RADIO ABACO NEWS

June 1999 Table of Contents

RADIO ABACO NEWS

Fisherman Fights, Fish Wins: Those who have tears to shed, prepare to shed them now. Tommy Reska, aboard the Abracadabra in the Boat Harbour stage of the Bahamas Billfish Tournament, hooked a giant blue marlin at 11.30 on 20th April off Man-O-War Cay. Tommy fought his fish for over 31 hours, several times bringing it alongside but finding the marlin still had plenty of fight. In the end, the metal leader - not Tommy - collapsed from fatigue. Companions and crew on the boat put the marlin at definitely over 900 lbs and possibly a grander.

They Loved Abaco! A group of students from Hugh Campbell Primary School, Freeport, visited Abaco on 26th April and were joined by host students of Central Abaco Primary School for an enjoyable sightseeing tour of the island. They travelled by ferry to Hope Town to see the Whale and Dolphin Museum as well as the Wyannie Malone Museum. They repaired to Central Abaco Primary for lunch then headed south to Nettie Symonette's Different of Abaco, where the students saw Auntie Nettie's flamingos and other eco-tourism delights. On the way back to Marsh Harbour they visited Big Bird poultry farm. I bet several of them fell asleep on the journey home!

House Robbery: Police are investigating the robbery of almost $6,000 from a private home in Sandy Point. The owners, residents of the town for over 20 years, had left their home for a short while to have a meal at the Sea Side Restaurant. When they returned they discovered that their summer spending money had been taken.

Teacher of the Year Celebrated: Coopers Town Primary School teacher Chantell Cox was celebrated on 4th May as the school's Teacher of the Year by the local PTA. Mrs Cox had previously served at Treasure Cay School from 1988 and joined Coopers Town Primary in 1995 after a short period in Nassau. PTA President Sylvia Poitier encouraged Mrs Cox in her chosen career and advised her to take matters one day at a time. A visibly overcome Mrs Cox said that she enjoyed teaching and hoped one day to become a dedicated principal.

Around the World - Via Abaco!: Hugh and Christina Richard called in on Abaco during their round the world yacht cruise which started in Sidney, BC, Canada. Their first year was spent travelling down the Pacific coastline of North America and from Mexico they struck out across the ocean and visited many Pacific islands before reaching New Zealand. The Richards were in no hurry to complete their circumnavigation and allowed weather conditions to control their itinerary. The beginning of their second year took them to New Caledonia and Australia, where they spent a long time exploring. They then crossed the Indian Ocean to South Africa. After rounding the Cape, they took exactly eight weeks to make landfall on Abaco. "Bad weather was coming and we received advice from other boaters to sit it out in Abaco," Christina told Radio Abaco. "There are so many lovely islands in the world that have beautiful waters and reefs - like Bora Bora - but, in addition, Abaco is so civilised! So many people! Totally lovely!" We agree with you, Christina.

Bahamasair Delegation on Abaco: A delegation from the national air carrier Bahamasair, led by executive chairman Anthony Miller MP, visited Abaco on 7th May for a series of meetings. First stop was Abaco Central High School where the team addressed the students of Grades 11 and 12 on the prospects of employment with Bahamasair. There was a healthy question and answer session following the presentations. Minister Miller said he was impressed by the quality of the questions asked by the students and congratulated them on their grasp of current affairs. From Marsh Harbour the party moved on to Coopers Town to conduct a similar meeting at S C Bootle High School. A public meeting was held in the evening at Treasure Cay Community Centre.

Trauma One Receives Supplies: Trauma One, Abaco's volunteer ambulance service, has received a donation of medical supplies from Crawford County Hospital, Iowa. The US hospital was in the process of refurbishing and buying new equipment and the donated items were in top condition. Included were 20 electric hospital beds, IV equipment and centrifuges. Transportation costs from Iowa to Florida were defrayed by Myers Rum, MP Robert Sweeting, Mrs Molly Albury, Abaco Wholesale Ltd and Abaco Office Products. It is hoped that similar assistance can be obtained to cover transportation from Florida to Abaco and customs charges. The beds will be distributed to government clinics in Marsh Harbour, Coopers Town, Sandy Point and the Cays as needed.

Hail, Casuarina: On 11th May a great cumulonimbus cloud developed over Casuarina Point and at 1.30 pm it began to rain heavily. Resident Anne Parotti was at home with her granddaughter when she heard what she thought was tapping on her bedroom window. "What in the world is that?" she wondered. It was her granddaughter who solved the mystery: that tapping was hail. Further down the road the hail broke a window. For a labourer in Casuarina Point, it was his second experience of hail in the 15 years he had been in The Bahamas. "I glad," he said. "I drink plenty cold water today."

Just a Maintenance Government...: An open meeting of both the North and Central local government councils was held at the Anglican Church Hall, Marsh Harbour, on 11th May, with MP Robert Sweeting and the undersecretary of Works and Local Government, Mr Harrison Thompson, in attendance. Both chief councillors complained that their districts were underfunded and Robert Sweeting spoke out on their behalf saying, "We deserve better." Mr Thompson claimed there was sufficient funding for the councils' purpose as "...local government is a maintenance government. They maintain what is there; they do not construct things."

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