April 15, 2013 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 8 APRIL 15, 2013 Sojer Day celebrates Man-O-War’s boatbuilding legacy By Jennifer Hudson The people of Man O War Cay cel- ebrated their third biennial Sojer Day on April 13. This day is set apart every two years to celebrate the Cay and its heritage and this year Man O War Cay’s boatbuild- ing legacy was its particular focus. A great deal of time and effort was put in by the committee organizing a day full of very in- teresting events highlighting its past. The day began with an opening cer- emony at 10 am on the volleyball court. The special guest was the Honourable Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism. During his keynote address be thanked the people of Man O War Cay on behalf of the people of The Bahamas for what this community is doing and drew attention to Man O War’s great reputation for boat building. “The boating industry has been an important source of our growth and de- velopment long before the advent of the airplane,” he stated and he was presented with a half model of a boat which had been crafted by Andy Albury. He praised the honouree of the day, Scott Weatherford, for building a legacy; “He did what he did and believed in it, it was his passion. He has given his heart and Above and left to right: Troy Albury, Willard Albury, Sally Eldon, Arthur Eldon, Robert Sweeting, Jeremy Sweeting, Senator Gary Sawyer, Min. of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe and Abaco Senior Island Administrator Preston Cunningham standing in front of Please see Sojer Page 10 Man-O-War’s Wall of Heroes. This year Maurice Albury was honoured with a plaque on the Wall. Homer Lowe Memorial Regatta Sandy Point Community Meeting set sail in Marsh Harbour details South Abaco issues Above and left to right: Michael Lightbourn, Administartor Joshua Smith, Stanley White, Sailors enjoyed two days of perfect weather for the 23rd Annual Homer Lowe Memorial Greg Kelly, Wynsome Darville, David Knowles. Regatta in Marsh Harbour’s harbour. This year Andrew Wilhoyte took his second straight By Jennifer Hudson what is happening in South Abaco. trophy in the Sunfish Class and Branden Sands took first in the Opti Class. For the full A community meeting was held in His first topic was national parks. He story see page 2. the J.A. Pinder Primary School at Sandy stated that of the 27 national parks man- Point on March 26 for all of the commu- aged by the Bahamas National Trust, six of nities of South Abaco. Presenters were these are in Abaco with two more propos- David Knowles, Bahamas National Trust; als and one proposed conservation area. Wynsome Ferguson, Ministry of Tour- “The Abaco National Park, which is ism; Greg Kelly, Schooner Bay; Michael situated close to Sandy Point, is a priority Lightbourn of Lightbourn Family Farms for the BNT,” stated Mr. Knowles. “We and Administrator for South Abaco, Josh- will be implementing trails, identifying ua Smith. Moderating the meeting was places of interest and trying to get the com- Stanley White, Chief Councilor for South munity interested and involved in the Na- Requested Abaco. tional Park. We want to promote the parks Service Service Change Change Permit NO 4595 NO Permit Following an opening prayer by John as an ecotourism industry which will in- WEST PALM BCH FL BCH PALM WEST Stuart, FL 34997 FL Stuart, Hudson, Local Government Chairman for clude nature tour guides, kayaking, a busi- PAID 5675 SE Grouper Ave Grouper SE 5675 US POSTAGE US Stuart Web Inc. Web Stuart the Township of Cherokee Sound, Casua- ness centre and the opportunity for people PRSRT STD PRSRT The Abaconian The rina Point and Bahama Palm Shores, Da- Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. label the in shown date expiration the before subscription your Renew vid Knowles presented a brief overview of Please see South Page 5 Page 2 Section A The Abaconian April 15, 2013 Central & All Abaco Good attendance brings a comfortable advantage. During the sec- ond day of racing Dwayne Wallas took the tough competition to first race putting him ahead of Jim Kaighin Homer Lowe Regatta overall and Andrew Wilhoyte put the ex- clamation point on the regatta winning the By Timothy Roberts final race of the day. The Twenty-third consecutive Homer Andrew was grateful for his second Lowe Memorial Regatta saw ideal weather consecutive win of the regatta and took the and wind and good participation as Hope opportunity to encourage the junior sailors. Town’s Andrew Wilhoyte took his second “This is the twelfth year I have sailed in straight trophy in the Sunfish Class and the regatta; since I was a junior. I want to Branden Sands took first in the Opti Class encourage all of you [juniors] to keep at during the two day competition at Marsh it; keep sailing. You guys sailed a great Harbour on April 6 and 7. race.” After the skipper’s meeting at Snap- In the Opti Class Joey Gale, last pas the sailors wasted no time in getting year’s winner, won the first race and Bran- right into the racing. In the Sunfish Class den Sands, from Cherokee, won the sec- Dwayne Wallas took the first win of the ond race before the lunch break at Snap- day but Andrew Wilhoyte took races two pas. Joey and Branden traded firsts in through four on Saturday placing him at races three and four and the points were Andrew Wilhoyte, left, and Branden Sands, right winners of the Sunfish Class and Opti Class, respectively. tight in the Opti Class. were cheering the competitors on while On day two twelve year-old Branden taking pictures. Sands won the last two races sewing-up the The Regatta committee is made up regatta in the Opti Class. Joey Gale came of Liann Key Kaighin, Lenore and David second and William Cash finished 3rd, Mulock, who also ran the race committee just 2 points ahead of 4th place Opti sailor boat, and James and Anne Pleydell-Bouv- Chloe Sweeting. erie assisted with setting the marks on the Branden said that it was a really great race course as well. experience and “we did a lot of stuff in this The committee thanked the assistance one that we didn’t do in the last one. I feel of Faron Sawyer and Rhonda Hull. Snap- I did really good – I did my best.” pas is always a great place to host an event The large group of moored boats in and worked out well as regatta headquar- the harbour really enjoyed watching the ters for the weekend, thanks again to Bill races up close. Racers would sometimes Albury. Participants came from Marsh Above: competitors in the Opti Class division. be just inches from the spectator fleet, so Harbour, Hope Town, Man-O-War and they got real familiar with the sailors and Cherokee [email protected] April 15, 2013 The Abaconian Section A Page 3 Page 4 Section A The Abaconian April 15, 2013 coldwell April 15, 2013 The Abaconian Section A Page 5 South Abaco powerment zone for the people of South South From Page 5 Abaco. This can provide opportunities for to sell goods produced locally which will businesses such as light manufacturing, ag- be of great economic benefit for the com- riculture, recreational activities and waste munity.” management. He stated that the most suc- The two new proposed parks are also cessful business to date is the Lightbourn in South Abaco; one is the Blue Hole at Family Farm and invited Michael Light- Sawmill Sink and the other is the East bourn to speak on this project. Abaco Creeks which is the only mangrove “My wife and I started the farm five system on the east side of Abaco. The pro- years ago in an area close to spring city posed conservation area is the Cross Har- but last October we moved the operation to bour Creeks system and the area offshore. the Commons at Schooner Bay because of “This is a major spawning area for the opportunities offered there. We do both bonefish and we want to protect against raised bed and hydroponic farming which major developments. The proposal was enables us to grow a large variety of pro- put forward by the Abaco Flyfishing Guide duce 11 months out of the year. We grow Association along with Friends of the En- solely for the local community and market vironment and we are moving forward and do not export produce abroad. Diet is with government on this proposal. The a big part of living a better life so eating Marls are also being put forward as a pro- healthy and buying fresh is very important. tected area and we welcome comments,” Food security is big in today’s world,” he he stated. commented. Another project in which the Baha- Mr. Lightbourn offered an invitation mas National Trust is involved is the light- to all to visit his farm at Schooner Bay house at Hole in the Wall. from Monday to Friday to see the opera- “This is dear to everyone. We are in- tion, take kids to participate in hands-on terested in seeing it restored and are trying activities and purchase freshly grown veg- to keep this a high priority with the govern- etables. ment. Our major goal is to develop it as a South Island Solar is another of Mr.