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WELCOME
NATIONAL NOTES
ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
NEW AREA CODE
MASTIN'S SCULPTURE
TWO WINTER CONCERTS
ABACO'S COOKING!
BIRDS OF ABACO
BIRD DEATHS
GARDENING
PUZZLE CORNER
ISLAND PLANTS
OLD GRUMPY
EDITORIAL
COMING TO ABACO?
Readers of The Abaco Journal can expect up to date coverage of the major happenings on Abaco plus special correspondents who focus on the minutiae of different development areas within Treasure Cay. These are most evident during the winter season which lasts from Thanksgiving to Easter.
We are printed by Harbor Press in Charlotte Harbor, Florida, and are distributed in Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay, Man O' War Cay, Geen Turtle Cay and Elbow Cay. We charge 50 cents a copy to ensure we can produce a newsletter that will be readable in years to come. We start off yellow instead of turning yellow. Many people, we have heard, use the Journal as their holistic diary. Subscriptions are US$26 (or equivalent) to Abaco Journal, PO Box 2079, Port Charlotte, FL 33949-2079 or on line to journal@oii.net. The Abaco Journal has almost 500 overseas subscribers and an average turnover on Abaco of 700 sold copies. This increases to 1000 copies in mid-winter. The present Editor is Jack Hardy, a pedagogue whose motto seems to be: "Looking in the rear view mirror takes all the fun out of reversing."
The Abaco Journal seeks to be informative and educational with a touch of humour wherever possible. We also use that funny old way of spelling.
Governor of the Central Bank James Smith has stated The Bahamas intends to maintain its bank secrecy laws even though it was a signatory to a draft agreement to allow greater scrutiny of accounts in offshore banking centres.
The Bahamas will continue to support the attempts of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to attain membership of the United Nations according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Janet Bostwick. In remarks made before the United Nations' General Assembly Minister Bostwick also denounced the shipment of nuclear waste through the Caribbean region.
Treasure Cay Amenities Management Ltd recently awarded a contract to re-construct the Treasure Cay main road. The work began in August during the close of the season.
The Admiralty Court located at the Admiral Yacht Haven began construction of its first phase in early September. The first phase will consist of four two bedroom, two bathroom cottages. The first cottage is expected to be completed and occupied by Thanksgiving with the completion of the entire first phase in the summer of 1997.
Prime Minister Ingraham announced during an awards ceremony for the new Local Government Council Members that the extension to the government dock and port of entry in Marsh Harbour is scheduled to go to tender by the end of this year, with construction beginning early next year.
The Central District Council appointed the Tourism Advisory Committee for the year 1996-7. The members are: Roosevelt McIntosh, Chairman; Monty Albury, Deputy Chairman; Morgan Turnquest; Thomas Roberts; Sherman Swain; Kendy McPhee-Anderson and Brenda Claridge-Mitchell.
The Northern District Council appointed the Tourism Advisory Committee for the year 1996-7. The members are: Joe Norris, Chairman; Gersil Edgecombe, Deputy Chairman; Everette Pinder; Hartman Cooper Jr; Simpson McKinney; Rev Allan Mills; Hiram Cooper; Rodney Laroda; Gordon Murray; Jonathan Curry; Gladys Saunders and Advisor Wynsome Ferguson.
A successful Ecotourism seminar was held in Sandy Point. Some 55 people attended from the settlements of Casuarina Point, Crossing Rocks and Sandy Point. Speakers were Patrick J Bethel, John Hedden and Nettica Symonette.
The Abaco Tourist Office welcomed a total of 91 Experience '96 travel agents plus 10 travel agents from the Carolinas escorted by Ralph Lovett. Also welcomed were journalist Marc Lathudiˇre and photographer Marc Buscail of Voyager , a leading international tourism magazine that will contain a special 28 page feature plus cover page in its December issue.
Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Motoi Okubo and Mrs Okubo visited Abaco in September. The highlight of their visit was a trip to Different of Abaco Resort. As a result of this visit officials from one of Japan's leading tour companies, Anahora Tour Company, toured Abaco on 10th October. The party included Mr Mori, Vice President; Mr Imai, Washington Manager; and Mr Sahiato, Orlando Manager.
The Abaco Journal amended the area code for the telephone numbers of all its advertisers in its October issue.
Mastin also created the sensitive statue of Saint Francis Xavier standing at the entrance to the gardens of Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in Nassau. Mastin's sculptures will be on public display at Alton Roland Lowe's private gallery in Black Sound, Green Turtle Cay, from December I through December 30, from 10 am to 2 pm, and by appointment. The public is invited to the opening of the exhibition on December 1, from 10 am until 2 pm to meet the artists.
In December the Abaco Cultural Society will present "An Evening of Comedy and Music", featuring T L Brown, Ellen Haynes and Peggy Hall.
Both concerts wilI begin at 7.30 pm. Tickets will be on sale at the door and cost $12 for adults and $5 for children under 12. In case of rain, the concerts wiII be held in the Lowe Art Gallery. The Garden Theatre has a dock on Black Sound. For transportation by ferry, contact the Green Turtle Cay Ferry at 365-4166 or 365-4128.
The Abaco Cultural Society will also present its third annual free "Evening of Good Talk". These intimate discourses have proved quite popular and capacity audiences have appeared in the past. This year the speaker will be Dr Sandra Riley, noted author and educator, who will address the topic of "Actors on Acting". As an additional treat, an internationally known marine biologist will speak about "The Unnatural Death Of the Coral Reefs". For over two decades Dr LaPointe has led research efforts concerning the growth patterns of marine life throughout the Caribbean and has appeared on national television in the United States. This event will take place on Friday evening, December 6, at 7 pm in the Lowe Art Gallery. Seating is limited, so please call in advance for reservations. Contributions to the Abaco Cultural Society are welcome
Sour oranges are abundant during the winter months. You won't find them in food stores, however. Unlike most citrus, sour oranges stay on the tree until picked. They have a bright orange skin while sweet oranges always have a touch of green in them. If you want sour oranges, all you have to do is ask somebody who has a tree. They'll have enough to share because sour orange trees bear heavily.
Although lime juice is the standard sour for conch salad, sour orange juice rings the change. Pork and chicken take on a delightful citrussy tang when marinated in sour orange juice with a crushed bird pepper added.
If you squeeze the juice from sour oranges and add sugar to taste you will get a syrup concentrate that makes a delightful drink (Bahamians call it 'switcher') when 3 parts of water are added. Kids love it.
If it wasn't for sour oranges, particularly the Seville orange that the Scots of Dundee made famous, we wouldn't have marmalade for breakfast. Our local sour orange makes a delicious marmalade that is easy to make in four simple stages:
SOUR ORANGE MARMALADEContents1. Carefully peel the orange zest from a quantity of sour oranges, scraping off any white pith that might adhere. Cut it into strips and soak them overnight in salted water.
2. Next day, drain the zest strips and cook in a small quantity of unsalted water until tender. Squeeze the juice from the oranges and strain it. Add an equal amount of sugar to the juice and bring it to the boil for 5 minutes. Add the peel and simmer for 20 minutes. Let the pot stand at room temperature overnight.
3. Next day, bring to the boil again and simmer for another 20 minutes. Leave overnight again.
4. Next day, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes, cool and bottle.
One of the most numerous of birds seen in the Abaco woodlands is the Common Ground Dove, known locally as the Tobacco Dove. While you drive through forestry roads there will always be Tobacco Doves fluttering ahead. As they do so their distinctive reddish-brown primary feathers can readily be seen. It is the colour of these feathers that gives the Common Ground Dove its nickname.
Tobacco Doves tend to feed on seeds in open areas and travel in pairs or small groups. They are small doves, a little less than 6 inches in length, and are mostly grey-brown. The breast feathers are dark edged, giving a scaled effect. It is only in flight that the tobacco coloured feathers are seen.
The Mourning Dove is larger, about 12 inches in length. It too frequents open areas. The feathers are brown with the wing feathers darker than the body feathers. Its distinguishing feature is its long pointed tail.
The Zenaida Dove is slightly smaller than the Mourning Dove. It also has a long tail. It can be distinguished from the Mourning Dove by the presence of white feathers on the underside of its wings and tail feathers.
The birds were mainly Cape May and Magnolia Warblers, presumably migrating from the US to points south. There was speculation that the microwave signals from the towers might have attracted the birds in flight. The towers also have warning lights.
What can you grow in November? Anything! From early November through to March the night and day temperatures will be ideal for all kinds of flowers and vegetables.
If you have your winter staples of tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and cabbage established, now is the time to sow your lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, Chinese cabbage, carrots, beets, kohlrabi, onions, potatoes and squash - to name a few. In the ideal circumstances they will be enjoying for the season your crops of choice will have the chance to be a source of enjoyment for months to come.
Don't forget your herb garden. Sage, rosemary and thyme are perennials but the other herbs - dill, basil, marjoram, oregano, cilantro - that are annuals will re-seed themselves readily. Parsley is a biennial but new plants should be established every year. Check out Pine Woods Nursery for your favourite herbs in small pots and put yourself ahead of the game.
All your favourite flowers can be started now. Think perennials if you want a carefree garden in the future. Bulbs are best established during the dry season and will keep coming back - sometimes twice a year.
If you have poinsettia bushes, don't be tempted to fertilize them as this may interfere with their Christmas blooming. Give your hard working hibiscus a nutritional snack, however.
SOCKS IN A DRAWER
There are six pairs of socks in a drawer: two pairs of black socks, two pairs of white and two pairs of brown. If you search into the drawer in the dark, what is the minimum number of socks you must take out in order to make sure you have a pair that match?
SOLUTION TO FIVE LETTER WORDS
From EOTSN - stone, notes, onset, tones
From AETKS - stake, steak, taken, skate
From AESLP - pleas, peals, pales, lapse
Kids love it. Everybody who doesn't have one in their yard wishes they had. It's flamboyant. It's spectacular. It's Red Hot Cat Tail.
Usually called Chenille Plant, conjuring images of candlewick bedspreads, Acalypha hispida is a member of the Euphorbias which include the similarly showy Poinsettia, Copper Bush, Croton and Crown of Thorns.
The striking part of the plant is the abundance of red catkins that hang from the ends of branches. Unlike cousin Poinsettia, which only blooms for a season, the Chenille Plant gives colour all year round. Even without the red cat tails the plant would be a garden showpiece because of its solid, rough-textured, deep green leaves. They form a rich background to the 12 - 18 inch red cat tails.
The Chenille Plant came originally fom Indonesia. It needs full sun and good drainage but is otherwise an undemanding shrub. It is easily propagated from cuttings.
I'm an avid sports fan. I teeter on the edge of divorce every weekend as I upset the rest of my family by watching whatever sport is in season at the time.
I'm fascinated by the names of sports teams. College nicknames are applied to their sports teams and are rich in their allusions. Hoosiers, Hoyas, Yellow Jackets, Ragin' Cajuns, Hurricanes, Crimson Tide and Trojans are all names that lend themselves as emblems of physical excellence.
In the professional ranks the names become a little more dubious. Pittsburgh's Pirates and Steelers sound roundly masculine, but Penguins? Many American teams are named after animals and birds and obviously the list is getting exhausted. The nadir of team naming was probably achieved by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, with the Baltimore Ravens not far behind.
The Baltimore team's name is derived from a local association, Poe's "Nevermore!" raven. But what will happen if the team is sold to another city? The association will no longer be viable. It's happened before. Minnesota lost its Lakers to Los Angeles. Any lakes you may find within the city boundaries of Los Angeles would hardly be worth naming a team after. When I think of Utah I think of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, salt lakes, ski resorts and stunning scenery. The last association I would make with Utah is jazz. Orlando's basketball team benefitted from two associations with the name Magic: the Kingdom and one of the sport's finest players.
I was happy that Cleveland was able to reserve its name, the Browns, for future use. As only one of three NFL teams named after people (the other two being the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots), the Erstwhile Browns will be able to don a familiar mantle when the time (and the money) comes.
Money is the driving force behind all sports now. The Marlins play in Miami, so why not the Miami Marlins? More money can be made by calling them the Florida Marlins. I understand the Pirates are having money problems. Thank goodness they have resisted calling themselves the Pennsylvania Pirates.
New teams are really having problems finding names. Cougars and Jaguars were still available to the latest NFL expansion teams and Avalanche is an acceptable name for Colorado's hockey team. Way better than the Colorado Nordiques. The MSL teams were badly stretched. Kansas City Wiz? Oh, Dorothy! Oh, Toto!
Washington took the easy way out and named its team DC United. This follows the custom in England, the birthplace of soccer, where most teams are called United, City or Town. There are a few lovely exceptions; Plymouth Argyle, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspurs, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Accrington Stanley come to mind.
The most beautiful names of sports teams in the English (sort of) speaking world come from the Scottish Football League. They are redolent of history and literature: Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Queen of the South, Meadowbank, Stirling Albion, Partick Thistle. Listening to an announcer reading Scottish soccer scores is like hearing poetry.
Government departments on Abaco are being run at a general level of excellence but two, we feel, deserve special mention. We single out the customs officers at Treasure Cay Airport and the post office employees at Marsh Harbour for a big round of applause.
Customs Officers have a difficult task. They collect the customs payments and duties and are the revenue collecting engine that runs our government. Teachers, doctors, nurses, island administrators and all of our civil servants are paid through the efforts of our customs officers. If customs officers do their job well, other government employees can get a pay raise - and the rest of us can have new roads, better health facilities...the list goes on.
The customs staff at Treasure Cay certainly take your payments due from you, but they do it in a way that makes paying, if not a pleasure, at least an understandable duty. If the Lord blesses a cheerful giver, let Him also bless cheerful receivers.
Christian virtues are always on display at Marsh Harbour Post Office too, and gospel music is often heard in the background. The ladies there will just as willingly sort through several hundred general delivery letters to find the one you want as sell you a 10 cent stamp. Everybody goes to the Post Office at some time and we have never heard a word of complaint. Every transaction is efficiently and cheerfully dealt with. Laura, Ena Mae, Joycelyn, Della and Norma make it a pleasure to post letters in Marsh Harbour.
|
Air service? | Twin Air (242) 333-2444 or (954) 369-8266 Abaco Air (242) 367- 2205 or (242) 367-2205 or (242) 359-6359 |
| Somewhere to stay? | Tangelo Hotel, Wood Cay (242) 365-2222 Brigantine Bay Villas, Treasure Cay (242) 365-8033 or (770) 993-7073 Royal Poinciana Condo, Treasure Cay (242) 365-8064 Royal Poinciana Condo, Treasure Cay FAX (514) 931-9656 Banyan Beach Condos, Treasure Cay (540) 766-6862 Windward Beach, Treasure Cay (305) 864-7994 Carambola Cottage, Sugarloaf Cay, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-3986 (+FAX) |
| Boat Rental? | C &C Boat Rentals, Treasure Cay (242) 365-8582 JIC Boat Rentals, Treasure Cay (242) 365-8465 Roberts Marine, Green Turtle Cay (242) 365-4122 Laysue Boat Rentals, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-4414 Rich's Rentals, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-2742 |
| Dockage? | Triple J Marine, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-2163 |
| Boat Problems? | The Outboard Shop (242) 367-2703 Dolphin Marine, Green Turtle Cay (242) 365-4262 |
| Hardware? | New Plymouth Hardware, Green Turtle (242) 365-4305 Abaco Hardware, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-2170 |
| Car Rental? | H & L Rentals, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-2840 Reliable Car Rentals (242) 367-4234 |
| Shipping? | Great Abaco Shipping Company (242) 367-2721 or (242) 367-2761 |
| Shipping Agent? | Trinity Customs Brokerage, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-4297 |
| Shopping? |
Treasure Cay Mini Market (242) 365-8350 Boat Harbour Marina Golden Harvest, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-2310 Abaco Market, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-2044 Harbour View Grocery, Hope Town (242) 366-0033 Solomon Bros, Marsh Harbour (242) 367-2601 |
| Dentist? | Treasure Cay Dental Clinic (242) 365-8625 Agape Family Dental Centre (242) 367-4355 |