Friday, December 29, 2023
Weekend
entertainment interview gardening history drinks puzzles beauty culture
NYE in Paradise Page 11
Joining the rush First time feeling the exhilaration of Junkanoo for Tribune reporter pgs 08 +09
02 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, December 29, 2023
drinks
Creativity is the name of the game for Bartistry finalists Bartenders to compete for grand prize early in the new year
By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
T
HE individual with the best skills at concocting cocktails will soon be crowned king or queen of the Bartistry Mixology competition. The grand finale had been postponed, but a new date for January will soon be announced soon. The competition is presented by Commonwealth Brewery Limited and was created to support the local mixology community, as the company considers bartenders to be creatives, innovators and connoisseurs in their own right. The competition this year featured brands such as Tanqueray, Johnnie Walker, Casamigos, Don Julio, Ketel One and Zacapa Rum. For the competition, bartenders are encouraged to be as creative as possible and really showcase their abilities. After several rounds of competition, three mixologists emerged as the finalists. They are Ranell “Joe” Blacks, Sanrio Munroe and Brenton Dames. “The idea is to stir innovation among the craftsmen who shake up cocktails behind the bars of the top restaurants in the Bahamas. This is so can they inspire consumers to reimagine the way they drink and enrich their sips,” said Natori Austin, CBL Brand Representative for Spirits. “Bartistry is a mixology competition introduced by Commonwealth Brewery to provide a platform to showcase talented and passionate bartenders in the industry. The competition is meant to inspire creativity amongst bartenders to enhance the cocktail culture in the Bahamas as we know it. This is the fourth annual competition where mixologists are competing for bragging rights and a grand cash prize. The first place winner will receive $2,000, the
second place winner $1,000 and third place $500. For the preliminaryround in November, CBL visited several renowned bars in New Providence where judges conducted internal competitions among their in-house bartenders. Each participant in the internal competition had to develop their own personalised spin on a classic cocktail selected at random. Classic cocktails in the line-up were a margarita, a Dutch mule, a Bees Knees, and a whiskey sour. During this round, judges were served iconic drinks like a pina colada margarita cocktail medley dubbed “A Little Shade of Coconut”; “Beating Around the Bush” inspired by popular culinary pairings featuring Don Julio Tequila, basil, mango, jalapeños, and thyme; an inventive Tanqueray honey herbal tea blend called “These Tings”, and many more. For the semi-final round, which took place earlier this month, the top
10 competitors who advanced from the preliminaries participated. This time around, competitors were given more free rein and were allowed to select any featured brand to develop any cocktail of their choosing. During this segment, bartenders took their creativity to even newer heights and prepared cocktails like a peanut butter infused espresso martini featuring Johnnie Walker; a Ketel One mixture elevated by flavours of apple, cucumber, and elderflower; a festive Casamigos tequila libation that delivered peach cobbler inspired ingredients into a glass, and a Ron Zacapa mix that played a twist on the traditional Miami Vice daiquiri by delivering hints of pineapple, coconut and red peppers. “In all rounds, participants were judged on the criteria of flavour analysis, backstory of the cocktail, knowledge of the spirit brand used, craft and hosting ability,” said Natori.
The Tribune | Weekend | 03
Friday, December 29, 2023
entertainment
A look back at a very entertaining 2023 By CARA HUNT | Tribune Features Writer | cbrennen@tribunemedia.net
T
he year 2023 proved to be a year of celebration as Bahamians observed the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence and a further return to normalcy following the restrictions of the COIVD-19 pandemic. The Independence Secretariat was credited with providing a year-long schedule of events, ensuring that there was something for everyone who wanted to celebrate the historic milestone. Events included the family fun days, a gospel concert, a tea party, gala banquet, a Bahamian fashion show, a 1973-inspired party, and a distinguished lecture series. The highlight of the events was of course, the ecumenical service, military tattoo and cultural show which took place on Fort Charlotte on July 10 before a moving flag-raising ceremony. One of the men raising the flag was sergeant Mark Taylor, the grandson of Sergeant Irvin Taylor, who helped raise our flag for the first time in 1973. The celebrations showcased the best of Bahamians and their deep sense of national pride.
The year also saw another special birthday: 100 JAMZ celebrated its 30th anniversary. The radio station’s birthday celebrations included a block party and a concert by reggae great Tarrus Riley. The concert was held at the new Nassau Cruise Port Amphitheatre. The entire cruise area has undergone a massive $300-million transformation with a sixth berth for docking, shopping areas, a restaurant and a Junkanoo museum. The amphitheatre can seat 3,500 people and has already played host to a number of well-attended events throughout the year. Atlantis Paradise celebrated its 25th anniversary, bringing Lizzo and The Chainsmokers, celebrity host and deejay Nick Cannon, among others, to the Bahamas. The resort also held its Nassau/ Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival in March, showcasing world-renowned top chefs and TV personalities, including Duff Goldman, Alex Guarnaschelli, JJ Johnson, Aarón Sánchez, and Andrew Zimmern, along with musical guests Grammy awardwinning artist Wyclef Jean and
reality TV star and celebrity DJ Kim Lee. It also became the only destination in the region with three Michelin star-rated chefs Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu), José Andrés (Fish) and Michael White (Paranza). Meanwhile, Baha Mar hosted multi Grammy award winner Sting at its Culinary Arts Festival. He was joined on stage by reggae star Shaggy. The year saw a pre-COVID level return to several beloved annual
events such as Paradise Plates, Transforming Spaces, the International Culture, Wine and Food Festival, Jollification and the Wine and Arts Festival, and the One Blood concert series, as well as Junkanoo Carnival. One of the most talked about events of the year didn’t actually happen. Popular Nigerian singer Burna Boy was scheduled to perform on December 16, but the concert was postponed indefinitely due to inclement weather.
04 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, December 29, 2023
interview
Jaydian Miller Getting out of the starting blocks and achieving success can be challenging for many young Bahamian athletes. But this former track and field athlete is determined to simplify the process as much as possible. He tells Cara Hunt about his programme to help students get maximum international exposure without them needing to leave home.
A
s the founder of J Miller and Company, Jaydian Miller offers his clients services such as the Legacy Nation Sports Performance Training programme, as well as scouting and professional speaking lessons. Jaydian, who himself was a track and field athlete, explained that he started the company back in 2018 after he realised that there was a need for such services. “No one was to my knowledge providing assistance where they would hold your hand every step of the way; from helping you to create a highlight reel, to sending it off and even helping you with immigration and visa applications. But we can help you with all of that,” he told Tribune Weekend. Jaydian said a highlight reel is one of the best tools to ensure that an athlete can achieve success, but a bad one can severally limit their prospects. “The highlight is just a video that showcases an athlethe’s abilties. So when I am doing one for a client, I ask them to send me three videos of their three best games. And then I edit it down to showcase three clips that each highlight a particular skill,” he said. Of course, Jaydian said the skills displayed reflect the different sports - pitching, hitting and catching for baseball, three-point shooting, scoring and rebounding for basketball, for example. “In addition to the three clips, I would also send the best entire game out,” he said. Jaydian explained that this way he can reach more than 3,000 scouts and recruiters all over North America. “I want to dispel that myth that you need to travel for these opportunities, because you can stay right at home and have people see how you play. Not everyone has the resources to travel multiple places,” he said. Once an offer is made, Jaydian will assist in helping with all the immigration and contract paperwork. He also noted how vital it is that the athletes are aware of how important it is to make the most of these opportunities. “I always tell my athletes that I can help you get your foot in the door, but it is up to you to stay in the house. If you are a student athlete, then your priority is to be a student. If you don’t keep your grades up, or your conduct is out of line, then you won’t be allowed to play. And if you are not allowed to play, then you are a detriment to the team. Coaches need to know that they can depend on you,” he said. One of his most recent success stories is Zachary Gibson.
The Tribune | Weekend | 05
Friday, December 29, 2023
The former Freedom Farm Tainos pitcher and outfielder always dreamed of playing baseball on a collegiate level. His uncle Kareem Gibson recognised his talent from an early age and contacted Jaydian in Spring. “April is very late in the recruiting process for a male 12th grade athlete. We had to to work quickly. Once Zachary’s full game footage was filmed and highlight video created through utilising various clips, his recruiting process began in early May,” explained Jaydian. “Zachary’s highlight video and other important information was sent to 1,762 collegiate baseball coaches in NCAA Divisions I and II, NAIA, USCAA and NJCAA. Within a month of Zachary’s information being sent out, he was recruited by numerous coaches and signed a letter of intent to play for Bay College, a Division II junior college in Escanaba, Michigan.” Success stories like Zachary’s are what drive Jaydian to continue to seek out the best opportunities for his clients. “It just makes me so happy when I can help someone see their dream come true. Our Legacy Nation highlight and scouting programme believes in providing athletes with maximum exposure to US and Canada college coaches. There are so many athletes with character who are left behind
this
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outside of financial reasons and academic performance because they are either not the coach’s favourite, not displaying the top times, distances or performances at that particular time, not passing the eye test, not being promoted to college coaches at all or not getting maximum exposure to college coaches,” he said. “There is a college home for every athlete who has the skill, will and academics. So with the thousands of college coaches that are in our organisation’s database, it definitely helps with getting them maximum exposure. “I want every parent to know that if your son or daughter plays great here at home, gets their games filmed professionally and properly edited for college recruiting purposes by our organisation, they can be recruited from here and don’t have to leave the country on a consistent basis to play in US tournaments.”
JAYDIAN Miller with Zachary Gibson, a former Freedom Farm Tainos pitcher and outfielder, and a recent success story of the J Miller and Company sports performance training programme.
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26 Anglers got upset in Beaufort force 9 (6,4) 27 Touched a soft material (4)
06 | The Tribune | Weekend
Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.
THE ALPHABEATER
I J A T R A N S Y S C A N D I N A V
TARGET Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
AGN T I N M I A
● The Target uses words in the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)
HOW many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each must contain the centre letter and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No plurals. Verb forms ending in S permitted. TODAY’S TARGET Good 12; very good 18; excellent 24 (or more). Solution tomorrow
Call 0907 181 2585 Yesterday’s
for today’s Target solution
Sudoku Answer *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.
BATTLESHIPS CRYPTIC PUZZLE Across 1 Spouse left bather embarrassed (6,4) 6 It’s a new variety of wine (4) 10 Feeling unusually frail (5) 11 Remind one that it’s time for church? (4,1,4) 12 News flash causing a furrowed brow? (8) 13 Liberal politician gets in the beer (5) 15 It could make me a lord (7) 17 Four make an appearance in a trial of no importance (7) 19 They play soccer in the Spanish squares (7) 21 Lets gin cocktail sparkle (7) 22 Well-known - like scores of orchestral pieces (5) 24 Youngster ate green fresh produce (8) 27 Do such animals live only from day to day? (9) 28 Indeed all the odd bits are perfect (5) 29 Keep them about you for emergencies (4) 30 It’s employed in the distribution of perfumery (5,5)
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Down 1 Polish enthusiast (4) 2 Not altogether how an undergraduate is working? (2,1,6) 3 Hesitantly stated a colour and was wrong (5) 4 It’s more his sort of bravery (7) 5 Humane process of line and net (7) 7 Skins turned up to show the nap (5) 8 Unhealthy antagonism? (3,7) 9 Japanese ceremonial departure (4-4) 14 Instantly but not there and then (4,3,3) 16 It’s terrible how Freud gets the lad confused (8) 18 You’d be the last person to find yourself here (2,3,4) 20 Cast in a devilish form (7) 21 Troublemaker disposed to linger about May 1st (7) 23 Tom comes up with it that’s understood (5) 25 Sadly I am taken in by the false identity (5) 26 Scope for entertainment (4)
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Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Scallop, 5 Ghana, 8 Poke fun at, 9 Air, 10 Rift, 12 Dividend, 14 Serene, 15 Volume, 17 Cardigan, 18 Stow, 21 Elm, 22 In no doubt, 24 Dotty, 25 Tragedy. Down: 1 Super, 2 Ask, 3 Loft, 4 Pundit, 5 Get rid of, 6 As a result, 7 Abridge, 11 Far from it, 13 Infinity, 14 Succeed, 16 Gannet, 19 Witty, 20 Idea, 23 Use.
Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Bunches, 5 Aides, 8 Well-spent, 9 Ski, 10 Slap, 12 Spanking, 14 Cognac, 15 Ostler, 17 Piastres, 18 Arts, 21 Bus, 22 Lanzarote, 24 Erase, 25 Spiders. Down: 1 Bowls, 2 Nil, 3 Hist, 4 Sleepy, 5 Astonish, 6 Distiller, 7 Snigger, 11 Aegean Sea, 13 Pastille, 14 Capable, 16 Feints, 19 Seeps, 20 Bali, 23 Ole.
EASY PUZZLE
Across 1 Mule or llama for example (4,6) 6 Old (4) 10 Sporting contest (5) 11 Requiring great strength (9) 12 Fearful (8) 13 Slight colouring (5) 15 Perpendicular (7) 17 Superficial (7) 19 Portion of food served (7) 21 Open-air (7) 22 Attack violently (3,2) 24 Casual (8) 27 Interpret (9) 28 An assumed appearance (5) 29 Only (4) 30 Colony (10)
Down 1 Question persistently (4) 2 Principal church of diocese (9) 3 Detest (5) 4 Restrain (7) 5 Stuffy (7) 7 Scrape together (5) 8 Drudgery (10) 9 Deduct (8) 14 Despite its shortcomings (4,2,2,2) 16 Plausibility (8) 18 One closely resembling another (4-5) 20 Make a face (7) 21 Unconventional (7) 23 Beaten path (5) 25 Scoundrel (5) 26 Eliminating contest (4)
FIND where the fleet of ships shown is hidden in the grid. The numbers to the right of and below the grid indicate how many of the squares in that row are filled in with ships or parts of ships. The ships do not touch each other, even diagonally. Some squares have been filled in to start you off. Solution tomorrow 1
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3 x Destroyer
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4 x Submarine
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CAN you crack the Alphabeater? Each grid TARGET THE ALPHA Extra lett number represents a letter – or black square. 0907 18 Across: Thrown, Ka egoist ensign AsSINGLETON in Alphapuzzle, every lettergelt of the alphabet (Deduct three Obverse, Rigid, gent gilt glisten the grid extraPon clue is used. But gist you glen haveglint to complete too! each Bossy, Duke, Heart, gone ingest ingle ingot legion legit Use the given letters and black squares below Full sol Pencil. lingo loge login long thelentigo grid toling start. The grid is ‘rotationallyFringe, 0907Cha 18 Down: Stroppy, longest losing nesting nestling symmetrical’ otherogle words, cost 80p Prevent, *Calls Maxim, Swp nong nosing– in noting signit looks the your telephon same if you turn the page upside down. Requisite, Barrack, signet sing singe single singlet network acce Solution tomorrow Auspice, Anode, Re SINGLETON sling slog snog soling song sting stoning tensing tigon A ting 18 tinge 4 tingle 12 toeing 13 21 tong 15 toning20 B C 4 17 18 25 26 22 21 D E 21 1 15 3 16 34 10 F G 2 5 21 38 19 7 19 H I 40 29 6 23 4 15 12 J 35 5 20 36 K 38 26 7 L 12 M 13 34 27 27 24 3 N Yesterday’s 22 19 25 35 29 30 O 9 Kakuro Answer P 5 2 21 Q 33 34 21 6 R 26 22 6 S 34 20 15 7 T 23 U 21 11 37 26 31 4 V W 15 17 19 32 12 38 36 X 37 4 19 39 10 11 Y 2 Z
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● Alternatively, for six Extra Letter clues to your mobil text DXBEAT to 64343. Texts cost £1 plus your usual opera
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The Tribune | Weekend | 07
Friday, December 29, 2023
beauty
A vision of beauty T By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net
WENTY-three-yearold entrepreneur Philesha Taylor has some big dreams for her newly launched homemade body care business. She would like to see it one day became as big as the popular Bath & Body Works brand. And she will stop at nothing to see this dream come true. Her first big steps towards this lofty goal was celebrating the grand opening of her brand, Virju Beauty. The store is Philesha’s first business venture - a new and vibrant beauty studio located at #7 Hollywood Subdivision off Cowpen Road. She named the store after her grandmothers Virginia and Judy, who have been two influential figures in her life. The grand opening was attended by enthusiastic supporters, friends, family and members of the local beauty community, who joined Philesha in celebrating this significant milestone. The event showcased the beauty studio’s offerings and provided a glimpse into the passion and dedication behind Virju Beauty. Opening her own store has always been a dream for Philesha, but it took taking a leap of faith last January to make it become a reality. The beauty studio boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, reflecting Philesha’s passion for beauty and the love she received from her grandmothers. Virju Beauty offers a range of services designed to cater to the diverse beauty needs of women throughout the Bahamas. There is a wide selection of beauty products available for purchase, including body butters and scrubs with invigorating scents like mint chocolate chip, watermelon, pink dragon fruit, scarlet summer, caramel dream, and the already soldout, Bahama Bae. Philesha credits her success to hard work, sacrifice and her unwavering faith in God. She wants to inspire young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and emphasises that with dedication, one can achieve success at any age. “Entrepreneurship is very important. I think it’s important to show
not just my peers, but also the generation to come that having a dream of owning your own business is just as achievable as getting your ‘dream job’,” she said. “As a Black woman, it’s my belief that taking a leap into entrepreneurship tells those that look like me that they can do it as well. In our Bahamian society, I think we have pushed the narrative of getting a good education, because in a majority Black country that was the only way out for the generation before us. Our Black grandmothers and grandfathers were not given the same opportunities we have today. They have paved the way so we can take the leap for them, so now is the time to change the narrative. Now is the time to stop telling our kids to get a good education so that you can get a good job, but start to say get a good education or a skill so that you could work for yourself if you wish.” And while she is a strong proponent of entrepreneurship, she admits that the journey is not for everyone or the faint of heart. “Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, however, this country is filled with leaders and those with great potential, and all they need is
for someone to start. Therefore, I am a part of the ones that start so that I can hold my brothers’ and sisters’ hands so that they have the courage to believe in themselves,” she said. In the inevitable difficult moments that come with owning a business, Philesha said she thinks of the chosen people in the Bible. “There’s no one that God gave a task to that had it easy. However, there’s a great reward at the end of these hardships. When you are chosen to do great things in life, those difficulties are what help to mould and shape you to be a successful leader,” she said. As she seeks to expand her venture, Philesha said she hopes to create her very own makeup product line in the near future. “I see my makeup brand being bought all around the Bahamas,
PHILESHA Taylor (centre) with Judy Bowles (left) and Virginia Romer and it is my hope to be internationally recognised,” she told Tribune Weekend. For more information, follow Virju Beauty @virjubeauty on Facebook and Instagram, or call 826-3643.
10 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, December 29, 2023
gardening
A garden checkup before the new year
G
ood day, gardeners. I hope you got some time to spend in the garden these past few days of the holiday. The rain was on the way, then it wasn’t, then it was, and then it wasn’t. We did not see any where we are in New Providence by Wednesday. The entire nursery and gardens will need watering. Next is the New Year’s Day holiday, and then on to 2024! Time flies. Some plants are growing much faster than others in the weather we’ve been having. Kale, pak/bok choi, lettuce, and all the leafy greens are growing like mad. Continue to watch for whitefly and pests on plants like cucumber which are highly susceptible. On fruit trees, scale and whitefly have been present in some locations that I’ve checked, and anthracnose is still an issue on some varieties of mango trees. The cool weather may speed up its progression, so be sure to spray copper fungicide or similar to keep it at bay or hopefully, eradicate it from the tree(s). Tomato plants ought to be setting fruit, if you’re not already harvesting some. It’s always a great time to be sowing more seeds and planting more starter plants! Remember that root vegetables such as beets, carrots, radishes, etcetera, prefer to be seeded straight to the growing area, they do not transplant well, and they grow a lot better when grown straight from seed. I noticed some folks making noise about some government pruning of trees in town recently, and some were saying that “spring” is the time to prune and now is not the time. I call bullocks on that. I’ve been happily pruning away myself recently. We do not have enough of a seasonal change in temperature to worry about when to prune trees. The only factor to consider is the timing of the flowers (followed by fruit) if it’s a flowering or fruiting tree. Fruit trees have specific flowering times so it’s best to research the timing of bud set on fruit
trees, depending upon what you’re growing. If it’s a native tree or an ornamental tree, any time of year is a good time to prune. Do not get swept away in worries of timing et al, such as those that are followed in Central Florida and both of there. None of those rules apply to our year-round growing season. I am curious as to why the ancient
almond tree in the center of town by the court houses was removed. I would love if someone could give me a factual answer that made sense, as I don’t see the need or purpose. We are entering a dryer season right now, and plants that are high water consumers will need supplemental watering, especially if potted or just settling in. It is nice to consider placing a bird bath out in the yard for the migratory birds that are visiting for the “winter”. No, it won’t be a breeding place for mosquitoes if someone pays attention to it and keeps a clean, fresh water supply in it. Continue to be aware of any debris or containers that may be holding water that are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If your citrus leaves are yellow or yellowing, fertilize it. If your tomato
fruit has black end rot, water more frequently. If your plants have whitefly or mealy bug, consider spraying after scouring for beneficial insects and their eggs. If there are aphids present, forget about them. They do no real or lasting damage, and they attract beneficial insects to take up residence in your garden. Most of all, get out and enjoy the garden! As always, I wish you happy gardening, and for this one, a very happy New Year! UÊ `> Ê À > Ê ÃÊÌ iÊ ÕÀÃiÀÞÊ > >}iÀÊ>ÌÊ ÝÊ Ê ÕÀÃiÀÞÊ Ê iÀ >À`Ê, >`°Ê9 ÕÊV> ÊV Ì>VÌÊ ÊÜ Ì Ê> ÞʵÕiÃÌ ÃÊÞ ÕÊ >ÞÊ >Ûi]Ê ÀÊÌ « VÃÊÞ ÕÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊÌ ÊÃiiÊ ` ÃVÕÃÃi`]Ê>ÌÊ}>À`i }Ó{ÓJ} > ° V °
The Tribune | Weekend | 11
Friday, December 29, 2023
entertainment
Party like a royal and with huge stars for New Year’s Eve By ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features Writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net
W
ith Christmas fesThe chart-topping group is one of tivities behind us, the 21st century’s biggest acts, selling Atlantis Paradise over 95 million albums, 650+ million Island is now turnsingles, and charted 32 records on ing all its attention the Billboard Hot 100. towards hosting exciting events for The band is known New Year’s Eve. for hit songs The resort’s weekend lineup of “Sugar,” “Girls events includes superstar talent Like You,” and Tony Award and five-time Emmy “She Will Be Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Loved.” Harris, multi-platinum, Grammy On Sunday, Award-winning super producer December 31, and artist Timbaland, Grammy the entertainment Award-winning multi-platinum continues with the band Maroon 5, a surprise musical renowned Party performance, Grucci fireworks, DJ Like A Royal event at Webstar and more. Atlantis’ Royal Deck In an interview with Tribune under the resort’s Weekend, Atlantis’ public relations famed Royal team members said New Year’s Eve Towers. The at Atlantis isn’t just a party; it is an talented experience. and “It’s also a period where we have beloved a wide range of guests at the resort Neil Patsimultaneously. Based on this, it is rick Harris extremely important to select an (“How I artist or band that has mega star Met Your factor, can cater to all ages and put Mother”) on an unforgettable show. Maroon 5 hosts the does just that,” the team noted. evening, “This year our guests can look beginning forward to an underwater neon water land featuring dazzling acts, music by Grammy Award winner producer Timbaland, epic fireworks and a surprise concert performance that’s going to be the talk of the town.” The annual Party Like A Royal is an over-the-top celebratory experience. “It always brings a sense of wonder, high energy and unforgettable moments. It is the ultimate way to ring in the new year,” said the team. The festivities will kick off tomorrow, Saturday, December 30, with Maroon 5 at Atlantis’ waterfront MAROON 5 Casuarina Beach.
with a DJ set from renowned producer and artist Timbaland. Audrey Oswell, president and managing director of Atlantis Paradise Island, said the New Year’s lineup of formidable talent and events is a weekend not to be missed. “Our guests and the community are in for an unforgettable experience, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the newly renovated Royal Towers. We look forward to celebrating the New Year and rounding out Atlantis’ 25th anniversary year with it all,” said Audrey. Tickets for Maroon 5 are currently sold out. Doors will open at 7pm, with the
NEIL Patrick Haris
performance starting at 9.30pm. Party Like A Royal will begin at 9pm on New Year’s Eve. Early bird tickets are priced at $267 and can be purchased by visiting the official Party Like A Royal website.
TIMBALAND
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literary lives - Pearl Bailey (1918 - 1990)
A consummate entertainer and ‘Ambassador of Love’ Sir Christopher Ondaatje writes about the American actress, singer, and author who made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946, and received a special Tony Award for her performance in the all-Black production of Hello, Dolly! in 1986. “There are two kinds of talent: man made talent and God-given talent. With man made talent you have to work very hard. With God-given talent you just touch it up once in a while. - Pearl Bailey Pearl Mae Bailey was born in Newport News, Virginia on March 29, 1918, to the Reverend Joseph James and Ella Mae Ricks Bailey. When she was very young, the family moved to Washington, DC. After her parents divorced, she moved to Philadelphia to live with her mother. She made her singing debut when she was fifteen. Her brother, Bill Bailey, was beginning his career as a tap dancer and suggested she enter an amateur contest as a singer in the Pearl Theatre in Philadelphia. She won the contest and was offered $35 a week to perform there for two weeks. However, the theatre closed during the engagement and she was not paid. She later won a similar contest in Harlem’s famous Apollo Theatre and decided to pursue a career in entertainment. She was a member of the St Peter Claver Catholic Church in Brooklyn. “When you’re young the silliest notions seem the greatest.” - Pearl Bailey Bailey began singing and dancing in Philadelphia’s black nightclubs in the 1930s, and soon started performing in other parts of the East Coast. In 1941, during World War II, Bailey toured the country with the United Services Organisation (USO), performing for American troops. After the tour she settled in New York. Her solo successes as a nightclub performer were followed by acts with entertainers such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. She made her Broadway debut in St Louis Woman in 1946, and won a Donaldson
Award as the best Broadway newcomer. Bailey continued to tour and record albums along with her stage and screen performances. On television she guest-starred in CBS’s Faye Emerson’s Wonderful Town. In 1969, Bailey and Cab Calloway headlined an all-Black version of Hello, Dolly! The touring version was so successful that producer David Merrick took it to Broadway, where it played to sold-out houses and revitalised the long-running musical. Bailey received a special Tony Award for her role, and RCA Victor released a second original-cast album, the only recording of the score to have an overture written especially for the recording. A passionate fan of the New York Mets, Bailey sang the National Anthem at Shea Stadium prior to Game 5 of the 1969 World Series. (She also sang the National Anthem twelve years later prior to Game 1 of the 1981 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium).
BAILEY on The Ed Sullivan Show performing ‘Before the Parade Passes By’ during her run in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway (1968)
Pearl Bailey hosted her own variety series on ABC; The Pearl Bailey Show (January 1971 – May 1971), which featured many notable guests including Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong – one of his last appearances before his death. She provided voices for Tubby the Tuba (1976) and Disney’s The Fox and the Hound (1981). She returned to Broadway in 1971 playing the lead in another all-Black production of Hello, Dolly! In October 1975, she was invited by Betty Ford to sing for Egyptian President Anwar Sadat at a White House state dinner as part of the Middle East Peace Initiative. Bailey earned a degree in theology from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, in 1985 at the age of sixty-seven. It took her seven years to earn her degree. In her later years Bailey wrote several books: The Raw Pearl (1968), Talking to Myself (1971), Pearl’s Kitchen (1973), and Hurry Up America and Spit (1976). President Richard Nixon named Bailey the US “Ambassador of Love” in 1970.
BAILEY in ca. 1946
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“What the world needs is more love and less paperwork.” - Pearl Bailey Pearl Bailey was a close friend of actress Joan Crawford. In 1969, Crawford and Bailey joined their good friend Gypsy Rose Lee in accepting the United Service Organisation Award. That same year Bailey was recognised as Woman of the Year. When Joan Crawford died in May 1977, Bailey spoke of Crawford as her sister and sang a hymn at her funeral. Bailey died at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia on August 17, 1990. Her autopsy confirmed that her death was caused by narrowing of the coronary artery. She had suffered heart problems for several years. She was buried at Rolling Green Memorial Park in West Chester, Pennsylvania. U- ÀÊ À ÃÌ « iÀÊ" `>>Ì iÊ ÃÊÌ iÊ>ÕÌ ÀÊ iÊ vÊ/ iÊ >ÃÌÊ > °Ê>V Ü i`}iÃÊÌ >ÌÊ iÊ >ÃÊ µÕ Ìi`Ê LiÀ> ÞÊvÀ Ê7 «i` >°
PRESIDENT Richard Nixon presents Bailey with the Heart-of-the Year Award on behalf of the American Heart Association in 1972.
In 1975, she was appointed Special Ambassador to the United Nations by President Gerald Ford, a position she held under three presidents. Her last book, Between You and Me (1989), details her experiences with higher education. On January 19, 1985, she appeared on a nationally televised broadcast gala on the night before the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan. In 1988, Bailey received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Reagan. “Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be first.” - Pearl Bailey Bailey went through a number of failed marriages in her early adult years. She married John Randolph Pinkett, either her third of fourth husband, when she was thirty years old, and divorced him four years later, accusing him of physical abuse. “How can you give a man a room in your house and not let him come through the front door?”
- Pearl Bailey On November 19, 1952, Bailey married jazz drummer Louie Bellson in London. They remained married until her death in 1990 nearly thirty-eight years later. Bellson was six years Bailey’s junior and white. Interracial couples were rare at that time, and Bellson’s father was reported bitterly opposed to the marriage because of Bailey’s race. They later adopted a son, Tony, in the mid-1950s. A daughter, Dee Dee J Bellson, was born on April 20, 1960. Tony Bellson died in 2004. Dee Dee Bellson died on July 4, 2009, at the age of forty-nine, five months after her father, who died on February 14, 2009. “You cannot belong to anyone else until you belong to yourself.” - Pearl Bailey Bailey, a Republican, was appointed by President Nixon as the nation’s “Ambassador of Love” in 1970. She attended several meetings of the United Nations and later appeared in a campaign for Gerald Ford in the 1976 Presidential election.
PEARL Bailey and her husband Louie Bellson
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history
The Jumentos Cays I enjoy answering (or trying to find an answer to) questions about the geography of our Bahama Islands. Recently, the Jumentos Cays put my knowledge to the test, so I sought help in Stephen J Pavlidis’ 1997 book “On and Off the Beaten Path”, a detailed guide to such cruising areas. The Jumentos are a curving chain of islands (about 100) that connect (almost, not literally) Long Island to Ragged Island. I have flown over them frequently and regret never having set foot on any of them. They really are ‘off the beaten track’.
My most memorable experience there was on a dark and thunderous night, when I was flying to Ragged Island at night, accompanied by a Princess Margaret Hospital nurse. We had been sent to pick up a sick man from Duncan Town. GPS was still a thing of the future and there are no aeronautical navigation aids down there. The useable range of VOR/Omni transmitter in Nassau did not reach that far. To make matters worse, the weather was lousy. The dark of night was constantly interrupted by lightning flashes. To avoid getting caught by a thunderstorm, we zig-zagged our way in the general direction of
Ragged Island and I had to rememCay. Duncan Town was about 50 ber how far off course the plane must miles away, at the southbe. ern end of the Jumentos I thought of my Cays. good friend, EddiOn future flights to son Joffre, a native that area I liked to follow of Ragged Island the curve of the Jumenand wished that tos, trying (but failing) to he, with his local memorise the names of knowledge, were each cay. No Name Cays with us. is one of the names. In the distance, to our left, a light I feel a personal consuddenly appeared nection to Duncan Town, and we turned Ragged Island, because PAUL C toward it and came it is named after Duncan ARANHA upon a yacht at Taylor, a member of my FORGOTTEN FACTS anchor at Flamingo mother’s family.
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animals Animal matters Kim Aranha
S
A new Christmas angel
adly, this year I gained a new Christmas angel - a feisty, pushy and loyal potcake angel I called friend for 13.5 years. My miracle boy Garmin went to heaven last Saturday evening. Some of you may remember that he was given six weeks to live in November 2022. He had tumours on his spleen. He was 12 years and 8 months old. He rallied and we started palliative care only. He only took medication that ensured no pain and ease of movement. To our amazement, he thrived. A side effect was a seizure every couple of weeks, but they were short in duration and he bounced back from them quite quickly. He was our funny little man. Once a terrible fighterm who would persist in starting a fight for little or no reason. He particularly liked to pick a fight with Bella (our “spotcake”). Bella was the only girl in the equation. She would whip around grab Garmin and not let go. Garmin never won a fight against her, and often ended up in the vet’s office being sewn up and on a drip. He never learned that she was a better fighter and that resulted in us having a house divided for many years. The last year they called a truce, a canine cease-fire. Though not snuggle buddies, they no longer needed to be separated, and would go into the garden together, enjoying the sun. As the months passed, we realised how lucky we were to have more time with Garmin. Six weeks turned into 52 weeks of unexpected time together. He was loved and spoiled beyond limits. His tail never stopped wagging and he was unequivocally a very happy dog. He walked a little slower and needed help standing up sometimes, but every day brought him pleasure. He was insistent on having his “garden patrol” walks, stopping and sniffing every leaf in sight. Ever since we moved houses two and a half years ago, Garmin became very attached to his new front garden, where there is a long stretch of picket fence on a quiet street. For a curious dog who had lived behind a wall, the picket fence was
like going to the movies every day. He rejoiced in seeing passersby on foot, in a car, golf cart or on a bicycle.
He watched their every movement. If another dog had the temerity to pass by, he would be rewarded by a strong
Potcake Garmin
warning, barked out in no uncertain terms to keep going and not loiter in front of his home turf. Gradually, he slowed down and didn’t walk as quickly or bark as often, but his tail wagging and the appetite did not lessen. Until one morning he woke up normally, asked me to let him out. He had his stroll around and came in happy but didn’t want any snacks. By 10 o’clock he was lethargic and wanted no food. Saturday afternoon he got up with difficulty and insisted on going out to his beloved front garden. I watched him check out all his favourite spots and walk gingerly along the fence until he simply collapsed and would not get up. No matter how much loving encouragement I gave him, he was telling me that he was where he wanted to be. He communicated with his eyes that he was tired and he was “done”. A year ago, I promised him no more medical visits, no more metal tables. With that in mind, we did not put him the car. He did not go to the vet’s office. He lay on the grass he loved so much, the birds singing as dusk was nearing, he was totally peaceful. I do not know if he knew we were there, he gave no indication that he did. His tail was still for the first time in his life; his breathing was light. Apparently, his heart was very weak, and he was leaving us. His friend Dr Grant came and gave him the help he needed to join his old friends, Chief, Buddy and Boss. It is the most difficult decision to make; when is the right time to help your beloved family member to go to rainbow bridge. Garmin made the decision for us, his eyes spoke volumes, he was tired and had no more fight left in him. God bless Dr Grant for allowing him to choose where and when. There is a big void in our home. Bella is now an only dog after being a member of a pack of five. She always was a loner, and she shows no signs of depression. She has taken over Garmin’s bed and sleeps soundly. I feel at peace that we did the right thing, though I have cried my heart out. That little terror was capable of giving more love and demanding more tummy rubs than most dogs. Goodbye little Garmin, fly high and free with your friends.
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