John & Carolyn together 41 years !!!
 A special Congratulations to
John & Carolyn Carr  on their
 41st wedding anniversary!!
 
They were married in Leoti, Kansas - August 4th - 1968. At the time John was a rodeo cowboy and managed a cattle feedlot. Carolyn was a High School art teacher. Belize was not even a notion at that point.The most frequently asked question at Banana Bank is - how did you end up in Belize ? Well, the short answer to that is a mixture of bad weather, low prices, adventure spirit, loving a challenge, and pioneering desire. In 1977 John, Carolyn, Victrie (9) and Leisa(12) embarked a trip of no looking back. They put all of their belongings in a big truck and trekked across Mexico to Belize. There were not many Americans in Belize at that time and good advise was as hard to find as parts for a vehicle but persistence, mutual trust, hard work, trials and errors, always having a vision and last but not least faith in the Almighty brought them through the years. Today - Carolyn is a accomplished artist who states that her art would not be where it is today had it not been for Belize. John - once a pioneer always a pioneer - continues to break ground with new ideas such as the Agriculture tourism, Assisted living center for the elderly, Simbrah cattle program, and many other endeavors. Congratulations!
Banana Bank Lodge News
Summer 2009
                                                     
 
                                                                                            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Banana Bank Lodge News
Full Moonlight Ride
First a Bridge and Now This
Painting Sneak Peek
BTB Central America Sales Blitz
Moises Story
Banana Bank Specialty Recipe
 Full Moon Ride on August 6th  =  Awesome !!!!!
                  We  had riders from ages 6 - 60 and from Belize to Belgium !!!!! FUll moon ride August 6th - Girls enjoying roasting around bonfire
Guests enjoying conversation with Cesar - head cowboy - on Moonlight ride    
 
It was certainly a magical night and one could not have asked for better weather. There was practically not one cloud in the sky and the full moon was at it's greatest splendor. There are no words for the sight as you come out of the deep jungle into the open field and the moon brightening the entire night. You cannot help but gasp for breath as the sight took it away. Then after the ride the bonfire brought a time of laughing, dancing, singing and sharing. Even the Simbrah's joined the fun. Everyone agreed the moment was one to cherish and be thankful. See more pictures on
 
http://www.facebook.com search for Banana Bank Lodge.
 
Dancing around the bonding fire. Dancing around the bonding fire.
 
 
Almost too good to believe ..............
 
Beginning part of roadRoad to Banana Bank

Anyone who visited Banana Bank prior to 2006 will understand our dis-belief. See this very road did not have a bridge, some of you may remember our hand cranked ferry, and then we got a bridge. Now the road is under major construction all the way to Valley of Peace. Rumor has it will then continue on to Orange Walk. Do we dare wish it to be paved ?? Well, I say we do !!!!!
 
Valley of Peace Road Turn off onto Banana Bank road
Sneak Peek
                                                                   The next painting in the making
Carolyn Carr at work on Swing Bridge painting
 As are many of Carolyn Carr's paintings - this one too highlights  Belize culture & history. This is 1984 - the artist was impressed with many of the daily tasks such as manually turning the swing bridge. This is a sight you do not see often anymore as Belize City is changing  -   but a glimpse of the past reminds us of the simple life history bestowed.  She is planning a show  in Belize City in September.
 
 
          BTB Central America Sales Blitz Success !!
                            
                                             BTB Sales Blitz El Salvador
 
The Belize Tourism Board organized and hosted a Central American Sales Blitz in San Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The presentations were presented very professionally and  an awesome video titled Be One With Belize All the travel agents that attended were very eager to learn more about Belize.
 
                                              Guatemala Sales Blitz
  Moises - a little boy who clung to life
                                Moises house under construction in Valley of Peace
 
Changing a persons life may take an instant but changing it back is usually a miracle. This is the case of Moises who after an accident didn't seem to have many options until The Word at Work changed that. Miracles come in many shapes and forms and in this case it was through many caring people who came together.
 
Banana Bank Specialty Recipe 
Empanadas Banana Bank empanadas
 
Begin by making the dough which is basically a tortilla recipe. In a wide bowl or on a counter top mix 2 cups of all purpose flour with a ½ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Dice in ¼ cup of shortening. Mix until flour is crumbly. Little by little add ½ cup of cold water and begin to knead dough. Alternate between adding water and sprinkles of flour until dough no longer is sticky. Separate into balls about 1½ inches in diameter. Circle the ball with your hand on the countertop until nicely rounded and then let "rest" for about 20 minutes.
 
Proceed to flatten out each ball of dough with fingertips to about a 5 inch diameter. Place about 2 Tablespoons of filling in center then fold over half the circle to form a tart like shape (half moon) Grab the right tip of the edge of the dough and twist towards the inside about ¼ of an inch. Continue twisting the entire edge around so as to seal the filling inside. Fry in deep fat fryer or skillet.
 
Filling can be grind meat or chicken, vegetables diced and sautéed, grated cheese (any kind that melts) season to taste.
Tropical Cheer !!!!
 
Banana Bank Lodge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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