Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18

TIMES
OF THE
SAMPLING THE SOUL OF THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS WINTER 2017/18 NO. 121
ISLANDS
TCI STRONG
Recovering from Hurricane Irma
MODERN CRUSOES
Seeking utopia on East Caicos
TO THE RESCQ
Saving Grand Turk’s precious coral

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contents
Departments
6 From the Editor
13 Getting to Know
A Silver Lining
By Jody Rathgeb
Photos Courtesy Paul Wilkerson
74 Faces & Places
Junior Achievement 2017 Innovation Camp
By Claire Parrish ~ Photos By Angela Musgrove
75 About the Islands/TCI Map
81 Where to Stay
83 Dining Out
85 Subscription Form
86 Classified Ads
Features
28 TCI Strong
By Ben Stubenberg
46 An Unexpected Adventure
By John Galleymore
50 Putting a Lid on It . . .
By Peter Kerrigan, Engineering Design Services
56 To Need and Not Have . . .
By Craig Archibold, NW Hamilton Insurance
Green Pages
18 Recovery2
Story & Photos By B Naqqi Manco
21 To the RESCQ
Story & Photos By Don Stark
24 Go Gently
By Dr. Aaron Henderson & Dr. Heidi Hertler
Photos By Dr. Heidi Hertler
TIMES
OF THE
ISLANDS
SAMPLING THE SOUL OF THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS WINTER 2017/18 NO. 121
On the Cover
Sharon Weil Hornstein is the owner/photographer of
Sand Dollar Images. Of this her first contribution to
Times of the Islands she says, “Up early, I looked out
the window at just the right moment and dashed to
Leeward Beach to make this image. For me, rainbows
have always symbolized hope and opportunity and I
believe this photograph captures the power, beauty and
resilience of Turk & Caicos through Hurricanes Irma and
Maria.” For more of Sharon’s Turks & Caicos images,
visit www.sanddollarimages.com and follow her on
Instagram @sanddollarimages and
@turnstonehousetci.
Astrolabe
61 Starting Over
By Dr. Donald H. Keith
62 Modern Crusoes
By Jeffrey Dodge
67 Follow the Chimneys
By Dr. Charlene Kozy
28
This October 2017 drone image shows that the hurricanes did not
diminish the beauty of TCI’s beaches.
PROVO PICTURES
4 www.timespub.tc

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from the editor
MARTA MORTON—WWW.HARBOURCLUBVILLAS.COM
Mirroring the country’s resilient spirit, the Turks & Caicos
flora bloomed back within weeks of Hurricane Irma’s strike.
Give and Take Away
A Christian worship song I’ve listened to for many years, quoting from the Bible’s Book of Job, says, “He gives
and takes away . . . blessed be His name.” Whether or not you believe in an Almighty God, most of us believe in some
form of cosmic reckoning, a universal balance, hence the adages “Every cloud has a silver lining” and “It all evens out
in the end.”
The Turks & Caicos Islands have long been blessed with an exceptionally beautiful, bountiful and sought-after
natural environment in the turquoise sea, sugar-sand beaches, clear skies and warm climate. The people, too, are
uncommonly kind, generous and gifted with an exuberant sense of humor and ability to persevere during hard times.
The rapid changes of the last three decades, both within the Islands and the world at large, threaten to mar pristine
resources and cause open hearts to clench.
Yet an intervention of sorts took place this fall. The massive impact of Hurricane Irma and the threat of Hurricane
Maria has “taken away.” Homes, roofs, businesses, livelihoods, routines, plans and expectations were destroyed. But
also broken down were barriers between races, religions and economic level, as folks came together in recovery.
“Given back” were fresh landscapes, bigger beaches, better strategies for the future, renewed appreciation of TCI’s
attributes and most importantly, a new spirit of pride, cooperation and togetherness. You’ll see it in the pages to
follow. And at the “end of the day,” as they say, I think the scale is tipping in the favor of blessed.
Kathy Borsuk, Editor
timespub@tciway.tc • (649) 946-4788
6 www.timespub.tc

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PG advert_Layout 1 5/10/17 9:10 AM Page 1
TIMES
MANAGING EDITOR
Kathy Borsuk
OF THE
ISLANDS
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Claire Parrish
“Escape to the extraordinary.”
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Craig Archibold, Kathy Borsuk, Jeffrey Dodge,
John Galleymore, Dr. Aaron C. Henderson, Dr. Heidi Hertler,
Dr. Donald H. Keith, Peter Kerrigan, Dr. Charlene Kozy,
B Naqqi Manco, Claire Parrish, Jody Rathgeb,
Ramona Settle, Don Stark, Ben Stubenberg.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jeffrey Dodge, John Galleymore,
Gary James–Provo Pictures, Dr. Heidi Hertler,
Sharon Weil Hornstein, Sara Kaufman,
Dr. Donald H. Keith, Agile LeVin, B Naqqi Manco,
Marta Morton, Angela Musgrove, NASA Image Library,
Ingrid Pohl and Janet Pohl-Schollenberg, Dominick Rolle,
Pat Saxton, Ramona Settle, Maria Simmons, Don Stark,
Georgina Stubbs, Ben Stubenberg, Shaun Sullivan,
Tom Tewksbury, Paul Wilkerson, Jack Williams.
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Wavey Line Publishing
PRINTING
southeastern, Hialeah, FL
Times of the Islands ISSN 1017-6853 is
published quarterly by Times Publications Ltd.
Copyright © 2018 by Times Publications Ltd. All rights reserved
under Universal and Pan American Copyright Conventions.
No part of this publication may be
reproduced without written permission.
Subscriptions $28/year; $32/year for
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Submissions We welcome submission of articles or photography, but
assume no responsibility for care and return of unsolicited material.
Return postage must accompany material if it is to be returned. In no
event shall any writer or photographer subject this magazine to any
claim for holding fees or damage charges on unsolicited material.
While every care has been taken in the compilation and reproduction of
information contained herein to ensure correctness, such information is
subject to change without notice. The publisher accepts no
responsibility for such alterations or for typographical or other errors.
WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS 2015 - CARIBBEAN’S LEADING BOUTIQUE HOTEL
TCHTA STAR AWARDS 2016 - HOTEL OF THE YEAR
TCHTA STAR AWARDS 2016 - RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR - GRACE’S COTTAGE
PROVIDENCIALES TCI • US TOLL FREE 1.888.209.5582 • T 649.946.5096
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12 www.timespub.tc

getting to know
Meteorologist Paul Wilkerson created a Facebook page that provided an important service during Hurricanes
Irma and Maria.
A Silver Lining
Paul Wilkerson’s interest in local weather proved essential this season.
By Jody Rathgeb ~ Photos Courtesy Paul Wilkerson
Lots of people come to the Turks & Caicos and fall in love with its turquoise waters. Paul Wilkerson went
further. The American meteorologist extended his love to the TCI’s clouds, winds, rains, dry spells . . .
and particularly to its people who live in this special climate. For them, he created a Facebook page that
focuses on local weather, not knowing how popular and essential it would become during Hurricanes
Irma and Maria.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 13

Paul Wilkerson and his family first visited the Turks &
Caicos Islands from their home in Arkansas in 2014. “We
realized we really loved the people and the Islands,” he
says. “Feeling like that, I naturally wanted to find a way to
help with weather.”
That season brought a tropical storm that solidified
his purpose. “I had been monitoring a few of the local
Facebook pages and many were discussing how they
were caught off guard and were frustrated with the lack
of information they could receive. I figured I could provide
a connection point for solid, reliable information if
they wanted to use it.”
He knew he was the guy for the job because of his
regular paying job: non-commissioned officer in charge
of the Arkansas National Guard’s 154th Weather Flight
unit, a position he has held since 2007. He has worked in
meteorology for 23 years, completing the requirements
for a Bachelor’s Degree in the field at Mississippi State
University and the United States Air Force weather observing
and forecasting course. He also worked for the U.S.
federal government as a civilian meteorologist from 2001
to 2007.
“While my primary profession is military, the weather
page is something I do in my free time when I am not
at work,” Wilkerson explains. He was already running a
Facebook page devoted to his area of Arkansas when he
decided to perform a similar service for TCI.
Sourcing, sharing
He named the page, naturally, “Turks and Caicos Weather
Info.” At first, followers were people who lived in the
Islands, but the word spread. “Over time the page has
morphed from a community information page to include
travel weather information.” He says he tries to post a
five-day forecast about every three days, although he will
add posts to make corrections or discuss severe weather.
He does the updates around his working hours, using his
lunch break or posting before or after his office hours.
“This is a personal page so I take care of it on my own
time.”
Wilkerson says the information on the page comes
from many sources, including the National Hurricane
Center, the Bahamas Meteorological Agency, the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and satellite
photos of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
The Turks & Caicos are considered a “data sparse region,”
so gathering as much information as possible is important,
as well as having a meteorologist’s instinct. He can
get fairly specific, he notes, able to say, for example,
Even when home in Arkansas, Paul and Brande Wilkerson have the
Turks & Caicos Islands’ weather and people on their minds.
“Hey, it should be raining over on Grace Bay, but Salt Cay,
you guys are seeing mostly sunny skies.” He also pays
attention to feedback on the page. “I always like to get
‘on the ground’ information,” he says. “It helps increase
the accuracy of forecasts, while also getting the people
involved.”
The meteorologist notes that he does not mean to
replace weather information provided by the government
through its Department of Disaster Management and
Emergencies (DDME). “While I do provide relevant information,
I always stress the importance [to Islanders] in
listening to their local government officials as well as official
sources of information,” he says. “The government
has their own operation channels, and they are there to
provide for citizen safety.”
Irma and Maria
Having multiple sources of information proved to be
invaluable during the hurricanes of 2017, and it was
during those stormy times that Wilkerson’s Facebook
page soared in popularity and added to its mission.
“During the run-up to Hurricane Irma, the web page saw
astronomical growth within a matter of three weeks due
to people looking for information,” he says. “Prior to the
hurricane, our monthly reach overall based on the site sta-
14 www.timespub.tc

This Paul Wilkerson shot of a rainstorm approaching Whitby, North Caicos, is more typical of the weather he sees during regular visits to the
Turks & Caicos Islands. Hurricanes of the power of Irma and Maria are quite uncommon!
tistics was nearly 40,000 or so. The month of September
alone, our reach was over 819,000!”
Still working full time, Wilkerson met the challenge
of the storms. He watched as the barometric pressures
in models of the first disturbance over the open Atlantic
Ocean stayed extremely low, indicating that a powerful
storm was forming, and he says his heart sank when he
saw the forecast tracks showed the Islands in the bull’seye.
“At that point, about five days out, it was time to
start moving fast. After I would get off work, I spent the
better part of six to eight hours at home doing nothing
but weather and updates. I was getting up at 3:30 AM
each morning so I could spend about three hours providing
updates prior to heading to work. On the evening
it hit, I believe I stayed up most of the night to provide
information up to the point it was just passing near West
Caicos. I got a few hours’ sleep, then was up checking on
friends and anyone I could.”
He praises the support of his family during that
time. His wife, Brande, was screening messages, getting
information to him, helping to fix errors in posts and continuing
to run a busy household with two daughters and
multiple animals. “It was an absolute team effort between
us,” he comments. “It was very special to me having her
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 15

Island Auto_Layout 1 12/12/17 12:49 PM Page 1
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helping me and the Islands through her dedication, too.”
Meanwhile, at the other end of the Facebook page,
followers were checking their feeds frequently to get
Wilkerson’s updates and sharing them with both Islanders
and relatives and friends in other countries. Many in the
U.S. were thankful to get information that their usual
sources, such as The Weather Channel, were not sharing
until the storm got closer to Florida.
Then, after Irma hit the Islands, Turks and Caicos
Weather Info became more than a weather page. People
were using it to find out about the status of island buildings
and businesses and about the safety of family and
friends. Wilkerson found himself a clearinghouse of
information as well as a meteorologist. “That can be hard
because you have to sort through all of the information
and try to determine what is real and true, and what is
fodder and folks trying to capitalize for the sake of scamming
or giving misinformation,” he recalls. “I tried really
hard to vet everything and ensure that only accurate
information was getting out through our channels.”
Yet he was still doing weather as Hurricane Maria was
approaching. “I monitored Maria as often as I could and
tried to give timely updates. [The two storms] were similar
in that they developed in very good environments and
took very similar tracks. And as we know, unfortunately
Puerto Rico and others of the Leeward Islands suffered
much worse from Maria. TCI was very fortunate that
Hurricane Maria made the turn when she did. TCI could
have had a large number of deaths had Maria made a
direct strike due to the amount of damage and compromised
structures Irma left behind. Thankfully that didn’t
happen.”
* *
Temporary suspension PROVO NORTH 12.30pm & 1.30pm Sept 1st to Oct 31st
*
Resumes Nov 1st
Funding relief efforts
The widening mission of Turks and Caicos Weather Info
now included a relief fund that the Wilkersons began. “We
had all of these new followers, and [we thought] it might
be the right platform to try and help. It’s funny because
at first, I think I had my sights set on $2,000 and Brande,
I think, said $5,000. We would consider that a success. If
you had told us at the beginning that our page would
raise nearly $43,000, I might have laughed. But it shows
you the compassion of people.”
The fund drew more than 270 donors, and the
money was spread across many needs. Donations went
to Pampered Paws, the Provo Rotary Club (to distribute to
schools), TCI Boat Club (to help the elderly), Wellington
Williams (early food distributions) and the TCI Reef Fund.
Large portions of the fund purchased such items as flash-
16 www.timespub.tc

lights, mosquito repellent, sanitizer and feminine care
products, which were sent to South Caicos via ferry, as
that island was deemed most in need. Shipping and delivery
efforts were helped by Tito and Atekah Seymour and
Tom and Kate Tewksbury on Providenciales, and Earleen
Elliott on South Caicos. Again, Wilkerson adds Brande to
the list of helpers, as she was co-administrator of the
funds.
TOM TEWKSBURY
A large portion of the Turks and Caicos Weather Info hurricane relief
fund purchased supplies that were sent to South Caicos via ferry.
Walkin May2017_Layout 1 5/28/17 5:45 PM Page 1
Wilkerson continues to monitor TCI weather and
regularly update the Facebook page, and he and his
family continue to visit the Islands, staying at various
places beyond the usual tourist spots. He says he would
like to visit all of the country’s islands eventually. And
as for weather, he notes that information for the TCI is
improving all the time. He was impressed with the DDME
response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, including shelter
and utility information. “Information from multiple reliable
sources is key to overall success,” he notes.
Drops of moisture in the air are just small things,
separate and almost insignificant. But when a lot of them
come together, they are a cloud. Likewise, people who
come together, particularly in an emergency, are a community,
a family. Given that, the Wilkersons of Arkansas
are most certainly a part of the TCI family. a
Jody Rathgeb is a long-time contributor to Times of the
Islands. She spent the hours before, during and after
Hurricanes Irma and Maria monitoring the Turks and
Caicos Weather Info page on Facebook and sharing it with
others. She made many new Facebook friends!
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green pages
newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
head office: church folly, grand turk, tel 649 946 2801 • fax 649 946 1895
• astwood street, south caicos, tel 649 946 3306 • fax 946 3710
• national environmental centre, lower bight road, providenciales
parks division, tel 649 941 5122 • fax 649 946 4793
fisheries division, tel 649 946 4017 • fax 649 946 4793
email environment@gov.tc or dema.tci@gmail.com • web www.environment.tc
This is a fine example of the Caicos pine, TCI’s National Tree, standing tall prior
to the furious winds of the 2017 hurricanes.
Recovery 2
How did the Caicos Pine Recovery Project fare after the 2017 hurricanes?
Story & Photos By B Naqqi Manco, DECR Terrestrial Ecologist/ Environmental Officer
Invasive scale insect, Mediterranean black aphid, sooty mould fungus, intense drought, flooding, out-ofseason
wildfires . . . our Caicos pine, the National Tree of the Turks & Caicos Islands, has had a difficult
time of the last 20 years. As two Category 5 hurricanes approached TCI in September 2017, we had to
secure the nursery, office base and seed orchard as much as possible.
18 www.timespub.tc

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
Trays of newly planted seeds were filed gently away
under tables in the Government Farm packing house,
and saplings were bundled together and surrounded
with makeshift cord fences in the nursery. As for the
field sites, we just had to hope for the best. The passage
of Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated infrastructure
throughout the Islands, and the weeks following saw the
Caicos Pine Recovery Project team reassigned to relief
work. So the pines would have to wait.
The first visit to the nursery after Irma was grim. The
entire structure, which stood since 2009, was collapsed.
Beams were broken, shade cloth was torn. Fortunately,
most of the saplings were only barely damaged, though
we lost a few. While the seed trays remained put, the wind
and blowing rain introduced deadly damping-off fungus,
which meant out of over 10,000 seedlings planted, only
a handful survived their crucial first weeks. Numerous
trees in the seed orchard were blown over, and following
Hurricane Maria (which blew in from the opposite directions
as Irma) many of them were toppled the other way,
sustaining root damage. Weakened, they were attacked
aggressively by pine tortoise scale.
The field sites faired somewhat better, though access
trails and firebreaks were largely filled with blown vegetation.
Our Middle Caicos research canopy was destroyed,
but the Caicos Pine Yard Trail signs and markers were
unscathed. Surprisingly, only a few large pines were
blown over, but numerous newly planted saplings in the
Diamond Jubilee Pine Yard were toppled and had to be
propped up; several were lost from intense root damage.
Thankfully, we had been able to make early cone collections
from both Pine Cay and Middle Caicos several
weeks before the storms, and so the fact that cones and
seeds were mostly blown away was not much of a threat
to the project. After things began returning to normal,
the cones were cleaned and we now have several thousand
seeds to plant again. The downed trees in the seed
orchard were propped back up (though we did lose a
few), and the nursery trees were pruned and cleaned up.
Following the storms, we decided to expand Caicos
Pine Awareness Week, originally the first week of
December, to include the entire month of December. With
media spots, tree plantings and a Christmas tree lighting
ceremony, Caicos pines featured prominently through the
The Caicos Pine Recovery Project Nursery at the Government Farm was completely destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Materials for its rebuild
(lumber, nails, shade cloth and ground cloth) are sorely needed.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 19

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
From top: An important study tree in the strongest remaining Caicos
pine population in Middle Caicos was blown over, but it may survive
if its roots were not too badly damaged.
A Caicos pine sapling at the DECR Native Plant Garden in Kew, North
Caicos was planted by primary school students.
month. On December 6, 2017, the first Caicos pine to
be planted at the TCI Government property was set into
the ground at the National Environmental Centre on the
Lower Bight Road by students from Ianthe Pratt Primary
School. The following day, students from Charles Hubert
James Primary School helped plant an additional Caicos
pine sapling in the DECR Native Plant Garden in Kew,
North Caicos. For the first time, one of the Caicos pines
planted in this garden three years ago was featured as the
community Christmas tree for the lighting ceremony on
December 22.
There’s still a lot of work to do towards bringing the
Caicos Pine Recovery Project back to its full capacity. Our
priority is rebuilding the nursery, though new materials
(lumber, nails, shade cloth and ground cloth) are sorely
needed. Intense rain following the hurricanes has flooded
many of the field sites, so work there is delayed—but they
all require extensive trail and firebreak clearing, barrier
repair and ground work.
You can help with the recovery efforts toward protection
of the Caicos pine for future generations by
donations into the DECR/Caicos Pine Recovery Project
account at Sunshine Nursery in Providenciales! a
20 www.timespub.tc

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
Until the 1980s when a coral disease attacked, Elkhorn corals were one of the most common reef-building corals in the Caribbean.
To the RESCQ
Saving Grand Turk’s precious coral after the hurricanes.
Story & Photos By Don Stark, Chairman, Turks & Caicos Reef Fund
In September 2017, back-to-back hurricanes severely damaged the island of Grand Turk (as well as
other islands in the Turks & Caicos). But not all the damage was readily visible. At the southern tip of
Grand Turk, in about four to six feet of water, there exists a lovely stand of critically endangered Elkhorn
coral (Acropora palmata). Elkhorn corals are large, fairly fast growing, branching corals that, up until
the 1980s, were one of the most common reef-building corals that protected beaches throughout the
Caribbean. Unfortunately, a coral disease attacked Elkhorn corals throughout the region and virtually
wiped them out. So protecting the remaining healthy Elkhorn reefs is important.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 21

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
22 www.timespub.tc
Sadly, many large branches were broken off the
Elkhorn corals on the southern tip of Grand Turk by the
waves generated by the hurricanes. Some may have naturally
survived, as this is one of the methods by which
Elkhorn coral propagate, but many were laying in sand
and would likely have died.
The Turks & Caicos Reef Fund (TCRF), the only
active environmental non-governmental organization
in the Turks & Caicos Islands, was contacted by DECR
Environmental Officer Katharine Hart to see if there
was anything that could be done to save these critically
endangered corals. Fortunately, the TCRF was already
working on propagating Elkhorn corals in a nursery set
up a year earlier off the northwest coast of Providenciales
and agreed to assist with the rescue effort.
The TCRF’s coral nursery work is funded through
a European Union programme called BEST (Voluntary
Scheme for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in
Territories of European Overseas). The grant was awarded
to Wageningen Marine Research based in the Netherlands
and the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is one of four organizations
selected to work with the Dutch researchers on
this research project. It is called RESCQ (Restoration of
Ecosystem Services and Coral Reef Quality). The goal is
to test a new type of nursery set-up—attaching corals to
bamboo poles suspended by ropes on each end—what
are called coral ladders. The design keeps the corals suspended
in the water column where they can have easy
access to all the nutrients and sunlight they need to grow.
Following the storms, Katharine Hart gathered up
many of the broken pieces of Elkhorn coral and placed
them in improvised trays placed on cinder blocks to keep
them off the sand until TCRF staff and volunteers could
install the coral ladders. A total of four ladders have been
installed off shore from Governor’s Beach on Grand Turk,
not far from the Biorock structure that was set up a number
of years ago in an earlier effort to grow corals.
The salvaged pieces of coral were frequently too large
for the ladders, so were broken into smaller pieces with a
hammer and chisel. Each fragment is measured and photographed
with its identification tag before it is hung on a
ladder, using monofilament line to secure them. The line
is quickly grown over so that within a few weeks, where
At left, from top: This is a large piece of broken Elkhorn coral before
fragmenting. Here are multiple pieces of Elkhorn coral after fragmenting,
ready to be used in the nursery. This fully populated coral ladder
keeps the corals suspended so they have easy access to nutrients
and sunlight.

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
the monofilament touches live coral it is covered with live
coral. So many fragments of coral were salvaged that the
four ladders were quickly filled with 261 coral fragments.
It is expected that these corals will begin growing
again and will do so fairly quickly. The Elkhorn corals
in the Providenciales nursery nearly doubled in size in
six to nine months, after which they are refragmented
(broken into smaller pieces) and returned to the nursery.
Eventually, all the nursery corals will be returned to
the reefs from which they were collected in an effort to
re-establish healthy growths of these important corals
throughout the TCI. After just a month in the Grand Turk
nursery, there is already evidence of new growth on many
of the corals and wounds caused by the storms and the
fragmenting of larger pieces are beginning to heal.
The biggest challenge in keeping the corals healthy
and growing is controlling algal growth on the ladders
and on wound sites on the corals themselves. At least
biweekly trips to the nursery are required by scuba diver
volunteers, DECR staff and TCRF staff using toothbrushes
to remove algae from the coral fragments.
Eventually, the corals will be transplanted back to the
reef site. Two techniques will be used to secure the fragments.
The first is direct attachment to hard substrate
(rock) using cement or epoxy. This technique will be used
for larger fragments. The other technique is to use monofilament
line to attach smaller coral fragments to a rebar
structure secured to the sea floor. Eventually, the rebar
will be invisible as it will be completely grown over by the
corals.
In the end, it took a team effort by the DECR, TCRF,
Bohio Resort dive staff and Blue Water Divers dive staff to
save so many critically endangered corals that would have
been otherwise lost. In a few years, this post-hurricane
effort will yield healthy new stands of Elkhorn coral off
the coast of Grand Turk. a
From top: This fragment of Elkhorn coral is already showing new
growth fingers. Attaching coral fragments to a rebar structure is one
way to transplant the corals back to the reef site.
About TCRF
Founded in 2010, the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund is the
only active environmental advocacy organization in the
TCI. It is an all volunteer-run organization that provides
funding for education, research and conservation programs
to individuals, organizations and agencies that
help to preserve and protect the environment of the
Turks & Caicos Islands. Our goal is to have at least 85%
of all funds raised through voluntary contributions from
divers and snorkelers visiting the Turks & Caicos Islands
directed to the Fund’s programs.
Anyone wishing to donate or assist the TCRF in any
way can contact them at www.TCReef.org. Scuba divers
visiting the Islands are encouraged to make a $10
donation through the purchase of a dive tag that can
be attached to their dive gear to show their support.
Snorkelers can show their support through the $5 purchase
of a pink or blue silicone wristband. A complete
list of outlets for TCRF merchandise can be found on the
organization’s website.
NOTE: This document has been produced with the financial
assistance of the European Union. The contents of
this document are the sole responsibility of Wangeningen
Marine Research and the Turks & Caicos Reef Fund and
can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the
position of the European Union.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 23

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
The Arch is a 10 metre dive site off South Caicos. Schools of fish were observed in this area, post-Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Go Gently
The delicate nature of coral reefs.
By Dr. Aaron C. Henderson & Dr. Heidi Hertler, The School for Field Studies,
Center for Marine Resource Studies, South Caicos ~ Photos By Dr. Heidi Hertler
Coral reefs are perhaps the most visually stunning ecosystems in the marine environment. Often
described as the “rainforests of the sea,” they abound with colourful life, ranging from the corals themselves
to the multitude of fish species that dart around the reef. Unfortunately, they are also one of the
most threatened ecosystems on the planet, and prominent coral scientists have predicted that these
wonderful oases of biodiversity and productivity might become a rarity within the next 10 to 20 years.
24 www.timespub.tc

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
The threats that coral reefs face are numerous.
Diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi have
become increasingly common in recent decades. Coral
bleaching events have also become more prevalent; the
last year has seen Australia’s Great Barrier Reef experience
a 29% decline in live coral due to bleaching, with
some areas of the reef losing as much as 70% of their live
coral. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices also
impact the health of coral reefs by disrupting their natural
ecological process and by causing physical damage to
the reef structure.
Coastal development is another major cause for
concern. Coral reefs are intricately linked to mangrove
forests through ecological connectivity (for example,
many reef fish live among the mangrove roots early in
their life, where they are provided with abundant food
and protection from larger predators, before moving
out to the reef to complete the adult phase of their life).
Furthermore, the mangroves bind sediments that might
otherwise be carried onto the reef by water currents,
covering the corals and eventually smothering them.
Unfortunately, mangroves tend to be the first casualties
of coastal development, removed to provide space for
marinas, promenades or beaches. The increased development
brings more people to these coastal areas,
resulting in more pollution, more water-based activity,
and a greater demand for seafood—all of which add to
the environmental stress.
Then we have the big one: climate change. While the
most publicised effect of climate change is the increase
in air and sea temperature, otherwise known as global
warming, this is only half of the problem when it comes
to the marine environment (albeit a huge problem, and
one associated with the aforementioned diseases and
coral bleaching events). Sometimes referred to as “global
warming’s evil twin,” ocean acidification is quite possibly
the biggest threat to not only coral reefs, but to
the oceans as a whole. At the onset of the Industrial
Revolution, the concentration of atmospheric carbon
dioxide was approximately 270 parts per million (ppm),
the same level that it had been for the preceding 10,000
years. Since then, the concentration of atmospheric carbon
dioxide has increased to over 400 ppm due mainly
to the burning of fossil fuels—an increase of 33% in less
than 300 years.
A large proportion of atmospheric carbon dioxide
From top: SFS CMRS staff perform the first visual survey of the area
around The Plane on South Caicos since Hurricanes Irma and Maria
struck. Shallow reefs absorb much of the energy associated with
storms. The reefs off the south end of Long Key are still thriving.
is absorbed by the oceans, so increased atmospheric
carbon dioxide naturally leads to increased carbon dioxide
in the water, and this is where the problem of ocean
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 25

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
acidification begins. Carbon dioxide molecules and water
molecules react to form carbonic acid, but carbonic acid
is a relatively unstable molecule and quite readily breaks
apart into two components, namely hydrogen ions and
bicarbonate. It is the increase in hydrogen ions that is
reducing the pH of the ocean, causing it to become more
acidic. The bad news for animals that produce hard structures
such as shells, and our corals that produce their
characteristic limestone skeleton, is that the decreasing
pH of the oceans causes these structures to dissolve.
Studies on small marine molluscs known as sea butterflies
have shown that their shells completely dissolve in a
matter of days at pH levels that our oceans are predicted
to reach by the middle of this century.
But again, this is only one part of the problem.
Carbonate is a substance that occurs naturally in ocean
water, and many organisms combine it with calcium to
produce their shells. Corals also use it to produce their
stony skeleton—the very framework of the reef. But, carbonate
and hydrogen ions are naturally attracted to each
other and they bind together to form another bicarbonate.
Although this process helps to reduce the rate of acidification
by trapping the hydrogen ions in the bicarbonate
molecule, it has the unwanted effect of also trapping
the carbonate, meaning that there is less free carbonate
available for animals that use it to form their shells or
skeletons. So our corals are facing a two-pronged ocean
acidification attack: on one side the decreasing pH of the
ocean makes their skeletons more prone to dissolution,
and on the other side there is less carbonate available to
them to form their skeletons in the first place!
In the grand scheme of things, human impacts are a
relatively recent problem for coral reefs. Bearing in mind
that the coral reefs we see today have been growing for
thousands, and in some cases millions of years, they have
obviously had to contend with entirely natural sources of
disruption during their formation. Wave action, storms
and hurricanes are just some of the natural phenomena
that shape the reefs and control their development. Even
reefs that are geographically close to each other can be
dominated by entirely different coral species, depending
on the physical conditions locally. Reefs that are found in
areas with constant wave action tend to be dominated by
robust boulder-like coral species, while the more delicate
branching species are limited to less energetic environments.
However, even the most sheltered coral reefs
From top: The hurricanes didn’t seem to have affected the thriving
schools of fish on South Caicos reefs, although some fragmentation
of corals was observed.
are prone to occasional high-energy wave action during
storms and hurricanes, and the frequency of these events
will have a strong controlling effect on the types of living
coral present at any one time.
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green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
Above: On the South Caicos reefs, coral are healthy and the system is
thriving at 10 metres.
And so, with all of the potential challenges that they
face, how have the coral reefs of the Turks & Caicos
Islands fared? The good news is that they are actually
among the healthiest of all the reefs in the tropical western
Atlantic. That is not to say that they are in absolutely
pristine condition—ocean acidification is a global problem,
and coastal development continues to be a matter
for concern, but our reefs have been relatively free of the
disease outbreaks and mass bleaching events that have
afflicted coral reefs elsewhere.
At the SFS Center for Marine Resource Studies on
South Caicos, we undertake research on many aspects
of the local marine environment, ranging from the biology
and ecology of key species and ecosystems, to
the impacts of exploitation and resource management
approaches. Naturally, this means that we spend a great
deal of time in the water actively studying and passively
observing the wonderful underwater world of the Turks
& Caicos Islands.
Our staff have been involved in marine research all
over the world, but there is a definite consensus among
us that there is nowhere quite like this place. So, after the
Islands were pummelled by Hurricanes Irma and Maria
this year, we feared that many of the reefs might have
experienced catastrophic damage. With the help of the
East Bay Resort and Split Finger Ltd. on South Caicos we
set out to assess the impacts. Thankfully, most of the
sites that we visited were still in very good condition.
Some extensive damage was observed on shallow reefs
down to depths of around four metres, but below this it
was more or less business as usual. Some coral colonies
had been broken or cracked by the wave action, but they
were still alive, and the fish populations were as vibrant
as ever. Given the magnitude of Hurricane Irma in particular,
and considering the destruction it caused on land,
the reefs of the Turks & Caicos appear to have had a very
lucky escape.
Looking to the future, it is to be hoped that the coral
reefs of the Turks & Caicos Islands will continue to thrive.
It will take some time for damaged areas to fully recover,
but as long as we can minimise negative human impacts,
recover they will. Climate change, including ocean acidification,
is a global problem that can only be tackled on a
global scale, but there is still a lot that we can do locally
to help promote the health and vitality of our precious
coral reefs. a
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 27

NASA IMAGE LIBRARY

feature
DOMINICK ROLLE GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES
Opposite page: The eye of Hurricane Irma is clearly visible from the
International Space Station as it orbited over the Category 5 storm on
September 5, 2017.
Above: In spite of incredible devastation, TCI’s resilient spirit showed
up in smiles, compassion and care—hope in the face of tragedy.
BEN STUBENGERG
GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES
TCI Strong
Facing the fury of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
By Ben Stubenberg
For eyes reading these words today or 100 years from now, know this: When Hurricanes Irma and Maria
tore across the Turks & Caicos Islands in September 2017, the people of these beautiful islands united as
one. Well-off or struggling, they helped each other selflessly and without claim for credit. This was their
moment, and they stood tall and strong. This is their story.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 29

Tuesday evening, September 5, 2017. Forty-eight
hours away, and smart phones flicker with time-lapse
images of a giant rotating mass of white careening
towards TCI for a dead centre hit. Short, anxious text
messages quicken with each screen update. “Surely, it will
veer to the north and out to open sea,” goes the hopeful
chatter among residents. “It always does. We’ll catch
some of the storm, but it won’t be bad.” But the monster
Category 5 hurricane stays on track and doesn’t turn
north. Reality approaches and the gut tightens.
Cars crowd back into building supply stores where
folks snap up the last remaining sheets of plywood. They
top off the gas tank one more time before stopping by
the supermarket to buy a few extra cases of water that
are suddenly rationed to one per customer. Tarps, petrol
containers and flashlight D batteries are long gone.
Wednesday evening and twenty-four hours to go.
Updates show the path has swerved a shade south. That
means South Caicos, Salt Cay and Grand Turk will bear
the brunt while blasting the south shore Providenciales
communities of Long Bay, Discovery Bay, Five Cays and
Chalk Sound. The sky turns to velvety cream as the wait
begins. But it’s still calm, the way it’s supposed to be
before the storm. No one wants to shutter in just yet.
So in the pleasant weather, people gather at the bars
still open or on a neighbour’s porch, like they would
for a relaxing evening after work. An easy camaraderie
fills familiar haunts as glasses are raised and big smiles
greet friends and strangers alike, all sharing a foreboding
sense of anticipation.
As much preparation as everyone has made, no one
can really be sure if the roof will hold. Or if the rain or
a storm surge will bring a flood of mud into the living
room. Or if life’s possessions will just blow away. The
angst deepens as pictures pop up of Hurricane Irma’s
trail of destruction in the Lesser Antilles and the Godzilla
of storms, the strongest ever in the North Atlantic, shows
no sign of weakening for us. But nobody gives in to fear.
“See you on the other side!” friends call out with some
dark humour, as they head back to what they hope will
still be home tomorrow.
Thursday morning, twelve hours out. A big gust
swooshes against the house and brings a sharp, audible
creak to the roof, as the windows clatter. The brain
pumps out the first shot of dopamine that focuses the
mind when preparing for the worst. It’s really coming.
The heart skips two beats. More hours pass, and the gusts
slam harder and more often. Walls start shuddering while
loosened gutters clang relentlessly against the eaves.
At 10 PM, Irma unleashes the full measure of her fury,
engulfing our little islands that barely protrude above a
turquoise sea, now whipped into a madding frenzy.
The Internet drops off, phones go dead, lights flitter
out. Flashlights are turned on and candles lit. Outside,
sustained winds reach a hyper-dangerous record-breaking
175 mph (280 kmh) with gusts reaching over 200
mph (320 kmh), hurling sticks, branches and tile like bullets
through the air. Trees bend, then snap, then uproot,
tossed about as easily as chopsticks. The first roofs start
peeling back as Hurricane Irma bears down on every
This satellite image shows Hurricane Irma on
September 7, 2017, with the Turks & Caicos Islands
dead in its sights.
30 www.timespub.tc

home with all her power, howling and scratching like an
angry animal trying to get in.
BEN STUBENGERG
GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES MARTA MORTON—WWW.HARBOURCLUBVILLAS.COM
Hurricane beginnings
The journey starts in early August half a world away with
ripples in the sky high above the highlands of Ethiopia,
Sudan and the Nile Valley. Hot air rises from the sandy,
rocky surface and drifts lazily west over the Sahara Desert
before clashing with the cooler air from humid jungles
of Central and West Africa. The unstable mass spills out
over the Atlantic Ocean toward the Cape Verde Islands,
the spawning zone for the most tempestuous of weather.
As the wind flows over the warm ocean, the surface of
the water evaporates and triggers another cycle of rising
air. The air is cooled at the higher elevation, forming large
cumulus clouds of water droplets that fall back to the surface,
generating a circulation of energy. As happens when
the sea is particularly warm, July through November, more
water evaporates and creates ever-bigger clouds that can
intensify into tropical depressions and then storms. At
this point they are given a name from an alphabetical list,
alternating male and female, drawn up by the National
Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. The ninth Atlantic
storm of the 2017 season gets the name Irma.
Most of the time, these storms dissipate well before
they reach the other side of the ocean, but a few, like Irma,
strengthen into hurricanes (more than 74 mph/118 kmh
sustained winds). Since the storms develop in the middle
of the ocean far from measuring devices, scientists lack
precise data to determine when or exactly why any given
storm will explode into a full blown hurricane or simply
fizzle out. But satellites provide clear visuals showing the
beginnings of a counterclockwise spiral around an eye of
calmness, influenced by the Coriolis effect of the earth’s
rotation, as the hurricane churns across the vast Atlantic.
Irma’s threat is not readily apparent at first, as
it bumps up to a Category 3 and then back down to a
Category 2 while still in mid-ocean—bad, but manageable.
But in late August, as she lurches towards the
Caribbean, Irma suddenly strengthens into a massive
Category 5 with sustained winds of more than 155 mph
(248 kmh). The gyrating arms grow rapidly too and
extend out 400 miles. She shows no mercy for the first
tiny islands in her path, bringing death and devastation
to Dominica, Barbuda, St. Martin and the Virgin Islands
before bumping up to skirt the north coast of Puerto Rico
and Hispaniola. Next in her sights? The 40 islands and
cays in the southern Lucayan archipelago that we call
home—the Turks & Caicos Islands.
From top: The sheer force of Hurricane Irma’s Category 5 winds is
displayed across Providenciales. On Leeward Highway, a toppled cell
tower destroyed the roof of a tire repair and sales shop.
The force of the wind spun this sunken boat completely around,
smashing it into the dock at Harbour Club Marina.
This aerial view of Chalk Sound shows a villa with its top floor “gone
with the wind.” Residents suspect a series of tornados were spawned
by the storm.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 31

TWATIMES_Layout 1 2/16/17 7:49 AM Page 1
Serving international & domestic clients in real estate, property development,
mortgages, corporate & commercial matters, immigration, & more.
TEL 649.946.4261 TMW@TMWLAW.TC WWW.TWAMARCELINWOLF.COM
Hugh final_Layout 1 5/29/17 1:15 PM Page 1
P
E
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HUGH G. O’NEILL
&
ATTORNEYSN
AT
L AW
P.O. Box 267
Hibernian House
1136 Leeward Highway
Providenciales
Turks and Caicos Islands
B.W.I.
Tel 649-946-4514
Fax 649-946-4955
Email hugh.oneill@hgoneillco.tc
C
CO. O
N
F
I
D
E
N
T
I
A
L
Hurricanes in history
Well before the first Europeans set foot on these islands,
the native Taino and Lucayan Indians had learned to
expect and adjust to the seasonal arrival of a “Jurakan”
that evolved into our word for hurricane today. These
fearsome winds, they believed, derived from their deity
Guabanex as part of a cosmic battle between good and
evil. The Indians recognised the signs of an approaching
storm days before, that allowed them to prepare. Frigate
birds flew inland away from the coast, while crickets,
cicadas, toads and frogs disappeared, as if they all had
a foreboding sense of impending disaster. The Indians
could even tell months before if the hurricane season was
going to be particularly bad by a bountiful crop of avocados.
When the first Spanish colonists arrived in the late
1400s and early 1500s, they too would experience the
devastating effects of hurricane-force winds and rains,
more powerful than anything they had seen in Europe. At
first, according to Stuart B. Schwartz in his book Sea of
Storms, the Spanish dismissed warnings by the Indians,
whom they considered to be “unsophisticated” and “savage,”
even when the natives proved to be right. Indeed,
the Spanish considered such forecasting of the future sacrilegious
fortune telling. The onslaught of these ferocious
storms, they believed, lay entirely in the realm of divine
providence, and the havoc wreaked was punishment for
man’s sins and moral failure. Only prayer, procession and
repentance could mitigate these pure acts of God.
A notable exception to this fatalistic notion in the earliest
days of Caribbean colonisation was, paradoxically,
the intensely pious Christopher Columbus. On his fourth
and final voyage to the West Indies in 1502, he warned
the governor of Santo Domingo of an impending storm
after noting southeasterly swell of the water, high cirrus
clouds and a hazy atmosphere. A large fleet of 30 ships
laden with gold extracted from the Taino Indians was
about to leave the port for Spain, and Columbus urged
the governor to keep the ships in the protected harbour
until the storm passed. Already disdainful of Columbus,
who had lost his star power after three previous Atlantic
crossings that began with his Grand Turk landfall in 1492
(Times of the Islands Fall 2017), the governor scoffed at
the notion that storms could be predicted. Ship pilots and
sailors readying the fleet in Santo Domingo expressed
the same sentiment and sailed anyway, while Columbus
found shelter in a bay.
A powerful hurricane did hit two days later that took
twenty of the fleet’s ships straight to the bottom and dis-
32 www.timespub.tc

AGILE LEVINE
GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES
abled nine more. Only one ship made it to Spain, and it
happened to be the one with the gold specifically allotted
to Columbus for his earlier services as “Admiral of the
Seas.” The happenstance of only the ship with Columbus’s
gold making it back to Spain, coupled with foretelling and
prognostication, was not lost on his rivals who accused
him of being in league with the devil.
It would take decades, but the Spanish and other
European colonists in the West Indies gradually recognised
the cyclical pattern of hurricanes and began to
value the observational and predictive skills of the fast
disappearing natives. That in turn led to greater acceptance
of natural forces at work and that humans had
some control over protecting themselves. As the Age
of Enlightenment took hold in the 18th century, a better
understanding of these natural forces emerged that
removed human action as the cause for these disasters.
But rather than one perspective replacing the other, the
two co-existed, as Schwartz points out, woven together
in a belief that divine intercession could be called upon
to lessen impending calamity, even if driven by natural
forces. Indeed, through the centuries right up to today,
people all over the West Indies pray to be spared from
hurricanes and give thanks when an island escapes a
storm or is spared from destruction.
In a supreme twist of historical irony, blame for hurricanes
has come full circle back to humankind being
responsible for its own destructiveness by way of global
warming. Instead of the hand of providence meting out
punishment, however, the prevailing scientific view holds
that humans are reaping what they have sowed through
reckless stewardship of the planet.
GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES
Springing into action
After a ferocious and precarious night (when the worst of
hurricanes always seem to strike!), morning breaks with
a swirling, chalk-grey sky. The winds begin to subside, as
Irma passes by. People peer out from cracks in plywood
sheets or push away sandbags to open the door through
sloshing water and get the first glimpse of nature’s
wrath. Once majestically high coconut trees lie twisted
and broken. Planks of wood and roof shingles cover the
hard-packed sand and limestone rocks, resembling huge
discarded checkerboards. Downed street lights and telephone
poles sprawl across the highway with coiled lines
and cables draped over the asphalt like black spaghetti.
But it’s the brush stripped of all leaves along the roads
that unexpectedly grabs our attention. For the first time
in memory, residents driving along Leeward Highway can
From top: Although the palms were drooping on Grace Bay Beach just
after Hurricane Irma, it was soon back to pristine.
The Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, although hard-hit,
served as a shelter for over two weeks.
Piles of debris littered the landscape around the fountain in front of
Baci Restaurant in Turtle Cove.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 33

The day after
The morning of September 8, 2017, the day after
Category 5 Hurricane Irma struck the Turks & Caicos
Islands, is among the bleakest days in the country’s
history. Each island experienced extensive damage.
There was no electricity, no phone or Internet service
and no running water. Toppled utility poles and trees,
flooding and debris made most roads impassible. All
the airports were closed, government and many private
boats were on dry dock and much of the population
had damage to their property, business and/or vehicle.
Where to begin?
I recently spoke to TCI Commissioner of Police
James Smith, who played a pivotal and visible role in
getting the country back on its feet in the days following
the storm. Commissioner Smith has always believed
that leadership involves personal responsibility and
being on the “front line.” Prior to the hurricanes, this
“man on the ground” was a common sight driving his
patrol car through the local communities, talking to
the people. This became the first step in bringing the
situation under control. “We had to get out into the settlements
to see the extent of the devastation, making
sure there was no loss of life or medical problems. We
used patrol cars, Department of Disaster Management
The force of Hurricane Irma’s winds is apparent in the case
of this overturned truck outside of Grant’s Gas Station in
downtown Providenciales.
& Emergencies (DDME) vehicles, basically anything that
moved to see how everyone had fared.”
The next step was to find a way to communicate to
residents and concerned people off-island that, miraculously,
no one had died and there were no serious
casualties. This was important to squelch the traditional
“coconut telegraph,” which loses accuracy and context
as information is passed along person to person.
A second major concern was getting to hardest-hit
Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay, both to see
how they fared and to provide help. Because there was
no communication and no way to reach these islands
right after the storm, their isolation could have bred the
thought that “Nobody cares,” which was far from the
truth.
As government, DDME and aid officials came
together, Commissioner Smith turned to ties made
during his previous posting in the Cayman Islands. That
country’s chief engineer and chief pilot were former
comrades, and immediately started the two-day trip to
Providenciales (via Cuba) in the Cayman Islands police
helicopter. As soon as it arrived, they flew to Grand
Turk with supplies and a technologist to get communication
reinstated. The commissioner recalls, “We met
the deputy governor, who was manning the emergency
centre, along with the attorney general and other officials.
They were overjoyed to see us! Every building on
Grand Turk was damaged, and much of the government
infrastructure demolished.” With police boats stuck on
land, the first dispatches of food and water to Grand
Turk were via private boats. The police helicopter was
also the first to check on and assist the few families
who elected to stay on Salt Cay.
A functioning National Emergency Centre was
created in Providenciales at the Digicel office next to
Graceway IGA. Here there were generator-powered electricity,
communications and space for daily briefings.
As soon as some semblance of communication services
was restored, Commissioner Smith realized the importance
of providing the public with factual updates and
reassurance. Using his smart phone (“a very powerful
instrument”), he filmed a series of three videologues
that were disseminated via Facebook, the police website,
and other social media outlets. Their message?
Everyone is safe. There is no shortage of food, water or
petrol, so don’t panic. Here is where you can get food
and supplies. Everything is going to be OK.
The second of Smith’s messages was filmed from
one of the shelters, with the burly commissioner holding
10 month old Teshaun in his arms. It netted at least
30,000 hits.
As the Islands slowly recover, Commissioner Smith
reports that the crime rate remains remarkably low.
34 www.timespub.tc

“Although we had some minor looting just after the
storm, it was nowhere near the criminality other countries
experienced. And in spite of many compromised
buildings and limited street lights, we’re not seeing a
lot of crime post-Irma.”
Looking towards the future, Commissioner Smith
agrees with other government officials that a major
improvement must be made in preparation of hurricane
shelters and communications. He says, “The shelters
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The collapse of part of the roof at the venerable Faith Tabernacle
Church in downtown Providenciales has become an iconic symbol
of the storms.
need to be fit for purpose and designed for potential
long-term use. We need to invest in these now.” He also
suggests there be a better way to disseminate information
and organize aid distribution and coordination,
with a clear system of command and control.
Yet, miming others’ impressions, Commissioner
Smith remains in awe of the huge coming-together of
the private sector, churches, charities and the general
public to help each other. He agrees that it was a major
reason for TCI’s ability to welcome visitors back within
two months of the storm. This is part of the TCIStrong
phenomenon. “The hurricane survivors have banded
together with pride. We’ve survived!” a
By Kathy Borsuk
Photos By Jack Williams
Food for Thought is a new charity set up to provide
daily breakfast to government school students –
starting with the primary schools in North Caicos,
Middle Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay.
We estimate that just $200 will allow us to provide
breakfast to one child for a whole school year.
If you would like to donate or learn more please
email foodforthoughttci@gmail.com
or visit our website foodforthoughttci.com
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 35

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clearly and cleanly see the little neighbourhoods of clapboard
houses nestled along its sides. Everyone knew they
were there, somewhere, but what thick vegetation once
made invisible had come into plain view. And that stark
ocular proximity brings the ongoing plight of their occupants
into sharp, unavoidable focus.
For those who got through relatively unscathed, there
is no time to dwell on minor losses when more urgent
needs beckon. The time for action has come. Government
officials, businesses, charity groups and individuals all
get moving.
Well in advance of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the
Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies
(DDME) had begun preparations by converting into
shelters 12 schools and churches throughout TCI, as
well as the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Centre on
Providenciales. DDME assigned trained shelter managers
to each location and provided supplies of food and water.
Through electronic messaging and social media, as well
as more traditional means, the DDME managed to reach
all 40,000 people living in TCI. DDME Director Dr. Virginia
Clerveaux explained, “While we reached a lot of people
electronically, we also employed loudspeakers from vehicles,
postings, handouts and just showing up at popular
island meeting spots to provide warning updates and
preparation tips.” Most people remained in their homes,
but some 1,500 people moved to one of the government
designated shelters. Nobody got left behind.
Also way out ahead of the storm were the resorts,
the “rocks” of the country’s all-important tourism industry.
Knowing that many of their staff might be exposed
to hurricane danger, properties such as Windsong, The
Alexandra, Grace Bay Club, West Bay Club, Seven Stars,
The Shore Club, The Palms, Gansevoort and Villa del Mar,
among many others, made their hotel rooms and condominiums
available to employees and their families. Most
of the managers even hunkered down with both staff and
the guests who chose to stay through the storm. (Most
resorts evacuated guests well ahead of time.) After the
hurricane when it became apparent that some of the
staff homes had been severely damaged, resorts did not
waiver in keeping employees sheltered at the resort or
other places until their abodes were repaired. Grace Bay
Club, for example, secured commercial space for displaced
employees to live, while The Shore Club rented out
the dining hall at St. Monica Anglican Church (and made
The Shore Club Ballroom available for Sunday services).
Just about everyone in the food business got involved
immediately. Supermarkets such as Graceway IGA (which
36 www.timespub.tc

Brew ad May 2017_Layout 1 5/11/17 10:51 AM Page 1
had kept its generators running throughout the storm),
restaurants including Retreat, Bay Bistro, Big Al’s Island
Grille, Le Bouchon and Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe, and private
chefs like Josh Carlton prepared thousands of hot
meals to give away on the spot or bring to anyone in
need. Grace Bay Car Rentals provided vehicles and drivers
from its staff to deliver many of these meals to the
hard-hit settlements, often using 4X4 SUVs to reach the
more difficult areas. “Food for Thought,” which has long
operated a renowned breakfast program for TCI schools,
also played a critical role in getting food to the needy.
Meanwhile, dozens of boat operators and captains,
including Delphine Hartshorn, Bruce Barron (Panoply), and
Valdez Thomas (Sea Spice), quickly organised transportation
of food and supplies to North and Middle Caicos,
South Caicos and Grand Turk, thus providing a critical link
when none other existed. Hurricane debris in the milky
ocean water, particularly near Grand Turk, put the boats
at risk, but the captains and crews went anyway.
TC Crystal Water (of which Turks Head Brewery is a
part) turned off the coin-operated machines at their South
Dock Road facility so that anyone could fill up as many
jugs of water as they needed for free. When the Caicos
Conch Farm learned that they would lose 500 lbs (227 kg)
of red snapper and grouper after the generator crashed,
they contacted TC Crystal Water and proposed harvesting
the fish for a giant fish fry in the TC Crystal Water parking
lot. “Let’s do it,” came the reply. So they set up grills and
gave away an outstanding fried fish meal to anyone who
wanted some.
Hundreds of people initiated their own personal
assistance programs to aid friends and neighbours, as
well as those hurting the most. Some 20 members of
the venerable Fish Fryer’s Club gathered at the house
of photographer Penrhyn Brooks and worked 11 hours
straight to clear debris from his yard (breaking, of course,
for a fry fish BBQ). This informal social group of men
and women from all over TCI has been getting together
weekly for over 10 years, often raising money for donations
to schools and other causes. So, when one of the
group needed help, everyone showed up in force.
Social media groups wasted no time identifying needs
and connecting people who could help. One of these was
the WhatsApp group called “We Care Turks & Caicos.” It
was set up by a group of friends and expanded organically
to other friends until it reached 30+ committed
individuals drawn from every part of the community—
including sports stars, lawyers, a high school student and
even ex-pats living in the US and Canada. The network
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Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 37

North and Middle Caicos
The full brunt of Hurricanes Irma and Maria missed
North and Middle Caicos, causing less damage than
experienced on the other islands. Still, the tiny populations
of these stunning gems (1,600 people in
North Caicos and just 180 in Middle Caicos) took no
chances and prepared well. Because these islands are
more rural and cut off from the economic advantages
in Providenciales, residents have developed a strong
culture of self reliance. Indeed, for more than 200
years, they sustained themselves quite independently
by farming small plots of land and harvesting from the
sea conch, lobster and fish. Woven together over time,
these communities naturally band together when disaster
strikes.
A few days before Irma hit, government officials in
Middle Caicos called for a meeting of all residents at
the Community Centre in Conch Bar and asked everyone
to evacuate, as there would be no services. But
the people there refused, citing need to watch over
their houses and each other. They worried too that if
the causeway between North and Middle Caicos was
wiped out, as happened after Hurricane Ike in 2008,
they might not be able to get back for weeks. Instead
of leaving, almost everyone in Conch Bar gathered at
the Mount Moriah Baptist Church, bringing with them
plenty of food and water to share. In the settlements
of Bambarra and Lorimers, residents also thoroughly
prepared and moved into the strongest house to ride it
out.
Mike Terry of Ephraim Construction and residents dumped rocks to
shore up the causeway between North and Middle Caicos.
In North Caicos, people mostly stayed in their own
houses or with friends and neighbours if they believed
their own house might not stay intact. A few went to
churches for shelter. As soon as the winds subsided,
the physically stronger members of these islands went
out to clear the main two lane road that runs 32 miles
between North and Middle Caicos and connects the settlements.
Anyone with a car that could get through mud
on the unpaved side roads and at least two feet of water
drove from house to house to see if anyone was hurt
and needed immediate aid. Between the hurricanes, residents
worked with Mike Terry of Ephraim Construction
to load up rocks from a quarry to shore up the causeway
in case it couldn’t take a second hit from Hurricane
Maria. In so doing, these tiny TCI communities literally
and symbolically stayed bound to one another, reinforcing
recognition of being one people. a
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raised hundreds of dollars every day to pay for food,
personal hygiene supplies and building materials, and
tapped members to bring them to the most vulnerable.
The network created a bond between the members who
surprised themselves at being so effective in working
together. This WhatsApp group is not going away.
Aid came from unexpected sources too. Two days
before Irma hit, Haitians called friends in TCI to offer
their homes as shelter should they want to evacuate to
Haiti. Haitian-based charities, including Mission of Hope,
had stockpiled supplies in case Irma hit Haiti. But when
the hurricane missed them, Haitians loaded up tarps,
water, purification bottles, food and other survival items
meant for them onto the ship True North heading to
Providenciales. In this way, people in Haiti, often the
recipients of aid in times of tragedy, showed they were
quick to give back when nearby countries suffered their
own calamity. Local TCI charities Salvation Army, Convoy
of Hope and Harvest Bible Church met the True North
at the dock and distributed the goods throughout TCI.
In late October, the government of Haiti added to the
private donation by giving TCI hundreds of generators,
plywood sheets, tarps and other housing materials to
help with the aftermath and rebuilding.
WhatsApp group “We Care Turks & Caicos” helped coordinate the provision
and delivery of hundreds of meals after the hurricane.
DOMINICK ROLLE
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 39

#TCIStrong
Irma. Maria. I think it’s safe to say that girls born
in the Caribbean will not be given these names any
time soon. Hurricane Irma was so powerful that the
National Hurricane Center is considering designating it
a Category 6! Before setting her sights on the Turks &
Caicos Islands, Irma destroyed Barbuda, St. Martin, St.
Barths, Anguilla, and the US and British Virgin Islands.
Two weeks later, Hurricane Maria decided to pay a
visit. Maria was a Category 5 and many had no power
or communications and were dealing with damage
from Irma. There was still debris everywhere. This
could behave like missiles and cause further devastation.
Thankfully Maria only produced mostly rain and
no further damage.
Everyone was thankful to be alive! Everyone helped
everyone clean up, rebuild and upgrade. And although
the media sensationalized the devastation, many areas
got back to business quickly.
On my first visit back to inspect our vacation home
(just after Maria), I dreaded what I would find. I drove
from the airport to Leeward heartbroken. Every roof
had damage, landscape was brown and shredded. But
every roof was already topped with either a tarp, peel
and seal, or a person hammering. And when I got to
the hub of Grace Bay Beach where the resorts are, I
found it clean and nearly pristine! I later discovered
that everyone had stepped it up to pitch in. Some resort
employees lost entire roofs, yet worked tirelessly to get
resorts (and their jobs) up and running.
By the end of the week, hibiscus were blooming.
Everyone was tired, but grateful and smiling. By my
next trip the first week of December, the vacation
hub areas of Grace Bay, Leeward and The Bight, were
cleaner and fresher than ever. Nearly all of my favorite
restaurants are back in business, including Bugaloo’s
and Da Conch Shack. And, of course, the stunning
turquoise sea and sugar-sand beaches are incredibly
alluring and unchanged.
TCI is strong, but vacationers must remember that
while no signs of hurricanes are to be seen in tourist
areas, many of the local settlements were badly damaged,
as were Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay.
That’s where many workers go home to after work.
Your visit helps the country to thrive. But consider
vacationing with a heart—bring along an extra suitcase
with goods to share or consider donating to one of the
These Blue Hills before and after shots
show the remarkable and quick recovery
TCI has wrought in the popular tourist
spots.
funds raising money towards recovery.
Keep on coming to the Turks & Caicos, and encourage
family and friends to make this their next vacation
destination. Tourism is clearly TCI’s primary industry,
and as resorts, restaurants, watersports operators,
spas, car rentals, wedding planners, activities thrive,
the benefits trickle throughout the economy.
For more information, check out the following
Facebook pages: The Salvation Army Turks & Caicos,
1-649-431-6802; Turks & Caicos Red Cross, 1-649-
946-5182; Potcake Place K-9 Rescue, 1-649-231-1010;
Hurricane Irma Relief Turks and Caicos (www.hirtac.
org); Provo’s Children Home (www.pch.tc). Many
resorts set up individual GoFundMe pages to help their
employees recover. a
Story & Photos By Ramona Settle
40 www.timespub.tc

Seeing the other side
Many people unaffiliated with any aid group simply loaded
up their cars with food, ice, water and other supplies and
drove to the shelters or homes of housekeepers and gardeners
they had employed for years. For some living in
more affluent areas of Providenciales, seeing up-close for
the first time the difficult conditions under which their
workers lived moved them profoundly.
For me, the young teens in the Enid Capron Primary
School shelter in the settlement of Five Cays made a deep
impression. Each time someone arrived with a delivery of
supplies, the youngsters promptly went to unload the car
or truck with utmost courtesy and thankfulness. Despite
two weeks of living on cots with one sheet and maybe
a single change of clothes, they looked impressively
clean and well-groomed. The shelter manager, Yanique
Henriquez, ran a tight, orderly ship, and the youngsters
and adults responded by respecting the rules and making
the best of a difficult situation.
On the last day before the shelter closed so the
school could reopen, two of the teens, a boy and a girl,
took me aside. They looked me straight in the eye with
steady confidence and calmly explained their situation.
“The shelter now has enough food and water,” the boy
began. “And we are very thankful for what everyone has
done to make sure we were OK. But what we don’t have
is a home. We are from Five Cays, but there is no place to
go back to.” “Are you brother and sister?” I asked. “Well,
Kathryn
Brown
Director ERA Turks and Caicos Real Estate
Kathryn's experience in real estate
began in 1997 with ERA in Cayman
Islands. In 2000 Kathryn moved to
Turks and Caicos Islands to take
up the position of Managing
Director of ERA Turks and Caicos
Real Estate (formerly ERA Coralie
Properties Ltd.). Kathryn was a
founding member of Turks and
Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) that implemented the
MLS for Turks and Caicos. She was instrumental in drafting the
Ethics and Rules and Regulations for the Association. She also
headed up a certified training program for members of TCREA.
As well as sitting on many of the Association committees, she was
Vice President for 3 years, followed by 5 years as President.
Kathryn has recently been awarded Certificate of Distinction, Life
Time Membership to TCREA. Now C.E.O. of ERA, she still loves
being involved with listings and sales and has many repeat clients
and customers, most of whom have become friends. Kathryn has
been Top Selling Broker for ERA for 15 years. Real estate is her
passion; she consistently provides service with integrity and vision
ensuring the best results for both customers and clients.
ERA Turks and Caicos Real Estate
not before the hurricane, but we are brother and sister
Juan Martinez Fall 15 sixth_Layout Tel: 649 231-2329 1 5/27/16 11:58 AM Page 1
now, as we’ve been helping each other get through this.” Email: krbrown@era.tc
“Where is your mother or father?” I asked. “Are they Web: www.eraturksandcaicos.com
here too?” “Yes, let me get my mother,” the girl said and
brought her over.
Both began speaking Haitian Creole to the mother,
telling her about their appeal to me. This is not an unusual
PHONE:
situation in Turks & Caicos, as many children have one
2 4 1 . 3 2 9 7
2 4 4 . 9 0 9 0
foot in the Haitian world and one in the TCI community.
3 4 4 . 9 4 0 3
As is sometimes the case in North America and the UK,
2 4 4 . 6 1 9 1
SOUTH DOCK
young teens will translate for a parent who cannot speak
ROAD, PROVO
English and end up negotiating for the family medical
services, leases, utility hookups, work expectations and
school enrollment. No longer adolescents, these two
teens, ages 16 and 14, dealing daily with the challenges
and uncertainties on the fringes of society, had matured
well beyond their years. In another time or place, they
might be anticipating an upcoming school dance or making
plans to watch a football game. Instead, they just
wanted to find some place to live with walls, a roof that
didn’t leak too much and a couple of beds or cots, even if
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 41

GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES
This drone shot shows the flooding experienced in Five Cays after Hurricane Irma, although the predicted massive storm surge never materialized.
temporary. Nothing else mattered. And so to anyone who
would listen, they made their case with patient, urgent
eloquence.
The teens and their families did get a short reprieve
for a few more days at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports
Centre before they and others found tiny, one-room
houses in their Five Cays settlement. I visited one of the
places shared by two 15 year-old girls and three adult
women who had been in the Enid Capron shelter. They
had no running water or electricity. When night came,
they lit candles. The two girls slept in the one cot, while
the three women slept on a sheet of plywood over a
cement floor. Folded up clothes served as pillows. With
nothing to cook with, they bought prepared food from
local supermarkets, which they shared with each other.
Whatever jobs they had were suspended, so they had no
income. Yet nobody complained, and nobody gave up.
The sobering reality of their predicament, fellow residents
who live less than a 15-minute drive from anywhere
on Providenciales, tugs hard at the heart and doesn’t let
go.
Local lawyer and photographer Dominick Rolle, one
of the members of “We Care Turks & Caicos” WhatsApp
group, noted that just about everyone without a generator
basically camped out for at least two weeks, sometimes
more than six weeks, waiting for power to come on. “It
was challenging and often uncomfortable for sure,” Mr.
Rolle said. “But it also created a closer sense of community
that has been sustained though weekly cookouts
where everyone shares what they have.”
At the same time, Mr. Rolle emphasised, “That experience
of temporary deprivation opened our eyes to a
hidden segment of society that lives like this every day. It
humbles you. We cannot forget that they are part of TCI
society too—their kids go to school with your kids or play
on the same sports teams. But when they go home, they
may not have something as basic as a light, much less a
refrigerator or stove.”
Dr. Sam Slattery, founder of the Grace Bay Medical
Centre, pointed out, “People employed by the stores,
offices and resorts of Grace Bay and all around Provo
often walk a half mile in the mud to get to a paved road
and then take a taxi jitney to get to work. All day we
expect them to perform their jobs with cheerful efficiency.
And then at night, they go back home to a very
different world and deal with hardships the rest of us can
scarcely imagine.”
TCI gets back on its feet
Hurricane Maria arrived a week later, quick on the heels
42 www.timespub.tc

GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES
This photo of Grace Bay Beach was taken on September 29, 2017, less than one month after Hurricane Irma. Both nature and the Islands have
a remarkable ability to bounce back.
after slashing into Puerto Rico with deadly assault. TCI
residents again prepared for the worst, but this time it
was different. After Irma, everyone, imbued with confidence,
knew they could handle the next one, no matter
how big. As it happened, Maria curved north away from
TCI. It still rated a dangerous Category 3, but was nothing
like Irma. The attitude was unified, “Let’s get this over
with so we can clean up and rebuild.”
Right after the hurricanes had passed, DDME and Red
Cross teams of trained resident volunteers fanned out to
assess the damage. Well over 100 British troops landed
with large Chinook helicopters and C-130 transport aircraft
with supplies to distribute. The UK aid organisation
Department for International Development worked quietly
in the background with DDME and local groups to get
food and supplies in and move them to where needed.
The preparations, sheltering and post-hurricane aid
by everyone paid off, as TCI did not have a single fatality
or injury attributable directly to the hurricanes. That
“zero” statistic is even more impressive when one considers
that TCI is not normally in the path of devastating
hurricanes that have hit the Caribbean and Bahamas. It
had been a full 9 years since Hurricanes Hanna and Ike
struck in 2008 and 23 years from when Hurricane Kate hit
in 1985. The last big hurricane before that was Donna in
1960. Applying the lessons learned, the TCI government
has already begun to prepare even better for the future,
including tighter enforcement of building codes.
The post-hurricane clean up was no less remarkable.
With debris strewn about, gardening services large and
small went straight to work contracting out at pre-hurricane
prices. Many of the workers covered themselves in
hoodies or thick flannel shirts against the sharp thorns
of the brush, as well as the sudden onslaught of mosquitos
that hatched in pools of water. The men worked all
day in the hot sun, made excruciatingly more uncomfortable
by high humidity. Sometimes they used chainsaws
to cut up the fallen brush, but mostly they hacked away
with machetes, counting on the job to earn some badly
needed cash while delaying tending to the wreckage of
their own homes.
TCI’s Canadian-based electricity provider, FortisTCI,
brought in 231 electrical line repair specialists and 65
trucks from Canada and the US to supplement the local
repair crews, putting the total TCI restoration workforce
to well over 300. Local crews went to work as soon as
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 43

they got the “All Clear,” while the first wave of foreign
workers arrived within 48 hours. With so many poles,
transformers and lines destroyed, restoration inevitably
was uneven, especially since priority had to be given to
hospitals, airports and water companies. While frustrating
for many, particularly those with homes on the south
shore of Providenciales as well as the other islands, Fortis
crews worked dawn to sun-down to bring the all-important
power back. Fortis also hired local cooks to prepare
800 hot meals and distributed them at community centres.
Provo water companies, too, worked to keep “city
water” flowing to customers for at least a few hours a day
just after the storm as they located and fixed pipe leaks
before re-pressurising the system.
Amazingly, almost all resorts and rental villas were
repaired and back in business by mid-November and
accepting guests at the same high standards that have
made Providenciales a sought-after luxury destination.
Residents and business owners who suffered severe
damage to their property tended to shrug off the misfortune
as part of living in an island paradise. They typically
covered their financial and personal pain with jokes, but
everyone felt the ache of losses that would take months, if
not years, to recoup. Despite the hit, a festive mood prevailed.
DJs such as DJ Dayoh and singers like Tess Charles
partnered with cafés and bars to host fundraiser nights.
(In fact, a half blown-off roof at Rickie’s Flamingo Cafe did
not stop a big fundraiser there.) Spirited crowds ready to
party showed up to check on friends, swap stories and
give food and clothes. Just days after Irma hit, businesses
and individuals brought all the donations they acquired
to Butterfield Square in Downtown Providenciales, set up
tables and gave away items to those who needed them.
Local artists jumped in to raise relief money through
wonderfully imaginative storm-related art. Jeweller Atelys
sold several thousand dollars worth of her original handmade
creations, all of which went to hurricane relief.
Alizee Zimmermann gathered broken roof tiles, a potent
symbol of the wreckage, and painted them with colourful,
whimsical animals for sale to residents and visiting
tourists. Painter Fay Ninon, founder of Oceanic Alchemy
for marine life preservation, raised money by creating a
line of clothes and accessories with a “TCI Strong” theme
and then worked with the Edward Gartland Youth Centre
to buy and distribute food in Grand Turk, Salt Cay and
Providenciales.
TCI stronger
You never know how people are going to react in a real
crisis, especially when almost no one living today in TCI
can remember anything as severe as Hurricane Irma. But
perseverance and kindness have always been an integral
part of Turks & Caicos culture. Charitable events consistently
draw hundreds of people from all over the Islands.
So it was no surprise that the quite diverse TCI community
united in providing relief. In fact, for weeks after the
hurricanes, that’s all anyone talked about. Native people
and ex-pats alike felt pride, as if they had passed a kind
of test. Folks came togther, and former animosities and
grudges seemed to have been blown away with the winds.
In another place, things might have gone in a negative
direction, with descent into avarice, feuding or
despair. But that didn’t happen here. Instead, the best of
humanity emerged, and this precious episode in TCI history
must be remembered and cherished and nurtured,
for there will surely be other challenges and trials down
the road.
Indeed, we are on that road now, with another chance
to draw on the Islands’ proven character and fortitude by
keeping the post-hurricane momentum of extraordinary
goodwill going. We can start by not letting the less fortunate
in our society once again disappear behind the thick
brush as the leaves grow back. Teens shouldn’t have to
hunt for a place to stay for their families and five women
shouldn’t have to live in one room without running water
or electricity. And let’s pause to recognise and respect
the hardships of people who touch our everyday lives—
people we depend on—and do all we can to lighten their
burden. Our Islands are too small and our hearts are too
big. The good people of TCI stood together magnificently
strong when the dark winds roared in, and they can shine
brighter still in the sunlight of the aftermath. a
Ben Stubenberg is a contributing writer to Times of the
Islands with a passion for Turks & Caicos Islands history.
An avid ocean man, he is the co-founder of the sports and
adventure tour company Caicu Naniki and the annual
Turks & Caicos “Race for the Conch” Eco-SeaSwim. Ben
can be reached at ben@caicunaniki.com.
For the latest updates, fascinating
information on just about anything
related to the Turks & Caicos Islands,
and beautiful photos, go to
VisitTCI.com
44 www.timespub.tc

The nation’s capital
Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay were in the
direct path of both Hurricanes Irma and Maria and suffered
much damage. Relief operations kicked in almost
immediately, with volunteers from the other islands
and a contingent of military from the UK, including the
HMS Ocean, which is the only aircraft carrier and largest
operational warship in the Royal Navy.
The UK also sent huge cargo planes of relief
supplies. Blue Haven Marina frequenter mega-yacht
Dorothea III and the Yacht Aid Global Team also were
among the first to deliver clean water and supplies to
Grand Turk. Military helicopters ferried provision on
to South Caicos and Salt Cay. Highlighting the UK’s
commitment to the Islands, over 120 military personnel
were instrumental in assisting with post-hurricane
security, re-opening the Providenciales airport and
essential government buildings, clearing debris, repairing
schools, and even helped get Radio Turks & Caicos
running.
By the two month post-hurricanes mark, Fortis TCI
reported that electricity was restored to all customers
throughout the TCI that can currently receive it. This
included the extensive rebuilding of sections of the
transmission and distribution networks on Grand Turk
and Salt Cay. This accomplishment set a new standard
in the Caribbean for restoration from a hurricane.
Although a number of TCI Government offices
on Grand Turk sustained significant damage, the
Immigration, Customs and Treasury Departments
re-opened right after the storms, in spite of needing
to operate for weeks on generator power. Other key
offices were relocated as necessary.
The Grand Turk Cruise Ship Centre re-opened in
November. As early as one month after the storms,
Seatrade Cruise News reported, “Work is full tilt at the
Grand Turk Cruise Center to restore the destination to
receive ships in November. A senior Carnival official
said the cruise pier did not suffer any damage while the
cruise center facility suffered mostly cosmetic damages
and loss of some landscaping. Carnival’s team worked
around the clock to welcome back guests. The beaches
are in great shape, the water is gorgeous and the welcoming
people are getting ready to resume business.”
a
From top: This UK Royal Air Force Chinook is hovering over the
Turks & Caicos. The UK deployed units from several branches of
their armed forces to aid in recovery and provided invaluable transport
of supplies after Hurricane Irma. Just prior to the reopening
of the cruise port on November 1, Carnival and Margaritaville staff
cleaned up the “strip” on Grand Turk.
AGILE LEVIN
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 45

JOHN GALLEYMORE

feature
Opposite page: In the TCI’s fishing capital of South Caicos, it was estimated that nearly every one its buildings sustained damage, with 51
being totally destroyed. Salt Cay, shown here, fared no better.
Above: The author and photographer inspect St. John’s Church on Salt Cay after Hurricanes Irma and Maria ravaged the tiny island.
AGILE LEVIN
An Unexpected Adventure
Visiting South Caicos and Salt Cay post-hurricanes.
By John Galleymore
In the ten years of being a resident of Providenciales, we had seen storms form off the west coast of Africa
and either dissipate, move away or grow no larger than a tropical storm. The one exception was the 2008
“double” of Hurricanes Ike and Hannah, tearing through the TCI just weeks apart, devastating the Islands.
Whoever could have imagined that this scenario was set to repeat nine years later in September 2017?
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 47

JOHN GALLEYMORE
At the end of August 2017, my wife and I flew into
Providenciales from the British Virgin Islands. We had
been visiting there for some time and were very familiar
with the Islands. Little did we know that less than two
weeks later, the BVI would serve as a stark warning of
what was to about to hit the Turks & Caicos Islands—
Hurricane Irma.
Early September and we are in an old rented cottage
on Grace Bay, tracking the storm daily and trying to agree
with the general consensus that it will turn and move
away. Some folks are prepping, buying up supplies, and
others are securing their homes with plywood and hurricane
shutters. Many say it’s a lot of work, only for the
storm to pass us by. There is little anxiety amongst many
residents. The hurricane has been graded as a Category
2; powerful yes, but it’s still hundreds of miles away and
most people believe that the first landfall it makes will
drain the power out of it. So, in the TCI, life carries on.
On September 4, Hurricane Irma was up to a Category
4 and people started to take notice. No more so than just
18 hours later, when it had strengthened into a Category
5 and made landfall, nearly wiping the island of Barbuda
off the face of the earth.
Irma had become a terrifying beast, with maximum
sustained winds peaking at 185 MPH on September 6 —
it would remain steady and unchanged for the next 37
hours. While maintaining this intensity, Irma made successive
landfalls on September 6—on St. Martin and Tortola
in the British Virgin Islands—and utter devastation was
the result. Suddenly we were getting press reports and
messages from these islands and we feared that unless
the storm deviated or broke up, we were in for the same.
Now, as the storm moved closer, we all started tracking
it and it made headlines in the US and Europe. It was
measured to be bigger than France and moving at just 14
MPH. Suddenly everyone was stocking up on fuel, food
and searching for plywood to secure homes. We relocated
to a hotel on Grace Bay, not trusting the old house we
were renting, and settled in with supplies for five days
along with our two very bemused dogs. That afternoon,
the streets were deserted and sandbags aligned every
storefront. There was nothing to do but wait.
When it came, it came with force—late afternoon,
early evening, the wind and rain started and by nightfall
palm trees were being bent nearly double and the rain
was thick and horizontal. We would be in for many hours
of this. As the storm grew closer, the noise increased to
that of a freight train and our ears were popping due the
sudden drop in air pressure.
48 www.timespub.tc
We sat it out, not sleeping at all, and when dawn
came we ventured out onto Grace Bay Beach. It was eerily
calm and the sand line had been totally altered. Perhaps
a million tons of sand along this coast had been shifted
overnight. We walked the streets of Grace Bay assessing
trees down and roofs blown off, although luckily we
had not been subject to the annihilation of some other
Caribbean Islands.
I was sent a picture, (remarkably FLOW had kept their
service throughout) and it showed a photo of The Shore
Club taken from hundreds of meters out with the water
drained from the Caicos Bank by the wind motion.
I was being contacted by global news outlets such
as CNN and the BBC, who were picking up my Instagram
posts and were desperate for live news on the state of our
Islands.
In the first day and those that followed, it was obvious
that it was not the storm itself that would make us
suffer, but the after-effects—no power, water or communications.
Those of us who stocked up were thankful we
had. Soon lines for gas were forming, with some drivers
waiting six hours or more to be allotted a ration of some
five gallons.
Already, before the now approaching Hurricane Maria
hit the TCI, the community was pulling together and raising
funds, supplies and awareness for those in need. I am
very attached to the out islands, so it was with great relief
I was able to take a boat to South Caicos to check on my
good friend Tim Hamilton and take some basic supplies
of food and water for him to distribute.
South Caicos had been hit hard, with many roofs
taken off and 232 of its 234 developments receiving
some form of damage, with 51 being totally destroyed. It
was here the UK military, now in force across the Islands,
Tim Hamilton distributes food and water
to residents of South Caicos.

JOHN GALLEYMORE
JOHN GALLEYMORE
AGILE LEVIN
had their work cut out for them. They organized logistics
and started to clear the harbor, all while the sounds of
helicopters and cargo planes filled the air.
Shortly after the hurricanes, the Sailrock development
created the South Caicos Heritage Foundation to help
preserve and support the local community in rebuilding.
Immediately after Hurricane Irma, the Sailrock team provided
aid in the form of materials, equipment, operators
and logistical support, along with food and water.
My next concern was that of Salt Cay, and although
the residents were subject to a mandatory evacuation
order, a dozen or do had chosen to stay and there was
no word from them. A few days later, a small group of
us consisting of Dan and Agile LeVin, Jon Ward and Judy
Dirckx were arranging supplies and relief efforts when we
were offered a ride on a Chinook to visit Salt Cay.
The residents greeting us looked shell-shocked.
Although they had a solar-powered reverse osmosis system
set up and the TCI Government had sent over many
supplies, it was fresh food they craved. Thanks to Judy on
Providenciales who rounded up donations, we were able
to supplement the relief efforts by sending over a ton of
food underslung on the helicopter.
There was substantial damage to most roofs, lots of
debris, trees down and no power. Yet within two months,
power had been restored, major debris cleared from the
harbour area, and the main roads were driveable. The
ferry service between Grand Turk and Salt Cay currently
runs three times per week, plus extra freight runs as
needed. With the primary school devastated, kids are
attending school in Grand Turk.
North District businesses and rental villas were open
by December. The north shore beach has settled with
steeper shoreline but a wonderful bright expanse of
sand. The nearby reef is gorgeous and in good health.
Salt Cay Divers are organizing reef cleanups with their
scuba guests who wish to volunteer, church restoration
projects are being developed in which guests can assist
and the arrival of the whales in mid-January is hotly anticipated.
All over TCI, in the weeks that followed the storms
life got back to some normality. Many expatriates chose
to leave the country, albeit temporarily. Many had unlivable
homes; some needed to decompress and re-charge
after a harrowing ordeal. Roofs were repaired as supplies
filtered in and power and water slowly restored. The TCI
was down but most definitely not out, and we would
rebuild and recover with a greater sense of community
spirit and fortitude than ever before. a
From top: Residents of South Caicos meet the Caicos Ferry, a vital link
to receive supplies and return to Providenciales to stay with family
and friends.
Many historic buildings on South Caicos and Salt Cay were lost to the
hurricanes.
Salt Cay’s iconic White House is still standing, although a bit worse for
the wear. The Dunn family is working hard to preserve it.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 49

GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES

feature
Initial assessment revealed that approximately 80% of all residences in the Turks & Caicos Islands received some level of damage following
the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria this fall, most commonly to roofs.
MARTA MORTON—WWW.HARBOURCLUBVILLAS.COM
Putting a Lid on It . . .
and keeping it on.
By Peter Kerrigan, Director, Engineering Design Services
As a young boy, my mother took me and my siblings to see the musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” My younger
brother nearly had a heart attack when the graveyard scene was shown. Myself, well I was simply horrified
at the condition of the roof and very concerned for the safety of the fiddler. Clearly I was destined to be
a structural engineer.
Roofs are like people, they come in all shapes and sizes and some are healthier than others. The negative
effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Turks & Caicos Islands this autumn clearly demonstrated
the importance of having a strong and fit roof when living in a hurricane-prone area.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 51

Hurricane Irma, which struck the Turks & Caicos
Islands on September 7–8, 2017, was the closest
approach of a Category 5 hurricane to the country on
record, with all of the country’s islands being affected.
Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) is a measure used by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) to approximate the wind energy used by a tropical
system over its lifetime. Hurricane Irma generated
the most ACE on record in the tropical Atlantic, and even
more than 18 entire Atlantic hurricane seasons in the satellite
era (since 1966). Irma’s peak sustained winds were
estimated at 185 MPH, with gusts even higher. That’s
what the roofs of dwellings across the Turks & Caicos had
to contend with.
How did they fare? In its rapid assessment report
post-Hurricane Irma, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency
Management Agency (CDEMA) reported that the Turks &
Caicos Islands suffered nearly 80% damage to its housing
stock and critical infrastructure during the hurricane’s
passage. The report concluded that damage across the
TCI was similar in nature and related largely to roof damage,
especially level one damage. This was categorized
as: loss of roof tiles, small sections of roof damage or
destroyed windows or door damage, guttering and eave
damage or loss, water damage to sections of ceilings and
varying degrees of water intrusion.
Anyone who viewed the TCI “live” or via photos on
the Internet in the weeks and months following the storm
would bear witness to the magnitude or severity of roof
damage. Blue tarp and peel and seal was too common
a sight. Sadly, it was an especially wet “rainy season” in
October and November, and those who did not have the
means to quickly repair their roofs suffered greatly with
additional water damage and resultant mold.
The geometry of a roof plays a significant role in how
it performs in high winds. Steep pitched roofs react differently
than shallow pitched or flat roofs and the direction
of the wind relative to a particular roof often determines
if the wind pressures are positive (pushing) or negative
(suction). There is a misconception that the predominant
pressure exerted on a building is a positive pressure.
Depending on roof type and wind direction, there is just
as much chance of a suction wind pressure being applied
as a positive pressure.
It goes without saying that all roofs should be
designed and built to withstand these pressures.
Engineers determine these pressures from loading codes
such as ASCE-7, an integral part of building codes in the
United States, published by the American Society of Civil
FIGURE A
FIGURE B
Rafter to Wall Connection is critical.
FIGURE C
Truss to Wall Connection is critical.
FIGURE D
Rafter to Wall Connection is critical.
Cut or Stick Roof
Cut or Stick Roof with a Collar Tie
Truss Roof
Indicative Details Only
Installed GC4 GC6Z
Rafter
Collar Tie
Rafter
Triangulation
Rafter
Bottom Chord
Hurricane Clip
Engineers. The code describes the means for determining
dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric
ice, earthquake and wind loads, and their many combinations
are then used as the basis for structural analysis
and design.
The resultant design pressures are used to analyze
the roof frame and cladding (covering) and the building
GC6Z
as a whole. The negative pressures are used to determine
uplift loads at rafter or truss-bearing points and those
Bolt Hole to
loads are used to determine what strap or Beam mechanical
Edge Depth
fixing is chosen to restrain/hold down the rafter or truss.
Simpson or USP are the most common straps or fixings.
The too-often installed “hurricane clip” (See Figure D
above) should not be used on residential projects. They
52 www.timespub.tc

EDS_Layout 1 12/18/17 9:44 AM Page 1
are too small for most, if not all, residential projects and
do not have sufficient capacity to cope with the uplift
loads resulting from a hurricane. Instead, hurricane
straps of adequate size should be used.
All roofs should be sheathed (decked) with either
plywood or Tongue & Groove boards. It provides the substrate
to which the peel and seal and roof finish is laid.
The sheathing should be at least 5/8" thick but some roof
finishes require a fixing embedment of 3/4" to achieve
compliance, and in such cases the sheathing installed
should be 3/4” thick.
The sheathing should be secured to the rafters at
a minimum of 6" centers throughout the roof surface.
Leading edges along the ridge, eaves and hips should be
secured at 4" centers. Adequate fixings with appropriate
embedment into the rafters should be installed. The hotdipped
galvanized “Ring Shank” nail is a good example of
a recommended fixing.
The sheathing is not only utilized as a substrate on
which to fix the peel and seal or roof finish. A critical part
of its job is to provide diaphragm action to the roof. This
diaphragm action essentially stiffens the roof plane and
helps to transmit lateral (horizontal) loads to the main
walls and downwards to the foundations. The sheathing
and how it is connected to a roof in a hurricane zone is
all-important.
The roof or roof framing can be constructed in many
different ways and some roofs are by their nature more
stable than others. A “stick” or “cut” roof is a perfectly
acceptable roof if the rafter size is appropriate for the
span, however if a collar tie is included the roof becomes
more stable by default. (See Figures A & B at left.) A full
truss is yet more stable and probably the most stable of
all roofs by virtue of its triangulation. (See Figure C at
left.) Each roof type and its associated member sizes will
have their limitations, and depending on what roof or
combinations of roof styles are chosen by a homeowner,
the engineer must design accordingly.
The structure onto which the roof will be supported
must also be well designed and fit for purpose.
Reinforced walls should incorporate stiffener columns
and belt or ring beams. Timber frame buildings should
be braced to prevent racking or lateral sway. (This can
also be achieved by sheathing the inside or outside of
the timber stud walls with plywood.) The roof on a timber
frame building needs to be connected to the wall,
which in turn needs to be connected to the floor, and the
floor to the foundations. And very importantly, the weight
combination of all elements needs to be greater than the
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Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 53

total uplift load resulting from a hurricane storm.
Any roof should be well maintained over its lifespan.
All enclosed timber roofs should be well ventilated, but
not too much so that it weakens the roof. Timbers and
plywood should be pressure-treated.
We structural engineers are often accused of overdesigning.
My typical response is, “We design for the
worst case scenario.” Now, many of us know what that
worst case scenario looks and feels like. We all hope and
pray we won’t have to experience one again. But in all
likelihood, we will. So we should at least be prepared.
The finished roof is more than a roof. It is one of
the most important components of a home. It protects
the building, your family and your possessions. It should
be well designed and well constructed—well fit to host a
fiddler like Irma, should she turn up to play a tune. a
54 www.timespub.tc

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GARY JAMES–PROVO PICTURES

feature
MARTA MORTON—WWW.HARBOURCLUBVILLAS.COM
Residents of the Turks & Caicos had need for adequate insurance after Hurricanes Irma and Maria tore through the Islands this fall. Sadly,
reports by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) revealed that only 14% of total houses damaged had home
insurance that covered disaster risk.
To Need and Not Have . . .
A look at insurance in the face of disaster.
By Craig Archibold, Account Executive, Property & Casualty, NW Hamilton Insurance Services Ltd.
As I reflect on the events of the unprecedented 2017 hurricane season, I found myself in deep consideration
of an old saying my mother would always say to us as children, “Better to have and not need, than
to need and not have.”
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 57

As an insurance professional, I understand this as a
modern thought that was in some way ahead of its time.
Our society has grown tremendously over the past 30+
years and today’s economy has come with major financial
commitments and personal investments that demand a
wise approach to managing our risk associated with hurricanes
and other natural catastrophes.
To need and not have is a great motivation for us
in the Turks & Caicos Islands. There is truly no greater
security to your property investments in the TCI than
insurance. As a community, the instrument of insurance
must become a part of our vernacular as a tool in managing
risk and protecting our hard-earned assets—and not
simply thought of as an enforced mortgage requirement
and expense.
Insurance is the antidote to the “need and not have”
dilemma. It is not a scheme or a proverbial money pit;
something that you pay into, but get nothing back from.
Some invoke such talking point with no experience of an
unfortunate event that threatens personal investments
accumulated in the short or long term. Insurance has
been tested and tried for centuries as the ultimate security
fix to an unknown financial loss. It is in fact a valuable
tool in your pocket to protect your interest and more than
a bank-required instrument of security.
Throughout centuries, insurance has been proven
to be a tool and security feature to safeguard assets. In
1601, the first insurance legislation was enacted in the
United Kingdom; coverage for merchandise and ships has
its roots in this law. It was necessary to make arrangements
and plan contingencies to ensure that merchants
did not lose all their investments tied up in cargo and
ship owners did not lose their source of wealth if their
ships went down and were taken by the sea. With the
increasing demand for ship and cargo insurance, Edward
Lloyd’s Coffee Shop became recognized as the place for
obtaining marine insurance; this is where “Lloyd’s” that
we know today began.
Although insurance in London began with Lloyd’s
of London, the methodology of pooling the reserves of
many to pay for the claims of few was recreated throughout
financial corporations, who took insurance out
beyond marine and cargo insurance. In today’s insurance
industry, most types of insurance can be sourced and the
models established globally are centered on this shared
principal objective—the belief that there is strength in
numbers, a joint force against all kinds of calamities
including financial troubles.
In 1688, the home insurance industry would be
established, ushering in a paradigm for other lines of
insurance cover. The types of insurance available in the
modern insurance market are wide and varied. However,
general insurance underwritten by insurance companies
is typically restricted to mainstream insurance such as:
commercial property, household/homeowner’s, liability
and motor insurance. Household (property) insurance is
a personal line of insurance, however in much the same
way, commercial property is covered against the risk of
fire, flood, storm, theft, malicious damage and accidental
damage.
When pursuing the purchase of insurance there are
a few considerations. One would be to know your asset
This ironic shot shows hurricane debris on Grand Turk
following the passage of Hurricane Irma.
GEORGINA STUBBS
58 www.timespub.tc

Blue Loos_Layout 1 5/28/17 4:13 PM Page 1
value and imagine for a brief moment how losing it with
no recourse for restoration would impact you financially.
The concept of insuring and having adequate coverage
is often misunderstood and to a large degree taken for
granted. The disproportionate nature of underinsuring
your property comes with great financial exposure. A
guide to recover from such potential crisis would be to
consult a qualified evaluator for property evaluation. This
puts you in a strong position of understanding your property’s
worth as it seeks to establish the replacement value
of your property consistent with current market trends.
With property values in the Turks & Caicos among the
highest in the region and the daunting cost of construction
to replace assets, conventional wisdom demands
having added security against property loss and business
interruption. The need to have insurance has become a
must-have. Policies such as homeowner’s and commercial
property insurance are the leading coverage in our local
industry.
The meteorological predictions for the 2017 hurricane
season anticipated that the season would bear much
activity. With the reality of major storms Ike, Hanna, Irma
and Maria within the past nine years, the Turks & Caicos
Islands are still processing and grappling with their after-
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Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 59

CROSSING AFRICA UPDATE
Since our Fall update, Mario Rigby has travelled
from Sudan to Egypt and is expected to finish
his journey from Cape to Cairo on December 30,
2017. Look for the story in the Spring 2018 issue
of Times of the Islands.
math, although the road to recovery has been rapid. Our
community has learned that “to need and not have” is no
longer an option to avert a financial loss. With the devastation
of homes, businesses and infrastructure occurring
in hours, even with sufficient warnings, our best construction,
best intentions and every conceivable precaution,
the force of nature is overwhelming and destructive.
We must recognize the catastrophic nature of hurricanes
and the devastating after-effects they have both
financial and emotionally. We believe that communities
at large are better served when they make the necessary
preparation to mitigate loss during such times. The tempests
know no bounds and destruction therefore is not
confined to any particular demographic, economic or cultural
class.
Whether you agree with the arguments for climate
change or not, the earth is warming and the noticeable
differences in weather patterns continue to escalate,
producing peculiar natural disasters around the globe.
Hurricanes remain a great threat to the Turks & Caicos
Islands and the region. It is incumbent that we lobby for
changes or affirm policies in our building codes and hope
that the relevant government agencies oversee the proper
construction of neighboring buildings; the absence of
such oversight, however, will not negate our responsibility
to insure our properties.
The insurance industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands
is well regulated and thus far has made good on its
claims in Hurricanes Ike and Hanna (2008), and the recent
double whammies of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The
Financial Services Commission has always been proactive
in its obligations to see that those operating in the industry
are solvent and are sufficiently reinsured.
The experience from the recent hurricane events,
and in particular their effects, provides a plethora of
lessons to compel rational minds that threats are no
longer probabilities but rather reality for the foreseeable
future. Destruction can be self-imposed and in most
cases beyond human control in the context of a natural
disaster. This gives more reason than none to better
prepare ourselves to mitigate a potential loss during any
unfortunate catastrophe that comes with warning and
unforeseen circumstances. I believe that this can only be
achieved by having appropriate and adequate insurance
coverage and heeding the warnings established through
official government and private agencies to protect us
from financial vulnerabilities, because it is better to have
and not need, than to need and not have. a
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newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
front street, p.o. box 188, grand turk, turks & caicos islands, bwi
tel 649 946 2160 • fax 649 946 2160 • email info@tcmuseum.org • web www.tcmuseum.org
PAT SAXTON
This is the state of the Turks & Caicos National Museum’s exhibit
building, the Guinep House, following the combined beating of
Hurricanes Irma and Maria on Grand Turk in September 2017.
Starting Over
By Dr. Donald H. Keith, President,
Turks & Caicos National Museum Foundation
2017: a year to forget? No, a year to remember! Yes, we all suffered losses, but we also learned
important lessons that must not be forgotten as we start over with our lives and livelihoods after “IrMaria,”
the two powerful hurricanes that slammed into Grand Turk only two weeks apart with 150+ MPH winds
striking from both east and west.
This issue features two stories about starting over. In one, the intellectual curiosity of a Tennessee
schoolteacher leads her to re-invent her life in the process of single-handedly uncovering a largely forgotten,
but critical, episode in the history of the Caicos Islands. The subjects of her study, the “Georgia
Loyalists,” were themselves starting over, having been driven out of the United States after the War of
Independence more than 200 years ago.
In the other, we learn the previously untold story of a group of 19 Californians who decided to abandon
the US and start their lives over on an island paradise—East Caicos! Unfortunately for them, the
realities were considerably different from their dreams. The moral of this story seems to be “Fortune
does not favor the unprepared.”
But fortune does favor the prepared! Following the destruction of the Victoria Library by arson earlier
this year, the Museum is installing state-of-the-art fire suppression and security systems in both the
Guinep House and the Science Building. There is nothing humans can do to prevent hurricanes, but after
months without power on Grand Turk following IrMaria, we are installing our own diesel-powered 50
KW generator so that when storms hit in the future, we can keep the lights and security systems on, and
climate control running to protect our collections and exhibits.
Perhaps the most important lesson learned is that the Museum’s location on Grand Turk, 64 feet
from the North Atlantic Ocean, is too vulnerable to destruction from hurricane winds and flooding to
be the repository for all of the Museum’s collections and holdings. At least some of the most fragile
and precious books, photographs, letters and artifacts must be moved to a more secure, purpose-built
structure at the Museum’s campus, more than half a mile from the sea, in the Village at Grace Bay on
Providenciales. A National Museum is not defined by the buildings it occupies, but by the collections it
is responsible for. If its collections are destroyed, it cannot just start over. a
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DONALD H. KEITH
These ruins can still be found on the shore at Jacksonville, East Caicos.
Modern Crusoes
“Streamlined Pioneers” seek utopia on East Caicos.
By Jeffrey Dodge
Newspapers all over America called them “Utopians,” “Streamlined Pioneers,” “Modern Crusoes,” “New
Life Seekers” and “Colonists.” These were just a few of the monikers given to a group of 19 Californians
seeking “to get away from civilization as it now operates for the lesser-privileged.” Group leader Richard C.
Irvine said, “We have a chance to attain a security we cannot get in the United States because of uncertain
social conditions and the terrific differential in wage scales and taxes.” Sound familiar? Like something
you might read in the papers today? No—this was 78 years ago!
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The pioneers
In late 1939, a party of five California families and three
bachelors, totaling nineteen, formed a closed corporation
they called the East Caicos Trading Company. They sold
their homes, left their jobs and friends and prepared to
move to East Caicos, the largest uninhabited island in
the Turks & Caicos. Members of the group ranged in age
from 17 months to 69 years. Among them were a traveling
salesman, a carpenter for Walt Disney, a housekeeper
for Mary Pickford, a retired Standard Oil Co. engineer,
a horticulturist, an electrician, an insurance investigator
and a nurse. It was reported that members of this group
were selected from “hundreds” that replied to advertisements—however,
no such ads have been found to date.
Paradise chosen
They selected East Caicos because Mrs. Grace Lake (née
Reynolds), a member of the group, owned a large tract of
land there. Grace Lake’s Irish father, John N. Reynolds,
moved to the Turks & Caicos Islands about 1856 and
became a salt merchant with salinas on South Caicos.
As trustee for his four children, Reynolds acquired 1,288
acres at Breezy Point on the north shore of East Caicos
in 1871, as well as a 99-year lease from the British
Government for most of the rest of the island.
His initial intention was to raise cattle and supply meat
to neighboring islands. By 1884, Reynolds was extracting
and selling bat guano from caves in the interior for
fertilizer. He was also involved in the sisal industry that
began there about 1890. The guano played out in late
1880s and, unable to compete with the superior qualities
of manila hemp from the Philippines, the sisal operation
ceased about 1919. Abandoned when both these
commercial operations failed, substantial industrial and
residential structures still lie about the island, including a
narrow gauge railroad built to move sisal from the fields
to the processing area.
Grace Reynolds was born on the Turks Islands in
1881 and lived there until she moved to Boston with her
mother Elizabeth and three siblings in 1890. With the
death of her brother John Jr. in 1925, Grace became the
sole owner of the property at Breezy Point as well as the
years remaining on the 99-year lease. She married her
second husband, James Lake, in 1925. It is not known
when in the late 1930s the Lakes moved to California
from Massachusetts or how they met Richard C. Irvine,
From top: Grace and James Lake plan their journey to East Caicos.
The yacht Spindrift is tied up in the Miami River in February 1940.
Members of the group pose aboard Spindrift in Miami just before
departing for East Caicos in February 1940.
who became the leader of the group of Californians seeking
a better life on East Caicos.
Records show that James Lake returned to New
York from a trip to the Turks & Caicos in April 1934.
Recounting his experiences on this trip, Lake told the
California “pioneers” that he visited East Caicos and found
it to be a virtual “Paradise.” He excitedly described the
island as covered in hardwood forests (mahogany and
lignum vitae) as well as papayas and fruit trees. Other
INGRID POHL AND JANET POHL-SCHOLLENBERG
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DONALD H. KEITH
hides and the bat guano found in the caves for fertilizer.
There was also sisal to cultivate, and papaya fruits and
shark liver oil to turn into medicinal products.
In addition to the many resources waiting for them
on East Caicos, the “adventurers” brought clothing, tents,
food for three months, and tools for building homes
and growing crops. They reportedly shipped separately
several tons of goods including electrical generating
equipment for lights, hundreds of seeds, additional tools
and radio equipment to establish a broadcasting station.
These items were shipped from California to Jamaica
where they would eventually be forwarded to East Caicos.
Whether or not these supplies ever reached East Caicos is
unknown. There was a report that the shipment was held
up in Panama because of lost documentation.
INGRID POHL AND JANET POHL-SCHOLLENBERG
The stone house ruins still standing at Jacksonville, East Caicos (top)
appear similar to the structure seen in the image (above) of James
Lake, Richard Irvine (group leader), Olaf Lornsten and Gaston Blum,
captain of Spindrift, on East Caicos.
resources of potential economic benefit included hundreds
of wild cattle and thousands of wild donkeys from
the days of the sisal enterprise twenty years earlier. The
sisal industry, he said, had also left behind two concrete
35,000-gallon water catchment tanks that would provide
fresh water for the group. There was even talk that East
Caicos was once the haunt of the pirate Henry Morgan,
suggesting buried treasure was a possibility!
Careful planning and many promises
Roughing it was not part of the plan. James Lake and
Richard Irvine explained to the group that they would initially
live in tents and later build permanent homes from
the lumber they would harvest from the hardwood forests.
They could support themselves by selling the cattle
and donkeys roaming wild on the island for meat and
The journey was rough
The trip to “Paradise” began on January 16, 1940, with
the group leaving California for Florida in two cars, a
truck and a trailer. Each family paid between $1,000 and
$2,000 to participate in this venture (roughly equivalent
to $17,000–$34,000 today!) Group leader Irvine stated
that the total cost of the venture was $10,000 ($170,000
today) and that he expected they would be self-supporting
within three months.
The journey to Florida was difficult and many in the
party were sick with colds by the time they arrived in
Tampa on January 24. They sold the automobiles, truck,
and trailer in Miami and two or three weeks later signed
an agreement with George Conley and Capt. Gaston Blum
of Chicago to provide transportation for the group to East
Caicos on the yacht Spindrift.
The group left Miami on Spindrift for East Caicos
on February 18, 1940. The agreement between the
Conley-Blum syndicate and the “colonists” included free
transportation to East Caicos in exchange for rights to
develop the island into a tourist resort. Conley and Blum
were to promote the island back in the U.S., transport
more people and supplies to the Island, and eventually
establish a resort there. Colonizing East Caicos
was beginning to look more and more like a businessfor-profit
venture and less like the co-operative colony
originally envisioned.
East Caicos at last
Spindrift arrived at East Caicos on March 2, 1940. The
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weather had been terrible and the passage was rough—
forcing them to lay over in Key West and again in Cuba.
When the passengers finally arrived at their destination,
they were seasick, tired and almost immediately disappointed.
Spindrift had to anchor offshore due to the
coral reefs and shallow water that surround the island,
requiring many trips ashore by tender to move people
and supplies from the yacht to the beach.
By the time everything was on shore, it was late and
the “pioneers” were hungry. Their first meal ashore was
bread and canned fruit, though it was reported that some
of the men speared lobsters to boil and eat later that
evening. Since there was no time to set up tents, the
“adventurers” camped under the stars on the beach, but
the fierce mosquitoes and constant braying of wild donkeys
made sleep on East Caicos that night impossible.
The following day they draped a canvas tarpaulin
over the walls of an abandoned and windowless shell of
a building left by the sisal company, supporting it with
rails taken from the old railroad. This was where their
supplies would be stored. Inhabitants from neighboring
islands, curious and looking for work, traveled to East
Caicos. They were each paid 50 cents a day to clear an
area of scrub, bush and sisal so the settlers could erect
their tents.
Reality dawns
Two or three days after their arrival, the eager “pioneers”
went forth to survey the island and locate the valuable
resources promised them. It was not long before they
realized that there would be no beef to eat—hunted out
years earlier, the cattle were gone. There were donkeys,
but in smaller numbers than expected. It looked like fish
and possibly donkey would be their only sources of protein
and the only fresh vegetables were those they could
buy from the inhabitants of nearby islands. There were
no bananas, no papayas or other edibles growing on their
newfound home.
Not only were the cattle gone, but also the guano
they intended to sell had been depleted years before.
There were no hardwood forests. There did not seem to
be any resources they could sell to make money, and
their money was already running short. Adding to their
problems, the yacht Spindrift did not return with more
people or supplies.
A 1940 newspaper article suggests that contrary
Grace and James Lake (shown on previous page) stand in front of
their tent on East Caicos.
to his claim that he personally surveyed East Caicos in
1934, James Lake took his description of it from charts
and hearsay from others. It is an interesting coincidence
that in 1936 a newspaper reported that a Capt. Arthur
A. Lawrence of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said that he
had spent several years on North Caicos, describing it
as a “Paradise.” His description of North Caicos and the
resources there, which was probably accurate, was very
much like the description James Lake attributed to East
Caicos when he promoted it to the group of California
“pioneers.”
Paradise abandoned
Within days, sunburn and infected sand flea and mosquito
bites were taking their toll on the group. The Irvine’s 17
month-old baby was covered with infected mosquito bites
and tempers were growing short. Some members of the
party were no longer speaking to each other. After just
four weeks on the island, group leader Richard Irvine,
his wife, their four children and 18 year-old bachelor
Ned Read left for Miami. Another couple, Mr. and Mrs. E.
A. Lawrence, left at the same time, but took a different
route arriving in Miami on April 12, 1940. Reportedly,
Mr. Lawrence kissed the dock and danced a jig when he
landed there. The Irvine family and Ned Read arrived in
Miami on April 15, 1940. Richard Irvine told reporters
he might return to East Caicos, but his wife said, “You’re
crazy if you come back, Caicos is a desert.” Ten members
of the group remained on East Caicos, including James
and Grace Lake, who told the departing members of the
party that they intended to “stay and tough it out.” Andres
Lornsten, the retired Standard Oil Co. engineer, took over
as group leader.
INGRID POHL AND JANET POHL-SCHOLLENBERG
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Exactly what happened on East Caicos after nine
members of the group departed in April 1940 is
unknown. However, it was reported that Boyce Phillips
told the departing members that he would soon be heading
to Panama to work for the government. Passenger
lists show that Cletys Ackerman and Hjalmar and Greta
Kvanvig left East Caicos in July, arriving in Miami on
August 8, 1940 aboard the vessel Betty K from Nassau.
Passenger lists recorded that Grace Lake arrived in Miami
on February 14, 1942 and her husband, James Lake,
arrived a year later on April 10, 1943. There is no information
to explain why they arrived separately or whether
or not they remained on East Caicos until they returned
to Miami. Andres Lornsten, his wife Isabella and their two
adult children arrived in Key West in 1945. It is not known
if they spent five years on East Caicos or somewhere else
before returning to the U.S.
While we do not know when the last “pioneer” left
East Caicos, it is certain that they did not succeed in
establishing a viable colony there. There is reference to
the repatriation of the last members of this group, possibly
the Lornsten family, during WWII partly at government
expense—but exactly which government is unclear.
Nonetheless, within a few years the island was once again
uninhabited—left to the donkeys and mosquitoes. a
Epilogue
Not long after the Utopians’ abortive attempt to start a
new life on East Caicos, Grace Lake conveyed the Breezy
Point land she owned to her daughter, Alice L. Christensen,
a Bermudian by marriage. In May 1949, members of the
Christensen family went to East Caicos to determine if it
could become “another Bermuda.” They were disappointed.
In 1968, at the suggestion of a friend, retired British S.O.E.
(Special Operations Executive) officer and journalist John
Houseman moved to East Caicos with his wife and two
children, with the intention of establishing a hotel. A few
months after setting up camp, Houseman’s wife left him
and the plan collapsed. In 1970, the Christensens sold the
property to the Solar Group of Bermuda. The Breezy Point
property is now owned by the Arden Group of Philadelphia,
and is currently listed for sale.
Members of the group of “Pioneers”
Irvine, Richard C. – group leader, sales (age 43)
Irvine, M. Louise – spouse (age 37)
Irvine, Jane – daughter, student (age 17)
Irvine, Helene D. – daughter (age 7)
Irvine, Dawn – daughter (age 9)
Irvine, King – baby son (age 17 months)
Lake, James – insurance investigator (age 69)
Lake, Grace – East Caicos land owner (age 60)
Lornsten, Andreas – retired, Standard Oil Co. (age 59)
Lornsten, Isabella – spouse (age 46)
Lornsten, Olaf – son (age 22)
Lornsten, Margaret L. – daughter (age 20)
Kvanvig, Hjalmar – horticulturist (age 37)
Kvanvig, Greta – spouse, housekeeper (age 32)
Lawrence, Ernest – salesman (age 24)
Lawrence, Cecilia – spouse, nurse (age 28)
Ackerman, Cletys R. – bachelor, Disney carpenter
(age 34)
Phillips, Boyce – bachelor, engineer (age 32)
Read, Edward (Ned) – bachelor, student (age 18)
Thanks to Ingrid Pohl and Janet Pohl-Schollenberg, Tom
Ellis and Dr. Donald H. Keith, who helped me research
this story.
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The author’s work on Middle Caicos to document the Loyalist-era plantations was inspired by Islander Ernest Forbes’s advice, “Just follow
the chimneys.”
Follow the Chimneys
How I became an Islander.
By Dr. Charlene Kozy
Editor’s note: Dr. Charlene Kozy has been contributing articles to Times of the Islands for nearly a
decade. They range from a survey of the various flags and emblems used by the country, to detailed
histories of the life and times of the Caicos Islands’ Loyalist plantation owners, to fond recollections of
her association with the women of Middle Caicos, and a tale of pirates and one of Caicos Cay’s original
homeowners, Countess Helen Czernin.
In the following memoir, Dr. Kozy reveals just how she became associated with the Turks & Caicos
Islands 40 years ago and how it became an important part of her career. It makes me honor and appreciate
her contributions all the more. We look forward to more to come.
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While teaching in a Nashville high school in the late
1970s, I agreed to teach a new course. In so doing I suddenly
became Tennessee’s first high school teacher of
anthropology, the study of human societies and cultures
and their development. This led to participation in some
homegrown archaeology, a specialty within anthropology.
Centuries-old stone box graves pertaining to the
Native American Mississippian culture were discovered
practically next door to the school during construction
of a golf course. The find attracted the attention of Dr.
William Bass from the University of Tennessee. Among
many other things he taught my class how to determine
the age and gender of a skeleton. Under his direction, my
class reconstructed the stone box grave of a teenage boy
just about the age of my students. Subsequently, it went
to the State Museum.
This experience ignited my desire to do something
more challenging than just teaching. I combed through
a pile of journals and advertisements for research volunteers
and found a grant from Earthwatch, a non-profit
international organization that provides human and financial
support to scientific research projects. If accepted,
the grant would fund me to go to the Caicos Islands
with a group from the University of Illinois. When I was
accepted in 1977, I jumped at the opportunity without
knowing exactly where I was going, what kind of work I
would be doing, or whom I would be working for. I found
myself spending six weeks with archaeologist Shaun
Sullivan’s group studying the Lucayan Taino Indians and
tediously unearthing their ancient artifacts. Dr. Sullivan
was an excellent teacher on the ways of archaeology—but
also an ex-Army Green Beret and hard taskmaster!
We lived in the settlement of Bambarra on Middle
Caicos and our meager “leisure time” was spent at
Emmanuel Hall’s store. I listened wistfully with him and
his wife Constance to a clear channel radio station from
my hometown of Nashville, 1,400 miles away. I also
learned to play dominoes on Saturday nights with Mr.
Hall’s customers. Mrs. Constance was always there finding
things for the villagers, and being sure all were taken
care of. I felt at home in the country store, in so many
ways like my dad’s—the one I grew up in. I learned about
the culture of the people of Bambarra, and all the things
we had in common.
SHAUN SULLIVAN
In 1977, Constance and Emmanuel Hall opened their home and shop in Bambarra, Middle Caicos to the members of the Earthwatch expedition.
This experience gave the author a desire to learn more about the ruins of stone buildings, walls and chimneys she saw on the island.
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Shaun kept his group busy. We walked to the dig
site each morning and carried our finds back to our staging
area each evening. Sometimes when the mosquitoes
were heavy or light rain came, we worked in the shelter
of the cave at Conch Bar. As we rode in the bed of Carlin
Forbes’s truck, I became fascinated by the overgrown
ruins of stone buildings and walls we passed along the
way. They were like the walls and chimneys I was accustomed
to seeing in Tennessee. The chimneys were large
enough to stand in, reminding me of tales of early pioneers
hiding within during Indian attacks. No one knew
much about where the stone buildings came from except
that they were part of “history” and we were studying
“pre-history.”
When the Earthwatch expedition was over, I returned
home and put my degrees in History to work, immersing
myself in library research. I learned the ruins were
the remains of plantations belonging to British subjects
who were forced to leave their holdings in Georgia and
Florida following the U.S. War of Independence. The
British Government offered them large land grants in the
Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands as compensation
Glen Freimuth and Shaun Sullivan were leaders of the University of
Illinois groups investigating Lucayan Indian sites on Middle Caicos
in 1977.
for their losses in the newly created United States and in
recognition of their loyalty to the Crown. They became
known as the American Loyalists.
American historians wrote little about American
Loyalists in textbooks. I could find an unflattering paragraph
about them here and there that always included
how they were tarred and feathered by “The Sons of
Liberty,” trying to make revolutionaries of them. Knowing
These are some of the participants in the 1977 excavation of Lucayan Indian sites on Middle Caicos. Emmanuel Hall and the author stand
fourth and fifth from left.
SHAUN SULLIVAN SHAUN SULLIVAN
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DONALD H. KEITH
This kitchen on the Haulover Plantation on Middle Caicos was well
preserved, with a large fireplace and hooks to hang pots on. It was
separate from the main house to avoid fire hazards.
that there was little interest in this group, I took my
findings and thoughts to my former history teachers at
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). One kind professor,
Dr. Fred Rolater, encouraged me to consider it a
worthwhile study for a doctorate. He continued to be a
mountain of support through my arduous road to becoming
Dr. Charlene Kozy.
But my quest was just beginning. I was accepted
as a doctoral student at MTSU. I married Steve Kozy, a
very patient and understanding man, who traveled with
me to Nassau to read microfilm in their archives and to
the University of Florida looking for knowledge of the
Loyalists. Then we found a company in Orlando, Florida
that was microfilming Nassau’s records. I purchased copies
to read under less stressful circumstances. These films
were records of land grants to exiled individual Loyalists
and even gave their locations in the Caicos Islands. Soon,
I was no longer satisfied just to read about the Loyalists.
Now, armed with my research, I wanted to return to the
Turks & Caicos to see if I could find the places where the
people I had been studying actually lived!
But where to start? While staying at the Island Princess,
one of the three hotels on Providenciales in those days,
Steve and I met Tommy Coleman. Upon hearing my story,
he suggested a trip to Parrot Cay to meet a woman who
lived on a restored Loyalist plantation. Excitedly, we
accepted the invitation and met Countess Helen Czernin
who graciously invited us to stay in modernized slave
quarters converted to guesthouses. This friendship
endured for many years. Helen moved to Grand Turk and
introduced me to influential people such as Mrs. Grethe
Seim and government officials who encouraged me and
gave permission to study the ruins on Middle Caicos and
even bring in field school students.
I was no stranger on Middle Caicos, especially to the
people of Bambarra. I needed their help, and they gave
it freely. Their acceptance of my husband and me was
unusually good. At first, we stayed in the “Government
House,” which also served as a clinic, but after a few visits
we were invited to stay with Islanders in their homes.
There were no hotels in Bambarra! Elizabeth and Ernest
Forbes housed two of the three field schools we organized.
Hon. Robert Hall, an officer in the government and
son of Constance and Emmanuel Hall, visited the projects
and gave the students history lessons about the Islands.
The next step was to locate the plantations. After I
explained that my purpose for being there was to locate
the actual Loyalist plantations I had been studying,
Constance Hall took me to the abandoned Ferguson plantation
where she was born. A young teacher on the island,
Valerie Hamilton, guided me to many other places.
Mr. Alton Higgs guided us to the Haulover plantation
near the settlement of Lorimers. I was immediately struck
by the many similarities between Haulover and plantations
of the same period in the U.S. Built by Loyalist Dr.
John Lorimer some time around 1800, it had the spacious
main house with obvious divisions of rooms including
dining rooms, bedrooms and studies and was similar
in many ways to the Hermitage, former U.S. President
Andrew Jackson’s plantation near my home in Tennesse.
Haulover’s separate kitchen was relatively well preserved,
with a large fireplace and hooks to hang pots on. Having
a separate kitchen from the main house was the common
practice in America due to fire hazards. The builders of
Haulover followed suite. Haulover had slave cabins built
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
beside fields ready to be cultivated, as did the Hermitage.
An overseer’s house was nearby at Haulover, ready to
receive instructions from the master. There were other
similarities as well. Both men had villages named for
them: Old Hickory in Tennessee (Jackson’s sometimes
nickname), and Lorimers on Middle Caicos. Dr. Lorimer’s
gravesite lies nearby, just as Andrew Jackson’s grave is
on the grounds at the Hermitage.
With the help of Ernest Forbes, maps of plantation
locations and detailed land and household appraisals, we
correlated documented data with topography, landmarks
and geographical features and identified more plantations.
Ernest’s knowledge of the Islands and succinct
observation—“Just follow the chimneys”—were invaluable.
Searches for the plantations, now long overgrown
in cactus and tropical vegetation, boiled down to looking
for the tops of stone chimneys looming above the
dense bush. Machetes were the tool of choice in clearing
the way to the old ruins so we could survey, map
and measure them. Our guide, Mr. Ernest, assured us the
vegetation would grow back within a few months. “It will
soon be like you found it today.”
In retrospect, my quest to “rediscover” the Caicos
Islands Loyalists led to much more than I originally
expected. I satisfied my quest to correlate the microfilm
descriptions with actual places and structures on Middle
Caicos and completed my dissertation, “A History of the
Georgia Loyalists and the Plantation Period in the Turks
and Caicos Islands,” earning a doctorate degree that led
to working at Cumberland University for 21 years, serving
as president for the last three. For some of the students
I brought down for the field schools it was their first trip
outside the United States and their first experience living
in a different socio-political environment. Such real-world
learning experiences are not possible in a university setting.
Just as important are the long-lasting friendships
forged with archaeological colleagues working in the
TCI such as Drs. William Keegan, Shaun Sullivan, Glen
Friemuth, Lisabeth Carlson and Donald Keith. I have
mourned the loss of friends in the Caicos Islands over
the years, but I cherish the memories of time spent with
them. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Fred Rolater for his
support. To rephrase John Kennedy’s statement to the
German people, “Ich bin ein Berliner”—“I am a Turks &
Caicos Islander.” As one of their own, I salute the people
of the Turks & Caicos Islands. a
This portrait depicts the author, Dr. Charlene Kozy, who taught and
was a dean at Cumberland University for 21 years, serving as president
for the last three years before she retired.
Join the Museum
Become a Member and receive a year’s subscription
to Times of the Islands (which includes Astrolabe),
free admission to the Museum, and a Members’
Discount in the Museum Shop.
Senior (62+) $35
Individual $50
Family/Friend $100
Sponsor $250
Contributor $500
Partner $750
To join*, send name, address, email, and type of
membership, along with cheque or money order
payable to “Turks & Caicos National Museum” to:
Friends of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
39 Condesa Road
Santa Fe, NM 87508 USA
Or, visit:
www.tcmuseum.org/membership-support/
*For U.S. residents, support of the Museum is tax-deductible via
Friends of the Turks & Caicos National Museum, Attn: Donald H.
Keith, 39 Condesa Road, Santa Fe NM 87508, our affiliated institution
and registered 501 (c) (3).
MARIA SIMMONS
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 71

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Museum matters
The turning point
Hurricanes are nothing new, but this past season it was
as if Mother Nature had painted a bull’s eye on the
Turks & Caicos Islands—with Grand Turk in the center!
First, Irma, a Category 5 storm, struck the island on
September 8 from the east, passing to the south with
winds of 185 MPH, wrecking the power grid, destroying
the reverse osmosis water system and taking out all
communications with the exception of satellite phone.
Grand Turk went dark. I was moved to tears as
dozens of people—archaeologists, historians and
other scientists who had worked in the TCI, U.S. servicemen
who had been stationed there, directors of
other Caribbean museums, and former ex-pat Museum
employees—contacted me by telephone and e-mail,
hoping for the best and asking what they could do to
help, sending checks and even volunteering to fly down
to help with the clean-up!
When news did start to trickle out it was not encouraging.
The Museum’s two-story Science Building took
the brunt of the wind’s force, but in doing so sheltered
Guinep House from the worst effects. Two weeks to
the day later on September 22 , punching with winds
over 170 MPH, Maria passed to the north, grazing the
island and delivering a backslap to the western shore,
normally in the lee. Both buildings were damaged, but
there was nothing between the Guinep House and open
sea except the tree for which it was named! The winds
picked up the balcony roof and grotesquely folded it
back onto the main roof, peeling back the eaves and
exposing rafters in the process.
It could have been a lot worse. The good news is
that there was no immediate damage to the collections
or exhibits. The buildings kept their roofs, but winddriven
rainwater infiltrated, causing interior damage.
Increasingly, we worried about the after-effects of this
flooding as the weeks, then months passed with frequent
heavy rains and no electricity to run our climate
control systems inside the buildings.
Of course the Museum properties have always been
heavily insured and structural repairs have already
started, mingled with upgrades such as new security
and fire-suppression systems and even our own 50 KW
After the combined impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the wall
surrounding the Museum’s Botanical Garden collapsed.
diesel generator. We are strengthening our defenses
against the vicissitudes of fate, but given the Museum’s
location, there is only so much we can do.
Meanwhile, 70 miles away on Providenciales, after
Irma the Museum’s Development Office and even the
thatch-roofed Caicos Heritage House suffered so little
damage there was no need to file an insurance claim—
and Maria did no damage at all! Power, telephone and
Internet were restored within a couple of days and
Candianne Williams, the Museum’s representative on
Provo, made sure the Village at Grace Bay campus was
up and running by mid-October.
Hurricane Ike hit the TCI on September 7, 2008. It
took the roofs off 80% of the buildings on Grand Turk.
We thought it was a once-in-a-century storm, yet here
we are only nine years later, recovering from two storms
of the same ferocity only two weeks apart. At present,
all the Museum’s eggs are in one basket 64 feet from
the North Atlantic Ocean. Mother Nature is telling us,
“The climate is changing. Sea levels are rising. Storms
are becoming more intense. It’s time to move!” Already,
long-time Museum supporters have made donations
earmarked for expansion of the Museum’s facilities on
Providenciales in preparation for moving our most vulnerable
collections there. You can’t argue with Mother
Nature. All you can do is heed her warnings, hope for
the best, and prepare for the worst! a
Dr. Donald H. Keith
PAT SAXTON
72 www.timespub.tc

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Museum matters
Who’s who
In August 2017, I received a phone call from Adrienne
Antoinette Lightbourn Butz who just finished transcribing
The Letter Book of Captain John Lightbourn Sr. and
William Astwood. She found the original manuscript,
more than 200 years old and quite fragile, in 2012
among old papers passed on to her after the death of
her parents. It took Ms. Butz more than a year of tedious
work to transcribe the hand-written manuscripts into a
readable document.
The letters are between John Lightbourn, a
Bermudan in the salt trade in the Turks & Caicos
Islands, and his nephew in Bermuda, William Astwood.
Collections of original personal correspondence like
this are very rare and invaluable to historians for what
they reveal about trade, commerce, family relationships
and social mores of the times. The Museum now has
two copies of this limited-edition book in our library,
but should you want one yourself, they are available
through Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/
Letter-Captain-Lightbourn-William-Astwood-ebook/dp/
B0773WC5FT.
The book reads like a “Who’s Who” among land
owners and salt merchants of the Turks Islands with
family names like Frith, Dickenson, Tucker, Dunscomb,
Bascombe, Gibbs and Darrell appearing on virtually
every page. The letters will aid the Museum in its
ongoing research into familial connections between
Bermuda and the Turks Islands. I want to thank Ms.
Butz for donating these books to the Museum, and
admire her patience and determination in deciphering
and transcribing these hand-written letters written
more than two centuries ago. a
Pat Saxton
From the Director
The Turks & Caicos National Museum suffered a lot of
damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. It was not
catastrophic, but it will take many months to get back
to normal. We intend to re-evaluate the exhibits and
improve the Museum and Science Building, making
them more user-friendly for visitors and Islanders alike.
This is a book of transcribed letters between John Lightbourn and
his nephew in Bermuda, written more than 200 years ago.
So out of the storm comes new ideas. I personally
have to thank a few people. These persons, like
myself, were also dealing with the destruction of their
homes. Our Chairman Seamus Day was with me every
step of the way to save the archives and exhibits. He
also secured the financing for the new generator. Lisa
Talbot carried numerous books from our research
library along with gift shop items to safety, and pushed
buckets of water out of the workshop and dry lab. My
husband Neil pulled up soaked carpet squares, carried
out ruined furniture and kept me calm. Conrad Baron
cleared the site not once, but twice, and then put our
garden back in order. As they say, it takes a village—or
just some very dedicated folks in that village who love
the Museum. Thank you! a
Pat Saxton
PAT SAXTON
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 73

faces and places
Junior Achievement 2017 Innovation Camp
Just after Hurricane Irma, the Junior Achievement 2017 Innovation Camp took place simultaneously in Grand Turk
and Providenciales. In Grand Turk, 59 students gathered at the H.J. Robinson High School, breaking down into 12
teams of 14- to 18 year- olds. Seventy-seven students from numerous high schools around Providenciales gathered
at The Shore Club breaking into 11 teams. For this year’s challenge, both groups were asked to find a way to prepare
for and mitigate the effects of a hurricane through a full day of brainstorming and presentations. Judges were representatives
from Scotiabank and the Department of Disaster Management, considering content, creativity, quality and
team spirit. The winning Grand Turk team, Forecast 5, proposed a mobile app whose main purpose was to provide
hurricane updates and preparedness tips, serving as a weather radar, friend tracker and First Aid assistant. The winning
Providenciales team, 649 Aerial System, proposed a drone damage assessment tool. The system would also
include an app that not only provided real-time damage assessment, but also hurricane updates and preparedness
tips. Team Forecast 5 was comprised of Kendrea Gelcius, Llewandra Basden, Raynae Myers, Samantha Marcellus and
Angelia Ariza. Both teams will face off in January 2018 with another challenge. The winner will represent the Turks
& Caicos Islands in the regional Innovation Camp Challenge hosted by JA Americas. Junior Achievement is an international
non-profit organization focused on inspiring and motivating kids to be ambitious and goal oriented. The
Junior Achievement Innovation Camp is regionally funded through a partnership with Scotiabank.
Story By Claire Parrish ~ Photos By Angela Musgrove
Team 649 Aerial System from Providenciales includes (at center, from left): Rasheed John, Rodisha Johnson, Anthonique Asamoah, Zaria
Ingham, Ernelle Hall and Robria Clarke.
74 www.timespub.tc

about the Islands
Map provided courtesy Wavey Line Publishing. Their navigation charts and decorative and historic maps of the Turks & Caicos Islands, the
Bahamas, and Hispaniola are available in shops throughout the Islands. Visit www.waveylinepublishing.com.
Where we are
The Turks & Caicos Islands lie some 575 miles southeast
of Miami — approximately 1 1/2 hours flying time — with
the Bahamas about 30 miles to the northwest and the
Dominican Republic some 100 miles to the southeast.
The country consists of two island groups separated
by the 22-mile wide Columbus Passage. To the west are
the Caicos Islands: West Caicos, Providenciales, North
Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos, and South Caicos. To
the east are the Turks Islands: Grand Turk and Salt Cay.
The Turks & Caicos total 166 square miles of land
area on eight islands and 40 small cays. The country’s
population is approximately 32,000.
Getting here
There are international airports on Grand Turk, North
Caicos, Providenciales, and South Caicos, with domestic
airports on all of the islands except East Caicos.
At this time, all of the major international carriers
arrive and depart from Providenciales International
Airport. American Airlines flies from Miami, Charlotte,
Boston, Dallas, New York/JFK and Philadelphia. JetBlue
Airways offers service from Fort Lauderdale, New York/JFK
and Boston. Southwest Airlines travels to Fort Lauderdale.
Delta Airlines flies from Atlanta and New York/JFK. United
Airlines flies from Newark, Washington, DC and Chicago.
WestJet travels from Toronto. Air Canada offer flights
from Toronto and Montreal. British Airways travels from
London/Gatwick via Antigua.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 75

Bahamasair flies to Nassau on Thursday and Sunday;
InterCaribbean Airways travels daily except Thursday.
InterCaribbean Airways and Caicos Express travel to Haiti
daily, while InterCaribbean Airways flies to the Dominican
Republic daily (except Wednesday); to Jamaica daily,
and to Puerto Rico on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and
Sunday. InterCaribbean Airways also travels to Santiago,
Cuba on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (Schedules are
current as of December 2017 and subject to change.)
Inter-island service is provided by InterCaribbean
Airways, Caicos Express Airways, and Global Airways. Sea
and air freight services operate from Florida.
Language
English.
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time (AST) observed year-round.
Currency
The United States dollar. The Treasury also issues a Turks
& Caicos crown and quarter. Travellers cheques in U.S.
dollars are widely accepted and other currency can be
changed at local banks. American Express, VISA, and
MasterCard are welcomed at many locations.
Climate
The average year-round temperature is 83ºF (28ºC). The
hottest months are September and October, when the
temperature can reach 90 to 95ºF (33 to 35ºC). However,
the consistent easterly trade winds temper the heat and
keep life comfortable.
Casual resort and leisure wear is accepted attire for
daytime; light sweaters or jackets may be necessary on
some breezy evenings. It’s wise to wear protective clothing
and a sunhat and use waterproof sunscreen when out
in the tropical sun.
Entry requirements
Passport. A valid onward or return ticket is also required.
Customs formalities
Visitors may bring in duty free for their own use one carton
of cigarettes or cigars, one bottle of liquor or wine,
and some perfume. The importation of all firearms including
those charged with compressed air without prior
approval in writing from the Commissioner of Police is
strictly forbidden. Spear guns, Hawaiian slings, controlled
drugs, and pornography are also illegal.
76 www.timespub.tc

Returning residents may bring in $400 worth of
merchandise per person duty free. A duty of 10% to
60% is charged on most imported goods along with a
7% customs processing fee and forms a major source of
government revenue.
Transportation
A valid driver’s license from home is suitable when renting
vehicles. A government tax of 12% is levied on all
rental contracts. (Insurance is extra.) Driving is on the
left-hand side of the road, with traffic flow controlled by
round-abouts at major junctions. Please don’t drink and
drive! Taxis are abundant throughout the Islands and
many resorts offer shuttle service between popular visitor
areas. Scooter, motorcycle, and bicycle rentals are
also available.
Telecommunications
FLOW Ltd. provides land lines and superfast broadband
Internet service. Mobile service is on a LTE 4G network,
including pre and post-paid cellular phones. Most resorts
and some stores and restaurants offer wireless Internet
connection. Digicel operates mobile networks, with
a full suite of LTE 4G service. FLOW is the local carrier
for CDMA roaming on US networks such as Verizon and
Sprint. North American visitors with GSM cellular handsets
and wireless accounts with AT&T or Cingular can
arrange international roaming.
Electricity
120/240 volts, 60 Hz, suitable for all U.S. appliances.
Departure tax
US $20 for all persons two years and older, payable in
cash or traveller’s cheques. It is typically built into the
cost of your ticket.
Courier service
Delivery service is provided by FedEx, with offices on
Providenciales and Grand Turk, and DHL. UPS service is
limited to incoming delivery.
Postal service
The Post Office and Philatelic Bureau in Providenciales is
located downtown in Butterfield Square. In Grand Turk,
the Post Office is on Front Street, with the Philatelic
Bureau on Church Folly. The Islands are known for their
varied and colorful stamp issues.
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 77

Media
Multi-channel satellite television is received from the U.S.
and Canada and transmitted via cable or over the air.
Local station WIV-TV broadcasts on Channel 4 and Island
EyeTV on Channel 5. People’s Television offers 75 digitally
transmitted television stations, along with local news
and talk shows on Channel 8. There are also a number of
local radio stations, magazines, and newspapers.
Medical services
There are no endemic tropical diseases in TCI. There are
large, modern hospitals on Grand Turk and Providenciales.
Both hospitals offer a full range of services including:
24/7 emergency room, operating theaters, diagnostic
imaging, maternity suites, dialysis suites, blood bank,
physiotherapy, and dentistry.
In addition, several general practitioners operate in
the country, and there is a recompression chamber, along
with a number of private pharmacies.
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Immigration
A resident’s permit is required to live in the Islands. A
work permit and business license are also required to
work and/or establish a business. These are generally
granted to those offering skills, experience, and qualifications
not widely available on the Islands. Priority is given
to enterprises that will provide employment and training
for T&C Islanders.
Government/Legal system
TCI is a British Crown colony. There is a Queen-appointed
Governor, HE Dr. John Freeman. He presides over an executive
council formed by the elected local government.
Lady Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson is the country’s first
woman premier, leading a majority People’s Democratic
Movement (PDM) House of Assembly.
The legal system is based upon English Common
Law and administered by a resident Chief Justice, Chief
Magistrate, and Deputy Magistrates. Judges of the Court
of Appeal visit the Islands twice a year and there is a final
Right of Appeal to Her Majesty’s Privy Council in London.
Taxes
There are currently no direct taxes on either income
or capital for individuals or companies. There are no
exchange controls. Indirect taxation comprises customs
duties and fees, stamp duty, taxes on accommodations,
restaurants, vehicle rentals, other services and gasoline,
as well as business license fees and departure taxes.
78 www.timespub.tc

Economy
Historically, TCI’s economy relied on the export of
salt. Currently, tourism, the offshore finance industry,
and fishing generate the most private sector income.
The Islands’ main exports are lobster and conch, with
the world’s first commercial conch farm operating on
Providenciales. Practically all consumer goods and foodstuffs
are imported.
The Turks & Caicos Islands are recognised as an
important offshore financial centre, offering services
such as company formation, offshore insurance, banking,
trusts, limited partnerships, and limited life companies.
The Financial Services Commission regulates the industry
and spearheads the development of offshore legislation.
People
Citizens of the Turks & Caicos Islands are termed
“Belongers” and are primarily descendants of African
slaves who were brought to the Islands to work on the
salt ponds and cotton plantations. The country’s large
expatriate population includes Canadians, Americans,
Brits and Europeans, along with Haitians, Jamaicans,
Dominicans, Bahamians, Indians, and Filipinos.
Churches
Churches are the center of community life and there
are many faiths represented in the Islands, including:
Adventist, Anglican, Assembly of God, Baha’i,
Baptist, Catholic, Church of God of Prophecy, Episcopal,
Faith Tabernacle Church of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
Methodist and Pentecostal. Visitors are always welcome.
Pets
Incoming pets must have an import permit, veterinary
health certificate, vaccination certificate, and lab test
results to be submitted at the port of entry to obtain
clearance from the TCI Department of Agriculture, Animal
Health Services.
National symbols
The National Bird is the Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis).
The National Plant is Island heather (Limonium
bahamense) found nowhere else in the world. The
National Tree is the Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea var.
bahamensis). The National Costume consists of white cotton
dresses tied at the waist for women and simple shirts
and loose pants for men, with straw hats. Colors representing
the various islands are displayed on the sleeves
and bases. The National Song is “This Land of Ours,” by
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Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 79

㈀ 㠀
吀 甀 爀 欀 猀 愀 渀 搀 䌀 愀 椀 挀 漀 猀 刀 攀 猀 攀 爀 瘀 愀 琀 椀 漀 渀 猀 椀 猀 礀 漀 甀 爀 洀 漀 猀 琀 甀 瀀 搀 愀 琀 攀 搀
爀 攀 猀 漀 甀 爀 挀 攀 Ⰰ 愀 渀 搀 戀 攀 猀 琀 瀀 氀 愀 挀 攀 琀 漀 最 攀 琀 最 爀 攀 愀 琀 搀 攀 愀 氀 猀 愀 渀 搀 椀 猀 氀 愀 渀 搀 搀 椀 猀 挀 漀 甀 渀 琀 猀 ℀
䄀 爀 攀 礀 漀 甀 愀 䰀 甀 砀 甀 爀 礀 吀 爀 愀 瘀 攀 氀 䄀 搀 瘀 椀 猀 漀 爀 㼀 䘀 椀 渀 搀 漀 甀 琀 洀 漀 爀 攀
愀 戀 漀 甀 琀 漀 甀 爀 渀 攀 眀 猀 攀 爀 瘀 椀 挀 攀 ᰠ 䰀 甀 砀 甀 爀 礀 䔀 砀 瀀 攀 爀 椀 攀 渀 挀 攀 猀 ᴠ
the late Rev. E.C. Howell, PhD. Peas and Hominy (Grits)
with Dry Conch is revered as symbolic island fare.
Going green
TCI Waste Disposal Services currently offers recycling services
through weekly collection of recyclable aluminum,
glass, and plastic. The TCI Environmental Club is spearheading
a campaign to eliminate single-use plastic bags.
Do your part by using a cloth bag whenever possible.
Keep TCI “Beautiful by Nature” by not littering!
Recreation
Sporting activities are centered around the water. Visitors
can choose from deep-sea, reef, or bonefishing, sailing,
glass-bottom boat and semi-sub excursions, windsurfing,
waterskiing, parasailing, sea kayaking, snorkelling,
scuba diving, kiteboarding, stand up paddleboarding,
and beachcombing. Pristine reefs, abundant marine life,
and excellent visibility make TCI a world-class diving
destination. Tennis and golf—there is an eighteen hole
championship course on Providenciales—are also popular.
The Islands are an ecotourist’s paradise. Visitors can
enjoy unspoilt wilderness and native flora and fauna in
thirty-three national parks, nature reserves, sanctuaries,
and areas of historical interest. The National Trust
provides trail guides to several hiking trails, as well as
guided tours of major historical sites. There is an excellent
national museum on Grand Turk, with an auxillary
branch on Providenciales. A scheduled ferry and a selection
of tour operators make it easy to take day trips to the
outer islands.
Other land-based activities include bicycling, horseback
riding, and football (soccer). Personal trainers are
available to motivate you, working out of several fitness
centres. You will also find a variety of spa and body treatment
services.
Nightlife includes local bands playing island music
at bars and restaurants and some nightclubs. There is
a casino on Providenciales, along with many electronic
gaming parlours. Stargazing is extraordinary!
Shoppers will find Caribbean paintings, T-shirts,
sports and beachwear, and locally made handicrafts,
including straw work and conch crafts. Duty free outlets
sell liquor, jewellery, watches, perfume, leather goods,
crystal, china, cameras, electronics, brand-name clothing
and accessories, along with Cuban cigars. a
80 www.timespub.tc

where to stay
In the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, especially on the Islands
beyond Providenciales, be sure to confirm that the property is open
prior to making travel plans.
Grand Turk
range of daily rates
US$ (subject to change)
number of units
major credit cards
restaurant
bar
air conditioning
phone in unit
television in unit
kitchen in unit
laundry service
pool
on the beach
H
The Arches of Grand Turk – Tel 649 946 2941 190–210 4 • • • • • • •
Bohio Dive Resort – Tel 649 946 2135 • Web www.bohioresort.com 170–230 16 • • • • • • • •
Crabtree Apartments – Tel 978 270 1698 • Web www.GrandTurkVacationRental.com 210–250 3 • • • • • •
Grand Turk Inn – Tel 649 946 2827 • Web www.grandturkinn.com 250–300 5 • • • • • • •
Island House – Tel 649 946 1519/232 5514 • Web www.islandhouse.tc 110–185 8 • • • • • • •
Manta House – Tel 649 946 1111 • Web www.grandturk-mantahouse.com 110–130 5 • • • • • • •
Osprey Beach Hotel – Tel 649 946 2666 • Web www.ospreybeachhotel.com 90–225 37 • • • • • • • • • •
Pelican House – Tel 649 246 6797 • Web www.pelicanhousegrandturk.com 110-130 3 • • • • •
Salt Raker Inn – Tel 649 946 2260 • Web www.saltrakerinn.com 55–140 13 • • • • • • •
Solomon Porches Guesthouse – Tel 649 946 2776/241 2937 • Fax 649 946 1984 75–100 3 • •
Middle Caicos
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Blue Horizon Resort – Tel 649 946 6141 • Web bhresort.com 265–400 7 • • • • • • • • •
North Caicos
H
Bottle Creek Lodge – Tel 649 946 7080 • Web www.bottlecreeklodge.com 155–240 3 • •
Caicos Beach Condominiums – Tel 649 241 4778/786 338 9264 • Web www.caicosbeachcondos.com 159–299 8 • • • • • • • •
Cedar Palms Suites – Tel 649 946 7113/649 244 4186 • Web www.oceanbeach.tc 250–300 3 • • • • • • • • •
Flamingo’s Nest – Tel 649 946 7113/649 244 4186 • Web www.oceanbeach.tc 175–340 2 • • • • • • • •
Hollywood Beach Suites - Tel 800 551 2256/649 231 1020 • Web www.hollywoodbeachsuites.com 200–235 4 • • • • • •
JoAnne’s Bed & Breakfast - Tel 649 946 7301 • Web www.turksandcaicos.tc/joannesbnb 80–120 4 • • • •
Palmetto Villa – Tel 649 946 7113/649 244 4186 • Web www.oceanbeach.tc 225–250 1 • • • • • • • •
Pelican Beach Hotel - Tel 649 946 7112/877 774 5486 • Web www.pelicanbeach.tc 125–165 14 • • • • • • • •
Pine Cay
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The Meridian Club - Tel 649 946 7758/866 286 7993 • Web www.meridianclub.com 800–1300 13 • • • • • • •
Parrot Cay
H
COMO Parrot Cay Resort & Spa - Tel 649 946 7788/855 PARROTCAY • Web www.parrotcay.com 550–2850 65 • • • • • • • • • •
Providenciales
G
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Airport Inn – Tel 649 941 3514 • Web www.airportinntci.com. 140 18 • • • • • • •
The Alexandra Resort & Spa – Tel 800 704 9424/649 946 5807 • Web www.alexandraresort.com 280–420 99 • • • • • • • • •
The Atrium Resort – Tel 888 592 7885/649 333 0101 • Web www.theatriumresorttci.com 159–410 30 • • • • • • • •
Amanyara – Tel 866 941 8133/649 941 8133 • Web www.aman.com 1000–2100 73 • • • • • • • •
Aquamarine Beach Houses – Tel 649 231 4535/905 556 0278 • www.aquamarinebeachhouses.com 200–850 24 • • • • • • • •
Beaches Resort Villages & Spa – Tel 888-BEACHES/649 946 8000 • Web www.beaches.com 325–390AI 758 • • • • • • • • •
Beach House Turks & Caicos – Tel 649 946 5800 • Web www.beachchousetci.com 532–638 21 • • • • • • • • • •
BE Beach Enclave – Tel 888 434 3981 • Web www.beachenclave.com see web 24 • • • • • • • •
Blue Haven Resort & Marina – Tel 855 832 7667/649 946 9900 • Web www.bluehaventci.com 250–650 51 • • • • • • • • • •
Caribbean Paradise Inn – Tel 649 946 5020 • Web www.caribbeanparadiseinn.com 162–225 17 • • • • • • • •
Club Med Turkoise – Tel 800 258 2633/649 946 5500 • Web www.clubmed.com 120–225 290 • • • • • • • • •
Coral Gardens on Grace Bay – Tel 649 941 3713/800 532 8536 • Web www.coralgardens.com 199-449 32 • • • • • • • • • •
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos – Tel 888 844 5986/649 941 7555 • Web www.gansevoorttc.com 315–720 91 • • • • • • • • • •
Grace Bay Club - Tel 800 946 5757/649 946 5050 • Web www.gracebayclub.com 650–1750 75 • • • • • • • • • •
Grace Bay Suites – Tel 649 941 7447 • Web www.GraceBaySuites.com 99–195 24 • • • • • • • •
Harbour Club Villas – Tel 649 941 5748/305 434 8568 • Web www.harbourclubvillas.com 210–240 6 • • • • •
The Inn at Grace Bay – Tel 649 432 8633 • Web www.innatgracebay.com 179–379 48 • • • • • • •
Kokomo Botanical Gardens - Tel 649 941 3121• Web www.aliveandwellresorts.com 169–299 16 • • • • •
Le Vele - Tel 649 941 8800/888 272 4406 • Web www.leveleresort.com 303–630 22 • • • • • • • •
La Vista Azul – Tel 649 946 8522/866 519 9618 • Web www.lvaresort.com 215–375 78 • • • • • • •
The Lodgings – Tel 649 941 8107/242 6722 • Web www.hotelturksandcaicos.com 175–255 15 • • • • • •
Neptune Villas – Tel 649 331 4328 • Web www.neptunevillastci.com 150–400 10 • • • • • • • • •
Northwest Point Resort • Tel 649 941 5133 • Web www.northwestpointresort.com 196–550 49 • • • • • • • • • •
Ocean Club Resorts - Tel 800 457 8787/649 946 5880 • Web www.oceanclubresorts.com 180–690 191 • • • • • • • • • •
The Palms Turks & Caicos – Tel 649 946 8666/866 877 7256 • Web thepalmstc.com 595–1700 72 • • • • • • • • • •
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 81

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where to stay
range of daily rates
US$ (subject to change)
number of units
major credit cards
restaurant
bar
air conditioning
phone in unit
television in unit
kitchen in unit
laundry service
pool
on the beach
Providenciales (continued)
Pelican Nest Villa – Tel 649 342 5731 • Web www.pelicannest.tc 429–857 2 • • • • • •
Point Grace – Tel 649 946 5096/888 209 5582 • Web www.pointgrace.com 424–1515 27 • • • • • • • • • •
Ports of Call Resort – Tel 888 678 3483/649 946 8888 • Web www.portsofcallresort.com 135–210 99 • • • • • • •
Queen Angel Resort – Tel 649 941 8771 • Web www.queenangelresort.com 150–575 56 • • • • • • • • •
Reef Residence at Grace Bay – Tel 800 532 8536 • Web www.reefresidence.com 275-385 24 • • • • • • •
The Regent Grand – Tel 877 288 3206/649 941 7770 • Web www.theregentgrand.com 495–1100 50 • • • • • • • • •
Royal West Indies Resort – Tel 800 332 4203/649 946 5004 • Web www.royalwestindies.com 180–695 92 • • • • • • • • • •
The Sands at Grace Bay – Tel 877 777 2637/649 946 5199 • Web www.thesandsresort.com 175–675 116 • • • • • • • • • •
Seven Stars Resort & Spa – Tel 866 570 7777/649 333 7777 – Web www.sevenstarsgracebay.com 365–2400 165 • • • • • • • • • •
The Shore Club – Tel 649 339 8000 – Web www.theshoreclubtc.com 465–4650 148 • • • • • • • • • •
Sibonné Beach Hotel – Tel 888 570 2861/649 946 5547 • Web www.sibonne.com 110–375 29 • • • • • • • •
The Somerset on Grace Bay – Tel 649 339 5900/888 386 8770 • Web www.thesomerset.com 350–1300 53 • • • • • • • • • •
Turtle Cove Inn – Tel 800 887 0477/649 946 4203 • Web www.turtlecoveinn.com 85–180 30 • • • • • • • •
The Tuscany – Tel 866 359 6466/649 941 4667 • Web www.thetuscanyresort.com 975–1300 30 • • • • • • • •
The Venetian – Tel 877 277 4793/649 941 3512 • Web www.thevenetiangracebay.com 695–1175 27 • • • • • • • •
Villa del Mar – Tel 877 345 4890/649 941 5160 • Web www.yourvilladelmar.com 190–440 42 • • • • • • •
Villa Mani – Tel 649 431 4444 • Web www.villamanitci.com See Web/AE 6 • • • • • • •
Villa Renaissance - Tel 649 941 5300/877 285 8764 • Web www.villarenaissance.com 295–650 36 • • • • • • • • •
The Villas at Blue Mountain – Tel 649 941 4255 • Web www.villasatbluemountain.com 1200–2500 3 • • • • • • • •
West Bay Club – Tel 855 749 5750/649 946 8550 • Web www.thewestbayclub.com 235–1163 46 • • • • • • • • • •
Windsong – Tel 649 333 7700/800 WINDSONG • Web www.windsongresort.com 275–925 50 • • • • • • • • •
The Yacht Club – Tel 649 946 4656 • Web www.yachtclubtci.com 250–350 52 • • • • • • •
Salt Cay
Castaway – Salt Cay – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.castawayonsaltcay.com 175–265 4 • • • • •
Genesis Beach House – Tel 561 502 0901 • Web www.Genesisbeachhouse.com 1000–1200W 4 • • • • •
Pirate’s Hideaway B & B – Tel 800 289 5056/649 946 6909 • Web www.saltcay.tc 165–175 4 • • • • • • •
Salt Cay Beach House – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.saltcaybeachhouse.blogspot.com 799W 1 • • • • • •
Trade Winds Lodge – Tel 649 232 1009 • Web www.tradewinds.tc 925–1325W 5 • • • • •
Twilight Zone Cottage – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.twilightzonecottage.blogspot.com 499W 1 • • • •
The Villas of Salt Cay – Tel 772 713 9502 • Web www.villasofsaltcay.com 150–475 5 • • • • • • • •
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South Caicos
East Bay Resort – Tel 844 260 8328/649 232 6444 • Web eastbayresort.com 198–1775 86 • • • • • • • • • •
Sailrock South Caicos – Tel 800 929 7197 • Web sailrockresortcom 600–800 6 • • • • • • • • •
South Caicos Ocean & Beach Resort – Tel 877 774 5486/649 946 3219
Web southcaicos.oceanandbeachresort.com 120–275 24 • • • • •
Hotel & Tourism Association Member
Green Globe Certified
Rates (listed for doubles) do not include Government Accommodation Tax and Service Charge
82 www.timespub.tc

dining out – providenciales
Amanyara — Amanyara Resort. Tel: 941-8133. Light gourmet
cuisine with menu changing daily. Open 6 to 10 PM.
Angela’s Top O’ The Cove Deli — Suzie Turn, by NAPA.
Tel: 946-4694. New York-style delicatessen. Eat-in, carry-out,
catering. Open daily 7 AM to 5 PM; Sunday 7 AM to 2 PM.
Asú on the Beach — Alexandra Resort. Tel: 941-8888. Casual
Caribbean and popular international fare. Open daily for 7:30
AM to 10:30 PM. Service indoors, poolside, and at beach.
Baci Ristorante — Harbour Towne, Turtle Cove. Tel: 941-3044.
Waterfront Italian dining. Brick oven pizza. Popular bar. Open
for lunch Monday to Friday 12 to 2 PM and dinner nightly from
6 to 10 PM. Closed Sunday.
Bay Bistro — Sibonné Beach Hotel. Tel: 946-5396. Oceanfront
dining featuring creative international cuisine. Open daily
7 AM to 10 PM. Weekend brunch. Catering and special events.
Beaches Resort & Spa — The Bight. Tel: 946-8000.
All-inclusive resort. A variety of restaurants and bars on premises.
Non-guests can purchase a pass.
Bella Luna Ristorante — Glass House, Grace Bay Road. Tel:
946-5214. Fine Italian dining. Indoor or terrace seating above
tropical garden. Open daily from 5:30 PM. Closed Sunday. Lunch
and pizza in the garden. Private catering available.
Big Al’s Island Grill — Salt Mills Plaza. Tel: 941-3797. Wide
selection of burgers, steaks, salads, and wraps in a diner-like
setting. Open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.
Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl — Five Cays. Tel: 941-3863. Fresh
local conch and seafood by the beach. Rum, buckets of beer,
live local bands. Open daily from 11 AM to late.
Cabana Beach Bar & Grill — Ocean Club. Tel: 946-5880.
Casual island fare, burgers, salads, snacks. Open daily from
7 AM to 10 PM. Tropical cocktails with a view of the sea.
Caicos Bakery — Caicos Café Plaza. Authentic French boulangerie.
Fresh-baked breads, rolls, croissants, muffins, quiche,
pastries, cakes. Open 7 AM to 4:30 PM daily except Sunday.
Caicos Café — Caicos Café Plaza. Tel: 946-5278.
Mediterranean specialties, grilled local seafood. Fine wines, dining
on the deck. Open 6 PM to 10 PM Monday to Saturday.
The Caravel Restaurant — Grace Bay Court. Tel: 941-5330.
Cozy restaurant offering island food with flair; famous for fish
tacos. Full bar. Open daily 5 to 10 PM, closed Thursday.
Chicken Chicken — Times Square, downtown Provo. Fast food,
fried chicken, native fare.
Chinson’s Grill Shack — Leeward Highway. Tel: 941-3533.
The Islands’ best jerk and barbecue, Jamaican pastries. Open
daily 8 AM to 10 PM; Friday to Midnight.
Chopsticks — Neptune Court. Tel: 333-4040. Fusion of Asian
cuisines. Take-away, delivery, on-site dining. Open daily 11:30
AM to 3 PM; 5:30 to 10:00 PM.
Club Med — Grace Bay Road. Tel: 946-5500. All-inclusive
resort. Buffet-style dining; live show and disco in the evenings.
Non-guests can purchase a daily pass.
Coco Bistro — Grace Bay Road. Tel: 946-5369. Continental
Caribbean cuisine by Chef Stuart Gray under a canopy of palms.
Serving dinner from 5:30 PM. Closed Monday. Look for the new
Cocovan airstream lounge with garden seating or take-away.
Coconut Grove Restaurant & Lounge — Olympic Plaza,
Downtown. Tel: 247-5610. Casual native fare for residents and
tourists. Cracked conch, conch fritters, fried fish. Pool and game
room. Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM.
Coyaba Restaurant — Caribbean Paradise Inn. Tel: 946-5186.
Contemporary Caribbean gourmet cuisine in a private tropical
garden setting. Extensive wine list. Dinner nightly from 6 to 10
PM. Closed Tuesday. Reservations recommended.
Crackpot Kitchen — Ports of Call. Tel: 2313336. Experience
the best of authentic Turks & Caicos and Caribbean cuisines
with local celebrity Chef Nik. Open daily 5 to 10 PM except
Thursday; Happy Hour 5 to 7 PM.
Crust Bakery & Café — Graceway IGA. Tel: 941-8724.
Breakfast sandwiches, specialty coffees, soups, salads, gourmet
sandwiches and desserts. Open Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to
8:30 PM. Covered patio dining or take-out. Catering available.
Da Conch Shack & RumBar — Blue Hills. Tel: 946-8877.
Island-fresh seafood from the ocean to your plate. Covered
beachfront dining for lunch and dinner daily from 11 AM.
Danny Buoy’s — Grace Bay Road. Tel: 946-5921. Traditional
American pub fare; imported draught beers. Open for lunch and
dinner daily from 11 AM. Happy Hour specials. Large screen TVs
for sporting events. Karaoke.
The Deck — Seven Stars Resort. Tel: 941-7777. All day dining
and cocktails by the water’s edge. Open daily 11 AM to 11 PM.
Live music Friday nights.
Drift — West Bay Club. Tel: 946-8550. Open-air beachfront dining.
Creatively used local ingredients. Full bar. Open daily.
Dune — Windsong Resort. Tel: 333-7700. Private beachfront
dining with limited availability. Fresh fare prepared to perfection.
Open daily.
Element — LeVele Plaza. Tel: 348-6424. Contemporary, creative
cuisine in an elegant setting. Open for dinner Friday to
Wednesday 6:30 to 10:30 PM.
Fairways Bar & Grill — Provo Golf Club. Tel: 946-5833. Dine
overlooking the “greens.” Open for breakfast and lunch from 7
AM to 4 PM daily; Friday, Saturday and Sunday open until 8 PM.
Great Sunday brunch 9 AM to 3 PM.
Fire & Ice — Blue Haven Resort & Marina. Tel: 946-9900.
Drinks at the Ice Bar, dessert by the fire pits. South Americanmeets-Caribbean
flavors and spices. Open daily 5:30 to 9:30
PM. Closed Wednesday.
Fresh Bakery & Bistro — Atrium Resort. Tel: 345-4745.
Healthy European salads, soups, sandwiches, bakery, pies and
cakes. Gelato. Open daily 7 AM to 6 PM, closed Sunday.
Fresh Catch — Salt Mills Plaza. Tel: 243-3167. Authentic native
cuisine, from seafood to souse. All-you-can-eat seafood buffet
on Wednesday. Open daily 8 AM to 10 PM. Closed Sunday.
Carry-out available.
Garam Masala — Regent Village. Tel: 941-3292. Authentic
Indian cuisine, tandoori charcoal-oven specialties. Open daily
11:30 AM to 3 PM, 5:30 to 10 PM. Dine-in, take-out or delivery.
Giggles Ice Cream & Candy Parlour — Ports of Call &
Williams Storage. Tel: 941-7370. Cones, sundaes, shakes,
smoothies, “Gigglers,” ice cream pies and cakes. Pick ‘n’ mix
candies. Open daily 11 AM to 10 PM.
Gilley’s Sky Lounge & Bar — At the airport. Tel: 946-4472.
Burgers, sandwiches, local food. Open daily 6 AM to 9 PM.
Grace’s Cottage — Point Grace Resort. Tel: 946-5096.
Elegant, gourmet Caribbean cuisine showcasing regional foods.
Extensive wine list. Gazebo seating under the stars or indoor
Times of the Islands Winter 2017/18 83

dining in a romantic gingerbread cottage. Serving dinner from
6 to 10 PM nightly. Reservations required. Native cuisine night
on Tuesday with live music.
Grill Rouge — Grace Bay Club. Tel: 946-5050. Al fresco bistro.
Diverse menu. Fun cocktails. Open daily for lunch Noon to 3 PM,
dinner to 9 PM.
Hemingways on the Beach — The Sands at Grace Bay. Tel:
941-8408. Casual beachfront bar and restaurant. Fresh fish,
pasta, sandwiches, salads and tropical drinks by the pool.
Oceanfront deck for great sunsets! Open 8 AM to 10 PM daily.
Hole in the Wall Restaurant & Bar — Williams Plaza, Old
Airport Road. Tel: 941-4136. Authentic Jamaican/Island cuisine
where the locals go. Full bar. A/C dining or outdoors on the
deck. Open daily 7 AM to 9 PM. Pick-up/delivery available.
Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar — Grace Bay Club. Tel: 946-
5050. Elegant beachfront dining for lunch and dinner. Gourmet
Euro/Caribbean cuisine; fine wines. Full bar and lounge.
Reservations required.
Island Boochery — Le Petite Plaza. Tel: 348-7027. Vegan
lifestyle kitchen, offering fresh, organic, raw, vegan, gourmet.
Open daily 10 AM to 6 PM; Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM.
Island Conch Bar & Grill — Bight Cultural Market. Tel: 946-
8389. Caribbean and local cuisine. Open daily 11 AM to 9 PM.
Island Scoop — Grace Bay Plaza. Tel: 242-8511/243-5051.
21 flavors of ice cream made locally. Cones, smoothies, blizzards
and shakes. Open daily, 11 AM to 10 PM.
The Java Bar — Graceway Gourmet. Tel: 941-5000. Gourmet
café serving fresh baked desserts, sandwiches and coffee
delights. Open 7 AM to 8 PM daily.
Jimmy’s Dive Bar — Ports of Call. Tel: 946-5282. The place for
steaks, BBQ, booze and breakfast. Open daily, 7 AM to 11 PM,
(Thursday to Saturday to Midnight); open Sunday at 8 AM.
KItchen 218 — Beach House, Lower Bight Road. Tel: 946-5800.
Caribbean cuisine with hints of French and Asian fusion and the
chef’s passion for fresh ingredients. Open 8 AM to 10 PM daily.
The Landing Bar & Kitchen — Grace Bay Road across from
Regent Village. Tel: 341-5856. Unique nautical setting for dinner
under the stars. Cocktails, fire pit. Open daily except Tuesday
5:30 PM to . . .
Las Brisas — Neptune Villas, Chalk Sound. Tel: 946-5306.
Mediterranean/Caribbean cuisine with tapas, wine and full bar.
Terrace, gazebo and inside dining overlooking Chalk Sound.
Open daily 8 AM to 10 PM. Take-out available; private parties.
Le Bouchon du Village — Regent Village. Tel: 946-5234. A
taste of Paris. Sidewalk café with sandwiches, salads, tartines,
tapas, dinner specials, wine, cheese, dessert, coffees. Open
daily 11 AM. Closed Sunday.
Le Comptoir Francais — Regent Village. Tel: 946-5234.
French deli, bakery, wine shop. Open daily.
Lemon 2 Go Coffee — Ventura House. Tel: 941-4069.
Gourmet coffeehouse. Sandwiches, muffins, cookies, croissants,
yogurt, salads. Open Monday to Saturday 7:30 AM to 7 PM,
Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM.
The Lounge — Grace Bay Club. Tel: 946-5050. Decidedly hip
lounge. Caribbean-infused tapas, martinis, tropical cocktails,
world music and the finest sunset location in Providenciales.
Lupo — Regent Village. Tel: 431-5876. Authentic Italian
“comfort food.” Regional wine list. Dine in or take out readymade
gourmet meals. Open daily 11 AM to 3 PM; 6 to 10 PM.
Magnolia Restaurant & Wine Bar — Miramar Resort. Tel:
941-5108. International cuisine with island flavors, north shore
views. Open for dinner from 6 to 9:30 PM except Monday. Wine
bar opens at 4 PM.
Mango Reef — Turtle Cove. Tel: 946-8200. Fresh local flavors
and seafood, homemade desserts. Open daily 8 AM to 10 PM.
Set price dinner on weekdays. Waterside deck, indoor or patio
dining. Tie-up to dock at Turtle Cove Marina.
Market Café — Blue Haven Resort. Tel: 946-9900. Gourmet
coffees, teas, frozen drinks; fresh breads and pastries; grab ‘n’
go salads, sandwiches, smoothies. Open daily 7 AM to 8 PM.
Melt Ice Cream Parlour — Regent Village. Tel: 432-1234.
Carefully crafted selection of sumptous and inspired sundaes,
with coffee, champagne and cocktails for the grown-ups! Open
Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 10 PM.
Mis Amigos Cocina Mexicana — Central Square. Tel: 946-
4229. A variety of traditional Mexican fare, including salads and
the best margaritas in town. Open daily.
Mother’s Pizza — Downtown Times Square. Tel: 941-4142.
Best pizza in the Turks & Caicos, available by the slice or the
island’s biggest “large.” Open daily 11 AM to 9 PM; to 10 PM on
Friday and Saturday; Noon to 8 PM on Sunday.
Mr. Groupers — Lower Bight and Sunset Ridge Hotel (near airport).
Tel: 242-6780. Serving fresh local seafood straight from
the sea. Open daily 10 AM to 10:30 PM, Sunday 3 to 11 PM.
Opus Wine • Bar • Grill — Ocean Club Plaza. Tel: 946-
5885. International menu with Caribbean flair. Fresh seafood.
Serving dinner nightly 6 to 10:30 PM. Indoor/outdoor dining.
Conference facility, events, catering.
Parallel23 — The Palms. Tel: 946-8666. Pan-tropical cuisine in
a setting of casual elegance. Boutique wine list. Al fresco or private
dining room available. Open daily 6 to 10:30 PM.
The Patty Place — Behind Shining Stars; Le Petit Place, Blue
Hills. Tel: 246-9000. Authentic Jamaican patties and loaves. 18
flavors of Devon House ice cream. Open daily 9:30 AM to 10 PM.
Pavilion — The Somerset. Tel: 339-5900. Chef Brad offers a
global palate, interpreted locally. Seafood raw bar. Open daily
for breakfast, lunch, dinner; Sunday Prime Rib special.
Pelican Bay Restaurant & Bar — Royal West Indies Resort.
Tel: 941-2365/431-9101. Poolside restaurant and bar with
Caribbean, French and Asian fare. Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily
from 7:30 AM to 10 PM. Special events each week.
Pepper Town Café — Digicel Cinema, #4. Tel: 246-9237.
Native and Caribbean Dishes. Open daily except Sunday 11:30
AM to 7 PM. Island breakfast on Saturday at 7 AM.
Pizza Pizza — Grace Bay Plaza/Cinema Plaza. Tel: 941-
8010/941-3577. New York style specialty pizzas. Open daily
11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, weekends until 10 PM. Free delivery.
Retreat Kitchen Vegetarian Café & Juice Bar — Ports of
Call. Tel: 432-2485. Fresh, organic, vegan fare. Fresh juices,
daily lunch specials. Open for lunch Monday to Saturday.
Rickie’s Flamingo Café — Between Ocean Club and Club Med.
Tel: 244-3231. Local fare and atmosphere right on the beach.
Best grouper sandwich and rum punch! Don’t miss Curry Fridays
and Beach BBQ Saturdays.
Sailing Paradise — Blue Hills. Tel: 344-1914. Casual beachfront
restaurant and bar. Caribbean fare. Open daily 7 AM to 11
PM. Sunday brunch and beach party, daily happy hour.
Salt Bar & Grill — Blue Haven Resort & Marina. Tel: 946-9900.
Casual dining with outdoor seating overlooking the marina.
Sandwiches, burgers and salads, classic bar favorites with local
flair. Open daily from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
Seven — Seven Stars Resort. Tel: 339-7777. Elevated contempo-
84 www.timespub.tc

ary cuisine fused with TCI tradition. Open Monday to Saturday,
5:30 to 9:30 PM.
72ºWest — The Palms Resort. Tel: 946-8666. Beachside dining
with a family-friendly, Caribbean-inspired menu. Serving lunch
daily; dinner seasonally.
Sharkbite Bar & Grill — Admiral’s Club at Turtle Cove. Tel:
941-5090. Varied menu; casual dining. Sports bar/slots. Open
daily from 11 AM to 2 AM.
Shay Café — Le Vele Plaza. Tel: 331-6349. Offering organic
coffees, teas, sandwiches, salads, soup, pastries, gelato, sorbetto,
smoothies, beer and wine. Open daily 7 AM to 7 PM.
Simone’s Bar & Grill — La Vista Azul. Tel: 331-3031. Serving
fresh seafood and local cuisine. Open daily 11 AM to 11 PM;
weekends 7 AM to 11 PM. Popular bar!
Solana! Restaurant — Ocean Club West. Tel: 946-5254.
Oceanfront dining from sushi to burgers. Teppanyaki and Sushi
Bar, engage with the chefs. Open daily 7:30 AM to 10 PM.
Somewhere Café & Lounge — Coral Gardens Resort. Tel:
941-8260. Casual dining with Tex-Mex flair right on the beach.
Cocktails, beers, specialty drinks. Open early to late daily.
Stelle — Gansevoort Turks + Caicos. Tel: 232-4444. Modern
Mediterranean cuisine featuring fresh fish and seafood. Open 6
to 10 PM daily, until 2 AM on Friday with DJ.
Sui-Ren — The Shore Club. Tel: 339-8000. Inspired flavors of
Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine with fresh seafood and organic
produce in a unique setting. Open daily.
Thai Orchid — The Regent Village. Tel: 946-4491. Authentic
Thai cuisine; over 60 choices! Dine in or carry out. Open for
lunch and dinner daily.
Three Brothers Restaurant — Town Center Mall, Downtown.
Tel: 232-4736. Seafood and native cuisine. Tuesday night buffet
dinner. Catering services. Open daily, 7 AM to 10 PM.
Tiki Hut Island Eatery — Dockside at Turtle Cove Inn. Tel:
941-5341. Imaginative sandwiches, salads, seafood, Black
Angus beef, pasta, pizzas, fresh fish. Open daily 11 AM to 10
PM. Breakfast on weekends.
Turkberry Frozen Yogurt — The Saltmills. Tel: 431-2233.
Frozen yogurt in a variety of flavors, with a large selection of
toppings. Open 11 AM to 11 PM daily.
Turks Kebab — At Craft Market on Sand Castle Drive. Tel: 431-
9964. Turkish and Mediterranean fare. Salads, falafel, gyros,
kebabs, hummus. Open for lunch and dinner.
Via Veneto — Ports of Call. Tel: 941-2372. Authentic Italian
dining in a stylish indoor/outdoor venue. Open from 5:30 PM to
late. Closed Thursday. Saturday is Pizza Night!
The Vix Bar & Grill — Regent Village. Tel: 941-4144. Highend,
island-inspired world cuisine, fine wines. Open daily for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Available for meetings.
Yoshi’s Sushi & Grill — The Saltmills. Tel: 941-3374/431-
0012. Sushi bar menu plus Japanese cuisine. Open daily Noon
to 3 PM; 6 to 10 PM. Closed Sunday. Dine indoors or out. Carry
out available.
Zest! — Gansevoort Turks + Caicos. Tel: 232-4444. Lunch and
dinner beachfront. Taste of the Caribbean and Americas. Open
daily Noon to 5 PM; 6 to 9 PM. Fisherman’s night Wednesday. a
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•Facials •Body Scrub
•Pedicures •Manicures
pureblissmassages@yahoo.com
Ana: 649.348.5687 • Anisha: 649.343.8536
Coming to your
villa or house
at the time
that suits you
Natural • Herbal • Relaxing
Newly located at Caribbean Place
Turks & Caicos
VETERINARY
ASSOCIATION
649-946-4353
Caring for your pet as though
it were our own since 1981
SeaSwim change classified:Caicu Naniki classified
HertzDollar_Layout 1 2/16/17 Call•Email•WhatsApp
12:37 PM Page 1
We Come To You•Cash Only Skipper_Layout 1 2/16/17 11:36 PM Page 1
649.941.3910 649.946.4864
Call Us.
Whether it’s for the largest variety of
vehicles, or the better prices and
greater service.
www.hertztci.com www.dollarcartci.com
Open 8am to 5pm 7 days.
Skipper’s
TAXI & TOURS
Lloyd “Skipper” Stubbs
at your service
GATEMAN8@HOTMAIL.COM
PH: 649 241 9959
After hours call
Brigitte ad Classified_Brigitte 8/25/17 11:50 AM Page 1 PROVIDENCIALES,
Barry 332.0012 Patrice 332.8602 Sophia 331.9895
TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
Tangled Hair Salon
Open 6 days per week
for cutting, styling and so much more
Call 431 4247 (431 HAIR)
PORTS OF CALL PLAZA
www.tangledhairsalonprovidenciales.com
classified ads . . .
“One of the World’s
Most Gorgeous Swims” -
The Daily News of Open
Water Swimming
SWIM RACING IN BEAUTIFUL,
TURQUOISE GRACE BAY,
JULY 7, 2018
“RACE FOR THE CONCH” ECO-SEASWIM
1/2 MILE, 1 MILE, AND 2.4 MILE EVENTS
(649) 432-5000
www.ecoseaswim.com
are an inexpensive way to reach Times of the Islands readers,
in the Turks & Caicos and around the world.
call 649 431 7527 for information
86 www.timespub.tc

LIVE WATERFRONT
Beach Enclave
International Drive
SOLD MLS 1400324
We all have dreams, and they are as vast and varied as the world is wide. But they all start with
inspiration, and inspiration starts with your surroundings. That’s what home is.
Family. Friends. A sense of place. An amazing view.
It’s all part of what makes a space a home, because your home is where you truly LIVE.
THE FINEST COLLECTION
Condominium | Home & Villa | Land | New Development
649.946.4474 | info@tcsothebysrealty.com | turksandcaicosSIR.com
Venture House, Grace Bay | Resort Locations: Grace Bay Club, The Palms, The Shore Club, The Sands
Each Sotheby’s International Realty® office is independently owned and operated.