VOLUME 15, NUMBER 2, JANUARY 15th, 2007 Junkanoo Entertains on Green Turtle Cay Annual Junkanoo Rush Brings Crowds on New Year’s Day By Annabelle Cross Happy New Year! The new year got off to a noisy start as church bells rang, fire crackers popped and fireworks exploded in the air at the stroke of midnight. The weather was just right for outside events and both residents and visitors came out to welcome in the new year either at church services or with friends at parties. The celebrations continued into the wee hours of the morning; then it was home to finish off the traditional souse and to get a few hours rest before heading out for Junkanoo. For the people in the “Shack” there was no time for rest as they worked against the clock to get all the costumes pasted and “tricked” before show time. The day dawned to the sound of goat skin drums being “tuned.” All day long the ferries transported day visitors to what is for many the tradition of spending New Year’s Day on Green Turtle Cay. By noon the streets were lined with people chat- ting with friends as they enjoyed tradi- tional Bahamian foods sold by the vari- ous vendors. The fresh conch salad was The annual Junkanoo rush of Green Turtle Cay took place on New Year’s Day, drawing hundreds of spectators. The visitors were very popular, with people waiting for their treated to conch salad and other popular Bahamian dishes as they waited for the show to begin and after the parade. The Green Turtle Ferry was kept busy ferrying people back and forth from the mainland. Please see Junknaoo Page 2 Passports Will Be Min. Wisdom Revealed Required for Americans Housing and Sporting Plans By Julian Lockhart new regulation could cost the country up to The Bahamas tourism industry is about a million visitors in 2007. to take an unknown hit in the next few The US Government gave Canada and months as all American tourists will need to Mexico an extension until 2008 and cruise have valid, machine readable passports to ship passengers until 2009 to require pass- return to the United States after January ports. 23rd, 2007. The Bahamas government has This new regulation resulted from the been lobbying the United States for an ex- Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative which tension but the only extension given was implemented national security measures from January 1st to January 8th and finally the 23rd. The Bahamas saw over five mil- Please see Passports Page 25 lion tourists visit its shores in 2006. This MOW Youth Call for Santa The Hon. Neville Wisdom, Minister of Housing, with his wife, Mrs. Wisdom, visited Central Abaco on January 5. He held a meeting with town leaders at the Council office and discussed several topics relevant to Abaco issues. He is shown here on the left with his wife and Mr. Cubel Davis, Chief Councillor of the Central Abaco District. He itemized several projects under consideration for Abaco which would include sporting facilities on Moore’s Island and in Central Abaco. Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. The Abaconian PRST STD 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Medley, FL 33178 PAID Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 MIAMI FL 331 Every community has its own traditions. Man-O-War residents get together every Christmas morning to greet neighbors and friends and sing carols but more importantly call for Santa Claus. The children call until Santa arrives, bringing gifts for everyone. See story on page 6 Page 2 The Abaconian January 15, 2007 News of the Cays around the entire town of New Plymouth performance and as the sun set, people The entire month of December was a Junkanoo From Page 1 and then it was back to the basketball made their way to Settlement Point to busy time on Green Turtle Cay as people number to be called to enjoy the delicacy! court for a final performance. enjoy the fireworks display. The Green prepared for the holidays. Awana Club By 2:30 p.m the music coming from Months, days and hours go into pre- Turtle Cay Volunteer Fire Department held its holiday closing program early in “up the hill” was the signal to the crowd paring for the Junkanoo parade. Creat- held various fund raisers to fund the cost the month to give the children a chance that “dey comin’.” It was finally time for ing one large piece takes endless hours of the display and were also responsible to prepare for the end of term exams. The the Junkanoo Parade. The parade made and can cost more than a thousand dol- for setting off the fire works. It was well Awana Sparks presented a lovely skit that its way down past the cemetery and lars. The Junkanoo Committee depends worth the cost and effort with an amaz- told the true meaning of Christmas as well through Parliament Street stopping at on the generosity of the business com- ing display that lasted almost 30 minutes as explained the tradition of Santa and times for spectators to enjoy the music munity to help fund this annual event that bringing “oohs” and “aahs” from the the special symbols of Christmas. and the dance routine of more than 20 attracts many visitors to the island. This crowd as each one burst into color in the The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony school girls. The little girls were ador- year 1000 Junkanoo wrist bands were night sky! Thank you to the Junkanoo was held at Quincentennial Park where able in their butterfly costumes as they donated to committee and sold during Committee and Volunteer Fire Depart- the beautifully decorated Administrative tried to keep in step with the older girls New Year’s Day. The proceeds will help ment for all the hard work in making New building was the perfect background. in the dance routine. The older partici- fund the next parade! There were many Year’s Day a fun filled, exciting start of There was an open house at the Roland pants wore the bigger, more elaborate school children in this year’s parade, en- 2007. Please see Cays Page 4 costumes, leaving the drummers and suring that this age old cultural expres- December Events bellers in their silk suits to provide the sion is passed on to the next generation. traditional music. The parade continued After an exciting Junkanoo parade and The Green Turtle community expends a great amount of time, effort and money on its The narrow streets of Green Turtle Cay present challenges for the Junkanoo parade as costumes. The event is very professional and reflets a great commitment. The event draws they are clogged with spectators and the corners are hard to maneuver around. hundreds of spectators. BAHAMAS ADDRESS A Joint Venture of P.O. Box AB 20737 Marsh Harbour Shipping Co. & United Abaco Shipping Co. Marsh Harbour EXPEXPEXPANDED SERVICEVICEVICE Abaco, Bahamas NEW UUNEW .S..S..S. 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