legion (We Are Bob): Bobiverse, Book 1 by Dennis E Taylor, narrated by Ray Porter 10. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, narrated by Caroline Lee

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Friday, May 5, 2017

books

‘Nutty Buddies’ battle bullies

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

M

odern media has been increasingly shining a light on bullying among youth and its consequences; most recently in the controversial Netflix show “13 Reasons Why”, for example.

Here in the Bahamas, two friends, Alexandria Rodgers and Christopher ‘The Peanut King’ Adderley, have come together to create a special book that teaches kids how to recognise the signs of bullying and ways to respond.

“The Nutty Buddies” is a six-page colouring book which also offers games and a short educational story. The book aims to encourage readers in a fun and direct way to freely talk about bullying, to know that it is not OK, and learn how to always treat others with kindness.

The project came about as a result of a chance meeting between two artists.

“I’m the seventh child of the late Richard Russell, one of the first sign artists in Nassau, so my art background came from him,” said Alexandria, the book’s illustrator.

“I’ve always loved painting and drawing. At my current job, I met Christopher, who came in to get some printing done. I saw his labels and asked who designed them, which he did of course, and it started a conversation that led to a colouring book idea.

I told him that I can illustrate the book and set it up, and thus ‘The Nutty Buddies’ was born.”

They both agreed that educating young persons on the important subject of bullying through fun illustrations was a great idea.

“I’ve got to tell you, this being my first illustration and collaboration with Christopher, it was a lot of hard work, but also a great experience. I’ve always wanted to create a book but never followed through. I feel God places people in your life for a reason and I’m happy about this venture,” said Alexandria.

Through its characters – anthropomorphised nuts such Mr Peanut Head, Ms Hazel, Mr Almond and Mr Cashew – the book shows how some persons

ies’ addresses ‘The Nutty Budd way. ok bo g in ur lo co novative The new ing in a fun and in the topic of bully you meet in life can appear to be friendly and kind at the beginning of an acquaintance, only to turn out to be untrustworthy and have hidden agendas.

“I feel it fits with everyday life. In the book there are crossword puzzles and mazes, which I added at the end of the story. If I had the chance to do it all over again I would add more activities, but all in all I wouldn’t change it because it teaches

you how to proceed the next time around,” said Alexandria.

There are no plans for am official book launch to-date, but readers can look forward to mass production in the near future.

‘The Nutty Buddies’ is now on sale and available via Jah Cris’ Peanut Punch page on Facebook or e-mail: designsbyalex@ gmail.com and peanutpunchking@gmail.com.

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Ready for da road Carnival time

Friday, May 5, 2017

A

s the title sponsors of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, BTC has reaffirmed its commitment to making an investment in culture in the Bahamas.

BTC has thrown its support behind the festival from its inception in 2015, contributing $1m annually in cash and kind services.

This year is no different as the third installment of Junkanoo Carnival last weekend in Grand Bahama and now over three days in Nassau would have not been made possible without the company’s generous support.

Tonight will see the showdown of the Music Masters song competition - the premier music event of Carnvial - live in front of thousands of festival-goers followed by performances from Trinidadian soca stars Machel Montano and Bunji Garland.

Roscoe Dames, co-chairperson of the Bahamas National Festival Commission, said BTC’s contribution has gone a long way towards defraying the costs of executing the event and helping to develop the Bahamas’ culture.

When approached about sponsoring the festival three years ago, Carol Barnett, BTC’s Senior Manager, Events & Sponsorships, said the company jumped at the opportunity because “we believe in Bahamians”.

“BTC has been a part of the event from the inception. When we were initially approached we said ‘yes’ because we believe in Bahamians, we believe in culture. The fusion of Junkanoo and Carnival is just simply amazing,” she said.

Last month, BTC took another bold step by sponsoring five bands including Bahamas Masqueraders, Enigma Bahamas, Reckless Pirates, Euphoria Madness and Xtasy Bahamas.

“This sponsorship is something that is really meaningful to BTC,” Ms Barnett said.

“We looked at the festival from the first year

Performers on stage in Grand Bahama last weekend to now and we see the growth and development. We know that the first year was a bit shaky but it was something that was new to the Bahamas and the festival commission put its best foot forward and did a fantastic job. So it is our intent to be here and see the young people develop their talents,” she said.

“Surely our $1,000,000 is large in our pot. But for us it’s about branding. For us it’s about being fully ingrained in this event and being able to afford Bahamians exposure.”

Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival has created opportunities for many artists who would have not had a platform otherwise to develop or showcase their talents.

Ms Barnett said BTC remains supportive of the local arts and those a part of the creative community.

“One of the things that we tout from time-to-time is the fact that because we are on every island, rock and cay, we are able to expose all Bahamians to this kind of activity happening in the

Ready for da road BTC is the title sponsor of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival in Grand Bahama (April 28-29) and Nassau (May 4-6)

Bahamas,” she said.

“All of the talent that we have here, we want to see that mushroom. So we see this is an opportunity for Bahamians to get out there and develop their entrepreneurial skills. So you see the groups expanding, you see young Bahamians writing their music and participating in the event and this is what we want to afford Bahamians.

So this is the reason why we spend the money. We have a vested interest in the Bahamas and this is why we say it is BTC’s country,” she said.

Mr Dames says BTC’s contribution is not only an investment in culture but an investment in people. “You plant your seed where you want to see your harvest,” he said.

BTC is also a sponsor of the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017, which reaches a climax this weekend at the Malcolm Park beach soccer facility off East Bay Street, and supported the Carifta swimming championships at Easter in Nassau.

JEFFARAH GIBSON

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Friday, May 5, 2017

entertainment

A hip hop take on the art of dance

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

W

ith a firm belief that “there is a future in dance” in the Bahamas, a local entertainment company recently held a hip hop workshop that attracted many Bahamians who wanted to learn more about this particular medium of performance art.

Chino Symonette of Straight Movement Promotions organised the workshop at J-Line Fitness along with dance groups like the Xclusive Dance Crew, Juice Unit and the Swiffz team.

“We are focused on youth empowerment and the enhancement of talent all over the country, whether it is song, dance, music or the arts. The talent here in the Bahamas is overwhelming and literally right in your face, so we need to create more outlets to cater to these talents and nurture them to become more professional,” said Mr Symonette.

Known for hosting dance competitions throughout the country, Mr Symonette told Tribune Weekend that the aim of the workshop was to also “spark more fire in the dance industry”.

“We are known for hosting several dance competitions like the ‘Jackpot event’, where we get to send Bahamian dance groups such as Juice Unit and the Swiffz dance crew to compete in international competitions abroad in Las Vegas at the world championships.

They made history as the first local group to ever compete that far. Juice Unit have also performed at the ‘World of Dance’ event, another major competition as well. Our main focus is to have your talents seen and heard by the right people,” he said.

Jorrell “Joe” Dames and the Xclusive Dance Crew members gladly flew in from Grand Bahama to share their hip hop dance techniques with the workshop participants. Grateful that the workshop received positive feedback, even after having a late start, Mr

in the Straight ncers take part da ed nc va ad e Line Fitness. mor Beginners and otions hip hop workshop at Jom Movement Pr

“The talent here in the Bahamas is overwhelming and literally right in your face, so we need to create more outlets to cater to these talents and nurture them to become more professional.”

Dames said everyone participated at their pace.

“We have a beginners class for the people that want to do it, but they are kind of shy, and an advanced class for those that want to enhance further. We are letting persons see that what we are doing here is positive,” he said.

“There is a future in dance. People think there isn’t, but we are here to break that stereotype. We post all of our videos on social media for persons to view from near and far; for them to see what talent we have in the Bahamas. We are here and we are not going to let it die out.

We are here to always shine light on the art of dance.”

12| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

music PHOTOS/SHAWN HANNA

Jeffrey Osborne wows with classic love songs Grammy Award winner admits to love of Bahamian food

Jeffrey Osborne arrives at Lynden Pindling International Airport.

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

A

lthough it had been six years since Grammy Award-winning singer Jeffrey Osborne last visited the Bahamas, stepping foot on Nassau soil last week the crooner admitted that his love for the islands and his favourite local dish – cracked conch – has not waned.

In fact, enjoying cracked conch right from the shell was one of the first things he wanted to do once getting off his plane last Thursday at the Lynden Pindling International Airport.

The “On the Wings of Love” singer was in the Bahamas to perform at the Kingdor Parkinson Foundation’s 17th annual gala ball last Saturday. Held under the theme “Keeping Hope Alive”, the black-tie fundraiser was hosted at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort.

In addition to enjoying a four-course meal prepared by world-renowned chefs, guests were also entertained by Mr Osborne – a singer, songwriter and lyricist who has written hits for musical greats such as Whitney Houston (“All At Once”), appeared on USA for Africa’s fundraising single “We Are the World”, and had the highest-charting hit of his career duetting with Dionne Warwick on “Love Power”.

At the ball, he wowed the guests with beautiful love songs and invited them to the dance floor.

And even though he has been performing for many years, Mr Osborne said his shows are always unexpected because he never knows exactly which songs he will sing.

What is always certain, however, is that his performances feature both songs from his time as the leader of the R&B funk band LTD and from his solo work.

“I never know what I am going to do.

I mix things up so it’s expected but unexpected. I found out that the last three times coming here that people love the LTD songs, so I have to make sure that I do some of them,” Mr Osborne told Tribune Weekend.

“It is interesting, because different places you go, people like to hear different things. So songs that I don’t normally play in the US, sometimes I have to play when I come to the islands.

Strangely enough, ‘Getting Better All the Time’, many people don’t know that song in the US. It’s a big song in China and Canada.”

Being able to create music that is timeless and beloved by people all around the globe is something the soul singer said he is fortunate enough to have experienced throughout his career.

“It doesn’t surprise me that people

still love to hear my songs. That is actually a great thing, because it is the only reason why I am still working. I don’t have any current music, so it is all of my old stuff that people love and that is what keeps me going,” he said.

“I find that happens a lot with veteran artists. They don’t have anything current, but their songs still have longevity. And you have to be pretty fortunate to have a good run like that.”

Now that his short time in the

Bahamas has wrapped up, Mr Osborne will get back to creating new music and performing gigs around the world.

“I have so much other work to get back to. Then I take off for a two-week cruise to Italy. It’s a jazz cruise and we go out for two weeks. But lately I have been recording new music. I haven’t had a commercial record in 10 years.

The last record I had was jazz record and that was about four years ago. So I am excited about that,” he said.

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Friday, May 5, 2017

celebrity

PART

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

HIT

FAIL

HIT

HIT

Rihanna in Comme des Garçons

Chrissy Teigen in Marchesa

Haley Bennett in Dolce & Gabbana

Cara Delevingne in Chanel

Karin says: “This year’s theme was of course dedicated to influential Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo and her label Comme des Garçons, so Rihanna obviously won right off the bat by wearing one of their creations.

It’s just so over the top, so dramatic; it’s more modern art than fashion.”

Cara says: “This dress is intricate and amazing. It is like someone spent hours just attaching origami all over her body. The colours and the patterns are lovely. And let’s be honest, after last year’s yellow dress that launched a million memes we really would have been disappointed if she had gone for anything less.”

Karin says: “Chrissy did not take well to all the criticism about her dress on social media, but truly this is a horrendous look. Unlike RiRi’s theatrical piece of wearable art, this is just an ugly dress which makes her look like she has chicken legs... plucked feathers and all.”

Cara says: “I think the first eyesore are the feathers on the neck and sleeves. If they weren’t there and you were left with just the rosettes, it may have been just unattractive as opposed to hideous. It’s like baby Luna attacked the dress when mommy wasn’t looking. It’s just too much and too all over the place.”

Karin says: “The insane floral headpiece is everything. One of these days I want to go to an event where you can dress like you just caught a horse-drawn carriage from 18th century Versailles to the party.

It’s simply so dramatic, but still very pretty. Just a majestic look.”

Cara says: “And the flower child in me just died a million deaths. It’s like a garden threw up all over her and I am totally fine with that. The headpiece makes a STATEMENT, especially with how relatively simple her gown is. It’s a perfect match.”

Karin says: “The model-turned-actress was the talk of the night after she had her newly shaved head sprayed with a silver cap. It’s both very futuristic and at the same time very ‘70s David Bowie. I like it. It shows you don’t have to wear a huge gown to rock the MET gala.”

Cara says: “My only complaint is that the belt looks a little cheap. I get the shine, but I don’t know, it’s like a big band of foil is attacking her waist.

But other than that minor pet peeve, I think the outfit is very Judy Jetson, and I like it!”

• See PAGE 16 for Weekend Fashion Report Part II

AP PHOTOS

The Weekend Fashion Report MET Museum Costume Institute Benefit Gala

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16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

celebrity

PART

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

SPLIT

FAIL

SPLIT

HIT

Katy Perry in John Galliano

Kerry Washington in Michael Kors

Kylie Jenner in Versace

Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana

Karin says: “Katy’s been having a rough couple of weeks – flop singles, several controversies and a breakup – and I think it shows. Yes, others also wore huge elaborate, eclectic gowns, but for some reason in Katy’s case it seems to swamp her. She just doesn’t seem confident in her style and is struggling for an identity.”

Cara says: “The dress is lovely. It kind of reminds me of a Japanese building in its structure. I suspect she was going for a mysterious geisha type effect with the veil and kimono style sleeves, but yeah, it is a bit big. And honestly, the black headpiece on the veil is distracting. It looks like a colony of spiders landed on her head.”

Karin says: “First of all, I hate that hair on her; hate it! (and the choker) The dress is just ugly, and not even in an artsy way. It’s a style we’ve seen before. It’s basically a more expensive quilt worn as a gown. It’s just not an impressive look.”

Cara says: “So, a few things are wrong with this outfit. First, she has that shiny silver one-boob action going on.

Second, it looks like she is wearing a bra under an ugly strapless dress. And third, what is that random unnecessary cut-out? Combine that with the fabric and it just doesn’t work. I don’t mind the hair, the dress killed it way before I noticed the hair.”

Karin says: “Apart from that hideous wig, this ensemble is very nice to look at. The only problem is, haven’t we seen big sis Kim wear an almost identical dress at some point or another (who in turn was probably imitating Beyoncé)? She looks fine, just not very original.”

Cara says: “I don’t mind this outfit at all. It’s pretty, the colour is nice and I like the detail on the sleeves and on the rest of the dress. Even if we have seen similar, she still carries it off.

Thumbs up for this one, Kylie.”

Karin says: “I love this look! While I’m not crazy about the parrot print, I love the colour scheme, the flared skirt, the train, the over-the-shoulder sleeve...and of course the hair! This is a real attention-grabbing ensemble.

I don’t know how her acting career is going, but she is killing it on red carpets. She looks fabulous.”

Cara says: “I actually love the parrot print! We rarely see this type of pattern on the red carpet. This is a ‘Here I am! Look at me!’ print with an entire aviary of birds and flowers all over. It is stunning, absolutely stunning.”

AP PHOTOS

The Weekend Fashion Report MET Museum Costume Institute Benefit Gala

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Friday, May 5, 2017

film

Five things you don’t know about Baby Groot of ‘Guardians’

B

aby Groot was “born” at the end of the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” film, and the extraterrestrial, treelike creature is a tiny, scene-stealing superhero in “Vol 2.”

Voiced by Vin Diesel, the computer-generated character usually says just one thing — “I am Groot” — but it means everything, and his intergalactic comrades always seem to understand his (often foulmouthed) message.

Groot — regenerated from the massive tree-like character in the first film — can grow his arms and legs into twisted branches that can open doors and drawers and pull him into and out of tight spots, but here are five things you don’t know about the woodsy humanoid: 1. Groot apparently took on various duties behind the camera. Stay tuned through the closing credits of “Guardians, Vol 2” to spot Groot’s “contributions” throughout. Groot’s name appears throughout the credits — in graphics, special effects and various other departments — which are worth sitting through

(l-r) Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Groot, his trusty companion. for the inevitable Marvel movie-ending “Easter eggs” that hint at future action.

2. Baby Groot is an unofficial Earth Day ambassador.

Marvel, which considers Groot to be “the galaxy’s top tree,” joined with the Disney Conservation Fund and the Nature Conservancy to plant a tree every time the hashtag #GrootDanceBomb shows up on social media. Marvel aims to donate $250,000 by the time

the film opens Friday.

3. Baby Groot’s sweet appearance belies his terrible temper. “He’s completely adorable, but has a lot more anger issues than adult Groot did,” says writerdirector James Gunn.

4. Co-starring alongside actors Dave Bautista and Chris Pratt, who both stand over six feet, Baby Groot proved to be a challenge for the cinematographers framing the

Baby Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) shots. They used a sculpture of the 10-inch diminutive character, which was created entirely in CGI for the film, and special camera rigging to capture Baby Groot’s perspective amid the other superheroes.

5. Franchise star Pratt, who plays Guardians leader Star-Lord, knew early on in the filming that he could be upstaged by his tiny co-star. During the opening sequence, while the

Guardians battle a massive, multi-jawed space slug, the camera stays focused on a dancing Baby Groot in the foreground. Gunn recalled Pratt looking over at the sculpture of Groot in the scene and saying, “Damn it, he’s going to steal the whole movie.”

• “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2” opens at Galleria Cinemas today SANDY COHEN AP Entertainment Writer

Bahamian launches production company in Canada A Bahamian filmmaker announced his presence to the Canadian film industry earlier this week with the launch of his production company StarLight Films.

Jonathan Miller Jr, the company’s CEO, hosted an exclusive launch event on Wednesday evening in Toronto.

This exclusive event was marked by an introduction

of the company’s executives, inclusive of the directors, producers, writers and cast for each planned film project.

The company’s primary focus as a production company is to work with emerging new talent.

“Our goal is to create remarkable stories that we are assured will genuinely resonate with our audiences and

foster impactful conversations, both nationally and internationally,” said Mr Miller.

“Our mission is to establish a dynamic platform for writers, actors, producers and other key members of the production teams, where they will be continually be inspired by their our work and be driven by their passion, meanwhile doing what they we all love.

The company’s content reach includes the following: TV, film, theatre, digital content, and documents.”

StarLight Films currently has two films in production: ‘Stories of Ours’ and ‘Abducted’.

“Our vision for StarLight Films is where we are determined to be a world-class film company in Toronto that sup-

ports filmmakers, engages the community and expands on the appreciation for independent film production,” said Mr Miller.

“At StarLight Films, we will create and capture visually stimulating, mentally-captivating and heart-wrenching stories with profound truthfulness and sincerity.”

18| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

podcasts

Short and sweet Shows for your coffee break

By STEPHEN HUNT shunt@tribunemedia.net

S

ometimes you have a long time to settle down to listen to a podcast – sometimes you have a coffee break. This week’s podcast review looks at shows all clocking in at 20 minutes or less.

The Organist It’s amazing how much gets packed in to a single episode of ‘The Organist’. This monthly podcast looks at all manner of different issues – think of it as taking a slice of life each time.

The episode I listened to focused on the life of music legend William Bell. Who’s that, I hear you say? Well, you see he should be a legend. He was a singer and songwriter emerging from Stax Records at the moment it was so very, very hot.

As a kid, he used to lie under the bed covers listening to Nat King Cole singing Unforgettable and daydreaming his own songs.

Those songs went on to be covered by everyone. Really, everyone. We’re talking Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Billy Idol, Eric Clapton... Homer Simpson, for crying out loud.

And sampled by all kinds of artists, such as Ludacris.

So why don’t we know more about William Bell?

Well, at the height of his popularity, as he was on a tour and booked out for a week at the Apollo... he got drafted.

When he tried to defer his draft, he got fooled by a draft sergeant and was in uniform before he knew what hit him.

By the time he got out, the music scene had moved on without him.

And yet he’s back, in his 70s, with music telling his story of all those years – and this show is an excellent... no, more than that, a stunning piece of storytelling in a short span of time.

Website: kcrw.com/theorganist

Getting On With James Urbaniak Running at about the same running time is James Urbaniak’s stylish, laid-back podcast filled with a host of made-up characters.

Each episode sees Urbaniak taking on a role – such as in

the episode I listened to featuring a low-rent actor clinging to the myth that he’s really the son of Frank Sinatra, citing scanty evidence other than an obsessive interest in Sinatra’s career.

It’s full of great moments, from him saying his mother must have been a showgirl because he has legs longer than an iTunes licence agreement to the sound of the worldweary stage manager rapping on the door and telling him to get on stage now.

For a short running time, you get really involved with this character, whose hopes and dreams fell short where those of others flew to the Moon – all immaculately observed, beautifully detailed.

If you don’t listen to this with a wry, amused smile on your face, I’d be very surprised.

Website: http://gettingonwithju.libsyn.com/

Ten Minute Podcast Sounding very much more off the cuff is the ‘Ten Minute Podcast’, which pretty much does what it says in the title.

It’s in and out in the time it takes to make the coffee.

Comedian Will Sasso and buddies Chad Kultgen and Tommy Blacha are pretty much here to have a good time, and the laugh and banter is quick and easy.

I’ll confess I wish they didn’t spend so much time doing ads in the limited time as they do, but if you can ignore that, this is as quick a hit as an espresso and just as likely to lift the spirits.

Think raucous, fun, morning DJs that you can catch up with at any time, and you won’t be too far off.

Website: http://tenminutepodcast.com

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Friday, May 5, 2017

gardening

The garden in May Despite what the calendar indicates, May is the beginning of summer, says Jack Hardy.

T

emperatures rise, thunder grumbles in the distance, and royal poinciana begins its unashamedly gaudy show. The vegetable garden winds down and the fruit trees pick up.

The lawn demands mowing. Midday gardening becomes an uncomfortable chore and all garden work is best accomplished in the early and late hours of the day.

In spite of all this we spend more time during the warm months sitting on our porches or stoops, or our decking, or in our gazebo. The annuals that provided beauty in plots, pots and hanging baskets are at the end of their lifespan and probably looking ragged. Take time to remove seed capsules from petunias and impatiens before pulling them up.

You will be glad you did in October when the temperature cools and the cycle starts again.

Summer annuals should have been sown from seed by now but it is not too late to sow the fast growing marigolds, vincas, zinnias and cosmos that relish our summer conditions. Your local nursery may have sets of seedlings available for you to transplant and establish an instant flower garden.

The beauty of bulbs is that once planted they appear year after year.

Tuberose flowers You forget all about them until they astonish you with their display.

I particularly love the gloriosa lily vines that climb surreptitiously so I do not notice them until the flowers mass. My Hippeanthus produces large flowers that are so beautiful I photograph them every year. One of my great favourites is tuberose. In addition to its lovely ivory double flowers, it exudes a distinctly spicy scent that permeates the surrounding area.

Many of our herbs will die off during summer unless we give them special attention. If you grow herbs in a special area – a herb garden – it would be a good idea to transplant some to substantial pots and place them in a position where they can receive morning and evening sun but be shaded during the afternoon hours when temperatures are high. Thyme, sage, oregano and most Mediterranean herbs may survive summer if you shade them and keep them well watered. Parsley is a biennial but is usually treated as an annual and re-sown every year.

May is the month when our onions that we planted in December or January can be harvested. Pull them out of the ground on a dry day once the foliage has fully dried. Remove the roots with scissors or thumbnail. Any onions you intend to use within a week should have their foliage clipped off leaving at least an inch of dry stalk in place because the top of the onion is the last

part to cure.

The rest of your onions should be stored for future use by keeping them in airy conditions. The best way is to plait or tie the leaves of 8-10 onions together, tie them in two or three places with twine, than hang the bunches in a shaded position that catches the breeze.

Alternatively you can cut the leaves off and store several dozen onions in a net bag for hanging. If you use this method you will have to ‘massage’ the bag of onions every few days to ensure that onions in the middle are moved to the outside to get their share of the breeze.

Most pineapple plants should have formed fruits by now. Remember the crown at the top of each fruit is there for a purpose and should receive a shot of Miracid when you do your weekly spray of the inner foliage.

I should tell you to start reserving the strength of your mature strawberry plants by cutting away all flowers and runners as they form but I know I would be wasting my time. Strawberries taste too good. Those juvenile plants you have established from runners this year should be so treated, however, if they are precocious. Bite the bullet and keep them virginal; you will be rewarded next year.

It looks as though this will be a great year for mangoes. Winter was fairly dry and did not have the destructive high winds that sometimes ruin a crop.

You will find a few fruits falling from

the tree but this is normal and called ‘May drop’ by commercial growers. If you have any Nam Doc Mai or other yellow-fruited mango trees you can use the May drop fruits to make chutney.

As usual the first tree of the year to bear fruit was my wax jambu (Java apple). I have decided I should make more use of the avalanche of fruits it drops so every day I harvest a few dozen and cut away the outside flesh and boil it up with a little sugar and plenty of water. This makes a pleasant cordial on its own but is even better when mixed with orange juice. When cooked – but not when raw – wax jambu has a distinct lychee taste.

Wax jambu fruits are awkward to harvest. The clusters of fruit are way too large to use a traditional fruit picker. If you get on a ladder and pick by hand you will find that for every fruit you remove half a dozen will fall to the ground.

It will soon be the turn of the smaller fruits – grumichama, Surinam cherry, Barbados cherry – to be harvested. I like to let my Barbados cherries stay on the tree until deep red, almost burgundy, before picking and popping in my mouth. Most of the cherries are picked by my grandchildren but I sometimes have enough to boil up and make a cordial that goes nicely in a rum punch.

• For questions and comments e-mail j.hardy@coralwave.com.

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

beauty

Get your curl on CurlyFest Bahamas is back with a message and more

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

E

VEN though the natural hair movement continues to grow by leaps and bounds all around the world, unfortunately there are still many sectors of life where curly and ‘kinky’ hair is viewed as unacceptable.

“It isn’t professional, according to some; isn’t truly attractive, according to others,” said Malika Pryor-Martin, the founder of CurlyFest Bahamas – a unique event that celebrates the natural hair movement.

She has even had experiences where other black women suggested to her that natural hair is only a good thing in some instances, or for some types of hair.

However, Malika hopes to hammer home the message that natural hair is good for everyone who chooses it.

CurlyFest Bahamas will be taking over the grounds of Doongalik Studios on May 27, starting at 2pm.

“I think we have to keep sending the message that every girl, every woman, every person really, is sufficient as she or he is when it comes to hair, and even other issues as well,” said Malika.

“We have to challenge the larger societal ideas that to be acceptable is somehow to have straight hair or a certain complexion. We also have to challenge those notions in our community, our families, and quite frankly, when we look in the mirror. We have to question why we think these things.

I truly believe that it’s possible to rid ourselves of the idea that to be kinky haired is ugly...maybe in a generation.

But we have to continue the conversation and demand better of ourselves and each other, which is not always easy. CurlyFest Bahamas is intended to be the super fun side of that.”

For its second instalment, CurlyFest will include live hair demonstrations

and talks on hair care; a pop-up spa and salon where event-goers can have simple styles and treatments done on-site, and a dance party. There will also be a fashion and hair showcase where some of the latest trends in natural hair will be on display.

“The ‘90s are making a comeback: from box braids to fat twists, to the gold clips and cowry shell hair and loc jewellery for decoration,” said Malika.

“Many women are also just going for it and chopping it off, not just to return to their natural hair, but because there

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Friday, May 5, 2017

PHOTOS/TORRELL GLINTON

“We have to challenge the larger societal ideas that to be acceptable is somehow to have straight hair or a certain complexion.”

Scenes from last year’s CurlyFest Bahamas.

are just so many great cuts now. The variety is never-ending for short hair and for a lot of women – including myself these days – it just makes sense because there’s an ease to it.

More importantly, Malika seeks to position the festival as a celebration of the natural hair movement, as well as an opportunity for people to be educated.

She added that many women find it difficult to transition to natural hair because there is not much information on how to properly care for their hair readily available.

“CurlyFest Bahamas is a party that is centered around self-care and love. Most of our attendees come to find products that can work for them or produce certain results for their hair and skin. So, the Kinks & Curls Marketplace will always be an incredibly important feature. It’s actually one of the reasons we work really hard to keep the price of entry low. We want our event-goers to spend their money on vendors, getting a chance to really experiment and invest in themselves, not just their ticket. Also, the hair demonstrations, which we are building out this year, will be a great way for folks to see not just that it’s possible to create a certain style, but also how to create it themselves,” she said.

CurlyFest Bahamas started as a group of women discussing natural hair on Facebook, but has today grown into a big, real life celebration.

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Malika started her online natural hair group after relocating to the Bahamas with her husband. She came up with the idea for the group so that women could have a place to come together and discuss hair, give advice and offer encouragement to each other.

“I started Nassau Naturalistas two years ago with the hope of contributing to the natural hair dialogue and really changing the conversation about hair and identity. I heard little girls, toddlers, being told that their hair, something that grew out of their heads, was bad. It maddened me,” she said.

“I want us to at least feel ashamed when we say things like that so we can stop saying it and perhaps eventually stop believing it all together.

Naturalistas is nearly 1,000 women strong, now. It is still a safe space for women to engage and ask and answer questions. But more than anything, it is a practical resource for women here in Nassau, especially. Where to go for this kind of style, how to wrap your hair, etcetera. However, there are also deeper questions posed. There was a really great discussion recently between several ladies about the Shea Moisture ad controversy. The perspectives were really diverse. Our page strives to honour the differences of our group members so that no voice is silenced,” said Malika.

Tickets for CurlyFest can be purchased at Doongalik Studios from Monday to Friday,10am to 4pm.

General admission for adults and kids ages six and up is $5. Children under six are free. The VIP ticket includes a CurlyFest branded gift bag and a chance at winning some goodies.

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

literary lives anthony white

Bird man of the Bahamas Sir Christopher Ondaatje remembers the ornithological expert and author of the definitive ‘A Birder’s Guide to the Bahama Islands’ a year on from his death.

C

ommander Anthony White was an ornithologist and retired American Naval Intelligence officer who was a winter resident in the Bahamas for almost

45 years.

A Princeton graduate (1958), he was a cryptologist in the Navy and was fluent in Mandarin, Japanese and Russian. He served in Taiwan, Japan, Alaska and Scotland.

He married his wife, Katherine Porter Isham, in St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Lyford Cay in 1971, after which he devoted his life to becoming a leading authority on Bahamian birds.

It was in 1998 that he authored ‘A Birder’s Guide to the Bahama Islands’, which was published by American Birding Association Inc and which became by far the most comprehensive birding book ever published for the Bahamian islands (as well as the Turks and Caicos).

White lived in Bethesda, Maryland, and

ANTHONY White (left) with author Bruce Hallett at the launch of the Delphi Club Book of the Birds of Abaco in 2014. (Photo/Rolling Harbour) was President of the Maryland Ornithological Society and the Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States. For many years he served on the Wildlife Committee and Council of the Bahamas National Trust, and was a founding member of the Trust’s New Providence Bird Club.

‘A Birder’s Guide to the Bahamas’ covers an unusually wide range of Caribbean and North American birds with over 300 species recorded.

There are three endemic Bahamian species: the Bahama Woodstar (a hummingbird), the Bahamas Swallow and the Bahama Yellowthroat.

Other unique species include the West Indian Whistling Duck (now thriving on the private Hog Cay, north of Long Island), the Whitecheeked Pintail, the Key West Quail Dove, Great Lizard Cuckoo, Cuban Emerald (another hummingbird), the West Indian Woodpecker, Bahama Mockingbird (different and bigger than the Northern Mockingbird), Olive-capped Warbler, Stripe-headed

Tanager, Greater Antillean Bullfinch, and Black-cowled Oriole.

Audubon’s Shearwaters, Whitetailed Tropicbirds and eight different Tern species all nest in the Bahamian cays. White has some interesting anecdotes about some of these birds.

The Bahamian Parrot, the Kirtland Warbler and the Flamingo are other Bahamian birds included in White’s informative book.

I have been birding with Tony White a few times on New Providence Island. He was a charming, patient and curious companion. I particularly remember late in October a few years ago in the reserve near Big Pond that Tony spotted a Pale Flycatcher with a conspicuously long blackish tail and dark wings.

“Quick, Christopher”, Tony ordered, “Get that photograph.” I did as I was told on my Canon EOS 450D digital camera, only to have Tony explain to me that the bird was a Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher – a vagrant in the Bahamas and West Indies from October to December, and whose typical range

encompasses Central North America south to Panama. “It is only the second time I’ve ever seen the bird here in the Bahamas,” Tony exclaimed.

He later proudly sent my photograph to the prestigious quarterly journal ‘North American Birds’.

Tony White also tipped me off as early as 2001 as to the Bahama Woodstar, a tiny hummingbird whose male has a deep green top, white lower colours, a black forked rufous tail, and a reddish violet throat. The bird is endemic to the Bahamas and is not found anywhere else in the world. As White explained to me, “the Woodstars are found everywhere in the Bahamas except Abaco, Andros, and Grand Bahama, because the more aggressive Cuban Emeralds exist on these islands. Also, there is a subspecies that you find on Inagua and Little Inagua where the colouring of the male extends above the bill.

Their tail also seems longer and more forked.”

I was to photograph this unique bird on Great Inagua quite soon

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Friday, May 5, 2017

after that. It is not just a different subspecies, and was recognised eventually by the American Ornithologists Union in 2015 as the Inagua Woodstar – a completely different distinct species.

Great Inagua, the most southerly of the Bahamian Islands, is one of the prime birding destinations. It is the third largest island in the Bahamas and hosts the largest flock of flamingoes in North America – estimated at approaching 80,000.

“Flamingoes, the national bird of the Bahamas, are endangered ... The only remaining colony, on Great Inagua, was down to 5,000 pairs in 1951. The establishment of the Inagua National Park and careful stewardship by local wardens have enabled the population to flourish.”

Inagua is also home to the Bahama Parrot, a socially noisy and very colourful bird.

These parrots, actually a subspecies of the Cuban Parrot, are also found on Abaco, where they nest on the ground rather than in trees - as they do on Inagua.

“Bahama Parrots are restricted to Abaco and Great Inagua. The Abaco population, consisting of 1,300 birds, is endangered. Their preference for nesting underground in small sinkholes leaves them vulnerable to feral cats, raccoons and pigs ... Parrots on Great Inagua are less vulnerable to feral cats and other predators because they nest in tree cavities.”

There are other extraordinary things Tony White had to say about the birds of the Bahamas. The magnificent Frigatebird is black with a sharply forked tail. Males have a conspicuous red throat sack that they inflate to attract mates. It is a wonderful sight, and if you take the trouble they can be seen on the Mangrove Islands west of Abaco. It is worth the journey, but get a good bird guide to take you there. The islands are hard to find.

“Although Frigatebirds nest only on isolated cays in the Southern Bahamas, they range widely as far north as Grand Bahama ... They never settle on water.

Instead they feed by picking up prey off the surface or by chasing other birds and forcing them to drop their prey. Seeing a Frigatebird chase a Booby and force it to drop its fish is an experience a birder will never forget.”

White has admitted that the Great Lizard Cuckoo is his favourite Bahamian bird. They are fairly common and secretive residents on Andros and Eleuthera.

“Great Lizard Cuckoos can be remarkably hard to see despite their large size.

Frequently found when they betray their presence by scolding the passerby with a loud kek,kek,kek, and can be drawn into view by spishing.” (‘Spishing’ is a colourful birding term - imitating the warning notes songbirds use to alert others of a lurk-

THE BAHAMA (Cuban) Parrot ing predator. It was a tactic used often by Tony White when we were out birding. I had never heard of the word before - but I must say it was most successful in getting curious birds to show themselves.)

The Bahamas is a chain of over 700 limestone islands, cays and rocks rising above the Atlantic Ocean and extending southeastwards from Florida towards the northern shore of Cuba. Scattered over an area of 1,100km in length, it encompasses a total land area of 13,940 square kms. White’s ‘A Birder’s Guide to the Bahama Islands’ covers all the 300 species, including the 109 winter residents, and it is impossible to imagine that any bird or area has been left out of his instructive book.

Quite apart from it being the most incisive guidebook ever published on the Bahamas, it is equally as informative as ‘Birds of the West Indies’, published in 1998 by Christopher Helm (Publishers) Ltd, a subsidiary of A&C Black (publishers) Ltd in London.

However, White’s book is much more selective geographically.

Continued on page 24

THE UNUSUAL looking Frigatebirds nest only on isolated cays in the Southern Bahamas, but can range as far north as Grand Bahama.

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Friday, May 5, 2017

Continued from page 23

THE SCISSOR-Tailed Flycatcher visits the Bahamas from October to December.

THE BAHAMA Woodstar is found everywhere in the islands, except on Abaco, Andros and Grand Bahama.

The other thing that is unique about White’s book is that it includes itineraries and discussions for every type of birder in the Bahamas, whether cruise-ship passenger, yachtsman or stop-over tourist. Serious resident birders will also find much to learn from the exhaustive recommendations made by White which will encourage exploratory visits to the Family Islands. Scientific names of the birds found in the Bahama Islands are contained in the Annotated List of Specialties and in the Checklist. The names of local mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies are also shown in the section titled “Other Observable Wildlife”, as well as other fauna and flora. This book is the result of many arduous journeys to the many islands that make up the Bahamian archipelago - an enormous undertaking.

The first published work on the birds of the Bahamas was written by Mark Catesby as far back as 1754. The next person to publish accounts of Bahamian birds was Henry Bryant in the 1860s. The late 19th century and the early 20th century saw an increase in the reports of Bahamian birds, but it is only in the last part of the 20th century that serious ornithological studies have began to mature. Tony White’s ‘A Birder’s Guide to the Bahama Islands’ is the climax of these studies, a painstaking and personal handbook that can only have been written by a dedicated and understanding expert. As Alexander Sprunt IV says in his foreword to White’s masterpiece: “Anthony White has provided a guidebook which, for the first time, will allow birders to plan and enjoy the Bahamas. It contains a wealth of information and detailed direction to the places and birds that are there to be found.”

‘A Birder’s Guide to the Bahamas’ not only gives descriptions of more than 150 birding sites in the Bahamas - all the major islands, numerous smaller cays, as well as the smaller Family Islands - but also features an eight-page photographic section featuring a variety of Bahamian birds. It will be a long time before anyone can duplicate this extraordinary and valuable effort, and difficult to imagine that anyone else will be able to devote the time and effort needed to produce a similar birding lexicon.

Tony White, who died last May aged 79, is sadly missed on these islands.

NEXT WEEK: The cloud of suspicion hanging over the author of Robinson Crusoe • Sir Christopher Ondaatje is an adventurer and writer resident in the Bahamas.

A Sri Lankan-born Canadian-Englishman, he is the author of several books, including “The Last Colonial”.

The Tribune | Weekend | 25

Friday, May 5, 2017

history

Salt Cay, John T McCutcheon’s Treasure Island Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha

T

he headline in the October 23, 1916, edition of The Tribune read ‘Cartoonist becomes owner of coconuts and ‘buried treasure’.

Without having set eyes on the island, John T McCutcheon had bought Salt Cay, by mail, for $17,500.

In the January, 1935, issue of Nassau magazine, Alan Maurice Irwin wrote: “Treasure Island is a cache of unbounded hospitality and good fun, discovered and perpetuated by Captain John Tinny McCutcheon and First Mate Evelyn Shaw McCutcheon”. First Mate is an accurate description of Evelyn, for she and her new husband first saw his cay on their honeymoon in 1917.

Once off the ship, the honeymooners soon saw the 40-foot yawl, Alice,

The Tower and lagoon at Treasure Island that belonged to their cay, and met its Bahaman captain, Alfred Sweeting, to sail away to John T’s dream island. A dream that had become an obsession and was about to become reality - created by nature, with a lot of help from Abraham Van Winkle, its previous owner.

It had taken hundreds of labourers to manually dredge the island’s natural salt pond, then blast through coral rock to create a 14-foot wide channel to the sea, but for 14 years Salt Cay had blossomed and bloomed in Van Winkle’s loving hands. Soon to be re-christened Treasure Cay, it would remain in the McCutcheon family for 63 years. Salt Cay is now called Blue Lagoon Island and welcomes thousands of visitors every year who experience Dolphin

Encounters.

McCutcheon found a refuge from the outside world, a place with bungalows and seemingly-endless beaches, hammocks and coconut trees, candles and kerosene lamps, but no electricity - and its trademark tower, keeping watch over the entrance to the harbour.

Owning an island is easier than running it and Cyril Solomon, the ‘agent’, was the man who made Treasure Island function. In John T’s words: “There seemed to be nothing ... that he, or his able assistant, Oswald Sweeting, was unable to produce ... He handled our finances, hiring and paying the staff and, occasionally, acting as peacemaker, in an emergency.

“All this was merely a side issue with Mr Solomon. He and his brother, Eric,

had a ... tobacco shop in Bay Street ... the Pipe of Peace.” Then, in 1946, Cyril turned the care of the cay over to his nephew, Gurth Duncombe.

Continuity, a good boat and a good captain were essential to the island. The Alice was replaced by the Lucaya, the Lucaya gave way to the Windrift and the last boat bore the name Mayaguana. When Captain Alfred Sweeting died, his nephew Wilfred took over and was with the family for 12 years.

‘A Family Island, a first-hand narrative of life on Treasure Island’ by John T’s grandson, Shaw, with lots of photographs, is hard to put down and available on Amazon.com.

• Comments and responses to islandairman@gmail.com

26 | The Tribune | Weekend

section

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The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, May 5, 2017

animals

Wanton disregard of our resources

L

ast week I was absolutely devastated to see a report on Facebook with pictures about a turtle being killed in the Berry Islands. This turtle was quite large and had become well known to those who visit the Berrys frequently; easily recognisable because it only had one front flipper.

In spite of it’s handicap, this animal, reported to be a female, lived a happy, free life in the idyllic chain of islands I love so dearly.

My brother and I grew up in the Berry Islands, on a small cay with my parents, my mother’s brother and his family. The beauty of this relatively small island grouping is well known and there is a simply stunning photograph of them taken from space.

Once an area that boasted perhaps the most spectacularly manicured and maintained private islands in the country, the Berrys have experienced a bit of a decline, but are still host to some unbelievable fishing, sand banks and “on again off again” private clubs. The close proximity to Andros allows many Bahamians to visit and fish in this very fruitful area.

However, somehow in the Bahamas good is never enough. We have to always go one step further. Some is good; all is better. We are gradually taking all the conch, fishing out all the grouper, pillaging the oceans every step of the way with no regard to the situation in 50 years time, with a laissez-faire attitude of, “Who cares, I will be dead by then”.

No, my friends, that attitude is so totally out of place, especially in a country with no industry, that only has the sun, sea and sand to bring people to our shores. Our lack of concern for what we are doing to our own country is simply devastating in so many ways.

Bills are passed, laws are created, the newspaper talks about it, the politi-

cians get congratulated, it is debated, and hashed and rehashed. The environmentalists are triumphant, the conservationists delighted. And then? Nothing. Nobody cares, so the new laws are ignored. Nobody does anything and the perpetrators of these crimes against nature are allowed to walk free and do the same thing again and again.

Do I sound disillusioned? Absolutely! Disillusioned and disgusted.

Allow me to return to the turtle killed in the Berry Islands recently.

People actually looked for her; she was an attraction! For those who miss the significance of that: people actually went to the Berrys to catch a passing glimpse of this feisty turtle that had defied all odds and was living a very complete life. She had been able to thwart the intentions of sharks, but alas she could not avoid nature’s ultimate and greatest enemy: man. Of course the lack of one flipper must have made her slower and she probably swam erratically, so some “great fisherman” chose the easy and illegal prey.

What does this say about the irreverent and flippant individual who committed this crime? And certainly a crime it is. Let me make myself perfectly clear: all Bahamian sea turtles are protected by law, every last one. No sea turtle is allowed to be killed under any circumstances. There are absolutely no exceptions. This law was fought for and

One-eyed sweetheart

By The Bahamas Humane Society

PET OF THE WEEK

PATRICIA VAZQUEZ

Animal matters Kim Aranha

“I

spy, with my little eye... someone who’s here to adopt me!”

Muffin is a friendly, small, orange-ish tabby who is about six months old. She’s quite happy to be sharing some space with the other adoption kittens at the Bahamas Humane Society, but what she’d really appreciate is a home of her own, with her own set of humans to chat with and snuggle up to.

Do you have a spot for Muffin in your home? If so, come in to the BHS to meet her or call 323-1538 for more information. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Muffin is keeping her eye open

passed back in 2010.

Since 2010, I have received reports of many, many more turtle sightings.

They are popping their little heads up, out of the water, all over the place.

Why? Because they are protected.

Yes, there are lots of people who follow the laws, but we will always have a band of careless citizens who are interested only in themselves and have no regard whatsoever for what they are doing to our country.

The senseless and wanton killing of one of our country’s protected species is something that we all need to worry about and stand up and protest.

The laws need to be more rigorously

for you!

• Have you discovered the BHS Thrift Shop yet? It’s right next door to the main shelter and has all sorts of goodies for sale. It’s all in support of the animals, and you never know what you might find – books, artwork, housewares, clothes, and more! It’s open from 1pm to 4pm, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; and 10am to 2pm on Saturday. Come and check it out.

Donations are always gratefully welcomed.

Please note: the BHS will be closing at 1.30pm on Wednesday, May 10, so our staff can go and vote. The shop will not be open at all that day. enforced. People simply cannot be allowed to get away with it for any reason whatsoever. We must be ever mindful of the future and how we leave this planet for the generations to come. The selfishness of some defies belief.

What we could have done in the past is no longer applicable; it is after all about tomorrow, and our responsibility to make this country better, not ravage it and just leave death and destruction in our wake. As a country we would all do well to live by my favourite proverb: “Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 5, 2017

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