Bahamas News
McClean’s Town Conch Cracking interrupted by Hurricane Dorian
#Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas, October 14, 2019 — One of the oldest cultural events in The Bahamas, this year, did not happen; the annual Conch Cracking Competition in McClean’s Town experienced a tragic but necessary interruption; the 2019 staging of the event is yet another casualty of catastrophic Hurricane Dorian.
The storm which hit Grand Bahama on September 2, is clearly not over. The annual highlight in the eastern settlement of hurricane surge-swamped Grand Bahama Island is an economic booster, which has given the community distinction since 1972.
The competition was started in the fishing village by a teacher from England, Jeffrey Morgan, as a way to raise money for the school; it has grown to become the only competition of its kind in the Caribbean region, perhaps even the world.
An over 45-year tradition heartbreakingly halted and revealing the depth and width of the impact, even weeks later, of the most horrific hurricane in modern Bahamian history.
BahamasGeoTourism.com describes the McClean’s Town Conch Cracking this way: This annual homecoming event began in 1972 and attracts both domestic and international visitors, who enthusiastically vie for the coveted and authentically Bahamian designed conch trophy, awarded to the best Conch Cracker in the country. Contestants compete to see who can most swiftly extract [and clean the meat from] a given number of conchs. There is a competition for men, for women, for locals, and for visitors!”
It is true; there is no bigger galvanizing event in the East of Grand Bahama and tourism officials, to whom Magnetic Media spoke said the task of upholding the tradition this year was of mammoth proportions; there was simply too much to overcome in the aftermath of hurricane Dorian.
It is still untold how many died in east Grand Bahama and property damage losses, when tallied, are expected to be in the millions.
Drone video by Live Storms reveal that McClean’s Town, a cozy settlement sitting on a picturesque peninsula was smashed by the storm. Roofs gone, buildings bulldozed by the surge waters, others gutted and raided, vehicles turned wrong side up and forced into the ocean and there is debris.
Eastern Grand Bahama, with its ecological richness, is also where there was an oil spill.
Hundreds of residents and tourists would have now been preparing to take the hour-long drive back into Freeport after having watched or competed in the hammering open of conch shells to draw out the conch mollusk (conch cracking), or enjoyed the East’s signature coconut cocktail: Gully Wash or having dined on fresh seafood, including savory cracked lobster – for which east Grand Bahamian home chefs are acclaimed.
But this will all have to wait – we pray – for 2020, when the McClean’s Town Conch Cracking and the resilient people of the community can reveal a glorious bounce-back.
Traditionally, the McClean’s Town Conch Cracking Competition is held at the McClean’s Town school in October on the public holiday which is today identified, in The Bahamas, as National Heroes Day.
Bahamas News
EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center Officially Opens to Help Students Wishing to Study in the US
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country have personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions.
Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin thanked the US government for opening
up the Center to help residents achieve the goal of going to a tertiary institution in the US.
The Education Minister said during a recent trip to Cuba, she learned that high school is called “pre-university”.
She noted that many students in The Bahamas believe that after high school, they should go out and work.
She said, “While there is nothing wrong with that, the secondary school experience should be seen as a launching pad for something more, further and greater. We want our young people to see themselves in that way.
“We want to encourage our young people, all of them going through high school, that they are in pre-university. It is just the launching pad for more that is out there for them.”
The Minister added that students should not only see their individual potential, but also come back home after going to a tertiary
institution abroad to help build national capacity.
President, BTVI, Dr. Linda Davis; US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish; EducationUSA Regional Manager for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Giselle Dubinsky; Public Affairs Officer/US Embassy, Suemayah Abu-Douleh also attended the opening.
Dr. Davis said the use of the Center is not limited to BTVI students. “Bahamians and residents throughout The Bahamas wishing to study in the US should consider EducationUSA at BTVI as their official source of information.”
She explained that in 2019, BTVI and the US Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding, agreeing to establish the Center on BTVI’s main campus.
“The Center was operationalized in 2023 and today we celebrate its inauguration. BTVI is pleased to finally reach this milestone and join the global network of over 400 EducationUSA Advising Centers, tasked with facilitating much needed guidance and support for students wishing to matriculate to a US institution.”
The US Chargé d’Affaires said EducationUSA aims to make opportunities to study at US tertiary institutions more accessible to students by providing them with the guidance and resources they need to pursue their academic dreams in the US.
She also explained that part of the mission of the Center is to ensure that students choose tertiary institutions that are accredited.
“The Center will serve as a hub for students, parents and educators seeking information about US higher education. Our advisor Breann Marshall is here to assist every step of the way from selecting the right institution to understanding the VISA requirements.”
PHOTO CAPTION
BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna
Header : Ribbon Cutting
The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center was officially opened at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) on Thursday, September 5, 2024, to help students throughout the country obtain personalized access to free, accurate, current and comprehensive information about US tertiary institutions. US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish and Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
Showcase
Advisor, The EducationUSA Bahamas Advising Center, Breann Marshall (centre) shows Minister of Education & Technical and Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin and US Chargé d’Affaires, Kimberly Furnish around the Center.
Jael Joseph’s Digital Platform Embarks on a New Chapter of Empowerment and Creativity
Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.
The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.
One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request
custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.
Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.
The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.
This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.
As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.
Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on September 10, 2024, that it marked the start of an “extraordinary” new chapter for Cat Island.
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