Times of the Islands Winter 2015-16

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Museum matters
Gift shop prepares for the season
The TCNM team is gearing up for the busy season with
lots of new gift shop items. Look for our new collection
of Dune Jewelry, made exclusively for the Museum.
Sterling silver necklaces, rings, bangles and earrings,
all with a touch of sand from Governor’s Beach, make
lovely gifts for someone special.
Our motto, “Take some history home with you,”
doesn’t stop there. We have replicas of the salt windmill,
brass navigational ornaments and handmade
ornaments filled with sea glass, along with flags and
handmade magnets. And of course we continue to
stock baskets from North and Middle Caicos, along with
handmade dolls dressed in the TCI native costume.
Our book department is full of enthralling volumes
on slavery, cuisine, diving, and island living. And don’t
forget those good children on your list with plush donkeys
that actually bray, floppy flamingos, pirate books,
kits to make a “ship in a bottle,” and our famous book
Where is Simon, Sandy?
From tasty culinary salts and relaxing bath salts
produced on Salt Cay to new Christmas ornaments, fabulous
books, and loads of children’s items—make sure
you stop at the Guinep House Gift Shop for all of your
Christmas shopping.
TCI Speaker of the House Hon. Robert Hall, explained the intricacies
of government to Children’s Camp participants.
Children’s summer camp
This year we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the
Children’s Club! A huge thank-you to 101.9FM and TCI
Weekly News for getting the word out about the 2015
Children’s Summer Camp, which was well attended.
Educational outings kept our 8–12 year-olds smiling and
inquiring as we started camp on August 24. With four
days to see Grand Turk, the campers set out by foot,
trolley and boat. On the first day they learned about our
Museum and its Botanical and Cultural Garden. The next
day, Governor’s wife Jill Beckingham opened her historic
home at Waterloo for us to visit. Thank you to Island
Trams for transporting the children to and fro.
On the third day, we were invited to the House of
Assembly by Hon. Robert Hall, Speaker of the House, to
learn all about the TCI Government. On the fourth day
we walked along Front Street to meet and talk with the
owners and staff members of various local businesses.
The kids learned a lot from Grand Turk Divers, Blue Water
Divers, Turks Head Inn, Osprey Hotel, LIME and finished
off with cookies from the Coral Café! Weather delayed our
annual Gibbs Cay outing until September 26, but we had
a great time. Thanks to Oasis Divers for supplying the
boat rides!
The Children’s Camp would not have been a success
without the assistance of the Museum staff: Fred, Cecile,
Nikki and Pat, along with DEMA volunteers B Naqqi Manco
and Katharine Hart. The camp is free and is supported by
the proceeds from Donna Seim’s book Where is Simon,
Sandy? This year we have a new manager, Lavena A.
“Angel” Ben and she brought new and exciting ideas!
We are looking forward to our Children’s Club Saturday
Camps starting in October. a
Story & Photos By Museum Director Pat Saxton
78 www.timespub.tc