VOLUME 12, NUMBER 24, DECEMBER 15th, 2004 Christmas Festival Draws Hundreds Many Groups Combined to Organize Holiday Extravanganza By Jennifer Hudson Mr. Jack Thompson, Master of Ceremo- nies for the Official Opening Ceremony of the Abaco Christmas Festival, quickly scanned the fairgrounds and jokingly gave an estimate of the crowd there for the folks listening to the proceedings live on Radio Abaco. Whilst his assessment may have been a little exag- gerated and caused some amusement, the resi- dents of Abaco were certainly out in vast num- bers to enjoy this first ever Christmas Fair where so many civic organizations and indi- viduals had come together to provide Christ- mas cheer and a fun time for all. Mr. Th- ompson welcomed the many distinguished guests to the Festival held on December 11at the Memorial Plaza in Marsh Harbour. Following a prelude of lively Christmas music by violinist Jennifer Hudson, a prayer was offered by Rev. Stephen Knowles, Presi- dent of the Abaco Christian Council. Prior to the welcome and remarks by Ms. Jeritzen Outten, Director of Tourism for Abaco, the choir of St. Francis de Sales School rendered the National Anthem and a Christ- mas carol. She shared with her audience the fact that she has now completed one year of her three-year tenure here and that, although she hails from Grand Bahama which she loves, she is definitely “in love with Abaco.” She Children enjoyed the day at the Christmas Festival. Santa Claus was there listening to their wishes and they were entertained with has been amazed at the very diverse natural games and other activities. Shown here are employees of The Abaco Club at Winding Bay, Ms. Gina Guttuso and Bernadette Hepburn handing out Christmas stockings filled with candy and goodies provided by The Abaco Club. See story on pages 12. Please see Festival Page 22 Duty Exemption Is Extended Open House Begins Christmas Season By Jennifer Hudson • Building materials The period for the importation of certain • Electrical fixtures and materials duty free goods has been extended for a fur- • Plumbing fixtures and materials ther month and will end on December 31st, • Household furniture, appliances, utensils 2004. • Clothing and footwear. The duty free exemption for repairs and Removed from the original exemption list replacement for storm damage applies to the following items: Please see Exemption Page 28 18 Are Sworn In as Citizens By Richard E. Fawkes Twenty-one-year-old Julienne Bass has waited since her 18th birthday to place her hand on the Bible and swear allegiance to “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and all her heirs” and become a citi- Several businesses in Memorial Plaza in Marsh Harbour held an Open House on zen of the Commonwealth November 26. Gifts and decorative items were displayed to get everyone in the holiday of The Bahamas. She did mood. This beautiful tree in Buds N Blooms has ornaments which fascinate a young so on November 29 at the shopper. See story on page 6. Port Authority building in Marsh Harbour in the first citizenship ceremony out- Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. side Grand Bahama and The Abaconian PRST STD New Providence. 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Mrs. Bass, who was Medley, FL 33178 PAID born in Dundas Town of Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 MIAMI FL 331 Mrs. Julienne Bass of Marsh Harbour is being congratulated Haitian parentage and is by the Hon. Vincent Peet, Minister of Labour and Immigration, Please see Citizens upon her becoming a Bahamian citizen during the first Page 23 citizenship ceremony held on Abaco on November 29. Page 2 The Abaconian December 15, 2004 Seven Abaconians Are Nominees Ban on Grouper Fishing Is in Place Fishing for grouper will be banned for put in place. for the Cacique Awards two months this winter to protect the dwin- The grouper aggregate in large numbers dling stock. The Department of Fisheries at this time of year to spawn. These sites The Ministry of Tourism, Abaco Office, is pleased to announce seven Abaco final- has declared that from December 16 to Feb- are well known and can attract thousands ists for the Cacique Awards Honouring Tourism’s Finest in The Bahamas. This award ruary 16 anyone taking, landing, process- of fish. Several known spawning sites within searches for tourism’s finest throughout the Bahamas. We are pleased to announce ing or selling the Nassau grouper during The Bahamas have seen alarming decreases that from the eleven nominations sent from Abaco, seven persons have made it to the that time will be in breach of the law and in numbers because they are an easy prey final category, literally beating out scores of other candidates. There are 10 categories could pay a fine of up to $3,000. for fishermen to catch, especially with the and Abaco nominees placed in five. This is a very strong showing, and we are looking The ban has been put in place to ensure modern electronic equipment now aboard forward to seeing several DUHOS, (the ceremonial stool of the Lucayan chief-Ca- that the stock of Nassau grouper will be fishing boats. It is successful spawning that cique) brought to us as a result. There are three finalists in each division and in the maintained at a level which can be fished will increase our number of grouper to keep areas of Sports and Leisure and Handicraft we received two of the three finalists. commercially. The grouper is a very popu- it as a viable resource for the future. Those nominees who are finalists with the categories are lar fish and winter is the time of year when The Minister of Agriculture and Fisher- David and Kathy Ralph Sports and Leisure Regatta Time in Abaco fishermen rely on that catch. However, ies, the Hon. V. Alfred Gray, made this Brendal Stevens Sports and Leisure Brendal’s Dive Center throughout the Caribbean the grouper has announcement on the advice of scientists Johnny Roberts Special Award Nipper’s Bar & Grill been fished out to the point that scientists who had stated that if the season was not Peter Johnston Creative Arts Pete’s Pub & Gallery do not know if they will ever come back to closed during the time of spawning, “in the Joseph Albury Handicraft Joe’s Studio & Emporium levels that they can be fished commercially. not-too-distant future we will have no grou- Harriet Thompson McDonald Handicraft Artorginal (Basket Lady) At present, the grouper numbers in The per to harvest.” Lynn Johnson Hotelier of the Year Green Turtle Club Bahamas are still good. Scientists predict The government urges all Bahamians to abide The Cacique Awards banquet will be hosted in Freeport, Grand Bahama, on January 28, that grouper in this country will be fished by the law and help protect this valuable re- 2005. We celebrate the recognition of our nominees and anticipate their success as finalists. out unless measures such as this ban are source for future generations to enjoy. UNITED ABACO SHIPPING COMPANY We wish all of our valued customers A Very Merry Christmas & A Wonderful New Year! We appreciate your patience & understanding during this after-storm reconstruction period. Weekly freight between W. Palm Beach, Nassau, & Marsh Harbour General Cargo, 20 & 40 ft. Containers, Drive-on Stern Ramp 20 ft. Refrigerated Containers Specify M/V DUKE OF TOPSAIL In Abaco Call (242) 367-2091, Fax (242) 367-2235 or call on VHF ch. 16 P.O. Box AB 20737, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas In USA call Palm Beach Steamship Company at (561) 844-5387 Warehouse A 2nd door, 158 “B” East Port Road, Riviera Beach, Fl 33404 Sunday • Depart Marsh Harbour Wednesday • Depart Marsh Harbour Monday • Arrive Port of Palm Beach Thursday • Arrive Arawak Cay, Nassau Monday • Depart Port of Palm Beach Thursday • Depart Arawak Cay, Nassau Tuesday • Arrive Marsh Harbour Friday • Arrive Marsh Harbour Weekly freight between W. Palm Beach, Nassau, & Marsh Harbour General Cargo, 20 & 40 ft. Containers, Drive-on Stern Ramp 20 ft. Refrigerated Containers Specify M/V DUKE OF TOPSAIL Sailing Schedule Sunday • Depart Marsh Harbour Wednesday • Depart Marsh Harbour Monday • Arrive Port of Palm Beach Thursday • Arrive Arawak Cay, Nassau Monday • Depart Port of Palm Beach Thursday • Depart Arawak Cay, Nassau Tuesday • Arrive Marsh Harbour Friday • Arrive Marsh Harbour In Abaco Call (242) 367-2091, Fax (242) 367-2235 or call on VHF ch. 16 P.O. Box AB 20737, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas UNITED ABACO SHIPPING COMPANY In USA call Palm Beach Steamship Company at (561) 844-5387 Office located above B&D Marine at the traffic light Warehouse A 2nd door, 158 “B” East Port Road, Riviera Beach, Fl 33404 December 15, 2004 The Abaconian Page 3 DAMIANOS REALTY COMPANY EXCEPTIONAL LISTINGS SINCE 1945 HOPE TOWN/ELBOW CAY “GAZEBO VILLAS” HOPE TOWN/ELBOW CAY “TOP OF THE WORLD” NEAR MAN O’ WAR CAY DICKIES CAY Internet Ref. #2509 Internet Ref. #2584 Internet Ref. #2288 Two Waterfront villas in NEW LISTING Fully furnished Loyalist- Traditional island retreat Hope Town Village style 2 bed 2 bath cottage 3 bed 3 ensuite baths Each with 2 bed 2 baths upstairs & with covered porch Spacious open floor plan spacious living areas downstairs Large lot with ocean view Warm polished pine interior Short walk to white sand beach 2nd floor framed out for with exposed beams Fully furnished, R/O water system Master suite or 1 bed Hardwood floors Back-up generator, laundry bldg. studio with separate 100 foot dock with Professionally landscaped entrance 10,000 lb. boatlift, Excellent rental history Ground floor storage covered roof & electricity $875,000 each Villa $360,000 Reduced $1,100,000 Kerry Sullivan: 242-366-0040 Kerry Sullivan: 242-366-0040 Donna Darville: 242-367-5046 HOPE TOWN/ELBOW CAY “C-DREAMS” HOPE TOWN/ELBOW CAY “NOR’EASTER 1” NEAR MARSH HARBOUR SPACIOUS PROPERTY Internet Ref.