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I also had the opportunity to tour Cotton Bay Estates. This is gated and only accessible by request and with a guide. I have to admit I walked around with my mouth open, continuously saying "Wow!". I was amazed at how much construction has been done. The 62,000 square foot club house is well underway. There are several three bedroom, three bath villas that are ready for windows and finishing work. The look of this place is rich... the roofs are "Bermuda-style" - concrete. The villas that are under construction almost hang over the ocean. The clubhouse is going to have an infinity pool. Even the entrance to the development is classy with coral rock.
Beautiful rock work at the entrance |
View from behind the clubhouse towards the ocean |
Club house under construction |
This is going to be huge!! |
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One of the 3/3 villas |
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Patio off the back of the 3/3 villa |
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Wilfred Munnings |
Avvy |
Elli |
Ancient Man |
Larry Cleare |
Eugene Davis, aka Geno D. |
Xtra Band |
Xtra Band |
Xtra Band |
Xtra Band |
There's a new cargo ship going from the West Palm area to Briland. The Palm Beach Steamship Agency/Dean Shipping presents the M/V Legend which sails from Riviera Beach to Harbour Island. The ship is 180' long and departs Riviera Beach on Wednesdays - arriving in Briland on Fridays. The majority of her cargo is stored below decks so it remains dry. Containers are on deck. You can get shipping information by contacting the Shipping company at 561-844-5387. Finally a little competition for G&G!!! Check her out for your next shipment.
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From today's Nassau Guardian... http://www.thenassauguardian.com/social_community/306421680546927.php
The Vic-Hum Club – a Briland landmark
By NORMAN ROLLE, Features Writer, norman@nasguard.com
East from the public dock Munning Street meanders uphill for about a quarter mile where it connects with Barrack Street at the base of the hill. The hill is at the center of this three by a half mile island. Here sits a Briland landmark – the Vic Hum Club. Albeit nondescript, Vic-Hum has been the entertainment and social rendezvous for this tiny island of 2,000 people for 51 years, and has hosted an impressive array of international celebrities.
The Vic-Hum was opened in 1955 by two of the island's prominent sons, late brothers Victor and Humphrey Percentie Sr. Currently managed by Humphrey Percentie Jr, the club is considered a museum. As you enter, it's like walking into history, history of music and sports. Literally every square foot of space in the outer bar and lounge is decorated with colour printouts of entertainment and sports figures, including three albums by the popular group of the 60s, The Percentie Brothers: Victor, Herman Anthony, and Humphrey.
To further cement Humphrey's love for memorabilia, on the top shelf of the bar sits the largest coconut ever grown in The Bahamas – 33 inches in diameter – which has been a talking point, particularly for tourists, for 31 years.
The back section, unroofed, doubles as a mini basketball court by day and an dance floor by night. Here, with a historic ambiance of wall pictures and paintings, also is a ping pong table.
Many of the Bahamian entertainers over the years have done shows at the Vic-Hum. Among them Tony Seymour, Wendal Stuart, Count Bernadino, The Beginning of The End, The Mighty Makers, Smokey 007, King Eric and His Knights, Al Collie and the VIPS, Ezra and the Polka Dots. In 1967, Charles Carter launched the Family Island segment of The Young Bahamian Show on ZNS at the Vic-Hum.
Most of its customers during the early days were guests from the Pink Sand Lodge. After dinner, they would flock to the club to be entertained by The Percentie Brothers. Humphrey Sr, in addition to serving as the band's main vocalist, at times played the box guitar, the bongo and maracas. There was no electric amplification in the early years of the band.
Tourists still go to the Vic-Hum for entertainment, but a resident live band is no longer the main feature.
In 1952 the group recorded its first album, at the time being among the first in The Bahamas to produce an album which included mostly folk and calypso music, some of which were Humphrey's original songs.
The album featured Miss Florida as the only female vocalist, along with two lead male vocalists, George Nixon, a nephew of the Percentie and Tony, the only surviving Percentie who is now active in the Church of God.
Humphrey's nickname 'Hitler,' is a misnomer. Although outspoken and vociferous, this strapping man of six foot two bears no similarity to the diminutive despot. The 52-year old bachelor Percentie is affable and accommodating.
Once the capital of The Bahamas, Harbour Island (Dunmore Town) is one of the oldest towns in the country. It is named after Lord Dunmore the British Governor (1787-1796). The quaintness of Harbour Island has made it attractive to wealthy expatriates who have been settling there for over a century. Currently, Harbour Island enjoys a boom in tourism and has been recently voted the best island resort in the Caribbean region. Construction is at an all time high; there is full employment.
Scavenger Hunt & 50/50 Poker
Rally
Saturday, Dec 30
Participate in a day of fun and games "hunting"
from Palmetto Point to Rock Sound
Do you know where to find blue sea glass? How about a Bahamian
"Cat" (not the kind that says meow)? These may be some items on
the scavenger hunt.
Paid entry entitles you to discount bars on the route. Collect items on
the list provided at each bar and redeem for your poker cards. Make the
best poker hand and win 50% of the collected entry pot. The rally ends
with a barbeque funded by the other 50% of the pot. Come alone or bring a
car load. (A car is necessary). Entry fee is $10 per person. Starting
point is Papa George's in Tarpum Bay (this is a change from before) - all
participants must be checked in by 10:30am Saturday 30 December.
Additional destinations and items to be announced during the hunt.
Registration begins at 9:30am at Papa George's. Coffee will be available
and the bar will be open for beverages.
Come meet others on the island, get to know new bars, collect items, and
have fun!!! Other prizes will be given too.
For additional information email me at kristel@eleutheraliving.com.
A Best of the Best volume 6 Rollout Concert will be hosted by Stars Records at Ronnie's on Cupids Cay Friday December 8. Doors open at 9pm and cover is $20. Come hear new music by Geno D, Ancient Man, Elliott Rolle (from our own Governor's Harbour), Wilfred Mullins, Avvy, and the Brilanders.
While I was on Eleuthera several weeks back, I attended the very moving funeral for Shawn "Muncho" Hilton. Shawn, originally from Tarpum Bay, lived in Nassau and was an officer in the Royal Bahamian Defense Force. He was only 34 years old when he suffered a massive coronary. Shawn loved to tell jokes and would make a point of visiting home when there was no holiday, thus there were less visitors, and he could better enjoy the attention from those he loved. As the Bohengy unloaded Friday night November 3rd, officers and friends stopped by Fish Fry to drink, dance and give a moment of silence tribute for Shawn. The HMBS Bahamas and HMBS Yellow Elder docked at Cupid's Cay. The following day the funeral was impressive. It was an overcast and windy day. There was a full military contingent with the Police Band and a "21 gun salute". The turnout was overwhelming.
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I finally got to meet JB and his lovely wife from eleu.net. Thanks for coming up to me and saying "hi" JB! If you look at the pictures, maybe you can spot him too!