Bahamas News
Thirty-four Bahamians Conferred Honours at Historic National Honours Investiture Ceremony
#Nassau, October 9, 2018 – Bahamas – In a ceremony befitting royalty, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor-
General and Chancellor, conferred national honours on 34 distinguished Bahamians Monday, October 8, 2018 for their contributions to the development of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
With ladies adorned in classy hats and elegant dresses, men in sharp suits, and classical music perfectly suited to Mount Fitzwilliam, Government House, the “historic” ceremony was conducted as prescribed in the National Honours Act, for National Heroes Day.
In a special ceremony, on August 23, 2018, national honours were conferred upon the Most Honourable Sir Orville Turnquest and the Most Honourable A.D. Hanna, both former Governors-General.
Today, family, friends, well-wishers, members of the religious community and high-ranking government officials witnessed the two-hour ceremony which saw the nation’s highest honours of the Order of National Hero, the Order of Nation, the Order of The Bahamas, the Order of Distinction, and the Order of Merit bestowed on the honourees.
Romel Shearer and Giovanni Clarke, gave cello and flute musical performances respectively; Candace Bostwick, soprano, sang “He’s Got the Whole World”; and the song “God Bless Our Sunny Clime,” written by Rev. Dr. Philip Rahming was performed by various musicians. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and C.H. Reeves Junior High School Band also provided entertainment.
Permanent Secretary to the Office of the Governor-General, Mrs. Anita Beneby, described the ceremony as a “rite of passage” for the nation. She said the annual event marks “an important step in our transition from a British colony to a sovereign people. But more importantly, I believe that this morning’s ceremony, as well as the many that will follow, will elevate the minds of our people, our own worth and our dignity as a nation.”
Mrs. Beneby said the vision of the late Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, former Prime Minister, has become a reality because of the sacrifice of the country’s finest warriors; “amazons of vision, fighters of courage, warriors of steel … those who did not shrink from dirty hands; those with the imagination to create; persons with the strength of character to stare into the chilly teeth of the raging winds of change; soldiers without fear,” as Sir Lynden called them.
In her remarks, the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite said a national honour is the highest form of recognition and tribute that a sovereign government can bestow on those who have distinguished themselves as nation builders.
She congratulated and commended all of the honourees, some of whom were recognized posthumously. “Their selflessness and high achievement serve as a clarion call to all Bahamians to pattern themselves accordingly so that we can all be of greater service to the nation we hold so dear and whose best interests we are all summoned to serve to the very best of our ability and with steadfast loyalty,” said Most Hon. Dame Marguerite.
The Governor-General called on Bahamians to continue to uphold the virtues of love, mutual respect and goodwill for one another that Bahamians have enjoyed throughout the ages.
“These timeless virtues must continue to guide and direct our best effort as citizens of our Commonwealth.
“We must never set these virtues aside, nor subordinate them to self-centered pursuits that diminish our patriotic pride and deflect us from our 
sense of commitment to service.
“Now more than ever, we need men and women, boys and girls, to join hearts and minds all across our beloved Bahamas so that a spirit of nation-building can flourish as never before, not only for the present, but as a sure foundation for generations of Bahamians yet unborn.”
Following the Investiture of National Honours ceremony, the Most Honourable Dame Marguerite inspected the Guard of Honour during a parade of the Royal Bahamas Police and Defence Forces at the main entrance of Government House.
A reception followed on the terrace and upper gardens of Government House.
The following awards were formally conferred by the Governor-General:
THE ORDER OF NATIONAL HERO (awarded posthumously):
The Rt. Excellent Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, N.H., O.N., K.C.M.G.
The Rt. Excellent Sir Roland Theodore Symonette, N.H., K.B.
The Rt. Excellent Sir Milo Boughton Butler, N.H., G.C.M.G
The Rt. Excellent Sir Cecil Vincent Wallace-Whitfield, N.H., K.B.
THE ORDER OF THE NATION
Former Governors-General:
The Most Honourable Sir Orville Turnquest, O.N., G.C.M.G.
The Most Honourable Dame Ivy Dumont, O.N., G.C.M.G.
The Most Honourable Arthur Hanna, O.N.
The Most Honourable Sir Arthur Foulkes, O.N., G.C.M.G.
Awarded posthumously:
The Most Honourable Sir Milo Butler, O.N., G.C.M.G.
The Most Honourable Sir Gerald Cash, O.N., G.C.M.G.
The Most Honourable Sir Henry Milton Taylor, O.N., K.B.
The Most Honourable Sir Clifford Darling, O.N., G.C.V.O.
Former Prime Minister:
The Most Honourable Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, O.N., K.C.M.G.
Prime Minister:
The Most Honourable Hubert Alexander Minnis, O.N., M.P.
THE ORDER OF THE BAHAMAS
Companions:
The Rt. Honourable Janet Bostwick, C.B.
The Rt. Honourable Maurice Moore, C.B.
Officer:
The Honourable Dame Doris Johnson, O.B., D.B.E. (posthumously)
Member:
Dr. Myles Munroe, M.B. (posthumously)
THE ORDER OF DISTINCTION
Companions:
Mrs. Cynthia Pratt, C.D.
Mrs. Anita Bernard, C.D, C.M.G.
Mrs. Eileen Carron, C.D., C.M.G.
Officers:
Dr. Merceline Dahl-Regis, O.D.
Mr. Lowell Mortimer, O.D., O.B.E.
Mr. Barry Rassin, O.D.
Mrs. Sandra Dean-Patterson, O.D.
Dr. Patrick David Roberts, O.D.
Members:
Mr. William Sands, D.M.
Mr. Robert Sweeting, D.M.
Dr. Bernard Nottage, D.M. (posthumously)
THE ORDER OF MERIT
Companions:
The Reverend Canon. Sebastian Campbell, C.M.
Mrs. Pauline Davis-Thompson, C.M.
Officers:
Monsignor Preston Moss, O.M.
The Reverend. Dr. J. Emmette Weir, O.M.
Members:
The Reverend Dr. Gary Curry, M.M.
The Reverend Walter Hanchell, M.M.
The Reverend Ervin Clarke, M.M. (posthumously)
By Kathryn Campbell
Release: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General and Chancellor, is pictured with National Honours recipients and their representatives at Government House following the Investiture Ceremony of National Honours, Monday, October 8, 2018.
First insert: Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling gives remarks during the Investiture Ceremony of National Honours, Monday, October 8, 2018.
Second insert: Sir Lynden Pindling, former Prime Minister, was accorded the Order of National Heroes and the Order of the Nation Awards posthumously. His grandson, Lynden Pindling II, accepted the awards on his behalf. Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor-General, is pictured with Lynden Pindling II holding the awards.
Third insert: Dame Dr. Ivy Dumont, the first female Governor-General, is pictured with HE the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling after being conferred the award of the Order of the Nation for former Governors-General.
Fourth insert: Anita Bernard, who has spent more than 50 years in the Public Service, receives the award of The Order of Distinction (Companion) from Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling.
BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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