RADIO ABACO NEWS
The Ministry of Tourism held a two-week long series of lectures and activities with Abaco Central Secondary Grade 11 students from 19th-30th January. The goal of the Tourism Education Awareness Module was to heighten the students' awareness of the vital role tourism plays in the national economy. The Grade 11 students were quizzed after every session and sat a final exam. Raquel Thurston achieved a unique 100% and three students - Shekira Adderley, Shandra Bain and Olivia Patterson - came second with 98%. During the same period, the Ministry of Tourism held evening Bahamahost sessions in Sandy Point from which 55 people graduated.
Members of the local branch of the BCPOU demonstrated outside the Government Offices at Dove Plaza, Marsh Harbour, on 29th January. Plans are under way to privatise Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation and the union is against the move. There was a further demonstration on 4th February.
North Abaco Council Member Myrtis Russell was obliged to give up her Town Committee and Council seat when she was promoted as Principal of Treasure Cay School. In her place, Terry Russell, Treasure Cay's Postmistress was returned to take the place of Myrtis Russell on the Treasure Cay Town Committee and Ann Albury was appointed to assume the Central Council member post.
Approximately one-third of Abaco Central Secondary School's 600 students were awarded certificates of excellence in a ceremony held at the school on 2nd February. Superintendent of Police George Mortimer delivered a forceful address to the assembled students in which he placed the responsibility for achieving the most from their educational opportunities firmly on the students' own shoulders. Students maintaining a Grade Point Average of 3.0 to 3.45 received a Dean's List Certificate while those with 3.5 and above received an Honour Roll Certificate and badge. Many parents attended the exercise.
Early in the morning of 3rd February, Abaco experienced freakish weather for the second time this year when hail was reported in the Central Abaco region. Winds of 55 mph brought down trees and damaged power lines according to Hope Town's Vernon Malone.
It's great to be appreciated... The congregation of Grace Baptist Church, Dundas Town, celebrated the years of service and dedication of their pastor, Bishop Clifford Henfield, and his wife with a special service on 8th February. The main speaker was Bishop V G Clarke of Nassau but the most telling comments came from the honorees' own children: "Thanks for putting family first." There were gifts galore including a seven day cruise (with spending money).
Happiness was in the air over the same weekend at St Andrew's Methodist Church, Dundas Town, where Lavern and Brenda Lockhart held a two day Marriage Seminar for couples of all ages.
After several years of domination by Abaco Central students, Ronald Murray of S C Bootle Secondary took the Young Chef honours at a cook-off held in Murphy Town on 10th February. Ronald will travel to Nassau to represent Abaco in the Robin Hood flour and Mahatma rice Young Chef competition in Nassau.
The BEC power was off for a few hours in many Marsh Harbour district areas on 11th February, but nobody complained. The exercise completed the link to the new Abaco Central Primary School on Forest Drive.
Smile! You're on Candid Camera! A man gained access to Marsh Harbour CIBC Bahamas' ABM area on and painted 'Mud Doggs' on the interior, gang words that unfortunately appear on school and other buildings around town. Little did he know that security cameras were installed in the room. He knows now. Police picked him up and Magistrate Hart said, "You like painting? YouÕll get painting!" The sentencing had not been completed by the time of Abaco Journal going to press but it appears the culprit will be obliterating graffiti around town and, hopefully, reversing his present tendencies.
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