ALICE TOWN, Bimini — A trio of Canadian-based circus performers are treating locals, visitors and guests of the Bimini Big Game Club to a special free holiday treat this week through New Year’s Day.

Acrobat, tumbler and juggler Gabriel Beaudoin is joined by the cycling and precision stunt work of Maxime Poulin and Yldor Llach.

The performers are sponsored by La Station Vaudreuil, a non-profit organization that established the Bimini Quebec Project in 2009. The Bimini Quebec Project involves bringing Canadian youths and adults to Bimini to carry out projects under the guidance of La Station Vaudreuil, which has been working with Le Cirque du Soleil since 2003 and the Montreal National Circus School since 2010.

TARPUM BAY, Eleuthera -- For The Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center, the Tarpum Bay Historical and Heritage Society, and the Tarpum Bay Township, it was a time to celebrate history and accomplishments.

The Tarpum Bay Heritage and Historical Society (TBHHS) had been formed a few years ago to preserve the history and heritage of their settlement and the lead project was the renovation of the All Age School to a cultural center.

On November 24, 2012, forty-seven seniors were recognised for their contributions to their community.  The evening before, a celebration of the “Renaissance of the Lil Prep” (All Age Prep School) with its 200-year old history to birth of the new Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre (EACC) took place. The project was co-chaired by the local township chairman, Cleveland Knowles and prominent businessman, Eugene Carey.

The seniors included a handful of persons who helped mould the Bahamian heritage and culture of this seaside settlement, located in South Eleuthera. They were fishermen, farmers, tradesmen, housekeepers, homemakers, teachers, entrepreneurs, pastors, statesmen and others.

Many other persons who now reside in Nassau and elsewhere were instrumental in Tarpum Bay’s development, however, these celebrations focused on local persons residing there today.  Special recognition was also given to the Right Honourable Perry G. Christie, the Prime Minister of The Bahamas who resides in Nassau, the nation’s capital and whose ancestry is from Tarpum Bay.

“For over half a century you have contributed and are contributing in so many different and valuable ways to the community,” said Metta Macmillian-Hughes, a Nassau lawyer who spent her early years in Tarpum Bay and visits often. “You are the parents who have raised, inspired and encouraged your children and grandchildren to rise to greater heights, to strive to excel, and to live as upstanding members of the community, guided by Christian principles, respect and compassion for others.”

ELEUTHERA, Bahamas -- Active investigations and monitoring are well underway in determining the environmental impact of the diesel oil spill that occurred at the BEC facility in Rock Sound Eleuthera late last week.

Our preliminary findings are that the area of the spill is contained and that the primarily hard ground area with saw grass and invasive species such as the Casuarina in addition to some juvenile mangroves all north of the “Sound” were impacted by the spill.

The technical team will shortly have a GIS (Aerial) with overlay of the estimated limits of contamination prepared to determine the finite area affected by the spill. Hydrologists from the Water and Sewerage Corporation are in the process of determining the extent of the impact of the fresh water lens in the immediate area.

The public is advised that the Ministry of the Environment and Housing will provide periodic updates to the general public about the scope of the environmental impact of the spill as the data become available.

EXUMA, Bahamas -- Sandals Hotel Manager  David Latchimy along with team members and guest at Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma presented the Roker’s Point Primary Computer lab with 10 new computers  on behalf of The Sandals Foundation.

The Sandals Foundation spent more than $8,000 to refurbish the lab, which  can hold up to 25 children , in preparation for the installation of the computers.

Mr. Latchimy told the children that it was important that they utilize the computers to assist with obtaining the education they need in today’s competitive environment.

Dora Smith, the school’s principal thanked Sandals Emerald Bay and the Sandals Foundation for their many contributions to the school.

EXUMA, Bahamas -- The Exuma Youth Matching Band received a donation of several dozen t-shirts from Sandals Emerald Bay Beach Resort and Spa. The shirts are a part of the band’s uniform.

Band leader Perry Brice thanked the resort for all its help over the years.

“We want to give you a special thank you for all of your help from the administration and band members. We appreciate our new t-shirts. The Foundation and Sandals continues to donate in to the lives of Exuma’s youth and they do this with so much love. Thank you,” Mr Brice said.   

The t-shirts were donated during the resort’s returning guest dinner, an event which the band performs at every week.

Photo: Exuma Youth Marching Band Leader Perry Brice recives the donation from Exuma General manager Jerremy Mutton.

Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera

November 26, 2012

I am so pleased to be here in the historic and picturesque township of Governor’s Harbour, in the centre of the beautiful Island of Eleuthera, for the official ground-breaking of the first phase of the French Leave Marina Village, which will comprise a hotel and residential community, located on the magnificent rolling hills, with breath-taking views of the harbour, bay, and the iconic setting of Cupid’s Cay, joined to the mainland by the nation’s oldest causeway.

This is truly an enchanting place, etched forever in the annals of our rich Bahamian history. I am so proud, honoured and indeed filled with nostalgia to reflect today with the good people of Eleuthera on my own ancestral roots, through my mother who was born and grew up on this remarkable “Island of Freedom”, the cradle and bedrock of our democracy.

It is no wonder then that ever since my first term in office seven years ago up to the present, in collaboration with your former and present Representatives in Parliament, and my Cabinet colleagues, we have been relentless in pursuing a suitable touristic/residential project for this magnificent site in Governor’s Harbour, which stretches from the picturesque harbour, up the rolling hills back to French Leave, one of, if not the finest pink sand beaches to be found anywhere in the world.

Having concluded Heads of Agreement for an anchor project with Eddie Lauth seven years ago, one of my earliest actions when my Progressive Liberal Party government were returned to office six months ago was to re-establish contact with Mr. Lauth and to press for an early start on the project.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning.

I am pleased to be with you this morning, representing the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe, who wanted to be here this morning but was unable to make it at this rescheduled time.

The Exuma Cays and Great Exuma continue to be that region of our country that holds so much natural beauty, yet remains largely underdeveloped and largely untapped for Tourism development.

Exumians will know that the ‘shot in the arm’ intended to jump start Great Exuma’s tourism was the $350 million Emerald Bay development that opened under the Four Seasons brand in 2003. However, by 2008 this development had incurred cumulative operating losses that drove them to bankruptcy with the resort falling into receivership and ultimately closing their doors in 2009.

Despite these specific challenges, Exuma joins with Bimini to be the two Family Islands that are responsible for the growth in overnight visitors. Today, visitor arrivals in the Exumas remain under 40,000, reflecting a rebound from some 21,600 stopovers in 2009 - the year the Four Seasons resort closed - to 33,700 two years later. This increase follows the reopening of the Emerald Bay property under the Sandals brand in 2011, marking a 60% growth rate in the past two (2) years.