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Anita Doherty Our Warrior

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By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

#TheBahamas, March 31, 2022 – It takes true determination to master one sport but in true ‘Mrs D’  fashion Anita Doherty mastered five, and then went on to become a legendary educator and pacesetting philanthropist.

Anita started out as De Gregory.  Part of a fabulous close-knit clan.  Later she would become Doherty (thanks to her husband) or ‘Mrs D’ as she was fondly called, revered for touching the lives of thousands of people.

“Anita Doherty committed her life to service; to teaching, to educating our youth, guiding and directing a generation that will be forever grateful.

She had the strength of character molded on the principles of hard work and determination. She was nobody’s fool, and was resolute in her convictions. These were among her qualities that quantified her leadership in the classroom, in the conduct of her civic duties and in her sports prowess.

Arguably, Anita Doherty was among the greatest Bahamian female athletes. From track and field to tennis, she had mastered. Her achievements were high and her performance stellar,” said Hon Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Development and Member of Parliament for West End & Bimini.

Little known fact, Anita Louise Doherty was born in 1949 in Nassau, New Providence but she was a West End girl to the bone.  Her history reports that at the age of five years old, Anita moved to the capital of Grand Bahama just as the island was coming  into its own, a hayday which her family would be intricately a part of through business, sports and politics.

Wallace Groves, an American investor, around the same time little Anita moved into Grand Bahama would begin development on a lumber project which mushroomed to a multi-million dollar lumber industry and led to the population of Grand Bahama and establishment of Freeport.

While education was available in her home, Anita was afforded an education abroad.  She attended Hampton, a boarding school in Jamaica.  This is where her love of sports was cultivated.  From 1960 to 1967 she dominated the Jamaican Hockey and Tennis scenes taking both the Under 16 and Under 18 girls tennis championship titles.

After leaving Jamaica she entered Ulster College of Physical Education in Northern Ireland where she continued her sporting career representing her college in Under 21 Netball Tournaments and Track and Field.

In 1970, Anita officially started what would be a four decades long teaching career.  She entered the noblest of professions while still honing her sporting talent. She took her penchant for mastering multiple sports to the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh Scotland in 1970 where she represented The Bahamas in the Pentathlon.

At the time, she was also teaching at Hawksbill All Age School in Grand Bahama; later the Ministry of Education would shift her to Nassau and the D.W. Davis High School where she would tack on four more years.

Next stop for the tough-love-styled teacher would prove her most enduring; she spent 38-years as a Warrior.  Initially as a P.E. teacher, advancing to Vice-Principal and then to Principal of the school.

“She was a fierce warrior in the truest sense of the word! A former athlete, Educator, Vice Principal and Principal of Bishop Michael Eldon School, her dedication to Education and Athletics impacted the lives of the numerous students she taught, coached and mentored during her stellar 38-year career.

As a proud warrior and Freeport Anglican High School Alumna, I have beautiful memories of my former PE teacher and Educator. I was fortunate to witness her passion for young people firsthand.

Mrs. Doherty left an indelible mark on Grand Bahama, and she will be missed,” said Hon Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama and a 1991 graduate of Freeport Anglican High School.

For 38-years, Mrs. D would shepherd youngsters at Freeport High which became Freeport Anglican High which today is called the Bishop Michael Eldon School, an Anglican Central Education Authority run institution.

Among her students, Deandrea Hamilton, CEO of Magnetic Media.  On learning of Mrs. D’s death, Deandrea penned her own tribute, which is posted at Magnetic Media Fanpage on Facebook and at MagneticMediaTV.com, the company’s website.

Anita Doherty was a wife to John Sr, a mother to John John (Jr) and two grand-children.  She was a sister, auntie, cousin, friend, icon, community leader and a member and former governor of Pilot Club International.

“A legend has taken her heavenly wings. Our sincere condolences to the Doherty family, our Pilot family and countless friends and students around the world, who knew and loved  our dear Pilot Anita,” said Karen Ferguson-Bain, Governor, Bahamas District Pilot International.

Doherty was recognized by the Government at a 25th Silver Anniversary Banquet in July, 1998 and by Zonta Club of Nassau Women ‘Living Legends in November, 1998. She was also inducted into the Grand Bahama Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and The Bahamas Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2014 she was honoured by the Kamalamee Organization.

Never one to keep her talent to herself, Mrs. D has been involved in community activities as Director – YMCA Keep Fit, President – Bahamas Netball Association, Secretary – Grand Bahama Softball Association and Treasurer – InterScholastic Sports.

She served as President of The Grand Bahama Tennis & Squash Club, President of The Grand Bahama Athletic Association, Vice President of The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and Secretary of the COED Pilot International.

Anita Doherty ascended to the highest seat as Chief Councilor, which is equivalent to being the mayor of the City of Freeport in Grand Bahama.

She has also been a Wall of Fame honouree at Hampton Girls School, Jamaica where daily she continued to share devotions with the alma mater, just as she did with members of her family and her church.

It was that confirming evidence that until the end, Anita Doherty, was dedicated to being an inspiration and committed to helping to usher people to their fullest potential; that she was a woman of great faith in God and His handiwork.

There would be no sudden pass for Anita.  It was a gradual walk, a trot maybe across that finish line of life… unresponsive at first, then fearlessly with a bit of preparation for those who loved her most, she slipped away.  Gone, but always to be remembered.

Anita Doherty died on Monday March 28 at the age of 73; her funeral is announced for Freeport, Grand Bahama, Saturday April 9, 2022 at the Christ the King Pro Cathedral at 10am.

 

Bahamas News

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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Bahamas News

 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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Bahamas News

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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