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Masquerading Festive Parade held on Grand Turk

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#TurksandCaicos, January 5, 2017 – Grand Turk – The Masquerading Committee, the brainchild of Ms. Valerie Jennings and President, Mr. Valentino Selver 26165689_10213605261379780_4096208970452018190_nJr. 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.

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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.

26112472_10213605257019671_6185781638139656708_nPrincess 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.

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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

26055946_10213605264819866_6924672328100525278_nMrs. 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

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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