Silver Airways Inaugural Flight Lands Amid Fanfare
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May 1, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 9 MAY 1ST, 2012 Silver Airways inaugural flight lands amid fanfare By Mirella Santillo Ministry of Tourism and Aviation’s representatives including the Deputy Di- rector of Tourism, Mr. Ellison Thomp- son, Government Officials, members of the Media, United Airline personnel from Nassau and Florida, and a delegation of Silver Airways Executives and employees, assembled at the Marsh Harbour Interna- tional Airport in the afternoon of April 12. They were there to witness the arrival of the company’s recently acquired Saab 340B plus from Fort Lauderdale. On its in- augural flight, the aircraft- named “Ella’s Dream”- was saluted by a stream of wa- ter from the airport fire truck as it landed. It was also greeted by a Junkanoo parade from the Murphy Town Superstars, as it came to a stop. Upon the aircraft’s touchdown, the crowd that had been waiting for the plane’s arrival abandoned the shade of the tent and rushed to the tarmac to take photos. The delegation of Silver Airways greeted the disembarking passengers. The passengers were not aware they would be greeted by such a fun spectacle. Please see Silver Page 10 Bonefish tournament Albury Higgs is best swimmer in her division in entire Caribbean angles for an end to cystic fibrosis On April 13 and 14, despite poor weather conditions, teams of anglers competed in the Bakers Bay Bonefish Classic held at Abaco Beach Resort. The goal of the annual tourna- ment, now in its seventh year, is to raise money and awareness too combat cystic fibrosis. Rod Jack took this year’s top trophy. Rod’s son is one of many afflicted with the disease. For the story, please see page 16. Requested Service Service Change Change Permit NO 4595 NO Permit WEST PALM BCH FL BCH PALM WEST Stuart, FL 34997 FL Stuart, PAID 5675 SE Grouper Ave Grouper SE 5675 US POSTAGE US Stuart Web Inc. Web Stuart Six gold medals, two silver and one bronze. Albury went to CARIFTA this year to win. PRSRT STD PRSRT The Abaconian The The Abaconian called her in for an interview: see page 17. Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. label the in shown date expiration the before subscription your Renew Page 2 Section A The Abaconian May 1, 2012 Central Abaco Kidney Centre provides dialysis on Abaco week for an average of 4 to 4 ½ hours per and Marsh Harbour makes it very conve- chemicals so the unit has its own reverse os- By Jennifer Hudson The Kidney Centre, located on Don sitting on alternate days. The centre pres- nient if backup personnel are needed,” he mosis system.” MacKay Boulevard, Marsh Harbour, just ently has five stations in operation but will stated. Dr. Knowles is also able to keep in People “It is all very south of the Government Clinic, opened expand to eight. touch with the unit on Abaco by computer. driving past the at the beginning of March to provide a “When all eight stations are in opera- “It is all very high-tech and I am able to new Kidney high-tech” much-needed service to patients in need of tion we will be able to cater to eight pa- get information on the patients during their Centre cannot dialysis. Dr. Ronald Knowles, owner of tients in one sitting and will operate three treatments and even have a face-to-face have missed no- the Kidney Centre, expressed how happy shifts a day. This means that the centre will talk with them,” he explained. ticing the attractive and beautifully land- he is to be able to provide this service to have the capacity to cater to 48 patients a I was shown around this beautiful, scaped facility painted in its bright coral the community. hues. “Being on dialysis is not easy and it “Before we opened, patients needing changes one’s whole life so we wanted to dialysis had to travel three times a week choose lively colours for both inside and all the way out so that it would present cheerfulness “the centre up to Crown for the patients. The staff finishes provid- will have the Haven then ing that cheerfulness,” he stated. take the fer- There is also an attractive gazebo out capacity to ry across to front which serves as an additional waiting cater to 48 Freeport or area and which is wired with a speaker sys- tem from inside the centre so that waiting patients a fly into Nas- sau to receive patients can be contacted by the nurse. week” the treatment Dr. Knowles first established The they needed. Kidney Centre Limited in New Provi- This was a terrible and stressful experience dence thirty years ago on Collins Avenue, for them; it was very expensive and they eventually relocating it to Renal House on had to spend time away from their families West Bay Street. Several years ago he es- so we took the plunge to establish a kidney week and we anticipate that this will be brand-new facility where several patients tablished a Kidney Centre on Grand Ba- centre here. This is very satisfying for us,” more than enough for some time,” stated were undergoing their dialysis treatments, hama where he first came across a couple he explained. Dr. Knowles. looking very comfortable and relaxed of Abaconian’s since there was no facility “We currently have six patients who The registered nurse in charge is while chatting with each other and watch- on Abaco for them. Grand Bahama now undergo dialysis here all of whom had to Stacey Dean who has worked with Dr. ing a program on two large television services over 100 kidney dialysis patients. previously travel to Grand Bahama or Nas- Knowles for many years, first at renal screens. In order to maintain a tranquil A critical point in numbers was reached sau except for one who is a new patient so house in Nassau then at the Kidney Centre environment, all of the piping and drain- and that is when Dr. Knowles decided to has fortunately never had to leave home for in Grand Bahama. She is assisted by two age has been concealed inside attractive undertake the cost of running another unit treatment.” local technicians. Dr. Knowles is based at cabinetry. A water room was described by The centre operates six days a week the Kidney Centre in Freeport but visits the Dr. Knowles as being the nerve centre of Please see Kidney Page 5 with each patient attending three times a Kidney Centre on Abaco every week. the unit. “Dialysis involves a lot of water “The air service between Freeport which must be totally pure and free of any [email protected] May 1, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 3 Page 4 Section A The Abaconian May 1, 2012 May 1, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 5 Central Abaco no history of health problems so she can- events that will be held to benefit Melanie cal therapist, further testing and travel in Kidney From Page 2 not understand why these sudden seizures in her fight to reclaim a normal life. The the United States for other medical needs. started. dinner was $50 and included a choice of The services of a carpenter are needed on Abaco. The Kidney Centre here is a On the day of her last seizure Mela- two soups, a salad, four choices of entrée to make the home wheelchair accessible. satellite of the Freeport unit. nie was declared dead. However, once she Grilled Lemon Butter Chicken, Pork Wel- Ms. Mareus will also need the support and Now that the Kidney Centre on Abaco got to the local clinic she was revived by lington, Asian Mango Grouper, or Egg- monitoring of critical care physicians so is up and running Dr. Knowles would like the doctor on call. Once she was put on plant “Meat” Ball Linguine, and a Pine- that Melly can remain seizure free when to get the word out to anyone in the com- life support she was flown out to Nassau apple Coconut Mousse for dessert. she returns home to Abaco. Melanie is munity in need of dialysis that this facility and while on the way she flat lined and had The moderator for the evening was Ms. Mareus’ oldest child which makes this is available to all who need it. He feels that to be revived three more times. Once she Shelly Austin who volunteered her services even harder for this young mother. there may also be second homeowners who got to Princess Margaret Hospital, she was to support this event. She gave the audi- Ms. Mareus stated that this experi- no longer reside here because there came a kept on life support in the Intensive Care ence an overview of the evening’s event ence has changed her life. She stated that time when they needed dialysis but there Unit for several weeks where her mother and an update on Melanie’s condition. those little things that once got her upset, was no facility here to accommodate their could be seen by her side praying and Those in attendance got to meet Darlene or once complained about, do not mat- needs. He is hoping that such persons will keeping a careful watch. and applaud her employers and owners of ter anymore. Through it all, she had to now consider coming back to Abaco. All of this began on January 9. Mela- Curly Tails, Alistair and Harriet McDon- be strong for her daughter.