The Eleutheran Newspaper October/November 2021 Issue by The Eleutheran

Real Estate

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Volume 14, 10/12, October/November Issue

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Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, & Eleuthera - North, Central & South

` Information. We Deliver!’’ Monthly In Print & Daily Online. Since 2008 - ‘‘Eleuthera’s most reliable Source of News and

Assessing Healthcare

BACK COVER: Damianos Sotheby’s Int’l P 3: Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty P 5: HG Christie

Health and wellness minister inspects eleuthera facilities Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville inspected health facilities in North, Central and South Eleuthera as part of his national tour.

5th Anniversary

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- Page 4 ADVICE - 14

ADVICE - 13

Turning the Table...

It Takes Two Minutes.

Foreign assistance

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Ali’s Aid to Sisterhood of Survivors!

OPINION - 12

Maritime Surveillance

Small States Must Rage...

Inside

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Medical Supplies

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Quarantine and Protocol Breaches a Concern in Eleuthera, Says MOH Minister was in Rock Sound and now we are here in Palmetto Point, looking at the make-shift clinic, then we will head into Governor’s Harbour to view the clinic that is supposed to be under renovation... I can tell you this much. From what I have seen of the clinics, the staff need to be commended, because they are working in a very tight environment, providing necessary services for this part of the island of Eleuthera. The renovation of the Governor’s Harbour clinic must come on stream.”

Pictured: Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Michael Darville (center), along with his team and Minister Clay Sweeting, visit with local nurses during his tour of Eleuthera’s health facilities on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville continued his evaluation of national health facilities, on Wednesday, October 20th with a visit to clinics, and several schools, in South, Central and North Eleuthera, before heading to the Berry Islands later the same evening. He stated, during an interview, as he sat in front of the tiny clinic in Palmetto Point, “We’ve been getting a lot of

calls concerning the healthcare infrastructure on the island. Being Minister for the past month, I’ve had the opportunity to read the handover notes as to what has been happening in Eleuthera, and it is always good to come and experience it for yourself. To be able to report to the Bahamian people in real-time what are the conditions. I was pleasantly surprised with the staff and their enthusiasm, despite being through so much. Our first clinic visited

He continued, confirming that the long-talked about mini-hospital was still in the long term plan for the island, but that repairs and upgrades to clinics would take place in the short term, saying, “We’ve spoken specifically about the construction of the new mini-hospital. That is definitely on our agenda. I passed the site. That has already been cleared See Health Minister

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Education State Minister, Zane Lightbourne,

tours educational facilities in Eleuthera Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne visited Eleuthera on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 and inspected a number of the education facilities throughout the island, beginning at Preston Albury High in South Eleuthera. In an interview during his tour, Minister Lightbourne commented on the purpose of his one-day visit, saying, “We are here to assess the state of schools and their readiness to open, either face-to-face or hybrid - which would be virtual and face-to-face in a staggered approach. The Ministry of Health is also here, so the tour is to also help them in that assessment, because ultimately they will say, or deem it safe for teachers and students to return to face-to-face or any one of those modes.” He continued, explaining, “We are doing assessments so we can speak to stakeholders to inform them of our findings and any concerns that they have they can bring to the table, so we can determine how best we can do a face-toface modality of schooling. We have a lot of parents who are desirous of it. We definitely want it to happen, because we know that not all of our students P31 are accessing the virtual schooling. The diffi-

Pictured: CEHS Teacher Mrs Davia Smith , DEO Mrs. Fontella Knowles, CEHS Principal Kevin Hepburn, Education State Minister Zane Lightbourne, Eleuthera DSE Mr. Michael Culmer, CEHS Senior Mistress Mrs. Charlton, and Education Dep. PS Donavan Turnquest.

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One Eleuthera Foundation and CTI Promote E-Learning and Resume “We Farmers Market” This Fall The One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF), in partnership with The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), continues to evolve and sustain its community-enhancing initiatives and partnerships. This fall, the Virtual Campus operated through CTI is putting the power of e-learning at the forefront of its year-end educational programming with special holiday course offers available online beginning in late November. In addition, residents can look forward to the highly anticipated November 13th return of “We Farmers Market.” Both of these unique initiatives are rooted in OEF’s commitment to creating sustainable development and consistent community programming around Five Key Areas Of Focus: Education, Economy, Environment, Health, and Heritage. In 2020, when COVID-19 emergency orders restricted gatherings and face-to-face classes, CTI quickly adapted and evolved. The school accelerated its scheduled entry into the e-learning space and launched its Virtual Campus to meet the needs of students in Eleuthera and throughout The Bahamas. This new platform, accessible via the OEF website, provided an online solution for students to continue their educational pursuits despite the pandemic.

“This collaborative agricul-

tural event has attracted the participation of over two dozen local farmers, food manufacturers, artisans, entrepreneurs, and craft makers from across the length and breadth of Eleuthera. ” The Virtual Campus features over two hundred on-demand, self-paced professional and personal development courses, starting at $99. Course categories include Career Development, Business Skills, Information Technology, Soft Skills, Workplace Essentials, Small Business Training for Entrepreneurs, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing, Internet Marketing, and more. “Whether seeking to qualify for that first job, changing careers, or investing in advancing current job skills, students of all ages utilizing CTI’s Virtual Campus will surely find rel-

evant and up-to-date courses to pursue studies on their time and at their own pace” explains Banu Devi-Nair, CTI’s Academic Dean. “In particular, our workforce readiness courses are designed to conveniently help young adults gain the skills they need to get ahead with no prerequisites required.” CTI’s online platform can also be utilized by companies seeking to train staff in specific areas of expertise or employers wishing to provide cost-effective, comprehensive online training opportunities for their workforce. Around the world, companies have adopted the e-learning modality, which has been proven to produce greater knowledge retention among learners while resulting in increased overall value for both the employer and employee. From “Accounting Skills for New Supervisors” to “Customer Training Management” and everything in between, CTI’s online Virtual Campus is anticipated to be-

See Online Classes and Farmers Market

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COVID-19 Eleuthera :

Free Testing Initiated, Active Cases Continue & Deaths Recorded With heightened active COVID cases reported in the North Eleuthera area during the month of October, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Michael Darville, announced during a presentation in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021, that testing teams were in Eleuthera for two days conducting free rapid antigen tests in Harbour Island, Gregory Town, and Lower Bogue from October 27th to 28th. These communities,” he said, “were selected due to a spike in cases.” During the previous week, a free rapid antigen testing programme was piloted on the island of Inagua, where 180 tests were completed on residents. “That is roughly 20% of the population of that island. Of the persons tested 3 were COVID positive with 2 of those persons being from the same family. All of the positive cases were asymptomatic and they were subsequently isolated. Contract tracing is being undertaken, however, based on these

results community spread has been ruled out,” informed Minister Darville. Positive feedback, he said, had been received from Inaguans who were tested, sharing that many had said the free testing programme brought them peace of mind to know their COVID-19 status. Minister Darville added, “Additionally, my team has identified sustainable sources of World Health organization approved COVID-19 test kits and high-quality masks. As the testing programme expands, more trained personal will be recruited in the public system along with private sector partners to conduct the additional surveillance and testing. These individuals will receive training on – how to interpret testing solutions; obtain results; and record the results in the health information system so that newly designed digital platforms can monitor new cases and their medical outcomes in real-time.” He continued, “Contact tracing

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capacity will also be enhanced. My Ministry will procure the necessary computers and software to accommodate additional contact tracers. These contract tracers will receive training on how to utilize userfriendly software to transfer COVID-19 test results to the contact tracing team and arm us with the information we need to immediately address COVID-19 clusters and possible community spread. A monitoring and evaluation team will be established to monitor and perform quality assurance on the rapid antigen testing and to report their findings.” The two-day free rapid anti-

gen testing in Eleuthera, according to Ministry of Health officials, saw one hundred and fifty (150) residents in North Eleuthera take advantage of the program. Eightynine (89) people in Harbour Island were tested with one (1) positive result. Of the thirty-four (34) people in Lower Bogue who were tested, one (1) person tested positive as well. In Gregory Town, where twenty-seven (27) residents were tested, one (1) positive result was recorded there. The testing, said officials, was done in conjunction P11

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Dr Cargill and his team from Bay Street Medical

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with the local health team, and all public health measures were put in place. Active COVID-19 cases across Eleuthera actually saw a slight overall de-

crease during the month of October, with 61 active cases reported on October 6th, falling to 45 active cases in The Eleutheras by October 27th, however, there were seven new COVID-19 deaths reported on the island during the same period, increasing the death toll in Eleuthera to 30 people lost to the pandemic. As of Wednesday, October 27th, 2021, there were a total of 45 active

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COVID-19 cases reported in Eleuthera by the Ministry of Health (13 in Harbour Island, 7 in Spanish Wells, 7 in North Eleuthera mainland, 7 in Central Eleuthera, and 11 in South Eleuthera), with 6 people under investigation (1 in Harbour Island, 0 in Spanish Wells, 0 in North Eleuthera mainland, 0 in Central Eleuthera, and 5 in South Eleuthera). 134 people were in quarantine (50 in Harbour Island, 12 in Spanish Wells, 12 in North Eleuthera mainland, 22 in Central Eleuthera, and 38 in South Eleuthera). Six people from Eleuthera were said to be hospitalized (1 from Harbour Island, 0 from Spanish Wells, 1 from North Eleuthera mainland, 2 from

Central Eleuthera, and 2 from South Eleuthera). A cumulative total of 30 Eleutheran deaths were reported - as of the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 (5 in Harbour Island, 0 in Spanish Wells, 9 in North Eleuthera mainland, 6 in Central Eleuthera, and 10 in South Eleuthera). Vaccination campaigns continued throughout October in Eleuthera. As of October 31st, 2021 - 9,782 vaccine doses had been distributed, and 4,890 Eleutherans had been fully vaccinated.

co mmenta ry Small states must rage at COP26 – it’s the last chance saloon 12

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The UN agency, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has produced a report which will be an important tool in the negotiations between nations at the COP26 meeting in Glasgow, starting in a few days’ time. However, documents obtained by Greenpeace UK that were shown to the BBC, reveal that Switzerland and Australia particularly, are doubting parts of the IPCC report, which state that developing countries will require financial support from rich countries in order for them to achieve emission reduction targets. By Sir Ronald Sanders (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own)

It is nothing short of shocking to learn that, despite the fact that the world is teetering dangerously on the precipice of a climate catastrophe with fatal consequences for small island states, some rich nations are lobbying against paying to help developing countries mitigate the effects of Climate Change.

The danger in the doubts expressed by Switzerland and Australia that seek to amend the IPCC report, is that other richer and greater polluting countries may try to hide behind them to reduce their own pledge to provide climate finance. These countries have already failed to meet their promise to contribute $100 billion per year by 2020. The later subject is not on the formal agenda of the Glasgow meeting, but small developing countries should raise it at every opportunity and under any pretext. Plans, to stop global temperatures rising more than 1.5 oC by the end of the century, must be presented at the Glasgow meeting by every country. But

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the plans are unlikely to be delivered. Authoritative Studies by Greenpeace and other bodies show that to keep temperatures below the 1.5 oC limit, every country needs to stop all new fossil fuel projects immediately and stop burning coal altogether. Rich nations need to give extra financial support to poorer countries to do the same, and to help deal with the existing impacts of climate change. But the attitude shown by Switzerland and Australia, together with positions taken by Japan and the member states of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Nations (OPEC) especially Saudi Arabia, to amend language pointing to the need for “urgent and accelerated” action to reduce fossil fuels, pose real and deadly threats to small island states and countries with low-lying coastlands. So, too, do attempts by representatives of Australia and India to waterdown references in the IPCC report to the urgency of considerably reducing the production of coal, one of the biggest contributors to CO2 emissions. Australia is a big exporter of coal, and India’s representatives have made it clear that India will not reduce its coal production and use “for the next few decades” because India needs coal to provide cheap electricity for domestic and industrial use. All of this makes COP26 in Glasgow a truly decisive moment for small islands and countries with low-lying coastlands. This is the last decade the world has to avoid the worst impacts of global warming: unimaginable natural disasters, sea level rise, decimation of human habitats and drowning of small countries with ancient civilizations as in parts of the Pacific. Small states must speak up, and they should not be cajoled into accepting words as deeds or promises as fulfilment. There is a big hole in the COP26 agenda. It is a hole that will never be filled by the industrialized nations that are the biggest contributors to the adverse effects of Climate Change – it is the crucial matter of compensation for loss and damage. Over the last four decades, Climate Change and global warming have wreaked massive destruction on small islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The repeated disasters, especially more frequent and more powerful storms, and extended periods of

drought followed by huge flooding, have retarded growth and development in the Caribbean and Pacific countries while burdening them with debt to rebuild and to install expensive and resilient infrastructure against future damage. The polluting countries that cause this grave injury are paying nothing in compensation. In June this year, a group of legal experts, co-chaired by British Professor Phillipe Sands QC, and Dior Fall Sow, a UN jurist and former prosecutor from Senegal, unveiled an initiative for a new criminal law, called ‘Ecocide’. Ecocide is defined as ‘unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread long-term damage to the environment caused by those acts”. While the law would open the door for compensation from entities that cause ecological damage, Climate Change is not specifically mentioned in the draft law, and, in any event, while it is good and right that it has been drafted and is being promoted, its acceptance and enactment by the International Criminal Court would take years. In any event, several polluting nations including the United States, are not members of the Court. Therefore, small islands states and other countries that are the perpetual victims of Climate Change must devise new strategies for putting compensation for loss and damage on the global agenda and fighting for it. And, at COP26, representatives of small states should include compensation for loss and damage in every statement they make. The evidence of the damage over the last four decades is clear for all to see. So, too, is the refusal of polluting countries to address it. Small island states must use their advocacy to shame those who repeatedly damage with no effort to compensate and little effort to stop. Small states cannot go quietly into the dark night; they must rage against the dying of the light.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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IT TAKES TWO MINUTES Fire has ravaged homes in various communities in Eleuthera, sometimes with tragic consequences.

safe meeting place outside. Everyone in the home should know two escape routes from each room in the house.

October was observed as Fire Safety Month to raise awareness and educate people about protecting home and family. So, it’s fitting to take stock.

In a real fire, the American Red Cross says Get Out, Stay Out and Call the emergency telephone number - 919 or 911 in the Bahamas.

Fire is fast.

Smoke Alarms - Every home should have at least one smoke alarm on each level. Test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Three beeps mean the alarm is working. If you don’t hear the beeps, it’s time to change the batteries, if your model requires them. Change any alarm that’s 10 years or older. The sensor becomes less sensitive over time.

If you’re in a burning building, then you likely have two minutes or less to get to safety, according to the American Red Cross. What would you do if your home caught fire? Do you have a fire escape plan? Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and injuries - most of them start with the range or stove. Other causes include kerosene lanterns, playing with matches, smoking and electrical malfunctions. Even laptops left on soft bedding can overheat and cause fire. Escape Tips - Plot escape routes. Twice a year, practice two-minute drills - from the home to an arranged

Sprinkler Systems - Fire sprinkler systems reduce the chance of death by fire dramatically - by 80 percent and they reduce damage by 97 percent, according to the U.S. National Fire Protection Association. This is a lifesaving investment, but most homes in the Bahamas don’t have sprinklers.

Battle for Supply: How supply and demand affect prices is being played out right before our eyes as economies fight to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. You may have seen news footage of the huge container ships lying gridlocked outside busy ports in Southern California. By Mike Lightbourn There aren’t enough warehouse workers and truck drivers to process the growing demand for goods because COVID diminished the labour force. To compound the problem, fewer empty containers are available for shipping. So, the price of goods is increasing because there is more demand than supply. What does this have to do with real estate? Simple! The same principle of supply and demand drives the cost of hous-

Questions or comments? Contact me at info@cbbahamas.com Mike Lightbourn is president of Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty.

ing. Property prices are higher in popular communities where demand is greater than supply and along the waterfront where supply is limited. A surplus of such properties would drive prices down.

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Turning the Table on Mid-life Crisis Teri M. Bethel

Is there a better way to communicate? Have you ever wondered why some men pick up and leave their wives and children for no apparent reason? They quit a dream job with an excellent salary, or simply make irrational, nonsensical decisions that are not in keeping with their lives for the past forty years. The first thing some may think of is that they are under a demonic influence. That’s not always the reason for flare-ups such as this. What you may be seeing is the ravages of mid-life crisis in a man, whether married or single. Mid-life crisis is a common issue in both men and women, yet many counselors agree that this three to ten-year span doesn’t have to be a negative phase of a person’s life. The crisis is usually a stage when people begin to reflect on who they are, how they look, what they’ve done, the things they wanted to do or should have done. Their lives feel broken like something is missing. In the physical arena, an uncomfortable reality is those who were once fit and trim wake up one day only to realize that they were overtaken by the “done-drop” syndrome. For the men, their once developed chest with the well-sculpted abs no longer have the form of a six-pack. Instead, all that was raised done drop low and has morphed into a keg. Many feel they have to prove they still have what it takes to please a

Oct/Nov, 2021 young filly. Hence the search for the pretty young thing begins. Women are not in any way left out of this crisis. The difference with the ladies, single or married, who generally don’t go through this period nearly as long as men, is that beauty trends have always been more available and accepted to pick up those areas that have dropped or drooped, stretched, and expanded beyond our expectations. We call these beautification add-ons or props. However, while they appease a side of us wanting improvements, none of these changes truly satisfy or complete the gaping hole in one’s heart that this crisis brings on. Some women experiencing a mid-life crisis refuse to believe the reflection in what we’ll call their lying mirror. Dress lengths get shorter, pushed up breasts overflow like giant muffins baked in a small pan with just a tad too much baking powder, clothes are tight enough to reveal what was once referred to as “private” parts— leaving nothing to a man’s imagination. At the height of their discomfort, the thought of settling for an old cout is not half as attractive as finding a young fella (who is still searching for himself) to connect with. Neither scenarios have a track record of ending well. When this tormenting crisis lifts and the man or woman finds a balanced way of thinking, they often find themselves going back to the one who loved and accepted them just the way they were. Sadly, not all mates have waited for their wandering spouse to catch themselves.

We are more than what we feel… That’s the physical side of the dilemma. As humans, we are more than beautiful physical beings. We are also more than what we feel. We are actually well-crafted tri-part beings made up of our spirit, soul, and body. One of the challenges we face is not correctly identifying the root source of our problems. If we locate the problem by chance, we use a broad treatment to overwhelm a small area that’s been offset. It’s like a fruit vendor with a table set up with an array of delicious healthy fruit.

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Among the fruit is a rotten apple with a worm in it. Instead of tossing the rotten apple out and checking the other fruit to ensure they are still hearty, she collects all the fruit and throws them in the bin. Is it really wise to throw the good parts of your life away because you’re experiencing a nagging challenge in a particular area? Are you making a long-term decision to fix a shortterm problem? So, you have an ache in your heart. You’ve tried to fill it with things, but nothing is working, so you want to get drastic. Instead of quitting your job, buying a red sportscar, walking around bareback in your tightie whities, and abandoning your family, have you considered taking some time off? A vacation of sorts, to air your head, get some counseling and read a few good books to help you through this rough season. You may not realize that though they may not say it, many people are rooting for you. They see past your problems, they see your future, and it looks pretty bright.

Now about the soul… Much of the anguish experienced comes from our soul—that’s our mind, will, and emotions. We don’t usually pay attention to this area of our lives until we buck up and our inner thoughts and fears are exposed. For many, rather than having transformative work done to ensure this part of our lives functions correctly, we engage in activities to distract us. Going through a body cleanse is a widely accepted health trend for those wanting to purge or clean up their bodies. Many do not consider a soul cleanse to remove the clutter from the mind, will, and emotions. The clutter referred to here are hurtful memories, failures, bitterness, unforgiveness, and the like. In this regard, a simple introspection and correction could very well abort much of the assault one experiences in a mid-life crisis. After all, if the little voice within is pointing P15

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Teri M. Bethel is a publisher and author of relationship enrichment books, Bahamian-inspired romance, and adventure novels for children that share our island’s history and culture. Her books are available where good books are sold in Eleuthera, New Providence, and Amazon.com. Teri and her husband have two adult sons. Website: www.inspirepublishing.com

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Advice

out areas of your life that may need an adjustment, it could be time to face them, rather than going places and doing things to drown out that nagging chatter. Many people don’t realize that triggers in the brain can offset the dreaded mid-life crisis and may be addressed by a certified medical professional. The brain as we know it houses many compartments that serve a variety of functions. There is a part that controls and processes emotions. Doctors say one of those areas, the hypothalamus, controls emotional responses and manages sexual behavior, hormone release, and regulating body temperature. One of the hormones released is Oxytocin, which controls sexual arousal, trust, recognition, and maternal behavior. To avert the onset of the crisis, some people find that revisiting their eating, exercise, and sleep patterns are also helpful.

But why me, and why now? Why not you, and why not now? Bad things happen to good people. Problems will come, but how we choose to handle the situation will determine its outcome. Taking on the woe is me persona will only delay climbing out of this stupor. However, if you face it and deal with it correctly, you will have a better result. Experiencing what you are going through doesn’t mean you’re bad. Contrary to some popular beliefs that God is doing this to teach you a lesson is an erroneous thought when you recognize that God is good and wants the best for you. Years ago, Flip

Elite

Wilson, the cheeky black American comedian, made a fortune with his byline, “the devil made me do it….” That was a funny saying that got lots of laughs, but who’s making you do what you do? Could it be that you simply lack the right information to improve your situation? Could it be that if you applied the correct information, your situation could change drastically and possibly very quickly? Ultimately, we do what we want to do. In most cases, we have been held captive by the thoughts we’ve entertained, which has opened one can of worms after the next. One of the dangers of experiencing this crisis is not having a balanced mindset. Instead of evaluating their concerns and having a well-thought-out solution, some become overwhelmed and fall into depression. Others treat their challenges superficially, thinking that changing hair color, trendier clothing, racier cars, and fast women would be the secret to retaining youthfulness. That brings us to the last but not the least of our tri-part sides— the spirit side of us. We are a spirit living in a body. If we are separated from our body, our life as we know it on earth expires. It is our spirit that gives us life. God is spirit, and he made us in his image and likeness. So if we want to live our best life, we really should follow the Creator’s manual. Taking my car to a sewing machine technician is probably not the best way to get optimum performance from my vehicle. So if you’re lacking information that keeps you from living your best life ever, why not consider having a chat with the one who made you?

Customs Brokers *DHL Courier *Brokerage *Trucking; Tel: 332-3066

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BAMSI’s Progress “Disheartening” says Minister Sweeting Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Sweeting (MP C&S Eleuthera) bemoaned the “heart wrenching” state of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) stating that the property on North Andros has been neglected over the last few years. The minister’s comments came after he toured BAMSI recently with Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry Leonardo Lightbourne, who is also the Member of Parliament for North Andros and the Berry Islands, Permanent Secretary Joel Lewis and other ministry officials. “It was important for us to tour BAMSI to get a sense of what has been accomplished or what hasn’t been accomplished, and getting to a point where that institute could really be what the intention was during the Christie Administration.

We want to get to a point where we are not competing with farmers but we are assisting them with knowledge, expertise, supplies and they could really be a part of this national effort to feed ourselves,” he said. “It was heart wrenching what we viewed. The structures are there but unfortunately it seems that it has been neglected over the last five years. Simple things such as providing electricity to the institute hasn’t been accomplished and it seems that it has just been sitting there dormant. It reminded me of the ghost cities in China where they built cities and just left them. My intention is to revive the vision for that institute by first providing electricity for the campus.” Currently, the campus is using generators to provide power. BAMSI is also renting units for students to live in. “Once we get that university up and running, we can invite other universities such as the Univer-

A vacant building at BAMSI that is 95 percent complete.

Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Sweeting spoke to employees of BAMSI.

sity of Miami to see what we are doing and we can take more students. Currently, the dorms are 95 percent complete. Once we get that completed, we can really start the city in North Andros with the intention of what it really was supposed to do and that alone will bring economic impact,” Minister Sweeting said. The aquaculture and live farms are also suffering because of lack of electricity, according to the minister. Minister Sweeting also visited the Packing House and a government mechanical shop that also requires electricity. He added that he is also looking to modernize several areas at the packing house. “I spoke with the staff there about not only processing the products, but also canning and bottling prod-

ucts that they can sell,” Minister Sweeting said. While he noted that BAMSI has the manpower to be successful, the institute should be restructured. “We met with the staff and got a general consensus of their concerns. They want some direction and they want to see BAMSI succeed. Once we provide the proper direction and the right management structure it should run efficiently. That was the concern that a lot of the staff had there – that there didn’t seem to be enough structure. Once we do that, we can really provide something extraordinary,” Minister Sweeting said. BAMSI officially opened its doors in 2014.

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Online Classes & Farmers Market come an indispensable source of online education and training for our local market. Available 24/7, the school’s online platform harnesses the power of technology to fill the education and training gap for students unable to afford traditional university degrees. Simultaneously the Virtual Campus provides an alternative for students wary of engaging in face-to-face classes due to COVID-19. CTI’s entire online course catalogue can be viewed and accessed at: https://oneeleuthera.myvirtualcampus.co/ Another exciting development from OEF/CTI is the imminent return of the highly-acclaimed “We Farmers Market” at the Rock Sound Campus. This

Lo c a l collaborative agricultural event has attracted the participation of over two dozen local farmers, food manufacturers, artisans, entrepreneurs, and craft makers from across the length and breadth of Eleuthera. Housed in both an open-air pavilion and pop-up tents spread across the grounds of CTI, this signature farmer’s market event provides a safe, socially distanced, and easily navigated experience for shoppers. Here, guests can find the freshest, farm-to-table produce and authentic Bahamian wares and craft items every 2nd and last Saturday of the month. “Riding on the momentum of the market’s successful summer launch, the fall instalment of “We Farmers Market” starts on Saturday, November 13th, and promises to deliver more of what patrons love and expect. This fall’s growing season is expected to produce a robust and hearty harvest of fresh, hand-picked vegetables, fragrant herbs, and vibrant plants for sale from CTI and our participating farmers,” cites Deon Gibson, Agricultural Manager at CTI. With the growing list of vendors and farmers signing up to showcase

Deon Gibson, Agricultural Manager at CTI a.k.a “Gibby Da’ Farma” showcases the delicious golden honey harvested from CTI’s very own on-site beehives.

Geno prepares his world-famous Rock Sound conch salad for guests to enjoy!

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and sell their goods, locals and visitors can expect to discover even more to sample, see, shop, and enjoy leading into the 2021 Holiday Season. For information on becoming a vendor, email: ctifarm@oneeleuthera.org

Far Right: Banu Devi-Nair, CTI’s Academic Dean with a recent graduate of the “Learn and Earn” Hydroponics Program.

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An Eleutheran Profile: BY elizabEth bryan

Mr. Herman Rudolph Johnson. Introduction: An Eleutheran educator, who dedicated more than 40 years of his life to teaching, leading and inspiring the next generation to their best selves, especially in the areas of sport and culture - Herman Rudolph Johnson, now retired, took time out to sit and talk with The Eleutheran and reflect on his life and times. Early Days: Young Herman was born to his parents, Rubin Johnson and Mavis Johnson in the settlement of Tarpum Bay on December 1st, 1955, as the 7th child in a large family of fourteen siblings (ten brothers and four sisters). Having spent so many years in education, some of Herman’s earliest memories, he shared, was also of his first experiences with school. “My earliest memory is attending one of the first pre-schools in Eleuthera, between 1958 and 1960, which was headed by Mrs. Agatha Culmer, who is now married to Joshua Culmer in Palmetto Point. The pre-school was on the bay front, and it was one of the first pre-schools in Eleuthera. She was an outstanding teacher and some of my first memories are of the pre-school there.” As a young

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Herman Rudolph Johnson boy growing up in Tarpum Bay he recalled fun past-times and games, like playing hideand-seek, and kick-the-can. Scouting for local fruits in season, like sapodillas, scouring the seashore for seashells, and shooting marbles - were a few favorites remembered fondly by Mr. Johnson. Although he grew up in a large family, they were still well taken care of, said Herman, “My father, who was really a bus driver during those days - also did some heavy farming. The boys were involved in the farming. We had to go into the field before we went to school, and also in the evening after school in those days, so we helped with the work. My dad was a bus driver for several tourist resorts in South Eleuthera - The Winding Bay Resort, The Rock Sound Club, Cotton Bay, as well as Cape Eleuthera. Tourism was number one then... It was really thriving on Eleuthera. So, he drove for all four of those resorts. Whenever he was not at work, he was farming. The boys would go in the farm with him as he took the labourers to work early in the morning at 6:15am. He would bring us back at about 8:15am and we would have to eat breakfast and get ready for school, and be to school for 9am. It was kind of hectic, but we were able to do it. “My dad grew things like tomatoes, pigeon peas, watermelons, pumpkins, and a whole variety of stuff. Tarpum Bay was really a farming and fishing village back then. During those days, we also had the tomato and pigeon peas cannery in Rock Sound, so we planted a lot of tomatoes and pigeon peas... My dad would sell some of his produce to the cannery, also locally from our porch, and provide food for the family. “Every afternoon and early Saturday mornings, people from Tarpum Bay would go on the dock and buy fresh fish, because Tarpum Bay fishermen would be in the boats, and in those days the fish used to be kept alive. They would scoop it from the wells and sell it to you alive. When they were strung up, they would still be jumping... and on Sunday mornings we would have fresh stewed fish with potato bread. My father and many other fathers grew potatoes and cassava and the mothers would make them into a bread to go along with the stewed fish. That was a real delicacy in those days... They were good memories,” smiled Herman. School Days: Primary school for young Herman was spent at the Tarpum Bay All Age School. “I remember when my bigger brother, Charles, took me there on the first day of school. I was kind of fearful to enter, but after the first day everything was smooth. I really enjoyed primary school, because there were some exciting teachers during my time. They were welcoming and showed interest and affection. Some of my primary and all age school teach-

ers were Mrs. Hilda Allen (Emma A. Cooper’s sister), Mrs. Joan Hilton, and just recently passed on - the late Mr. Sammy Gibson. As far as the principals were concerned - when I first arrived, there were two English principals. The first was Mr. Macmillan Hughes, who also had an art gallery in Tarpum Bay, and Mr. Cliff. After majority-rule came into effect in 1967, Bahamian principals came in, and there were two outstanding principals that I can remember - who I kind of role modeled after as a principal. They were Mr. Ivan Mcphee who hailed from Andros, and Mr. Harry Ward from Lower Bogue - who influenced my life tremendously.” Memories aside from academics that stood out from that time, said Herman, were the Christmas and Easter programs held at what is now the Arts and Cultural Center - that was then called the Prep’ School. “The whole community would come out and cheer you on and give their support. In those days, the parents also really supported the teachers in relation to discipline. If you needed to be disciplined, they didn’t mind the teachers or the principal disciplining the children, whereas today it is a little different. Two things that I dearly remember, is the way the teachers cared for us students, and the Christmas and Easter programs that were held. Another fun thing I remember as a schoolchild, was when the UBP was in power. Our representative was a Mr. Kelly and every Christmas he would come around to the schools and give out Christmas bags with toys and candies and apples. So, when school closed, we would have a goodie bag to hang on our tree at home.” The way the school system was set up when he was a young boy climbing through the grades, explained Mr. Johnson, was that class one to three were housed at the ‘Little Prep’ school, and the Bay Street location where the present Tarpum Bay Primary school sits, housed grades one to seven (today’s grade ten). After finishing grade five (today’s grade eight), in 1969, Herman spent one year at Windermere High School. However, because of tough financial times for his family, Herman returned to the Tarpum Bay All Age school for two years, from 1970 to 1972 to sit his BJC national exam subjects. He shared, “After those two years, I won a two-year scholarship to attend CC Sweeting in Nassau, which would allow me to sit for my GCE O’ Level examinations. So, I was there from 1972 to 1974. In fact, CC Sweeting had just opened in 1971. While there I was under the leadership of principal Mr. Leonard Archer, who was also a trade unionist, and an ambassador to London after his retirement. He was an outstanding high school teacher. Since CC Sweeting was a new school, I was part of the very first graduating class ever of CC Sweeting High School in 1974.” “When I first went down to NasP19 sau I lived with my aunt - she is a

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retired nurse now - Nurse Cummings. Then I lived with my sister, Evangeline McCartney, who is now deceased. During my time at CC Sweeting, I spent most of my time living with her, because she needed some help with her younger children. With me being there, and being older, I was able to assist her with them, as she was a single parent after separating from her husband.” Living away from Eleuthera for the first time as he began his studies in CC Sweeting was a new experience for Herman. He shared that he remembered being a little scared as he went to the campus for the first time, having to walk there, as he lived on Farrington Road and had to walk to school on a rainy morning. “I had to shelter under the porches of several stores on my way, and when I got to school, I was soaking wet - but after that first day things settled in and I was able to meet new friends. My class was made up of many other Family Islanders who had also received scholarships to study for their O’ Levels. In my class of 25, I had peers from Abaco, Exuma, New Providence, Andros, Eleuthera, Acklins, Crooked Island, Cat Island, Ragged Island as well as other islands. It was exciting - it was great, one of my best friends in the class, Raymond Johnson, was from Ragged Island. I also still have a friend now, Larry Newton, from Andros. In the school the other students looked up to us, as we were considered to be the ‘smart class’ as we were the academic class. CC Sweeting was also a force in sports. We had a powerful softball team and I was the pitcher. You know if you were from Eleuthera automatically they thought you could pitch. I also have a lot of memories in basketball, track and field, volleyball... CC Sweeting was a powerhouse in sports at that time, and I really enjoyed the two years there. My main reason being there was to take my GCE O’ Levels and I was very successful, but I also enjoyed taking part in sports.” Career and Family: Fresh out of high school, in the Spring of 1974, Herman was confident about his next path. “That same summer I applied to attend the Teacher’s College in San Salvador, and I was successful. I attended the Teacher’s College there from 1974 to 1975, which was the last year that it was open in San Salvador... It was really nice, so it was kind of sad when it

Lo c a l closed. We lived in five dorms, and everyone there was from the Family Islands. The dorms were all named after native peoples - Arawak dorm, Lucayan, Carib, Taino, and Maya. Everyone was close knitted and we had a good relationship, and it was like a selfcontained settlement. Everything was right there - we had our tuck shop, a little social club where every Friday we would go. And we had our own little band - so on Fridays we would stay on campus, and with music and dance, have fun right there. “There was also a shop on campus, so there was no need to leave, but at times we would go into Cockburn Town, which was about a half mile away... Back then there was also a Naval Base at United Estates. Sometimes we would go to the Base to play basketball with the Americans there, and sometimes they would come on campus to play with us - so it was a lot of fun... The San Salvador campus was closed and amalgamated with the Bahamas’ Teacher’s College in Nassau in 1975, and became the Teacher’s Training arm of the new College of the Bahamas (COB). So, we moved from San Salvador to Nassau to finish our training at the College of the Bahamas, and I completed my program as a Primary School Generalist teacher in 1977... “ While in Nassau at COB, now a young adult, Herman continued to live with his roommates from San Salvador, renting an apartment together until graduation. While attending the College they were paid a small stipend, as their acceptance into the Teacher’s College was considered as having joined the ‘Public Service’. In 1977, Herman, a newly trained teacher, received his first posting at the Harbour Island All Age School in his home island of Eleuthera. “I was there under the leadership of Mr. Luther Johnson - he was my first principal, and he was very encouraging. Two other graduate colleagues of mine were also posted there. He welcomed us and let us know from the start that we were new to the system, and that it was his job to make sure that we stayed. So, he was welcoming, friendly, and very informative - telling us about the community and how to conduct ourselves, so it was really good. While there I taught as a generalist in the primary school, and I also taught Social Studies to the ninth through twelfth graders. The community really welcomed me, and I had to kind of ease away from Harbour Island when the time came. The island was small, and after P20 two years I was ready to

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go.” It was not just the small island, however, that had Herman ready to transition to the mainland. Herman’s wife-to-be, Mrs. Janet Johnson (nee Sweeting), was actually from his hometown in Tarpum Bay. He recalled that when he was a young monitor in the upper grade at Tarpum Bay All Age, she had already caught his eye. The couple reconnected as Herman transitioned from San Salvador to Nassau, and corresponded while he was in college, between 1975 and 1977. After he returned to Eleuthera to begin teaching, he and Janet got married in 1978, just a year into his posting at Harbour Island. So, in 1979, Herman happily accepted a transfer to the Tarpum Bay All Age school. At Tarpum Bay All Age, Herman served as a classroom teacher under the leadership of the late Mr. Alvin Adderley. While in his hometown teaching, he shared that with his love of sports, he was able to get a number of programs going, including softball and track and field. “It was nice to be back home as a classroom teacher, and in fact I would only spend two years in Harbour Island and three years in Tarpum Bay, as a classroom teacher. In 1982, I was transferred to Cockburn Town, San Salvador as an acting principal, where I spent just one term, before returning to Tarpum Bay. However, almost immediately after returning I was required to go to Victoria Point, in Mangrove Cay as acting principal for just a few weeks, then I was placed at Rock Sound Primary for a term as a classroom teacher.” In 1983, Herman began his career as a principal at the Bannerman Town Primary School, where he would spend four challenging years. He described, “During those four years, the first year I was alone, just me one. There were only 25 students in the school, but the student levels were from grade one to grade nine. At that time there were GLAT exams for grades three and six and the grade eight and nine students had BJC exams - and I had to work with each and every one of them at their grade level. Although the numbers were small, it was a very challenging time - that was the hardest I have ever worked. I actually got sick during that stint, because I wanted to ensure that they got their education, and tried to cater to their individual needs. My second year there, in 1984, they sent

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a lady to assist me, a Mrs. Kemp from Governor’s Harbour primary. She was only there for one year, so again I was on my own. Three years at Bannerman Town I had to teach all the grades, but I made it work. “Although the school was small, we were still a sport powerhouse in track and field. We were able to place second. Green Castle were the sport giants of the south - you couldn’t touch them, but during the years I was there, although we had a small team, we were able to place second behind Green Castle Primary.” In 1987, Mr. Johnson was transferred to Savannah Sound Primary School, where he would settle in for a while, spending the next twelve years there - until 1999. He taught grades eight and nine, and shared that he finally had a little more help there, with three other teachers. Savannah Sound was also a relatively small school, with multiple classes taught by one teacher, he said, but added that it wasn’t nearly as difficult as in Bannerman Town, and he and his team made things work well. He recalled having great success in sport and track and field while in Savannah Sound as well, “Of those twelve years, we were able to win eleven consecutive regional track and field championships - battled out between primary schools from Savannah Sound to Gregory Town although we lost the very last year that I was there,” sighed Mr. Johnson with a wistful smile. “Our team was known as the Savannah Sound Trackers... We had some good days in Savannah Sound, with many talented athletes... The parents there were also very cooperative, hardworking and dedicated to both the students and the school.” The building next to the former one-room school (the current Eleuthera Education District Office), shared Mr. Johnson, on the grounds of Savannah Sound Primary, was actually built during his time there, with the efforts of the school’s PTA, which lobbied donations from nearby corporate partners and secondhomeowners to complete construction of the new classrooms (led by PTA president and then parent, Mrs. Margaret Symonette, who is currently the Administrator for Central Eleuthera). A dwindling student population, in line with population shifts within the local community, however, led to the eventual amalgamation of Savannah Sound Primary with the Emma Cooper Primary School in Palmetto Point during 2000, just one year after Mr.

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Mr. Herman Johnson with his wife Mrs. Janet Johnson. Johnson was transferred. In 1999, the P.A. Gibson Primary School in Hatchet Bay welcomed Mr. Johnson as their new principal. “They proved to be the most loving people, and I had a tremendous staff. Many of the teachers on my staff were older, and my youngest staff member was my senior mistress, Keva Roberts. All the others were veterans in education, compared to me. But they were so nice, and always gave me encouraging words, and even compared me to the late P.A. Gibson, saying I reminded them of him - which was such a compliment for me. We developed a family atmosphere.” Once again, Mr. Johnson, in his love of sport, could boast raising the competitive bar, sharing that while in Hatchet Bay, the school won three consecutive primary track and field championships. “It just continued. It’s really the relationship that you have with the children. You give them the attention, and you show them that they are important, you show them the love, and they will go all out... I recently saw one of my former students, Alia Brown, a nurse who came up with the COVID team from Nassau, and the minute she saw me she shouted out, ‘Mr. Johnson’, and it’s been twenty years - I said to her, ‘You still fast?’, and we both laughed.” After four years, in 2003 when Mr. Johnson left Hatchet Bay, he laughed and smiled at the memory, sharing that he had to leave quietly - packing up his things in the wee hours of

the morning after he had gotten the transfer notice. The next day, he said, one of his teachers from P.A. Gibson commented that he had gone like a thief in the night. “If I didn’t go then, they would have contacted Alvin Smith to stop the transfer, so I had to kind of ease out. It was time then to get closer to home,” he smiled, adding that he is still close to the teachers then on his staff. Mr. Johnson joined the team at Emma E. Cooper Primary in Palmetto Point in 2003, and chuckled as he first commented on the state of the sports program. “When I went to Emma. E. Cooper, that’s when the whole island came together to compete in the district track and field championships, instead of the regional meets, and the school then was nowhere near the top in sports. Emma Cooper used to come what we called, ‘hot last’ every time,” he smiled. When he arrived, after working with the students, in his second year, and the three years to follow, he proudly shared that Palmetto Point showed off their prowess, winning four straight island-wide primary track and field championships - a record which still stands, said Johnson. “At Emma E. Cooper, just like at P.A. Gibson, the staff and I worked together like a family,” said Mr. Johnson. “My senior mistress and staff were dependable P21 and wholly reliable. I could go anywhere and school

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would go on. The PTA was strong there also. Mr. Ricardo Knowles, the president, did so well, he was also recognized nationally for being an outstanding PTA president, by the Ministry of Education. He really worked hard with his team of parents to get Emma Cooper to the way it was.” In 2008, Mr. Johnson finally moved back to his hometown, taking up the post as principal of the Tarpum Bay Primary School. Here he would stay for the remaining twelve years of his career until his retirement in 2020. “You know how they say ‘a prophet is not honoured in his own home’, I proved that wrong. Now the road was not smooth sailing all the time, but I spent some exciting days there, because of the team of teachers that I had. I believe in the Ministry’s theme (around 2016) ‘sharing the vision to achieve excellence’. Our teachers shared in and did their part - whatever the initiative was. No one stood in the corner by themselves. Everybody pitched in and helped. Also, parents and the community at-large helped.” When Mr. Johnson retired in 2020, he shared that the District Office presented him with a specially engraved pen and clock, which read, “Collective Efficacy.” This he said was a philosophy he believed in and it was something he always stressed, “Collective Efficacy for Life.” You can’t do it all by yourself, said Johnson. “All the accomplishments made by my schools, all the achievements that I made, I didn’t do it by myself, because no man is an island and no man can stand alone. It takes everybody, so as the leader, I got everyone involved. All the successes I was able to achieve, was because everybody contributed - collective efficacy for life. Mr. Johnson is very proud, he said of Tarpum Bay primary’s accomplishment of winning five consecutive national junior junkanoo competitions, right on up to 2019, before the pandemic brought cultural activities like junkanoo parades to a halt. Accomplishments like these he stressed, would have been impossible without the complete buy-in from the students, teachers, parents, and the community, especially the senior junkanoo group in Tarpum Bay - everyone involved and helping. “That is how my career has been so successful - working with people, working together. Like I said, we are not always going to have smooth sailing - it will be rough sometimes, but overall, I would describe my career as very successful, and I’m pleased with it.” Mr. Johnson spent 43 years as an active educator, and 46 years in the public service (counting his years of teacher training). Sharing a little on his family and his wife Janet of 43 years, Herman smiled warmly, saying, “One thing I would like to say about my wife, is that she has always had my back, supporting me and encouraging me all along the way. She has been a tremendous support by my side... My children have also always been right here with me - we are close, you know. As I’ve moved about, we moved as a family, and we’ve been together most of the time - a closely knit family.” Herman and Janet were blessed with four children - three sons and one daughter. Throughout his career in education, Herman also made time for his love of softball. Beginning as a pitcher in high school, the love for the organized game, never left him. Bahamas Hall of Famer, Dudley ‘Dougie’ Smith from Rock Sound, said Mr. Johnson is his local icon in the sport. He played together with him for the Heineken Stars and in Rock Sound with the Eleuthera Softball Association. In 1993, while still at Savannah Sound Primary, he played with the local Unique Hardware Hornets team, which won the national championships that year. Throughout the years he played with teams in New Providence (IBM team) and in Eleuthera. He also played with the Bahamas National Softball team for sixteen years between 1984 and 2000, playing in two World Games and representing the Bahamas in two Pan American Games. Nugget of Wisdom: After spending such an extended time as an educator, when asked about what advice he would have for new teachers or administrators in the system, Johnson highlighted the philosophy of working together, saying, “The advice that I would tell them, is hey, you cannot make it on your own... No man is an island, so don’t even think you can make it on your own. Encourage people to share in your vision. The more you get people to pull together, the happier and more successful you will be. If you want to do it all by yourself, you will not be successful. You’ve also got to treat everyone equally. Allow equity to prevail. If you are in the classroom, you have to treat students equally. Students may

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have different nationalities or be from different settlements - but you are to treat them equally. Show everyone affection. With teachers, let equity prevail also... they are all important. The time comes when you need all of them, and if you don’t treat them the way you should, they will not have your back... That is what I would encourage - let others share in your vision, and let equity prevail.” Life After Work: After officially retiring in December of 2020, Herman shared that he has happily gone back to many of the things he took part in when he was younger - like getting up early, savouring his tea and breakfast, and spending hours in his back yard farm. He shared that he is just enjoying his time now at home with his family, and said he is very contented with God’s blessings. Since the onset of virtual school for students across the country, he’s also been playing a vital role in the lives of several of his grandchildren, whose parents are at work, reverting back to his years-long role as a teacher - spending the school hours of 9am to 3pm assisting them and managing their online learning experience.

Herman Johnson representing the Bahamas as a pitcher on the national team at the Pan American games - 1998.

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NACB Hosts Nurses Leadership Program in Eleuthera During the week of October 18th to 22nd, 2021, Nurse Rebecca Johnson, president of the Nurses Association of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (NACB) and Senior Nursing Officer for Pediatrics at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) led a team of facilitators to Eleuthera to host the first intensive one-week session of an international nurses leadership program. In an interview at the Worker’s House complex, where the program was being hosted, Nurse Johnson explained what the program was all about and why it had been brought to the island at this time, saying, “We really wanted to do something special for the nurses in Eleuthera, because it is hard for them to come into Nassau to do a program. So, the Nurses Association decided to bring a leadership program here for them. We have six nurses participating in the program this week.” The program, she said, was called ‘Leadership for Change’. “One of the things that we are excited about is a component of the program where the nurses will have to do a special project, which either improves their work environment or improves the community in which they

serve. We are hoping that all the nurses taking part here in Eleuthera will be able to effect a project that will benefit the island and improve healthcare in Eleuthera. So, we are very excited about that.” “This is a program from the International Council of Nurses, and we got special permission to do the program. Four of the participating nurses are from Eleuthera, and two of the nurses are from New Providence. The nurses from Eleuthera include Bianca Edwards, Cornell Johnson, Deshan Mortimer, and Behanker Rolle, joined by Sindy Bullard, and Charmaine Gibson from New Providence. They are dynamic young leaders,” said Nurse Johnson. “Once you create a leader, you can leave that community, because they are going to take the initiative. You give them the tools and they will go.” Describing the ‘Leadership for Change’ agenda, she explained, “The program is set to take place during the course of one year, with three intensive one-week workshops, and this is workshop one, where the nurses are introduced to all the leadership and management principles, leading change principles - like quality improve-

ment and mentoring. We will set the ground rules for the project, then they will choose what they will focus on and actively work on the initiative, until we return early next year for the second workshop. By that time they should have their projects well in focus and underway, and will be presenting and finetuning. At the final workshop later in 2022, they will make final presentations about their initiatives. Another unique component of this program, is that we are also training a trainer. So, after this program is completed next year, I should have four trainers here in Eleuthera, who can take up the mantle - so it’s a sustainable program.” Facilitating the week-long workshop along with Nurse Rebecca Johnson was Mrs. Prescola Rolle ‘Leader for Change’ (LFC) Country Coordinator, and Mrs. Maggie Turner LFC Lead Trainer. The sessions were also P23 supported virtually by facilitators who contributed

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Pictured: NACB president, Nurse Rebecca Johnson (front center), sitting with facilitators Mrs. Prescola Rolle, and Mrs. Maggie Turner, with participating Nurses (standing). via ZOOM platform. “We

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will soon be going on into retirement,” said Nurse Johnson, “so we need to pass it on to the younger generation. When I retire and have to go to the clinic or to hospital, I will be comfortable knowing we have left it in good hands. That is very important.” Nurse Cornell Johnson, a participant in the leadership program, and also Chairperson of the NACB Eleuthera Branch, commenting on her experience, shared, “The LFC program workshop 1 was a life changing experience and brought new insight into Nursing Leadership roles and management. The facilitators were very knowledgeable, and passionate about the program and the potential each participant displayed in becoming great Nurse leaders for change.”

Charmaine Gibson, MScN, RN in NICU in PMH stressed that the program definitely meets the needs and strengthens the nursing profession in leadership, saying it built on her knowledge base and connected the theory and nursing practice. Deshan Mortimer, Assistant Secretary with the NACB Eleuthera Branch, BScN, RN expressed the need for the course to be taught to all nurses in the Bahamas because she thought the content taught and prepared a person to become a very effective leader in every aspect of their life. The Eleuthera nurses taking part all expressed that they were excited and looking forward to becoming facilitators of ‘LFC’ ensuring the future sustainability of the program. The second ‘LFC’ workshop is scheduled for the week of February 14th, 2022. Below: NACB Leaders For Change facilitators imparting essential knowledge to next generation of nursing leaders in Eleuthera.

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CONS E R VAT I ON CORNE R

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How Plants Adapt to Climate Change: The Winners and The Losers

Rachicallis americana and Strumpfia maritima two resilient plants happily growing on Deals Point.

To enhance the ability of plants and plant communities to adapt to a changing climate, and improve the resilience of where we live, we need to first observe what is already going on in nature. The fall 2021 permaculture class at The Island School Semester commenced their research with this question: “What is the most vulnerable portion of our campus landscape to climate impacts and how can we improve its resilience?” Because of the exposure to salt spray, storm surge and strong winds the coastal zone was selected and their research commenced by observing the vegetation on several beaches in the South Eleuthera area. It goes without saying that some vegetation is more resilient to climate impacts than others. The beach surveys revealed which of the plants dominated the harsh beach climate with poor soil conditions, and expressed all the same traits of climate resilient plants from around the world. One reason for this apparent resilience is that these plant communities have a greater diversity of species with special traits that make them better able to withstand climate impacts such as extended droughts and excessive heat. What traits benefit ‘the winners’ under climate change? • Thick, leathery leaves with waxy cuticles, which perform dual functions of cutting down on water loss and reflecting heat away from the plant. Good examples are Clusia rosea, Coccoloba uvifera and the local Scaevola plumieri (Black Ink Berry). • Fleshy leaves that store water such as Sesuvium portulacastrum (Sea Purslane) and Opuntia stricta (Prickly Pear). • Small, thin leaves, which effectively reduce the surface area

from which water loss can occur. The tiny yet highly fragrant leaves of Rachicallis americana typify this adaptation. • Sunken stomata pits, which trap moist air and reduce water loss rates. The thin Rosemary like leaves of Strumpfia maritima employ this strategy. • Hairy leaves, like those found on Tournefortia gnaphalodes (Bay Lavender) which shade the stomata and protect plants from extremes of light and temperature. • Deeper roots and greater below ground biomass enable greater access to water and nutrients; they can also function as carbon storage to support the next year’s growth, and they can facilitate faster vegetative spread. This trait is specifically adapted in dune species such as Uniola paniculata (Sea Oats) which help

create dunes by trapping sand and colonizing new areas. This grass is important in maintaining healthy coastal systems that are resilient to storms and sea level rise. Determining the plant traits that allow species to cope with climate change is important because it can direct the conservation and management strategies needed to safeguard the future of rare, endangered and economically important plants. It also enables us to identify those plants more resilient to current and future climate change. But these winning traits are also possessed by alien invasive plants and global climate change is a huge factor in assisting the spread and establishment of such species like Casuarinas and Scaevola taccada (The White Ink Berry). Increased temperatures and extended droughts may also enable exotic drought toler-

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ant plants such as Oleander or Wild Tamarind to extend their range and compete with less adaptive local flora. What can we do about it? • Protect as much intact, diverse, complex habitats as possible and remove invasive species • Increase connectivity between natural areas to facilitate migration of native species • Monitor rare plant populations and robust habitats for health and threats • Collect and bank seeds of resilient crops, and vulnerable species to preserve genetic diversity • Augment or reintroduce rare plants within their historic range • Relocate rare plants if necessary • Buy and plant locally native plants Permaculture research not only promotes diversity and working with nature, our research also guides plant and crop selection in a rapidly changing climate. For crops, we can experiment with more resilient species and cross breeds that are already well-adapted to different climates to generate new breeds that are expected to do better in a changing world.

The well adapted invasive Scaevola taccada compared to its native cousin, Scaevola plumieri.

Hopefully, if people know more about what is likely to happen, they will be motivated to put actions into practice now to mitigate the effects of climate change. So what will happen to Eleuthera’s native crops and plants? The short answer is that with decreasing seasonality, more drought, and increasing heavy rainfalls, some will adapt, some will migrate, and some will be lost.

Coastal resilient plants of Eleuthera:

Setting up a beach survey plot at Deals Point.

Agave bahamana - Century Plant Ambrosia hispida - Wormwood Batis maritima - Salt Wort Bidens alba - Shepherd’s Needle Borrichia arborescens - Bay Marigold Canavalia rosea - Beach Bean Chrysobalamus icaco - Coco Plum Clusia rosea - Monkey Apple Coccoloba uvifera - Sea Grape Coccothrinax argentata - Silver Thatch Cocos nucifera - Coconut Conocarpus erectus - Button Wood Hymenocallis arenicola - Spider Lily Ipomea pes-caprae - Morning Glory Rachicallis americana - Wild Thyme Rhizophora mangle - Red Mangrove Scaevola plumieri - Black Ink Berry Sesuvium portulacastrum - Sea Purslane Strumpfia maritima - Mosquito Bush Suriana maritima - Bay Cedar Tournefortia gnaphalodes - Bay Lavender

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ALIV Celebrates Five Years In Eleuthera Aliv celebrated their 5th Anniversary in Eleuthera in October with a special two-day visit by Aliv CEO, and native Eleutheran, Mr. John Gomez, along with a full marketing and promotions team, who hosted special events at signature store locations across the island, beginning in Governor’s Harbour on Thursday morning, October 21st, 2021. The Aliv visiting team would traverse north to south, including to their store locations in Harbour Island and Spanish Wells. “We are celebrating five years of being in business,” said CEO Gomez on Thursday morning, as excited customers were escorted in store to a fanfare welcome, and plied with thank you gifts of appreciation. “It’s amazing how quickly those five years have gone by. What we felt is that five is a significant time for any business to be in operation, and we wanted to give back to our customers. So, what we are doing is going to all of the major islands. Two weeks ago we were in Long Island, and Exuma, with the same kind of event, where we invited customers who started with us five years ago to come in and we give them special offers, gift bags, and personalized cards to the individual customers to express how much we appreciate them. We could not be here without them. So, this is our way of saying, ‘Thank you’. We are also going to continue to provide the customer service, quality network, and most of all our people, in-store and throughout the community.” Mr. Gomez and his team, not only visited stores, hosting anniversary events during their two-day Eleutheran adventure, but also took time to visit with local leaders, the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce and One Eleuthera to talk about business opportunities, and how Aliv could help to make their businesses more successful. In between taking in famous sites like the Ocean Hole in Rock Sound, and the Glass Window Bridge further north CEO Gomez also a facilitated a number of sponsorships and donations - stopping in to his high school alma mater, Preston Albury High with a presentation. Artie Johnson’s tennis camp was also the recipient of a sponsorship, with Mr. Gomez stopping into a session, and playing a short exhibition round. In Spanish Wells, the Aliv team also reached out to community organization - Fishermen’s Fest. Quite proud of his Eleuthera roots and connection with the island, Mr. Gomez shared, “When I was coming in on the plane, and just before we landed, I started to get a little emotional, because this is where it all began for me. This is home for me. Sometimes you hear

Above: ALIV CEO John Gomez (center) stands with his ALIV team in front of the Eleuthera Business Hub.

Above: ALIV CEO John Gomez (center) and ALIV Management team with local business leaders from One Eleuthera, Rock Sound Properties Ltd. and the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce.

people who claim they are from this island or that island. For me, I can say, this is where I was born, where I ran around barefoot here in Eleuthera. I was born in Rock Sound, so it was special for me to come back and share

what we are doing in the organization, and to make sure that Eleuthera also benefits from the things that we are providing as a company.”

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The Eleutheran

Local ALIV Governor’s Harbour store team members all smiles as they celebrate 5 years in business.

Preston Albury High School principal Tracey Mckenzie, accepts a donation from ALIV CEO John Gomez.

Sister company, Cable Bahamas Business Solutions team, with ALIV CEO John Gomez.

Customers who had been with ALIV since they opened in Eleuthera five years ago were celebrated in style with fanfare and gifts.

Tennis coach, Artie Johnson with his students, accepts a donation from ALIV CEO John Gomez.

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Edible Eleuthera

Oct/Nov, 2021

The Coconut

By: The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (LLNPP)

get a variety of answers: coconut tarts, coconut creams, coconut rum, coconut water, in a pina colada, grilled, in peas ‘n’ rice made with coconut milk, or straight from the fruit in its raw form. In recent years the coconut’s use has become even more diversified in the Bahamas, processed into coconut flour, “butter”, vegan cheeses and dips, ice-cream and yogurts.

Coconut tart. Cocos nucifera (Common Names: Coconut; Scientific Name: Cocos nucifera; Family: Arecaceae) grows with a single unbranched trunk, sometimes leaning, and reaching heights of up to 100 feet tall. The large fruit is a 3-sided drupe that turns yellow or brown with age and has a thick fibrous husk around it. The coconut is found on all islands in the Lucayan Archipelago, and throughout the world in tropic and subtropic areas – but it is native only to the Asian/ Pacific region. It can grow in a variety of habitats, including beaches and areas disturbed by humans. The flowers can be an important source for honey bees. While coconuts are used more as a food source, they are

thought to have medicinal benefits; one being a remedy for sore throats. The fruit is highly popular and edible and can be consumed in its raw state. It produces a “milk or water” sometimes mildly sweet yet very refreshing and the “meat” can be either firm or soft depending on when the fruit is harvested. The soft “jelly” can easily be peeled from inside the husk, while the firmer “meat” can be grilled or grated for a variety of desserts.

Oils can also be extracted and used for beauty treatments and soap making. The husk and “shell” are used for sculpture and jewelry. The leaves can be used for thatch for roofing or plaiting to make hats. Cocos nucifera is considered one of the most economically important tree species in the world.

Sky Juice.

Another popular use is in a creamy cocktail known by names such as “sky juice”, “gully wash” or the more traditional “gin and coconut water.” The potency of this drink will vary according to the taste of the “mixologist”. Ask any Bahamian how they enjoy this diverse food and you’ll

Immature fruits.

Harvesting coconut meat or jelly.

Tree top showing fruits and leaves.

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Oct/Nov

RBPF Commissioner Rolle visits with the Eleuthera, Division Police Commissioner Paul Rolle, on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 flew into Eleuthera to meet with officers throughout the Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), and to tour the Division’s physical plant infrastructure. In a statement, Commissioner Rolle commented, “I stopped by today to visit with my officers on the island, as I do with my officers periodically on all of the islands. I was here a few months ago and I’m back again to check on the welfare of all the officers in Eleuthera.” Commissioner Rolle also mentioned briefly a traffic collision, involving several officers and visiting motorists who were driving on the wrong side of the road, which took place on October 2nd, 2021, near the Governor’s Harbour airport, resulting in serious injuries to two police officers who were subsequently

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The Eleutheran

Picture this

Above: Police Commissioner Paul Rolle (center), and Eleuthera OIC Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles (center right) stand with members of the Eleuthera Division RBPF team at Police Headquarters in Governor’s Harbour. airlifted to New Providence, saying, “We also had an accident with some of the officers here and they are now convalescing in facilities in Nassau. We visited with them yesterday.” Maintenance of current facilities is also a priority, he emphasized, “I thought it a good thing today to also check the facilities. There are one or two

Education Tour

culties and challenges we are having varies from devices to reliability of internet service, as well as reliability power. It depends on where you go and what the situation is - you can finds things that would hinder progress and the process. Minister Lightbourne, and his entourage - which included, Superintendent of Education for the Eleuthera District, Mr. Michael Culmer, and Mr. Donavan Turnquest, Deputy Permanent Secretary with responsibilities for Facilities/Physical Plant Management - were set, he said, to visit schools across the island, “We visited Preston Albury High and also Rock Sound Primary. We are now here at the Central Eleuthera High School. We would have liked to go further south, but today’s schedule is tight, so we will depend on video and the use of digital communication and general reports on the status of those schools. Of course, also what the labour organizations or the union representatives say at schools, so that we can properly assess.

areas that we need to improve, and I like to see firsthand. I have with me my Maintenance Director for the RBPF, Officer Carey, and so where ever we see facilities being diminished, we will make an effort to keep it spiffy for the people. So that when you come in to see your police, you can come into facilities that look like this (Police headquarters in Governor’s

Today we want to also do schools in Harbour Island, and Spanish Wells...” When asked whether the Ministry of Education had a specific date when they were looking to announce changes in the mode of education delivery in the country, Minister Lightbourne stated, “We would like it to be as soon as possible, as soon as it is safe. We’ve been on this for some time, and we think that it has been causing a serious issue with our children - not getting that quality education, and missing out. So, part of the assessment that we are doing is to find out if schools are ready, not only for the face-to-face - whether it’s hybrid or full face-to-face, but we want to assess how to help those students to catch up - who have been left behind, whether in the system, or in the hindrances of the process we are using now which is fully virtual.” He continued, “The public should listen out. Some schools may be ready before others. It depends on the status of the island, in terms of health, and the advice of Dr. Darville and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.”

Harbour), and feels like this.” On his one-day tour of the island, Commissioner Rolle began at police stations in South Eleuthera, stopping in at each facility within the RBPF Eleuthera Division, and ended in North Eleuthera, where he returned to New Providence, flying out from the North Eleuthera airport on Wednesday evening.

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10am to 5pm Mon. to Fri.

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Oct/Nov, 2021

Sixth Grader’s “Ali’s Aid” donates raised funds to Sisterhood of Survivors

Almitra Rolle-Meeres sells her baked goods at the North Eleuthera airport. Almitra “Ali” Rolle-Meeres, a sixth grader at P.A. Gibson Primary in Hatchet Bay, during the school summer break of 2021 decided as a community service to do something for children with cancer and reached out to a family friend who had survived cancer to see if she could steer her in the right direction. Ali’s family friend didn’t know of any, but did put her in contact with a group she was a part of called “Sisterhood of Survivors”. There were no children in the group, but there were children who had a parent pass away from the disease as well as current survivors of cancer, so she set out to lend aid to this cause. During July and August, Ali baked cookies and cupcakes and went out several Saturdays to high foot traffic areas, like Burrows’ Food Store in Governor’s Harbour and the North Eleuthera Airport in Lower Bogue to sell her baked goodies. As a result of her efforts, Ali was able to recently donate $500 to the Sisterhood of Survivors from ‘Ali’s Aid’. The Sisterhood of Survivors, Eleuthera Branch, helps residents of Eleuthera from north to south - dealing with cancer, with financial, educational, and emotional support for people who have survived or are currently going through treatment of breast cancer in particular. The group also runs a thrift shop, located in James’ Cistern, Central Eleuthera. Ali’s Aid expressed thanks to Maisie Thompson, Sisterhood of Survivor’s group president, as well as to everyone who purchased or donated, including the North Eleuthera Airport, Eleuthera Petroleum and Burrows Food Store.

Above: (L-R) Indira Rolle, Maisie Thompson (Sisterhood of Survivors), and Almitra Rolle-Meeres.

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Government introduces Supplementary Budget Statement with stated aim of benefitting Vulnerable groups By Kathryn Campbell The Government’s Supplementary Budget Statement prioritizes vulnerable groups in society including pensioners and persons on the COVID-19 unemployment assistance program. In the House of Assembly, Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 the Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, stated that the 2021-2022 Statement undertakes the following: reprioritizes unnecessary budgeted expenditures to areas where they are most needed; restores the fiscal health of the country over the medium term and ensures that government continues to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in society. Prime Minister Davis said this Christmas will not be the same for persons currently receiving $100 per week from the COVID-19 program. He advised

Lo c a l that such individuals will be the beneficiaries of a $500 lump sum payment. “There is no way to alleviate entirely the suffering you have experienced over the past 18 months, but the hope is that this payment can mark the beginning of a new, more hopeful time for you,” said the Prime Minister. “While the former administration’s Food Distribution Task Force and unemployment assistance administered by the National Insurance Board were efforts in the right direction, they have simply not done enough to provide sufficient, tangible relief to suffering families. More than 17,000 Bahamians are currently receiving COVID-19 unemployment benefit assistance administered by the National Insurance Board.” Mr. Davis also informed Parliamentarians that payments to public service pensioners will be increased effective December 1, 2021 as follows: • The 742 persons receiving less than $500 per month in monthly pension will receive an increase of $100; • The 2,012 persons receiving more than $500 but less than $1000 in monthly pension will receive a monthly increase of $75; • The 4,432 persons receiving a monthly pension of greater than $1,000 will receive a monthly adjustment of $50. “Let me remind this Honourable House that it is the public service pensioners who long kept our country running. This group includes retired teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers, corrections officers, and retired clerical and administrative staff.

The Eleutheran

These pensioners receive no cost-of-living adjustments and many of them have a combined income of less than $500 per month,” said Prime Minister Davis. “It is therefore not surprising that these individuals have suffered greatly doing the economic downturn. On behalf of a grateful nation, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you for your service. Our gratitude will be reflected by an increase in public service pensions; a sliding scale will be used to make sure the increase correlates with the need. I want to be clear: the intent of the public service pension increase is to support those in need. This list does not include pensions for former politicians or senators, nor does it include pensions for former judges or holders of the office of Governor General or their surviving spouses,” he said. Increments which are paid to public servants will also be reinstated this fiscal year. Prime Minister Davis, advised the House of Assembly that the increments, of no more than $700 per year, will be reinstated effective July 2021 and paid in January 2022. “This reinstatement, which will cost $8 million this year, is being funded from the increase in revenue over forecast experienced in the 1st quarter of this fiscal year,” said the Prime Minister. He informed that the arrears will be paid once additional savings have been identified.

Kiwanis Honour South Eleuthera Heroes With National Heroes Day celebrated during the month of October, the Kiwanis Club of South Eleuthera recognized a special hero from each of the settlements within South Eleuthera. The honourees were all nominated by members of their respective communities, and each celebrated hero was presented with a commemorative plate in recognition of their honour. Those recognized included: • • • • • • • • •

Carlos Culmer - Savannah Sound Vincent Roberts - Tarpum Bay Barry Ward - Rock Sound Delroy Richards - Green castle Breon Whylly - Waterford (not pictured) Zilchus Thompson - Deep Creek Eulease Thompson - Wemyss Bight Teran Mackey - John Millers Philip McPhee - Bannerman town

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Oct/Nov, 2021

Debt reduction for developing countries must be part of response to post COVID-19 economic situation: CARICOM SG to UNCTAD XV

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana - Wednesday, 6 October 2021) - An effective response to the post Covid-19 economic situation must include significant and broad debt reduction for all developing countries, including vulnerable middle to high income states. This was one of the prescriptions put forward by CARICOM Secretary-General Her Excellency Carla Barnett as she participated in a panel discussion during the World Leaders Summit Dialogue on Inequality at UNCTAD XV in Barbados on Tuesday 5th October. Speaking on the theme of the discussion “Is the COVID-19 crisis really a game changer?” Dr. Barnett further stated that debt reduction should specifically address debts built up due to COVID-19 expenditures and Climate Change adaptation.

The CARICOM Secretary-General said that the meeting provided an opportunity to highlight to the global community the issues and concerns of Small Island and Low-lying Coastal Developing States (SIDS) as well as to identify some of the measures that could be taken by the international community to support efforts to build resilience and promote sustainable development among SIDS. She pointed out that SIDS experienced GDP contraction in 2020 at about three times the global rate. “We applied funds that were budgeted for other purposes to meet the needs of the health sector for PPEs, medical equipment, testing supplies and vaccines. We shifted funds to meet basic social safety nets. We repurposed loans and borrowed additional funds. Already high debt burdens grew even higher,” Dr. Barnett pointed out. Dr. Barnett said that while the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) which allowed developing countries to temporarily suspend debt service payments to their official bilateral creditors had potential, it did not cover all middle to high income developing countries, many of which are SIDS. “New debt arising from the need to address the COVID-19 crisis together with the existing debt stock will continue to appropriate a significant proportion of public resources in debt repayments, while strangling critical infrastructural public investments required for economic rehabilitation,” the Secretary-General stated in making a case for debt reduction. The situation was even more challenging for many SIDS as they cannot access multilateral and bilateral concessional aid financing because of their relatively high per capita income status. “With the reality of our vulnerabilities exposed by the Covid and Climate crises, the call for a more appropriate basis for determining access to concessional financing takes on great urgency. We have to continue to press for the continued development and acceptance of the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability

Police advisory concerning fraudulent Facebook Messenger vendors October 16th The Financial Crime Investigation Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to advise the public to be aware of person(s) offering items for sale on ‘Facebook Market Place or Facebook Messenger, with the intent to defraud customers of money and use their identifications in other Facebook scams. The culprit(s) advertise cars, boats, motorcycles, and other items at attractive prices. To gain the purchasers trust, vendors (suspects) send images of Government issued ID’s which they claim to be their identity. As a result, the victims’ trust is gained and deposits or transfers money onto an account in the name of the

person whose ID was presented or some other third party. The victims are then informed that once the item is paid for, it will be delivered within two or three weeks. However, almost immediately after the funds are deposited or transferred to the account, the suspect discontinues communication with the victim. The Royal Bahamas Police Force strongly advises members of the public to be cautious when sending money to individuals they are not familiar with. Additionally, we want to caution individuals not to give their bank account and personal Identification to unknown persons through social media. Your personal information, and identification will be used in perpetuat-

Index (MVI). The issue of access to concessional resources for development financing and resilience building remains a significant priority for CARICOM States, indeed, for all SIDS,” Dr. Barnett stressed. She called on the UN system to intensify collaboration with relevant regional institutions, particularly in the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, in order to make this index a reality. She also called on the IMF, the World Bank and bilateral and multilateral development partners to step away from the “blinders of GDP per capita.” GDP per capita cannot be a measure of development, let alone sustainable development, she added. Dr. Barnett said that new policy options to assist developing countries had to be developed as the traditional policy menu of the International Financial Institutions did not adequately address the inherent vulnerabilities and fragilities of such countries. “That policy menu will certainly be inadequate as the foundation for the design of recovery models that can build transformative and resilient economies in the face of global Climate Change,” she said. Looking forward to COP 26, the UN Climate Change Conference scheduled for next month in Glasgow, Scotland, the CARICOM Secretary-General stated that for SIDS like CARICOM, “1.5 to Stay Alive” was more than a catchy slogan, “it is an existential reality.” “We therefore have to be focused on pushing COP26 to be decisive in order to keep the pathways to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement alive and translating commitments to real action on the ground,” Dr. Barnett emphasised. She referred in particular to the pledges to the Green Climate and Adaptation Funds which she insisted must be honoured and increased to ensure that the most vulnerable could adapt to and survive the effects of Climate Change. The four-day United Nations Conference on Trade and Development XV ended on Thursday, October 7th, 2021.

ing the scam. This gives the appearance that you are also a part of the fraudulent activities. If you were affected by such a scam, contact the Financial Investigations Branch at 356-6027. -----Police are appealing to members of the public, who may have information that can assist with our investigations into these incidents and other criminal matters, to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station Please visit the Royal Bahamas Police Force Website at www.royalbahamaspolice.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rbpforce for Latest News, Daily Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips.

n ea r by (The targets recommend reduction in the sodium content of the most frequently consumed packaged foods, which would help people reduce salt intake to less than the WHO-recommended 5 grams per day.) Washington, DC, October 28, 2021 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has announced new salt reduction targets for food products to help people in the Americas reduce consumption of sodium. After adoption by countries, the new targets will require regional manufacturers to reformulate processed and ultra-processed food products, where most of the sodium consumed in diets comes from.

PAHO’s revised 2022-2025 regional salt reduction targets focus on reducing the sodium content of commonly consumed processed foods such as bread, cereals and grains, processed meats, and dairy products. The new targets are a more detailed update of a first set developed in 2015 and present maximum sodium “thresholds” for 16 categories and 75 subcategories of food products to be reformulated. “Countries agreed to a global target of reducing salt consumption by 30% by 2025, but the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation by creating new challenges for prevention and control of risk factors due to confinements and significant changes in lifestyles, including an increase in consumption of unhealthy products,” said Anselm Hennis, PAHO’s Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. “It is critically important that governments accelerate their efforts to

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville says the latest donation of medical equipment from the People’s Republic of China will go a long way in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He made the statement during the signing ceremony of a Handover Certificate transferring medical equipment to the Ministry of Health on Friday, October 29, 2021 at the ministry on Meeting Street. The ceremony was also addressed by the Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister; and Her Excellency Dai Qingli, Ambassador, People’s Republic of China to The Bahamas. Officials from both sides were in attendance.

PAHO recommends new targets to reduce salt consumption and help prevent cardiovascular disease achieve this goal,” Dr. Hennis stressed. In the region, salt intake ranges from 8.5 to 15 grams per person per day, well over the 5 grams per day upper limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Reducing salt consumption can prevent hypertension and cardiovascular disease, the leading causes of death in the region. Evidence shows that more than half of deaths from cardiovascular disease are attributed to high blood pressure, something that can be exacerbated by excessive salt consumption. “If we are to achieve substantive changes, we need these targets to be adopted with a regulatory rather than voluntary approach. Doing so is the only way countries will be able to reduce average salt intake in the population by 2025, given that sales of processed and ultra-processed products with excessive sodium content continue to grow,”

Medical supplies from Chinese Government will aid in COVID-19 fight, says MOH By Lindsay Thompson

Oct/Nov, 2021

Friday’s donation is the seventh batch of medical supplies and equipment offered by the Chinese Government to The Bahamas since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Included are 10 high flow oxygen machines, 30 patient monitors, and 10 portable ventilators to assist patients with respiratory and other COVID-19 related issues. “You come at a time when we were assessing the weaknesses that have emerged from this global disease,” Dr. Darville told the Chinese ambassador. “COVID-19 has revealed shortages in manpower, weakness in our health infrastructure and worsening health of our citizens because of deferred care. COVID-19 has brought the need for further resources.” He observed that some of those weaknesses are a shortage of nurses who are highly skilled in emergency conditions and caring for the unique

said Fabio Da Silva Gomes, PAHO’s Regional Advisor on Nutrition and Physical Activity. Da Silva Gomes said the updated targets support regulatory policies already advancing in the Region to reduce the supply and demand of products with excess sodium. Those include front-ofpackage warning labels that point out when products contain unhealthy quantities of salt, sugar, and fat, as well as regulation of marketing of these products. PAHO developed the new targets in conjunction with the WHO Collaborating Centre on Nutrition Policy for Chronic Disease Prevention at the University of Toronto and the Ontario University of Technology, both in Canada, and the Technical Advisory Group on Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease through Population-wide Dietary Salt Reduction.

needs of COVID-19 patients; and a shortage of medical equipment. “You would recall that during the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to receive medical supplies because there were interruptions in shipments. We were concerned about acquiring masks to protect our medical personnel. “The People’s Republic of China came to our rescue to offer masks to The Bahamas. You were also there to provide medical supplies and equipment,” Dr. Darville said To the overall donations so far, Dr. Darville said that The Bahamas is thankful to China, which is also fighting challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “However, we appreciate how you have exhibited the supreme traits of the Good Samaritan coming to the assistance of a country in need. With our friendship, may we work shoulder to shoulder to ensure our people have what they need to survive and remain safe.” Dr. Darville also told the ambassador that it is a goal of the ministry to have 200,000 Bahamians and residents vaccinated by end of the year. P41 Ambassador Dai Qingli too

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Crime News

Select police reports, shared by the RBPF locally Stealing Report (Major) Police are investigating two stealing incidents on Eleuthera (1) According to reports, sometime between Sunday 17/10/2021 and 2:00pm on Monday 18/10/2021, some unknown person/s entered a rental home in Governors Harbour and stole $1,200.00 cash from a handbag. There were no signs of forced entry to the home. Investigations are ongoing. (2) In the second incident, according to reports, sometime between 10:30pm on Thursday 21st October 2021 and 8:57am on Friday 22nd of October 2021, some unknown person/s entered a home in Governors Harbour, through an open patio door and stole $4,500.00 cash from a black leather wallet. The cash was made up of US $100.00 bills, along with (2) Canadian $100.00 bills (2) Canadian $50.00 bills. Investigations are ongoing Arrest reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs Police on the island of Eleuthera have taken into custody a number of people in separate incidents for possession of dangerous drugs, during the month of October, 2021. (1) On Friday 8th October 2021at 7:30pm Officers of Governors Harbour Police Station arrested an adult male while in the area of Anchor Bay and Hustlers Way Governors Harbour after he was found in possession of suspected marijuana. He is expected to be arraigned before a Magistrate at a later date. (2) On Tuesday 12th October 2021 at about 2:30pm Officers from Governors’ Harbour Police Station arrested an adult male of Hatchet Bay Eleuthera whilst in the area of Victoria Avenue Hatchet Bay Eleuthera after he was found in Possession of a small quantity of Dangerous Drugs. He is expected to be arraigned before a magistrate at a later date. (3) On Monday 18/10/21 at about 6:27pm Officers from Harbour Island Police Station arrested and an adult male while at New Dunmore Subdivision, Harbour Island after he was found in Possession of a quantity of Dangerous Drugs. The male is expected to be arraigned before a Magistrate at a later date (4) On Thursday 21st October 2021, sometime around

1:10pm, Officers were conducting a road check in the area of the Glass Window Bridge, when they observed as a silver Nissan Serena travelling towards the checkpoint. The officers then noticed when the left front passenger door was opened and an object was thrown from the inside of the vehicle. As a result, the officers beckoned the vehicle to stop, and immediately proceeded towards where they observed the object thrown and found the same to be a clear plastic baggie containing a quantity of suspected marijuana. As a result, the suspects, two adult males and one adult female were shown the suspected marijuana and arrested and cautioned reference to possession of dangerous drugs. They are expected to be arraigned before a Magistrate at a later date. Shop Breaking & Stealing According to reports, sometime between Station that sometime between 5:00pm on Friday, 8th October 2021 and 9:00am on Tuesday, 12th October 2021, some person/s unknown broke and entered the Local Government Office in Rock Sound and where they searched the desk draws and stole silver coins value unknown. This matter is under active investigation. Stealing from a Vessel Report On Saturday 9th October, 2021, an adult male contacted Harbour Island Police Station and reported that sometime between Thursday 7th October 2021 at 5:30pm and Saturday 9th October 2021 at 10:00am, some unknown person/s boarded his baby blue Freeman catamaran boat named “the Good life”, which was docked at a private dock and stole items which include: (4) Silver Shimano Saragosa 18,000 spinning reels with black rods with the words “Baron” and “The Good Life” engraved on it, together valued at $6,000.00. (1) Yellow Epirb emergency beacon with a 10” antenna valued at $500.00 (1) Black Banax Kaigen 1000 electric reel valued at $1,500.00. Miscellaneous items which include (17)4lb and 5lb Deep Drop Sinkers and (2) 13inch blade, black handle knives with Forschener engraved on the sides value together at $3,000.00. Officers subsequently ar-

Oct/Nov, 2021

rested two males in reference to this incident and recovered some of the stolen property. One male is expected to be arraigned before a Magistrate in connection with this incident. House Breaking Report On Friday, October 8th, 2021, at about 11:50pm, an adult female contacted the Governors Harbour Police Station by telephone and reported that sometime 10:00pm on 08/10/2021, she retired to bed and at about 12:02am she received a phone call from the property caretaker who stated that she was informed that some person/s unknown had moved one of the surveillance cameras at the rear of the home and also attempted to gain entry into the home. The house was checked by responding Police Officers was found to have been entered through a western kitchen door which had been pried open. The scene was processed. Investigations are ongoing. Firearm Arrest On Saturday, October 9th, 2021, officers at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station received information, and acted on that information – executing a warrant on a residence at South Palmetto Point, and were successful in locating a firearm. Officers took four men into custody in connection with this matter. The men arrested were transported to New Providence for further processing and arraignment. OIC Chief Superintendent Knowles thanks and reminds the public that the RBPF will act on information provided, in order to keep our communities safe. Traffic Report (Serious Injuries) Shortly after 11am, on Saturday, October 2nd, 2021, officers were travelling north on Queen’s Highway in the vicinity of the Governors Harbour airport when a collision occurred between their vehicle and a self-drive vehicle which was being driven by a tourist. Persons in both vehicles were injured and transported to medical facilities for further assessment and treatment. Two officers were airlifted to New Providence, as their injures were described as serious. Other passengers of both vehicles were also treated for their injuries. Both vehicles received extensive damages. Investigations are ongoing.

Police Contact Numbers

HeadQuarters (GH) 332-3500

Governor’s Harbour 332-2111 OR 332-2117 O/C Governor’s Harbour 332-2723 Gov.Harb. Airport Station 332-2323 Deep Creek Station 334-8207 Tarpum Bay Station 334-4033 Rock Sound Station 334-2244 Rock Sound Sgt. Office 334-2212 Rock Sound Airport Stn 334-2052 L. Bogue Station (Airport) 335-1208 Harbour Island Station 333-2111 O/C Harbour Island 333-2327 Spanish Wells Station 333-4030 Gregory Town Station 335-5322 Hatchet Bay Station 335-0086

Special Note: The Eleuthera Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force encourage our motorists to drive with due care and attention, to drive on the left side of the road and to obey the speed limit and all road signs.

Police advisory on a new trend of identity theft

October 13th

It has been brought to the attention of the police that scammers have been offering ‘free wifi’ to customers accessing *Island Pay* services in an attempt to steal their personal information. Furthermore, scammers have requested customers to use their phones to scan QR codes purporting to be from *Island Pay* which have also led to identity theft from those customers. The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to advise members of the public to exercise caution when accessing wifi services and downloading QR codes as these are becoming methods for scammers to target

victims. Police are appealing to members of the public, who may have information that can assist with our investigations into these incidents and other criminal matters, to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station Please visit the Royal Bahamas Police Force Website at www.royalbahamaspolice.org or Facebook page at www. facebook.com/rbpforce for Latest News, Daily Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips.

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Oct/Nov, 2021

STATEMENT TO THE WORLD LEADERS SUMMIT United Nations Climate Change Conference / Conference of the Parties 26 BY

RT HON PHILIP BRAVE DAVIS, QC PRIME MINISTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis.

2nd November 2021 You will only be safe when we are all safe! Your Excellencies: This past summer at the Olympic Games, a young Bahamian woman AND a young Bahamian man out-ran the competition, to become Gold Medal Winners in their 400-metre races. ‘ Our runners had the discipline and drive to work towards long-term goals. Our runners had the courage and determination to overcome every obstacle. And our runners had the ambition to believe that YES, they would succeed, despite the odds. Colleagues, we must do the same, to ensure that this gathering succeeds in a way that the prior 25 such meetings did not. We in The Bahamas will do what we can, but the limits of what our nation’s effort can accomplish are stark: We cannot out-run your carbon emissions; We cannot out-run the hurricanes which are growing more powerful; and We cannot out-run rising sea levels, as our islands disappear beneath the seas. Hurricane Dorian, that monster Category 5 hurricane which devastated two of our main islands, feels like it descended upon us just yesterday. We still don’t know exactly how many died. And some people still tremble at the first drop of rain.

We are out of time, colleagues. A recent study declared that The Bahamas had the cleanest air in the world. Other studies have shown that our distinctive, beautiful, aquamarine seas are a magnificent carbon sink.

Without change - if we are lucky - we will become refugees. Without change - if we are unlucky - then we will be left to the mercy of future Hurricane Dorians. More of my people will die. More will be left traumatized and homeless. People will be forced to flee…..but flee to where?

Our seas reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

These are my neighbours, my family, my friends. My plea is both urgent and deeply personal. And I make it on behalf of all humanity.

The Bahamas is not now and never has been the problem. But yet we are forced to pay the price.

My Friends, look outside. Our hurricanes are your fires and floods. Our hurricanes are your landslides and drought.

We are among the ‘Top 10 Most-VulnerableIsland-Nation States’ in the world.

Morally and ethically, it has to be beyond imagination and conscience, that we do so little, until it becomes too late.

And the question I have for my colleagues today is: Are we brave enough for this moment? Are we braver than our predecessors, who led our nations at the previous 25 climate change meetings? Can we summon the courage and ingenuity and determination to succeed, where they did not?

Please: Do what is needed, not what you can get away with! Turn promises to Small Island Developing States into action. Don’t hide behind buzzwords and hazy assurances.

Promises and agreements are easy. Action – specific and concrete policy changes – is a lot harder. Action requires courage.

But Every day, Our Yesterday is already becoming Your Todays - and fast-becoming all of our Tomorrows.

Every leader before us has postponed until Tomorrow what needed to happen Yesterday. And now Tomorrow is here - Today! – and countries like mine are out of time.

But today - TODAY - we can still do something! As I said to the General Assembly of the United Nations in September:

Your support by financing and technology-transfer are needed urgently, so we can rebuild for resilience.

Don’t let the failures of the past limit our ambition for the present. Have the courage to acknowledge that failure today will lead directly to destruction for people the world over. Like Bahamian Gold Medal Winners, Today, we still have the chance to win the race against time, and outrun the impact of climate change.

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Oct/Nov, 2021

Radar System

($2.4 Million) US Delivers Maritime Surveillance System to RBDF

On October 28, General Glen D. VanHerck, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), officially delivered a $2.4 million-dollar radar system to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the Government of The Bahamas, during an official handover ceremony at the Coral Harbour base on New Providence. The new radar system is part of a commitment of over $10 million by the U.S. government to support maritime security in The Bahamas. The new radar (also known as a Maritime Surveillance System or MSS) in Coral Harbour empowers the Government of The Bahamas to better ensure the safety and security of the vast maritime domain of the Bahamian archipelago. It is the second MSS installed with funding from NORTHCOM, the first having become operational on the island of Great Inagua in 2019. The third and fourth systems have been proposed for Ragged Island and Great Exuma. “This maritime domain awareness capability will dramatically expand the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s ability to detect, localize, and track vessels in the waters surrounding their nation,” said VanHerck. “This radar and the capability it provides will greatly enhance domain awareness for The Bahamas.” General VanHerck was accompanied by a high-level delegation of U.S. Officials for

General VanHerck and Prime Minister Davis salute one another upon the Prime Minister’s arrival at Coral Harbour for the Handover Ceremony | October 28, 2021 | Nassau, The Bahamas. Photographs credited to U.S. Embassy Nassau

his first official visit to The Bahamas, including Rear Admiral Dan Cheever of USNORTHCOM, and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Usha E. Pitts. VanHerck was received at Coral Harbour Base by Prime Minister, the Honourable Philip E. Davis; Minister of National Security, the Honourable Wayne Monroe, and Comodore Defence Force, Dr. Raymond King. Upon delivering the radar system, General VanHerck emphasized the unique U.S.Bahamas relationship, noting “In an environment where strategic

IMPORTANT NOTICE The Post Office Department wishes to advise the public that the department will no longer sort mail to boxes with outstanding box rental fees. Due to non-payment of the Annual Box Rental Fee, all mail is being returned to sender.

competitors seek opportunities to gain a foothold in the Caribbean, this radar is a visible reminder of the United States’ commitment to our Bahamian neighbors, who are valued and willing partners in the defense of the Western Hemisphere.” Prime Minister Davis also remarked that “When we make the waters of The Bahamas safer, the U.S. border is safer as well… In my government you [the United States] will find an ally and a partner in securing our waters and borders.”

Earlier in the day, before the donation, the General and his delegation also had the honor of meeting with Prime Minister Davis, Minister of National Security Monroe, and Commodore King for in-depth discussions on the many areas of common interest and shared values between the United States and The Bahamas, and opportunities to continue strengthening the U.S.-Bahamas relationship.

Police advisory to holders of Licensed Firearms The Firearms Licensing Authority wish to remind the holders of licensed firearms that the 2022 licensing period commence on 1st of November 2021. The fee for shotguns is $150 and $300 for rifles. Licensed holders are also reminded that a late fee of $50 begin on 15th January 2022.

The public is further advised that ALL outstanding boxes for the year 2021 not paid for by December 31, 2021 will be processed to be sold to the next applicant. October 22, 2021 Postmaster General Post Office Department Commonwealth of The Bahamas

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME The Cabinet Office wishes to advise the general public that Daylight Saving Time will end on Sunday, 7th November, 2021 at 2:00 a.m. At that time, Eastern Standard Time will commence and will continue until 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, 13th March, 2022.

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The Eleutheran

Breast Cancer Awareness Month a Busy One for Eleuthera Cancer Society

At French Leave Beach: Participants in the Annual ‘Walk for A Cure’ event, hosted by the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, Eleuthera Branch, as part of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October is marked and recognized by the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, Eleuthera Branch as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and although limited by the pandemic, the local support organization planned many creative activities and events to commemorate loved ones who have passed due to this disease, to celebrate the survivors on the island and beyond, as well as to raise funds for the continued support of those suffering and afflicted with cancer in Eleuthera. From Pink Fridays to Pink Mondays, raising funds and imparting vital health information through online presentations, engaging with pre-schools and communities, a mammogram trip, all culminating on a cool, early morning beach-walk, to round out the month of bringing a deeper awareness to the Eleuthera public about the scourge of cancer and the pressing needs of those battling with breast cancer, as well as other forms of the disease. Despite the challenges many face during this time, the Eleuthera Cancer Society was still in the hearts and minds of generous donors. Agape House Nursery and Preschool, presented the Society with $269, precious funds raised from teachers, staff and students during the month. The Little Scholars Preschool in The Bluff, also raised another $100.35, which they presented to the Cancer Society. The ‘Wrap A Penny’ (W.A.P.) initiative, spearheaded by the National Neighbourhood Watch Council (NNWC) in Spanish Wells, also presented Mrs. Sherrin Cooper, president of the Cancer Society, Eleuthera Branch, on Thursday, October 28th, 2021 with a donation of $773.05. The NNWC Spanish Wells wanted a creative way to get the entire community involved, while raising funds to assist those with fighting cancer

within the community of Eleuthera. The ‘Wrap A Penny’ (W.A.P.) initiative was born, due to the now obsolete penny, and people got excited, said Officer Brancaccio, who heads the NNWC there. “They went into their homes, cars, purses, closets and grabbed all of their pennies and dropped them off to one of the six (6) drop off locations on the island, namely, Nu-2-U Convenience Store, Food Fair, Bahamas Wellness, Once Upon A Bow Toy Store, Island Mart and Islander.” The cheque was presented to Mrs. Cooper by Woman Corporal 3341 Nadia Brancaccio, NNWC Liaison Officer, Spanish Wells. Present also were Mr. Robert Roberts, Chief Councilor and NNWC member; Mr. Herbert Albury, Vice President NNWC; Ms. Raisa Hamilton, NNWC member; Sgt. 2253 Brown, Cpl. 3531 Brancaccio and WPC 3873 Munroe. After the presentation Mrs. Cooper expressed her heartfelt gratitude, firstly on behalf of the Cancer Society and then on behalf of the women who would benefit from the donation. She said that every little helps. She went on to share that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more women have come forward asking for assistance. With the difficult times, expenses have doubled due to the fact that now on top of travelling into the capital to complete the necessary tests, the cost of PCR Tests and Travel Visas, have been added to the list of travel expenses. The NNWC, Spanish Wells, said they were elated that they could offer some assistance to the Cancer Society, Eleuthera especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Saturday morning, October 30th, 2021, bright and early, the Cancer Society culminated their month of awareness and fundraising activities with their Annual - ‘Walk For the Cure’ - but this time, they took it to the beach - French Leave

beach to be exact. It had been a stormy, rainy night on Friday, however, the clouds parted, and as the sun rose on Saturday, the weather held beautifully for several hours - just enough to have a perfect walk, said Jacqueline Gibson, former president and Cancer Society board member. She shared, “God smiled on us. The weather held for us to have the walk! ... We still had close to 40 people on the beach for an amazing walk. We commenced with prayers by Pastor Kevin Pinder, followed by a short ocean breeze stretching session. Partners on the morning were, I’m Every Woman, Rotary and Bahamas Wellness who offered free health snacks and a fruit packet to participants. The Aliv team was also there in full support! Links Incorporated from California also walked in support. Member of Parliament, the Hon. Clay Sweeting also attended and walked with the group. In honor of family members with cancer, he made a donation. Also donating in honor of family members, were Pastor Martin and his father Luther Kemp. It was an awesome morning....thankfully with perfect weather conditions! God is Good.” The Cancer Society Wellness Center in Palmetto Point is opened Monday thru Friday from 9am to 3pm to receive donations and offer assistance to people in the Eleuthera Community.

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Oct/Nov, 2021

Carnival Magic berthed just off of Princess Cays in South Eleuthera.

Carnival Magic Makes Line’s First Call To Princess Cays Since Resuming Service PRINCESS CAYS, BAHAMAS, Oct. 13, 2021 – As part of Carnival Cruise Line’s return to guest operations, Carnival Magic arrived in Princess Cays, The Bahamas, on Wednesday October 13th, 2021, for the first time since the industry-wide pause in operations. Carnival Magic’s six-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departed from Port Canaveral on October 11th with additional stops in Nassau and Amber Cove. “We are delighted to return to the private Bahamian destination of Princess Cays and offer guests an opportunity to experience all of the beauty and charm of the island while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. With more than half of its U.S. fleet already in guest operations, additional ships will resume service in the coming weeks and months as Carnival’s restart of operations continues.

Chinese Embassy Donates Greenhouses To The Bahamas In an effort to assist the Government of The Bahamas with its goal to increase food production, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China donated 15 greenhouses recently. The greenhouses, which vary in size, will be distributed in Grand Bahama and throughout the Family Islands. Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Parliamentary Secretary Leonardo Lightbourne along with Permanent Secretary Joel Lewis were on hand to receive the items. Minister Sweeting expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas. “I would like to sincerely thank you for these greenhouses, which speak to our blueprint for change. Agriculture plays a significant role in finding ways to feed ourselves. Big things start small and real change starts with ideas. These greenhouses will definitely play an instrumental role in finding new ways of farming techniques and ideas to feed ourselves,” he said. The Minister mentioned that Agriculture contributes only 0.8 percent of GDP, a rate he is looking to drastically change. “I look forward to working with you in the future because it is very important to myself and my ministry that Agriculture becomes prominent in our country and where people feel that they can be businessoriented,” Minister Sweeting said. People’s Republic of China Ambassador to

The Bahamas Dai Qingli said the Embassy is looking forward to continuing to work with the government and further the countries’ mutual beneficial cooperation. “The raging pandemic has highlighted once again the importance of the Agricultural sector and the imperative of reducing the cost of living for the average Bahamian,” she said. “I very much support the minister’s objective to make Agriculture more appealing to Bahamians and attracting more investment into this vital sector. Agriculture has a big potential to be commercially viable as is shown with our experience with working your Caribbean neighbours. Today’s donation of greenhouses is only a small beginning to what we hope to be a growing Agricultural partnership between our countries. I’m glad that the minister has just expressed his commitment of working with us.” The Ambassador said the two countries have long been in discussions to further develop the Agriculture industry. “It is now time to put our ideas into practice by working together on the ground and in the fields. I look forward to discussions with the minister to understand his priorities and to see how we can best work with him,” Ambassador Qingli said. Source: BIS October 19, 2021

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The Eleutheran

New rules and regulations for more

flexibility in COVID-19 management says Gov’t Emergency Orders and Competent Authority to Fall Away & be Dismantled

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Michael Darville. NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Government has moved to bring about new rules and regulations to replace existing COVID-19 Emergency Orders to allow more flexibility in managing the changing variables of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville tabled the new measures in the House of Assembly on November 1, 2021, as foreshadowed in the Davis Administration’s ‘Blueprint for Change.’ And, he also tabled an amendment to Section 29 of the Health Services Act, to allow the management of the COVID-19 pandemic to become the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Dr. Darville told the House that he was humbled and honoured to table two regulatory documents: The Health Services (COVID 19) (Prevention and Management of Community Spread) Rules, 2021, and the Health Services (COVID 19) (General) Rules, 2021. “Our new Prime Minister pledged a science-based, compassionate, common-sense, and respectful approach to managing the pandemic, and we believe the Rules in these documents meet the standard he set for us,” he said. The Minister also confirmed that, on the 13 November 2021, the current COVID-19 Emergency Orders will fall away, and the Competent Authority will be dismantled. “We are amending Section 29 of the existing Health Services Act so that the management of the COVID-19 pandemic will now be the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Wellness,” he said. “These new Rules will replace the Emergency Orders. They will also allow us the flexibility to make adjustments as the need arises to respond to the chang-

ing variables of the pandemic.” Dr. Darville reported that in recent weeks, COVID-19 case counts and the nation’s positivity rate have been falling, indicating “extraordinary progress.” “We are pleased to note this improvement took place despite concerns that changing the curfew would cause a spike in cases. Instead, the opposite has happened,” he said. But according to Dr. Darville, the COVID-19 crisis is still very much around; noting that the Delta variant is more than twice as transmissible as the original virus. “There are new variants that may prove to be more transmissible yet, or more lethal. Anyone who says they know exactly what the virus will do next hasn’t learned from experience. The virus has surprised the world before and it could do so again,” he said. “Yet we have learned a lot about how to wage a successful battle against the virus, and our hard-earned knowledge is reflected in these new rules.” These Rules also outline the requirements for international travelers entering The Bahamas, and the requirements for domestic inter-island travel, and address testing requirements and specific circumstances that permit exemption from

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COVID-19 testing. The second set of rules called The Health Services (COVID19) (General) Rules 2021 speak to the management of COVID-19 in the country, essential COVID-19 protocols, COVID-19 testing supplies, facilities, and the reporting of results. It also outlines the process regarding enforcement of these rules, and the penalties for non-compliance. Dr. Darville states another important component of these rules is the appointment of an Advisory Committee that will be comprised of experts in epidemiology, supplies management and logistics, health services administration, and public health, among others. “This Advisory Committee will advise and make recommendations regarding the management and control of the pandemic, so that we can continue balancing public health concerns with the need to fast-track our economic recovery,” Dr. Darville said.

China & MOH

underscored the importance of relations between both countries. “Let me underscore how much we hope to work for new progress of China-Bahamas relations,” she said. “We live in an inter-connected world, a community with a shared future for humanity. “This virus is our common enemy. China has been providing assistance in vaccines and medical supplies to more than 100 countries. As a responsible global citizen, we will certainly do more to help our fellow human beings.” Prime Minister Davis also highlighted the importance of receiving the “muchneeded” medical equipment, as The Bahamas continues to fight against the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and said he is sure the equipment “will be put to good use by the Princess Margaret and Rand Memorial Hospitals to save lives. “The Ministry of Health, and The Public Hospitals Authority will be immediately incorporating this equipment into daily operations to assist with the treatment of patients.”

Source: BIS By Lindsay Thompson (BIS Photo/Ulric Woodside) November 1, 2021

He added, “The COVID-19 virus has already taken a huge toll on the physical and economic health of our nation. Our healthcare resources have been stretched thin in the face of this unprecedented public health crisis... Every additional resource we can bring in assists with managing the strain placed on our public health infrastructure and medical professionals.” “We are all living this human experience together. We share many of the same goals and face many of the same challenges. COVID-19 is no exception. We must stand together if we wish to succeed. This donation is emblematic of that fact,” the prime minister said. He thanked China for its continued support, acts of goodwill, and commitment to maintaining strong relations between both countries. “Your assistance will go a long way towards helping us to save the lives of our citizens, and, ultimately, win our fight against COVID-19,” the prime minister said.

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Harbour Island’s Romalia’s Townhouse 5th Annual Schoolbag and Scholarship Giveaway (Romalia’s Townhouse continues its giveback to the Harbour Island Community despite challenging times: 5th Annual Schoolbag, Legacy Scholarship Award and Laptop Donation.) On October 5th, 2021 Romalia’s Townhouse donated 65 backpack school bags and 36 drawstring bags with assorted school supplies, nutritional snacks and toiletries to the Harbour Island All Age School. The schoolbags were presented to grades 11 and 10 students at Romalia’s Townhouse and the draw string bags as well as an assortment of items; crayons, binders, presentation slides, were given to vice principal Lucy Longley for distribution and use by the school. Also benefiting from the remaining surplus of school supplies and toiletries were the North Eleuthera High School and several younger children within the neighborhood near Romalia’s Townhouse. In addition to the distribution of school bags, representatives of Romalia’s Townhouse presented Aloa Higgs with the 2021 Legacy Scholarship Award and Laptop. Ms. Higgs was gracious to share her moment with her schoolmate Amelia Grant the 2020 Legacy Scholarship Award Recipient who received her award last year without an event due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Aloa served as prefect for grade 11 and was recently elected as Head Girl. She has already distinguished herself as a budding entrepreneur and owns a handmade crocheting business named “Yarn It Up”. She currently offers crocheted ideas such as bathing suits, clothes, hats, masks and other creative items. She dreams of becoming a Fashion Designer and looks forward to studying Fashion Design and presenting her creative products to the world. In the interim, she is committed to maintaining a high, grade point average, remaining on the Principal’s List and obtaining her National High School Diploma. Amelia is currently in grade 12 and is looking forward to graduating, pursuing a higher education and making her mark within the Harbour Island community. She has a strong love and interest in photographing

nature, beaches, animals, foods and other intriguing things. She is hoping to attend an Arts and Design College focusing her studies on Interior Design, Photography and Videography. She has a dual interest in becoming an Artist and/or a Pharmacist. The Romalia’s Townhouse Legacy Scholarship is given in memory of Romalia Bethel Albury, whom the townhouse vacation rental is named after. She was an educator from the age of 14 years old and taught in both the public and Catholic schools in Harbour Island. In her late 80’s she retired from teaching at St. Thomas More Primary Catholic school in Nassau. Her love for family and our country’s youth extended beyond academics in the classroom as she taught piano lessons at her home. Her strong commitment of faith kept her family together. The schoolbag program is dedicated to the memories of Romalia Bethel Albury, Regina Albury Nixon-Johnson and Sr. Cecilia Albury, OSB. Romalia is the grandmother of the owner of Romalia’s Townhouse, Regina is her mother and Sr. Cecilia is her aunt. Both Regina and Cecilia, daughters of Romalia, supported and participated in the Scholarship, Laptop and Schoolbag programs from the onset in 2017 until their demise in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Lorette and her husband Marlon Soudatt are committed to keeping the legacy of these three phenom-

Above: Grade 10 students Schoolbags Presentation.

Pictured (L-R): Lorette Nixon Soudatt, Aloa Higgs, Katelyn Cambridge, Amelia Grant, and HIAAS Vice Principal Lucy Longley. enal women alive and to giving back to the island in which they were born and served. Joining Lorette and Marlon for the presentations were Patrice Nixon, Lucy Johnson, Cassandra Moss and Lucy Longley, VP, Harbour Island All Age School. Special thanks are extended to Delta Air Lines and Seacor Island Lines for donating the cost of freight. Delta Air Lines shipped the schoolbags and supplies from New York to Fort Lauderdale and Seacor Island Lines shipped the items from Fort Lauderdale to Harbour Island, Bahamas.

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Health Minister’s Visit

GH Clinic with extensive repairs ongoing. The Clinic closed to the public in Q1 2019.

Darville engaging with GH Clinic contractor - Teddy Petty

Darville assessing the Palmetto Point Clinic.

Tour of Rock Sound Clinic on October 20th, 2021 by Minister of Health and Wellness, Michael Darville; Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, Clay Sweeting; Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training, Zane Lightbourne;and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, Leonardo Lightbourne. Minister Darville speaks with the medical staff towards assessment of medical facilities on the island of Eleuthera, and status of the nation-wide medical system. (BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)

down. A bit of bush had grown back up on it, but we are going to move very soon as it relates to that construction and with the repairs of the Governor’s Harbour clinic... The mini-hospital is part of our plan for healthcare infrastructural upgrades via private-public partnerships. However, I want the people of Eleuthera to know that in terms of the repair of the existing clinics, that will fall under an IDB Loan that is presently at the Ministry of Health for clinic upgrades... It’s very important, because Covid is something that is going to be around for a while and I believe with new facilities, we will be better off to manage the way we deal with cases of Covid, and at the end of the day be able to reduce the case load as it relates to Eleuthera and all of the settlements here.” As Minister Darville readied to move on to North Eleuthera, he expressed concerns about public conduct in reference to health protocols, as well as reported breaches in quarantines, raising concern for community safety and management of Covid-19 case loads on the island, explaining, “From here, I head into North Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells. I am concerned, because from our Covid reports there are more cases of Covid in that area, confined in a cluster. We are also getting reports of tourists coming on the island and not adhering to the safety protocols, and I am concerned about it. A few days ago, we sent in a few additional police officers to ensure that we have better enforcement. “I’ve learned that I need to visit Lower and Upper Bogue along with Spanish Wells to ensure that the residents understand that practicing the proper health and safety protocols is what is very important to keep our Covid case loads down on the island of Eleuthera... We look to have the residents engaged with this messaging by the Local Government Administrators and other civic groups. My job is to make sure that the policies and the protection of the community as far as protocols that are essential for public health are put in place and adhered to.” He continued, “One of the things that the residents of Eleuthera must realize is that when we wall off a cluster of Covid-19 cases, it’s important for those who are in quarantine to stay in quarantine. It’s important for those who are in isolation, to stay in isolation, and this week, we had discussions with the Royal Bahamas Police Force with a digital platform in order for us to do a better job to keep

our quarantine enclosed. So that who ever is a part of the quarantine and isolation, eventually the Covid-19 cluster will burn out. Then we will have to be prepared for another possible cluster - because we are living with Covid now. The days of lockdowns are long gone. There are very few countries in the world who lockdown the whole community because of the economic impact. The people in Eleuthera need an economy. If we wall off a part of Eleuthera, we destroy that economy and at the end of the day, we do not want people in Eleuthera to have to rely exclusively on the government. People here are used to being independent... We want to ensure that the economy in Eleuthera is not only preserved, but it grows.” To shore up local enforcement resources, Minister Darville informed that surveillance units would have arrived in Eleuthera earlier that week, and were already on island, assessing what was happening on the ground, saying, “We were concerned about the breach of our quarantines and isolation, mainly in Harbour Island, Lower and Upper Bogue and some other parts of North Eleuthera. That team was sent here to enforce those regulations, to ensure that people understand the importance. “In Eleuthera we do not have the leverage like we do in New Providence. The healthcare facilities are small, efficient and we have to rely on them. When we go against the regulations and the rules and break our clusters, we put the community at risk - and if you put the community at risk, it even further stretches our healthcare facilities, and the need for us to send in air ambulance and airlift individuals into New Providence - is a real challenge. It’s important to understand that with Covid, if you are one of those individuals who become symptomatic, you can potentially deteriorate very rapidly. Now we have the medication and the trained support staff here... to assist with that and to stabilize patients who are Covid positive, until the air ambulance arrives. That is something that we like to have, but don’t necessarily want to use.” “So again we are encouraging the residents of Eleuthera to adhere to the public health measures, because we are going to have to live in this domain for a while. Masks, proper sanitization and social distancing - they are key elements to protect you and your community, and I strongly advise residents to follow the proper healthcare protocols,” urged Minister Darville.

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‘Celebrating Excellence’ - Chandler Mullin -

Co-Valedictorian - Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School This month in our series, ‘Celebrating Our Valedictorians’, we highlight Samuel Guy Pinder All Age School’s, Co-Valedictorian, Chandler Mullin. Like his student colleagues, he was part of Eleuthera’s Class of 2021 high school graduates, who rose to the challenge of completing their 12th grade year during the difficulties of the pandemic - and stayed focused by feeding his desire to do his very best. So, he not only celebrated the successful completion of his high school career, but also did it as a stand-out amongst his peers, achieving top academic results and awards. Chandler, graduated as CoValedictorian, with top-tier achievements under his belt - earning ace BJC results at the end of junior high (8 A’s and 1 B), and an excellent eleven (11) BGCSE’s with 10 A’s and 1 B during his 11th and 12th grade years (3 A’s in Gr.11, 7 A’s and 1 B in Gr.12). He was chosen to lead as Deputy Head Boy at Samuel Guy Pinder All Age during his 2020-2021 12th grade school year, and as a well-rounded young man during his high school career, Chandler took part in a variety of sporting and extracurricular activities, including band, drama club, and choir. He also played volleyball, and took part in track and field. Another testament to his young leadership, was being chosen as a Lieutenant in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Ranger program. Describing some of his experience during his final year, Chandler shared, “When I heard that schooling was going virtual it made me nervous because it was something that I was not used to. It took a lot of getting used to, but after a few weeks I understood the learning platform and it became a lot easier. I managed to stay focused on my goals by striving my absolute best in all assignments that I received and doing them as soon as I received them, so that I had more free time to study to accomplish my goals. Whenever I felt overwhelmed I thought about the future that I desired and remembered that this was one step in getting closer to that future.” Reflecting on his education journey at Samuel Guy Pinder All Age, Chandler shared his garnered

understanding that you will ‘reap what you sow’ - in a good way, “The biggest thing that I will take away from my six years of high school is that if you want something you have to work for it and it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Everything that I strived for required a lot of hard work and I had to prioritize my work over fun. There were a lot of times when I wanted to just chill and relax, but I knew that if I wanted to succeed that I would have to keep working hard. All of the people that I met throughout my high school career have all played some part in my success and I am grateful that they were there to help and support me.” The next step in Chandler’s education journey is the move to tertiary education, and with Computer Science as his career pick, he says he would like to contribute to the pool of technical talent in the Bahamas. “Now that I have finished high school I plan to go to university (Florida Polytechnic University along with my brother) and pursue the major that I choose which is Computer science. I will be starting my semester in January due to the pandemic though this has given me a chance to better prepare myself for college. I want to pursue a career in web development and programming because there aren’t many people with those skill sets on this island or even in this country so I want to help my country with this area of development.” Asked about where he hoped to be after his undergraduate program was completed, home sweet home was on Chandler mind, as he explained, “After university I hope to come back and help my country with its developments in technology. I also would like to start my own business to offer more opportunities to other Bahamian students who pursue a technology based career because there aren’t many jobs available for that type of degree in The Bahamas. He also shared some valuable nuggets of wisdom, for young students now following in his footsteps, saying, “Some advice that I can leave for future students is to lean on God in everything that you do. He is the only One that can ease your mind when you’re worried about an exam or if you’re

Above: Chandler Mullin, SGPAA Co-Valedictorian. bombarded with mounds of homework. He will guide you and give you the focus that you need to accomplish your goals. Another bit of advice is to do assignments as soon as possible ‘cause I can tell you from experience that leaving it till last minute will only add more stress onto your plate. Finally, just do your best. Whether it’s an A, B, C or D, if you do your best you can be satisfied with what you recieved. There will always be regret if you don’t try your best in something because you know that you could’ve done better.” Chandler shared that without God’s presence and guidance in his life, he may not have been where he is today, and also thanked his parents, teachers and others for investing in his success, saying, “I want to thank God for continuing to stay by my side during all the 1 a.m. study sessions and the stressful

pop quizzes in History. He has been on my side through everything and I know that without Him none of this would be possible. I also want to thank my parents for pushing me to do my best and their constant ‘bothering’ to make sure I was doing my best. Though I found it annoying then I am thankful that they were there to help push me toward my goals. I want to thank all of my teachers who gave me the knowledge I needed for the BGCSE and for always encouraging me to do my best. I of course have to thank my classmates and friends for giving me tons of laughs and for creating countless memories that I’m sure I won’t forget. Finally, I want to thank my twin Colby for being my partner and competitor throughout our school career. We both worked toSee Chandler Mullin

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Nassau Cruise Port Ltd and BAIC to Host Authentically Bahamian Trade Fair wholesale producers from the hotel and cruise industry with owners and operators of tour companies, attractions, restaurants and the like. Family Island participants are especially encouraged to take part in the Authentically Bahamian Trade Fair to showcase their unique, Bahamian-made products.

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The Trade Fair will be open to the public so that Bahamians, visitors, and residents can stop, see and shop for themselves amongst the vast, diverse array of high-quality authentically Bahamian products handmade in The Bahamas by talented and creative entrepreneurs.

Chandler Mullin

gether to help each other do their best and tried to constantly out-do the other so if it wasn’t for this competition I know that we would not be where we are now.”

Authentically Bahamian Straw Work is one of the many examples of handmade, creative artistry on display at Nassau Cruise Port. The Authentically Bahamian Marketplace will be home to a vast array of unique work by Bahamian artisans, such as guava jam, kitchen utensils made from native wood, clay bowls, quilts, art and wooden sailboats.

(Family Islanders Encouraged to take part) [Nassau, Bahamas, October 26, 2021] — As Nassau Cruise Port Ltd. (NCPL) advances the transformation of one of the busiest, most dynamic seaports in the region, the Port of Nassau, one of the steps prefacing the redevelopment’s opening is the establishment of an “Authentically Bahamian Advisory Committee”. As the redevelopment aims to infuse authentically Bahamian elements and experiences into the port offering, including an Authentically Bahamian Marketplace, NCPL and BAIC have invited key public and private stakeholders, representing a variety of relevant organizations, to sit on the advisory committee. Well known culturalist, Pam Burnside, who is an active member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and President of Creative Nassau, will chair the committee along with other members, namely: Ed Fields and Amanda Freedman, Nassau Cruise Port Ltd.; Debbie Strachan, BAIC; Suzanne Pattusch, BHTA/Tru Tru Bahamian; Samantha Rolle, SBDC Access Accelerator; Kirk Deleveaux and Eldena Cartwright, Festival Place Association; Janet Johnson, TDC; and Bernadette Bastian, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Avia-

tion. The Committee’s overarching mandate is to develop, implement and maintain organizational infrastructure including operational guidelines, protocols, quality and authenticity standards to ensure the Authentically Bahamian marketplace showcases the best representation of “home-grown” Authentically Bahamian offerings and depictions.

Like all new graduates, about to face the world, Chandler was not perfectly sure where Eleuthera would fall along his future path, but, he knew that it would, and shared, “Eleuthera is one of the places that I want to help first because this is where I’m from. I’m not sure if I will stay here but I definitely want to help develop it. Family islands like Eleuthera don’t see as much development as the big cities, so I want to help expand what Eleuthera can offer and give back to the island that I grew up in.”

One of the first tasks that the Committee has embarked upon is an Authentically Bahamian Trade Fair, a collaborative effort with the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), which will showcase a variety of high-quality Bahamianmade products designed and produced by Bahamian artisans. The Trade Fair will be held in The Grand Ballroom; located in the Convention Center at Atlantis, Paradise Island on Saturday, December 11th and Sunday, December 12th 2021, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fair will connect the entrepreneurs who will populate Nassau Cruise Port’s Authentically Bahamian Marketplace with suppliers and producers of Bahamian products: e.g. artwork, crafts, straw goods, jewelry, wood work, sundry items, clothing, shell work, to name a few. The event will also facilitate networking and engagement opportunities between artisans, market entrepreneurs, and

Above: Chandler Mullin, SGPAA Co-Valedictorian.

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First round of Government Board appointments announced The newly elected Government of The Bahamas has announced the first round of Government Board appointments according to Press Secretary Clint Watson, on Thursday, October 28th, 2021. Member of Parliament for the North Eleuthera constituency, Mr. Sylvanus Petty, received an appointment as the Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation. The full list of new appointees included: • • • • • • •

Senator the Hon. Quinton Lightbourne – Chairman of the Bahamas Development Bank Senator the Hon. Tyrell Young – Chairman of BAMSI Senator the Hon. Ronald Duncombe -- Chairman of Nassau Flight Services Senator the Hon. James Turner-Rolle – Chairman of The Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas Member of Parliament for Southern Shores, Mr. Leroy Major -- Executive Chairman Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation Member of Parliament for Mount Moriah, Mckell Bonaby – Executive Chairman of The Bahamas Parks and Beaches Authority Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Sylvanus

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Petty – Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation\ Mr. Roderick Colebrooke -- Chairman of Hotel Licensing Board Mr. Julian Russell – Chairman of Lucayan Holdings Ltd. Dr. Daniel Johnson -- Chairman of Gaming Board Mr. Paul Bevans – Chairman of Airport Authority Attorney Andrew Edwards -- Chairman of The Public Hospitals Authority Ms. Barbara Cartwright -- Chairman of the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation Attorney Devard Francis – Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Ms. Wendy Craig – Chairman of Bahamas Navigation Services Authority Attorney Phillip McKenzie – Chairman of the National Insurance Board Attorney Mr. Tavares LaRoda -- Chairman of The Port Authority Mr. Pedro Rolle -- Chairman of Bahamas Power and Light Mr. Anthony Kikivarakis, Sr. -- Chairman of Bahamasair

Source: Bahamas Information Services October 28th, 2021

Updated Requirements for Air Travelers to the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America has announced a new Order for all air passengers traveling to the United States— please read the full details on the new requirements at travel.state.gov and CDC.gov. Starting on November 8th, foreign national air travelers (i.e. who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents) to the United States will be required—with only very limited exceptions—to be fully vaccinated, and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States.

Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, Sylvanus Petty – Chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation.

What Else Travelers Need to Know: • This is a global policy that applies to travelers from all around the world, including The Bahamas. • All fully vaccinated travelers will still be required to show documentation of a predeparture negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three (3) days before travel to the United States. This applies to all travelers—including U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals. • All FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and WHO (World Health Organization) approved vaccines—and any combination thereof—will be accepted; that includes AstraZeneca. • There are very limited other exceptions to the new requirements; those exceptions (such as humanitarian exemptions, etc.) will not apply to the vast majority of travelers. -Children under the age of 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement; however, children between the ages of 2 and 17 still need to present a negative COVID-19 test result. What Else U.S. Citizens and LPRs Need to Know: • U.S. citizens and LPRs who are not fully vaccinated, but who are otherwise eligible to travel, will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken one (1) day before their flight’s departure. • U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination, and will also still need to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken three (3) days before their flight. Source:: US Embassy Press Release

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Literacy Advocate Partners With The Rotary Club to Showcase Butterfly StoryBook Contestants of the Caribbean there is no part of society that is left out,” Mrs. Bethel stated, adding that much of the confusion stems from an inability to effectively share thoughts. BooksByBethel.com actively promotes writers and authors from the Bahamas and the West Indies to bring an awareness of the myriad of excellent writings from both the young and old. To view the growing list of young contributors, visit: www.BooksByBethel.com/butterfly-stories.:

L-R Mrs. Teri M. Bethel (BooksByBethel.com), and Mrs. Glenda Johnson Ingraham (President, Rotary Club of Eleuthera)

Literacy advocate, author, and publisher Mrs. Teri M. Bethel of BooksByBethel.com recently partnered with Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean, 7020, which features its winning stories in their annually published Butterfly StoryBook. Now in its 10th year, the competition is organized by the E-Club but assisted by local chapters. Mr. Paul Amoury, Rotary Past President and chairperson of the Butterfly Storybook Competition, says he is amazed at the young writers’ level of creativity in their storytelling. This partnership between BooksByBethel.com and

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Rotary and facilitated by the Rotary Club of Eleuthera will showcase the writings of some of the outstanding contestants of their Butterfly StoryBook Competition. President of the Eleuthera Club, Rotarian Mrs. Glenda JohnsonIngraham, welcomes the initiative and believes it is in keeping with their club’s Literacy Advocacy Program. In partnering with the Rotary Club, Mrs. Bethel hopes to celebrate young writers with the anticipation that they will continue to develop their reading, writing, and communication skills. She also hopes that this opportunity will encourage parents, students, and educators to support this and other writing initiatives. “We see the need for literacy with the breakdown in communications in the home, school, and work—

Handy Tip! DIY Painting & Purse Making Tips Each month, learn a bit about do-it-yourself painted designs and purse making with valuable tips and expert advice: TIP 1. Making your fabulous purse with quality materials is only half the battle. To ensure you get your product sold, be sure to have a pleasant and polite disposition. No matter how nice the product, nobody wants to do business with a grouchy person.

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