08072020 WEEKEND

Friday, August 7, 2020

Weekend

art dance gardening crafts history fashion animals puzzles photography STUDENT OF THE YEAR Pages 4-5

Body of work Artist revives body paint

pgs 08 + 09

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

photography

A Rose-Coloured Lens Controversial carriages

B

eauty is all around us in the Bahamas, on land and in the sea. But many of us are too busy with everyday life to pause and really see and enjoy the astonishing sights that surround us. Veteran photographer ROLAND ROSE captures both the ordinary and extraordinary and puts it in frame for us so we can see our environment in a new light.

Tourist attractions are few and far between in Nassau, so rides in horse-drawn carriages offer a welcome way to tour the sites and scenes of the island, and a unique way to get married.

Friday, August 7, 2020

The Tribune | Weekend | 03

Friday, August 7, 2020

Inside Weekend

MY PERFECT BAHAMIAN WEEKEND Shirley Symonette-Krezel Educator Q: What will you be binge-watching during weekend lockdown?

Photography 2 Roland Rose turns the lens on carriages from The Bahamas

Interview 4 - 5

Student of the year

Fashion 7

More than just a mask as fashion catches up with pandemic life

Art 8-9

Artist explores body paint and its history

Dance 10

Dance clinic returns to Grand Bahama but goes virtual

“This weekend, I plan to watch ‘La Nina’ on Netflix. It just seems powerful and should also provide a positive message because it’s about a former Colombian guerilla fighter.”

Q: What activities will you be doing to stay busy while indoors?

“I will definitely be in my backyard. I started a garden.

I have some lime trees and I just planted some finger peppers and okra, so I will be out there every day.”

Q: If you could be quarantined with a celebrity, who would it be and why?

“Oprah Winfrey, because as a black woman who made her way from the bottom to the top she would be very interesting to talk to.”

Q: What is on your holiday weekend menu?

“For the first time in my life I will be cooking crabs. I have six crabs and I will be going on Google to get a recipe for crab and dough.”

Q: If you could travel to one place for a coronavirus-free weekend getaway, where would it be and why?

“It has always been my dream to go to Australia.

I knew someone from Australia and she showed me pictures, and I have always thought it was beautiful and wanted to visit.”

Gardening 11

Pruning for tree strength

Literary Lives 12 - 13 The Russian doctor and chemist best remembered for his symphonies

History 14

Bimini’s storied past

Crafts 15

Carpenter carves out a new niche during pandemic

Animals 16

, plus Pet of Week

THIS WEEKEND IN HISTORY August 7

• Terrorist bombs at US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania killed 224 people, including 12 Americans, in 1998.

•In 1782, Gen George Washington created the Order of the Purple Heart, a decoration to recognize merit in enlisted men and noncommissioned officers.

• In 1942, US and other allied forces landed at Guadalcanal, marking the start of the first major allied offensive in the Pacific during World War II. (Japanese forces abandoned the island the following February.)

• In 1959, the United States

launched the Explorer 6 satellite, which sent back images of Earth.

• In 1971, the Apollo 15 moon mission ended successfully as its command module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

Birthdays: Garrison Keillor is 78. Actor Wayne Knight is 65.

Actor David Duchovny is 60.

Actor Charlize Theron is 45.

August 8

• In 1974, President Richard Nixon, facing damaging new revelations in the Watergate scandal, announced he would resign the following day.

• In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte set sail for St Helena to spend the remainder of his days in exile.

• In 1945, President Harry S. Truman signed the US instrument of ratification for the United Nations Charter.

Birthdays: Actor Dustin Hoffman is 83. Guitarist The Edge of U2 is 59.

Singer Shawn Mendes is 22.

August 9

• In 1945, three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, a US B-29 Superfortress code-named Bockscar dropped a nuclear device (“Fat Man”) over Nagasaki, killing an estimated 74,000 people.

• In 1902, Edward VII was crowned king of Britain following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.

• In 1936, Jesse Owens won his fourth gold medal at the Berlin Olympics as the United States took first place in the 400-meter relay.

Birthdays: Actor Sam Elliott is 76. Actor Melanie Griffith is 63. Actor Gillian Anderson is 52. Actor Eric Bana is 52.

News correspondent Chris Cuomo is 50. Actor Anna Kendrick is 35.

04 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, August 7, 2020

interview

Hayley Wilson At just 12 years of age, she is already a role model in her community. With a 4.0 GPA, a heart for helping those in need, and now being named Primary School Student of the Year, she tells Cara Hunt how she is fulfilling a years-long dream.

ACHIEVING and maintaining star student status is a challenge for anyone, but 12-year-old Hayley Wilson has managed to shine bright not just at her school, Summit Academy, but also in her wider community.

And last month the sixth grader realised a dream she had throughout her elementary school career: She was named the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year for 2020.

Hayley was selected for the honour out of a pool of more than 100 of the brightest young minds in the country. She received the award during a “drive-up” ceremony on July 25 at the Church of God Auditorium onJoe Farrington Road.

“When I found out that I had been selected to represent my school I felt honoured that they chose me and happy that they had such faith in me,” she told Tribune Weekend.

“And then when I found that I had actually won, I was ecstatic and a bit stunned because all of the candidates this year were amazing.”

It would be an understatement to say that Hayley’s last year in elementary school was extraordinary.

Like millions of students around the world, she had to finish the year remotely due to pandemic related restrictions.

But Hayley did not let social distance affect her studies and still managed to graduate with a 4.0 grade point average.

“COVID-19 didn’t have that drastic of an affect on me when we had to go virtual,” she said.

“The work was still the same. My school classes went 15 minutes longer

PHOTO: ANDRE CONLIFFE

but we had breaks between and then we finished the day earlier and so we just got used to it.”

Hayley was already used to time management and getting the most out of the day. In addition to her studies, she had a full load of extracurricular activities.

Hayley has maintained Principal List status since grade one and an accumulative grade point average of 4.0.

In addition to being head girl, she was extremely active in the Chess Club, Early Act, (a club sponsored

by Rotary Bahamas) and Helping Hands. Shealso contributed to important causes, establishing “Hayley’s Beading to Beat Autism” in 2016 as a way to create awareness ofautism spectrum disorders, and raising money to support families dealing with childhood cancer through the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Hayley is also junior volunteer at her church, St Francis Catholic Church, and a member of the Lawrence Carroll Dance Academy.

The tween describes herself as a humanitarian, so she was also a volunteer with REACH - Resources and Education for Autism and Hands for Hunger for over three years. She has been a member of the 77th Girl Guide Unit since she was six years old and has earned the position of a Sixer (a role models for other guides).

Friday, August 7, 2020

Throughout her years in the and cosmetics,” she said.

Brownies, she earned over 20 badges But for now, Hayley is concentratand represented the Bahamas Girl ing on starting high school with a Guides Association at several events $7,000 scholarship she was granted to promote the organisation. as Primary School Student of the Additionally, she has won subject Year. awards in mathematics, social studSince 1997, the award has given ies, science, information technology, $1.5m in scholarships and prizes language arts, Spanish and religious to hundreds of students across the studies. islands of the Bahamas.

Hayley said she was able to parHayley is the daughter of Michael ticipate in all the activities without and Gillian Wilson. feeling any pressure to do so by her Hayley’s mother said she is doubly parents, which made her want to do proud of her daughter, as both as them. a mom and as the “I was always ‘...when I found that principal of Summit allowed the option I had actually won, I Academy. of whether I wanted “I think everyto do something was ecstatic and a bit one in our family is or not and so I was stunned because all elated. This was a never stressed; I just of the candidates this dream that Hayley found my balance.” has had since the first In fact, finding year were amazing.’ grade and she has balance is the most consistently worked important piece of advice she would towards it. So to see your child’s give to her fellow students. dream come from true as a parent is “I would tell them to try not to wonderful,” said Mrs Wilson. stress, and do not take on too much; “And then Hayley is the first stuonly take on the things that you know dent from our school to win the title. you can handle,” she said.

We have participated in the Primary Similarly, when it cones to study- School Student of the Year since 2004 ing, Hayley encourages students and we had one of our students tie to figure out what works best for for first runner-up, so I am doubly them. proud.”

“For me, I like to put things on Tracey Johnson, vice-principal at flash cards, because then all the infor- Summit Academy, added: “Hayley mation is laid out easily, but you have is an outstanding role model that to find the study habit that works sets a fine example in scholarship, best for you.” citizenship and leadership. She posMath is her favourite subject at sesses a remarkable work ethic, a school and she would love to become commitment to achieve success and an entrepreneur one day. a spirit of determination that con“I would love to open my own tributes to her steadfastness and business that would feature jewellery dependability.”

The Tribune | Weekend | 05

27 Contented to hold accommodation (4) 28 Bitter, staring madly at hospital department (10)

06 | The Tribune | Weekend

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.

THE ALPHABEATER

TARGET

rE t Guo c E t

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

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

HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? 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 or verb forms ending in “s”.

TODAY’S TARGET Good 15; very good 22; excellent 30 (or more). Solution on Monday

Yesterday’s call 0907 181 2585 Sudoku Answer for today’s target solution *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

BATTLESHIPS CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 Reveal speculation on a source of light (6) 4 Person worthy of credibility (8) 9 Supporting feature of a newspaper (6) 10 To create a stir, try some skill (8) 12 Famous ship is short of freight (4) 13 Leggings for men (5) 14 She makes an appearance in requiem mass (4) 17 Telephone booths perhaps for incessant talkers (12) 20 Unstable gambling den?

(5,2,5) 23 First mate right as always (4) 24 Ancient characters around Omagh? (5) 25 Snap Kate when out (4) 28 New respect I show those that have paid (8) 29 Policeman on the street offers lame excuse (3-3) 30 It is inclined to lie low when troubles intervene (8) 31 Tastes differ in America (6)

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Down 1 As it happens through luck (2,6) 2 Even wired correctly it could still shock (8) 3 The purposes of first-class writing (4) 5 A company offer of a certain kind? (4,8) 6 Knight I sent up for the flag (4) 7 Early enough to make it mine (2,4) 8 A manly sort of person who isn’t an expert (6) 11 Limited in one’s outlook (12) 15 Pigeon perch? (5) 16 Cheap variety of fruit (5) 18 Add to the rash of escapes? (5,3) 19 It will contain a fire (8) 21 Examine closely for fallen arches (6) 22 It holds the lead throughout (6) 26 A killer disease it might be said (4) 27 An inexperienced youth could be fired (4)

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Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Bland, 4 Vacuous, 8 Nil, 9 Assurance, 10 Umbrage, 11 Flood, 13 Torpor, 15 Closed, 18 Style, 19 Embrace, 21 Under arms, 23 Gum, 24 Finance, 25 Cater.

Down: 1 Banquet, 2 At liberty, 3 Drama, 4 Vessel, 5 Careful, 6 Own, 7 Spend, 12 Onslaught, 14 Overrun, 16 Dreamer, 17 Degree, 18 Stuff, 20 Basic, 22 Don.

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Thumb, 4 Cyclops, 8 Arc, 9 Sentry box, 10 Caramel, 11 Organ, 13 Season, 15 Escort, 18 Panda, 19 Magenta, 21 At leisure, 23 Gin, 24 Against, 25 Noted.

Down: 1 Trances, 2 Uncertain, 3 Besom, 4 Candle, 5 Cargoes, 6 Orb, 7 Saxon, 12 Goodnight, 14 Ovation, 16 Trained, 17 Amount, 18 Plaza, 20 Green, 22 Lea.

EASY PUZZLE

Across 1 Distinguished (2,4) 4 Highly successful show (5,3) 9 Real (6) 10 Satisfactory (3,5) 12 Grim fate (4) 13 Hard-wearing cotton fabric (5) 14 An adhesive (4) 17 Varnish for furniture (6,6) 20 Alcohol-induced boldness (5,7) 23 Greek god of love (4) 24 Simple song (5) 25 Fervour (4) 28 Passive spectator (8) 29 Lay waste (6) 30 In the present age (8) 31 Horrific experience (6)

Down 1 Intermittently (2,3,3) 2 Gas, 78% of the atmosphere (8) 3 A hard durable timber (4) 5 Manifold variety (12) 6 Aggrieved (4) 7 Bargain contentiously (6) 8 Limit of one’s endurance (6) 11 In the order given (12) 15 Search thoroughly (5) 16 Point in question (5) 18 Avoid humiliation (4,4) 19 Headlong (4-4) 21 Highly addictive drug (6) 22 Meaningless (6) 26 Fit of melancholy (4) 27 Blond (4)

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.

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SuMMi networ Solution on Monday 90 and 87

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3 x Destroyer

2 x cruiser

4 x submarine

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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The Tribune | Weekend | 07

Friday, August 7, 2020

fashion

e h t r o f k s a m e c a f f o e A new typ

a t s i n o i h fas

COVID-19 looks like it’s here to stay (at least until there is vaccine), and that means face masks are not going anywhere anytime soon either.

And designers are adapting to the times. We’ve seen them produce fancy masks to don with evening wear, elegant ones to wear at church, and now Sharon Alipin-Pearce is introducing a new kind of face mask to the Bahamian public.

Through her company, Seshae Bahamas, which specialises in distributing products from the Philippines, she is offering a new kind of mask that is directly attached to stylish pieces of the clothing and can be folded away when not needed.

The design is called The Vanguard and was created by her entrepreneur friends Christine de Leon and Emgee Po from the Philippines, who have acquired the patent rights for the style.

“When you don’t need the mask, you can fold it in and the top still looks great. It’s made with the softest cotton fabric for a very comfy fit, plus the fabric has stretch so the mask has a snug fit,” said Sharon.

“The idea came from personal

By ALESHA CADET • Tribune Features Reporter • acadet@tribunemedia.net

experience since we often notice that most of us, including myself, tend to forget or misplace our face masks, so why not just make it attached to the blouse or shirt itself? Problem solved.”

As it’s uncertain how long the pandemic will last or when an effective vaccine will be available, Sharon said it’s safe to assume face masks will be part of the “new normal” for quite some time and therefore a viable fashion venture.

“They’ll be a necessity like how our undergarments are. We don’t want to leave the house without wearing one,” she said.

The Vanguard Tops come in two designs, with three-quarter or short sleeves, and in different colours and sizes.

“My personal favourites so far are the black, old rose and nude,” said Sharon.

Launching this business during the pandemic has been challenging, she admits, but it’s times like these that

force people to think outside the box and evolve.

“I read in an article that ‘If you haven’t learned how to hustle during this pandemic then your problem is not the lack of time but the lack of skills.’ This pandemic indeed gave us more than enough time to reflect and think. Seshae Bahamas is a small online business that was birthed during the COVID-19 outbreak.

When there was some shortage of medical masks, I thought to help by offering locals with a good option for sustainable cloth face masks and make sure we can offer them at an affordable price and with high quality,” she said.

Sharon strongly advocates wearing face masks or face coverings at all times when leaving the house in order to slow down the spread of the virus.

“Let this be part of our new normal, but in a fashionable and comfortable way,” she said. “I want to emphasise that all our face masks are washable and reusable so we are promoting sustainability at the same time. We have to protect our environment while we are protecting ourselves.”

A MODEL shows off the Vanguard top

10 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, August 7, 2020

dance

Don’t stop the

dance FOR the fifth year in a row, Dance Clinic GBI will return to the Bahamas, but this time it’s going virtual.

The clinic, which was created in 2016 to enrich and empower Bahamian dancers with the knowledge needed to branch out into higher levels of training, is meant to expose youth to working professionals in the industry.

Each year, the clinic has brought dancers and teachers from the United States willing to impart their knowledge of the art form to Grand Bahama. However, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the dance clinic, like so many other events has taken on a new form. Now, Dance Clinic GBI will be the Digital Dance Summit, open to everyone free of charge on August 8 and 9 live via the Dance Clinic GBI Facebook page.

Founder of the dance clinic Chivvaun Smith said before COVID-19 even happened, she had made a decision to forgo this years’ clinic, but when the world changed almost overnight, her father challenged her to change with the times. After some brainstorming with Bahamian talent and participating artist Colette Parker,

By ALESHA CADET • Tribune Features Reporter • acadet@tribunemedia.net along with a few friends, she came up with the island of an online summit.

“On one level, I think having the open digital platform where parents can have better insight into the art form, and dancers of any age can be inspired to go after their dreams, regardless of what people may say or think, is why this is so important,” said Smith.

“I grew up dancing in Freeport and got the opportunity to further my dance training at the age of 13.

At that point, I realised I was just so far behind and I knew that I never wanted anyone, any Bahamian, who had a similar opportunity in the future to feel the same way I did. I know now that idea of cancelling the in-person event because of multiple circumstances would’ve taken away the opportunity for Bahamians to grow as dancers and as individuals.

Making the shift to hosting a digital summit as a spin-off of the in-person event allows me to enhance the initial experience that started in 2016 and reach a wider audience, that’s why it’s

important on a personal level.”

In its current digital format, the clinic will be a full two-day experience where participants can engage in four unique dance styles all taught by industry professionals. Live classes can be expected from the Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer Alexandra Hutchinson; Dance Clinic GBI’s second guest teacher, Mc’Kinley Willis of Dallas Black Dance Theatre; Bahamian coach and performer Colette Parker of Bahamas Dance Theatre, and A’Keitha Carey, former educator, published writer, and creator of CaribFunk – a technique that fuses Afro‐Caribbean, ballet and modern dance with fitness principles.

Each class will last for an hour, with an additional 15 minutesset aside for a Q & A session to allow participants to gain insight into pursuing a dance career. The live classes and talkbacks are open to anyone who would like to participate, however, more serious dancers who truly want benefit from the experience are encouraged to register via www.thechampagneseries.com/digital-dance-summit to gain access to a private dancer group, digital assets, a research study

opportunity, and three additional talkbacks about dance entrepreneurship, commercial dance careers, and marketing/branding for dancers.

“I believe that the information being discussed in those sessions like advancing the art form and training with technology and health and wellness, are things we don’t get to talk about. As a result, anyone, whether they are a serious dancer or not, can benefit from listening. And in regard to the sessions specifically for dancers, the information being offered gives an immense amount of insight relative to different aspects of dance careers. Even if the participants do not want to pursue a career associated with dance, for example being a teacher, or dancing commercially, they can still benefit from our marketing and branding session as it will be tailored to transitioning to corporate society with the skills all dancers have from studying,” she said.

For more information and the full schedule, visit the Dance Clinic GBI Facebook page and www. thechampagneseries.com/digitaldance-summit where dancers will find the form to register.

The Tribune | Weekend | 11

Friday, August 7, 2020

gardening

Pruning for tree strength

By ADAM BOORMAN • Tribune Features Reporter • acadet@tribunemedia.net NOW that we have had the first storm of the season pass through, pruning is again on my to-do list in the garden. We had some small trees get blown down in that (fortunately) weak tropical system Isaias, and it reminds me that tree pruning needs to continue. It is also a great time to prune hedges, shrubs, perennials, and anything branching. Much of the garden should be growing quite quickly at this time of year. If your garden is not growing quickly it may be worth doing some fertilizing to green and boost branching, flowering and root development. For those of us that are relegated to our own property to help stem the spread of COVID-19, get your clippers, hedge shears, saws or scissors out and get trimming!

It’s important to do a few things correctly when it comes to pruning larger trees, and even medium and small trees will benefit from these steps. Primarily, it is all about the branching angles. Wider angles make for stronger branching. Tighter angles make for weak branching.

Early corrective pruning when the tree is young is the efficient way to prevent much heavier work in the future. Try to encourage the crotch angles on branches to be at least 45 degrees from the upright, main trunk, up to 90 degrees. This is especially beneficial to create wind tolerance (hurricane alley….!), and particularly with fruit trees that bear more weight than the average non-fruiting tree. Allowing wind to easily move through a tree is always less work that cleaning up the mess left from a tree that the wind moved rather than moved through.

Always remove dead wood from trees and shrubs. Dead wood adds unnecessary weight, wind resistance and it can harbour pests and disease.

Termites enjoy dead wood as well!

Where to cut is as important as how to cut. For trees, the final cut after branch removal should be made at the branch collar so that the tree can

An example of a weak branch angle susceptible to splitting.

This type of branch should be removed.

Adam Boorman heal properly without allowing for pests or disease to intrude. Here are some helpful pointers for pruning: • Dead, dying or unsightly twigs and branches.

• Sprouts growing near the base of the trunk.

• Crossed branches and branches growing toward the centre of the tree.

• Narrow crotches. If it is possible to do so without ruining the appearance of the tree, remove one of the members forming the weak crotch.

This helps to prevent future storm damage.

• Multiple leaders. If more than one leader develops on a tree that normally has a single stem, cut out all but one to encourage the tree to develop its normal shape.

• Remove branches that may develop into potential hazards such as low-hanging branches that interfere with traffic and weakened or dead branches that may break.

• Single branches other than the leader sometimes develop faster than the rest of the tree. They need to be cut back to allow the tree to develop its normal shape.

Other than pruning, it is still a very active season for garden pests.

If you’re practicing a good IPM (integrated pest management) programme, hopefully all of your garden is not negatively affected by them at this point. Continue to monitor for crawling and flying insects and pests.

As earlier mentioned, it may be time to get some plant nutrients down to support stronger pest resistance, wind resistance, branching, rooting, flowering, and fruiting except if your fruit tree has fruit on it now. If your tree has fruit left on it after the wind blew through, wait until a few weeks after the fruiting has finished to begin adding nutrients. Fruiting trees need quite a different fertilizing routine than non-fruiting trees.

Native trees typically do not need to be fertilized, except maybe when young to promote stronger and faster

establishment. If there are no native trees in your yard, please consider planting one or more, if you have the space. If you do not have space for a native tree or more, native shrubs will encourage balance in the garden just as well as native trees.

I wish you all of the best during these difficult and trying times. I encourage you to get into the garden, get to pruning and trimming, get to fertilizing where necessary, and get to composting. Please, plant a native tree or shrub. Pay attention to trees when they are young to avoid problems with them in the future. As always, I wish you happy gardening!

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

12 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, August 7, 2020

Literary lives

Alexander Borodin 1833-1887

SIR CHRISTOPHER ONDAATJE writes about the Russian doctor and chemist best remembered today for his symphonies, string quarters and his opera Prince Igor.

“Music is a pastime, a relaxation from serious occupations.” - Alexander Borodin ALEXANDER Porkiryevich Borodin was born in Saint Petersburg – the illegitimate son of a 62-year-old Georgian nobleman Luka Stefanovich Gedevanishvili and a married 25-year-old Russian woman Evdokia Konstantinovna Antonova.

Because of the unusual situation, his father registered him as the son of one of his Russian serfs, Porfiry Borodin – thus his last name. The result of this registration is that both Alexander and his nominal Russian father were officially serfs of Alexander’s biological father Luka. However his father, Luka, emancipated Alexander from serfdom when he was seven years old and looked after him and his mother with housing, money and clothes. Nevertheless, the young Borodin was never publicly recognised by his mother, who was referred to by Alexander as his aunt.

Borodin and his mother were treated well by his Georgian father who gave them a large four-storey house in which they lived. His registration as a serf prevented a proper enrolment in a school or gymnasium – but he received a good education in every subject from private tutors at home. In 1856, he enrolled in the Medical-Surgical Academy in Saint Petersburg and pursued a career in chemistry. On graduation he spent a year as a surgeon in a military hospital, followed by three years of advanced scientific study in Western Europe.

In 1862, Borodin returned to Saint Petersburg and began a professorship of chemistry at the Imperial Medical-Surgical Academy, and spent the remainder of his scientific career in research, lecturing and overseeing the education of others.

At the same time, Borodin began taking lessons in music composition from Mily Balakirev – a Russian composer and pianist best known today for promoting musical nationalism and for encouraging the famous Tchaikovsky (“Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”). He married Ekaterina Protopopova, a pianist, in 1863 and had one daughter, named Gania.

“Men are wonderful. Every girl should have one ... or two ... or three.” - Alexander Borodin Music was only a secondary vocation for Borodin. His main career was being a chemist and a physician. In addition to this he was seldom in

good health, and had to survive cholera and minor heart attacks.

“I am a composer in search of oblivion, and I’m always slightly ashamed to admit that I compose.”

-Alexander Borodin

ALEXANDER BORODIN, above, and his tomb, left in Tikhvin Cemetery.

The musical notation in the background shows themes from his famous compositions

Friday, August 7, 2020

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Between 1859 and 1862 Borodin accepted a post-doctoral position in Heidelberg in Germany, and worked on benzene derivatives in the laboratory of Emil Erlenmeyer. He then went on to work in Pisa on halocarbons.

“He gained great respect, being particularly noted for his work on aldehydes. The radical halodecarboxlation of aliphatic carboxylic acids was first demonstrated by Borodin during 1861 by his synthesis of methyl bromide from silver acetate.”

- Borodin: Career as a Chemist Borodin’s work was further developed by Heinz Hunsdiecker and his wife – and was granted a US. patent in 1939. The method is generally referred to as the Hunsdiecker-Borodin reaction – whereby silver salts of carboxylic acids react with a halogen to produce an organic halide.

During 1862, Borodin returned to the MedicalSurgical Academy, now known as the S M Kirov Military Medical Academy, and accepted a professorship of chemistry, working on self-condensation of small aldehydes (now known as the aldol reaction). This discovery is jointly credited to Borodin and Charles-Adolphe Wurtz. He published his last full article in 1875 on the reaction of amides.

It was while Borodin was taking lessons from Mily Balakirev in 1862 that he began his Symphony No 1 in E-flat major – performed in 1869 with Balakirev conducting. That same year he started work on his Symphony No 2 in B minor – which was not particularly successful in its 1877 premiere but, after re-orchestration, was performed successfully in 1879 under Nikolas Rimsky-Korsakov’s direction. In 1880, he composed the symphonic poem In the Steppes of Central Asia, and a third symphony two years later – unfinished when he died. It was during 1868 that Borodin became entranced and pre-occupied with his opera Prince Igor – neglecting work on his Symphony No 2 in B minor. Prince Igor is now considered his most important work and is one of the most important historical Russian operas. It contains the magnificent Polovtsian Dances - Borodin’s bestknown composition. The opera was left incomplete at his death. It was completed posthumously by RimskyKorsakov and Alexander Glazunov.

Prince Igor is Alexander Borodin’s only opera, comprising of four acts accompanied by a prologue. “The Lady of Igor’s Host”, a medieval poem dating back to the 12th century, was the libretto that Borodin adapted for his piece. He describes Prince Igor Svyatoslavich of Russia’s military struggles against the invading Cuman tribes in the year 1185. Two Kievan chronicles were also utilised towards Borodin’s composition, but despite all these, Borodin’s death in 1887 left behind an unfinished work Prince Igor.

It would not have been performed but for the editing and involvement by Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov. It held its first performance in St Petersburg in 1890.

Prince Igor is set in the 12th century when Prince Igor of Seversk is determined to conquer the barbarous Polovtsians by travelling eastwards across the Steppes. The Polovtsians were a nomadic tribe of Turkish origin who habitually attacked Southern Russia. A full solar eclipse during the first act

MARLENE Dietrich in the 1944 movie Kismet. The film’s songs all use melodies composed by Borodin and Ivan Bilibin costume design for the opera Prince Igor by Borodin, 1929. Below, Borodin aged 14. foreshadows an ominous outcome to the invasion. School of Medicine for Women in Saint PetersPrince Igor’s troops are defeated, and the story of burg, where he taught until 1885. the opera tells of the capture of Prince Igor, and his son, Vladimir, by Polovtsian chief Khan Konchak, “As a composer seeking to remain anonymous who entertains his prisoners lavishly and orders his I am shy of confessing my musical activity. This is slaves to perform the famous Polovtsian Dances. intelligible enough. For others it is their chief busiThis provides a thrilling climax to the second act. ness, the occupation and aim of life. For me it is a The second half of the opera finds relaxation, a pastime which distracts me from my Prince Igor returning to his homeland principal business, my professorship. I love my prowhere, rather than being in disgrace fession and my sciences. I love the Academy and because of his defeat, he is welcomed my pupils, male and female, because to direct the by the townspeople and by his wife, work of young people, one must be close to them.” Yaroslavna.

Alexander Borodin.

The Polovtsian Dances form the most brilliant part of the opera, with Despite his relatively short life, Borodin did its irresistible barbaric tone – even achieve some fame outside the Russian Empire more overwhelming when performed partly because of Franz Liszt, who arranged a alongside the original choral parts. performance of his Symphony No 1 in Germany Borodin’s operatic genius helped bring in 1880, and the Comtesse de Mercy-Argenteau an obscure Russian poem into global who did the same in Belgium and France. His prominence. It is a rarely performed passionate music and unusual harmonies had a opera but has received two notable lasting influence on the younger French composers productions, one at the Bolshoi State Debussy and Ravel. More recently the evocative Opera and Ballet Company in Russia in 2013, and characteristics of Borodin’s music have made posthe other at the Metropolitan Opera Company of sible the adaptation of his compositions in the 1953 New York in 2014. musical Kismet – most notably in the songs “StranBorodin was an incurable romantic, committed ger in Paradise, “And This Is My Beloved” and to his two string quartets and to his earlier chamber “Baubles, Bangles and Beads”. compositions. As a cellist he was an enthusiasHe would have been surprised and pleased with tic chamber player and between 1859 and 1861 in the popular 20th century adaptations.

Heidelberg, he formed a string sextet and a piano quintet. During 1875 Borodin started his First NEXT WEEK: An Russian-American actress String Quartet demonstrating the mastery of the who received three Oscar nominations by the time string quartet format. His Second Quartet, written she was 25 and whose death is still shrouded in in 1881, displays his addiction to strong lyricism, as mystery 40 years later. in the third movement’s popular “Nocturne”.

• Sir Christopher Ondaatje is the author of The “Respectable people do not write music or make Last Colonial. He acknowledges that he has quoted love as a career”. - Alexander Borodin liberally from Wikipedia; Try and Fall Sick ... the Composer, Chemist, and Surgeon Aleksandr Borodin died on February 27, 1887. He was a Borodin (2010) by Joachim Podlech; and A Study promoter of education in Russia and founded the of Borodin (1936) by AJB Hutchings.

14 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, August 7, 2020

history

Bimini’s storied past

By PAUL C ARANHA I WAS fascinated by an article about Bimini in the Winter 1958 edition of the NASSAU magazine (loaned to me by Lynn Holowesko) written by Helen Duncombe, who said: “Those of us who have lived on Bimini for over a quarter of a century and have absorbed at least a part of its history, experience a sort of irritated amusement, when hearing wellmeaning persons blithely announce that, by some kind of magic, they are about to ‘put Bimini on the map’ and we derive a malicious pleasure in informing the potential magicians that Bimini has enjoyed fame, of one kind or another, for a long time. In the entire Bahamian archipelago, there is probably no island that has had a more dramatic history, even though it is small and used to be considered of no importance in the economy of the Colony.”

It is difficult, if not impossible, to trace Bimini’s earliest history, and the origin of its name has caused much speculation, but there were probably aboriginal inhabitants in the fifteenth century, when Christopher Columbus first discovered Guanahani, or San Salvador, as he named it. A friend of mine, who has explored South Bimini several times, told me that he has found, there, traces of what may have been ancient, primitive dwellings but, except for one or two legends, one knows nothing of those far-off times.

In the days when pirates sailed the seas, they must have found the almost-land-locked harbour a convenient hideout from the ships of His Majesty’s Navy, for old cannon and canon-balls, anchors and chains have been salvaged from the depths of this harbour and some of them now serve as ornamental guardians, at the entrances of modern residences.

In the early 19th century, Heinrich Heine, the celebrated German poet, wrote a long poem, entitled ‘BIMINI’, simply because he was fascinated by the story of Ponce de Leon’s search for the Fountain of Youth which, for untold ages, was ‘known’ to be hidden in the ‘bush’ of South Bimini.

The modern settlement of Bimini seems to have begun about the year 1840, when seven intrepid men set

BIMINI harbour, as seen from the air in 1958. sail from Nassau, in their schooner, to a ripe old age.

The passing of the Volstead (Prowith Bimini as their destination.

They had reason to believe that they hibition) Act, in the United States, could make a good living, by salvag- which ushered in a period of ‘eat, ing vessels, wrecked on stranded, drink and be merry’, caused a considupon the various rocks and shoals, in erable change in Bimini’s economy, this vicinity. These seven men found resulting in its fame being spread in an entirely uninhabited island, cov- a new way.

A certain, fascinating gentleman, ered with scrub-bush, and they must often have felt discouraged, before of Miami, had visualised the need of the time arrived when they could see his thirsty fellow-citizens, for a spot their way to establishing homes, in not too far from the mainland, where which they could settle down, bring that thirst might be legally quenched, wives and raise families. But they and he had prevailed upon a number battled through all depravations and of millionaires, or near millionaires, to drawbacks, even through one siege subscribe to a club, to be built near the of cholera and, eventually, the little south point of North Bimini, under the community thrived and became name of The Bimini Bay Rod and Gun Club. Could camouflage go further? industrious and self-supporting.

The opening ceremony, in 1920, There are still descendants of some of the original seven adventur- was attended by many official and ers living on Bimini and it is was my important residents of Nassau, and privilege to know and to obtain infor- Miss Mary Moseley, for many years mation about those old days, from owner and editor of The Nassau Mr George Sherman and Mr William Guardian, caused to be circulated D Weech, both of whom were sons of copies of Heinrich Heine’s poem, original settlers, and who both lived translated from German to English

by Lord Lytton and, about this time, a song became popular on the New York vaudeville stage, which extolled the advantages of a visit to ‘BimBim-Bimini Bay’. In spite of it all, however, the club was not a really successful venture; it was closed at the end of 1925 and was ruined by the severe hurricanes of 1926. After passing through various ownerships, what remained of the club was finally bought by the Daniel Brothers, of Washington, DC, who built a rather odd, but attractive, house for themselves into the old foundations.

After the disastrous hurricanes of 1926, in which the liquor dealers of Nassau lost so much, by the sinking of their supply ships, anchored at Gun Cay, they decided to move to Bimini harbour. Several of them built large and substantial barges, instead of going back to the use of schooners, or other vessels, as heretofore and, on these barges they not only kept their stocks of liquour but, also, had comfortable quarters, for their customers and crews. Then was to be witnessed the daily spectacle of fast ‘rum-runners’, dashing in and out of this harbour, carrying the cargoes which were illegal in their country, but which were bringing affluence to the Bahamas. It was like the blockade-running of (American) Civil War days – ‘nice work, if you could get it’ – and exciting to watch.

With the repeal of Prohibition, in 1933, those on Bimini, who had benefitted by the ‘boot-legging business, began to wear long, sad faces and to say ‘Poor Bimini! What shall we do now?’

Hardly had the words been uttered, when it was discovered that the sea around Bimini abounded in big-game fish, notably the Blue Marlin and, in the season, the Giant Tuna. This discovery brought to Bimini many ardent fishermen, amongst whom were such giants of the fraternity as Michael Lerner, Kip Farrington, Ernest Hemingway and Aksel Wichfield. With this influx arose the necessity for proper accommodations. Hitherto, the comparatively few people, who knew Bimini as a fishing ground, came in their large or small yachts, in which they had living quarters, or they rented any available cottage in Alice Town or they were taken care of by Mrs. Horatio Newbold, who had set aside a couple

The Tribune | Weekend | 15

Friday, August 7, 2020 of rooms in her small house, for this purpose. But now, something else was required.

It so happened that, in 1933, my husband finally retired from Government Service and we decided to build a house on Bimini, to be called The Dower House. It was spacious and comfortable and had adequate bathrooms, so it lent itself admirable to the business of a guest house, into which it was eventually drawn.

It proved to be a success and, when the Dower House burned down completely, in November 1934, The Compleat Angler arose, like a phoenix from the ashes, and has been in operation since 1935, except for five years, during World War II. In 1936, Mr. Neville Stuart, of Nassau, built a hotel and named it Anchors Aweigh. After the war, he THE BIMINIS - based on a map in a 1958 added to his business: first, The Big issue of Nassau magazine.

Game Fishing Club; next a ‘Marina’, for the accommodation of yachts; It is within the grounds of possibiland in 1957, six duplex cottages, built ity that Bimini has a great future in on the land at the rear of The Marina Science. In 1946, Mr Michael Lerner Yacht Basin. founded the Laboratory that bears Mrs Newbold also made additions his name and is operated in conjuncto her ‘Sea Crest’, at the conclusion tion with the American of the war, and managed Museum of Natural it so well that it became History, New York. To a thriving business. She this Laboratory come has now retired, and Sea professors and students Crest is owned and operfrom many countries, ated by Mrs Marshall and from many branches Bishop. of Natural Science: Brown’s Hotel, owned Marine Biologists, Ichand operated by Mr and thyologists, Geologists, Mrs Harcourt Brown Botanists, Ornithologists, of Bimini, was estabto mention but a few. At lished in1950 and has the Laboratory, they are been added to, from housed and well-caredtime to time. It is a wellfor, as well as being managed and flourishing provided with boats and IN 1513, Spanish explorer business. all the necessary equipJuan Ponce de Leon is The Gateway Hotel, ment for the pursuit of said to have searched for immediately to the south their respective studies, the Fountain of Youth on of the seaplane ramp, is free of charge.

Bimini. very modern in design To the regret of visiand was opened in 1958 tors and thoughtful

by Mr Victor Till, of USA. resident alike, the Bahamas GovWhat of the modern Bimini, and ernment has seen fit to permit the its future, The population has grown introduction of limited motor traffic to from 550 in 1925 to 1,300 in 1955, the island. The two major public roads and the appearance of the island are, at the most, only about three has changed tremendously, from the miles long; they are not suited, in any struggling, rather unkempt fishing vil- way, to automobiles and trucks and, lage to a pretty place, with well-kept on Bimini, there is no need for speed, hedges and trees, well-built houses, or the hustle and bustle of large cities. cottages and small shops but with, A good many mistakes are made, in alas!, too many bars and liquor stores. the name of Progress, but let us hope An airstrip, on South Bimini, was that the Powers-that-Be will have the opened by His Excellency the Governor, vision to perceive that Bimini, for eveon 1st July 1957, for the accommoda- rybody’s sake, should not become too tion of Bahamas Airways, and all other sophisticated and modernised.” landplanes. It is believed that it will not I thank Mrs Lynn Holowesko for be long before South Bimini will see allowing me to copy this from her considerable development, which has, ‘NASSAU’ magazine collection. as a matter of fact, been already begun • For questions and comments,

by Colonel J. Mackey, of Mackey Aire-mail islandairman@gmail.com lines Incorporated.

crafts

KEITH Rollins’ new Zoom Buddies.

Local carpenter carves out a new niche during pandemic THE COVID-19 pandemic may have brought business to a halt for many, but not for local carpenter Keith Rollins. He saw the current circumstances as an opportunity to use his talents and the spare materials from his trade to carve out a new niche for himself.

Keith recently created Zoom Buddies - wooden holders for holding Kindles, iPads and other electronic devices.

And as the country prepares for the possibility of extended curfews, increased working from home and Google Classroom sessions, his new venture couldn’t have come at a better time.

“About two weeks ago I had some leftover wood from a project that I was working on and I didn’t want to go to waste, and I was trying to figure out what I could do with this little square of wood. Then it hit me that with all the kids who will be at home having online classes and persons who will be working from home, I thought this is something that can be really useful because it allows them to have their devices set up hands-free and they can take it any where they need very easily,” he told

By CARA HUNT • Tribune Features Writer • cbrennen@tribunemedia.net Tribune Weekend.

The process of making the holders out of leftover wood is also environment-friendly, he added,as he is cutting down on the amount of material thrown away.

Producing the display stands is now a family affair. After Keith builds them, his 13-year-old daughter Saundari paints them with vivid and colourful designs.

And the responses from the public have been pretty good so far.

Making the wooden holders provides not only a new revenue stream for the carpenter, but also a welcome distraction in what has been a very challenging year.

“This year came in slow, especially after COVID came in and stamped its feet. People are saving their money and not doing as many projects, so this is a way to bring in a little extra with materials that I already have on hand,” he said. “It’s a great way to recycle and reduce waste while creating a useful product.”

• Keith Rollins can be contacted via WhatsApp at 544-4719.

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, August 7, 2020

animals

There is still good in the world

By KIM ARANHA WHAT a year 2020 is turning out to be for the world, and of course, the Bahamas, and most particularly the Bahamas Humane Society shelter. That little two-acre tract of land nestled behind the Botanical Gardens, backing onto the Government Pound, and within a stone’s throw to the Ardastra Gardens, Fish Fry and Fort Charlotte…OK, I, know a pretty big throw, but nevertheless, really close quarters.

There, on that very special two acres, reside many, many, abandoned, broken and forgotten souls, whose only sin in life was to be born with fur, no thumbs, and the inability to speak people.

They come to us by all means and in all shapes, sizes and conditions. Some are rescued, some never had anywhere to go, others the owners don’t want them anymore because they don’t bark enough, or are too old or dig in the garden; some come because a human baby is on the way, and others are just not wanted, for no other reason.

We pick them up, catch them or they are dropped off, or tied to our fence overnight, lost, confused with no understanding what is happening to them or why. But when they get to those two acres, they are finally safe.

There will be fresh water available all day, food, protection from storms, medicine to make them well again, and then we will find them homes,

here in the Bahamas, or America, Canada, Europe (London, Paris, Rome, Padova, Geneva) to be loved and treated as God intended them to be since the get-go.

The accommodation may not be the Ritz in Paris, but it is safe and dry, and nobody throws things or kicks at them; it is a refuge for those souls from the bitterly unkind world beyond those walls.

2020 has been quite the challenge for the BHS with so many cats and dog surrendered because of

Pet of the Week: A purrfect pal for lockdown

By The Bahamas Humane Society

“Well, yes, I know it’s August, but my name’s June! I hope you’re OK with that. Now, look deeeep into my eyes (just ignore that interloper behind me) and repeat after me, ‘I am going to adopt from the Bahamas Humane Humane Society. I am going to adopt from the Bahamas Humane Society.’ Done? Great!

“Now come to the BHS and meet me and the other teenage kittens that are available for adoption.

“While I’d love to be the one to fall in love with you, I know cats

are picky, and sometimes you don’t attract the one you expect. But do come and check us out. We’re all litter box trained and ready to adopt. Now, repeat, ‘I am going to adopt...’”

• Adopt! Don’t shop! The BHS is full to the brim with adoptable dogs, pups, cats, and kittens. Not sure you can commit? Try fostering for a while instead. It’s a good way to test the waters. Please call 323-5138 to find out more about fostering.

Photo of June

by Patricia Vazquez

COVID- 19 related lay-offs, though we do have a food bank that people can apply to and get food free of charge monthly for their pets. They just have to contact our shelter manager Percy Grant at 323-5138.

Then along came the hurricane whose name nobody could pronounce, or spell for that matter, and we had to shelter and care for all these souls who depend totally on us.

We have a pretty young staff because of the nature of the physicality of their jobs. When there is a storm we try and

encourage a couple of staff members to stay over to be there to cater to the needs of our furry residents. Well this year, our remarkable young people stepped up to the plate and seven of them volunteered to sleep over, on the floor, on mats, on chairs pushed together, whatever, to be there for the animals and go out to check on them every couple of hours. The BHS is blessed with an enthusiastic and hardworking team of young animal lovers who “get it” and care, and I want to publicly thank them and recognise their dedication and devotion to the animals.

Our veterinarians and administrative team are supportive and hard-working and set the example.

Following an article in this paper on Wednesday it was magical to see how many people stepped forward to help us with food supplies for the needy animals, or cash to buy the food.

Calls and notes are pouring in, and it is restorative to one’s soul to see that good is still out there and there really are lots of people who do care.

Our little two-acre spot is blessed to have such support. The BHS also continues to assist the surrey horse owners by supplying hay and other necessities.

We are all “Bahamas Strong” during this pandemic. We have to stand six feet apart and work shoulder-to-shoulder, we have to mentally hold hands and link arms as we form an invisible circle of safety around those more vulnerable. Our eyes have to say it all whilst our mouths are uncomfortably covered up. We cannot see the mouth smile, but if it is a real smile you will see it in the eyes. After all, they are the reflecting pool of the soul.

This will not end anytime soon and that invisible shield needs to be strong and so do we, as we help others make it through an unparalleled time in the lives of all people and animals across the globe.

The only people thoroughly enjoying lockdown are our pets who love having us home all the time. We smother them with love and their shining eyes say it all.

When you put on your mask next, remember that your eyes say it all, and good and kindness shine through, and those of you who have supported the animals in this time of need are indeed glowing.