Thirteen outstanding Bahamians with an accumulative 1,118 years of age were awarded, on Monday, October 22, 2012, with Nation Builder Awards for their outstanding contributions to the development of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

The 13 included Rev. Bosfield Bethel, J.P.; Mrs. Lillian Dean-Humes; Mr. Leonard Edward Knowles; Mrs. Louise Smith; Mrs. Mildred McNeil; Mrs. Lovelyjane Miller; Mr. Monis Alexander Moss; Mr. Ercin Eugene Gibson; Mrs. Pearl Moxey; Mrs. Veronica Pintard; Mrs. Mildred Allen-Thompson; Mrs. Mary Justina Toote and Mrs. Beryl Mae Wright.

On Saturday October 20th, 2012, the Bahamas Contractors Association voted Bahamas Striping as the Level 1 Sub-Contractor Of The Year at an awards banquet at the British Colonial Hilton. According to the president of the two-year old company, Atario Mitchell, the award is the more remarkable as the company has been operating for less than three years.

"This dispels the myth that it takes time for Bahamian businesses to prosper and be recognised. We're told that our quality, customer service and rapid growth won the day," said Mitchell.

Seeking to celebrate their milestone 90th anniversary in a meaningful way, H.G. Christie Ltd., 'The Trusted Authority in Bahamas Real Estate', chose to give back to the community in a life changing way.

John Christie, Director and Vice President of HG Christie Ltd. shares, "While considering how to celebrate our 90th year we pondered many options. After much thought it became clear ... the right thing to do was to celebrate our 90th Anniversary by giving the gift of our time and resources to the communities we serve. Our donation of 90 mammograms: 30 in Nassau, 30 in Abaco, and 30 in Grand Bahama, will mean women who otherwise would not, will now have access to early detection screening and lives potentially can be saved."

Groups of the Rastafari movement in the Bahamas have united in solidarity for a seven day conference, being held this week, ending on Sunday, October 21, 2012. Organized by the HIM Theocracy Reign Order of the Rastafari Movement Intermansion, the week-long conference seeks to unite all Rastas in the Bahamas with "One God, One Asim, One Destiny".

Participating mansions included the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress True Church of Divine Salvation, also known as the Bobo Shanti, the House of David, Nyabinghi, King of Kings Missionary Movement, and all elders have joined together to discuss crucial issues that affect all of the mansions.

Against a seemingly serene back drop of clear blue skies, coconut trees, and a water stream The Heart Ball Committee took a moment away from a very busy meeting to encourage others to save a child's heart. The Heart Ball Committee, consist of persons who are not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside.

They are a group of dedicated, hardworking volunteers, from varying backgrounds, on a mission to save a child's heart; they embrace the opportunity and wish to encourage others to do so.

Great steak and chicken dinners grilled fresh on-site draw hundreds of people every year to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Annual Steak-Out and Mini Fair. Held this year on Saturday, November 3rd. from 12 Noon to 6 p.m. on the church grounds located at the corner of Shirley Street and Shirley Park, the Steak-Out committee is gearing -up for another successful event.

"At Sacred Heart's Steak-Out we really concentrate on the food and as a result our event has become known for offering some of the best steak and chicken dinners found anywhere," said Angela Fox, Steak-Out chairperson.

New and unusual plants will be the focus of this year's Camperdown Plant Sale, the largest private sale of plants on the island. Plant enthusiasts always look forward to this event which is held annually every fall at the home of Sarah Lobosky in Camperdown. Mark your calendar as this year the sale will take place on Saturday, November 10th from 9 until 12.

Four ladies who reside in Camperdown combine their yearly gardening efforts to produce a wide variety of beautiful plants and hanging baskets which they offer at reasonable prices to the public.

On Tuesday, October 23, faculty members and students from Temple Christian High School paid a courtesy call on U.S. Chargé d'Affaires John Dinkelman at the U.S. Embassy. During the meeting, the school officials officially announced the launch of the Temple Christian High School Red Cross Link's National Speech Competition.

Temple Christian High School was recently awarded a small grant, made available through funding by the U.S. Embassy's 2012 U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) small grants initiative.

For some this is the most nerve racking part of planning a wedding. However, It can be the most romantic moment in the entire wedding when recited clearly with sincerity. Wedding rituals are ingrained in tradition with only the general and mandatory information being read or recited. Over the past 15 years, wedding trends have experience a change in that brides (more often then not) look forward to the written words of love from this new lifetime partner. Religious and Civil Services now allow brides and grooms to pre-select and interject in the ceremony the couples preferred reading, songs, poems, and even personalise their vows.

The words spoken may only be but a brief moment but the vows and promises made are what keep a marriage pure, true and lasting.

Following the year's warmest months of July and August, September was marked as the celebratory month of 'Fire, Safety and Awareness'. In this vein, educating the community regarding fire safety has been the mission of The Royal Bahamas Police Force's, Fire Services Division's since its inception.

In support of this mission, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) recently donated 25 smoke detectors, assisting the Division to further their efforts of providing devices to families in need, throughout the Grand Bahama community.

The Grand Bahama Chamber Of Commerce has announced the candidates in the upcoming annual general meeting and election of officers and directors for the Association. Election is slated for Wednesday, October 31 and vying for the president position are two well known business executives.

Terah Rahming, President Premier Fund Services Ltd. and Barry J. Malcom, President, Global Fulfillment Services Ltd. are both seeking to be elected as the president of The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce. Election is set for Wednesday, October 31 and nominations may be taken from the floor.

Grand Bahama, do not miss the premiere amazing Halloween event of 2012! The Grand Bahama Sailing Club and the Humane Society of Grand Bahama have teamed up to produce a spectacular event on Wednesday October 31st starting at 6:00 p.m. at the G.B. Sailing Club.

Great food and drinks available for sale along with prizes for best costumes (boys and girls 12 and under), best carved pumpkin, etc. Bobbing for apples and other fun games also will win prizes. Visit the Haunted Woods - if you dare - and be prepared for other spooky incredible surprises throughout the night which are top secret.

On Saturday the 20th of October, Schooner Bay, Abaco, town founder Orjan Lindroth was honoured in Palm Beach with an Addison Mizner Award as a Patron for his work to further classical architecture. This award bestowed by the Florida chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, is one of the most prestigious awards in architecture that can be earned.

In naming Lindroth as the recipient the ICAA noted "for his ongoing support and interest in the achievement of excellence in Classical and Traditional Design in Architecture, Culture, and Literature, we are honoured to present this patron medal to Orjan Lindroth of The Bahamas - a country that should be proud to have such a dedicated individual as a resident and developer."

It was more than two and a half years ago when the Tarpum Bay Historical and Heritage Society set out to undertake the restoration of one of the most important buildings in this small quaint waterfront township. It is what has become known as the "Lil Prep."

Older members of this community remember this space fondly as the place where they had many "firsts" - voted for the first time, went to school for the first time, saw their first black and white movie or attended their first dance.

Higher education and lifelong learning both have broad ramifications for community development and national progress. This is particularly true for Exuma where The College of The Bahamas operates a Centre for Continuing Education and Extension Services (CEES) in Hooper's Bay.

Exuma has a growing economy that is primarily bolstered by hospitality and tourism. But evolution is apparent in other sectors and soon there will be a need for highly skilled workers in the health care and allied services sectors now that a community health care facility is under construction in George Town.

Organisers of 'FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island' are pleased to announce the Blue Ribbon Panel selection for the High School Category for Bahamian films. Sunland Baptist Academy's grade 12 submission of "The Blame" has been chosen as this year's best student film. The Blame was directed by Tiahjah Smith and is the story of the troubled life of high school student.

Actors for "The Blame" include, Patrice Johnson, Tawari Rodgers, Mia Rolle, Marsha Stubbs, Orenthal New Church, Tiahjah Smith, Delon Edgecombe, Theronique Cooper, Lanelle Curry, Georgina Moss, and D'Arj Laing. The production team offered special thanks to Prescott Knowles and their videographer / editor, Quincy Jones.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is taking The Bahamas by storm! NaNoWriMo is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing beginning on November 1. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. It is the ultimate challenge for writers, wannabe writers, students, and people who love to try new things. By writing 1,667 words every day for 30 days, you will have 50,000 words and win the challenge! The first NaNoWriMo in 1999 has 21 participants. In 2000, there were 150 participants. 2011 saw 256,618 participants from all over the world writing over 3 billion words.

The Bahamas' Municipal Liaison, Alicia Wallace, will be there to encourage you, motivate you, offer help, and cheer you on. She is a three time participant and winner of this global challenge. Events planned begin with the Kick Off Party at Marco's Pizza in the Southwest Plaza (Nassau) on October 27 at 6pm.

It was no laughing matter as Miss Universe Bahamas Celeste Marshall hit the catwalk in the much anticipated Fashion for Smiles gala event on Friday, October 18th in Managua, Nicaragua, and as expected, she blazed the runway! Celeste joined Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes and 14 other contestants for a haute couture showdown featuring the designs of Eduardo de las Casas, Fabrizio Gianone, and Mayda Cisneros.

A large number of pageant fans and fashionistas turned out to the Crowne Plaza convention center for the special event, which aimed to raise funds to build an Attention Center for children, teens and adults suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate. The field of models consisted of mainly Latinas, with the exception of Celeste and Miss Universe Canada Sahar Biniaz and pageant fans worldwide were watching the show as a "preview" of what is to come in December at the Miss Universe pageant in Vegas.

This article came about because of research Barratt undertook when writing on 'Angelic Verses' which identified all the biblical references to angels in the Bible. No angels are mentioned by name in the Book of Joshua (though an angelic presence may be inferred from Joshua 5:13). This article discusses an early massacre of biblical proportions recorded in the Book of Joshua.

According to the Bible a Covenant was made between God and Abraham granting Abraham's descendants a stretch of land at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea that consisted of a coastal plain with hilly country inland stretching as far as the River Jordan. At the time of the Covenant this 'Promised Land' was already occupied by several tribes of Canaanites. Abraham visited the land and then, after a brief sojourn in Egypt because of famine, returned to Canaan.

A staple on every Bahamian triathlete's calendar for the past 26 years - the Conchman Triathlon - is set to take over the shores of Taino Beach on Saturday, November 3rd, with the annual sprint distance triathlon followed by the Iron Kids event.

New for 2012 is an additional team category: the "One-Six-Five." Based on requests by a number of Grand Bahama based athletes this category for teams with a combined age of 165 and over has already garnered a number of participants. Conchman 2011 boasted the largest field of competitors since the second year of the race and organisers are looking forward to another banner year.

Mark Knowles may well have retired from the professional tennis circuit but that's certainly not true in any other area of his life - his family and his Celebrity Tennis Invitational coming up December 6th-9th.

One of the stars in the tennis world he has recruited to come to the Bahamas this year is Lindsay Davenport, former #1 in 19918, 2001, 2004 & 2005 and owner of 3 Grand Slam Singles Championship titles which include, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the Australian Open and an Olympic Gold Medal in 1996.

A local company is 'sitting pretty' after Bahamas Speed Week organizers signed a three-year contract for thousands of bleacher seats.

The company -- C3 Seating -- will also provide massive tent structures for the VIP Paddock Club pavilion and covering, keeping millions of dollars worth of exotic and classic race cars participating in Bahamas Speed Week November 26-December 2 safe from the elements.

Grand Bahama's Legacy Baseball/Softball Association has released the dates for its Fall Development Camp to be held at the YMCA. Eugene Thompson, President, advised that the camp began on October 20th at 1:00 pm and will be held each Saturday thereafter through December 15. The camp is open for baseball to boys 4-18, and for softball to girls 6-18.

Thompson is urging parents to register their youngsters for 2013 season in either baseball and/or softball and ensure that they participate in the development camp.

Dear Editor,

The Bahamas is a country of islands, but the country is not an island unto itself. We are a part of the world, the globe's village made smaller by the regional and international organisations of which we are a part.

Since May 7, two critical annual meetings have been held and our Prime Minister was a no-show: the Caricom Annual Heads of Government Meeting and the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Both meetings are designated for the head of a nation's government, not a junior minister or a stand-in.