New Category : About Bahamians

Great Commission Ministries pays a courtesy call at the Office of the Governor General

Mon, Nov 27th 2023, 11:29 AM

Mrs. Ruby Ann Darling, Deputy to the Governor General (fourth right) received Bishop Walter Hanchell (fourth left) and members of Great Commission Ministries during a courtesy call as they celebrated the 36th Anniversary of helping the the poor, homeless and hurting, November 24, 2023 at the Office of the Governor General. 

Also pictured from left: Paul Lewis, Archbishop Ross Davis, Elder Minalee Hanchell, Linden Nairn, Pastor Leonardo Allen, Jr., and Dr. Tamalia Gibson. 

LIVE: PLP candidate Kingsley Smith wins West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election

Wed, Nov 22nd 2023, 07:42 PM

PLP candidate Kingsley Smith wins West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election

 

8.30pm UPDATE: UNOFFICIAL TOTALS

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 307 - 8.16% of the votes

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 1,276 - 33.89% of the votes

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 28 - 0.74% of the votes

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 4 - 0.11% of the votes

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 2,150 - 57.11% of the votes

 

8.15pm UPDATE:

By-Election results – Polling Division 1:

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 14

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 37

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 1

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 198

 

By-Election results – Polling Division 9:

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 2

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 123

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 0

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 161

 

8.10pm UPDATE: Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis, speaking at PLP HQ, says: “We wanted to win to honour the memory of Obie” and he congratulates Kingsley Smith “on a job well done”.

 

8.05pm UPDATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 5A:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 18

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 54

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 0

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 1

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 114

7.55pm: Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis and Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis at the PLP headquarters – after PLP candidate Kingsley Smith was declared the winner of the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election. Photo: Dante Carrer

 

By-Election results – Polling Division 3:

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 11

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 50

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 2

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 188

 

7.50pm UPDATE: The PLP's Kingsley Smith has been declared the winner, but results from individual polling divisions are still coming in:

 

By-Election results – Polling Division 2:

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 13

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 151

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 0

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 268

 

7.40pm: PLP candidate Kingsley Smith has been declared the winner of the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election.

 

7.30pm UPDATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 11A:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 8

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 79

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 0

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 75

 

7.20pm UPDATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 4A:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 26

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 61

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 1

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 69

 

By-Election results – Polling Division 11:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 7

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 75

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 1

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 82

 

By-Election results – Polling Division 13:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 26

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 74

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 3

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 1

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 101

 

7.10pm UPDATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 7:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 33

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 73

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 4

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 123

 

By-Election results – Polling Division 8:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 16

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 67

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 0

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 129

 

7.00pm UPDATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 6:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 32

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 49

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 3

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 128

 

6.55pm UPDATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 5:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 14

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 41

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 0

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 1

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 70

 

By-Election results – Polling Division 12:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 14

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 118

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 4

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 116

 

6.50pm UDPATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 14:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 44

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 97

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 4

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 111

 

6.50pm UPDATE: By-Election results – Polling Division 8A:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 3

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 17

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 1

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 1

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 26

 

6.40pm UPDATE: Results are coming in. From Polling Division No.4:

 

Lincoln Bain, Coalition of Independents, 22

Bishop Ricardo Grant, FNM, 40

DaQuan Swain, Independent, 4

Terneille Burrows, Independent, 0

Kingsley Smith, PLP, 68

 

3.00pm UPDATE: Voter says, ‘I’m out here to put my vote in for who I feel can do a better job’.

Family Island students shine in Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Competition

Mon, Nov 20th 2023, 09:32 AM

Family Island students took centre stage in the 2023 Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Competition grabbing first, second and third place in the junior division and first, third and fourth place in the senior division.

The contestants, who represented public and independent schools from New Providence and 12 Family Islands, received their prizes during an awards ceremony Friday, November 17, 2023 at Government High School.

Eleven-year-old Lael Green, an aspiring chef and a 7th grader at Inagua All Age School, was declared the 31st Junior High School National Young Chef.

Moneliesha Johnson, an 11th grade student of Central Andros High School, who is passionate about cooking, is the 31st Senior High School National Young Chef.

The finalists (1st-4th place) in the national rounds in both divisions received awards. 

First place winners accepted floating trophies on behalf of their schools. The winners also received cash scholarship awards from Asa H. Pritchard, medals, plaques, cheques, ribbons, scholarships and a certificate to attend Johnson and Wales University Summer Career Explorations program.

Before reaching the national/final round (phase 3), the 14 junior high school students and 17 senior high school students participated in school-based competitions (phase 1) and island/district competitions (phase 2).  They were each given two hours to prepare “original” rice and flour dishes (sweet and or/savory) using Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour and based on the 2023 theme “Celebrating our Jubilee: Bahamian Cuisine...our Flavor Profile, our Food Culture, our Identity”. 

The students’ dishes were judged on nutritional value, preparation methods, aesthetic appeal, flavor and taste.

The Centre for the Deaf and Programme S.U.R.E. were newcomers to this year’s competition. 

Also, for the first time a Beef and Pork Signature Dish Challenge sponsored by Asa H. Pritchard and U. S. Meat Export Federation, led by Liz Wunderlich and a team of chefs, was held for students during the 7th annual Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Conference. 

The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training commended the Family and Consumer Science Unit, the corporate stakeholders and partners, and congratulated all of the contestants in the culinary competition and the culinary conference.

Said Minister Hanna-Martin, “As you move through life no matter what it is -- culinary arts, performing arts, science, sewing, how [you] represent yourself: I want you to ensure that you put yourself forward in the best possible light so the world can see who you are.”

She underscored the value of the first hand-advice and exposure that the students have gained from chefs who have decades of experience in first rate restaurants both nationally and internationally. 
Dominique Russell, Acting Director of Education said, “Students, you have proven that you are the best of the best and are deserving of the opportunity to display your creativity, knowledge and skills in culinary arts at this Young Chef competition. 

“What you have garnered from the chefs, teachers, the competition itself makes you a winner. The knowledge you have gained no one can take it from you. You will continue to expand on that.”

Raquel Turnquest, Education Officer, Family and Consumer Science Education Unit told the parents that their investment in their children will be beneficial. “You will meet the dividends eventually. Keep encouraging them to put their best foot forward,” she said.

Chief Judge Gerald Rolle, Liz Wunderlich, Chef Emmanuel Gibson and Chef Addiemae Farrington, President of the Chef Association, also participated in the ceremony.

The other finalists:
Junior high school division
2nd – Christina Lesbott, Central Eleuthera
3rd Cerell Simms – Long Island
4th – Aaliyah Cooper – D.W. Davis

Senior high school division
2nd – Donny Barr Jr. – Centre for the Deaf
3rd- Jaquell Missick – Eight Mile Rock
4th – Talea Martin – St. George’s High
 Awards were also presented to the winners of the (beef and pork) U.S. Meat Export Federation Signature Dish Challenge. They are:

VandeRose Pork Junior High School Division
1st - Samuel Fortune – A.F. Adderley
2nd– Christina Lesbott – Central Eleuthera
3rd – Lael Green – Inagua All Age School
4th – Aaliyah Cooper (Creative Caribbean) – D.W. Davis

Meats by Linz Senior High School Division (Beef)
1st - Shenai Johnson – Inagua All Age School
2nd – Kendal Seymour Jr. - Arthur’s Town Comprehensive
3rd - Shekera Reid – C.C. Sweeting
4th – Shaun Darville (Creative Caribbean) – L.N. Coakley

Family Island students took centre stage in the 2023 Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Competition grabbing first, second and third place in the junior division and first, third and fourth place in the senior division. The contestants, who represented public and independent schools from New Providence and 12 Family Islands, received their prizes during an awards ceremony Friday, November 17, 2023 at Government High School. Eleven-year-old Lael Green, an aspiring chef and a 7th grader at Inagua All Age School, was declared the 31st Junior High School National Young Chef.   Moneliesha Johnson, an 11th grade student of Central Andros High School, who is passionate about cooking, is the 31st Senior High School National Young Chef. The finalists (1st-4th place) in the national rounds in both divisions received awards.  First place winners accepted floating trophies on behalf of their schools. The winners also received cash scholarship awards from Asa H. Pritchard, medals, plaques, cheques, ribbons, scholarships and a certificate to attend Johnson and Wales University Summer Career Explorations program. Before reaching the national/final round (phase 3), the 14 junior high school students and 17 senior high school students participated in school-based competitions (phase 1) and island/district competitions (phase 2).  They were each given two hours to prepare “original” rice and flour dishes (sweet and or/savory) using Mahatma Rice and Robin Hood Flour and based on the 2023 theme “Celebrating our Jubilee: Bahamian Cuisine...our Flavor Profile, our Food Culture, our Identity”.  The students’ dishes were judged on nutritional value, preparation methods, aesthetic appeal, flavor and taste. The Centre for the Deaf and Programme S.U.R.E. were newcomers to this year’s competition.  Also, for the first time a Beef and Pork Signature Dish Challenge sponsored by Asa H. Pritchard and U. S. Meat Export Federation, led by Liz Wunderlich and a team of chefs, was held for students during the 7th annual Bahamas Young Chef Culinary Conference.   The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training commended the Family and Consumer Science Unit, the corporate stakeholders and partners, and congratulated all of the contestants in the culinary competition and the culinary conference. Said Minister Hanna-Martin, “As you move through life no matter what it is -- culinary arts, performing arts, science, sewing, how [you] represent yourself: I want you to ensure that you put yourself forward in the best possible light so the world can see who you are.” She underscored the value of the first hand-advice and exposure that the students have gained from chefs who have decades of experience in first rate restaurants both nationally and internationally.   Dominique Russell, Acting Director of Education said, “Students, you have proven that you are the best of the best and are deserving of the opportunity to display your creativity, knowledge and skills in culinary arts at this Young Chef competition.   “What you have garnered from the chefs, teachers, the competition itself makes you a winner. The knowledge you have gained no one can take it from you. You will continue to expand on that.” Raquel Turnquest, Education Officer, Family and Consumer Science Education Unit told the parents that their investment in their children will be beneficial. “You will meet the dividends eventually. Keep encouraging them to put their best foot forward,” she said. Chief Judge Gerald Rolle, Liz Wunderlich, Chef Emmanuel Gibson and Chef Addiemae Farrington, President of the Chef Association, also participated in the ceremony.    The other finalists: Junior high school division 2nd – Christina Lesbott, Central Eleuthera 3rd Cerell Simms – Long Island 4th – Aaliyah Cooper – D.W. Davis Senior high school division 2nd – Donny Barr Jr. – Centre for the Deaf 3rd- Jaquell Missick – Eight Mile Rock 4th – Talea Martin – St. George’s High   Awards were also presented to the winners of the (beef and pork) U.S. Meat Export Federation Signature Dish Challenge. They are: VandeRose Pork Junior High School Division 1st - Samuel Fortune – A.F. Adderley 2nd– Christina Lesbott – Central Eleuthera 3rd – Lael Green – Inagua All Age School 4th – Aaliyah Cooper (Creative Caribbean) – D.W. Davis Meats by Linz Senior High School Division (Beef) 1st - Shenai Johnson – Inagua All Age School 2nd – Kendal Seymour Jr. - Arthur’s Town Comprehensive 3rd - Shekera Reid – C.C. Sweeting 4th – Shaun Darville (Creative Caribbean) – L.N. Coakley

BTC's employees give over 300 hours in community service

Thu, Nov 16th 2023, 05:44 PM

More than one hundred employees teamed up to commemorate BTC’s fourth annual Mission Week, donating over three hundred hours in community service. Volunteerism is a big part of BTC’s culture. And while the Company is known to execute many corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives throughout the year, Mission Week provides an opportunity for all team members to take time out of their busy schedules to volunteer and create moments that positively impact the communities that we serve.

Mission Week is held each year for employees to give back to the community through its CSR pillars, Learning, the Environment, Access and Disaster Relief (LEAD). This year’s Mission Week of activities allowed team members to build connections and strengthen relationships with community leaders and residents in New Providence and the Family Islands. Colleagues gave unselfishly of their time to take on at least one CSR initiative, which included beach clean-ups, tree planting, reading sessions with primary school students and seniors, serving a hot and healthy breakfast, packing groceries for the less fortunate, and offering donations.

As a part of this year’s Mission Week, BTC announced a donation of five thousand dollars to The University of The Bahamas’ UB Cares Foundation. The donation will aid students requiring special assistance.

BTC’s Senior Manager of Communications, Indira Collie believes that students should not be disenfranchised because of a lack of funding. “At BTC we believe that heart is more than something that we have, its something that we share. This donation hits home for us. UB represents the future of this country and we are happy to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. Students, please know that BTC will always be here to lend a helping hand wherever we can.”

UB Cares Foundation administrator, Joe Stubbs, who also serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at the University commented on the donation. “The Office of Student Conduct and Complaints, in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, through our service branch UB Cares, extends our heartfelt gratitude to BTC for your donation. The UB Cares Foundation was created to support students whose hardships impact their programme attendance and functionality and serves as a central hub for generous donations from various donors. We believe that these donations will benefit the students who request our support.”

LEARNING

BTC’s focus on the “Learning” pillar saw the movement of many team members from the boardroom to the classroom. Reading sessions were held in New Providence at Eva Hilton, Gambier, and Thelma Gibson Primary Schools; and students were excited to see a new face in the classroom as they listened attentively to several chapters read to them by our Mission Week volunteers. BTC CEO, Sameer Bhatti, also read to students at Gambier Primary School and BTC team members in Grand Bahama held reading sessions at The Beacon School and The Grand Bahama Home for the Aged.

ENVIRONMENT

BTC’s focus on the “Environment” for Mission Week kept our team members busy. In New Providence we partnered with our Junior Achievement Company, to clean up Goodman’s Bay. A partnership was forged with the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu to plant trees at the Willamae Pratt School for Girls and colleagues also planted mangroves in Grand Bahama.

ACCESS

BTC was happy to provide internet access and desktop computers to the Murphy Town Community Center in Abaco, which was rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Dorian.

DISASTER RELIEF

To show our support to those affected by disasters, we teamed up with The Bahamas Red Cross, and the UB (The University of the Bahamas) Cares Foundation.

We partnered with The Bahamas Red Cross to pack grocery items for the Meals on Wheels program.

We provided a monetary donation to The University of The Bahamas to assist with providing groceries for students needing assistance.

Mission Week was founded by BTC’s parent company Liberty Latin America (LLA), and is celebrated in all LLA markets including the Caribbean and Latin America. Mission Week 2023 is now in the books and BTC looks forward to having greater participation for Mission Week 2024.

More than one hundred employees teamed up to commemorate BTC’s fourth annual Mission Week, donating over three hundred hours in community service. Volunteerism is a big part of BTC’s culture. And while the Company is known to execute many corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives throughout the year, Mission Week provides an opportunity for all team members to take time out of their busy schedules to volunteer and create moments that positively impact the communities that we serve. Mission Week is held each year for employees to give back to the community through its CSR pillars, Learning, the Environment, Access and Disaster Relief (LEAD). This year’s Mission Week of activities allowed team members to build connections and strengthen relationships with community leaders and residents in New Providence and the Family Islands. Colleagues gave unselfishly of their time to take on at least one CSR initiative, which included beach clean-ups, tree planting, reading sessions with primary school students and seniors, serving a hot and healthy breakfast, packing groceries for the less fortunate, and offering donations. As a part of this year’s Mission Week, BTC announced a donation of five thousand dollars to The University of The Bahamas’ UB Cares Foundation. The donation will aid students requiring special assistance. BTC’s Senior Manager of Communications, Indira Collie believes that students should not be disenfranchised because of a lack of funding. “At BTC we believe that heart is more than something that we have, its something that we share. This donation hits home for us. UB represents the future of this country and we are happy to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause. Students, please know that BTC will always be here to lend a helping hand wherever we can.” UB Cares Foundation administrator, Joe Stubbs, who also serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at the University commented on the donation. “The Office of Student Conduct and Complaints, in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, through our service branch UB Cares, extends our heartfelt gratitude to BTC for your donation. The UB Cares Foundation was created to support students whose hardships impact their programme attendance and functionality and serves as a central hub for generous donations from various donors. We believe that these donations will benefit the students who request our support.” LEARNING BTC’s focus on the “Learning” pillar saw the movement of many team members from the boardroom to the classroom. Reading sessions were held in New Providence at Eva Hilton, Gambier, and Thelma Gibson Primary Schools; and students were excited to see a new face in the classroom as they listened attentively to several chapters read to them by our Mission Week volunteers. BTC CEO, Sameer Bhatti, also read to students at Gambier Primary School and BTC team members in Grand Bahama held reading sessions at The Beacon School and The Grand Bahama Home for the Aged. ENVIRONMENT BTC’s focus on the “Environment” for Mission Week kept our team members busy. In New Providence we partnered with our Junior Achievement Company, to clean up Goodman’s Bay. A partnership was forged with the Kiwanis Club of Fort Montagu to plant trees at the Willamae Pratt School for Girls and colleagues also planted mangroves in Grand Bahama. ACCESS BTC was happy to provide internet access and desktop computers to the Murphy Town Community Center in Abaco, which was rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. DISASTER RELIEF To show our support to those affected by disasters, we teamed up with The Bahamas Red Cross, and the UB (The University of the Bahamas) Cares Foundation. We partnered with The Bahamas Red Cross to pack grocery items for the Meals on Wheels program. We provided a monetary donation to The University of The Bahamas to assist with providing groceries for students needing assistance. Mission Week was founded by BTC’s parent company Liberty Latin America (LLA), and is celebrated in all LLA markets including the Caribbean and Latin America. Mission Week 2023 is now in the books and BTC looks forward to having greater participation for Mission Week 2024.