04292016 weekend edition

The Tribune

Friday, April 29, 2016

art pageants film fashion music food entertainment design

Weekend

LOVE IN THE OFFICE Pages 14&15

New island look BAHARI debuts spring collection Fashion, pages 8&9

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Friday, April 29, 2016

section

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Friday, April 29, 2016

Inside Weekend Interview

4-5 Alanna Rodgers uses her Tru Bahamian Food Tours to serve a taste of local culture on plate at a time.

Life through a lens 6 Androsia founder receives the E Clement Bethel Award

Food 7 Van Breugel’s transforms into Café Sands

Fashion 8-10 BAHARI offers new beginnings for springtime, plus Yodephy models take to the runway at Ardastra Gardens

Pageants 11 Miss Teen Bahamas contestants unveiled

Entertainment 12 “Survival Weekend” prepares revellers for Junkanoo Carnival

Art 13 Cristin Akins Villamil explores the Bahamas from an outsider’s viewpoint

Weddings 14-15 Tribune colleagues play the game of love

Music 17-18 ‘Soca Glow’ offers ‘silent’ Carnivalinspired experience

Design 19 Victoria Sarne on the need for beauty

Mailboats 23-25 Captain Eric Wiberg on the versatile steel and wooden workhorses of the sea

Forgotten Facts 25 Paul Aranha in search of Blackbeard’s Tower

Animals 27 Kim Aranha tells the sad story of the horses at BASH

Gardening 28 Jack Hardy on the coming summer fruits

Cover Photo | Scharad Lightbourne

My perfect Bahamian weekend Spence Finlayson Motivational speaker, author

Q: Beach or sofa?

Sofa. I like to lay off on my sofa on a Saturday morning and watch my all-time favourite television programme “Law & Order”, the original series, or a good old western TV series like “Bonanza”, “Big Valley” or “Gunsmoke”.

“I need to know what’s happening at all times.”

Q: What could you not do without?

I never thought that I would be saying this, but I don’t believe that I can do without my cell phone.

I need to know what’s happening at all times. I lead a very busy life so I need to be in touch.

Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday brunch?

Saturday breakfast definitely.

I look forward to my Saturday breakfast of corned beef and grits, ham and eggs, and boil fish that is prepared by my European Queen Angela, because through the week I am on a strict diet of oatmeal.

Q: Weekend away: where would you go?

My weekend getaway would have to be Hartford, Connecticut.

My one and only sister, Viola Wimbish, lives there and I can drive to New York City for shopping, concerts and to go to Madison Square Garden to watch my Knicks play.

Q: Wine, Kalik, rum or cocktail?

Water is my favourite drink.

I don’t drink any alcoholic beverages.

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday

Saturday

• Call of Duty Black Ops III $5K Championship Time: 10am (continues on Saturday and Sunday) Venue: The Cage Club, Soldier Road (by Prince Charles Drive junction) Join the International e-Sports League for a PS4 Call of Duty $5,000 championship. There will be cash prizes for the top three teams, a 4 v 4 variant with four game types, and no split screen.

• National High School Soccer Championships Time: 10am Venue: QE Sports Centre Don’t miss the final round games. The boys and girls championships start at 2pm.

• SoulGa at Club One Fitness Centre Time: 6pm-8pm Venue: Club One Fitness Centre The event is free to the public and includes an introduction to yoga, Pilates principles, massage demonstrations and more.

• The Loose Crew live at Margaritaville Time: 9pm Venue: Margaritaville, Paradise Island Enjoy the Loose Crew live and come early to catch Skylarkin’ and a Junkanoo rush-out starting at 6pm.

• St Joseph’s Church Annual Bazaar and Raffle Time: 12noon Venue: Church grounds, Boyd Road Enjoy hot wings, fries, conch fritters, jerk, conch salad, bingo, face painting, hoopla and other games for the kids.

The grand raffle prize is a 2016 Kia Picanto.

• The Bahamas Red Cross Society Fair Time: 12noon Venue: Government House grounds (lower level) There will be hot dinners, popcorn, conch fritters, hamburgers, plants on sale, bingo and hoopla games.

Performers include Ronnie Butler, D-Mac, Stileet, Geno D and Synergy Band. Admission is $3, kids $2.

• Baark! Carnival Time: 7pm Venue: 1er Cru, Gladstone Road Come “paw-ty” with Purina ProPlan as they present Baark! Carnival featuring dancing, games, and lots of prizes.

Tickets are $75 in advance, $100 on the night (includes food and a welcome drink).

For tickets call 242-424-9303 or e-mail info@BaarkBahamas.org.

• Kingdor Parkinson Foundation’s Annual Gala Ball Time: 6.45pm (cocktails); 8pm (dinner) Venue: Meliá Nassau Beach Resort ‘Celebrate the joy of living through giving’ during the black-tie event which seeks to raise awareness and funds for Bahamians suffering with Parkinson’s.

Tickets are $250.

• Soca Glow Time: 11pm Venue: Avista Lounge, Elizabeth on Bay Plaza SEE PAGE 17

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Friday, April 29, 2016

interview She believes that one of the best ways to get a feel for a country’s culture is through its cuisine. To this end, Alanna Rodgers, founder of the Tru Bahamian Foods Tours, is offering a new and unique experience in the tourism market. She tells Cara Hunt all about how she and her team are giving visitors a taste of the Bahamas one plate at a time.

Alanna Rodgers A

lanna Rodgers has provided hundreds of people from around the world with a unique way to learn about the Bahamas through her walking food tours, and now her company is expanding its business to offer visitors the opportunity to get in the kitchen and help prepare local dishes as well.

“I started Tru Bahamian Food Tours three years ago,” Alanna told Tribune Weekend, “and since then we have made serious gains. There is a definite taste for culinary tourism that we have been able to tap into, and not only have we been able to welcome new guests, but we have had the opportunity to welcome repeat clients, which has been an honour for us.”

Alanna first got the idea for a food tour in the Bahamas from her own love of travel. Wherever she went, she would always immerse herself in the culture of the countries she visited.

Food, she said, plays a large part in understanding other people’s culture, because eating is the one thing that everyone does regardless of where they are.

“Food is universal. It’s something that we all do and it is something that can be emotional and it involves all five senses. Not everyone who visits a place will be interested in the same things or do the same activities, but the one thing that everyone will do is eat,” she said.

During her travels, Alanna noted the myriad of food tours available in other countries and knew that it would be a unique way to introduce visitors to the Bahamas to not just to local foods, but to the history of the island nation as well.

She started the Bites of Nassau walking tour in 2013. The guided tour, which lasts three hours, includes sampling food from six local restaurants in the downtown area. Some of the stops include the Bahamian Cookin’ Restaurant and Bar, the Graycliff Chocolate Factory, the Drawbridge Patisserie, Athena Café and Bar, the Genuinely Bahamian Boutique and Confectioner, and the Tortilla Rum Company Between each stop, the well-informed tour guides provide insight into the city’s architecture, its history, the local flora, fascinating colonial relics, hidden venues for live music and exciting local attractions and restaurants.

“The tour is limited to a maximum of 12 persons which allows it to be a very personal and intimate experience,” Alanna said.

And the tour has proven to be a hit with tourists, boasting a strong TripAdvisor reviews and garnering positive press coverage from the around the world with writes-ups in such publications as The Washington Post, Fodor’s Travel Guide, USA Today, The Boston Herald and the Daily Mail.

The success of the Bites of Nassau

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Friday, April 29, 2016

tour has now inspired the entrepreneur to create a new culinary experience for visitors and locals alike, this time allowing them to not only taste the food, but to help create a three-course dinning experience as well.

“People were looking for a new experience and this allows us to provide an experience that still centers around food,” she said. “It means that there is not as much mobility involved, which may have been a detraction for some people, and provides a more in-depth experience.”

Alanna said that the potential for a cooking class of this nature has always been there, but the Tru Bahamian team took about a year to finalise all the logistics involved.

“We needed to find a kitchen and space where it would be possible. The location had to be accessible for our guests, many of whom are coming off cruise ships, and easy to find in a central location. Graycliff has always been a partner of ours and Chef Elijah Bowe, who is their executive chef, has agreed to work with us,” she said.

“So the way the class works is we meet downtown at Pompey Square – which is a great example of what can happen when public and private partnerships work as they should – and then we walk to Graycliff, where guests are then greeted by a welcome drink and an appetiser like conch fritters. There is a brief intro and then the chef leads everyone in preparing the meal. Everyone is involved and actually cooks. The meal we do is a traditional Bahamian Sunday dinner.

This includes conch chowder, fresh hog snapper broiled in native limes, bell peppers, onions and garden thyme in foil served with peas n’ rice, an embellished coleslaw and traditional macaroni and cheese, and guava duff for desert,” she said.

“Chef Bowe does an amazing job in the kitchen of engaging his guests while giving them a great presentation of the food they are preparing. We deliberately chose the menu to reflect foods that are very popular here and the fact that we used lots of native limes and peppers and onions is very significant. The reason they are so prevalent in Bahamian dishes is due to our climate and soil conditions. These are the items that were easily grown and in abundance. So it makes sense that they would feature in so many of our dishes. Bahamian food tends to be similar to dishes prepared in the Southern United States due to migration in the post-Loyalist era and similar

“Food is universal.

It’s something that we all do and it is something that can be emotional and it involves all five senses. Not everyone who visits a place will be interested in the same things or do the same activities, but the one thing that everyone will do is eat.”

climate for farming.”

After a tour of the Graycliff property, the tour participants sits down to enjoy the dinner they have prepared.

“And they are given the recipes for each of the dishes so that they can rep-

licate them when they get back home,” Alanna said. She added it is not only visitors who have enjoyed this cooking class, but Bahamians as well.

“It is more than just a cooking class,” she said, “because even if you know how to cook Bahamian dishes, just being in the kitchen of a fivestar restaurant and cooking a meal is an experience. And the beauty of preparing dishes at Graycliff is that they draw on the fact that is a five-star kitchen and has ingredients that aren’t found in a regular home kitchen such as Himalayan sea salt that adds to the experience. Sitting in the dining room, eating the meal you have prepared in that setting, can be a very enchanting experience.”

The Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class and Lunch Experience, Alanna said, is available as a public class on Saturdays at 10.30am for $136 per person (which includes all cooking instruction, a three-course meal, wine, an personable and entertaining guide, recipes and an “Insider’s Guide to Eating Nassau”.

Private classes are available on request and can accommodate groups ranging from two to 16 guests, Monday-Sunday.

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Friday, April 29, 2016

life through a lens Androsia founder implores students to be courageous

“S

The colour of harmony

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

tay with creative tension and don’t run from it to a safe place.

Stay with those moments of creative chaos, they are teaching you something. Keep your courage. Keep your heart open.” This was the advice Androsia founder Birch-Lovdal gave to students and other artists at the College of the Bahamas during the 27th Annual Colour of Harmony.

Held at the Performing Arts Centre at the Oakes Field campus earlier this month, the event serves as an evening of visual and performing arts, showcasing the talent of the students of the college across various media.

Joining an exclusive group of honorees, which includes Percy “Vola” Francis, Joann Behagg and John Berkley “Peanuts” Taylor, was Rosi Birch-Lovdal, who received the E Clement Bethel Award for her contribution to Bahamian art.

The Milwaukee native said she wanted to be an artist from the time she was a child, much to the chagrin of her parents. Decades later, while living in Andros with Dick Birch, she started her life as an artist. “That was when I came truly alive, my artistic senses awakened by the colours, the sea and the people of the Bahamas,” she said.

This awakening was the catalyst behind Androsia, which Mrs Birch-Lovdal founded in 1970. As women on the island were asking her for employment, she thought about how she could create something beautiful for them to do, something that reflected the vibrant beauty of the country she had come to love. A batik artist came to Small Hope Bay Lodge and introduced Mrs BirchLovdal and her children to the art form.

Thus Androsia was created. Together, with the people of Andros, she created fashion shows in Nassau, costumes for the Ministry of Tourism, garments for local and international orders, hand painted dresses for Miss Bahamas, textile paintings for clients like the Ministry of Tourism and fabrics that reflected the beauty and the identity of the Bahamas.

“For such a small country, the Bahamas is greatly filled with talent,” she said. “I have always been inspired and uplifted by the diversity and vitality of the arts in the Bahamas. To be considered to be one of you touches me more deeply than I can say and is quite beyond my dreams.”

The COB Concert Band and Choir accompanied the award presentation.

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Friday, April 29, 2016

food

Van Breugel’s transforms into Café Sands Revamped restaurant offers hip and casual experience

BY ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

T

HE popular downtown restaurant known as Van Breugel’s Bar and Bistro has undergone a “hip” transformation and is now catering to the young professional crowd as Café Sands.

Offering both Bahamian and international gourmet dishes, the revamped restaurant is offering dining in a smart casual atmosphere.

General manager Jessica Knowles said the decision to transform Van Breugel’s into Café Sands was not an easy one. However, they found that with the everchanging economy, most of their customers who had corporate offices in the downtown area were gradually moving to the western part of the New Providence.

This accelerated the idea to re-brand the bistro.

“We had to change the brand to accommodate a younger professional crowd, and that’s the reason for changing the brand to Café Sands – a more hip atmosphere. The restaurant went through six weeks of renovation; we didn’t want to take away too much from the existing structure but only enhance what we already had,” she said.

The restaurant now sports a bright colour scheme of red and yellow. The casual dining atmosphere is suitable for a quick lunch, a weekend night out, for couples and for the entire family.

Menu options range from the classic Caesar salad, Cobb salad, burgers and tuna wraps, to lasagna, fettuccine Bolognese, curry chicken and much more.

“Most restaurants downtown don’t offer the same atmosphere, and Café Sands is one of the few restaurants that added some night life to the downtown area,” said Ms Knowles.

A new addition is the large bar area with an enhanced menu and longer hours on the downstairs level.

“With both levels being open, the new design allows the happy hour crowd to have a relaxing atmosphere after the work day, and diners can enjoy the second floor dining experience in peace,” Ms Knowles said.

She said patrons have already expressed excitement at the face lift and are enjoying the extended bar hours and menu. With more affordable take-out lunch options, she said, they have also caught the attention of new customers.

Apple strudel with vanilla ice cream

Thai beef

Coconut conch fritters

Shrimp Indian

Asian salad

Cafe Sands

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Friday, April 29, 2016

fashion

Stylish new beginnings

T

he 2016 Spring collection from the Bahamian fashion label BAHARI is all about a season of new beginnings.

Kyle Williams, the brand’s manager, explained that this latest collection is a representation of Bahamian flora and fauna, creatively transposed on “garment canvases” and complemented by opulent accents. “Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again,” he said of the inspiration behind the choice of fabrics used to create the collection.

A photo shoot held recently at The Cliffs, Cable Beach, showcased the new collection which consists of dresses, swimsuits for women and the distinctive T-shirts the brand is known for.

BAHARI typically releases four collections a year and a special collection for the Independence holidays.

The fashion label was first introduced to the Bahamian public by way of its successful Independence collection in June 2014. The design team at the time sought only to test the market with its stylish and patriotic T-shirts. Much to the team’s delight, the inaugural collection was immensely successful and the rest is history.

One of the label’s biggest fans is the Miss Bahamas Organisation. Last year, BAHARI provided contestants of Miss Bahamas with dresses for their official launch event, and Miss Bahamas Universe Toria Nichole is in fact featured as a model for the Spring 2016 collection.

“The level of support that we continue to receive from the general public and our international customer base is overwhelming,” Mr Williams said.

“We’ve been able to shatter the notion that Bahamians do not support Bahamian products. Consumers are savvier than ever. In a time where the public is becoming more discerning of the products they buy, it’s extremely important to us that although we’re a Bahamian brand we maintain a level of quality and aesthetic that’s comparable or supersedes that of clothing brands all over the world.”

BAHARI released its first full collection in the Fall of 2014, accompanied by a flagship store in Freeport in Circle Mall and a e-commerce website at www.shopbahari.com. Several col-

lections followed quickly after. Most notably, the brand’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection marked the launch of their second retail store, this time in Nassau, located on Fifth Terrace and Rosetta Street.

“We were passionate about investing in the exterior of the building to create an aesthetic that would fit the brand.

People already associated the building with BAHARI through our previous retailer partner, YNG, so it seemed like the most logical business decision if we were to open a location in Nassau,” said Mr Williams.

The 100 per cent Bahamian owned and operated brand is continuing to raise the standards of branding and fashion merchandising in the Bahamas.

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Friday, April 29, 2016

PHOTO/SCHARAD LIGHTBOURNE

“We’ve been able to shatter the notion that Bahamians do not support Bahamian products...it’s extremely important to us that although we’re a Bahamian brand we maintain a level of quality and aesthetic that’s comparable or supersedes that of clothing brands all over the world.”

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fashion

Young models show creativity and promote conservation “Bush Tea Affair” will showcase Ardastra Gardens

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

F

IFTY young models will take centre stage this Sunday to showcase their unique fashion tastes during “A Bush Tea Affair”.

Presented by the Yodephy Dance & Modelling Academy, the event is promising its guests a “bold, spicy, colourful, exciting and innovative” show.

A “Bush Tea Affair” will start at 3pm at Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre.

The event is designed as a fashion extravaganza that will display the individual fashion creativity of the models who will show off the ensembles they put together on the catwalk.

Some of their pieces will incorporate animal prints, while others will be elegant tea party wear.

The purpose of this event is not only to promote Ardastra Gardens as a family friendly recreational and learning facility, but also to exhibit the talent of young models and dancers from Yodephy with their unique and creative style, said Deborah Geear-Bethell, cofounder of Yodephy.

“The attendees can expect a very entertaining and exciting afternoon. They will even learn about table

manners and modern day etiquette,” she said.

“They should come to experience a show of young Bahamian talent and get a feeling of family togetherness in an amazing and safe environment of the Ardastra Gardens and Zoo.” Mrs Geear-Bethell, along with co-founder Phyllis Garraway, decided to host the event at Ardastra Gardens because they said “it is one of the most beautiful attractions of the Bahamas.”

“We feel it is important for young students to learn about the conservation and caring of animals in a safe environment,” they said.

Yodephy – which stands for “You, Deborah and Phyllis” – was founded in 1990 and now successfully accommodates more than 400 students in modelling and dance.

Mrs Geear-Bethell and Mrs Garraway have had successful careers as both performers and instructors in fashion, modelling, etiquette and dance, including ballet, modern and tap.

They have won national and international awards.

As well as offering classes, Yodephy provides entertainers, models, dancers, and talent for promotions, conventions, bridal shows, parties, and a variety of costumes for all types of events.

Hello from Ardastra Gardens

Young models Dayva and Kamari

Valrica models an animal print dress

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Friday, April 29, 2016

pageants

Aaronique Forbes

Tesa-Ann Smith

Acacia Rolle

Amberia Seymour

Ariannah Wells-Bain

Ashley Thompson

Gabriela Collie

Lezlia Jones

Marechan Burrows

Tayjha Deleveaux

Tayla Miller

Angel Culmer

Miss Teen contestants vie for crown and scholarships Azaria Jones

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

N

INETEEN young beauties vying for the title of Miss Teen Bahamas International were officially introduced to the public during a special event last Sunday.

In addition to possibly winning a crown, the contestants will also be given the opportunity to receive scholarships worth tens of the thousands of dollars to attend a university in the United States.

The contestant debut event, held at Superclubs Breezes, drew a crowd of cheering fans, supporters, family and friends.

During the event, the beauty

Bernique Taylor

queens introduced themselves and their platforms to audience members.

Contestants this year include Aaronique Forbes, Acacia Rolle, Amberia Seymour, Angel Culmer, Ariannah Wells-Bain, Ashley Thompson, Azaria Jones, Bernique Taylor, Canaan Coakley, Danielle Albury, Duranique Minus, Frankia Wright, Gabriela Collie, Ianna Cartwright, Lezlia Jones, Marechan Burrows, Tayjha Deleveaux, Tayla Miller, and Tesa-Ann Smith.

The pageant activities continue on May 21 with the fashion couture, talent and evening gown competitions.

A highlight of this year for MTBI is its partnership with Liberty University, a private, Christian institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia, said national MTBI director Anthony Smith.

The university will offer a $90,000

Canaan Coakley

Ianna Cartwright

academic scholarship over a four-year period to the winner of the Miss Teen Bahamas International 2016 pageant.

Additionally, combined scholarships worth $30,000 will be awarded to the first runner-up, and scholarships worth $22,000 will go to the second runner-up.

Liberty University is also prepared to offer scholarships to each contestant who otherwise meets MTBI’s and the university’s criteria for admissions; these will be worth $12,000.

Mr Smith said the partnership is a historical one for the MTBI organisation.

“This is the first time in the history of Liberty University that they have ever dared to do something like this, and more amazingly, it’s being awarded to recipients outside of the continental United States,” he said.

Danielle Albury

“Oftentimes when people hear pageant (they think) it is associated with high cost. That is simply not the case with MTBI. It is very rare for parents and sponsors to pay exorbitant costs for the experience for the young ladies. Through corporate sponsors and individuals in the community, we are blessed to have outside assistance each year. This helps greatly in reducing overall costs for everyone. MTBI being able to make sure that key things are sponsored, or that MTBI is able to underwrite items in other areas through our partnerships with local businesses, goes a long way towards keeping budgets in line. Our main interest and priority is to ensure that each young lady is provided with the resources she needs to go through the entire 12-week enrichment programme.”

Duranique Minus

Frankia Wright

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Friday, April 29, 2016

entertainment

‘Survival Weekend’ – a party for revellers with stamina

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

I

F revellers can make it through the three-day Survival Weekend kicking off tonight, they will be more than prepared for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival next week.

A prelude to the second annual Junkanoo Carnival, Survival Weekend, presented by KO Production, is an event only for party-goers with sufficient stamina, organisers said.

Survival Weekend promises nonstop fun for all the revellers, the young and the old.

The weekend is comprised of three events, Road Rage – The Ultimate Block Party, Socavivor, and Shelldown, the Cooler Fete.

Road Rage starts tonight at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium grounds at 8pm. Tomorrow, Socavivor will also be held at the sta-

dium, with doors opening at 8pm and the concert beginning at 10pm. Finally on Sunday, Shelldown, the Cooler Fete will be celebrated on Breezes Beach, from 2pm until midnight.

Princess Pratt, public relations officer of KO Productions, said Survival Weekend focuses on electrifying performances from some the most popular soca acts.

Featured in this year’s lineup are

Ricardo Drue, King Bubba, Voice, Tedserson John, Skinny Fabulous, Lyrikal, Patrice Roberts, Shurwayne Winchester, Farmer Nappy, Preddy, Olatunji, Fadda Fox and Bahamian Allstars.

“Last year, we did two concert nights and a beach party that involved the participation of the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival groups. They each had booths set up to advertise their

band and get last-minute sales. This year, we decided not to go that route as to keep the focus on the concert itself. Also, last year we didn’t have a block party and it was strictly soca,” she said.

Princess said the block party is one of the new big additions to the event.

“We decided to add the element of reggae to make it more diverse and appeal to a wider demographic and not only the soca junkies,” she said.

“People should come out, enjoy the live and electrifying performances by the artists, to have good, clean fun in a safe environment and to build up their stamina for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. After all, it is Survival Weekend.

If you can’t make it through those three days which are guaranteed to make you dance and sweat and have a grand time, there’s no way that you can make it through carnival.

For more information on Survival Weekend contact 436-6332.

Junkanoo Carnival partners with Sony for artist workshop

T

he Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) this week announced its new partnership with Sony Music Entertainment for the staging of an artist development workshop.

The workshop, “The Recording Industry 101”, is for contestants in the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Music Masters Song Competition.

This once in a lifetime opportunity will give Bahamian musicians an inside look into the workings of record labels and contract negotiations, a skill that will be needed for the lucky winner of the competition.

Talent manager Damon Jones, a partner at New Legacy Media, will also lead a session in the workshop, sharing insights from the perspective of artists in contract negotiations. Mr Jones is currently representing Sammi Starr, 2015 Music Masters Champion, in negotiations with Sony.

“The Bahamas National Festival

Commission is all about creating opportunity for Bahamians in the creative sector. This is just another example of how we are putting the government’s investment to work to empower Bahamians,” said Roscoe Dames, BNFC CEO. “This year, we stepped up our investment in the Bahamian musicians in an immense way with a number of new artist development initiatives, including the production of music videos and the artist development workshop. Sony is the biggest player in the music game. They have a relationship with the Bahamas, as they have Baha Men signed to their label.

We are using Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival to nurture that relationship so we can create more opportunities for Bahamians.”

With the eight finalists chosen for the Music Masters Competition, the competitors are excited for their performances on Friday, May 6 at the

mega concert.

Hearts were racing and palms were sweating at the Grand Bahama Carnival Kickoff as the winners were announced. These lucky finalists are: Fanshawn Taylor, Jive (with two songs), Lady E (with two songs), Colyn McDonald, Sammi Star, Eboni, Terelle Tynes-Wilson and Avvy.

The Music Masters Song Competition inspired the production of approximately 240 new Bahamian songs over the past two years, of which the BNFC professionally produced 45.

Mr Dames said he is confident that each year the competition will continue to inspire the production of great new music, in keeping with the BNFC’s mandate to rejuvenate the music and entertainment industry in the Bahamas.

The mastered music for the competition this year was produced

by Julien Believe, working with the BNFC’s music consultant Ira Storr.

The body of music in this year’s production represents a fusion of the various genres of musical rhythms. In particular, however, the work heavily incorporates the powerful sounds of rake n’ scrape and Junkanoo, especially the pulsating drumbeat that Bahamians are familiar with.

The 18 music videos filmed by the Movi Group are playing on local Bahamian TV as well as internationally through Tempo TV and online. Title sponsor BTC is heavily promoting the content through their new FLOW TV product that streams across the Caribbean.

“The music videos showcase the talent of our artists in visual form as opposed to just hearing the records on the radio. You can see them live and in living colour in video form and this is what is going to be on television over the next couple of months,” said Mr Dames.

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Friday, April 29, 2016

art

Artist explores the Bahamas from outsider’s viewpoint

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

A

RTIST Cristin Akins Villamil has joined the Salus Project in the Bahamas and will be exhibiting work which reflects her experience as an outsider to the country.

Cristin will be showing 15 pieces during her solo exhibition, “Found In Translation”, which opens on at 7pm on May 5 at the Salus Art Gallery on Blake Road.

The artwork will lead viewers through her journey of coming to the Bahamas as a foreigner and finding her way through the dynamic, multi-faceted culture of the island nation, its eye-catching environment and its rich history.

“This is my way of interpreting the power of the Bahamas and what inspires me the most: people, nature and art. Relating to the finer points of these subjects has helped me feel more a part of the collective whole as I painted my way through my transition into life here in the Bahamas.

The majority of the paintings are effectively an observer’s ‘translation’ on what makes the Bahamas so special and finding connection as a result,” Cristin told Tribune Weekend.

She believes the process of acclimating to any culture both obliges and requires all senses to be present 24/7 in order for the highest level of translation and comprehension to occur.

“Often, one feels ‘lost’ before they feel ‘found’ and grounded in the new culture. There is room for both interpretation and sometimes misinterpretation in this transitional space as well.

This is where creativity can begin to bubble to the surface as new

perspectives on life are formed.

Through it all one thing remains a constant: looking out onto the water and catching a glimpse of why locals and tourists alike slow down at the Go Slow Bend. No matter where we are from, or where we are heading to next in our lives, we are all moved by sincere beauty found in nature, art and other cultures,” said Cristin.

The pieces in the collection, the artist said, connect to the show’s theme by way of colour, movement and texture. The paintings express how it feels to find one’s way through a culture and connect to the rhythm of daily life, she explained. Cristin said she also found parallels to this process by observing nature: the waves and the tides on a sunny day versus a stormy day.

“The weather has moods which also can affect people’s moods.

The vibe of one of my paintings changes when thread is interwoven into the piece, providing for more voice and texture. This is simply my translation of what might otherwise be mundane: waves, leaves, sunsets, colours of a flag, etcetera. Translating those objects into something that resonates and creates a sense of connection to feeling ‘found’ or in finding something new in some way,” she said.

Going into detail about a specific piece she calls “Anchor”, the artist said this was inspired by time spent in Eleuthera. She said without a doubt it is a beautiful island that is rooted in a colourful history, and the colours and the shape of the island lent themselves to the final outcome of the piece.

Cristin said she is looking forward to hearing how her artwork impacts others and if persons also feel as inspired as she does by living in the Bahamas.

Cristin Akins Villamil

Bahamas-inspired artwork

14 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016

weddings PHOTO/SHAWN HANNA

The game of love Tribune colleagues tie the knot

By CARA HUNT cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

T

ribune reporters Sancheska Brown and Renaldo Dorsett turned a random office conversation into a love story that brought two families together.

“We never really spoke at work,” news reporter Sannie recalled, “but there was this one day when we were having a discussion in the newsroom about the Battle 4 Atlantis and I asked Renaldo (who is one of the sports reporter) who were the cute players I should try to hit on. That was the first time we ever really talked to each other.”

After the conversation, Renaldo sent Sannie a friend request on Facebook, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Last year, Renaldo surprised Sannie with an on-air proposal as she was co-hosting her morning radio talk show.

“I was interviewing a cancer survivor and the phone rang in the studio and the person started singing ‘God bless the broken road that led me back to you’. Then I saw my daughter Eden

and Renaldo’s son Kazien walk into the studio holding a sign that said, ‘Will You Marry Me’,” Sannie said.

“My sister and cousin and Renaldo’s brother were also there, and then Renaldo walked in and proposed live on-air. It was also caught on video by my co-host’s daughter who had told me that she was doing a project for school and that was why the camera was there.”

The couple spent the next few months planning their special day and were married in a garden ceremony at Luciano’s of Chicago.

“We got married on March 26 and we chose canary yellow and navy blue as our colour scheme. The theme of the wedding was vintage rustic,” Sannie explained.

To bring the theme to life, Sannie carried an antique brooch bouquet and used décor pieces that included vintage picture frames and lanterns on the tables, paired with an explosion of yellow.

“There were yellow flowers everywhere and the sun added even more yellow,” she said.

The couple also enjoyed the fact that the youngest members of the family were included in the ceremony in a special way.

“My daughter was the flower girl and Kaizen was the ring bearer. All of our nieces and nephews were in the wedding; we invented parts for the kids,” she said.

And while the day turned out well, the bride admits that there were a few mishaps along the way.

“We got a very late start, the menu cards had Reginald instead of Renaldo, and all had to be changed. It felt like it was the hottest day of the year and there were a few other little things that did not go as planned, but I have to say ‘thank you’ to the staff of Five Seasons Bridal and Luciano’s, and my mom for ensuring things worked out in the end,” she said.

“Despite the hiccups, it was an amazing day, honestly. If I didn’t tell people, most of my guests didn’t realise that anything went wrong.”

Sannie advises brides- and grooms-to-be to “just breathe” on their big day.

“Just take it all in, because the day goes by so fast,” she said. “Surround yourself with your closet family and friends because they are the ones who will keep you sane in the process, and just remember what the point of the day is – to marry the person you love.”

Friday, April 29, 2016

The Tribune | Weekend | 15

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By CARA HUNT cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

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ribune reporters Sancheska Brown and Renaldo Dorsett turned a random office conversation into a love story that brought two families together.

“We never really spoke at work,” news reporter Sannie recalled, “but there was this one day when we were having a discussion in the newsroom about the Battle 4 Atlantis and I asked Renaldo (who is one of the sports reporter) who were the cute players I should try to hit on. That was the first time we ever really talked to each other.”

After the conversation, Renaldo sent Sannie a friend request on Facebook, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Last year, Renaldo surprised Sannie with an on-air proposal as she was co-hosting her morning radio talk show.

“I was interviewing a cancer survivor and the phone rang in the studio and the person started singing ‘God bless the broken road that led me back to you’. Then I saw my daughter Eden

and Renaldo’s son Kazien walk into the studio holding a sign that said, ‘Will You Marry Me’,” Sannie said.

“My sister and cousin and Renaldo’s brother were also there, and then Renaldo walked in and proposed live on-air. It was also caught on video by my co-host’s daughter who had told me that she was doing a project for school and that was why the camera was there.”

The couple spent the next few months planning their special day and were married in a garden ceremony at Luciano’s of Chicago.

“We got married on March 26 and we chose canary yellow and navy blue as our colour scheme. The theme of the wedding was vintage rustic,” Sannie explained.

To bring the theme to life, Sannie carried an antique brooch bouquet and used décor pieces that included vintage picture frames and lanterns on the tables, paired with an explosion of yellow.

“There were yellow flowers everywhere and the sun added even more yellow,” she said.

The couple also enjoyed the fact that the youngest members of the family were included in the ceremony in a special way.

“My daughter was the flower girl and Kaizen was the ring bearer. All of our nieces and nephews were in the wedding; we invented parts for the kids,” she said.

And while the day turned out well, the bride admits that there were a few mishaps along the way.

“We got a very late start, the menu cards had Reginald instead of Renaldo, and all had to be changed. It felt like it was the hottest day of the year and there were a few other little things that did not go as planned, but I have to say ‘thank you’ to the staff of Five Seasons Bridal and Luciano’s, and my mom for ensuring things worked out in the end,” she said.

“Despite the hiccups, it was an amazing day, honestly. If I didn’t tell people, most of my guests didn’t realise that anything went wrong.”

Sannie advises brides- and grooms-to-be to “just breathe” on their big day.

“Just take it all in, because the day goes by so fast,” she said. “Surround yourself with your closet family and friends because they are the ones who will keep you sane in the process, and just remember what the point of the day is – to marry the person you love.”

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16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016

fashion With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

FAIL

FAIL

HIT

SPLIT

FAIL

Tracee Ellis Ross Black-ish

Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones

Rashida Jones, Angie Tribeca

Amy Adams, Batman v Superman

Kristen Bell, House of Lies

Karin says: “Just awful. In no world is Tracee old enough to wear this type of mumsy mess. This Suno gown looked horrible on the runway and it looks worse on the red carpet.

Too many cheap looking silver roses, too many weird layers and ruffles.”

Cara says: “And the hot mess of the week award goes to Tracee for this horrible outfit.

It makes no sense. I am not liking the hair either; it’s what I do to my natural hair at bedtime, but I wouldn’t wear it out.”

Karin says: “She needs to fire her stylists ASAP. I normally like Alexander McQueen, but this is a mishmash nightmare of a dress. It’s got every trend of the season going on, all at once, and not in a good way.

Hate the midi length, the awful mixture of lace and the horrendous belt.”

Cara says: “It’s like five different dresses combined.

The awkward hem length and the ankle straps of her shoes just add to the failure of this ensemble. The dress has way too much going on, it’s confusing my eyes.”

Karin says: “I like how put together this outfit looks.

Hair severe hair cut even seems to match the style of her ensemble. This is quite a cool, futuristic take on the menswear-for-women trend.

The only thing that ruins it are the boring black pumps.”

Karin says: “Very simple, but she looks amazing. This shade of teal is definitely Amy’s colour. You could say the choice was a bit safe and boring, but the girl knows what works for her and sticks with it.”

Cara says: “Wow this is very boring and very un-Amy like.

I have seen her look much better. It’s not even that it’s a casual dress, it’s that it does nothing for her at all. Surely she has a chunky necklace somewhere to help out with this look.”

Karin says: “I know fashion critics have been loving this look, but to me it’s simply a sack...a metallic sack with a plunging neckline. It just hangs on her. Certain people can pull off this look, but it’s not working for Kristen. And again, this weird midi length doesn’t work on 80 per cent of women.”

Cara says: “Despite the sequined fabric to add some much needed sparkle to this red carpet, this is still in essence a boring little silver dress. I get it’s supposed to be sexy, but I find it a bit too boxy and shapeless, and the shoes look cheap. Sorry, not feeling it.”

Cara says: “I think it’s fun; I like it. I like that it’s a slightly different take on an evening pantsuit and the jacket is just enough, and not too gaudy. I think she looks great.”

PHOTOS/CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP

The Weekend Fashion Report “REFUGEE” photography exhibit

The Tribune | Weekend |17

Friday, April 29, 2016

music

Party-goers glow at ‘silent’ soca event

BY ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

T

HE team behind the HuSHH Silent Events are taking Nassau’s nightlife scene by storm with their creative headphone parties, and this weekend they will be hosting a special “Soca Glow” party to celebrate the carnival season.

The fairly new Bahamian technology company, formed by Rhandi Elliott and Michael Stewart, said it is committed to creating dynamic experiences throughout the Bahamas by utilising its wireless headphone system. They are responsible for hosting successful events like the silent disco party in December called “Silent Night,” the “Rezolution Headphone Party” in January and the “CruSHH Silent Disco” in February.

Party-goers who attend their events are given the choice to either bring their own wireless headphones or rent a set at the function. The headphones offer the option to switch between various channels where featured deejays transmit their music. They also glow green, red and blue to indicate those around you which channel you are listening to. There is also a volume switch so guests people can adjust the volume to their liking.

This headphone party trend is catching on well with Bahamians, as they are requesting more silent events, party organisers said.

The latest HuSHH group party, “Soca Glow”, will take place tomorrow night, with doors opening at 11pm at the Avista Lounge, Elizabeth On Bay Plaza.

Deejays will include Epic Forealz, DJ Sleek and Selecta Tevin. Guests can look forward to several giveaways throughout the night that will only be available to persons who rent the available HuSHH headphones and are listening to a particular channel at the right time.

“Bahamians have been very receptive to the idea thus far. A headphone party is something that might look

Wireless headphones transmit different music on different channels for guests to enjoy

weird to a bystander in pictures and videos, but once you attend one, you and your friends are bound to have an amazing night. Our goal is to continue to educate people about this new and fun way to party. We’ve been really pleased to see something new and exciting being received so well throughout the island,” Michael told Tribune Weekend.

As young entrepreneurs, he said they want to show other young Bahamians that they can make things happen once they have vision and the will to pursue it. Since launching the company in December 2015, he said they have since been able to double their inventory and introduce a new headphone model.

“We are most excited about growing in other spaces as well. We partnered with Jodi Minnis, a young Bahamian

artist, for her art exhibit launch at the Central Bank Art Gallery. We began renting our equipment for private functions, and as vendors at the Bahamas Bridal Show. We got lots of interest for persons wanting silent wedding receptions. We partnered with Club One Fitness for their Healthy Happy Hour events, and will be featured at Mario’s Entertainment Palace during a basketball video game tournament they and Kalik are hosting at the end of next month. We have definitely been keeping busy and have only scratched the surface of what we hope to achieve this year,” said Michael.

He believes the entertainment scene here in Nassau is really interesting and comes alive at different points, especially during the winter and summer breaks when more people are home from school and when all persons seem

to be more willing to go out and party.

“We’ve seen so many nightclubs and once popular venues close down and it seems there is no de facto go-to spot for everyone on a regular basis anymore. People just want to go somewhere they know they’ll have a good time. HuSHH hopes to breathe a breath of fresh air into the scene here and we want to focus on creating the most fun and unique events that everyone, regardless of age, social status, music preferences etcetera, can come to and enjoy with their friends, no matter the venue,” said Michael.

With the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival season fast approaching, he said they wanted to highlight the sounds of the season at “Soca Glow”, while also incorporating other music genres so that they can include everyone in the HuSHH party experience.

“Soca Glow actually came as a necessity to us. Just like most people, we are really excited for this year’s Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and have been attending various events leading up to it. Unfortunately, all of the glow parties held to date have featured paint, which is fun sometimes but not for everyone.

We wanted to host a glow party that didn’t incorporate paint at all and saw an opportunity to showcase the noise cancellation feature of our HuSHH headphones. This is our first time throwing what we like to call a hybrid event, and the reception has been great so far,” he said.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, April 29, 2016

design your lifestyle

A thing of beauty

By VICTORIA SARNE

“A

thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

So wrote the poet

John Keats.

I think this is true and although it’s also true that beauty is subjective. I think whichever form it takes, it is an essential addition to our lives. Art in all its many forms – painting, writing, dancing, music – crosses all cultural, racial and social barriers. It transcends them and tells us stories about ourselves, culturally, physically and emotionally. It talks to us about our past and our present.

Just as your choice of colour and decorative furnishings defines your taste and stamps your personality on your home, so does your selection of art or other objects you collect.

Collect pieces that attract you to them. Choose them for a personally sincere reason, whether it’s because they are dramatic, pretty, romantic or evoke a memory. Don’t choose something because it matches the decor or because you think it has to be “great art”. Just as your furnishings and use of space should demonstrate your personality, so should any artwork you acquire. When you look at it, it should give you pleasure. You can treasure it in the same way as a favourite piece of music or a book.

A big part of my comfort level is having paintings, sculptures and collectibles in my house which have a special meaning to me. This artwork, whether originals or reproductions, are objects which I have bought on my travels or here at home in Nassau. Things I have fallen in love with. Having moved many times, I have always carried my books and art work with me; they have

Art by Livingstone Pratt become an essential part of me. One or two prints have travelled with me all my adult life and have somehow survived the journeys. Their value to me is not monetary; they give me real pleasure every day and nourish my spirit.

We are fortunate in the Bahamas that we have so many home-grown artists in all disciplines and nowhere is this more obvious than in the many talented fine artists producing work in all genres and mediums. Simultaneously, over the past several years, enterprising artists and collectors have established independent and interesting galleries and the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas has evolved into a more eclectic and inclusive space mounting a variety of exhibitions for emerging as well as established artists. Cur-

Bahamian artist Livingstone Pratt

“Just as your furnishings and use of space should demonstrate your personality, so should any artwork you acquire. When you look at it, it should give you pleasure. You can treasure it in the same way as a favourite piece of music or a book.”

rently, they are showing the work of Livingstone Pratt entitled “Genesis: the Beginning of Souls in Time”, and from April 28, they are exhibiting “En Mas From Columbus to Junkanoo”.

Livingstone Pratt’s name as an artist may not be as familiar to you as it should be. He is a modest artist who values his privacy. His work reflects an internal exploration of spiritual beliefs and social mores. He has exhibited at the Central Bank, the National Trust and at galleries in Detroit and London, but most of you will be familiar with his beautiful displays in the John Bull stores which he designs and orchestrates throughout the year.

I urge you to go the NAGB and see these showings and the permanent installations.

I know some of you may feel intimidated thinking that you don’t “understand” art. You don’t need to understand art in your head to appreciate it. You simply have to see it and feel it, like it, dislike it or puzzle about it. There are no rules. Sometimes its appeal may be just that it is pretty, or it tells a story which makes you ask questions, or perhaps answers some for you. You can admire the technical skill and the imagination it has taken to produce it. But however you ultimately feel I hope the visual experience will be both new and stimulating; something to challenge the mind and make you think or simply soothe the soul.

• Victoria Sarne is a wed-

ding and event planner at The Nassau Florist, located on Dowdeswell Street. For consultations and questions, call 302 6121 or e-mail designyourlifestyle@tribunemedia.net

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016

health and fitness

No glutes = no real results

By REGINA SMITH

E

Gluteus maximus

Gluteos minimus

Gluteus medius

veryone wants to know what the secret is to achieving a perfectly rounded and sculpted rear end.

But there is so much more to having strong gluteal muscles than just their physical appeal. The gluteal muscles play a vital role in explosive movements such as jumping, sprinting, jogging and swift change in direction. Strengthening the gluteal muscles ensures optimal performance, especially for runners.

The “glutes”, as they are called, are made up of three separate muscles.

The gluteus maximus, the largest one, makes up a large portion of the shape and appearance of the hips and assists with lateral (external) rotation of the thigh. The gluteus medius, which so often is overlooked, is responsible for the abduction and medial rotation of the leg (leg moving away from the body and internal rotation, respectively). The gluteus medius and minimus are major lateral pelvis stabilisers.

The gluteal muscles work synergistically with the hamstring muscles to facilitate hip extension.

The gluteal muscles are essential components of overall core strength and stability. When there is a lack of strength (or muscular imbalance) in the gluteal muscles, not only is performance impaired, but the back muscles tend to pick up the slack in response.

There is a progression of events that lead to weakened gluteal muscles: 1. Weak abdominals (external obliques) will lead to an anterior (frontal) pelvic tilt 2. An anterior (frontal) tilting of the pelvis results in a shortening of the psoas (a muscle that flexes the hip) 3. A shortened psoas will inhibit gluteal strength and function 4. Weak glutes and a tight psoas will prevent proper hip extension and function 5. The lack of hip extension ability will be overcompensated by the lower back muscles (Mike Boyle’s Advanced Functional Training) Developing strong gluteal muscles helps you to avoid lower back pain or injury, prevent hamstring strains, provides muscular balance, combats progressive lordosis, and prevents injury during endurance based exercises. Stronger gluteal muscles improve Olympic lifts: deadlifts, squats and cleans.

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, April 29, 2016

The following are five glute-strengthening exercises that you can do at the gym or at home:

3. Kneeling leg lifts

5. Ball bridge with medicine ball

PHOTOS/SHAWN HANNA

extensions on the stability 1. Leg ball (gluteus maximus)

How to do it: Begin by lying flat on your stability ball. Place your hands on the floor for additional balance. Place both feet on the floor. Feet should be separated (preferably hip distance). Keeping your knees straight and your inner thighs connected, engage your gluteal muscles and lift your legs until your heels are in line or just an inch above your hips.

Avoid moving the pelvis. Lower the legs to the starting position and repeat

2. Side lying leg abduction

How to do it: Lie on your side with your thighs, knees and ankles connected. Flex your feet. Lift the top leg as high as your pelvis on or until you encounter resistance from your flex band. Using your legs, continue to press into the band, opposing the resistance.

How to do it: Begin in a kneeling position. Rest on your elbows or use a stability ball for an additional challenge. Ensure your back is in line with your legs and not excessive leaning forward. Keeping your core muscles tight, lift your upper leg approximately 45 degrees and lower it back in line with your back in a smooth and controlled manner.

leg extension with 4. Quadruped resistance tube

How to do: Place the centre of the resistance tube on the arch of the foot. Secure the resistance tube handles in your hands. Begin kneeling on all fours.

Avoid overly extending your spine. Engage your abdominals. With your foot in a flexed position, fully extend the leg to a 45-degree angle. For an additional challenge, keep the leg extended and press the heel in an upward pulsing motion. Repeat on the opposite leg.

How to do it: Begin by lying face up on a large stability ball. Roll forward until your shoulders are all that are remaining on the stability ball. With full extension through the arms hold your medicine ball out in front of you. Begin with the hips in a lowered position. Engage your gluteal muscles and lift your hips in line with your knees. Keep your shoulders and arms fully extended.

â&#x20AC;˘ Regina Smith is a certified personal trainer by

the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She can be reached for personal training and consultations at regina.tonia.smith@gmail.com. Follow her on instagram: ginag_cpt or her fitness tips and tweets on Twitter @ginagcpt.

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016

film Creative Nassau debuts ‘Strawcraft’ documentary

T

he non-profit organisation Creative Nassau, which since 2008 has been taking a new approach to promoting Bahamian history, culture and the arts, has accomplished another first.

On Thursday, May 5, at Doongalik Studios, Creative Nassau will debut its short documentary, “Strawcraft in The Bahamas: Weaving economic diversity”.

The film showcases strawcraft as a unique aspect of Bahamian culture by which many families have earned a living for centuries.

The 15-minute film, written and directed by the organisation’s vice president Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, was produced by Creative Nassau in conjunction with The Counsellors Limited, with the sponsorship of The Counsellors, the Jackson Burnside Library Fund, Arawak Homes and Cable Bahamas Cares Foundation.

“Creative Nassau’s mission is to demonstrate to our people and the rest

The Creative Nassau Straw documentary group members: (seated l-r) Rosemary Hanna, Pam Burnside and Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, with Counsellors Limited owner Joan Albury (standing left)

of the world that we, as a people and a nation, are more than just sun, sand and sea. We have been achieving this through the promotion of Bahamian history, culture and the arts, with special focus on two aspects of Bahamian tradition – Junkanoo arts and straw-

Who you gonna call? ‘Ghostbusters’ is back in business

The new Ghostbusters: (l-r) Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones), Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy), Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), and Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon)

summer review FOR decades, the quest for another “Ghostbusters” movie was as elusive as an ectoplasmic phantom.

Various iterations for a third “Ghostbusters” movie cycled through countless rumours and possibilities that had one thing in common: Bill Murray just didn’t want to do another one.

Eventually, the proton pack was passed to Paul Feig, the “Freaks and Geeks” creator turned de facto filmmaker of female comics (“Bridesmaids,” ‘’Spy”). Amy Pascal, thenSony Pictures chief, convinced Feig to take on a reboot of the 1980s comedy franchise.

“I was like: OK, how would I do it? I don’t want to compete with the memory of those guys, but if I got the funny women that I love working with,

craft, which are distinct features of our African heritage,” said Pam Burnside, CN president.

“We have devoted our first documentary to strawcraft, an industry that has allowed many Bahamian families to rise out of poverty by becoming en-

that, to me, I have ideas with,” Feig says. “In my mind, it would avoid comparisons going: ‘He’s not as funny as Bill Murray’ or ‘He’s not as funny as Dan Aykroyd.’ And the main reason being: I love my funny ladies.”

“Ghostbusters,” which opens July 15, stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones as the ghost-fighting foursome.

Of all the summer’s blockbusterhopefuls, none has had more eyes on it than “Ghostbusters.”

It’s the rare big-budgeted comedy (reportedly costing more than $150 million to make), so the stakes are as high as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. And “Ghostbusters” has proven a curious kind of lightning rod to some, in part for nothing more than

the gender of its paranormal pursuers.

When the film was announced, some on social media decried it.

“This is the first time I’ve actually done something where right out of the gate, people cared so much that it just brought all this extra scrutiny on it,” says Feig. “Truth be told going into it, I kind of thought: This will be fun and didn’t realise there would be a small segment so vocally against it.”

Feig understands those who simply didn’t want to see a beloved classic remade, but not those who object to his female-led cast.

“Look, I totally understand the fear of somebody touching something you love. I completely get that. That’s kind of why I wanted to do a reboot because that’s almost the more respectful

trepreneurs and actively contributing to the economic stability and growth of Bahamian society. This tradition, we strongly believe, still has enormous potential to positively impact our economic climate today if we would properly encourage its revival.”

Patricia Glinton-Meicholas added: “I’m so pleased with the valuable footage we have been able to capture. I think viewers will be particularly fascinated by an interview TCL recorded in Red Bays, Andros. This documentary is only the beginning. It is only 15-minutes long, but there are so many more wonderful facets of the Bahamian straw industry to be told, including its major role in Bahamian tourism. It’s awe-inspiring that Bahamian creativity has produced such a wealth of straw weave patterns and exquisite basketry.

These must be recorded and passed down to future generations in order to stimulate a greater appreciation for and the continuance of these important parts of our heritage.” way to do it,” says the director. “Then there’s a small, tiny segment that have a problem with it being women, and that’s a nonstarter for me. That just is ridiculous.”

More controversy followed, though.

When the film’s trailer debuted in March, some questioned why Jones, the lone black star in the leading quartet, wouldn’t play a scientist like the other characters. She plays a subway worker.

There’s some history of “Ghostbusters” and stereotyping. Ernie Hudson, who played Winston in the first film, has lamented the relative insignificance of his character.

“I put people in the roles that they are going to be funniest in, and that’s the only way I cast them,” says Feig.

“We had this role and it’s the exact, perfect showcase for Leslie’s comedy.

Personality-wise, it matched what I knew she was going to be the funniest doing.”

Feig’s track record of putting funny people in the right position — from “Freaks and Geeks” to “The Heat” — makes “Ghostbusters” one of the year’s absolute most must-see comedies.

JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, April 29, 2016

mailboats ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CAPTAIN Eric Wiberg is a marine and naval historian, author and a maritime lawyer who grew up in Nassau in the 1970s and 1980s and is a regular visitor to The Bahamas.

In 2009 Capt Wiberg began the first of three books on U-Boats in the Bahamas and Bermuda and in 2012 began a blog focusing on mailboats and their contribution to Bahamian history. He is the author of ‘Tanker Disasters’, ‘Round the World in the Wrong Season’ and ‘U-Boats in the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos’ and is working on a book about mailboats in the Bahamas.

He is writing a series in The Tribune on the glorious history of mailboats, their place in island life, the characters that define them, the variety of craft, the dozens of islands they serve, the mailboat ‘dynasties’ and the challenges facing the modern fleet.

Versatile steel and wooden workhorses of the sea From schooners to converted submarine chasers, the southern islands have been served by a variety of vessels, Captain Eric Wiberg says

T

he island communities of the southern Bahamas have all come to rely on the services of the mailboats, the steel and wooden workhorses of the sea.

Though the relationship is not always symbiotic, it can expected to continue as long as it remains economical for people and their parcels to traverse the harsh ocean environment to and from their homes and business up to 400 nautical miles from the capital, Nassau, and beyond.

San Salvador and Rum Cay are linked by many of the same mailboats, since Port Nelson is essentially on the way to and from Nassau and Cockburn Town. The Brontes served both isles between 1921 and her loss in 1926.

The British motor vessel, Monarch of Nassau, was built in Cheshire in 1930 and delivered from there in 19 days. Originally named the Sir Charles Orr after a governor of the colony, she was purchased by the Monarch Line, owned by Sir George Roberts. In 1942 she was serving

The Hermitage on Cat Island, home of Father Jerome Hawes San Salvador when she rescued 30 officers and men from the Greek ship, Cygnet, which had been torpedoed by the Italian submarine Enrico Tazzoli within sight of Dixon Hill Light.

Sold in 1951 to Carl Sawyer, she traded bananas and fruit among the West Indies, her 16 passenger cabins presumably broken up.

Sir George Roberts’ former US Navy patrol craft, Drake, traded to San Salvador as well, between 1956 and 1964.

The San Salvador Express, 111 feet long and built in Mississippi in 1953, served under Captain Roy Oral Lockhart from roughly 1972 to 1975, when she was named the Johnette or Jeanette Walker and was under suspicion of collusion in the drug trade. She was sold to Panama as the Pack One, where she still trades.

In 1976, the substitute mailboat to Rum Cay was named in one study as the Lady Moore, an 80-foot supply boat sunk off Nichols Town, Andros, as an artificial reef.

The Willaurie was built in the Netherlands in 1966 as the Willmary and traded extensively in the UK early in her career. Between 1980 and 1988 she serviced San Salvador and Cat Island, as well as Rum Cay. Her

owners were listed as W B Hart of Nassau. Her loss was nearly as exciting as her career. In August 1980 her passengers were rescued by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and she was laid up and foundered in 1988.

She was raised and, while being towed, washed ashore near Clifton Pier. The day after Christmas, Stuart Cove and colleagues towed her to near Goldings Cay and scuttled the ship. She is now a dive attraction.

The 32-ton Treasure Lady was built in 1981 as the Tar Heel in Morgan City, Louisiana, and between 1997 and 2012 served San Salvador and Rum Cay as a mailboat. After that she was sold out of the Bahamas, presumably to Honduras.

The 464-ton stern-ramp Lady Emerald was built in Chauvin, Louisiana, in 2003. Her skipper is Bill Williams and her owners G M Patton of Nassau. She presently serves Rum Cay, San Salvador and Cat Island. The 154-ton Lady Frances was built in Houma, Louisiana in 1989 and serves Rum Cay and Salvador as well as Black Point, Exuma.

Cat Island The settlements on the leeward

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016

The Air Pheasant, in her guise as a World War II submarine chaser before she was converted to a cargo boat

“In 1942, monarch of Nassau was serving San Salvador when she rescued 30 officers and men from the Greek ship, Cygnet, which had been torpedoed by the Italian submarine Enrico Tazzoli within sight of Dixon Hill Light. She is credited with taking Father Jerome Hawes, the Hermit of Cat Island, to his new home.” side of Cat Island have been served by mailboats for a century or more, the first known schooner servicing the island being the Mountain King from the 1920s until she was lost in a hurricane in 1926.

She was built by the Reverend James Smith, of Port Howe, Cat Island. She was lost off Little San Salvador whilst under Napoleon Rolle and Elliston Bain, who disagreed over seeking shelter from the storm. All except Rolle were lost.

The Monarch of Nassau served Cat Island in the 1930s and 40s and is credited with taking Father Jerome Hawes, the Hermit of Cat Island, to his new home.

The Church Bay, which also served Freeport, provided mail and passenger service to the island between 1932 and her loss to fire in 1973.

A vessel named the New Day (exSea Salvor) applied for a licence to serve Cat Island from 1973, under the

ownership of the Freedom Shipping Company of Nassau. The Lady Eula was purchased from Captain Ernest Dean in around 1980 by Cat Island interests; however by 1981 she had been grounded off San Salvador and was a total loss.

The Willaurie served Cat Island as well as San Salvador between 1980 and 1988. The purpose-built North Cat Island Special, roughly 80 feet long and grey-hulled, plied the route to Bennet’s Harbour and other Cat Island ports from the mid-1980s to the 2000s Though her fate is unknown, there is a new vessel named North Cat Island Special II (built in 2001) which is believed to have taken over the route.

The 98-foot long Sea Hauler, owned and operated by Captain Allan Russell Sr of Cat Island, served the island between 1989 and 2011. Around that time it was grounded and abandoned off Long Island. She served Smith’s Bay, Old Bight and New Bight, in

south Cat Island. In 2003 this vessel was involved in a fatal collision with the United Star in an event which resulted in four deaths, an amputation and dozens injured. Thirteen years later it is still a sensitive issue for survivors and their families.

The Mia Dean catered to the needs of Cat Island in the 1990s, as did the Lady Eddina between 1995 and roughly 2000. Built in 1969 in Mississippi, she served Bennett’s Harbour, Arthur’s Town, Orange Creek and Dumfries. This ship was owned by the Taylor family and operated by Pirates Well Investments. She was named Stonewall Jackson until 1995 and is no longer trading. The Lady Emerald sailed to Cat Island as well as Rum Cay and San Salvador.

The KCT is 165 feet long and has served northern Cat Island every Wednesday since being commissioned and built in 2003. She is a stern-loaded roll on/roll off vessel under Captain Robinson of Turks & Caicos and owned by Captain Thomas Hanna, of The Ro-Ro Company. The trip from Nassau takes 26 hours and costs $90 each way. Another of Tom Hanna’s vessels is the VI Nais, which has served north and south Cat Island since it was built in Chauvin, about 2007.

A new addition to the Bahamian merchant fleet is the New G, completed in 2015 and delivered in February this year. Her owners are the Consolidated Marine Group, of Soldier Road, Nassau. She is 155 feet long and 486 gross tons, capable of going 10.5 knots.

She is believed to be trading in the southern Bahamas.

Mayaguana Since the Taylor family hail from Pirates Well, Mayaguana, and their investment vehicle carries that name, most of their ships have served Abraham’s Bay: the Nonesuch (Capt Fed Black, 1933 to 1940), Marcella (1969 to 1987), Cape Hatteras (1962 to 1968), Lady Rosalind (1987 to present) and the Lady Mathilda (1998 to present).

The Lady Mathilda is 135 feet long (extended from 110 feet), and built in Chauvin. In 2010 a Department of Education test question features distances run by the mailboats Captain Moxey, Lady Mathilda and Emmett & Cephas. Her captain is Nigel Davis and she proceeds as far south as Inagua.

There is also a little-known vessel listed in 1975 as Abastasha but possibly the Lady Tasha, which is described in a telegram leaked by WikiLeaks as serving Mayaguana, Crooked Island and Acklins Island.

Crooked Island, Long Cay and Acklins Long Cay, also known as Fortune Island, to the south of Crooked Island has perhaps the longest history of handling mail from Europe and North America, as it was a transhipment point for mail and stevedores for vessels entering and leaving the Carib-

The Tribune | Weekend |25

Friday, April 29, 2016

Forgotten Facts Paul C Aranha bean via the Windward Passage in the days of sail as well as steam.

British mail vessels and German liners particularly would call there until the First World War and beyond. In the modern era, the New Day ex-Sea Salvor served these islands from roughly 1972 to 1980. In 1975, the Abastasha (or Lady Tasha) served Crooked and Acklins and, in 1989, Jamaican researchers determined that a vessel named the Commonwealth, of 96 tons, was on the route. By roughly 1995 the Windward Express sailed to the southern Bahamas until about 2000.

Recent service (1996 to 2007) was provided by Captain Hanna’s United Star. At 170 feet long and 417 gross tons, she was built in Chauvin and was the other vessel involved in the collision with the Sea Hauler in 2003 which claimed fatalities. She sailed as far south as Inagua and was sold to Honduran interests and named the AJ Transport or the Coimar Transport.

The Taylor-owned Lady Mathilda also sails to Crooked and Acklins as well as Inagua and has done so since 1998. Both the Sea Spirit (ex-United Spirit, since 2008) and the Sea Spirit II (since 2010) have sailed to Crooked and Acklins islands.

The Hanna-owned KCT covers the islands since 2000 and the VI Nais sometimes does as well, though her primary route is to Cat Island.

Ragged Island This sparsely populated island group centred around Duncan Town boasts a long and distinguished boat building heritage and has produced notable captains (Moxey and Lockhart among them).

By way of illustration, in 1956 there were 22 sail cargo vessels built or owned in Ragged Island, out of a total of just over twice that number in the Bahamas.

In more recent times the Gleaner Express is listed as serving Ragged Island in 1973 according to the shipping column of The Nassau Tribune. Since 1988, the Emmett & Cephas has served the island chain - she was owned by the Munson Shipping Company, of Nassau, and may have sunk in 2001. Onetime owner Emmett Munroe was awarded the British Empire Medal.

Captain Munroe purchased the Emmett & Cephas along with an uncle, and with his sons later acquired the Sherice M as well, followed by the Island Link. They also own and operate the Wash Bowl on Ida Street, Nassau. In 1989 the Current Queen was said

by Trevor Hamilton & Associates to have been trading to Ragged Island.

The Captain C is also believed to have been on the same route since the late 1980s.

Inagua Inagua has been served since the 1930s and 40s by the Monarch of Nassau, followed

in the 1950s by two cargo vessels - the Inagua Trader (158 feet, 350 gross tons) and Inagua Ranger (same rough dimensions) - both of which were owned by the West India Transports Ltd of Matthew Town. It is unknown whether they carried the mails or rather just construction equipment and personnel and possibly salt from the salt industry on the island, which was run for many years by Morton Salt.

Between 1948 and 1982 mail service was assumed by the Air Pheasant, which was a former US Navy vessel. Her master was Captain Anton Lockhart, born in 1906, of Ragged Island. The boat was launched by Luders Marine in Stamford Connecticut as the USS PC (patrol craft) 1015 on August 30, 1942.

In 1945, as the Sub Chaser (USN SC) 1015 she participated in the capture of the German submarine U-858, which had surrendered off Cape May, New Jersey. She was also the US Coast Guard Cutter Air Pheasant (WAVR 449) until 1948 and thereafter owned by the Morton Salt Company to ferry

“Mountain King was lost off Little San Salvador in a hurricane in 1926 whilst under Napoleon Rolle and Elliston Bain, who disagreed over seeking shelter from the storm. All except Rolle were lost.” people and supplies to and from their salt works in Inagua. The vessel was featured in a lengthy article in the Bahamas Handbook entitled “A Passage to Inagua” by Michael Mardon, along with detailed photographs.

In fact a number of mailboats have been featured in the American and European press, usually under the themes of escaping from it all, getting off the beaten path and seeing the islands from sea level, like a local.

Since 1998, the Lady Mathilda serves Inagua as well as Mayaguana, Crooked Island and Acklins Island.

NEXT WEEK: The first of the mailboat dynasties - the Roberts family of Harbour Island.Comments and responses to eric@ ericwiberg.com

In search of Blackbeard’s Tower

S

ome of New Providence’s once-popular tourist attractions seem to have disappeared.

Not that they are gone, but they have become overgrown with thick bush and, even though I know exactly where they are, I cannot get to them.

Two of these, in the east, are Fort Winton and Blackbeard’s Tower.

In 2013, I visited easy-to-find Fort Winton, on Winton Highway, and photographed the well that quenched the thirst of soldiers once stationed there. This year, there is a bulldozed swath of land curving around the site of the fort, but the well could not be found and thick bush prevented access to it, barely visible through the leaves.

As for Blackbeard’s Tower, a visitor’s Internet comments described taking a jitney to Tower Heights, on Eastern Road, where he had been told he would find an unmarked path, next to a green-and-white house, leading to the tower.

This sounded like how I used to get to the tower, years ago, so off I went, only to find, as had the tourist, that that path no longer exists.

I happened to be with a friend, who has a customer who lives next door to Blackbeard’s Tower, so he was able to get us to a close-by spot, from which we could see the top of the ruin. We tried to pick our way around the fence and through the bush, but nature defeated us.

It is questionable whether Blackbeard, the pirate, had anything to do with this tower, that lies about five miles away from where the pirates’ boats were anchored. But it is widely claimed that he used it to watch for boats approaching the eastern entrance to Nassau’s harbour. It does offer a superb view of the sea but it would have taken quite a while to walk to the port to alert Blackbeard. Remember, there were no jitneys.

Nature defeated Paul Aranha in his attempts to get to Blackbeard’s Tower recently

Blackbeard’s Tower was a popular tourist attraction in the 1970s Another monument to Blackbeard is Blackbeard’s Well, at the junction of West Street with West Bay Street, on the site of the new Pointe development. There is no proof that Blackbeard drank from this well, but there is a good likelihood that he did since the well does appear on an 18th century map of Nassau and piracy ruled this town until 1718.

• islandairman@gmail.com

14| The Tribune | Weekend

Excellent: 8 mins Yesterday’s solution: BLACK (across) LYCRA (down)

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The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, April 29, 2016

animals Animal matters Kim Aranha

The sad story of the horses at BASH

T

his has been a historic week for the Bahamas Humane Society. For the first time, a cruelty case has been filed under the new Animal Protection and Control Act. The horses from BASH (Bahamas Association for Social Health) in Chippingham were finally removed by the police from the miserable conditions that they have been forced to live in for years.

Some of you would have read the article in the papers when the horses were taken away last week. I hasten to point out that the “dramatic” photograph of the child with one of the horses was extremely misleading, alas.

It gives the impression that kindness and warmth was shown towards these poor animals who lived a life of neglect and suffering.

As far as I know, none of the neighbourhood children ever interacted with the horses or rode them. As far as the residents in the drug rehabilitation facility go, I do not know what they did, but I can certainly tell you what they did not do. They did not feed the horses the feed supplied by the Bahamas Humane Society that was given to try and help these poor horses. They did not administer the medications that we took over, and they tore down the signs placed in the stables with guidelines as to quantities of food to feed each animal daily, and what medications to give which horse. The stables were in a deplorable condition, the rain leaked in and the horses had limited space.

Sue Smith wrote to this paper setting the record straight about the ownership of these horses that has been in dispute for years in spite of a watertight contract, and the multiple attempted interventions by the owners.

They had come from different places to train with a man who at the time

After: Zeus suffering from severe malnutrition was at the BASH stables. There was a falling-out between him and Terry Miller (executive director of BASH) and it is said the gentleman left and the horses stayed there without any experienced horse handlers or proper care.

Mr Miller first released to the BHS two horses that were suffering from such appalling neglect that sadly they both had to be put to sleep because their condition was beyond treatment.

They were horses who had once had a happy life with the young people of this island. Zeus was at Camperdown and ridden and loved by so many. Since his death I have had messages from many professionals expressing their dismay and sadness at the disgraceful end to his life.

The Bahamas Humane Society did everything we could possibly do to help those animals; we provided food, medications and advice. We would visit and try and explain how to care for them, repeatedly. We would talk, encourage, suggest, but it all fell on deaf ears, nothing ever changed.

Sometimes we were welcome, other times not. The frustration of seeing the food out in the open, not being given to the horses and going mouldy, was at times overwhelming.

The Bahamas Humane Society pleaded with Mr Miller countless times to let us find good homes for these poor animals. Keeping horses well in the Bahamas is a challenge and there simply was not enough money to sustain five horses successfully. I personally, again, begged Mr Miller to release them only recently. Much of this suffering could have been avoided had we been able to get Mr Miller to understand that keeping five horses was just too expensive and challenging

Before: Zeus at Camperdown in happier times for him.

The Bahamas Humane Society were immensely pleased with the immediate action taken by the police, who upon receiving our complaint, undertook a full and prompt investigation. Their removal of the horses from BASH took place under section 51 of the Act ,which provides that where an animal control warden or police officer has reasonable cause to believe that an offence under the Act has been committed, he may seize and impound any animal which is believed to be involved in the offence.

This prompt response from the police coupled with the much greater penalties for cruelty under the new Animal Protection and Control Act is very encouraging. We feel this may be

a turning point where we can finally help animals in peril, and make the humans responsible pay for their actions. Section 46 (1) of the Act provides that anyone found guilty of an offence of cruelty under this section shall be liable to a fine of up to $5,000 or a term in prison for up to six months, or both. For any subsequent offence, the fine is up to $20,000 and the time in prison is increased to up one year, or both. These are very serious penalties. Multiple animals that suffered cruel treatment can mean multiple fines or time, or both.

In addition, the magistrate can make an order that the person convicted of cruelty to animals is not allowed to own one again.

The horses are now under the care of the Bahamas Humane Society which is a recognised society under the Animal Protection and Control Act, 2010, and is a member of the Animal Protection and Control Board appointed under the Act. I ask you to stop a minute and think about what those animals went through. Kept in squalid conditions, being starved of the food they needed, some sick and in pain but denied their meds, all suffering from hoof infections. When it rained the roof leaked. They were alone – no love, no kindness, no care. Imagine their misery and confusion. Once upon a time kids crowded around them, carrots in hand, to stroke their velvety noses.

Now they were “just” horses on their way out, despondent and forgotten.

Even the two who were in marginally better condition were suffering from malnutrition and had serious hoof disease. They must have wondered what they had ever done to deserve such neglect and suffering. It makes me cry when I think of what must have gone through their minds as they struggled with their miserable lot.

Many of you will be familiar with the children’s classic “Black Beauty”, written by Anna Sewell in 1877, a beautiful and sad book about horses and the way they were mistreated in those days, but to think it was happening right here in Nassau in 2016 makes my heart break. If this angers you, don’t let the suffering be in vain, don’t let Martini and Zeus’ deaths pass unnoticed. I implore all of you who feel that this kind of treatment is unacceptable to join hands with the Bahamas Humane Society. Take a stand and shout out for animal rights, not a whisper but a shout. Now, before it is too late.

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, April 29, 2016

gardening

Coming fruits With summer fast approaching, Jack Hardy focuses on some of the more unusual fruits we can harvest here in the Bahamas.

Wax jumbu fruit can be used to make jam

R

ight now the only fruits I can pick from my yard are tamarinds, bananas and papayas.

The latter two are yearround producers, so only tamarinds are in season for me. But things will soon change. My mango trees are hanging with small fruits, the wax jambu is flowering, and the grumichama, Surinam cherry, Barbados cherry, passion fruit, longans and mulberries are well on their way.

This is the first year my tamarind tree has borne fruit and I was surprised by the number of pods produced. The tree I have is a sweet Thai variety rather than the sour-pulped sort that is much more common. My tree is on the edge of the property, but were it more central I would use it as a shade tree.

The dappled light allowed by tamarind foliage is pleasant and enough gets through to allow grass under the tree to stay green.

The best way to grow Surinam cherries is as a hedge. One bush as a specimen rarely gives sufficient fruit at any one time. Very tart when slightly unripe, Surinam cherries are juicy and sweet when fully ripe and can be squeezed by hand. The juice can be added to punches.

I have been wondering for years what to do with my wax jambu fruits.

I usually stew the ripe peeled fruits and add a little red food colouring for effect. This tastes very pleasant – especially with cream or ice cream as accompaniment – but I feel I could get more from the fruits. My wife has

Barbados cherries are an excellent source of vitamin C. made wax jambu jam successfully and I once made a pie from the fruit. I am now thinking of wax jambu wine using an apple wine recipe. Is there a place in Nassau that sells wine yeast?

Far better for pies is mulberry, using the deep black fruits. Mixed with sliced cooking apples and sugared fairly lightly the pie is a real treat. We used to pick blackberries in Abaco during late April and early May but they seem to have disappeared from the cannery area.

Lucky you if you have a jaboticaba tree in your yard. The dark almost black fruits grow from the trunk and stems of the tree and are really delicious. The problem is jaboticaba trees take 15+ years from seed to fruit. The near relative grumichama gives a similar flavour in a much more compact form. The fruits are only the size of

marbles but are irresistible. I understand that grumichama jelly is one of the greatest of epicurean delights but I have always eaten my tree’s production out of hand as they ripen. This year I must show some self-control and make grumichama jelly.

Grumichama trees are compact and grow in a cypress shape rather than with spreading branches. I have planted two more trees in my orchard area between established fruit trees just because they are so compact.

Allow your children and grandchildren to eat all the Barbados cherries they want. The fruits are healthy and very high in vitamin C. Trees are grown commercially in Florida, where they are called acerola, and the fruit is used in babies’ juices and desserts.

Synthetic vitamin C is easily mass produced but for babies the natural

vitamin C found in acerola is considered superior.

I love Barbados cherries when they deepen to almost a burgundy shade and have an almost wine flavour. I pick a mass of them and boil them up with sugar, mashing the fruits regularly as they simmer. The resultant strained juice is a good substitute for grenadine, and a punch made with over-ripe Barbados cherry juice does not need further sweetening.

The anonas seem made for eating out of hand rather than processing.

True, soursop makes what is possibly the finest of ice creams but they and sugar apples, cherimoya and custard apples are delicious straight from the tree.

Loquats are extremely variable when it comes to flavour. A superior loquat tree produces fruit that is exquisite, maybe the finest of all fruits.

I cannot dream of doing anything else but eat them ripe from the tree. Inferior loquats can be made into jam. Be quick; the loquat season is very short.

Cashew apple is highly prized in Cuba but seems to be a very minor fruit in The Bahamas. If you have a cashew tree it is well worth eating the fruit from which the enveloped nut hangs. I have never roasted cashew nuts so I cannot help you there.

Muntingia (Panama berry) comes to us from the banks of the Amazon and its fruits taste remarkably like strawberry. Each marble-sized fruit is packed with tiny seeds so it is a matter of chew and then spit out for most people, not the sort of thing you do in polite company. That is why muntingia fruits are favoured by children, who by and large care less for the rules of polite company.

Black sapote, also called chocolate pudding, is a fairly bland fruit that can be cut in half and attacked with a spoon. It does not have a chocolate flavor but the colour of the soft inner flesh plays tricks on the mind and some people swear they are eating chocolate pudding. The fruit grows from a lovely deep-green foliaged large shrub that deserves to be seen in more gardens.

Dilly season is almost over. Truetrue bush-loving Bahamians all know where to find sapodilla trees in the wild but many more are planting grafted dilly trees of named varieties that give larger fruit. I have heard of dilly jam but never made or tasted it. Dillies do not last long in my house.

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