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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.

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 20 February 2026 — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in collaboration with key government agencies, coordinated a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60609/33 in the Five Cays area.

The exercise was led by the Crown Land Unit, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land. The ISU coordinated the operation, with support provided by the Planning Department and the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force, while the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ensured security throughout the activity.

The enforcement action followed a series of inspections conducted by the Crown Land Unit throughout Five Cays, which identified several illegally constructed buildings made of concrete and timber on sections of the subject parcel. In keeping with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance, occupied structures were served Letters of Illegal Occupation, delivered by hand to occupants and posted on structures where individuals were absent. Incomplete and unoccupied structures were served Notices of Unauthorized Occupation pursuant to section 22 of the Ordinance. A total of ten (10) Letters of Illegal Occupation and three (3) Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued during the exercise.

The Informal Settlements Unit reiterates that these coordinated enforcement exercises form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to uphold the law, protect Crown land, and manage informal settlements in a structured and lawful manner. Members of the public are reminded that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown land is unlawful and subject to enforcement action.

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Health

What to Look for with Self-Checks at Home

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February is National Self- Check Month and family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, OH, John Hanicak, MD, highlights why at home self-checks are extremely important when it comes to not just early cancer detection but identifying other illnesses too and offers tips on what to look out for.

“Sometimes Ilook at them as sort of like your check engine light on the car, just like therewould be a red flashing light that tells you that there’s something wrong with acar and prompts you to bring that in and get serviced. Your body does the samething. It gives you warning signs tolook intothat symptom a little bit further,” said Hanicak.

Dr. Hanicak saidself-checks are going to be a little different for everyone. 

However, in general, he recommends looking for anything that may seem abnormal, such asunexplained weight loss,blood in your urine, bumps and bruisesthat won’t heal,and changes in bowel habits. 

For example, if you suddenly start going to the bathroom a lot more than you used to, that could bea signof something more serious. 

He also suggestsdoing regular skin checksanddocumentingany molesor spotsthat start to look different. 

“Realize that you are your own person.There’s nobody else in the world exactly like you.You’ve got your own set ofideas, your own family history and your own genetics.Know what is normal for you, and when that changes, that’s the kind of thing thatwe would be interested in talking about,” said Dr. Hanicak. 

Dr. Hanicaknotes that self-checks are not meant to replace cancer screenings, as those are just as important to keep up with. 

Press Release: Cleveland Clinic

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