Bahamas News
Abaco Native and Grand Bahama Talk Show Host Releases New Book to Free Readers from Their Stormy Past
#TheBahamas, June 1, 2022 – Survival mode has been a fixed position for author and teacher Chantel Thompson, a native of Abaco, the island not so long ago hit by the devastating hurricane Dorian some years ago. Ms. Thompson is quite familiar with storms, as she so aptly shares in her newly released book, Unchained: The Grace to Break Strongholds (Trilogy 2022). Now a resident of Freeport, Grand Bahama, the host of The Father’s Love, which airs on Dove 103.7 FM radio, Ms. Thompson uses every platform to share her story of brokenness and redemption. A story that is all too common among the hurting.
A prisoner of her fears, trapped in a world she unwittingly lived in, Ms. Thompson says she knew what it was like to give up on God. She knew all too well what it felt like to be lonely, search for love, embrace compromise and then begin the cycle over and over again. She knew what it was to cry out in pain for help, only to feel like it was her voice echoing through the darkness. In this plain-talking book, Ms. Thompson speaks with great transparency of the highs and lows in her life. But she doesn’t do this, she says, to air her dirty laundry. She’s doing it because she knows that there are others out there, both men and women, who are hurting and feeling alone as she did. “People,” she said, “who look beautiful on the outside yet feel as if they are dying within.”
Educator and youth leader Tori Tiffany Lewis says, “What a message for weary people everywhere. No subject is better than God’s grace.” Ms. Lewis went on to say, “Chantel’s account of her journey to freedom, through God’s
grace, is the hope and encouragement we all need.”
“It’s a desperate place to be,” Ms. Thompson explained. “I’m grateful that God brought me through, but it was not an easy journey for someone like me who wanted to do things my way.” She explained that she had to learn how to surrender and turn her life over to God entirely as she made it through what felt like a dark, hideous tunnel with no way out. “This book has already been a lifeline to readers,” she noted. “I believe many people confused my determination and outward confidence with success. The truth is, nobody knows what goes on in the quiet times of a person’s life when the doors are closed, and the smiles are put to rest—looks can be and many times are, deceiving,” she noted.
Having rejected herself, Ms. Thompson wondered if God would ever forgive or love her. She, after all, had difficulty forgiving or loving herself. The author mentions that she was done with trying to be free from the chains and strongholds in her life through her efforts and finally learned how to let go. The journey she aptly shares in the book is to help others through their desperate times.
After reading the book in one sitting, Ms. Lutesha Campbell, an English Language instructor, declared, “I am speechless!” An avid reader, Ms. Campbell went on to say, “I have never related to a book like I have done this one. It was as if Chantel lived my life experiences. It [this book] is a must-read! I promise you that you will never be the same!” Following on her heels with a similar report was Ms. Pauline Ramsey, a beautician who admitted to not being able to put the book down through the night. In her social media post, Ms. Ramsey stated, “I’m up at this hour still reading and feel like I’m experiencing every moment. The scriptures are there to back up [what is being said]. I love it!”
Written to walk others through their dark times, Unchained: The Grace to Break Strongholds gives readers scriptures and guides them through meaningful prayers to help express their hearts to God as they identify strongholds and destroy them at their roots to receive God’s unconditional love.
Unchained: The Grace to Break Strongholds can be purchased at Bellvue Books and Gifts Ltd. in Freeport and is also available in paperback and kindle on Amazon.com.
Release: BooksByBethel.com
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.
