Bahamas News
GBPA sources COVID-19 rapid tests from U.S. based company & announces food and voucher initiative
#Freeport, Grand Bahama – April 12, 2020 — The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), in collaboration with local medical teams, have sourced and funded a supply of COVID-19 rapid test kits, from a U.S. based company, for use by Grand Bahama Health Services. The kits are on island, and a portion of them have been made available to The Bahamas Ministry of Health for use throughout the archipelago.
Dr. Duane Sands, Minister of Health for The Bahamas, has stated that comprehensive testing is key to controlling the spread of Coronavirus. Once validated, this supply of rapid test kits will support Grand Bahama Health Service efforts and allow speedier cluster tracing and identification of COVID-19 patients.
“This is obviously not our area of expertise or in our remit, but we are doing whatever we can to assist our health care services in the fight against COVID-19,” said Ian Rolle, President of GBPA and Port Group Ltd. “In echoing leaders like Dr. Sands and Dr. Bartlett, who head the COVID-19 response here in Grand Bahama, we have said from the beginning that success against this global pandemic will come from working together. This fight will take a citizen army of the public and private sector, working together safely, to staunch the spread of the virus.”
In prior announcements, the GBPA advised of their leasing the Grand Bahama Cancer Association building to be used as a medical facility, as well as the donation of two x-ray machines to Grand Bahama Health Services. GBPA commended Norma Headley for her hard work and efforts in ensuring the Cancer Association was safely handed over to local health services. The company will continue to provide updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Grand Bahama through communication with the Minister of Health and Grand Bahama Health Services, as well as relevant white papers and participation in videoconferences with medical professionals.
The COVID-19 pandemic has left several Bahamian families and communities grieving due to the loss of loved ones. “We, at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, wish to express our deepest sympathy to the families of those persons who have lost their lives to COVID-19 in this country and, in particular, here in our community of Grand Bahama. And we also wish a speedy recovery to any persons currently infected and quarantined. We understand the loneliness of this disease,” said Sarah St. George, Acting Chairman of GBPA.
In recognizing the selflessness and generosity in the Grand Bahama community, Ms. St. George added, “On behalf of the GBPA, I want to thank all who have stepped up to assist during this time, in particular our Industrials. I also wish to thank those on the front line in public and private sectors, and those who are taking care of the elderly and children at home. Through GBPA’s charitable arm, the Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation (GBDRF), we will be rolling out initiatives to distribute food vouchers to the needy, and we are also in the process of arranging a safe form of special home deliveries of food and water to those who are COVID-19 positive and confined to their residences. I’m touched by others who have donated food and other goods, and reached out to neighbors in need. We are seeing the best of Grand Bahamians across our island.”
The GBPA reminds residents to stay informed through the government’s COVID-19 website, as well as its own website and social media pages.
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.
