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Island Fish Fry will be here

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By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

#TurksandCaicos, April 7, 2022 – When she set out, the mission was to hunt down the ideal new location for the Island Fish Fry which had become the financial blessing responsible for enabling some of her family’s most fantastic endeavours. She told me what she noticed, was the Turks and Caicos’ economic revival in the midst of Covid-19 was steadily gaining momentum, but it appeared the cultural extravaganza which drew thousands of residents and guests to one spot for a three hour cultural explosion was left behind and left out of the post-Covid scene.

There were promises to get it back on stream, but assertive action was missing in action.  The hold up, Island Fish Fry needed a new home, a venue which could allow people the space to physically distance, the freedom to dance, the room to dine and the chance to delight in the culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

That is when her go-getter instinct kicked into overdrive and drive she did, all over Providenciales in search of the ideal spot and she found it.

Now, Island Fish Fry is slated for a Thursday April 21, 2022 return at a new location, the PTV parking lot in The Bight.

It is three times the size of the Bight Park where Island Fish Fry struggled to survive, even before the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The site masterfully filled the LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION criteria and the owners – thank God – were willing.

One of the most expansive parking lots in the Turks and Caicos, People’s Television or PTV became an instant front-runner.  Soon, nothing could top it and now, it is decidedly the new home of the TCI Tourist Board’s Island Fish Fry.

PTV’s parking lot at the Stubbs Diamond Plaza is only minutes away from Grace Bay.  It is supersized, graded with an even surface and now, it is electrically outfitted to comfortably power-up the 54 booths for vendors.

The Minister of Health, Jamell Robinson informed that the venue had to be able to accommodate those essential Covid-19 protocols.

That means, it had to be spacious and the PTV parking lot is certainly that.

It would need to be able to fit all of the vendors, which range from food to drinks to desserts to art & craft and souvenirs.

The PTV parking lot can also do that

and while there are anticipated bumps in the road as Island Fish Fry begins its journey in this ‘new normal’ Vendors will be spaced a decent distance and sanitizing stations will be set up at each.

You can also sanitize upon entry at the ‘Fry’.

Beyond the food, drinks and shopping there is merriment in cultural dances, live band music and a junkanoo rush out with We Funk and Henry the Conch.

It means there needs to be room for the parade and room for the stage.  That room is carved out at left rear of the property.

Perfect, it seems as it will draw the audience deep into the site where there is always a vivacious host, a great show and even the surprise celebrity guest now and again!  Remember when  NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal showed off his DJ skills on stage; that video went viral in seconds.

Drake, Beenie Man and the Kardashians are among the A-Listers who have cruised the crowds and graced the Fry.

With such media-grabbing moments and visitors, it is no wonder a major goal of the vendors, the managers and the organizers of Island Fish Fry is for the environment to remain safe, even COVID-free.

The other goal of the Island Fish Fry is to restore the personal economies of residents who banked on the Thursday evening festivity.

Restoring the Fry also opens the door to other islanders who are standing in line with a desire to add their down home talents to the down home extravaganza which has become the hottest happening in Providenciales.

Island Fish Fry will continue to be enjoyed once each week on Thursdays; transforming a parking area for three hours from 5:30pm to 9:30pm in a come-back which is now only three weeks away.

The only things left to do, are to get the formal announcement from the TCI Tourist Board and hear of the reopening plans.  Then we show up in support of our artisans, home chefs, budding entrepreneurs and entertainers and although a masks outdoors is no longer mandatory, you may want to walk with yours, just in case.

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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