The Eleutheran Newspaper April/May 2022 Issue

web: WWW.ELEUTHERANEWS.COM

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Volume 15, 4/12, April/May Issue

Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells, The Bahamas

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` and Information. We Deliver!’’ Monthly In Print & Daily Online.

Since 2008 - ‘‘Eleuthera’s most reliable Source of News

Giving: Community Activism more than $10,000 raised for hace emergency services

Harbour Island, Spanish Wells & Eleuthera

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

DISTINGUISHED Scholarships granted to Most Distinguished Achievers in the Eleuthera Junior Achievement program.

- Page 10 Eleuthera Business Outlook 2022: Minister Sweeting

Confirms Commitment to Build Medical Facilities - As the event’s Keynote Speaker.

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ADVICE - 13

OPINION - 12

The Dreaded Spring Clean ADVICE - 14 Survival Strategy?

Standing Up Ask The Doctor - 13 Nurses Month

Our People, Life, Moments, Celebrations, Efforts, Strides...

“Spectacular”, “heart-warming,” “unforgettable” and “impactful” are just a few of the words used by guests to describe One Eleuthera Foundation’s recent 10th Anniversary celebrations.

HIGHLIGHTED: FDA Limits Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine .

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Quotables - 15 Upcoming - 6/23

- Page 42 -

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Breast feeding rate currently <20%.

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EBO Outlook 2022 Keynote + Eleu. Updates Page. 1

The business community congregated at the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce’s I-Hub location in Rock Sound on Thursday, April 28th, 2022 for the 10th Edition of the Eleuthera Business Outlook, organized by TCL Group. The hybrid event which hosted both in-person as well as virtual participants brought together a variety of presenters from various industries, including telecommunications, tourism, transportation, accommodations, health, entrepreneurship, social enterprise, conser-

vation, as well as digital finance - who spoke on issues and topics relevant to the future growth and development of the island, in keeping with the day’s theme, “Beyond Recovery into Growth”.

Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, Clay Sweeting delivered the keynote address on Thursday morning. Commenting that he believed Eleuthera had seen its worse days, the Central and South Eleuthera MP highlighted the trend of the Eleuthera diaspora reaching out and looking back to the island for both business partnerships as well as to

build first and second homes. Developing a welcoming environment for this he said will be critical.

ernor’s Harbour Clinic. I cannot provide an exact timeline at the moment, but it is planned to reconvene.”

Healthcare, he pointed out continued to be at the top of the list of what is needed to encourage future development, and confirmed a commitment to promised health infrastructure, saying, “the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Michael Darville and his technical team has visited Eleuthera, and has committed to building not one, but two state-of-the-art medical facilities on Eleuthera. One of those facilities in Palmetto Point, which will have a small surgical ward, and one of those will be in my hometown of Rock Sound... In preparation for these facilities, we continue to seek applications from those qualified, and who may qualify through training to service these facilities in a myriad of capacities within the healthcare industry... I expect my feet to be held to the fire with that.”

Sweeting said that he also had numerous conversations with the Deputy Prime Minister, who has responsibility for aviation and investments, about the renovations of the three major airports on Eleuthera. “We are hoping to create private/ public partnerships with the airline industry leaders to develop our facilities, and to make them top notch destinations.”

In a follow up interview, responding when asked about stalled works at the Governor’s Harbour clinic, Minister Sweeting said, “The government does plan to continue the repairs on the Gov-

Commenting on the plethora of entrepreneurial activity on the island during the past two years, he noted the necessity for growth, “During the pandemic, Eleutherans launched hundreds of new startup businesses. The only way that these businesses can be sustained and grown is through a population increase. The more people increase, the need for goods and services to be provided increase as well.

The Small Business Development Center now has a permanent branch here in South Eleuthera to assist enSee EBO Keynote 2022

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Eleuthera Calendar of Events 2022

The local Eleuthera Tourist Office noted in April 2022 that since the pandemic began in 2020 most public events had been cancelled, however, with recent government removal of some of those restrictions, many local event committees and organizations were now in the process of planning their first meetings, bringing in new members and leaders and making plans for the upcoming months of 2022 and 2023. The Eleuthera Tourist Office stated, “As we receive the updated information the Eleuthera Events calendar 2022/2023 will be edited to reflect.”

Prepared by: (Mrs. Samantha Fox, Senior Officer, Eleuthera Tourist Office)

UPCOMING EVENTS: •

Cleanup Campaign (June 25th) - Begins at: 7:00 a.m.

All residents and descendants come out in the community to lend a hand in cleaning up the Hatchet Bay surroundings.

•

49th Bahamas Independence Celebrations (July 10th)

Bahamians everywhere come together on their respective islands to demonstrate pride for their nation and enjoy a night of fellowship and enjoyment.

(Contact: Administrator’s Office, Mr. Gilbert Kemp at gilbertkemp@bahamas. gov.bs or call (242) 332-2112)

•

Bannerman Town Festival (JULY - TBD)

Locals and visitors come together to enjoy cultural activities, Ba-

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CB Governor - Remarks on 2022 Q1

Economic and Financial Developments Remarks by Governor Rolle on the Bahamas Monthly Economic and Financial Developments (MEFD) March 2022 Published: Monday May 2nd, 2022

There continues to be a strong momentum of recovery in the Bahamian economy from the restrictive conditions of the COVID19 pandemic. This reflects stabilized and improved conditions in the major source markets for tourism that has supported the revival of international travel. Alongside tourism, the economy is experiencing sustained contributions from foreign investments, providing healthy stimulus to construction. It is expected that the economy could be fully recovered over the course of next year—that is 2023—possibly slightly ahead of the projections made at the end of 2021.

That said, there continues to be a distinction, between recovery from the low point of the pandemic—for which the falloff in the economy was quite drastic—and the still very mild annual growth projections that lie beyond the recovery phase.

Improving the post-recovery prospects would help to push unemployment below the pre-pandemic baseline, and produce generally improved indicators of credit quality and fiscal balance sheet health.

In addition, the Bahamian economy faces important downside risks from the shift in policies in the United States and other major countries fighting inflation, and strain placed on the global economy by the war in Ukraine.

For the near-term, though, it is ex-

Central Bank Governor, John Rolle. pected that tourism will continue to benefit on net from release of pent-up demand carried over from the travel lockdown phase.

Speaking in more detail to tourism, this would have marked the first January to March quarter of undisrupted business since 2019.

Based on airport departure data—a good benchmark for the stopover sector—quarterly visitor volumes appear to have regained about 75 percent of the traffic experienced in the same period of 2020, which had been spared the brunt of the lockdown. However, this still leaves important gains to be recouped before the 2019 pre-pandemic baseline for the winter season would be eclipsed.

Vacation rental market indicators were also broadly improved, in terms of increased occupancy levels and higher average nightly room rates. Recent trends have also been characterized by an expanded share of the business going to the Family Islands, where more than half of all listings were noted; and the average occupancy rates trended higher than in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

In the financial sector, during the first quarter, the foreign currency inflows through commercial banks were almost two-thirds higher than were experienced in the same period of 2021. Similarly, there was a healthy resumption in domestic demand, reflected in a one-third boost in commercial bank sales of foreign exchange to the private sector.

In the first quarter, the seasonal pattern of private sector net contribution to gains in the Central Bank’s external reserves was also reestablished, as commercial banks made a net sizable sale of foreign exchange to the Central Bank. This, added to proceeds from the Government’s foreign currency borrowing, boosted the reserves by $523 million over the quarter. Taking net private sector receipts for April into account, the reserves as of the beginning of May were just above $3 billion. The Central Bank expects further seasonal accumulation in the external reserves over the remainder of the peak tourism months, before some reduction sets in over the second half of 2022. Nevertheless, we believe that conditions have improved P7 enough, such that by the end of

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Q1 Economic & Financial

2022, some net gains will remain in the reserves compared to the end of 2021.

This is an upward revision to the forecast for the reserves.

The strength of the reserves and improved tourism outlook continue to support a more accommodating monetary policy position for credit expansion.

In this outlook, capacity has also increased for the Government to sustainably finance more of the deficit in local currency. Nevertheless, private sector credit conditions have remained contractionary during the first quarter of 2022, with a further net repayment on mortgages and consumer loans—although there was a modest increase in outstanding credit for other purposes, including business activities. It should be noted that the domestic lending environment is still characterized by elevated risks, and a constrained pool of eligible borrowers, which even predated the pandemic.

That said, the latest lending conditions survey covering the second half of 2021, points to increasing applications for credit, and a higher average rate of approval for applications. On average, more than four out every five requests were for consumer loans, with the largest single concentration being for debt consolidation. Again, the more common reasons for unsuccessful credit applications were high debt service burden, insufficient or unverifiable income and underemployment.

Although recent data points to less uptick in average loan delinquency rates than was projected to occur during the pandemic, there is still additional rebuilding needed to improve beyond the pre-pandemic baseline. As the credit bureau’s operations mature, confidence around lending is expected to increase. In this regard, a renewed and coordinated public education campaign is being organised around the bureau over the remainder of this year.

In addition, over the second quarter of this year, the Central Bank intends to launch a public consultation process for the moveable collateral registry, in preparation for infrastructure that would increase the potential for secured lending for business purposes.

Returning to the near-term risks in the economy, these are varied. One is the projected impact of rising interest rates in the United States and other major economies which are intended to

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More than $10,000 Raised for HACE by Catch Jerry Chile Catch Jerry Chile (CJC) Run/Walk Celebrates Tenth Year

Now in its tenth year, the ‘Catch Jerry Chile’ (CJC) Fun-Run-Walk annual fundraiser event, with its dedicated core of organizers, in keeping with its’ anniversary, had as it’s goal this year to raise $10,000 - with all funds going to the Health Association of Central Eleuthera (HACE), an inimitable group of volunteers, led by Chairman Jason Thompson, who continue to provide essential emergency ambulance health services to residents in the Central Eleuthera area.

An energetic group of walkers and runners gathered under the cork tree in the middle of the James’ Cistern township during the early morning hours on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, for the CJC race with a start time of 6:30am sharp. Walkers would pace it to the beginning of the fenced area of the Governor’s Harbour airport before returning to the starting point for a total of about five miles. Runners, looking to catch up with Mr. Miska Clarke (Jerry’s Chile) - who is given a 5 second head-start, each year, ranged in age from

12-years-old to 72 years.

CJC committee member, Nurse Bernadette Colebrook, commenting shortly after the start of the run/ walk, confirmed that CJC had indeed reached and exceeded its fundraising goals, saying, “So far this event has been very successful - we have exceeded the $10,000. Originally we said $10,000 for 10 years.

HACE will benefit greatly, because of the great work that they do. Maintaining the ambulances is not an easy thing and its very costly. We are very happy that we will be donating even more than $10,000 this year... When everyone gets together, it makes it easier - everyone coming together to give their little part. Our corporate sponsors give sizeable contributions to the event every year, and individual people also give their sponsorship... Private (medical) services could never give all the care that people need, and there will always be persons who cannot afford private services - so we do appreciate the volunteer services that the Health Association of Central Eleuthera gives. It’s a tremendous thing. They go out of their way. I can recall the countless hours that they spend in emergency services. So I think it’s a tremendous job they are doing.”

Owner of Transformations Fitness Center in Lower Bogue, Mrs. Keyshna Kemp, was a first timer on the Saturday morning, and shared, “I always wanted to do

this, so this is my first year. I’m just happy to be here, and to have completed it.” Her running partner, and brother-in-law, Pastor Martin Kemp who also serves as the Clinic Administrator for North Eleuthera Clinics, shared his thoughts on the role organizations like CJC play, saying, “These events are very important.

There are so many people on our island and in our communities who are facing challenges as it relates to health issues, and so it is important to support organizations like ‘Catch Jerry Chile’, because they are making a difference. This is an exellent initiative, and I think as many people as possible should support. The island needs it.” As a runner in the morning race, he added, “I feel great. The last time I was in the race I walked, but this time I ran, and its exciting to be here.

It’s always good to go after Mr. Clarke to see if you can catch up with him.”

Unbeaten on the morning, and catching his breath after yet again returning first in the line-up of runners, Mr. Miska Clarke, visionary and founder of the event, when asked about how he felt, following the ‘Catch Jerry Chile’ race, said, “It feels really good. This is our tenth year and we really wanted to make a statement...

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TWC Hurricane Outlook Released: 2022 Atlantic Season Expected to Be Another Busy One (At a Glance -The forecast: 20 tropical storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes.

-La Niña or neutral ENSO conditions should not keep a lid on activity this year.

-This season could be similar to last year’s hurricane season.)

A new hurricane season outlook issued by The Weather Company forecasts another busy season ahead. This outlook largely agrees with the outlook issued by Colorado State University’s Dr. Phil Klotzbach during the first week in April.

The outlook from The Weather Company is calling for eight hurri-

canes, four of which are expected to reach at least Category 3 strength.

This is slightly higher than the 1991-2020 average of seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

The outlooks cite neutral to cool El Niño-Southern Oscillations (ENSO) conditions and warmer than average water temperatures in the Caribbean and subtropical Atlantic as indicators for the active hurricane season.

Dr. Todd Crawford, the author of the TWC outlook, says it can best be summarized as “active, similar to 2021, nothing like 2020.” The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season had 21 named storms and seven hurricanes.

The phase of ENSO, commonly referred to as El Niño or La Niña, is one of the strongest indicators of how active a hurricane season will be this early in the year.

La Niña, or the cooling of the eastern equatorial Pacific, has been in play for the better part of the last two hurricane seasons. La Niña typi-

cally enhances the amount of activity seen during hurricane season compared to its counter-phase, El Niño, which causes stronger shearing winds aloft that limit tropical storm and hurricane growth.

Klotzbach and NOAA expect a gradual warming of those waters and a slide toward neutral conditions during the peak of hurricane season in August-September-October. NOAA is predicting a nearly 90% chance of being in either neutral or La Niña conditions during these months.

This warming will be caused by a slow weakening of the winds that have helped push warmer waters toward southeast Asia. Klotzbach says “these anomalously weak trade winds may increase anomalous [sea surface temperatures] in the short term, but we believe that the odds of a significant El Niño event for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season are quite small.”

If you’re hoping for a quiet hur-

ricane season, you should hope that this transition toward El Niño occurs with haste.

The phase of ENSO is notoriously difficult to predict during the spring months since ENSO conditions can rapidly change in the spring. Additional details will become available over the next few months.

Another factor going into the forecast is what’s already happening in the Atlantic – a still warmer-thanaverage body of water that stretches from the Caribbean to the subtropical western Atlantic.

Crawford said recent atmospheric blocking over the North Atlantic favors additional warming relative to average over the next few months.

This warming could be additionally amplified if the blocking sticks around into the summer.

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Standing up to Daniel Ortega’s excesses

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto.)

Largely unreported by the media in the Caribbean and making no headlines, a very serious blow was delivered to diplomacy and international relations on Sunday, 24 April.

The Government of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua sent Police to enter the diplomatic premises of the Organization of American States (OAS) forcibly, and to confiscate its documents and other property.

This may appear to be of no concern to the people of Caribbean countries, particu-

larly persons who are not involved in government. But the act strikes at the heart of a long-established norm of relations between States and inter-governmental institutions.

It could have undesirable and serious consequences for small countries if its passes unchecked.

The norm is that States accept embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions on the basis that they are ‘inviolable’ which means that no agent of the receiving State may enter them, except without the consent of the head of the mission.

This norm is enshrined in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which defines a framework for behaviour between independent countries and international institutions. The Convention facilitates friendly relations through a set of practices and principles that all States have accepted. Very importantly, it codifies the longstanding custom of diplomatic immunity, in which diplomatic missions are granted privileges that enable diplomats to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country.

The Vienna Convention is a cornerstone of modern international relations and international law. Adherence to its provisions have been respected and upheld by States because governments understand

and accept that diplomacy is fundamental to finding solutions even in war.

As the OAS Secretary-General, Luis Almagro, told the member states of the organization on April 25th after the Nicaragua Police seized the diplomatic premises and confiscated its property, “this has never happened before, even in times of the region’s worst dictatorships, including those experienced by Nicaragua. This is a violation of the most elementary norms governing relations between States and international organizations, setting a precedent hitherto unheard of in the region”.

What makes the action of the Nicaragua government even worse is that the OAS is a collective of all its member states. Therefore, its diplomatic premises belongs to all of them, including the 14 independent countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

This fact could not have been overlooked by the government of Nicaragua when its police force illegally entered the premises, occupied it and seized the property within it.

It is worth noting that the Vienna Convention makes it absolutely clear that, along with the premises of missions being inviolable, the receiving state is under a special duty to take all appropriate measures to protect the premises of the mission and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.

The Article also states that the premises of the mission and its property shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment, or execution. It is this norm - a bedrock of international relations - that the Government of Nicaragua has assaulted.

Worse yet, beyond disregarding the Vienna Convention, the OAS and the Government of Nicaragua had a written agreement, signed in 1989, which recognizes the privileges and immunities of the OAS mission, including the prohibition of any type of procedure, entry, search, seizure, or any other measure, without the consent of the Secretariat.

For small countries, such as those in CARICOM, the norm of inviolability of diplomatic premises is sacrosanct for two important reasons.

First, CARICOM countries want to welcome diplomatic missions to their countries, both for the international recognition that the presence of such missions signify, and the services that they provide. However, in light of the Nicaraguan action, governments and other international institutions might now reconsider the safety of their foreign missions and reduce them considerably.

Second, CARICOM countries presume the inviolability of their own mis-

sions in other States that the Vienna Convention accords to them. Therefore, they do not spend scarce financial resources on protecting their diplomatic premises, particularly from the host government. But after the egregious action of the Nicaragua government, inviolability can no longer be taken for granted. The Nicaragua government has cast a long-held norm of international relations into grave and serious doubt.

So, why did the Nicaragua government take this egregious action? It is discomfited that the Permanent Council of the OAS condemned its serious and persistent abuse of human rights, including the arbitrary arrest and jailing of political opponents; shutting down media criticism; and the use of lethal force by the Police against protestors resulting in hundreds of killings.

It should be noted that, amongst the persons that the Ortega government arbitrarily arrested and jailed, were his comrades in the revolutionary Sandinista government. One of them, Hugo Torres, died after being imprisoned with no access to his medication.

Nicaragua’s own Ambassador to the OAS, Arturo Macfields, dramatically denounced the abuses of the government in a live webcast of an OAS meeting. He accused the Ortega government of atrocities about which he “could not be silent”.

Nothing can justify the violation of an international norm that has long been accepted and respected by every government in the world. If the Nicaraguan government’s action is seen to be acceptable by the absence of a strong expression and display of disapproval by the OAS member states, other insecure regimes, such as that in Nicaragua, would be given a license for similar behaviour. The system of international order, including the rules of diplomatic practice and international relations, would be weakened even more than it has been by Russia’s war on Ukraine.

The world would be brought closer to the precipice of disregard for the norms and practices that have safeguarded peace and development for over seven decades. Small states would be the first to suffer, as usual.

That’s why the Nicaraguan violation of a fundamental norm matters to small countries, and why it should not pass without a strong response.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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The Dreaded Spring Clean Growing up, some of us fell victim to overzealous mothers and grandmothers who were determined to involve us in an annual Spring-Cleaning exercise.

A dull and back-breaking affair, Spring Cleaning could cover a couple of weekends, robbing us of our precious freedom from school.

There were bed mattresses to turn, furniture to pull out to make way for a thorough cleaning and curtains to wash.

It got worse. Clothes had to be sorted and donated or put in the rag basket and junk drawers dealt with. And the list goes on.

Some parents were wise, dangling the prospect of homemade coconut ice-cream, hand churned in an oldfashioned bucket, as a reward.

(The kids had to husk the coconuts and smash the shells against rocks to loosen the meat – but that was all part of the fun of ice-cream making).

As dreaded as Spring Cleaning was, everyone was happy with the results.

Windows sparkled, bringing the outdoors in, and the home looked and smelled fresh.

Spring cleaning is as important today as it was back then. The only thing that’s changed, thankfully, is it’s

no longer considered a job for only women and children.

Everyone should pitch in.

Health Benefits There’s a reason everyone was happy at the end of The Spring Clean.

The cleanliness added to our sense of wellbeing.

We didn’t know it at the time, but today experts link a thorough springcleaning to various benefits. Cleanliness can strengthen the immune system and help avoid illness.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests the physical activity of cleaning coupled with the result of a cleaner home helps reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Cleaning can reduce fatigue and improve concentration.

A decluttered home – a must if you plan to sell - can reduce stress and even depression.

Research shows clutter has a cumulative effect on the brain. Our brains respond positively to order. Clutter can drain our cognitive resources and reduce our ability to focus.

There’s just something about a deep clean and the removal of clutter that

makes us feel better.

Another plus, a spring clean often unearths forgotten or misplaced treasures, perhaps in the form of a photograph or family heirloom.

Room by Room Still, Spring cleaning can be a daunting task.

The best way to tackle the dreaded project is room by room.

Creating checklists for each room will help keep you focused and on track.

To simplify the decluttering process, identify the areas that need to be confronted. Ask yourself why you have the clutter and devise solutions.

Think about installing storage units to group various items together in a drawer or closet instead of having one big jumble.

Sort your belongings into four categories—trash, give away, storage, or put away and get rid of the trash as soon as possible so it doesn’t just sit there.

Make the tough decisions that will leave you feeling refreshed and happy, knowing the energy spent on deep clean and organising was well worth the effort.

By Mike Lightbourn Questions or comments?

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

Ask the Doctor!

Nurses Month

The month of May is when we recognize the contributions of nurses throughout the world. As a doctor, I can speak very intimately to the critical contributions nurses make to the delivery of quality health services. The scope of skills that nurses bring to healthcare includes everything from health promotion and preventive services all the way to end of life care. No other healthcare professional including doctors has such a far-reaching role.

I salute all Nurses in Eleuthera and across the Bahamas.

By Dr. Arlington Lightbourne, Bahamas Wellness Eleuthera Medical Center

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Impending Food Shortages - What’s Your Survival Strategy? seriously consider our options? Have we taken the time to think about the what-ifs? Like, what if our local stores can’t provide the foods we need.

What if gas shortages occur and we can’t drive to the store or work for the money to buy food for that matter. What if our garbage can’t be collected? What if, there is limited or no transshipment of food throughout the islands? What if the gas crisis affects the power supply in our homes or our ability to cook with gas or electric stoves? Do we have a workable plan for our families?

Teri M. Bethel Preparing for challenging times is not what many people care to think about. But is that wise? With gas prices on the rise, shipping lines closing down, and international truckers being compensated to stay home rather than work, it’s no surprise that the cost of food and other essentials has skyrocketed. Stores that once had storage rooms overflowing with goods, can now barely stock their shelves. History recalls a young Jewish man called Joseph who saved the nation of Egypt, and many of the surrounding territories, because he had a survival strategy. When the government of the day recognized his wisdom, they put him in charge of the nation’s food supply. Young Joe was a thinker and a planner, he didn’t ask God to multiply food, he used his God-given insights and abilities to implement strategies.

It makes you ask the question, what strategies can I implement, that would not only ensure the well-being of my family but my community and possibly the nation? We pride ourselves on being resilient people, and many of us are. As a country, we have survived World Wars 1 and 2 which proved we could do more and make it on less. War or not, many family island residents had to eke a living from the ground and sea—they survived. Our most recent disaster was the lock down which stripped many of their resources and their ability to work, fish, or farm. Now that we’ve had fair warning of what is coming down the pipeline from local and international leaders, will we begin to

We can kick that can of indecision further down the road and hope and pray that famine never happens, or we can pray for wisdom and witty ideas to see our family and our communities through. Either way, nothing will happen unless we, enact a workable plan. Famine is no respecter of persons, scarcity affects the haves and the have nots. Unfortunately, however, the level of desperation affects how the issue is handled. We may laugh at the doomsday preppers or the modern-day Noah’s who compel you to jump on the arc to avoid the impending danger, but when it’s all said and done, we’ll have no one to blame if we don’t try to put some measures in place for what may come.

What can a family do about food?

You may say that you are already in your season of famine or drought and it couldn’t possibly get any worse.

Take a page from the history books and lean on the side of caution to prepare in any event. Some of our preparation may be basic things we see every day. Have you considered what food items are growing in the wild that may be edible? Though not the most filling meal option, the leaves of a papaya tree for example can be eaten and have great health benefits. If you are growing your own broccoli, don’t throw away those leaves, they too are edible. What about breadfruit which is often overlooked? Also tamarind, sea grapes, and cocoplum, could you make jelly or jam? Some homesteaders even crush their sugar cane stalks to create their own sweeteners. Now that you think about it, agave, a natural sweetener which we import, is also grown in the wild in our country. Perhaps now is a good time to do the research to see what is readily available in your area. With the growing number of backyard farming groups, BAMSI,

BAIC, and other farming enthusiasts, there is no shortage of information to be had.

What about our local farmers?

A great start in preparing however is to begin growing a few food items in your yard or in containers. Beans and peas are easy plants to grow and can be harvested at different stages of growth. Peanuts are also an easyto-grow plant on the island which can yield snacks or your own natural peanut butter. You may live on rocky terrain where planting is a challenge, but did you know that you can grow potatoes, carrots and other root crops in grow bags? In some cold regions like Alaska, people preserve eggs by whisking and freezing or by placing whole uncooked eggs in a special solution for up to a year. Where food growth is at a standstill, due to freezing temperatures, homesteaders often grow and prepare enough food to take them through the harsh winter months.

Our priority is local fruit, vegetable, livestock farmers, fishermen, honey producers, etc., and those who produce natural home remedies and bush teas. We need them, and they need us.

Before food items are shipped off the island, perhaps there is a way to satisfy the local community’s needs. While we may be able to grow guavas and bananas in our back yards, we will need robust food like cassava, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin to keep our stomachs from whistling at our backs.

Some forward thinkers have already taken to making cassava and coconut flour, bottling tomatoes, and other sauces and jams.

Don’t wait until you’re hungry before you begin planting and bottling food items. During the lockdown, some European communities met to plan what they would grow in their backyards to avoid production duplication. As a result, they were able to trade food without anyone going hungry. But that would require a big step of not being selfish and enjoying a civil relationship with the neighbors, wouldn’t it? But that’s not the only option. You can begin to purchase dried foods like peas and beans, and fruit. Don’t stop there however, you can store dried fish, conch, and meats (jerky) in the event of power outages. If you don’t have a food dehydrator, consider drying food in your oven and packaging it for later use. The cowboys survived the Wild West, and our forefathers survived on the islands without cars, electricity, and even shoes. Surely we can too.

If all of that seems too much of a hassle, and you’re willing to buy freeze-dried or dehydrated foods, many online sites can furnish you with dried onions, potatoes, cheese, meats, fruit, and vegetables, that have a shelf life of 1-25 years.

A bout

the

So, what about light and water?

We may joke that we’ve gotten accustomed to power outages in the country, but it’s really no fun to stumble around in the dark, especially if you have young children. So what can you do about it? Apart from a solar generator or solar panels which may be out of the budget for many people, there are solar lights that are rechargeable.

A simple solution may be to invest in a few of the lights, place them outside during the day, and bring them inside for evening use. The better ones come with replaceable batteries that can extend the life of your fixture for several years. Incidentally, there are portable solar panels that can be connected directly to a refrigerator.

It was not unusual to visit an older person’s home when we were growing up to find barrels covered with mesh screens to capture rainwater. Today we have gutters to help this process along even more efficiently. Although this water has to be strained, and boiled before use if it is going to be used for consumption, it also comes in handy for watering crops, washing clothes, cleaning houses, and flushing toilets.

Now, what about cooking again? If there’s no gas or electricity to power up that old stove, can we use a standby outdoor grill or brick oven? These are only a few survival tips to consider as we strategize today, for a better tomorrow.

A uthor :

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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Quotables Corner QUOTE: “I know what the Bahamian people are experiencing. These are difficult times, and it would be a last resort to put any more burden on their backs. The Actuaries over the last 10 to 15 years have been predicting that the Fund (NIB) is jeopardized because of us not having raised the contributions to the National Insurance Board (NIB). Recommendations were being made from 2003/2004 that we should raise the contributions. Yes, we are at that watershed moment, but I am not going to, at this time, put any further burden on the Bahamian people. We will see how we can be innovative, and we have to ensure that we do not do, or embrace such an initiative - until we have brought the relief that is necessary to allow that to happen. The Minister of State in my Office was just speaking the facts, as to what was said in the actual report. They are recommending and they are urging that we do so. And as was his duty, he is bringing that report to Cabinet for us to look at and discuss it. We will consider it, but in so far as what my views are on it - it is not going to happen. Not now. Not until we have brought the relief to our Bahamian people, and we have put to bed some of the issues that make them ‘can’t sleep’ when they go to bed.”

(Bahamas Prime Minister, the Honourable Philip Davis and Minister of Finance during a video speech released by the Office of the Prime Minister on April 13th, 2022.)

QUOTE: “...To leverage the administration of justice in our family of islands, the Chief Justice and myself have committed to build out the remote court system throughout the country. We have committed to secure the necessary IT equipment and facilities to allow for remote hearings and eliminate the need for magistrates to travel the island to have circuit courts. This will go a long way to addressing the delays and backlog in court matters throughout the country. This is a program we are currently engaged in and hope to be able to roll out the remote court matters in the family islands within months, save for supply chain challenges.”

(Senator The Honourable L. Ryan Pinder Q.C. Bahamas Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs during his contribution in the Senate on Monday, May 2nd, 2022 on proposed amendments to a Compendium of Judicial Bills)

QUOTE: “For a long time our countries have been speaking on the International Financial Architecture (IFA), and the way the European Union has been imposing mandates on our countries with regard to this Financial Infrastructure. The EU representative came to see me in Nassau a couple of months ago, and she used the word ‘assymmetry’ and I picked up on the word - simply a fancy word to say, that there is an imbalance between what is demanded on the one side, and what is given and received on the other side. It translates, in the case of my country, sometimes as long as six months to try and open a bank account in

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The Bahamas, because we have amended laws, changed regulations, in order to meet a standard which has been imposed - not by the International Agreement across the world, but by a specific group of countries that simply have the power to do so... We have spoken about this time and time again, but there has been no movement on it at all - polite listening - but no movement on changing it. In fact what often happens is - as soon you meet one goal, you get back home, and the goal post has once again been changed... Now we are in this era where ‘free trade’ has gone out of the window, particularly as it relates to International Financial Structure, because the way we interpret it at home is that this is nothing more than a barrier to ‘free trade’. So all of these rules have been imposed, supposedly in the name of eliminating corruption and increasing transparency and accountability, but the end result is that it is more difficult for our citizens to trade and to spend their monies... We’ve talked about de-risking, and the whole question of losing the correspondent banking relationships, because of all of these rules that have been imposed.

Our ministers have on successive occasions and in public forum sought to argue that what is needed is a global standard - not one that is imposed by a select group of powerful countries. That in fact, the United Nations might be the best place for this to reside - where there is an international agreement on what these standards are, and everybody comes to the table and agrees those are the standards... There is right now a paper being developed in the CARICOM subregion, to talk about this very fact, the International Financial Architecture... I think it is important for you [The EU] to take on these comments, and to be a facilitator for the views of SICA and the CARICOM region on this question of the International Financial Architecture. I can tell you that in this assymmetry with your large economies, what is a very small problem to you is a large problem for small countries like us, and it is difficult for me as a politician in The Bahamas to explain why... it takes six months to open a bank account. And the only answer you have is these rules that have been imposed upon us.”

(The Honourable Fred Mitchell, Bahamas Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service at the SICA Caricom EU Foreign Minister’s meeting held on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 - speaking on the International Financial Architecture)

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‘Operation Feed The Needs’ Donates Sanitizers to Eleuthera Schools On Thursday morning, April 21st, 2022, Yasmin Johnson, representing the nonprofit organization ‘Operation Feed The Needs’ joined primary and high school principals from schools all over Eleuthera in their meeting with District Superintendent Michael Culmer at the Resource Center in Savannah Sound to make a special presentation of hand sanitizers - five cases for each school - enough to service students, staff and administration at each school throughout the island for some time to come.

In a brief introduction of the organization and how the donation came about, Ms. Johnson explained to the principals that ‘Operation Feed The Needs’ (OFTN) was a not-for-profit group based at the New Providence Community Church in West Nassau that emerged to meet the needs of Hurricane Dorian survivors who had been evacuated to New Providence from The Abacos and Grand Bahama - providing food and shelter.

Six months later the pandemic hit, resulting in less attention on hurricane survivors needs, she said, and the humanitarian disaster deepened as unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, homelessness, disparities in healthcare, delinquency and crime increased. OFTN she explained continues to-date to offer weekly feeding programs for hurricane survivors and others in need in New Providence, along with rent subsidies, housing assistance and other programs. “So, we have continued the work. An organization that was meant to be a six-month, temporary program has grown and continue to serve.”

Feeding the Need: Principals from schools all over Eleuthera accept cases of hand sanitizer to replenish supplies.

Describing more about the donation to Eleuthera’s school, Yasmin said, “This program that we are involved in now is a Covid-19 program, to help mitigate the spread within the schools throughout The Bahamas. We want to encourage safe practices, especially as restrictions are being dropped. We are now a registered 501(c)3 organization, with the ability to receive donations from international organizations. We recently partnered with Convoy For Hope, which is a faith-based nonprofit in the U.S. Through them, they brought UniLever to us - who wanted to donate hand sanitizers.

They donated 60,000 bottles of sanitizers to ‘Operation Feed The Needs’, and being from Eleuthera, I wanted to ensure that everything

did not stay in New Providence... So, 2,500 bottles were sent to Eleuthera.”

Expressing the organization’s vision to widen their impact in the country, Yasmin added, “We are hopeful of being able to spread our reach throughout the islands, and whatever

new initiative we engage in, the Family Islands don’t get forgotten. We also want people in the Family Islands to know about us, to know who we are, P31

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FDA Limits Use of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine to Certain Individuals FDA News Release -–Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update:

(May 5th, 2022)-- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has limited the authorized use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine to individuals 18 years of age and older for whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and to individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Janssen COV-

ID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Key Points: After conducting an updated analysis, evaluation and investigation of reported cases, the FDA has determined that the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a syndrome

of rare and potentially life-threatening blood clots in combination with low levels of blood platelets with onset of symptoms approximately one to two weeks following administration of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, warrants limiting the authorized use of the vaccine.

The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of the vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 outweigh the known and potential risks for individuals 18 years of age and older for whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and for individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine now reflects the revision of the authorized use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and includes a warning statement at the beginning of the fact sheet for prominence which summarizes information on the risk for TTS. Additionally, information on the revision to the authorized use of the vaccine and updated information on this risk of blood clots with low levels of blood platelets has been added to the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.

“We recognize that the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine still has a role in the current pandemic response in the United States and across the global community. Our action reflects our updated analysis of the risk of TTS following administration of this vaccine and limits the use of the vaccine to certain individuals,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

“Today’s action demonstrates the robustness of our safety surveillance systems and our commitment to ensuring that science and data guide our decisions. We’ve been closely monitoring the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and occurrence of TTS following its administration and have used updated information from our safety surveillance systems to revise the EUA. The agency will continue to monitor the safety of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and all other vaccines, and as has been the case throughout the pandemic, will thoroughly evaluate new safety information.”

Background The Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine was authorized for emergency use on Feb. 27, 2021. On April 13, 2021, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), announced a recommended

pause in administration of the vaccine to investigate six reported cases of TTS, and to help ensure that health care providers were made aware of the potential for TTS and could plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required for TTS. On April 23, 2021, following a thorough safety evaluation, including two meetings of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the FDA and CDC lifted the recommended pause regarding the use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. The agencies confirmed a total of 15 cases of TTS had been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), including the original six reported cases, out of approximately 8 million doses administered.

These data, plus the deliberations and recommendations by the ACIP, helped with FDA’s assessment that the known and potential benefits of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine outweighed its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older. The available data suggested the chance of TTS occurring was remote, but investigation into the level of potential excess risk due to vaccination and specific risk factors continued. At that time the Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine was revised to inP38

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Bahamians urged to take hurricane preparations seriously Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda, on Monday, May 2nd, urged Bahamians and residents to take their hurricane preparations seriously “as precautionary measures taken now, can save lives and property in the future.”

“Our archipelago lies in an active hurricane zone,” Mr. LaRoda said. “All Bahamians and residents should take the advisory of the scientists seriously. It is critical that each Bahamian and resident take the necessary precautions now in the event that a storm hits during hurricane season.

Precautionary measures taken now could save life and property in the future.

“Make sure you have a plan as to where you and your family will stay if a storm threatens. If your home is in a low-lying area or on the coast, it is recommended that you do not stay there. Instead, plan to stay with a family member or close friend who has appropriate accommodations in an appropriate place. If that is not possible you could stay at one of the government-approved shelters, which we will ensure are ready and able to assist those in need.

“Along with having a plan as to where to stay, be sure to begin the other well-known preparations, some of which include: Ensuring that you and your family has a well-stocked emergency supply kit with battery operated radio and flashlights; Include in the kit items like face masks and sanitizer to help protect against COVID-19; and keep on hand an adequate supply of non-perishable food items.

“Bahamas, disasters are a reality. Make preparation your responsibility. Please take warnings to prepare seriously. Storms can emerge and strike with little notice,” Mr. LaRoda added.

The State-Minister’s comments came dur-

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Researchers at the Colorado State University, have predicted an above-average Atlantic Hurricane Season for 2022 with 19 named storms, 9 of which are expected to become hurricanes, with 3 of the 9 expected to become major hurricanes – Category 3 or higher.

“At the end of the day, we all have a role to play -- government, churches, businesses, charities, as well as individuals – to adopt preparation measures, which mitigate against the impact of any impending disaster,” State-Minister LaRoda added.

-ENDSource: Bahamas Information Services May 2, 2022 Written By: Matt Maura

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, the Hon. Myles LaRoda.

(BIS Photo/Mark Ford) ing a Press Conference held at the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) Headquarters, Gladstone Road, to launch National Disaster Preparedness Month. May will be observed as National Disaster Preparedness Month under the theme: “Strengthening Community Readiness for a Better Tomorrow.”

State-Minister LaRoda said the theme of the Month is centered on the concept: “That we all as government, citizens, businesses, religious institutions, civic organizations and communities have a role to play in the collective effort of disaster preparation and response.” The objective of the month is to promote key messages and actions in order to strengthen preparedness and response at the national and community levels.

“Communities must be actively involved in their own preparedness and safety. The key to effective disaster management is preparedness as this helps minimize the impact of hazards.

The hazards that most often affect our country are those associated with tropical cyclones (tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes) and include storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents.

The month of May then is an opportune time to give focused attention to making preparations for the hurricane season.”

June 1 marks the start of the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season that ends November 30. State-Minister LaRoda said

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Correnine ‘Jenny’ Bethel (83) An Eleutheran Profile: BY elizabEth bryan

Introduction: Sitting in the dining room of Mrs. Correnine ‘Jenny’ Bethel, on a cool afternoon in early May, the story of how a dynamic woman, the backbone of her family and home, was able to nurture the relationships around her and create a legacy of entrepreneurship, generosity and love – while standing sideby-side with her husband, Mr. Maitland Bethel (now deceased), unfolded – a blueprint for fulfillment.

What’s in a name: Born on August 27th, 1938 in the settlement of Palmetto Point to her mother Edith Sands, and father John Bunyan Sands, Correnine was actually Genevieve, better known a little later as ‘Jenny’. Relaying the story of why everyone knows her as Jenny, but her official documents record her name as Correnine, Mrs. Bethel shared, “In those days, the older people used to have someone come around and take note of the birth of the baby, and apparently they didn’t take it to the Commissioner’s office in time - you know they wrote it down, it wasn’t like now how they record it, and they had me named, ‘Genevieve Bethel’, so ‘for short’ I was called ‘Jenny’. Now when it got to the time for me to travel, and I needed a passport, we couldn’t find a birth certificate... One of my husband’s uncles went to the recording office, and they found no name - only a baby girl born to my parents on my birth date, the 27th of August, 1938. He didn’t know what to do, so he gave me a name - just for him to get it straight for me to get a passport, he gave me that name, Correnine. He was Uncle Willie. His name was actually Kaiser Bethel, but all of the family called him Uncle Willie. No one knows me by the name Correnine. Everyone knew me as Genevieve, when I was growing up as a little girl running around. So, everybody was puzzled after I got a passport and had this ‘Correnine’... I was already married, and I got married when I was twenty, so I might have been 27 or 28 before I got a passport. “ Early Days: Young Jenny as she grew up, remembers an idyllic, much simpler time, with fresh from the ground, unprocessed foods, limited meat consumption, and a community that knew each other. “It wasn’t like it is now. We had freedom, and we used to go out, but we had to go in the farm to help dad weed or reap or whatever was needed. In the afternoons we just played. We’d go to the beach - and that had to be supervised. The only time we would get to go by ourselves, was if we had to go over and bring sand, because our job on weekends was to sweep up the yard, then go and get the sand and sprinkle it in the dark places. That was our job in cleaning the yard, and it used to look nice. When we finished that, we were free to play. We didn’t travel - our parents didn’t have it for us to travel - so we made ourselves satisfied. We had a good life. We enjoyed it and all the things now that these young children are having we never had it. We were used to the field produce, and occasionally when some of the locals killed their goats, we would get mutton, or if we killed a hog, we would get the pork. Very seldom we used to have meat through the week. The produce, that’s what we grew up on. And everybody shared. If one person didn’t have it, the next one shared.

Community minded people, and everybody knew everybody. If she didn’t have and I had, we shared. If I cooked like my mother used to do, and the other mothers - they would send a little bowl to one family or the next. That’s the way we grew up - sharing whatever we had.”

Continuing her reminiscing, Jenny described, “In the afternoons, sometimes the men would go to another person’s house - whoever was sitting on the porch. They would go and sit there and would just talk and laugh.

But everybody was happy and we never complained. Of course, then we didn’t know anything to complain about. For our entertainment, because we

didn’t have radio then, on Saturday evenings we would get dressed, after you did your work, and we would walk around ‘The Country’. North Palmetto Point is what we used to call ‘The Country’, and out here it used to be ‘Southside’. So, that was our entertainment, we’d walk around ‘The Country’, and we used to get like a thruppence depending on how your family or your parents had it, you would get a thruppence or a sixpence. And we used to go and buy benny cakes and coconut cakes and all that sort of stuff from a lady that had a shop down in the back there where the Gospel Chapel is. She sold coconut cakes, benny cakes, and we would buy from her, and walk around. When we got to the park with the big silk-cotton tree, we had a nice big park there... We were happy. That’s where some people would have their wedding receptions, under there. And on Fridays or Saturdays, depending on how they felt, the band would get down there and play. And those who were walking, like me and my other friends would get out there and dance. That was our entertainment.”

Remarking on how iconic that silkcotton tree is in the Palmetto Point settlement, Jenny shared, “It was huge when I was young, but over the years, the trunk of the silk-cotton tree has gotten bigger and bigger, and the higher it grew, the branches got bigger and bigger. There was a pulpit and stage underneath the tree, where people would have receptions. It’s broken down now, and I’ve said a number of times that they should bring it back [restore it].

That was there since my older brothers and sisters time, and to just let it go like that. To me, that is the oldest tree, I think, in Palmetto Point from what I gather, and it’s right in the middle of the settlement. That could be a landmark site, and I’ve said it so many times. I must have said it to the wrong people.”

Church days: Faith and worship were woven into the fabric of life as young Jenny blossomed into a young lady. “I grew up in ‘The Country’ in a house near where the Salvation Army church is now, where my brother lives now - that’s where I was born, where I grew up, and had fun in the yard with the next-door neighbour’s children.

Above: Mrs. Correnine ‘Jenny’ Bethel

Come Sunday morning, you had to go to church. I grew up in the Methodist church. You had to go - Sunday school, morning meeting, we had afternoon Sunday school also then, we’d stay there, and then we had a service at 3pm. So, from the morning meeting to Sunday school at 1 o’clock, evening meeting at 3 o’clock, then night service at 7 o’clock we had prayer meeting - so, all day Sunday.

And if you didn’t go out to that first service, you couldn’t go in the street that day. Daddy would say if you are not going to Sunday school, you are not going out today... Nothing else to do but go to church, but to me it paid off. And I feel happy about my childhood days. You weren’t rich, but we were happy with what we had, and we didn’t get into any trouble.”

Mrs. Bethel continues to be a part of her childhood church, and over the years contributed to church life in many ways. “I got christened in the Methodist church, and married there. After morning meeting, they used to divide the church into groups in different parts of the church, and I was a class leader. Later I was vicepresident of the women’s ministry. I didn’t want to take on the full thing, because by then I was having children and I had to take care of them, and when we decided to have the business, I couldn’t get

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involved with so much as I wanted to, and I was also a Sunday school teacher.”

School Days: In school Jenny recalled having the privilege of studying under a pioneer in education. “We went to school, and it was good. Mr. Sawyer was my only teacher, C.W. Sawyer. He was there when I went to school, and I enjoyed it. Now I used to get into fights - but you would fight today, and would be friends tomorrow. I think I did pretty well in school. In my last year I was a substitute teacher. So, if the teacher didn’t come in, they would ask me to go and teach one subject in class. They were good years, and Mr. Sawyer to me he was the best. However, we had to leave at the age of 14.”

The end of school meant the beginning of the rest of life. “I started working for an English couple. Potlatch, the long building, that was the first place I worked. I left school when it closed in June, and I didn’t go back in August. In November, some people were taking care of this house, and my sister Shirley was working with them, and they said that they needed another person. She asked me if I wanted to work, and I said, yes. The owners of the house then were the Dixons.

I worked with them, then I got another job cooking for some people at different houses. When they [The Dixons] sold that [Potlatch house], and I didn’t work with them anymore - then I was having children.”

Family and Life: Recounting the time before she and her husband ‘tied the knot’, Jenny shared, “When my husband, Maitland Bethel, and I were still in school, we were friends, but couldn’t quite get along in school.

He was also a substitute teacher, and sometimes I would be in his class. When they were short of teachers, they would join the two classes together. He lived just five minutes down the hill from me, less than that. It just grew like that. Us also going to church together. And we used to have a special service called ‘Christian Endeavour’ on Thursday nights - we used to do that. We had English ministers then.

“Then he went on ‘The Contract’.

He was over there for I think eighteen months, and he said he didn’t like it anymore. So, he made up

fe at u re some excuse and they let him come home. This was before we got married. He came home and he started to build a house. He finished it to the point where you could have moved into it - the inside was finished.

When he came back, we got serious.” Jenny added, with a wink and a smile, “Well he was liking another girl, so it was a competition - in the same church, but I guess the better one won,” laughed Jenny.

were in school. Shedell would be sitting in her little rocking chair, and I would be in the kitchen. We used to sell hamburgers and hotdogs – that’s all I sold then. That went well. The children were then growing up. The business continued to grow, and we got the bar and Clyde began to work in there. The older children were the waitresses, and we finally had everything set up, and that’s when the name became ‘Mate and Jenny’s’.”

She continued, “We got married in 1958, when I was twenty, and after I was having children, I started baking in the house. I used to bake bread, coconut tart, coconut cakes - just to have something coming in.

We used to do that, and that went on for a while, and we had the children.” The couple were blessed over the years with five children - one boy and four girls (Melanie, Clyde, Jacqueline, Katherine and Shedell). “Maitland was working then as a carpenter, at the Naval Base. It was around this time that French Leave opened, and he left the construction work, and got a job with French Leave. He went in as a waiter, and eventually became the maître d’. He was that for years. We were then talking one night, and he said we should try to do something for ourselves. And we talked about it. It took a few years, and then we finally decided. After that some other jobs came along for me, and I was having the children - and my mother used to take care of the children for me, just up the hill. However, the people who I was working for, I let them know that I couldn’t begin work until 11am, because I had to make sure and do what I had to do in my house. I had a husband, I had children to take care of - So, I used to get them cleaned, fix their food, and take them up the hill to mom.

That went on for quite a few years.

“It has always been a family-run business. It was a long time before we started hiring people, because Clyde was the bartender. Maitland was still working, but would go in after he got home. The younger children were in school at Windermere, so it was just Clyde and I there for a time. It wasn’t a big business then, but it continued to grow. Then we added the piece on the back, and we had pool tables in there and a jukebox, and lots of games. This is when it was really Mate and Jenny’s, and it grew and grew, and people really knew about us then. We had good business. We used to cater to the Kiwanis Club on Thursday nights - their meeting night, and I used to fix dinner for them. Sometimes the Rock Sound Kiwanis Club would come if they had a combined meeting, and I would fix dinner for them. Clyde, Maitland and I used to serve, with Melanie waitressing… The children were all so helpful,” Jenny reminisced, “They helped to make the restaurant what it is.”

“Then we figured we were working too hard for other people - we could put it into something for us.

My husband was maitre d’ for many years, and he had a lot of friends.

French Leave had closed for a time, and he went to Windermere Club.

He worked there for a few years.

At this time, we were trying to get our place built. We finally opened in 1969. It didn’t have the name ‘Mate and Jenny’s’ as yet, we had it as a restaurant - and my husband was then working at Club Med. We didn’t have any chairs in the dining room as yet, but I stopped working for people. I used to come out like 1-2pm during the day. My youngest, Shedell, was a baby and the others

A unique feature of the restaurant as it grew were the polaroid photos plastered across the walls. Maitland and Jenny’s daughter, Jacqueline, who has now moved back to Eleuthera, and manages the business for her mom recalled her dad’s polaroid camera which was used to take pictures with guests, and as the collection grew, new guests wanted to join the wall of memories. “It was the 1980’s, and we had gone into a full menu, and Clyde was the chef. We used to help him, but it got so much for us, we had to hire some girls to help. We sold everything, like the meats, crawfish, fish. Our youngest, Shedell, then went off to school, and Melanie was then working in Barclays Bank, so we had to hire additional help. People used to have their wedding receptions in the back - we would move the chairs. People also came in for birthday parties. Families used to come in and bring extended family - it used to be cool,” smiled Mrs. Bethel at the memories.

“Maitland went away one year and got some pizza. When he came

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back, he said, Jenny I had some pizza and it was good. He said, I think we should sell pizza. And I said to him, if pizza gets going, we can’t do all this other cooking. So, he said ‘go try it’. He went away, and bought a pizza oven. I didn’t know what to do - about the crust or nothing like that.

However, I had a friend from the Naval Base who was living right around the corner here. She said, ‘I have an idea - I have a cookbook and I’ll make some for you’. She made me two-dozen and she told me what she did, and I said ‘I can do that’! Then I started doing my own. We were still selling little bits of food. We didn’t turn that fully out yet, and the pizza started to go and catch on. At that time, we had three girls working for us, and they would serve the food, plus I had to be there, and Clyde had to be there. So, I said we had to decide on one thing. Maitland said let’s do the pizza. Some people thought it was crazy, but gradually we phased out the other food. That was a blessed day, trust me,” said Mrs. Bethel as she relived the relief of being able to focus her efforts. “Now it’s been going for so many years.”

At its heyday, disaster struck the Bethel family, as the 1980’s drew to a close. Fire. Jenny shared that it started in their home, next to the restaurant. “It was during the Easter holiday, in March.” She was home, having returned from a concert at the Methodist church held earlier that afternoon, and several of her grandchildren were with her at home. “The grandchildren and I were watching a show called Peter Pan in the living room, and a light coming from the bedroom caught my eye.” Knowing she had left no light on in her bedroom, Jenny got up and she found that fire was already encroaching onto the bed.

She instructed the grandchildren to run to their grandfather next door to let him know there was a fire in the house. He came in, with the curtains already on fire and Jenny recalling the panic, spoke of how long the fire engine took to first get there, and the challenge of them having to go to the sea for water, as they watched years of work and dreams and memories go up in flames.

“Everything was gone. The only thing I saved was my bag that I had used that Sunday to take money out for my collection. God is good.” As Jenny sat at her dining table relaying the memories, she pointed out that the home she was in, was actually a converted apartment, which she and P23 Maitland used to rent out next to their former

22 www. EleutheraNews . com

CONS E R VATION CORNER

April/May, 2022

Sustaining Stone Crabs’ Colossal Claws Stone crabs are found throughout the Caribbean and tropical western Atlantic and are the target of a claw only fishery. Some of the largest stone crab claws come out of Bahamian waters, and the claws exported from the Bahamas make up a ‘colossal’ size class in US markets, a size that is rarely found in Florida waters anymore. And while you may not see their claws on offer at every dock, fish fry or restaurant, stone crabs are a growing fishery in The Bahamas. Much of the catch is exported to the USA at an estimated value of $3.1 million each year.

improve crab survival. Similar to a lizard dropping its tail when it feels threatened by a predator, crabs can shed their claws in a process called autotomy, or self-removal. Researchers at the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) at The Island School are studying the effects of this alternative claw removal technique and are working in collaboration with commercial stone crab fishers on Eleuthera to host an information sharing and training meeting this June after the stone crab season closes. During the meeting, best practices will be discussed and findings from research projects will be shared to help collaboratively improve the sustainability of the Bahamian stone crab fishery. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to Eric Schneider (242-821-0337 / ericschneider@islandschool.org) or Candice Brittain (candicebrittain@islandschool.org).

Currently, The Bahamas has stone crab fishing regulations in place outlined below: • Minimum claw size 4 inches • Closed season June 1 – October 15 • Illegal to harvest claws from an egg bearing female at any time The crabs have two large claws, or “biters”, that can make up as much as 60% of their total body weight. These outsized limbs are incredibly strong as they are used to crush the hard shells of their mollusk prey, including things like clams and mussels. This is a claw-only fishery, meaning the claws are removed from the crab (if they are over the legal size requirement of 4 inches) and the living crab is returned to the sea. Stone crabs, like other crustaceans, can regrow claws that have been lost.

Because of this regeneration ability, this may seem like a truly sustainable fishery. The whole animal doesn’t have to be killed to be harvested (as with nearly every other form of animal protein) and they can even reenter the fishery once the claws regrow.

At least, that’s how the theory goes. Unfortunately, the reality may be different as recent research has shown.

Current Claw Removal

Traditionally, fishers remove the claws by breaking them off at the base. Claw removal can cause excessive blood loss, especially if done improperly, resulting in the crab dying after it is released (crab ‘blood’ is actually called hemolymph). Research from Florida, where a large stone crab fishery also exists, has shown that anywhere from 30-60% of stone crabs may die after being harvested. And even if the crab survives claw removal, losing one or both of their claws may cause a shift in their diet to things that don’t need to be crushed, and may make them more likely to be eaten by a predator.

Stone crab’s large crusher claw

Sustaining the Fishery

After decades of heavy fishing pressure, the Florida stone crab fishery is showing signs of reduced catches and there is an increased concern over its sustainability. The commercial stone crab fishery in The Bahamas is much younger, and there are several regulations in place to help protect their populations as they are an important natural resource for the country. However, the establishment of best practices is important to ensure the sustainability of this fishery into the future.

This includes practices such as only removing one claw, which has been shown to increase the chances of crab survival, as well as using proper handling and claw removal techniques during the harvest process.

New Sustainable Harvest Method

A lesser-known claw removal technique may also

Claw measurement to ensure legal size

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The Eleutheran

Profile - ‘Jenny’ Bethel

home. A clothing shop Jenny had opened next to the apartment was also still intact. “When the fire happened, we had to live here.” She shared that the one bag she was able to save from her home, that she had taken out to have ‘collection’ for the service, had been used to store the money she had made in her clothing shop during the Easter holiday, which she had not had the chance to deposit. “Stories to tell, but God is good,” she repeated.

After the fire, Jenny described a coming together of support like no other. She said that all the winter residents when they heard about it were shocked, and supported them, along with others. “We had it built back in nine months, and so we were able to reopen in November of the same year.

We had a big reopening that Thanksgiving, and we had a blast!”

When her husband, Maitland, spoke with her about having to rebuild the house, she said no - that she had lost too much. She suggested they fix up the apartment they had been renting, and used a small section of it to continue making pizzas, while Mate and Jenny’s 2.0 was being rebuilt.

“So, it was like we never went out of business with the pizza.

We had to buy a new oven, because everything over there was destroyed, and I got a mixer. I remember, Wolf Seyfert, he took Maitland to Fort Lauderdale, after we settled on what we were going to do, and bought the pizza oven, a frigidaire, a small freezer and a mixer for the dough.”

“The Lord blessed us that we were able to reopen, and we had a big bash. We didn’t have to send out any invitations and the place was full. Natives and foreigners, we had so many friends. That’s how we got on our feet so quickly.”

Two or three years later, with the business once again going well, Maitland and Jenny built apartments across the road, replacing their rental investment.

Moving Forward: 2020 was not just the year that the pandemic rolled in, creating upheaval for all businesses on the island, but also one of great loss for the Bethel family. Affected by cancer, and limited in receiving the treatment for his condition, Maitland, Jenny’s husband of more than sixty years passed away on November 26th, 2020.

Jacqueline, who had also run a pizza shop while living in Grand Bahama and was affected in 2019 by hurricane Dorian, and made the move back home to assist her mom after the passing of her dad. “The Lord was up their looking, and saw. All the others [children] also know what to do, but she was in the business,” said Jenny. “She now takes care of all of the business, the only thing I do is get up in the morning - go over there - and I have someone helping me with the pizza crust and I do that, then I come back... I have two girls working for us, one from Savannah Sound, and the other

Elite

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

Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera

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CALENDAR 2022

hamian music, native dishes, and drinks, as well as games.

(Contact: Mr. George Bullard, (242) 334-6362)

•

Goombay Summer Festival (July 15th 16th)

(Contact: Ministry of Tourism - Harbour Island, (242) 333-2621)

•

Bay Fest (July 26th August 1st)

The residents of Hatchet Bay Eleuthera come together to raise funds to assist the settlement with upgrades and community activities for the residents.

(Contact: Ms. Melissa Dean, (242) 551-0538)

•

Back to The Bay (July 29th - August 2nd)

The Tarpum Bay festival is a way to encourage descendants to come together and have an enjoyable time with family, friends, and visitors in the area. There is live entertainment, junkanoo rush-outs, and delicious native dishes and items on sale.

(Contact: Mr. Ronald Carey, (242) 819-8718; Ms. Shakera Gardiner, (242) 470-2342 or shakeragardiner_37@hotmail.com)

from Tarpum Bay - and I have a Haitian gentleman that works with me, and he is good. So that’s all I do - making those pizza crusts. I am tired when I’m finished, but I’ll feel silly sitting down doing nothing. My bones would get stiffer,” Jenny laughed.

Nuggets of Wisdom: When asked what advice she would have for young entrepreneurs, or even couples like she and her husband, Jenny shared thoughtfully, “You have to think about what you want to do. You have to make your plans, and don’t start it if you don’t have a couple dollars somewhere - because you don’t want to run in debt from the beginning. You have to make sure that you get your place, and where you are going to build. Make sure that building is there, and then if you need help you go and get help from the bank to complete it. And you have to stick together. Sometimes you are going to have falling-outs, when the man doesn’t see it the way you see it. Sometimes you are going to get mad at each other, but you sit down and you talk it over. You have to work together. If you don’t work together, nothing is going to happen - I can tell you that much... Sometimes you get so annoyed, and you are tired - but you’ve got to learn to stick with it. You can’t give up the first time you get a little hiccup here, or you are running short here. Business is not going to be one way all the time. It’s going to be up, it’s going to be midway, it’s going to be down. But not because you are making money you have to destroy it - you put some aside and keep it. This is for this and this is for that. If you don’t do that, you are not going to make it. You can’t spend it all as you make it. You’ve got to maintain your business, and let the business maintain itself. That’s the number one thing. After you have it built, let the business maintain itself.” Jenny took a breath after releasing so much treasure, smiled, and quipped, “I hope I said it right.”

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April/May, 2022

One Eleuthera’s 10th Anniversary Celebrations Hit Home With Heart “Spectacular”, “heart-warming,” “unforgettable” and “impactful” are just a few of the words used by guests to describe One Eleuthera Foundation’s recent 10th Anniversary celebrations. OEF management and staff, stakeholders, board members, community partners, donors and supporters gathered at the Rock Sound campus on Friday, April 22nd and Saturday, April 23rd to commemorate the organization’s historic milestone and celebrate a decade of sustainable local development and community impact across Eleuthera.

The two-day event which included a Friday evening celebration and a ‘special edition’ community farmers’ and artisans’ market on Saturday was hosted on the organization’s campus, giving visitors a first-hand view of the new farming innovations, recent construction projects and latest campus developments underway.

Friday, April 22nd (Earth Day) marked OEF’s official anniversary and the start of the festivities with a poolside, island-style soiree under the stars at the Retreat Hotel. Themed ‘The Journey of a Vision’, the event featured a captivating video highlighting the organization’s humble beginnings, early pivotal partnerships, and the visionary quest to acquire and transform the once dilapidated former Rock Sound Club & Hotel property into what now exists as the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) campus.

Guests attending the Friday night celebration enjoyed the opportunity to ‘mix and mingle’ in a relaxed, beautifully accentuated tropical setting with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, live music by the Rum Runners band and memorable performances by the Rock Sound Primary School Choir and Micquel Cartwright, a senior at Preston Albury High School.

During the night’s program moving personal tributes were shared by a large cross section of the community, including CTI students-turnedemployees, parents of CTI graduates, Hurricane Dorian evacuees, as well as local business owners who received grants and financial assistance from One Eleuthera Foundation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each personally attested to the critical and far-reaching impact of the assistance they received from the organization and the value of its ‘people-centered’ approach over the past decade.

“I like to say that OEF has heart,”

explained Shaun Ingraham, President and CEO of OEF and CTI. “It all started ten years ago with a Shared Vision and a handful of dedicated supporters. Today the vision has grown exponentially. It continues to change lives, build stronger communities, and inspire innovative solutions, bringing us together to do good. Thanks to the unwavering support of our staff, board of directors, donors and partners we’re increasing employability among the youth through CTI and the CTI-Harbour Island Trade School (CTI-HITS) in the North. We’re investing in people and the local economy. We’re also improving food security on Eleuthera with our revolutionary 1.1-acre retractable roof cooling house. For us, it’s a triple bottom line focused on people, planet and profit, but people always come first.”

Today, CTI operates The Retreat, a quaint 16-room student training hotel and a 23-acre farm both of which are social enterprises delivering experiential learning and hands-on industry training for students. Powered by the One Eleuthera Foundation, CTI is Eleuthera’s premier tertiary technical training and vocational institute offering courses in carpentry, electrical, housekeeping, hospitality, culinary, agriculture and more. Each program incorporates personal development and entrepreneurship skills to empower students.

From inception OEF’s mission has been focused on empowering people and creating synergistic partnerships,

The Rock Sound Primary Choir delights the crowd with their debut performance. programs, and projects to systematically address some of the complex issues faced both locally and nationally. In addition to OEF’s transformative growth into one of the largest nonprofits in the country, it has also become one of the main employers in South Eleuthera offering long term career opportunities for CTI graduates and locals. Some of the organization’s most notable achievements also include: • the establishment of the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) in

2016 which has seen over 200 local graduates and continues to build capacity and fill skills gaps in Eleuthera.

• the launch of the flagship, “Learn and Earn,” program; a signature technical and vocational training program for students in South Eleuthera to increase their skillset, employability and entrepreneurial opportunities while earning a weekly stipend.

• the 2019 expansion of training courses to North Eleuthera via the Harbour Island Trade School (CTIHITS) satellite campus which has

Right to Left: Shaun Ingraham, CEO and President, OEF & CTI & Lisa Scolatti Anderson President, Friends of HITS (Harbour Island Trade School) surrounded by supporters and friends

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consistently seen an impressive 90% student graduation rate.

• the 2016 launch of OEFUS, a 501(c) 3 registered organization which has allowed international and US supporters to help further OEF’s mission.

• ongoing strengthening of community partner organizations, such as South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP) through technical and financial support including the donation of fire trucks, ambulances and life-saving emergency response equipment across Eleuthera.

• ongoing relief and support initiatives for Hurricane Dorian evacuees inclusive of accommodations, food, counseling, relocation support and employment at OEF/CTI • the construction of a ‘first in the Bahamas’ retractable 1.1acre Cooling House which will introduce year-round growing of nutritious produce, and support new farming techniques and agricultural courses for local farmers to improve food security.

As One Eleuthera Foundation steps into a new decade of progressive growth and new visionary achievements, its President and CEO is simultaneously building the organization’s internal staffing and capacity. According to Mr. Ingraham, the organization, “has accomplished much in a short span of time, but this is just the beginning of what we plan to achieve.”

He is focused on attracting the country’s “best and brightest” to play an integral role in the current and future development of the organization and its various projects and programs.

The recent appointment of Mr. Keyron Smith to the position of Acting Chief Operating Officer at OEF and CTI by Mr. Ingraham, demonstrates his commitment to recruiting and empowering young,

The Eleutheran

Teamwork makes the dream work. Team members from OEF take a break to strike a pose. exceptional leaders to join the ranks and significantly contribute to the strategic plans established for the next decade and beyond. Mr. Smith has previously served in leadership roles at The University of The Bahamas and holds a Master of Arts degree with distinction in Political Science, and a specialization in Governance and Public Policy (Research) from the University of Manchester (UoM) in the United Kingdom.

“Our scope of work at OEF is very diverse but connects holistically to empower people and communities by strengthening and connecting them to vital resources and training, while planning strategically for the future. As an Eleutheran and advocate for Family Island

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Guests shake a leg to the sounds of the Rum Runners Band.

Cool Culinary Couples: Dustin Williams (Dunmore Restaurant) & Horatio Smith (Da’Perk) with Ashli Smith and Colleen Williams.

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28 www. EleutheraNews . com

April/May, 2022

‘Hit and Run’ Traffic Incident Leaves Hatchet Bay Man Dead Eleuthera’s Officer-In-Charge Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles, informed on Sunday evening, May 1st, 2022, that police were being assisted by traffic investigators from New Providence as they investigated a suspected ‘hit and run’ traffic fatality which occurred in Central Eleuthera on Saturday evening, April 30th, 2022.

OIC Knowles, shared that shortly after 10pm officers were called to the Rainbow Bay community, just north of James’ Cistern where a man was found unresponsive on the street.

“Information we received is that the man was walking on Queen’s Highway, in Rainbow Bay, when he was struck by a vehicle which did not stop.” A local medical emergency team also responded to the location and upon examination of the man

Page. 27

pronounced him as deceased, she said.

week later, local police said that they were still following up on leads, but there was no new information as yet in reference to the investigation of the ‘hit and run’.

Ch/Supt. Knowles urged the driver to come forward and called on the Eleuthera community for assistance, saying, “We are appealing to members of the public who may have any information that can assist us as we investigate this traffic fatality, to contact the Governor’s Harbour Police Station at 332-2111 or 919 or any of the other police stations on the island of Eleuthera. We are also appealing to the driver of that vehicle, to please turn yourself in to us, so that we can bring closure for this family.”

The victim in the traffic fatality was confirmed to be Mr. Andrew Cooper of Hatchet Bay. As of Sunday, May 8th, one

OEF Celebrates

development, I am honored and excited to play my part and help OEF/CTI fulfill its organizational goals,” explains Mr. Smith. “With the strategic development plans outlined for the CTI campus, the organization is poised and actively working to expand its influence and impact as a leading tertiary training center in Eleuthera and throughout the region.”

The first ten years have laid a solid foundation and framework for OEF and CTI to stand on. The initial research gathered from citizens, entire communities, and stakeholders across the expanse of Eleuthera and incorporated into the organization’s roadmap, “A Shared Vision for South Eleuthera,” remains a relevant underpinning.

It identified a need for entrepreneurial development and the creation of more long-term job opportunities, the incorporation of education and job training into all new initiatives, a return to the land for sustainable farming and reduced food imports, and the development of more small-scale, locally owned sustainable entities rather than exclusive, foreign-owned, large resorts. The work of OEF and CTI continues to address these needs while supporting sustainable development projects and programs assigned to the organization’s “Five Key Areas of Focus: education, economy, environment, health and heritage.”

Over the years, OEF has consistently proven to be a trusted community builder and partner. The organization has played a pivotal role as a pioneer, facilitator, advocate and forerunner in the Third Sector and nonprofit space. Looking to the future, OEF and CTI will continue to play an integral role in supporting and empowering communities in Eleuthera from a local level while evolving

Friends and partners of the organization watch a captivating video highlighting OEF’s “Journey of a Vision.” to make even greater contributions to address national and regional challenges.

“We are excited to move into the next chapter and decade of OEF’s community impact, accelerated growth and influence. Looking to the future we will continue to create new pathways

to empowerment and greater access to vital opportunities for Eleutherans and all those we have the privilege of serving,” says Mr. Ingraham.

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Participants, supporters and organizers at the Catch Jerry Chile 2022 event.

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CJC Success /2022

We give thanks to God and everybody for helping us. We thank our sponsors and everyone who supported us. Thanks again. This year we are donating all of the proceeds to HACE, every last cent... I would also like to say to everyone that ordered a t-shirt, if you look at the t-shirt its not a dress shirt, but a sports t-shirt, so we would really appreciate if everyone would use it to better themselves physically. Doctors don’t have the answers, only you can do it. The answers are right inside of you.” He encouraged Eleutherans to get up, and out and active. “Whatever you do, as long as you get a good sweat - that’s going to make a difference in your life. The number of Bahamians are too many with non-communicable diseases that can easily be prevented with a little bit of sweat - that’s it. Nothing else.”

As both beneficiaries of the event, as well as partners in ensuring that walkers and runners had access to emergency assistance on the morning, if necessary - HACE volunteers, including Chairman, Mr. Jason Thompson were also up and present on Saturday morning, along with two of the HACE ambulances. At the beginning of the morning race, Mr. Thompson expressed, “We are so appreciative of the effort that is going into this event today. As you know the Health Association of Central Eleuthera is a volunteer organization.

So, we extend our services to the community at-large, and of course in doing that there are many expenses that have to be taken care of... Every donation, every contribution extends our efforts, making it possible to go so much further... CJC has partnered with us now for about three years and we are so appreciative of what they are doing and what the community is doing. Every person that is contributing should know that the monies are put to excellent use helping to save lives... We are extremely busy. The pandemic impacted the island, and the nation at-large, but as far as emergencies and people getting sick, and accidents - they have increased, so we stay very active, and are calling on all the support that we can get.

Walker division top three finishers, standing with Jason Thompson of HACE (far left). L-R: Jason Thompson, Shanicka Davis, Ross Bethel, and Dwight Bethel.

“We currently have three ambulances, with two based in Central (Palmetto Point/Governor’s Harbour) and one in Hatchet Bay. We have volunteers who take care of the ambulances and if ever there is a crisis, we combine together. We have six volunteers in Hatchet Bay, and in Central we have eight - all dedicated individuals who are always ready and willing to go. They are not paid. Even when on their jobs, they would leave in emergencies and do what has to be done. But the thing is doing it from the heart - that’s what makes the difference.”

Winners in the 2022 Catch Jerry Chile Fun Run/Walk event, receiving trophies for their efforts were: Runners - Miska Clarke (1st), Steven Dany (2nd), Thomas Glucksmann (3rd), and Sharon Davis (children’s category winner).

Walkers were: Ross Bethel in 1st, Dwight Bethel in 2nd and Shanicka Davis in 3rd place.

Runner division top three finishers, standing with Jason Thompson of HACE (far left). L-R: Jason Thompson, Tom Glucksmann, Miska Clarke, and Steven Dany.

30 www. EleutheraNews . com

loc al +p lu s

April/May, 2022

The Kirtland’s Warbler: A special Bahamas wintering bird By: David Ewert

American Bird Conservancy Of all the birds that breed in Canada and the United States, and winter in the Caribbean region, few are as rare as the Kirtland’s Warbler. The small songbird, only about 6 inches long, and weighing less than one ounce (16 grams), summers almost exclusively in Michigan, United States, and winters almost exclusively in The Bahamas, especially Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, and San Salvador. The Kirtland’s Warbler is one of approximately 18 warbler species that can be found on Eleuthera during the winter or migration seasons. They typically arrive in October or November and leave Eleuthera for Michigan in late April. The 1,500mile (2,500 km) journey between The Bahamas and Michigan can take as few as eight days.

Kirtland’s Warblers can be difficult to identify. Other warblers, which are also small, share some of the traits of the Kirtland’s Warblers. Identification of Kirtland’s Warblers is best done by looking for the following: prominent dark streaks on a blue-gray to brown back, lemon yellow underparts with streaking, especially along the side, and a broken ring of white feathers around the eye.

They also have a habit of often pumping their tail. Another warbler that pumps its tail is the Palm Warbler, which is much more common and easily seen than the Kirtland’s Warbler. It often favors open areas like lawns or even dumps.

The Palm Warbler is a brownish bird with yellow under the tail, but unlike the Kirtland’s Warbler, it lacks prominent streaks on its back and does not have a conspicuous, broken eye ring.

Although the Kirtland’s Warbler

Kirtland’s Warbler. Photo credit: George E. Wallace, American Bird Conservancy.

breeds in 5- to 20-foot-tall (1.5- to 7-meter-tall) jack pine forests in Michigan, it favors short, shrubby coppice areas on The Bahamas wintering grounds. During the nonbreeding winter season on The Bahamas, the Kirtland’s Warblers melt into the dense shrubbery where they quietly feed on insects, spiders, ants, small fruit of snowberry, white sage, black torch, and, less commonly, other fruiting species such as love vine. They are typically very hard to see as they search for food low in shrubs and on the ground. They rarely sing while in The Bahamas, which further adds to the difficulty of finding them. On Eleuthera, Kirtland’s Warblers have been found at many places on the island. They are scattered at sites that include power line corridors, coastal and interior scrublands, abandoned bulldozed areas, and abandoned and active farm lands.

Areas with white sage and black torch may be especially important to the Kirtland’s Warbler as these plants often have fruit in spring just before the warblers migrate north.

To prevent extinction of the Kirtland’s Warbler requires international efforts. In both the United

States and Canada, conservation programs are in place to ensure there is always enough young jack pine forest to provide good breeding habitat. In Eleuthera, maintaining short vegetation under power lines by Bahamas Power and Light, protecting patches of white sage at the One Eleuthera Foundation, and wise stewardship of farms, as promoted by the South Eleuthera Farmer’s Association and others, all contribute to creating winter habitat for the Kirtland’s Warblers. Other activities, such as outreach to local schools and production of a Kirtland’s Warbler calendar by the Bahamas National Trust, United States Forest Service, and American Bird Conservancy, help call attention to the Kirtland’s Warbler and further conservation efforts. These efforts are all helping ensure that habitat is available not only for the Kirtland’s Warbler, but other chimies and Bahamian birds. The continuation and expansion of these efforts will help make Eleuthera an even better winter destination for the Kirtland’s Warbler and ecotourists.

What can you do to protect the Kirtland’s Warbler? Planting native plants, especially white sage and

black torch, will help create cover and a food supply for the Kirtland’s Warbler. By purchasing local produce, you support farmers who in turn help create Kirtland’s Warbler habitat. Supporting organizations that focus on Bahamas and Eleuthera conservation programs will increase chances that the Kirtland’s Warbler will persist. Finally, increase your knowledge and appreciation of the outstanding natural world in Eleuthera by visiting places such as the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve near Governor’s Harbour.

You can also check out some literature and resources to learn more. For example, The Natural

History of The Bahamas: A Field Guide, available in person at

the Preserve as well as online, provides pictures and text to help you identify many of the fungi, plants, and animals found on Eleuthera including the Kirtland’s Warbler, and many others.

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April/May

Busy Season

low 80 degrees despite being above average over the vast majority of the basin. This is typical for April. Hurricane season starts when water temperatures reach the rough threshold of 80 degrees, which usually occurs between June 1 and Nov. 30. But water temperatures being above-average now means they could reach that threshold earlier in the year across more of the basin – a bit of a headstart that could boost early-season storm numbers.

While some cooling has taken place in the eastern Atlantic in the last two months, that area is also the last region that sees tropical activity in the basin.

“Overall, the current SST anomaly pattern correlates relatively well with what is typically seen in active Atlantic hurricane seasons,” said Klotzbach.

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The Eleutheran

How Will This Season Compare to 2021?: The outlook compiled a list of

hurricane seasons that could be similar to what we might expect this season and it happens to include 2021, which had 21 named storms, seven hurricanes, and four major hurricanes – Category 3 status or higher.

Other seasons include 1996, 2000, 2001, 2008 and 2012. The average activity for those six seasons was 8.5 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

This list was built based on years with similar ENSO conditions in March and similar forecasts for ENSO during the season.

This outlook serves as a reminder that hurricane season will quickly be upon us.

Of the last 10 seasons, eight have started before June 1, including every season dating to 2015.

The time to be ready for tropical weather is now.

Source:: The Weather Company Written By Jonathan Belles

Model predictions for water temperature anomalies and the status of ENSO through the end of 2022. Hurricane season (yellow) and the peak of hurricane season (orange) are highlighted.

(NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center)

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Feed The Need

and that we are a resource. So, this is our first initiative in Eleuthera, and we look to keep spreading our wings and to continue having an impact... We hope to conduct needs assessments of various family islands, including Eleuthera, where we can extend our Nassaubased initiatives, and thus have a wider effect throughout the islands. We want OFTN to be an organization that supports all Bahamians.”

Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names 2022

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April/May, 2022

Child Abuse Prevention Month School Visit

by Social Services & RBPF

Above: Case Aide Worker, Mrs. Sharniece Major engaging two primary students. (Left): Social Services Director Mrs. Nickal Symonette presenting to the students at Harbour Island All Age.

Above: Police Inspector Tekenia Taylor-Major speaking with students at Harbour Island All Age. During the month of April, marked as Child Abuse Prevention Month, government agencies - Social Services and the Police teamed up to visit schools on the island, targeting lower primary students. In one such visit, on Thursday morning, April 28th, 2022, Police Inspector TaylorMajor along with Mrs. Nickal Symonette - Director of the Department of Social Services, Eleuthera District and Case Aide Worker Mrs. Sharniece Major visited the Harbour Island All Age School. According to Police, “During the visit, stu-

dents of Grades one (1) and two (2) were educated on the correct names for their body parts and what are their “No-No” zones. They were admonished to “Yell and Tell” when anyone touches them inappropriately or if they are made to touch anyone inappropriately.” The students were said to have asked questions on the topic and enthusiastically committed to “yell and tell”.

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American Teacher Susy Siel Develops 12 Libraries in Eleuthera A former elementary school teacher and librarian from Wisconsin, USA has transformed 12 buildings into working libraries and community centers on Eleuthera - the island she visited as a child in The Bahamas. Now, Susy Siel and her organization Freedom To Read, Inc. are planning to help students who may have lost access to learning through the pandemic so that they can get back on track.

“We are very excited about the possibilities we have with the libraries,” said Siel. “We have gotten computers and cataloged tens of thousands of books and created a system to connect the libraries to each other. As you know, Eleuthera is a long island with settlements every several miles, so outside of the historic Haynes Library in Governor’s Harbour and Sir George Roberts Library on Harbour Island, there weren’t a lot of modern literacy and information options.”

Siel first encountered Eleuthera in the 1960s when her parents who were private pilots took her and her sisters there, and they grew up considering locals as extended family members. She went from taking books along with her to read on the beach to establishing small libraries in settlement after settlement.

“We lived in Michigan back then and flew back and forth to Eleuthera several times a year for extended stays. When our parents were busy with their work, they would drop us to Mildred and Emmanuel Thompson in Gregory Town.

They really were our adopted family,” recalls Siel fondly. “Most times we really didn’t want to go back home after being with the Thompsons and running around the yard chasing chickens and goats and going to the beach. Our family name is Beach so it’s kind of interesting when you think about it because here I am, back at the beach now living full-time in Eleuthera, Bahamas after growing up and having a career in the US.” After 27 years of teaching and being a librarian in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Siel traded in snow commutes for water ferry and golf cart commutes and has gone beyond curating books to creating careers for Eleutherans, equipping some who only have a high school diploma with the skills of seasoned librarians.

“What they are learning now took me years to learn,” said Siel of the librarians.

“Our mission is to change people’s lives through free access to literacy. I want the libraries to be a vibrant, engaging and motivating place for kids to learn and love. I truly value the power of lit-

Above: Freedom To Read - Samantha with students at a Freedom To Read Inc. library founded by Susy Siel. Left: Susy Siel at one of the many libraries developed in Eleuthera.

eracy and education in terms of what it can produce for future leaders in The Bahamas.

It costs Siel and her board $340,000 to run the organization and they have established partnerships with Follett School Solutions from Illinois and with other like-minded non-profit agencies in The Bahamas, specifically in Eleuthera, especially with regards to construction and cleaning. She also does her best to secure grants which help with shipping books and computers, renovations and professional development for the library staff.

So far there are over 150 computers, and 40,000+ volumes of books in the buildings.

In addition to local residents, Siel noted that there are tons of tourists who use the library services and donate books. However, they are also encouraged to consider making donations through www.freedomtoreadinc.org to help fund the initiative.

Source: Written By Arthia Nixon of The Ambassador Agency -Author’s Note: During Teacher’s Appreciation Week (May 2nd, 2022) I am honored to share this story of a friend who left Wisconson, USA to build libraries in The Bahamas, on the island I grew up on.

Freedom To Read Inc, founder Susy Siel and Eleuthera District Education Superintendent Michael Culmer work closely to ensure students are accessing the libraries.

34 www. EleutheraNews . com

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Wide Participation in the Fifteenth (15th) Annual Tim’s Refrigeration Eleuthera Doubles Tennis Tournament players.

In the Men’s Doubles the team of Kevin Carey and Charles Rolle came out on top, and they were joined by Ladies Doubles champions, Cameel McDonald and Chavonne Reid, when the dust of competition had settled. In the Mixed Doubles matches Raquel McDonald and Cameel McDonald defeated rivals Vernon Russell and Chavonne Reid in the final match up.

Winners of the Brent and Eulona Johnson Memorial trophy for the top junior male and female tennis players were Ayai Bethel and Andrealle Gardiner, respectively.

Coach Johnson thanked all of the volunteers who gave of their resources and time to make the tournament a fun-filled success, including Ms. Barbara Johnson for all the hard work putting together the simultaneous cook-out, with the assistance of Sonny Man and Arthur Bethel, as well as all of the generous donors.

Above and below: Ladies Doubles champions, Cameel McDonald and Chavonne Reid with Coach Artie Johnson, along with consolation finalists.

Now in its 15th year, the Tim’s Refrigeration Eleuthera Doubles Tennis Tournament, held on Saturday, April 9th, 2022, was once again dubbed a success by organizer and tournament director, Coach Artie Johnson, with teams coming from Abaco, Nassau, Spanish Wells, South Eleuthera, and regular players from Central Eleuthera, including a number of second homeowner residents, he said.

Bringing it all together on the day, Coach Johnson was assisted by Mr. Jack Percentie, Mrs. Elva Nixon and Mr. Rob Atwood. Mr. Scott Penfound did the honours as chief umpire.

Namesake and major sponsor of the annual event, Mr. Tim Dames, as was also in attendance at the tourney, and he was joined by Ms. Darnette Weir as a sponsor for the trophies awarded at the end.

Participants competed in a Men’s Doubles, Ladies Doubles, as well as Mixed Doubles. Junior matches also took place with winners crowned as top junior male and female tennis

IN the Photos: Top, Andrealle Gardiner - junior female winner; Above and left: celebrating champions and consolation finalists in the 2022 Tim’s Tennis Tourney.

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BNBA & Ministry looking to reverse a Breast feeding rate currently <20%

Above: BNBA members stand with Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin in front of an educational billboard touting the benefits of breast feeding.

With the aim of increasing the nation’s breastfeeding rate from 18.7 percent to 50 percent, the Bahamas National Breastfeeding Association (BNBA) has launched a billboard campaign to encourage support for this goal.

A billboard, sponsored by the Ministry of Health, and erected on a roadside wall on East Street (north) adjacent to Mortimer Candies, was dedicated during an outdoor ceremony Friday, April 22nd, 2022. The Hon. Glenys HannaMartin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, BNBA representatives, health career workers, breastfeeding advocates, passersby and volunteers attended the event.

“We want to take breastfeeding to the next level because we realize breastfeeding is the way forward for The Bahamas. Breastfeeding benefits mother, baby, the family, the environment and the workplace. We need the support of everyone so we can accomplish that goal,” said Anna Forbes, BNBA member.

Mrs. Forbes emphasized that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility and, as such, appealed to Minister HannaMartin to inform Parliament that mothers need more time off, fathers need to have vacation time with mothers, there’s necessity for mothers at work to have a break every three hours to pump milk and provisions for storage of milk.

“That is action, and then we know that if we want a change, we need the support of the government. We need the support of our community. The billboard is a constant reminder of the importance of breastfeeding. As you walk, as you drive, you can see that and take it to your community that breastfeeding is the golden standard,” she said.

Minister Hanna-Martin, endorsed the association’s initiative and expressed 100 percent commitment.

She commended the BNBA for being, steadfast, faithful and dogged in the promotion of breastfeeding in the country.

She encouraged mothers to do all that they can to breastfeed their newborn babies and to do so for as long as is practicable.

“The science is clear; breastmilk is the premium nourishment for newborn babies, it is the perfect food and it helps build immunity. It is proven that breast-fed babies fare better, it creates strong bonding with mother, strong

correlation between breastfeeding and high IQ of babies, it is free and produced naturally through God’s beautiful grace and ingenuity.

“We want the community and the extended family to support our young mothers because this is the guarantee for a new generation – breastmilk. It may sound like a small thing but this is a fundamental, humongous, important intervention in the rearing of

our children.

“Let us as a nation, in all the things we commit to nationally, that we also commit as a people to the principle of breastfeeding our newborn humans in this nation so we can guarantee them the best opportunities possible -- their well-being, health, psychology, intellect and their success as adults,” said Minister Hanna-Martin. (BIS Photos/ Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)

140 Illegal Migrants Taken Into Custody within one Weekend On Sunday, May 1st, 2022 at approximately 10:15 am, a group of seventy-eight (78) Haitian nationals were turned over to the Enforcement Unit, New Providence by officers of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF). Among this group were sixty-one (61) men, ten (10) women, and seven (7) minor children. The group of migrants was found onboard a sailing vessel and intercepted by the HMBS Madeira in waters near South Beach, New Providence.

Also on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, at approximately 9:20 am; a group of sixty-two (62) Haitian nationals was turned over to the Enforcement Unit, New Providence by officers of the RBDF. The group consisted of thirty-eight (38) men, eight (8) women, and sixteen (16) minor children. This group of migrants was found onboard a sailing vessel in waters near Nuevitas Rock, west of Long Island on Wednesday, 27th April 2022. They were intercepted by the United States Coast

Guard (USCG) cutter ‘Reliance’ and turned over to RBDF officers onboard the HMBS Lawrence Major on Thursday. The group was subsequently turned over to Immigration officials on Saturday.

This number brings the total number of migrants repatriated from The Bahamas in less than two weeks to three hundred and eightyeight (388). As the Department is committed to its mandate of protecting the borders and upholding the statute laws of this country, we will continue to ensure timely repatriations in accordance with international laws and protocols.

To report suspicious migration activity in your area, members of the public are urged to call anonymously at 1-242-502-0574. For further information, contact the Public Relations Unit, New Providence at 1-242-3227530 or visit our website at www.immigration. gov.bs.

36 www. EleutheraNews . com

Crime News ADDITIONAL National POLICE - Alerts:

Select police reports, shared by the RBPF locally 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 April, 2022.

1. Arrest Reference to Possession of Dangerous Drugs with intent to Supply: On Thursday 14th April 2022 at about 10:01pm officers came in at the GHPS with an adult male under arrest.

Reference to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. Information is that he was arrested on Queens Highway, James Cistern.

The suspect was subsequently processed and charged with that offence.

revealed two additional packages of suspected marijuana. Both males were subsequently processed and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

Housebreaking & Shop breaking complaints

During the Month of April, Officers responded to three matters involving house and shop breaking.

1. House Breaking Report: On Thursday 14th April 2022 at about 7:49pm an adult female contacted the GHPS and reported that between the 12/04/2022 and today’s date she left her house lock and secured however, on that date sometime around 7:00pm when she returned to her residence she noticed that her screen door was open and that some unknown person(s) had broken into her residence and stolen an assortment of coins and jewelery, police assistance requested. An adult male suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with this offence.

2. Possession of Dangerous Drugs - Suspect Arrested, Charged & Released: On Friday, April 15th, 2022, sometime around 10:25pm, Officers came into the Rock Sound Police Station with an adult female in custody reference to possession of dangerous drugs. The mentioned officers reported that, at 10:04pm while on duty at the Homecoming Site, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, they arrested and 2. House Breaking & Stealcautioned the suspect for ing: On Friday, 15th April the aforementioned offense 2022 sometime around after conducting a search 10:36am, an adult male of her purse and discovercontacted the Rock Sound ing a package containing a Police Station via phone grassy-like substance susand reported that he is pected to marijuana. The presently in New Provisuspect was processed and dence, where he received charged with that offence. information that two adult males were seen coming 3. Arrest Ref. to Possession out of his residence. He has of Dangerous Drugs w/ since noticed that some Intent to Supply: Sometime wooden design porcelain around 2:00am on Saturday tiles valued at $500.00, 16th April 2022 Officers one Panasonic plasma T.V. while conducting inquires valued at $300.00 and one in the area of Sea View electric fishing rod valued at Drive, South Palmetto Point $800.00 were missing. Poarrested two adult males lice action requested. Both reference to Possession of adult male suspects were Dangerous Drugs with Intent subsequently arrested and to Supply. They Officers recharged with the offences of ported conducting a search House Breaking, Stealing & of the vehicle being driven Receiving. by the males, finding a quantity of suspected marijuana in the center console, a further search of the driver

New Providence Police Advisory on recent fraud trends The Financial Crimes Investigation Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to advise members of the public on recent fraud trends:

(I): Fraudsters have been making contact

with potential victims usually through social media advertising products (vehicles, boats etc.) and services (job searches, contracts etc.). The fraudsters show photos and other documents to prove validity and authenticity and asks for the funds to be wired/deposited onto Web shop accounts. After the funds are deposited, contact is severed and efforts to reach to fraudster are fruitless. Members of the public are advised to be aware of products offered on-line by persons who require funds to be deposited onto Web shop accounts. Legitimate businesses DO NOT operate their finances via those means.

(II): Fraudsters have also been soliciting funds from foreign nationals for various applicant services (work permits, residency permits, account openings etc.). Due to language barriers, oftentimes Foreign Nationals are not comfortable with the application process. Fraudsters present themselves as facilitators offering to assist the victims in obtaining permits, however after receiving funds from victims, they disappear.

Members of the public are advised that there are standard application procedures, many of them offered on-line for Government permits. There are also legitimate companies that offer their services to assist applicants in applying for those permits.

(III): Fraudsters, often times from other jurisdictions, have been reaching out to unsuspecting victims via social media under the guise of friendship, companionship, and love. Expensive gifts are promised with the condition of some sort of fee for processing/customs. Victims eager for these gifts send funds, usually via money transfer services to jurisdictions outside of the Bahamas. If funds are sent, additional funds are usually requested again and again.

Members of the public are advised to be cautious about their social media/on-line activity. Be careful with the amount and type of information that is posted by you, as this information can be utilized by fraudsters looking to exploit it. Furthermore, customs fees are NEVER paid to an outside jurisdiction via money transfer.

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

NATIONAL JOINT OPERATION BETWEEN POLICE, CUSTOMS, AND IMMIGRATION RESULTED IN THE ARREST OF (25) ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. On Friday 6th May 2022, shortly before 11:00 am, a

April/May, 2022

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

team of officers from the Marine Support Unit, Intelligence Unit, The Bahamas Department of Immigration and Bahamas Customs, acting on information proceeded to the area of Xanadu Beach (Grand Bahama), where they observed two Caucasian males walking towards a vessel that was docked in the canal. The officers approached the males, who were found to be one Cuban National and one Mexican National. The officers then searched the vessel and found a small quantity of suspected marijuana, and discovered that the vessel did not clear Bahamas Customs upon entry into the Bahamas.

Further, officers later proceeded to an apartment complex situated on Pinta Ave, South Bahamia where a search was conducted.

While searching the apartment unit a total of (25) Illegal migrants were found consisting of (10) Adult Cuban males, (4) minor Cuban males, (1) minor Cuban female, (9) Adult Cuban females along with (1) Mexican Captain. They were all arrested and handed over to the Bahamas Department of Immigration for further investigation and deportation. Investigations are being continued.

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PAHO Alert (May 3rd, 2022) Acute severe hepatitis in children On 15 April 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an alert on severe acute hepatitis cases of unknown origin in children in the United Kingdom. Since then, there have been continuing additional reports of cases.

Dr. Leandro Soares Sereno, Advisor for Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Control at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), spoke to several questions being asked about hepatitis, and the severe acute cases reported in a number of countries.

1. What is acute hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are different aetiologies – or causes – that can lead to this inflammation, such as an infection or intoxication by drugs or substances.

The most frequently implicated infectious agents are the viruses responsible for hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. When inflammation occurs rapidly and abruptly, we speak of acute hepatitis. In some cases, as in hepatitis B, C and D, the infection may become chronic. In this situation, we are not yet sure of the cause.

2. Why is the outbreak of hepatitis in

children considered unusual? Is it due to the adenovirus?

This is an event under further investigation by WHO. So far, laboratory tests exclude cases of known viral hepatitis. In many cases, adenovirus infection was detected in the affected children, and the link between the two is being investigated as one of the hypotheses for the underlying cause.

Adenovirus is a common virus that can cause respiratory symptoms or vomiting and diarrhea. In general, the infection with such viruses is of limited duration and does not evolve into more serious conditions. There have been rare cases, however, of

severe adenovirus infections that have caused hepatitis in immunocompromised- or transplant patients, for example. However, these children don’t match that description – they were previously healthy.

nation at this time.

In a few cases, the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected, and this is one of the lines of investigation along with others such as the adenovirus.

3. How many countries have reported

able?

confirmed or suspected cases of hepatitis

Acute hepatitis has different symptoms: gastrointestinal, such as diarrhea or vomiting, fever and muscle pain, but the most characteristic is jaundice – where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow.

The current treatment seeks to alleviate symptoms, and to manage and stabilize the patient if the case is severe. Treatment recommendations can be refined once the origin of infection is determined.

in children that are not linked to hepatitis

A, B, C, D or E? We cannot speak of confirmed cases at this point because the specific cause is still unknown and under investigation. The reported cases refer to children with severe acute hepatitis where hepatitis A, B, C, D or E were not identified.

Using this definition, as May 3rd, 2022, over 200 cases have been reported from 20 countries. The vast majority of cases are in the United Kingdom, which was the first country to report cases to WHO. In the Americas, cases have been reported in the United States, and countries in the region are advised to monitor the situation. For now, PAHO/WHO is providing information to countries about criteria and definitions to assist in monitoring. viruses

7. What can parents do to protect

children?

The most important is to pay attention to symptoms, such as diarrhea or vomiting, and to the color: if there are signs of jaundice – where the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow – medical attention should be sought immediately.

We recommend basic hygiene measures such as washing hands and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing to prevent infections, which can also guard against the transmission of adenoviruses.

4. What is PAHO’s assessment of the

situation?

There is still little data to define whether there is an outbreak, and for now the global risk is considered low.

As there is still no certainty about the origin of the disease, it is possible that we are becoming aware of a situation that existed before but went unnoticed because there were so few cases.

5. Could the outbreak be linked to COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccines?

Based on current information, most of the reported children did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, ruling out a link between cases and vacci-

The Royal Bahamas Police Force wants Driving Tips to thank the general public for their continued support, as we work togethDo’s: er to make the Bahamas a safer place • Observe and obey all traffic signs for all. We will continue to enforce all • Ensure that you and your passenlaws to create safer communities. gers always wear a seatbelt • Place children under the age of 4 years old in a car seat • Pull to side of the road and remain in a stationary position to permit Royal Bahamas Police Force - Safe emergency vehicles to pass.

6. What are the symptoms? Is it treat-

8. What measures does PAHO recom-

mend to prevent the spread of the disease?

At this time, the recommendation to countries is to stay informed and to monitor for cases. The origin of cases remains under study, and PAHO/WHO will continue to provide technical support to countries in the region in generating and disseminating information during the course of the investigation.

•

Epidemiological Alert: Acute, severe

hepatitis of unknown origin in children.

(Released on April 29th, 2022.)

This technical note is in follow-up to the communication published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 23 April 2022 and updated on 25 April 2022 on the Event Information Site for the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Points (EIS) and the information published in the Disease Outbreak News website on 23 April 20221.

On 5 April 2022, the first report was received from the United Kingdom (UK) reporting an increase in cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in previously healthy children under 10 years of age, all residents of Scotland. A week later, additional cases under investigation were reported from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

To date (April 29th), a total of 169 cases of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin have been reported among children aged 1 month to 16 years in 12 countries, including one death. Of the 169 cases reported, 85 cases were tested for adenovirus, of which 74 were positive. Adenovirus type 41 was identified in 18 cases.

Most of the reported cases were classified considering the current working case definition, which are based on the clinical-epidemiological characterization of the cases identified to date. Clinical manifestations among identified cases correspond to acute hepatitis with elevated transaminases, many presenting with jaundice and gastrointestinal symptoms (including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting) and none presenting with fever. Infections caused by P46 hepatitis A, B, C, D,

Avoid road rage.

To arrive safely, drive safely.

• • • • •

Don’ts:

Drink and Drive Use cell phones without handsfree devices Apply make-up while driving Get impatient and engage in unnecessary arguments with other motorists Speed in school zones

For more information: (Police Emergency - 911 or 919, Crime Stoppers - 328TIPS, 242-300-TIPS, www.royalbahamaspolice.org)

38 www. EleutheraNews . com Page. 18

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COVID / FDA and J&J Vaccine

clude a warning pertaining to the risk of TTS and the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers was also revised to include information about blood clots in combination with low blood platelets after receiving the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.

In December 2021, after reviewing updated vaccine effectiveness and safety data, the ACIP made a preferential recommendation for the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine in all persons 18 years of age and older in the United States. The ACIP recommended and CDC endorsed that the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine may be considered in some situations: when a person has a contraindication to receipt of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, when a person would otherwise remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 due to limited access to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and when a person wants to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine despite the safety concerns identified.

Current Status The FDA and CDC have continuously monitored for and investigated all suspected cases of TTS reported to VAERS. In an updated analysis of TTS cases following administration of the

Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine that were reported to VAERS through March 18, 2022, the FDA and CDC have identified 60 confirmed cases, including nine fatal cases. The FDA has determined that the reporting rate of TTS is 3.23 per million doses of vaccine administered and the reporting rate of TTS deaths is 0.48 per million doses of vaccine administered.

In making the determination to limit the authorized use of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, the agency considered that reporting rates of TTS and TTS deaths following administration of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine are not appreciably lower than previously reported. Furthermore, the factors that put an individual at risk for TTS following administration of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine remain unknown. The FDA also considered that individuals with TTS may rapidly deteriorate, despite prompt diagnosis and treatment, that TTS can lead to long-term and debilitating health consequences and that TTS has a high death rate. The agency also considered the availability of alternative authorized and approved COVID-19 vaccines which provide protection from COVID-19 and have not been shown to present a risk for TTS. Examples of individuals who may still receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine include: individ-

uals who experienced an anaphylactic reaction after receipt of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, individuals who have personal concerns with receiving mRNA vaccines and would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine and individuals who would remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 due to limited access to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Ongoing Safety Monitoring The FDA has a robust safety surveillance system in place to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines approved and authorized for emergency use. The FDA is monitoring COVID-19 vaccine safety through both passive and active safety surveillance systems in collaboration with the CDC, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other academic and large non-government healthcare data systems.

The revised EUA for the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine was issued to Janssen Biotech Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), News Release - May 5th, 2022

Police in Exuma Investigate the Sudden Death of Two Men and a Woman Detectives from New Providence traveled to the island of Exuma to investigate the deaths of two men and a women, on Friday, May 6th 2022.

Preliminary reports are that shortly after 9:00 a.m., on Friday morning, Police at the George Town Police Station were informed by staff of a local resort that the body of a male was found in one of the Villas unresponsive.

Officers were dispatched and while en route to the scene they were informed that an additional male and female were found unresponsive in another Villa.

On their arrival at the scene, they were directed to the first Villa. On entering a bedroom, they found a caucasian male lying on the ground unresponsive. An examination of the body was conducted, and there was no signs of trauma found. The local doctor later pronounced the victim dead. (The male in the first Villa was later identified in international reports as Vincent Chiarella, who was at the Sandals Resort in Exuma with his wife, Donnis, celebrating an anniversary. Vincent’s wife discovered him on the floor, and she herself, described a family member, said that her legs and arms were swollen.

Donnis was reported to have been airlifted to a hospital in Florida.)

The officers were then directed to the second Villa, where they found a caucasian male slumped against a wall in a bathroom unresponsive. A caucasian female was also found in a bedroom on a bed. She too was unresponsive. Both individuals showed signs of convulsion. The officers examined the bodies and found no signs of trauma. The local doctor later pronounced both persons dead.

Initial Police investigations revealed that the couple found in the second villa complained of illness the previous evening. They attended the local medical facility and on completion of receiving treatment, they returned to their lodging. The coroner was appraised of the facts surrounding both scenes. The Police then awaited an au-

topsy report to determine the exact cause of death and an identification by a next of kin to confirm the identity of the victims. This matter, says Police, remains under active investigation.

Sandals Resort issued a statement saying, “We are actively working to support both the investigation as well as the guest families in every way possible during this difficult time.”

“We can confirm the death of three U.S. citizens in the Bahamas,” the US State Department wrote in a statement to USA TODAY. “We are closely monitoring local authorities’ investigation into the cause of death.

We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the privacy of the families, we have nothing further to add at this time.”

RBPF Update - Monday May 9th: On Monday afternoon, May 9th, 2022 during a virtual Press Briefing hosted by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Bahamas Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul A. Rolle provided updates on the investigation into the sudden deaths of the three American visitors to the island of Exuma on Friday, May 6th, 2022, as follows: “First in our thoughts are the grieving families. We have reached out to the families to offer our condolences and provide them with accurate updates. We have completed the identifications of the three deceased. They are identified as follows: Mr. Michael Phillips, age 68 (male American national and resident of Tennessee, USA); Robbie Phillips, age 65 (female American national and resident of Tennessee, USA). Both of these were the occupants of one villa on the premises of Sandals Resort in Exuma.

“The third deceased is Vincent Paul Chiarella, age 64 (male American national and resident of Florida, USA). He occupied a separate villa with female survivor

and wife, Donnis Chiarella, age 65 (female American national and resident of Florida, USA). Mrs. Chiarella was airlifted to a hospital in Florida and was last listed in serious condition.

“The Pathologist has extracted samples from all of the persons, and our Forensic Scientists have collected those samples for examination. We are actively engaging a lab in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA to assist us with expediting the toxicological examinations of all of these samples. Once those examinations are done, our Pathologist will be able to provide us with an official report as to the exact cause of death, and help us to determine exactly what has happened.

“Our Forensic Scientist also collected samples from both of the rooms on the Sandals property in Exuma to determine whether or not any contaminants are present.

In the meantime, we ask that you rely on official updates which we will seek to provide in a timely manner.

“We are making arrangements to have all of the victims’ property handed over to representatives from the United States Embassy here in Nassau, today. They will also be making arrangements to have the bodies prepared for repatriation to the families in the United States.

“As more information becomes available, we will make it available to you. The family as well as members of the press... The pathologist has consented to doing those autopsies today. We will not have answers on those until I get feedback from the Pathologist... Whenever it is available, we will make it available to you... The investigation is still now ongoing on the site, with representatives from the Department of Environmental Health, as well as Police officers still on the scene” Family members of the deceased, Paul Fountainberry and Austin Chiarella were present at the press conference via digital link and were acknowledged by Commissioner Rolle, ahead of his statement.

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Imagination At Play in the OEF Upcycle Competition The One Eleuthera Foundation, as part of its Earth Day/10th Anniversary Farmer’s Market celebrations hosted on the grounds of the Center for Training and Innovation in Rock Sound on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022, held an Upcycle Competition, where primary and high school students were invited to submit creative works made from recycled materials. The competition was open to students in two age categories: 9-12 and 13-16 years. Participating schools were asked to select one student from each age category to represent the school with their submissions.

Student submissions were displayed in all their colourful glory throughout the day during the 10th Anniversary Farmer’s Market event, before being adjudged.

With a wide range of media, colours and designs entered, on display could be seen sculptures made from recycled cardboard, Winning Junior Entries. paper, wood and more - from palm trees to model fish and floral arrangements, as well as painted works. Six overall winners were chosen. Three in the juniors category and Juniors 1st Place by Layla Goodman. three in the seniors category.

For the juniors, in 1st place was Layla Goodman of Tarpum Bay Primary, in 2nd was Nicardo Barrett from Rock Sound Primary, and 3rd went to Charity Knowles of Emma E. Cooper Primary School. Layla’s first place submission was an attention-grabbing floral arrangement, making use of glass, sand and recycled plastics in bright vibrant colours.

In the senior division, 1st place went to Surdaiynia Sands of North Eleuthera High, in 2nd was Jarvis Thompson, also from North Eleuthera High, and Shania Petty of Central Eleuthera High took 3rd place. Surdaiynia created an elegant single rose paper mache sculpture, with a variety of recycled media, including paper, wood and paint.

Judging criteria for OEF’s 10th Anniversary Upcycle Craft Competition, which was themed, ‘Waste Not, Want Not” scored the students’ creative submissions on their quality and overall appearance, Winning Senior Entries - Seniors 1st Place, Single the individual theme and design, Rose Paper Mache, by Surdaiynia Sands featured originality and imaginative use of Surdaiynia Sands 1st Place Winner Seniors. center. materials, technique and workmanship, as well as interpretation of the competition’s theme. Certificates of particieight primary schools took part including, Gregopation were presented to each student and winry Town Primary, James’ Cistern Primary, Emily G. ners received a trophy and cash prizes: 1st - $75, Petty Primary, Emma E. Cooper Primary, Tarpum 2nd - $50, and 3rd - $25.

Bay Primary, Rock Sound Primary, Wemyss Bight Participating schools in the senior category Primary, and Deep Creek Primary. included North Eleuthera High and Central Eleuthera High schools. In the junior category,

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Isl a n d “B u z z ”

April/May, 2022

Eleuthera Island Jam

Basketball Tournament’s 2022 Return The fifth annual Eleuthera Island Jam basketball tournament was hosted on February 12th at the Eleuthera Bible Training Center in James’ Cistern after missing 2021 due to the pandemic. The ‘Link Year Mission Team’ from Branson, Missouri looked forward to putting on the 2022 tournament after the one-year hiatus, said Teresa Landers, a director at the Bible Training Center, along with her husband, Bill.

Teams from James’ Cistern, Governor’s Harbour, Lower Bogue, Blackwood, and Harbour Island made up the groups participating for bragging rights, and it was a spirited competition from the beginning, described Teresa, with the team from Blackwood defeating James’ Cistern in the opening game. “It was obvious from the start that Blackwood came to play.”

Governor’s Harbour and Harbour Island faced off in the first semi-final match up. Coach Andrew Johnson, a stalwart in the circuit, had his young men from Harbour Island ready to play, and they took the win to move into the finals. Lower Bogue had what appeared on paper to be the strongest team in the field, said Teresa, but Blackwood proved their physical prowess and were the second semi-final victors on the day. This set up the opportunity for Blackwood to play in the finals for

the first time since taking part in the tournament. In the final show down, Harbour Island won the championship game handily as the Blackwood team seemed to ‘run out of gas’ after playing their third game of the evening.

Another highlight of the tournament was the slam dunk competition, where Christopher Grant of Harbour Island took home the trophy. A three-point com-

petition, showcasing young local shooting talent saw Richie Walker on point for the win.

Directors Teresa and Bill Landers expressed a big “thank you” to Adam Donyes, President of Link Year, who had the vision for the annual tournament since its inception, and for providing the trophies and prize money awarded to the successful participating players.

Eleuthera Island Jam 2022 Champions hailing from Harbour Island.

One Ton of Trash Cleared from Eleuthera Roadsides on Earth Day Clean Beaches Eleuthera (CBE) celebrated one year of activism aimed at ridding the island of litter with a coordinated set of cleanup campaigns in three main areas across the island on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022, recognized as Earth Day around the world, including Three Island Dock, Palmetto Point dump roadside, and the roadside between Waterford and Deep Creek.

Slam dunk champion: Christopher Grant.

Eric Wallace, Executive Director with CBE shared that the organization’s one year anniversary activity of cleaning up the roadsides along Eleuthera, resulted in over one ton of trash collected from both roadsides and mangrove areas. “This is only a drop in the bucket

compared to what we had to leave behind, and what continues to exist along the length of our island. However, we are so proud to have stepped in to do our part.”

The one year milestone for CBE, said Mr. Wallace has seen the groups of volunteers remove more than 10,000 pounds of trash from multiple areas around Eleuthera.

Recognizing some of the key volunteers and groups that came together to celebrate and continue the island clean up on Earth Day, Director Wallace expressed, “Special thanks to Harbour Island Green School, Rotaract Club of Eleuthera, Cape Eleuthera Institute & The Island School, Freedom to Read, Inc., Central Eleuthera High School, North Eleuthera Administrative Office, North Eleuthera District Council, Samantha Gierszewski-Fox representing The Eleuthera Tourism Office, all of the volunteers and parents that showed up, and finally MyAliv - our corporate sponsor.”

He urged as many Eleutherans as possible who wanted to join their efforts, to reach out to CBE (cleanbeacheseleuthera@gmail.com, or 825-3209), and invited the public to be a part of their next clean up event at Surfer’s Beach in Gregory Town on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 - set to begin at 10am.

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14.9 million excess deaths associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 Geneva, 5 May 2022 - New estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the full death toll associated directly or indirectly with the COVID-19 pandemic (described as “excess mortality”) between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021 was approximately 14.9 million (range 13.3 million to 16.6 million).

“These sobering data not only point to the impact of the pandemic but also to the need for all countries to invest in more resilient health systems that can sustain essential health services during crises, including stronger health information systems,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “WHO is committed to working with all countries to strengthen their health information systems to generate better data for better decisions and better

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outcomes.”

Excess mortality is calculated as the difference between the number of deaths that have occurred and the number that would be expected in the absence of the pandemic based on data from earlier years.

Excess mortality includes deaths associated with COVID-19 directly (due to the disease) or indirectly (due to the pandemic’s impact on health systems and society). Deaths linked indirectly to COVID-19 are attributable to other health conditions for which people were unable to access prevention and treatment because health systems were overburdened by the pandemic. The estimated number of excess deaths can be influenced also by deaths averted during the pandemic due to lower risks of certain events, like motor-vehicle accidents or occupational injuries.

Most of the excess deaths (84%) are concentrated in South-East Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Some 68% of excess deaths are concentrated in just 10 countries globally.

Middle-income countries account for 81% of the 14.9 million excess deaths (53% in lower-middle-income countries and 28% in upper-middleincome countries) over the 24-month period, with high-income and low-income countries each accounting for 15% and 4%, respectively.

The estimates for a 24-month period (2020 and 2021) include a breakdown of excess mortality by age and sex. They confirm that the global death toll was higher for men than for women (57% male, 43% female) and higher among older adults. The absolute count of the excess deaths is affected by the population size.

The number of excess deaths per

100,000 gives a more objective picture of the pandemic than reported COVID-19 mortality data.

“Measurement of excess mortality is an essential component to understand the impact of the pandemic.

Shifts in mortality trends provide decision-makers information to guide policies to reduce mortality and effectively prevent future crises. Because of limited investments in data systems in many countries, the true extent of excess mortality often remains hidden,” said Dr Samira Asma, Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery at WHO. “These new estimates use the best available data and have been produced using a robust methodology and a completely transparent approach.”

“Data is the foundation of our work every day to promote health,

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EBO Keynote 2022 the year, to ensure produce not fit for market can be processed into value-added products like jams, jellies, dried fruit, chips and the like... We are also committed to ensuring that every farmer has a market for their products locally, regionally, and hopefully to the export markets where feasible. Through the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Board, we are creating guidelines for the use of pesticides, labelling and eventually implement regulations that will ensure that our products grown meet all international standards... Our farmers and entrepreneurs need access to international markets, and we as a ministry intend to provide them.”

trepreneurs with fully developing their business ideas... The Bahamas Development Bank met with residents about six weeks ago and highlighted opportunities available to be tapped into. I encourage entrepreneurs to take take advantage of the opportunities that are becoming available to them.”

Touching on the agricultural focus of his ministry, Mr. Sweeting stated, “We recently reopened the Hatchet Bay Packing House, and have arms of both BAIC and BAMSI on the island and we will be installing a processing kitchen before the end of

Providing more detail about the immediate term functionalities planned for the Hatchet Bay Packing House after his presentation, Minister Sweeting described, “The Hatchet Bay Packing House will be equipped with scales, sorting and grading equipment as well as shelving and packaging materials for transport. Some of these equipment are specialized and as there is a challenge globally with the procurement of some of these items. Currently, the packing house is able to receive goods and transport the items to North Eleuthera to be sorted, weighed and boxed to be shipped. At the packing house in Hatchet Bay the staff currently engage in farm inspections, farmers registrations and obtain permits for importing animals, permits for importing plants and inspection of the same.”

He also highlighted efforts to make certain government services more available, saying, “Under

this ministry I’m creating help desks throughout the Family Islands to ensure that government services are accessible, and for our older members in communities we must provide the assistance to them to maintain access to these services. Additionally, many second homeowners require access to services. A Department of Inland Revenue office will be opened in Governor’s Harbour in a few weeks to ensure that government revenue is collected in real property taxes, business license and other avenues.”

Tapping into Minister Sweeting’s comment on the need for population growth, he was asked about the progress of the new government subdivisions announced during Housing Minister Jobeth Coleby’s visit to Eleuthera during the final quarter of 2021.

Minister Sweeting informed that plans for the housing subdivision in Rock Sound and Lower Bogue are completed, and added, “We understand that the community of Hatchet Bay is unable to grow as there is no available land to extend the community.

We have devised a plan to negotiate that a parcel of land be transferred to Housing to provide a new subdivision with homes and lots available in particular for the residents of Hatchet Bay. Once this is completed Housing and The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation will be coming to Eleuthera to host it’s Housing Fair as it has done on Grand Bahama, Abaco and in New Providence. We want to be able to ensure that everything is in order to have them come and complete all three areas one time.”

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Junior Achievement (JA) Program in Eleuthera Announces its Most Distinguished Achievers

Group of Distinguished Achievers Receiving Awards and Trophies The Junior Achievement (JA) program in Eleuthera, facilitated through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, hosted its closing out ceremony for the 2021/2022 school year on Thursday, April 28th, 2022, at St. Luke’s Parish Hall in Rock Sound, beginning at 6pm.

The culmination of the awards evening was the naming of the Most Dintinguished Achiever, and the four runners up, with generous scholarships being awarded - made available through a grant provided by Disney Cruise Lines to the Junior Achievement Bahamas program for Junior Achievement in Eleuthera.

According to Ms. Clara Young, with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture - through Disney’s grants and sponsorship, the Junior Achievement program in Eleuthera during the 2021/2022 year was able to engage 1,000 students in schools throughout the island. Elementary JA programs from K3 and K4 to grades 6 were done at Wemyss Bight Primary, Deep Creek Primary, Green Castle Primary, Rock Sound Primary, and Tarpum Bay Primary schools.

Junior High JA programs for 7th to 9th graders were hosted at the North Eleuthera High School and the Harbour Island All Age School. While the signature JA ‘Company Program’ for high school seniors in grades 10 to 12, took place at Preston H. Albury High, Central Eleuthera High, North Eleuthera High and Harbour Island All Age schools.

The JA awards evening saw Lynette Farrington, an 11th grader at Preston H. Albury High School with the Superior Stallions JA Company take the top spot as the Most Distinguished Achiever.

She received a $5,000 scholarship. The four runners up for Most Dintinguished Achiever were: 2nd Place - Ms. Carleah Culmer of the Central Eleuthera High Sentinel Solutions JA Company (11th Grade) who won a $4,000 scholarship; 3rd Place - John Deleveaux (11th Grade) who won a $3,000 scholarship; 4th Place - Tashae Brown of the North Eleuthera High Crusaders JA Company (10th Grade) who won a $2,000 scholarship; and 5th Place - Samuel Hanna of the Central Eleuthera High Sentinel Solutions JA Company (12th Grade) who won a $1,000 scholarship.

Other trophies and awards were also presented during the evening, including for the Most Distinguished Officers during the 2021/2022 year.

On the right: Most Dinguished Achiever - Lynette Farrington

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Regattas, Homecomings, Festivals kickoff for the first time since 2020

Above: Minister Clay Sweeting (center) announcing kickoff of Festivals Season.

On April 14th, 2022 ahead of the Easter holiday weekend, The Hon. Clay Sweeting Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs announced the re-launch of regattas, homecomings and festivals throughout the islands of the Bahamas.

Speaking during a press conference at the ministry he added these magnificent events are known as the heartbeat of the Islands as they create numerous opportunities for Family Islanders.

“Regattas are responsible for the birth of many businesses including boatbuilding,

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sailmaking, fisheries, straw work, T-shirt manufacturing, culinary arts, music, folk arts entrepreneurship, transportation and hospitality and tourism,” Minister Sweeting said.

Timing could not be better for the festivals and homecomings season in Eleuthera, which runs the length of the year, beginning on the Easter weekend (April 15th to 18th), with the Rock Sound and James’ Cistern homecomings, which both managed to organize events within their townships for the holiday. Minister Sweeting, stopped in at the Rock Sound

homecoming site as they kicked off the weekend events - throwing the first ball of a friendly slow-pitch softball match being held on the grounds of the Rock Sound primary school, as part of the holiday festivities.

Fish Fry events also returned in March of 2022, with organizers of the Friday night Governor’s Harbour Fish Fry, experiencing their earliest sellout ever on their first return weekend. “After 25 months, we are now back up full speed,” said Teddy Petty - a key organizer. “We are at 95%

to 100% of our normal customer levels - people are now back. On our first night open, by 8:30 pm all the food was gone. First time I’d seen that in my life. We had ‘hundreds’ of people out here,” he described.

Ministry of Tourism officials on island have also confirmed the return of the Gregory Town Pineapple Festival on June 3rd and 4th this year, as well as Harbour Island’s signature ‘Back Yard Festival’, set for Saturday, May 21st, 2022.

Above and Below: Governor’s Harbour Fish Fry doing brisk business.

14.9 Million Excess Deaths/WHO

keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. We know where the data gaps are, and we must collectively intensify our support to countries, so that every country has the capability to track outbreaks in realtime, ensure delivery of essential health services, and safeguard population health,” said Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, Assistant Director-General for Emergency Response.

The production of these estimates is a result of a global collaboration supported by the work of the Technical Advisory Group for COVID-19 Mortality Assessment and country consultations.

This group, convened jointly by the WHO and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), consists of many of the world’s leading experts, who developed an innovative methodology to generate comparable mortality estimates even where data are incomplete or unavailable.

This methodology has been invaluable as many countries still lack capacity for reliable mortality surveillance and therefore do not collect and generate the data needed to calculate excess

mortality. Using the publicly available methodology, countries can use their own data to generate or update their own estimates.

“The United Nations system is working together to deliver an authoritative assessment of the global toll of lives lost from the pandemic. This work is an important part of UN DESA’s ongoing collaboration with WHO and other partners to improve global mortality estimates,” said Mr Liu Zhenmin, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

Mr Stefan Schweinfest, Director of the Statistics Division of UN DESA, added: “Data deficiencies make it difficult to assess the true scope of a crisis, with serious consequences for people’s lives. The pandemic has been a stark reminder of the need for better coordination of data systems within countries and for increased international support for building better systems, including for the registration of deaths and other vital events.

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Above: MP Sweeting greets constituents during softball game at the Rock Sound Homecoming.

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DPM Cooper Tours South Eleuthera with Family, Visits NE Airport

Above: DPM Chester Cooper with his family, touring facilities at The Island School.

On Friday, May 6th, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister, Chester Cooper, traveled with his family to South Eleuthera, where he visited The Island School at Cape Eleuthera, and received a full tour of the campus. He also visited and was given a tour of the Deep Creek Middle School. Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, Minister Clay Sweeting, also accompanied DPM Cooper. After seeing what was being done at the research and educational facilites DPM Cooper, who was also Acting Prime Minister at the time as Prime Minister Davis was attending a number of events

outside of the country, commented, saying, “My tour at Island School was simply incredible. I learnt a lot today about food security, sustainable living and ecotourism. I was truly inspired by what I saw here.”

Following the campus tours in South Eleuthera, the group flew into North Eleuthera airport where, according to Minister Sweeting, they further assessed and looked at the plans for the new airport, and discussed immediate solutions to help deal with passengers having to stand outdoors in all weather conditions.

Dr. Paulette Bethel Commissioned as Bahamas Ambassador-Designate to the People’s Republic of China

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Cynthia A. Pratt, Deputy to the Governor General, administered the Commission and Oath of Office to Her Excellency Paulette Bethel, Ph.D., Ambassador-Designate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the People’s Republic of China during a brief ceremony at the Office of the Governor General, on April 14th, 2022. The Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service gave remarks. (BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson)

Above: DPM Chester Cooper with his family, greeting students at the Deep Creek Middle School.

Picture this...

The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service, the Honourable Alfred Sears, MP, QC, met with His Excellency Julio César GONZÁLEZ Marchante, Ambassador-Designate of the Republic of Cuba to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, for the presentation of his Copie d’Usage on Wednesday, May 4th, 2022.

Following the brief presentation ceremony, Minister Sears and Ambassa

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Warship (Guided Missile Destroyer)

USS Porter Visits Nassau

over 125 Bahamians daily.

“As a Forward Deployed Naval ForcesEurope ship, it is an incredible opportunity for Porter crew to cross the Atlantic and enjoy the beautiful Bahamas,” said Cmdr. Christopher Petro, Porter’s commanding officer. “After completing demanding maritime operations, training and certifications, the crew and I are eagerly looking forward to experiencing warm Bahamian hospitality and enjoying the beautiful beaches, culture and local sights of The Bahamas.”

Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe attended the reception and offered remarks to the crew and guests.

“Next year we will celebrate 50 years of independence, and you celebrate 246 years of independence. That makes you quite a bit older than us. We accept you as our big brother, and standing on a vessel like this… it’s kind of good to have a big brother like you.”

“We accept you as our big brother, and standing on a vessel like this… it’s kind of good to have a big brother like you.”

USS Porter 3: Commanding Officer Cmdr. Christopher Petro (left), gives official USS Porter gifts to The Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security (right) during a reception held onboard USS Porter on April 2, 2022. (Photo credit: U.S. Embassy Nassau) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter visited the port of Nassau, The Bahamas, April 3rd-7th, with a crew of 338 officers. The ship’s arrival marked the first time a U.S. Navy vessel has visited The Bahamas since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“This port visit is a wonderful illustration of our partnership,” Pitts said during the reception. “We have to remember that some country will patrol the ocean, will make a show of force, and will hold other countries accountable for their behavior. I thank God it is the U.S. doing it.”

The port visit began with a high-level reception aboard USS Porter co-hosted by ship Cmdr.

Christopher Petro and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Usha Pitts.

This port visit, said the U.S Embassy, “provided an opportunity to strengthen an important bilateral partnership between maritime neighbors, which is essential

dor-Designate González discussed a few matters of mutual interest, including among them: (1) multilateral relations and cooperation between The Bahamas and Cuba through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), through the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the United Nations, as well as candidatures to international organisations; (2) continued strengthening in areas of common interest, especially health, education and agriculture; and (3) shared goals and concerns with regard to climate change, especially its impacts on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

With regard to climate change, Ambassador-Designate González and Minister Sears spoke to the restoration of infrastructure, building resilience, legislation concerning carbon credits, and pursuance of sustainable policies. Minister Sears expressed the strong commitment of The Bahamas to solarise its energy sector and the Government’s commitment to incorporate renewable energy by 2030.

During the discussion, Minister Sears also extended gratitude to the Government of Cuba for its continued assistance, particularly following Hurricane Dorian. He mentioned that he had travelled to

to regional stability. Port visits by U.S. Navy ships also boost commercial activity and stimulate the local economy during their stay, as sailors spend time on shore leave.”

Several sailors also volunteered at The Bahamas Red Cross center to help their Community Resilience and Food Security Pilot Program.

It was the sailors’ first engagement upon leaving the ship, where they worked on raised garden beds and planted vegetable seeds that will support a feeding program serving

Cuba and had an admiration for Cuba’s generosity and hospitality.

Ambassador-Designate González emphasised the commitment of the Government of Cuba to continued cooperation with The Bahamas.

In closing, Minister Sears expressed appreciation for the sustained cooperation in areas of collaboration between the two countries and stated that The Bahamas looked forward to continuing to nourish and deepen its fraternal ties with the Government of the Republic of Cuba. Source: Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 4th, 2022

USS Porter is one of four destroyers based in Rota, Spain, and assigned to support NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture. “Completed in 1996, USS Porter has used its unique capabilities to protect global security for over 25 years. After the Syrian regime used illegal chemical weapons on civilians in the town of Khan Shaykhun in 2017, Porter launched Tomahawk missiles at the Shayrat Airbase in Homs. And in 2007, after receiving a distress call from a tanker under attack by pirates, Porter sank two pirate skiffs pillaging commercial ships off the coast of Somalia,” described the U.S. Embassy.

Source: Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy - April 12th, 2022

(USS Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class of guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) is a United States Navy class of destroyer built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multi-function passive electronically scanned array radar. These warships were designed as multi-mission destroyers, able to fulfill the strategic land strike role with Tomahawk missiles; anti-aircraft warfare (AAW) role with powerful Aegis radar and surface-to-air missiles; anti-submarine warfare (ASW) with towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopter; and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) with Harpoon missile launcher.

With upgrades to their AN/SPY-1 phased radar systems and their associated missile payloads as part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the ships of this class have also begun to demonstrate some promise as mobile anti-ballistic missile and anti-satellite weaponry platforms, operating on 15 ships as of March 2009. The ships of the Arleigh Burke class are among the largest destroyers built in the United States.)

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Hepatitis alert

and E viruses were not identified among any of the affected children. Clinical outcomes thus far have varied, with 10% requiring liver transplantation.

On 18 April 2022, the United States of America IHR National Focal Point (NFP) reported a total of 9 cases of acute hepatitis among children aged 1 to 6 years to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO); the cases were identified between 2 October 2021 and 21 February 2022.

Among the 9 cases, 7 were female, and all 9 cases presented with signs and symptoms com-

patible with different stages of hepatitis (scleral jaundice, jaundice, hepatomegaly, encephalopathy, and elevated transaminases). Two children required liver transplantation, whereas the rest of the cases were managed clinically. Adenovirus type 41 was identified in whole blood samples by RT-PCR in 5 of the 9 cases. A possible association between cases of severe acute hepatitis in the pediatric population and adenovirus infection is currently being investigated.

Handy Tip! DIY Painting &

n e a rby PAHO/WHO Note: The etiology of the cases remains under investigation. Laboratory tests are ongoing to understand the underlying mechanism and the potential association of the cases to infectious agents, chemicals, and toxins. The cases have no obvious epidemiological risk factors, including recent international travel. Most of the reported cases have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.

The investigation remains ongoing, and a priority on determining the disease etiology to better inform prevention and control measures. This requires identifying additional cases and conducting further tests.

PAHO/WHO shares this technical note to maintain Member States’ awareness.

Information will be shared as it becomes available.

In the Region of the Americas, considering the circulation of the yellow fever virus in several areas, as well as the presence of endemic areas for malaria, testing for these diseases in addition to hepatitis A-E testing should be considered.

------FURTHER Information on Hepatitis and adenovirus: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can cause several health problems and can be deadly. Several factors can cause inflammation of the liver. The five

April/May, 2022

main viruses involved in liver inflammation are the hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses.

Viral hepatitis represents a high burden of disease and mortality worldwide with an estimated 1.1 million deaths each year. It is estimated that 57% of cases of liver cirrhosis and 78% of cases of primary liver cancer are due to hepatitis B or C virus infections.

Adenoviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses that are spread by close personal contact, respiratory droplets, and fomites. There are more than 50 immunologically distinct types of adenoviruses that can cause infections in humans.

Adenoviruses usually cause respiratory diseases but depending on the type of adenovirus they can cause other diseases such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, cystitis and, less commonly, neurological diseases. There is no specific treatment for adenovirus infections.

Adenovirus type 41 commonly causes acute pediatric gastroenteritis, which typically presents with diarrhea, vomiting, and fever; it can often be accompanied by respiratory symptoms. Rare cases of hepatitis caused by adenoviruses have been reported in immunocompromised children, but so far there is no available evidence indicating that adenovirus type 41 is a cause of hepatitis in otherwise healthy children.

Purse Making Tips Each month, learn a bit about do-it-yourself painted designs and purse making with valuable tips and expert advice: TIP 6.

Marketing your product on social media is essential. Be sure to take lots of great photos with a non-distracting background to keep the main thing, the main thing. Be sure to have your contacts details available or where the product can be purchased.

Mother’s Day Baskets presented to four elderly mothers of Wemyss Bight Visit us online at: www.PaintWithTexture.com and Watch Our Free Video Tutorials.

On Friday 6th May, 2022 Ch. Supt Shanta Knowles led a team of officers from the Eleuthera Division on a walkabout in the settlement of Wemyss Bight. During the walkabout four elderly mothers of the community were recognized and presented with Mother’s Day baskets.

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Picture this: CARIFTA Returns

Photo Caption: The Prime Minister is pictured, centre, with the athletes on the Friday evening, during the pep talk prior to the games, and also on Saturday, during the games -- cheering the athletes on along with Bahamian fans.

During the Easter Holiday weekend in April, The 49th CARIFTA Games were hosted in Kingston, Jamaica. Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, and gave support to the Bahamas Carifta Track and Field Team that competed there beginning Saturday, April 16th, 2022. On the evening before, he asked them to do their best, saying, “we are standing with you and

will be here to encourage you.”

The 54-member Bahamas team in the 2022 CARIFTA Games finished second overall in the competition behind Jamaica, with 17 medals – four gold, six silver and seven bronze medals. There were some national and championship performances from the Bahamian team, including record breaking performances from Keyshawn Strachan

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(U-20 Boys javelin), Dior-Rae Scott (U-17 Girls javelin), Brenden Vanderpool (U-20 Boys pole vault) and Curtis Mitchell (U-20 Boys 5,000m).

The Bahamas was also successful in its bid to host the 50th Carifta Games in 2023.

Q1 Economic Remarks

slow inflation, and could particularly dampen the medium-term post-recovery prospects for tourism. In the meantime, the inflation on imported fuel and other goods and services is expected to add to the leakage rate of foreign exchange from the economy. So far as oil prices are concerned, inflation could also make international travel less affordable—a potential drag on tourism. There are also lingering gaps in health system infrastructures at home and abroad, that could lead to frustration from additional waves of COVID-19 infections.

While there, therefore, remains a net positive outlook for near-term growth and the potential for accumulation of external reserves, efforts must continue to strengthen the economy’s resilience. For its part, the Central Bank expects to maintain a cautious, but balanced, approach to managing foreign exchange risks, and to safeguarding the stability of the financial sector.

The Central Bank will also sustain its focus on improving financial inclusion as this would provide enhanced medium-term benefits to the economy.