12012017 weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017

books theatre fashion music beauty shopping food puzzles

Weekend

BIFF 2017 Page 11

The lady of Shanghai Akia takes carols from Nassau to China Music, page 13

02 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017

entertainment

A galaxy of fun

PHOTOS: SHAWN HANNA/TRIBUNE STAFF

Nassau gets its first indoor carnival

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

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ou may notice something a bit different along the Bernard Road turn-off on to Adderley Street. That colourful attraction you see is called Fun Galaxy, and it is the island’s first indoor carnival.

New to the Bahamas, the multi-million mini carnival and arcade centre strives to provide a safe, friendly and warm environment for kids, teens and even adults who are young at heart and want to enjoy themselves on fun rides and play classic arcade games.

“The inspiration to create such a diverse place came from the children of the executive entrepreneurs. The idea arose some time in the late 2013 and the early 2014, and has developed since then. Fun Galaxy is something that the Bahamas really needed, as kid friendly entertainment was once almost nonexistent. But now there is a place that caters to kids fully,” said Shawna Gibson, supervisor at Fun Galaxy.

The traditional carnival comes to town once a year and and is usually held outdoors, but at Fun Galaxy, kids are not exposed to the heat or rain – one of Shawna’s favourite features.

“A play date that a family plans does not have to be postponed or cancelled due to bad weather. Also, Fun Galaxy offers special group rates for field trips.

Whether rain or sun or wind, our customers will be safe on the inside,” she said.

Shawna believes some of the best aspects of Fun Galaxy are the ride adventures, from the bumper cars to the pirate ship, planes and trains, to a merry-go-round and the twirling coffee cups. There is also a variety of games, including the Ducky Splash game, an ice ball game, a basket ball game and a motorbike game.

“The prices are very affordable; you can ride a ride for just $2.50 or a bumper car for just $3.

Not to mention, there is no entry fee because of the wide variety of both games and rides. There is no way someone can get bored,” said Shawna.

Due to the power of social media, advertisement and word of mouth, the number of customers has steadily been growing.

Fun Galaxy, located directly opposite the St Augustine’s College at the Bernard Road entrance, is open Monday to Saturday, 12noon - 8pm, on Sundays from 12noon - 6 pm, and on holidays from 12noon - 8pm.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

Inside Weekend Interview 4-5 Felicity Ingraham talks abuse survivor Tinagay Foster about her new book

Shopping 7 Give the gift of handcrafted jewellery

Food 8 - 9 ‘Halcyon’ days at Nassau’s newest restaurant

Film 11 BIFF 2017 opens with acclaimed drama ‘The Florida Project’

Theatre 12 The ‘Sapodilla Street’ crew is back for more laughs this Christmas season

Music 13 Bahamian jazz singer and Shanghai resident releases holiday album

Books 14 -15 Ianthia Smith releases eBook on how to become a successful blogger

Television 17 ‘Roots and Culture’ show returns to Bahamian screens

Beauty 18 The Little Pink Party presents “Paradise Found”, plus Miss Fox Hill crowned

Gardening 19 Planting after the winter solstice

Society 20 NUA networks under the stars

Literary Lives 21 - 24 The man behind the classics “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” and “Treasure Island”

Forgotten Facts 25 Paul C Aranha asks, ‘Do you remember when?’

Puzzles 26

Animals 27 The desensitisation of the Bahamas, plus Pet of the Week

My perfect Bahamian weekend Alisa Rebecca Fashion designer and event planner Q: Saturday breakfast or Sunday brunch?

“Saturday breakfast, because it’s the only day of the week I don’t have to get up early. I make breakfast for my son and start my day on a calmer note.”

Q: Wine, rum, cocktail or Kalik?

“Cocktails. They are more fashionable; cuter to drink. Cocktails have more combinations and are more unique than other drinks. I like to try new things all the time, so cocktails give me that chance.”

Q: Beach or sofa?

“Beach. I am drawn to the ocean.

It’s the perfect place, whether you want to relax or have fun. You can sit and watch waves, clear

your mind, and just listen to the ocean, or you can go in the water and enjoy nature’s best ride.

a song to get me in a better mood or to focus. When I am designing, especially, I need music to focus.”

“I can’t live without music. It has the ability to take your mind so many different places and it changes your mood. I can always listen to

“Italy. I have never been there. Italy has great fashion, especially the shoes. The history, the culture...and Italy is just a romantic place to go.”

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

Q: Weekend away, where would you go and why?

Things 2 Do this weekend Friday

• Christmas Come Soon – An Extravaganza of Straw Work

Time: 10am - 6pm (on Saturday and Sunday as well) Venue: Serendipity House, 46 Tuckaway Road (off Village Road)

Iconic straw bag designer Barbara Jesubatham and her partner Martha Cartwright present their annual Christmas show featuring straw work, ornaments and more.

• Happy Anniversary With Solomon’s Fresh Market

Time: 11am - 4.30pm Venue: Harbour Bay and Old Fort Bay locations Celebrate six years of Solomon’s Fresh Market and visit with Santa.

• Drill & Cannon Fire

Time: 1pm Venue: Fort Fincastle

Watch history come alive with a precision drill by the AMMC Historic Regiment Cadets Corps and a big bang.

Saturday

• NAGB Arternoons – ‘Tis the season to be rockin’

Time: 10am - 2pm

Venue: National Art Gallery of the Bahamas

NAGB hosts a fun-filled ornamentmaking workshop. Participants of all ages can explore their artistic side with glitter, pasta and paint. The cost is $15 and includes lunch. After all the festive fun, join Team NAGB for the tree-lighting ceremony.

• “Gift of Life” Blood Drive

Time: 10am - 5pm Venue: NUA, Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza

The initiative is a jointly hosted event by the Princess Margaret Hospital Blood Bank and the Rotaract Club of South East Nassau.

• Junkanoo – Order of Entry

Time: 2pm - 8pm Venue: Arawak Cay

Junkanoo groups select the order in which they will appear on Bay Street for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades and inform the public of their themes.

• The Little Pink Party presents “Paradise Found’

Time: 3pm Venue: Grand Hyatt Convention Centre, Baha Mar SEE PAGE 18

• Commonwealth Brewery’s

Second Annual Wine Experience

Time: 4pm - 8pm Venue: Meliá Nassau Beach Resort Enjoy a special wine-tasting experience to kick-start your holiday festivities and consult with international wine experts. Entry is $35 for the general public and $30 for wine club members.

Sunday

• Sip and Shop Christmas Show

Time: 11am - 5pm Venue: Doongalik Studios, Village Road SEE PAGE 7

• Cold Moon Paddle

Time: 6.30pm - 9pm Venue: Delaporte Point Enjoy an easy paddle or kayaking tour with PappaSurf on their monthly full moon paddle. This 2.5 hour expedition is perfect for paddlers of all ages and experience levels. Afterwards, enjoy light refreshments with friends and the PappaSurf family. The cost is $30 per person or $25 if you have your own board or kayak.

Call 327-3853 to find out more.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

interview After years of horrific abuse, both physical and emotional, Tinagay Foster was able to escape her tormenter and start a new life. The mother-of-three speaks to Felicity Ingraham about what finally motivated her to leave and why she is now sharing her story with the world.

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Tinagay Foster

inagay Foster stood up and did what many victims of domestic violence are afraid to do – tell her story. It can be humiliating, people can be judgmental, and the victim can feel vulnerable with not enough avenues of support. But Tina, as she is affectionately called, took her story of pain and turned it into power.

This 28 year-old mother-of-three decided that she would take the power back from her abuser by getting out of a relationship that she felt could have turned deadly. Today, she is working, studying hard in her final year of nursing school, raising three children, and writing a book to share her story with others.

“An Unfinished Diamond” is meant to inspire women and girls all over the world to find the courage to get out of abusive relationships and seek the help they need. Tina found that once she was free, she was able to get her life back on track and achieve the goals that she is confident will guarantee a successful future for herself and her children.

“On February 14, 2013, I met death,” Tina recalled. “I met death and I looked him in the face for three years of my life. I almost married death, and despite the physical, verbal, emotional and sometimes sexual abuse I faced, I still stayed in the relationship thinking I could have fought and won…or change death’s face. But ladies out there who are in this situation, I’m here to tell you to get out now, because you can’t change him.”

She knows that this is easier said than done. She got the same kind of warning signs that she feels someone will get from reading this article.

Tina admits it is difficult to leave for reasons including: “We are ashamed; we don’t want to start over; we have been here before (past relationships); we are afraid, or we feel as if we can’t make it without them.”

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Friday, December 1, 2017

PHOTOS: SHAWN HANNA/TRIBUNE STAFF

“Listen, I had all these excuses.

Despite what my mom, my friends and everyone else around me said, I didn’t listen. I didn’t listen because I felt like they couldn’t tell me what to do because they don’t understand what I was going through. But guess what, I am someone who has been through it and I can tell you: move now before it’s too late.”

Tina remembers the difficulty she had in leaving her former partner.

She went to the family courts four times to have him bound over to keep the peace, yet she never turned up to court. She called the police nine times when she felt their arguments could turn life-threatening, but she still found herself taking him back every time he said the words “I’m sorry” and “I love you”.

The cycle, often referred to as “the honeymoon cycle”, repeated itself over and over during the years. Verbal abuse and name calling turned into physical abuse. In the cycle, the apologies can become just as grandiose as the next argument.

Social Services Minister Lanisha Rolle recently called on the public to identify abusers and reach out to them as they, too, need help. If they access to the right kind of help, she feels there would be greater opportunities for restoring families in the country. She is calling on the public to “not just say no to violence, but show no” by supporting victims who are brave enough to speak out and seek help.

“From the first punch to my abdomen eight months into the relationship I got a sign, but I didn’t get out,” said Tina. “Two months later when he left a hand print in my face it was another sign, but I didn’t get out. Then it went from bad to worse.

He called me what he wanted to: fat, worthless, ugly, good for nothing, dirty, stupid, fat and sloppy. He locked me in the room several times, giving me headbutts, spitting on me, calling me garbage, hitting me with anything he could grab. When I got free, I would run outside and he would run after me. At one point he ripped my dress off in the street.

Neighbours watched... I guess they felt I deserved it for not getting rid of this man. They were used to it.”

This vicious cycle continued until her son became involved in an altercation. It became a turning point and eye-opener for Tina. Her partner was attempting to drag her body

“I met death and I looked him in the face for three years of my life. I almost married death...”

Tinagay with her three children with his car. Her 12-year-old son ran outside, jumped over her, and punched his mother’s abuser in the face. To her shock, the man tried hit her son back. Her son dodged the hit and ran back into the house. That day, Tina decided enough was enough. She decided that her children, Nathan, Ebonique and Jahmaryon, were her most important incentives to get out of a destructive and unhealthy relationship.

“I made up my mind to get out,” said Tina. “I filed to the courts for real this time. I prayed to God and listened. I stood up for myself and my kids. I recognised my worth.”

Her former partner kept trying to get back in, she said, but she continued to lock him out. After two months of lurking around her home, he found the perfect opportunity to walk straight through her front door and lock the door behind him.

“I saw death,” she said. “He started to complain about why I was doing this to him. I was afraid. He then headbutted me

with all his might. I instantly felt my head swelling and I started to scream. I felt my head swinging and I prayed to God inside, saying ‘please don’t let me die’. I laid on the bed. Then I tried to figure out how I would get out. I began to beg him to let me take a bath, saying that I was late for work. I had to say ‘baby please’.

He watched me take a bath and then he watched me get in my car, which he had blocked in. I had to kiss him goodbye. He then followed me to make sure I didn’t go to the police station. As I went into work and he disappeared, I went to the police with my mind made up that it was over.”

“I chose to live and not die,” she said.

Tina says through this experience she can confidently tell other victims that they must first be resolved in their own mind that they have had enough in order to get the help they truly need. She also advises that victims, whether women or men, reach out to the family courts and cooperate with the police as they issue restraining orders to perpetrators.

Counselling and support groups, she added, are critical to the healing process. If necessary, Tina says to consider moving to another island and starting over in a more peaceful environment.

She has lots to share and great positive and motivational passages in her book, which she hopes will encourage all women to know that they are precious gems, like diamonds.

To victims and those who found the courage, like her, to get out, she says: “Always remember, a diamond is immune to scratching, as the only thing that can scratch it is another diamond. Don’t let someone hurt you who doesn’t value you, because you are valuable.”

“A diamond has to go through processing, polishing and shaping before the world can see it. I am processing, still persevering, still pressing, still perfecting, and still praying to fulfil my dreams.”

Tina is in her final year of nursing and will graduate as a registered nurse in May 2018. She started her secondary education at Aquinas College, where she was an honour roll rule and achieved seven BJCs. At the age of 16, she went to Vere Technical High School in Jamaica, where she graduated as valedictorian with a 3.82 GPA. Tina also successfully completed 11 CXCs (BJCSE) and received outstanding awards in Biology, Chemistry and Agriculture.

She attends Holy Trinity AME Zion Church where she is actively involved as the dance director and district children’s superintendent.

She gives back to the community by donating annually to the Bilney Lane Children’s Home during Easter, back-to-school, Thanksgiving and Christmas. She wants to encourage children and young people—especially women and girls – to “fight to make a change and let no obstacle stop them”.

Tina took part in a town meeting held by the Zonta Clubs of the Bahamas this week as a part of their “Say No To Violence Against Women and Girls” campaign. The campaign is a part of the United Nations global UNiTe initiative which calls for 16 days of activism to bring awareness to violence against women and girls.

The 16 days of activism ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

section

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Friday, December 1, 2017

shopping

The gift of handcrafted jewellery

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et a head start on your Christmas shopping for the special women in your life by attending the Sip & Shop show by a local jewellery designer. Darcy Antonia is hosting her special Christmas showcase at Doongalik Studios this Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

The jewellery designer hopes to offer her customers unique and affordable pieces which make the perfect gifts for the Yuletide season.

Darcy has been in the jewellery making business almost all her life, even if she didn’t realise it.

“As a young teenager I made my first necklace, I remember it well, it was lime green. I was a student in high school at Queen’s College and making jewellery was a hobby for me. I was always a hands-on kind of girl so this was perfect,” she said.

“After finishing college, I went on to become a travel agent and for seven years I fulfilled my one of my dreams, travelling. I decided to further my career and went on to obtain my bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at Florida International University. One Christmas I decided to give jewellery as Christmas gifts and that was it! I found my way back to my passion – making jewellery!

Talking about what motivates her, Darcy said: “I’m inspired by things in my backyard, my environment, the flora, fauna, and off course our beautiful water. The colours are vivid and breathtaking, and nature has offered herself to me in the best kind of way. Living in the Bahamas connects me to a myriad of colours and shapes, textures and many of my designs are a reflection of that.”

Jewellery designer Darcy Antonia

Over the years, she said, she has had the pleasure to design for and work with the Miss Bahamas World 2004 and Miss Bahamas Universe 2006 pageants. Darcy Antonia are worn by satisfied clients in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, the Bahamas and Caribbean, and the United States.

“All products in the line are thoughtfully conceptualised and are handcrafted with an uncompromising selection of the best quality findings available worldwide,” said Darcy. “A variety of semi-precious, natural stone and Swarovski crystal component beads are used in production and I am proud to offer them to the world – a meticulously produced line of hand-finished jewellery and accessories, using our signature, intricate and labour-intensive wire wrapping technique.”

Darcy said she considers her products to be keepsake investments as they are classic, yet trendy, and will stand the test of time, remaining relevant in the fashion world and for everyday life.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

food

By FELICITY INGRAHAM

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he island’s newest restaurant and bar in the downtown area hits all the right notes. The ambience at Halcyon is reminiscent of Old Nassau, while the food reflects the new Bahamian culinary culture – a mix of modern and traditional. And the venue allows for both a fine dining experience and a fun night out.

Halcyon, said to general manager Bradley Watson Jr, means comfort and contentment – and that’s exactly what he wants patrons to feel when they walk into the Charlotte Street spot.

As the building was renovated for the coming of Halcyon, beautiful woodwork was revealed under the plaster. It was painstakingly uncovered and polished by the venue’s new owners.

When I visited Halcyon this week, I was impressed right from the start. I am big on salad, but I don’t often get a great “wow” salad in New Providence. So when Chef Romero Dorsette brought out the harvest salad and I saw roasted avocado, chickpeas and peanuts with a beautiful green vinaigrette, I knew I was in for a treat. It was fresh, had a layer of flavours including mint, parsley and cilantro, which I usually can’t stand but loved in this dish, and was plentiful, like a real harvest of freshly picked vegetables arranged in a thoughtful salad. It helps that it has 15 different herbs and spices built into the vinaigrette.

Chef Romero explained the cuisine at Halcyon: “It’s a European/ Caribbean fusion with Mediterranean influence.”

He has been cooking for 15 years and developed this special menu for Halcyon based on his time working at Nobu restaurant at the Atlantis Resort, as well as the experience he gained working in other countries. He has opened several restaurants and is excited to be opening the newest fine dining restaurant in Nassau.

“Too many restaurants here have the same style of food and same concept,” said Chef Romero.

PHOTOS: SHAWN HANNA/TRIBUNE STAFF

Enjoy ‘Halcyon’ days at Nassau’s newest hotspot

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Friday, December 1, 2017

“I wanted to offer something different. The menu is the way it is because Halcyon means comfort. We wanted to go along with the programme – fine dining yet comfort food items that go with the name of the restaurant and the ambience; it all tells a story,” he said.

Although Halcyon opened just four months ago, people are already raving about their favourite dishes, especially the salmon, and returning over and over again, and I found out why.

The Canadian salmon was prepared exactly the way I like it. It was perfectly crispy on the outside, with moist, delicious inner layers that melted in my mouth, and a roasted vegetable risotto. My guests had macaroni four cheese pasta with pulled pork, ‘chicken in da bag’ with a guava sauce they were raving over, and a giant veggie burger that they had to share it was so big. They were also beaming over the Halcyon club, which consisted of herb smoked chicken, bacon, avocado and eggs that were fried sunny side up so that the warm yolk could melt and moisturise the tall layers of sandwich.

This was served with sweet potato fries and a roasted leek aioli that I particularly liked.

The restaurant has a seating capacity of 77. Downstairs, the lounge offers space for a great nightlife experience that can spill over to the outside

verandah, and the bar is fully stocked and features with a big flatscreen for sports enthusiasts. It’s location is prime and provides another venue for Downtown entertainment. The restaurant has already catered to several large parties and smaller, intimate events.

It has been the host spot for a book launch and Rotary functions, and has made appearances at various events around to introduce the Halcyon brand to the public.

I made the right choice on the drink to go with my meal – the Hemmingway.

It was gold tequila with pink grapefruit juice and a salted rim. Halcyon boasts a range of signature drinks, including the Halcyon, which is elderflower liquor with Stoli citrus vodka; the Sex on the Sea, which is Bacardi, Blue Curacao and Absolut Vodka; the St Vincent, which includes Hendrick’s gin, mint and cucumbers, and a pomegranate martini among others.

As I sat enjoying the ambience and admiring the work of a range of Bahamian artists on display on the walls, Mr Dorsette, the restaurant owner, told me why the house has so much obvious character.

Originally, the building was a private home owned by a Greek family and it was attached to their hotel business (currently the Grand Central Hotel).

In the 1930s, the building was used as

“Too many restaurants here have the same style of food and same concept.

I wanted to offer something different.” a home for orphaned children and later on it became a guest home before being turned into a commercial property decades later.

“When the opportunity came to operate from this venue, it was almost a no-brainer,” said Mr Dorsette.

“It’s right in the middle of downtown.

In the building, we saw so much potential. It had a lot of character, but it’s beauty was being hidden. We decided to showcase the woodwork. We got on our knees and sanded, and we polished. It was all about bringing out the beauty of the home and remembering the history.”

He added: “We are a home for different people at different times. If you work in a corporate office you can stop here on Charlotte Street and find a meal as good as one that is cooked at home with fresh ingredients and a meal that is enjoyed in a most comfortable atmosphere. We have comfortable seating in the lounge if you just came to enjoy a drink from our fully-stocked bar. It’s just a home away from home.”

Halcyon is open seven days a week and welcomes guests for lunch or dinner. It also offers a variety of experiences such as the Cloud 9 nightlife experience on Fridays from 5pm and Saturdays from 10.30am, straight through the night with a live DJ. DJ Turbulence is preparing for a pop up party at this location this month.

On December 1 and 2, Halcyon is offering a ‘Wine and Dine’ event with a three-course meal including roasted pumpkin pasta fagioli, smoked chicken baklava with wilted arugula salad with thyme infused pecans, or a housespiced New York strip steak with sweet potato fritters and chimichurri scented grilled vegetables, and guava sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Follow Halcyon242 on Facebook or Instagram to stay in touch with promotions and events, as well as new menu items and specialty drinks.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

Helping the community

iVolunteers in action on Abaco

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ast weekend, BTC’s volunteer team in Abaco gave their time and talents to assist the New Vision Ministries Church with repairs.

The iVolunteer team scrubbed, polished and waxed the floors of the church. The team also assisted with covering furniture and painting the church. The pastor and members of the church were grateful for BTC’s assistance.

Senior Associate for Abaco Charmair Laroda said: “This was a joy to assist the church. Our iVolunteer team is very active in Abaco. We even brought our children out to assist with this venture. It is important to lend a hand to those in need.”

Communications to play major role in success for women and children FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – BTC Northern Vice President Eldri-Ferguson Mackey was honoured to be chosen a guest speaker at the recent 36th Triennial International Convention, hosted by the International Federation of Lawyers (FIDA).

Over 70 FIDA affiliated nations were represented during the five-day conference, inclusive of Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Colombia, India, Kenya, Ghana, Taiwan, the Philippines, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uganda.

Mrs Ferguson-Mackey spoke to delegates on the theme “The Innovative Global Techie: Technology and Communication in the 21st Century”, highlighting the role which women play in the technology industry.

“To quote Hillary Clinton, ‘Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world’, now with the use of technology, women and girls have the power to deliver on their talents,” she said.

Mrs Ferguson-Mackey went on to give

a historical perspective of women in the technology field and the leadership role which BTC as a company has played in propelling women and girls to the forefront of the industry.

“BTC has proven its commitment to the development and success of women in technology. The women on our team have consistently proven their value and abilities in the field and they have been consistently rewarded for those efforts” she said.

As a corporate entity, BTC currently donates over $50,000 in technology support to Bahamian schools, and continues to support ‘Student of the Year’, the University of the Bahamas, science and technology events and its own staff in their pursuit if higher education.

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) also jumped at the opportunity to assist the local FIDA chapter in Grand Bahama pulling off the international event.

In addition to financial assistance, the team provided all delegates free Wi-Fi access for the duration of the conference, 300 gift bags for

BTC brand ambassador Dillon “DMAC” McKenzie wowed delegates of the 36th Triannual FIDA conference.

BTC was a title sponsor of this year’s FIDA Conference.

visiting delegates, 15 dongles (phone internet accessories), as well as access to an on-site BTC Pop Up Shop.

“BTC’s support of this event has been invaluable, not only the injection of cash but the numerous items they have given us “in kind”, which we would have not had the resources to provide,” explained FIDA committee member Petra Hanna-Adderley. “They also allowed us

the use of their BTC courtesy van for courtesy calls for our visiting dignitaries.”

This year’s conference, which focused on “The Economic Empowerment of Women and Children in an Evolving World”, also has some fun, which included a Bahamian culture showcase on Wednesday evening.

The concluding sessions took place at the Grand Lucayan Resort Convention Centre.

Helping the community

PHOTOS/BAREFOOT MARKETING

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Friday, December 1, 2017

film

Award-winning drama “The Florida Project” to open BIFF 2017

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his year’s Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), which takes place December 10-17, will be showcasing more than 82 films from 28 different countries, including 12 world premieres, four international premieres and 57 Caribbean premieres. All films are Bahamian premieres.

The festival’s opening night will kick off on December 10 in Harbour Island with the screening of the highly acclaimed film “The Florida Project”, starring Willem Dafoe and directed by well-known independent filmmaker Sean Baker, who gained worldwide attention with his 2015 movie “Tangerine”.

“The Florida Project” follows precocious six-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Disney World.

Seven-year-old Brooklynn Prince is the star of “The Florida Project” Said BIFF founder and executive director Leslie Vanderpool: “My wish audiences who will share in the experiis to introduce the public attending the ence. We’re honoured to recognise his festival to the films and the culture of amazing career at the Bahamas Interdifferent countries every year. Often national Film Festival.” movies that are normally unable to He will be honoured during the closbe seen inspire young filmmakers and ing night gala, December 17, at Baha resonate in their imagination for years Mar. to come. I believe that this programme In addition to panels, a screenwritpresents elements to please and interers brunch, master classes in acting, est everybody, balancing amusement there will also be an environment with more engaging stories. and oceans benefit. This event takes “I’m particularly excited to be showplace on December 14 at the Bahamas ing an amazing and powerful film to National Trust and features a showcase open our festival this year. This film of films on the ocean and the environ(”The Florida Project”) has created ment followed by a conversation with such a buzz internationally and will no the filmmakers and protectors. doubt be a highly sought-after ticket at Multiple Emmy Award nominee Films screened during the event BIFF. It is a likely frontrunner in the Michael K Williams is the recipient will include the short films “Cut Bait” coming awards season in Hollywood so of this year’s Shining Star Tribute.

(USA/Bahamas), “Loggerhead Sea we’re honoured to be showcasing it in Turtle” (USA) and the critically the Bahamas for BIFF audiences.” acclaimed documentary “An Ocean “Michael is true ‘actor’s actor’ who Every year, BIFF also hands out the Shining Star Tribute award. This possesses an uncanny screen pres- Mystery: The Missing Catch” (USA/ December, it will be given to multiple ence and charisma that have fuelled Bahamas).

Narrated by actor and conserEmmy Award nominee Michael K Wil- so many memorable performances,” vationist Ted Danson, “An Ocean said Ms Vanderpool. “In watching his liams (”12 Years a Slave”, “The Wire”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “Robocop”), amazing body of work, the depth of his Mystery” reveals a frightening truth who is currently starring in the darkly acting is unmistakable and equally as about our oceans. The documentary comedic show “Hap and Leonard” on memorable. Having him in the Baha- follows the work of the world’s premier SunDance TV and has several big pro- mas to receive the Shining Star Tribute fisheries scientist, Dr Daniel Pauly, as is a huge treat for the festival and the he investigates how close we are to a jects in the works.

global crash in fish populations. It’s a detective story that ranges from the Atlantic coastline to the reefs of the Bahamas and the shores of Senegal.

Along the way Dr Pauly and his team make startling discoveries about the impact of black market fisheries, the recreational fishing industry and more.

Dr Pauly’s research shows that humans have drastically underestimated the amount fish we catch globally and that we are running out of fish much faster than we thought. This film is a call to arms for governments around the world to take a better accounting of their fish stocks before we face a global food catastrophe.

BIFF will be coming to Harbour Island on December 10-13 and concluding in Nassau from December 14-17, showcasing a diverse presentation of films from around the world accompanied by a group of local and international filmmakers.

Additional announcements pertaining to the festival and filmmakers attending will be made in the coming weeks. For additional information and the festival’s full line-up, visit http:// www.bintlfilmfest.com.

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Friday, December 1, 2017

theatre

Return to ‘Sapodilla Street’ for the Christmas holidays

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

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or the third consecutive year, the After Dark Production team is taking its audience to the fictional community of Sapodilla Street for laughout-loud Christmas shenanigans.

This year’s instalment of the comedic play will be shown at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 6pm. “Christmas on Sapodilla Street 3”, according to the cast and crew, will be fun for the entire family.

The story follows the character of Joe as he brings his new girlfriend to visit Sapodilla Street for the Yuletide season.

Things go south as Joe tries to make a good impression by making her believe he is the mayor of the small community.

Joe then takes it a bit further by giving everyone what appears to be a bottle of flavoured water from the Jolly Plant in Cat Island. The “water” is expected to put persons in a jolly mood for the holidays. Joe’s decision back fires, however, causing more harm than good, which then leads to much mischief, mystery, feuding, gossip, and even a wedding.

After Dark Production founders Tamara and Franco Moncur said the process of preparing for the show featured many “laugh until you cry” moments, and rehearsals were nothing short of hilarious.

“The actors are actually funny. We once again team up with Taylor Made, a voice and music school owned by Travante and Tamika Taylor who are talented beyond measure. We are also delighted to have Kenyatta Taylor who is known for his latest song, ‘Still I Wait’. The melodious voices of Raquel Pinder and Aris Moxey-Flowers combined with our musical maestro Calvin Parker is a show you don’t want to miss,” said Tamara.

“Life is too short, so relieve some stress and join us in laughter this weekend.”

The full cast includes Tiffany Aranha playing the role of Senator Lorraine

The cast of “Sapodilla Street” on stage.

“Life is too short, so relieve some stress and join us in laughter this weekend.”

Whitehead; Raquel Pinder as Tina Pratt; Fabia Rolle as Beulah; Dellarease Rolle as Pearl; Carla Sands as Dra’Quilla; Kevin McPhee as Joe; Kencil McPhee as Wille; Kenyatta Taylor as John; Anthony Munnings as Elli, Jenson Rolle as Dr Newman; Edison Minnis as Officer Bodie; Archie Minnis as President of the Senate and Pastor Brown; Tiara Josey as Victoria Darling, Franco Moncur as Hezi, and Tamara herself as Prophetess Josie.

Singers and musicians include Calvin Parker, Aris Flowers, Tamia Graham, Nathan Boyd, Anwar Butterfield, Ashley Smith, Holman McDonald, Gia Smith, Travante Taylor, and special guest artist Tamika Taylor.

Performing for and entertaining families since the group was established in 2013 with shows like “The Church on Sapodilla Street”, “Christmas on Sapodilla Street 1 and 2”, and “Polling Day on Sapodilla Street,” it still brings great joy to Tamara to be able to write, produce, and direct the productions.

“It allows me to utilise my talent, seek and expose the talent of others, and present family friendly comedy shows to the public at large. Using everyday situations, events and practices to create possible funny outcomes based on a general Bahamian mindset is a great way to embrace our very unique culture – the good, the bad and the ugly,” she said.

“And as we approach the Christmas holidays everyone should be in a jolly mood, but as we know, there will always be persons that never care about the joy of the season. Finding ways to change the attitude of some of the Sapodillians toward each other, and of course Christmas, is the goal this weekend. ‘Tis the season to be jolly is the real inspiration of this production. Jolly because Jesus is the reason for the season.”

Tickets for “Christmas at Sapodilla Street 3” are $25 for adults, and children 16 years and under are $10 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase at the Lil Mustard Seed Healthy Café, Mount Royal Avenue; the GQ Diplomat Barber and Beauty Salon, top of the hill Mackey Street; SunTime Bahamas, Mall at Marathon, and via WhatsApp at 466-7996 or 467-4738.

The Tribune | Weekend | 13

Friday, December 1, 2017

music

Christmas Carols from China ‘Bahamian Ella Fitzgerald’ releases holiday album

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

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t never dawned on Bahamian songstress Akia Knowles that the one thing that could elevate her career to new heights could also be the very thing that potentially destroyed it.

Akia performs at The Langham hotel in Shanghai, China.

A few years ago, Akia was given what many Bahamian singers can only “Because of the affluence that this off and pondered on it for a while. But dream of – a contract with an American hotel brand has it has opened many when I got back to China and my hotel record label. However, she decided to platforms and opportunities. The Bible brand heard the music, they immedido the unthinkable. She opted out of is so true when it says, ‘I will set you ately wanted to make it into an album,” the contract because she felt it would before kings and queens’. I have had she said.

The songs on “Deck The Halls” stifle her creativity and turn her into the opportunity to perform for some major players like Macy’s CEO and include holiday classics that have been something she wasn’t.

Today, she considers this decision executive board, Victoria’s Secret exec- arranged for various genres such as one of her best career moves, as she is utives and music industry moguls,” she jazz, soul and reggae. A host of friends, including Mya Minnis, Junior Scott, enjoying success in her own way and at said.

“I have also had the opportunity to Dion Turnquest, Sharmond Smith, her own pace as the resident musician at The Langham Hotel in Shanghai, achieve an endorsement deal with the Jonny Fung, Jermaine Johnson, ChrisChina. Add to that the release of a new Mademoiselle Be-Ez brand. Time and topher Minnis, Neil Symonette, Travis holiday album and Christmas is shaping time again I’m asked why don’t I want Edgecombe, Ebony J, Fredrick Seyfame and my answer is simple, I’m a mour, Leonardo Rodgers, and Steve up to be a very merry one for Akia. very private person and the lifestyle is Corrao joined Akia for this venture.

“I never really wanted to be famous. not for me. And the funny thing is, the “I’m currently working on a music In fact, in 2010 I had a record deal more I run away from fame, the more I project for a fashion brand right now while in the US, but I got out of it seem to acquire it.” where I’m creating the music for their because I wanted my soul to stay intact.

Even though she has been exposed company. I have a two-day Macy’s corAs soon as I was signed they wanted to to a number of opportunities while in porate event that I will be performing change everything – from my look, to China, she considers her new Christ- for in Hong Kong and in Shanghai, and musical style, to basically doing things mas album, “Deck the Halls”, nothing next year I plan, God willing, to release that wasn’t me. After this experience, I short of an accident. my album ‘Love Story Disaster’ feahonestly wanted to give up music and “As a matter of fact, I actually visited turing Sketch Carey, Bones, Shamora the music industry. When the opportu- home this summer and I recorded this Ross and a few others,” she said. nity for China was presented – initially as a project that I wanted to present to Akia’s musical journey began at the it was for four months – I decided that my hotel to convince them to bring in a age of five when her mother began I would do it. I became the resident band for a show. Plus I wanted to show teaching the piano. musician for a British hotel brand off the amazing talent of my Bahamian “From ages 13 to 16 I went through called The Langham Hotel,” the singer friends and fellow musicians. But my my ‘I hate the piano’ phase, but for my told Tribune Weekend. friend Neil Symonette said, ‘Kia you last year of high school my mom insisted And five years on she is still with the have to make this a Christmas album. that I continue with music so that I brand.

This is really good stuff.’ I laughed it could take the music BGCSE,” she said

After graduating from high school, Akia enrolled at the College of the Bahamas as a piano major. Soon after she met one of her greatest musical influences, Levar Higgs, who introduced her to the world of jazz music.

“Once the first semester ended, I focused more on my vocal abilities.

Singing jazz quickly became my passion and within a short span of time my talent allowed me opportunities to sing on a professional platform and eventually I was dubbed the ‘Bahamian Ella Fitzgerald’,” she said.

She has had the privilege of performing and working alongside Bahamian musical greats such as Abigail Charlow, the late Apple Elliot and the late Denis Donaldson at the Cacique awards, Adrian D’Aguilar, Rodney Simpson, Tino Richardson, Sharmond Smith, Dion Turnquest, Snookie (Mr Music) Seymour, Joann and Lee Callender, just to name a few.

16 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017

celebrity With Karin Herig and Felicity Ingraham

HIT

SPLIT

HIT

HIT

Kate Mara ”House of Cards”

Kirsten Dunst ”The Beguiled”

Big Sean hip hop artist

Naomi Watts ”Twin Peaks”

Karin says: “She looks like a pretty lemon. We don’t often see yellow on the red carpet, which is a shame, because in the right hue it can be such a beautiful colour. I also love the flow-y silhouette and the side bun.”

Felicity says: “I love her flirty, flowing dress and I love her metallic box clutch, but the face...what happened?

It’s goth makeup with a sweet and flowery dress. Kate loves the smokey eye, but she over did it!”

Karin says: “It looks like bits of fluff simply got stuck to her sheer gown as she was walking around. It’s hideous.

I hate that we see her ‘granny panties’ and I hate the collar. It’s a slightly different take on the ‘nude’ look, but it’s still a fail.”

Felicity says: “Looove it! The hair!

The dress! The earrings! The shoes!

I love it all, Kirsten. Such a cool look and perfectly put together.”

Karin says: “Well, I’m glad to see something different in men’s fashion on the red carpet. The jacket makes this outfit. It’s artsy (perfect for the Guggenheim event) and stylish at the same time. Big Sean went big.”

Felicity says: “I love Big Sean’s look.

He took the traditional suit and tricked it out with a jazzy hanging belt, with its pattern repeated in the jacket.

The jacket is a bit sporty and jazzy – a hard combo to pull off, but he did it.

I also love the two-toned look of the jacket, the red/orange with the black.”

Karin says: “This is actually really cute. A bit whimsical and maybe a bit a young, but she’s working it. This is like the improved version of Kirsten Dunst’s dress. It also, like Big Sean’s ensemble, reflects the art theme of the event.”

Felicity says: “Awww, isn’t she adorable? Head to toe, including the clutch, this look is what’s in now and she is rocking it! I also love her bob with the one bit of long bang, and her winning smile to go with it!”

PHOTOS BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP

The Weekend Fashion Report Guggenheim International Gala

The Tribune | Weekend | 17

Friday, December 1, 2017

television

Returning to ‘Roots and Culture’ Bahamian music show is back on the screen

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

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fter a six-year hiatus, the entertainment show “Roots and Culture” is back on local television screens, bigger and better than ever.

In the early 2000s, the “Roots and Culture” 30-minute show was the main platform to keep up to date with both Bahamian and Caribbean music stars, as host Nadine Thomas-Brown interviewed artists and showed music videos.

“I hosted an open mic back then called ‘Express Yourself’ at the Hub on Bay Street which was owned by Margo Bethel. Weekly I would see a vast amount of talented people with absolutely no other venue except mine at which to display their talent.

That is when the idea for a TV show was born, because I had heard people saying there was no market for Bahamian music and I figured if they could see the talent I saw maybe they would change their minds,” Nadine told Tribune Weekend.

She said “Roots and Culture” became the only music video show made specifically for Bahamians on TV at the time, and at one point the show was aired on ZNS, Cable 12 and the pan-Caribbean station Tempo.

For Nadine, the end of show came about during the time of her mother’s death.

“My mother died at the height of the show and I lost interest in everything and eventually I just stopped doing the show. I could not concentrate on anything but my grief,” said Nadine.

However, Even after all these years, Nadine never for one minute referred to the show as “over”. She

“ ‘Roots and Culture’ loves to be inclusive, so you will see more of that this season...The show’s format is simple, we shoot our show from your event – this is because I hate static backgrounds and people sitting around doing interviews.” always wanted to bring it back, and the demand for the show from persons in the art and entertainment community made the decision an easy one.

“On a trip to a few Family Islands for work people still recognised me and always would stop me to ask when the show would be back on. So when a good friend, Bahamian producer Arjay Newbold, kept asking me the same question, I enlisted his help. Now in conjunction with Youstar Media and Arjay, ‘Roots and Culture’ have combined forces to bring an even better experience to our Bahamian audience,” said Nadine.

The show now airs every Thursday at 9pm on Cable 12. Nadine said it is good feeling to complete a project that has been near and dear to her heart for so many years.

As the show progresses, she is hoping to once again expand beyond the borders of the Bahamas to include Caribbean culture at large. “ ‘Roots and Culture’ loves to be inclusive, so you will see more of that

Nadine Thomas-Brown in action this season. We are aiming for a more magazine type programme eventually, but we are starting where we are right now. The show’s format is simple, we shoot our show from your event – this is because I hate static backgrounds and people sitting around doing interviews.

I just think it is way more interesting if something is happening in the background,” said Nadine.

On the show there is also room for advertising and product placement, which includes ‘Roots and Culture’ attending at your events. Members of the art and music community are invited hit up the team for interviews and also send in their best music videos, devoid of vulgarity, for possible airing.

“I am looking for good feedback obviously. I just want people to experience a bit of the events we cover and

meet people they would not ordinarily meet by watching the show. I also am hoping to give Bahamians a platform for their music and artistic projects to be shown locally and internationally. I don’t mind critique as long as it is productive and comes with advice on how to be better,” said Nadine.

“This show has great potential for growth, but we can only go so far without sponsorship. We are currently looking for a corporate partner. In the meantime, we have great ideas and I have plans to eventually step behind the scene and foster a new dynamic personality, male or female, to do that job.”

To submit videos, e-mail rnc242@ gmail.com. Videos are played for promotional purposes only.

18 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017

beauty

Little Pink Party creates a shopping paradise

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his Saturday, the popular lifestyle brand The Little Pink Party presents “Paradise Found”, touted as the ultimate holiday shopping party. The 2017 event will fuse shopping with upbeat, non-stop entertainment and attraction. When the doors open at 3pm, the entire event space at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will be buzzing with live marketing activity, organisers said.

“Paradise Found” will feature a number of different “districts” highlighting fashion, technology, beauty and cosmetics, health and wellness, and other consumer interests.

The first 500 guests will receive free entry, and limited edition swag bags are also available. There will be complimentary makeovers and express spa treatments, as well as hourly fashion shows.

The Little Pink Party is designed to be a day-long field trip into the world of all things fashionable. Beauty mavens, fashionistas, and shopaholics enter into a shopping mall event with boutiques featuring leading fashion and beauty brands, jewellers, health and wellness providers, pastry chefs and liquor brands. Guests are invited to “shop, sip, see, sample, snap, score, and squeeze all the juice out of this style emporium”.

The Little Pink Party event series is the brainchild of Kandice Cargill. The event was launched in 2008 out of a desire to host fashion-forward parties for Bahamian women. Inspired by a number of regional women-only events Kandice had attended as well as her love for American consumerism, The Little Pink Party was designed to encompass and sensationalise every

element of the most fabulous shopping experience for women.

Kandice’s vision was to provide stylish, smart, trend-setting and on-the-go women with a unique opportunity to learn and experience products presented directly to them by a variety of retailers and brand representatives.

Fox Hill pageant contestants celebrate queens of Africa

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net IN KEEPING with what has been a tradition for decades, the Miss Fox Hill Enrichment Pageant recently crowned three new queens.

This year saw 10 contestants participate in the event, which was held under theme “Out of Africa” and under the patronage of Dr Jacinta Higgs at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts.

The winners of this year’s pageant include Miss Fox Hill Rusheda Sinclair, Junior Miss Fox Hill Cheynne Davis and Little Miss Fox Hill Khailey Williams.

The 2017 pageant also added a new category called “Little Darlings”. The winners in this group were Mikayla Williams and Shadiamond Dames.

According to founder Maltese Davis, the Miss Fox Hill pageant seeks to

Miss Fox Hill Junior Cheynne Davis (left) and Miss Fox Hill Rusheda Sinclair uplift young people while also providing them with unique opportunities.

“The aim of the pageant is to empower younger women and let them know that whatever circumstances they encounter in life, if you choose to shine, you have to push yourself and hold on to someone that will inspire you in

becoming what you want to become in life. Therefore, we call our pageant an enrichment and empowering pageant,” she said.

The contestants are prepared for the pageant with activities such as public speaking, educational and historical tours, and are also given etiquette and poise lessons. This time around they learned about the queens of Africa.

“Because if the activities the girls participate in they become wellrounded and knowledgeable about their culture and that is what we are working on building,” said Ms Davis.

“It is very important to host events like this because it’s empowering to our young girls in the community.

They learn more about their culture, they gain new skills and experience, and they are open to a wide range of opportunities.”

While this year’s event was held under the patronage of Dr Higgs, Ms Davis said they are hoping to host it again next year in honour of Remilda Rolle, a cancer survivor and a woman

considered the “mother” of the Miss Fox Hill pageant.

“This is someone who also had a passion like myself. Not only did the pageant admire her passion for the children, but we had the utmost admiration for her because strength. To see that she endured so much still she stood so tall and strong through all that she has encountered. So that is one of the main reasons we have taken her on as the ‘mother’ of our pageant. That is one of the things we are looking for.

Women that can stand, women that are phenomenal, women that have strength and can endure. In the future, we would like to use her as the person we honour next year; under her patronage, because of her strength,” she said.

Some of this year’s prizes included a one-year scholarship for Omega College, a scholarship for the National Training Agency, a scholarship sponsored by Dr Jacinta Higgs, laptops, printers, round-trip airfare with Sky Bahamas, a day at Dolphin Encounters, and more.

The Tribune | Weekend | 19

Friday, December 1, 2017

gardening

Winter solstice The longest night of the year is almost upon us, and the subsequent lengthening of days mark a significant time on the planting calendar, says Jack Hardy.

T

he most important event for gardeners this month is not Christmas, but the winter solstice, which occurs on December 21. On that day the Earth reaches (in a sense) the lowest point of its wobble and for the next six months days will lengthen incrementally and inexorably.

Many plants respond to lengthening days – onions in particular – and we should see a general increase in the vitality of our vegetables and ornamentals during the next few months. Even humans react; we are more upbeat during spring than we are in fall.

Those who want to grow vegetables but have not made the first move yet will find December a great time to get seeds into the ground. A few tomato vines, bell pepper plants, and lots of lettuce will bring both pleasure and tasty sustenance. You can buy tomato and pepper seedlings from your local nursery. Really serious gardeners hate having to buy seedlings but they are a great fallback on occasion.

Those of us who planted our first seeds in August will be completing our crop list by sowing onions, planting potatoes, and maybe making a start on eggplants. We will deal fully with onions next week. Irish potatoes can be grown from supermarket specimens that have formed ‘eyes’. Cut a tuber into wedges containing a single eye. If there are more, remove them with your thumbnail. Dip the wedges in a weak solution of bleach and water, allow to dry, then plant them five inches deep.

Keep the hole open and fill it slowly as the shoot turns into a plant. New potatoes are formed between the wedge and the surface of the soil so you may have to mound soil around the plant to stop sunlight reaching your taters and turning them green – and poisonous. The time to dig your potatoes is when the plant dies off.

Eggplants – aubergines – are warm weather lovers so any seeds we sow now will be setting fruit in March and being harvested in April, which should be warm enough. More plants can be sown in January and February. Every year I get complaints about the lack of fruiting in eggplants sown in August and September. The plants grow healthily and flower but often do not set fruit. Winter sowings suit eggplants far better.

The standard eggplant is Black Beauty, a magnificent open pollinated heirloom that is all the eggplant you will ever need unless you are fussy about colour and like the mauve, purple and white ones. Black Beauty is a sturdy plant and a heavy producer of very large fruits. You can grow eggplants in containers, one plant to a five-gallon pot. Whether in the open garden or a pot the young plant should be nursed along with weekly applications of a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle Gro for tomatoes, to which eggplants are closely related. When the budding stage is reached you should add a side dressing of phosphorous (0-50-0) to improve fruit set and development.

The fact that eggplants are related to tomatoes means we have to take care not to plant them in an area where we have grown tomatoes in the last year unless the soil was well solarised during last summer. The same nematodes that attack tomatoes will attack eggplants.

Phosphorous should be added as a side dressing to all vegetables and shrubs that produce fruit. Some gardeners like to add potassium as well, completely leaving out nitrogen except for the occasion boost of liquid fertilizer.

Many commercial orchards are virtually nitrogen free for their productive

trees.

Seedlings have to be treated more gently than adult plants. It is a good idea to mix liquid fertilizer at half strength in small quantities and use a spray bottle to apply. The force of water and fertilizer coming from a hose-end applicator is usually too much for tender seedlings.

An empty Windex bottle does the job fine. Resist the temptation to apply a strong fertilizer mix; that would be like adding a teaspoon of Vegemite or Marmite to a weaning baby’s strained food.

I have been asked on several occasions if a fertilizer supplement containing hormones and vitamins such as SUPERthrive are worth using. The answer is I do not know. They certainly would do no harm because only a few drops per gallon of water are used. Perhaps the supplements are like voodoo – they only work if you believe in them.

Many of us will be eating salads from our garden on a daily basis and liquid fertilizers are ideal for feeding lettuces and greens. When you find greens you like – I love Mizuna – grow more because they will have a longer productive season than lettuces. By the end of spring most lettuces will turn bitter but greens maintain their integrity.

Flowers – particularly annuals – usually need less fertilizer than we imagine. Too much fertilizer may reduce the number of flowers per plant. Those flowers grown in pots should be fed with Osmocote or a similar time-release fertilizer but the biggest problem is watering. I have half a dozen petunias growing in clay pots on a wooden balcony railing. I know I should not use a saucer at the bottom of the pots because too much water retention rots the roots over time. But I do have my pots in saucers because otherwise I would be wetting – and in time rotting – my railing.

This means I have to be very careful about the amount of water I add every two days. I have made it a habit to use a plastic coffee container of an appropriate size to pour in the required amount of water for each plant. If water appears in the saucer I know I have overwatered and adjust accordingly.

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

20 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017

society

Networking under the stars

U

nder the theme, “Eat, Drink & Network”, NUA Insurance Agents and Brokers recently hosted an upscale evening of networking with Nassau’s leading business professionals and their industry partners. The event took place at the Royal Blue Golf Club at Baha Mar. NUA’s managing director, Warren Rolle, greeted the guests and said: “The intent of this event is to give us all an opportunity to network, forge and deepen relationships in a way that will be mutually beneficial to our businesses and also personally.”

The evening was well attended and guests mingled and enjoyed the soulful sounds of Caribah lead by vocalist Nikki Davis-Carter.

NUA Insurance Agents and Brokers has been providing Bahamians with insurance for their homes, vehicles, marine vessels and businesses for more than 50 years. They are a subsidiary of Bahamas First Holding company, which includes the Bahamas First General Insurance company.

Bahamas First Group CEO Patrick Ward (left) with Shaun Ingraham and John Robertson

Nikki Davis-Carter of Caribah serenades the guests

Stanford Charlton, assistant managing director of NUA; Patrick Ward, Bahamas First Group CEO, and Warren Rolle, managing director of NUA.

William Wong (left) and Mike Russell

(l-r) Lionel Haven, Lauren Haven, Reginald Saunders, Mike Knowles

NUA’s team (l-r) Warren Rolle, Rochelle Roberts and Gregory Williams greet Robert and Deborah Lotmore

(l-r) Ethan Quant, Gregory Stuart and Edison

(l-r) Andrae Thompson, of Bahamas First Group CFO, is pictured with Neil Strachan and Tazmin Darling

The Tribune | Weekend | 21

Friday, December 1, 2017

literary lives - robert louis stevenson

A traveller in the wilderness Sir Christopher Ondaatje wonders at the varied and sometimes bizarre stories by the Scottish novelist and travel writer whose works include ‘Treasure Island’ and ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.

A

lthough Robert Louis Stevenson was born into a well-to-do family of lighthouse designers in Scotland, to the great disappointment of his father he spurned the family profession to embark on a literary career.

Stevenson was born Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson in Edinburgh, on November 13, 1850. When he was 18

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894) years old he changed the spelling of “Lewis” to “Louis” and eliminated the “Balfour” name. His father, Thomas Stevenson, was a leading lighthouse engineer and his mother, Margaret Isabella Balfour, traced her lineage back to 15th century landowners in Fife.

Stevenson spent the greater part of his childhood holidays in his maternal grandfather’s house.

Stevenson’s mother’s family had weak chests, which Robert Louis inherited. He was an only child – sickly and always susceptible to coughs and fevers.

Illness would be a recurrent feature of his adult life. He was extraordinarily thin and many thought he had tuberculosis, but this was not the case. He was strange looking and eccentric. When he was six he was sent to a nearby school, Continued on page 22

“You have rendered my whole life a failure.”

– Thomas Stevenson about his son, Robert.

Thomas Stevenson was a pioneering Scottish lighthouse designer and meteorologist.

22 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017

Continued from page 21 and then at 11 to the Edinburgh Academy. However, his frequent sicknesses often kept him away from school and he had a series of private tutors. He also had a Calvinistic nanny whose folk beliefs were an early source of nightmares for the child, but they also imbued in him a curious creative streak where he would dictate stories to his mother. He had a wild rebellious imagination which his father discouraged, nevertheless paying for the private publication of “The Pentland Rising: A Page of History, 1666” when Robert Louis was 16.

In November 1867, Stevenson went to the University of Edinburgh to study engineering. He had no interest in the subject and spent most of his time with the Speculative Debating Society and with amateur dramatics. He also spent much time with his cousin Robert Alan Mowbray Stevenson, who instead of engineering, had chosen to study art. Every year, during his holidays, he would travel, sometimes with his father, to Anstruther and Wick, the Orkney and Shetland island lighthouses, and to the island of Erraid. The travels interested Stevenson much more than the engineering.

After four years of university Stevenson took the bull by the horns and told his father that he was going to pursue a literary life. This was a great disappointment to the elder Stevenson who instead convinced his son to study law at Edinburgh so that he would have something to fall back on if his literary ambitions failed. He did this, but moved away from his conservative parents – growing his hair long, wearing Bohemian clothes which included a velveteen jacket, and spending his time in cheap pubs and brothels. He also declared himself an atheist.

In 1873, Stevenson travelled to London and met Frances Sitwell, a 34-year-old married woman with a son – separated from her husband, and Sidney Colvin, who would eventually become Stevenson’s literary advisor. Both Stevenson and Colvin were attracted to her, but she eventually married Colvin. He was soon active in London’s literary life, meeting Leslie Steven, the editor of Cornhill Magazine. Back in Edinburgh he met a patient at the Edinburgh Infirmary, William Ernest Henley – an energetic loquacious man with a wooden leg.

For a while they were literary collaborators and Henley is often seen as the model for Long John Silver in “Treas-

Robert Louis Stevenson with his wife, step-daughter Isobel and mother Margaret Isabella Balfour

Robert Louis Stevenson with King Kalakaua of Samoa

ure Island”.

Stevenson was plagued with ill health and late in 1873 he was sent to Menton on the French Riviera to recuperate. He returned in good health in 1874 and settled down to his law studies, but went back to France many times, attracted by the artist colonies there and spending time in Fontainebleu, Barbizon, Grez-sur-Loing and Nemours. Eventually Stevenson did qualify for the Scottish bar in July 1875, but he never practised law. All his energies were now spent in travel and writing – one of which was a canoe voyage in Belgium and France which became his first book “An Inland Voyage” (1878).

It was on this 1876 canoe trip with Sir Walter Simpson – a friend from the Speculative Society in Edinburgh – that they travelled to Grez in France and Stephenson met Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne, an American divorcee from Indianapolis. Outraged by her husband’s infidelities during the American Civil War, she had fled to France with her three children, where she was studying art. Stevenson was instantly smitten, and he returned to England where he wrote an essay “On falling in love” for the Cornhill Magazine. They met again in 1877 and became lovers. Stevenson spent the greater part of 1878 with her and her children in France.

For whatever reason, Fanny Osbourne left France and returned to San Francisco in August 1878, leaving Stephenson behind to embark on a walking trip that would be-

The Tribune | Weekend | 23

Friday, December 1, 2017

The 1886 novella “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” was initially released as a “shilling shocker” – short, exciting, mass produced books aimed at a mainstream audience. come “Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes”, published in 1879. Later that year, against the advice of everyone except his parents, who did not know of his plans, he took a second class steamship passage on the Devonia from Europe to New York City. He endured the discomfort to embellish his travel experience. He then travelled by overland train to California – which he wrote about in “The Amateur Emigrant”. It was a good literary experience for the budding author, but the journey very nearly killed him. He was very nearly at death’s door when he arrived in Monterey, California, where some local ranchers nursed him back to health. He was lucky to survive and didn’t recover until the following December where he had struggled to San Francisco, living hand to mouth on a meagre ration of 45 cents a day. The effort he made to support himself through writing very nearly killed him again and that winter he was perilously near to starvation and death.

Fanny Osbourne, now divorced, mercifully came to his assistance and nursed him back to health.

“After a while my spirit got up again in a divine frenzy, and has since kicked and spurred my vile body forward with great emphasis and success.”

Hearing of his son’s deplorable condition, his father wired him some money to make his life a little easier. Stevenson

and Fanny Osbourne were married in May 1880.

“... a mere complication of cough and bones, much fitter for an emblem of mortality than a bridegroom.”

Stevenson and his bride, together with her young son Lloyd, journeyed north of San Francisco to spend their honeymoon at an abandoned mining camp in Mount Saint Helena. He wrote about this experience in “The Silverado Squatters”. In California, Stevenson met Charles Warren Stoddard, the coeditor of the Overland Monthly and author of “South Sea Idylls”. He urged Stevenson to travel to the South Pacific where he would find much material for his writing. This good advice was to be taken some years later by Stevenson to great advantage.

In August 1880, Stevenson and Fanny Osbourne travelled across America and sailed from New York to Liverpool in England, where he met his parents and his friend Sidney Colvin on the docks. Amazingly, the following seven years he would spend in vain trying to settle in either England or Scotland to maintain his health were among the most productive of his life. He spent the winter months in France at Davos Platz and the Chalet de Solitude at Hyères.

“I have so many things to make life sweet for me ... it seems a pity I cannot have that other one thing – health. But though you will be angry to hear it, I

Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne (circa 1876)married Robert Louis Stevenson in 1880 in San Francisco.

believe, for myself at least, what is best.

I believed it all through my worst days, and I am not ashamed to profess it now.”

In spite of his bad health Stevenson, in the seven years between 1880 and 1887, produced “Treasure Island” (1883); “Kidnapped” (1886); “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” (1886); “The Black Arrow: A Tale of Two Roses” (1888), and two volumes of verse: “A Child’s Garden of Verses” (1885) and “Underwoods” (1887).

“Treasure Island” was Stevenson’s first major success – a tale of piracy, buried treasure, and adventure. “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” is a novella about a kind and intelligent physician who turns into a psychopathic monster after imbibing a drug intended to separate good from evil in a dual personality. Both books marked a turning point in Stevenson’s writing career.

When Robert Louis Stevenson’s father died in 1887 he felt it was the right time to take his physician’s advice and to leave Britain for a climate more likely to benefit his health. He set out with his mother and family for Colorado but didn’t get there – deciding instead to spend the winter at Saranac Lake, New York, in the Adirondacks. It was a terribly cold winter during which he wrote some of his best essays, including “Pulvis et Umbra” and starting work on

“The Master of Ballantrae”. It was also during this bitterly cold winter that Stevenson joked that they would all sail the following summer to the South Seas. In June 1888, that idle light-hearted daydream became a reality.

In June 1888, Stevenson chartered the yacht Casco and sailed from San Francisco, and for three years he wandered the eastern and central Pacific, halting his journey for long stays in the Hawaiian islands.

“The proudest moments of my life have been passed in the stern-sheets of a boat with the romantic garment over my shoulders.”

The warm climate, sea air, and the excitement of the adventure gave Stevenson his health back. He was happy and continued his work completing “The Master of Ballantrae”, composed two ballads, and wrote “The Bottle Imp”. He also wrote many letters, and “In The South Seas” (published posthumously) which outlined the Casco cruise from the Hawaiian islands to the Marquesas and Tuamoto islands. The following year on another schooner, the Equator, they visited Butaritari, Mariki, Apaiang, and Abemama in the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati).

Stevenson became friendly with King Kalākaua in Hawaii and visited the leper colony there. In 1890, he left Sydney, Australia on the Janet Nicoll for a third Continued on page 24

24 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017

Continued from page 23 and final visit to the South Sea Islands.

Curiously his wife, Fanny Osbourne, published a journal of this third voyage.

In 1890, Stevenson, finally fulfilling his dream, bought a 400-acre tract of land in Upolu on the island of Samoa and settled there in the village of Vailima. He adopted the native name of Tusitala (Samoan for “teller of tales”).

His influence spread and he became involved in local politics and was responsible for the recall of two incompetent colonial administrators. He helped Samoans in many ways and continued his writing: “The Beach of Falesá”; “Catriona” (”David Balfour” in the US); “The Ebb-Tide”, and the “Vailima Letters”. Perhaps he overworked himself during the four happy fulfilled years in Samoa, because, quite abruptly in 1894, he began to be depressed and felt exhausted. He could not write and had lost his creative instinct.

“I wish to die in my boots, no more Land of Counterpane for me. To be drowned, to be shot, to be thrown from a horse – ay, to be hanged, rather than pass through this slow dissolution.”

Quite suddenly his energies and enthusiasm returned and he started work on “Weir of Hermiston”.

“It is so good it frightens me.”

He never finished the book. On December 3, 1894 Stevenson, while trying to open a bottle of wine, suddenly asked his wife: “Does my face look strange?”

He collapsed, and within hours he was dead – almost certainly of a cerebral haemorrhage. He was 44 years old. The Samoans kept watch over his body throughout the following night, and then carried him to nearby Mount Vaea where they buried him on a piece of land overlooking the sea. His Requiem is carved on his tomb: Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie.

Glad did I live and gladly lie, And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill.

Stevenson’s Requiem was translated to a Samoan song of grief which is still sung by the Samoans. He was much loved among the people of Samoa – where he spent his final happiest years.

A 1911 edition of “Treasure Island” (1883)

Robert Louis Stevenson was a controversial figure in the history of English literature. He has an important place in the history of the short story – particularly in the British Isles although the form had been elaborated, formed and developed in America, France and Russia. It was Stevenson who initiated the British tradition with his early fictional stories like “A Lodging for the Night” (1877), “The Sire De Malétroit’s Door” (1877), “Providence and the Guitar” (1878), and “The Pavilion on the Links” (1880), which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle considered to be the pinnacle of Stevenson’s genius. The four stories published in magazines, and then collected in a volume entitled “New Arabian Nights”, were consid-

ered by many to be the starting point in the history of the English short story.

They were hailed by critics as being fantastic stories of adventure – grotesque romances in which the analytic mind could lose itself. They were also seen by G K Chesterton as being “unequalled ... and the most unique of his works.”

Stevenson wrote short stories all his life and mastered the foundational form independent of the diffuse structure of the novel. A novel tends to tell us everything whereas a short story tells us only one thing, and that, intensely.

Other notable short stories Stevenson wrote include “Thrawn Janet” (1881), “The Merry Men” (1882), “The Treasure of Franchard” (1883), “Markheim” (1885), and “Olalla” (1885) – all collected in “The Merry Men and Other Tales

and Fables”.

Henry James, who was to meet Stevenson several times, as well as Italo Calvino, Bertolt Brecht, Walter Benjamin, André Gide and Jorge Luis Borges, were all admirers. “Weir of Hermiston”, which he was working on when he died, was published posthumously in 1896. It is considered to be his masterpiece and deals with the difficult relationship with an authoritarian father and son – similar to that of his own strained relationship with his father.

Stevenson was a brilliantly creative storyteller who crafted his style to encompass a variety of themes. He wrote plays, poems, essays, literary criticism, travelogues, adventure stories, fantasies, fables, as well as novels and short stories. Yet, despite the admiration held for him by Leslie Stephen – Virginia Woolf’s father and the editor of the Cornhill Review, he was, surprisingly, condemned by both Virginia Woolf and her husband, Leonard Woolf. And appallingly, even though Stevenson is ranked as the 26th most translated author in the world, the 1973 Oxford Anthology of English Literature, with over two thousand pages at its disposal, fails to devote a single page or even a mention of the mercurial and master storyteller.

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”

G K Chesterton has said of Robert Louis Stevenson that “...he seemed to pick the right word up on the point of his pen, like a man playing spillikins.”

He will be remembered not only for his essays and his letters, but for his philosophy of life and for himself. He will continue to be revered and loved just as he has been revered and loved. As a story teller he has few peers, and it is as a story teller that he will go down to posterity.

NEXT WEEK: A 19th century photographer-to-the-stars

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

He acknowledges that he has quoted liberally from Wikipedia, and Barry Menikoff’s “The Complete Stories of Robert Louis Stevenson”.

The Tribune | Weekend |25

Friday, December 1, 2017

history

Do you remember when...?

Forgotten facts Paul C Aranha

1.

The ‘flopper toaster’ could toast two slices of bread, one side at a time. Opening the doors allowed the slices of bread to flip over and slide down (most of the time), ready for toasting on the other side.

E

very day I receive a variety of e-mail messages that are supposed to be worth the sending, a few of which are really good. This is inspired by one that brought back memories, perhaps not all fond.

Someone asked what was my favourite fast food when I was growing up.

That did not take much thought, because we didn’t have fast food. We ate at home, where food was cooked, and the family sat down at the dining room table, to eat, together. It was anything but fast, and no one left the table without Daddy’s permission. Elbows were not allowed on the table and we were taught to use a knife and fork. If the children didn’t want to eat something that was on the plate, we were allowed to sit there until we did want to eat it.

I never saw my parents wear jeans and, as far as I know, they never set foot on a golf course. Credit cards did not exist and there was no TV. Yes, we had a telephone, meaning one telephone – in the front hallway.

I do not remember party-lines in Nassau, but in the 1960s, on Long Island, before you could make a call, you had to pick up the receiver and make sure nobody else was already on the party-

2.

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line. Of course, you were not supposed to eavesdrop, but a lot of people did – sort of a precursor of social media.

Pizzas were not delivered, but milk was (by Mrs Moore). I remember listening to Miami radio in the mid-1950s and hearing advertising for Pete’s Pizza Palace, and wondering what the word pizza meant – “Pete’s Pizza Palace can’t be beat.”

Petty Shops were plentiful and many of them sold kerosene. We had only

one bank – not the RBC, but the Royal Bank of Canada – and it really was Canadian.

Movies were not rated, because all movies were responsibly produced, for everyone to enjoy – no profanities and no graphic violence. There was, however, lots of smoking. It seemed that everyone smoked, which was close to the truth.

How many of these things can you remember?

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• For questions and comments, email islandairman@gmail.com

This weekend in world history DECEMBER 1

1862 – President Abraham Lincoln gives the State of the Union address to the 37th Congress.

1887 – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes appears for the first time in print in the story “A Study in Scarlet.”

1955 – Rosa Parks refuses to sit in the back of a Montgomery, Alabama, bus, defying the South’s segregationist laws.

1981 – The AIDS virus is officially recognised.

DECEMBER 2 1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of France in Notre-Dame Cathedral.

1867 – People wait in milelong lines to hear Charles Dickens give his first reading in New York City.

1976 – Fidel Castro becomes President of Cuba, replacing Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado

DECEMBER 3 1586 – Sir Thomas Herriot introduces potatoes to England from Colombia 1818 – Illinois becomes the 21st state in the United States.

1967 – Lewis Washkansky, 53, receives the first human heart transplant in Cape Town, South Africa.

1989 – Presidents George H W Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev announce the official end to the Cold War at a meeting in Malta.

A water-filled bottle with small holes punched through the cap, sitting on the ironing board, to ‘sprinkle’ clothes, because there was no steam iron.

Headlight dipper switch on the floor of the car (if you had a car) Hand signals. Driver stuck an arm out the car window to indicate that he/she planned to turn, slow down or stop. Electric signals were a thing of the future.

Clips for a man’s pants, for bicycles that did not have a chain-guard Scrubbing boards for laundry 78-RPM records ‘Shooting’ marbles and spinning tops Two-way traffic on Bay Street and Shirley Street Milk stands Black’s Candy Kitchen When Bay Street Garage was on Bay Street Kerosene lamps and kerosene stoves Silver three-penny coins Shops and offices that did not lock their doors; customers just walked in.

Manual electric toasters that had to be watched, carefully.

Rosa Parks’ mug shot

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or servicesorthat may for be of interest to you. stopinreceiving SMS messages please text ‘NS NOINFO’ to 83310.

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7 SUE 2 4 1 6 AND 26 | The Tribune | Weekend

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The Tribune | Weekend | 27

Friday, December 1, 2017

animals

The desensitisation of the Bahamas

I

n the past few weeks I have had cause to want to cry for my Bahamas on more than one occasion.

So many things have changed, not many of them for the better. People’s attitudes appear to have hardened; everything becomes a fight between so many sides. I had no idea there could possibly be so many sides to any one situation, so many arguments and so much hate.

It seams that the Bahamas has fallen deeply into the trap of violence providing entertainment. There are numerous video clips on websites, Facebook and WhatsApp that contain images and narratives that are simply stomachchurning. Sadly, so many people delight in these, cruel, twisted images. They cannot wait to forward them to their friends; the more violent their nature the more they are sent around. People stimulated by this and go out into our streets and emulate what they have just seen.

This weekend I spent hours looking at a popular video sent to me by numerous concerned people. It was a disturbing video of a dog being eaten by two sharks. This footage appears to have been taken near Eight Mile Rock in Grand Bahama. Not all that far away from Pier One where they feed the sharks every night. Finding out the location alone took several hours as the talk on Facebook bounced from Grand Bahama to New Providence. However, somebody who allegedly was present confirmed it for me. This person claims that the dog was already dead and some people threw it into the water because they saw two sharks in the “cruising along”.

Because there was doubt if the dog was actually dead, I watched the tape many times to see signs of life, but honestly it did appear to be bobbing there and then the sharks get wind of it. After a couple of hits the dog is gone. One

Wonderful Whitey

By The Bahamas Humane Society

“N

o, no, that’s not a typo or a misclick on the camera! My name really is Whitey, even though I’m a lovely brindle colour. I have the fancy white blaze down my chest where my brother does not; this is how I ended up with this somewhat unusual name. I’m a one-year-old female potcake, currently available for adoption at the Bahamas Humane Society. I’m good with other dogs, had to be since I shared space with my brother. I’m outgoing and sociable and would love to get to know you better.

Don’t just read about me here, come down to the BHS to meet me in person. Adoption hours are 11am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday, or you can call 323-5138 for more information. I am eager to make your acquaintance!”

•

Coming up: The third annual BHS Thrift Shop Christmas Jewellery Sale will be held this Saturday, from 10am to 2pm. Then on Saturday, December 16, at 6.30pm, the Bahamas Film Festival is screening “Slim Aarons: The High Life” at the Captain’s Table, Lyford Cay. Tickets are available at the BIFF office and part proceeds will go to the BHS. Come out to either of these events to help support the BHS!

thing that is noticeable in the tape is the absence of blood in the water after the first “hit”, which probably solidifies the story that the dog was already dead.

The really dreadful part is the conversation and laughter you can hear on the tape; the excitement clearly heard in their voices. This disgusting spectacle was providing a charge and they were jostling for a better view. At times the person filming is so into what he is seeing that he forgets to hold the camera properly and films the rocks.

If this dog was dead, and I pray it was, then there is only a moral issue at stake. If the dog was alive, then it is i horrific and the perpetrators should be punished. The fear is that this kind of foolery puts ideas in to people’s minds, and we all know how rapidly one thing can lead to another.

I was disappointed with the comments on the Facebook page. People who spoke out about the nature of this “show”, seeing a companion animal

devoured by sharks, were immediately taken to task and accused of not caring about the young men killed daily on our streets.

This instant attack on anybody who likes animals, or wishes for humane treatment of animals, this vilification of kindness, is a symptom of where our country is heading. I am attacked weekly and told that because I love animals I don’t care for humans. Excuse me, but can’t you do both? Does one love preclude the other? Not in my world!

People are killed every day on the streets of Nassau; life is cheap. Fivehundred dollars can buy you a drive-by shooting. How can we expect a society that has embraced that kind of violence to understand the nuances of companion animals and humans relationship?

Behold, ladies and gentlemen, the desensitisation of the Bahamas: completed successfully in the early part of the 21st century. What awaits this small nation of idyllic islands as we chug

PATRICIA VAZQUEZ

Animal matters Kim Aranha

along with insufficient compassion, love, respect or kindness? Where will we be in 20 years? Who read “Lord of the Flies”; how much longer will it take us to reach that point?

I remember years ago in Rome I picked up a little sparrow. I fed him lovingly for days and then he stopped eating, I took him to the vet, I was crying, I so wanted him to fly across the Vatican sky. The veterinarian handed me a Kleenex and said: “If you can always cry over a sick sparrow you will be a good person.” I have never forgotten those words.

The problem is that in the Bahamas many people have forgotten how to cry over “the sparrow” and no longer care about anything except themselves and material gain.

We are heading down the wrong path. The future can only be saved with increased compassion and kindness, to each other and animals, all created in the image of God.

28 | The Tribune | Weekend

Friday, December 1, 2017