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RTC to Merge with Communications Directorate 

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 19, 2023 – Now under the Office of the Premier, several changes will be made to Radio Turks and Caicos including a merger between the station and the communications directorate.

The revelation was made by Shonia Thomas-Been, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Premier during a May 3rd sitting of the Appropriations Committee under questioning from Edwin Astwood, Committee Member and Leader of the Opposition.  Astwood was displeased with the optics of the decision to put the national radio station directly under the premier.

“Others who aren’t the Premier, or on his team may see that as a barrier to using the service, because the appearance of it is that it is communications for the Office of the Premier is not for the entire government or country.  That is how it would appear to people,” he maintained.

Astwood requested a guarantee that this would not be the case and PS Thomas-Been responded that the communications directorate was responsible for disseminating information on all areas of government.

“We don’t want the public to be misled because the program objectives are clear that the communications directorate will serve all of the government,” she said.

Another complaint coming from Astwood was the low wages not only for regular work hours but for overtime.  Astwood highlighted that with so much asked of the employees who broadcast national events including the House of Assembly live, they should be compensated well.

The PS agreed with Astwood on this count and promises were made of more rounded salary packages for the staff as the department found its footing following its move.

“This budget does not allow for innovation or creativity within Radio Turks and Caicos,” said Thomas-Been, who continued with,  “At some point we are going to have to revamp this whole budget so that we heighten the programs, products and services of RTC,”  she acknowledged.

Enternainment

Peabo Bryson, the ‘Duet King,’ Dies at 75

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By Deandrea Hamilton

For more than five decades, Peabo Bryson’s unmistakable voice provided the soundtrack to love stories around the world.

The two-time Grammy Award winner, affectionately regarded by many as R&B’s “Duet King,” died on June 2 at the age of 75, days after suffering a stroke. Family members said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

While younger audiences may remember him as the voice behind Disney classics Beauty and the Beast and A Whole New World, Bryson’s legacy was built long before Hollywood came calling.

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, the South Carolina-born singer released 20 solo albums, earned five Gold records and became one of the most sought-after duet partners in contemporary music.

Few artists mastered the art of collaboration as effortlessly as Bryson.

His rich tenor elevated timeless recordings alongside some of music’s most celebrated female vocalists, including Roberta Flack on Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, Regina Belle on A Whole New World, Celine Dion on Beauty and the Beast, Patti Austin on By Heart, By Soul, Natalie Cole on We’re the Best of Friends and countless others.

Yet he was equally successful as a solo performer.

Hits including If Ever You’re in My Arms AgainCan You Stop the RainFeel the FireReaching for the Sky and I’m So Into You established him as one of R&B’s premier balladeers, earning a devoted following throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Bryson’s greatest commercial success came in the 1990s when Disney selected him to perform two animated-film love songs that became global sensations. Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion and A Whole New World with Regina Belle earned him two Grammy Awards and introduced his music to a new generation of listeners.

But for many longtime fans, it was the romance, warmth and sincerity of his earlier recordings that defined his greatness.

In an era crowded with powerful voices, Peabo Bryson stood apart by making every duet feel personal and every love song believable.

His voice may be gone, but the music remains — a catalogue filled with timeless ballads, unforgettable partnerships and memories that continue to resonate across generations.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

This angle is stronger than a standard obituary because it focuses on what made Peabo unique. There have been great singers, great balladeers and great hitmakers. There was really only one “Duet King.”

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Bahamas News

“Unspoken Storms” Breaks the Silence on Menopause—And How It Impacts Marriages of Faith

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AuthorsAndWritersHub.com

 

 Bahamas — Bahamian author Teri M. Bethel combines heartfelt storytelling, practical tools, and devotionals to help couples navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges of menopause together. Often called “the silent storm” in a woman’s life, menopause is deeply personal, widely misunderstood, and rarely discussed openly. Teri M. Bethel is changing that conversation with her new book, Unspoken Storms: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Menopause and Marriage – With Devotional Prayers for Emotional Healing and Intimacy.

Through the fictional yet emotionally raw story of Amanda—a devoted wife navigating menopause’s emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges—Bethel opens the door for honest, grace-filled conversations in homes and churches.

For many women, menopause brings more than just hot flashes; it can shake identity, emotions, and even marriage. “It’s unfortunate, but menopause sneaks up on many women and men,” says Bethel. “Beyond the jokes about hot flashes or personal summers, there’s often silence. But when mood swings, depression, anxiety, brain fog, and the physical pain of intimacy show up—and no one connects the dots—confusion can take root. My goal was to bring hope, clarity, and real help to this season.”

Early readers are calling Unspoken Storms “a book that walks beside you like a trusted friend.” Colleen Aitken praised Bethel’s approach as “beautifully tender, yet raw in its honesty—offering hope, healing, and restoration.” Heather Sands added: “I couldn’t put it down. It’s not the typical menopause book—it’s a source of peace, relief, and understanding for both women and men. This book belongs in every marriage ministry.”

Men often want to help but don’t know how, which can lead to misunderstanding, distance, or even divorce. While there are medical guides and clinical handbooks, very few books speak to women and couples with faith, empathy, and hope, blending story, Scripture, and practical steps for relief.

More than a novel, Unspoken Storms is a resource:

  • For women: to feel seen, understood, and equipped with faith and practical tools for this stage of life.
  • For men: a bonus chapter by Teri’s husband, Tellis, which offers insight into how menopause affects husbands, especially those who may be facing midlife challenges themselves, plus prayers to strengthen the marriage.
  • For couples: guidance to restore communication, intimacy, and partnership.

Bahamian author, Dr. Deborah Pople-Smith commended the book for “helping marriages realize that talking about menopause is not taboo—it’s necessary. Love and intimacy can still be shared with a little understanding and patience.”

“Menopause can feel like the end of something,” says Bethel. “But in reality, it can be the refining of love and faith. This book is an invitation to walk through it—together, stronger.”

Unspoken Storms is now available in Nassau at Logos Bookstore, in Eleuthera at Office General, and on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audio formats.

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Enternainment

Island Elegance Meets Soulful Sound: TCI Gears Up for “Intimate Jazz & Soul” at Barbetta Lounge

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Magnetic Media | Editorial Team

 

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos — The Turks and Caicos cultural calendar is heating up as the countdown begins for Intimate Jazz & Soul — a sultry, sophisticated evening of music, art, and expression, headlined by local music icon Tess Charles and a host of homegrown talent.

Set to unfold on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the chic Barbetta Lounge at The Somerset, the event promises to be more than a concert — it’s a curated cultural experience that fuses jazz, soul, spoken word, and fine art into one radiant night. From 8PM to 10PM, guests will step into an atmosphere of class and creativity, dressed in their summer linens and ready for an unforgettable night under the island stars.

The line-up is electric:

Mohen Cox — saxophonist and storyteller known for weaving melodies and humor with magnetic ease.
SamSol and Aaliyah Elliot — rising stars with rich vocals and stage presence; Aaliyah, also a Miss Turks & Caicos Universe contender, is poised to dazzle.

O’Brien Forbes and Super P — fan-favorite showmen whose energetic performances never disappoint.

Visual artists Levenia BishopAncy DoriscaBrittney Bien Aime, and Fay Ninon will add an elegant touch with a live fine art exhibition, offering guests a chance to engage with the Turks and Caicos creative scene.

Spoken word and poetry will round out the soulful ambiance, connecting hearts and minds in an evening that celebrates talent and island pride.

Presented by Barbetta House & TESSIntimate Jazz & Soul is already causing a stir on the island. Tickets are $75 and selling fast — available exclusively at Nikki’s Trinkets. For reservations, call (649) 332-4412.

With limited seating and a powerful mix of sound, sight, and soul, this one-night-only event is shaping up to be the talk of the summer. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this enchanting evening where island elegance meets artistic excellence.

Will you be there when the island takes center stage?

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