HTML Copyright © 2001-2002, awsltd.netABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
Wynsome Ferguson [Photo]
Friends of the Environment, Abaco, held a luncheon meeting at Mangoes restaurant, Marsh Harbour, on 19th February. Friends of the Environment has been formed as a non-profit organisation dedicated to the education and awareness of the fragility of our environment here in the hub of Abaco and the surrounding Cays and water. The organisation is open to all residents and visitors to our area regardless of age. Those attending the meeting were welcomed by President Lory Kenyon and the guest speaker was Island Administrator in training, Dr Huntley Christie. President Kenyon outlined the organisation’s current environmental issues which featured the Abaco National Park, wetland protection, fishing licences, waste management, personal water crafts/air boats/beach vehicles, casuarinas and other invasive flora, and styrofoam. Don Cornish and Kendy Anderson represented the Abaco Tourist Office at this meeting.
The Architectural Preservation Foundation of Green Turtle Cay held its Annual Fund Raising Wine Tasting on 21st February at the Green Turtle Club, Green Turtle Cay. This Foundation came about in 1996 when a group of concerned citizens of Green Turtle cay realised that neglect and the non-traditional design of replacement buildings were endangering the architectural character of the historic town of New Plymouth. The foundation is committed “...to preserving the history and architectural style of New Plymouth” and “...to promote the permanent preservations of buildings, lands and tenements of beauty or of natural or historic interest in Green Turtle Cay”. Captain Roland Roberts’ house in New Plymouth is now owned by the Architectural Preservation Foundation and is presently being historically preserved. When completed Reef Relief, an environmental organisation based in Key West will use a portion of the house as an educational centre. Proceeds from this wine tasting will be used in the continued historical preservation of Captain Roland Roberts’ house. Representatives from Reef Relief were in attendance at the fundraiser. Wynsome Ferguson represented the Abaco Tourist Office at this event.
A meeting was held on 21st February to discuss and make plans for this year’s Abaco Fish Off. Those attending, which included Don Cornish and Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office, were advised of the Fish Off date of 4th April with the nationals to be held in July on the island of Exuma. Concerns were expressed that in the nationals a guide and an observer are allowed in the boat with the participant but in the island Fish Offs, only an observer is allowed. It was said that with no assistance handling the boat it was very difficult for the fishermen and affected the number of fish caught. Those present were advised that the Ministry of Tourism was looking into a formula that would work because they are not sure at this point that we would have enough skilled persons to accompany the participants. The other major concern was the presence of airboats on the flats which cause damage to these fishing areas. The Ministry of Tourism is to look into this.
Regatta Time on Abaco held a meeting on 22nd February at the Jib Room, Marsh Harbour. Both Wynsome Ferguson and Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office were in attendance and will serve on this year’s committee. A total of 71 boats participated in last year’s event, an increase of 10% over the previous year. The date for this year’s Regatta was set for 4th-12th July. The committee was approached by MTV to cover this year’s Regatta. The Abaco Tourist Office was advised that our assistance would be needed in this regard.
The Abaco Tourist Office hosted its annual winter residents reception for northern Abaco on Tuesday 26th February at the Tipsy Seagull in Treasure Cay from 5 - 7 pm. The event was co-sponsored by Rosie & Sons Ltd. Music was provided by Chris the Burner Russell and Toni Toni. Some 100 plus winter residents attended. Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office did the official welcome followed by brief remarks by Don Cornish, Office Manager. There was an Abaco trivia competition and Wynsome Ferguson gave the vote of thanks.
On Thursday 28th February the winter residents reception moved to central Abaco. The event was held at Mangoes Restaurant and was also co-sponsored by Rosie & Sons Ltd. Music was provided by “Music Man” Estin Sawyer. There were over 300 people in attendance, many more than we had anticipated. Wynsome Ferguson assisted the bartender as the crowd was too heavy for one person. Kendy Anderson welcomed the guests and Dr. Huntley Christie, Island Administrator in Training, gave brief remarks. Office Manager Don Cornish also gave brief remarks and conducted the Abaco trivia competition. He also gave the vote of thanks.
Don Cornish represented the Abaco Tourist Office at the Heritage Festival held in Key West on 2nd and 3rd March. Key West is the sister city to New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay.
Destino X, based in Miami, were on Abaco from 1st-3rd March. Destino X is the ultimate travel and entertainment diary for today’s modern explorer. They are scheduled to broadcast on Telemundo International network in early 2002 and will be viewed throughout the entire Latin American and Caribbean region. The one hour programme will be televised twice per week in prime time and rebroadcast on weekends, reaching over 17 million viewers. While on Abaco they were able to shoot Chef Nick of Mangoes Restaurant and hold an interview with Jimmy Vaughn, owner of Mangoes. They were also hosted by Nettica Symonette of Different of Abaco Resort and spent the whole day shooting this property. The day’s events included a cooking demonstration, story telling and aspects of Bahamian culture. The group was assisted and escorted by Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office.