At Bahamas Booth in Hanger C during the EAA AirVenture 2012 Aviation Show, Donna Munroe, representing the Island of Grand Bahama, join Leonard Stuart (far right) Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism, Aviation Department, in sharing Bahamas information with interested show goers.

At Bahamas Booth in International Federal Pavilion at EAA AirVenture 2012, Bahamas Chief Immigration Officer, Valdia Coleby, provided information for show attendees.

The Bahamas congratulates Jamaica on its 50th Anniversary of Independence, encouraging that Caribbean country to continue its course toward the good of all its citizens. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell said well wishes as he addressed the Thanksgiving Service for Jamaica's 50th Anniversary of Independence at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, August 5, 2012. The Hummingbirds Association organised the service.

Simultaneously in London, Jamaica's Usain Bolt won the 100-metre race, which he ran in 9.63 seconds, an Olympic record.

The Bahamas Consulate General, New York, recently celebrated the 39th Anniversary of Independence of The Bahamas. The Celebrations included a Family Picnic on June 30th at Tallman Park, Sparkill, New York; a Flag Raising Ceremony in Bowling Green Park, New York on July 6th and a Thanksgiving Church Service in Norwalk, Connecticut on Sunday July 15th.

Bahamians from several states in the jurisdiction -- New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts -- attended the events and enjoyed the food, fellowship and the chance to renew acquaintances and make new connections.

The Bahamas National Trust Education office was delighted to partner with the Mall at Marathon in July at the Mall's very special Kidz Corner. The BNT took the opportunity to create a displays and activities that focused on the Coppice Forest Ecosystem and the importance of water conservation.

The first Saturday visitors to the corner were introduced to a young friendly brown racer, learned about birds that live in the Coppice Forest and were able to make a special eco-visor. There was also a special display on Bush Medicine and an opportunity to taste a 'bush tea.'

Two-year old 100% Bahamian striping company, Bahamas Striping, donated $7,500 worth of striping work to upgrade and restore five basketball courts for Urban Renewal 2.0.

Accepting the donation was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works & Urban Renewal, the Hon. Phillip "Brave" Davis, M, who was recently invited by the Bahamas Striping to demonstrate the road marking skills of its young Bahamian crew at the Johnson and Eastern Roads junction. DPM Davis praised the skills of the young Bahamians whose ages range between 17 and 24 and their goodwill.

An all boys trio from the Southeastern Division Summer Youth Camp won the General Knowledge Competition held as part of the annual Royal Bahamas Police Force Summer Youth Programme. The competition took place Thursday, August 2 on the grounds of Evangelistic Temple, Collins Avenue.

The Southeastern team comprised Jarret Bain, Dominique Brown and Jarette Stubbs. They accumulated 60 points to out-duel teams from the Western Division (50 points) and the Northeastern Division who finished third with 40 points.

We were deeply saddened this week to hear of the passing of Harold "Sonny" Waugh. Sonny - and his family - have been great supporters of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama for many years. In fact, Waugh Construction was also a significant contributor to the building of our new shelter.

Sonny's compassion and concern for the well being of all Grand Bahama was tremendous. Grand Bahama, indeed the Bahamas, is a better place thanks to his works, and legacy of giving back.

Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Waugh family.

As Grand Bahama's economy moves into the second half of 2012, there is much to be said about small business growth on the island; all indicating better times ahead for the economy.

Customer Relations Manager for The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), Mrs. Nicole Colebrooke, revealed figures for 2012, which show the island's small business sector is reviving. This she noted, clearly demonstrates domestic investor confidence in the island's economy, which is always a good thing. "We are all aware of the global financial challenges and Grand Bahama Island is no different. However, in spite of this, we've seen a constant flow of applications for small businesses." Colebrooke commented.

Results and photos from the second annual Eagle Eye Kennels dog show held at Basil Neymour Park on Coral Road below:

Grand Bahamarama Folklore Show

In 1971 I wrote and co-directed a folklore show that was performed every Monday evening in the ballroom of the old Holiday Inn. The other (and more important) co-director and electronic genius was Shelton Archer, a British expat. The show we put together was mimed to a tape and covered the history of the Bahamas from the Lucayans to the present day. The theme song for the show was 'Where ya gonna go next year? Come to the Bahamas ...' by Frank Penn.

It was not great theatre but the young Bahamian cast threw themselves into it with gusto. In fact two of the cast went on to act professionally and one, Willie (Love) Lightbourne, is still around as a popular local singer and tourist guide. The show featured a simultaneous slideshow commentary from screens either side of the stage. There was the Columbus landfall played out to the background sound of Carmina Burana, live gunfire (in the pirate scene), mist created by dry ice in a bootlegging scene, lumbermen in kaleidoscopic costumes hurling down the pine, a holy roller church scene (probably the most popular) and ending with a junkanoo rush through the audience at the end of the show.

Alright, gentleman, you finally admit to yourself that SHE IS THE ONE, now it's time to let the world know. When selecting the engagement ring, let your decision not only be based on the cost, but about the feeling you want to evoke from this very special lady every time she looks at this symbol of your love.

If you are unable, unwilling or just uncomfortable asking an expert about style of this ring, a great way to find your future wife's taste in rings is to ask her good friend. Girlfriends can very easily ask her what is her taste in rings without her having a clue its for the real deal. Not all ladies like the bedazzled look, and bigger is not always better, so some consideration should be placed on where she works, what equipment she works with or if she has any allergies.

While some ladies may just prefer to go with you to select this lifetime ring of romance, some may want that element of surprise, the whole 9 yards. So, get on that one knee and give her that story book proposal!

The Valley Boys Junkanoo group performs in Regatta Park, New Bight, during the 56th Annual Cat Island Regatta Official Opening Ceremony Saturday, August 4.

Cat Islanders and visitors all joined in dancing to the sounds of Junkanoo music.

The Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament (TCBT) will celebrate its 30th anniversary June 1-7, 2013 at the beautiful Treasure Cay Beach Marina & Golf Resort. Known for its great fishing, excellent value and fun social events, the world-class competition attracts teams from around the world.

The TCBT modified release tournament offers four days of fishing, a lay day, social parties, dinners and fun competitions. The guaranteed cash payout ranges from $10,000 for a minimum of ten boats and up to $50,000 for participation of 50 boats. One of the best fishing destinations in the Bahamas, Treasure Cay is known for grander-size record-breaking marlin, large dolphin and wahoo.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie has thrown his support behind erecting a Bust of the late American civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr., on the island of Bimini, the place where he found solace and inspiration for his noted speeches.

Activities surrounding the unveiling ceremony are scheduled for October 5-7, 2012; the plaque will be placed in the mangroves where Dr King is said to have spent peaceful moments with boat maker and bone fisherman Captain Ansil Sanders in 1964 and 1968. The bust, in the image of Dr King will be designed a sculpted by renowned sculptor Erik Blome.

From The Tribune

Leevan Sands will have the chance to land Team Bahamas' first medal of the 2012 Olympics after qualifying for Thursday's triple jump final. Sands finished second in Group B with a leap of 17.17. Christian Taylor of the United States was first with 17.21

In the Women's Long Jump, Bianca Stuart missed out on qualification, coming 10th with 6.32. Shamar Sands also bowed out for Team Bahamas, disqualified in the Men's 110 Metres Hurdles.

The Triple Jump finals will take place on Thursday, August 9th at 2:20pm Bahamas time.

Running in heat #3 of the Men's 200m on Tuesday, Bahamian Michael Mathieu finished third in a time of 20.62 and advanced to the semi-finals. Running in heat #7 Trevorvano Mackey placed seventh and did not advance.

Mathieu faces some serious competition in the 200m, also running are Jamaican superstars Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake - Gold and Silver medalists in the 100m respectively.

The Men's 200m semi-finals were run Wednesday and Mathieu false started and was disqualified in heat 3 and will not carry on to the finals.

In another exciting evening on the track Sunday night all eyes were on the Men's 400m semi-final heats featuring many athletes from the Caribbean region. In heat number one, beat out only by the runner from Trinidad & Tobago, the Bahamas' Demetrius Pinder (pictured) placed second in a time of 44.94. Running in heat number two, Chris Brown also placed second, after the runner from Grenada, in an even better time than Pinder at 44.67. In the third heat, Ramon Miller didn't quite make the cut, finishing in fourth place with a time of 45.11.

The Men's 400m final was won by 19 year-old Kirani James of Grenada in a time of 43.94, a new Caribbean record. Bahamians Chris Brown was just off the podium in 4th place at 44.79, and Demetrius Pinder came in 7th at 44.98.

In a fast-paced first semi-final heat of the Olympic Women's 50m Freestyle Bahamian swimmer Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace raced across the pool on Friday evening to earn a place in the finals, alongside world record holder Germany's Britta Steffen and 100m Freestyle winner Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands. Her time of 24.64 was the third fastest qualifying time in heat 1 and seventh fastest overall. Kromowidjojo, who swam in heat 2, posted the fastest overall of 24.07.

The 50m final was won Saturday by Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands in a new Olympic record time of 24.05. Arianna's time of 24.69 earned her eighth, a fantastic showing by a Bahamian in the pool.

Re: Peter Barratt's recent suggestion of August 5 as Freeport/Groves public holiday ... excellent idea.

I was in Freeport last week and was surprised to see Groves' original house still standing, though in poor shape, on the coast, adjacent to Pier 1, down by the harbour. There used to be two houses there ... they were the ones in which Groves and Keith Gonsalves lived when they arrived to begin the dream, sometime around 1954/58.

I first came to Freeport with Barclays Bank DCO in February 1959. Then, Gonsalves lived on Hawaii Avenue and I believe Groves had already moved in to his beach property. Haywards's house was just being started and I remember talking to Bert Sinden and Johnny Byrne while they were excavating the foundations ....