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BNT to Host Fundraiser for Seahorse National Park in Eleuthera  

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Non-profit seeking corporate and community support to close financing gap for country’s newest national park

May 12, 2025 – Nassau, Bahamas – The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is seeking to close the financing gap for the initial development of the country’s newest national park by hosting a fundraiser in Eleuthera on May 28.

Officially declared on September 7, 2023 after nearly a decade of outreach and petitioning, Seahorse National Park (SNP) at Sweetings Pond and Hatchet Bay Caves in Eleuthera protects what is believed to be the densest population of seahorses in the world. It also protects the historic Hatchet Bay Cave – one of the longest cave systems in The Bahamas.

This latest addition to The Bahamas’ national park system has the potential to become a world-renowned national park and a blueprint for sustainable recreation and tourism. To date, advancement activities have been funded through the success of the BNT’s 2024 Pig Roast event, which raised $162,000 towards the $500,000 estimated to be needed to facilitate the park’s initial development.

These activities have included purchasing and installing a mobile structure to act as the BNT’s temporary park office; clearing pathways and areas for trails and parking; and installing gates.

The next steps, according to BNT Director of Parks Ellsworth Weir, are to purchase and install solar panels, install running water, and pave the parking area.

“We’ve made a lot of headway since last year and you can definitely see the progress,” said Weir. “There’s been a lot of work done, but we just need to get to the finish line. Right now it all comes down to funding. That’s where this fundraiser comes in.”

The Seahorse National Park Fundraiser will be a cocktail event held in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera at the Buccaneer Club on May 28, 2025. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased online at www.bntevents.com or in person at the Buccaneer Club. Attendees will enjoy live music, a silent auction with incredible prizes, an open bar, and hors d’oeuvres.

The public can participate in the special auction by bidding on incredible items like Bahamian artwork, handcrafted seahorse jewelry, island tours, luxury escapes, and more. Tickets do not need to be purchased to bid. Auction items can be viewed and bid on at https://www.32auctions.com/snpfundraiser.

BNT Executive Director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle said: “With this special event, we’re calling on the community to help us realize the potential of Seahorse National Park and build a lasting conservation legacy that benefits Eleutherans especially, but Bahamians as a whole. This remarkable natural gem is poised to bring unmatched value to local communities, and it deserves our commitment and protection. We’ve no doubt that with public and corporate support, we’ll achieve our vision for Seahorse National Park and be that much closer to reopening it for public use and enjoyment.”

Since its declaration, Seahorse National Park has been temporarily closed to the public to allow the BNT to conduct critical scientific assessments, monitoring, infrastructure development, and strategic planning to guide the sustainable management of the park and its resources. The organization hopes to soon reopen access to the public. This fundraiser will play an important role in making that happen.

Seahorse National Park spans 548 acres and has many unique natural features that are popular attractions. Once it’s reopened, the BNT plans to work alongside the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC), local farmers, and other stakeholders – including a developing Park Advisory Committee – to implement programs and infrastructure that will benefit both locals and visitors, such as an area for a local farmers market and a floating dock.

The BNT remains committed to taking a science-based, sustainable approach for the development of Seahorse National Park and the preservation of its natural beauty and resources, and invites the public to support this endeavor through the upcoming Seahorse National Park Fundraiser. To learn more about this event, visit https://bntevents.com/.

To learn more about the BNT’s role in managing national parks, protecting wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Bahamas News

Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

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.

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Bahamas News

 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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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!

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Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

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.

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