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Spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Lives on in Bimini as Painting Unveiled

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#Bahamas, February 14, 2018 – Bimini – What started out as quiet visits to the shores of Bimini by the late Freedom Fighter Dr. Martin Luther King, not only introduced Biminites to a giant of a man, who would go on to capture the Nobel Peace Prize and the hearts of many, but connected two nations – The Bahamas and the United States of America.

Parliamentary Secretary for Communications and Information in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe said Dr. King’s legacy has transcended both time and location.  The Parliamentary Secretary’s comments came during the official unveiling of a painting commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s solitary visits to Bimini.  The short ceremony took place in the departure lounge of the Bimini International Airport on Friday, February 9, 2018.

Island Administrators, Chief Councilors and Ministry of Tourism officials attended the ceremony which also hosted special guests, Andrew Young, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Mayor of Atlanta; and artist, Steve Skipper of Atlanta, Georgia.

“Today demonstrates that the friendship between the United States and the Bahamas continues along the right path and is one of mutual respect and understanding,” said Mrs. Edgecombe.

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She stated that the Government of The Bahamas and, by extension, Biminites appreciate that “after some 50 years of Dr. King delivering his final speech, his legacy continues to echo throughout the world, mobilizing even today the fight for justice and equality at all levels and in all arenas.”

The painting, by Steve Skipper, took over 1,000 hours of easel work to complete.  It features the green groves of Bimini with the image of Dr. King in the clouds, lost in thought and seemingly looking down over the small island.

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARYDr. Martin Luther King spent much time in Bimini where he went to retreat and ‘get away,’ and Bimini was the place where he sat and wrote his “I Have a Dream” speech.  While in Bimini, many times Dr. King was hosted by a son of the soil of Bimini and a renowned bone fisherman Ansil Saunders.

“In your gifting of this painting to the island of Bimini, we graciously accept with a pledge to always tell the story of the man, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a voice for all generations and a legacy on which all of humanity can build,” added Mrs. Edgecombe, Member Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini.

Andrew Young said that when Dr. King made his first trip to Bimini he was looking for a place where he could be quiet, but he also wanted to be in the midst of nature.   He noted that one of Dr. King’s friends in Miami had suggested Bimini.

“I don’t think he had been to Bimini before,” said Mr. Young. “But once he got here, he realized that it was the perfect place for what he wanted to do.  He wrote every day and thought and prayed.”

Mr. Young noted that ironically, when Dr. King’s troubles in his life really began he had been in Bimini at the time, enjoying the fishing, the silence and becoming more acquainted with the people of Bimini.

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“When he wrote that speech about having been to the mountain top and that he had seen the Promised Land, I think he was talking about Bimini.”

Andrew Young continued, he believed that Dr. King would be very pleased with the growth and development of Bimini, and with the honour which they were bestowing upon him with the painting in the Bimini airport.

Artist, Steve Skipper said that while the original painting will reside in Bimini, replicas of it will be donated to museums in Washington, Atlanta and other parts of the United States and a copy will also be presented to Mr. Ansil Saunders.

By: Andrew Coakley (BIS)

Photo captions:

Header: Parliamentary Secretary Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe (second from left); Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew Young (right); Artist, Steve Skipper (second from right) and retired NFL Miami Dolphins player, businessman and restaurateur, Bob Baumhower are pictured during a special ceremony to unveil a painting honouring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his time spent in Bimini.  The official ceremony took place at Bimini International Airport on Friday, February 9, 2018.  (BIS Photo/Andrew Coakley)

Insert: Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe was the keynote speaker during an Official Unveiling Ceremony of a painting of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Bimini International Airport in South Bimini on Friday, February 9, 2018.  (BIS Photo/Andrew Coakley)

 

 

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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