News
Masquerading Festive Parade held on Grand Turk
#TurksandCaicos, January 5, 2017 – Grand Turk – The Masquerading Committee, the brainchild of Ms. Valerie Jennings and President, Mr. Valentino Selver 
Jr. and member express sincere thanks to all the sponsors, participants, and the entire community of Grand Turk, for making its first annual New Year’s Day Masquerading Festival Parade, held on January 1, 2018, a great success.
After a sudden downpour of rain, the Masqueraders and the local ripsaw band “rushed” the streets, led by Mr. Cushy Alice/Ellis, who did an excellent job of leading the parade from the Lester Williams Park, South Back Salina to the Clock Tower, Downtown. In tote, were the local ripsaw band, followed by participants and next by the famous “We Funk” Junkanoo band led by the man himself, the TCI king of Junkanoo, Mr. Ketch Penn.
The sweet, sweet sounds of the music of both groups drew hundreds of spectators, including residents and tourists alike, who stopped to view the parade, take pictures, dance, shake and rock with the music.
Other highlights of the parade were the masqueraders on bicycles – David Smith riding his bicycle doing short twists and turns; while Mr. Edgar Jennings walked his colourful bicycle displaying TCI flags along each side; and Mr. Kingsley Francis masquerading on his horse.
Also among the many participants was Mrs. Doris (Dar) Williams, wife of the last oldest Masquerader and Grand Turk’s famous rip saw band, Mr. Edgar Williams (who himself unfortunately could not made it out to attend the event). There were also a few of the community’s elderly ladies in attendance, such as Mrs. Iris Penn, Mrs. Irene Astwood, Mrs. Winifred Jennings and Mrs. Helena Williams who enjoyed telling stories about the Masses of the olden days, as they swayed to the music and enjoyed the celebration.
The parade ending at the Clock Tower where there was a brief ceremony, called to order by the Vice President of the Masquerading Committee, Ms. Valerie Jennings, to thank all participants and to crown winners as follows:
Senior King of Masses – Mr. Stanley Symonnette
Senior Queen of Masses – Mrs. Veronica Williams
King of Masses – Mr. Carl Williams
Queen of Masses – Ms. Maria Rigby
Prince of Masses – Mr. Valentino Selver Jr.
Princess of Masses – Miss Valjonique Selver
Other winners included:
Best Masquerader Dancing with a House on the Head – Mr. Thomas (Mellie) Simms
Best Rip Saw Band (which was led by Mr. William (Brer Doggie) Robinson
Best Female Costume – Ms. Maria Rigby
Best Male Costume – Mr. Carl Williams of North Back Salina
Best Masquerader on Horse Back – Mr. Kingsley Francis
Best Poorest & Original Costume – Mr. Terrence (MacGyver) Taylor
The Butterflies – representing the island of Grand Turk
Masquerader Ms. Kathleen Simms – representing the island of Salt Cay
Masqueraders Ms. Flossie Williams and her daughter Angela – representing the settlement of Palm Grove
Masquerader Mr. Greg Astwood – representing the settlement of Over Back
Band Leader, Mr. Walter (Cushy) Ellis and Mr. Carl Williams – representing the settlement of North Back Salina
Masquerader Mr. Stanley (Coot) Carter and Company – representing the settlement of West Road.
Masquerader Mr. Thomas (Mellie) Simms – representing the settlement of South Back Salina.
Masqueraders for South Caicos and the Special Needs groups were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
Everyone seemed to have a good time and happy to welcome back the return to Masses. Many said that they were “very impressed”, “loved it” and that it was “off to a good start”. Mrs. Lynn Missick-James, was the first spectator to arrive at the parade and helped to provide some of the stuff for the participants with words of encouragement. Mr. Alton Higgs, another one of TCI’s cultural legends, shouted from a passing car “Keep the culture going!”. Another spectator, Mrs. Jane Williams from Salt Cay commended the parade in saying that it was a great way of bringing the community together.
We will continue to celebrate as our ancestors did with the tattered clothing and houses on their heads and rip saw music. We are calling on all schools, churches, civic groups, and island and settlement groups to start preparing. Get your participants to learn from the elders in the community how to make costumes and how to dance with a house on your head. Get ready for Masquerade Festival Parade 2019. We promise you it will be bigger and better.
May God continue to bless us all as we seek to promote, preserve and display our beautiful traditions.
Special thanks to:
All members of our committee and others who stepped in to help in some form and encouraged us.
Mrs. Eunettie Glinton and her family
Mrs. Rita Gardiner
Ms. Danzella Jennings
Ms. Delphine Simons
Mr. Thomas Simms
Mr. Codeno Missick
Ms. Willis Williams
Mr. Walter Ellis
Mr. & Mr. Edgar Jennings
Mrs. Tanya Taylor
Mrs. Tonya James
Mr. Edwin Dickenson
Mrs. Teresa Andrews
Mrs. Alice Williams
Mr. David Smith
Mr. Stanly Carter and company
Mr. Stanley Symonette
Mrs. Susan Astwood
Ms. Sharon Simons
Mr. Dan Williams
Mrs. Peach Caley
Mr. Alexander Swann
Mr. Ernest Clarke
Mrs. Veronica Williams
The Department of Tourism
The Department of Culture
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Health
Hon. Oswald Skippings
Mr. Arthur Lightbourne
Intercaribbean Airways
Radio Turks & Caicos
Press Release: Valerie Jennings
SALT CAY — Residents say Salt Cay’s prolonged water shortage remains unresolved, with no visible activity or relief from the measures Government said would be advanced last week.
The crisis began in June after a critical filter failed at the island’s reverse osmosis plant, severely disrupting local water production.
Residents told Magnetic Media Tuesday morning that neither the replacement filter nor the promised bulk shipment of emergency water appeared to have arrived.
Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders, however, said the filter is already on Salt Cay.
“The RO filter is on Salt Cay and it’s being installed,” Saunders told Magnetic Media.
The large emergency water shipment has not materialised. Saunders said transporting more than 1,000 gallons in a single container requires a barge, and officials are still attempting to source one.
Government had previously indicated that it would try to deliver up to 2,500 gallons to partially replenish Salt Cay’s depleted storage tanks while repairs continued.
Saunders had initially projected that the RO plant would be fully operational by August 19. He now says the system is expected to return to full operation “in a few days.”
For residents, however, the immediate reality remains unchanged: the shortage continues, the bulk water has not arrived and the promised relief is not yet flowing.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort recently collaborated with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and the Department of Social Services to support a youth camp hosted at the Oseta Jolly Primary School, underscoring the resort’s ongoing commitment to youth development in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The camp, which brought together security forces, government agencies and private sector entities, focused on equipping young participants
with practical life skills and character-building tools. A team from Beaches Turks and Caicos’ leadership and training departments joined the programme to deliver sessions on basic table etiquette, dining mannerisms, polite demeanour and public speaking fundamentals, all designed to help the students present themselves confidently in formal and professional settings.
General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, Deryk Meany, said the resort views national development as an integral part of its corporate social responsibility. “We are always happy to be supporters in the development of the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We continue to commit our team to help in creating the next generation of leaders who will provide support to the islands and help in its development,” Meany noted.
The initiative also received strong endorsement from the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Community Development, which has been championing holistic programmes aimed at building well-rounded young citizens. Minister Rachel Taylor highlighted the importance of collaborations like the camp in helping youth access structured guidance and mentorship. “We are happy to join in celebrating the growth and development of our youth here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Beaches Turks and Caicos continues to be one of our primary supporters in helping to develop well rounded individuals. This commitment from this resort has grown with the vision of the youth ministry to help in their overall development,” she said.
Taylor further emphasized that the camp’s timing was especially significant, coming as youth across the islands seek positive outlets and
constructive engagement. “This camp came at the most ideal time for our adolescents. With the support of our governor, the security forces, the social services along with Beaches Turks and Caicos, we are confident that the training needed for them to improve is on the right track,” she added.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Public Relations Manager, Orville Morgan, described the collaboration as an exemplary model of cross-sector partnership. “To be able to join with the security forces to provide support for the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands is exceptional. We are happy to provide the necessary support to equip them to grow into being productive citizens of these islands,” Morgan said.
He noted that the resort team focused on practical etiquette and hospitality-driven skills that can be carried into the youths’ future experiences. “As a team, we were able to share in the basic table setting and dining etiquette for them, skills we are sure that they will be able to use in their next fine dining experience,” Morgan added.
Organizers expressed optimism that the camp’s blend of discipline, mentorship and soft skills training will have a lasting impact on participants. With stakeholders pledging continued support, the Beaches Turks and Caicos team and their partners aim to expand similar initiatives, further investing in the personal and professional growth of the next generation of Turks and Caicos Islanders.
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
