The Abaconian - May 1, 2013 Section A

May 1, 2013

VOLUME 21

NUMBER 9

The Abaconian

Section A

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MAY 1st, 2013

Fishing tournaments occupy anglers, boost economy

Fish on! Tournament season is here and anxious anglers have been catching more than sunburns.

Clockwise from top left hand corner: Pandemonium - the winning boat from the Bahamas Billfish Tournaments Guana Cay leg; Ashley Knowles and Sid Roberts - the top anglers in the 43rd Abaco Anglers Fishing Tournament; Reel Lax - victors of Signature Series Leg I; Phyllis and Jeff Albury with the Tournament winning Dolphin in the Man-OWar Offshore Fishing Tournament (photo courtesy of Jim Albertson).

For all the tournament updates please see page 20.

MPs tour Cays

Abaco’s MPs Renardo Curry, left, and Edison Key, right, toured businesses and met with residents on Elbow Cay and Man-O-War to get a feel for each community’s needs.

See page 2.

Several fishing tournaments were held throughout the month of April. These included the 43rd Abaco Anglers Tournament, the Man-O-War Offshore Fishing Tournament, The Bahamas Billfish Championship Guana Cay Leg, and the Abaco Beach Resort’s Signature Series Fishing Tournament. Two other tournaments scheduled for April were not held: the Bertram Hatteras Shootout and the Guy Harvey Invitational were canceled until next year.

May 7 – 10 is the next tournament: The Green Turtle Cay Fishing Tournament. It will be followed later in the month by the Custom Shootout scheduled for May 15 – 18 and the Abaco Beach Resort’s Signature Series Leg II May 22-25.

More tournaments are tentatively scheduled for June.

Many of these tournaments are longrunning fixtures on Abaco’s calendar of events. The Abaco Anglers Tournament in its forty third iteration and The Bahamas Billfish Championship celebrating forty years.

Both locals and visiting anglers take an active role in many of the tournaments.

Though the conditions may not always be perfect, and crossing the Gulf Stream expensive for U.S. competitors, the tournaments have built a loyal following over the years.

During this time local fueling stations, restaurants, shops, groceries and other businesses receive a boost during a time when the traditional tourist season begins winding down. In the past, successive Bahamian governments have supported the tournament season by allowing concessions on duty for many items brought in for the tournaments. Without such concessions many of the tournaments would not be possible.

South Abaco bids farewell to administrator

Above: (left to right) South Abaco Chief Councilor Stanley White, Senior Island Admin.

Preston Cunningham, and former South Abaco Admin. Joshua Smith at Mr. Smith’s farewell party.

By Jennifer Hudson The people of South Abaco were surprised to find that they had to bid a hasty farewell to their Island Administrator who left the island unexpectedly on April 9.

Joshua Smith arrived in Sandy Point to take over from previous Administrator, Benjamin Pinder, on July 16 of last year. He announced at that time that he would only

be serving for a short term as he would be due for retirement soon. He expected to be serving the people of South Abaco until the end of April but was suddenly told that he would have to pack his bags and head for Inagua within a couple of days.

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Section A

The Abaconian May 1, 2013

The Cays

MPs take a hands on approach

By Timothy Roberts Taking a hands-on approach, North Abaco Minister of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in Abaco’s Office of the Prime Minister, Renardo Curry, along with Central and South Abaco Minister of Parliament, Edison Key, toured Hope Town and Man-O-War Cay on April 10 to visit businesses and to hear what challenges they face in conducting their respective trades.

Mr. Curry, travelling along with Mr. Key and Under Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister in Abaco, Alexander Flowers were given a guided tour by members of the Hope Town Council lead by Chief Councillor Jeremy Sweeting for the two cays.

The MP’s were shown first the condition of roads on the North End of Elbow Cay where locals and second home owners alike travel a very rough road daily. They were also shown the need for road repair at the upper Dune Road area.

The ministers also visited the dump site, several resorts and Abaco T’s during their tour of Elbow Cay and were impressed with what they saw.

“Hope Town has always been a vibrant and productive business center,” Mr. Curry Said. “There are many resorts which are doing well like Firefly and are popular with locals and tourists alike and seeing the amount of sailboats in their harbour that come here year round makes it so Hope Town can boast of a sustainable tourist product which we can learn from.”

He said, “We saw a t-shirt factory that

is actually producing at a mass production level which speaks volumes to the amount of business here in this community.”

Mr. Curry said that the government is looking to support and make sure local businesses have what they need to continue to develop and progress and “be the number one destination that we believe they are.”

He said they also wanted to hear the concerns of the local government representatives. “We understand there is a need for some repairs but at the same time the government is somewhat short on funds for capital works, but when you have communities that contribute greatly to the economy such as Hope Town you have to find ways to support their needs,” Mr. Curry said. “The Member for Parliament for this area and I will both be fighting in parliament for their needs.”

He noted that Man-O-War is not as crowded as Hope Town but they have a different set of tourists that goes there for the quietness, the relaxing atmosphere. He saw a number of “small but thriving businesses which are successful parts of the economy of the cay.”

“What is interesting about the businesses is that many of them are passed down tradition type businesses like Albury’s Sail Shop,” he said. “These are the kinds of communities that keep Abaco going and we need to look at how we can support these small businesses in the cays.

“It was interesting to see the needs of the community including the [North End] roads which really need some upgrading – it’s a quarry road that’s in terrible shape – I think local government needs some additional funds so that they carry out some work in that area in particular.”

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Mr. Key noted that Hope Town, with almost 300 second home owners, puts a tremendous amount of revenue in the public treasury, “so I would hope that [local government’s] budget won’t be cut so that they can carry out their functions.”

“Man-O-War is a clean community and is a good example of what a small town should look like – you’re proud when you walk through,” Mr. Key said. “Nassau should be exposed to communities like that so they can see the way people live in the family islands.”

He said that “Man-O-War is a unique settlement and there seems to be a problem at their dump that needs to be sorted out.

Local government should be able to deal with it.”

Both Mr. Curry and Mr. Key felt the trip was very informative as they heard a number of concerns. They both noted that Chief Councillor Jeremy Sweeting and the Council are doing a great job of maintaining the cays and want to do whatever they can to support and assist them.

Tranquil Turtle celebrates with Kalik

By Timothy Roberts The Bluff House, partnering with Burns House, opened their new beach bar and restaurant called the Tranquil Turtle while marking 25 years of Kalik Beer in The Bahamas and being entertained by Bahamian singer Elon Moxey on April 27 in Green Turtle Cay. Customers were provided with hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken wings and conch fritters to go with the beverages of the evening: Kalik Lite and Kalik Lime. They were entertained by a DJ until Mangrove Cay, Andros native Elon Moxey performed live for the eager audience. Mr. Moxey is known for songs like “Confidential” and “Catch Da Crab Crawling” and has been performing for 40 years now.

Please see

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Above: Abaco’s two Members of Parliament tour Hope Town. Left to right: Ashley Knowles, Alexander Flowers, Edison Key, Renardo Curry, Jeremy Sweeting and Donnie Carey..

May 1, 2013

The Abaconian

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May 1, 2013

South Abaco Admin

From Page 1

Inagua’s Island administrator had left and a replacement was needed in a hurry so Mr. Smith was asked to head to Inagua to fill in for one week. Following that he would return to Nassau where he would be on preretirement leave until the date of his official retirement in January of next year.

Members of local government for South Abaco, church and school officials, members of the Sandy Point administrative staff and friends gathered for a farewell dinner at Pete and Gay’s Guest House in Sandy Point on the evening prior to his early morning departure the following day.

Mr. Smith was an administrator who enjoyed working with people and getting things accomplished and it was obvious that he was well-loved by the people from the comments which were made. Many people stood to offer thanks, wish him well and say how much they would miss him, telling him that his stay had been too short.

Brenell Higgs, Headmistress of the Sandy Point School, described Mr. Smith as; “A person that sticks to his promise and gets things done. He has always given words of encouragement and it is a sudden blow and a hard moment for us to see him go.” She thanked him on behalf of the staff and students of the J. A. Pinder Primary School.

Frank Hepburn, former Principal of the Crossing Rocks Primary School, thanked Mr. Smith for his involvement in all of the community programmes and told him that South Abaco will always think about him.

In his response to the many comments and good wishes Mr. Smith reminded the people that when he arrived in Sandy Point last year he told them that his stay would not be long. “We cannot overstep the stage of age in the public service,” he commented. He told them that he had enjoyed his time in South Abaco immensely and enjoyed working with the people.

Some of the things he was especially pleased to have accomplished during his time in South Abaco included cleanups in Sandy Point and, with the help of the Ministry of Works, getting holes in the road patched and very importantly with the help of the local council installing cat eyes on every curve in the road between Sandy Point and Marsh Harbour.

He praised the work of his office staff who he said had been very supportive and urged them to, “Continue to do the good work you are doing.” He then thanked all in South Abaco for their cooperation, love and kindness in accepting him into their homes and community and closed with the words, “My heart will still be here and please call me if ever you need me. I will come back if only for a visit.” The people of South Abaco will be grateful to Mr. Smith for his hard work, untiring energy and cheerful manner.

Mr. Smith told the people of South Abaco that Mr. Preston Cunningham, Abaco’s Senior Island Administrator for Central Abaco would be taking over for him.

“You need not worry, Mr. Cunningham is a very seasoned administrator and there are only two in the system with more years of service than him. He has worked on all of the islands except Andros and some more than once,” he assured the people.

Mr. Cunningham stated that it was a pleasure to hear all the things that had been said about Mr. Smith and that he has obviously left a good impression on the minds of the people of South Abaco. “This will be my second time serving in Sandy Point.

I have served here for a good three years previously and will be back again for a short time.

An administrator is only as good as the people he works with and I have enjoyed the people and staff here. South Abaco is blessed with good people in office,” he stated. “I will need more support now because I will be dealing with both Central and South Abaco and am now trying to map out my strategy. I look forward to working with the people of South Abaco once again,” he added.

Clinic opens at Schooner Bay

By Jennifer Hudson On Friday, April 12 a new Clinic facility was opened at the Schooner Bay Development in South Abaco. It opened without any fanfare as a quiet opening was preferred. According to Glen Kelly, Town Manager at Schooner Bay, he is hoping that having a clinic on site will encourage residents to feel more confident and stay longer because medical care is immediately available.

The facility is also for the treatment of all workers on site and for any residents of South Abaco who wish to come and use the facility. The goal is to keep service very affordable to all. Dr. James Iferenta, an Internist and Physician in Charge of the Emergency Department at Doctor’s Hospital, Nassau, was doctor on duty for opening day. He was assisted by Nurse Siren Davis.

Dr. Carol, Head of the Radiology Department at Doctors Hospital, Nassau, has put together a group of seven Nassaubased doctors who will work at the clinic on a rotational basis. A doctor will be available at the clinic every Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Although each of the doctors has his own specialty, all also work as General Practitioners and can treat everything down to the common cold. Nurse Davis will be working in the clinic every day Monday – Friday between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm. She is a community and occupational nurse who can take care of all conditions.

Nurse Davis is a registered nurse who has specialized in intensive care and pediatric care and also management and counseling. She was trained in her home country of Norway and later worked as a nurse on the Carnival Cruise Line’s Disney Magic ship for four years. She met her husband, Marcus, who works for The Bahamas National Trust, on Castaway Cay and has lived and worked on Abaco for many years.

Nurse Davis has her Nurses and Midwives Registration to work in the Bahamas. She has worked on site at Schooner Bay since October 2009 because first aid must be available on a construction site.

The main injuries she sees on site are finger and eye wounds.

The clinic is light, airy and comfortable and contains all the basic equipment and medications necessary to treat normal complaints. Prescription medications will be brought by the doctor but it is hoped to add a small dispensary in the future.

Many ideas are being worked on for the future of the clinic and more equipment will be brought in as needed. The clinic is equipped with Telemedicine so that if Nurse Davis needs a doctor’s opinion she can contact Dr. Iferenta in Nassau who can see the patient on screen and advise her as to the procedure to follow.

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The Abaconian May 1, 2013

South Abaco Clinic

From Page 5

Rotaract members landscape Airport Roundabout

Above: Schooner Bay Clinic’s Nurse Davis taking a worker’s blood pressure.

The clinic also possesses a modified van which is called the A Van. While this is not a complete ambulance it does contain a regular stretcher, oxygen, AED (heart starter) and basic equipment to stabilize a patient until they can be evacuated. A good evacuation plan is being worked out for transporting patients to Nassau and the United States, possibly using the Schooner Bay airplane which is currently stationed at Sandy Point.

Nurse Davis is very excited about the opening of the clinic. “I have been waiting for this since I first came in 2009 because the clinic was always in the plan and it is finally happening,” she says. “I am happy to have doctors from Doctors Hospital who will provide a good standard of care. We want people to use this clinic and it is important for residents of Schooner Bay and the people of South Abaco to know that they will get good care here.”

The phone number at the clinic is 366 2044.

Above: Rotaract members with Rotary advisor, Jo-Anne Bradley, during the Airport Roundabout cleanup.

By Mirella Santillo Traveling near the Airport Roundabout on Saturday April 20, people would have noticed a busy group involved in landscaping the Airport Roundabout.

Some were weeding, others pruning, others mowing the grass. They were members of the local Rotaract Club who have taken over the maintenance of the Airport Roundabout since March.

Rotaract is a club for civic-minded individuals aged 18 to 30 under the umbrella of a Rotary Club. Here they are connected to the Rotary Club of Abaco. Approximately ten people joined Rotaract a few months ago with Jo-Ann Bradley as their advisor. The goal of the club members is to do community service, helping where it is needed.

They have undertaken two projects for this year, one being the landscaping

of the roundabout, the other which will start in September is called Project Help.

Project Help will be about helping senior citizens once a month with housekeeping chores and yard maintenance.

Rachael Johnson, who is presently serving as acting- President of Rotaract, was among the members working on Saturday. She mentioned that the group, which presently consists only of board members, is also interested in international projects.

They would like to increase their membership number and are welcoming people interested in joining.

The Rotaract Club will have a booth at the Green Turtle Cay Roots Heritage Festival.

The group working on Saturday was noticed by Marsh Harbour Council Member Yvonne Key who offered to pull out the damaged plants (many were suffering from insects diseases and fungus) and replace them with oleanders.

People will be weeding and mowing again in May.

Lightbourn Farm proves hydroponic concept on Abaco

By Jennifer Hudson The emphasis these days is more and more on both eating healthier and having food security. The Lightbourn Farm is doing its part in encouraging and supporting both. Michael and Jennifer Lightbourn operate a farm on eight and a half acres of Crown Land situated in the Commons of South Abaco at Schooner Bay. They established their farm several years ago in South Abaco near Spring City but last October moved to their new location at Schooner Bay. “Our new location is great, it has broadened our market,” stated Mr. Lightbourn.

A large variety of fruit and vegetables are grown on the farm including eggplant, cabbage, radish, red and green sweet pepper, okra, cantaloupe, pumpkin, salad mixed, Romaine lettuce, arugula, spinach, tomatoes and strawberries.

A plant nursery contains mostly plants which are natural to the Bahamas including silver and green button wood, Paradise tree, lilies and dune based plants such as sea oats, bay lavender, ink berry (native scavola), bay cedar and sea oxeye.

“We keep a large inventory of dunebased plants so that after a hurricane we can assist. The dune based plants are very popular with people in Hope Town and the Cays,” informed Mr. Lightbourn. He also grows trees such as sea grape, wild tamarind, citrus, dogwood, mastic, dilly and mahogany many of which are used to landscape Schooner Bay. He is in the process of creating a coppice area to show what Please see

Farm

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May 1, 2013

The Abaconian

Section A

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South Abaco Farm

From Page 6

people can do with the various plants.

Mr. Lightbourn’s farm is able to grow produce for at least 10 months out of the year but his goal is to figure out how to grow throughout the entire summer and he is trying to create an environment using several methods of growing all of which are organic.

The Lightbourn Farm is Abaco’s largest hydroponic farm. Hydroponics is a branch of agriculture where plants are grown without the use of soil. Nutrients which plants normally derive from the soil are dissolved in water instead since soil itself is not essential to plant growth. The roots rest in an inert medium such as perlite, gravel or coconut husk. The lushness

of the plants growing in the hydroponic section is a testament to how successful this method it is.

Mr. and Ms. Lightbourn welcome children to the farm and they host many school groups. Among some of the activities they do with the children are showing how to moss, talking about irrigation and raised beds, touring the hydroponic section, naming natural plants and letting the children plant seedlings. “The children are always very excited to take home a little seedling that they have potted and are especially excited to let us know when they are harvesting tomatoes from their little plant,” he said. The children also enjoy feeding the free range chickens which Mr. Lightbourn rescued after the storm.

Lightbourn Farm vegetables can be

bought at the Farmers Market in Marsh Harbour which is held monthly at The Bahamas National Trust and some are also on sale at Maxwell’s supermarket. In the near future Mr. and Ms. Lightbourn would like to try setting up a weekly farmers market in three locations - Marsh Harbour, Schooner Bay and Treasure Cay. Michael Lightbourn can be contacted at 242 458 7734 or by e-mail at lightbournfarm@yahoo.com. Questions can be asked and orders placed on Lightbourn Farm’s Facebook page.

Schooner Bay Harbour Village progresses

By Jennifer Hudson Glen Kelly, Schooner Bay’s Town Manager, recently gave a tour of the rapidly developing Harbour Village. At the entrance there is the 100 acres of Crown Land which houses the Commons of Schooner Bay: designated for the entrepreneurial utilization of South Abaco. Jennifer and Michael Lightbourn have already established a flourishing eight acre farm in this area. Also established are a Clinic and the Arts and Sciences Research Centre.

Adjoining the commons area is a 220 acre area designated for homes. Between these two sections, a green belt has been preserved running from north to south which will remain as a home for the beautiful Abaco parrots.

The Blackfly Lodge, previously known as Black Fly Bonefish Club, recently relocated to Schooner Bay and opened there on April 1. Situated overlooking the marina, it is an elegant two story colonial style plantation building with eight private Above: Michael Lightbourne at he and his wife’s (Jennifer) farm at Schooner Bay. Orguest rooms with adjoining baths and a ganic and hydroponic produce are their specialty. public restaurant and bar.

All of the home sites on the island have been sold out and twenty three homes have either already been completed or are in various stages of completion. All homes around the harbour are constructed of 8 inch poured concrete which makes them very hurricane resistant. A fuel station is now under construction and a small general store is almost complete. Schooner Bay has sustainability as one of its goals, so air conditioning for the entire development will be geothermal; one of its pluses is that it is very quiet.

The development will also eventually include a school, sports fields and possibly horse riding facilities. Homeowners will be able to get allotments for farming if so desired within the Commons area and land within the Commons is also available to the people of South Abaco for entrepreneurial developments.

Association elects new members The property owners of Bahamas Palm Shores (Palm Shores Owners Association) meet once a month to discuss plans for the upkeep of their community. An Annual General Meeting is held every February and at the recent meeting a new Board of Directors was elected as follows: President; Leo Bethel; Vice President; Anita Knowles; Treasurer: Irene Lowe; Secretary: Nathania Lewis and Directors; Sandra Albury, Don Wood and Frank Croft.

The Palm Shores Owners Association, has existed since 2002 to address various issues in the development of the area including, recently: roadwork, beautification and installing internet facilities

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The Abaconian May 1, 2013

From the Editor's Desk

A special woman recently passed away. I don’t want to violate the privacy of her family, so I won’t call her by name. But many of you will immediately know who I am talking about if you spent any amount of time on Elbow Cay in the last twenty plus years.

I won’t say her name, but I will say who she was. What she stood for.

What she meant to her community and beyond. In the end we are not our names or occupations. We are our families, our friendships, our accomplishments and our lessons from failure.

We are the time we spent investing in our children. The time spent investing in our community’s children.

Many educators I know speak about the feeling they have knowing they helped shape a generation. This is not solely a teacher’s pleasure. At least, it does not have to be.

This woman, as much as I can remember while growing up on Elbow Cay, spent almost as much time with the children of the community as she did her and her husband’s own children. At any function, you could count on her to help, to care, to chastise or praise. It did not matter who belonged

The Abaconian Bradley M. Albury Editor-in-Chief AB 20213 Marsh Harbour Abaco, The Bahamas

to who, when she was around she was felt.

You ask the children in Hope Town who grew up under her and they will tell you the same thing: the kindness, the commitment to everyone around her regardless of their reciprocity, the almost oblivious disregard of self when dealing with the young or less fortunate.

She was a glue.

A community’s glue.

She had been fighting illness for several years. But she never WAS her illness. She remained a beacon of energy, rivaling Hope Town’s famous lighthouse, well into her final weeks. I imagine she must have, unknowingly, been burdened with a wonderful purpose: to make as big of an impact on as many people’s lives as she could. To stick with them. Like glue.

But shouldn’t that be all of our purpose? Of course we can’t all pursue it with the same energy as she. But if her legacy is to continue shouldn’t we try? To impact each other in a way that brings us all up. I think this is a subconscious lesson all who knew her have learned. And I hope they teach it to others.

I don’t mean to disregard others in the community. She was only one, and there are others in every community who are unaware they are burdened with the same purpose. You can immediately tell them apart. But I think we should all try and make it a little harder for them to stand out.

Many youngsters growing up in Hope Town counted the lighthouse’s flashes as night settled. Five bright beacons would burst out and circle the top before the lighthouse took a rest.

With her there were six bright beacons.

And just because she is physically gone doesn’t mean there should now be any less than six.

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Community Calendar May is Red Cross Month

•May 3-5: Green Turtle Cay Island Roots Heritage Festival •May 7-10: Green Turtle Cay Fishing Tournament •May 5: Abaco Soccer Knock-Out Cup Semifinal •May 7 - 11: Little Harbour Dolphin Derby •May 11: First Assemblies of God Family Fun Day •May 12: Whit Monday (Public Holiday) •May 13: Special Olympics Run •May 15-18:Custome Shootout Fishing Tournament •May 18: Abaco Artists Little Harbour Show •May 18: 2nd Annual Community Emergency Preparedness Day (CAPS) •May 22-25: Signature Series Leg II •May 23: 4th Annual Goombay Festival (Seaspray) •Jun 6: 4th Annual Goombay Festival Pt. II (Seaspray) •June 7 - 9: Sandy Point Homecoming Celebration

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The Abaconian

Letters to the Editor Laziness is NOT a Handicap Dear Editor: Thank you for allowing me the space in your paper. I am writing to comment on an increasingly frequent (and illegal) practice I observe nearly every time I shop at Maxwell’s: perfectly healthy people parking in the places reserved for those with physical disabilities.

For those of you that don’t know, unless you have a blue handicap sticker displayed in your vehicle, then the parking spaces painted BLUE are not for YOU! There are signs on display that warn of punishment for those parking in these spots illegally (i.e. towing of vehicles). However, to my knowledge, no such enforcement has ever been put into practice.

So while some of you may suffer from illiteracy (which is quite unfortunate), sadly it doesn’t constitute a physical handicap, and therefore you don’t meet the criteria for parking in a handicap spot.

I think that if the Public Treasury would like to collect a little more revenue (I’m sure they need it), they should ensure that a traffic officer visit Maxwell’s parking lot once a day (preferably in the afternoon). I guarantee that, in addition to the fines collected from vehicles parked illegally, the fines collected from unlicensed vehicles (another infraction I frequently notice) will certainly make it worth the trip.

Furthermore, as if their actions weren’t indecent enough, many of the same parking offenders do so with their children in the vehicle. Great parenting!

What sort of example are you trying to set for your children? That it’s OK to break the law sometimes? It’s inconsiderate, irresponsible, and simply unacceptable.

Besides, from the look of it, some of you

could benefit from taking a few extra steps.

Trust me, it won’t kill you. In fact, it might do you some good. It seems like those few “extra steps” might be the only exercise you get all day.

Remember, laziness is NOT a handicap.

Sincerely, A Concerned Motorist

Takers Dear Editor: I recently had the pleasure of visiting Green Turtle Cay for a long weekend.

It had been some years since I had been there. Driving from the Green Turtle Club to town I found the entire island clean, yards landscaped and the people very friendly. As I walked through town I noticed even the old rickety houses to be tidy!

It was such a pleasure to see.

On my return to Marsh Harbour I said "my what a contrast." If I had to describe it, I would have to say Marsh Harbour reminds me of a steaming pile of poo.

I asked myself, why such a contrast? After all,our Government is equally absent in the affairs of both Marsh Harbour and the Cays.

It occurred to me that people in Green Turtle just care about their island. They participate. They give back. There are just more people who give than take living there. Mind you there are the exceptions in Marsh Harbour, like Pinewoods Nursery, Commonwealth Bank and Maxwells.

Business owners who care and give back to the community.

For the most part though, Marsh Harbour is saturated with slum lords and takers. Broken down ugly buildings, unpaved driveways and a serious lack of landscaping. I remember when I first came to Abaco in the early 90's. The tourist strip was

packed with people. You had to make a reservation to get into the restaurant.

Friday afternoons at another restaurant people were out on the lawn. It was packed. What happened? The steaming pile of poo is what happened. Ask yourself, if you had 2 weeks vacation a year would you choose to spend it in Marsh Harbour? Not likely.

If you drive into the center of the city you will find a certain plaza. I am not sure who owns this plaza but for as long as I can remember this plaza has been fully rented. Yet, it is without question the ugliest, dirtiest commercial property in Abaco.

The parking lot is even full of craters! It is a true representation of what's wrong with Marsh Harbour.

This property owner gets my vote as "Taker" of the decade. This property owner and too many like him are present in Marsh Harbour sucking the life out of the city.

Until the people of Marsh Harbour give back and insist that the people they rent from do better then it will remain ugly, ugly, ugly. It doesn't take a lot if the majority of citizens just do a little bit and comes together as a community. Some paint, a few plants. A paved driveway at the very least.

Come on have a little pride.

George W Roberts.

Unfairly Disqualified Dear Editor: Please print my letter addressed to the Ministry of Tourism regarding my daughter.

On behalf of Ms. Tanisha Charlton and family, I, Stephanie Charlton, Tanisha’s mother, would like to express my concern in relation to the recent objections to Tanisha’s participation in the Ministry

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of Tourism’s speech competition. It has come to our attention that protests have once again been made against Tanisha, the winner of the Junior Minister of Tourism Speech Competition held in Marsh Harbour, Abaco on March 7, 2013.

After submitting applications and partaking in the interviewing process held by the Ministry in February, the Ministry of Tourism was fully aware of Tanisha’s academic standing. Prior to the speech competition here in Abaco, protests were made by another school concerning Tanisha being a 10th grader competing against 11th grade students. After such concerns were brought to the attention of the officials in Nassau by the Ministry’s representatives here in Abaco, Tanisha was deemed qualified to compete.

Tanisha thus continued to prepare for the speech competition, battling with anxiety and sleepless nights of rehearsal.

Setting out to prove that shewas more than capable of representing her island on April 11, 2013, in Nassau, Tanisha delivered her speech with dignity and confidence and won the competition. Why is it then, that after giving Tanisha authorization to compete, the Ministry is willing to go back on their agreement, even after declaring that the judges’ decisions were final? How is it that it has become so easy to destroy the hopes and dreams of our youth especially those who have proven competent?

As a mother of several overachievers, I bring it to the attention of the Ministry of Tourism, that my oldest daughter, a former student of St. Francis de Sales Catholic School here in Abaco also competed in the Junior Minister of Tourism Speech Competition, twice – once while she, too, was in the 10th grade, and again in the 11th grade, placing second both times. Both Please see

Letters

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The Abaconian May 1, 2013

Central & All Abaco

Simmons Construction continues road repair

By Canishka Alexander In the second week of April, Craig Simmons of Bill Simmons Construction and Heavy Equipment Company, indicated that the company was carrying out repairs on Elizabeth Drive near Memorial Plaza.

Although a heavy downpour of rain had affected their work off and on, he noted that the drains were also not properly functioning at their optimum level. Simmons suggested that the drains be blown out and re-cleaned, so that the water would dissipate more quickly.

With the expectation that Ministry of Works engineers would visit the site and perhaps recommend that they lift the drains up a few inches to correspond with the road, Simmons was hopeful that the issue of flooding would be adequately taken care of. The company has completed road work from the airport in to Government Subdivision, Fire Road, Queen Elizabeth Drive, the entrance to the Central Pines Subdivision and Archer’s Blvd.

He confirmed that the Poleline Road that runs alongside Maxwell’s Supermarket is not included in the contract.

He commented that there is a new deadline because of the tying in of corners that was also not in the contract.

“Having to re-establish corners, would mean that we have to work overtime to catch up,” Simmons said. “As much as we can, we will do with what we have to work with.”

Simmons took time to apologize to store owners at Memorial Plaza and local store in the neighbourhood for the inconvenience caused during their repairs.

Woslee Construction, its sub-contractors aim to support local Bahamians

By Canishka Alexander April 15th’s tour began with an exchange of greetings among MP for North Abaco Renardo Curry; Don Wilmott, Woslee general superintendent; and Noel Clarke, Woslee assistant superintendent.

Beginning at Building A of the Teachers and Salaried Workers Business Complex, which houses the food store, Wilmott pointed out the roof trusses and plywood that have been added to the building in recent weeks.

The food store retail and office area comprises 9,000 sq. ft. of the approximately 62,000 sq. ft. Teachers and Salaried Workers Business Complex in Dundas Town.

Atop the food store and adjacent buildings, purlins have been installed in the roofs. By that weekend, he imagined that the building would be even more outstanding with the addition of standard seams. While various types of businesses are welcomed, Mr. Curry suggested that it would be nice to have another one of the prominent banks open another branch in the area. In Building B, three retail shops will be housed.

“It’s going to be beautiful at the end of the day once it’s completed,” Wilmott remarked.

Woslee drained the ponding or unwanted pooling of water at the site, and filled it in, so there are no concerns with flooding.

Toward the far side of the complex, Building D was in the stages of going up another floor. Wilmott said that there will

Left to right: Noel Clarke, Woslee’s asst. superintendent; MP for North Abaco Renardo Curry’ and Don Wilmott, general superintendent, tour the Teachers and Salaried Workers Business Complex on April 15. be six retail spaces above the bottom section, and was pleased to note the company’s progress having been there for six months so far. He confirmed that they are on target with the completion date.

Wilmott added that there are about 80 persons still working on the site with 98 percent of the workers representative of North, Central and South Abaco.

“We try to work with the locals and teach those who are not familiar with the style of work we have in Nassau. They’ve been pretty good,” Wilmott observed.

“This is our third monument here on Abaco. We started about six years ago with Baker’s Bay. We did the first 34 homes on

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“So that’s where we started, and that was a pretty huge project, too. I spent three years there, and from there I went to the NIB government complex, and spent another year and half there, and now I’m here. The folks here accept me as one of their own, but they still call me a little bit of driftwood.”

Curry followed up on Wilmott’s comments with accolades of his own.

Please see

Woslee

Page 16

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May 1, 2013

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The Abaconian May 1, 2013

DAMIANOS

May 1, 2013

The Abaconian

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DAMIANOS

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The Abaconian May 1, 2013

Barefoot Marketing

May 1, 2013

The Abaconian

Barefoot Marketing

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Central & All Abaco Woslee

According to Bootle, Tropickool Air Conditioning is the only company in Abaco that does metal ducting. The company does its own fabrication and installation, and does the fiberglass and metal ducting right on site.

Like his colleagues, Bootle said he was training young Bahamian to get them involved, and although there have been challenges to find the right people, so far things have worked out well. Curry was encouraged by Bootle’s ongoing training program within Tropickool, and urged that it is a strategy that needs to be implemented by all companies.

“It’s to my advantage to train them because if I get good people that are well

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“What’s so good about it is this is a Bahamian engineer, who’s really effective in his work. When we say that we don’t have that kind of quality in The Bahamas, we have it here, no doubt about it as you can see from the buildings.”

Curry added that the government supports the type of project that Woslee is spearheading, and on a personal level, he was pleased to see so many Bahamian young men employed and at work.

“This is going to be a major impact for this central area, and it is showing that there is growth now happening, and it’s showing that Abaco is really getting to the city status that we often speak about.

You’re going to find out that a lot of businesses are going to be striving in this area, and one of the backbones of the economy is small businesses, and that’s why the government is encouraging this type of operation.”

It was Curry’s first visit to the site and he was obviously impressed by what he saw. Wilmott told Curry that in another two weeks, roofs will be added along the remaining buildings ending with Building E where the credit union will be housed.

Despite the consistent bouts of rain over the past month, Wilmott said they’ve experienced half a day to a day and half of rain stoppage, but now they have transferred some of the men to the inside to clean up and plaster the walls.

Noel Clarke, Woslee’s assistant superintendent, had something to add to what was said.

“We promote Bahamians and have local workers. Over the years, many have been trained by Bahamians, so the trade

Above: a young Bahamian worker, happy with his job, gives the thumbs-up at the construction site. has been passed down from generation to generation. In his family alone, his greatgrandfather was a carpenter, and his grandfather was a builder.

“Bahamians do have skill, and as you can see, we put our skills to the test,” Clarke commented. “So I just want to say that we are promoting Bahamians.”

Doubling back to the food store building, the men met with Fritz Bootle of Tropickool Air Conditioning, who is responsible for all of the air condition work for the complex. Bootle said it is a pleasure to be a part of the whole operation; and that Woslee Construction is a good team to work for.

“I am looking forward to doing a great job here at this complex,” he shared.

trained, it will only make my company better,” Bootle recognized.

Woslee also encourages their subcontractors to implement job training programs for young people. Wilmott said that school students are brought in one hour or two hours every week once they get permission from school, and this exercise has been going on now for the past two to three months. Bootle confirmed that he has hired two students for a week, and Curry’s Electrical, Pinder’s Plumbing and Woslee Construction have followed suit.

“We hired eight because we’re trying to help to bring the young guys up, and make sure they learn this trade,” Wilmott said.

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Central & All Abaco Brown’s Bay Restoration Project slated for three week completion

By Samantha Evans Brown’s Bay was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy late last year and since then the Local Government Committee for Dundas Town has been planning to begin restoration work. The work started on Saturday April 13, 2013 and included restoring the huts, playground and boat canal.

The entire scope of work is scheduled to take three to four weeks.

According to Faron Newbold, Chairman of the Dundas Town Township, on the playground, local professionals have been hired to build more swings and replace damaged slides. The five huts will be repaired and two more built. More coconut palms will be added to give Brown’s Bay more of an island flare.

Additionally, the surrounding areas of the huts will be filled in with sand and the boulders reinforced with concrete so that sand does not seep through. Finally the bathrooms were painted and minor renovations carried out by members of this township.

This committee is excited that this work finally began as the residents of Dundas Town and Central Pines truly enjoy recreational and family time at this site.

Their goal is to ensure that more such places are made available for them to enjoy.

With this in mind, they plan to resume the work at Ocean View Park shortly which will soon be transformed into a state of the art cultural center.

Mr. Newbold explained that this work will be done with the assistance of Central Government. They are currently loading fill onto the property to backfill the seawall. He noted that it will take 100 loads of fill to do so. The seawall which was started sometime last year will resume once they receive the funds promised. The work on both projects is being done by local contractors and the Dundas Town Township Local Government Officials.

Abaco Cancer Society in desperate need The Abaco Cancer Society Thrift Shop is urgently in need of donations of household goods, furniture, books, lamps, cooking utensils, clothing and any other useful items. Volunteers ask to please ensure that items are clean and in good repair.

The Thrift Shop is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 1pm and donations may be brought to the shop during opening hours.

If assistance is needed with the pickup of items please call 367 3744.

Cancer Society organizers greatly appreciate your efforts in helping the cancer patients of Abaco.

Abaco taxi drivers to unionize

By Samantha Evans The first of many meetings in an effort to start a branch of the Taxi Cab Union on Abaco took place at the taxi stand at the Nassau International Airport on Tuesday evening April 9, at 7:30pm. On hand for the meeting was the President of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union Leon Griffin and Vice President Drexel Gibson.

According to Mr. Griffin, this meeting was long overdue as Rocklyn Bootle has been calling him to come to Abaco to help unionize their body for months now.

He asked them why they wanted to become a part of the union then opened the floor for them to voice any initial concerns.

The cab drivers believe that Abaco needs a union so that they can have a body that will look out for each other and advocate for what happens to their members.

Mr. Griffin explained that once they become a body more people will listen to them without delay. He noted that there is a provision in the Constitution for Abaco to become a part of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union. In fact, the Constitution has provisions for all cab drivers all over the Bahamas to start a branch.

Once they become a part of this union, he explained, the executive body will come to their aid when problems arise.

Furthermore, since head office is located in the capital, they can address problems with Road Traffic and the Minister more speedily.

He reiterated that the union represents power and strength.

He told them that once they become a branch, they will have to elect a branch

chairman and an assistant secretary. Additionally, they will have to appoint a committee of five persons to work along with them.

He spoke to them about the steps they will have to take to become a member which involve them paying a membership fee, monthly dues and other contributions as they arise, and the quota needed for them to qualify to become a branch.

He stated that there are documents they should have displayed in their vehicle at all times such as a rate sheet and their I.D. badge. The cab drivers stated that they do not have rate sheets so Mr. Griffin instructed them to request one form Road Traffic. This rate sheet will give them fare pricing guidelines.

The meeting was informative and some of the challenges discussed were: scheduling of work, stealing clients and bidding on jobs.

A number of the cab drivers were confused about pricing fares which they discussed but this matter was not resolved during this meeting. They have many challenges that need to be addressed so they decided to elect their executive body during the meeting.

Rocklyn Bootle was voted in as the chairman and Barbara Thurston was voted in as assistant secretary. The committee members are: Greg Gomez, Donna Burrows, Leslie Burrows, Gwen Carey and Matthew Taylor. Mr. Griffin left the application forms with Mr. Bootle for the members to fill out which he will return to them within a week along with regulation booklets.

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The Abaconian May 1, 2013

Central & All Abaco Community concerned about littering

By Jennifer Hudson A group of concerned citizens met on April 24 at the Friends of the Environment Office in Marsh Harbour to discuss the increasingly alarming problem of littering. In attendance were the Island Administrator and his deputy, representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, The Royal Bahamas Police Force, Bahamas National Trust, Rotary and other interested community stakeholders. Representatives from the Ministry of Health were absent.

The meeting was moderated by Kristin Williams and Olivia Patterson of the Friends of the Environment’s Executive Board.

Ms. Patterson opened the meeting by describing the enormity of the issue of littering. She illustrated this by stating that in September 2012, during the cleanup of the Ernest Dean Highway, 50 bags of trash weighing 750 pounds were picked up in less than two hours. Ms. Williams stated that the area of the Ernest Dean Highway from the airport roundabout to the city dump has been a huge problem ever since the landfill moved Snake Cay, south of Spring City.

“This situation cannot continue and we have to find a way to all work together to rectify this problem,” she stated. It has been noted that the majority of trucks carrying garbage to the landfill are not covered; therefore cardboard boxes, plastic, furniture and many other items are continually falling off and littering the road.

Ways are being sought in which to make a change and a ‘Cover Your Load’ campaign has now been launched for all vehicles carrying garbage.

Falling garbage from trucks is not, however, the only type of garbage littering the roads. A staggering 95% of the garbage collected is residue from eating and drinking, with glass bottles (beer bottles) being the most common item found. Crossing Beach, which is another focus area, is full of picnic garbage and again the most common item is glass bottles.

“This has been a very vexing problem for a while,” stated Wynsome Ferguson, Office Manager for the Ministry of Tourism, Abaco. “The Ministry of Tourism organizes cleanups in different areas but people continue to dump,” she laments. Director of Parks for the BNT, David Knowles, stated that the Trust’s second mandate is the environment which covers issues concerning littering and he cited lit-

tering as a health issue.

Island Administrator, Preston Cunningham, mentioned some of the efforts he has been making towards this end and lamented the fact that no representative from the office of Environmental Health was at the meeting as many of the issues fall under their portfolio. Mr. Cunningham stated that before business places can be granted a license they must show that they have arrangements in place for garbage collection since it has been discovered that several businesses do not.

Executive Director of the Friends of the Environment, Kristin Williams, stated that this meeting is the first step on how to move forward but that this is a major problem which cannot be fixed in one meeting.

She commented that the problem seems to stem from a lack of pride and defiance amongst people. Ms. Patterson suggested that people need to take pride and have an awareness of their surroundings; not just because of Tourism but a self-pride in their own homes and island.

Several persons put forth suggestions regarding ways inroads could be made into curbing this litter problem. PC 3202 Kenton Clarke stated that if a vehicle is on the road it must be properly licensed and all loads must be covered. “‘It is an offense to be carrying an insecure (uncovered) load and I ask anyone who sees this offense being committed to get the license plate number and type of vehicle and report it immediately,” he stated.

Mr. Knowles drew people’s attention to the situation in Grand Bahama where there are fixed penalties for littering. The fixed penalty is an automatic summons to court which is in place in New Providence and Grand Bahama but not on the other family Islands. It was agreed that this would be a good move and will be addressed and that also fines should be increased. Mr. Knowles went on to say that enforcement of laws is KEY and that while people in The Bahamas feel that they can ignore the laws at home, when they are abroad they quickly obey the laws because of the penalties they know they will suffer. “Magistrates need to understand the significance of this problem so that cases will not be dismissed,” he stated.

Several incentive programs and media advertising were suggested by persons present which will be discussed further at subsequent meetings.

Constitutional Commission holds town meetings

Above: Constitutional Commission members (left to right: Michael Albury, Loren Klein and Carl Bethel) along with Senior Island Administrator Preston Cunningham after the town meeting in Marsh Harbour. Meetings were also held on Moore’s Island and in North Abaco.

By Timothy Roberts On April 25 the Constitutional Commission held three meetings in various parts of Abaco giving residents their chance to share their thoughts and concerns about possible changes to The Bahamas’ Constitution. Meetings were held in North Abaco, Moores Island and Marsh Harbour.

The town meeting gave members of the public the opportunity to make comments, give suggestions and ask questions and receive feedback from members of the Constitutional Commission. Attending the meeting at the Anglican Parish Hall in Marsh Harbour were Commission Members Michael Albury, Carl Bethel and Technical Advisor Loren Klein.

Questions and suggestions included whether we retain the Privy Council and enforce capital punishment, whether there should be a fixed general election date and term limits for Prime Ministers and Members of Parliament and should the Senate be retained or become an elected body?

More controversial issues also were discussed concerning revisiting the inequality of women presently in the Constitution, especially as it regards children born to a foreign husband. Also discussed was the status of children born to immigrants in the Bahamas.

The Constitutional Commission sought to bring clarity to the need to strengthen the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, including the need to end gender-bias discrimination against women as The Bahamas is tied to United Nations Conventions.

They added, in response to some audience members’ remarks, that genderneutrality deals with ending discrimination

against women and has nothing to do with the same-sex marriage debate.

Participants generally agreed that term limits, Minister of Parliament recalls and a fixed election date were good ideas, but it was also suggested that it be a set day instead of date to prevent the election from falling on a Sunday. Most also agreed that Senators should be elected instead of appointed; however, the suggestion of possibly moving from a Constitutional Monarchy toward a different form of government such as a Republic did not garner much support.

There was a back and forth discussion between the audience as one suggested that changes allowing children born to Bahamian women for a foreign husband would lead to abuses (marriages of convenience) and should not be allowed. Other audience members pointed out it already happens, that both men and women are involved in marriages of convenience and that a possible abuse to the right should not allow the discrimination to continue.

The audience indicated their support generally of capital punishment and supported the idea that The Bahamas do away with the Privy Council. Mr. Klein noted that outside of murder trials the Privy Council has in several instances ruled in favor of Bahamians. He also stated that changing to the Caribbean Court of Appeals would not be any different in cases of murder as they rule the same way the Privy Council does.

Changes to the status of children born to non-Bahamians in the country stirred some passion among audience members as there is a widespread belief that certain immigrants use childbirth to take advantage of the system.

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AES

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Gone Fishing: Tournament News

Pandemonium opens BBC Season with a big win Press Release Bahamian angler, Sandy Roberts’ three blue marlin releases on day two of the Guana Cay Championship propelled Team Pandemonium into the tournament lead. The Treasure Cay, Abaco based team added another blue marlin release on day four to insure owner Kim Kuhnle a clear victory at the opening tournament of the Bahamas Billfish Championship’s 40th anniversary season.

BBC new-comer, Greg Smith guided Team Blue Sky to a second place finish with two blue marlin releases. The 56 Viking from Pawleys Island, South Carolina released their blues on day one and day four. Cruiser Crews’ Cowpoke finished in third place. The Avon Park, Florida team released one blue marlin, two white marlin and a sailfish to accumulate 1,100 points during the four day event.

Pandemonium owner and captain, Kim Kuhnle said of the win, “We had an absolute ball! In all my years of marlin fishing, this is the first time we caught and released three blues in one day. Considering that no one on our team is under 56 years of age made it even more rewarding.” All four of Pandemonium’s blue marlin were caught on lures. Kuhnle went on to say, “My 1990, 61’ Buddy Davis is certainly not the newest boat in the fleet which shows that the older boats still raise fish.”

The Guana Cay Championship win earned Kim Kuhnle and Team Pandemonium a Randy Rich designed trophy presented by tournament sponsors Hatteras and MarineMax. In addition, Kuhnle received a $1,000 gift certificate from Aqualuma Lighting. Kim Kuhnle and mate Steve Russell each received Randy Rich designed crew trophies sponsored by the Lewis Marine Group.

Top Tournament Angler honors went to Sandy Roberts who will receive a Carey Chen print presented by International Special Risks, Smith-Merritt and Travelers.

Roberts now has 1,800 points toward the newly created Jim Lambert Memorial Tro-

phy that will be presented to the BBC’s top 2013 angler at the 40th Anniversary celebration during the Marsh Harbour Championship. Pandemonium Opens BBC Season with a Big Win The Second Place Randy Rich designed trophy went to Blue Sky. Greg Smith’s team finished with 1,200 points as a result of their two blue marlin releases.

Cruiser Crews and Team Cowpoke, winners of last year’s Treasure Cay Championship, received the Third Place trophy.

In addition to the Hatteras and MarineMax Randy Rich trophies, the three winning teams also received gift certificates from Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service (ROFFS) and bottles of Bacardi Anejo from Bacardi and Bristol Wine & Spirits.

A contest was held on Lay Day to create a new signature drink for Orchid Bay’s new Sunsetter restaurant. Pandemonium’s blend of Anejo, Amaretto, ginger ale and a squeeze of fresh orange took First Place and is now the new ‘Sunsetter.’

The Guana Cay Championship, hosted by Orchid Bay Yacht Club & Marina, produced eight blue marlin, five white marlin and one sailfish. All billfish were released. All catches in Bahamas Billfish Championship tournaments are validated using time and date stamped digital images.

Affidavits signed by all participants fishing on each team further confirm that the fish was released in accordance with IGFA and Bahamas Billfish Championship rules.

Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Bahamas Billfish Championship is the oldest billfish tournament series in the world. Anglers can fish any or all of the tournaments with cumulative points determining the overall Bahamas Billfish Champions. The BBC endowed two scholarships that enable Bahamian students the opportunity to pursue a degree in marine biology or advanced education in the marine technologies.

Signature Series fishing tournament enjoyed by organizers, participants

By Canishka Alexander The Signature Series 2013 Fishing Tournament lured its participants to Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour for an exclusive Bahamian sportfishing experience on April 24 to 27 during Leg I of the two-part series.

May 22-25 will welcome participants in Leg II of the series and offer thousands of dollars in cash prizes. The tournament entry fee is $6,000 per tournament or $10,000 for the series.

Following the completion of registration and brief dining over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a welcome address and Captain’s Meeting were extended to the resort’s guests.

Among their guests was the crew aboard Deguello: Gary Domel, owner; Bill Diamond, captain; Chris Domel, angler; Vince Austin, mate/captain; and Matt Coffen, mate. Their contenders were the crew ofReel Lax: Lester Petracca, Pat McAteen; James Barnes; Tyler Princinsky; and Paul Pallone.

Leaving Abaco Beach Resort’s fullservice marina behind in exchange for deep sea fishing pursuits, April 25-26 was reserved for full days of fishing, and each afternoon the fishermen would bring their catch to be weighed in. Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Spearfish and Mahi, Wahoo and Tuna were all listed as catch and release.

On the final night, a reception and awards dinner ceremony was held for the tournament winners. Reel Lax placed first while Deguelloplaced second. Tyler Princinsky was awarded with a First Place Angler trophy; the Largest Wahoo was awarded to Chris Domel; Largest Mahi went to Lester Petracca; and the Top Captain & Crew trophy was received by Captain James Barnes of Reel Lax with mates Tyler Princinsky and Paul Pallone.

Barnes said that he and his crew had a great time during the tournament aboard his 61’ Garlington, and have visited The Bahamas several times. The men have fished in tournaments all over the region and have travelled to Bermuda, St. Thomas and Florida. In the Signature Series tournament, they caught three sailfish, one blue marlin and a dolphin, which weighed 55 pounds.

According to Reel Lax’s top angler Tyler Princinsky, it was the marlin that gave him the hardest pull.

“It’s always awesome,” Princinsky shared. “I’ve never met a blue marline I didn’t like.”

Seated at the table next to them, Gary noted that the tournament will become a significant event for the resort because it is designed to give back to the community and create jobs for Bahamians. As part of the event, funds were also raised on behalf of Every Child Counts and Friends of the Environment.

Aboard Gary’s 48-foot Cabo Flybridge boat name Deguello translated as “No Mercy,” they caught wahoo, dolphin and white marlin. Since 2008, the crew of Deguello has fished exclusively in The Bahamas, and have made stops on Bimini, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Cat Island and Spanish Cay. Gary said he was happy to see the tournament get started, and is looking forward to additional tournaments in the area. For Smith, the camaraderie was high with excellent food and lots of fun, and he sensed a renewed effort for these types of tournaments.

Director Emmanuel Alexiou, Andrew Sweeting, owner, and Michael Choiniere, vice president of sales and marketing, attended the ceremony with Skip Smith, tournament organizer; and Kevie Thomas, assist. tournament organizer. Jennifer Jones of Active Interest Media, Marine Group, and Julieth Stuart-McCafferty, Weddings and Events Manager, were also in attendance.

The Signature Series Fishing Tournament was sponsored by Silver Airways; Power & MotorYacht; and Marlin – the international sportfishing magazine.

Man-O-War Offshore Fishing Tournament reels in the big ones

By Timothy Roberts Jeffrey Albury on the “Phyllis C” was the big winner of the eleventh ManO-War Offshore Fishing Tournament held April 25, 26 & 27 out of the Man O War Marina after reeling in the largest Dolphin and Largest Wahoo of the tournament.

Though the final day of fishing was pretty rough with a consistent 20 mile-anhour breeze from the north east the fishermen, both foreign and local enjoyed beautiful skies all three days.

The overall "Top Boat" – out of eight – was determined by the largest fish, whether it be dolphin, tuna or wahoo.

Awards were given for each of the other largest species as well.

Top Boat went to the "Phyllis C", captained by Jeffrey Albury with a 55 Please see

Offshore

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May 1, 2013

Gone Fishing Offshore

From Page 20

pound dolphin who also reeled in the Biggest Wahoo.

The Biggest Tuna was caught by "Easy Street” captained by Kent Bethel.

A special award - Angler of the Year - was given to Aaron Albury on "Bimini Twist" for catching a blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish this season.

The award ceremony was hosted at the home of Scott and Judy Gregory.

Abaco Anglers celebrates forty three years The Abaco Anglers Fishing Tournament, which closed its forty third edition on April 27, drew a number of boats, local and tourist, into a fun week of fishing.

Taking the top spots this year were Ashley Knowles, with a 21 lb. wahoo on a 30 lb test line, and Sid Roberts with a 53 lb.

Dolphin on a 20 lb. Line. The award ceremony this year was held at Hope Town Inn and Marina where it was competently catered by manager Aaron Knowles and his staff.

The event which started April 18 had weigh stations throughout Abaco including Lighthouse Marina in Hope Town and Pete’s Pub in Little Harbour. A particular

draw of this tournament is the inclusion of a Junior division, where miniature anglers can throw their lines and be recognized along with experienced sportfishers.

New competitors who were recognized at this year’s banquet at Hope Town Inn were: Bob Morecraft, Loraine Morecraft, Charlie Horne, Ed Davis and Leonardo Whan.

Competitors used everything from hand lines to 80 lb test. Dolphin, barracuda and wahoo were what appeared to be the most common catches.

During the awards banquet, anglers and visitors were encouraged to purchase raffle tickets. Many prizes were given out including wine, bottle cozies, tackle gear and a $50 and $100 gift certificate to Hope Town Inn and Marina.

Sid Roberts, who also caught the largest fish in the competition, moderated the event. Nearly everyone received a prize: hand carved trophies by Little Harbour’s Pete Johnston. Sid awarded himself the top catch floating trophy and awarded Ashley Knowles the top lady’s trophy, which was a sculpture carved from a vibrant pink conch shell.

The Abaco Angler Tournament was run for many years by the late Ross Thompson. It is continued, in his memory, by organizers.

Letters

The Abaconian

From Page 9

times, no protests or objections were made against her.

If indeed this has become a matter of disqualification against Tanisha, we ask that the Ministry of Tourism provide a more legitimate and reasonable explanation as to why she was not able to compete in Nassau on the 11th of April, 2013.

Tanisha’s grade level should no longer be a matter of concern simply because she was already given the right to compete at the preliminary level. At this point, the competition should be a matter of skill, which Tanisha Charlton has already proven she possesses and several newspaper articles can attest to that fact.

Before taking further action, I await your speedy response, so that we can move Tanisha forward in her continued preparation.

Sincerely, Stephanie Charlton

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Letters to the Editor Garden Hose Surprise Dear Editor: While visiting a small, unique settlement in South Abaco I was amazed at the clean, manicured scenery. I thought “Wow”! these people are really concerned about their surroundings and take pride in their community!

However, my perception was swiftly changed! On an evening walk I came across a garden hose running across the road. Curious to see where it led to I followed it and found it went into the nearby bay. Some children were playing nearby asked I them where was the hose going. They said someone was pumping their waste tank.

Why is this being allowed? Isn’t there a proper way of doing this?

-Concerned in Abaco

The Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour announces the availability of a limited number of luxury condominiums for sale at

The Harbour Residences For more information visit

www.AbacoBeachResort.com or call 242-367-2585 or 242-367-2158

Page 22

Section A

The Abaconian May 1, 2013

The Cays Turtle

From Page 2

Claudia Sawyer, Assistant General Manager of Bluff House, said that the event coincides with the opening of “the new Bluff House and we are doing our part to get more people to come to this side of the island to let them see what we are all about.”

The Bluff House in the last eight months has built a new beach bar and restaurant and eight brand new hotel suites on the Sea of Abaco side of their property.

Ms. Sawyer said “we have rooms, we have the Jolly Roger Bar that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and every now and then we will try to throw as many parties down by the Tranquil Turtle as we can.”

Burns House Representative Chantelle Sands said “We are celebrating 25 years of Kalik with a series of parties in Nassau, Grand Bahama and Abaco and are featuring Bahamian artists to go along with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the beer of The Bahamas.”

She added that they have already hosted a couple of parties in Abaco and will be celebrating at regattas, homecomings and at any island festivals as well.

Kalik is the first Bahamian made beer to be produced in The Bahamas. It has won numerous international awards over the years. Since it was first introduced they have added Kalik Gold, Kalik Lite and more recently Kalik Lime which they are featuring in this year’s celebration.

Ms. Sawyer said “We felt this was a great opportunity to host the Kalik party with Burns House.”

“We invite everyone to come and see what’s new and exciting and we will be having even more events to look forward to,” she said.

New exhibit opened at the Albert Lowe Museum

By Mirella Santillo For several months, Alton Lowefounder of the Albert Lowe Museum on Green Turtle Cay- aided by the recently appointed Curator, Christopher Farrington, have worked steadily to prepare a new exhibit “Abaco Cultural Reflexion.”

The exhibit consisting of hundreds of photos as well as artifacts of everyday life, saved from past generations, will be displayed in the recently renovated basement of the Museum, the Wreckers Gallery.

As people pass through the low doorway accessible from Parliament Street that leads to the basement of the Museum, they step back into a different time. They are carried back from the 1970s when the museum opened to nearly two and a half centuries ago when the Loyalists founded New Plymouth, to even further in time, when the island of Green Turtle Cay was first inhabited by the Lucayan Indians.

To the right of the stairway, many photographs were mounted by Mandy and Dale Roberts (helped by Erik Walter) on panels secured to the stone walls. They tell the story of the Museum, starting with its grand opening in 1976. The ceremony brought scores of people to New Plymouth, including Sir Roland Symonette and Lady Symonette, Sir Etienne and Lady Dupeuch, and the then Minister of Tourism, Clement Maynard, Dr. Gail Saunders and artist Eddie Minnis, to mention only a few. The Ferry Captains and the girls escorting visitors to and from the boats were dressed in Loyalist outfits.

As one advances along the walls of the small room, more photographs relate to the Sculpture Garden, from its conception to the completed project, ending with another Grand Opening Ceremony in 1977.

Also in 1977, Green Turtle Cay enjoyed its first Island Roots Heritage Festival, all the festivities recorded on photographs.

Mr. Lowe said that he spent approximately six weeks working morning to night to sort out the two hundred and seventy photographs that are on display from about fifteen hundred saved over the years. The remaining photographs will be used at a later date for other exhibits.

On the back wall, a lighted display case shows numerous Lucayan and Loyalist artifacts. Another case exhibits hand tools and fishing equipment saved from past generations of Lowes.

The items remind the public of Green Turtle Cay ‘s past, when sponging, whaling, turtle fishing and boat building were ways of life, such as the hooks and turtling pegs, crafted by Alton’s great uncle, Oliver Saunders.

In the middle of the room, two wooden dinghies are full of more trade artifacts.

One dinghy was built on Man O War by Maurice Albury the other was crafted on Green Turtle Cay by Alton Lowe’s uncle, Herbert Lowe.

As small as it is, the Wrecker’s Gallery hides even more treasures that will have to be discovered while visiting the exhibit which will be on display for six months. It will then be on loan to the Wyannie Malone Museum in Hope Town and later to a museum in Key West.

Upstairs, the main museum has received a face lift with show cases being redecorated and new items added, such as a set of Gaudy Welsh and Staffordshire China, donated by Pat and John Robertshaw.

Items that were on loan to the Miami Museum have been returned to the Albert Lowe’s Museum.

The outdoor kitchen has been completely renovated, itfeatures a huge fire-

114 hse 25 hse

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3 hse 366-2053 5 cottages 366-2075

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Barefoot Homes 14 hse 577-4092 Bluff House Club 12 units 365-4247 Cocobay Cottages 6 cott 800-752-0166 Green Turtle Club 35 rm 365-4271 Island Properties + 34 hse 365-4047 New Plymouth Inn 9 rm 365-4161 Ocean Blue Properties + 34 365-4636 Other Shore Club 365-4226 Roberts Cottages 3 cott 365-4105

Guana Cay

Fresca - Situated in a brand new development, this spacious 4 bed, 4 bath home features hardwood floor & private pool. Decks allow you to enjoy Atlantic views & breezes. Short walk to beach or On Da Beach Bar & Grill, and quick golf cart ride from Hope Town village. Sleeps 8.

Starting at $3,000/wk plus tax

Barefoot Bay - This 6 bed, 4.5 bath home offers amazing views of Tilloo Cut and Tahiti Beach. Expansive decks connect main house and two adjoining private quarters. Great for large families! $1.875 M USD

A Tranquil Landing - Beautiful 3 bed, 2 bath home overlooking the Hope Town Harbour with amazing views and spectacular sunsets! Private dock and gazebo.

Convenient to everything. Sleeps 6.

Starting at $2,700/wk plus tax

Town Break - Newly redecorated with high end furnishings, this fabulous ocean front 6 bed, 4 bath home is located in Hope Town village on a secluded beach. Great Rental History! $1.45 M BSD

Atlantic Horizons - This oceanfront 3 bed, 3 bath home in Tahiti Beach w/360 degree views is perched on edge of Atlantic Ocean with bountiful decks (shade & sun), a freshwater pool and elevated vistas of the chain of islands & cays. Sleeps 6.

Starting at $3,500/wk plus tax

Specializing in Residential & Commercial Real Estate throughout The Abacos Local 242.366.0216 • US 561.208.8369 • realestate@hopetown.com

HOPE TOWN HIDEAWAYS

Queen’s Highway, Hope Town, Elbow Cay, Abaco, The Bahamas

Hope Town • Marsh Harbour • Guana Cay • Lubbers Quarters • Treasure Cay • Man-O-War Cay • Green Turtle Cay • Tilloo Cay

242-357-6532 Dock Construction

Residential and Commercial Customized to suit your lifestyle

Boat Lifts

Sales and Service Quality boat lift dealer for 10 years

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Offering unsurpassed attention to detail with almost two decades of hands on experience

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Sea Level Cottages

Abaco Cottage + Abaco Vacation Planner +

Cherokee

Donald Seas - Beautiful 3B, 2B home w/gazebo leading to private dock on White Sound. Features include wraparound covered verandah & great views of the Sea of Abaco. Offered with add’l waterfront lot. $1.9 M USD

Brandon Thompson

+ agents with multiple cottages and houses

Island-wide Abaco Listings

Breezy Palms - This 5 bed, 5.5 bath beachfront house Turtle Run - Luxurious 5 bed, 5 bath waterfront home consists of 3 structures joined by decks with private pool. w/ pool and dock slip in Marnie’s Landing. This perfectly Features include a spacious kitchen and each pod has a maintained, turnkey island home is a great investment. $3.39 M USD kitchenette and sitting room. $3.5 M USD

“Honesty and Quality You Can Count On”

Hotels and House Rental Agents Area Code 242 unless listed otherwise

Paradise - This custom designed 4 bed, 3 bath luxury estate with 2 bed, 1 bath guest house stretches from Atlantic Ocean to White Sound & Sea of Abaco. Perched on high dune complete with pool & dock. $4.7 M USD

place flanked by a bread oven. An old castiron cooking stove is ready for a meal to be cooked. Handmade equipment decorates the walls while shelves display more period china. The kitchen opens-up on a flower garden bursting with colour and fragrance.

The Albert Lowe Museum is open daily, except Sunday, from 9:00 am to 12 noon and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Dive Guana + Dolphin Bch Resort Guana Sunset Beach Ocean Frontier Ward’s Landing Ruth Sands +

11 hse 365-5178 4 rm 10 cott. 365-5137 13 units 365-5133 6 cott 519-389-4846 4 units 904-982-2762 9 hse 365-5140

Hope Town

Abaco Inn 22 rm 366-0133 Crystal Villas 5 villas 321-452-0164 Elbow Cay Prop + 53 hse 366-0035 Hope T Harb Lodge 25 rm 366 0095 Hope T Hideaways + 63 hse 366-0224 Hope Town Inn 6 rm 4 Villas 366-0003 Hope T Villas + 3 hse 366-0266 Lighthouse Rentals 4 cott 366-0154 Sea Gull Cottages + 4 hse 366-0266 Sea Spray Resort 6 villas 366-0065 Tanny Key + 43 hse 366-0053 Turtle Hill 4 villas 366-0557

Lubbers Quarters

4 hse

Man-O-War

366-3121

Island Home Rentals + Schooner’s Landing Waterway Rentals +

2 hse 365-6048 5 condos 365-6072 14 hse 365-6143

Abaco Beach Resort Abaco Real Estate + Abaco Towns Ambassador Inn Bustick Bight Resort Conch Inn Living Easy + Island Breezes Motel Lofty Fig Villas

Pelican Beach Villas Regattas HG Christie +

82 rms 6 hse 16 apts 6 rms 8 rms 9 rms 16 hse 8 rms 6 eff 6 cott 32 apts 11 hse

Marsh Harbour area

Sandy Point

367-2158 367-2719 367-0148 367-2022 367-3980 367-4000 367-2202 367-3776 367-2681 367-3600 577-6764 367-4151

Oeisha’s Resort 366-4139 Pete & Gay’s Resort 14 rm 366-4119 Rickmon’s Bonefishing 10 rm 800-628-1447 Spanish Cay Resort

Spanish Cay

18 rm 6 hse 365-0083

Treasure Cay

Bahama Beach Club 88 units 365-8500 Brigantine Bay Villas 5 units 877-786-8455 Treasure Cay Resort + 95 rms 365-8801 Mark’s Bungalows 4 units 365-8506 Abaco Estate Services + 365-8752 Island Dreams Rental + 357-6576

Turtle Rock

Villas at Palmetto Beach

3 villas 262-820-1900

Tangelo Hotel

14 rm 1 villa 365-2222

Wood Cay

Web Sites with Abaco Information

http://www.abaconian.com http://www.abacos.com http://www.abacoinet.com http://www.oii.net http.//www.abacoinfo.com http://www.bahamas.com http.//www.abacocottage.com Rev. March 2012

May 1, 2013

Emergency Services

Police - Marsh Harbour 367-2560 • 911 Police - Hope Town 366-0667 Police - Man-O-War 365-6911 Police - Treasure Cay 365-8048 Police - Green Turtle Cay 365-4550 B. Electricity Corp 367-2727, 367-2846, 367-4667 Water & Sewerage 475-1499, 475-5518 The following services are provided by volunteers Fire - Marsh Harbour 367-2000 Fire -Hope Town VHF Ch 16 • Fire - Green Turtle Cay 475-1768 Fire - Man-O-War 365-4019 Abaco Crash Fire & Rescue 365-9111 BASRA Bah Air Sea Rescue Assoc - all areas Marine VHF 16 Hope Town 366-0549 Marsh Harbour 367-3752 Guana Cay 365-5178 Treasure Cay 365-8749

Medical Services

Abaco Family Medicine, Marsh Harbour......................367-2295 Auskell Advanced Medical Clinic.................................367-0020 Integrated Medical Center...........................................367-1304 Emergency................................................458-1234 Marsh Harbour Medical Centre....................................367-0049 Government Clinic, Marsh Harbour............................367-2510 Corbett Clinic, Treasure Cay .........................................365-8288 Government Clinic, Cooper‘s Town..............................365-0300 Government Clinic, Green Turtle Cay...........................365-4028 Government Clinic, Hope Town ...................................366-0108 Government Clinic, Sandy Point..................................366-4010 Government Clinic, Fox Town ......................................365-2172

Dental Services

Agape Family Dental, Marsh Harbour..........................367-4355 Diamante Dental, Marsh Harbour................................367-4968 Man O War Dental Clinic..............................................365-6508

Pharmacy

Abaco Island Pharmacy, Marsh Harbour......................367-2544 Chemist shoppe, Marsh Harbour.................................367-3106

Veterinary

Caribbean Veterinary Centre, Marsh Harbour..............367-3551 Island Veterinary Clinic, Marsh Harbour......................367-0062

Airlines Serving Abaco

Abaco Air - Nassau, N Eleuthera, Moores Is............................367-2266 AirGate Aviation - New Smyrna Beach.....................................367-1900 American Eagle - Miami ......................................................367-2231 Bahamasair - Nassau,W. Palm B, Ft Laud .............................367-2095 Regional - Freeport...............................................................367-0446 Silver Airline - Orlando Ft. Laud and W Palm Beach...............................................367-3415 Sky Bahamas - Nassau..........................................................367-0996 Western Air - Nassau ............................................................367-3722 Local air charters serving Bahamas & S.Florida Abaco Air...............................................................................367-2266 Cherokee Air Charters .........................................................367-3450

Dive Shops

Abaco Dive Adventures, Marsh Harbour......................367-2963 Dive Abaco Since1978, Marsh Harbour...................... 367-2787 Dive Time, Man-O-War................................................365-6235 Froggies, Hope Town.................................................. 366-0431 Treasure Divers, Treasure Cay.......................................365-8571 Brendal’s Dive, Green T. Cay........................................ 365-4411 Dive Guana................................................................. 365-5178 Man-O-War Dive Shop .................................................365-6013

Taxi Cab Fares one or two passengers

Extra $3 for each passengers above two • Marsh Harbour Airport to: Effective Dec 08 Clinic, Downtown, Stop Light, .........................................................$10 Ab Bch Resort, Eastern Shore close, Ferry .........................................$15 Spring City.........................................................................................$15 Dundas Town, Nat Ins bldg, C Abaco Primary Sch ..............................$15 Murphy Town & Great. Cistern ..........................................................$20 Snake Cay .........................................................................................$35 Casuarina Point.................................................................................$60 Cherokee, Winding Bay, Little Harbour..............................................$80 Bahama Palm Shore..........................................................................$90 Crossing Rocks.................................................................................$105 Sandy Point ....................................................................................$150 Leisure Lee ........................................................................................$50 Treasure Cay Airport, G Turtle ferry....................................................$80 Treasure Cay Resort...........................................................................$85 Fox Town .........................................................................................$165 • Between Marsh Harbour Ferry and: Clinic, downtown, Ab Beach Hotel .................................................. $ 10 Nat. Ins. Bldg, Murphy Town, Gr. Cistern ...........................................$10 Wait time $0.40 per minute, Hourly rate $40 per hour Children under three - free • Caged pets - as people Luggage $0.75 each over two, large bags $1 ea.

• Treasure Cay Airport to: Effective Dec 08 Green Turtle Cay ferry dock................................................................$10 Madeira Park.....................................................................................$20 Sand Banks .......................................................................................$25 Treasure Cay Resort...........................................................................$30 Leisure Lee ........................................................................................$45 Black Wood .......................................................................................$20 Fire Road & Cooper’s Town ................................................................$40 Cedar Harbour ..................................................................................$60 Wood Cay ..........................................................................................$70 Mount Hope..................................................................................... $80 Fox Town ...........................................................................................$85 Crown Haven ....................................................................................$90 Marsh Harbour airport ......................................................................$80 Green Turtle Ferry to Marsh H Airport ...............................................$80 Treasure Cay Hotel to Marsh Harbour.................................................$85 Treasure Cay Hotel to Green Turtle Ferry............................................$25 Treasure Cay Hotel to Blue Hole.........................................................$30

The Abaconian

Section A

Visitors’ Guide

Page 23

Restaurants • Services • Transportation w w w. t h e a b a c on ian .c o m

Ferry Schedules • Departure times shown • Daily service unless noted Marsh Harbour to Hope Town or Man-O-War - 20 minutes, Guana Cay - 30 minutes

Everyone reads The Abaconian

Albury’s Ferry Service • Ph 367-3147 or 367-0290 • VHF Ch. 16 • Hope Town & Man-O-War from Crossing Bch Marsh Harbour>Hope Town 7:15am 9:00am 10:30am 12:15pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 5:45pm

Return: 8:00 am 9:45am 11:30am 1:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:30pm Marsh Harbour>Man-O-War 10:30am 12:15pm 2:30pm* 4:00pm 5:45pm * Not on

Return: 8:00am 11:30am 1:30pm 3:15pm* 5:00pm Sundays Marsh H.>Guana Cay/Scotland cay From Conch Inn or holidays

(6:45am - Union Jack Dock) 10:30am 1:30pm 3:30pm 5:45pm

Return: 8 am 11:30am 2:30pm 4:45pm 6:30pm

All phones use area code 242 unless noted

Fare • Adult prepaid one way $17 / open return $27, • Kids 6-11 half, Under 6 free (Phone after hours 359-6861) Note: During the month of August through December there are some adjustments made to the schedule. You are advised to contact the office for the changes.

Green Turtle Ferry • Phone 365-4166, 4128 • VHF Ch 16 • Ten minute ride T Cay Airport>Green T Cay 8:30am 10:30am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:30pm 4:30pm* 5:00pm

Return: 8am 9am 11am 12:15pm 1:30pm 3:00pm 4:30pm* * * Note: 4:30 pm trip to GTC not on Sundays

** Note: 4:30 pm trip will be made from New Plymouth only

New Plymouth :One way adult $12 (Children $7) • Round trip $17 (Children $10) • Extra to some G T Cay docks

Abaco Adventures • Ph 365-8749 or 375-8123 VHF Ch 16 Charters Available Treasure Cay to Guana Cay Sunday departs 11:00am & returns 3:30 p.m. $50 Round Trip T Cay to Man-O-War/ Hope Town - Saturday departs 9:30 am, $60 Round Trip Pinder’s Ferry Service Between Abaco & Grand Bahama Crown Haven, Abaco to McLean’s Town, Grand Bah. Daily 7:00 am & 2:30 pm McLean’s Town to Crown Haven - return Daily 8:30 am & 4:30 pm

Fare $45 OW / $90 RT • Children half fare • Call Abaco 365-2356 for information

Bus between Freeport and McLean’s Town • Rental automobiles at both terminals.

Bahamas Ferries Summer Schedule only (April to Dec) Sandy Point & Nassau Every Friday & Sunday, except holidays, under 4 hours. Call 225-3376 or 366-4119 Call for rates.

The Great Abaco Express Eco & Historical bus tours • Call 367-2165 or 559-9160

Attractions

Albert Lowe Museum.................................Green Turtle Cay Capt Roland Roberts House, reef exhibits...Green Turtle Cay Memorial Sculpture Garden..................... Green Turtle Cay Wyannie Malone Historical Museum..................Hope Town Elbow Cay Light Station.....................................Hope Town Swim Mermaid Reef off Marsh Harbour......... Pelican Shore Drive to & swim in Blue Hole............Treasure Cay farm road Art studio & working foundry....................... Little Harbour Working boatyards......................................Man-O-War cay

Bring errors & revisions to our attention Revised Dec 2012

Bonefish Guides Casaurina Point Junior Albury................ 366-3058 Cherokee Noel Lowe.................... 366-2107 Marty Sawyer............... 366-2115 Randy Sawyer............. 366-2284 Will Sawyer.................. 366-2177 Crossing Rocks Tony Russell................ 366-3259 Green Turtle Cay Rick Sawyer................. 365-4261 Ronnie Sawyer............ 365-4070 Hope Town Maitland Lowe............. 366-0234 Tom Albury................... 366-3141 Man-O-War David Albury................ 365-6502

Tours & Excursions Abaco Island Tours • Marsh Harbour.................367-2936 Abaco Neem • Marsh Harbour..........................367-4117 Abaco’s Nature Adventure................................577-0004 Adventure on Prozac - T Cay.............................365-8749 Brendals Dive • Green Turtle Cay.......................365-4411 C & C Charters • Treasure Cay............................365-8506 Dive Abaco Since 1978 • Marsh Harbour...........367-2787 Excursion boat, Froggies • Hope Town..............366-0024

Pocket Beaches

• Crossing Beach in Marsh Harbour • Witches Point - 3 miles S. of Marsh Harbour • Little Harbour - 20 miles S. of Marsh Harbour • Cherokee - 23 miles S of Marsh Harbour Miles of beach (most exposed to ocean) • Treasure Cay • Green Turtle Cay • Guana Cay • Elbow Cay • Man-O-War Cay • Casuarina Point • Bahama Palm Shore • Sandy Point & more

Items of interest

• Man-O-War boat yards • Blackwood blue hole & sisal mill • Cedar Harbour plantation ruins - need guide • Hole-in- Wall lighthouse - last mile very rough road • Abaco wild horses by appointment 367-4805 • Bird watching - ask tourism 367-3067

Charter Fishing Boats Lucky Strike - Hope Town......................366-0101 Sea Gull - Hope Town............................366-0266 A Salt Weapon - Hope Town..................366-0245 Down Deep............................................366-3143 Local Boy...............................................366-0528 Back Breaker.........................................365-5140

Abaco Marinas - Slips - Fuel - Phone

Green Turtle Cay Bluff House ....................... 45..........F..........365-4200 Green Turtle Club ............... 32..........F..........365-4271 Black Sound Marina........... 15......................365-4531 Other Shore Club................ 12..........F..........365-4195 Abaco Yacht Service........... 10..........F..........365-4033 Leeward Yacht Club............ 26.........F...........365-4191 Treasure Cay Treasure Cay Marina......... 150..........F..........365-8250 Man-O-War Man-O-War Marina ........... 26..........F..........365-6008 Marsh Harbour Boat Harbour Marina....... 183..........F..........367-2158 Conch Inn........................... 75..........F ..........367-4000 Harbour View Marina......... 36..........F ..........367-2182 Mangoes Marina................ 29......................367-4255 Marsh Harbour Marina....... 52..........F.......... 367 2700 Hope Town Hope Town Marina............. 16......................366-0003 Hope Town Hideaways.................................366-0224 Lighthouse Marina............... 6..........F..........366-0154 Sea Spray........................... 60..........F..........366-0065 Spanish Cay Spanish Cay Marina............ 75..........F..........365-0083 Guana Cay Bakers Bay Marina........... 158..........F..........365-5802 Guana Hide-aways............. 37......................577-0003 Orchid Bay.......................... 64 .........F..........365-5175

Boats can clear Customs at Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay or Marsh Harbour

Bikes & Scooters • Boats Cars & Cart Rentals Marsh Harbour A & P Car Rentals ..............................................367-2655 Abaco Dorado Boat Rentals...............................367-1035 B & B Boat Rentals............................................367-7368 Bargain Car Rentals...........................................367-0500 Blue Wave Boat Rentals ....................................367-3910 Concept Boat Rentals........................................367-5570 Cruise Abaco......................................................577-0148 Quality Star Car Rentals (Texaco).......................367-2979 Rainbow Boat Rentals.......................................367-4602 Rental Wheels Scooters, Bikes, Cars...................367-4643 Rich’s Boat Rentals ..........................................367-2742 Sea Horse Boat Rentals .....................................367-2513 Sea Star Car Rentals .........................................367-4887 The Moorings Boat Rentals...............................367-4000 Green Turtle Cay Brendals Dive Bikes & Kayak rental...................365-4411 C & D Cart Rental ..............................................365-4084 Cruising Cart Rentals.........................................365-4065 D & P Cart Rental ..............................................365-4655 Donnie’s Boat Rentals........................................365-4119 Kool Karts.........................................................365-4176 Reef Boat Rentals .............................................365-4145 Sea Side Carts & Bikes.......................................365-4147 T & A Cart Rentals.............................................375-8055 Guana Cay Donna Sands Cart Rentals ................................365-5195 Dive Guana Boats & Bikes..................................365-5178 Orchid Bay Cart rentals......................................354-5175 Lubbers Quarters Cruise Abaco..............................................321-220-8796 Man-O-War Conch Pearl Boat Rentals..................................365-6502 Ria-Mar Golf Cart Rentals..................................365-6024 Waterways Boat Rental .................357-6540 & 365-6143 Hope Town Cat’s Paw Boat Rentals......................................366-0380 Elbow Cay Cart..................................................366-0530 Hope Town Cart Rentals ...................................366-0064 Island Cart Rentals ...........................................366-0448 Island Marine Boat Rentals ..............................366-0282 J R’s Cart Rental.................................................366-0361 Sea Horse Boat Rentals.....................................366-0023 T & N Cart Rentals.............................................366-0069 Treasure Cay Adventure on Prozac - Kayak.............................365-8749 Blue Marlin Rentals...........................................365-8687 Cash’s Carts.......................................................365-8771 Cornish Car Rentals...........................................365-8623 JIC Boat Rentals ................................................365-8582 Triple J Car Rentals............................................365-8761 Abaco Adventures - Kayaks ..............................365-8749

Marsh Harbour Jody Albury................375-8068 Sidney Albury.............477-5996 Richard Albury...........367-0367 Terrance Davis...........375-8550 Buddy Pinder.............366-2163 Justin Sands..............367-3526 Danny Sawyer...........367-3577 Jay Sawyer................367-3941 North Abaco O’Donald McIntosh....477-5037 Alexander Rolle.........365-0120 Edward Rolle.............365-0024 Herbert Thurston.......365-2405 Sandy Point Valantino Adderley.....366-4323 Anthony Bain.............366-4107 Derek Gaitor..............366-4249 Nicholas Roberts.......366-4486 Treasure Cay Capt. Joe Pritchard....559-9117

Restaurant Guide Prices $ Low, $$ Moderate, $$$ Upper (Based on dinner entree range) + Picnic tables & restroom only ‡ Provides ride from town Marsh Harbour Abaco Pizza..................................$................... 367-4488 Anglers....................................$$$................... 367-2158 Curly Tails ................................$$$................... 367-4444 Golden Grouper .........................$................... 367-2301 Island Family Rest........................$................... 367-3778 Java Coffee House........................$................... 367-5523 Jamie’s Place................................$................... 367-2880 Junovia’s......................................$...................367-1271 Jib Room ...................................$$................... 367-2700 Kentucky Fried Chicken................$................... 367-2615 Mangoes..................................$$$................... 367-2366 Pop’s Place + ...............................$................... 367-3796 Snack Shack +.............................$................... 367-4005 Snappas.....................................$$................... 367-2278 Wallys .....................................$$$................... 367-2074 Hope Town Abaco Inn ...............................$$$................... 366-0133 Cap’n Jacks.................................$$................... 366-0247 Harbour’s Edge.......................... $$................... 366-0087 H T Coffee House (B & L)...............$.................. .366-0760 H T Harbour Lodge ...................$$$................... 366-0095 Munchies.....................................$................... 366-0423 OnDa Beach...............................$$................... 366-0558 Sea Spray ‡................................$$................... 366-0065 Sugar Shack +.............................$................... 366-0788 Little Harbour Pete’s Pub...................................$$................... 366-3503 Lubber’s Quarter Cracker P’s..................................$$................... 366-3139 Man-O-War Bradley’s on the Harbour..............$................... 365-6380 Dock’n Dine..................................$................... 365-6139 Island Treats Snack Bar.................$................... 365-6501 Guana Cay Baker’s Bay - Market Place.......$$$................... 612-1021 Grabbers....................................$$................... 365-5133 Nippers .....................................$$ .................. 365-5143 Orchid Bay................................$$$................... 365-5175 Treasure Cay Coco Beach Bar & Grill..................$................... 365-8470 Florence’s Cafe..............................$.................. .365-8354 Spinnaker Restaurant ..............$$$................... 365-8469 Touch of Class .........................$$$................... 365-8195 Treasure Sands Club.................$$$.................. .365-9385 Green Turtle Cay Bluff House..............................$$$................... 365-4200 Jolly Roger Bistro.......................$$................... 365-4200 Green Turtle Club .....................$$$................... 365-4271 Harvey’s Island Grill....................$$................... 365-4389 Lizard Bar & Grill........................$$...................365-4191 McIntosh’s Restaurant ...............$$................... 365-4625 Miss Emily’s Restaurant..............$$................... 365-4181 New Plymouth Inn.....................$$................... 365-4161 Pineapple Restaurant Bar & Grill.$$.................. 365-4039 Plymouth Rock Cafe...................$$................... 365-4234 Shorties Take-a-way...................$$..................365-4342 Sundowners...............................$$................... 365-4060 Sandy Point Nancy’s......................................$$................... 366-4120

Page 24

Section A

The Abaconian May 1, 2013

ABACO CAYS