05192017 weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

books film fashion music entertainment weddings puzzles

Weekend

stix noodle bar Pages 8&9

Coming home A life-changing journey Interview, pages 4&5

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

life through a lens

Save The Bays pins 24 Bahamian Youth Environmental Ambassadors

E

ven at 12 years of age Zhyir Miranda knew that littering was wrong. But it wasn’t until she signed up for Youth Environmental Ambassadors and saw the damage it could do to marine life that she fully understood littering wasn’t just ugly – it was dangerous.

“Littering does not just look bad, littering can kill the turtles in the sea. It can kill the animals that live in the mangroves and depend on mangroves for their survival especially when they are young,” said the tween, who rattled off characteristics of red, black and white mangroves as if she were reciting words of a favourite rap tune.

On Saturday, Zhyir was pinned for her passion and rewarded for her enthusiasm.

The Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy seventh grader became one of 24 young Bahamians certified as Youth Environmental Ambassadors (YEA), a programme sponsored and operated by the environmental advocacy organisation Save The Bays.

For the past four months, junior high students like Zhyir spent every second Saturday trekking through bush, cleaning beaches, learning about wetlands, studying the impact of plastic on oxygen supply of salt or fresh water marine life. All activities, both in the classroom at the YMCA in Freeport and in the field, were geared toward making participants future leaders in environmental stewardship.

“This was the fourth year Save the Bays has offered Youth Environmental Ambassadors to youth in Grand Bahama,” said Rashema Ingraham, who oversees the popular programme that normally draws twice as many applicants as there is space to accommodate.

More than 200 have graduated. The last four-month session, Ms Ingraham said, differed from former versions of the programme.

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

“In the past, we spent a lot of time visiting sites, learning about how industrial waste is managed, for instance, or power generated or what it takes to produce solar energy. But this time we focused on research which we shared with organisations abroad. The work that participants did was very important. They gathered data about shoreline erosion, indigenous vegetation and wetlands.”

Littering still hurts Zhyir, but now she is more likely to speak up when she sees someone toss something from a car window, even if the offender is much older or bigger. Finishing in the top three of the class, Zhyir said the course that included leadership and teamwork played out through team drumming exercises, helped reaffirm her passion to care for pets as a veterinarian.

As graduates received their pins and

began their roles as youth ambassadors, the schools they came from were also rewarded. Save The Bays provided financial support for all six schools whose students participated in the YEA programme including Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior High School, Eight Mile Rock High School, Sunland Baptist Academy, Bishop Michael Eldon School, Jack Hayward Junior High School and Mary Star of the Sea.

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Friday, May 19, 2017

Inside Weekend Interview 4 - 5 Cara Hunt talks to media consultant Felicity Ingraham about her life-changing trip to Ethiopia Education 7 Five Aquinas students complete Gentlemen’s Club programme

Food 8 - 9 Baha Mar’s Stix Noodle Bar takes an authentic approach

Books 11 - 12 Bahamian best-selling author Tanya R Taylor talks inspiration, plus newest releases reviewed

Weddings 13 Five Seasons Bridal hosts reality TV star at popular runway show

Fashion 14-15 Hardour Collection invokes the essence of style icon Audrey Hepburn Entertainment 17 Labour Day weekend turns fantastical, plus “This Has To Stop” comedy show seeks to uplift

Music 18 Join the Frank PLP party

Gardening 19 Jack Hardy explains how to make schmaltz by adding some ingredients from your garden Film 20 - 21 Students learn the ins and outs of filmmaking, plus ‘Alien: Covenant’ reviewed

Literary Lives 22 - 25 Josephine Baker, the radical girl in the banana skirt

Forgotten Facts 25 Paul Aranha presents a shortlist of Bahamian firsts Animals

27 Kim Aranha talks bees and the dangers of pesticides, plus Pet of the Week

Cover photo | Shawn Hanna

My perfect Bahamian weekend Angelique McKay Bahamian cultural warrior

Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch?

“Saturday lunch. It’s a more relaxed time; traditions are deep within me.”

Q: Wine, Kalik, rum or cocktail?

“Wine...and only with dinner #litehead.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“Beach! The healing salt air and the calming crashing waves.”

“I can’t live without Junkanoo at Christmas and New Year’s.”

Q: What could you not do without?

“I can’t live without Junkanoo at Christmas and New Year’s.”

Q: Weekend away: where would you go?

“I would go to Florence, Italy. I love visiting Italy and enjoy Florence.”

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday • Off Da Rock Ladies Fishing Weekend Time: 2pm Venue: Plantation Bar & Grill Enjoy the welcome reception which kicks off a special weekend specifically designed to teach women how to fish in a fun way. Register at OffDaRockBahamas.com or call 436 6695 for more information.

• The Bahamas: Forgotten History Time: 5.30pm Venue: The Ladder Gallery View 15 new pieces by Durelle Williams at the opening of his solo show. The artist hopes his work will inspire people to reflect on what their ancestors went through – whether it be good or the bad – and how those experiences are still affecting the lives of Bahamians today.

The exhibit will remain on display until June 9.

• Runway 2017 – An Evening with Monte Time: 5pm (expo); 7.30pm (runway show) Venue: Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis Join Five Seasons Bridal and “Say Yes to the Dress” star Monte Durham for the latest in wedding trends.

SEE PAGE 13

Saturday • Doongalik Farmers’ Market Time: 9am - 1pm Venue: Doongalik Studios Art Gallery

The bi-monthly farmers’ market this weekend includes Seasonal Sunshine Bahamas, Sunset Organic Farm, Bahama Island Farms, Brer Bookie Meat Company, Gourmet Lunch Box, CraftCottage Bahamas, and The Place For Art. • Hope Floats – A Lupus 242 Balloon Release Event Time: 10am - 12noon Venue: Fort Charlotte Join the Lupus 242 support group for a balloon release event honouring those who have lost the battle with lupus.

• Frame Building Workshop with Thierry Lamare Time: 10am Venue: National Art Gallery of The Bahamas As a part of his retrospective, “Love, Loss and Life”, artist Thierry Lamare will share frame building techniques at a three-hour workshop. Materials are included in the price for the workshop ($25), however, participants are invited to bring any viable reclaimed wood that they would like to use.

• Long Islanders’ Association 2017 Annual Fair & Raffle Time: 11am - 11pm Venue: R M Bailey Park Enjoy fresh native Long Island mutton, conchy conch fritters, fried fish, hamburgers, hot dogs, cakes and more. There will be hoopla, plants, kids korner, face painting and rides.

The grand raffle will be drawn at 9pm.

• 16th Annual Cancer Society of the Bahamas Ball Time: 7pm Venue: Meliá Nassau Beach Resort Join the Cancer Society of the Bahamas for a black-tie extravaganza featuring entertainment by soca star Bunji Garlin and more.

SEE PAGE 10 • Islands of the World Fashion Showcase Time: 7pm Venue: Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant Enjoy a mosaic of fashion and cultures featuring designers from the Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Turks ans Caicos, and the United States. This year’s theme is ‘The Colour of Love’.

Tickets are $30 ($20 for students with valid ID) and may be purchased online from www.islandsfashionweek. com or at the door on the day of the show.

• Drive-in movie Time: 8pm Venue: Tailgater’s Sports Bar & Grill Enjoy the crime drama “Sleepless” starring Jamie Foxx on three large screens brought you by Pupstar Entertainment & Events. Ticket are $10 and include a bag of popcorn and a drink.

Sunday • Sunday Cool Down Time: 7pm Venue: Balmoral Club Come and cool down with Tingumdem for a night of sweet music and dancing.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

interview A long-anticipated return trip to the motherland has changed Felicity Ingraham’s perspective on life forever. The media consultant tells Cara Hunt how visiting Ethiopia and experiencing its welcoming culture has resulted in a deeper appreciation of the Bahamas

Felicity Ingraham

W

hen she was only seven, Felicity Ingraham travelled to Egypt with her family. It was an experience that would inspire and guide her for the rest of her life.

“I can clearly remember climbing to the top of this mosque in Egypt and I was able to see the entire city. I saw the pyramids and then I saw the tall modern skyscrapers, and I just thought, ‘Wow, this is such a great amazing place. And then I thought, ‘This is only one country on this continent. I have to come back and see more of Africa’,” said the multimedia and public relations consultant.

On that same trip, Felicity and her mother were in a marketplace when an African woman approached them and prophesied that Felicity would grow up to be a priestess.

“I told her, ‘No, ma’am. I am not going to be a priestess; I am going to be a missionary to Africa. I didn’t mean that I was going to be one of the missionaries that go around with the Bible and witness; I meant that I knew that my life would be a mission to Africa.”

Even at that young age Felicity said she felt a strong connection to the African continent which remained with her over the years.

As life would have it, it would be a few decades before Felicity would be able to return to Africa.

Earlier this month, she travelled to Ethiopia for a spiritual and emotional journey that she said has truly changed her life.

“I chose Ethiopia because it is the birthplace of mankind. It is the oldest Christian civilisation in the world and it has such a rich history,” she explained.

Felicity stands at the entrance of the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.

The country’s history is so rich perhaps, because it is the only African nation to have never been colonised. It has one of the oldest monarchies in the world, dating back to the descendants of Solomon.

During her visit, Felicity had the opportunity to bathe in the hot springs

of Sodor which flow from the Awash River. She also visited the grave of Emperor Haile Selassie in the University Palace.

Haile Selassie was the final emperor of Ethiopia. He is also revered in the Rastafarian movement as the returned messiah of the Bible who will usher in

a future golden age of eternal peace, righteousness and prosperity.

Felicity also paid a visit to the historic Cathedral of St Mary of Zion in the city of Axum (also called Zion/Tsion).

It is said that the cathedral houses the Ark of the Covenant.

“It was such a mystical place and a

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very religious city, and they still follow quite a bit of the biblical day practices,” she said.

The experience was so moving that Felicity was led to be baptised by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Christian Church, which is older than both the Anglican or the Catholic Church.

“The priests talked to me about what it meant to be a Christian and then they used an ancient golden cross for the ceremony, a golden chalice, as well as ancient Bibles in the ceremony.

The fact that they used these items in the ceremony was just so precious to me,” said Felicity.

“I felt like they were washing away all those feelings of bitterness I had toward slavery and feeling like we were owed something. It was a life-changing experience.”

Felicity was also given a new name – Fikirite Marya – which means ‘The Love of St Mary’.

In addition to her religious experiences, Felicity enjoyed getting to know the Ethiopian people, whom she said were extremely friendly and welcoming.

“It truly did feel like coming home,” she said. “And the way they welcomed you into their home and fed you, even though they have never met you, reminded me of Family Island life.

They truly appreciate that you have come from so far to learn about their culture.”

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and many families will welcome you into their homes with a traditional coffee ceremony as they also burn frankincense and pop popcorn on a stove, Felicity said. “It’s like when someone visits here and you take them out for a Kalik and conch salad.”

The food is very fresh and organic, she added, saying that if you were to go to a shop to buy meat, the animal has either just been killed and butchered or they will do so while you wait.

Everything is handmade and they use as many natural resources.

“The food can be prepared however you like it, either spicy or mild, and everything that I had was amazing,” she said.

One of the reasons Felicity was drawn to the country was that she wanted to compare it to the Bahamas.

“Ethiopia has a population of about 88 million people and it’s the oldest Christian nation. I wanted to see how that compared to the Bahamas. I found that the Ethiopians are deeply religious and spiritual. They have nuns and monks who live in the mountains and pray for

Felicity at the Cathedral of St Mary of Zion in the city of Axum. It is said to house the Ark of the Covenant.

the country 700 times a day. Everyone you meet takes the time to observe religious practices and wear a prayer shawl. For a country with that many people, they don’t have a huge murder or crime rate and the country is extremely clean. I feel that if a country that large can get it together like that, then surely our country can,” she said.

“The culture of the country is so welcoming that you are allowed to connect with your neighbour.

You can be a man and kiss a man on the check in greeting and it is not perceived in a negative light; it is just coming from a place of natural friendly love.”

Felicity added that she was deeply impressed with the wealth of the country.

“Ethiopia is very wealthy. They have gold mines, and so everywhere you go even the person that you would consider to be poor is wearing gold, because it is right there,” she said.

Felicity said she definitely wants to return to the motherland, particularly to Ethiopia to see more of the country and then maybe its neighbour, Kenya.

However, she added that where she previously thought that her mission was solely

“I felt like they were washing away all those feelings of bitterness I had toward slavery and feeling like we were owed something.”

Africa-based, the trip has given her a deeper appreciation for the Bahamas, in part due to the similarities between the peoples of the two countries.

“I wanted to say that if Bahamians connect to the African continent, it is more likely they will find themselves, and this nation can gain a true national identity, fully accepting and connecting to our past in order to correct the present troubles and create a brighter future for our country,” she said.

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Friday, May 19, 2017

section

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Friday, May 19, 2017

education

Young excellence

S

tephen Seymour, Karrington Culmer, Gregory Stubbs, Kriston Clarke and Kyle Smith were among the impressive cadre of young men from schools throughout New Providence who recently participated in the 26th Annual Gentlemen’s Club Ball.

Representing Aquinas College, the five young men are considered shining examples of students who have distinguished themselves in academics, school leadership, community service and performing arts.

Founded 27 years ago, the Gentlemen’s Club was established to fill a need for positive programmes that would engage young men in the Bahamas.

At this year’s ball, the Aquinas College gentlemen garnered several awards. Gregory Stubbs won the talent competition with a piano performance. Stephen Seymour was awarded the Morehouse College Award for academic excellence; he also won the Archdeacon William Thompson Award which is awarded to the gentleman who displays Christian leadership.

Additionally, Aquinas College was awarded School of the Year.

Lamon Stubbs, director of the Gentlemen’s Club, explained that the School of the Year award is based on the performance and participation of the young men, as a collective group, in the programme. He attributed Aquinas College’s win to “the great group of young men from Aquinas who really participated and added value to the Gentlemen’s Club programme.”

During a roundtable discussion with the five young men, they shared their aspirations for the future and spoke to what they believe is a positive outlook for young men in the Bahamas.

Each spoke to how inspiring it was to network with other young men who were focused on achieving positive outcomes for their lives. The young men

recalled a phrase Mr Stubbs often said to them, “Lift as you climb.”

Karrington shared that he wants to pursue chemical engineering, and Gregory said he aspires to study computer science. Meanwhile, Kriston hopes to become a doctor and Kyle wishes to study biochemistry. Four of these young men have their sights set on attending St John’s University in Minnesota. Stephen Seymour will attend Morehouse College in the fall to pursue a degree in physics and mechanical engineering.

Shona Knowles, principal of Aquinas College, expressed pride in her students: “It speaks volumes to the caliber of scholars enrolled at Aquinas College.”

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

food

The real deal Stix Noodle Bar serves up authentic Chinese cuisine

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

A

t the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar’s Stix Noodle Bar it’s all about authenticity.

And you can’t get much more authentic than Executive Sous Chef Nick Du demonstrating the art of hand-pulled noodles.

The impressive process starts with one thick rope of dough which is transformed as Chef Du continu-

ously pulls on it using an upright twisting method.

Using his fingers to separate and add length to the dough, he soon has the thin strands which turn into delicious noodles made from scratch. Guests can witness this lively demonstration every evening at 7pm.

Brent Martin, Executive Chef at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, said it is the resort’s aim to be as authentic as possible while bringing a different type of cuisine to the Bahamas.

“I think just seeing the enthusiasm from the Bahamian chefs and have them learn new cultures and different types of cuisines... it is very exciting to be a part of the experience and have them go down this journey with us. We are all learning at the same time, and although it is going to be a long process, it is going to be a great one. For myself, I could be hiring over 200 employees just for my

department; from cooks to dish washers,” said Chef Martin.

Meanwhile, Chef Du said he is enjoying the experience of working in the Bahamas alongside Chef Carvison Pratt at the Stix Noodle Bar. Relationship-building in the kitchen is important for the skilled chef.

“I am happy to be working in the kitchen with Bahamians and Chinese. Out of all the things Carvison has introduced me to, conch is my favourite. When I am making traditional Chinese dishes here, it is a transition to realise that they are going to come out different because I am using Bahamian home-grown ingredients. I have grown a taste for it and wonder how I am going to deal when I go back,” said Chef Du. Expressing similar sentiments, Chef Pratt said the working relationship has been very positive one,

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Friday, May 19, 2017

Photos/Shawn Hanna

Executive Sous Chef Nick Du demonstrates the art of hand-pulled noodles.

and for him it is great to be able to learn new cooking techniques and advanced lessons in Chinese dishes.

“From him I am learning the art of pulling noodles. It is also refining what I already know as it pertains to Asian cooking. So far I can honestly say that I have fine-tuned the way that I season food and the way that I present it. He has showed me that. He also brings to the table a wealth of knowledge in classical Chinese (dishes),” said Chef Pratt.

Yvette Edwards, director of sales and marketing at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, said the Stix Noodle Bar plays a big role at the resort.

“It is something that is new and it is something that we think not only the hotel guests that are coming to visit are going to enjoy, but more importantly, our local guests as well. We are making sure that we get the word out. The restaurant has a very strong presence in Asia and the United States. In fact, some of the chefs that are here were actually chefs at the Grand Hyatt in Asia, so we brought them in to help train our team and do it the authentic way,” said Ms Edwards.

Another plus point for the Stix Noodle Bar, Chef Martin believes, is the open kitchen space which allows guests to sit at the noodle bar and actually watch as their food is being prepared.

The Stix Noodle Bar offers dishes like sate chicken

“I think just seeing the enthusiasm from the Bahamian chefs and have them learn new cultures and different types of cuisines...it is very exciting to be a part of the experience and have them go down this journey with us.”

noodles; lobster, clam and conch hot and sour noodle soup with celery; braised wagyu beef rib noodle soup; traditional Beijing noodles; Sichuan-style spicy chicken; pork Shao Mai Tobiko; mango pudding, and more.

“Persons can sit right at the bar and watch their dishes being made. The Food Network has definitely introduced this way of dining to a lot of people and we have built a lot of our restaurants very exposed. Once (Baha Mar) is up and operational we will have about 27 food and beverage outlets here. There will be some open early in the morning and some until late at night.

This restaurant for example, we are open here from 4pm until 12am, but once we are fully operational we will be open until 2am,” said Chef Martin.

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Friday, May 19, 2017

Helping the Community

Saluting the survivors

H

UNDREDS of guests in their finery are expected at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort tomorrow night to celebrate the Cancer Society of the Bahamas’ 16th annual gala ball, one of the social highlights of the year.

The gala night is a treat for many Bahamians, who will enjoy not only exquisite fine dining but will dance to their heart’s content while supporting a worthy cause.

One of the major supporters of the ball again this year is BTC, which has stepped up as a platinum sponsor, donating $6,600 to the cause.

The gala night - expected to attract over 400 guests - is the biggest fundraiser for the Cancer Society and is being held under the theme, ‘Celebrate! Faith. Hope. Love. Peace.

Happiness. Survival. Joy.’ Dame Marguerite Pindling, the Governor General, is this year’s patron.

Proceeds from the gala night will go towards the Cancer Caring Centre expansion project.

“We have a special affinity with the Cancer Society and we’ve supported their drive for greater awareness for many years,” said Leon Williams, CEO of BTC. “This year, we will celebrate with a number of survivors and families. I’m proud of the work the Cancer Society has been doing and we wish them well with this weekend’s ball.”

As co-chairperson of the Cancer Ball, Lisa Bellot knows first hand what it takes to plan and execute an event of this magnitude. She said the Society is more than grateful to have the support of BTC. “We’re pleased to have BTC as a partner.

They’ve been supporting us for many years.

So, it’s always great to have them come along, and be a part of this most worthy cause because everyone has been touched by cancer in some way or another,” she said.

Tomorrow night the Society will honour Iris Pinder, who will receive the Susan Andrews Award for honourable service, while

Lisa Bellot, cochairperson of the Cancer Society Ball, receives a donation from Matthew Moxy, an intern with BTC’s public relations department.

Bunji Garlin, who took the stage at the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival earlier this month, will perform at tomorrow night’s gala ball.

Dr K Larry Carroll is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

As for the gala night, Ms Bellot said the Society has pulled out all the stops to create a “dancing, fun party atmosphere”. Entertainment will be provided by BTC endorsed talents Dyson Knight and Wendy Lewis as well as Geno D, Trinidadian soca star Bunji Garlin (who performed at Carnival earlier this month) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band.

“I’d like people to come and celebrate with people that are still fighting cancer. We want people to come in and understand that when they participate in these things, they’re actually helping. Many people may not be aware that the

Cancer Society Caring Centre houses a number of patients that may not have a place to stay, while getting treatment free of charge, especially Family Islanders,” Ms Bellot said.

BTC continues to support all of the branches of the Cancer Society throughout the Family Islands and is also a supporter of the Sister/Sister Breast Cancer Support Group. Over the last two years, the company has provided free mammograms for customers in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

Tickets for the black tie event which features cocktails at 7pm and dinner at 8pm - can be purchased at The Cancer Society of the Bahamas on Collins Avenue.

JEFFARAH GIBSON

THE Cancer Society of the Bahamas is currently engaged in a $3 million Cancer Caring Centre expansion project that the organisation hopes will become a reality in the very near future.

It will allow an additional 16 rooms for cancer patients, day care for New Providence residents and it is anticipated to add hospice care.

The Cancer Caring Centre is known as a place where pain management is undertaken and medical attention is provided in a setting of beauty, tranquillity and personal freedom. It is a welcome relief for any cancer patient who has had to struggle alone. The three-storey building is adjacent to the present Cancer Society headquarters off Collins Avenue, close to Doctors and Princess Margaret Hospitals.

The building houses 10 rooms, each with a patio and garden view. The second floor rooms are reserved for Family Island patients staying in Nassau for short-term treatment. Residents are encouraged to participate in simple activities such as gardening or preparing meals, to stay active and maintain their self-esteem.

Helping the Community

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Friday, May 19, 2017

books

The birth of a series: How best-selling Bahamian author finds inspiration

By Fay Knowles

A

S best-selling Bahamian author Tanya R Taylor prepares to release the next instalment in her popular “Cornelius Saga”, I sat down with the Nassau native to find out what inspires her to write in the paranormal suspense genre.

Growing up in the Sea Breeze community, Tanya and her older brother Dwayne used to explore a large derelict house set on a vast piece of land dotted with fruit trees.

“I loved going on that property, picking mangoes and dillies, and just surveying it from time to time,” she remembers.

Wondering why this house was left abandoned is where her idea came from for “Cornelius”, a number one Amazon best-seller and first in a series of popular novels. The fourth book in the “Cornelius Saga”, as it is now known, “We See No Evil”, will be released June 6, with pre-orders already underway.

“We See No Evil” is Tanya’s 17th published book overall.

“Cornelius” has been on the Catholic Board of Education’s summer reading list (grades 11 and 12) for the past two years. “Many people have told me that it should be in every school’s library or on its reading lists,” the author said.

The “Cornelius Saga” has been a hit with readers, with reviews on Amazon describing it as “striking, stunning and heart-warming.”

“The very first instance of a haunted house story making me cry,” said one fan.

Another wrote: “Good scary book set in present time with flashbacks to devilish slave days.”

Tanya said “Cornelius” is one of her favourite books out

The fourth part in the “Cornelius Saga” will be released on June 6.

Author Tanya R Taylor

of all the ones she has written because it takes her back to the fun childhood she had experiencing adventures with her brother.

“Although forbidden by our father, as kids we went fishing and swimming in the canal. We often did so when he was not at home, and one time, after jumping in the water where stingrays and other fish lived, I almost drowned.”

Fortunately, her brother saved her. “Otherwise he would have faced the wrath of our father who had no idea we were even out there again. Thankfully that incident was hidden well and only decades later did I reveal to our father what had happened that particular day. It was funny then, although not so funny to him!”

After writing “Cornelius”, Tanya said she had an idea for the continuation of the story, “although ‘Cornelius’ and all the other books in the series can stand alone.”

“Revenge of Cornelius” came next, as Mira Cullen, the teen protagonist from the first book is now grown up and has a child of her own named Rosie.

Rosie has a special gift just like her mother, but Mira is not aware of it until strange things start happening and her daughter’s life is suddenly in danger.

“After ‘Revenge of Cornelius’ and the awesome response I received from readers and new subscribers from all over the world to my mailing list, wanting to be notified of my new releases, I knew I had to continue the series,” said Tanya.

The next book is called “Cara”. Little Rosie from the second book befriends a loner by the name of Cara. Rosie’s mother, Mira, allows the budding friendship for a while until she notices that something isn’t quite right with the newcomer in her daughter’s life. In “Cara”

we see that not all children are innocent.

“Cara is also a favourite of many in this series and now I’m on to book four, ‘We See No Evil’,” said Tanya. “The Cullen family is going to experience some unusual events as they happily embark on a longawaited road trip.”

The book blurb for “We See No Evil” states: “Mira and Rosie Cullen can’t help but attract the undead, but in this spooky tale a mere blackout can mean the difference between life and death. Will the Cullens be doomed or will Mira and Rosie uncover the harrowing mystery just in time?”

“I thoroughly enjoyed writing this stand-alone series,” said Tanya. “Each book has been a lot of fun to dive into and I plan on adding many more adventures to this series. As long as my readers want more, I’ll keep creating until I’ve finally reached the end, but at this point, I have no idea when that will be. Currently, ‘We See No Evil’ is set at an extremely low pre-order price, which will change once the book has been released.”

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

Tanya has attracted the attention of American media personalities and international book bloggers, and has provided several in-depth interviews. She also has plans for meaningful collaborations in the future.

Her next book after “We See No Evil” will be a thriller called “The Contract”, to be released later this year. Interested readers can visit her website at www. tanyaRtaylor.com and sign up to be notified of its release date.

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Friday, May 19, 2017

books St. Martin’s Press via AP

review

“It’s Always the Husband” is riveting novel

R

elationships — whether marriage or friendship — have the power to enrich lives or destroy them. Some relationships do both as Michele Campbell shows in her riveting novel “It’s Always the Husband.”

Campbell, a former federal prosecutor who has written several novels under different names, expertly explores the line between love and hate and the effect of toxic relationships. While the mystery elements blanket the story, “It’s Always the Husband” spins on the friendship of three very different women and the calm and chaos surrounding them.

Crime thriller by Jo Nesbo keeps readers guessing It all starts with a Tinder date in a bar appropriately called Jealousy and ends with death on an ice-covered fjord. In between, “The Thirst,” the latest Harry Hole crime thriller by Jo Nesbo, is filled with horrific murder scenes intensely detailed enough to chill the blood in your veins.

The women of Oslo, Norway, are being killed by what appears to be a vampire — the perpetrator is drinking their blood — and Hole, now sober and lecturing at the Police College, is drawn into active duty to run a parallel investigation.

Nesbo’s cast of characters is filled with potential suspects, careerist cops and Hole’s family and friends. They include his wife Rakel, who is suffering headaches, and her son Oleg, who is attending

This cover image released by St. Martin’s Press shows “It’s Always the Husband,” a novel by Michele Campbell.

Scholarship student Aubrey Miller, ambitious local girl Jenny Vega and wealthy New Yorker Kate Eastman meet on their first day at New Hampshire’s Carlisle College. The three are suite-mates and are soon known as the the Police College; a tabloid reporter, Mona Daa, and a policeman who is leaking details to her from the investigation; a criminal forensics expert, Bjorn, and the lead detective on the case; and Katrina, who recently split up with him, as well as a police chief with suspect motivations.

It’s frightening enough with a killer on the loose, but in “The Thirst,” even the good guys have secrets. Hole struggles to keep control of his fragile mental state and his drinking as the killer exsanguinates his victims — and Harry even comes face-to-face with the murderer but is forced to let him go.

The story is filled with enough side plots — a victimized child, a sick wife and a convicted murderer — to keep readers guessing about the serial killer’s identity and to keep Hole obsessed and afraid for his own family.

“The Thirst” begins with the brutal killer sinking rusty metal teeth into a victim’s neck, and with that gruesome murder, you’ll want to sink your teeth into “The Thirst” and not let go.

JONATHAN ELDERFIELD Associated Press

Whipple Triplets after the dorm where they live. But the nickname isn’t always a term of endearment. The emotionally fragile Aubrey struggles with her background, her grades and her inability to fit in. She hero-worships Kate, a spoiled rich girl with drug and anger issues. Only Jenny seems to rise above, though she is constantly being drawn into her roommates’ drama. At the end of their first year, a tragedy occurs that binds them together and divides them.

“It’s Always the Husband” alternates between the women’s college days and 22 years later, when each has a drastically different economic situation and place in society.

The novel opens with the murder of one of the women 22 years after their college days. Campbell keeps the murdered women’s identity secret for nearly half the story — a device that works well to amp the tension.

Although readers will probably guess which of the friends met an untimely end, the unveiling is still a surprise, amplified by the shocking motive.

Campbell keeps the tension high as she exposes her very flawed characters, each of whom is realistically explored.

As most of the characters must realize, sometimes the only way to save yourself is to sever a toxic relationship, no matter how painful.

OLINE H COGDILL Associated Press

USA Today Best-sellers 1. “16th Seduction”

by James Petterson and Maxine Paetro 2. “The Trials of Apollo, Book Two”

by Rick Riordan 3. “A Court of Wings and Ruin”

by Sarah J Maas 4. “Into the Water”

by Paula Hawkins 5. “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry”

by Neil deGrasse Tyson 6. “The Fix”

by David Baldacci 7. “Thirteen Reasons Why”

by Jay Asher 8. “The Handmaid’s Tale”

by Margaret Atwood 9. “Against All Odds”

by Danielle Steele

Alfred A. Knopf via AP

This cover image released by Alfred A. Knopf shows, “The Thirst,” by Jo Nesbo.

10. “Option B”

by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant The Associated Press

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, May 19, 2017

weddings

Stars and styles at Runway Show Five Seasons showcases latest trends

By CARA HUNT cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

B

rides-to-be (and future grooms) will get the opportunity to meet “Say Yes to the Dress” star Monte Durham, view latest wedding fashions and sample products from leading vendors when Five Seasons hosts its fifth annual runway show tonight.

The Five Seasons Runway Show kicks off at 5pm at Atlantis and will be hosted by Tennille Darville, owner of the Five Seasons Bridal boutique.

“In the past five years it’s definitely grown from a room of 200 plus guests at SuperClubs Breezes to having to change locations each year due to the number of guests, and now we’re at a happy average of at least 300 guests that will attend the show,” Ms Darville told Tribune Weekend. ​She added that guests at this year’s event are in for many treats and surprises “Anyone who attends the show can expect to see some of the best companies in the business, a tour of the world (you’d have to come to know what that means) and the opportunity to rub shoulders with our guest – Monte Durham from “Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta”.

Mr Durham, the fashion director of the popular TLC show, is known for “jacking up brides” – the process of helping them choose a gown by adding matching accessories such as headpieces, veils and jewellery to give them a more complete picture.

“I think he will definitely

The Five Seasons Runway Show will offer a look at the latest wedding trends.

“Say Yes to the Dress” star Monte Durham will be the special guest at tonight’s Five Seasons Runway Show. give the crowd lots of laughter.

He will be ‘jacking up’ one lucky bride, but certainly he will be bring a clear perspective of what one should expect when you go shopping for a wedding dress. Sadly, in this day and age so many people still don’t know what works and price point is still an area where they need enlightening,” said Ms Darville.

Prior to the runway portion of the show, guests will

be treated to a trade show of leading industry professionals.

“We have vendors from almost every area in wedding and event planning, and while we have some veterans with us, we also have quite a few newbies on the roster,” she said.

The vendors taking part in Runway 2017 include Bahama Fantasies, Bahamas Luxury Transportation, Bahamia Rental, Bahamian Rental,

Braxton G Photography, ClickBooth, Lyndah Wells, Eboni Robyn Photography, Keisha Bastian Photography, Designs by Prestige (invitations), J Co Films (videographer), Keith Jones KIS Bespoke (men’s attire), Metamorphosis Beauty Salon, One Bite Edibles, Pink Sugga (spa), Polished International (makeup and hair), Take a Bahamas (cakes), The RedBox Bahamas (gifts), Travel True Love, Wildflowers Events & Occasions, Yeisha Forbes Beauty, and Atlantis.

The main highlight of the event will of course be the lineup of amazing dresses presented during the fashion show.

Ms Darville said that this year brides can expect to see popular colours like rose gold, blush, as well as prints.

“You will also see separates and long sleeves. We have quite a few designers that have a little bit of everything for every bride,” she said. ​And a few lucky brides will be treated to prizes and surprises.

“We are always giving away something, and this year will be no different. In fact, we’ve already given away a Maggie Sottero wedding dress, Badgley Mischka shoes and veil to one lucky bride, Akeira Nancoo,” she said.

“The task was simple: post a creative photo with your fiancé or bridal party and three tickets on or before May 11. That was it. She posted her photo and won the contest hands down.”

Tickets for tonight’s Five Seasons Runway Show are $40 per person.

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

celebrity The Weekend Fashion Report 2017 TV Upfronts

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

FAIL

SPLIT

SPLIT

HIT

Jennifer Hudson “The Voice”, NBC

Lea Michele “The Mayor”, ABC

Tracee Ellis Ross “Black-ish”, ABC

Taraji P Henson “Empire”, FOX

Karin says: “This looks like half of a flamenco dress...like she danced too hard and the bottom half flew off. The print is terrible. I get wanting to go bold, but this is not a good look. The large, puffy sleeves make me cry.”

Cara says: “Wow, this looks like Jennifer Hudson took one of those 1980s ‘Dynasty’ power suits and rejigged it to become this horrid mini dress. The print looks like an old bedspread. The sleeves are ridiculous and the shoes are ugly. Not her finest moment.”

Karin says: “I’m kinda over strapless gowns. They have saturated every market. I think it’s time for some interesting sleeves. That said, this is an all right dress. The print is pretty, but it’s nothing spectacular.”

Cara says: “This is a very interesting print on what is otherwise your basic boring strapless gown. It fits well and she looks lovely in it, it just doesn’t say a whole lot. Also, I am not feeling the dewy makeup for some reason. “

Karin says: “Those are some droopy looking peplum...flaps...is that what you call them? The flouncy extensions are supposed to be just that – flouncy.

These are too long and sad looking.

The bold red, however, looks great on her.”

Cara says: “Ms Ross just constantly slays and this little red number is quite hot with its side cut-outs and all. Can we all just take a moment to reflect on how she has no stomach...how is that possible? She looks amazing.”

Karin says: “This is a very unique and cute little number. I love dark gray colour and the little attached purses.

It harkens back to pockets on cargo pants. The dress is so unusual that she needed the shoes too match. These just a little too simple, other it’s a great look.”

Cara says: “This dress is so cute. I love the utility bags at the bottom – much more efficient than pockets and much cuter. That steel gray is also an interesting choice, which I like. I would have gone with slightly more fab shoes since the dress itself is relatively simple, but that’s just me.”

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, May 19, 2017

entertainment

A fantastical weekend

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

D

ancehall legend Beenie Man will be headlining a special event this Labour Day weekend which aims to impress even the most experienced party-goers.

Fantasy Weekend Bahamas is an all-inclusive party consisting of five themed events held at picturesque landmarks and beachfronts throughout New Providence.

Grammy award-winning as host and headliner.

The first event on Friday, June 2, is the Silent Fantasy – a headphone dance party on the grounds of Fort Charlotte.

Then on Saturday, June 3, guests can enjoy the Fantasy Waves Beach Party at Nirvana Beach featuring the best in local cuisine, endless drinks and fun in the sun. Special guests and an all-star

local and international DJ lineup await.

Later that evening, Goombay Fantasy will take place at Fort Charlotte.

It’s being billed as a cultural soirée with island food, music by some of the hottest DJs, surprise guests and more.

Then, revellers will wake up to Fantasy Daybreak at Nirvana Beach, a brunch party on Sunday, June 4.

The weekend will wrap up with the signature event, the Fantasy Pearl All White Party, which will be held on Pompey Square.

“With local vendors and Bahamian culture on display, world-renowned DJs, and sensational hosts and entertainment, we have formulated the ultimate all-inclusive weekend experience,” said Terelle Treco, the event’s organiser. “(Party-goers) can expect to have the time of their lives. With the allinclusive experience, you pay one price for food, drinks and entertainment.

Some of our superstar hosts include our very own Sawyer Boy of Sawyer Boy TV, Instagram and YouTube

Grammy Award-winner Beenie Man will be the headliner of the first Fantasy Weekend Bahamas. sensations Princemarni, Gyalis in Paris, and Inhalemee.”

The Fantasy Weekend brand was conceptualised last year when a group of friends, all entertainers and

Comedy show to uplift audience

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net The comedians from Unorthobox Entertainment will once again be serving up their unique brand of belly-aching laughter when they dish out some of their best material at the upcoming “This Has To Stop” show.

Finding non-traditional ways to make people laugh and uplift their spirits has always been the main thrust of the entertainment company.

And “This Has To Stop” strives to meet this goal. According to Unorthobox Entertainment, the show was written to give Bahamian audiences a night to relax, kick off their shoes and have

Christian comedian Anna Douglas out of North Carolina

Comedian Bertrum Oh Bubbler

some fun for a change. “This Has To Stop” will be staged on June 4 at the Christ Community Church at 7.30pm.

In addition to comedian Jaquay Adderley, more commonly known as Bertrum Oh Bubbler, the “jokesperationalist”, the show will feature Anna Douglas, an internet sensation all the way from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Local performers like Chigozie Ijeoma, Getoff King, Bad’Ann Boujee, and musical selections from Mr Beeds and Solo will also be joining the cast.

Mr Adderley, who also serves as the event’s organiser, promises the show will inspire “pure, clean, gut-wrenching laughter” in all those who attend.

“We always love when Bertrum Oh Bubbler touch the stage because it’s ministry in an unconventional way.

Laughter is good for everyone and amidst all of the hard work we love to pause and laugh, too,” he said.

“So why not get our very own amazing comedian, pair him with some of Nassau’s finest and then kick back and

high-end event planners, decided to broaden their horizons and create an ultra luxury weekend experience.

“And while this may be the first event of its kind to be presented, the collaborative partners have been in the entertainment business for 10 plus years,” said Ms Treco. “Two of our well-known and internationally successful event concepts have been incorporated into the Fantasy Weekend brand, both Silent Fantasy and Fantasy Pearl All White. With the success of those stand-alone events and the desire to expand, we thought why not create a weekend experience, and what better place to kick-off than my home – the Bahamas?.”

Ultimately, Ms Treco said it is their desire to give Bahamians an unforgettable experience right here at home. “(We want) to make the Bahamas an annual destination because of this unique, yet well-known Caribbean party concept; all the while showcasing the beautiful Bahamian culture,” she said. laugh ourselves to tears with the entire Bahamas. Everyone enjoys a good laugh. Our comedy shows are interactive and enjoyable. The content is clean, making it family-oriented and a positive atmosphere.”

Unorthobox Entertainment has hosted numerous hit comedy shows over the years.

“I believe that comedy is a part of our culture. In every aspect of our lives we find time to laugh and create jokes, even throughout the world. We have an international comedian and there is a large number of comedians on the world wide web. It doesn’t matter where we are and who we are, we all enjoy a good laugh. Laughter is also a good stress reliever, so to sit down and have comedians deliver their art to make us laugh; it can also be healthy and yet enjoyable,” he said.

As for the future of Unorthobox Entertainment, Mr Adderley said “with all of these creative young people with amazing plans and visions, anything can happen. Just wait and see.”

Tickets for the June 4 show $10 per person.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

music

Join the “Frank PLP” party

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

S

OME songs just write themselves, and Stephen Hanna’s “My Party - Best Party by Frank PLP” definitely falls into this category.

Sung by the character of Frank PLP, the track made waves on social media, with hundreds of people sharing the new music video in the lead-up to the country’s general election last Wednesday. Viewers enjoyed the comedic aspect of the video in the midst of a hectic political season.

“Sitting and listening to diehards from all political corners and their affinity to their parties despite what negative thing that might be said about the party, that’s the inspiration for the song,” Stephen explained. “Technically, the single has not been officially released yet, but it is a part of a larger project.”

He said the name “Frank PLP” derives from a character who appeared

in a sketch of his; a character known as a diehard PLP supporter who just happens to be a singer. The character is such an avid party supporter that he legally changed his name to reflect that.

Last year, Stephen wrote a short Bahamians Icon Award-nominated musical called “Death On the Street Production: Everyone You Love is Dead”. It was part of the “A Night of Young Playwrights” event.

Additionally, along with his friend Patrick Deveaux and others, he has been releasing comedy videos online since last July via the Allan Molech Fan Club.

Speaking in character as Frank PLP, Stephen added: “Prior to this project I was a part of an award-winning hip hop trio known as ShadowLaw, and when I say award-winning, I mean the music is its own reward, and we won that. Sadly,

CHI MODU/DOGGYSTYLE RECORDS/EMPIRE VIA AP

review

Snoop Dogg looks back on CD reflecting rap’s shift THERE’S a strong whiff of the past on Snoop Dogg’s new album, starting with the cover: A throwback photo of the young rapper taken almost 25 years ago in front of a Route 187 sign in Los Angeles. The title is a nod to his endurance: “Neva Left.”

The D-O-Double G may be spending time on talk shows, designing soccer

“Neva Left,” the latest release by Snoop Dogg.

the group was ahead of its time with songs that became cultural touchstones like ‘You Just Got Special’d’ and ‘This Song Is For Mei Lyn’. The country was not prepared for the responsibility of being the birthplace for such weighty greatness.”

As both himself and as Frank PLP, Stephen hopes to create and release new projects for his supporters very soon.

cleats or cooking with Martha Stewart, but he still seem to have lots to prove on his 15th studio CD, a deeply chaotic album that reflects hip-hop’s constant changes swirling around our ever-fixed Snoop.

The West Coast rap legend is aided by almost 20 guests, including KRSOne, Redman, Charlie Wilson, Method Man, Wiz Khalifa and up-and-coming October London. Whoever comes, Snoop keeps up.

“Go On” is an R&B treat and “Bacc in Da Dayz,” which samples early Tribe Called Quest, was clearly designed to make your car shake so hard the mirrors might fall off. “Big Mouth” doesn’t just sound like a blast from the past — it’s like listening to the Big Bang of rap.

The two public sides of the rapper are on show — the strapped thug ready to bust your door down as well as the pleasure-seeking host of hazy summer pool parties. His nasally voice is characteristically unrushed and distant, his lyrics precise, his flow coolly menacing.

It wouldn’t a Snoop album without at least one ode to weed and “Neva Left” actually has two — the club-friendly “Mount Kushmore” and “420 (Blaze Up).” But there are a few lazy songs among the 16, including “Trash Bags,” ‘’Swivel” and “Moment I Feared.”

Snoop, from his throne, doesn’t seem to like what he hears these days: “The party don’t rock like it used to rock,” he says. So the hiphop kingpin, now a grandfather, is showing us how it’s done, once again, like he’s always done it. He never left, after all.

MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, May 19, 2017

gardening

Schmaltz Cooking with melted-down animal fat may sound strange to some, but Jack Hardy explains how adding some ingredients from your garden to the butter-like substance produces a savoury flavour that cannot be achieved with olive and vegetable oils.

I

am neither Jewish nor a Seventh Day Adventist, but I do love schmaltz. Those who abide by the strictures of Old Testament food laws are unable to use pork fat and beef fat is too strong for regular use. Yes, there are vegetable oils, particularly olive oil, to flavour our foods but they are lacking when it comes to decadent fried comfort foods. Thank goodness there is schmaltz – chicken fat – available to our Seventh Day friends.

By available I mean schmaltz exists, but you may not be able to buy it. I do not know if it can be bought in Nassau but it is not for sale on Abaco or any other island I have lived on. Schmaltz is a pricey commodity and can be bought in New York for several dollars an ounce. Ouch. So we make our own.

I go to Abaco Big Bird and buy 10 pounds of frozen chicken necks for $8 plus VAT. Where you go is up to you. I assume there are chicken farms in New Providence. The chicken necks are covered by skin containing fatty tissue and once defrosted in the refrigerator overnight

I separate the skin and fatty tissue from the actual neck, bones and meat. I then heat up my trusty 12-inch iron skillet to slightly above medium and place the neck skins close together in the skillet to render the fat. Halfway through, the neck skin can be turned so it is crisped completely and has given up its fat.

Save the crispy skins in a large bowl because they make wonderful doggy treats. Add the next set of neck skins to the fat and repeat. My 10 pounds of chicken necks usually takes four skillet loads and by that time I have over half an inch of incipient schmaltz.

What does this have to do with gardening you may wonder. At this point you go out to the onion patch and pull and trim a large (or two medium) yellow onion. Peel and coarsely chop it and throw it into the hot fat. I suggest you stay at the stove because we are nearly finished and it would be a shame to ruin everything at the last hurdle.

Stir the onion around and allow it to become quite brown, then turn off the stove. After an hour or so when the fat is cool but still liquid, strain it into containers – preferably ceramic or glass – and refrigerate. Once cooled the fat turns solid, not as solid as lard or butter, but solid nevertheless. You have schmaltz. Frying will never be the same.

You can, of course, make schmaltz by saving and freezing the skin from chickens you cook every week. When you have a substantial amount you can

Frying will never be the same once you use schmaltz.

chop it up and render the fat. It would take a long time to collect enough skin to match the pint I usually get from chicken necks.

Talking about chicken necks, we have several pounds skinned and while we are making schmaltz we can have a stock pot on the back burner. Commercial chicken stocks, broths and gravies use necks, gizzards, hearts and feet to give good flavour. A stock made from breast meat would be insipid.

Put the chicken necks into a large pot, add about a gallon and a half of hot water from the tap, and bring to the boil. Skim off anything floating on the top with a slotted spoon. If you are an experienced cook you won’t need me to tell you what to do next but for everybody else, keep reading.

Add to the boiling water two onions, quartered; several mashed garlic cloves; three or four stalks of celery, chopped; a bunch of parsley; a few sprigs of thyme; a couple of dozen whole peppercorns; a level tablespoon of Ragged Island or kosher salt; and two or three bay leaves. Bring the pot back to a full boil then turn the heat down to very low. Put a lid on the pot without fully covering it. The French have eight different terms for the size of the crescent created by the partlycovering lid but hey, we are making chicken stock not a culinary masterwork. Let the broth simmer for hours and hours until reduced to about one gallon. Let cool, then strain. I find

souse containers perfect for freezing home-made stock.

Next time you make some chicken souse use your home-made stock. You will find it flavoursome and charmingly glutinous, nothing like the popular commercial brands available. Garden vegetables cooked in stock instead of water taste better and so does rice.

If you want a recipe that highlights your new cooking ingredients try this simple dish. Heat a tablespoon of schmaltz in a fry pan on medium high.

When hot add chicken thighs skin side down. Cook until the skin a dark brown, almost burnt. Turn and add a cupful of your stock to the pan. When the stock comes to a boil cover the pan completely and turn to medium low for about 30 minutes. Plate your thighs and serve with plain boiled orzo and the vegetable of your choice. The stock will have been nicely reduced so stir in a little white wine and stir it around then spoon over each thigh portion. If you are not into wine then pepper sauce can be used.

Now let’s do the math. No matter what source you check your pint of schmaltz, gallon of chicken stock and doggy treats would have cost you no less than $40 bought in a store. That $8 plus VAT investment provides not only delicious meals but evidence of good husbandry.

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

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

film

Students learn the art of filmmaking with BIFF

F St John’s College students learn the ins and outs of filmmaking.

Students of Genesis Academy film in front of their school on Dowdeswell Street.

or more than 13 years, the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) has organised film workshops for 1,080 students in Nassau, Freeport, Exuma, Harbour Island and Governor’s Harbour.

With the workshops, BIFF has made an effort to impact the youth of these communities through educational initiatives that allow them to explore their creativity and gain knowledge about the film industry as a whole. Students are introduced to and work in all the different jobs on a film set: acting, directing, sound and lighting, and editing – all the essentials of making a film from pre-production to the cutting room.

This year, BIFF visited Centreville Primary, Genesis Academy and St John’s College in Nassau, and Bishop Michael Eldon High School in Freeport, and hosted a public workshop on the weekends for all ages.

Students of the workshop have created films on the topic “Health and Wellness”, starting with the writing of a script to filming scenes and editing.

“These budding filmmakers have worked tirelessly to produce their unique short films. Under the guidance of Leslie Vanderpool, BIFF founder and director, along with select Bahamian filmmakers Jennifer Simms, Christopher Reid, Travon Patton and Kwame Hanna, BIFF has once again educated Bahamians about the business and joy of filmmaking,” the non-profit organisation said in a statement.

BIFF thanked its sponsors for making the workshop possible, including Sunshine Insurance, URCA, Wendy’s, Dunkin Donuts Bahamas, Sandyport Beach Resort, Avis, Bahamas Local and Club One Fitness.

Five films created at the film workshop will be showcased at the 2017 Bahamas International Film Festival scheduled for December 10 –13 in Harbour Island and December 14 -17 in Nassau.

BIFF invites the Bahamian public to join their Facebook page @BIFF242 and check out their website www.bintlfilmfest.com to stay up-to-date on upcoming events.

A student of Centreville Primary School calls the shots.

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, May 19, 2017

film Twentieth Century Fox via AP

review

In ‘Alien: Covenant,’ a return to gut-busting horror allien: covenant running time: 123 mins

A

h, the siren song of John Denver. Who among us can resist it? Certainly, not the crew of the Covenant, a vessel powered by a golden sail cruising through space with 2,000 “colonists” in hyper sleep and years to go until they reach their destination.

But when a shock wave from a solar flare jostles the crew awake, they soon begin hearing a faint transmission of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” emanating from a curiously Earthlike planet. Such sonic waves would be expected if this was “Guardians of the Galaxy,” but this is the “Alien” universe — no place for sunny ‘70s singer-songwriters. When the antsy crew deviates from their carefully planned mission to seek the transmission’s source, we know it’s only a matter of time until cosmic crustaceans begin bursting forth from bodies. Take me home? You betcha.

“Alien: Covenant” is, itself, a homecoming of sorts for a well-traveled franchise. Since Ridley Scott’s 1979 original — still the ultimate deep-space horror — “Alien” has passed through numerous directors (James Cameron, David Fincher, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) and a prequel reboot, Scott’s “Prometheus.” That film, more bloodless and brainy, sought to answer questions of origin with some pretty audacious backstory and — there’s just no easy way to say this — eyebrow-less colossuses who created the universe.

In Scott’s “Alien: Covenant,” taking

Everyone’s favourite aliens are back for ‘Covenant’.

Michael Fassbender plays a dual role as the androids Walter and David. place ten years after “Prometheus,” the so-called Engineers are, thankfully, nowhere to be seen. Back instead are everyone’s favourite extraterrestrials, those acid-dripping drama queens so fond of making a big entrance.

Like some of the alien offspring, “Covenant” is a hybrid: part gory “Alien”-style scare-fest, part chilly “Prometheus” existentialism. It’s a tall order of thrills and theology that the ever gung-ho Scott, working from a script by John Logan and Dante Harper, comes close to pulling off.

But while “Alien: Covenant” has an ace up its sleeve — Michael Fass-

bender times two — the sheer number of tricks “Alien: Covenant” pulls out, some of them lifted from the five earlier installments, adds to a general sense of deja vu, which is no doubt made worse by the many “Alien” rip-offs that now adorn our galaxy. Yet what was once a slithery straightforward monster movie in space has mutated into an impressively ambitious but overly ornate saga. “Alien: Covenant” has plenty to offer, but unfortunately requires ample study of “Prometheus.”

The captain of the Covenant (James Franco, for a heartbeat) doesn’t survive the shock wave, leaving the uncertain Oram (Billy Crudup) to lead the crew that includes Daniels (Katherine Waterson, our more demure, less imposing Ripley), the imprudent pilot Tennessee (Danny McBride) and Walter (Fassbender), an upgraded model of David, the android the actor played in “Prometheus.”

It’s Oram’s decision to detour for the John Denver-blasting planet, one that initially looks smart. Once through the stormy atmosphere, they find a beautifully mountainous landscape complete with foggy lakes and fields of wheat.

But there are ominous warnings, like an eerie silence because of the lack of any animals or birds. And who planted the wheat? When one of the crew

members says he’s going to “take a leak,” he might as well be announcing his imminent death.

When things go haywire, the crew freak out and make such poor, emotional decisions that you, as in prior “Alien” films, find yourself rooting for the creatures with bike-helmet skulls.

They might not be pretty, but they’re not foolish.

The lone human(ish) presence on the planet turns out to be David, who has, ala “Apocalypse Now,” been living a godlike existence, lording over his creations.

Not as intensely mechanical as his newer model, he has clearly developed some unusual glitches. The scenes between David and Walter have a strange, erotic energy. David, trying to unshackle his fellow android from servitude, urges him to make music and teaches him how to play a recorder.

For Fassbender, an actor capable of precision and madness in equal measure, the dual parts are a feast.

There are moments for Daniels and the Alien, too, as “Alien: Covenant” winds along. But by the film’s belaboured end, the franchise has shed its host. This is no longer an “Alien” movie, it’s an android one.

JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

22| The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

literary lives josephine baker

The radical girl in the banana skirt The story of a dancer and singer who became wildly popular in France during the 1920s and who devoted much of her life to fighting racism entrances Sir Christopher Ondaatje.

“Baker was often accompanied on stage by her pet cheetah, Chiquita, on a chain wearing a diamond collar.

Theatregoers often asked which end of the chain the animal was on. The cheetah sometimes escaped into the orchestra pit, causing even more excitement.”

J

osephine Baker’s street-corner dancing in the slums of St Louis, Missouri, when she was 15 attracted considerable attention. It led to her being hired to perform for the St Louis Chorus Vaudeville Show, which eventually travelled to Harlem in New York where she performed in the chorus at the Plantation Club in a series of popular Broadway revues. But it wasn’t an easy rise to fame.

Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald in St Louis in 1906, the daughter of the unmarried Carrie McDonald and a vaudeville drummer Eddie Carson who abandoned his

During WW II Josephine Baker was recruited by the French military intelligence and collected valuable information about German troop location.

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, May 19, 2017

daughter and her mother after she was born.

Carrie McDonald and Eddie Carson had been a minor song-and-dance act getting spasmodic work whenever they could. Josephine spent her early years at 212 Tarpee Street in St Louis, a racially mixed low income neighbourhood near Union Station consisting mainly of poor rooming houses, brothels and apartments with no running water.

Carrie McDonald married another man, Arthur Martin, soon after Carson left and had a son and two more daughters.

Martin found only intermittent work while they were married and Josephine’s mother took in washing in an attempt to pay the bills. They were poor, living in appalling conditions, and Josephine was shabbily dressed and often hungry. She played in the railroad yards of Union Station and had little or no education. When she was 13, she ran away from home and found part-time work as a waitress in the Old Chauffeur’s Club. She lived on the streets, slept in cardboard boxes and scavenged for food in garbage cans.

At the Club, Josephine met Willie Wells and married him. She was 14. The marriage lasted less than a year and she left Wells to work in the chorus of a vaudeville show. There she met and married her second husband, Willie Baker, in 1921. She was 15 and she left him when her vaudeville show travelled to New York. She divorced him in 1925 but continued to use his name when her career began to see some success.

She used the Baker name for the rest of her life performing at the Plantation Club, and then in the hugely popular ‘Shuffle Along’ in 1921 with Adelaide Hall, and ‘The Chocolate Dandies’ (1924) with Ethel Waters.

She quickly became a crowd favourite. She was the last dancer in the chorus line - a position in which the dancer performed a comic routine - seemingly unable to remember or do the dance until the encore when she would not only do the dance but perform it with increased complexity. Baker, ever more popular, drew huge crowds and soon became the highest paid chorus girl in vaudeville.

In 1925, aged 19, Baker sailed to France to perform in ‘La Revue Nègre’ at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

She was an instant and immediate hit, dancing with her partner Joe Alex, the Danse Savage on stage, practically nude, wearing only a feather skirt.

Her erotic dancing became a sensa-

Josephine Baker weds her fourth and last husband, composer Jo Bouillon, on June 3, 1947, which was also her 41st birthday.

Josephine Baker’s beloved Château des Milandes in France

tion and, after a successful European tour, she broke her contract and returned to the Folies Bergère in Paris.

It was a dramatic development in her career. In a performance called ‘La Folie du Jour’, Baker thrilled audiences wearing little more than a skirt made of 16 artificial bananas.

The show was wildly popular with French audiences and Baker was soon among the most popular and highest paid cabaret performers in Europe. She was nicknamed the “Black Venus”.

In later shows, Baker was often accompanied on stage by her pet cheetah, Chiquita, on a chain wearing a diamond collar. Theatre-goers often asked which end of the chain the animal was on. The cheetah sometimes escaped into the orchestra pit, causing even more excitement. There was little doubt about it ...

Josephine Baker had danced her way to stardom.

Baker sang professionally for the first time in 1930, developing a soft romantic tremor in her delivery. She went through months of vocal training.

Her most successful song, ‘J’ai deux amours’, was recorded in 1931 and it too became popular. This led to her getting singing roles in the films ‘Zou-Zou’ and ‘Princesse Tam-Tam’.

During these early years of success in Paris, Baker had met a former Sicilian stonemason Giuseppe Pepito Abatino who introduced himself as a count. He persuaded Baker to let him manage her and, under his management, Baker’s stage and singing voice were transformed. Abatino was her lover as well as manager and in December, 1934, she premiered in the Offenbach opera ‘La Creole’ at the Théâtre Marigny on the Champs-Élysées. It was a magical transformation.

However, despite her celebrity status in France, she never attained the same high regard in America. She returned to the United States in 1936 to star in a revival of ‘Ziegfeld Follies’ on Broadway but disappointing box office bookings and press criticism about her “thin” voice crushed any hope she had of being a similar success in the United States. She returned crestfallen to France, married the wealthy French industrialist Jean Lion in 1937, became a legal citizen of France and gave up her American citizenship. She also purchased an estate in Castlenaud-Fayrac in southwest France which she named Chateau des Milandes.

When World War II erupted and France declared war on Germany,

Continued on page 24

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, May 19, 2017

Continued on page 23 Baker was recruited by the French military intelligence and collected valuable information about German troop locations. Following the German occupation of France she worked for the Red Cross and did valuable work while entertaining troops in both Africa, Morocco and the Middle East, smuggling messages in sheet music and sometimes in her underwear.

In her Chateau des Milandes she housed friends eager to help the Free-French effort led by Charles de Gaulle. As an entertainer Baker could move around Europe freely carrying her messages to England and its allies about airfields, harbours and German troop concentrations in France. At war’s end Baker was awarded both the Croix de Guerre and the Rosette de la Résistance two of France’s highest military honours. She was also made a Chevalier of the Legion d’honneur by General Charles de Gaulle.

After the war Baker spent much of her time at Chateau des Milandes with her family. In 1947 she married Jo Bouillon, the French composer and conductor. It was her last marriage. In 1950, she began to adopt babies from around the world. In all she adopted 12 children - her rainbow tribe - and often invited people to her chateau to see that people of different races could live happily together. But her marriage did not last and, after their separation, Baker’s Chateau des Milandes was foreclosed and she was ejected physically from her beloved property.

In 1951, Baker was invited back to the United States where she had a successful nightclub engagement in Miami. She followed this with a national tour but a nasty incident at The Stork Club in New York, which Baker had criticised for discouraging black patrons, ended when the actress Grace Kelly grabbed Baker’s arm and stormed out of the Club with her guests, promising never to return. The resulting bad publicity and harsh rebukes forced Baker to cancel further US engagements and she returned to France.

Baker’s later years were plagued with financial troubles. Near bankruptcy, Grace Kelly, now the Princess Consort of Rainier III of Monaco, offered her a villa and financial assistance.

After years of rejection by the

Josephine Baker and her ‘rainbow tribe’ of adopted children.

“Following the German occupation of France she worked for the Red Cross and did valuable work while entertaining troops in both Africa, Morocco and the Middle East, smuggling messages in sheet music and sometimes in her underwear.”

US, Josephine Baker was finally invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York and was greeted with a standing ovation. She wept openly on stage, and went on to work actively for civil rights in the US. She later performed at the Olympia in Paris as well as the London Palladium, but after 50 years in showbusiness age and exhaustion began to take their toll and she had trouble remembering her lines.

On April 8, 1975, in a retrospective review at The Bobino Theatre in Paris, financed by Princess Grace and Jacque-

The Tribune | Weekend | 25

Friday, May 19, 2017

Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha PHOTO/MARTIN LINSEY

The corner of Bay Street and Charlotte Street in 1948, showing the first restaurant with air conditioning in Nassau, the Grand Central.

Josephine Baker walks her pet cheetah called Chiquita. line Kennedy Onassis, Josephine Baker starred in her final stage performance to sell-out crowds. Demand for tickets was so great that extra seating had to be arranged. Rave reviews followed her emotional farewell performance. Four days later, she was found lying in bed surrounded by newspapers glowing with reviews of her performance. She was in a coma suffering from a cerebral haemorrhage. Taken to Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, she died on April 12. She was 68.

Many people exclaimed that she had died of happiness. Outside L’Église de la Madeleine, during the funeral ceremony, more than 20,000 people lined the streets of Paris. Baker became the first American woman in history to be buried in France with full military honours.

NEXT WEEK: Father Jerome, the hermit of Cat Island • Sir Christopher Ondaatje is an adventurer and writer resident in the Bahamas. A Sri Lankan-born CanadianEnglishman, he is the author of several books, including “The Last Colonial”

A shortlist of firsts

T

he late Sir Milo Butler holds the distinction of being the first Bahamian to be Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Dame Ivy Dumont was the first female Bahamian to fill that post.

Bahamians are, rightfully, proud of these two firsts, but there is no need to overlook that the very first Governor General was, in fact, Sir John Warburton Paul, an Englishman.

Sir John was the last Governor of this Colony and, on July 10, 1973, when the Colony was granted its independence, the incumbent Governor became the first GovernorGeneral. Sir Milo succeeded Sir John on August 1, 1973.

Almost a century before that, however, Sir Charles Cameron Lees became our first Bahamian-born Governor, serving from 1882 to 1884.

Sir Charles was the son of Sir John Lees, a former Chief Justice, who lived in Nassau for a half-century. It is believed that Charles was born in

his parent’s home on East Hill Street and, probably, named after Charles Cameron, the last Governor to live in Dunmore House and the first to move into the newly-built Government House, on Mount Fitzwilliam, at the top of George Street.

While talking about firsts, did you know that the Grand Central Restaurant used to be on the southeast corner of Bay and Charlotte Streets and was our first air-conditioned restaurant?

A little more than two blocks further east, the Home Furniture Company did business on the southern side of Bay Street, on the site of the present Sue-Nan Shoppe, and was the first store in the Bahamas to install glass in its windows. Out Islanders used to come to Nassau just to look in those windows.

Much earlier than all the abovelisted firsts, on March 3, 1776, Fort Montagu became the target of the first amphibious landing of, what is now, the United States Marine Corps, led by Captain Samuel Nicho-

las. The invasion was launched from ships of the Continental Navy (now the US Navy) commanded by Commodore Esek Hopkins.

The American forces occupied the island for two weeks and, when they sailed away, they took with them all the gunpowder, cannons and cannonballs they could find. In honour of this Battle of Nassau, in 1942, the US Navy christened AVG-16, an escort aircraft carrier, USS Nassau.

She was the first of two ships to carry the name.

When Lord Dunmore became Governor, he rushed to build a network of forts, the first being Fort Charlotte, to protect New Providence from the French, under Napoleon Bonaparte, not far away in Haiti, from the Spanish, even closer by in Cuba and from the country that had captured Nassau twice - in 1776 and 1778 - just a few years before Fort Charlotte was completed.

• Comments and responses to islandairman@gmail.com

I F I TARGETT R ETHE 21st

26 | The Tribune | Weekend

Dictionary (1999 edition)

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

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

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

1

2

3

4

Down 1 One way to get a rate reduction (4,4) 2 Poor inn I’d get organised properly (8) 3 Find fault with an apple (4) 5 Odd thing to say (6,6) 6 It’s about time for a piece of news (4) 7 Look into new liquid preparation (6) 8 Air force (6) 11 Drops from hard work (12) 15 Establish a lead in tennis? (3,2) 16 Serious but not grave (5) 18 Unorthodox saint one found in Baltic state (8) 19 Particular mixture of ale and spice (8) 21 To avoid it a child may go into it (6) 22 Sit out with a girl in gauzy fabric (6) 26 Foreigner raises fruit (4) 27 Food bill (4)

9

5

6

7

8

10 11

12

13

14

15

16

17 18 20 21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

A

D E P I F I T R E

grid is ‘rota symmetrica words, it lo you turn th HOW many words of four letters CANfrom youthe crack thedown. Solu or more can you make

The Target letters shown here?

In making a Each Yesterda Alphabeater? grid uses word, each letter may be used Black squ number represents a17,lette once only.

Each must contain the 15, 19, words in 32, 33, 35 centre letter and there must be at – or black square.

As in the Across: N leastmain one nine-letter word. No Alphapuzzle, everyDomino, letterC pluralsof or verb forms ending in “s”. body Known, the alphabet is used.

ButIn Fajita, Ch Chambers TODAY’S TARGETyou have to complete Down:the We Good 12; very good 18; excellent 24 Numb, Ac 21st too! Use the given (or more). Solution grid tomorrow.

Asking, Ic letters and black squares Century Choux, Eb YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION Ethnic, Th Fr below the grid to start.

Dictionary accent acetic ante anti antic Ashen, Ex grid is ‘rotationally cant cent CINEMATIC cite emit (1999 enact incite inmatesymmetrical’ item mate – in other Extra l meant meat mint mite neat edition) words, it looks the same i tame team time tine tinea

Across 1 Flicker of an electric light? (6) 4 Ancient hero achieves eminence amongst top men (8) 9 Test for gold first, then do business (6) 10 One who agrees senators should be replaced (8) 12 Archaeological accommodation? (4) 13 Stop at sea (5) 14 Withdrawal of 101 meeting points (4) 17 Marvellously impressed? (12) 20 They need money to pursue their hobby (12) 23 Bird hiding in the hibiscus (4) 24 You’ll find Arabs around this city (5) 25 Nothing dear (4) 28 One can’t sleep through it (8) 29 There’s something precious in one set of twins (6) 30 High spirits (8) 31 Disorderly nun let into underground passage (6)

grid too! Us

and Century Friday, May 19, 2017 letters below the g

19

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Curio, 4 Dreamer, 8 Tag, 9 Illiberal, 10 Attempt, 11 Rally, 13 Sloppy, 15 Sombre, 18 Aisle, 19 Alberta, 21 Socialise, 23 Out, 24 Tannery, 25 Hasty.

Down: 1 Cutlass, 2 Righteous, 3 Opium, 4 Delete, 5 Embargo, 6 Mar, 7 Relay, 12 Laborious, 14 Presage, 16 Exactly, 17 Pacify, 18 Asset, 20 Beech, 22 Can.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Clips, 4 Heavens, 8 Elf, 9 Versatile, 10 Parasol, 11 Incur, 13 Really, 15 Rebuts, 18 Set-to, 19 Logical, 21 Oversight, 23 Ian, 24 Parapet, 25 Tales.

Down: 1 Creeper, 2 Informant, 3 Saves, 4 Hurdle, 5 Avarice, 6 Eli, 7 Swear, 12 Churchill, 14 Looks up, 16 Splints, 17 Alight, 18 Stoop, 20 Got it, 22 Ear.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Cooking instructions (6) 4 Get off a horse (8) 9 Emotive (6) 10 Pretentious talk (8) 12 Small burrowing animal (4) 13 A heavy blow (5) 14 Greet (4) 17 Risk-taking businessman (12) 20 To a striking extent (12) 23 Unsightly (4) 24 General rule (5) 25 Growing luxuriantly (4) 28 Small fashion shop (8) 29 Follow secretly (6) 30 Shopkeeper (8) 31 Tempestuous (6)

Down 1 Keep in mind (8) 2 Politeness (8) 3 A conifer (4) 5 Lighting (12) 6 Be depressed and listless (4) 7 Fanciful (6) 8 Tumble forward (6) 11 Less than was paid for (5,7) 15 The vital part (5) 16 Slow learner (5) 18 Proceed clumsily (8) 19 Incidentally (2,3,3) 21 To count (6) 22 Display ostentatiously (6) 26 Pacific islands state (4) 27 Closed (4)

0907

you turn the page upside (Deduct th HOW many words of four letters each extra down.

Solution tomorrow Yesterday’s Yesterday’s or more can you make from the Full Sudoku Answer Answer letters shown here? In making a Kakuro Call 0907 181Yesterday’s 2585 for solution 0907 Target solution *Calls word, each letter may be usedtoday’s 3,your 7,coste1 *Calls cost 80p Black per minute squares:plus plus your telephone company’s once only. Each must contain the network 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 27, 2 network access charge.

32, 33, 35, 39. centre letter and there must be at Notice,PLAY Board least one nine-letter word.*SP: NoSpoke – Helpline Across: 0333 202 3390 Domino, Citizen, Claps plurals or verb forms ending in “s”.

TODAY’S TARGET Good 12; very good 18; excellent 24 (or more). Solution tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION accent acetic ante anti antic cant cent CINEMATIC cite emit enact incite inmate item mate meant meat mint mite neat tame team time tine tinea

Known, Index, Equino Fajita, Cherry, Myrtle.

Down: Wedlock, Eject Numb, Acquired, Asking, Icon, Gym, Choux, Ebb, Afar, Ethnic, Frazzled, Vile, Ashen, Exclaim.

Extra letter clues

0907 181 2560

(Deduct three minutes fo each extra clue letter hear

Call 0907 181 2585 for today’s Target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

*SP: Spoke – Helpline 0333 202 3390

Full solution

0907 181 2558

*Calls cost 80p per minut plus your telephone compan network access charge.

PLAY MORE CR

The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, May 19, 2017

animals

Bees and the dangers of pesticides

O

ver the past months, because of the fear of the Zika virus, we have been having a mass ‘fogging’ efforts all over New Providence. I have no idea what kind of fogging” has taken place in the Out Islands.

My homeowners’ association would call me to warn of the next fogging so that I could move my beloved terrapins (fresh water turtles) inside to spend the night in various bathtubs away from any noxious fall-out. It actually proved to be unnecessary as they lived in a pond on the opposite side of the house to the road and whatever was being sprayed did not make its way over to that side of our home. A fact for which I was grateful because it meant that my turtles were unaffected. But it made me wonder how much good was actually being done. How effective was this fogging as far as eradicating the few mosquitoes that were carrying the Zika virus?

The real culprit was standing water, allowed to stand for so long that it became a breeding ground for mosquitoes. My pond did not fall into that category because any larvae sitting on the surface would have been gobbled up very quickly by one of the 14 resident turtles.

What I have noticed subsequent to the diligent spraying we were subjected to is a reduced number of bees. Frankly, I have not seen a bee anywhere on my property. Bees are essential to the well-being of this planet. Our food chain depends heavily on the existence of bees and the very important work they do in pollinating. More than one third of the food we know today would not be available to us if it were not for bees.

I have taken the liberty of copying and pasting an excerpt from the website One Green Planet. They say

PET OF THE WEEK

A puppy special

By The Bahamas Humane Society

“G

ood morning! We’re Cuddles, Perky, Pickles, Scrabble and Scratch. We’re about eight weeks old, and truth be told, two of us have been adopted. But there are still three of us available, along with many other puppies at the Bahamas Humane Society. So we’re here to tell you about the puppy adoption special that’s on now at the BHS. One of us can be adopted for $30, and if you adopt two of us, the fee is only $50. This is a great deal! Just be sure to get your application in ASAP so your yard can be checked and the application approved. The special is on until the end of the month, but we really want to go home with you today. We’re playful and loving and will grow up to be faithful companions and great family members. Come in and meet us, or call 323-5138 for more information. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. We look forward

PATRICIA VAZQUEZ

Animal matters Kim Aranha

to seeing you soon!”

• Have you checked out the Bahamas Humane Society Thrift Shop yet? It’s right next door to the shelter in Chippingham (look for the orange cones). Great deals, large selection, and all of it’s donated so all proceeds go to the BHS. Shop hours are 1pm to 4pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; and 10am to 2pm on Saturday. Donations are always gratefully accepted. Volunteers are welcome, too!

The honeybee plays a vital role in the circle of life. it better than I can, and I really want the message to come across correctly: “Honeybees and the other pollinators and the invaluable pollinating services they provide us with helped produce approximately $19 billion worth of agricultural crops in the US alone in 2010; that’s estimated to be one-

third of everything we eat! The other animal pollinators such as bats, moths, butterflies, hummingbirds, ants, and beetles contributed to an estimated $10 billion. To say we rely on the pollination efforts of bees (and other animals) to sustain our modern food system is an understatement.”

We have obviously moved forward to 2017, but I can only imagine that those numbers have increased not decreased.

The bee is of upmost importance.

I know that the spraying did affect bees. Friends of mine with hives were told to cover them up and protect them. On one tragic occasion that the fogging machine came unannounced, people actually lost their entire colony – poisoned, killed, no honey produced, no flowers pollinated.

Do people actually realise how dependent we are on the bee for the agriculture of the world, and where we will be when we have succeeded in killing them all off out of stupidity and ignorance?

Bees provide honey, a product that virtually never goes bad. When archeologists were excavating Pompeii, the Roman city that was covered with ash from a violent and unexpected volcanic eruption of Mount Etna in 79 AD, they found honey that was old and still perfectly good.

According to the Smithsonian, the reason honey is eternal is due to a slew of factors. Its acidity, its lack of water and the presence of hydrogen peroxide all work in perfect harmony, allowing the sticky treat to last forever. And to think that the little bee that buzzes busily around and is sometimes a major pest is the very creature that produces this absolutely amazing food.

Ever since I was a child I had great respect for bees, not only because they can sting and it hurts like hell, but because my parents had taken the trouble to explain the very important role they play in our lives every single day, even when we are not aware of them. I can remember my kid’s friends looking at them as if they were crazy because if they saw a bee drowning in a swimming pool they would swim over and very carefully save the bee and place it somewhere safe to dry out and continue on its way doing the very important job God created it to do: saving the planet.

We frequently forget the all-important circle of life and the danger we can inflict on this fragile planet when we seek to kill off one species because we perceive it as a danger to mankind. Insecticides almost always have disastrous side effects and the world would be a better place without filling our air full of poisonous gasses and toxic chemicals to achieve an uncertain result.

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