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Talented Local Saxophonist, Jervon Laporte, Plays His Way into the Heart of the Suriano Family

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, October 25The venue was setand everything was in place to create a memorable 50thanniversary vow renewal ceremony for Frank and Kathie Suriano at the alluring Beaches Turks and Caicos.

A stunning gazebo, white sand between the toes and the sound of waves lapping the north shore formed the perfect backdrop for the high school sweethearts who reminisced on their first date at the beach.

Kathie recounts,we wrote our own vows for the ceremony. The Beaches Turks and Caicos wedding department team were our guests. They warmly embraced us as family our Beaches family. During our vow exchange, we noticed our guests wiping away tears as they listened to our history and expressions of enduring love.” As Jervon Laporte, a locally contracted entertainer who played his saxophone during the reception, the couple slow danced, welcoming their resort friends to join in and enjoy the moment. “The ladies from the wedding team were all eager to have a dance with Frank. My handsome, blue–eyed, white haired, seventy year old groom was in demand.”

At the end of his set, Jervon, who had heard Kathie and Frank share that their first dance was to Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s version of “Endless Love”, went over to the couple and asked if he could have the honour of playing it for them. This unexpected gesture created a truly magical moment for Frank and Kathie, after 50 years of marriage, we fell more deeply in love. You could see it in our eyes,” the couple reminisced.

Jervon saw a window of opportunity to wow the Soriano’s and what he delivered exceeded their wildest expectations. He made such an impression on the couple that they shared their experience with General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, James McAnally.

“It is in Jervon’s character to go beyond the call of duty. He is passionate about what he does, and it is very evident in the way he performs.  He is able to make each guest feel special because this is not work for him. This is what he loves,McAnally shared.

An Appreciation Gift

So impressed was the couple with Jervon, that they partnered with McAnally to surprise him with a refurbished 1940 Martin Handcraft Tenor Saxophone. The vintage saxophone was purchased at a garage sale for US$50.00 in 1993 by Kathie and is now worth US$4500.00. The saxophone case houses original items including a guarantee certificate with serial number, owner’s booklet with parts list and music books with accessories.

During the handover surprise event hosted on resort, the Soriano’s expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Jervon via video call. We are certain you will use your saxophone to bring so much joy and romance to many other couples. This is your life’s purpose, your legacy,” they shared.

Jervon expressed how grateful he was for the recognition while admitting that he did not expect anything in return. “This entire event has caught me by surprise,” he shared, “the Soriano’s are a wonderful couple and I am happy I had the privilege of making their 50th anniversary celebration a memorable one.”

Prior to the saxophone being gifted, Kathie, who was an educator for over thirty years, loaned it to the William Frangus Elementary School library and Home of the JAZZ, in Orlando, Florida.

 

As an educator, Kathie did not miss the teachable moment. I always told my students that true success is not measured by the amount of money or education. Success is about becoming a good person and making a positive difference in the world. Jervon is a good person, a true success.”

Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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Adam Stewart named CNW’s Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025

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Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, has been named Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year for 2025 by the regional news publication, Caribbean National Weekly (CNW).

The publication recognised Stewart for his leadership in hospitality, his ongoing investments in regional tourism, his steady crisis response and his philanthropic work throughout what it described as a year filled with both remarkable achievements and significant challenges.

CNW highlighted how 2025 saw industry recognition for Stewart, major announcements of multimillion‑dollar developments across his all‑inclusive luxury resort brands and an invitation to join the prestigious Wall Street Journal CEO Council.

But the publication said his impact extended well beyond business milestones.

“In 2025, the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts didn’t just guide his iconic hospitality empire through crisis – he used its scale and influence to help shape Jamaica’s rebound and lay groundwork for future regional growth,” CNW wrote.

The defining moment, it said, came in late October when Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to parts of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. Stewart responded by leading transparent communication with global travel advisors, partners and team members, and made a landmark pledge, that 100 per cent of Sandals and Beaches employees would remain on payroll and receive Christmas bonuses, even at resorts temporarily closed for extensive restoration and upgrades. The company also committed more than US$3 million in staff recovery aid, providing direct support to families affected by the storm.

CNW further highlighted the work of the Sandals Foundation under Stewart’s guidance, noting record levels of community engagement and targeted disaster‑recovery support in healthcare, livelihoods and the environment.

In response to the honour, Stewart said he was “deeply humbled” to receive the Businessman/Philanthropist of the Year recognition and expressed his gratitude to his teams and partners for their dedication during an extraordinary year.

“This award reflects far more than any one individual. It is a direct result of people showing up every day for their communities and believing business is a force for good. It belongs to the extraordinary teams who carry our shared vision forward – especially the Sandals Foundation, whose work continues to create lasting change across education, health care, disaster relief and environmental stewardship,” Stewart stated.

“To every colleague and partner who helps bring this mission to life – thank you for your commitment, heart and belief.”

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