#242NewsBahamas Newsletter Edition: December 13th, 2019

Not Letting Dorian Kill Their Spirit!

Despite Dorian’s best efforts to dampen holiday spirits, the Bahamas National Trust made the decision to move forward with its annual Fest Noel. This year marked the event’s 25th Anniversary of the event, which has long been heralded as the start of the Christmas Party Season on the island and is the trust’s only fundraiser - the proceeds of which are used to keep national parks on the island open.

This year, organizers were justly worried that the turn out would not be strong, and that sponsorship would be harder to come by. Happily, we can report their fears were unjustified, as their stalwart sponsor BRISTOL CELLARS rallied to the cause and kept the wine flowing.

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GBDRF Takes Grand Bahama’s Dorian Story and a need for Climate Resiliency to The United Nation’s Meeting in NYC

Climate Change Resilience and a sustainable future for Grand Bahama Island took centre stage at a meeting of global stakeholders in November. The meeting hosted by the Nexus Global community - founded to bridge communities of wealth and social entrepreneurship - and the United Nations brought together scores of the world’s largest global foundations and disaster relief practitioners at the Rockefeller Center in New York City. The mission: to discuss the impact of storms like Hurricane Dorian on small island developing states like The Bahamas and to plan for a resilient future.

“The Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation (GBDRF) was extremely honoured to have been invited by the United Nations to share our experiences, concerns and challenges post-Dorian, and to initiate discussions around a resilient plan for the future of Grand Bahama with this international community” explained GBPA Principal and GBDRF Director, Rupert Hayward. “In keeping with its mandate, the Nexus global community and the United Nations hosted scores of investors, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and allies to catalyze new leadership and accelerate needed solutions for a sustainable future for Grand Bahama and other island nations.”

GBPA Partners with International Engineering Cooperative to Promote Sustainable Rebuild of GB Infrastructure

Following the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is working toward full recovery with sustainability and climate resiliency as primary considerations in restoration and rebuilding.

As soon as conditions allowed, the GBPA team began exploring avenues to rebuild using more sustainable methods. “While we have always dealt with exposure to hurricanes,” explained GBPA Vice President, Henry St. George, “Dorian clearly highlighted the impact of climate change and the realities that come along with it. Our plan is to rebuild the island’s infrastructure in a way that considers those climate change challenges.”

In November, the Company established a partnership with Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a non-governmental organization and global consortium of engineering professionals whose mission is to build a better world through engineering projects that empower communities.

“Our team worked alongside members of EWB on structural assessments for approximately three weeks following Hurricane Dorian,” said Nakira Wilchcombe, Director of Building and Development Services at the GBPA. “The partnership facilitated the sharing of professional experiences and input regarding damage assessments and discussion on opportunities for greater resilience in the construction industry.”

Deep Creek Primary School to benefit from Ministry of Education and Cape Eleuthera Island School partnership

The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Cape Eleuthera Island School (CEIS) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding and entered a public/private partnership (PPP) that is anticipated to enhance the education standards of Bahamian students.

The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education, described the occasion as a “red letter”, “extra-ordinary” day which was long time coming. The partnership is an expansion of a prototype that presently exists for students of Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS).

“We feel that what has been established at DCMS and what will be established at Deep Creek Primary School is a prototype of what could be facilitated across the landscape of the society,” said Mr. Lloyd.

Through the arrangement, students from kindergarten through grade 9 at Deep Creek Primary School will benefit from customized, experiential, personalized learning for the 21st century.

“It puts the learning in the hands of the students. It’s not a teacher-directed, it’s not a school-directed, it’s a student directed learning experience,” the Minister said.

Police investigating alleged assault by PM’s brother

Grand Bahama attorney Tiffany Dennison said she fears for her life after she was allegedly verbally and physically attacked by the prime minister’s brother on Wednesday.

Dennison claims businessman Cyril Minnis, known as “Boxer”, punched her in the face as the pair got into a heated exchange outside the Registrar General’s Department in the Fidelity building.

The attorney said the terrifying attack has left her with a blurry left eye, tingling in her ear, and a sore jaw.

In an interview with Eyewitness News Online, she said racial and misogynistic slurs hurled at her represent years-long abuse due to her involvement in a legal matter back in 2006.

The incident took place around 1.15pm, and has been reported to the police, it was confirmed yesterday.

“I was outside the Registrar General Department at the Fidelity building. (Minnis) he came out the door, and he was never my client so I didn’t recognize his face. I didn’t know who he was until he started screaming about the case.

Thousands of children to benefit from Santa's wonderland this holiday season.

Bass Pro Shops has teamed up with Convoy of Hope, The Grand Bahama Christian Council (GBCC), the YMCA and various government agencies to make the holiday season bright for thousands of children on Grand Bahama Island through Santa’s Wonderland. A holiday staple on the Bass Pro Shops calendar, Santa’s Wonderland is an activity-packed event for children that includes gift giveaways, games, treats, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus and his helpers. The free, Christmas-themed attraction is set for December 16-19 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the YMCA playing field.

During a press conference to announce the event, organisers said they are prepared to give Christmas presents to over 8,000 children between the ages of three and 13 over the course of the event.

Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris said his company and partners felt compelled to assist after seeing the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. He explained that the company has made donations of food, water and supplies toward hurricane relief, but wanted to do something more for the children on island.

“The main thing is to create happy memories for mainly the kids, their families and the people of Grand Bahama,” Morris said. “We’ll have Santa Claus. We’re going to have a big snow-making machine, so kids can make snowballs and build snowmen. We’re going to have a lot of other surprises. It’s going to be a fun, happy time.”

FCCA Partners With Carnival Cruise Lines and MOTA to bring holiday cheer to deserving children

Christmas came a little early for 200 local children who participated in The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) 23rd Annual Holiday Gift Project. Held on Thursday, December 5 at The Freeport Harbour, the gift-giving event saw representatives from Carnival Cruise Lines and the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (MOTA) welcome students and teachers for a celebration filled with food, music, and holiday cheer.

Each year, the holiday initiative impacts some 40 destinations across the Caribbean; thanks to eight FCCA member cruise lines. On Grand Bahama, the Carnival Liberty took up the mantle of bringing in hundreds of gifts for the students. Crew members dressed up as Santa Claus and his helpers, distributed gifts, posed for photos and even had a dance party with the children.

Karl Hallberg, hotel director for Carnival Liberty, said it was a pleasure to assist in the holiday gift initiative because The Bahamas has become a second home for many crew members.

“The islands are absolutely spectacular. We have 3,800 passengers, almost every single cruise, who come to enjoy your beautiful islands and it’s a true blessing to come over and over,” Hallberg said. “We just thought as a token of appreciation, we’d come out and join you here today and give a little bit of what we can offer from the Carnival organisation.”

Oasis Sandyport to Host LeBlanc Trunk Show One Night Only

Honouring our Bahamaland – LeBlanc creators Nicole and Lian LeBlanc will be showcasing the one-of-a-kind, nature inspired jewellery pieces at a trunk show at Oasis Sandyport on December 20th, between 4-8pm.

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly described The Bahamas as “the most beautiful place from space”. The protected archipelago is known for its treasured aquamarine waters and the marine life that inhabits it. However, it was the creativity of two young women that made it possible to carry a little piece of The Bahamas with them everywhere they went.

Now you can too!

On Friday, December 20, 2019, at 4:00pm LeBlanc Jewellery will be showcasing a trunk show of its “Ray” and “Cobo” collections at Oasis Furniture Sandyport, Nassau, a store whose own brand stands for distinctive living.

The upcoming show features jewellery that captures the magic of the marine environment without harming it. Each piece dives into the history of The Bahamas and pays tribute to the sun, sand and sea that make the archipelago special.

At a young age, Nicole and Lian LeBlanc who were raised in Grand Bahama fell in love with diving and exploring the colourful reefs found below. Their exploration fostered an appreciation for the space in which they called home, but also encouraged them years later to create LeBlanc Jewellery, a brand inspired by the whimsical finds in nature.

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National Parks Inspire Commemorative Postage Stamps

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of The BNT, The General Post Office has issued special stamps that feature your national parks, iconic Bahamian wildlife and flora captured throughout the Bahamas.

Be sure to visit your local post office today and get your special issue stamps, while supplies last!