06212019 WEEKEND

Friday, June 21, 2019

art books theatre gardening fashion history social media food puzzles

Weekend

DAS YA PA! Page 17

Ready, steady, cook!

Acclaimed chefs go back to basics

page 8 - 10

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

fashion

Bahamian becomes designer to the stars

C

elebrities Will Smith, Porsha Williams, Maxwell and Michelle Williams have one thing in common; in the last six months they have all worked with Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett.

Most recently, Michelle Williams dazzled in Elyett’s “Queen of Junkanoo” kimono Celebrity stylist J Bolin robe, igniting a social (left) and designer media frenzy on popular Theodore Elyett blogs like Fashion Bomb Daily and The Root Essence Magazine was even calling it “a look” for Summer 2019. The look, styled by J Bolin and captured by photographer Marcus Owens, garnered more than 56,000 Instagram likes in just three days.

On her Instagram post of the image, Williams commented: “I doubt ‘turn to them the other cheek’ meant it like this! I’ll keep turning if I Singer Michelle Williams in Theodore Elyett’s can wear this Theodore “Queen of Junkanoo” kimono robe. (Photo/MarElyett design everyday!! cus Owens) Stylist J Bolin this was a Hollywood attend the caught Williams’ and her fun one, I felt that I was event, including Jay Z, stylist’s eye. back in the old glamour Samuel L Jackson, Tyler J Bolin and Elyett met days! Let’s bring ‘em Perry, and Beyoncé. in person this June, fosback!!”

Given just 48 hours, tering a relationship that Elyett was sought out Elyett began working on could lead to future colby Williams’ stylist, J a bespoke piece inspired laborations. The stylist, Bolin, to provide looks by the Disney’s “The based in Dallas, Texas, for the multi-awardLion King” to celebrate works with a number of winning recording the event’s theme: “A celebrity clients includartist’s appearance at Journey To The Prideing Tyra Banks and the Wearable Art Gala. lands”. However, it was Tamia.

The gala, launched by the second option that “Sharing my designs Beyonce’s mother, Tina Elyett included for Wilwith the world has Knowles-Lawson, aims liams, the multicoloured always been a dream of to promote, support and jewel-toned “Queen of mine,” shared Elyett. raise funds for youth Junkanoo” kimono with “The mind-blowing art programmes. Some of the biggest names in exaggerated train, that opportunity to work with

some of the amazing, talented entertainers I have connected with in recent months is confirmation that with hard work and persistence this dream I have had since I was 13 years old will continue to manifest more and more every day.”

A native of the Bahamas, infusing elements of Caribbean culture is central to Elyett’s design aesthetic. The colourful fabric and feathered trim used in the “Queen of Junkanoo” kimono design pay homage to the Bahamas’ iconic street festival.

While his star is quickly rising on the global circuit, Elyett is no overnight success. His fashion portfolio dates back to 1998 when he emerged as a 13-year-old award-winning designer,

creating works of art showcased by contestants in the Miss Bahamas National Costume competition. Fast-forward to two decades later, and Elyett is still turning heads and making waves in the industry.

A little over a year ago, Elyett showcased his designs at Buckingham Palace, with supermodel Naomi Campbell and British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful attending the soirée. Just months later in 2018, he was awarded the prestigious Bahamian Icon Award for Fine Arts.

With dozens of awards under his belt and hundreds of gowns created over the years, Elyett says he still feels like he’s just getting started.

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Friday, June 21, 2019

Inside Weekend

My perfect Bahamian weekend Crachad Laing Baseball player Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday brunch?

Interview 4 - 5 Lend a Hand Bahamas gives disadvantaged youth new hope for the future

Food 7 - 11 Historic ‘Ignite’ experience brings together chefs from across the globe; a new business reinvents the traditional curry dish, plus Buddy’s bakes boutique donuts

Entertainment 12 Award-winning, New Yorkbased dancer brings ArtSea workshop back to Nassau

Fashion 14 - 15 Hollywood comes to the Hilton for prom

Theatre 17 - 18 ‘Das Ya Pa!’ takes a look at what makes a ‘real’ father, plus new playwright hopes to bring her hit play to Nassau

Gardening 19 A reader has a trick for preparing okra

Pageant 20 - 21 Miss Bahamas Teenager contestants don sportswear and evening gowns

Forgotten Facts 22 - 23 The later fortifications of Nassau

Literary Lives 24 - 25 The real James Bond and his adventures

Puzzles 26

Animals 27 Fulfilling dogs’ ‘bucket list wishes’, plus Pet of the Week

“I enjoy a nice, relaxing Saturday morning. So a Saturday morning, home-cooked breakfast is ideal.”

Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?

“Nothing like a cold Kalik to accompany my beach visit.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“Definitely the beach. I marvel at the combination of elegance and power that the tides hold.”

Q: What is the one thing that you can’t live without?

“I can’t live without the gym. I always say that the gym is the only fair place in the world. No matter who you are or where you’re from, 45 pounds will always be 45 pounds.”

Q: Weekend away, where would you go?

“Right now my weekend getaway would be to Great Harbour Cay. It’s such a beautiful place! Visiting there was the first time that I’ve been in awe of the beauty of the Bahamas.”

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday

• Friday Night Live! “Soul-stice” Time: 7pm Venue: National Art Gallery The NAGB is welcoming the official start of Summer with Friday Night Lives! “Soul-stice”.

Feel the sizzle as creatives, known and unknown, showcase their talent at “The Good Mic”, an open mic night in collaboration with Goodstock, and cool down with craft beer from Pirate Republic, and one-of-a-kind popsicles from Pop Stop, all while chilling with friends in a laid-back environment.

• Movies From the Pool – “Float Flicks” Time: 7.30pm Venue: Evolve, Rosetta Street Watch Pixar’s “Finding Dory” on the big screen. “Float Flicks” is fun monthly, outdoor movie experience under the stars. Bring a float or rent one to lounge in the gigantic pool. Don’t want to float? Bring a chair or blanket for poolside seating. Admission is $10 per person and includes popcorn. Other concessions will be available. Showtime is at 8pm.

Saturday

• Getting started with Oil Painting with Tessa Whitehead Time: 10am Venue: National Art Gallery Get started with oil painting with artist Tessa Whitehead whose exhibition “...there are always two deaths” is currently on display at the NAGB. Learn how to work with oil paint under the guidance of a classically trained oil painter and get tips on which materials to use and how to find affordable ways to work in a relatively expensive practice.

Each attendee will have a canvas to work on and will paint from a still-life. This workshop is most suited to artists/painters relatively new to oil painting or complete beginners.

• Miss Bahamas Teenager Pageant Float Parade Time: 1.30pm Start: Saunders Beach Cheer on the seven contestants for the 2019 pageant as they make their way around Nassau.

• Eurhythmics Dance Studio’s 25th Annual Production Time: 7pm Venue: University of the Bahamas Theatre The show “It’s Time to Get Loose” promises to be filled with

lots of surprises and exciting dance numbers, all conceived and choreographed Gabriella Szabo.

Sunday

• Sound Fest Sundays Time: 1pm - 10pm Venue: Clifford Park The Bahamas SoundClash Federation presents a is new festival experience which will run for the entire Summer. It will feature of music from all genres, live bands, standup comedians, and a major jazz in the garden theme.

• String City Violinists present ‘A Tribute to Disney’ Time: 4pm - 7pm Venue: The University of the Bahamas Listen to your favourite Disney tunes and see beloved characters come to life on stage.

• Wine Down Sunday with the Scallywags Time: 6.30pm Venue: The Captain’s Table, Lyford Cay Wine down on with entertainment provided by the Scallywags, trio of musicians who are truly a pleasure to listen to.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

interview

standfirst: Giving disadvantaged youth in the Bahamas a chance at a successful future is at the heart of a community-based organisation that is making strides in helping kids believe in themselves. Cara Hunt talks to the principals behind this venture and their hopes for the country’s youngest citizens.

Lend a Hand Bahamas

F

or more than nine years, Lend a Hand Bahamas has been working to help improve the lives of children and adults who live in the Bain and Grants Town community.

On the surface, the organisation’s mission is simple – bring more activities and opportunities to socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of the Bahamas.

However, Mitsyann Wallace, the programme’s facilitator and coordinator, and Shelagh Pritchard, the director of Bahamas 4-H, are well aware that their participants face challenges that are not easily fixed outside of the safe confines of the centre’s four walls.

“Many of our kids face real problems and part of our job is to get them to open up to us and tell us why they may, for example, be missing school.

It can be a number of reasons – sometimes their family didn’t have the money to pay for laundry detergent to wash their clothes, even if it is at the government pump, or perhaps they would need to catch two buses to get to school and they simply don’t have the bus fare. Perhaps they don’t have lunch money, or we have even learned that when it is raining, sometimes all the students have to take cover in the same confined area and this leads to the gangs mixing and fighting, and so for some of our kids they prefer to not go to school if it is raining so that they are not caught up in that,” explained Ms Pritchard.

“Some of those things are things that we can’t really do anything about, but what we can do is provide a safe,

Shelagh Pritchard and Mitsyann Wallace

wholesome place where they can come and where we can help them learn the skills they will need to make it in the real world.

“In some cases, the parents are so busy trying to work two or three jobs to make ends meet that they have to leave the kids on their own; we are here to replace and supplement what is lacking.”

That includes a safe space to come to in the evenings after school and during the Summer holidays.

“Our role is to give them the survival tools they need and to open their eyes to the possible that exists. We want to help them build the skills that they will need to succeed,” Ms Wallace added.

These skills can be practical, such as hosting sewing classes in the evening so that youngsters can learn a skill that can lead to additional income, or be character-building through conflict resolution classes.

“We had one student who came and told me how his brother got involved in a fight and was arrested. After the fight he came straight to the centre to talk to me and explained what had happened.

I asked him what he did while the fight was going on and he explained that he walked away, because we had talked about getting into the fights and what the consequences would be such as having a police record when it is time to look for work and so to know that in a practical situation. He actually took the time to think and make a good decision,” said Ms Pritchard.

“It makes us feel so good about what we are doing here. We can’t change everything for them, but they are now

Friday, June 21, 2019

The Lend a Hand Bahamas centre provides a safe environment for kids to find support and acquire academic and practical skills. (Photos/Shawn Hanna)

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beginning to look to a future that before they didn’t think was possible.”

Ms Pritchard added that another part of their job is ensuring that their students are equipped with the practical skills to embrace those opportunities “We have students who I know would excel at their given skill at BTVI. We have a sponsor who would like to pay for them, but they don’t have the academic qualifications to attend BTVI, so we are looking at ways that we can help them improve their academic side. We also plan to take the kids to work plants so that they can see in a practical way what is required We explain if you want this type of job these are the machines you will be working on, and so you can’t be on drugs, because you will be tested because you have to be sober to operate the machines. We expose them to as much as we can.”

And their efforts are paying off. This Summer, almost 100 children will benefit from attending the programme’s Survival Story summer camp.

Ms Wallace said they have seen a tremendous improvement in the students who attended the camp last year and have returned.

“In the boys the testosterone levels have dropped and they are way more in control of their emotions; they are more confident and learning to communicate more,” she said.

The camp will teach fundamental life skills in a fun environment. Skills that will assist them in school and in the future. There are STEM classes (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), sewing classes, straw and craft classes, a golf camp, and a sailing camp.

Also, there are classes in entrepreneurship and special additives for children between the ages of four an six.

Lend A Hand Bahamas operates under the 4-H model.

The 4-H model originated in the United States in 1902 and is a network of youth organisations whose mission is engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development. The term 4-H refers to head, heart, hands and health.

The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning programmes and a positive youth development approach.

It is a formula that has yielded results, and both Ms Wallace and Ms Pritchard would like to see the work they do at their centre duplicated in other communities.

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

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Friday, June 21, 2019

food

Curry on the go

By CARA HUNT

| Tribune Features Writer | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

T

he old adage of “do what you love and the money will follow” certainly applies to Jamal Brice, who turned his passion for cooking curry into a lucrative second income.

The owner of The Curry Stop – which delivers several versions of the popular Indian dish – told Tribune Weekend that he started the company on a whim.

“I am not a chef. I have never been to culinary school, but we needed a second source of income in the family. I was influenced by a lot of the pop-up shops I saw people starting and I knew I wanted to do something similar to that,” he said.

To make it easy on himself, he stuck to something he knew and was good at.

“I was always good at cooking curry so that is what I decided to do,” he said.

He started the business on June 28, 2018.

“When we first started I would say that 90 percent of our business was strictly us appearing at local events and festivals.”

Additionally, in its early days, the menu was limited to just chicken and mutton.

“However, people started asking us for other options.

Some people would say ‘I don’t eat meat, can you offer a vegetarian option’, or other people would ask for other meats, and so I added to the menu,” he said.

In addition to chicken or mutton, the menu now includes seafood, veggie, fish and lobster rotis and burritos.

The burritos can be wheat or spinach and are an option especially created by Jamal.

“The traditional meal that Bahamians like to eat is curry meat with white rice, coleslaw and plantains. I started

thinking how I could combine all of those elements into a meal that you could eat all at the same time and I thought

that a burrito would work. So the burritos have the meat and the rice, and we even do an oil-based coleslaw slaw rather

The Curry Stop offers a variety of curries with rice, plantains and coleslaw in the form of a burrito or roti.

than mayonnaise, which means that it can be served hot and be reheated without spoiling.

So the burrito is something that we created just for The Curry Stop and something that you can just eat with your hands,” he explained.

At the moment, The Curry Stop only operates on Fridays as a delivery service.

“We accept pre-orders on Wednesday and Thursday in advance of Friday. We try to stop the quota at about 100 orders each day,” he said.

This is due to preparation space and the time needed to ensure that everyone gets their orders in a timely fashion at lunchtime.

“You have to make three orders or more to be eligible for delivery. Three to nine orders have a $5 delivery charge, whereas orders of 10 or more are eligible for free delivery.”

Since the launch of The Curry Stop, business has steadily grown and Jamal is now looking for ways to expand the company.

However, he noted that these expansion plans are not likely to include having a physical brick and mortar restaurant.

Instead, he said right now his focus will be on securing additional vehicles which would allow them to increase the number of orders that they can take and help ensure they maintain their delivery times.

Jamal is also excited about adding even more tasty options to his already expansive menu.

08 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

food

'Ignite' the flame Meet the chefs of historic culinary event

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

R

| Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

ight at this moment, a group of 12 experienced chefs is getting ready to accomplish the mammoth task of preparing a multi-course gourmet dinner without the use of gas, electricity, or any other modern equipment for tomorrow’s “Ignite”. The event is being promoted as a night of Bahamian culture with good food, music and art.

The chefs cooking for this occasion are all highly skilled and work well under pressure.

Some have come from afar, while others are stars of the local culinary scene.

Their backgrounds and culinary journeys are has varied as the dishes they have prepared over the course of their careers. However, they are united in their effort to present patrons of “Ignite” with a special evening that is a nod to the cooking styles of yesteryear.

The chefs were invited by Chef Simeon Hall, Jr – the owner of the Simeon Hall Restaurant Management Group and the chef of La Hiki, Four Seasons Ko’Olina in Oahu, Hawaii – who is hosting the event during his current visit to the Bahamas.

“Ignite” is the latest venture

by Chef Hall which will bring together the talents of several Bahamian, Caribbean and other international culinary professionals. Followers of Chef Hall know that he is passionate about “farm to table”

experiences. For “Ignite”, all guests will feast on freshly harvested items from local farmers, prepared before their eyes by 12 acclaimed chefs.

The exact location of the event will only be revealed to ticket holders.

“It focuses on preserving and sharing our (Bahamian and African) culture, while bringing 12 chefs together who either have and share very similar cultural values or have fused theirs with ours and made something phenomenal,” said Chef Hall.

“What is also amazing to me is that my team has sought to provide a cultural show and not simply a dinner show.

As a proclaimed ‘Renaissance chef’, I want to see the rebirth and sustaining of our food culture and have begun the conversation through this event and at length in my book.”

This week, Tribune Weekend got the chance to chat with some of the chefs about their experiences – their biggest challenges, their favourite dishes, and what they would never eat. Here’s what they had to say:

Chef Simeon Hall

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: My Bahamian peas n’ rice paella. A combination of global techniques and local

ingredients. It was perfect, but only after about 19 attempts.

Chef Wayne Moncur

Chef Moncur has almost 30 years of culinary experience. His primary focus is to inspire, uplift, highlight and increase the awareness of organic Bahamian cuisine locally and globally.

Q: What is the best dish you ever had?

A: My mother’s stuffing. It is the most simple yet amazing dish ever. And besides, my mother made it!

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: Wow. Almost every time I create a new dish I can test it for months before getting it right. So that happens constantly.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: Conch salad in a hotel in a glass dish with frou frou garnishes. I loathe that idea.

Conch salad is not a dish, it is an entire experience. The dock, the salt air, the people are a part of the perfect bowl of conch salad. Not a leaf of endive garnish.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: It was a very classic Italian dish I recall making as an apprentice chef in the Villa D’ Este’ kitchen at the then Resorts International, Paradise Island. The dish was called Osso Bucco,which was paired with Parmesan polenta.

It was three-hour braised beef shanks. The experience of creating this dish from scratch was a huge confidence-booster for me.

A: What is the best dish you ever had?

Q: A very simple, very old Bahamian dish that my mother used to occasionally make on Saturday mornings; consisting of flour, baking powder, salt, very little sugar and water.

Cooked in a frying pan, the dish was called “Turnover Bread or Slap Jack”. Pairing this with tea or stew fish was heavenly.

Q: What is the worst dish you ever made?

A: A cheesy rice pilaf recipe that I attempted at the age of 13. It was horrendous. The only available cheese I had at the time was a piece of macaroni cheese, which was not the correct cheese for the recipe.

I can still smell and taste that unappealing dish now just thinking about it.

Q: What is the one thing you will never eat?

A: Deep fat fried, flour dusted whole red snapper or grunt. This is a huge misrepresentation of how authentically fried Bahamian fish should be. Fried fish should be done in a skillet seasoned with sea salt, lime, bird pepper or goat pepper. It hurts my heart every time I visit the Fish Fry on Arawak Cay or a local restaurant and Bahamian fried fish is sent to the table incorrectly prepared.

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Friday, June 21, 2019

Chef Gal Kotzer

Israeli born Chef Gal, together with his partner Wally Montesino, operate the Pink Octopus restaurant in Nassau. At the Pink Octopus, he cooks what can be described as “non-traditional Bahamian and Caribbean cuisine” which is ingredient and seasonal driven cooking, inspired by local products and flavours.

A: Far too many to count, some were my favourite a day or two earlier.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: Gefilte Fish (from Yiddish); it translates to something like “stuffed fish”, made from poached mixture of ground, basically deboned fish (but not quite deboned) usually made with carp... Carp might be the worst fish on the planet. As a good Jewish boy I had it on my plate growing up mostly on Passover. I have tried to love it many times over the years, out of respect for history and tradition, but no more, never again.

Chef Alpheus Rahming

A: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

Q: Hopefully the one I’ll make tomorrow, or the day after...

A: What is the best dish you ever had?

Q: Very simple grilled whole grouper with some lemon juice and olive oil, many years ago in Sinai Peninsula (Egypt), grilled by young a Egyptian named Gavara (which is a special story of itself, but one for another day). The groupers from the Red Sea can be quite small and very different from the ones we have here.

The Sinai desert is one my favourite places on earth; it was early evening, the sunset painted the mountains in red, so maybe it was all that, but I will never forget that little grouper.”

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

Chef Alpheus has worked at Sandals Resorts, several notable restaurants within the Kerzner International group upon his return home, and became a bronze medallist in the Frankfurt, Germany Culinary Olympics with the Bahamas’ Culinary Team.

The main jewel in his crown, however, is the Lukka Kari restaurant in Downtown Nassau.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: Crispy oven fried chicken, made it out of not having the ability of deep fry.

A: What is the best dish you ever had?

Q: Stew fish and Johnnie cake made fresh in a home

restaurant in Andros. Served in a tin plate. It was fantastic.

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: I really can’t remember any horrible dishes I have made. The only one I can remember was a Bahamian style seafood bouillabaisse at a competition, which I didn’t like it, but it still won ‘Most Indigenous Dish’.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: I have tried almost everything, the only thing that I haven’t eaten as yet is sushi; don’t like the smell of the rice vinegar.

Chef Jeremy Leven

Chef Jeremy has gained acclaim for being an early pioneer in Chicago’s underground dining scene with his pop-up event series “Tuesday Night Dinner”. His efforts were recognised by Zagat Guide and he was inducted into their “30 Under 30 Class” in 2014. After firmly establishing himself on Chicago’s culinary scene through working at notable restaurants, Chef Jeremy has now ventured out on his own with “Sweet Home”, which brings his vision of progressive Great Lakes cuisine to life while paying homage to the food traditions of Chicago the Midwest, and Great Lakes region.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: A French omelette helped launch my career.

Does that count?

Q: What is the best dish you ever had?

A: Curanto – earthoven land and sea items (mussels, clams, sausage, potato, pumpkin) in Chilóe (Patagonia). So simple, so powerful.

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: My first cooking job ever, I used salt in a cake recipe instead of sugar.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: I’m from Chicago, they will run you out of town if you put ketchup on your hot dog.

Chef Neil Cline

Known as the “Chef of the British Virgin Islands”, Chef Neil Cline believes in culinary education and giving future culinarians the foundation to be successful in the Caribbean culinary industry. He has his Masters in Hospitality Management from the Baltimore International College, and for the last 25 years has been an educator in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

commented on how great it tasted and how chewable it was.

Q: What is the best dish you ever had?

A: My grandmother’s sweet cornmeal and fried fish with or without garlic and tomato red sauce. The Friday favourite for my cousins and I.

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: Every recipe I tried that came out too salty, spicy or bitter. Like the first time I experimented with prickly pear soup with scotch bonnet.

Need I say more?

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: Manicou. Lawd what an ugly creature!

Chef Erika Cline

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: Goat stew for a senior citizen event. The old women had me blushing when they

Over the past 25 plus years, the celebrated pastry chef has crafted some of the most scrumptious desserts and chocolates in the US. Chef Erika’s career started in Detroit, Michigan, as a pastry cook under America’s first certified master chef, Milos Cihelka. From there, her passion for the culinary arts took her across the country,

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

including to renowned places like the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, and the Ponte Vedra Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: For me it’s desserts, so the best desserts have always been the simplest. So it was the white cheddar buttermilk ice cream served with an sea salt caramel sauce with a roasted black walnut apple spice crunch.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever had?

A: I have had some amazing dishes like the fried stingray and sugarcane pork belly, those stand out in my mind, but I’m really simple; my grandmother’s chicken and dumplings and her banana pudding with toasted meringue. Delicious!

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: It was a tomato garlic dark chocolate bonbon; it just didn’t work.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: Avocado; I’m allergic.

Chef Eric Adjepong

Chef Eric Adjepong is the co-founder of Pinch & Plate, a full-service dinner party and event company based in Washington, DC, that he runs

Friday, June 21, 2019

alongside his wife, decorator Janell Adjepong. He was also a contestant on season 16 of Bravo’s “Top Chef”. As a first-generation GhanaianAmerican born and raised in New York City, he sources the flavours and influences in his cooking from many of the West African dishes he grew up eating.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: Jollof rice paella. It was really fun to do make because I was able to incorporate components of most countries in West Africa in that pan.

Q: What is the best dish you ever had?

A: I had a “Summer in New York” tasting menu meal at Eleven Madison Park a few summers ago. It was imaginative and delicious.

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: I had to make a savoury meal without salt and with a bunch of random sweet ingredients. Needless to say, it didn’t go too well.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: Beef liver. I can’t get with it.

Chef BJ Dennis

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, personal chef and caterer Benjamin

“BJ” Dennis infuses the flavours and culture of the Lowcountry into his Gullah Geechee cuisine, bringing a new taste to the ever-expanding culinary palate of the south.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: That’s tough! I would say anytime that I get to cook for people/family that I love and they love the food, well, that’s the best dish I’ve ever cooked.”

Q: What is the best dish you have ever had?

A: Best dish I’ve ever had is anything from my grandmama who is 92 years old and still able to cook. Anything I get from her at that age is the best thing I’ve ever had, especially her hand-picked crab and rice.

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: Worst dish I’ve ever prepared was the first official catering I’ve ever done. It was a wedding and let’s just say the food was not the only issue. Actually, it was the saving grace, but was not my best work. Almost made me second-guess starting my own business as a caterer after giving up working full-time in restaurants.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: I will never eat a cockroach! Even though I love lobster, which some say is the cockroach of the sea.

Chef Jamall Petty

Since graduating from the Bahamas Hotel Training College programme, Chef Jamall has been honing his skills in the kitchen at a number of the top resorts in the Bahamas, namely Atlantis Resort, the Paradise Harbor Club, RIU, Sandals Royal Bahamian, Baha Mar, and the Courtyard by Marriott. He is currently the residential chef at the US Embassy, founder of Taste Entertainment, and host of the “Taste Buzz” radio show.

Q: What is the best dish you have ever prepared?

A: It would have to be a tie between a breakfast dish I created and a dessert I made, both can actually be considered as foreplay for your taste buds. The guava stuffed French toast with guava duff sauce, or my salted caramel dipped coconut and sugar banana fritters with coconut duff sauce.

Q: What is the best dish you ever had?

A: This question gave me a flashback of a foodgasm I had in my backyard when a friend and I were doing some holiday. The rich, thick, sticky Bahamian BBQ beef ribs touched my lips and my soul all at once. I cried because it was so beautiful.

“Ignite” will be a nod to the cuisine of yesterday and the farm-totable practices.

Q: What is the worst dish you have ever made?

A: That’s really hard because I’m the kind of chef that can make salt water taste delicious; it’s truly a gift, because every dish I prepare becomes my new favourite dish. But hey, I’ve made a really bad cup of coffee.

Q: What is the one thing you would never eat?

A: The only thing I hate more than jelly beans or gummy candy is aloe. Just the thought of that slimy, stinky nasty food desecrating my palate makes me want to vomit. I would literally have to take my taste buds to counselling if I were to eat aloe.”

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Friday, June 21, 2019

food

Buddy's boutique donuts

By ALESHA CADET

I

| Tribune Features writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

t is always difficult to establish yourself in a market which is dominated by large international companies, so Ednal Edgecombe is especially proud to have carved out a niche for himself with his Buddy’s Donuts.

He told Tribune Weekend that the experience of becoming a business owner has been a humbling one.

Initially, Buddy’s Donuts offered mini donuts and fried Oreos, however, over the years – in response to customers’ requests – the varieties of donuts and other offerings have increased. Flavours now include guava, banana, red velvet, coconut, chocolate, pumpkin spice, cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, sprinkles and glaze.

Buddy’s Donuts usually makes appearances at pop-up events held at the Quality Home Centre on Blue Hill and Carmichael Road. Delivery is also an option.

“No matter how intelligent you are, no one knows it all. This is humbling also because the amount of people that helped along the way, who renew your understanding that there are genuinely good people and all is not lost in the world. Trevor Rolle of the Gourmet Grille and Trevor Davis of Quality Homes Centre both gave Buddy’s a place to set up without expectations. Both of them successful at what they are doing, but still grounded enough to help someone just getting their feet wet.

I am forever grateful to them both,” said Mr Edgecombe.

A chef by profession at Virgil’s BBQ at Atlantis, Mr Edgecombe said what he likes about being an entrepreneur is the fact that if he fails, he has no one to blame but himself. However, if he succeeds, he is able to look at what he has built and feel a sense of accomplishment.

“I have an opportunity to create a brand; something that

will last long after I am gone.

My overall goal for Buddy’s is to become a donut/coffee shop. With God’s continued blessing I know it’s only a matter of time before it is a reality. After each delivery I send a ‘thank you’ text to the customer that I just delivered to. The resounding response is ‘No, thank you, those donuts were awesome’,” he said.

“Being a culinarian by profession, of course food service was my first choice. After looking for something that would be different, I invested in a mini donut machine...I figured if there can be 10 breakfast spots on one road all selling tuna, corn beef and eggs with grits, and there be enough money for everyone.

Then me selling donuts...I should be able to get me a piece of the pie also.”

He is thankful for his mother, who at age 80 is still independent and determined to live life on her own terms.

She is his inspiration. He is inspired how her days are spent sending e-mails to clients whose home and car insurance policies she still handles, and how she is able to move about freely as she still drives.

“I plan for the rest of 2019 is to continue making Buddy’s... a household name. I am presently a part of an organisation, Young Entrepreneurs Association. It is a group of businesses that have all found their niche market and most have an internet following. We all have ideas of where we see our business (going) and as a collective we aim to aid and assist each other to grow,” said Mr Edgecombe.

Reach out to Buddy’s Donuts at (242) 552-8099.

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

entertainment

Dancing your way to success

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer

H

| jgibson@tribunemedia.net

er passion for dancing is what got Courtney Celeste Spears her scholarship to continue her education. And then it became her ticket to travel the world and experience various cultures for free.

Courtney is a Bahamian professional dancer and a member of the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in New York. The dance troupe travels throughout Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world to perform for hundreds of thousands of people about 200 times a year.

Courtney is once again bringing her expertise to Nassau with her upcoming ArtSea dance workshop, scheduled for June 25-28 at the Windsor Academy, Old Fort Bay, from 9.15pm – 3.15pm daily.

ArtSea is a weekend-long convention dedicated to helping aspiring young dancers cultivate their talent and recognise the potential of pursuing a professional dance career.

ArtSea strives to be a bridge that connects the young artists of the Caribbean to the vast international dance world. Whether it be dancing in college to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts, teaching, or dancing professionally, ArtSea will be an outlet for young, talented artists to learn and grow within their craft.

The programme will provide master classes, informational sessions, and performance opportunities to further their artistic growth.

“Through these weekend-long workshops we hope to give parents and children with aspirations for art careers an opportunity to be exposed

to different styles of dance first-hand,” Courtney told Tribune Weekend.

“What actually sparked ArtSea was when I was in a smaller company, Robert Bain (a Bahamian dance instructor) fundraised to have us perform at Atlantis. When we were there so many kids showed up and they came top to see us perform. And I saw them looking at us as though we were superheroes. And I felt like, oh my gosh this can’t be the last time that they see us.”

Dancing has been Courtney’s passion from since she was a young child.

“It’s what I’ve always been called to do. It was never a hobby and I never treated it like one. It was my discipline and the only thing I ever wanted to do.

I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am and I am so thrilled to learn more and continue to grow,” she said.

While Courtney loves all styles of the dance, she currently trains mostly in ballet and modern dance. She also enjoys hip hop, jazz, contemporary and tap dance.

“Dance is such a booming industry.

In the Bahamas dance, however, is only seen as a passion or a hobby, but it is viable and something that can give you financial stability. It is something that you can get an education from; it got me a scholarship to school. It afforded me the opportunity to travel the world without having to pay for anything. It is what has allowed me to grow and be an adult,” she said.

But at the heart ArtSea is Courtney’s wish to be an inspiration to young dancers, showing them that the possibilities are endless.

“There are so many young dancers in Nassau with big dreams and so much natural, God-given talent. I wanted

Courtney Celeste Spear

s (Photo/NYC Dance

Scenes from the two previous ArtSea workshops in Nassau. to introduce the workshop locally to make sure that our youth knew that their dreams mattered and their passion can turn into something real. I wanted for the students within Nassau

Project)

to have the opportunity to get a hold of information vital to making it as a professional,” she said.

“As I’ve grown, I’ve become so aware that I am only where I am due to the help and guidance of so many wise teachers and mentors. I wanted to bring those same opportunities back home.”

The ArtSea youth programme is for kids aged seven to 12 and the professional programme is for 13 years and up.

For more information, www.artseadance.org.

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, June 21, 2019

celebrity

PART

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

FAIL

SPLIT

SPLIT

HIT

FAIL

Tessa Thompson Men in Black: International

Alyssa Edwards ”RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Elisabeth Moss ”The Handmaid’s Tale”

Lizzo, “Juice” singer

Kiernan Shipka ”Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”

Karin says: “This has got to be the quickest she’s ever gotten dressed for an event. Simply slip on the oversized sparkly jacket, and voilá...the worst dressed on any red carpet in an instant. She seemed to put so much effort into her ‘Blade Runner’ looking hair, so why not her outfit?”

Cara says: ““I don’t know what look she was going for, but whatever it was, she’s made a mess of it. She looks half dressed and like she made zero effort to be cute. Also, those shoes are hideous. I can understand why she had to go basic though; her hair probably took a minute to fix.”

Karin says: “Alyssa is having a moment right now, complete with her own makeup palette and everything. She’s served us some outrageous and overthe-top looks in recent years, so I’m a bit disappointed with this one here. It’s simply a scrap of fabric, belted together, and a pink feather stole.”

Cara says: “There is literally not much to this outfit. It’s costumey, so I can be a bit more forgiving because she probably isn’t taking her look seriously. I do like the colour combination though. I don’t mind the dramatic hair, but her wig looks a bit off.”

Karin says: “This is just so boring to me. I suppose she thought the dragon design was cool (ironic because she beat out Daenerys herself for ‘Best Performance in a Show’). The silver with black velvet look is just so outdated. It doesn’t even help that she wore perfectly matched shoes.”

Cara says: “She added a little pizzazz to her basic little black dress with the silver dragon design. It’s an a’right dress, I suppose, and her shoes coordinate well with it. It doesn’t really move me, however. Just overall a bit ‘blah’.”

Karin says: “You don’t see a lot of neon green on the red carpet, so I appreciated Lizzo pulling this bright number out of her closet. It’s fun, feathery and perfectly Lizzo. The dress won’t win any fashion awards, but it’s great for MTV. I love her hair this way as well.”

Cara says: “Well, this is a colour that surely stood out on the red carpet. It’s meant to be a fun look, and while I don’t mind them, I’m not crazy about the sneakers. But that’s just my personal preference.

Her hair is lovely though.”

PHOTOS/RICHARD SHOTWELL/INVISION/AP

The Weekend MTV Movie Fashion Report and TV Awards

I

Karin says: “Look, being a walking ad is tacky enough on a normal day, but wearing a fashion label’s logo all over you for a red carpet event goes beyond the pale. And it’s not even that creative. Fendi added some weird colourful details to an already existing pattern just like Louis Vuitton and numerous others have done before them.”

Cara says: “So she jumped into a Fendi bag and went to the awards. That’s a lot of Fendi she is wearing, and honestly, I just don’t like their print that much to see all of that. It’s just way to much for even my matchy self. All she needed was to carry an actual handbag from the brand to make it completely over the top.”

• SEE PAGE 16 FOR MORE

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

celebrity

PART

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

FAIL

FAIL

HIT

FAIL

SPLIT

Tiffany Haddish ”The Kitchen”

Tana Mongeau YouTube influencer

Storm Reid ”Euphoria”

Lauren Morano ”The Perfect Date”

Mj Rodriguez ”Pose”

Karin says: “I hate that one long, puffy sleeve! And that trailing bow! It’s just ugly.

And overall the dress is just completely uninspiring. I hope Tiffany didn’t put any effort into this look, because it’s wash-out.”

Cara says: “This dress is so old-fashioned and cheap looking. It also doesn’t seem to match her personality. It’s really just a hot mess and ill-fitting. With the recent not so flattering reports about her in the media, Tiff needs to step it up and dazzle us on the red carpet; give us something positive to talk about.”

Karin says: “Tana is the definition of trying too hard and doing too much. So it makes sense she was going wear something like this the one time she gets invited to a mainstream event. That said, I feel like this has been done before. And what even is the statement? That she’s millions thanks to YouTube? Sadly, we know.”

Cara says: “I can’t even realistically comment on outfits like this; we all know it’s ridiculous and silly. I mean, what is even the point of it all.

It’s not shocking, no one really cares. Besides her fans, no one is even going to comment on this. She would have gotten more attention with a traditionally stunning gown.”

Karin says: “OK, I actually love this 18th-century, royal courtier meets pirate princess concept she’s got going on.

Where she falls down is the dramatic makeup look to accompany the outfit. The bare face just doesn’t work here and almost ruins the entire ensemble.”

Cara says: “Her face does look a little pale, but the rest of the outfit is different. I like it. It’s young and fresh, even though it takes its inspiration from 18th century styles. It’s not something you see every day at an awards show. It’s suitably theatrical.”

Karin says: “Clearly she was having her Princess Jasmine moment here. I’ve recently seen some really amazing twopieces, but this isn’t one of them. The colour is pretty and the design very feminine, but it’s just too costumey.”

Cara says: “This colour is lovely and so is the embroidery on the tiers of the skirt. But don’t think a midriff top was the best way to style this outfit, to be honest.

I think a simple tank top, maybe with some detail at the neckline, would have been the better way to go.”

Karin says: “Yellow is everywhere this season...and I’m not complaining. This dress is fine. It’s kinda simple, but still has enough pizzazz.

It is extremely short though.

And I see Mj brought the big shoulders with her from her 1980s set show...still not a fan.”

Cara says: “This dress is the baby sister version of every big-shoulder dress Alexis Carrington ever wore on “Dynasty” back in the day. It has that vibe to it; very 80s. I actually like it, I have to say.”

PHOTOS/RICHARD SHOTWELL/INVISION/AP

The Weekend MTV Movie Fashion Report and TV Awards

II

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, June 21, 2019

theatre

'Das Ya Pa!' asks what makes a 'real' father

By ALESHA CADET

F

| Tribune Features writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

ather’s Day has passed, but dads are still in the spotlight. The cast and crew of After Dark Promotions will make certain of this with the launch of their newest stage show, “Das Ya Pa!”, to be performed at the St John’s College Auditorium this weekend.

For years, Tamara Moncur, founder of After Dark Productions, has successfully produced her popular “Sapodilla Street” series of plays, and “Das Ya Pa!” will a part of this fictional community.

The new play starts when the residents of Sapodilla Street receive the exciting news that Ms Betty from Texas, Pastor John Brown and Senator Lauren Whitehead are planning something special for some of the fathers in the neighbourhood. However, there is only one problem, the criteria are so strict that no father is eligible to receive these promised gifts. But soon, with the help of Evangelism, the committee is able to see into of the hearts of the community’s fathers and father figures.

“The emotions expressed by the actors and singers will cause you to pause for a moment and reevaluate your ideas about fathers,” said Ms Moncur. “We are excited about this production. This show is a comedy so you will definitely fall out laughing.”

The playwright explained she was inspired by the struggles so many Bahamians fathers face today. Too many people, she said, become so caught up in what a father looks like superficially, but forget what he actually should be to his family.

“The mistakes of a father’s past affects the lives of his children and sometimes becomes the pathway of an uncertain future. (The play) will also touch strongly on forgiveness and reconciliation. We view this play as an example of the ‘Prodigal Father’. After all, our heavenly Father is the example for all fathers and they are encouraged to exemplify the characteristics of the fruit of the spirit love, joy, peace,

The cast of After Dark Promotions on stage in past productions.

patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” said Ms Moncur.

Cast members that will assist her in bringing this story to life are: Franco Moncur as Hezi; Tiffany Aranha as Senator Lauren Whitehead; Fabia Johnson as Beulah; Dellarease Rolle as Pearl; Kevin McPhee as Joe; Louis Cleare Jr as Pastor; Jenson Rolle as Sam; Carla Sands as Dra’Quilla; Travante Taylor as John; Tiara Josey as Vickie; Eddie Minnis as Officer Bodie; Brittany Lundy as Amber; Melissa Roberts as Betty; Annesha Brown as Mama Mo; Jovan Edgecombe as Ben; Teria Courtney as Lexie, and Tamara herself as Josie.

Teen actors include: Taisa Bethel, Jada Sands, Deandrell Davis, Christopher Bain, Jayden Aranha, and Sarah Roberts. Calvin Parker serves as the head musician and pianist. Guest musicians and soloists are Tamika Taylor and Trevante Taylor of Taylormade Productions, Aris Moxey and Holman McDonald.

“Preparing for this production involves commitment, time management and teamwork. Rehearsals can best be described as hilarious. The actors are actually funny off and on the stage and we have had many laughuntil-you-cry moments. This is a great stress reliever after work,” said Ms Moncur.

“For me, it is important to write, produce and direct a show like this because it allows me to utilise my talent, seek and expose the talent of others, and present a family friendly comedy show to the public at large.

Using everyday situations, events and practices to explore possible funny outcomes based on a general Bahamian mind set...it is a great way to embrace our very unique culture, the good, the bad and the ugly.”

In December, After Dark Promotions will present its 10th anniversary show, “A Sapodilla Street Christmas”.

Cat Island, Andros, Eleuthera and Long Island natives will represented, along with Caribbean guests coming in from Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Dominica and Trinidad.

Tickets for this weekend’s show are available at Screws and Fasteners World, Lil Mustard Seed Healthy Café (Mount Royal Ave) and JJ’s Takeaway. Saturday’s show starts at 8pm and Sunday’s at 5pm.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

theatre

New writer hopes to bring hit play to Nassau audiences

By DENISE MAYCOCK | Tribune Freeport Reporter | dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Up-and-coming playwright Shauna Joseph of Grand Bahama has received rave reviews for her second play, “The Ceremony”, which premiered at the Regency Theatre in Freeport last month.

Now, she is trying to find funding and sponsorship to take her production, a romantic drama and comedy, to New Providence for audiences there to enjoy as well.

Ms Joseph built a huge fan base here last year after she broke onto the scene with her first play, “The Holy Hookup”. And she is expecting the same kind of success with “The Ceremony”, which she wrote six years ago but was unsuccessful getting to the stage, until now.

The 45-year-old said that it is never too late to follow your passion. “I was never happy on an ordinary 9 to 5 job,” Ms Joseph said, describing herself as a creative person who loves to write, make jewellery and sing.

Determined to get her first production to the stage, she took a leap of faith last year, using some of her own money to present “The Holy Hookup” to audiences last June.

That play is centered around bachelor Thomas Ford, a God-fearing, intelligent and successful businessman who is unable to find love, and is discouraged and a bit angry at God for forgetting him. Taking matters into his own hands, Thomas sets out on a journey to find his “holy hook-up” by going on a game show to find love. The inspiration behind the play, filled will lots of drama and laughs, came from Shauna’s own experiences and those of many other single people who go through the ups and downs of finding love.

According to Ms Joseph, “The Ceremony” also deals with relationships, but on a deeper level. It features a cast of 15 and a crew of three. The main character, Taralyn Moore, is a single woman who desires to be married. She is feeling her age and the pressures of society and the Church to get married.

A scene from the hit play “The Ceremony” She is about to give up when she meets her Prince Charming, who has gone through some stuff as well and was about to give up on love. The couple, who both have friends putting in their two cents, go through the stages of getting engaged, married, and life after the wedding.

The play focuses on many issues, including abuse in the marriage. It deals with Church and Christians turning a blind eye to an abusive deacon who mistreats his wife, who is encouraged by her church family and even her mother to stay and pray and cover for her husband, while portraying a perfect married couple in public. The play also shows how abusive relationships in the marriage affect the children.

Playwright Shauna Joseph The play was performed on May 25 “We got great reviews from the audiand 26 at the Regency, and while it was ence, and people are asking us if we not a full house as Ms Joseph would are going to put it on again,” she told have liked, there was a good turn-out for both showings.

Tribune Weekend. “It hit a chord with

people who saw themselves in some of the characters. People were really touched by by the overall message. We heard that people were crying in the audience, so it makes you feel good to know the work you put in, people appreciate it.”

Ms Joseph first wrote “The Ceremony” in 2007, but did not have much luck getting it to the stage.

“I’d been trying to get it to the stage from then; I tried twice and it didn’t happen. I even modified it, and added it to another play, and it didn’t work out,” she said.

This year, she decided to dust it off and try again, and got it to the stage thanks to some sponsors. People from Nassau, and her family from the US, travelled to Freeport to see the play.

Now, she is getting lots of requests from people in Nassau to bring the play to the capital.

According to Ms Joseph, it is hard for Bahamian playwrights to get their plays to the stage, especially without adequate sponsorship.

“It is very expensive and costs a lot of money to put on a production – there is rehearsal time, getting cast members, getting the venue, building sets, and getting props. All those little things add up,” she said.

She also noted that with the current state of Grand Bahama’s economy, things are so “iffy” and there are limited sponsors. “We all tend to go to the same people for sponsorship and everyone has a cut-off time. So you have to pull on our own finances, and so you’re walking on faith,” she said.

Ms Joseph is hoping to present “The Ceremony” in Nassau on July 13 and 14.

“We are looking for sponsorship, we need the finances to lock those dates down,” she said.

She says that people should not give up on their passion because of age. “I will be 46 in July, and at 44 I stepped into my first production on stage.

You are never too old to fulfil your purpose.”

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, June 21, 2019

gardening

A trick for preparing okra JackHardy shares one OF the many e-mails he receives from Tribune Weekend readers.

D

ear Jack, I want to comment on your column of April 5 when you spoke about okras: “It seems there are two types of people, those who love okra and those who despise okra.

Let’s be honest, okra soup resembles snot soup.”

Well, I’m one of those who like okra and buy them quite often when I see them in Super Value in that pre-packaged area. They have always been tender. However, I have not made any soup with them or even had okra soup in ages. What I do is put them in my steamer, and guess what? There’s no slime, honestly. I then put a bit of butter on them and black pepper. A treat.

I also want to mention your column of April 18 about fuchsias. I did not know they came from Central and South America rain forests, where they live in deep shade. I think it would be quite difficult to grow them in the Bahamas without a lot of care, as stated. I know there are many different varieties and I used to include them in some of my potted plants when I lived in England.

One last thing, the best part of The Tribune Friday supplement Weekend is the last section that includes your column. However, I also like reading Sir Christopher Ondaatje’s column on famous writers and personalities and often save some of them. But I don’t save them when your column is on the previous page (as on April 18) as they will be passed on to my brother. I also enjoy Paul Aranha’s column. Did you read what his wife Kim said about the

Fuchsias are named in honour of Leonhard Fuchs (1501–66), a German botanist.

A okra plant

canopy of trees being hacked back on that road out to Lyford Cay (May 10)?

I also noticed this area and wondered why it had happened. It was to make space for BPL to take the new generators through to Clifton Pier. They have also cut down many live casuarina trees here on Cable Beach and left a mess in some spots, not clearing up properly. Yet they have left a number of the dead ones! We have three dead ones just in front of Conchrest… and this is the PM’s constituency. May have to write a letter to The Tribune. They may as well re-name Cable Beach ‘Dead Tree Stump Way’ as all the stumps remain from ones cut down years ago. You would think they would have someone in the Ministry of Works who would know how to remove them properly. It would be a very timeconsuming job, but it looks terrible the way it is now. You may recall how years ago there was a canopy created by these casuarinas out here on Cable Beach (by Caprice) and another lovely one over on Paradise Island. That’s all gone now. I am no great lover of casuarinas, but they are bearable if kept as a hedge.

– CK

• For queries and comments e-mail jacktribune242@gmail.com

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

pageant

Teen queens show poise

S

even young ladies are currently competing for the honour of being crowned Miss Bahamas Teenager 2019.

The pageant held its preliminary evening gown and sportswear competitions last Sunday at Breezes.

Next up the contestants are the float parade, judges interview – which take place this weekend, and the coronation night on Sunday, June 30, also at Breezes.

“Our goal is to achieve our mission by bringing out the best in our contestants through training, education and pageantry. To promote the nation’s finest teenagers through our annual national pageant programme in the Bahamas.

This programme consists of months of intensive training, grooming, coaching and preparation that will conclude with the coronation of a youth ambassador who will represent our country at the international pageant and at local promotional events,” said pageant president and director Anishka Lockhart.

This year’s contestants are as follows: • Amani Stuart, 16, of St Augustine’s College • Kayla Culmer, 15, of St Anne’s High School • Lashantae Roker, 18, of the University of the Bahamas • Lynique Rolle, 16, of West Minister College • Reianna Ellis, 15, of St John’s College • Rickia Ellis, 17, of St John’s College • Shawnelle Nixon, 16 , of R M Bailey High School

The contestants have so far competed in the costume, talent, evening gown and sportswear competitions. (Photos/Shawn Hanna/MBTI)

Friday, June 21, 2019

and versatilityÂ

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

history Fort Charlotte

A fortified Nassau

Forgotten facts | Paul C Aranha

W

e Bahamians should try to remember that the Eleutherian Adventures came to the Bahamas from Bermuda and, for many years, there was considerable interaction between the two British colonies. Recently, I rediscovered an article by Dr Edward Harris, director of the National Museum at Dockyard in Bermuda (now retired) who, because of his work with the restoration of the guns and fortifications of the Dockyard, was invited to Nassau by Dr Keith Tinker of the AMMC to look over Nassau’s fortifications. Pursuant to that visit, Dr Harris wrote (with changes and additions by me):

Cannons at the Fort Charlotte Sea Battery

“About nine hundred miles to the southwest of Bermuda lies the great archipelago of the Bahamas, a group of hundreds of islands and cays associated with Bermuda since the inception of its settlement by Europeans . . . (for) we sent the first recent human species there to settle (i.e. the Eleutherian Adventurers), a century or so after the Bahama Islands had been denuded of their indigenous inhabitants (the Arawaks), through slavery and disease.

The geological association with the Bahamas is of interest for the nature of stoneworking. In the Bahamas and in Bermuda, some of the rock is quite similar.

Bahamians no longer cut stone building blocks, but photographs, of defunct Nassau quarries, plus some still-existing historic buildings, suggest

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, June 21, 2019

that Bahamian masons used almost the same techniques as in Bermuda, for extracting and working such rock.

As in Bermuda, the limestone comes in several grades of hardness and was also used in the construction of the fortifications.

According to one source, a method of waterproofing the softer stone was to paint it with linseed oil, which turned it yellow, but dried to a brilliant white, a feature of the rock that caused it to be commercially desirable, for a period, in nearby Florida, from whence came to the Bahamas many of the British Loyalists, who had been expelled from the continent, after the independence of the United States of America.

A century after the 1648 arrival of settlers from Bermuda, with whom the island of Eleuthera and its ‘Preacher’s Cave’ will always be associated, a renewed defence plan of Nassau was started by the military engineer, Peter Henry Bruce.

Bruce repaired the original Fort Nassau, named after the town - itself named for one of the titles of the reigning British monarch (1689-1702).

Fort Nassau was later demolished, and the site is now occupied by the British Colonial Hotel.

In 1741, Bruce began the erection of Fort Montagu – named for John, second Duke of Montagu, who was Britain’s Master of the Ordnance (Note: No ‘i’ in Ordnance), and had to make ‘lime on the spot’ and transport stone by hand, and boat, as there were no ‘wheel carriages’ on New Providence. That fort still stands on the coast, a couple of miles east of Nassau and is now the oldest in the Bahamas.

In 1787, after the independence of the United States, Lord Dunmore, Governor of the Bahamas, began construction of the largest fort in the archipelago, ‘Fort Charlotte’ - named for the queen consort of King George III, whom he married soon after his accession, with instructions ‘not to meddle’ (the arrival of 15 children, perhaps, made that admonition unnecessary).

Jonathan Ramsay makes a very interesting point about the unusual, perhaps unique, way in which Fort Charlotte was built, pointing out that, whereas most forts – including Nassau’s forts Montagu and Fincastle – are built upwards from the ground, Fort Charlotte (including its later extensions, Fort Stanley and Fort d’Arcy) was, quite literally, carved into the natural rock – and that it is the only fort, certainly in this part of the world,

The Winton Battery, now visible after recently being cleared of overgrowth

Potter’s Cay Battery where such a thing was done. Very little of the structure is built upwards, toward the sky.

Shortly thereafter, Fort Fincastle, on the limestone ridge overlooking Nassau, joined Fort Charlotte, and together they comprised the principal forts of the Bahamas, in the nineteenth century. Dunmore boasted that no one would capture Nassau in the future and, so far, he was right.

Structural evidence exists that the forts were re-armed at least once, but no modifications were made after the mid-1800s, which means the buildings survive largely as built.

There are no large works of the 1790s in Bermuda to compare with the forts of Nassau, so a tour of British fortifications of Bermuda and the West Indies necessitates a visit to the Bahamas, whereas one has to go to Bermuda, to see the large defensive works of later times.

What is also remarkable about the Bahamas is the exceptional collection of historic artillery, of the early to mid-nineteenth century, which includes all three types of cannon, namely, the cannon, howitzer and mortar. One mortar and two howitzers survive with their original carriages, and there are two sets of cannon in the forts, one from the Napoleonic period, and the

Fort Fincastle other, larger group from the 1840s and 1850s, being some of the last smoothbore guns ever made and, perhaps, one of the largest collection thereof.

It was of considerable interest to compare how the Bahamas and Bermuda handle such military heritage, which is, of course, also international heritage, given the global exigencies that led to their creation, especially after the American Revolutionary War. On Potter’s Cay, one can still see the ruins of the Potter’s Cay Battery and,

on Winton Highway, though very hard to find, are the ruins of Fort Winton.

It is hoped that the value of such heritage will continue to rise in estimation of its value, not only culturally, but for tourism, which remains the fundamental economy of both countries, and that such an elevation will result in enhanced investment in such irreplaceable military heritage.”

• For questions and comments, e-mail islandairman@gmail.com

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

literary lives – peter fleming

The real James Bond and his adventures Sir Christopher Ondaatje re-introduces Robert Peter Fleming, the British adventurer and travel writer who was the elder brother of Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, and served as the inspiration for the famous 007.

Peter Fleming was born on May 31, 1907 – the eldest of four sons of the barrister and Member of Parliament Valentine Fleming who was killed in action in 1917. Fleming was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford where he graduated with a first-class degree in English. In 1935, he married the actress Celia Johnson, who achieved fame for her roles in “Brief Encounter” and “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”.

In April 1932, Fleming, then an assistant editor of an English magazine, replied to an advertisement in the Agony Column of The Times, saying “Room Two More Guns. Highest references expected and given.” He joined the expedition, organised by Robert Churchward, hoping to ascertain the fate of Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett (1867-1925), a British geographer, artillery officer and explorer, who disappeared in 1925 during an Travel writer and adventurer Peter Fleming (1907 - 1971) expedition to find “Z” – his name for an ancient lost city which he believed travel writing for ever. The book is still travel writing.” – 1,000 Books to Read existed in the jungles of Brazil. Flemin print. It is well worth reading.

Before You Die, James Mustich ing’s book about the expedition quite Peter Fleming went on to write

accidentally discovered a new kind of many other books. His journey The expedition, as Fleming travel book. from Moscow to Peking through the described it, was fraught with argu “ ‘Brazilian Adventure’ is a very Caucasus, the Caspian, Samarkand, ments and disagreements, resulting in funny account of a frankly ludicrous Tashkent, the Turksib Railway and Fleming and a school friend, Roger expedition ... Fleming and his companthe Trans-Siberian Railway back to Pettiward, breaking away and setting ions march, fight, and canoe through Peking as a special correspondent for out on their own to search for the area three thousand miles of savage country The Times was published in 1934 under where Colonel Fawcett was last seen. in search of an English explorer, the title of “One’s Company”. He then It was a disastrous failure. The expediColonel P H Fawcett, believed to be went overland with Ella Maillart (a tion returned to England in November missing in the jungles of Central Brazil Swiss adventurer, travel writer and 1932 with the expected recriminations ... Published in 1933, Fleming’s stylish photographer) from China via Tunganabout blame and finances. The resultand refreshingly original first book istan to India, published as “Travels ing book, “Brazilian Adventure”, with was distinguished by a self-deprecating sense of humour that was new to its humour and self mockery changed in Tartary: One’s Company and News

The Tribune | Weekend | 25

Friday, June 21, 2019

Fleming in 1932, at the furthest point in the quest for Colonel Fawcett in Brazil. from Tartary” in 1941. All three books were published by Jonathan Cape.

In 1939, Peter Fleming, at that time a reserve officer in the Grenadier Guards, was recruited by the War Office before World War II was declared to research the potential of “irregular warfare”, initially assisting Chinese guerrillas fighting the Japanese. He served in the Norwegian campaign with commando units, and in 1940 was given the job to research local defence volunteers as guerrilla troops.

His was an unconventional career.

In England, expecting an invasion, he organised groups in the southeast, burying arms and explosives for use behind enemy lines if they ever got ashore. Later, from 1942 to 1945, he was in command of D Division in charge of military deception in South East Asia based in New Delhi. He was instrumental in helping the evacuation of troops from Burma into India.

He also devised a dummy staff and a complex series of battle plans that the Japanese were convinced was the true British plan of battle for India and Burma.

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1945; and the Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Rosette by the Republic of China in 1948.

Fleming with his wife, actress Celia Johnson, and their daughter Lucy.

Fleming in Brazil

When the war ended, Peter Fleming retired to his estate Nettlebed in Oxfordshire. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire on July 31, 1970.

Peter Fleming and Celia Johnson remained married until his death in 1971 from a heart attack while on a shooting expedition in Scotland. He was survived by their three children: Nicholas Peter Val Fleming (19391995), writer and squire of Nettlebed; Roberta Katherine Fleming (b. 1946), writer and publisher; and Lucy Fleming (b. 1947), the actress.

What is not generally known is that his younger brother Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, acknowledged that he had modelled his immortal figure of 007 on his intrepid, debonair older brother.

NEXT WEEK: The legendary Bouvier sisters: Love, hate and revenge

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally fromWikipedia; and from “1,000 Books to Read Before You Die” by James Mustich.

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The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, June 21, 2019

animals

A wonderful lady fulfils dying dogs' 'final wishes'

W

e all spend a great deal of time in life focused on the negative.

I think it is probably human nature because the negative is invariably more shocking.

Frequently, the negative is simply unavoidable because it impacts our lives with such magnitude that it will not allow us to ignore it.

In the animal world the negative can be extremely ugly. Moments of cruelty and neglect can shatter your faith in your fellow man and keep you awake at night reliving the horror you have been forced to face. You wake up and wonder how and why could anybody commit such dreadful acts or neglect an animal to the extent of causing such pain and suffering. The life of an animal advocate can be plagued with nightmares and disgust.

The negative does not willingly sit at the back of the bus but forces itself into your mind and life constantly, unless some really special people and moments can elbow their way into your existence and insist on front row seats. It is such a pleasure to find reasons to rejoice and praise situations of positivity.

The Grey Muzzle Hospice in Nottinghamshire in England is home to one such person and was recently showcased on the BBC. Nicola Harrison rescues dogs from shelters with terminal conditions. This amazing lady creates an individual bucket list for each of them that can include trips to the beach, ice cream feasts, rides

Animal matters | KIM ARANHA

in police cars (wind in their face), trips to McDonald’s and birthday cakes (who cares what the actual date of your birthday is?).

This incredible woman originally volunteered at a local shelter and would bring terminally ill dogs home to care for them to avoid them being put to sleep at the shelter. She could not bear the thought of them being killed in a lonely and cold environment, and felt that they too deserved some happy times before going to the rainbow bridge.

Her endeavours have expanded so successfully that she now runs a full-fledged hospice for terminal dogs.

She feels very strongly that at the end of their lives the dogs should not take those steps alone, but should be encircled with love.

Emotionally it takes its toll on her, as just last year she lost 13 dogs to their medical conditions, but she also finds it to be amazingly rewarding. She

PET OF THE WEEK

O

no longer takes vacations and spends all her personal money and time on her hospice; she also receives donations through her Facebook page, which enables her to afford the veterinary bills and groomers, and she is blessed with her very supportive children and friends.

There is a touching video clip of her with her charges on YouTube. She showcases one of her hospice residents at the pub with her. She says he has an enlarged heart, is deaf, has poor eyesight, and maybe a hint of Alzheimer’s, but there he is in her arms at the pub having a special lunch; a happy boy who is living out his life in the very best of ways.

What an angel this woman is! She clearly has a level of compassion and empathy that is incredible.

Lets face it, getting older is not for the faint-hearted. We all face it sooner or later, if we are fortunate. Most of us have friends and family to lean on,

Animal lover Nicola Harrison to laugh with and to confide our fears and secrets in. This has become easier with the advent of the internet, e-mail, WhatsApp, and all those ways to stay in touch. But not all of us are that fortunate.

Loneliness and incertitude are not emotions restricted to humans alone, yet many humans do not appear to be able to connect the dots when it comes to animals, and they frequently, flatly, refuse to believe that animals experience emotions as we do.

Thank heavens for this wonderful lady and her organisation. Instead of saying, “They are going to die anyway, may as well put them to sleep now”, she has opened a door of hope. She says:

A not so shaggy new friend

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY

ne-year-old Shaggy isn’t all that shaggy, but still the name seems to suit him. Shaggy’s young and playful and willing to learn. He’s friendly with other dogs and could probably even learn to like cats. He’d love to go for walks with you or to the beach. Have you got a place for Shaggy in your heart and

home? If so, come in to the Bahamas Humane Society to meet him, or call 323-5138 for more information. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. Shaggy looks forward to meeting you.

• Doing some Spring cleaning? Don’t forget the

BHS Thrift Shop as a place to send all your weeded items. The shop right next to the shelter and is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 1pm to 4pm, and on Saturday, 10am to 2pm.

All money raised goes to the BHS.

(PHOTO/PATRICIA VAZQUEZ)

“Let’s give them the best life ever until they cannot cope.”

This, in my opinion, is the attitude that we should all have towards the aging in general. We are all too quick to lock the older humans in “homes” where they will remain until they are carried out in a box. We put animals to sleep because they are going to suffer. So wait, what is the hurry? Make the elders happy, one day at a time, with moments of joy.

Surprisingly enough, when we show kindness and make people (or animals) happy, we actually feel happier ourselves. Kindness is infectious.

The more we give and share, the better we will feel about ourselves and others.

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, June 21, 2019

social media

Bahamian bloggers make their mark at international conference

T

wo Bahamian bloggers took their talents to Atlanta, Georgia, recently where they rubbed shoulders with US Congresswomen, high-powered business owners, Hollywood actresses, and even the mother of a global superstar.

Rogan Smith and Ianthia Ferguson attended the Summit21 conference, which brings together 1,500 top female bloggers, vloggers and social media influencers from around the world.

The women were given a roadmap to take their brands, businesses and lives to the next level as they sat in on sessions that tackled financial literacy, the art of creating a side hustle, balancing work and home and how to use social media to your advantage.

Businesswoman Tina Knowles-Lawson, who is also the mother of Beyoncé and Solange; actresses Essence Atkins and Karrueche Tran, as well as influencers Mattie James, Alex Wolf and Jereshia Hawk, were just some of the women who addressed the crowd of creatives.

During the two-day event, Ms Smith got a chance to meet California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who was a

keynote speaker, as well as her husband, former US Ambassador to the Bahamas Sidney Williams. Mrs Waters sent a shout-out to the Bahamas, noting that she often comes here for Junkanoo and still has friends here.

21Ninety’s annual Summit21 convention was touted as two days of “black girl bliss, beauty and boss moves.” It was designed as a weekend full of wisdom and grace.

A sub-brand of Blavity, 21Ninety, is a lifestyle brand focused on the empowerment of women of colour,

Influencer Courtney Graham holds up a copy of Ianthia Ferguson’s latest book, “Pitch Say What?!”

The blogging duo: Rogan Smith (left) and Ianthia Ferguson

specifically millennial women, through learning, growing, discovering, and connecting as a community.

This year’s Atlanta event brought together 3,000 plus women from around the world to be inspired, join sessions on business, beauty and impact, and learn to thrive in all parts of their lives. The convention promotes two tracks:

Rogan Smith with Congresswoman Maxine Waters and her husband Sidney Williams, former US Ambassador to the Bahamas

Tina Knowles-Lawson, mother of Beyoncé and Solange, with Summit21 founder Morgan DeBaun

entrepreneurship and leadership.

Ms Ferguson, who recently published her latest work, “Pitch Say What?!”, made waves at the conference and sold her book to some top bloggers from around the world.

Ms Ferguson is a travel blogger and the creative director of the award-winning blog “Miniskirts and Microphones” (www.ianthia-smith.com), and Ms Smith is a lifestyle blogger and the founder and creative director of the award-nominated “This Bahamian Gyal blog” (www.thisbahamiangyal.com).