Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Smithsonian Institution to Assist with Cultural Rescue and Recovery Following Hurricane Dorian
#Nassau, November 4, 2019 – Bahamas – The Smithsonian Institution (SI) has offered to assist the National Museum of The Bahamas/Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC) in the rescue and recovery of cultural heritage resources. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the National Museum on Tuesday, 29th October. Also in attendance were Director of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Captain Stephen Russell and Director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), Ms. Amanda Coulson.
Acting Director of the AMMC, Mrs. Kim Outten-Stubbs said they were very pleased with the offer of assistance from the Smithsonian.
“We are very pleased that AMMC can now speak to its role in rescue, recovery and assessment in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian,” she said. “The initial stage of hurricane recovery was the security of life and property. Now, we wish to address our cultural heritage — those elements which speak to our culture – our libraries, museums, stories, that were lost or damaged in the storm.”
Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, Dr. Richard Kurin, will lead the team of experts from the Smithsonian. He said as soon as they learnt that The Bahamas had been so negatively impacted by the storm, they were ‘moved’ to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.
“The Bahamas is very dear to me and so when we heard what happened here, our hearts went out to the Bahamian people,” he said. “We worked with The Bahamas 25 years ago. Culture is what makes people who they are. When we heard of books and art being destroyed, we knew what our duties would be: to help our Bahamian brothers and sisters.”
Both Director Russell (NEMA) and Director Coulson (NAGB) pledged their support to the Smithsonian initiative.
A team of persons including: Mrs. Kim Outten-Stubbs; Administrative Consultant, Mr. Alexander Flowers and Historic Preservation Architect Consultant, Ms. Alicia Oxley will accompany the team from the Smithsonian, which includes: Dr. Kurin; Director, of Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI), Ms. Cori Wegener; Mellon/ACLS Public Fellow (SCRI), Dr. Nana Kaneko; Senior Book Conservator, Smithsonian Libraries, Ms. Katie Wagner and Collections Care Specialist (SCRI), Ms. Rebecca Kennedy.
The team planned visit of Abaco on Wednesday and Thursday and Grand Bahama on Friday to commence their initial assessments. The objective of the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI), an arm of the SI that will play a major role in the assessment, is to ‘protect cultural heritage threatened or impacted by disasters and to help United States and international communities preserve their identity and history. The SCRI led the Haiti Cultural Recovery after the 2010 earthquake, worked in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after hurricanes Maria and Irma and has assisted in Texas and Nebraska after major flooding. They also worked in Iraq.
The AMMC will serve as the partnering agency to represent The Bahamas and guide the SI during this assessment mission to Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands. The various governmental agencies, chief counselors and the local communities of these islands are providing information and assistance on the ground as the team travels through the various communities.
By Betty Vedrine
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: The Smithsonian Institution (SI) has offered to assist the National Museum of The Bahamas/Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC) in the rescue and recovery of cultural heritages resources. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the National Museum on Tuesday, 29th October 2019. Pictured L-R: Director of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Captain Stephen Russell and Director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), Ms. Amanda Coulson; Director, of Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI), Ms. Cori Wegener; Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-large, Dr. Richard Kurin; Acting Director of the AMMC, Mrs. Kim Outten-Stubbs; Deputy Chairperson (AMMC), Ms. Lynn Gape; and Administrative Consultant, Mr. Alexander Flowers.
(BIS Photo/ Betty Vedrine)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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