Bahamas News
Volunteers Replant Trees to Help Rebuild Grand Bahama Shoreline
#TheBahamas, February 2, 2022 – Saturday, January 29, 2022 dawned bitterly cold and windy…one of the coldest days on record in the northern Bahamas, but near-freezing temps did not deter Justin Lewis, Bahamas
Initiative Manager of Bonefish Tarpon & Trust (BTT), a Florida-and Bahamas-based conservation organization, and nearly 40 volunteers on a mission, from joining a mangrove planting event led by BTT in East End, Grand Bahama.
The planting marked World Wetlands Day, officially celebrated on February 2 to raise global awareness about the vital role wetlands play for people and planet.
Lewis and members from MANG GEAR, Bahamas National Trust, Kiwanis Club, Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, Department of Marine Resources and Forestry Unit from the Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources, with friends of the environment and local bonefish guides along with students from Bishop Michael Eldon School and Lucaya International School braved the cold to be ferried by boat from East End Lodge, which hosted the event, and transported across the flats to wetlands in the Rocky Creek area, which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Dorian two years ago.
The area where the replanting took place was especially critical, according to Lewis, after a comprehensive survey
showed that Hurricane Dorian in 2019 destroyed 74% of the mangroves that once protected Grand Bahama shores and may have saved lives by doing so during the powerful Cat 5 storm.
Students and representatives worked in tandem to plant 2,434 mangrove seedlings, bringing the total number of seedlings planted to date to 18,783. Their volunteer work is part of a BTT’s Northern Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project started in December 2020, with the goal of planting 100,000 mangroves within a 5-year period.
“Mangroves are not only nurseries for many species, they also act as buffers against a storm or rising waters, help to stave off coastal erosion and can save human lives by being a barrier that absorbs and lessens the impact of oncoming wind and waves,” said Lewis. The recent undersea volcanic eruption in the southeast Pacific which triggered tsunamis with 15-foot waves causing catastrophic damage in Tonga, an archipelago of islands in the South Pacific, underscores why replanting the mangroves in East End is urgent for the extent of protection they provide.
“Partnership is key. It was a windy 57 degrees on the water, and I was really pleased to see so many representatives
from various organizations within the community out working together, especially the students. The mangroves in the Rocky Creek area are completely dead and will not be restored without replanting efforts,” said Lewis. Students were able to see the devastation first-hand and learn the vital role that mangrove forest play in coastal ecosystems and why communities must work hard to conserve them.
Among the most valuable assets protected by mangroves are bonefish, the silver, clever dodgers known as the gray ghost of the flats because of their ability to blend into the flats habitat and avoid capture. Protected by legislation, bonefish are the center of attraction in a catch-and-release sport that adds $169 million to the economy annually in lodging, food, boat rentals, bonefish guide fees and more.
BTT is planning another planting event at the end of February in Abaco where about 40% of the shoreline mangroves were destroyed by Hurricane Dorian.
Photo Caption:
Header & 3rd insert: Students from Bishop Michael Eldon and Lucaya International schools joined the mangrove planting event, an initiative organized by the Grand Bahama division of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust along with Bahamas National Trust, MANG GEAR, Friends of the Environment and volunteers. (Photo by Elijah Sands, Bahamas National Trust)
1st & 2nd insert: Volunteers from MANG GEAR, Bahamas National Trust, Kiwanis Club, the Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Marine Resources and Forestry Unit from the Ministry of Environment, local bonefish guides along with students from Bishop Michael Eldon School, Lucaya International School joined BTT organizers at East End Lodge and travelled to plant mangrove seedlings in the Rocky Creek area, Grand Bahama, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Dorian two years ago. BTT aims to plant 100,000 mangroves in five years. Photos: Justin Lewis / BTT
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.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
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!
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.
