TCI News

TCI: Picnic en Blanc – Food for Thought Fundraiser Wows Supporters

Published

7 years ago

October 31, 2018

#Providenciales, October 31, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – On Saturday 27 October 2018 Long Bay High School was transformed into a romantic, opulent setting to host scores of Picnic en Blanc party-goers who helped raise more than $11,500 for Food for Thought’s breakfast programmes at the government schools.

The stylish Picnic guests, all of whom dressed in white from head to toe, added to the spectacular atmosphere. They enjoyed their stunning surroundings while sipping on champagne and dining on a feast of delicious offerings – charcuterie and cheese boards, vegetarian canapes, and mouth-watering, bite-sized desserts. The DJ’s playlist enhanced the light and laid-back ambiance, while a slideshow of the charity’s achievements was displayed in the background.

Food for Thought was very pleased to have in attendance H.E. the Governor and Mrs Freeman, H.E. Deputy Governor Hon. Anya Williams, Hon. Akierra Missick, MP for Long Bay, Director of Education Mr Edgar Howell, and Long Bay High School Principal Ms Whiskey-John.

The charity’s founders Jeanne and Karen Savory are extremely thankful to everyone who attended, donated, supported and helped make the fundraiser come to life.

“Our deepest thanks to the awesome Picnic en Blanc Committee, especially Pavan Uttamchandani, Leisha MacDonald, and Tara Bywater for all their hard work and support in putting this big undertaking together! Huge thanks also to the Principal Whiskey-John, her staff, and the Department of Education for their assistance. They trusted their school in our hands and we think they were pleasantly surprised with the results on the night!

The amazing transformation of the venue was thanks to the expertise of the brilliant Stacie Steensland, with beautiful table settings donated by Flowers by EA, and lighting and music donated by Subtronic Sound, as well as a small army of volunteers including Kirk, Matt, Orane, JF, and Meelike.

A special thank you to Gilley’s Enterprises for their generous sponsorship of our first Picnic en Blanc, including gift bags for all attendees! They have been great supporters of Food for Thought since our very first event. We would like to recognise Le Bouchon du Village for their great work in preparing and filling the picnic baskets, and fabulous VIP platter. We are also immensely grateful to the following kindhearted people who donated delectable canapes and desserts, which really topped off the fabulous affair – Mango Reef, Griffen Wall, From Scratch, Retreat Kitchen, and The Cake Studio 649.

Thanks must also go to the event’s corporate sponsors, who had faith that we could make a success out of our first upscale benefit. We are indebted to Turkberry, GP Group, KB Home Center, ERA Real Estate, Miller Simons O’Sullivan, Chartered Trust, Misick & Stanbrook, Turks & Caicos Banking Company, Tip of the Tail Villa, Savory & Co., Temple Financial Group, Sailrock, Wine Cellar and JohnnyLegend!

In addition to all of the people already mentioned, we also have to thank Sean Brady of Kaieri Photography for donating his excellent services, and our attentive volunteers Sandy, Carol, Rori, Mae, Lindsay, and especially Laura who made sure everything ran smoothly. Thanks also to Ernst, Auriol, Tanya, Ana-Alicia, Max, Lucid Illumination, Caicos Catering, Lovin Turks & Caicos, Pioneers Cleaners, Dove Security, Mr Walker, and Got U Covered.

Last but definitely not least we would like to express huge appreciation to all of the generous companies and individuals who donated wonderful prizes to our silent auction and raffle, helping us to raise further funds for our breakfast programmes. These caring corporate citizens were: Sailrock, Panopoly, Wake to Wake, Beaches, Brilliant Studios, Kalooki’s, Gansevoort, Goldsmith, Crossfit Gym, Physiologic, FOTTAC, Solana, West Indie, Konk, Royal Jewels, West Bay Club, Rejouvenance Spa.

As you can see, it takes many, many kind people to put together a grand fundraiser like this and we are so appreciative for the enormous support we received. We really enjoyed the event and we hope our guests did too. Now it’s time for a well-deserved rest for our whole team. But not really, because we still have breakfast programmes to run!

The funds raised at Picnic en Blanc will go towards our Breakfast Programme in five government schools, and our Food Bank Programme in the remaining ten government schools. We have sufficient funds to expand our Breakfast Programme to a further two schools (which have been identified), and will do so once hurricane repairs are completed next year. Our programmes run smoothly thanks to the wonderful Quality Food Centre, Lew 1 Shipping and our Operations Manager Tara. Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Real Estate’s ongoing support as a Partner Sponsor means the world to us as it provides security for the longevity of our work. Food for Thought sure is a team effort.”

Press Release: Food for Thought

TCI News

VisitTCI and Potcake Place Highlight Growing Homeless Dog Crisis

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be facing a major tourism problem: thousands more stray dogs.

It’s a likely consequence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on US puppy imports, says Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder and director Jane ParkerRauw in a new video produced by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands.

The collaboration between the country’s leading tourism website and the charity dog rescue—which works to reduce the local population of homeless dogs—sheds light on how the CDC ruling has disrupted the charity’s operations and is contributing to an alarming rise in the country’s homeless dogs.

“It’s going to take years of getting back from [the progress we’ve lost] over the last 14 months,” said Parker-Rauw in an interview with VisitTCI. “I can’t stress how in such a short period of time, this is going to have such an impact on tourism here.”

On Aug. 1, 2024, the CDC’s ban on importing dogs less than six months old into the US took effect. The ban aims to prevent the introduction of DMRVV (dog-maintained rabies virus variant) into the US.

Since then, Potcake Place has been unable to find homes for hundreds of puppies. For the first time in the rescue’s 25-year history, they have had to turn away dogs.

“If we allow stray dogs to overrun the islands, it will inevitably affect the experience of our visitors and the tourism industry as a whole,” says Daniel J. LeVin, executive editor of VisitTCI. “Visit Turks and Caicos Islands works hard to promote the Turks and Caicos as one of the world’s premier travel destinations, and that means supporting efforts that protect the environment, community, and visitor experience.”

Many residents of Providenciales remember a time when wild dogs were shot to keep packs in check, or more recently, the fatal attack of a North Caicos woman in 2012 by feral dogs.

Large stray populations pose health and safety risks, deter tourists, and strain public resources. Many puppies the Potcake Place has had to turn away since the ban began have likely already had puppies themselves, says Parker-Rauw.

The impact of controlling a potentially explosive population of homeless dogs could have serious negative effects on the Turks and Caicos tourism industry, as seen in countries like Turkey.

“Two dogs in six years, if none of their offspring die, will produce 62,000 dogs,” says Parker-Rauw. “This is a major problem.”

The United States accounts for over 80% of visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the vast majority of Potcake Place’s adoptions.

Since the ban came into effect, US adoptions have dropped from roughly 500 per year to just five per month, says Parker-Rauw. Getting older puppies to the US is challenging, as they’re too large for airline cabins and not permitted in the hold of planes traveling between Turks and Caicos and the US.

Potcake Place has been advocating for a revision of the ban to allow puppies from lowrisk rabies or rabies-free countries into the US. Turks and Caicos is a DMRVV-free country, and all puppies adopted through Potcake Place are fully vaccinated before travel.

This collaboration is one of several that Visit Turks and Caicos Islands has spearheaded this year to promote sustainable tourism. Both the video and an expanded article can be found at www.visittci.com/news .

TCI News

Turks and Caicos Islands Reaffirms Status as Premier Beach and Romance Destination at World Travel Awards

Published

6 days ago

October 6, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos

PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS – (October 6th, 2025) – The Turks and Caicos Islands has once again reaffirmed its status as the Caribbean’s premier beach and romance destination at the annual World Travel Awards.

At the ceremony held in Saint Lucia on October 4th, the destination was named the region’s Leading Beach Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Turks and Caicos has captured the Leading Beach Destination title every year since 2015 and the Most Romantic Destination award for seven consecutive years.

“It is no secret that the Turks and Caicos Islands is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and we are honoured that voters continue to recognise this. Our pristine waters and secluded settings also make the destination one of the world’s most romantic getaways, especially for couples seeking luxury and intimacy. On behalf of Experience Turks and Caicos, I extend sincere thanks to the World Travel Awards and to everyone who voted in support of our islands,” said Mr. Paul Pennicook, Interim CEO Consultant, Experience Turks and Caicos.

Experience Turks and Caicos would like to extend congratulations to our hotel partners and stakeholders who also won regional recognition at the World Travel Awards.

Beaches – Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2025

The Palms – Caribbean’s Leading All-Suite Hotel 2025

Ambergris Cay Private Island Resort – Caribbean’s Leading Private Island Resort 2025

InterCaribbean – Caribbean’s Leading Cabin Crew 2025

Turks and Caicos Islands Awards

Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique Hotel 2025

The Palms – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel 2025

Grace Bay Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Luxury Resort 2025

The Shore Club – Turks and Caicos Leading Resort 2025

Four-bedroom Oceanfront Penthouse @Windsong Resort – Turks and Caicos Leading Hotel Suite 2025

Avis – Turks and Caicos Leading Car Rental Company 2025

Caicos Dream Tours – Turks and Caicos Leading Tour Operator 2025

Olympia Destination Management Company – Turks and Caicos Leading Destination Management Company 2025

The Turks and Caicos Islands now has an opportunity to win ultimate recognition in global travel and tourism with three global nominations in the World Travel Awards for the following:

World’s Leading Beach Destination
World’s Leading Island Destination
World’s Most Romantic Destination

The “World’s Leading” categories are the highest in the World Travel Awards programme. Voting runs from October 6^th -26th October 2025. Votes can be cast by travel professionals, media and tourism consumers, with the nominee gaining the most votes announced as the 2025 World Travel Awards winner.

TCI News

103 Migrants Intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard and TCI Agencies

Published

3 weeks ago

September 21, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, September 21, 2025 – On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Southeast (USCG), working in coordination with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) Marine Branch, the TCI Regiment, and the TCI Border Force, intercepted a vessel carrying 103 migrants bound for Providenciales.

The suspicious vessel, first tracked by the USCG, was stopped at sea and later secured by the Sea Guardian vessel, which towed it safely to South Dock Marina. Upon arrival, the migrants were disembarked and handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.

A breakdown of those on board confirmed:

75 males (including two minors)
28 females (including two minors)

This interception marks the 18th such operation in 2025, bringing the total number of migrants detained this year to 1,510. The RT&CIPF thanks the USCG and local agencies for their close cooperation, noting that this successful outcome demonstrates the effectiveness of layered security measures protecting the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Force reminds the public that illegal migration is dangerous and life-threatening, and violations of the law will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information on illegal migration is urged to contact the nearest police station, call 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or via the P3 app.

Photos Courtesy: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force