PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Erica Meus Saunders COPY EDITOR Tanya Simmons CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maggie Bain Keira Duarte Lauren Butler Ray Knight Leah Larwood James Burnett Keshlah Smith Dr. Harold Munnings STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Dwayne Delancy Phillippa Michel CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Lyndah Wells Leah Larwood Hadrien Toure Dahalia Smith GRAPHIC DESIGN Erica Meus-Saunders Tara Deal MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION Suzette Scott Email: suzette.scott@gmail.com OR Tel: (242) 424-9879 PRINTING Southeastern Printing NU WOMAN MAGAZINE is printed four times a year.
PUBLISHED BY NU WOMAN LTD Freddie Munnings manor p.o.box cb 13236 Nassau, bahamas TEL: (242) 676-7908 Email: nuwomanbs@gmail.com Web: http://nuwomanmagazine.com
Š 2010 Nu Woman Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. 5
On the cover- GEM BURROWS NUFACE Model Search Winner 2010/11 24-year old Gem participated in NUFACE Model Search and and reality TV series and walked away with the cover. See Gem’s interview on page 69 Gem is wearing designs by Brynda Knowles Cover photo: Lyndah Wells Cover design: Tara Deal and Erica Meus-Saunders Location: Haunted House, Harbour Island, Bahamas Hair stylist: Scherlin Major, Hair International Salon & Spa Make-up: Italia Williams, Eye Candy
Nu Woman
Contents
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Summer/ Autumn 2010
10 Publisher’s Page 12 Contributors
PROFILES 16 Nina Zadeh- From Island living to styling in the Big Apple. 25 The Legendary Ronnie Butler talks about Life, Love and Music. 46 Brynda Knowles
EVENTS & FESTIVALS 18 Paradise on A Plate- the Turks and Caicos Annual Conch Festival 53 The Ride for Hope
HEALTH AND FITNESS 36 Eat, Pray, Yoga 77 ABI’s IBS - Dr Harold Munnings talks about an ailment that affects many.
Special Hair Feature 14 Scherlin Major & Hair International Salon & Spa
FASHION 28 Summer / Autumn fashions 38 Sexy Summer Swimwear
BEST ISLAND GETAWAYS 22 Pelican Bay at Lucaya offers a new Wedding venue 72 Valentines Resort & Marina
MODELS
PROFILES
Top Finalist from “NuFace Model Search are featured” 33 Latesha Neymour-Gardiner 48 Alloyious Valentino Kemp 55 Tomacina Culmer 60 Sasha Anderson 69 Gem Burrows 7
Nu Woman
Contents
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37 Top Finalist from “NuFace Model Search are featured” 74 Khalil Rahming 79 Gwyneth Grant 84 Swanique Sawyer
RELATIONSHIPS 51 How to get through the road blocks in life
FEATURED ENTREPRENEUR 58 Stefan Davis & AirBrush Junkies 66 Aketa Smith
Short Story 64 The Tears of a Clown
CUISINE 82 Keshlah’s Summer Recipe
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NU WOMAN MAGAZINE Available locally at:
-Lowes Pharmacy, Harbour Bay -United Bookshop, Marathon Mall -Logos Bookstore, Harbour Bay -Chapter
One
Bookstore,
Oakes Field -Wongs Bookstore- top of Hill Mackey St -City Market Food stores -Atlantis Resort, Royal Towers sundry -Super Value Food stores
Also available in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. CONTACT US AT:
“NU FACE MODEL SEARCH” AIRING THIS SUMMER AT A LOCAL STATION NEAR YOU. WATCH MODELS COMPETE FOR THE COVER! FOR TV ADVERTISEMENTS EMAIL: NUWOMANBS@GMAIL.COM TEL: 242-676-7908 http://nuwomanmagazine.com
TEL: (242) 676-7908 OR email us at: nuwomanbs@gmail.com On the web: http://nuwomanmagazine.com
On FacebookNu Woman Magazine.
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The year 2010 has been particularly tough. In the past two years, we witnessed the global economic fallout and worldwide panic, but as the year 2010 rolled in, there was hope for a slight comeback. The economy had to rebound! However, on January 12, 2010, tragedy struck even closer to home as Haiti experienced one of the deadliest earthquakes in our hemisphere. Months after the deadly earthquake claimed tens of thousands of lives in Haiti; the situation for many on the impoverished Caribbean island remains bleak, as they struggle day to day in makeshift camps. On April 20, 2010, there was a fire on Transocean Ltd’s drilling rig Deep Horizon licensed to BP resulting in 11 workers killed, 17 injured, and crude oil flowing into the gulf at 5,000 barrels per day, threatening the ecosystems along the Gulf Coast as well as the local economy. ‘What’s next’, we ask? We are all affected when disaster strikes, and one step forward has seemed like two steps backward. Yet, we must continually move forward, placing one foot carefully in front of the next if we intend to survive. I was not sure that we would get this issue off in a timely fashion, but I was determined to get it out. This year, our Nu Woman team has had helped from unlimited sponsors, friends and family. Despite everything that was going on, we were able to conduct a model search and film a reality series (Nu Face Model Search). For that, we must say special thank you’s to Bahamas Ferries, Sky Bahamas, Valentines Resort & Marina, Pelican Bay Hotel, Splash Dance, KJO Crochet Designs, Cat Walk Boutique, Bani Shoe, Babalu Caribbean Bar & Grill, The Daily Grind, Hair International Salon and Day Spa, Brynda Knowles, Italia Williams, Dwayne Delancy, Phillippa Michel, RJ at Mr. Photo, Lyndah Wells, Charles Kemp of Down Home Group, Leon Clarke, Bandolera, The Curiosity Shop, Trece, KK, GeJonte, Tanya Simmons, Samantha Henfield, Suzette Scott, Sonia Brown, Tara Deal and all the writers, models and especially My Family and Friends, who made this issue possible! ‘We must continually move forward, placing one foot carefully in front of the next.’ Erica Meus-Saunders Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Nu Face Model Search team at Glass Window Bridge in North Eleuthera conducting photo shoot.
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Nu Woman
Contributors DWAYNE DELANCY Seasoned photographer, Dwayne Delancy plays a big role in the publication of these issues. Dwayne has photographed a few covers for Nu Woman and has added his unique style. Dwayne has covered events from Islands of The World Fashion Week and Bahamas International Film Festival to the Miss Universe Pageant. He has also contributed in the ‘Nu Face Model Search”. (Photography & Vintage R&B Music Tel: 424-6067)
MAGGIE BAIN Maggie Bain is an Individual and Couples Relationship Therapist. She is also a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Certified Critical Care Nurse trained in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and London. Following years of interest in human sexuality she was accepted by Dr.Susan Lee at the Florida Sex Therapy Institute to train as a Clinical Sex Therapist. Maggie is now Florida Board Certified and is also a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists. She writes a regular column titled Loving Relationships for the health section of the Tribune newspaper. Maggie is also a public speaker and organizes workshops on relationship issues. Born in Nigeria but raised in Scotland Maggie came to the Bahamas in 1988 on a two year work contract as an Intensive Care Nurse at Princess Margaret Hospital. She soon met her Bahamian husband and they have two sons.
KESHLAH SMITH From the tender age of 8, Keshlah knew that she wanted to be a chef. Keshlah, who is the 2nd oldest of 4 children, was raised in a single parent household. On finishing high school she attended Bahamas Hotel Training College (BHTC) for culinary training. On completion of the program at BHTC she was accepted at Westminster University in England, where she pursued a BA in Culinary Arts and Restaurant. After completion of her BA she returned home and worked for several places to gain needed experience, and then decided to open her own business - Essence Catering. Essence Catering offers restaurant consultation, healthy meal planning, and just recently ‘Dream Dinners’ - healthy gourmet meals at affordable prices for busy families. Contact chefkeshlah@gmail.com, TEL: 426-7701
LEAH LARWOOD has been a lifestyle contributor at NU Woman magazine since spring 2009. Originally from England, Leah has been living in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands for the last few years. She is a published co-author of a travel book about the Turks and Caicos Islands. Although she specializes in food and travel writing, last year for NU Woman she wrote about her quest in running the New York marathon. She is currently studying for a Masters Degree in Creative Writing.
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Nu Woman
Contributors NATASHA BROWN- is our Health and Fitness Expert. Natasha is the owner of Natbro’s Personal Training and Fitness Studio. She was the national fitness champion for 2002-2003, and the first and only Gold Medalist in the tall class fitness category of the C.A.C. Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships held in Caracas, Venezuela back in September of 2002. She is also the second Bahamian, but the first Bahamian female to have received their professional status in the sport. Before accepting her pro card, she was advised to compete at the Pan Am Games and is now competing on a professional level.
PHILLIPPA MICHEL Phillippa Michel did her first photo shoot for Nu Woman Magazine in the Fall 2007 issue, where she photographed Portia Nottage, John Michel and Natasha Brown. Phillippa has photographed several events, from Bahamas International Film Festival to Islands of The World Fashion Week to the Miss Universe Pageant in 2009. In this issue you see her talent at work as she photographs numerous “Nu Face” contestants.. She is married to John Michel.
NOELLE NICOLLS- is a young Pan-Caribbean writer trained as a professional journalist, although she would likely say: “I am infinite and divine feminine energy from West of West Africa. I am Woman of steel, full of love, laughter and light.” Noelle graduated from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Media and Communication (Hons.), with a specialization in Print and Online Media, and a Minor in Cultural Studies. Her professional credits include working as a communication consultant for corporate clients and serving as a leading entrepreneur working in the Bahamas, Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, having launched two small businesses shortly after graduating from university. Her writing has been published in newspapers, magazines and online publications. LYNDAH WELLS - is a Lifestyle and Fashion photographer, based in Freeport, Bahamas. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in London, England. Living in the Bahamas, there is a wealth of natural beauty, and Lyndah has branched out and is capturing the beauty of The Islands of the Bahamas, with her own unique style. “As a photographer, I bring to my work a unique background in Fashion & Design, using modern imagery techniques, I explore photography fully. It is my goal to create images that are memorable and deliver exceptional photography with every press of the shutter. Photography makes me happy, it allows me to reveal myself and express my creativity, I see the beauty of light, and that is what photography is about, light that allows me to capture the most beautiful of stories.” lyndahwellsphoto@gmailcom www.lyndahwells.com Tel: 242-727-9043 TARA DEAL- is the owner and creator of Creative Candie, a full service freelance design studio. Tara, was featured in the Winter /Spring issue of the magazine as one of our ‘21st Century Bahamian women’. Tara has been assisting in cover design since 2009, and shares credit for our latest cover! “I just believe in ‘Purpose and Excellence’. I was given this talent and I intend to use it to the best of my abilities. I’m not going to waste my God given talents; this is just another way of giving The Almighty praises”.
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SCHERLIN MAJOR Hair Stylist
hair studio, Hair International Salon. Scherlin’s ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary soon travelled around the island, and his clientele grew to the point of his having to hire an additional team of stylists.
An eighteen-year veteran in the field of hair styling Scherlin Major says that hair and interior design were always his passion. When asked how he got into styling, he responds, “I loved making women look beautiful, and it happened from there. I just fell into it.”
Since his arrival home, Scherlin has had numerous business ventures including a boutique and an upgraded salon in the Sandy Port Village, which included a state of the art day spa. Because of his love to ensure everyone reaches and maximizes their full potential, Scherlin’s client base consists of people from all walks of life.
After graduating high school, Scherlin traveled to Atlanta to pursue his long-term career goal of hairstyling. Atlanta afforded him many opportunities to display his skills and talents and he soon returned home to share his talent with his Bahamian people.
Scherlin has shared his knowledge with many hairstylists in the Bahamas by hosting hair seminars and styling courses. His ability to groom and maintain all hair types has afforded him the privilege of having successful relationships with international companies such as Paul Mitchell and Farouk Hair Systems.
The first of many ventures began with the opening of his first 14 www.nuwomanbs.com
Making no qualms of the challenges he has endured to arrive
to where he now stands, Scherlin can now boast of having being contracted to assist with the styling of contestants at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant and participating in the renowned Center Stage Hair Show, Chicago, Illinois, among many other accomplishments. Awards - Master Stylist Award for Farouk Systems Hair Shows - Chicago Center Stage - Farouk Systems - Revolution by Scherlin Major Other Recognition - Miss Universe Pageant 2009 Main Stylist
Some Before and After shots of models styled by Scherlin.
1. Sasha Anderson Before
After
2. Latesha Neymour-Gardiner 3. Gem Burrows Before
Before
After
After
Make-up: Italia Williams (Eye Candy).
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NINA ZADEH From Island Living to Styling in The Big Apple By Keira Duarte and Lauren Butler
N
ew York Fashion week is one of the most exciting and celebrated events in the entire fashion industry. Beautiful models glide down the runways bringing the creative visions of the designers to life. Buyers, paparazzi, and keen fashionistas watch for the pieces that catch their eye, and the up and coming trend to be set. Little do most know that behind the scenes of the magical display is an equally creative force: the stylist. Each runway look is carefully selected, analyzed and edited, not only to strengthen the designer’s brand, but to showcase the clothing to their highest potential. Behind every successful designer there is a successful stylist, who uses her keen eye to keep the buyers in the front row itching for those clothes to hang in their stores. When Grand Bahamian resident Nina Zadeh decided to become a stylist, she faced an upward battle. As a Boston College graduate and MBA candidate at Fordham University, many, including her family, asked- why fashion? They would have been more comfortable with her following the corporate herd, but, Nina, now living in Manhattan, opted instead for the tents of Bryant Park. Job security? Nope. Steady 9-5? Sorry. Sky-high salary? Not yet. But Nina, and those like me who consider her a good friend and the driver of her own ambitions, foresee a 16 www.nuwomanbs.com
successful future for this up and coming New York Stylist. With only two years experience under her belt, she has styled impressive runway shows at Miami and New York fashion weeks, working primarily with fashion’s wild child Richie Rich and muse Pamela Anderson. She was recently featured on VH1’s Terrell Owen reality show after he modeled one of her looks, and she has received significant press abroad after styling Germany’s Next Top Model winner. Last week, I had the pleasure of chatting with long time friend and source of inspiration, Nina Zadeh, to find out how living on an island has affected her career goals in fashion. How has growing up in Freeport (Grand Bahama) changed your perspective on style and the fashion industry? Bahamians are BOLD and VIBRANT people and I love that about them! They are not afraid to play with color and rarely play it safe. Living up north, you tend to see a lot of blacks and grays, but the Bahamian way of life definitely keeps my closet colorful and alive! I love Junkanoo – the festival costumes are covered in heavy beading, strong colors and lots of attention to detail. I need to bring some of these pieces back to New York! Without having access to big name department stores and wearing a uniform at Lucayan International School, how were you able to create a strong sense of style? My mother had a great sense of style and I always admired her for it. I would sneak into her closet to see if any of the modern day looks are coming back in style (we all know fashion repeats itself!) I’ve always loved wearing one-of-a-kind pieces, so Mom’s closet was always the best shopping for random purses, scarves and accessories. I would also pour over fashion magazines to see what was “In” and found a way to recreate it at local shops. When you are in Freeport, where do you shop?
- Seventeen Shop - Stepping Out Again - Elite Loft All 3 stores have great finds! The clothing is super in style, reasonably priced, and I can always find great tops and going-out clothing. Many times my friends have complimented my tops and then been surprised when I told them I bought it at Stepping Out Again or Seventeen and not in the United States! You relocated to Miami after graduating from university in 2008 and started styling shows at Miami Fashion week. That’s a big leap - how did you get started? Intern, intern, intern! GET AN INTERNSHIP! I knew the importance of networking and meeting the right people. I wasn’t looking for a job I was looking to get involved. These were all non-paying gigs. I found my first gig on an online job posting and offered my services for free during my spare time. This is an industry that doesn’t pay well until you make it so you have to be willing to dedicate your time and energy and find your reward in other ways besides a pay check. Ask a local up and coming designer if they need extra help. People love getting things for free! If you can give a couple hours after your ‘real job’ it will pay off in the long run and show your level of interest and passion. After interning for a few months at a modeling agency and a show room, I was able to meet designer Richie Rich and worked for free during a few of his shows; he eventually asked me to be part of his team. Having that experience with Richie has really jump-started my career. Richie Rich just started a new clothing line with muse Pamela Anderson. How is it working with two crazy characters? Pamela Anderson is iconic, but that is the image she’s built for herself and she’s very successful at it. At the end of the day, both Richie and Pam are both extremely creative down to earth people. Richie is the best “boss” to have because he has always treated me with the utmost respect (and he really trusts my creative instinct!) Usually, I cast all the models for the shows and choose what they will be wearing down the runway. His trust in me only reinforces our relationship and makes working with him that much more amazing! I have worked with him and Pamela for several shows and she has always been a great person to work with also.. I know you have worked with Tinsley Mortimer (New York Socialite, star and producer of the hit CW show High Society) a few times. Tell us about your experience. Tinsley is amazing! She is always awesome to work with and possesses two great qualities: she’s as professional as she is friendly. She trusts my instinct on what to dress her in and as a stylist, that’s probably one of the greatest compliments - when the client trusts your sense of fashion! Who is your style icon? I hate this question because I don’t have just one. I love pulling from all sorts of cultures and generations. I am inspired by celebrities as much as I am by the girl with the ‘bomb style’ walking down the street. My style icons are truly the stylist and the young trend setter. For example, Rihanna’s stylist, Mariel Haenn, has had a huge impact on Rhianna’s success and image as a style icon. I would love to be able to have that influence one day. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I don’t see myself as a stylist forever. I think it’s important to stay creative and be involved hands on with the clothing. But in the long run, I see myself opening a retail clothing store - ideally with international recognition! I am working on an online store, hopefully to launch by the end of this year, which will feature budding New York designers. What do you miss most about the Bahamas? Cracked conch, peas n’ rice and REGGAE music! They are playing music in New York that was the hit two summers ago back home. I miss the ocean, the weather, the silence at night, its beauty, its amazing people, and my wonderful set of friends - Need I go on?
Check out Nina’s style blog, www.StylebyNina.com to stay on top of up and coming trends and where she’s off to next!
Photo provided by Hadrien Toure
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Paradise on a plate
The Turks and Caicos Annual Conch Festival By Leah Larwood
Last year, Condé Nast Traveler Magazine’s “Best in the World” issue voted the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) as one of the top ten Caribbean island destinations, and it’s easy to see why. We’re lucky in the Caribbean to boast some of the most stunning beaches in the world, but it’s not just the pristine white sands and crystal clear waters that attract thousands of tourists to the TCI every year; it is also the home to the world’s only conch festival. Now there’s a claim to fame. This November 27th, Blue Hills in Providenciales will be the setting for the 7th Annual Turks and Caicos Conch Festival, where over 25 local chefs will host a conch cook-off on the beach in a bid to compete for the coveted conch crown title of “Grand Champion”. It is by far the most popular public event on the Turks and Caicos calendar. The serving suggestions are endless and there are no holds barred when it comes to conch. Caribbean cooking is a melting pot of rich and creative flavours influenced by European, Indian, Chinese and African methods, so it’s no wonder that you can find every kind of conch dish at the Festival in Provo. For a $20 entrance fee, conch-revelers can try over 100 different dishes which range from: miniature conch burgers, conch crepes, wontons, hot dogs, stew, canapés, curried conch, and conch on a stick, as well as many weird and wonderful twists on the traditional conch salad, fritter and chowder. The list really is endless. One of the best dishes I savored at the festival last year was the conch crepes from the 2009 “Grand Champion” Bay Bistro. The dish has repeatedly won awards at the Conch Festival year after year and can be ordered from their menu all-year-round. The dish has a seriously addictive combination - wafer thin light crepes stuffed with tender princess conch, earthy mushrooms, a robust roasted red pepper pesto served with a smooth light cream sauce and shavings of nutty parmesan cheese, which for me, is simply paradise on a plate. 18 www.nuwomanbs.com
Every year conch chefs from the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos woo the crowds with their conch creations, all looking for new and inventive ways to present the conch. Last year one of the most original conch nibbles came from fine-dining restaurant O’Soleil situated on Grace Bay. The restaurant’s Executive Chef Lauren Callighen, who also scooped the 2009 Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Chef of the Year award, devised a rather quirky offering: the conch hotdog. Chef Callighen created miniature sausages made from conch, served in a light choux pastry hot-dog bun with a home-made sticky orange marmalade accompaniment. Simply delicious. A big contributing factor to the Festival’s success is its beachfront setting in the area of Blue Hills. It’s a stone’s throw from pure white sands and vistas of the turquoise sea and overlooked by small colourful shacks lining the strip. Blue Hills has a more traditional and rugged charm when compared to the rest of the island. It is also home to one of the island’s first settlements and where many of the islanders still live today. This, coupled with the welcoming charm of the area, is what makes it the perfect spot for the festival. You’ll happen upon an eclectic bunch of people at the festival: Turks and Caicos Islanders, Bahamian, Jamaican, Canadian, American and European expats and tourists alike – who all congregate to be a part of the festivities and to pay homage to the conch. If conchgoers need a breather from the tasting tents, there is live Ripsaw music played throughout the day, a special Conch Blowing Contest and a Conch Knocking Contest staged for participants. If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, local rum producers Bambarra, offer complimentary rum-based drinks until the supplies run out, and this mixed with the samples left over from the bar-tenders’ mojito contest, marks the beginning of the end for any faint-hearted rum drinkers. But for most, as the rum begins to flow and as the sun sets, the pace steps up and the party starts as soon as the live music and entertainment from the Junkanoo performers begin. For the conch fanatic in pursuit of the Holy Grail (the promise of an exotic delicacy in a quirky and unspoiled
setting) the Turks & Caicos Islands Annual Conch Festival ticks a big box. With a great mix of good traditional Caribbean fun, food, live music, plenty of rum, local authenticity, charm and hospitality, the Turks and Caicos Conch Festival should be a firm favourite on every conch-lover’s calendar. Conch Trivia • The world record for eating Conch Fritters is 45 fritters in 6 minutes, held by competitive eating champion, Joe Menchetti from the USA. • In East Asian cuisines, conch is often cut into thin slices and then steamed or stir-fried. • Conch shells have overlapping whorls with a bright colored pink lip, which can reach a length of 12 to 13 inches. • The operculum, which is the covering of the shell opening, is a claw like structure which the conch uses to dig into the sand and push itself along the bottom. • Conchs are plant-eaters and can live as long as 25 years. “The Five Cays Under the Tree Ripsaw Band”
CONCH FESTIVAL TROPHIES
Serving at Conch Festival
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Sustainably Speaking The Turks and Caicos is the world’s leading exporter of conch, and unlike other islands, that have banned conch fishing due to shortages, the TCI has a very watertight environmental policy when it comes to conch fishing. Home to the world’s only conch farm, where conch is raised from veliger to adult, the farm which has been running for over 20 years is a big contributing factor to the sustainability of this popular delicacy. …recipe follows PRINCESS CONCH AND MUSHROOM CREPES Recipe from Craig McNeil Head Chef at Bay Bistro Restaurant Grace Bay, Provo As determined by popular vote, Bay Bistro was awarded the title of “Grand Champion” at the 2009 Turks and Caicos Conch Festival. Head Chef, Craig McNeil has given NU Woman readers the chance to try the delicious recipe for his award-winning Princess Conch Crepes! Filling 10 pieces princess conch 5 cups sliced fresh button mushrooms Half white onion 1 garlic clove minced Small piece of butter for sautéing 2 cups white wine Half pint of chicken stock 1 quart of cream Red Pepper Pesto 5 roasted red peppers 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup pine nuts 1 clove garlic Few sprigs of cilantro 4 cups extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper Method: 1. Wash conch and pound once or twice with a meat tenderizer, roughly chop and set aside in fridge. 2. To make the red pepper pesto, blend all the ingredients except the oil in a blender for a few seconds. Gradually add in the oil until well mixed. 3. Sauté mushrooms and onions in a pot with garlic and butter until soft, add white wine and chicken stock 20 www.nuwomanbs.com
and reduce by half. Add cream and bring to a boil, then simmer until mixture begins to thicken. 4. Just before you are about to use the mixture add in the conch (the conch only takes seconds to cook so always add last!!) Season with salt and pepper to taste. 5. Use a traditional crepe recipe and fill crepe with filling. Garnish with red pepper pesto and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. ##
Making Conch Salad. Ingredients often include: lime or lemon, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, salt, and pepper.
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Pelican Bay at Lucaya offers a new Wedding Venue Pelican Bay at Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island, is a very special place for weddings. And, come mid-summer, will introduce a brand new wedding venue experience – the Canal House. To launch the new venue, the hotel is offering local couples who reserve a wedding for 50 to 100 guests at Pelican Bay, between now and December 31st, 2010, a complimentary stay in a waterside state room (suite) for two nights. “Pelican Bay is one of the best locations to get married with a guest list of up to 100 people,” said Marva Munroe, the hotel’s wedding expert. “We can plan every detail, decor and design of your wedding for you, with our extensive ‘preferred partner list’. The beauty of our property is that we enhance your special day by allowing only one wedding per day. As such, you truly have the hotel’s wedding staff all to yourself.” The $8-million, five-storey Canal House boasts a size of 30,680 sq ft with total event space, including balconies, of 15,600 sq ft. Quirky décor and unusual experiences are the order of the day for weddings and events such as anniversaries, birthdays and bar mitzvahs at the Canal House. Decorated in colorful Bahamian themes with floor-toceiling double doors open to balmy Bahamian breezes and panoramic island views, the Canal House features stunning water vistas and an eclectic fusion of Bahamian/Caribbean cuisine. “This was the most wonderful experience for all of us!” wrote Mrs. Becky Fisher, mother of bride Suzanne Fisher, in a letter to Mrs. Munroe. “The wedding was absolutely stunning and lovely. From the minute we arrived, the welcome party, the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, to the reception was just filled with such good times and magical moments for the kids and their guests. “John and I cannot thank you and your staff enough for your care and organization of this blessed event for our child,” said Mrs. Fisher. She has expressed so many times what a dream come true the entire events of the wedding were. I am so glad God led us your way. Bless you for you and your many gifts your share!” One of the Bahamas’ newest hotels, Pelican Bay specializes in hosting elegant, traditional and fun weddings for up to 100 guests in a setting that caters to every need of both the wedding couple and their cherished guests. From intimate, unique venues to custom wedding cakes, floral creations, and memorable cuisine, the hotel’s planner can help you plan your wedding day to make it everything you have ever imagined. Pelican Bay offers wedding packages that allow you to personalize your wedding with self-made items and to know from the start what your wedding will cost with no surprises 22 www.nuwomanbs.com
… other than romantic ones. Do you dream of getting married on a beach or under tropical palms? The Beach Bliss Wedding offers some of the most beautiful, secluded, white sand beaches in the entire Caribbean, where the soft caress of turquoise waters serve as a backdrop for this experience of a lifetime. The Water’s Edge Wedding with its Waterside Gazebo spot is designed especially for intimate wedding ceremonies, overlooking the azure waters of beautiful Bell Channel Bay, embraced on each side by elegant island palms. The hotel’s Neptune Pool is another attractive location with a vast water view for an outdoor wedding ceremony. A couple may also renew wedding vows at Pelican Bay. Reception menus fuse contemporary global cuisine with the indigenous flavors of the Bahamas and Caribbean for a truly unforgettable dining experience. Entertainment options vary from a Dee Jay, authentic Bahamian musicians, steel bands, or the mood music of your choice. The culinary team includes award-winning chefs. Canal House fetes feature: Choice of five hors d’oeuvres Four-hour Premium Open Bar Three-course plated meal including starter, entrée and dessert Scrumptious buffets Discounted group room rates for wedding guests, inclusive of daily Buffet Breakfast, are also offered. Return to celebrate your first wedding Anniversary with two nights complimentary on a minimum four-night stay. Expedia.com’s exclusive 2010 Insiders’ Select ranked Pelican Bay at Lucaya as one of the best hotels in the world for quality and value with a score of 99.30. Pelican Bay is number one of five Bahamas hotels making the list and is ranked 9th in the Caribbean. This year marks the fourth year that Pelican Bay has made the Expedia Insiders’ Select list. A favourite amongst business travelers, locals and visitors alike, Pelican Bay at Lucaya is where guests find up close and personal service, ease of movement amidst a lush, tropical garden setting. Over 30 restaurants and bars are within walking distance. Everything a couple and guests would want is within stones throw of the property -- a full service spa, ferry that can take travelers to the private beach or other parts of the island for snorkeling, scuba or sun bathing. An on-site guest services team member accommodates just about any request. Guest rooms have a water view. Waterside staterooms have a box in the entrance door where breakfast pastries, fruit and a faxed copy of the New York Times are delivered
Photo provided by Pelican Bay Hotel
Photo by Lyndah Wells
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each morning. Overlooking the Bell Channel Bay, Sabor Restaurant and Bar, located in the garden facing the water, is the place to savour all the tastes of the tropics. With its innovative fusion menu and Latin beat, Sabor is one of the hottest restaurants in The Bahamas. Funky Fridays and Jazzy Saturdays, weekly Sabor happenings are a “must.” Live entertainment featuring Tru Music and Shelley Carey is the Jazzy Saturdays highlight. The restaurant is open 10 a.m. to 12 midnight. Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., happy hour 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., dinner 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday Brunch runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pelican Bay knows what really makes weddings happy and memorable, from the most significant to the smallest of details. Their Bahamas wedding specialist will ensure every facet of your wedding day will be in a word, HAPPY! Contact our Professional Wedding Planner, Marva Munroe, at 242.373.9550 or via email at weddings@PelicanBayHotel. com. Pelican Bay • Happiness Guaranteed! Photos by Lyndah Wells
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The Legendary Ronnie Butler
talks about Love, Life & Music By Erica Meus-Saunders
M
y interview with Mr. Ronnie Butler was a year in the making. I had the opportunity to have met him at Sandy Port in August 2009, hanging out at what was then the Oyster Bar. I had gone out to celebrate with some friends and listen to some jazz when in walked Mr. Butler. That same night he performed, after which I gave him my business card and got his contact and promised that at some point I wanted to interview him for my magazine. So almost an entire year later, I was sitting in his living room and having a conversation. I took my girlfriend Suzette along who was excited to meet the man himself. A candid person, Ronnie Butler spoke freely about his music, his life, about the decline of morals, an appreciation for culture, and the plight of the Bahamian musician. We started with me talking about a previous interview he had done with Jeff Lloyd; I mentioned to Ronnie that I had to do some catching up on him. He cracked a joke that I should then know that he had gone to jail for stealing chicken; I could not help but laugh and the interview proceeded in a comfortable banter.
On Religion Ronnie: I was brought up like most of us in the church, barefoot, patch in the ass. I was dragged to church, spent 5 days a week in church. At 17, I was what was called ‘MC on the altar’. I would have to set the pages for the priest, the chapters that he would read from on those days. So I knew that bible from back to front at the age of 17. But then I questioned some of the things. I asked the priest, who was an English priest, some questions and he told me that I should not question the bible, but just believe it. So I asked him, ‘Well, why don’t we ever read the bible period?’ And I would pretty much guess, that if you have been going to church since a young child, no matter what the denomination is, you have not seen where they have started reading from Genesis and go to Exodus. It’s like they are always picking through and never reading the entire Bible. Do you know why? Do you know why? It’s because they don’t want you to do what I’ve done, which is question. There are so many things there to question, and when you start questioning and especially when you get a few answers, your mind begin to open up. This is why I’m
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at this stage, from being an MC on the altar at 17, I have not been back.
About his early beginnings NW: How long have you been performing? Ronnie: 55 years. NW: When did you first begin performing? And where did you begin performing? Ronnie: I started performing right after I was 17, at a place that was on East Street North, between Shirley and Bay. It was called the Carlton House. It’s no longer there; there is a parking lot where Carlton House used to be. NW: So how did you get into music at that young age? Ronnie: I didn’t choose music; I sort of glided into music. I did masonry. The guy, who lived across the street from me, played a Hawaiian guitar (the kind you put across your knees). I used to go over there after work and fool around with him, and then about ten days later, I went home and there was a drummer there, and we started practicing. I guess about two months later, he got the job at the Carlton House. At that time, when we got the job at the Carlton House I was still doing masonry. The Carlton House job was from 7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., so I could go home and sleep and get up and then go to do masonry work. The money I made from masonry, I could not crack that envelope, if I opened that envelope that was ‘cutass’ for days. Every penny of that went to my mom, so the $10 that I was making from performing was now money on the side for me, which was fine. I wasn’t doing this to say I wanted to be a musician, I was doing it to make a couple dollars; but then, as I got into it, I got to like it. The more I did it, the more I liked it. Although I sang in church, at that time I did not sing, I had started with shaking maracas. After working with them, that’s when I got into doing the Bahamian songs.
Recent accomplishments NW: How many albums have you done? Ronnie: Fourteen. My fifteenth album will be out in a couple of weeks, I hope. It’s a semi-jazz album and it’s here already. I just haven’t released it yet. But I am planning on releasing it in two to three weeks. Right now, I’m working on a gospel album which is about two thirds done. NW: On your fifteenth album, who did you work with? Or is it all Ronnie Butler? Ronnie: Vocal wise yes, it’s all me. Of course, I have musicians play the instruments you know. It’s basically old standard American Jazz tunes, a couple of Bossa Novas. 26 www.nuwomanbs.com
NW: What is a Bossa Nova? Ronnie: It’s a rhythm. It’s amazing. When I started in music, the band and I would mention King Eric and his band; because after quitting that first group that I mentioned, I started working with King Eric. At that time, the bands played a number of rhythms. There was Bossa Nova; there was Cha-Cha; there was Samba, Tango, and Meringue. All of these different rhythms we played, because people danced to that. Today, if you tell a band to play a Cha-Cha, they’re lost. It’s just one of those things that happened in music. This new album has a couple of Bossa Novas, a couple of slow tunes. One of my favourite songs is on this CD. Ronnie: I haven’t actually released it yet (Ronnie goes and gets the new CD for me to have a look at). NW: Wow! So what’s one of your favourite songs on this album? Ronnie: On this album, my favourite song is called “Lucky Old Sun” NW: Tell me about the song “Lucky Old Sun” Ronnie: Oh it’s …ummm (pause). You have people … entertainers who will get up on stage and sing a song, and it’s just a song. I’ve found over my career that in certain songs, there is more to it. Most people want to hear, ‘I love you, you love me’. These songs are a dime a dozen. I will give you an idea of a popular song called ‘My Way’, not only was it a popular standard song, but it said something. Well, ‘Lucky Old Sun’ to me goes even deeper than that. When I sing this song, I feel and I see in my mind’s eye, what I am singing. And to be honest, very rarely will I sing this song. Because like two other songs I love, I normally cry when I sing it. Just talking about it gets me emotional. They mean so much, they say so much, you need to go beyond the fact that you are entertaining and think in terms of what you are singing and try to get to that depth. NW: I really need to hear this song now. NW: We were talking about Bossa Novas and you said that you had played with King Eric, how long did you play with him? Ronnie: I worked with King Eric for about six and a half years. He taught me all I know. NW: And where did you mostly perform with King Eric? Ronnie: Ah, at a place called Captain Kids, also the Barmar. Those were the two places that I basically performed.
On Marriage NW: Have you ever been married?
Ronnie: Twice. NW: So you are a marrying man? (laughter) Ronnie: I was. The second marriage, the minute I wrote that song (‘I’m a Married Man) and recorded it, two weeks later my wife left me.
NW: In terms of Bahamian musicians, how would you compare the musicians back then to what’s coming up now?
Ronnie: Well, you know most people have bumpy relationships.
Ronnie: When you compare, I don’t think that there is much difference. The young musicians of today are into instruments, guitars, saxophone and stuff like that. Where, I kind of fall-off is when on any stage, where someone is performing, especially a band, they should look like a band. They should not look like they just came of the banana boat: one has on blue-jean and white t-shirt, the next one got on brown…you know what I mean. Back in the day when you walked into a room, even if the band was on a break, you could look at the clothes he was wearing and see that he was different, and that is one of the things that I have a problem with. But hey, you can’t open your mouth nowadays, so you got to keep your mouth shut. People do what they want to do.
NW: Yeah, but was it more difficult than normal, due to the fact that you are a musician?
RONNIE TALKS ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THE BAHAMIAN MUSICIAN
Ronnie: No, not really. My first marriage broke up because I was young, stupid and doing sh#@.
NW: Right now, would you say that there are a lot of places or avenues for a Bahamian artist to play?
NW: Why did she leave? Ronnie: I ‘een know… I know, but I can’t tell you (laughter). NW: So as an entertainer, would you say that you have had a bumpy road with relationships?
NW: How many years ago was that? Ronnie: Oh, my son is going to be 48/49, so I was about 26/27 when I got married. So yes, I was young and stupid. I take total responsibility for the break-up of my first marriage. My second marriage, if I didn’t cook, I didn’t eat, if I didn’t pay the light bill, the house would be in darkness, I couldn’t take any more of that. The woman was a workaholic… I didn’t get “any” in six months. Ronnie reveals that both his wives were foreigners. NW: Were your wives living here? Ronnie: Both of them were living here. NW: So how many children do you have? Ronnie: I have five children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. NW: Is that it for you on the marriage front? Do you think that you will marry again? Ronnie: She got to be good boy, cause at my age… Ronnie says that his entertainment has taken him everywhere except the Far East. Ronnie: I haven’t been to the Far East, but I have been pretty much all over Europe and the western world. I did a lot of traveling with the Ministry of Tourism and the Hotel Association, promotional tours, you know. Actually, traveling helped to widen my scope. Going into museums in Germany, and seeing things that we can’t duplicate today, when people thousand of years ago was doing this stuff. We can’t do it today, but it’s there.
Ronnie: There are just a few. To be perfectly honest with you…I blame (and you can put this in big bold letters) I BLAME THE GOVERNMENTS, and I say governments (both) because none of them ‘een no good. When they make their heads of agreements, they say to these people (hotels, foreign investors) we want you to hire some Bahamian musicians. Well that is Bulls#@#, excuse my expression because they are giving the person a way out, okay. When you give away hundreds of millions of dollars in concessions of this country, I’m a part of that. So are you giving those concessions away just for waitresses, waiters, bartenders and maids? No. This is a part of my country you are giving away, so I should also benefit. When I say “I”, I am speaking about musicians and entertainers in general. They (government) just say we want you to hire, and so as a result, the fellow may hire two here, three there. We have on Paradise Island at the Atlantis, a piano player and a singer and that’s ‘BAND”. That is totally ridiculous, especially when you have all these musicians who aren’t working. And then to make it even worse, the government goes further - now the Defense Force has a pop-band, the Police have a pop-band, and the jail people have a pop band. These people get a salary, rain or shine. They get pay every month from the government, but they are out there taking jobs that the regular musicians should be getting, but THEY are getting it. Why? My only conclusion as to why this is, is that they must be working for far less money or something. The point I’m making is that this shouldn’t be allowed. If it is a government function, sure, this is okay. The Police pop-band or the Defense Force pop-band
RONNIE BUTLER continued on page 30 27
SummeR/ Autumn Fashion Designs By BRYNDA KNOWLES Photographed by Lyndah Wells & Dwayne Delancy
Sasha Anderson wears a two-piece by Brynda Make-up Italia Williams Hair style- Scherlin Major (Hair Int’l)
Latesha Neymour Hair and styling Scherlin Major
From Left to Right: Gem Burrows, Latesha Neymour and Sasha Anderson Make-up: Italia Williams Hair and styling: Scherlin Major, Hair International Salon & Spa Brynda Knowles Haute Couture Photos by Lyndah Wells 28 www.nuwomanbs.com
Androsia by Brynda Knowles Model: Swanique Sawyer Make-up: GeJonte Bain Photo by Dwayne Delancy
Swanique wears- a Biana Make-up: GeJonte Bain Photo: Dwayne Delancy
Gem Burrows wears Brynda Knowles designs Make-up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major Photo: Lyndah Wells 29
The Legendary Ronnie Butler cont’d at government house or at some big ‘to do’ where the government has some dignitaries is fine, but they should not be allowed to go to Exuma to a regatta to perform, especially when you have a band sitting down here, who only maybe work once or twice a month, and the Police and Defense Force are getting paid every month come rain or shine. To me that is not right. Suzette: Have you ever been a part of The Bahamas Musicians Union? Ronnie: I have been a part of this, and I’m still affiliated with them, but that’s a Union. The Union can only do so much, and we are not and never have been as strong as say the Hotel and Caterers Workers Union, because we never had that many members.
Musicians who influenced his music NW: What instruments do you play? Ronnie: I play a number of instruments. As I said, King Eric was largely responsible for me being Ronnie Butler the entertainer. He gave me the opportunity to learn how to be a band leader, and as a band leader in my view, you are supposed to be able to tell the drummer “Eh, man I said play Bossa Nova, not Rumba.” If you are in charge, the ball is in your court. Someone comes over to dance a Bossa Nova, and the drummer is playing Rumba, and that person is a professional dancer, he knows , so I’m supposed to know to tell my drummer to play the right kind of music, and if he can’t, I’m supposed to teach him. So I learned to play the guitar and base drums, the saxophone, the steel drums, the Bongos, and the Congo. NW: What is your favourite instrument? Ronnie: My favourite instrument is and always was the guitar. NW: So would you say that King Eric influenced you most? Ronnie: Yes, of course. There were also people like Joseph Spence, Blind Blake, and George Symonette who were entertainers ahead of me. Also Freddie Munnings Senior.
A dying culture Ronnie: I went to the US Embassy a couple of years ago, and I walked in the lobby, and my picture was there in the lobby, okay. I walked into the Ministry of Culture’s Office and you have got ‘the Golden Girls” and you have Sir Durward Knowles. So what are they saying, track and field and boat sailing is culture? And that is again, bullsh@#, because everywhere in the world, there is track and field and boat sailing. Our country is the only country where you can find Rake N’ Scrape. Sadly, it’s not just this Ministry, that’s how it’s always been, they just don’t care. Again, Cuba is a communist country and they have a Ministry of Culture. We got a Ministry of Youth, Sports and then Culture. So culture comes last, and culture should be at the top of the heap, next to tourism. Culture should be top of the heap. I get tired of beating my head up against the wall, and that’s why I don’t talk much about it. I don’t talk about it on the radio anymore. When they ask me to come on the radio, I ask them what are we going to talk about? If we are going to talk about the crime, fine. I don’t talk about music because I am tired of talking about it, it ain’t doing any good. People, who can do something about it, are not doing anything. I’ll give you an example of how lousy these people are. Tyler Perry used my song in the movie (Married Man). Now somebody here, had to know when it was going to be premiered and all that sort of thing, they were premiering this movie on Monday night; I got contacted on Sunday. You know somebody in this country knew what was happening, now you let that had been Mr. ‘so and so’ entertainer from the US or somewhere else, that shit would never have happened. This is how we are defined by the powers that be, my view, the way we are treated, as second class citizen. I will tell you there was a time in this country when a man called Stafford Sands in spite of what Tom, Dick or Harry might say, musicians were looked up to in this country and appreciated. But from1967, everything started going downhill. Why? It’s the same old story, a fellow who is in business, if he has any kind of sense, and you can always tell the people who are successful,
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they don’t care who the idea came from as long as it’s going to make the bottom line look good. But now, you will find that most Bahamians who are in our government, the idea had better come from somebody from Canada, or the States (US) or England or someplace else, because Bahamian ‘een gone do it. We had in this country, the biggest promotional thing we can have, which was the Miss Universe Pageant; did you see what we had for entertainment? There was a time when I was proud to be a Bahamian, not any more. Everything is just gone and it’s continuing to go down the hill. Don’t talk about the social ills, that’s even worse. NW: So how do we as a country get back to where we were? Ronnie: Let me tell you how we got this way. Bahamians in general were never a violent people; we always tried to be nice. I remember going over to New York, and going to New Jersey, and I went with these friends of mine to a store and when we got there, there were 1,500 people picketing in front of the store because they went up one cent on a loaf of bread. But here, we walk into the food store and pay $1.99 for the corn beef, and the next time we go it’s $2.45, and we just pick it up. We are too easy, and as a result, the people who are in charge, mainly the governments take advantage of that; and because we don’t get out there in huge numbers they just do what they want to do without even consulting us. Total lack of respect. Suzette: I always wondered if it’s because we are so proud. They go up on the prices and nobody wants to complain. They don’t want to say they can’t afford it, they just pretend as if everything is okay, and complain amongst themselves. Ronnie: Well, that’s probably a part of it. We bury our heads in the sand and then we have to take what we get. But like I said, it’s pointless to have one voice crying in the wilderness, because you will be crying in the wilderness forever. You need numbers. On several occasions, I can tell you of actions myself and a few other people wanted to take and we tried to get a certain amount of people but they didn’t want to follow through. They were afraid of loosing what they might have. NW: I think a lot of Bahamians put too little a value on who they are and what they are worth… Because if I’m worth this, this little piece of bread you are giving me on the side means nothing to me. So many of them will just accept that, either because they are too afraid to rock the boat or they think it’s okay.
About Teenage pregnancy and social ills Ronnie: You know if my memory serves me right, there is a part in the Bible that says “O ye generation of vipers” that is what we are dealing with. I think it’s going to be difficult; it’s going to be very, very difficult to make the type of changes that are necessary. First of all, you would have to have the patience of Job. You are dealing with a generation now, where you can’t yell at, or scream at, because you could get killed. Children are not being brought up, they are growing up, and I saw the trend 30 years ago with this 15 year old; she wasn’t quite 15, and I went to Pindling. I said Ping, ‘you need to make it mandatory, that when they girls get 14 years old they go on the pill, at least if they are making love they can go to school, and get a proper education’. Now they are dropping out of school because they are pregnant. They can’t boil water and they are having babies. If they can’t boil water, how are they going to teach the children to boil water? It’s digressing all the time. I am just happy to have lived in this country when living was good, when I could jump in my car at 2:00 in the morning, go out to the esplanade, open my doors, lay cross my back seat, go to sleep with money in my pocket, and wake up the next morning with money in my pocket.
The highlight of his career NW: So through all your years of playing is there anyone who you wanted to play with, but did not have an opportunity to play with? Ronnie: No, I have had the opportunity …in 68, 69 I had the opportunity to play with Roy Hamilton, when he came to Nassau. He was one of my favourite foreign artists, so was Ray Charles. Ray Charles is at the top of that list. But my biggest moment in entertainment was to be able to perform on a stage where many of the greats performed at the Apollo Theatre in New York City. 31
NW: So this CD coming out will be the fifteenth, what was the first? Ronnie: The first album was called “Ronnie Butler Steps Out” NW: What has been your most memorable album? Ronnie: The Burma Road Album. It is forty years old and it’s still going strong. Ronnie and the Ramblers produced that. NW: I heard you had part ownership in a Club? Ronnie: Yes, Ronnie’s Rebel Room, you were five when I left there. NW: Wow! (laughter). NW: What was so memorable about the Burma Road album? I love that album. Ronnie: Well, a number of the songs on that album, I wrote and what I wrote I had lived. And as a result, it was my life at the time and to a large degree still is. I haven’t changed, I would still rather go to the Reef and eat “Corn Beef and Rice” as opposed to going to Gray Cliff and them putting bush on my plate and calling it garnish, and they charging you for it (laughter).
Ronnie on his other hobbies NW: Outside of music what do you do? Suzette: Besides women (laughter) Ronnie: See you just took the wind right out of my sail. Well, actually I enjoy reading, I read a lot. Most people know me because they see me on the stage for an hour or two, or when I had the band 3-4 hours, and it’s ha, ha…But the other 22 hours of the day, they don’t know me, they don’t know what I think, because I don’t get into that with anybody. I’m basically a loner, I don’t keep company, I don’t hang out, I don’t drink liquor, take drugs or anything like that, I never have. NW: You have never? Ronnie: I had my first taste of alcohol on my 29th Birthday, and maybe since then, I’ve had maybe 12 drinks. I grew up around drunks and that kinda put a damper on it. When I was in my late 20’s, early thirties, grass was prevalent, but I always believed that I want to do what I do and remember and know what I’ve done. I don’t want somebody to have to tell me well you did this because… I just stayed away from all drugs. My thing was, I would get off work and go home or go to the club, but other than that, if I could put the money one place, these couple of books you see here is a joke. The books in my back bedroom, in my mother’s house, the books I have in storage, if I had the money right now…I spend a lot of my time reading and I’ve been doing that for the last 38 to 40 years, just searching for knowledge. If a doctor wants to talk to me, if they want to talk about DNA or the Double Helix, Recumbent DNA, I can conversate because I’ve put my time into it. I have what you call this insatiable thirst for knowledge, so I spend a lot of money on books. So this book that you asked me about, this is the next chapter. This book is the Knowledge of Enoch, I want to get the actual book of Enoch. Ronnie Butler FYI Ronnie wrote his first song on his first album which was called Bahamian Gal. Photo provided by Ronnie Butler.
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MODELS PROFILES Latesha admits that she has been interested in modeling since the age of 13. Job Description/Occupation: Student. She attends Temple Christian High School. Siblings: My mother and father have divorced and remarried. My older sister and I are from my parent’s marriage. My father has six children and this includes my older sister and me; my mom has three including my older sister and me. I have two stepbrothers and one stepsister from my stepfather. “Winning the cover shot would mean so much to me. It would show me that I am beautiful and fit to be anything in life, and I would have accomplished something. It would build my confidence and assure me that even though I am still in school, I am still reaching my goals. The first thing I would do if I saw myself on the cover would be to tell someone to buy that issue. I know my mom and dad would be so proud of me… I would cry tears of joy!”
1. LATESHA NEYMOURGARDINER Age: 19
Zodiac Sign: Cancer Hobbies: Modeling and dancing
perience!
On the model search and reality TV show. The model search has been great. I got to meet a lot of new people; the fun we shared and the experience during the shoots (to have a make-up artist and hair stylist right there), wow! Waking up in the morning and there is the camera, and you had to be ready to talk. I cannot wait to see the reality show. it’s my first time doing anything like this. I have so much people waiting for the “Nu Face Reality Show” and the cover. This was all a lesson and a great ex-
Latesha as styled by Scherlin Major Make-up: Italia Williams Photo: Lyndah Wells
Left: Latesha wear Haute Couture by Brynda Knowles. Right: Clothing by Catwalk Boutique. Make-up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major Photographed by Lyndah Wells 34 www.nuwomanbs.com
Left: Crochet swimsuit by KJO. Right: Clothes by Catwalk Boutique Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Salon & Spa Photographed by Phillippa Michel
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Eat, Pray, Yoga By Leah Larwood It’s not just because August is the movie release of the international bestseller Eat, Pray, Love, which should have us all in the mood for a spiritual make-over; it’s the season... Summer. Where work always seems to be at its busiest, wedding invitations are aplenty, balancing the school holidays with a social life seems near impossible, and then there’s planning the summer vacation. To mark NU Woman magazine’s busy summer issue, I have taken a crash course in yoga. For one month, I have lived and breathed yoga to find out whether it really does deliver as one of the oldest stress-busters in the book. First, to complement any form of exercise, there is no use continuing to eat the wrong foods. So to balance my regime, I followed a few healthy eating guidelines. I removed alcohol from my diet completely (although the recommended weekly allowance of alcohol for women is fourteen units – that’s the equivalent of fourteen small glasses of wine) and ensured that I ate at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. I also drank plenty of water and limited my red meat to twice a week and avoided animal fats where possible. Check! Cutting out chocolate was less successful, but let’s not dwell on that, everyone has to have one guilty pleasure in life.
levels. Some researchers say that yoga can even slow the aging process and have a positive effect on learning and your memory in general. Concentration Yoga really does demand that you focus your attention fully on each and every pose; and after one month, I did notice that my concentration levels had improved to some extent. The art of yoga is very similar to meditating. It requires you to be mindful of the present, centering your attention by focusing awareness on the consistent pace of your breathing and on the different parts of your body. This of course, encourages you to concentrate on the task at hand and to hold that concentration and sometimes a rather demanding pose for a period of time. Mood Booster During and after my month long session of yoga, I did not find that my mood was particularly different; however, I did feel somewhat calmer, especially after the classes ended. Reduced stress levels and improved moods tend to go hand in hand, so I do think that the improved mood was perhaps a result of the impact yoga has on my reduced stress levels.
Next, I took part in a mixture of different yoga classes on offer in the Turks and Caicos. Although there are many different types of yoga, some more vigorous than others, I mainly focused on Hatha yoga techniques. My hit list of top yoga spots in town included a class taught by local yoga supremo David Bowen at the Rock It Hot gym; I also sampled yoga classes offered at the Gansevoort Resort’s Exhale Spa; and in between these sessions, I tried out an online yoga class twice a week. The online class was easier to work into my schedule but for a beginner, it really is essential to attend a class in person, so that you can master the moves with the support of an instructor.
Flexibility Being a ballet fanatic for most of my childhood, I have always been supple, and being relatively fit now, I really did not think that I would have any problems on the flexibility front. Oh, how I was wrong! After my first class, I felt like an elderly lady who had just recovered from a hip replacement, some of my 70 year old classmates were seriously putting me to shame. Yoga is a gentle exercise, but don’t be fooled. Make sure you warm up and stretch before the class. I made the mistake of walking straight into a class without warming up, and after attempting the ‘Camel’ pose I came out of class walking like an Egyptian.
Yoga Benefits During my quest to find out whether yoga is the answer to all our prayers, I discovered that there are around five or so main benefits to this ancient art. Firstly, it is great for reducing stress levels; it is also reported to help enhance your concentration levels; it is a great mood booster; and if practiced regularly, improves not only your flexibility and posture but also your core strength.
Strength Practicing yoga is said to improve muscle tone and strength. Holding some of the poses I learnt, such as the Downward Dog and Plank pose, builds your upper-body strength which becomes more important as people age. The standing poses, especially if you hold them for several long breaths, builds strength in your abdominal muscles and hamstrings. Practicing yoga for one month gave me a good insight, but to build strength and noticeably tone your body, you really must invest time every week to practice yoga regularly.
Stress Busting I actually started my yoga assignment mid-house relocation, when my stress levels were higher than usual. At first, as with any busy schedule, it felt impossible to squeeze in the early morning classes. However, once I found a routine I could stick to, I did actually find that I was feeling more at ease after the class had finished and was sleeping much better in the evenings. So for me, I really did notice the impact on my stress 36 www.nuwomanbs.com
So with summer now approaching and things heating up in more ways than one, it’s time to chill out, take a deep breath, assume the position, and get bendy with the 5,000 year old cure for stress. Yoga me up!
Essentials Find a yoga class near you in the Bahamas or in the Turks and Caicos: Nassau, Bahamas: Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Paradise Island, Nassau 1-242-363-2902 Freeport, Bahamas: Kim Ferguson 1-242-646-0356 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos: Exhale Spa at the Gansevoort 1-649-941-7555
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Rock It Hot 1-649-331-6348
Preparation for a Variation of Parivatta Janu Sirsasana or Preparation for variation for Revolved Head to Knee. 37
SEXY SUMMER SWIMWEAR
Model: Latesha Neymour-Gardiner Swimsuit : KJO crochet swimsuits Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Salon & Spa Make-up: Italia Williams Photo by Phillippa Michel
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Model: Gem Burrows Swimsuit : KJO crochet swimsuits Hair: Scherlin Major Make-up: Italia Williams Photo by Phillippa Michel Location: Glass Window Bridge, North Eleuthera
Model: Tomacina Culmer Swimsuit : Splashdance Hair: KK Make-up: Trece Photo by Lyndah Wells Location: Lighthouse Point Beach
Model: Tomacina Culmer Swimsuit: Splashdance Make-up: Trece Hair: KK Jewelry: The Curiosity Shop, Port Lucaya, Freeport, GrandBahama Location: Pelican Bay Hotel Photographed by Lyndah Wells Lyndah Wells Photography
Model: Gwyneth Grant Swimsuit : SplashDance Make-up: Trece Location: Pelican Bay Hotel Photo by Lyndah Wells 42 www.nuwomanbs.com
Model: Sasha Anderson Swimsuit : KJO crochet swimsuits Make-up: Italia Williams Hair : Scherlin Major, Hair International Salon & Spa Location: Valentines Resort and Marina, Harbour Island Photo by Lyndah Wells
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Model: Swanique Sawyer Swimsuit : KJO crochet swimsuits Shoes: Bani Shoe Warehouse Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Make-up: Italia Williams Photo by Lyndah Wells Location: Valentines Resort and Marina Harbour Island. NuFace Model Search 2010 www.nuwomanbs.com 45
Brynda Knowles Featured Designer By Erica Meus-Saunders
She also studied Marketing and Tourism at the University of Quebec in Montreal and has traveled extensively representing the Bahamas with the Ministry of Tourism in the United States, Canada, St Martin, the Dominican Republic and Bermuda, promoting her then Androsia Line. A former manager of the Beauty Spot she has won numerous awards in the theatre (DANSAS- for make-up and costumes). She is also Senior Fashion Consultant at Modes Illes Ltd – Islands of the World Fashion Week. Brynda, who still specializes in Androsia prints, recently made some pieces (featured in our summer fashion shoot) for the hostess at the Miss Universe 2009 Fashion show here in Nassau. At the opening of the actual broadcast of the show, her designs were once again on display as 20 little angels from Yodephy (dance and modeling academy) wore her designs. As our featured designer, Nu Woman had a chance to talk one-on-one with this extra-ordinary woman. NW: How did you get into design? Brynda: My mother and grandmother sewed, so it was a natural progression. When I told my mother that I was going to take up fashion design, she asked, ‘you are going to teach it eh?’ When I finished boarding school and after I finished fashion design, I wanted to know the technical things and I went on from there. NW: How long have you been designing? Brynda: Goodness, I’ve been designing professionally, probably for 27 years, but I have always sewn. The first thing I started to do to market myself was the “Apple Hats” when the Jackson Five wore them, that was a long time ago. I use to design so much, my graduation gift from Xavier’s when I was 11 was a sewing machine. Brynda admits that she like to work with natural fibers. “I like natural fibers. I specialize in linen, silks, and the cottons, because they are porous and can breathe and flow. I love silk chiffon. “I was conceived on pins,” says four-time Bahamian Designer of the Year, Brynda Knowles. Brynda graduated from LaSalle College in Montreal, Canada, where she had her apprenticeship with Canadian Fashion Designers John Warden and Leo Chevalier.
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She talks about one of the pieces used in the summer shoot: “This is called a Biana; it is actually a Brazilian name (I use to have a line with the Girls from Brazil). This piece was chosen when we had our first cultural festival here; it was chosen as the natural dress of the Bahamas.
Brynda says that many people do not know that she also creates costumes for the Dundas. “I did the costume for the Bahamian contingent who went to the Apollo Theatre. I’ve also won awards for make-up. Make-up paid the bills.” NW: What would be your most memorable award? Brynda: I’ve won the Legends with the Zonta Club, and that was something for me. But every award is so unique for me, it’s different and it’s wonderful. Just this year, I received an award from Percy Wallace. He is my colleague. It’s very good when your peers recognize and respect you. I think that is probably the most rewarding. NW: Many young Bahamian designers are coming up; you have had lots of experience in design and have trained extensively, what advice would you give them?
“I was conceived on pins,” says four-times Bahamian Designer of the year, Brynda Knowles. Brynda: Do other things. You are part of the Bahamas. I am not saying that the sky is not the limit with designing, but not only did I design, but I also did French and Marketing. I worked with the Ministry of Tourism ever since I was fourteen, so when I was in Montreal, I worked in their office for a few years; so the exposure and the experience helped. No man is an island, you have to do other things and widen your horizons. I sell an exclusive line of fabrics all over the world. I go hunting for fabrics…also, you have to listen to your clients, to hear what they have to say and go from there. NW: Tell me about the Miss Universe Pageant. How much work did you put into that and how was the whole experience for you? Brynda: The Miss Universe experience was very interesting, because with Owen being the chairman of the Miss Universe committee here, Modes Illes, which is Islands of the World, participated in many things. I played an integral part with the fashion show. I dressed the hosts, Miss Universe and Charles Sealy (the two commentators). My outfits were on them, and I was behind the scenes with Brynda’s Haute Couture and worked back stage with alterations with the contestants when they first came in. I also worked with getting the make-up artists and doing some of the make-up for their costume competition. Therefore, it was a ‘hell of a lot’ that I did do, mainly behind the scenes instead of just the fashion show. Brynda admits that presently she is ‘just chilling’, but want to get her line back in stores. “Before I started at the Beauty Spot, I use to have my line in stores. I use to be in Girls from Brazil, La Rose, Cache, and Sea Grape out at Travelers Rest; and I’m hoping to do that again. Pat Mortimer at Impact gave me my first start by putting my line in her shop, and so I credit her for a lot. There are things that I have done in the past, for example, working at the Dundas with costumes, that I would like to continue to do. Brynda’s designs are featured on pages 28,29 and throughout this issue. Photo provided by Brynda.
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MODELS PROFILES Age: 20 Zodiac Sign: Virgo Valentino admits that he just recently became interested in modeling. Hobbies: My hobbies are drawing, painting, martial arts, football, rugby, partying, and generally having fun. Job Description: Right now, I am working as a carpenter for Shakealdo Construction. I also do photography for Down Home Photography. I will be attending the College of the Bahamas in September to study architecture. Siblings: 10 On the model search and reality TV show. Winning the cover shot would be really cool and be a great accomplishment for me. The first thing I would do is call my mom and dad. It has been a great learning experience with lots of opportunities, I’m very excited about the show.�
Photo by Phillippa Michel Location: Harbour Island, Bahamas
2. ALLOYIOUS VALENTINO KEMP 48 www.nuwomanbs.com
Model: Alloyious Valentino Kemp Finalist from Nassau Photographed by Phillippa Michel Location: Harbour Island, Bahamas
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Model: Alloyious Valentino Kemp Finalist from Nassau Photographed by Phillippa Michel Location: Valentines Resort and Marina (dock) Harbour Island Bahamas
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How to get through the road blocks in life By Maggie Bain Here we are again, half way through the year. Hours and days have flown by and you still have not found that compatible mate, let alone Soul Mate. Where to start, what sort of person are you really looking for, and how can you narrow the odds? When we surf the net for ‘singles sites’ their titles stand out and grab our attention. Is it really surprising that we seem to return to the word ‘harmony’? When we take the time to ponder the alternatives we return to the image of living in peace and tranquility with our mate. Minor irritations, of course, but issues resolved quickly and amicably. We only have to draw on our memory bank to recall combative relationships and feelings of anger. Even old emotions seem so fresh and real. For those of us who would like to leave the baggage behind and not repeat old patterns, it is important to assess what went wrong. Was it really totally all their fault, or was it the way you both interacted? Was it due to unsatisfactory communication or just a difference in personalities? For many of us, just the thought of bringing up a problem or discussing our feelings provokes so much nervous anxiety. We can find ourselves spending literally hours imagining the proceedings, and replay multiple possible scenarios; both good and bad. We may even consider doing nothing because the idea of ‘rocking the boat’ seems an unpleasant alternative. However, the longer we dwell on our problems the deeper they burrow. Just when we think we have it all under control, the pipe bursts and we shock ourselves by the unpredictability and ferocity of our words. No one likes having to initiate or to be drawn into thorny discussions. They are awkward and something we would all rather avoid. The mere thought of revealing our innermost thoughts can be terrifying, particularly as we often can not predict the reaction. Add to those basic ingredients a topic close to our heart, and one that we anticipate the person will oppose, and the stage has been set for an impressive show. If we were able to be a fly on the wall and watch skilled negotiators at work, we may come away thinking ‘I could do that’. Is a person just born cool and level headed, or is it a learned art? How many of us are able to remain calm when so many confrontations feel like personal attacks? Emotion meeting emotion head-on only seems to escalate the situation .This is probably not how you envisioned things, but somehow things went off course and deteriorated.
As we soothe ourselves from the painful backlash of hurtful words, we slowly dissect each and every word. If we love the person, we may be more generous and give them the benefit of the doubt. “They probably had a bad day” or “I know he didn’t mean it. He’s just been upset about his work”. The longer we know someone the more sure we are that we can anticipate and predict their intentions. Often, it is this sense of ‘knowing’ and ‘mind reading’ that leads us to a state of complacency. Instead of saying, “What were you thinking?” we find ourselves filling in the blanks and repeating their unspoken words. Understanding is replaced with judgment and criticism. If the relationship continues in this manner and we insist on reading someone’s intentions, then this can affect long term intimacy. Many of us think that just apologizing, explaining our motives will put everything back to normal again. Although these are all extremely important, it does not erase the painful blow that has been dealt. If we were to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes, we would want our views and feelings to be received with respect. With that in mind, when we give someone our full attention, and carefully listen to the feelings behind the words, this will then allow a deeper understanding. If a situation arises, and the courtesy is not reciprocated, then you can feel secure in reminding them of your past gesture. Remember, one person can set the tone of the discussion and not every situation needs to deteriorate. For many, pursuing ‘the truth’is all consuming and their blinkered vision of the situation dampens the relationship. What they fail to realize is that by placing the blame directly in the lap of the other person, it can actually help to reinforce the problem. In situations where everyone is participating in the ‘blame game’, things can become even more complicated. The problem remains stationary, and the door to explore the real cause and solution remains closed. It is often at this point that the bond pulls apart; and it is this inability to get passed the road blocks that is repeated in future relationships. Insomnia can take hold as we spend hours strategizing over the ‘come - back round’ of the next part of the conversation. Just when we have it all worked out, time, place, and new approach to take, we are woken by a racing heart and nervous anxiety. We are flooded by past emotions and the thought of putting our plans into reality suddenly seem uncertain. We start considering all the ‘what if’s’.What if it all back fires and we are not taken 51
seriously? What if we are humiliated, patronized, or just plain laughed at? What if it destroys the relationship permanently? When our thoughts move to include others in our lives and the ripple waves that our actions can create, it shows maturity and thoughtfulness. However, sometimes we can carry it too far and use it as an excuse not to be honest in our relating with others. Do you think we really are considering other people’s feelings, or are we just worried about our own image? Our identity, and how we want to be perceived, plays a vital role in our decision making. The most sensitive areas that we commonly like to protect are our competency, being a good person and being worthy of love. The more positive ‘self talk’ that we tell ourselves, then the more confident we become. Believing in ourselves for the type of person we want to be is crucial, particularily when we are thrown curve balls trying to knock us over. Intellectualizing and actually living the tough stuff are often completely different entities. The more we can
learn about our self, and how to relate with others, can only help us to grow throughout our lives. Maggie Bain is an Individual and Couples Relationship Therapist. She is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Clinical Sex Therapist.
For appointments call: 242-364-7230 Email: relatebahamas@yahoo.com Visit: www.relatebahamasblogspot.com
“The Ride For Hope 2010” By James Burnett
events, getting enthusiastic support from locals all over the route. The Ride would not be what it is today without their unstinting support. Because of the dynamic growth of the event, a hard decision had to be taken, to move the start and finish of the Ride from North Eleuthera Airport, where it was staged for its first four years, to Governor’s Harbour. This was because the event had outgrown the available space, and a larger area was needed. Moving the event did not hinder the amount of volunteers as they had all they needed long before the event.
Photo by Dahalia Smith
In five short years, if the Ride for Hope has not become the biggest charity event in the Bahamas, then it has certainly become the most spectacular. This year, there were approximately four hundred and fifty riders, fifteen of whom were cancer survivors. As one of those fifteen, I support Ride for Hope wholeheartedly. The riders, all of whom pledged to gather at least $250 in sponsor’s contributions, rode up and down Eleuthera to raise money for cancer. Many of the corporate sponsors and riding groups had ‘teams’ with matching and well designed shirts, which made for a sea of colour floating along the roads. I was a member of Team Kerzner and we wore red and white. My day started early, as we flew out at sunup on a chartered flight carrying over a hundred riders into Governor’s Harbour. We were bussed down to picturesque Bayfront Park, where a veritable tent town had sprung up to look after our needs. The beautiful island of Eleuthera is a great venue for the event. It has miles and miles of relatively clear roads and little traffic. It is also a more challenging place to ride, as it is not as flat as New Providence! The people of Eleuthera have embraced the Ride to the extent that it has become one of the island’s signature
Raising money for cancer is the name of the game, and in the two previous years the final tally was over three hundred thousand dollars. This year the organizers are hoping for more, as the number of riders has increased considerably. All the funds contributed by the rider’s sponsors will go directly to the charity, as all the various expenses of putting on the Ride are born by the corporate sponsors, who cover expenses like bike transportation and servicing, refreshments, organization, advertising and safety on the route. The Ride has become such a key event that this year not only was it opened by the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham, but he also led out the first group to start, saying he would ride two miles. Archbishop Patrick Pinder, who said a prayer before last year’s start, was so motivated that this year he decided to take part as well. All proof of the Ride’s rising importance to our nation’s people. The Ride is incredibly well run, and if anything didn’t go quite the way it should, it was because of something out of their control. Any problems that they had were because of the event’s growth, the problems of success. The 2010 event was an example of efficiency. Every aspect was covered with painstaking attention to detail. Our bicycles were all waiting for us, neatly arrayed in stands, and mechanics were on hand to make sure they were roadworthy. We were all issued numbers, and given goody bags of useful stuff. Gatorade and water were available for us to fill up with before we started - a start that was staggered so as to spread the riders out over the course. This was partially for safety, but also to ensure that the refreshment stops along the route weren’t overwhelmed.
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Signs were all over the course asking motorists to be careful. The more dangerous places were manned by volunteers, who either held up traffic or who gave advice as how to handle the difficulty. For instance, there was one bone shaking downhill stretch where you were never out of sight of volunteers urging you to slow down. The refueling stops were manned by many helpful and enthusiastic locals, and the fuel was carefully designed to give the riders the biggest kick. Peanut butter sandwiches are a must, but they have to be on white bread for the best energy boost! Gel bars, bananas and other delights awaited the participants, along with a never ending supply of Gatorade, ice and water. One of these stops, five miles into the ride, was right outside the Cancer Society’s headquarters on the island.
Photo by Dahalia Smith Last year it was very hot, and I dumped liberal amounts of iced water over my head at these oases. This year, due to the start having been brought forward a couple of weeks, in the hope of getting the relatively cooler weather which we in fact enjoyed, this wasn’t necessary. There was a light breeze and the wind was hardly a problem. What was a challenge for the older, the unfit, and the novices was the undulating nature of the course. The hilly stretches were alright for a bit, but as most of us got towards the end of the distance we had elected to ride, they became a distinct challenge. On my last stretch home, I muttered to myself more times than I could count, ‘please let this be the last hill’. Nobody was embarrassed if they had to resort to walking up a hill. In fact, it was a good bonding opportunity with others who were hurting. The ride is a good place to make new friends. After all, just by being there, you have several things in common. One point everyone who rides needs to remember is: it is not a race. Sure you have some people screaming ahead to do the full hundred miles, but the many who do as little as ten or twenty miles are just as important. It is not how far or fast you go, or how cool you look, it is how much money you raise from your sponsors. That’s the touchstone of your success. The makeup of the field was compelling. It was a fair cross section of our society, young and old of both sexes being well represented. This was a long way from being a male dominated athletic event. This was definitely a gathering where the women were comfortably in the majority. A good sprinkling of children took part as well, with a special course – the ice cream loop – just for them. Some of them, often accompanied by adult family members, managed impressive distances. Everyone was cheered as they finished only yards from the sea, through the arch with Ride For Hope emblazoned on it. All our post ride needs were catered for - more drinks, a voucher for a meal prepared by a choice of local vendors, very welcome seats under a shady canopy, a live band to keep us entertained, and of course verification stamped on our sponsor sheets that we completed our stated distance. This we could prove by the number and colour of wristbands we collected at the various aid stops. The group I came with had to leave to return to Nassau at 4:15, so we missed being able to party on into the night. I believe that next year, we will all hope to be able to stay longer, so as to get to know other riders, and the dedicated people involved in staging the Ride. Once you have ridden in the Ride for Hope, it becomes clear that this is something you want to do again and again. Even people who have crashed and injured themselves badly, and I know several, still want to come back to ride again. It is a great cause, and it is a wonderful day. I predict that The Ride will continue to grow until every cyclist in the country takes part.
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MODELS PROFILES ries about how we use to watch the fashion shows on TV and I would dress up in her heels and her clothes and walk up and down in the house. Hobbies: My hobbies are singing, braiding hair, photography (I fell off with this, but I’m getting back into it as we speak), reading, and writing poetry. Job Description: I was working, but I am currently out of a job. Therefore, I am just soaking up my beautiful island sun and taking advantage of what tourist pay money to do - going to the beach and touring Grand Bahama. Siblings: I have 3 siblings. On the model search and reality TV show.
3. TOMACINA CULMER Age: 19 Zodiac Sign: Gemini YEEES! I think I had an interest in modeling from the day I started walking. But seriously, I’ve been interested in it for as long as I can remember. Mummy always told sto-
Winning the cover shot would mean that I have accomplished one of the things on my “Model To-Do List”. I always said anything I did in terms of modeling, I would want to do it home first! So, if I were to discontinue modeling, I would be happy to know that I made it on the cover of Nu Woman. I think the first thing that I would do if I saw myself on the cover would be to buy one and send it to my mom because she is my biggest fan. I know that she would be happy to know that I stayed focus on modeling and accomplished something that I really wanted to accomplish! Being in a competition with my best friend and getting a new bathing suit! I’ll still be happy :)... I am soooo excited about the reality show, just to see how I would look on video. I never liked being in front of the video camera so I think it would be interesting to see how everything came together. If I did not make a complete fool out of myself… Photo by Lyndah Wells Location: Pelican Bay Hotel, Freeport, G.B. Make-up: Trece Hair: KK 55
Model: Tomacina Culmer Swimsuit : Splashdance Make-up: Trece Location: Top Left- Pelican Bay Hotel Bottom right- Light House Point Beach, Freeport, G.B. Bahamas Photo by Lyndah Wells
Model: Tomacina Culmer Dress : Bandolera, Port Lucaya, freeport Shoes: Bani Shoe Warehouse Make-up: Trece Hair : KK Location: Garden of the Grooves Photos by Lyndah Wells
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Stefan Davis
AirBrush Junkies By Erica Meus-Saunders NW: How did you come up with the title ‘Airbrush Junkies’? Stefan Davies says that he has been airbrushing for approximately 20 years. “I’ve been doing this pretty much half of my life.” Nu Woman visited Stefan at his place of business as he disclosed how he got started and maintains a thriving business today. NW: How did you learn this skill? Stefan: I was always interested in art and always wanted to be an artist. I was in Philadelphia when I first stumbled upon this art. I saw a lady doing it in one of the malls out there and I fell in love with it. I watched her for a while, a few days straight. She was a bit selfish with it and did not want to share it with me; so whatever I saw, I kept with me. I did some research, bought some equipment, the airbrush, a small compressor, and that was it. NW: From that first encounter, how long did it take you to decide that you wanted to open a business? Stefan: Right away. During that time, I was researching what I wanted to do because I was fresh out of high school. I always wanted to be an artist, but didn’t know what direction I wanted to take. I love fashion and stuff like that, so it kind of blended together. Coming back home, no one else was doing this, and I decided to step out of the box. NW: How expensive was it initially? Stefan: It was not that expensive. The main thing for me, really, was to perfect the craft. I was practicing everyday. I practiced for at least six months until I was comfortable enough to say, ‘hey, I can do this’. In 1991, I started out in the mall. I rented a small booth, and as soon as I started it caught like fire. NW: What do you design? Stefan: Anything, as long as the paint can hold onto it. From t-shirts and banners to customizing shoes. 58 www.nuwomanbs.com
Stefan: Before Airbrush Junkies, I had several titles for my business. The first one was “Too Deep Graphics”, soon after this, I partnered with a few guys and the name changed again to “Mecca Designs”, then there was “M2 Designs”; after this, I had taken a break and gone to Miami, and was painting up there. I just wanted to start fresh again, just me, no more partners. I just sat down one day and was trying to jot down different names, and the first thing that came to my mind was “Airbrush”, because that’s what I do. I wrote it down. I was reading something and I saw the word ‘junkie’. I was like, ‘You know what, I’m a junkie for this. I eat, sleep, everything airbrush’. So that is how ‘Airbrush Junkies’ came along, and it works. I put it out there; I made a logo for it, and put it online. NW: How has business been recently with the slow economy? Stefan: It’s been okay. I’ve seen better days, but it’s been okay. I am pretty much the only one here doing it at this level. There are a few others, but I’m pretty much alone when it comes to this professional level. NW: What are your prices like? Stefan: The prices can be low or high, depending on the design that you choose. The average price for a t-shirt with the designs here are $25. Again, it’s all personal, it’s one of a kind, and you won’t get it anywhere else. NW: Tell me something personal. Are you married? Kids? Stefan: I was married for 5 years. I got married in 2001, but I’m divorced now, and I have two kids. NW: I know that you are consumed by airbrushing, but is there anything else you enjoy doing? Stefan: Yes, and people laugh at me when I tell them this, but I have always wanted to be a DJ (disc jockey). Music is my second love.
NW: So what is holding you back? Stefan: This! I’m totally committed to it, and it takes up pretty much most of my time. One of these days, I’ll get to my DJ dreams. NW: Have you considered training someone else? Stefan: I have trained numerous persons, but they do not have the passion for the art. They want to do it for the wrong reasons, mainly because of money or popularity. I didn’t do it for that. I never knew that this was going to turn out like this. I have no problem training people, but I am very particular. I can’t teach you that passion, you have to come with that. When I first started, I had a lot of critics, people would say, ‘It’s just a fad, it won’t last’. Twenty years later, I’M STILL HERE.
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Photos by Dwayne Delancy
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MODELS PROFILES
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4. SASHA ANDERSON Age: 20 Zodiac Sign: Gemini “I have always been interested in modeling. From I was about 10 years old, I wanted to model but was too shy to ask if I can pursue it. I also figured that it was something my mother would not encourage me in, so I just repressed the thought. At 18 years old, I decided to start pushing for what I wanted because when I get older I don’t want to have any regrets. This is when I began searching for modeling opportunities and my mother encouraged me in every possible way. Everything I’ve done so far helped me to grow and were good experiences, and I plan to take modeling as far as I can.” Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, modeling, and track and field. Job Description: I am in my third year at the College of the Bahamas, where I am studying Psychology. Siblings: I have three younger brothers. On the model search and reality TV show. “Winning the cover shot would mean a lot to me. I would be proving myself to persons who do not think I deserve it, or that I’m beautiful enough for it, and it would also be a stepping stone towards my modeling career. I would also be an example to other young girls my age who are interested in modeling who are discouraged when it comes to their decision of wanting to model. In addition, most girls who are interested in modeling get caught up in the wrong agencies where they are exploited. Being on this cover can show them that they can be involved in something classy and tasteful that deals with modeling and not something that is too provocative. The first thing I would do if I saw myself on the cover is let my mother and the rest of my family and friends know. I know they would be just as excited about it.
Model: Sasha Anderson Dress : Brynda Knowles Haute Couture Make-up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Location: Valentines Resort and Marina Photo by Lyndah Wells
The model search has been really exciting, fun, and interesting for me. I enjoyed working with and being around the persons who are involved in it. Everyone was friendly and professional and wanted the best for the models. Yes, I am excited about the reality show and curious. I never thought I would be on one, so I’m looking forward to seeing how it would turn out.”
Model Profiles continued on page 69
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Sasha Anderson as photographed by Phillippa Michel Swimsuit : KJO Make-up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Shoes: Bani Shoe Warehouse Shirt Dress: Catwalk Boutique Location: Glass Window Bridge, North Eleuthera
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Dress: Brynda Knowles Make-Up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major Sasha Anderson as photographed by Lyndah Wells Location: Haunted House, Harbour Island
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The Tears of a Clown By Ray Knight (short Story)
A thousand children clapped their hands in delight, their faces lit with animation. The high-pitched noise they made with their laughter and squeals, taxed even the deafest people in the audience. A distinctive smell pervaded the cavernous tent. There was a pungent scent of animal mixed with the underlying aroma of popcorn and hot dogs. The circus was in town. The cause of all the excitement was ‘Pepe’, the sadfaced clown. They laughed at his bulbous red nose and his oversized red shoes. They hooted at his polka dot outfit and his funny hat. They guffawed at his antics and his misfortunes. Mostly they fell about because of his sad face. The more they laughed the sadder he looked. The sadder he looked the more they laughed. That was the secret of his success. The clowns were the glue that held the show together. They performed between the more serious acts, and entertained all and sundry. They distracted the crowd while the wranglers prepared the ring for the next performance. The high-wire acrobats came and went, as did the lion-tamers and tightrope walkers. The clowns were always there. They were the ultimate diversion and the children’s favourite. The most popular of all was the sad-faced clown. Pepe was a fourth generation clown. It was a tradition, and it was in his blood and his genes. Unfortunately, so was schizophrenia and epilepsy. But he was lucky; the mental problems had skipped a generation. He had developed a character unique in the clown world. He had combined the three main clown personas into one identity. Pepe blended the pointed hat of the Whiteface, the red nose and ginger hair of the Auguste and the woeful expression of the Sad Hobo to create his own unique act. He was a big star, the highest paid clown on the circuit. The show continued and the audience roared their approval. Dogs played a game of football and contortionists twisted themselves into impossible, and life threatening, postures. The three-ring circus challenged the stamina of the clown troupe. No sooner had an act finished in one ring, than a new one started in another. By the time the show was over, Pepe dripped with sweat. The Ringmaster called the clowns in for one last ovation. The sad-faced clown skipped over the ring curb and pretended to steal the candyfloss from a
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wide-eyed youngster, the audience howled and cheered once again. He stumbled over the curb as he ran from the ring to a rapturous round of applause and laughter. One of the wranglers had a squeeze bottle ready for him as he made his final exit from the tent. He snatched it without breaking stride or saying a word. He took a long drink from the tube, squeezing the bottle to speed the flow. The ice-cold cola slaked his thirst, but the rum assuaged a different hunger. “Great show, Pepe!” “They loved you man!” “Hey, you were great tonight.” “Pepe, you were on fire tonight!” The accolades poured in from every person he passed. This was a rare phenomenon in the circus world, where the spectacular was commonplace and nearly everyone was a performer if not a star. He ignored them all. Pepe trotted from the rear of the tent and passed huge tractor-trailers and mobile homes. All around him were the non-performers of the community heading in the opposite direction. They would help usher the crowd away and clear the debris, every one worked in the travelling world. Strings of multi-coloured electric lights illuminated the rear of the circus. A half moon and the occasional Tiki Light, which gave an old world feeling to the place, supplemented the modern fixtures. Pepe passed an open-sided trailer that contained lions behind steel bars. Dogs were everywhere, under trailers and trucks and tethered to posts. It was all hustle, bustle, lights and noise. The circus was alive. Car horns sounded in the distance as circus-goers left the area. He was oblivious to it all. He approached a gaudily painted trailer and slowed at the sight of a raven-haired young woman who stood at the open door. He hid the squeeze bottle behind his back. She pretended not to notice. “Hi daddy, how did it go?” she asked him. “Fabulous! They loved me,” he replied, standing aside
to let her descend the wooden steps. “Of course they did. Everyone loves you.” She kissed him lightly on one sweaty cheek and ran off to help with the clearing up. He climbed the steps and shut the door behind him. Magically, the noise stopped. He was in his private world. A world he shared only with his family, which consisted of his wife, two precious daughters and his beloved son. He loved his wife with a passion, which had not dimmed over the years. His eldest daughter was following in her mother’s footsteps and would be a great acrobat in time. His other girl was a budding entrepreneur, who sold candyfloss, candy apples and funny hats to the marks who came to the circus. But it was his son who bewitched Pepe. It had taken him three attempts before he had finally coaxed a boy from his wife’s loins. Every generation of Barrigellis had borne a male since records began. Pepe was the only son, and he had three sisters. If he had failed to produce a male heir, the clown tradition would cease. That was unthinkable. Pepe junior’s birth had resulted in tumultuous celebrations throughout the Barrigelli clan. He discarded the squeeze bottle onto a table in the main room and went into the kitchen area. He retrieved a pint of rum from under the sink and took a swig, neat. He held his hand out and examined it. It shook slightly. He took another long pull from the bottle and re-examined his hand. This time it was steady. He replaced the offending bottle in its hiding place and wiped his mouth. From his position in the kitchen, he could see the door to his bedroom. He looked at it and his shoulders drooped to match his makeup. He stood and walked slowly towards the door. He held out his hand to turn the handle. It shook but he ignored it. He entered the inner sanctum. Only two people shared it with him, his wife and son. The marital bed dominated the room. To one side was a smaller bed, lit by a yellow nightlight. Pepe sat on the end of the single bed and gazed at the young boy lying on it. Fluffy white pillows propped him upright into a sitting position. “Hello son,” he whispered, his voice catching in his throat.
His son remained immobile. “Oh how they laughed when the car exploded around me! And when I got my foot caught in the bucket I thought their laughter would deafen me,” his voice trailed off. The young boy stared blankly past his father. Pepe joined his two hands, used the nightlight’s feeble glow and made animal shadows on the wall to entertain his son. Still there was no response. At first, the doctors thought that Pepe junior was deaf and blind. Then they searched into his family background. They invented new words to explain his condition. Severe epileptic psychosis with acute schizophrenia was the term they settled on. It occurred rarely, and they could not put a figure on it. One in ten million was their best estimate. His son would never respond to external stimuli. So they said. Pepe would not listen. His son would be a clown. He would make him respond. If only he tried hard enough. He had made ten thousand children laugh on a thousand different nights. He would trade all of that for one flicker from his son. One response, be it laughter or fear. What sort of clown was he? He could not even make his own son laugh. He sighed deeply. With shaking hands, he removed the pillows from behind his catatonic son’s back. He laid him gently on his side, so he wouldn’t choke in the night. His seizures were more frequent of late. Pepe walked quietly to the nightstand and turned on the lights. He sat on a small stool and stared at himself in the mirror. The sad clown face stared back at him. He opened a jar of astringent and began to remove his face paint. The makeup accentuated his features and exaggerated his expressions. His own face emerged from under the sad mask. It was no less sad than before. His eyes drooped at the edges and his mouth turned down in permanent expression of woe. He was a failure, as both a clown and a father. He couldn’t help his own son. As had happened countless nights before, tears began to stream down the face of the highest paid clown on the circuit. For more on Ray Knight, visit his website http://www.rayknightonline.com
The young boy did not respond, his eyes stared blankly through his father. “You should have seen me tonight! My timing was perfect! The kids loved me,” Pepe said, his voice getting louder.
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Featured Entrepreneur
AKETA SMITH Business SPA SMITTEN
Aketa Smith had been working and managing spas for the last six to seven years and always wanted to one day own her own spa. She recently sat down with Nu Woman Magazine and talked about her line of skin care products and her company ‘Spa Smitten’. NW: How did you come up with the name Spa Smitten? Aketa: I had put a questionnaire out on Facebook; someone suggested ‘Smitten’; I liked it; and as my last name is Smith, I decided on the name ‘Spa Smitten’. Aketa says she created her own logo and brochures. “The whole thing has given me a lot of practice and experience with putting stuff together. I worked in a communications office for a couple of years, so I gained some knowledge from there. Moreover, paying someone to do it is expensive, so if I can do it myself, I will do it. NW: How long have you been making body butters, oil etc? And what preparation did you do? Aketa: I started working in a spa in Washington D.C. back in 2003 and did that for about three years. I was a spa coordinator there for about three years. When I came back home in 2006, I started working at Sandals. I worked at Sandals for about two years as assistant manager, where I learnt a lot in my job roles. My ultimate goal was to own my own spa, so I started doing research on how to make products about a year or so back. I started selling the products this February. It has been a couple of months now, and sales have been going pretty well. Most of my sales are from recommendations. I also work different events like ‘The Pink Party’ and the ‘National Trust’. I also deliver, but there is an added cost of $5 for delivery. NW: What goes into these products? How long did it take you to learn how to do this? Aketa: The product itself is very rich. Body scrubs and body oils are made with a mixture of 100% natural oils such as avocado, grape seed, macadamia, sweet almond, coconut and passion fruit. The body butters are made mostly with Shea butter, almond butter, and mango, olive and cocoa butter. We use essential oils as well as flavoured oils. I make everything from scratch; I buy the raw materials and then put it all together. It did not take me long to learn this as I have been working in and managing spas for the last six to seven years. 66 www.nuwomanbs.com
Aketa says that because the products are so rich the body butter can also be use in the hair, but that she also makes hair products when requested. “One day I didn’t have the products that I normally put in my hair, so I put some body butter in my hair and it worked pretty well. So now, I mix an additional batch for hair, but put more Shea butter in it. Shea butter is good for the hair. Now, I’ve included hair butter on the list of products.” Aketa says that the raw materials from her products come from all over the world. “I’ve been lucky enough to find a source where I can get my products. The products that I buy are from all over - Shea butter from Ghana and Dead Sea Salt from the Jordan River.” Aketa dreams for Spa Smitten in the coming years I definitely want a store. Right now, I make the products from home; make and deliver upon request. I would want a Bahamian bath and body store and my ideal location would be Bay Street. I want a concept where people can walk into the store and can buy scrubs, oils, butters, and a whole array of bath and body products. If they would like to request something specifically, I want to be able to make that product in the next 3 to 4 hours. I see a concept mixture of a ‘retail store’ and an ‘experience’.
Photos by Simeon Gardiner On facebook search under “Spa Smitten”
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MODELS PROFILES Gem says that she had not really been interested in modeling until she was approached about it. “My first time modeling, I was approached by a guy at College of the Bahamas (COB) who encouraged me to sign up for a fashion show COB was holding at the Wyndam. Hobbies: My hobbies depend on the season. In the winter and spring it’s all about spending as much time with family as possible. That involves baking, fishing, watching movies etc. In the summer months, I must have pink sand in my slippers and hair…beaching is a must, and the beach has to have pink sand and no more than 3 people on it...(this luxury comes with being an Eleutheran). Traveling and shopping of course, and as of late, theme parks have become the order of the day and naturally reading, browsing and blogging are staples in any given day. Job Description: I am an accountant, and I am working on some personal projects and ventures. Siblings: I have three beautiful and talented sisters. On the model search and reality TV show. “Winning is always nice, but beauty is so subjective and can only be measured in a moment in time. So with that perspective, my reaction is one to be desired and realized once we’ve crossed that bridge. My involvement in the model search was completely by coincidence, which makes the whole idea of it quite interesting for me. The show should prove to be rather exciting, this I’m sure of.”
5. GEM BURROWS Age: 24
Photo by Lyndah Wells Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Makeup: Italia Williams
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
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Model: Gem Burrows Swimsuit : KJO crochet swimsuits Make-up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Location: Glass Window Bridge, North Eleuthera Photo by Phillippa Michel Nu Woman Magazine Nu Face Model Search 2010
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Top left Clothes: Catwalk Boutique Shoes: Bani Shoe Location: Glass Window Bridge, North Eleuthera Bottom right Swimsuit: KJO Location: Glass Window Bridge Make-up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major, Hair International Photos by Phillippa Michel
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Valentines Resort & Marina
Harbour Island, Bahamas
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alentines Resort and Marina is the most vibrant and exciting resort in Harbour Island and has been around since the 1930’s. Jim and Lorrie Valentines first owned this luxurious resort, and in 2002, new investors took over. The marina is the largest in the out-islands with fifty slips that can accommodate up to sixty boats depending on the size of the vessel. The Valentine’s Dive Centre is the leading PADI (Preserving Access Digital to Information) dive resort in the region. General Manager Alexis, who has been at Valentines since 2009, talks about the resort. “In the mid ‘90s there was a fire at the marina, and the old Valentines which was more or less a motel was transformed into this concept of a condo/hotel with individual ownership rather than fractional. This concept is new and inviting to Harbour Island and it’s working so well that more hotels on the island are heading in the same direction.” There have also been changes in the restaurant. In March 2009, a new chef was introduced and the menu has changed from Gourmet a la Carte to a more family style with a fish house concept of a Joe’s Crab Shack. There are forty spacious villas outfitted with gleaming hardwood floors, oversized bathtubs, and extremely comfortable beds. Each luxury suite comes equipped with a full kitchen for families wanting to prepare their own meals. There is free wireless internet, spa services, and room service is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodations can range from a Junior Suite (753 square feet) or 1 Bedroom Suite (1,048 sq. ft.) which can accommodate four guests, or for larger parties, there are 2 Bedroom Suites (1,714 sq. ft.) which accommodates 6 guests and 3 Bedroom Penthouse Suites (2,267 sq. ft.) which can accommodate 8 guests. Activities during the week include a Movie Night, a live Jazz Band on Sunday and access to the dive centre on property. The resort, which caters mainly to yacht owners and their families, is a vital part of the Harbour Island community and hold a kids summer swim program for two weeks every year.
Valentines Resort & Marina Box One, Harbour Island, North Eleuthera, Bahamas For Reservations - USA Toll-Free: 1 (800) 848-4073 T: 1 (954) 763-7944 reservations@valentinesresort.com; For
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any questions or requests please ask Corwin, our Resort Concierge at concierge@valentinesresort.com To contact the hotel directly T: 1 (242) 333-2142 F: 1 (242) 333-2135 For information about villa sales, please contact Harper Sibley at 305-588-8991 or at harsib@yahoo.com
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Photos by Phillippa Michel
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MODELS PROFILES
Hobbies: Writing, singing, Acting, Gaming, Free Running. Job Description: Working at “We Do Messenger Service” and Part-time Graphic Designer. Siblings: 1 brother and 2 sisters On the model search and reality TV show.. “Winning will open more opportunities to explore. I would have proven something to my family and friends, and use this to inspire others to go after their dreams no matter what happens in your life. The model search was interesting. Met cool people and it was an adventure. It tested my courage and I can’t wait to share those memories with my family and friends.”
Photo by Phillippa Michel
6. KHALIL “ANGEL” RAHMING Age: 30 Zodiac Sign: Pisces 74 www.nuwomanbs.com
Model: Khalil Rahming Location: Harbour Is land Bahamas Photo by Phillippa Michel
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Top left: clothes by Valentines Resort &Marina Giftshop Top right: models own clothes, Straw hat by Carlos Valentino
KHALIL RAHMING
Photographed by Phillippa Michel 76 www.nuwomanbs.com
Abi’s IBS by Dr. Harold Munnings me that she was likely to do well.
“Your first patient is ready”, announced nurse Cooper as she poked her head into my office. “Abi Deveaux; she’s in room one.” I folded my newspaper and stepped next door into the examination room, where I found a young lady with a book on her lap. She was sitting bolt upright in a chair facing the door. “Good morning Miss Deveaux, I’m doctor Munnings” I said as I entered, offering a handshake. “Good morning”, she replied as she accepted my hand. I pulled up a low stool and sat with my arm on the examination table. She displayed no hint of nerves and I guessed that she had done some homework before her appointment. I look up after reading over the registration form that she has completed and with a smile, I ask, “Tell me why you are here Miss Deveaux. How can I help?” I watch her put away her book and silence her cell phone. A flicker of frustration and sorrow crosses her face. The expression is barely there for the duration of a blink, but her smile disappears and she sighs, “My stomach has been burning, hurting and full of gas for weeks. Nothing works. My doctor said I have reflux. I looked it up online and I have all the symptoms. It says this medicine should help, but it has not helped me. I’ve changed my diet but it doesn’t seem to matter what I eat.” She pauses and looks up, studying my reaction. I encourage her to continue with, “Tell me more”, and she does so in a voice now tinged with anxiety. “Some of my friends think I’m pregnant for how my stomach gets bloated. The week before last, I had to go to the emergency room and they did blood tests and a scan. They said everything was normal, but it can’t be normal with what I am feeling here.” She rests both hands on her mid-abdomen and moves them up toward her chest. “I don’t know what to think.” Miss Deveaux, I discovered, has been experiencing mild abdominal pains for quite some time. Six weeks earlier, they had gone from being an occasional nuisance to frequent and disruptive bouts of gas and bloating. She saw her regular doctor and at the end of a visit my name had come up. “You might need to see to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy”, he’d said. “If your trouble persists after taking this prescription, I will refer you to Dr. Munnings”. She took note, quizzed a friend and then looked me up online. After that she had called and booked an appointment without waiting for a referral and here we were now, face to face. Doctors recognize that whatever the diagnosis, patients tend to get better results when they take an active role in their care. Some persons are naturally like that while others take encouragement to be more than simply passive recipients of care. This young lady’s proactive approach told
We run through my checklist of key questions. Miss Deveaux confirms that she is not vomiting or losing weight and that she has not seen blood in her stool. She has not had pain wake her from sleep. It is there pretty much all day, she says, but some times it is worse than others. “So nothing works?” I press. “What have you tried?” She has come prepared and slipping a plastic zip lock container from her handbag, she hands it to me. I watch her closely as she does so, noting her touch of lipstick and eyebrows that are carefully done. Her slender wrist is adorned with a silver cable bracelet accented with semi-precious stones. David Yurman I think to myself. Her knee length navy blue skirt and shoes with medium heels complete a somewhat corporate look. According to the form before me, she is twenty-eight years old, single and employed as an interior decorator with “Lindh International”, a firm that is apparently well known within the profession. Her appearance is a stark contrast with my image of an inhabitant of the art world; those energetic and sociable spirits who dress in bright colors and sport avant-garde accessories. We put away her packet that contains Prilosec, two antibiotics and her birth control pills. I am convinced that Miss Deveaux’s symptoms have nothing to do with acid, gallstones or the dreaded “C” word. To properly help her, I need to know more about her life. I have to know a little about what makes her tic. I learn that her mother has high blood pressure and that her sister is on medication for diabetes. As she climbs on to the examination table I ask what her boyfriend does. I ignore the mixture of perplexity and irritation that shows on her face as I listen to her chest. Her left breast is a bit larger than the right and she has a scar at her navel that once was pierced but otherwise I find nothing of note on my examination. Folding my stethoscope I continue probing. “How long have you two been together? Does he treat you well?” I learn that she works with her boyfriend, an expat senior manager in the design firm, and she tells me that their two years together have been happy. However, her face and the tone of her voice suggest that the reality may not be so rosy. “Miss Deveaux”, I begin but she interrupts. “Please, everyone calls me Abi”. “Ok Abi, you have a condition called the irritable bowel syndrome. More often than not, it is caused by stress. We have to get to the bottom of anything that may be bothering you if you are to get better. Dietary measures and probiotics can help, but what you do from here on will be more important. Finally, Abi opens up. She does not think there is much future with her boyfriend and
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although well paid, she feels stuck in a job that she loathes. Her dream of being a broadcast journalist led her to obtain a degree in mass communications, but somehow, she fell off track. “Come to think of it, these pains began when I took the job with the design firm” she reflects. I point out to Abi that longstanding stress is exactly the primer that gets an irritable bowel started. “Something has to change if you are to get better”, I point out. “Don’t worry about reflux, cancer or ulcers and you can stop all of those antibiotics”. I give her guidelines on her diet and a sample packet of a probiotic. We agree that she will return in two weeks. “At follow up, I’m going to ask you” I warn, “what you have done to reduce your stress level.” IBS The Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is the most common of all digestive disorders. Its symptoms are the result of an increased sensitivity of the gut nervous system with painful spasms in different parts of the digestive tract. This results in a myriad of symptoms including constipation, abdominal pain, bloating and the passage of mucus in the stool. The cause of IBS is unknown, but prolonged stress is the most common precipitating factor. IBS can also occur after a severe attack of gastroenteritis. Because its symptoms are so varied, patients often spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in a fruitless search for disease like ulcers, gallstones and cancer before the diagnosis of IBS is considered. The occurrence of a long list of symptoms in a young and otherwise healthy person who has a stressful life should prompt a doctor to think of IBS. Often, abdominal symptoms have been present for a long time and are associated with others such as anxiety, headaches and back pain; symptoms often associated with a high degree of chronic stress. Medications can help IBS but the key to lasting relief is frequently a change in diet and lifestyle. Dr. Harold Munnings is a gastroenterologist in practice at the Centre for Digestive Health, Grosvenor Medical Centre and a consultant at Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital in Nassau. For more information of The Centre for Digestive Health and on IBS visit www.haroldmunnings.com
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Do you live in the Bahamas? Are you an aspiring model? Do you think you have Got what it takes to become the “Nu Face 4 Summer for 2011”? Check out Nu Woman Magazine on the web: http://nuwomanmagazine.com On FacebookNu Woman Magazine Applications will be available online January 2011!
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MODELS PROFILES Gwyneth says she has always been interested in modeling. Hobbies: Drawing, painting and cooking. Job Description: Working on Bahamas Celebration Cruise. Siblings: 3 On the model search and reality TV show. Winning the cover would be a reward for all the hard work and time I’ve put into the modeling industry. It would be proving to me that hard work never go unnoticed. The first thing I would do if I saw myself on the cover is go out an buy as much copies as I can find to give to all my friends and family. The Model Search has been anything but easy. It has been trying and has made me look at myself in a much different light. As I am my biggest fan, I had to believe whole-heartedly that I was a great model with much potential in order to sell myself as such. Yes, I am excited about the reality show and at the same time a little impatient to have it air already; to get it all over with, especially the hype that I know will come.�
7. GWYNETH GRANT Age: 20 Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Photo by Lyndah WELLS Hair by KK Make-up Trece Dress: Bandolera Shoes: Bani Shoe Warehouse Location: Garden of the Grooves, Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Model: Gwyneth Grant Swimsuit: Splashdance Make-up: Trece Location: Lighthouse Point Beach Bottom right Clothes: Bandolera Location: Garden of the Grooves Photo by Lyndah Wells Nu Face Model Search 2010 www.nuwomanbs.com
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Keshlah’s Summer Recipe
Nassau Red Snapper Fillet Wrap w/ Citrus Coconut Mint Sauce 4 Snapper Fillet 1 tbsp Cilantro (chopped) 1 tbsp Lime Juice 1 tbsp Oil Goat Pepper to taste Salt to taste Filling 1 oz Carrots (julienne) 1 oz Yellow Squash (julienne) 1 oz Roasted Red Peppers 1 oz Red Onions 4 oz Spring Mix Lettuce 2 Spinach Wrap Salt & Pepper to taste *** 2 tbsp Mint Jelly 1 tsp Coconut (shredded, decanted) 1/4 tsp Cayenne Powder
Method 1. Rinse the fish fillets to ensure that all scales are removed from the fish. 2. Place in a bowl with all ingredients except the oil. Mix well and place in the refrigerator and allow to marinate for two hours 3. While the fish is marinating, julienne all vegetables (except for the lettuce and the spinach wrap) and mix together. Place in a bowl and mix well. 4. Heat deep pan until it gives off a little smoke. Place oil in and allow to heat. Place fish - skin side down - in the pan and cook for two minutes that side, turn over and cook for two more minutes. 5. Remove from heated oil and drain. 6. To assemble Wrap, place spinach wrap flat, topped with a little of the minted relish. Reserve the other half for garnishing the dish. Place lettuce on next, then fish and the mixture of vegetables on top. 7. To fold the wrap, fold in both sides to the center of the wrap. Then take the end closest to you and fold away from you tightly, ensuring to tuck the filling as you roll away from you. 8. Use two club toothpicks to hold together. Cut on the basis and present standing up with the tip in opposite directions. Serves 2 82 www.nuwomanbs.com
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Essence Catering Bahamas - www.essencecateringbahamas.com Contact chefkeshlah@gmail.com, TEL: 426-7701 or 557-8063 Photo by Dwayne Delancy 83
MODELS PROFILES lady and my interest for modeling grew even more.” Hobbies: My hobbies include skating, acting (drama), playing volleyball, meeting people and cooking. Job Description: Currently, I work as a receptionist at Pink Sands Resort in Harbour Island. However, my shortterm goal is to obtain my Masters degree in Business Management at York University in Toronto. Siblings: I have no siblings and I am so happy to say that. I love having my parents all to myself.
4. SWANIQUE NIKITA SAWYER Age: 22 Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Swanique says that she has always been interested in modeling “From a child, I was known for always being ready for the camera. I grew up to be a tall, slim-figured
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On the model search and reality TV show. Winning the cover shot for Nu Woman Magazine would bring reality to my childhood dream of being a model. I always said I would like to adorn the cover of Vogue..... Nu Woman in my opinion is ‘Bahamian Vogue’. I will use this experience to become a role model for those that may look up to me, or those that may share that same dream of being a model. Surely, after this experience I will be able to enlighten others and train future Bahamian models. The first thing I would do if I see myself on the cover of Nu Woman is scream frantically. The model search has been interesting. It helped to build my confidence and opened my eyes to see my natural beauty. We were asked to wear our natural hair for the casting call and..... well mine is not the best but I found a way to rock my own natural hair. I am excited about the reality show because I would like for people to get to know the person behind the photo.” Photo by Dwayne Delancy Make-up by GeJonte Bain Dress: Androsia by Brynda Knowles
Model: Swanique Sawyer Swimsuit: KJO Make-up: Italia Williams Hair: Scherlin Major Location: Valentines Dock, Harbour Island. Photo by Lyndah Wells
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“NU FACE MODEL SEARCH” SEASON 2 THE SEARCH BEGINS JANUARY 2011. WATCH MODELS COMPETE FOR THE COVER SHOT! FOR TV ADVERTISEMENTS EMAIL: nuwomanbs@gmail.com TEL: 242-676-7908 On the Web: nuwomanmagazine.com
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