Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith led the list of government officials inclusive of Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper, parliamentarians and other officials to enjoy the colourful spectacle of the Annual Royal Bahamas Police Force Beat Retreat, in Rawson Square, on Sunday, signaling the festive season is here.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon Philip Davis threw the First Pitch and brought remarks at the Opening Ceremony of The Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium, on Sunday, December 4, 2022.  Daughter of Andre Rodgers, Gina Rodgers-Sealy, watched and participated in the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the stadium.  Minister Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Mario Bowleg, also brought remarks; and in attendance was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper.  They were presented commemorative baseball jerseys.  Also present and enjoying the festivities were the Hon. Wayne Munroe, KC, Minister of National Security; the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs; the Hon. Basil McIntosh, Minister of State for the Environment; the Hon. Zane Lightbourn, Minister of State for Education and Technical & Vocational Training; and Mr. Leon Lundy, Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Festival Noel - Grand Bahama’s original wine and art event - returns for its 27th year onDecember 2nd. Hosted by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) and featuring wine tasting, finearts and crafts, food, live music and entertainment, work from special featured artist Paola-Correa de Albury, and more - Festival Noel is a celebration of life, food, family, and friends.Much like the BNT’s New Providence-based “Wine and Art Festival,” Festival Noel isdedicated to showcasing the diversity in wines and local cuisine and providing a platform forlocal Bahamian art, talent, and cultural expression.

As Grand Bahama’s most highly anticipated event, Festival Noel is held the first Friday inDecember, which is December 2 this year. It serves as a fundraiser for the island’s threenational parks: the Rand Nature Centre, the Lucayan National Park, and Peterson CayNational Park. This year’s proceeds will go towards the restoration of the Native and TropicalTree Arboretum and the Wildlife & Watchable Pond at the Rand Nature Centre.

Title sponsor Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits will offer a diverse inventory of wines, both householdfavorites and new gems, for attendees to taste on the night of. In addition, there will be thefamiliar “Wheel of Joy” game, in which event-goers can try their luck at winning the grandprize of a three-night stay at the Ocean Reef Yacht Club and Resort; a chef competition bytop restaurants and caterers; a culinary showcase with samples; and the new Cigar Bar andLounge experience. Attendees can look forward to participating in all of this while browsingthe locally-made products of approximately 45 vendors, including chefs, bakers, artists,crafters, and wine stations.

Grand Bahama Parks Manager Ellsworth Weir expressed just how meaningful Festival Noelis. “This is the only fundraiser the BNT has on Grand Bahama, and the only one that’sspecifically for this island’s unique national parks. It helps to support our efforts to protect theenvironment, and also allows us to share an opportunity to celebrate the holidays with thepublic.

“We love the community spirit at Festival Noel. After a two-year hiatus we’re excited to bringit back to everyone who loves it - it truly is Grand Bahama’s most anticipated event. What’sbetter than being able to sip wine, have fun, and support both the environment and localartists and vendors at the same time?” he added.

Festival Noel takes place December 2 at the Rand Nature Centre in East Settler’s Way, GrandBahama from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets are available for purchase online athttps://bnt.bs/festivalnoel/, and also at the Rand Nature Centre and at Jimmy’s Wines &Spirits’ Grand Bahama location.

The Bahamas National Trust thanks Festival Noel 2022’s generous sponsors, who include:Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits, Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Western Atlantic UniversitySchool of Medicine (WASUM), Ministry of Tourism, Kerrygold Butter (Bahamas WholesaleAgency), ALIV, Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), Kelly’s, CG Atlantic, ATOLandscaping, Higgs & Johnson, and FOCOL.

To learn more about the role the BNT plays to manage terrestrial and marine national parks,protect species that inhabit them, and inform environmental policy, please visit its website:www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to various social media channels: Facebook,Instagram,Twitter, and YouTube.

 

Festival Noel - Grand Bahama’s original wine and art event - returns for its 27th year on December 2nd. Hosted by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) and featuring wine tasting, fine arts and crafts, food, live music and entertainment, work from special featured artist Paola- Correa de Albury, and more - Festival Noel is a celebration of life, food, family, and friends. Much like the BNT’s New Providence-based “Wine and Art Festival,” Festival Noel is dedicated to showcasing the diversity in wines and local cuisine and providing a platform for local Bahamian art, talent, and cultural expression. As Grand Bahama’s most highly anticipated event, Festival Noel is held the first Friday in December, which is December 2 this year. It serves as a fundraiser for the island’s three national parks: the Rand Nature Centre, the Lucayan National Park, and Peterson Cay National Park. This year’s proceeds will go towards the restoration of the Native and Tropical Tree Arboretum and the Wildlife & Watchable Pond at the Rand Nature Centre. Title sponsor Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits will offer a diverse inventory of wines, both household favorites and new gems, for attendees to taste on the night of. In addition, there will be the familiar “Wheel of Joy” game, in which event-goers can try their luck at winning the grand prize of a three-night stay at the Ocean Reef Yacht Club and Resort; a chef competition by top restaurants and caterers; a culinary showcase with samples; and the new Cigar Bar and Lounge experience. Attendees can look forward to participating in all of this while browsing the locally-made products of approximately 45 vendors, including chefs, bakers, artists, crafters, and wine stations. Grand Bahama Parks Manager Ellsworth Weir expressed just how meaningful Festival Noel is. “This is the only fundraiser the BNT has on Grand Bahama, and the only one that’s specifically for this island’s unique national parks. It helps to support our efforts to protect the environment, and also allows us to share an opportunity to celebrate the holidays with the public. “We love the community spirit at Festival Noel. After a two-year hiatus we’re excited to bring it back to everyone who loves it - it truly is Grand Bahama’s most anticipated event. What’s better than being able to sip wine, have fun, and support both the environment and local artists and vendors at the same time?” he added. Festival Noel takes place December 2 at the Rand Nature Centre in East Settler’s Way, Grand Bahama from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets are available for purchase online at https://bnt.bs/festivalnoel/, and also at the Rand Nature Centre and at Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits’ Grand Bahama location. The Bahamas National Trust thanks Festival Noel 2022’s generous sponsors, who include: Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits, Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WASUM), Ministry of Tourism, Kerrygold Butter (Bahamas Wholesale Agency), ALIV, Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), Kelly’s, CG Atlantic, ATO Landscaping, Higgs & Johnson, and FOCOL. To learn more about the role the BNT plays to manage terrestrial and marine national parks, protect species that inhabit them, and inform environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram,Twitter, and YouTube.

National Public Service Week 2022 ended Saturday, November 5, with a Fun Run Walk and Health Screening Day attracting scores of participants. The event kicked off at 6am, with runners and walkers pounding the pavement from the Ministry of the Public Service and Ministry of Health and Wellness grounds on Meeting Street to the Melia at Cable Beach and the Goodman’s Bay beach, respectively, and ending at the starting point.

Following, the Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, and the Minister of State for the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle thanked participants, while confirming plans for the overall health improvement of the country, and acknowledging the hard work and dedication of public servants.  Mrs. Glover-Rolle also participated in the medal presentation ceremony to participants in the fun run walk. Of note, among activities commemorating Public Service Week, 2022 were: a church service, a career day fair, and float parade.

 

National Public Service Week 2022 ended Saturday, November 5, with a Fun Run Walk and Health Screening Day attracting scores of participants. The event kicked off at 6am, with runners and walkers pounding the pavement from the Ministry of the Public Service and Ministry of Health and Wellness grounds on Meeting Street to the Melia at Cable Beach and the Goodman’s Bay beach, respectively, and ending at the starting point. Following, the Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, and the Minister of State for the Public Service the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle thanked participants, while confirming plans for the overall health improvement of the country, and acknowledging the hard work and dedication of public servants.  Mrs. Glover-Rolle also participated in the medal presentation ceremony to participants in the fun run walk. Of note, among activities commemorating Public Service Week, 2022 were: a church service, a career day fair, and float parade.