Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Minister Dames Pays Tribute to Inspector Blatch and Other Violent Crime Victims
#Nassau, September 27, 2018 – Bahamas – At the Funeral Service for the Late Police Inspector Carlis Ricardo Blatch, on September 26, 2018, Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames saluted him and drew attention to other victims of violent crime.
“Inspector Blatch was a decent human being, a public figure, a Police Inspector and the Aide to the Governor General; and because of who he was in life, [it] bears witness to the widespread public attention garnered due to his untimely demise,” Minister Dames said, during the standing-room-only Service at the the Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road. “The reality is that his death is no different from the many persons’ who have lost their lives in our nation as a result of violence.”
“If there is a silver lining to all of this, it is with hope that his untimely and brutal death has brought most needed focus to the incessant murders that have occurred in our nation over the last few decades,” he added. “Inspector Blatch’s death and the death of all of those voiceless Bahamians can only effect change if each of us here today makes a conscientious decision to play a renewed role in the nurturing of our children, especially our young men, with a view to putting an end to these senseless acts of violence.”
Minister Dames noted that while violent crime numbers, including murders, continue to trend downward thanks to the efforts of “our fine law enforcement officers,” there is still much work that remains.
“To my Parliamentary colleagues gathered here today, we as leaders must in all sincerity and with pure hearts, do more by way of example and deed for Inspector Blatch and all of those who have lost their lives to violence,” he said. “This, and only this, will help us to come to terms that all of these lives lost would not have been lost in vain.”
Policing is sometimes a thankless profession, Minister Dames pointed out. He said: “When most are asleep in cozy beds, the Police are awake and alert, to save the lives of those they have never met; when others are engaged in celebratory activities, the Police are detailed for duty; while others don fancy suits and dresses, the Police don ‘war gear’ of ballistic vests and guns.
“An error in judgement in the line of duty, results in injuries and deaths,” he added. “When the Police tell their families, they will see them later, it is only through answered prayer that they do. The Police are our friends; so, the next time we encounter a police officer, pause to reflect on the sacrifices they make each day. Some professions sacrifice time; other professions sacrifice resources; the Police may at times, sacrifice their lives.”
Minister Dames said that the cruel death of the Inspector Blatch, a 23-year veteran of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, is tragic on so many levels.
“It is tragic because the aspirations and potential of a promising professional, have been permanently deferred,” he said. “It is ironically tragic that the very oath, he swore to uphold, ‘to protect and serve’ is the very oath that betrayed him and took his life. It is even more painfully tragic that the children of this fallen officer, Carleisa, Cassandra, Carlissa and Carlis, Jr., will now be bereft of the guidance and support of their loving and attentive father.”
“This father, colleague, friend, sibling, son, dedicated his life to something bigger than himself. He dedicated his life to service, the service to his beloved country,” Minister Dames continued. “Although no sculptured monument will be erected in his honour, or engravings bear record of all his courageous deeds, he will be fondly remembered by the organization he served and the family and friends whom he loved. The lasting legacy of the late Inspector Blatch are the memory of a good name and the rewards of the example that others may model.”
To Inspector Blatch’s family members, Minister Dames assured them through Biblical scripture that, as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, they have nothing to fear.
He said: “Psalm 46:1-2 asserts that God will be your refuge and strength, your present help, during this sad time. Those who know God and accept God’s will as sovereign, can have joy even in the midst of suffering and death, because Scriptures assure us that even our suffering is not without purpose. For we know that ‘God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose for them.’ – Romans 8:28.”
Governor General, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling, at final farewell to late Aide-de-Camp, Inspector Carlis Blatch today at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, after his funeral at Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road. (Photo/Peter Ramsay)
Minister Dames also told Inspector Blatch’s family members that the country shares in their loss and, like them, all who knew him will miss “his unselfish devotion to family and country, his bravery and kindness exhibited in the line of duty, his vitality and endearing friendship. But if the report of those who knew him well is true, then our loss, is Heaven’s gain,” Minister Dames said.
Minister Dames noted that Inspector Blatch had “fought and finished his race and now his reward awaits him.”
“In life, Inspector Blatch’s duty was to protect others; but today, he rests in the protective arms of our God,” Minister Dames said. “His detailed assignments on earth, have concluded and now the ‘Master of all good workmen, shall put him to work anew’.”
Minister Dames turned to Scripture at the end of his remarks, as he spoke to those who knew Inspector Blatch and his legacy.
“May we continue to be comforted by the words of the Apostle John, in Revelation 21:4 – God himself, ‘will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away’.” he said. “May his soul rest in peace.”
By Eric Rose
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Minister of National Security the Hon. Marvin Dames speaks at the the Funeral Service for the Late Police Inspector Carlis Ricardo Blatch, on September 26, 2018, at the Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road.
(BIS Photos / Eric Rose)
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.
