Flahama News – October 2011

FLAHAMA News brings our readers the many links and connections Florida and the Islands of the Bahamas share. These include people, places, culture myth, legend and lore. Florida and the Bahamas are more than just “destinations.”

Port Salerno, Florida community set to celebrate the 14th annual Bahamas Connection Festival on October 1.

Northern boaters making plans for winter trips to Florida and the Bahamas

With the passing of autumn, boaters and fishermen begin to think about plans to visit the Bahamas for the winter. The chill will soon be in the air in northern climates and boaters by the thousands will be making their annual trek to their Florida winter marinas and moorings. The “winter season” in the Florida marina realm begins November 1. Once in South Florida, it does not take long before they begin to plan quick trips across the stream for a long weekend of fishing, diving and general “Flahama Fun”. All Flahamians in South Florida look forward to this time of the year. Many acquaintances are rekindled for another season, new relationships forged and there is always lots of “dock talk”. With the wounds of Hurricane Irene healed for the most part, marinas and resorts throughout the Bahamas are anxious to get busy welcoming their winter guests. It truly is a great time of the year.

The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board serves up great boater incentive

To encourage boaters to head to the Out Islands, the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board has launched a new promotion. Any boater visiting a participating Out Islands Promotion Board resort/marina will receive an Instant $300.00 Fuel Credit. The booking period is now through June 26, 2012 and the travel period is through June 30, 2012. What’s the catch? All you need to do is combine your marina stay with a 4 night minimum consecutive stay at a participating property. More information.

Arthur Nixon, Jackie Gibson, Ed Griffin, Gary Guertin, and Glenda Johnson at Governor’s Harbour Airport, Eleuthera, last August when Talkin’ Tourism was on island to promote the Clean Marina designation at Cape Eleuthera Resort & Yacht Club. Ed and Gary are looking forward to welcoming back Ms. Gibson and Ms. Johnson and all the other Gregory Town Eleutherans participating in the Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival.

Special thanks in order for CAM-Flahama distributors

Co-publishers Gary and Misti Guertin wish to express thanks and appreciation to our Coastal Angler Magazine island distributors for their post Irene distribution efforts. Due to the storm, the shipping of the September issue was delayed for one week to ensure all were safe and that family and personal matters were top priority. With the all clear signal given, the magazines were shipped and distribution commenced only a week late. Special thanks to Paul ‘Crazy White Man’ Frances, Grand Bahama; Captain Perry Thomas, Abaco; $hanny Newbold-Pinder, Bimini; Jermaine Kemp, North Eleuthera; staff at Cape Eleuthera Resort and Yacht Club, South Eleuthera; and Terrance Wells, Nassau New Providence; Michael Lightbourn/Coldwell Banker Realty, Exuma, Long Island and Great Harbour Cay and Hilton Ferguson, San Salvador.

ABOVE: Treasure Coast residents and visitors are looking forward to the return of the gang from Eleuthera for the annual Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival November 4-6.

Captain Jermaine Kemp, CAM-Flahama contributor visits Stuart, FL thanks to Hurricane Irene

Captain Jermaine Kemp, Coastal Angler Magazine North Eleuthera fishing and diving contributor spent a little time at Guertin’s Landing in Stuart, Florida thanks to Hurricane Irene. Tasked with running a boat from Eleuthera to Jupiter, Florida in advance of the storm, Jermaine and first mate Douglas were left stranded in South Florida due to airport closings in advance of the storm. It was difficult for the two to be away from their home island while the storm raged. To help pass time, the two drove up to Stuart from Miami and shared some time with co-publishers Gary and Misti, who took them to an Italian lunch in Downtown Stuart. Jermaine and Douglas remarked the surrounding Stuart area reminded them of the Bahamas. We also discovered Douglas was related to Avian Morley, the owner of Coco Plums in Rock Sound, and even shared a video and photos of Avian’s visit to Florida last year for the Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival. It was a great reunion with Jermaine and a pleasure to meet Douglas. Thanks Jermaine! We’re happy you got back safely.