Silver Skies Magazine

THE OFFICIAL IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE OF SILVER AIRWAYS

T h e

I n - F l i g h t

M a g a z i n e

o f

40 Years of Fabulous Fishing The Bahamas Billfish Championship is having an anniversary

mississippi found viva florida Rediscover southern 500 years, 150 events, hospitality & warmth a statewide celebration

green with envy Emerald expert Manuel Marcial

voluntourism Make a difference on your next vacation

Introducing a new concept in island living.

AFFORDABILITY.

Life on a tropical island is the dream of millions. Unfortunately, one had to have millions to enjoy the pleasures of island living. Until Les Petite Villas.

Les Petite Villas are one and two bedroom pied-`a-terres directly on the ocean at Wakaari, an emerging, sustainable marina resort community on the shores of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. With daily non-stops on American and United Airlines, arriving on the doorstep of your Les Petite Villa can be accomplished in less than 90 minutes including flight, immigration and ground transportation!

Les Petite Villas abound in luxury features such as kitchens equipped with SubZero, Wolf and Fisher Paykel appliances. A king sized ensuite master with sumptuous bathroom, living/ dining room and deep porches. And pre-construction priced at $259,000 to $319,000.

Other benefits of owning a Les Petite Villa are low ongoing costs of ownership: Annual maintenance fees of $2150 ($179.17/month). Engineering that minimizes maintenance and stands up to the worst the tropics can throw at it. Durable construction distinguished by a 50-year metal roof, stainless steel hardware and fixtures throughout and a hurricane impactproof Nanawall® entry door.

Now, rather than asking how much a Les Petite Villa costs, perhaps one should ask how much can it make? Les Petite Villas are the resort hotel constituent of Wakaari, with a lucrative revenue sharing program for individual villa owners. But unlike comparable U.S. hotel-condo products, you can use your villa for up to ninety days a year and enjoy the incentive of a tax holiday on property taxes of ten years!

At last. An island home with none of the complications and all the benefits of owning an island home and preconstruction pricing for a limited time. It’s time to stop dreaming and get a Les Petite Villa of your own. There’s no more affordable way to enjoy the luxury of island living.

Model B pictured above. Starting at $279,000.

Toll-Free 1.800.478.2224 | www.lespetitevillas.com | info@lespetitevillas.com preconstruction priced from $259,000 to $319,000

The ClassiC World Time 速

TIME DESIGNED

What’s Inside Volume 1 | Issue 4 | 2013

FEATURES 10 From the Chairman 12 From Silver Airways 14 Flybys 16 Wish List 56 In-Flight Service 57 Customs Information 58 Route Map

DEPARTMENTS

PLACES TO GO 21 Finding Your True South

There’s a whole new Mississippi out there and it took the Gulf oil spill to open eyes to it.

DON’T MISS 27 Viva Florida

Celebrate Florida’s 500 years of history with 150 events statewide.

GETTING PERSONAL 32 Green Giant

World-renowned emerald expert Manuel Marcial educates and fascinates visitors at Key West’s Emeralds International.

LIVING WELL 37 Voluntourism: Making a Difference

More and more people are forsaking beach and mountain retreats to travel long distances to help a community rebuild or take care of children in an orphanage. Read the inspiring story of one Floridian who traveled 8,000 miles to make a difference.

6 • Volume 1 Issue 4

52 The Right Aircraft for Regional Flying

Bigger is not always better (or more efficient) when it comes to aircraft.

Here’s a look at how airlines choose the right plane for the right fit.

54 Coral Sands’ Four Cottages Offer Dream Homes Away From Home

All the peace and quiet on one of Nature’s best beaches. Now better than ever with chic cottages.

46 40 Years of Fabulous Fishing

The Bahamas celebrates its 40th anniversary of independence in 2013. So does its biggest and best fishing tournament, the roving Bahamas Billfish Championship that redefined what fishing tournaments were all about and continues to reel in the most famous names in the ever-increasingly high-stakes tourney of champions.

While You’re There

Discover the Villas at Cape Santa Maria, an unmatched opportunity to own prime beachfront real estate in the beautiful south Bahamas.

Each 1,800 square foot vacation home is beautifully appointed with rich hardwoods and Italian marble and gives you uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy full access to all the amenities of Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort and maximize your return on investment with the villa rental program.

PUBLISHER KENT JIMISON PUBLICATION DIRECTOR melissa waldon EDITOR DIANE PHILLIPS CREATIVE DIRECTOR JANICE HARDY

CAPE SANTA MARIA

• BEACH RESORT & VILLAS • LONG ISLAND • SOUTH BAHAMAS

EDITORIAL STAFF ALEXAVIA DORSETT Craig Eldon research assistant Jazmine McPhee ADVERTISING SALES KENT JIMISON TRAVEL MEDIA INTERNATIONAL (954) 346-0712

TOUR THE NEW VILLAS - IF YOU INVEST, YOUR VACATION IS ON US.

SALES & INFORMATION: 1-242-338-5273 • Toll Free: 1-800-926-9704 www.capesantamaria.com • Email: villas@capesantamaria.com

OB 4048b OAK BAY MARINE GROUP Air Currents magazine 4.625” x 4.75” prepared July 28, 2007

ADVERTISING SALES FOR FLORIDA & GRAND BAHAMA ADVERTISING OPTIONS, INC. (561) 736-7390 ADVERTISINGOPTIONS@EARTHLINK.NET CONTRIBUTING writers Jan fogt • margie kaye CONTRIBUTING photographers cookie kinkead • Michael Lofti special thanks to john moran

TRAVEL MEDIA INTERNATIONAL 10001 VESTAL PLACE CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA 33071 (954) 346-0712 FAX (954) 252-2123.

KJMSN@AOL.COM EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT (242) 394-0677 DIANE@DPA-MEDIA.COM

Nya has a secret she must never share. A gift she must never use. A world she must never question.

And a sister whose life depends on her doing all three.

The Shifter • Blue Fire • Darkfall Published by Balzer & Bray, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Sold at bookstores ever ywhere, or online at: www.barnesandnoble.com • www.amazon.com • www.indiebound.org www.harpercollinschildrens.com

www.JaniceHardy.com

8 • Volume 1 Issue 4

SILVER SKIES© 2013 is published quarterly for the approximately 1,000,000 passengers who travel annually on Silver Airways. Copyright 2013 by Travel Media International. All rights reserved. Repro­duction in part or in whole is prohibited. All opinions expressed in SILVER SKIES are solely those of the contributors.

While every reasonable care has been taken, neither SILVER SKIES nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage to photographs and material submitted to this magazine. Information contained in these pages is subject to change without notice. Volume 1, Issue 4, 2013.

Subscriptions available for $16.00 per year.

Please send check or money order to: Travel Media International, 10001 Vestal Place, Coral Springs, FL 33071, Attn: Subscriptions.

MY STORY, MY DESIGN

Sterling silver charms from $25

My PANDORA jewelry reflects my passion, my moments and my own unique look. It tells who I am, where I’ve been and where I’m going.

Tell the world your story with PANDORA jewelry.

PANDORA.net

#284 Bay Street • 242.302.2800 Marina Village, Paradise Island Harbour Bay Shopping Center Mall at Marathon • Palmdale LPIA Departures Lounge

From the Chairman

Regional Airline of the Year Dear Valued Customer,

S

ilver Airways was launched in December 2011 with the mission to become the best regional airline in the world. Our vision was to combine the personal touch of yesterday’s regional airline with the operational efficiency, technological advancements, and quality of service demanded in the current aviation landscape.

Today, we are proud to share that the leading airline industry publication has validated that we are on the right track. Air Transport World (ATW) has named Silver Airways the 2013 Regional Airline of the Year, the first US-based airline to win the coveted award since 2008.

It was not too long ago (March 28, 2012) that Silver Airways inducted our first Saab 340BPlus aircraft which a Silver 10 • Volume 1 Issue 4

team member aptly named “It’s Only The Beginning.”

This high honor would never have been possible without the tremendous effort and uncompromising mutual belief in our mission that the entire team has demonstrated. Our sincerest thank you goes out to each and every member of the Silver team for their commitment to our continued success.

In our short history, Silver Airways has enjoyed dramatic growth. We have welcomed 23 advanced, fuel-efficient Saab 340BPlus aircraft into our fleet, while also doubling our route network and opening new hubs in Washington, DC, and Atlanta. We expanded our Florida routes and today serve more gateways with more daily flights there than any other airline.

Our Bahamas service has also been bolstered, strengthening our position

as the largest US carrier to serve the multi-island country. We also opened a state-of-the-art 61,000 square-foot maintenance facility in Gainesville, hired and trained nearly 500 new team members, invested in cutting edge technology, made significant improvements to facilities, and enhanced employee travel and healthcare benefits. These are just a few of the highlights that led to Silver Airways being recognized for our outstanding growth and achievements, as well as our contributions toward elevating the overall regional aviation industry.

Continuing our momentum, we are pleased to share the appointment of David H. Pflieger, Jr. to the position of President and CEO, effective May 1, 2013.

Dave is currently the CEO and Managing Director of Air Pacific, Fiji’s national carrier. Dave is an industry veteran who has elite operational and customer service experience, an accomplished management track record from his time with some of the world’s best airlines, and an ability to create and maintain an employee-focused culture that will enhance and foster the many talents of our team at Silver. He possesses all of the right skills to keep our partners and customers satisfied as we continue to strengthen and grow Silver Airways beyond our network currently operating over 60,000 flights per year to destinations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,

Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Bahamas.

What does it mean to excel? To answer that question one would need a baseline expectation from which to measure.

When I reflect on our accomplishments, assess the capabilities of our team, and consider the addition of our new leader it is difficult for me to define boundaries or limitations for the potential of Silver Airways and what we can deliver for our customers, partners and team. Instead, I find myself thinking, “Why not us? Why can’t we be the standard by which others are measured?”And then I remember it was just recently (March 24, 2013) that we inducted our twenty third Saab 340BPlus aircraft which was named “Survive Adapt Conquer” by a Silver team member. So, maybe I am not alone in those thoughts.

The ATW awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in aviation.

Aside from the continued support and appreciation of our passengers, there is no higher honor. With that in sight, please join us for an extended journey into increasingly higher standards and quality of care as we seek the highest honor of all, customer loyalty.

Sincerely, Matthew Ray Chairman, Silver Airways

From Silver Airways

By leveraging the team’s diverse ideas, talents and capabilities, Silver Airways continues to passionately serve our customers each day.

Growing a Diverse Culture Our people are our passion

by Lance Thomas

W

hen we launched the Silver Airways brand in December 2011, we knew that bringing in the right people with the best talent would be the cornerstone for creating one of the world’s leading regional airlines.

It was important to our executive team that the company mirror the rich diversity of the cities and destinations we serve while creating an inclusive culture in the workplace where individuals are respected 12 • Volume 1 Issue 4

and their differences are valued.

In the company’s Montana region, Silver added Linda Sackman as regional manager. A Montana native, Linda has worked at the airport in Glendive, her hometown, for over 27 years, and has extensive experience dealing with the harsh weather conditions in Montana.

Paul Levarity, a native Bahamaian, works at Silver’s Bimini station and was recently a finalist for two different Cacique Awards where individuals are recognized for outstanding individual effort for citizens working in tourism. Think the Oscars for tourism, The Bahamas’ biggest economic contributor.

At Silver’s headquarters, Dierdre Lyn, originally

from Jamaica, serves as a customer service specialist.

Daily, she fields calls from our passengers and never fails to convey her warm smile and positive demeanor through the phone.

In a recent gate agent training class, Silver graduated 11 students from six different countries; five from the United States, two from The Bahamas, one from Peru, one from Colombia, one from Puerto Rico and one from Jamaica.

Vice President, Human Resources, Donna Tipsword credits senior management’s commitment to making an effort to ensure diversity is a part of our mission. “We’re growing every day and we believe seeking out team members from different cultures and countries makes us a better company.

With these differences, we’re able to gain insights

and perspectives from everyone working with a distinct skill set to make Silver Airways a great place to work.”

Now with over 800 team members and growing, we are able to exhibit the core principles of professionalism, trustworthiness, and refinement. By leveraging the team’s diverse ideas, talents and capabilities, we continue to passionately serve our customers each day.

GrAnd BAhAmA ISLAnd

It's easy to take a little trip to The Grand Lucayan. Just 75 miles from Florida on Grand Bahama Island, we're the closest Caribbean resort to the US East Coast. Think of it as instant adventure. And instant relaxation, because the Grand Lucayan is right on the beach, with eight international restaurants and lounges on site... as well as watersports, tennis, golf... and thrilling excursions nearby. It’s all just a little trip away. So hop on over, grab a rum punch and bring your blood pressure back down to sea level.

Toll-Free 1.855.LUCAYAN | www.GrandLucayan.com

Flybys Dubai Expo 2020 Corporation

Scrabble Anyone?

Who says you need a board to play a board game? With these fun magnetic tiles, you can leave notes for your family, design a creative way to make your shopping list, or even play a game. The perfect gift for the Scrabble fans in your life. Set of 112 magnetic tiles features the full Scrabble letter distribution plus triple word, triple letter, and double word tiles. No board included; that's what the fridge is for.

Tiles about ¾" square. www.signals.com.

Dishes With Fishes Introducing Kim Rody's distinctive line of dramatic dinnerware. From four-piece place settings and large serving platters, to tidbit trays and small sauce bowls, these useful, beautiful, and sturdy table pieces will be a hit whether you are entertaining or just dining in.

Kim's dinnerware uses her colorful marine images taken from her popular original paintings. This 15" X 6" tri-dish features "Sweet Lips Triptych." She fires them herself at 1700 degrees on Ten Strawberry Street's beautifully crafted bright white imported porcelain shapes.

Food safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, oven safe. Restaurant durable. Oven-to-table serve ware makes hosting a pleasure and clean up half the work.

Found in fine stores throughout the East Coast and The Bahamas, or online at www.rody.com.

14 • Volume 1, Issue 4

Set a Course for True North It was, for a lucky few who got to sail the True North, the experience of a lifetime. For three days in February, the powerful, majestic 70-foot sloop known as the Green Dragon when it sailed the Volvo 2008-2009 Round the World Race, hit the waters of The Bahamas, taking locals out for a working sail. The visit coincided with the wildest weather of the year.

With Atlantis resort in the background and winds steady at 20-25, the True North powered its way under sail past the lighthouse and into the usually crystal clear aquamarine waters, this day darkened by 6-8 foot seas and topped by churning white caps. The Nassau visit was one leg of a multinational tour with the boat and its young but experienced crew drumming up support for Dubai to be a candidate city to host the World Expo 2020. Other sailboats that once competed or trained for major races including the America's Cup are based in Nassau with other boating trips available in the Family Islands or Grand Bahama and most sailing days in The Bahamas are a whole lot calmer than this. Consider this­—by the time the True North reached Nassau, crew had clocked 7500 miles after leaving Ireland in late November, all the more reason to like them on Facebook. They're sailing under the theme Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

pie sweet pie No trip to Key West is complete without a visit to the Key West Key Lime Pie Company. From its award-winning key lime pies to its marinades, jellies, sauces, and even its bath and body products, the company is taking the humble key lime to new heights.

Key West Key Lime Company has even been featured on the popular Food Network show “Throwdown” with Bobby Flay. Chef Flay competed with Key Lime Pie gurus Jim Brush and Alison Sloat to see who could prepare the best key lime pie. Brush and Sloat have a culinary rags to riches story, originally selling their signature pies on the side of the road before being named the Nation’s Best Pie by the American Pie Council. Sweet! To order online visit www. keywestkeylimepieco.com.

Find Your Inner Pirate Sail back in time aboard the Schooner Jolly II Rover.

Rediscover old world sailing on a classic 1800s Caribbean coastal sailing ship—the same kind used by infamous pirates, rum runners and those who first sought the freedom and solitude of the Florida Keys hundreds of years ago.

The Jolly II Rover crew encourages everyone to find their inner pirate while sailing the emerald waters of Key West. Grab the wheel and prove your salt steering the ship! Let your spirit shine and fire the cannons. Experience the excitement and anticipation of a real life sailing adventure as the Rover crew trains the cannons and prepares for a broadside cannon fire exchange with a rival tall ship. Call (305) 304-3325 for reservations or log on to www.schoonerjollyrover.com.

It's in the pudding New app takes your smart phone camera to another level A new app is catapulting smart phone photos to genius level. Called Pudding Camera, it's the camera photo app that some experts believe is the best to hit the market yet, allowing special effects, real-time impressions and even sentimental surroundings to boost the image your smart phone produces. And that's saying a lot, considering that your Apple or Android phone is already living up to its name delivering up to 8 megapixels and an impressive zoom range. Add Pudding's cool, sophisticated tools and your images will have a more polished professional look so when you share those special moments or update your profile on Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest you won't just be transforming the way you communicate, you'll be painting a picture worth more than a thousand words. www.pudding.to/camera.

A Cure for the common Meeting Anyone can bring a “World’s Greatest Dad” mug to the office, but it takes a creative soul to carry around a mug you can play with. The Build-On Brick Mug is a coffee mug and construction set all in one.

It's compatible with LEGO™, PixelBlocks, Mega Bloks, KRE-O, or K'NEX Bricks™.

Perfect for entertainment throughout the work day. www.thinkgeek.com.

Note: This mug is not officially licensed by LEGO™, PixelBlocks, Mega Bloks, KRE-O, or K'NEX Bricks™.

Get Your Kids to Read With so many options vying for your child’s attention, reading often ends up on the bottom of the list—especially with boys. But there are books out there that appeal to the reluctant reader of both genders, and The Healing Wars trilogy by Janice Hardy is one of them. This fast-paced adventure entertains as well as poses tough ethical questions about right and wrong. (Though your kids won’t know there are lessons in there) About the series: Nya is a Shifter, someone who can heal by shifting pain from person to person. She’s hunted by those eager to exploit her ability for their own purposes, determined to make her a weapon, a killer, even a symbol for the war that’s brewing.

All Nya wants is to protect her family and regain her people’s freedom, but the more she’s drawn into the plans of others, the more she realizes how key to everyone’s victory she really is.

And how much she’ll have to sacrifice just to survive.

A fantasy adventure for ages 10 and up, The Healing Wars trilogy follows Nya, a war orphan with the unique ability to heal—or destroy—with her touch.

Written by Janice Hardy, published by Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins. Available at bookstores and online retailers. www.janicehardy.com.

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 15

Wish List

Alex Fragga 284 Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas, (242) 302-2800; Marina Village, Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Harbour Island, Port Lucaya Marketplace, Freeport Grand Bahama.

Marcial de Gomar’s Emeralds International, LLC, 104 Duval St Key West (877-689-6647).

John Bull 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800; Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Fisherman’s Village, Bimini Bay Resort & Marina.

Coin of the Realm Nassau, Charlotte and Bay Streets.

(242) 322-4862.

Ippolita Jewelry John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800.

Springtime Treats

Start the season with something nice From Cartier to Tiffany, Tag Heuer to Movado, the very best vacation treats are just a stroll away.

16 • Volume 1 Issue 4

Movado John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 3022800; Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Marina Village, Mall at Marathon, Harbour Bay, Palmdale, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Emerald Bay, Exuma, Port Lucaya Marketplace, Freeport Grand Bahama.

Breitling John Bull, Crystal Court at Atlantis (242) 363-3956; Marina Village, Paradise Island; Port Lucaya, Marketplace, Freeport, G.B.; Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Dunmore Town, Harbour Island; Emerald Bay, Exuma.

Pandora John Bull, 284 Bay Street; Nassau, (242) 302-2800.; Mall at Marathon; Harbour Bay; Marina Village; Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Harbour Island, Eleuthera and Emerald Bay, Exuma.

Angelique de Paris John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas, (242) 302-2800. Marina Village, Paradise Island.

Rebecca Jewellery John Bull, Mall at Marathon (242) 393-4406, Palmdale and Harbour Bay.

John Bull 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800; Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Fisherman’s Village, Bimini Bay Resort & Marina.

Marc Jacobs 284 Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas (242) 302-2800, Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Marina Village, Mall at Marathon, Harbour Bay, Palmdale, Nassau; Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Dunmore Town, Harbour Island; Emerald Bay, Exuma; Port Lucaya Marketplace, Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Bvlgari Bvlgari Boutique, Crystal Court at Atlantis, (242) 363-5824. John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau (242) 302-2800.

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 17

Wish List

John Bull 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800; Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Fisherman’s Village, Bimini Bay Resort & Marina.

Marcial de Gomar’s Emeralds International, LLC, 104 Duval St Key West (877-689-6647).

Tiffany & Co. John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800; Crystal Court at Atlantis, (242) 363-3956; Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Harbour Island; Emerald Bay, Exuma.

Graycliff West Hill Street across from Government House, Nassau. (242) 302-9150.

18 • Volume 1 Issue 4

TechnoMarine John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800; Crystal Court at Atlantis; Marina Village, Paradise Island; Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Harbour Island; Emerald Bay, Exuma. Our Lucaya, Freeport, GBI.

Chanel John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 3022800; Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Fisherman’s Village, Bimini Bay Resort & Marina.

Tiffany & Co. John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800; Crystal Court at Atlantis, (242) 363-3956; Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Harbour Island; Emerald Bay, Exuma.

Tag Heuer John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800; Marina Village, Crystal Court at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Harbour Island, Port Lucaya Marketplace, Freeport Grand Bahama.

Cybel Pearls John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800.

Bvlgari Bvlgari Boutique, Crystal Court at Atlantis, (242) 363-5824. John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau (242) 302-2800.

Amijones John Bull, 284 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 302-2800. Marina Village, (242) 363-1141.

Coach 303 Bay Street, Nassau, (242) 326-0557.

kim rody’s dishes with fishes Java Coffee Shop and the Sand Dollar Shoppe, Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Abaco Inn, Elbow Cay, Abaco.

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 19

People are discovering new stories about Mississippi and finding their true south.

Places to Go

Finding Your True South There’s a whole new Mississippi out there and it took the Gulf oil spill to open eyes to it

by Diane Phillips

Y

Photo courtesy of the Jackson convention & Visitors Bureau

jam session Left: Raphael combo at Hal and Mals. Right: Elvis Presley’s Birthplace.

ou can divide Mississippi time into two. Before the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and after.

Before, there was only a handful of information that folks outside of the region could have guessed right on Jeopardy if the category was Mississippi. What’s the largest river would be a good bet. After the oil spill and a portion of the $150 million in make-good public relations and advertising funds BP poured into a campaign to lure tourists back to the Gulf region, a whole lot more people can tell you a whole lot more about Mississippi. They’ve seen places like Tupelo, Greenville, Meridian, Jackson, Hattiesburg-Laurel.

Whether they went because the deals were good or the ads touting fresh seafood and great hospitality attracted them doesn’t matter. What matters is

that people are discovering and re-discovering the new world of Mississippi and in doing so, they’re finding something else, their own true south. To discover the little bit of South in you, try visiting these destinations.

“There’s a little bit of South in all of us,” a writer once said. And she was right. Just what is a little bit of South? It’s a certain style, the kind that trades the sleek and chic for the warm and comfy, that greets everyone as if they were

long-lost family. It’s about good food, good company, an easygoing manner and the awesome ability to stretch out a single syllable into a mouthful of meaning as when a true Southerner says, ‘I declaaaaare” or “Let us just sit riiiight down and tawk awhiiiile,” and you want to stop whatever you were doing and just sit right down and tawk.

To discover the little bit of South in you, try visiting these destinations.

Photo courtesy of the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 21

Places to Go photo: Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau

Tupelo If you are a classic or antique car buff, there are more than 100 reasons to go to Tupelo. You’ll find them at the famed Tupelo Automobile Museum where the history of the automobile in American society takes on new meaning. In the days before car manufacturers worried about luxuries like GPS and self-parking features, the bells and whistles were, literally, bells and whistles. The line-up of babied machines is enough to turn the most nonchalant into car aficionado.

Cars are just one piece of history that Tupelo’s magic makes come alive.

Its best-known claim to fame is as the birthplace of Elvis (January 8, 1935) and while Graceland gets most of the attention, it’s the tiny doll-like white cottage with one small front window that was where the king of rock and roll got his grounding. Here’s what one visitor shared: “I’d been to Graceland, but my visit to Elvis’s boyhood home in Tupelo, Mississippi

road trip Classic exhibits at the Tupelo Automobile Museum was far more meaningful to me and gave me far greater insight into Elvis and his music.” Some have said the fresh coat of paint and half picket fence belie the poverty of Elvis’ youth but seeing the humble home and the church where he first sang gospel awakens an appreciation for how remarkable the story of the young kid from one of the poorest parts of town of one of the then-poorest towns in the country actually is. Today, Tupelo, with a population of just over 35,000 has so many attractions and

restaurants and things to do you in the city and surrounding communities you would think you are in a much larger metropolitan area. There’s no shortage of hotels to choose from, almost all offering rates of less than $100 a night.

And even after visiting the automobile museum and Elvis’ home, there’s plenty to keep you busy. There’s the Buffalo Park & Zoo, a regional mall, more than 100 restaurants and best of all, the magnificent Natchez Trace Parkway which follows a native Indian pathway running more than 400 miles from Natchez to Nashville, filled with photo opportunities along its creeks, hills, valleys and clusters of trees rising like nature’s skyscrapers.

Greenville The road less travelled leads to Greenville, a small town whose population of fewer than 50,000 swells with people and pride every September during the Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival. That’s when

A Whole New Reason to Fall in Love with Abaco

(or in Abaco, you decide)

• Modern 28-slip marina in the heart of Black Sound • Revivalist-style rental homes packed with luxuries • 28-slip marina, water, showers, free Wi-fi • Tennis, fishing, snorkeling & more • Lounge at the Lizard Bar & Grill

Near historic New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay • (242) 365-4191 • info@leewardyachtclub.com • www.leewardyachtclub.com 22 • Volume 1 Issue 4

Places to Go the eyes and ears of the country focus on this sweet little piece of unspoiled paradise along the northwest corner of the state. Greenville could have been the birthplace of the blues. Whether on jazz first Fridays of the month or the major annual festival, this town is all about its music. Streets come alive with the sound of authentic deep-inthe-soul blues and straight-from-theheart jazz and it’s hard to separate southern music from the Mississippi delta. The haunting, throaty melodies that once took their inspiration from the pain of sharecroppers and tenant farmers in the field now tell the tale of lost love and broken dreams.

Meridian If music is the soul of Greenville and Greenville the birth of the blues, it’s a talent and exercise of a different part of the anatomy that has found a surprising audience in the modern Meridian, Mississippi—belly dancing. It’s known as Dance Hafleh

wheels of fun The waterwheel at Dunn’s Falls is one of Mississippi’s many photographic treasures. in Meridian and for anyone who hasn’t tried it, it’s harder than it looks and the way they do it in Meridian, a lot more fun. Dance is only a small part of the Meridian story, of course.

Established in the mid-19th century at the intersection of busy railroad tracks,

the city had an early history of being the hub where goods and supplies were loaded onto trains for transport across the region. Much of the city burned down during a Civil War battle and when it was rebuilt, residents took pride in their history and today in their

The 1st Name in Exuma Real Estate Judy Hurlock, BRI Broker

242.357.0600 242.345.0400 Judy@coldwellbankerbahamas.com

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 23

Places to Go historic buildings. The waterfalls at Dunn’s Falls beg to be photographed.

There’s theatre, art museums, libraries—the city was home to the only Carnegie library built for black history—and for the more traditional vacationer, excellent shopping at North Park Mall.

Jackson Take the nation’s second oldest capitol building, add modern hotels

and quaint inns, throw in a national ballet theatre, a whole lot of music, great dining and shopping, a dash of exciting rodeo, mix it up with historic buildings and you have the recipe for finding something to satisfy every traveler who wants to experience the history and hospitality of the 19th Century South so long as it’s served with the conveniences and amenities of 21st century life. Located at the southern extremity of the Mississippi

photos: Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau

rights on Top: Jackson State University Civil Rights Marker.

Above: Pull up a stool at Hal & Mal’s. delta, Jackson is the state capital and its buildings from the brick rail station downtown that is more active today than ever to the Thalia Mara Hall form a delightful plethora of sights for the built landscape. Though the official city population is less than 200,000, Jackson’s outlying areas make it the state’s bustling hub and that means restaurants, shopping and entertainment choices galore.

But you cannot visit without paying attention to its history, both good and shameful and displayed everywhere, the birthplace of Loretta Lynn, the first place a white jury found a white man guilty of a crime against a black civil rights worker, the place where a brave life was lost but where a movement took hold, grabbing national attention and leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that forever changed history. Today, the airport bears the name of the man who was murdered for giving his life for equality and Jackson celebrates its newfound fame like other southern cities after the oil spill, with pride, warmth and hospitality to all. Be sure to see the Governor’s Mansion and take a 24 • Volume 1 Issue 4

Places to Go photo courtesy of visithattiesburg

like its past, it’s at the center again, serving as a hub for the regional and increasingly busy HattiesburgLaurel Airport. What Hattiesburg lacks in quaint bed and breakfast accommodations, it more than makes up for in traditional places to stay with breakfast included in daily rates or kitchenettes in units for this very family-oriented southern city with a well-known zoo, two colleges and close to a major military base. Lots of good

food and plenty of cultural activities.

As for how it got its name, the man who founded the town in 1882 and incorporated it two years later after it had been known by two different names settled it by naming it after his wife, Hattie, and to this day, it’s her legend that lives on, assuring you that you can eat all you want while you’re in her home town with a slogan that means all calories you consume in Hattiesburg stay in Hattiesburg.

home sweet home Hattiesburg is proud of its architectural heritage and with good reason. walking tour of the place they call the City with Soul.

Hattiesburg Some cities seem to be born with all the luck they need. Others create their own. Hattiesburg has a bit of both. Though 75 miles inland, the city is located at the fork of two rivers, the Leaf and Bouie, a geographical feature that bestows on it a natural beauty. During the heyday of lumber hauling in the late 1800s, it was at the junction of the two main rail lines and everything that went through Mississippi seemed to have to go through Hattiesburg. Unfortunately, it was also in the direct path of Katrina and while many buildings were leveled and damage was extensive, the city’s relative safety from the sea and swift recovery efforts made it a magnet for many looking for refuge. The wealth it had enjoyed and the dedication of organizations like the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association helped it rebuild and restore. Today it has one of the best collections of Victorian era houses you can find anywhere and in 2011, was named one of America’s Great Places by the American Planning Association. And

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Don’t Miss

Florida comes alive with festivals, shows & living history in all of its 67 counties

Viva Florida Celebrate Florida’s 500 years of history with 150 events statewide photo courtesy of FloridasHistoricCoast.com

O spring into action Left: “Oasis After Dark,”

by John Moran, one of the photos on display at Springs Eternal: Florida’s Fragile Fountains of Youth exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Above: Juan Ponce de León stands watch in St. Augustine.

n April 2, 1513, Juan Ponce de León landed on the east coast of Florida and became the first recorded European to set foot on what would become the continental United States of America.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of that very first landing. To commemorate the milestone and bring recognition to Florida as

having the longest recorded history of any state in the United States, a program that is packed with events across the state and aptly named Viva Florida 500 has been created.

The statewide program orchestrated by the Florida Department of State, under the leadership of Governor Rick Scott, is designed to bring to light the 500 years of historic people, places and events since the landing of the place Ponce de León named La Florida in 1513. More than 150 events ranging from seafood feasts to folk art festivals with activities in all 67 counties will take place in 2013, celebrating the people, places, cultural triumphs and this important milestone in American and Florida history. Check out the full list of familyfriendly events and activities at www.vivaflorida.org.

And for easy access to any of these locations, Silver Airways has flights throughout Florida.

GAINESVILLE Springs Eternal: Florida’s Fragile Fountains of Youth Through December 2013 Springs Eternal: Florida’s Fragile Fountains of Youth is an exhibition premiering at the Florida Museum of Natural History on March 23, 2013. Timed to coincide with the Viva Florida 500 commemoration of Ponce de León’s arrival in Florida, the exhibit will run through the end of the year before traveling on to other venues. A series of John Moran’s photo and text panels will chronicle the story of our springs— their beauty, their ecology, and the wide diversity of people who are drawn to them. The exhibit will also focus on the reality that many of our springs are in decline, their flow diminished because of groundwater over-pumping and long-term rainfall deficit, their waters choked with algae fed by nutrientVolume 1 Issue 4 • 27

Don’t Miss

ST AUGUSTINE Ponce De Leon Celebration April 2 – 7 The historic Ponce de León Celebration is being revived just in time for St. Augustine to celebrate Florida’s 500th anniversary. The festivities run from April 2 - 7, 2013, and will include a commemorative landing reenactment, a ceremony honoring Ponce de Leon at his statue east of the Plaza de la Constitución, concerts and other performances by Hispanic and historical performers, tall ships, historic military and equestrian demonstrations, and other entertainment at venues throughout the historic district. This

photo courtesy of FloridasHistoricCoast.com.

laden sewage, manure and fertilizer.

Additional scientific, historical and cultural information hosted on the Springs Eternal website will be accessible through QR matrix barcodes embedded in the photographic panels and on nine Regional Transit Authority buses wrapped in luminous full-scale images of our springs. These “Urban Aquifer” buses will “daylight” the aquifer beneath our feet and will flow throughout Gainesville’s urban conduits as a metaphoric aquifer, the lifeblood of our region. www.johnmoranphoto.com

the Three Conquistadors History comes alive at the Ponce de León Celebration in St. Augustine.

Photo by Michael Loftis

fiesta will be especially noteworthy, commemorating the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s first landing here in 1513. It will bring amusement to more than ten blocks of St. Augustine’s historic district.

All over town, as well as on Pensacola Beach, the sounds of jazz—Big Band, Contemporary, Dixieland, Traditional, New Orleans and Latin—along with Gospel, Blues and much more, will be presented. www.jazzpensacola.com

PENSACOLA Pensacola Jazz Festival April 1 – 7

FORT LAUDERDALE Broward Navy Days April 29 – May 6

The Pensacola Jazz Festival is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. In conjunction with the Viva Florida 500 initiative, it is dubbed Viva Pensacola Jazz and promises to be the biggest and most exciting Jazz Festival in Pensacola history.

The seven-day event, scheduled for April 1- 7, 2013, will take place throughout the downtown area of Pensacola with shows at many venues.

Incorporated in 1990, Broward Navy Days (BND) was formed under the leadership of Captain Jean Fitzgerald, USN (Ret.), to host an annual Fleet Week celebration at Port Everglades. In 2001, Broward

ivory tones Champian Fultan, vocalist and pianist, plays at the Pensacola Jazz Festival.

28 • Volume 1 Issue 4

blue skies ahead Navy Days merged the Fleet Week at the McDonald’s Air & Sea Show.

Navy Days merged the Fleet Week celebration with the McDonald’s Air & Sea Show and benefited from the professional management of the MDM Group, Ltd. & Pro-Series, Inc. for seven years. The Fleet Week Celebration was known as Fleet Week USA. In 2008 after the Air & Sea Show was discontinued, it reverted to Fleet Week Port Everglades, planned and hosted

by BND. Today, the Broward Navy Days organization has gained a highly respected reputation among our sea going services for being a good friend of the “White Hats.” www.browardnavydaysinc.org

JACKSONVILLE Celebrating La Florida Land of Flowers: Florida Native Plant Society’s Annual Conference May 16 – 19 The conference will commemorate Ponce de Leon’s naming of Florida, when he landed 500 years ago.

The heart of the conference is on Friday and Saturday with keynote speakers, educational sessions, book signings, and networking with fellow native plant enthusiasts. Native plant nurseries will also offer their beautiful natives for sale on Friday and Saturday. www.fnps.org/conference

St. Augustine, Florida Forty five minutes from the Jacksonville, Florida airport lies St. Augustine, America’s oldest city and a destination worthy of being on every bucket list.

Packed street to cobblestone street with historic buildings and great places to eat, greet and antique, St. Augustine is a smorgasbord of vacation feasts.

Choose between historic sophisticated hotels and quaint bed and breakfast accommodations in authentic former homes, swim or fish off its 43 miles of pristine beaches, take an historic walking tour, climb the lighthouse (Dark of the Moon tours offered certain months), visit Castle Warden, home of the first Ripley’s Believe It or Not Collection, join the haunted pub tour if you’re not afraid of spirits after dark, see Fort Matanzas built between 1740 and 1742 and marvel at the many bucolic structures created by the imaginative Henry Flagler who shaped Florida’s architecture with his signature Spanish barrel tile roofs, graceful arches and dignified buildings, including a former hotel that now serves as Flagler College and Lightner Museum, housed inside former Flagler manse.

While St. Augustine’s history fills its every avenue and venue with charm, experiencing a taste and touch of the past will be even easier with a re-created sector of downtown opening this spring. Called the Colonial Quarter, it will feature four sectors, one dedicated to each century. Visitors will be able to see 16th century boat building, climb a 17th century replica watchtower, take part in a musket drill, chow down in a 19th century British pub, and more. The two-acre living history interactive museum that is being developed by a private company is expected to provide yet another level to St. Augustine’s appeal.

With or without a specially created venue for visitors, it’s hard to ignore the depth and cultural uniqueness of St. Augustine’s history. It began in the mid-16th Century when King Philip II of Spain rewarded his most experienced admiral with an assignment—sail the seas until you reach the New World and colonize the territory for Spain. Admiral Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles obeyed orders, taking his ships and 600 men and sailing, arriving off the coast of Florida on what happened to be the Feast Day of St. Augustine, August 28, 1565, a full 55 years before the Pilgrims would land in Plymouth, Mass. By the time they went ashore 11 days later, they were rested and prepared, easily defeating the band of French who occupied the territory and claiming the territory of Florida for Spain.

A word of caution: Do not try to do St. Augustine in a day. The city has a way of getting into your heart and the more you see, the more you want to explore. It has discovered the secret to making history come alive without pushing it in your face, but letting you discover it and feel it, in between the inviting sea and the superb seafood, the haunted homes and the places that just feel like they’ve been home forever.

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 29

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One of Florida’s most internationally famous cities celebrates the state’s Hispanic roots with a street festival, packed with food and cultural activities spread over 10 city blocks. Central Florida’s largest Hispanic festival brings together people of many ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds to enjoy food, music and dancing in the streets of downtown Orlando. The festival began as a primarily Puerto Rican gathering but now includes a myriad of cultures from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. www.renesproductions.com

The Florida Historic Capitol Museum is hosting a special exhibition as part of the statewide Viva Florida 500 remembrance of Ponce de Leon’s landing in Florida and the following five hundred years of historical transitions. Navigating New Worlds: Identity, Perception, and Politics in Florida will highlight rare and important maps and prints from the Michael W. and Dr. Linda M. Fisher collection. The exhibit highlights rare and historically important pieces, including the unusual doublesided Secunda etas Mundi map from 1493. Visitors will explore the connections between outsiders’ perceptions of Florida, experiences of those living in the region, and how these interactions shaped Florida’s settlement. The exhibition, which runs through December 31, 2013, will also be complemented by a series of educational programs and special events. www.flhistoriccapitol.gov

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Getting Personal

Green Giant World-renowned emerald expert Manuel Marcial educates and fascinates visitors at Key West’s Emeralds International

by Margie Kaye

M

days gone by Top: Manuel Marcial de Gomar during his mining days in Colombia. Inset: On the island of Islote off the San Bernardo Islands with the matriarch of the community Maminda, who took Manuel in as her own when he was on his conch pearl adventures. Opposite page: Marcial de Gomar.

32 • Volume 1 Issue 4

anuel Marcial de Gomar was going green long before it was fashionable.

Emerald green, that is. One of the most renowned emerald experts in this country, Marcial de Gomar has spent a lifetime studying emeralds and sharing his knowledge with the world—as an author, lecturer, jeweler and passionate collector.

But emeralds aren’t all he studies. An exquisite complement to his treasure trove of gem knowledge is the Queen Conch pearl, and Marcial de Gomar also buys,

sells, and designs conch pearl jewelry.

He’s recognized by the Admiralty Court of the State of Florida (and the jewelry industry in general), as an expert appraiser of emeralds. He appraised the extremely rare emeralds recovered from the world famous sunken Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, whose origins are from the very mining region he explored as a young man in the 1950s.

A Lucky Seat He began his journey by happenstance. When flying back to Colombia after military service, a young Marcial de Gomar sat next to an American man headed to the Chivor region of Colombia to manage the emerald mines there.

The gentleman couldn’t speak a word of Spanish, so after an impressive exchange of conversation, he asked Marcial de Gomar to come work with him as an interpreter. Marcial de

Gomar quickly got a raging case of “green fever,” and worked from the ground up to expert status; a career path some 56 years in the making. He tells this entire tale in his autobiography, The Tears of Fura.

The Find of a Lifetime Happenstance lead to historic, when Marcial de Gomar went on to serve as an on-site consultant to James Hill of North American Emerald Mines, Inc. on the feasibility of emerald mining operations in Hiddenite, North Carolina. The pursuit proved fruitful, and a vein of high-quality stones were discovered.

Emeralds International acquired these rough emeralds, from which the historic gems “Heart of Carolina” and “Princess of Carolina” were cut.

Marcial de Gomar’s pivotal role was featured in top industry publications, such as Jewelers Circular Keystone Magazine (1999).

Getting Personal

A Gem of a Store Marcial de Gomar opened the first all-emerald store outside of Colombia in 1964 in Freeport, Grand Bahama. He later opened Emeralds International on Duval Street in Key West Florida. Decades later, the Key West store is still

drawing clients from around the globe and words of admiration. The store is a virtual wonderland of color glistening from every corner and crevice, works of jewelry art as alluring and dazzling as the gems on display.

Visitors feast their eyes on an astounding collection of spectacular rough and cut emeralds discovered in the mines of Colombia, Brazil, Madagascar, and North Carolina—to name just a few—and conch pearls from the warm waters of the Caribbean and the islands Volume 1 Issue 4 • 33

Getting Personal

Amazingly, the shape of the pearl depends upon what the conch is doing. of the Gulf Stream. Sold as loose or mounted gems, and in hundreds of exquisite combinations of artistic unique jewelry designs by Marcial de Gomar himself.

Getting Personal

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One may wonder how these two seemingly different gems would pique the curiosity and passion of an expert and provide such a lifelong fascination. Marcial de Gomar explains the common thread between emeralds and conch pearls is the level of rarity which is not commonplace in the gem industry. Emeralds in the earth, geologically speaking are rare. The veins are few and far between and quite elusive. It’s not uncommon to go six months without any recoveries at the mines. And that’s held true everywhere on the planet wherever there are emeralds. The extreme rarity of conch pearls and emeralds is often difficult to understand. Especially with the conch pearls, where it’s rarity upon rarity, when it often takes searching 10,000-15,000 conch shells to find just one conch pearl. And it may not even be a very good pearl.

Conch pearls are found in the big pink Queen Conch shells, called univalves. Any irritant that the conch encounters in its ocean floor journey serves as the magical starting point for creating the final prize. Amazingly, the shape of the pearl depends upon what the conch is doing. If the conch is coming in and out of its shell and rolling around, the pearl will probably be oval in shape. The largest pearls paradoxically are found in the youngest conchs, even before they get that big roller lip. That’s simply because in the act of building his beautiful shell, he is much more active than an older conch. These conchs are found in the warm waters of the Caribbean and the

Getting Personal Gulfstream, including The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and even as far as Bermuda and occasionally in the Gulf of Mexico.

Emeralds vs Diamonds Marcial de Gomar stated that an emerald, in relation to a diamond, should rate much higher in value, as diamonds in the earth are far more abundant. There are diamond mines everywhere, whereas with emeralds, their natural rareness in the earth determines the price rather than a corporation or government artificially setting the price. A minimal supply and ever increasing demand guarantee that emerald prices constantly increase.

“It is important to know who you are buying from, and what level of service they are willing to give you,” says Marcial de Gomar. “At Emeralds International, we have an open ended, 100% credit exchange policy. You can always bring your purchase back to Emeralds International and exchange it. I would love to get back what I sold years ago because emeralds go up unpredictably each year. 2012 saw incredible increases alone.”

There is an old jewelers adage that says “nothing greens greener than an emerald” which serves to capture their incredible appeal and allure that has led them to be so highly sought after and prized throughout the ages. This striking color is like the green leaves of nature that go with any other color flower.

With a list of professional publications, exhibitions, lectures and industry accolades a foot long, one cannot help but be impressed

by Marcial de Gomar’s reputation in the fascinating world and marriage of emeralds and queen conch pearls. But what truly sets this gentleman apart is his dedication to his clients at Emeralds International. “The level of service we give to customers is quite distinct,” he says. “For those who come into the shop, one of our principle functions is

educative. We want people to be more informed about emeralds, conch pearls and other gems, and even if they don’t buy anything, at least when they leave the shop they are a much more informed potential purchaser than when they came in.”

For information call (305) 294-2060 or visit www.emeraldsinternational.com.

For a wonderful getaway to experience all Key West has to offer including the incredible Emeralds International, Silver Skies offers a number of direct flights daily to Key West from Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Tampa. For more information visit www.gosilver.com.

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Living Well

”We looked at all that food on our plates and we both broke down and cried. There was just so much.”

Voluntourism: Making a Difference

Growing numbers of vacationers are forsaking sun and sea for hammer, shovel and compassion

by Diane Phillips

I

here to help Hospitality consultant Suzanne Willis travelled 8,000 miles from Sarasota, Florida to tiny Kibera, Kenya to spend her vacation working in a children’s orphanage. The children stay in touch and one is planning to go to college, thanks to the visit.

n October 2009, Suzanne Willis, then head of public relations at the fivestar Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, Florida, flung off her heels, peeled off her stockings and boarded a plane for Nairobi. Her destination: an orphanage in a backwater settlement called Kibera.

“You can’t imagine the poverty,” she said. “There is nothing to compare to it in the U.S.” Willis is one of a growing number of people who are traveling as far as halfway round the globe to spend their vacations volunteering.

The movement is so powerful it has given birth to a new kind of tourism, voluntourism, combining vacation with volunteerism.

If the seed was planted with organizations like Doctors Without Borders founded

in 1971 and Habitat for Humanity, founded five years later and promoted by President Jimmy Carter, its swelling popularity can be attributed to an emerging awareness of needs— medical, educational, social, ecological—as instant photo upload-download capabilities, Facebook, Twitter and the internet shed light on the darkest corners of the world.

There is also a growing awareness of the reward that giving back provides the giver.

For Willis, who traveled to the orphanage in Kenya, the story was both personal and life-changing.

“The boy for whom the orphanage was named was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor when he was a teen,” said Willis.

“When he was asked if

he had a dying wish, he said he wanted to open an orphanage in Africa.

He died at 15 and the Fort Myers, Florida community got together to raise the money to make John’s wish come true.” A year later, the orphanage was a reality and Willis and a public broadcast journalist flew to Nairobi to volunteer.

Willis did not know what to expect. From the moment they landed, they were confronted by the reality of hunger.

“I had never seen such hunger or poverty in my life, even in the poorest parts of America,” said Willis, now a hospitality industry consultant with clients in the Caribbean and U.S. and another business providing etiquette instruction for individual and corporate clients. “I Volume 1 Issue 4 • 37

Living Well can’t describe the hunger. Every day, you’d see it in their faces, every night children would go to bed hungry. The orphanages are being built not because these children don’t have parents but because they provide food and a place to sleep.”

At John’s Wish orphanage, there were 28 children. Each had a makeshift bed. They shared a single indoor bathroom, a hole kept remarkably clean. There was no dining room, no table, no sofa or TV. Children lined up on benches, grateful for their bowl of rice. But they were not solemn. “They were loving, smiling, a few of the girls followed me around everywhere, holding on, hugging.”

And there were no fights over the clothing the Americans brought.

During the five-day stay when Willis and the journalist helped out at the orphanage, preparing meals, playing with the children, telling stories, doing small projects on the ground, Willis

said a bond grew that was unlike any she had ever known. More than two years have passed and last week, she got a LinkedIn message from one of the boys, now 20 who wants to attend college. Willis still sends funds for another little boy who also dreams of going to college.

“The children in America cannot comprehend what these children go through and yet there was no bitterness, no anger, no tears, just hope and love and laughter when they played with us.” The day after Willis and the journalist returned, they went to breakfast.”We looked at all that food on our plates and we both broke down and cried. There was just so much.”

It is stories like those spread among friends or on blogs and online that inspire others to explore the options for volunteering on vacations. There are also practical advantages for those willing to use their vacation time to make a difference—reduced airfares,

packaged travel, in some cases special accommodations rates and there is even a luxury volunteerism package.

Even as more options become available (one popular book and website offers 100 projects in 24 countries, another lists 150 projects around the world with information about how to sign up) nature provides the biggest draw.

Natural disasters like the hurricane that killed 250,000 in Haiti and left much of the country homeless in January 2010 and Hurricane Sandy in the U.S. this past year drove thousands to forsake the beach and the mountains in favor of shovels, hammer and hope. And the trend, say experts, is only likely to grow whether inspired by disaster or just the desire to make a difference and create positive change.

“It opened my eyes,” said Willis of her experience with children between the ages of 5 and 17. “More importantly, it opened my heart.”

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Toll Free: 1-866-528-0539 • Tel: 1-242-365-4271 • e-mail info@greenturtleclub.com

SKY’S THE LIMIT

Put your feet up, relax and enjoy a book on our lovely pink sand beach. Or you can find food, solace and the beverage of your choice at the Bistro, with a full-service swim-up cocktail bar. Sky Beach Club seamlessly blends modern amenities with the splendor of unmatched natural beauty and excellent service.

Accommodations range from luxurious poolside bungalows to 3200-square foot, four-bedroom, four-bath villas with private pools. Our elegant residences feature an abundance of glass to capitalize on the breathtaking views. Every detail is dedicated to modern luxury, comfort, and total privacy.

Sky Beach Club Resort Amenities Include: Amazing views of the Atlantic and the Caribbean.

Secluded pink-sand beach.

Contemporary dining in the Bistro.

Infinity edge beachfront pool with swim-up cocktail bar.

Gated resort community.

Energy efficient green construction.

Concierge Services for island activities, fishing charters and pre-arrival pantry stocking.

Located 7 minutes south of the Governor’s Harbour airport.

For information on Reservations or Real Estate Sales contact us at (800) 605-9869 or visit our web site www.SkyBeachClub.com

A Perfect Day at Small Hope Bay

Great diving and so much more!

What is your idea of the perfect island vacation?

If it is scuba diving one of the largest and most unexplored barrier reefs in the world, great snorkeling, superb bonefishing, laying in a hammock, exploring nature, more Bahamas diving, having a cold Kalik, strolling on the beach, reading a good book, meeting interesting people, spending time with your family, or by yourself, I think that I have the place for you ... This small Bahamas all-inclusive resort is more than just another Bahamas hotel, we are the most established dive resort in the Caribbean. Our environment is very safe, peaceful, secluded, and a great romantic getaway.

Come join us for a new adventure, a true Bahamas experience, a family vacation, a relaxing holiday retreat on the beach, or the Caribbean vacation of your dreams.

Celebrating 50 Years of Perfect Days!

With only 21 cottages and all inclusive rates, the Perfect Day is right here ...

www.smallhope.com

See our blog and testimonials. Follow us on YouTube, YouTube Testimonials, Facebook & Twitter

Totally All-Inclusive Small Hope Bay Lodge

Fresh Creek, Andros, Bahamas (800) 223-6961 • (242) 368-2013/2014 SHBinfo@smallhope.com

40

years

Fabulous ofFishing The Bahamas Billfish Championship has been reeling them in for decades

46 • Volume 1 Issue 4

In the past four decades, the Bahamas Billfish Championship has gone from a fun fishing event where anglers at Bimini would break for lunch on the beach during fishing to a deadserious, big game competition. Captain Bart Miller, the well known Hawaiian fishing captain of Black Bart fame, describes the competition as, “An arduous multi-leg series with some of the most complex fishing I’ve ever seen. Wherever you fish, every strike counts but battling for victory in the Bahamas Billfish Championship (BBC), they count that much more.”

The concept for this multi-leg tournament championship dates back to 1968 when a group of anglers, captains and resort managers decided there should be some sort of seasonending contest to decide the year’s Bahamas tournament champion. These were the days when the Cat Cay and Bimini Tuna Tournaments, Bimini White Marlin Tournament and Walker’s Cay and Crown Colony Club Billfish Tournaments, to name a few, were the tournaments du jour of the sportfishing world. Events that attracted famous anglers like Jo Jo Del Guercio, Fletch Creamer, Helen Grant, Joe Lopez and Marsha Bierman and many storied fishing captains that were competing head to head.

By Jan Fogt

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 47

Sip pin gC u

d fter res a Lib ba

inn er, talk eventually go t

to nd ou

ar

i ad

t ou sc ussion ab

Recalling those times, Captain Billy Harrison says the idea of crowning a Bahamas fishing champion was hatched late one night around the Crown Colony (now Chub Cay Club) pool a few days after the final tournament of the season.

Sipping Cuba Libres after dinner, talk eventually got around to a discussion about who was the top angler that season.

In no time, pen and paper were located and a formula was devised to determine who was qualified to be called the Bahamas champion that year. Recognizing they had a pretty good idea and scoring formula for crowning a Bahamas Champion, the anglers all threw $100 into a hat to pay Dade Thornton, a tournament photographer and the unofficial ‘pied piper’ of Bahamas tournaments, to commission a trophy, a perpetual wooden behemoth that for the first eight years at least, was displayed in the Eastern Airlines’ Ionosphere Lounge at the Miami International Airport.

The trophy has long since disappeared and since 1992 BBC anglers have competed for custom designed trophies and the coveted Superbowl-styled diamond Bahamas Championship ring designed by jeweler Monica Higgs and her team at Abaco Gold.

That first informal committee came up with a simple concept that holds up today. Scoring was based on anglers earning qualifying points for a championship title with a first, second or third place finish in sanctioned BBC events. In the late 60s qualifying tournaments were fished out of Cat Cay, Bimini and Chub Cay. At the end of the season, the top three anglers from each qualifying tournament would compete 48 • Volume 1 Issue 4

the top angler that sea was son o . wh

in a winner take all Crown Colony Bahamas Championship Billfish Tournament at Chub. Held in May, the final invitational was limited to the season’s top twelve boats.

In 1973 the Bahamas Billfish Championship was formally established thanks to the efforts of L.P. Doherty, then manager of the newly launched Chub Cay Club and Marina.

That winter Doherty called a meeting between managers of out island resorts like Walker’s Cay, Cat Cay and Bimini with Irrington Isaacs, sports director of the newly elected independent Bahamas Commonwealth.

Isaacs outlined plans for a much larger, revamped Bahamas Billfish Championship that he hoped would become a prestigious international series.

Starting in the spring of 1974, the revised format created a point system for first through fourth place finishes. It also included bonus points for BBC anglers participating in the qualifying legs such as the Bimini White Marlin Tournament, Walker’s Cay All Billfish Tournament, both in April, and Cat Cay Blue Marlin and Chub Cay Blue Marlin Tournaments in July. Each resort was responsible for writing its own rules and running its own tournaments. As for the BBC, participants paid $25 each to compete in the series, money that went to hiring the khaki-attired Thornton to market and promote the series. The government sponsored the awards dinner in Nassau and the silver cup that was awarded to the year’s champion.

The series that started 40 years ago began during the global fuel crisis of 1973-74 with fifteen boats and anglers participating. With tournaments being canceled up and down the coast due to fuel shortages that the competition got off at all was a major accomplishment. The economy still struggling in 1975, resort managers eliminated entry fees all together the following year in hopes of generating more interest in

the qualifying tournaments. The ploy worked. Participation increased and major boating and fishing magazines and national newspapers started writing about the BBC. Between 1974 and 1981, the BBC enjoyed great success, attracting high profile fishermen and major fishing boat manufacturers. Bertram and Hatteras have been high profile supporters since the early days. These were years when the BBC was dominated by fishermen on Bertram and Hatteras boats who would participate in their own kind of head to head competition during the BBC. This good natured rivalry eventually led Hatteras of Lauderdale and Richard Bertram & Company in 1980 to start the Bertram-Hatteras Shootout.

What Dade Thornton did best was plan fun parties that were a big part of those early tournaments. He was always throwing costume balls, pirate fests, crab races and what he called ‘docktail parties.’ That was the beginning of the shenanigans that distinguished the BBC from other tournaments up and down the coast.

Because each resort was responsible for its own tournaments, each had its own set of rules and ‘characters.’

The period of the late 70s and early 80s were a dark time for The Bahamas and the BBC marred by drug running and suspected piracy.

By 1981, newspaper accounts of piracy and drug running had taken a toll on BBC participation. The economic impact was so serious that Bahamas Tourism Minister Perry Christie, who is now serving his second term as prime minister, called a meeting of boating industry executives, resort managers, press

and tourism officials to see what could be done to bring waterborne tourism back to The Bahamas. In his capacity as Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Al Behrendt attended the meeting along with Maura Brassil, the new Sports Promotion Director for The Bahamas. An active participant in the BBC since its inception, Al Behrendt had been a successful Dania, Florida boat dealer and boat yard operator. The question Perry Christie had for Behrendt and others that day was, “What can we do to bring boaters back to The Bahamas?” By the end of the day the Bahamas Marine Council was created and a specific plan had been formulated. Bahamas Tourism would finance an advertising campaign to encourage travel in magazines which agreed to publish annual Bahamas travel sections and extensive articles about fishing and diving in the islands.

Included in the plan was yet another re-launch of the Bahamas Billfish Championship. This time the group agreed what was really needed to make the BBC a prestigious event was a business savvy, full time director and better government support. The job was offered to Behrendt’s company.

Meanwhile Christie appointed Maura Brassil to be the government’s liaison and coorganizer with Behrendt. “Al was the day-to-day manager. He was in charge of finding sponsors and working with anglers on the rules. My job was to make sure the BBC became the celebrated event everyone envisioned,” Brassil explained. That included providing Volume 1 Issue 4 • 49

April 14 -19

May 5 -10

May 26 -31

June 9 -14

Guana Cay Championship Great Guana Cay, Abaco - Orchid Bay Yacht Club & Marina Harbour Island Championship Harbour Island, Eleuthera - Romora Bay Resort & Marina Treasure Cay Championship Treasure Cay, Abaco - Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort Marsh Harbour Championship Marsh Harbour, Abaco - Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour

a new level of television and press promotion as well as planning an awards ceremony with the necessary pomp and circumstance to make it an international event. Efforts that brought about celebrity participation, she adds. By the mid1980s, rock stars like Trevor Housby of The Who, NASCAR legends like Darrell Waltrip, and Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Bob Baumhower were fishing the BBC. The BBC has, in its 40 years, become an influential force in big game fishing. Frank Murray of West Palm Beach’s Murray Products, who used to compete with Richard Bertram Yachts owner Burgess Thomasson on the Screaming Eagle in the 80s, said the BBC is largely responsible for popularizing lure fishing on the East Coast and is the reason Murray Brothers started selling lures. “Captain Roger Greene introduced Hawaiian-style trolling lures to the Gulf of Mexico and was the first I know of to catch a blue marlin on a lure in The Bahamas. In those days everyone was trolling mackerel or mullet for blue marlin. He and other Louisiana fishermen’s success catching big fish on lures in the BBC literally changed the way we fished for blue marlin for a long time.”

Competing in the BBC in the 70s and 80s was like being part of a small community or town. Resorts then worked together producing the tournaments with Al Behrendt and the government. As manager first of the Big Game Club on 50 • Volume 1 Issue 4

All th

Bahamas Billfish Championship Schedule

w nightly par en thre ties h t s t r o es er

Bimini and later, Cat Cay, Michael Kaboth recalls going out of his way to learn guests’ likes and dislikes. “We made sure we had whatever special brands they liked to drink as well as the lobster and steaks most enjoyed eating. That was all part of our trying to make The Bahamas and BBC a welcoming destination. In those days, resorts sponsored their own legs of the BBC so we tried hard to make our leg the most popular with anglers. The dockmaster, waiters, maids and I worked hard to create a fun, hospitable atmosphere for anglers and their crews. All the resorts then threw nightly parties and had a splashy lay day event to keep people entertained. It was something most looked forward to.”

Tournament fishing first brought sponsors Frank and his late brother Ed Murray to Florida in the early 70s. “We started out sponsoring the first release division for the series, which took a while to take off because the only money that could be won was by putting fish on the dock. To get people on-board with the idea, the Murrays started the Release the Baby Blues promotion in the BBC’s publication The Teaser and major outdoor magazines, encouraging tournaments to institute minimum weights or minimum lengths on blue marlin to save the species.

Since the establishment of minimums in 1986, the BBC has used length (tip of lower jaw to fork of the tail) rather than weight for minimums in determining the size of the billfish. “The BBC steering committee would have instituted minimum lengths earlier had we had an effective means for verifying billfish release captures,” explained Al Behrendt.

“The sticking point always was how do we make it work?”

The answer came courtesy of the Bahamas first tag and release billfish tournament in 1992 at Walker’s Cay that was held as a benefit for The Billfish Foundation. During the event video documentation and instant photography were used to document catches, which laid the groundwork for the BBC’s introduction of cameras in 2001.

At first they were only Polaroid pictures but by the 30th anniversary in 2003, the BBC became one of the first marlin

events to use digital still and video images to document catch and release. “Because it provides time and date verification of the capture, it changed everything. We could now distinguish the species of the billfish and award points accordingly. The digital images combined with realistic benchmark minimum lengths took us from being primarily a ‘blue marlin on the dock’ series to a modified release event where all sailfish and white marlin are released and more than 98 percent of the blue marlin we catch each season are released.”

Over the past 40 years, the Bahamas Billfish Championship has visited many of the big game fishing resorts of the 700-island nation of The Bahamas including Cat Cay, Chub Cay, Bimini, Cape Eleuthera, Great Exuma, Spanish Cay, Walker’s Cay, Guana Cay, Treasure Cay, Harbour Island, Marsh Harbour and Paradise Island. Between marlin fishing trends, weather and the economy, the resorts in the Abacos have hosted the majority of the BBC’s tournaments for the past half dozen years or so.

Chub Cay remains the series’ historical birthplace, a place where there hasn’t been a championship leg for almost a decade. A series of destructive hurricanes in 2004 decimated facilities at the private island resort and led to its sale to a development group. Currently in receivership, it is believed that Chub will eventually come back and be in a position to host another BBC tournament. Due to its close proximity to ‘The Pocket’ where the world’s first Atlantic billfish ‘grand slam’ was caught, Chub has lost none of its luster. With emphasis now on catching the three billfish species or a slam for bonus points instead of just big fish, Chub has the potential for a very successful Championship leg.

Over the past 40 years, the BBC has generated millions of dollars in sales of boats for sponsors like Bertram, Hatteras and Viking and participating resorts. As a resort manager, the BBC was and still is one of our biggest events of the year, explains Patrick Fetsch of Treasure Cay. “Outside of the holidays, it’s our busiest time. And since 1992 when the BBC began producing and sponsoring its own tournaments,

ch an

da te ve rif ic

at ion of

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ur e, it

it provides tim ause ea c e nd “B

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pt the ca

it’s become our biggest client, explains Fetsch. “Before the recession, the BBC generated as much as a quarter million dollars in business for us,” he said.

The series has been just as important for big game anglers, especially people new to the sport, said Frank Murray. “Al Behrendt and his team have done a great job making the BBC a prestigious big game series that most importantly, is affordable for the average guy. Sure, the BBC attracts seasoned anglers looking for competition but it also has been a conduit for new anglers wanting to get into the sport. The BBC is how many of the top anglers in big game fishing got started.” Among them, people like Sam Jennings, who was the first to catch a blue marlin in The Bahamas over 1,000 pounds. Jennings was a bottom fisherman and sailfish angler before the BBC. And this year’s BBC and Bermuda Triple Crown Champion Frank Rodriquez of Orlando, who said he too started tournament fishing because of watching the weigh-in at a BBC tournament at Treasure Cay. With the current emphasis in the BBC on billfish conservation through the catch and release of smaller fish, you can make a good argument that the BBC is influencing the next generation of sports fishermen, said Frank Murray.

“To me that’s been its greatest achievement these past 40 years and honestly is what we hoped for when Murray Products signed on as a sponsor more than 25 years ago.”

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 51

The Right Aircraft for Regional Flying Jet or turboprop—altitude makes all the difference

T

he right fit. We all know how much it matters when buying shoes, renting a tuxedo or choosing a mate, right? Well, did you know that the right fit matters just as much in aviation?

We’re not talking about legroom, but rather the science behind fitting the right aircraft to a specific type of route. The right aircraft fit makes all the difference when it comes to

52 • Volume 1 Issue 4

maximizing fuel economy, which in turn keeps operating costs and airfares low. In the world of regional aviation, nothing fits better than the modern turboprop.

“Jet aircraft, by design, are simply not suited for short-haul, regional routes.”

So says Ron Peverill, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Saab Aircraft Leasing. A veteran of more than 30 years in aviation, Ron has seen and flown it all.

“In order for a pure jet engine to be fuel efficient, you have to be at high altitude. They do not like the low altitudes you have to fly on shorter, regional routes. They like to climb and operate up high, generally above 25,000 feet.”

Climbing to that height burns a lot of fuel, though jets can make up for the added fuel consumption while cruising over longer

The flagship of the Silver Airways fleet, the Saab 340Bplus ranks among the most advanced turboprop aircraft operating anywhere in the world today.

distances. This, of course, does not work so well at lower altitudes, say, between 15,000 and 20,000 feet. “On typical regional routes of up to 250-300+ nautical miles, a jet doesn’t have enough time to climb high enough and maintain a level of cruising altitude that would enable it to realize any appreciable type of fuel economy,” says Peverill.

Turboprops, on the other hand, fit hand-in-glove with regional flying.

“The thrust produced by jet-powered propellers on shorter regional routes uses less fuel than that required of jets, making turboprops like the Saab 340Bplus ideal for Silver Airways’ shorthaul flying.”

In the 1990s and early 2000s, when jet fuel was priced around 87 cents per gallon, airlines didn’t have any qualms over operating jets on short-haul regional routes. Now, with fuel prices four-times higher, turboprops are not only re-gaining their popularity, they’re coming to the rescue of small communities particularly impractical for regional jet service.

“For some regional airlines, the choice between turboprops and jets is literally the choice

between operating some routes versus others, or making passengers pay for perks that used to be free,” said Peverill. “Without turboprops, many regional routes would simply cease to exist.”

Even with their inherent fuel-saving advantages, turboprops are not always seen in the best light.

“There are still common misconceptions about outdated technology, noise and comfort, but turboprops have really come a long way,” says Peverill. “The Saab 340 passenger seating area is actually more spacious and comfortable than many small regional

jets. The lighting and overhead room compare favorably as well.”

The flagship of the Silver Airways fleet, the Saab 340Bplus ranks among the most advanced turboprop aircraft operating anywhere in the world today. The myriad of advancements built into each 340Bplus is headlined by an active noise cancellation system that reduces in-cabin noise to the level of much larger jet aircraft.

“Today’s modern turboprops come equipped with fuel efficient turbine engines, which when compared to the older reciprocating piston engines

of the past, like the ones still used in your car, are also a lot easier on the ears.”

The Saab 340Bplus is also noted for its comfortable seating, large, easy-toaccess overhead bins, and convenient on-board lavatories, all of which add up to an exceptional inflight passenger experience.

The Silver Airways fleet of Saab 340Bplus aircraft will expand to 25 by mid-2013, making Silver Airways the largest Saab operator in North America.

You can be sure each aircraft will be deployed where they’ll make the best fit.

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 53

photo by cookie kinkead 2010

A steady stream of vacationers, honeymooners, lovebirds, fishing buddies, and individuals looking to spend quality time away seek out this glorious destination year round.

By Margie Kaye

Coral Sands’ Four Cottages Offer Dream Homes Away From Home A s if the worldrenowned pink colored sand beach, sun streaked turquoise water, delectable island fare and laid back luxurious amenities weren’t tempting enough to make you pack your bags for the Coral Sands Resort in Harbour Island, Bahamas, the resort has recently added four new beachfront one and two bedroom colonial style cottages and another two-bedroom cottage to their inviting selection of accommodations offering just a few more reasons 54 • Volume 1 Issue 4

for you to come and stay a while at Coral Sands.

Brimming with attention to detail and indulgent comfort, these beautifully appointed dream cottages are awash in environmentally friendly function and designer décor, making them the ideal destination for an island escape.

A wondrous blending of luxury and tranquility converge for the ultimate in relaxation. One twobedroom and two onebedroom cottages are located directly on the

oceanfront with breath taking ocean views; the other one bedroom model is nestled just 100 feet from the beach with a spectacular ocean view.

The cottages each feature plush memory foam king size beds stylishly dressed in fine Anichini linens, crowned with headboards and surrounded by custom night tables, a desk, and bookshelves beautifully designed to house your belongings, creating a comfortable and homey feeling.

Walnut plank wood floors adorned with area rugs add drama and warmth to each cottage, where every mood is enhanced with custom lighting and decorative blackout window drapes. Whether enjoying a book perched in the oversized reading chair, watching television on the 32” flat screen television or winding down to music on your iPod, every comfort and convenience is there for the guests to enjoy.

After a day spent basking in the sun, you can wash your cares away in the

sensuous free standing bathtub illuminated by soft chandelier lighting or step into the large walk-in shower boasting oversized jet shower heads and a bench for a spalike experience. A round decorative porthole window invites sunlight, sunsets and star gazing, and adds to the essence of seaside serenity.

If you can’t get enough of nature’s beautiful surroundings, retreat to your spacious outdoor covered terrace with designer lounging furniture and day beds, and all the fresh air you can inhale.

The cottage wet bar complete with refrigerator, coffee maker and tea kettle keep your favorite libations and snacks close at hand for enjoying an intimate happy hour day or night.

You can double your pleasure and your living space in the new two bedroom cottage, Sea Oats, the ultimate beach front villa at Coral Sands featuring the same artistry

and architecture of the one bedroom cottages. Sea Oats features two elegant master bedrooms, two luxurious bathrooms, kitchenette and dining areas presenting the ideal scenario for families and friends traveling together and maintaining their privacy when desired.

The master Colonialstyle bedrooms are cloaked in warmth with walnut plank floors, area rugs and designer furnishings built with sheesham sustainable wood. Elegant French doors stretch nine feet tall welcoming sunlight and awe inspiring views of the world famous pink sand beach just steps down the path leading from the cottage.

The living/sitting room offers a tranquil setting, as does the spacious outdoor covered terrace. With ceiling fans stirring the intoxicating ocean air and an array of inviting patio furniture grouped atop the Ipe hard wood decking, the living is

laid back from sun up until sun down, and then some.

The beauty of this quaint 37-room boutique hotel lies in the understated elegance that transcends the property, set along the notorious pink sand three mile stretch of beach recognized as the most beautiful beach in the Caribbean by the Travel Channel, and consistently voted as one of the top five beaches in the world.

A steady stream of vacationers, honeymooners, love birds, fishing buddies, and groups looking to spend quality time away seek out this glorious destination year round.

With consistently warm weather in the 70s and 80s, balmy nights and breezy days make for a comfortable stay with a no-brainer light dress code and mindset of “anything goes.”

Staying on the lush grounds at Coral Sands is an all encompassing date with down time, but if the adventurer in you beckons, Coral Sands’ efficient and friendly staff will happily arrange various island excursions including deep sea fishing, scuba diving, bone fishing, and scenic tours by bicycle or golf cart. Whether a picnic on a private island is on your wish list or an historic tour of Dunmore Town is right up your alley, your hosts will make it happen for you.

When night falls and dinner plans call, gourmet dining is what’s on the menu at the resort’s own Terrace Restaurant, considered to be among the

finest restaurants in The Bahamas, and boasting a new and delectably varied menu. With culinary creations orchestrated by Executive French Chef Ludovic Jarland, there are tempting selections of surf and turf elegantly plated and sumptuously prepared to your liking. The chef often appears tableside to make his personal recommendations for a guaranteed palate pleasing experience. Pan Seared

Mahi-Mahi in a Salsa Verde Sauce, Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, and Caribbean Bouillabaisse overflowing with an assortment of lobster, grouper, shrimp, mussels and clams bathed in a vegetable broth are among the favorites ordered each evening, along with creative spins on the fresh catch of the day.

With all there is to savor at this beautiful island resort, isn’t it time to unpack your bags and stay a while? Paradise awaits at Coral Sands, where the living is easy in your home away from home.

Chapel Street, Dunmore Town, Harbour Island, Bahamas. www. coralsands.com 800-468-2799 or 242-333-2350.

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 55

In-Flight Service

In-Flight Service NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Complimentary on ALL Saab 340Bplus Flights

Coca-Cola, Diet Coke Sprite Club Soda Ginger Ale Tonic Water

Orange Juice Cranberry Juice Apple Juice Bloody Mary Mix Spring Water

Complimentary Coffee and a selection of teas available upon request ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Available for purchase on All Saab 340Bplus Flights BEER $5 Budweiser Lite, Corona Extra, Heineken WINE $5 Chardonnay, Merlot SPIRITS $6

ABSOLUT Vodka Tanqueray Gin Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

Glenlivet Scotch Canadian Club Whisky Jim Beam Black Bourbon

Complimentary assorted snacks available Beverage and Snack options may vary by flight

56 • Volume 1 Issue 4

Customs and Immigration

Customs and Immigration U.S. I-94 Arrival/Departure Record All travelers who hold a U.S. visa are required to complete an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (one per person, including infants). Write in English, in capital letters. Be sure to include the street name and number, city and state of your address in the U.S. If you are transiting through the U.S., you may write TRANSIT and your final destination country. The Customs and Border Protection officer will place the I-94 Departure Record in your passport after inspection. Make sure you return the Departure Record to the airline representative before boarding your return flight.

U.S. Customs Declaration All passengers (or one passenger per family) are required to complete a Customs Declaration before arrival in the U.S. Write in English, in capital letters. Be sure to include the street name and number, city and state of your address in the U.S. If you are transiting through the U.S., you may write TRANSIT and your final destination country. Please read both sides of the declaration and place your signature at the bottom of the form.

Expedited Passport Control and Customs Clearance in the U.S.—Global EntryTM W W W . G L O B A L E N T R Y . G O V U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)pantone offers the Global 8401 metallic pewter EntryTM program in order to expedite the processing of blue is Pant 307c pre-approved, low-risk international travelers entering the U.S. Upon returning from international travel, Global EntryTMenrolled travelers may bypass the regular passport control line and proceed to the Global EntryTM kiosk. Global EntryTM program participants scan their machine-readable passport, U.S. permanent resident card or U.S. visa on the kiosk, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification and make a customs declaration. The kiosk will issue the traveler a transaction receipt and direct the traveler to baggage claim and exit.

Trusted

Traveler

Net work

The following travelers are eligible for enrollment in Global EntryTM: • Citizens and residents of the U.S. • Citizens of Mexico who hold a U.S. visa • Citizens of the Netherlands who are enrolled in Privium • NEXUS members • SENTRI members Application for enrollment in the Global EntryTM program is available at the Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES): goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov. It costs only US$100, which covers enrollment in the program for a five-year period. The government will review the applicant’s information while a background investigation is conducted. Applicants undergo an interview with CBP officers at an Enrollment Center in the U.S. before final approval is granted.

Global EntryTM is available in the following cities: Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD-O’Hare), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH-International), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Montreal (YUL), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR-Liberty), Orlando (MCO-International and SFB-Sandford), Ottawa (YOW), Philadelphia (PHL), Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Toronto (YYZ), Washington, D.C. (IAD-Dulles), and Vancouver (YVR).

For detailed information, go to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site, globalentry.gov.

Countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP): Andorra Hungary New Zealand Australia Iceland Norway Austria Ireland Portugal Belgium Italy San Marino Brunei Japan Singapore Czech Republic Latvia Slovakia Denmark Liechtenstein Slovenia Estonia Lithuania South Korea Finland Luxembourg Spain France Malta Sweden Germany Monaco Switzerland Greece Netherlands United Kingdom

Volume 1 Issue 4 • 57

Routes

Silver airways is proud MileagePlus partner

NY

Jamestown Franklin Cleveland

Johnstown

Havre Wolf Point

Glasgow

MT Lewistown

OH

Sidney Glendive

Billings

Morgantown Clarksburg

Parkersburg Beckley

Miles City

Montana cities operated by Silver Airways are not eligible for the United Airlines MileagePlus program

Bradford

Dubois Altoona

PA

Washington D.C.

WV Lewisburg

Staunton Shenandoah

MD

VA

Muscle Shoals Greenville Tupelo

Atlanta Macon

Pensacola Meridian

Tallahassee Jacksonville

LaurelHattiesburg

AL

GA

MS

Gainesville

The Atlanta-Macon and Macon-Orlando routes start on April 1, 2013

Orlando

Atlanta cities operated by Silver Airways are not eligible for the United Airlines MileagePlus program

Tampa

Treasure Cay

Palm Beach Fort Myers

Fort Lauderdale

Freeport

Marsh Harbour

Bimini

N. Eleuthera Governor’s Harbour Key West

- - - Seasonal service.

Exuma

58 • Volume 1 Issue 4