Bahamas Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Obie Wilchcombe, along with a Bahamian delegation made an appearance on the field during half-time of the NFL's Dolphins vs New York Jets game to announce and present a grand prize Bahamas trip to a lucky 'Fin' fan, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, on Sunday December 29th.

The Minster of Tourism replaced the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Honourable, Perry G. Christie, who did not travel to Florida to attend the game. A number of other Bahamas Cabinet Ministers scheduled to attend also did not make the official delegation.

Photo: L-R at the game the official Bahamas delegation of Ricardo Treco, Bahamas Consul General to Miami; The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Bahamas Minister of Transportation; David Margolis, representing Grand Lucayan Resort, Freeport Grand Bahama (sponsor of the resort portion of the six night/seven day grand prize - air was provided by Bahamasair); Minister Wilchcombe and Dr. Daniel Johnson, the Hon. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture.

In an annual end of year message BOB Managing Director Paul McWeeney has assured the Bahamian bank's customers and its 4,000-plus shareholders that the bank has a robust capital position matched by adherence to "sound banking principles that are consistently tested and validated by internal and external authorities to ensure the highest standards of prudence." Mr. McWeeney pointed to the bank's growth over its brief 25-year history and the positive returns it has earned for investors since going public.

"Since our establishment as Bank of The Bahamas in 1988 and becoming a publicly-held institution six years later, BOB has paid out more than $50 million in dividends, including more than $26 million to the majority shareholder, the Government of The Bahamas," said Mr. McWeeney. "In 25 years of existence, we have gone from one branch to 13, from one island to seven, from handling checking and savings accounts to being a full service financial institution with products that range from a junior savings account a parent can open with as little as $10 to managing pension funds and trust assets for high net worth clients. We have gone from $90 million in assets at launch in November 1988 to $890 million in assets as of June 30, 2013. We have gone from a few dozen staff to a full-time complement of 358 with more than 20 additional temporary employees. "

At 10:30am on the13th of December, 2013, a number of members of the Antique Auto Club of the Bahamas met at ABL Tiles on Wulff Road for their annual preparation of food parcels and gifts for some 80 children from needy homes.

Those present included Don Pinder, Vice President; Murray Forde, Secretary; Richard Blake, past President; Irene Pinder, member; Wayne Aranha, member; Peter Grist, member; Wilfred Rolle, member; Peter Armstrong, member. Others not present because of other commitments were Brendan Foulkes, President; Don Aranha, director and Leroy Roxbury, member.

The Antique Auto Club members have been doing this for some 26 years since the club was founded as a meeting place for like-minded men and, yes, women who have an affinity for old cars and trucks.

Early on Christmas morning, December 25th, 2013, the patients and staff of Princess Margaret Hospital were pleasantly surprised when they were paid a visit by Opposition Leader, Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis.

Dr. Minnis said that this is the time of year when hard working employees and hospitalized patients can truly appreciate the care and concern of loved ones and friends, and he wanted to take time out to walk through the hospital and wish them all a Merry Christmas.

The Nazareth Centre in Millennium Gardens was the recipient of a food gift certificate and other gifts from the Social Club of the Department of Physical Planning, Dec. 27, 2013.

Pictured from left: Natasha Strachan, treasurer; Jennifer Darling, chairperson; Esther Wood, executive assistant Nazareth Centre; Nicole Knowles, chairperson; Kimberley Stuart, Edwina White, Simon Wilson and Anthony Fowler (all club members).

(BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel)

In their ongoing support of the Grand Bahama Children's Home, the Lucaya International School and its students once again hosted its 3rd Annual 'Turkey Trot' fun run to raise much needed funds for the Home.

Students, teachers, parents and supporters along with some of the children from the Home took off in their annual Turkey Trot fun run near Banana Bay in Lucaya on November 30, 2013, and raised $4,163.96 for the Children's Home.

"The LIS family again feels privileged to be able to help the Grand Bahama Children's Home by raising funds through the third annual LIS Turkey Trot fun run," said Mr. Lee Rawlinson, IB/IGCSE Coordinator at LIS and event coordinator. "We want to say a huge thank you to all of our sponsors who enable us to run the event, the organisers and especially the runners and walkers without whom we would not be able to donate so much," he added.

The Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) helped to make it happy holidays at the Salvation Army by donating food items from their 4th annual 'Lend a Hand Give a Can' food drive just in time for Christmas. Apprentices from GBS helped to collect the donations and were on hand to deliver them to the Salvation Army.

"We are very blessed that this is the 4th year the GB Shipyard and their apprentices have helped us collect needed supplies. We will have helped over 400 families this Christmas and this donation replenishes our supplies well into January," commented Captain Roger Compton, Salvation Army. "I thank the apprentices for all their tremendous work and to the wonderful citizens of Grand Bahama who gave so much."

Barrels bearing the 'Lend a Hand, Give a Can' slogan were placed at Sawyers, Save-a-Lot in Eight Mile Rock, at both Solomon's locations and Cost Right, with GBS apprentices manning the barrels. The food donation programme helps both the Salvation Army to fill their food pantry, and helps foster a spirit of giving in the apprentices.

Colourful tents, unique gift items created by talented local artisans, beautiful artwork, homemade treats, pony rides, face painting, puppies and of course, Santa...all hallmarks of 'Christmas in the Garden' at Garden of the Groves! This year was no different as, on December 14th, the car park at the Garden was transformed into a Christmas village, carols were piped throughout the park and patrons enjoyed browsing and shopping for that special gift at the vendors' booths.

And so much from which to choose! Gorgeous one-of-a-kind pottery by Lisa Codella, handmade candles by Caleb Outten, photo prints of old Bahamas by Terrie Davies, paintings by local artists Lou Lihou, Paola Albury and Shanin Weber-Hughes, Christmas wreaths by Melanie Darville, unique jewellery and crafts by Bonnie's handmade creations, Lily Strachan-Moxey, Gina Marche, Pamela Hall, Karen Rolle and Julie Wood. Bliss Boutique's booth was very lively (with the "bubbly" flowing freely!) and their special home décor items and kids clothing went "like hotcakes."

Not to be outdone by the adults, young Arabella Ferguson's booth "Kids Fur Paws" sold unusual home décor and gift items (with a little help from Mom, Victoria) ... and donated all of her proceeds to the animals at the Humane Society of Grand Bahama!

For those who received or bought puppies for their children as Christmas gifts, there are a few things you should know to properly take care of your new family member. That's what a pet is, part of the family who deserves and needs attention. Taking care of puppies isn't that complicated, but it does require time and patience. They generally have a lot of energy and are very curious about their new surroundings.

Speaking of their surroundings, you should ensure nothing breakable is within reach - remember they can jump, so low tables may be worth clearing. All electrical cords need to be secured so your puppy can't chew on them. Plants, trash cans and cleaning supplies also need to be put where your puppy can't get to them. Many of these items can poison, choke or otherwise cause your pet to be sick.

Your puppy needs a place to sleep, just like you. It doesn't need to be fancy, but it does need to be kept clean and dry. Pet beds and pillows are sold at many department and pet supply stores. A small area rug can also be used. Or you may consider crating your puppy at night.

Representing The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, eleven men recently entered an underwater realm of reefs, wrecks and sharks off the coast of Bimini where they maneuvered freely and for a moment, left troubled memories and disabilities at the dock.

For the avid diver, it's an endless debate on the top dive destinations, but what is not in debate is that Bimini consistently ends up on that list, and that the historic Bimini Big Game Club and Resort offers one of the best dive experiences in The Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands sweeping across 500 miles of open ocean.

"Bimini has no shortage of great dive sites: Reefs, Wrecks, Walls, Drift Dives, our famous Atlantis Road and truly amazing Shark and Wild Dolphin Encounters - you name it," said Michael Weber, General Manager of the 51-room Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Marina where the veterans stayed.

Twenty five young ladies entered this years Little Miss Bahamas Pageant held under the theme "It's Christmas" staged at the Wyndham Nassau Resort's Rainforest Theater on Sunday past.

After months of rehearsals, educational tours, field trips, preliminary and float parade competitions, the pageant came to an end in grand style. The stage lit up with the little divas interpretation of Madonna's "Vogue" in their opening number produced by pageant producer and coach Charpella Rolle. The ladies then took to the stage in a career segment wooing the judges with costumes of their dream career, followed by an elegant formal gown and question segment.

Outgoing queens, Olivia Hernandez, Petra Kemp and Angel Cleare took their final farewell walk, receiving a tablet, portrait and scepter as final farewell gifts. Former Little Miss Bahamas Tereckiann Bain, Lashan Martin, Corey Higgs and Jaliah Nabby all were present and made various tributes throughout the evening. Little Miss Nabby was hailed as a role model queen of 2013 for her continuous work with the organization.

By Royston Jones Jr. / The Nassau Guardian

The Valley Boys swept nearly every category in the 2013 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade, winning overall with its theme, "From China to The Bahamas".

The Valley Boys won best choreography, best free dance, best off-the-shoulder costume, best Shirley Street performance, best lead costume, best banner and best overall performance. The only major category it lost was best music, finishing a close third behind the Shell Saxons Superstars. One Family, which came third overall, won best music. This was almost a repeat of the Valley Boys' clean sweep in the 2012 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

According to the unofficial results for the Boxing Day parade, the Valley Boys got a total of 87.93 points for the win. The Saxons, under the theme "Taj Mahal, Jewel of India" placed second in the A category, taking home a total of 84.45 points.

One of the taglines for this movie: No Matter How Old You Are, Come Out Swinging. Two old boxing rivals come out of retirement for one final match. On their first encounter in decades and long festering rivalry is inflamed and the resulting melee is uploaded ti the internet where it instantly goes viral. The unexpected social media frenzy leads to a must see pay-per-view event, but before they can actually fight each other they will have to make it through the training.

Henry "Razor" Sharp is now a blue collar worker who has put his days of boxing glory behind him, but when he is laid off he finds himself in need of money to help pay for his only friend's medical expenses. Billy "The Kid" McDonnen is a successful bar owner who is living on the laurels of his past boxing glory, but when the opportunity presents itself to reignite the feud with the only man to beat him in the ring he jumps at the chance. Dante Slate Jr. is the son of a legendary boxing promoter who sees his chance to get out of the debt his father left him by promoting the biggest fight to ever come his way and to prove to himself that he is his father's equal. Louis "Lightning" Conlon is Henry's best friend and former boxing coach who is about to be thrown out of the assisted living facility he currently calls but with mounting medical bills he will need a helping hand from the only friend he has that's still living.

Okay so if you wanted to see what a fight between Rocky Balboa of the Rocky movies and Jake La Motta of Raging Bull then this is probably going to be your only chance.