people to people workshop

After being dormant for the past two years; the Ministry of Tourism’s Ambassador Program, People to People is being revived and relaunched all over the Bahamas. In Grand Bahama, The Ministry of Tourism executives hosted a two Day Certification Workshop in an effort of  certifying hundreds of Grand Bahamians into the programme.

The People-to People Programme is a community involvement venture sponsored by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. The Programme was officially launched in Nassau on December 15th 1975 by the late Sir Clement T. Maynard, former Minister of Tourism. The main purpose of the program is to give visitors to the Bahamas a unique opportunity to see life as Bahmians live it. The designers of the concept proposed to match oversees guests to The Bahamas with a Bahamian host primarily by occupational, leisure or religious interest.

During the Two Day Ambassador Workshop Ms. Karenda Swain, Manager of Bahama Host Programme; gave an enlighting presentation on ”The Visitor’s Voice” and “Customer Diversity”, two segments of the Bahama Host Programme.  Ms. Swain shared what Tourists really think about us and why they visit our shores.

Raymond Dames signature Switcha

Mr. Raymond Dames, gave ideas as to what types of food Ambassadors should make for guests. He encouraged participants to keep it simple. “You should also have a signature drink” says Dames. A demonstration of Mr. Dames’ signature Switcha was done live on the second day of the seminar. The Switcha comprised of 7 ingredients excluding sugar and lime: Clove, All Spice, Cinnemon, Lime, Tyme, Ginger and Cyan Pepper. A prize was given to the Participant who was able to identify all of the ingredients in the lemonade drink.

The Workshop concluded with a Mix and Mingle Reception and Award Ceremony on Saturday, April 14th 2012 at the Grand Lucayan Convention Centre. Mr. David Johnson, Director General of The Ministry of Tourism was the Key Note Speaker. In his opening remarks he said, ”Our mission is not only to relaunch the People-to -People Programme; but also to relaunch Grand Bahama as a whole.” Sharing on why the Ministry of Tourism need Ambassadors to help promote our Tourism Product; he went on to say that advertising is hardly credible today because people are not concerned about what the manufacturer is saying about our product, but rather what users of the products-people are saying. In the past, visitors go home and tell 20-30 people about their experiences in the Bahamas; now they can go on FACEBOOK or any other online site and share those experiences with hundreds of thousands of people instantly. Mr. Johnson went on to say that the face of advertising has changed tremendously over the past years.  In less than 4 years, FACEBOOK is almost the size of the entire internet.  He charged the group to ensure that the experiences Tourists are sharing are positive ones.

If you are a patriotic Bahamian that loves your country and want to be instrumental in ensuring that our Tourists have an enriched experience while visiting our shores; resulting in return visits then people- to- people need you.

For more information on the Programme email: peopletopeople@bahamas.com or contact Nassau Manager, Bernadette Bastian at 242-302-200 ext #2091

or email bbastian@bahamas.com

Freeport Programme Manager, Debbie Huyler at 242-352-8044  or email: dhuyler@bahamas.com

[Show as slideshow]

2012 Pelican Point Cononut Festival| Photo Credits by the Nassau Guardian

By Renamae Symonette- Ministry of Tourism

The 14th Annual Coconut Festival has become a signature event on the community calendar, featuring Authentically Bahamian culture with special emphasis on cuisine, and century’s old social traditions.

Scheduled for April 9th 2012 and locally celebrated as Pelican Point’s Homecoming Festival, family friends and guests will descend upon the small seaside village to a feast of coconut dishes such as coconut jimmy, coconut shrimp, barbecue ribs with coconut sauce, coconut rice, coconut tart, and more, as well as a variety of coconut beverages including the famous Bahamian drink gully wash – made of coconut water.

“There will be an ‘everything coconut under the tent’ display” says Cathy Laing, organizing committee spokesperson and Cacique Award Winner in the Authentically Bahamian Handicraft category.

The Grand Bahama Royal Bahamas Police Force ‘Pop Band’ , ‘Avvy’ and ‘Geno D’ will perform throughout the day, and event-goers will participate in uniquely coconut games and fun activities such as coconut eating and barking contests.  Coconut shell crafts and souvenirs such as jams, soap, coconut-scented candles, etc.,will also be available.

The Pelican Point community comprised of less than one hundred residents is located thirty-five miles east of Freeport/Lucaya and remains populated by descendants of the original residents to this day.  The organizing committee headed by members of the Thomas, Laing, Roberts and Cooper families, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and corporate sponsors, are committed to keeping their ancient traditions alive.

Cultural inspired Events for 2012 is the focus for the International Bazaar’s

Tenants Association. Visitors are encouraged to plan their vacation around one

of our holidays so that they can truly enjoy all that our culture has to offer.

The Bazaar Calendar of Events

How many times have you heard the term “living the American dream?” Like other nations, some Bahamians have also been guilty of envying neighboring countries, their economic stability and desire their quality of life. We believe it is time Bahamians start to understand and appreciate what they have as citizens of the Commonwealth of Bahamas.

On Monday the 5th of March 2012, we would like to paint a picture of living in the Bahamas because we believe there are a number of social, economical, and geographical benefits of living and residing here. So if you live in the Bahamas or maybe even considering Bahamian citizenship, you are advised to return to learn more about these benefits.

If you are a supporter of this movement and truly believe it is “Better in the Bahamas” feel free to share this link with your love ones.

Feel free to drop a line on our Facebook page if you would like to contribute your thoughts on this matter.

junkanoo costume during 1950's in the Bahamas

This Caribbean festival, Junkanoo was started by slaves who came to the islands during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.  The word Junkanoo derived from  a West African slave name John Canoe.

Before emancipation slaves were allowed a special holiday at Christmas time. During this time they were allowed to leave the plantation, visit relatives and the most exciting event was holding a grand dance.

The celebration by the slaves was a  tribute to the memory of John Canoe. After emancipation the freed slaves continued their festival at Christmas time. In the early twentieth century John canoe as a festival took a more progressive approach as the costumes changed from cloth to a paper fringe and parading became more organized.

Sponge Costumes were introduced in the 1930′s as a result of the thriving sponge industry. The festival flourished until 1942, the year of the famous riots when the festivities were suspended. The spirit could not be killed, and John canoe was again revived in 1947.

During the 1950’s the John canoe parade became even more organized as prize money was increased, categories introduced and masqueraders paraded in distinct groups representing various districts.

Junkanoo in the Bahamas has evolved into a national festival, but  has become obsolete in all other Caribbean Islands with the exception of  Jamaica and Bermuda where it is still celebrated but not on a large scale. Junkanoo Parade in the Bahamas is held twice a Year; 1st  on Boxing Day (December 26th) and 2nd on New Years Morning 1:00am in New Providence, 5pm in Grand Bahama and times varies in other parts of the Bahamas.

Written by:

Del Foxton

Grand Bahama Artists Association is pleased to announce that their annual Thanksgiving Art Exhibition will once again be presented at the beautiful Rand Nature Centre, Glory Banks Gallery in Freeport Grand Bahama.  

At the opening reception, 7 pm Thursday November 10^th, local and international artists will be in attendance to present a variety of traditional, contemporary and abstract artworks.

Visitors to the Thanksgiving Art Exhibition will have the opportunity to view and purchase unique artworks that are not available in stores.  The Exhibition includes artworks in oil, water colours, wood work, handmade paper and pastels that depict many subjects including, sea and landscapes, migrating birds, flowers AND Bahamian Sea Creatures.    

The Rand Nature Centre is a perfect setting for this wonderful art.  The members of the Grand Bahama Artists Association invite you to take time to visit this oasis that is only minutes away from downtown Freeport.  The opening hours of the Rand Nature Center’s Glory Banks Gallery are Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00 pm and the Gallery is also now open Saturdays from 8:30am to 2:00pm. 

It is interesting to note that the Grand Bahama Artists Association a nonprofit organization whose goal is to assist the membership’s development as artists through art exhibitions, workshops and lectures but the GBAA also strives to assist in establishing an appreciation of the arts within the community.

To this end the GBAA Thanksgiving Art Exhibition offers the opportunity for students, teachers and the general public exposure to a variety of artistic influences right here on Grand Bahama.  The Thanksgiving Exhibition will continue at the Rand Nature Center’s Glory Banks Gallery until Saturday November 26^th.

For more information about the Grand Bahama Artists Association call 242 353 4333.

Del Foxton

242 353 4333

delfoxton@hotmail.com

www.delfoxton.com

Phrase – Divin’ fa Conch

Meaning: Sleeping in public in the middle of a speech or public forum.

(Eye closes, head goes down and snaps back when you’ve realized what you’ve done and where you are).

Johnny refused to go to bed at a reasonable hour. Do you believe he was divin fa conch in the middle of our board meeting? Embarrassing…

Today, Cat Island is still a beautiful serene place to discover. If you need to meet serenity pick this precious gem of an island.

If you were born there, a descendant or just want to visit or need to learn more about this beautiful island Follow Cat Island’s Development Association’s NEW Facebook Fan Page

Follow Cat Island on Facebook!

English is the native language of the Bahamas. Bahamians speak a special broken form of English called Bahamian dialect. It was common for words to be pronounced certain ways. However, the Bahamian dialect is being dilated or it is dying out. Bahamian Illustrated compiled this series of commonly used words and phrases for Bahamians and visitors to enjoy.

Pronunciation:

W’s are pronounced as v’s and V’s as w’s. Eg. Well wait! Would sound like “vell vait!”

Th’s are pronounced as da (as in dad). Eg. Mother and Father would sound like “Mudda & Fadda.”

Pronouns

I am (I is), You are (You is), and we is

More words and phrases to come! See you next week!

Click here to contribute to this list.