06162023 WEEKEND

(Photos/Fentons Photography)

Culture and couture for the ‘Golden Jubilee’

As part of the ongoing ‘Road to 50’ celebrations, Bahamian designers displayed their national pride through their creative fashions during last Friday’s “Golden Jubilee: Evening of Culture and Couture”, held at the Baha Mar Convention Centre.

New Sir Harold Christie documentary wins top international awards

BY DENISE MAYCOCK | Tribune Features Writer | dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABahamian docudrama on the life of Bahamian icon Sir Harold Christie and his role in the development of the Bahamas has won two prestigious international awards in the 2023 Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA) Communicator Awards.

“Vision: The Story of Sir Harold Christie”, received the top accolade in the Excellence in the History/ Biography category of film and video, and an Award of Distinction in the documentary category of Branded Entertainment.

The film was directed by leading Bahamian filmmaker Kareem Mortimer of Best Yet Entertainment and produced by Paola Alvino Christie of HG Christie Ltd.

It was initially released last November to celebrate the Christie family’s 100 years in real estate in the Bahamas and was highlighted in the Island House Film Festival in April. The film is expected to show at Fusion Superplex in Nassau.

Sir Harold’s history - and that of the Bahamas – is told through interviews with family, contemporaries and cultural figures, as well as through narration and archival footage. There is also a no-holds-barred account of the murder of Sir Harry Oakes.

CEO and President of HGC John Christie, who is also the film’s executive producer, was very proud that the Communicator Award recognised the film.

He noted that it is the largest and most competitive award show of its kind, with over 3,000 entries from

companies, agencies, studios, and boutique shops worldwide.

Said Mr Christie: “We are thrilled that the film is being commended for its documentation of some of the key moments in the development of our island nation. As well as for exploring the enduring and compelling legacy of one of its leading historical figures.

“The Award of Excellence – the highest honour given to entrants whose ability to communicate positions them as the best in the field – is an incredible endorsement of HGC’s commitment to serving the Bahamas in the best way possible.”

Mr Christie added that the “creative excellence and artistry” of director Kareem Mortimer also contributed to its success.

Mr Mortimer thanked the individuals involved in making the film and said that winning the award was an incredible honour and testament to the power of storytelling.

“I am grateful to the entire cast and crew who poured their hearts and souls into this project, and to the Communicator Awards for recognising our efforts,” he said.

“This award is a validation of our collective dedication to crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences on a profound level. I hope that ‘Vision’ continues to spark conversations and ignite imaginations.”

Mr Christie said people can check out social media and the company’s website for updates, dates and times of showings of the film.

Local jazz icon Paul Hanna makes his comeback this Father’s Day

Last year on International Jazz Day, the Bahamas honoured Paul Hanna and named him a legendary performing musical artist, composer and mentor to young musicians in the nation.

This Sunday, Father’s Day, Paul will launch his new album during a concert at the Spotlight Lounge and Restaurant on Adelaide Road, from 7pm to 10pm.

Guests will be welcomed by the evening’s hostess, Erin Brown, paratriathlete and “godmother” of the Royal Caribbean ship Odyssey, and directed to enjoy a cocktail and appetisers while viewing the 1986 “Music Springs Eternal – Paul &

Tanya Hanna Concert” recorded by Terrance Rodgers.

Paul has been performing on keyboard since the ‘60s and has established his niche as a bona fide jazz musician who can play standards, Caribbean and contemporary tunes with equal skill.

His songstress wife, Tanya, will make her usual contribution to the evening. Young pianists Dylan, Baily Maria Clara and Osano will join in and showcase the skills that Paul’s coaching helped them perfect. Band members include Earl Forbes on bass, Colyn McDonald on guitar and Neil Symonette on drums.

Despite undergoing a battery of medical procedures and therapy during the past few months, Paul’s recovery is going well. Through it all, his creative energy was unabated. He mixed an AC Jobim’s melody with a healthy dose of Junkanoo rhythm and called it “Radioactive”, inspired by the 10 radiation treatments he

received under the supervision of Dr Butch Bartlett.

The CD will be released at the event. As an expression of gratitude for the concern, love and support he received during his illness, ticketed guests will receive a signed copy of the CD.

Tickets are $75 and are still available at The Spotlight Lounge and Restaurant. Contact 448-4097 and the box office at Steppin Out Shoes on Mackey Street (opposite SuperValue).

Arrangements are in place to download the performance in real time for offshore guests. The new CD is available at www.Ariamusicclass.com/shop.

(l-r) The film’s director Kareem Mortimer, producer Paola Alvino Christie, and CEO and president of HG Christie, John Christie (Photo courtesy of JCoFilms for Barefoot Marketing)

KAREEM, Me, JC CROP

D’Krizia Bartlet

She spent her childhood in and out of hospital, battling sickle cell anaemia. Now, this college graduate tells Cara Hunt how she wants to help future parents get a simple blood test that could prevent more children being born with the debilitating disease.

D’Krizia Bartlet was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of three.

“Before that I was considered a sickly baby. My mom says that I was always crying. She knew something wasn’t right, so she took me to the doctor quite a bit,” she told Tribune Weekend.

“They didn’t know what was wrong with me, whether I had colic or whether I was allergic to the baby formula. It was not untiI I was three years old that I went to a haematologist and got the testing that revealed that I had sickle cell anaemia.”

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders. The specific type of SCD a person has depends on which HBB gene mutations they inherited from their parents. The HBB gene provides instructions for making a protein called beta-globigives, which is the protein that travels through the blood to deliver oxygen throughout the body. With sickle cell disease, red blood cells are shaped like crescents as opposed to the normal disc shape, and therefore tend to stick together, blocking small blood vessels and causing painful and damaging complications.

D’Krizia has HbSS sickle cell anaemia. It is the most common and most severe form of the disease.

Symptoms of the disease can include anaemia, swelling of hands and feet, frequent infections, delayed growth or puberty and vision problems.

From the age of three, D’Krizia’s life has been one full of pain and hospital visits.

“I feel like I was in the hospital every other week. I was in the hospital more than 100 times during my childhood. I had severe complications such as bronchitis, acute chest syndrome, pneumonia. I had to have my gall bladder removed and my vision has been affected. That is actually another common symptom, so I have had to wear glasses since the third grade,” she said.

D’Krizia said that as she grew older, she began to understand her condition more and has been able to minimise crisis periods.

(A crisis is a period of extreme pain which affects persons with sickle cell anaemia. They happen when blood vessels cause parts of the body to become blocked. The pain can be severe and last for several days or even weeks.)

“As you get older, you understand your body more. When I was younger, I couldn’t say what was wrong. But as you live with this condition you learn about what will trigger a crisis. For example, when I was younger, my mother would tell me you need to drink water and you need to get adequate sleep, but I was a child so of course I wanted to stay up late and drink anything but water. But

now that I am more aware of my body, I know what my triggers are,” she said.

“For example, if I get cold or have a change in my environment, if I don’t have enough rest, I know my body and when I feel certain things now. I know that I have to do something like go to the doctor or take steps to prevent things from getting worse, and so I have been able to prevent a lot of crises that way,” she explained.

“I think where I had been hospitalised 100 times before the age of 13, I have only been in the hospital three times between ages 14 and 28.”

In between that time, she attended college and got her Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Concerns and her Master’s in Public Health Epidemiology.

Her career choice was inspired by both her personal health journey and her desire to be a part of improving healthcare in the Bahamas.

A big component of that is providing people with access to the knowledge they need to help them make informed decisions.

Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disease. For a child to be affected, both mother and father must carry one copy of the sickle cell gene — also known as sickle cell trait — and pass both copies of the altered form to the child.

If only one parent passes the sickle cell gene to the child, that child will have the sickle cell trait. With one typical haemoglobin gene and one altered form of the gene, people with the sickle cell trait make both typical haemoglobin and sickle cell haemoglobin.

Their blood might contain some sickle cells, but they generally don’t have symptoms. They’re carriers of the disease, however, which means they can pass the gene to their children.

“My mother actually had sickle cell disease – a different type than me – but she didn’t know that she did until after she got tested when I was diagnosed,” said D’Krizia.

this weekend in history

June 16

• 1903, at 9.30am, American industrialist Henry Ford and 11 other prospective stockholders in the Ford Motor Company sign the official paperwork required to create the new corporation in Detroit, Michigan.

• In 1963, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina V Tereshkova

“There are so many people who are carrying the trait, but they have never had the genetic testing and so they are unaware they have it and then they have a child with someone who also has the trait and pass on the disease to their child. It is just very important that people know if they are carriers, so that they can make informed decisions

when it comes to having children. It is a conversation that just needs to be had.

“Our country has seen an increase in sickle cell diagnosis over the years, and in my opinion, it’s primarily due to the fact that people do not know their sickle cell status.

“It is especially important because sickle cell anaemia predominately affects Black people; there needs to be testing.”

As someone living with disease, D’Krizia said she would never want her child to have to experience what she has gone through.

“It was very painful, and yes, I am doing well now and I am thriving, but it is a difficult disease that people do die from and so that it is one of the first questions that I ask anyone I am dating.”

D’Krizia recently founded SickleTalk which is a platform geared towards educating the public about sickle cell disease, spreading awareness about the disease, and sharing her personal journey with the disease.

“I realised that I was doing a great disservice by not sharing my story and showing how someone can live with this disease and thrive. Yes, it is hard, but it is possible,” she said.

D’Krizia’s first event will take place on Saturday, June 17, at the Walk In Medical Clinic at the Mall at Marathon. It will be a free sickle cell screening for the public from 10am to 3pm.

“The testing will be available as long as supplies last and I just want to encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of the free testing, particularly if they and their partner are planning to have children. It is a simple blood test and you can get your result in about five days,” she explained.

“This is not a routine test. It is not done when you have blood work for a routine physical; it is a test that you have to specifically request.”

The event is being held in honour of World Sickle Cell Day, which is observed on June 19.

becomes the first woman in space. She was launched into orbit around Earth aboard the spacecraft Vostok 6, which completed 48 orbits in 71 hours.

June 17

• In 1579, Sir Francis Drake claims California for England after he anchors in a harbour just north of present-day San Francisco. He claims the territory for Queen Elizabeth I, calling the land “Nova Albion”.

• In 1994, former football hero OJ Simpson is arrested and charged with the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend

June 18

• In 1815, Napoleon is defeated in the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium, ending 23 years of recurrent warfare between France and the other powers of Europe. His defeat at the hands of the Duke of Wellington also brings an end to the Napoleonic era.

• In 1972, British European Airways Flight 548 crashes after takeoff from Heathrow Airport near Staines, Surrey, killing 118 people. The accident becomes known as the Staines air disaster. As of 2023, it remains the deadliest air accident (as opposed to terrorist incidents) in the UK.

Ronald Goldman following an hours-long low-speed police chase in Los Angeles.

HENRY Ford (1863 – 1947)

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

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

SmAll CROSSWORd

SmAll CROSSWORd

on taking victory (8) 28 Please move out (6) 22 Fellow student has spoken of flowers (6) 24 Rushes to get some instruments (5)

ACROSS

TOdAY’S TARGeT

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

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

For today’s solution call: 0907 181 2583

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

lAST SATURdAY’S SOlUTION

ACROSS 1 Sympathy, 6 Tied, 8 drown, 11 Meadow, 12 Oath, 14 Fit, 15 Poets, 16 Gin, 17 Even, 19 Answer, 20 Sense, 21 rise, 22 Sardines. dOWN 1 Strongest, 2 Meet, 3 Addressed, 4 How, 5 Instances, 7 Imagine, 9 route, 10 Writers, 13 Horns, 18 Vein, 19 Ana.

1 Casual (8)

6 Earth’s satellite (4)

THE ALPHABEATER

Across

1 Nurse has a little way to go as a beginner (10)

6 The trouble’s about a chemical (4)

10 Conducted round an ancient city and tempted (5)

11 Such a rite is suited to a solemn sacrament (9)

12 Cooked chicken at indoor gathering (8)

13 Mails sorted for the Mohammedan world (5)

15 A poet is quite likely to induce sleep (7)

17 Cunning action made with the French in view (7)

19 The more complicated mathematical proof (7)

21 Old-fashioned tour now reshaped (7)

22 They spread out in all directions (5)

24 Remarking upon a mixture of gin and tonic (8)

27 It sounds a beastly form of warfare (9)

28 To many the three wise men are incredible (5)

29 Examination ordeal (4)

30 Truth stands between man or criminal (10)

Down

1 Up to work the fields (4)

2 I rant and rave perhaps when giving an account (9)

3 It’s all over a point in the revised deed (5)

4 So free a formation of islands (7)

5 Murderous creatures concealed inside flowers (7)

7 Architectural highlight (5)

8 They work unaided to produce fruit in a fitful sun (10)

9 Clear evidence of what a ship is carrying (8)

14 Not left out at the start being outspoken (10)

16 They may fight though they’re not boxers (8)

18 Usual wish for a happy retirement? (4,5)

20 Fellow in no condition to work on a tough paper (7)

21 To argue like this is a crime against humanity (7)

23 Prepare to come into line (5)

25 It separates many in a deep sleep (5)

26 A better mark (4)

Across

1 Spirited (10)

Across: 1 Hoodlum, 5 Logic, 8 Ill-gotten, 9 Van, 10 Tosh, 12 Nosedive, 14 Cooper, 15 Berate, 17 Cotton on, 18 Pomp, 21 Pie, 22 In the past, 24 Tommy, 25 Lottery.

Down: 1 Hoist, 2 Owl, 3 Loot, 4 Motion, 5 Lynx-eyed, 6 Give it a go, 7 Concede, 11 Short-term, 13 Ferocity, 14 Cockpit, 16 Mortal, 19 Petty, 20 Zest, 23 Ape.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Across: 1 Drops in, 5 Cider, 8 Safety pin, 9 Tip, 10 Orbs, 12 Seaports, 14 Taurus, 15 Braise, 17 Bewilder, 18 Herd, 21 Tea, 22 Execution, 24 Niece, 25 Degrade.

Down: 1 Disco, 2 Off, 3 Sate, 4 Naples, 5 Conspire, 6 Determine, 7 Riposte, 11 Blue whale, 13 Bull’s-eye, 14 Tibetan, 16 Legend, 19 Dance, 20 Rung, 23 Ida.

EASY PUZZLE

Down

1 To cover up (4)

Yesterday’s Easy Solution 12345

6 Boxing arena (4)

10 Form of passive protest (3-2)

11 Full of interest (9)

12 A hardy breed of cattle (8)

13 Canal-boat (5)

15 Revel noisily (7)

17 Pirate (7)

19 West African country (7)

21 Cut glass (7)

22 Representative (5)

24 Wide-brimmed Mexican hat (8)

27 Use up wastefully (9)

28 Arrange in folds (5)

29 Consider (4)

30 Ability to command (10)

2 On the brink of collapse (9)

3 Cavalry spear (5)

4 Help in time of need (7)

5 Sweetsounding (7)

7 Deduce (5)

8 Guiding principle (6,4)

9 A dark-purple fruit (8)

14 Exercising rigorous control (4-6)

16 Run away (4,4)

18 Consequences (9)

20 Soothe (7)

21 Entrust for care (7)

23 Follow as result (5)

25 Additional clause to document (5)

26 To preserve (4)

8 Rowing team (5)

11 Edible tuber (6)

12 Obtains (4)

14 Rock that is a source of metal (3)

15 Particles (5)

16 Short snooze (3)

s o c s L e r e a

17 A pace (4)

● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

lAST SATURdAY’S SOlUTION

caN you crack the alphabeater? each grid number represents a letter – or black square. as in alphapuzzle, every letter of the alphabet is used. But you have to complete the grid too!

foot fort frost oust port post pout roost root rotor rout rust

Use the given letters and black squares below the grid to start. the grid is ‘rotationally symmetrical’ – in other words, it looks the same if you turn the page upside down. Solution

19 Beast (6)

RUSTpROOF soft soot sort sport spot spout sprout spurt stoop stop stoup strop stupor tofu tops

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

20 Hold royal office (5)

21 Married woman (4)

22 Squirmed (8)

In making a word, each letter may be used once only. each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in s permitted.

DOWN

torpor torr torso torus tour troop turf turps uproot

TODAY’S TARGET

1 Unreal (9)

2 Unit of length (4)

Good 29; very good 44; excellent 58 (or more). Solution tomorrow

3 Logic (9)

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

TARGET BATTLESHIPS

4 Earlier (3)

call 0907 181 2585 for today’s target solution

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

Yesterday’s Kakuro Answer

5 Matted pet (anag.) (9)

7 Perform surgery (7)

9 Objects (5)

10 Feminine pronoun (7)

Call 0907 181 2586 for today’s Target solution

13 Sharp pain (5)

18 Track or follow (4)

19 Broadcast (3)

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

2345678910

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

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

WORD BUILDER

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

Leaving a lasting impression

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

First impressions are extremely important in any scenario, but especially in a professional setting.

And in today’s digital world everyone who considers themselves a professional should have a high-quality headshot in their arsenal.

According to local portrait and lifestyle photographer Scharad Lightbourne, the right headshot has the power to elevate a person’s brand, to show one’s personality and make a great first impression even before any in-person meetings take place.

In this day and age, people who are looking to hire professional business services turn to the internet and social media channels first. Before placing calls, they research. And in many cases, they connect with businesses and brands that show them the people behind the brand over those that do not.

Social media is all about digital imagery, so it’s important to make the right kind of statement with your photos, whether you want stand out from the competitions or just present a professional front.

“Headshot photos are essential for professionals because they contribute to their professional branding, enhance their credibility, make a positive first impression, and provide a visual tool for marketing and networking efforts. They are a crucial component in today’s competitive professional landscape,” Scharad told Tribune Weekend.

The photographer is gearing up for the “Pro Headshots Express” event, which is now in its 10th year.

The two-part event will feature a master class symposium, June 24-25, hosted by SLS Baha Mar.

Through the event, the photographer hopes to share with professionals the importance of using quality images for their brands.

The “Pro Headshots Express” event is especially for those who need to create or update their headshots for multiple applications, he explained.

“The event involves styling and creating professional headshots for all citizens and residents of the

Bahamas who want to improve, enhance, or update their business profiles.”

“Pro Headshots Express”, Scharad said, attracts a diverse group of people, from ages 14 to 64.

“Private and public workers have entered our medical to creative, technical and teaching event doors. Our team of experienced photographers ensures that every guest leaves with exclusive, clean, high-quality photos that strengthen their brands,

businesses, and online presence,” he said.

“In today’s digital age, where first impressions are often made online, a well-crafted headshot is more crucial than ever. It serves as a visual representation of your personal brand and instantly conveys your professionalism and credibility to potential clients, employers, or collaborators. A polished headshot demonstrates that you take your work seriously and are dedicated to presenting yourself in the best possible light.”

Industry leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs and professionals will converge during the event to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and unlock the secrets of success, he said.

Day one will feature keynote speeches, interactive workshops and networking opportunities.

“Our masterclass/keynote event is designed to provide hands-on learning experiences and dive deeper into specific aspects of the subject matter. They may focus on practical skills, offer in-depth analysis, and provide actionable strategies. The workshops

engage participants through interactive activities, discussions, and collaborative exercises, allowing them to gain practical knowledge, enhance their abilities, and apply what they learn to real-world scenarios,” said Scharad.

“It will explore emerging trends, share insightful stories, and present a big-picture view to inspire attendees. Whether it’s in business, leadership, creativity, technology, or any other domain, the keynote and workshops will strive to deliver valuable content, empowering attendees to enhance their expertise, broaden their perspectives, and achieve their goals.”

On day two, headshots will be snapped.

“Whether you’re a business professional, an entrepreneur, or a creative individual, a high-quality headshot is essential for leaving a lasting impression,” said Scharad.

For more information, visit www. proheadshotsbrand.com/events.

PRO Headshots

Q & A time!

Good day, gardeners. Today, I’m going to keep it simple and answer a few questions that we receive in regards to gardening. A lot of us are well-versed, and we have our own practices that are based on learning from other peoples’ knowledge, our experiences, or from sources that we may have researched along the line. This is an easy one for me to have someone disagree with, because as always, and typical in gardening, what works for one may not work for another. Here we go, and in no particular order:

Q:How big should I dig the hole?

A: Digging a hole to put a plant in the ground is dictated by the size of the root ball, or the pot that the plant is in. As a general rule of thumb, I like to suggest that the hole be dug one and a half to two times as wide as the pot or root ball of the plants that is being put in the ground, and one and a half times as deep. This gives lots of soft, cultivated soil with ample air space and hopefully good moisture holding capacity (but not too much!) to allow a plant to settle in quickly, to thrive and to grow as expected.

Q:What if the plant pot or root ball is too big for the area that I wanted the plant to go?

A: In situations where it is not possible to dig a hole one and a half to two times the size of the pot or the root ball, possibly due to constraints or restrictions, such as planter size, hard rock, building foundations, sidewalks, roadways, etcetera, then the option exists to shave down the size of the root ball to decrease its size so that it will fit into the prescribed area. The risk that is taken when doing this is shocking the plant, possibly to death. Some types of plants will tolerate this much better than others. I do not suggest cutting down the size of the root ball on a plant that has been dug from a field or

the ground, as it is most likely already experiencing some transplant shock, and one typically does not want to increase that factor. If the plant’s root system is vigorous and healthy with lots of roots, then this may be all right to do, but it is a matter of experience and judgment, as to whether this will work or not. I do not suggest that a beginner try this.

Q:What soil should I use in the hole?

the ground, and the condition of the native soil. I could go on for a whole article about this here. To make it short, if there is lots of rock and cracker dust, then lots of organic material, i.e., planting soil, ought to be used. If the native soil is rich and crumbly with good organic material in it, then less supplemental planting soil needs to be used. I like to suggest that when the native soil is dug out of the ground to make room for the hole, when placing the soil back into the hole it is best to add half organic material, supplemental planting soil, compost, et al, and half native soil, all mixed together into a beautiful new and refreshed planting media to allow for a quick rooting, healthy plant. Add the additional planting material to the native soil. Mix it all together and place back into the hole around the plant.

Q:Should I leave the plant in the pot when I put it in the ground?

ground. This method most always leads to very poor root growth, strangled roots, and generally a weak plant, particularly a plant that will not stand up to any sort of heavy breeze. Please don’t do this.

Q:Should I water the plant after I put it in the ground? Yes.

A: How often should I water, every day? No. Water only as needed.

Q:Well, how do I know when it’s needed?

A: Read the Tribune Weekend section next week.

A: The planting soil to choose when putting a plant in the ground is a matter of several factors, primarily what species of plant going into

A: No. Take the plant out of the pot. This may seem self-explanatory to some, but this is not always the case. When a plant is put into the ground while still in the pot (yes, it happens), the roots of the plant will only have any holes that exist in the pot to grow through to root into the

As always, I wish you happy gardening!

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

The Bahamas’ new ‘Rising Star’ sets his sights on the 50th Independence Song Competition

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

Abattle with cancer almost stopped 21-year-old Karrington Kyle McKenzie from fulfilling his dream of a music career.

But now he is back on track and has been crowned the ‘Rising Star’ of the Bahamas Carnival Experience’s Song Competition 2023.

His winning song, “AKOL” (Any Kind of Liquor), earned him $10,000 in prize money and the opportunity to record with an international recording artist.

He has also made the top 10 of the 50th Independence Song Competition with his song “Together as One” and hopes to go further in that competition, maybe even to the top spot.

A talent for music runs in Karrington’s family. He is the son of the late gospel singer Kevan McKenzie and the nephew of music producer and recording artist Dillon “DMac” McKenzie.

But the dream of following in his father’s footsteps was almost dashed when Karrington was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 16. He battled the disease for four years, undergoing several surgeries, including a bone marrow transplant, which put him remission from 2021 to now.

Despite his health issues, he performed throughout his youth.

He has performed with Prodigy Founders, Roger Ryan, James Ingram, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak and Freddie Jackson. He has also appeared at numerous political conventions, at Government House, performed at Baha Mar and Atlantis, and sung the national anthem at the United States Embassy for four years.

Karrington, who graduated from Queen’s College in 2018, has also received numerous awards, including the Rising Star Award from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

“Everything that I do, I do it for my father, the late Kevan “Kevi Kev” McKenzie,” he told Tribune Weekend.

“There are so many days I wish he was here to see how well I’m doing and how I am carrying on the legacy and not letting it die. He has been one of my major role models and influencers, not only because he is my father. but because of his amazing writing abilities and his amazing abilities to know where and when to put certain things or do them on a track.”

In his music career, Karrington said he strives to be as versatile as possible, often finding himself drawn to perform and record different genres,

ranging from gospel music to jazz, R&B, soca, rake n’ scrape and Junkanoo.

For his ‘Rising Star’ song, ‘AKOL’, he said his objective was to create a catchy song with lyrics that are easy to pick up almost immediately.

“The process of getting this song done was very easy, as I often find myself writing on the spot or as I go. I do this not to limit myself from different options or styles or ways that a certain line or part in the song can be executed,” he explained of his songwriting process.

The ‘Rising Star’ competition, he said, “really opened my eyes to the industry and what it takes to become one of the best artists you can be.”

“I was more than excited to be able to meet and learn of so many talented artists in the Bahamas who are all out there making their marks on the industry,” he said.

“I was extremely excited, yet felt humbled by winning the competition. God directs my path always, so all I have to do is my part and He will do His,” he said.

Karrington said he can see the impact is music is making and he is grateful to be in this position.

“Currently, I am not pursuing music full-time, as I have a lot of other interests that I definitely would love to get done, but I do plan on going fulltime as an artist and in the industry very soon,” he said.

His music can be found on all major streaming platforms under “Karrington McKenzie”.

literary lives

The Snows of Kilimanjaro – Part II

Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about Africa’s fabled Kilimanjaro – the world’s largest freestanding mountain, and one of the Earth’s greatest volcanoes.

Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano located in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. It has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira.

It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world, and about 16,000 feet above its plateau base.

It is the highest volcano in Africa and the Eastern Hemisphere. Mawenzi at 16,893 feet, and Shira at 13,140 feet, are extinct, while Kibo is dormant and could erupt again. Because of its shrinking glaciers and ice fields, which are projected to disappear between 2025 and 2035, it has been the subject of many scientific studies. Uhuru peak is the highest summit on Kibo’s crater rim (19,341 feet - not quite as high as Hemingway’s estimate – based on a British survey in 1952).

In the 1880s, the mountain became part of German East Africa and was called KilimaNdscharo in German following the Kiswahili name components. On October 6, 1889, Hans Meyer reached the highest summit on the crater rim, together with the Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller and a Tanzanian Yohani Lauwo. Meyer named it Kaiser Wilhelm Peak, which name was used until Tanzania was formed in 1964, and the summit renamed Uhuru Peak, meaning Freedom Peak in Kiswahili.

The Ondaatje sisters recount their experiences:

“I planned to climb Kilimanjaro in August of 1996 with Scott Fischer and Mountain Madness, but when Scott died in the 1996 Everest blizzard, I no longer wanted anything to do with high mountains. Twenty-five years later my sister invited me to join her climb.

“Our journey up Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho Route began at Mkubwa Gate, straight up a welltravelled path through the forest to the moorland, through Shira 1 Camp. As we neared Shira 2 (15,190 feet) we could finally see Kili looming in the distance. From Shira 2 we descended to Barranco Camp (13,044.62 feet) for the night. Our guides repeatedly reminded us: ‘Pole, pole. Washy, washy. Climb high. Sleep low.’

“The first few starry nights were breathtakingly beautiful but as we climbed higher the nights got

colder and sleep became fantasy. I tried to sleep right after dinner as by midnight the temperature in my tent was well below zero and my bright red RAB sleeping bag, rated for temperatures high on Everest, failed to keep me warm. The cold was unrelenting. I had read about a climber who slept fully clothed in his down parka and with his hiking boots, who still shivered through the night. Some of our team found sleeping naked helped.

“By Karanga Camp (13,106.96 feet) we were well above the clouds and days were almost as cold as nights. From Karanga we climbed through alpine desert to Barafu Camp (15,331.36 feet). This was our last sight of vegetation. Very early in the morning, hours before sunrise, we departed for the glacier and the summit. We scrambled up the boulders and shale wall toward Uhuru Peak, very often looking back to watch the sun rising over Kenya to the east. It was spectacular and alone, a reason to climb this high. We took group photos at Stella Point before making the final push to Uhuru Peak (19,341 feet). I was not tired, nor did I have trouble with the altitude, but once we reached the

“My sister and I ran.”

– Sarah Ondaatje

Kibo is the largest cone on the mountain and is more than 15 miles wide at the Saddle Plateau altitude. The last activity here, dated 150,000 – 200,000 years ago, created the current Kibo summit crater. It still has gas-emitting fumaroles in its crater, and is capped by an almost symmetrical cone with escarpments rising 590 to 660 feet on the south side. These escarpments define a 1.6mile caldera caused by the collapse of the summit. Within this caldera is the Inner Cone and within

summit my dream quickly changed to getting down the mountain and back to Arusha.

AN AERIAL view of the Kibo summit of Kilimanjaro in 1938.

the crater of the Inner Cone is the Reusch Crater, which the Tanganyika government named after Gustav Otto Richard Reusch, after he climbed the mountain for the 25th time after 65 attempts.

“Last December, I climbed up Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet with my sister, a friend of mine from Sussex, her niece and my two goddaughters. It was a remarkable experience in which we endured extreme wet and extreme cold. It was also extremely beautiful, a true test of our endurance and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect.

“Our expedition began at the west Mti Mkubwa gate. We had selected the long northern Lemosho route because it was longer (nine days, eight nights) than any other, and therefore it would be easier for us to acclimatise to the thin air and make the summit. It was also quiet and scenic, with little footfall. We entered the rainforest from the west and were immediately greeted by a cacophony of birdsong and cries of the black and white Colobus monkey. Green-gray lichen or old man’s beard hung low and scruffy over every branch and vegetation enclosed upon us. On the second day we left the treeline, entering the cooler Afro-alpine moorland zone, home to vast 10-15-foot-high species of heather. Colourful and beautiful, they were much like the English varieties, only giant in size.

“After three days we reached the Shira Plateau, a collapsed caldera, one of the highest on earth at 12,500 feet. We continued climbing eastward, meandering towards Kibo’s glaciered peak, entering the inhospitable Alpine desert zone. Here the ground was rocky, barren and so dusty that we kept our distance from each other, allowing the dust kicked up to settle so we could breathe without coughing. On the seventh day, summit night, we woke at 2am, donned our backpacks and secured out head torches over our hats. It was bitterly cold. For the next seven hours we zig-zagged slowly up the desolate north face, single file, over loose shale and dust, hauling ourselves over and around colossal boulders. We stopped to watch the spectacular sunrise to the east, a welcome respite and a good opportunity to catch our breath and have a sip of water. Very slowly, we inched our way to Gilman’s Point, 18,632.58 feet above sea level: brutal and beautiful with towers of white and blue glaciers surrounding us like high-rise buildings. With two hours left to go to the summit, I was beginning to feel the effects of the altitude and there was only one narrow snowy white path ahead. It wasn’t easy, but we all made it to the top of Africa.”

– Jans Ondaatje Rolls

GEOGRAPHER

Hans Meyer reached the highest summit on the crater rim, together with the Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller and a Tanzanian Yohani

Lauwo in 1889

In the late 1880s, the summit of Kibo was completely covered by an ice cap about 7.7 square miles. Almost 85 percent of the ice cover on Kilimanjaro disappeared between October 1912 and June 2007. Another 40 percent had disappeared by 2011. Most of the ice on Kilimanjaro will disappear by 2040.

Large animals are rare and are more frequent in the forests and lower parts of the mountain. Elephants and cape buffalos are among the animals potentially hazardous to trekkers. Bushbuck, chameleons, dik-diks, duikers, mongooses, sunbirds and warthogs have been reported, while zebra, leopards and hyenas have been seen on the Shira Plateau. Natural forests cover about 250,000 acres on Kilimanjaro, but have retreated during the Last Glacial Maximum.

There are nine official trekking routes by which to ascend and descend Kilimanjaro: Northern Circuit Route; Lemosho; Lemosho Western Breach; Machame; Marangu; Mweka; Rongai; Shira; and Umbwe. The Machame Route can be completed in six or seven days; Lemosho in six to eight days; and the Northern Circuit routes in seven or more days.

the incidence of ‘acute mountain sickness’, or the more serious ‘High Altitude Cerebral Edema’. The golden rules for avoiding these are:

1. Ascend slowly

2. If symptoms are felt, go no higher

3. If symptoms persist, go down

(Dr James S. Milledge; Everest Silver Hut Expedition; “Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa”)

Although the Kilimanjaro climb is not technically challenging, the high elevation, low temperature, and occasional high winds can make it a difficult trek. Acclimatisation is imperative, and even experienced and physically fit trekkers may suffer some degree of altitude sickness. A study in July and August 2005 found that 61.3 percent experienced acute mountain sickness (AMS). A retrospective study of 917 persons attempting to reach the summit via the Lemosho or Machame routes found that 70.4 percent experienced AMS, defined as headache, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.

****

The Ash Pit, 1,150 feet deep, lies within the Reusch crater. About 100,000 years ago part of Kibo’s crater rim collapsed, creating the area known as the Western Breach and the Great Barranco.

The Lemosho route can also be continued via the Western Breach, summiting via the western side of the mountain. It is more secluded and avoids the six-hour midnight ascent to the summit. The Rongai is the easiest of the camping routes. The Marangu is also relatively easy but frequently busy. Accommodation is in shared huts.

The altitude of Kilimanjaro, though not great by Himalayan standards, is serious, especially compared with the European Alps and North America (south of the 49th parallel). Due to the ease of access most people plan to climb it in too short a time to allow for adequate acclimatization. Hence

Kilimanjaro’s summit is well above the altitude at which life-threatening High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, or high-altitude cerebral oedema, the most severe forms of AMS can occur. These health risks are increased substantially by excessively fast climbing schedules, and the lack of permanent shelter on some routes. Falls on steep portions of the mountain and rock slides have also killed trekkers.

Thank God we are all still alive.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of ‘The Last Colonial’.

Belmont School evacuees find a safe haven in Nassau during WW II

On May 8, 2015, I wrote about the Nassau campus of Belmont School, whose original students were evacuated from Hitler’s bombing of England during World War II.

Today, I will concentrate on their journey, by ship, from Liverpool to Nassau.

David Sanctuary Howard (1928-2005) is best-known as an expert on Chinese armorial porcelain, a leading authority on the Chinese export art market and as author of books on those subjects.

In his autobiography, “The Unforgiving Union” (2004), he devoted 22 pages to the time he spent in the Bahamas.

It was 1940, the year of the disaster at Dunkirk, and England was expecting a German invasion.

Howard was a student at the Belmont Preparatory School in Hassocks, Sussex, uncomfortably near the English Channel, so the headmaster, Max Burr, thinking about the dangers of Luftwaffe’s bombing, moved the school towards the northwards to escape that imminent danger. Stowe House in Lichfield, Staffordshire, became the new home of Belmont School.

“We learned that a plan was being considered to take the school abroad. Some parents seemed to welcome it, but others did not.”

Max Burr phoned his friend, Sir Harry Oakes, who lived in the Bahamas “to ask if he had any spare houses which would be suitable for a primary school.”

Always the philanthropist, Oakes offered (free of charge for as long as it was needed), Clerihew House, on

Bay Street, fronting on the harbour of Nassau.

“Within days, this generous offer had been transmitted to all the school parents and a majority accepted the offer, at first.”

But on hearing the news of the sinking of another ship which had been carrying school children to North America, most of the Belmont parents decided to keep their children in England.

“Only 13 – joined, in four cases by their sisters – set out for Liverpool, accompanied by Mr Jeffries (headmaster) and his niece, Elizabeth.”

There, they boarded the RMS Orduña (a 550-foot

ocean-liner, of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company)

“completely unmoved by any possible danger which might lay ahead…”

John Horwood, the oldest boy, became the head boy

two minutes, disappeared beneath the waves.

“Our interest turned to a ship, on the other side, which was rapidly settling in the water…then a third ship was hit…and we saw lifeboats being launched…no vessel slowed or made any attempt to pick up survivors…for such an action would have led to more ships being sunk, as they slowed or stopped and, thus, became easy targets.

of Belmont Nassau. At just over 12 and a half years old, David Howard was the second oldest. His sister, Hazel, was nearly 11. “The adventure was unfolding…”

There were three children in each (small) cabin, but the dining rooms were very comfortable and, as the Orduña sailed down the Mersey, the frequent boat drills – “when we stood with our life jackets on” –started.

The Orduña would be sailing in convoy with some 50 other ships, and the children watched, wide-eyed, as the convoy assembled, accompanied by three or four destroyers of the Royal Navy. The convoy left port on August 12, 1940, headed toward Iceland.

On the fourth or fifth day out, “the alarm bells rang, with serious intent, and we assembled on deck, wearing our life jackets.

“Above us and at the stern, crew manned the light anti-aircraft guns, while we waited in anticipation, as the convoy moved steadily westward.

“Suddenly, one of the smaller ships ploughed, ever more deeply, into the moderate swell. Its stern rose up to an angle of 45 degrees and, within little more than

“At no time do I remember any fear, only excitement. It is certain that these matters weighed much more heavily on our parents…on the first day of August, we entered the harbour of Bermuda and gazed at the white houses…one bronzed man, whom we had not seen before, raised gasps of amazement, as he dived from the deck…and swam ashore…he was Johnny Weissmuller, whom we all knew as Tarzan.

“On the morning of August 30, we were almost too excited to have breakfast, as the Orduña slowed and anchored off the lighthouse and the mouth of Nassau harbour. With our luggage, we boarded a tug and sailed into the harbour… it seemed to us, Nassau was a land of kind-hearted ladies, who met us at the gangplank…Mary Moseley, Mrs Solomon, Mrs Burnside and Mrs Sands, in particular…”

At the end of the war, the school moved back to England, to Hassocks in West Sussex. The school closed in 1972, and the building was demolished in 1977. A large private house has arisen on the site, also known as Belmont.

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

PAUL C ARANHA FORGOTTEN FACTS

THE RMS Orduña

THE BELMONT School kids arrive in Nassau

A BAHAMIAN boy teaches the Belmont School students about coconut water

Animal matters

Kim Aranha

Happy 99th Birthday BHS!

Next week, our beloved Bahamian icon, the Bahamas Humane Society turns 99, having been founded on June 24, 1924, by a handful of caring people.

The Society started out life as the “Dumb Friends League”, but a name change came quite soon after, and I think we all can guess why.

It is a position of enormous significance and pride to be the oldest charity in the Bahamas; to have managed to survive all sorts of national and international upheavals, hurricanes, storms and pushback. Despite all and any discouragement or lack of support over the decades, we have never given up, and have forged ahead with determination and dedication.

The shelter has grown over the years and was totally rebuilt in 1998 by longtime benefactor Mrs Betty KellyKenning. In the past 25 years we have grown enormously. People are more aware of animals needing care and a safe haven, so we have become way bigger than anyone could have ever imagined 25 years ago.

As we approach our second century of existence (that sounds awesome, doesn’t it?), we have so many more challenges than our predecessors had, but we also have the benefit of a much more enlightened nation.

The government of the Bahamas stood front and centre with us. Minister Clay Sweeting made the very welcome surprise announcement that the Bahamian government will be building a sanctuary for special needs animals to provide rehabilitation and additional care. This is such an encouragement to the Bahamas Humane Society; we now see that support is there and that the government has our back.

In 2024, we will break ground to begin building our new shelter near Coral Harbour. As I write this, we are

It’s raining puppies!

By The Bahamas Humane Society

You thought it was raining water? Well, here at the Bahamas Humane Society it is raining puppies. We have potcakes of every colour and size imaginable. If you’ve been looking for a smart, loyal, loving companion, a potcake is a great choice.

They’re trainable, usually eager to learn, and tend to get along well with other dogs. Cats can be worked on. Come in to the BHS to have a look or call 325-6742 for

PET OF THE WEEK

more information. Or you can check us out at the Puppy Adoption Pop-Up, Saturday, June 17, at SuperValue Cable Beach, 10am to 3pm. We hope to see you there!

If you can’t adopt, foster.

If you can’t foster, volunteer.

If you can’t volunteer, donate.

If you can’t donate, educate!

Help make a difference!

deep into the drawing up of plans and we hope to be a very modern and efficient operation. We are excited that we will have the space to not only be of assistance to dogs and cats, but horses and all other creatures in need.

Our Thrift Shop will finally have adequate space for display and storage with ample parking. Presently, space is a huge challenge for our extremely successful store. Lines frequently form outside the Thrift Shop, such is the popularity of our well laid-out and reasonably priced shop. The fun factor of shopping there is not lost on patrons, because you just don’t know what you may find on any given day; the sky really is the limit.

Safe haven is something we have provided through the past 99 years. We have scooped up thousands of animals from very unsatisfactory and darnright unacceptable situations, brought

them to the shelter to become whole again.

Only last year, White Boy, the young and handsome pit bull, became quite the celebrity when we rescued him just hours before he would have succumbed to his injuries. Many more like White Boy have found health, love and a reason to live in our caring arms. In recent years we have started to airlift animals to other shelters which were not full in order to find good homes for them. In the past 12 months we have airlifted over 1,200 animals to no kill shelters in North America. This approach is a novel, very intense effort with a ton of documents for each animal, and a massive amount of red tape, but it is hugely satisfying to see the photographs of our fellow Bahamians (both feline and canine) happy and healthy with their new and adoring families.

One of the BHS’ many success stories: the pit bull White Boy

Our Adoption Centre is located at the shelter and we have an array of healthy cats and dogs ready to go to homes right now, right here, in the Bahamas. All our animals are spayed/ neutered and microchipped. The dogs receive heartworm treatment; the cats are scrupulously treated for any and all feline ailments. Our animal hospital continues to be dedicated to all those who need help. Our new hospital will be larger and capable of serving more numbers.

We all know the importance of education. Since 1986, we have carried out visits to government and private schools, educating children about the need to show compassion and empathy to all animals. Our education does not stop with dogs and cats; we place the same emphasis on other creatures: birds, reptiles, marine life, horses, farm animals, etcetera. They were all created by the Lord and deserve respect and consideration.

The BHS is kept busy with cruelty complaints and carrying out the necessary inspections. This is a century-old commitment of ours. We witness these situations daily, but we are now confident that our enlightened government will move to assist in dealing with these matters promptly.

It is indeed a wonderful time to turn 100 old; we are not getting older (we are getting better); we jump into our second century of existence with youthful vigour, encouragement and great anticipation for animal care in the Bahamas in the future as we work together to make this country a better place for animals and people.

(PHOTO/JUDY YOUNG)

Get ready to ‘Rush, Sip and Paste’ on ‘The Road to 50’

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

Junkanoo is the Bahamas’ number one cultural phenomenon, so it’s only natural for it to play a big role in ‘The Road to 50’ celebrations.

To help mark the golden jubilee of Bahamian independence, a special “Rush, Sip and Paste” is taking place this evening, starting at 6pm at Collins House.

“Sip and paint is a very popular

activity among Bahamians. We have hosted free painting areas at our Easter and ‘50th on Bay’ events. However, we wanted an event that celebrated Junkanoo, but also immersed our attendees in the Junkanoo shack experience,” said D’Asante Small, creative director of the Independence Secretariat.

“During this event, attendees will be able to fringe and decorate their canvases as a Junkanoo keepsake to commemorate this milestone.”

D’Asante said the “Rush, Sip and Paste” event will feature live entertainment, local dishes and refreshing drinks, a variety of artists and artisan vendors, a display of Junkanoo costumes and other paraphernalia. There will also be a Junkanoo headpiece competition where attendees will be able to view submissions and take part in the People’s Choice voting process.

D’Asante said Junkanoo is one of the most

celebrated elements of Bahamian culture.

“From a student beating on the desk to make a Junkanoo beat or makeshift cowbells with plastic bottles to exquisite costumes that have been displayed around the world, Junkanoo is one of the most significant expressions of being Bahamian. This event intends to celebrate the sound, colours and creativity, but most importantly, the community of Junkanoo, as we continue on the road to independence,” she said.

For those taking part, her advice is to come prepared to get a little sticky as there will be lots of glue and paint being used. She said it is best to come ready to show your creativity and have a lot of fun.

“This has been the most exciting year of planning for me and the amazing Independence Secretariat team. A lot of long nights and hours of planning, but I believe with every event, you see Bahamian excellence on full display, and we as a team get to share how proud we are of this great nation. It’s a lot of work, but it’s truly a labour of love for our country,” she said.

“At this event, I am looking forward to the people. At every event, it’s the Bahamian people that make it spectacular. The way they laugh, dance, enjoy their favourite Bahamian dishes, take photos and just exude Bahamian pride…it’s always the best part.”

For all those interested, free e-tickets are available via the https://celebratebahamas.com/rush-sip-and-paste/. Tickets are also available for pick up at Aliv Southwest Plaza and the Mall at Marathon.