Times of the Islands Fall 2023

TIMES
OF THE
SAMPLING THE SOUL OF THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS FALL 2023 NO. 144
BOUND BY SISAL
North Caicos museum
AIDING ATHLETES
Funding TCI sports
MICROBIAL MATS
Past and future intertwine
ISLANDS

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contents
Departments
6 From the Editor
19 The Way It Was
By Plane, Boat, and Golf Cart
By Diane Taylor
23 Making a Difference
Small Changes, Big Impact
By Kelly Currington
28 Creature Feature
Hermit Crabs
Story & Photos By Kelly Currington
34 Around the Islands
Bound by Sisal
By Jody Rathgeb ~ Photos By Tom Rathgeb
69 About the Islands/TCI Map
73 Subscription Form
74 Classified Ads
Features
48 Sporting a Glimmer of Hope
Athlete Development Fund
By Nandina Hislop and Jarrett Forbes
54 Empowering ExtraOrdinary Minds
Ashley’s Learning Centre
By Abigail Parnell
Green Pages
39 Iguana Be Left Alone
By Mel DeBlasio, Libby Dube, and Anna
Templeton ~ Edited by C.E. O’Brien, Ph.D.
44 Microbial Mats
By Rachel Craft ~ Photos By Usha Lingappa
TIMES
OF THE
SAMPLING THE SOUL OF THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS FALL 2023 NO. 144
ISLANDS
On the Cover
Marta Morton, our ace photographer for all things beautiful
in nature on the Islands photographed this little
female Bahama woodstar hummingbird collecting nectar
from Ixora flowers by the pool at Harbour Club. She says,
“I can spend hours waiting for a classic shot, but for sure
it is more often many misses before getting that one
winner. Patience is the name of the game.” View more of
her images at www.harbourclubvillas.com
Astrolabe
61 Veteran, Legend, Hero
James Edward “Bobby” Fulford
By Carlton and Debbie-lee Mills
54
SHUTTERSTOCK
4 www.timespub.tc

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from the editor
GARY JAMES—PROVOPICTURES.COM
Following a near-death experience, photographer Gary James plans to focus his work on capturing the beauty of God’s creation, as displayed
so vividly in the Turks & Caicos Islands, as a way of spreading the message of God’s divine love.
Much Will Be Required
“To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48).” I’ve been thinking about that Bible verse this week.
Longtime readers will know how fortunate I feel to have been able to live and work in one of my favorite places on
Earth. I’m healthy, strong, and enjoyed a golden childhood provided by my dear parents. Much has been given to
me. As my parents and childless uncle aged, however, much was and is being required for their care. Not only does
it stretch me physically, but most especially, emotionally. Anyone who has cared for elderly family members can
understand the tumultuous combination of love, grief, nostalgia, guilt, sadness, and joy that are a part of every day.
Yet, we are responsible for what we have. If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, and time, it is
expected that we benefit others. There are a number of stories in this issue that relate to this wisdom. The Turks &
Caicos Islands’ beaches are naturally stunning, and we all need to do our part to keep them that way. Participation in
sports can be a lifeline for the country’s youth; the program is looking for people and sponsors. Learning disabilities
in a family are especially hard for folks with limited resources and the Ashley’s Learning Centre needs funding and
volunteers. Take heart in the example of how the country’s first treadle sewing machine was put to good use!
With the ongoing real estate boom, TCI is becoming a country of great disparity in wealth and resources. How
much better it would be if we could all share the best of what we have.
Kathy Borsuk, Editor
timespub@tciway.tc • (649) 431-4788
6 www.timespub.tc

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or email:nina@tcsothebysrealty.com
@livesouthbank
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TIMES
OF THE
ISLANDS
MANAGING EDITOR
Kathy Borsuk
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Claire Parrish
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Kathy Borsuk, Rachel Craft, Kelly Currington, Mel DeBlasio,
Libby Dube, Jarrett Forbes, Nandina Hislop, Carlton Mills,
Debbie-lee Mills, C.E. O’Brien, Abigail Parnell, Jody Rathgeb,
Diane Taylor, Anna Templeton, Lisa Turnbow-Talbot.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ashley’s Learning Centre, Current magazine,
Kelly Currington, Gabrielle Gaither,
Gary James—Provo Pictures, Usha Lingappa,
Marta Morton, Dr. C.E. O’Brien, Rebecca Orr, Tom Rathgeb,
Lynn Robinson, Madison Roth, Shutterstock,
Diane Taylor, Lisa Turnbow-Talbot.
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Wavey Line Publishing.
PRINTING
PF Solutions, Miami, FL
Times of the Islands ISSN 1017-6853 is
published quarterly by Times Publications Ltd.
Copyright © 2023 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
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Return postage must accompany material if it is to be returned. In no
event shall any writer or photographer subject this magazine to any
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While every care has been taken in the compilation and reproduction of
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subject to change without notice. The publisher accepts no
responsibility for such alterations or for typographical or other errors.
Business Office
Times Publications Ltd., P.O. Box 234,
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI
Tel 649 431 4788
E-mail timespub@tciway.tc
Web www.timespub.tc
Advertising tfadvert@tciway.tc
18 www.timespub.tc

the way it was
It was quite a voyage to procure a treadle sewing machine to Pine Cay in the early 1980s, but Diane Taylor made good use of it to sew a
variety of clothes for residents.
SHUTTERSTOCK
By Plane, Boat, and Golf Cart
Pine Cay’s first (and only?) treadle sewing machine.
By Diane Taylor
Some offer mosaic classes to school kids. Others weave straw baskets for sale. Still others grow tomatoes
or sweet potatoes or collect conch pearls or count birds or feed the donkeys or bear daughters or fight
our legal battles or save the reefs. And it seems they all need pants and someone with a sewing machine
to fix them. It’s called belonging . . .
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 19

SHUTTERSTOCK
Our fine house on Pine Cay in the early 1980s had
no electricity. Candles, sometimes half toppled over in
the late afternoon heat, lit the stage for dinner. Batteries
provided light for the kitchen and living room. The day’s
water was hand pumped every morning from the cistern
underneath the house to a container in the attic from
where it reached sinks by gravity. All laundry was washed
by hand and sun dried on a line over the flat roof. The
refrigerator ran on kerosene. The toilet was of the composting
variety.
The Cuban crows were of the raucous variety, right
outside the bedroom window. They began their loud discussions
before sunup day after day until I ran out one
morning waving arms and garbling in my best crow-ese.
They were duly terrified and never returned.
Fortunate we were, Toddler, husband, and I to be living
in this spacious home thanks to owner Chuck Hesse,
who decided we needed the house more than he did. We
had sailed to the Turks & Caicos from Miami in a 28-foot
sailboat—an at-times harrowing passage with small child
aboard for new mother me. Chuck relocated to his work
place, the dome, which was a five-minute walk away down
a narrow sandy path.
Immediately after moving into this expansive airy
house, I felt I could now expand my creative side with
a sewing machine. Did Singer still make treadle sewing
machines like the one I’d grown up with in the 1940s
and 1950s in Canada? A single call via VHF to Miami
unearthed a Singer company and yes, they still made treadles.
Very pleased, I placed an order. The treadle arrived
by air to Provo, by boat to Pine Cay, and by golf cart (no
gas vehicles were allowed on Pine Cay) to my door step,
no mishaps, no delays—it seemed both magical and completely
normal. We ripped off the cardboard and placed it
The Cuban crows outside Diane Taylor’s window were typically raucous garblers.
Kenneth Williams was a PRIDE technician who fabricated an “experimental”
fence for the fledgling conch farm out of Slinkies.
against the dividing wall between the kitchen and dining
room where it shone like a new member of the family—
shiny black metal feet and golden wood body topped with
its glistening black arm.
My treadle was the only sewing machine on Pine Cay.
As word got around that Dee (as I was known then) had
a treadle, people began appearing at the screen door
with requests. Bennett Gardiner from North Caicos, a
technician at PRIDE (Protection of Reefs and Islands from
Degradation and Exploitation) came with a pair of pants
over his arm and asked if I
could shorten them for him. Of
course! Then it was Kenneth
Williams from Bottle Creek,
another PRIDE technician,
also wanting pants shortened.
Sure, be ready tomorrow! At
the time, Kenneth was helping
fabricate and install an experimental
“fence” made of dozens
of Slinkies for the fledgling
conch farm. The Toddler also
needed pants, of the jumper
style, and soon he was running
around scaring the lizards and
DIANE TAYLOR
20 www.timespub.tc

hermit crabs in a pair made of russet-coloured cotton
knit.
Then it was Ginny Cowles. Ginny had once flown Louis
Leakey, the renowned anthropologist and archaeologist,
around Kenya one summer. Now she and her husband Bill
owned and ran the Meridian Club on Pine Cay. She came
to the door one day, also with pants, of durable taupe-coloured
cotton. She’d bought them from a catalogue and
they were several sizes too big for her. Could I fix them,
she asked. I was dubious about cutting them to fit, but
she said she didn’t care if they were unwearable after I’d
tried my best, as she couldn’t wear them anyway. Okay!
Scissors in hand, I cut and cut and cut. Then sewed everything
back together. Amazingly, they looked like pants
and, more amazingly, they fit. How much, Ginny asked.
Five dollars, I said. Oh, charge me more than that, she
said. No, no, I said, that’s the hourly wage here. So, we
settled on five and grinned.
A few years later, circumstances dictated that I leave
the Islands—by far the most difficult departure of my life.
I gave the treadle to Alexander Grant, a young man who
worked on Pine Cay during the week but lived in Sandy
Point on North Caicos. Now Pastor Grant, forty years ago
he wanted the sewing machine for his wife Nella and their
three growing children. Sturdy and dependable as those
Singer treadles were, Nella used the sewing machine for
straw work for many years, and it still resides with the
Grant family in Sandy Point, where it belongs. a
Thank you to Charles Delancey for Sandy Point updates.
Thank you, all these years later, to Chuck Hesse for the
house.
Chuck Hesse comments: “I lived, as a local, from 1974–75
in South Caicos. I became aware that many pre-centralpower
items were being stocked at TIMCO on Grand Turk.
My house design on Pine Cay was an undertaking to live
on a remote piece of property, making use of the kerosene
refrigerator and freezer as well as the “wobble” hand
water pump available through TIMCO. I added a 12-volt
wind generator, VHF radio, and car tape player. For bathing,
I added a passive solar hot water heater and cattle
trough tank for gravity water pressure, and sunk my tub
into the floor to assure better shower water pressure.
Along with a small skiff and hand spear, I knew what
happiness was about. I thought my home incorporated
all that local residents saw as normal with just a few
more creature comforts—a lifestyle Diane seemed to find
uniquely memorable.”
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 21

LYNN ROBINSON

making a difference
Opposite page: Nobody likes to see trash, especially water bottles and other beverage containers, littering the TCI’s beautiful beaches.
Above: By taking care, making small changes, and cleaning up after ourselves, we can all help keep the beaches clean and pristine.
KELLY CURRINGTON
Small Changes, Big Impact
How can we keep the Islands clean and pristine?
By Kelly Currington
The tropical sun beams down on the shimmering turquoise water surrounding the Turks & Caicos Islands
to produce a scene that cannot be described in words. For many travelers, there is no seascape more
beautiful in the world. The ebb and flow of ocean and sun create so many variations of blue, emerald, and
turquoise that you will think you are looking at a jewel. And you are—the most precious this planet has.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 23

Walking along world-famous Grace Bay Beach and
slipping into the refreshing water kissing the sand’s edge
is a coveted experience. Free of trash and debris, the
view is unmatched by few places. It is the responsibility
of every person who sets foot on these pristine beaches to
keep it that way.
When people come to the beach for a day of fun,
their intentions are not to cause damage, but sadly, the
outcome is often just that. The day has been planned in
great detail. Cooler packed with snacks and drinks, bags
filled with sunscreen, hats, and beach toys, and the mood
carefree. All have the best time frolicking in the clear turquoise
ocean, building sand castles in the powder white
sand, working on their tans, and keeping cool with whatever
drink suits them. Who could ask for a better day?
Somewhere along the way, society has adopted a “disposable”
mindset. A lot of this has grown from necessity
as work days became longer and time a luxury, so disposable
was easy. But now it seems to be an accepted way of
life rather than a necessity. Think about it—everything is
produced, packaged, and advertised based on ease and
convenience, which often means everyday items are made
of plastic and often wrapped in plastic, polystyrene, or
a multitude of other non-biodegradable products. These
tragically end up causing unfathomable damage to our
planet—specifically the oceans, affecting all marine life
and ultimately, the ecosystems.
A lone jogger is out for a morning run along the
beach, enjoying the smell of the salty air, the warmth of
the morning sun, and a view that would calm the most
electrically charged soul. His eyes are drawn to the evidence
of the “fun day at the beach.” Strewn around are
juice boxes with straws, a plastic shovel sticking out of
the sand, an inflatable raft wedged under a lounge chair,
clear plastic snack wrappers tumbling about in the gentle
breeze, adult beverage containers half buried, and the
popular red “Solo” cups protruding from the sand, buried
by the high tide, waiting to be washed into the sea.
This leftover mayhem is seldom intentional, but
rather a byproduct of society’s “disposable” attitude. I
think we have all come to realize that there are very few
things that are truly disposable—everything ends up in a
landfill, the ozone layer, or the ocean, causing colossal
harm to the planet. The good news is that public awareness
and concern have shifted in a positive direction, with
focus directed toward living a more eco-friendly life.
This means we can all work together by making small
adjustments in our daily lives to start reducing the amount
of waste we produce and leave behind. Small changes we
can all make in our lives will reduce our residual foot-
LYNN ROBINSON
The amount and assortment of trash that can collect on a beach is astonishing! Let’s do our part to clean it up!
24 www.timespub.tc

print, and improve our lives as well. Let’s start with one
of the most obvious: Always clean up after yourself and
make sure all trash is disposed of properly and never
left behind.
Something we use every day are cups, so instead of
disposable cups, buy a reusable cup like a YETI or water
bottle and always have it with you. These cups and bottles
seal, you can choose the size to fit your habits, and
most importantly, they leave no trash behind. You can
have them personalized with your favorite animal, sports
team, logo, name, or other design to make you smile
every time you use it.
Plastic straws should be removed from our lives completely.
I know they are convenient, and most of us have
been raised using them, but it’s time to change the habit.
If you prefer to drink from a straw, just change to reusable
metal or bamboo straws. They work perfectly with
your reusable cup! Always keep one with you so even
when you go out to eat, you won’t be tempted to use
a plastic straw dispensed by the restaurant. When the
demand stops, so will production!
LYNN ROBINSON
Inflatable rafts and beach toys are easily swept up by the wind and
carried away to become an eyesore.
Another change we can make when going out to eat,
especially at any of the amazing restaurants in the Turks
& Caicos, is planning ahead and bringing a reusable container
to bring home any leftovers. This way you get to
bring your delicious food home without contributing to
Styrofoam use and you’re less likely to bring single-use
containers to the beach.
If you bring inflatable rafts, rings, or toys to the
beach, ensure they are secured when not in use and that
they leave the beach with you at the end of the day. This
prevents any chance they will get swept up by the wind or
tide and carried away. Even better, forego the inflatables,
as the salinity of the water in the Turks & Caicos allows
you to naturally float so you won’t miss them!
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 25

KELLY CURRINGTON SHUTTERSTOCK
Top: If you are a snorkeler or diver, carry a mesh bag with you to
remove harmful items, like this plastic bag, from contaminating the
beautiful and fragile coral reefs.
Above: This lovely crew takes beach clean-up seriously, enjoying a
day in the sun and making a difference at the same time.
In addition to managing
your own impact on the
beaches and ocean, there
are little things we can do to
minimize the footprints left
by others. Every time you go
to the beach, or even walk
down the street, pick up
at least 10 pieces of trash
and properly dispose of it.
If more people did this, the
beaches and streets would
stay clean. Reusable mesh
bags are a great item you
can keep with you to collect
trash and then dump it in a
receptacle.
Protecting your skin
from the intense tropical
sun is important; equally
important is protecting
coral reefs. Many of the sunscreens
on the market can
have detrimental effects on
the marine environment.
Most sunscreens contain
ingredients that are destructive to coral reefs. If your sunscreen
has Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Methylbenzylidene
camphor, Benzylidene, or Octocrylene, please do not
26 www.timespub.tc

wear it in the ocean. These products cause a whole range
of problems for reefs and their substrates. They can be
toxic to coral larvae, cause DNA deformities, and contribute
to coral bleaching.
There are several reef-safe sunscreens on the market,
so reach for one after double-checking the ingredients
to make sure they don’t include any of the harmful toxins
listed above. (Some of these toxins are in makeup
as well, so it’s best to flaunt your natural beauty at the
beach.) Another way to further minimize sunscreen usage
is to cover exposed areas of your skin with UV-protective
clothing. You protect your body and the ocean at the
same time!
If you are an underwater adventurer, there is nothing
more heart-wrenching for a diver than to see trash littering
the reef and threatening the marine life. Just like on
land, you can carry a mesh bag and cutting device to help
remove any harmful items you find on a dive. It’s crucial
to check that there are no marine animals caught up in
the trash before removing it. Always be gentle with the
corals while removing debris, especially fishing line that
gets wrapped around and tangled on hard corals and in
soft corals.
Something that most people don’t think about being
harmful is taking shells from the sea. Most often this is
done because the person wants to have a piece of the
beauty that shells represent, but this disrupts the natural
cycle of the ecosystem. When you take an empty shell
from the sea, you have just removed a potential home
or hide-out for a creature that might otherwise be left
vulnerable to predators, including small fish and shrimp.
Creatures like hermit crabs constantly move to larger
shells as they grow. Although you may think one shell
won’t make a difference, consider if a million visitors take
just one shell each—that’s a million homes removed from
the ecosystem. A better way to preserve and remember
the beauty of any natural landscape is to leave with photos
and a heart full of happiness.
These small and relatively simple changes can make
a HUGE impact on the health of our planet. Just think:
If you make one change, and this encourages ten people
around you to make one change, and ten people for
each of those ten people make one change, the domino
sequence continues and the size of the positive impact
on the oceans and ecosystems would be immeasurable!
Our commitment and actions can and WILL make a difference
in keeping the Turks & Caicos Islands “Beautiful by
Nature.” a
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 27

creature feature
Opposite page: This stareye hermit crab has carried its home onto a purple rope sponge. Note that its pupils look like starbursts.
Above: A hermit crab has five pairs of legs. The first pair is the pincers or claws, with one used for defense and climbing and the other used
primarily for eating. The next two pair of legs are walking legs. The fourth pair hold the shell and help maneuver it while walking. The final
pair are small legs used for shell maintenance.
The Original House Flippers
Hermit crabs take real estate seriously.
Story & Photos By Kelly Currington
Hermit crabs’ unusual name comes from the fact that they carry their home on their back, inferring that
they are reclusive and live in solitude, but this is far from true. They can actually be very social animals
and create communities in the wild.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 29

Hermit crabs change shells after each molting, usually moving to a larger space, as this crab is doing.
Hermit crabs are one-of-a-kind evolutionary crustacean
anomalies. Although they are called crabs, they
aren’t true crabs, which have thick chitinous exoskeletons.
Instead, hermit crabs have soft, long, spiral-coiled
abdomens that end in an asymmetrically hooked tail,
which they use to secure themselves in an abandoned
mollusk shell. This protects their soft and vulnerable bodies,
which have no natural protection from the elements
or predators.
Before becoming anything resembling their adult
appearance, hermit crabs go through several stages of
change. The eggs will develop into tiny, free-swimming
larvae called zoea, which have spiny carapaces and rudimentary
limbs on the abdomen and thorax. From this
stage they molt numerous times before reaching the
next stage of growth, the megalops, where appendages
appear, the abdomen lengthens, and the eyes enlarge.
After several more moltings, megalops becomes juvenile
hermit crabs, little replicas of adults.
Over their lifetime, hermit crabs molt regularly as
they grow. The smaller the crab, the more often it molts.
Tiny ones (0.7 inch in diameter) will bury themselves in
the sand for about two weeks for the molting process,
and they will do this several times a year. Then, as they
reach about 0.96 inch in diameter, the process takes
about a month and happens three or four times per year.
The next phase (1.68 inches in diameter) doubles in duration
but only happens once or twice a year. Finally, when
a hermit crab reaches adulthood, the process still takes
about two months, but decreases in frequency to once
every eighteen months or so. All these moltings are part
of the aging process, but unlike some other crustaceans,
there is little difference in their appearance pre- and postmolting.
Another fun fact about these interesting critters is
that they will change shells after each molting, usually
upgrading to slightly more space than their previous
home. Sometimes this consists of very complex shell
exchanges with dozens of post-molting hermit crabs.
One crab will leave their current shell and a smaller one
will move into the vacant real estate. This event can be
one or two hermit crabs moving homes, or an entire procession
of home-swappers moving into little efficiency
shells that are less than an inch in size all the way up to
giant hermits in the grandioso shells of Queen conch and
Triton trumpets.
You can also get an idea of their age by the thickness
of their antennae and the little sharp nodules on
their grasping claw, which is what they use to snag food.
They aren’t the pickiest eaters and will dine on just about
anything that is near them—small fish, invertebrates like
worms, plankton, and floating food particles in the water
that pass by them. Keeping your fingers out of reach is
advised because they just might resemble little fishy bits
to near-sighted hermits!
These hardy characters can live thirty years or more
in their natural environment, and with over 800 species,
and most of them marine, you are bound to encounter
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them on the shoreline, in shallow
tide pools, or on reef dives.
All hermit crabs start life in the
sea. Land hermits will always
be close to the shoreline. They
need sea water to wet their gills
and the inside of their shells.
They will slip into a tide pool or
shallow water pockets to saturate
their gills and shell lining
before moseying back to the
sandy shore.
As with most wildlife, if
you approach them slowly and
have patience, you can observe
them digging in the sand and
shoveling it into their mouths
where they extract the nutrients
and excrete the remnants.
Their eyestalks are always
watching for danger and when
they feel threatened, they will
Giant hermit crabs often inhabit conch shells, and have been known to eat the conch inside.
very quickly retreat into their
shell and the opening will fall face down on the sand. claws) in the sand and lift their shell so they can peak out
Sometimes they will scuttle away quickly to avoid contact, and see if it’s safe to open the door again. If so, they will
but more often than not, they just slam the door in your prop the door open and continue their feeding. This is a
face. Don’t take this personally; they are merely protecting
themselves and waiting for any perceived danger to Hermit crabs are everywhere on the reef. You have
such a treat to witness.
pass. If you are very still, steady your breathing, and wait, probably swum over them and never noticed unless
they will usually slowly place their chelipeds (grasping they were out in the sand and obvious. If you slow down
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 31

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and take your time checking out each brightly colored
sponge and coral head, you will see them in the bottom
of the sponges and in the nooks and crannies of the coral
heads. Often there are clusters of the tiny juveniles in the
bowls of sponges. Don’t pass up the sea fans, but very
carefully check them over because you will see hermit
crabs clinging on as the fan sways with the ebb and flow
of the sea.
A cool treasure hunt you can do on a dive is tracking
them. You will see their tracks in the sand, kind of like
tire tracks. You can see the individual foot marks and
the shell drag. Try to follow the tracks until you find the
driver! (Always keep your dive orientation and never leave
your dive buddy when doing this.) If you are correct in
your direction, at the end of the tracks you will find a
perfect little hermit crab!
When you find them, it is tempting to pick them up,
but please resist this urge as it traumatizes them, as well
as possibly introducing harmful bacteria from your hands
onto their shells. It is always best to just observe, admire,
photograph, and learn. If you are lucky, you may see two
rivals squabbling over shells, their legs extended and
pulling on the opposer’s shell, trying to force each to
abandon their home so they can claim it as theirs—house
flipping at its finest!
People love to take hermit crabs home and keep
them as pets, or even worse, buy them from pet stores,
but this is a death sentence for the tiny crustaceans.
Even with the best of intentions and care, they usually
only live a few months at the most in captivity, which is
equivalent to mere seconds in their thirty-year lifespan in
the wild. Respecting their personal space, their place in
the eco-system, and their right to the longest and most
rewarding life possible is our responsibility.
The next time you are strolling along the beach or
diving on a reef, take a little time to search for these little
gems and observe them doing what they do best—living
free, being adorable, and maintaining their place in the
ranks.
There are so many beautiful and fascinating creatures
in the sea, and each one plays a crucial role in keeping
the reefs healthy. The more we learn about each one, the
more we learn how to protect them, and in turn, protect
the oceans. a
Author Kelly Currington says, “My first dip below the service
of the sea changed my life in an instant. I will spend
every minute I can in that underwater world.”
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 33

around the islands
Opposite page: The cultivation of sisal, once an industry on North Caicos, is the focal point of the new Carlton Williams Promenade in Bottle
Creek.
Above: The view from the top of the promenade area shows the sweep of Bottle Creek and includes some of the landscaping around the
buildings.
Bound by Sisal
The Carlton Williams Promenade makes connections.
By Jody Rathgeb ~ Photos By Tom Rathgeb
Views of the beautiful, shallow waters of Bottle Creek, North Caicos . . . a cold drink and hot meal at a local
restaurant . . . handmade fanner grass baskets for sale . . . a celebration of an island with a rich agricultural
history. What connects these things?
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 35

Above: The museum is the focal point of the promenade. More artifacts are planned for the interior of the building.
Bottom left: The promenade is named for Carlton Williams, who with his father helped to revive the sisal industry after World War II.
It’s sisal. The fiber of a tough, pointy plant known as
Agave rigida var. sisalana twines through these disparate
experiences, tying them together in the Carlton Williams
Promenade in Bottle Creek, North Caicos.
The creekside complex, which was dedicated on June
13, 2023, is a collection of buildings and roads representing
a coalition of several government offices and private
enterprise, intended as a tourist destination that also celebrates
Turks & Caicos history. The complex includes a
café, gift shop, and room for other tourist enterprises
such as watersports and tour operations. A sisal museum,
however, is the focal point, the raison d’etre of this promenade.
Why sisal?
Until now, the sisal industry on North Caicos has received
little attention. H.E. Sadler’s history of the Islands, Turks
Islands Landfall, details the farming and production of
sisal in the Islands by the East Caicos Sisal Co. Ltd. and
West Caicos Fibre Co. Limited, which began operation in
the late 1800s. That history, while focused elsewhere,
includes plantations where sisal was grown on North and
Middle Caicos, plus some small extraction operations on
both islands. Altogether, the companies’ production gave
the world a good supply of important sisal products such
as nautical rope, plus twine for baskets and other domestic
uses.
The TCI’s large-scale production of sisal declined as
world economies found better value in manila hemp from
the Philippines, but on North Caicos there was a small
revival after World War II, when the government planted
600 acres of sisal in the Caicos settlements for a steady
market with a Jamaica cordage factory. But the industry
faded again, as politics shifted and other products
replaced the natural fiber. This is the history told by the
new sisal museum and the Carlton Williams Promenade.
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Sisal produced in the Caicos Islands was important for nautical use until economics and politics swung favor to manila hemp from the
Philippines. In addition to its use in rope, sisal was also used in domestic items.
The late Claudius Williams of Bottle Creek, who
became the agricultural officer for the Islands, was key
to this revival. He involved his son Carlton in the “new”
sisal industry, which was aided by mechanisation with the
raspidor, a device that made it easier to strip the plant
down to its useable fiber. Carlton, unfortunately, lost his
fingers to this device, giving some of his own self to the
sisal industry.
Time to grow
The new museum is thus both local and countrywide,
and, like sisal, a way to tie together past and future and
the interests of government and private enterprise. Also
like sisal, it needs some time to grow.
The coalition that brought the Carlton Williams
Promenade together is an ambitious one. It is a site
under the wing of the TCI Ministry of Tourism, but it also
includes the support of the Department of Environmental
and Coastal Resources (DECR) and the Turks & Caicos
National Trust. Together they are the administrators for a
project that offers leasing space to local businesses. Sisal
weaves it all together.
Its buildings, erected by contractor Steven Walkin,
appear from the waterside as a pyramid, with the museum
at the top. The area was beautifully landscaped by North
Caicos farmer and entrepreneur Courtney Missick, and
early leases include Miss B’s Bayside Café and D’s Native
Gift Shop. There is room for growth, and an actual “promenade”
area along the water. An existing, but crumbling,
dock area is slated for improvement (although it should
be noted that Bottle Creek is quite shallow and can
accommodate only small, flat boats). The museum currently
has only a few items relating to the sisal industry,
but more artifacts and better explanations are planned,
including an actual raspidor like the one that took Mr.
Williams’ fingers.
Times of the Islands Summer 2023 37

Spaces for a café and shop have already been leased, but there is room for other local businesses at the promenade.
Looking ahead
Despite the “more to come” nature of the promenade, the
summer’s dedication of the site was both optimistic and
forward-looking. Participants included Lormeka Williams,
DECR director, as host; Ludwina Fulford, director of culture;
Hon. Josephine Connolly, minister for tourism; Hon.
Rhondalee Braithwaite, attorney general; Hon. Charles
Washington Missick, premier; Hon. Arlington Musgrove;
H.E. Anya Williams, then-acting governor; and Claudius
Williams, son of Carlton Williams, who cut the ribbon on
behalf of his father, the area’s namesake.
The takeaway comment, however, was made by Jas
Walkin, district commissioner for North Caicos: “North
Caicos, your time has come.” a
Know the ropes
Here’s some helpful information for those planning
on visiting the Carlton Williams Promenade.
• Open hours at the sisal museum have been irregular
as new staffing schedules and “the season” get
under way. Unless you are part of a pre-arranged
tour, you might want to check before dropping in.
Call Miss Carrie Harvey at 649-245-2095.
• Finding the promenade can be tricky without signage
on the main road in Bottle Creek. Ask at local
businesses where to turn toward the creek.
• As the promenade is located at the bottom of a
hill, access can be difficult for the handicapped and
elderly, and parking close to the buildings is limited.
Catch a ride from the upper parking lot to the building
you want to visit.
• Those wishing to promenade on the promenade to
take in the view will find little shade. Be sure to wear
a hat and sunscreen! a
38 www.timespub.tc

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 https://www.gov.tc/decr/
GABRIELLE GAITHER
A distinctive resident of the Turks & Caicos Islands is the Turks & Caicos rock iguana (Cyclura carninata). Shown above is an adult male (at
left) and adult female (at right). The species is critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Iguana Be Left Alone!
Why TCI tourists should avoid feeding rock iguanas.
By Mel DeBlasio (Yale University), Libby Dube (Western Washington University),
and Anna Templeton (University of Vermont) ~ Edited by C.E. O’Brien, Ph.D.
(The School for Field Studies, Center for Marine Resource Studies, South Caicos, Turks & Caicos Islands)
Visitors flock to the Turks & Caicos Islands to enjoy the white sand, sunny weather, and calm surf, but
they aren’t alone on these picturesque beaches. The Islands are also home to an incredible array of native
flora and fauna, which, in contrast to the transient tourists, live year-round in the small but rich island
ecosystems.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 39

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
One particularly noticeable resident is the large Turks
& Caicos rock iguana. Although their long tails, scaly skin,
and big claws make them look like invincible predators,
the species is actually critically endangered according to
the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
and very susceptible to human and environmental disturbances.
The reptiles were once widespread across Turks
& Caicos, but can now only be found on a few isolated
cays.
According to an evaluative study conducted in 2002,
rock iguanas had disappeared from 13 of the islands in
the Turks & Caicos that they once inhabited. Not only is
this bad news for the iguanas themselves, but it’s also
devastating for the ecosystems they inhabit. Iguanas
play an essential role in maintaining the environment for
the other plants and animals that share their space. For
example, native plants rely on iguanas to spread their
seeds across large distances. The iguanas nibble on the
plants in one location and excrete the indigestible seeds
in a new location. They also dig up the ground to make
their burrows, mixing oxygen and nutrients throughout
the soil. As a result of these important behaviors, when
the iguana population declines the whole native ecosystem
suffers greatly.
Organizations from Turks & Caicos and abroad have
been working for years to restore the iguana population,
reintroducing them to uninhabited cays and protecting
them where they do occur. In the past, these iguanas
were hunted by feral cats and dogs, as well as humans.
These days, iguanas face a friendlier, but nonetheless
dangerous, threat. Tourists encountering these intriguing
animals on vacation are inclined to feed them, a widespread
practice referred to as “provisioning.” But despite
good intentions, provisioning can have disastrous consequences
for the TCI rock iguana and wildlife in general.
In other animals, provisioning can lead to a host of
negative consequences. For instance, researchers have
found that a history of human feeding has made members
of the population of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay
(Florida) inclined to seek interaction with fishers, boaters,
and tourists. This has led to an increase in the rate
of injury to these dolphins through entanglement with
fishing gear and collisions with boats. Similarly, a study
of Barbary macaques in Morocco demonstrated that provisioned
populations experienced higher stress levels and
hair loss. Studies of birds have found that provisioning
Above and opposite page: These photos compare the three habitats
where iguana surveys were performed. From left: Rocky ridge, dense
shrubbery and sandy beach.
can negatively impact health due to the inappropriateness
of the food provisioned (bread is not good for most
birds!) and the disease and parasite transmission that can
occur between individuals when they are congregated at
unnaturally high densities around a food source.
Wildlife provisioning may have negative consequences
for humans as well. In Thailand, during the
COVID-19 lockdown, residents were inundated by hordes
of scavenging long-tailed macaques, whose populations
had been unnaturally boosted by food from the now suddenly
absent tourists. These hungry monkeys rampaged
through city streets, rooting through trash and entering
homes and businesses in search of snacks, sometimes
driving residents and business owners away. Large
“brawls” often erupted between the monkeys over scraps,
including one caught on video that involved hundreds of
individuals fighting over a single empty yogurt cup. To
control the population and reduce the mayhem, officials
were forced to capture and sterilize over 500 individuals.
40 www.timespub.tc

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
MADISON ROTH
To determine the effect that provisioning has on the
normally timid and evasive TCI rock iguanas, researchers
gathered data on the behavior and number of iguanas
in two areas located within one kilometer of each other
on an uninhabited cay. One of the areas is very popular
with tourists, and the other is rarely visited. The researchers
walked through three types of sub-habitats: sandy
beaches, dense shrubbery, and rocky cliffs. In the more
rugged non-tourist area, the iguanas exhibited skittish
behavior. Researchers only saw one rock iguana, in the
act of running for its life, and the rest of their few encounters
were only the unmistakable sound of scuttling feet in
the bushes. In all of eight quick interactions, the iguanas
in the less-touristed area displayed their normal fearful
and protective attitudes, fleeing from potential danger.
Only a short distance away in the more-touristed area,
however, there was an extreme shift in iguana behav-
ior. Many more iguanas were observed, and they were
more aggressive. Three times as many interactions were
logged. During most of these encounters, the researchers
were able to see and maintain prolonged eye contact with
these bold reptiles, not unlike a Wild West stare down.
Iguanas in this area approached researchers with fearless
determination, lingering around every turn to beg
for food. This food-seeking behavior is typical of rock
iguanas: once they locate a food source, they are known
to return to that site frequently. The longer researchers
stayed in the tourist area, the more iguanas could be seen
lurking and looking for snacks.
The researchers also noted that 86% of all iguanas
encountered at both sites were found within or around
the dense shrubbery just upland of the beach. On the
non-tourist beaches, this sub-habitat was dense, overgrown,
and practically impenetrable. On the tourist
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 41

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
REBECCA ORR
In a touristed area, five iguanas rapidly approached visitors without fear.
beach, however, the shrubbery was intersected by a wide
and heavily traversed path. Not only does this walkway
disruptively bisect the iguanas’ habitat, but it also gives
humans unhindered access to their preferred hiding
spaces. These invasive man-made developments increase
the chances of human–iguana interactions even more.
This investigation made it apparent that the iguanas
subject to feeding from tourists had entirely different
behavior from those who were not accustomed to human
visitors. This is an important finding for multiple reasons.
First and foremost, these interactions pose physical
threats to both humans and iguanas. In the touristed
area, iguanas were bold and even demanding, waltzing
right up to the researchers and sometimes scratching
or biting them. Provisioned iguanas also tend to fight
amongst themselves over food, depleting energy reserves
and potentially resulting in injuries. Finally, humans may
directly harm iguana health by unknowingly feeding them
foods that are harmful to them and by leaving behind
trash that iguanas mistake for food.
Additionally, provisioning can affect the whole ecosystem,
as iguanas not only feed themselves but also
nourish the environment with their way of living. If they
start relying on humans to give them bananas, potato
chips, and other snacks they can’t find at their natural
grocery store, they’ll stop eating native plants. If they
stop pruning shrubs and spreading seeds, these plants,
such as the seven year apple, an important food source
for native birds, and torchwood, which has a dense root
system that protects against beach erosion, will no longer
grow and flourish. Iguana populations will dwindle
as their habitat becomes sparse and barren, unable to
sustain themselves on exclusively processed foods.
Protecting iguanas is therefore essential to protecting the
vibrant and rich ecosystem of the Turks & Caicos Islands.
So, what do these findings mean for future visitors to
Turks & Caicos? If you plan on enjoying the Islands, it’s
important to be mindful of the native wildlife. While the
local critters may seem friendly and eager to accept food
from tourists, remember that they are still wild animals.
These scaly little creatures deserve to have their homes
and personal space respected.
If you are visiting one of the cays where they occur
and you’d like to see an iguana in the wild, pick a sunny
day and try sitting quietly and still at ground level within
eyesight of dense shrubbery, their favorite hiding spot,
keeping an ear out for their telltale rustling noises. This
way, you have a higher chance of observing the igua-
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green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
REBECCA ORR
This adult male Turks & Cacios rock iguana watches visitors approach
as he perches upon a conch shell.
nas without disrupting their normal daily activities. The
best spot to do this is on Little Water Cay, also known as
Iguana Cay, part of the Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve
and located a short distance northeast of Providenciales.
Elevated boardwalks allow visitors to traverse the island
without disrupting the habitat. If you do visit Little Water
Cay, make sure you leave your pets at home, as dogs and
cats still pose a threat to these recovering populations.
Also be sure not to stray from the boardwalk, and to collect
and remove food wrappers or other litter that could
be eaten by iguanas. And of course, NO FEEDING THE
IGUANAS!
By being considerate of the local ecosystem, we can
help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for ourselves and
for the creatures that call these places home. It’s best
to let them interact naturally with their environment and
find their own food sources—so keep your bananas and
potato chips to yourself! a
For detailed article references or more information
about The School for Field Studies, contact Director Heidi
Hertler on South Caicos at hhertler@fieldstudies.org or
visit www.fieldstudies.org.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 43

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
Entire ecosystems are hidden beneath the muddy surface of Little Ambergris Cay’s mangrove swamps.
Microbial Mats
The past and the future intertwine on Little Ambergris Cay.
By Rachel Craft ~ Photos By Usha Lingappa
Little Ambergris Cay, an uninhabited 1,600-acre island in the Turks & Caicos, is home to birds, turtles,
rock iguanas, and more. But the majority of its denizens are hidden beneath the muddy surface of the
island’s mangrove swamps. What could easily be mistaken for a thick layer of mud are in fact intertidal
microbial mats—entire ecosystems made up of billions of bacteria and other micro-organisms.
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green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
Looking beneath the thick layer of mud, scientists discovered microbial mats underneath the cay’s tidal lagoon.
Although their individual constituents can’t be seen
with the naked eye, microbial mats boast a level of biodiversity
comparable to that of the Amazon rainforest.
They form at interfaces between land and water. They
range from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters
thick and contain several layers, each dominated by a
different type of microbe. The topmost organisms feed
on sunlight, while the next layer feeds on the top layer’s
byproducts, and so on, forming a self-sufficient food
chain within each mat. Most organisms secrete slime or
filaments, which hold the mat’s tiny inhabitants together
and provide structural integrity.
Microbial mats are some of the oldest living forms
of life for which there is substantial fossil evidence. The
oldest known microbial mat fossils are roughly 3.5 billion
years old. To put that in perspective, dinosaurs appeared
roughly 230 million years ago, and humans didn’t arrive
on the scene until 2 million years ago. Because they’re so
ancient, scientists think microbial mats may hold clues to
the origins of life on Earth—and possibly other planets.
That’s what brought Dr. Usha Lingappa, then a graduate
student at Caltech studying geobiology, and her
colleagues to the Turks & Caicos in 2017. While microbial
mats have likely sprung up elsewhere in TCI, Little
Ambergris Cay has the best conditions for mat growth.
The small island consists of a bedrock rim surrounding
a tidal lagoon, where rising and falling water levels promote
mat formation. The lagoon is protected from strong
waves that could wash mats away, and the lack of human
activity and large animals minimizes damage to the mats.
As a result, Little Ambergris Cay has “absolutely resplendent
microbial mats,” Lingappa says.
Lingappa’s team was interested in how photosynthetic
microbes, like the ones in microbial mats, have
shaped Earth’s environment over time. Some of their
research focused on determining how similar current
mats are to ancient mats, and using current mats to glean
information on how ancient mats evolved. “What’s cool
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 45

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
about mats is they give us a window into what life might
have been like on Earth before the rise of plants and animals,”
Lingappa says.
Individual microbes—which were the dominant lifeforms
on Earth 3.5 billion years ago—are too small to be
recognizable as fossils, but microbial mats are a different
story. Their structures are large and complex enough to
recognize as fossils billions of years later. This can be
tricky, as some rock features are easily confused with
microbial mats, but Lingappa says there are clues to look
for. Rock layers tend to stay consistently parallel, while
microbial mat layers will be thicker on topographical high
points and thinner on low points. This is because microbial
mat growth is dependent on sunlight. Sand grains
trapped within layers can also give away a microbial mat
fossil, because mats are sticky enough to trap sand grains
that would normally roll off of rocks and other non-living
surfaces.
Some scientists are also using mats to narrow down
the search for life on other planets. Because no one has
found evidence of extraterrestrial life—yet—Lingappa
says, “We don’t really know what we’re looking for.” One
approach to this challenge is studying the most extreme
forms of life on Earth, which are mostly microbial and can
often be found in the form of mats.
Besides the intertidal mats flourishing on Little
Ambergris Cay, there are many other types of mats on
Earth, some living in extreme environments—like near
underwater thermal vents, which are heated by magma
and can reach over 700ºF, or in salt marshes that are
too salty for other species. These mats give scientists an
idea of what life might look like elsewhere, both past and
present. Even if life does not exist on Mars today, it may
have existed in the past. Scientists are studying traces of
ancient microbial mats on Earth and looking for the same
microscopic fossilized “fingerprints” on other planets.
Besides shedding light on the past, microbial mats
play a key role in Earth’s present. Chemically, they help
cycle things like carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur and provide
nutrients to surrounding ecosystems. Physically, they
help hold down and stabilize the shoreline. Microbial
mats, especially those in mangrove ecosystems, also contribute
to carbon sequestration—drawing carbon dioxide
from the air and storing it in the sediment.
Although Lingappa says this type of carbon sequestration
isn’t a magic bullet for climate change, it is
This “slice” of a microbial mat shows the various layers, each dominated
by a different type of microbe.
encouraging. Intertidal ecosystems—swamps, lagoons,
and similar environments where microbial mats form—
contribute disproportionately to carbon sequestration,
meaning they can store a larger fraction of carbon from
the air than the fraction of the earth’s surface area they
take up. If these mats disappeared, Lingappa says, all the
carbon stored within them would be suddenly released
back into the atmosphere.
That’s why Lingappa’s team also studied microbial
mats’ resilience to environmental shifts. They went to
Little Ambergris Cay in 2017 to investigate how changing
sea levels might impact the microbial mats there. What
they learned: When they cut away slices of mat and transplanted
them to different elevations, the mats continued
to grow. Although the microbe types within transplanted
mats stayed the same, the mats changed texture—from
dry and leathery to wet and goopy or vice versa, depending
on the water level at their new elevation.
During this study, category-5 Hurricane Irma swept
through the Islands, and the team’s outdoor research lab.
Although Irma devastated many areas in the Caribbean,
its silver lining was that it allowed Lingappa’s team to
study firsthand how microbial mats responded to being
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green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
More studies are underway in TCI to better understand how microbial mats might help stabilize sediment after a hurricane and help islands
keep pace with rising sea levels.
flooded, covered in sediment, or uprooted and deposited
elsewhere by severe storms. Irma decimated large
swathes of Little Ambergris Cay’s microbial mats, but
new mats grew rapidly over surfaces exposed or deposited
by the hurricane. In fact, the mats grew much faster
after the hurricane than they normally would while undisturbed,
and Little Ambergris’s mat communities largely
recovered from Irma within two years.
Mats’ rapid regrowth after being decimated by hurricanes
or transplanted to different elevations suggest
these lifeforms excel at adapting quickly to environmental
disruption—which, due to climate change, is on the
rise.
Lingappa says it’s encouraging to know that these
mats could recover from storms or rising sea levels, but
she stresses that climate change isn’t that simple. “One
of the things that’s scary about climate change is that it’s
going to cause a lot of different things to happen,” she
says, including extreme weather events like hurricanes,
rising sea levels, and changing temperature and chemistry
in both seawater and the atmosphere. “While we can
study one of these effects at a time, we really don’t know
how they will interact . . . As we see these impacts happening,
there are going to be surprises.” More research is
needed to fully understand how mats will respond to the
bigger picture of climate change.
To this end, more studies are underway in TCI.
Dr. Lizzy Trower and her team from the University of
Colorado, Boulder, have been working on Little Ambergris
Cay to better understand how microbial mats might help
stabilize sediment after a hurricane. By trapping sediment
delivered by storms, mats have the potential to help
islands keep pace with rising sea levels. Trower’s team is
also interested in microbial mats on other islands in the
Turks & Caicos, and is exploring a potential collaboration
with TCI Community College.
Lingappa says that while scientists have known about
microbial mats for decades, they only recently got the
DNA sequencing technology to start understanding mats’
inner workings. “There are so many different microbes in
the mats,” she says, “and most of them, we don’t even
know what they do.” Mat research in places like Little
Ambergris Cay could reveal new information on Earth’s
past—and its future. a
Rachel Craft is a Colorado-based writer and recovered
engineer who loves all things outdoors. You can learn
more about her at www.racheldelaneycraft.com.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 47

feature
Folks in the Turks & Caicos Islands are passionate about sports, and the Athlete Development Fund is a catalyst towards developing more
great athletes from the country.
At left: Competition is fierce at a TCISS Inter-High basketball game in Grand Turk (HJ Robinson High School versus Maranatha Academy).
Above: Grace Reaston-Brown participated in the Sailing Youth World Championships in The Hague, Netherlands.
Sporting a Glimmer of Hope
Athlete Development Fund the catalyst to the future of TCI sports.
By Nandina Hislop, Media and Communications Specialist, TCI Sports Commission
and Jarrett Forbes, Director of Sports, TCI Sports Commission ~ Photos by Nandina Hislop
The Turks & Caicos Islands, like many other Caribbean countries, is passionate about sports. South Caicos
has a rich history in producing great jumpers, North Caicos is fervent about the throws, Grand Turk is
known for their sprinters, while Providenciales has served as a hub of development for all sports. Despite
limited funding, we have achieved 17 international medals in sports such as Track and Field, Swimming,
Football and Golf over the past 5 years.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 49

The Turks & Caicos Islands are a small nation made
up of approximately 40,000 people, yet we audaciously
go up against formidable forces like Jamaica and The
Bahamas to fight for a spot on the podium. We have seen
successes in the past with athletes like Delano Williams
in Track and Field and more recently Kurt Rivers in Golf.
However, due to our archipelago’s layout—along with
other realities—funding, equal access to facilities, and
coaching expertise continues to be a challenge.
Great athletes all have similar things in common—
talent, determination, support, and adequate funding.
Many countries around the region are heavily supported
by the Olympic Solidarity Fund along with a national sport
funding system. However, the TCI currently is not an associated
member of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC), nor do we have a national sport funding system.
We, therefore, found it important to find a way to provide
additional resources to our sports organisations and
athletes through the creation of the Athlete Development
Fund (ADF).
What is the ADF?
The Athlete Development Fund (ADF) was established
by the TCI Sports Commission with the support of key
stakeholders in the community who have an interest in
youth development through sports. With funding now
available, the ADF was first launched in June 2022, coinciding
with the Turks & Caicos Islands’ first Long-Term
Athlete Development Symposium. This launch sparked
the partnership between the private and public sectors
for sport funding.
Funding is provided to eligible organisations for programming
that supports long-term athlete development,
with an emphasis on high-performance development.
The ADF’s objectives are to:
• increase opportunities to participate in quality
sport activities for all Turks & Caicos Islands, including
under-represented groups;
• increase the capacity of the Turks & Caicos Islands
sport system to systematically achieve world-class results
at the highest international competitions;
Above: Antwon Walkin and his mother Robin Cox-Foster celebrate his achievements at the Track and Field CARIFTA Games 2023 in The
Bahamas.
Opposite page: Standout basketball player Dylan Morris dunks at the TCISS Inter-High School Basketball Championships 2023.
50 www.timespub.tc

Team TCI participated at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2023 in Curacao.
• contribute to the provision of technical sport leadership
within the Turks & Caicos Islands sports system; and
• advance Turks & Caicos Islands’ interests, values, and
ethics in sports at home and abroad.
What do the athletes think?
Recently, we watched 15-year-old Love Joseph win his
first regional medal at the 50th CARIFTA Games in the
17U Boys 3000m, after competing in the event for the
FIRST TIME. Love is also a basketball athlete who dedicates
hours of his time perfecting his craft. He is an
example of talent and determination working its magic.
Joseph expressed his admiration for the programme as
a flag bearer who is a potential recipient of the funding.
He conveyed, “The ADF support will enable me to
concentrate better, with the assurance of financial backing.
Moreover, I can participate in a greater number of
global meets, which helps me establish a notable name
for myself on the international stage.”
Another eligible recipient, Double CARIFTA Bronze
Medalist Antwon Walkin, returned home with two bronze
medals this year, sparking inspiration among the TCI residents
with his performance. Antwon also broke the TCI
Men’s Discus Throw National Record twice in two months!
He shares, “I believe the ADF is a solid concept and has
the potential to help bridge the gap between the TCI and
our regional comparatives in sports.”
How does the ADF give support?
The fund provides financial support to two key objectives:
long-term athlete development and podium excellence.
The concept of long-term athlete development is targeted
investment throughout an athlete’s journey from
grassroots to senior level, with aims of achieving podium
excellence.
Examples of long-term athlete development projects
include:
• sports training camps;
• sports leagues and/or tournaments;
• education of coaches and officials;
• rental/purchase of sport equipment;
• rental of sports facilities.
Any registered entity in good standing with the Turks
& Caicos Islands Government whose function or mandate
52 www.timespub.tc

is sport development is eligible to
apply. This can be sports associations
or clubs.
Podium excellence funding supports
the delivery of high-performance
programmes. High-potential athletes
who may enter the podium pathway
on recommendation from the National
Sports Governing Body can apply for
this type of funding.
This can be used for:
• sports performance centre programming
and services including sport
science services;
• training (including travel, meals,
accommodation, and facility rental);
• Competitions (including travel,
meals, accommodation, facility rental,
and competition fees).
How do we decide
who gets what?
The Athlete Development Fund
Committee will determine and prioritise
investment strategies for sports
associations, federations, clubs, and
athletes to enhance sport development
within the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Athletes and Sport National Governing
Bodies would submit the application
form with all required documents to:
info@tciathletedevelopmentfund.
com which can be found at www.tciathletedevelopmentfund.com.
How can you
support the ADF?
If you or your organisation is interested
in supporting the Athlete Development
Fund, contact us at info@tciathletedevelopmentfund.com.
To learn more
about the ADF, visit www.tciathletedevelopmentfund.com.
a
Top: Love Joseph catches his breath at the Track and Field CARIFTA Games 2023 in The
Bahamas.
Above: National Men’s Team player Kristen Howell kicks the ball at the TCISS Inter-High
Football Game (Elite High School versus Clement Howell High School).
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 53

feature
Opposite page: The Ashley’s Learning Centre is dedicated to trying to help as many special needs children as it can.
Above: Graceway Communities works closely with ALC. Here they brought together the community to help refurbish the playground.
Empowering ExtraOrdinary
Minds
The remarkable journey of Ashley’s Learning Centre.
By Abigail Parnell ~ Images Courtesy Ashley’s Learning Centre
Education is the cornerstone of our lives, opening doors to opportunities and a brighter future. Yet, for
those with special educational needs, this path is often riddled with challenges due to limited resources.
Ashley’s Learning Centre strives to bridge this gap and empower students with special educational needs.
For eight years, the centre has stood as a symbol of hope and transformation, dedicated to nurturing
and educating children with special educational needs. As the school faces uncertain times, it’s important
to shed light on the invaluable service it has provided and highlight the urgent need for support.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 55

The Ashley’s Learning Centre’s story began in 2015,
when Ashley, a non-verbal five year-old Turks & Caicos
Islander was diagnosed with autism. Ashley’s mother had
to pivot from her initial hopes for her daughter of a “normal
life” to ensuring that her daughter could have a voice
and hold onto hope. Upon realising other parents faced
similar challenges, she united their resources to provide a
place of support for children with, and parents of, special
needs.
This was the birth of the Ashley’s Learning Centre
(ALC). It began with just one student and a Special Needs
teacher from abroad. One student became two; two students
became five; and today, in its eighth year, the ALC
has 20 full-time students and six dedicated faculty members.
In total, the ALC has impacted the lives of more than
75 special needs children.
Nurturing extraordinary minds
The passion of the teachers at ALC is what drives the
understanding that special needs students all have
extraordinary minds. From learning how to handle a
spoon for themselves to developing the ability to speak,
teachers work closely with students to instill confidence
and belief in their capabilities. Every student has their own
personalised education plan, known as an Individualised
Education Plan (IEP). These IEPs are tailored to their specific
needs and regularly reviewed. Teachers work as a
dedicated team, collaborating with different specialists as
well as with parents to create an effective learning environment.
Their investment in students’ progress extends yearround,
as the ALC offers a robust summer program. This
program is designed so students have continued support
and structure during the summer break. Parents are also
encouraged to support and reach out for support within
the community which has been created and fostered
around the centre.
Community impact
Beyond academics, the centre has hosted a Sports Day,
Achievement Day, and an annual Music Concert where
the children can shine, as well as garner support for their
cause. Through their network, the ALC has endeavored
to provide an understanding of special needs and inclusive
education by educating teachers throughout the
TCI. Other efforts have manifested through conferences,
Above from top: This ALC student and his mother are proud of his certificate “celebrating a million dreams” at the First Annual Achievement
Day Ceremony. Regular “field” trips are part of the curriculum—on this adventure, students paid a visit to Driftwood Studio to try some
painting of their own.
Opposite page from top: The annual Sports Day and Music Concert let ALC students show off their individual talents. The concert serves as
a fundraiser, as well.
56 www.timespub.tc

Times of the Islands Fall 2023 57

workshops, and events that cultivate understanding and
empathy throughout the community.
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Cockburn House, P.O. Box 70
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The cost of compassion
The cost of providing specialised education is significantly
greater than mainstream education due to low
teacher/pupil ratios, individualised therapies, and technological
and specialized interventions. Despite its past
accomplishments, the ALC’s future can only be visualised
through eyes of faith. In fact, the centre operates on a
month-to-month basis.
The cost to educate one child with special needs in
TCI is roughly $21,000 per year ($1,750 per month).
Comparatively, it costs $27,000 per year in the US. The
ALC operates as a non-profit and has set its tuition fees
at a level that is accessible for parents from varying economic
backgrounds. In doing so, the centre aims to create
an environment where financial obstacles do not hinder
a child’s access to quality education. The ALC strongly
advocates that every child has the right to access the services
they need. Every child.
However, tuition from parents as well as direct government
support provides for less than 30% of what is
required to operate the centre. The remainder of the
approximately $430,000 annual operating cost depends
on philanthropic support, aggressive fundraising, and the
kindness of strangers.
Past philanthropic support from RUBiS in 2021 made
way for a technology room to be implemented—a great
addition as many special needs students are technologically
inclined. The ALC’s multi-sensory room was
established through the generous donations of many
people, organised via a Go Fund Me campaign created
by Mark Parrish and his wife Kim Mortimer. Other generous
donations resulted in the refurbishing of the school’s
playground.
Any extra funds would allow for the centre to grow
further and touch the lives of a larger number of children,
to address the need. “We should not focus on the cost but
rather the value of educating and bringing someone into
society, who should be included,” the ALC’s Chairperson
Ben Avenant explains.
Upholding the right to inclusion
Unfortunately, the right to be included cannot be granted
to every special needs child in TCI. The centre is at full
capacity with 20 full-time students. The seriousness
of the issue becomes stark when considering insights
gleaned from the Special Needs Educational Policy (2015),
58 www.timespub.tc

which indicates that 5% of the TCI’s school population,
which translates to around 300 or more individuals, have
a special educational need.
Mr. Avenant stresses the importance of meeting the
needs of these children, as he explains that they come
in varying degrees. He points out that some children’s
challenges are easy to overlook, so they blend into mainstream
education, which may lead to them being branded
as “naughty” or “mischievous.” Consequently, they accept
and internalise these labels and, at worst, turn towards
delinquency as “they would never be able to be educated,
or assessed as special needs.”
He also addressed the struggles parents may face, “We
have parents asking daily if we can accept their child.
We can’t do it, so what is their alternative? They have
nowhere to go. And time is of the essence when children
are in their formative years. A term without proper education
can lead to a lifetime of struggle.”
A plea for support
It is the ALC Board of Directors’ aim to elevate the centre
as a beacon of hope in Turks & Caicos and to create
lasting awareness and acceptance of persons who are
differently able. Future aspirations of the ALC include
launching life skills and music therapy programs in their
new purpose-built classrooms, educating the public about
hidden disabilities, and hosting performances by the New
World Symphony to raise funds and awareness. However,
to bring these plans to fruition depends completely on
sustained community support.
The ALC’s strategic plans build a clear vision for the
future of the school. However, in order to transform these
goals into reality, the school relies on community, stakeholder,
and collaborator support. These contributions
provide the necessary tools that enable the ALC to provide
outstanding education and assistance to students
with special needs, creating a bright and inclusive future.
The ALC has always advocated for their cause, but now
they need your support. Your contribution, regardless of
size, can help secure the future of the centre. a
For more information and to support the Ashley’s
Learning Centre, visit:
W: www.ashleyslearningcenter.org
FB: Ashley’s Learning Center
IG: ashleyslearningcenter
E: Chairman@ashleyslearningcenter.org—Ben Avenant
To donate please visit: https://m.islehelp.net/
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 59

TMW2022.qxp_Layout 1 3/2/22 3:41 PM Page 1
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60 www.timespub.tc

astrolabe
newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Front Street, PO Box 188, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI TKCA 1ZZ
tel 649 247 2160/US incoming 786 220 1159 • email info@tcmuseum.org • web www.tcmuseum.org
Shown here sporting his full regalia, the late James “Bobby” Fulford was a decorated
veteran, legend, and hero in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Veteran, Legend, Hero
The life and times of James Edward (“Bobby”) Fulford.
By Carlton & Debbie-lee Mills
In March 2020, it was my distinct privilege to interview Mr. James “Bobby” Fulford as part of my research
for a book I was contracted by FortisTCI to write on the history of electricity in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Mr. Fulford, though 93 years old at the time, was quite adept as he recalled the highlights of his life and
his pivotal role in the history of our country.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 61

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Bobby Fulford worked on the donkey cart delivering water to the community. Here, he recreates those early days in South Caicos.
Early life
Mr. James Edward Fulford, affectionately known as
“Bobby” Fulford, was born in South Caicos on May 9, 1926
to Herbert Adolphus Fulford and Helen Durham Fulford.
He was the eldest of four children. As a boy growing up on
the small island, he did the usual childhood chores such
as toting water from the popular Basden Well, collecting
wood for his parents to cook with, and looking after their
domestic animals. Despite the numerous chores, Bobby
still found time for fun. He used to shoot marbles, make
and fly kites, play football, and spin tops with the other
neighborhood boys. He attended the government public
school in South Caicos which was known as Mr. Powell’s
School—named after the well-known headmaster from
Jamaica.
Bobby’s life took a sudden downward turn when at
a very tender age, he lost his loving mother. Bobby was
devastated but he had to focus his attention on helping
his grandmother take care of his younger siblings. This
responsibility prevented him from being able to leave
South Caicos at age 12 to attend high school in Grand
Turk as did most of his peers. During this era, children
had to leave public primary school at the age of 14.
Since Bobby could not attend secondary school in
Grand Turk, on reaching this mandatory age, he left
school and took his first job as a butler. His determination
and fortitude were evident from this early age, as
he performed his role with pride and dignity. He later
became a carpenter under the guidance of his uncle Mr.
Coleta Seymour, a renowned carpenter on the island.
Bobby also worked on the donkey cart delivering water
to the community with his faithful donkey, Brown Boy.
Army life
World War ll (or the Second World War as it was called)
is described as the largest and most deadly conflict in
human history. It involved more than 50 nations. This war
was fought on land, sea, and air in nearly every part of the
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
world. Political tensions which were spinovers after World
War I were among the contributing factors to this war.
It began when Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939,
and raged across the globe until 1945 when Japan surrendered
to the United States after atomic bombs were
dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By the end of World
War ll (1945), an estimated 60 to 80 million people had
died, including up to 55 million civilians, and numerous
cities in Europe and Asia were reduced to rubble. The
Turks & Caicos Islands found themselves engaged in this
war as a result of their colonial status with Great Britain.
At the age of 16 years and without the knowledge
or consent of his family, Bobby decided to enlist in the
army. When his grandmother found out, she and his uncle
Richard Ellis put a stop to it. But a determined Bobby later
reapplied and gained acceptance. His grandmother only
found out on the evening when he was expected to leave
for Grand Turk. It was too late for her to do anything.
Bobby was off to the serve his country in the army. Bobby
was accepted on January 2, 1943 as a Private rank. He
was sent off to Jamaica for four months of training by the
UK 8th Army Division. Bobby described how vigorous and
rough the training was. Their instructor was extremely
tough which made his time in Jamaica even more difficult.
Despite these challenges, he made it through and
received his first stripe.
He returned to the Turks & Caicos Islands and was
stationed at the army barrack south of the Kittina Hotel
in Grand Turk. There were two camps in the barracks
holding about 40 men from the TCI who had also enlisted
in the army and were preparing to go overseas for active
service. Bobby and the other recruits had to return to
camp by 10 PM every night when all lights were put out.
This was done to avoid the possibility of German submarines
lurking in the area firing on them.
Bobby quickly climbed the ranks to Acting Sergeant
and was placed in charge of a platoon. A part of his
duties required him to keep guard at the “Lookout Point”
which was located in the vicinity of the current Cable and
Wireless (now FLOW) building. Bobby was eager to go
abroad, but to his great disappointment the war ended
before that dream became a reality.
Post-Army life
After World War ll came to an end, Bobby had what he
referred to as a “stand down” after his three years of
After military training in Jamaica, Bobby returned to the Turks &
Caicos and was stationed at the army barrack in Grand Turk.
military service. Subsequently, he left the army in 1946
having achieved the rank of Two Striped Full Corporal.
Bobby now had a choice of whether to go into business
or pursue a career. In 1947 at age 21, Bobby was offered
a golden opportunity to go to Jamaica to pursue further
studies. He attended the Industrial Garage, an affiliate of
the University of the West Indies, where he was trained in
diesel engineering. As a part of his training, he also spent
time at the Webster Shipyard and Ice Factory. In 1949, he
was commissioned to return to Jamaica to collect and sail
home the new government vessel, the President Forth.
This ship was named after the first president of the TCI
who served from 1849–1852.
In 1949, he married his beautiful soulmate Anita Ariza
who predeceased him by six years. This union lasted for
67 years and produced four children, although he generally
boasted of being the father of nine children: Monica
(deceased), Joan (Dar), Annett (deceased), James (Jimbo),
Gracita (Gigi), Antonio (Tony), Oswald (Whoobie), Shirley,
and his adopted daughter Nekoda. James and Antonio
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 63

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
are believed to have been blessed with his electrical engineering
skills, as this was the professional career that
they chose.
In the early 1950s, the Turks & Caicos Islands
Government was in the process of constructing the Grand
Turk Hospital. In preparation for some of the electrical
works that were needed, Bobby was sent to Jamaica once
again to pursue studies in electrical installation and
repairs. On his return home, he and Mr. Noel Roberts,
along with the Ariza brothers, played an instrumental
role in providing electricity to that hospital. He was also
responsible for servicing the Lister Blackstone Generators
that provided power to the hospital.
Bobby was also employed with the TCI Government
in the Public Works Department as acting superintendent
of maintenance, becoming superintendent in 1974.
Before the island of Grand Turk had generators, the three
main government establishments—the administrator’s
residence (now governor’s residence), the hospital, and
the dental clinic—were all powered by solar energy with
the use of wind chargers, with the energy stored in cell
batteries. It was Bobby’s job to check the levels of the
batteries daily to ensure there was a steady flow of power
to these establishments. He retired in 1983 but continued
in this maintenance role in the Caicos Islands until 1986.
Church life
Bobby was an ardent Anglican. He was an active member
of the auxiliaries of his church, especially the Anglican
Church Men’s group, of which he was a founding member
under the rectorship of Father Savanas Regisford. Bobby
was proud to sport his maroon jacket, which was the uniform
of the men’s group during special occasions. He
received the group’s highest award on February 22, 2019
for his devoted service and dedication.
Social life
Bobby was also an active member of the Odd Fellows
Eunice Lodge #3798 where he was initiated in 1946. He
rose to the rank of Major General in the Second Brigade
of the American Jurisdiction. Like his maroon jacket,
he wore his regalia with honour, dignity, and pride. He
received the highest ranking within the Lodge and was a
part of the Patriarchy. He often travelled to the Bi-annual
Movable Conference (BMC) and installation ceremonies
in Philadelphia. It was here that he received one of the
Bobby Fulford was an active member of the Odd Fellows Eunice Lodge
beginning in 1946. He eventually received his degree and title of
Honorary Past Grand Master.
highest honors, his degree and title of Honorary Past
Grand Master from deceased Grand Master Oswald Pinder
during his tenure.
On October 26, 1983, another proud moment
occurred when Bobby was invited by the Queen of England
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace. Here the
queen and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted delegates to the
22nd Annual Conference of the British Commonwealth
Ex-Serviceman League. While at the palace, he had the
distinct honour of meeting Prince Charles (now King
Charles). Then-TCI Governor John Freeman also honoured
him with a plaque of appreciation in recognition of
his dedicated service to the Crown. On July 7, 2021, the
First Regiment of the Turks & Caicos Islands named their
recruitment camp the “Turks & Caicos Islands Regiment
Camp Fulford” in Bobby’s honour.
Rescue at sea
Bobby further shared with me the story about what
occurred one day when he and the crew left on board
the President Forth to go to South Caicos to pick up
Administrator Wood and Assistant Administrator Willis.
Prior to their leaving South Caicos, Sergeant Georgie
Lewis asked them if they could take his daughter Earlie
to Grand Turk so she could make her connection to
Jamaica where she was accepted into nursing school.
About five to six miles off Grand Turk, the vessel developed
mechanical problems. The engine later caught fire,
forcing the crew to board their lifeboat and abandon the
President Forth. They had totally forgotten that Earlie was
still aboard.When they reached shore, Bobby realized that
the girl was not with them.
He and John C. Williams returned to the burning vessel
where they found Earlie fast asleep below deck. Bobby
recalled that the extent of the blaze was a deterrent, but
he was bent on finding the girl. John promised him, “If
you die, I will die with you.’’ Before boarding the President
Forth, Bobby cautioned John, “If there is an explosion, go
leave me.” They were able to rescue the little girl. As soon
as they were off the boat, a loud explosion occurred. This
was attributed to a 45-gallon drum filled with gasoline
that they had on board. This was certainly an act of bravery
on the part of both men risking their lives to save a
young girl who later became a Registered Nurse.
The following Sunday, a thanksgiving service was
held in gratitude that no lives were lost from that incident.
Unfortunately, Bobby was never recognized or
honoured for his bravery.
Humility, strength, nobility, courage are terms that typically
personified Bobby Fulford. He was a man who made
sacrifices. He was a provider, a dedicated and committed
family- and civic-minded individual.
It can be said that Bobby lived an exciting and jovial
life. He was fun to be around. It was when he complained
of constantly feeling fatigued that a red flag regarding his
health was raised. Although he had several health issues,
this did not prevent him from having conversations with
people. He would often brag that he was the oldest known
man in the TCI. As his health continued to decline, he was
restricted to moving around with the use of a walker. He
was later confined to his home with his special seat on
his sofa, where I was fortunate enough to interview him.
Bobby was blessed to celebrate his 97th birthday with
his family on May 9, but passed away quietly on May 27,
2023.
It is my view that Bobby has made a significant contribution
to the Turks & Caicos Islands, the country that
he loved and joined the army to defend. He was an honourable
man. A man of integrity. He stood for principles
and displayed high ethical and moral standards. There
are few of his kind today. We can say beyond the shadow
of a doubt, that the TCI has lost a great man. a
The authors would like to acknowledge using information
from the Funeral Booklet of Mr. Fulford, his son Tony, and
other family members.
An exceptional man
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Island scrapbook
This is a page from a 1983 issue of Current magazine, Turks & Caicos’ first periodical, published bi-monthly from
June 1981 to April 1985 by W. Blythe Duncanson, who is now editor/publisher of the Turks & Caicos Weekly News.
At the time, the 70+ page magazine was the Islands’ only source of news articles and features, and many pivotal
moments were covered within its pages. Note below the advertisement for solar energy and a solar car, and that
phone numbers only had four digits.
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astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
Museum Matters
Children’s club
The Museum’s Children’s Club has been very active over
the last few months. We held a two-week, 9 to 5 Art
Camp. Children played games, created pottery, painted,
participated in a scavenger hunt, drew pictures, planted
seeds and watched them grow, colored, read, napped,
painted a mural on the garden water tank, and ended
with beach fun day. (That’s just some of what they did
during camp!)
event for the Museum. We look forward to next year
being even bigger and better! a
Providenciales campus
• New plant identification cards have been ordered for
the Heritage House Garden. The new signs should be
installed by the end of the year.
We were fortunate to have special guest Michelle
Taylor, from the School of Biological Sciences, University
of Aberdeen, share a presentation on “Underwater eDNA
and Coral Rubble Beds.” Children learned about the sea
creatures that live in the coral rubble and other important
facts about sea life.
The Museum also hosted a three-day camp in conjunction
with the TCI Government’s Culture Department
and the Turks & Caicos National Trust. The children
were treated to an island tour, Museum tour, arts and
crafts, and a beach fun day. a
• We are always looking for more volunteers to be able
to expand opening hours at this location. Please contact
Grub, grill, and good times
The Museum’s annual Grub, Grill, and Good Times
event was held on August 5, 2023. We had the best
turn-out yet! Attendees enjoyed food from local vendors
and live music by local band V6. The raffle winners were
drawn with fantastic prizes won by many.
The Museum thanks all the raffle and funding donors
who helped to make this a very successful fund raising
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 67

astrolabe newsletter of the Turks & Caicos National Museum
us if you are interested in donating a day or two of your
time each month. a
Grand Turk campus
• Progress has been made on the “People of the Island”
exhibit. Banners have been hung and additional items
ordered to be added by the end of the year.
• Do you have an upcoming celebration? The Museum’s
deck is a great place to hold your birthday party,
shower, or other event. We have made many improvements
to the deck and it is available for rent for your
special occasion.
• The Museum continues to be the premier stop on
Grand Turk land tours. Our gift shop is often complimented
as the best on the island. Be sure to stop in and
see our various new products, T-shirts, and locally made
items. On-island guests continue to visit the Museum
and shop and we appreciate the support from hotels
and vacation rentals. a
Current days & hours of operation:
Grand Turk (Front Street): Hours vary daily, but in general
open on all cruise ship days 9 AM to 1 PM. When
a ship arrives on or after 9 AM, we will open one hour
after arrival for three hours.
Providenciales (The Village at Grace Bay): Open
Tuesday and Thursday, 10 AM to 2 PM.
Both locations include interesting exhibits and artifacts
related to the history and culture of the Islands.
Visit our gift shops for souvenirs, history books, and
locally made products such as baskets, jewelry, salt
products, and more. Days and times of operation are
subject to change so please check our website or email
us for updated information:
www.tcmuseum.org
info@tcmuseum.org
Story & Photos By Museum Manager Lisa Talbot
68 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.amnautical.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 43,000.
Getting here
There are international airports on Grand Turk,
Providenciales, and South Caicos, with domestic airports
on all of the islands except East Caicos.
As of April 1, 2023, all COVID-19 related travel
restrictions have been removed for travel to the Turks &
Caicos Islands. There is no vaccine, testing, or insurance
requirement. On August 12, 2022, the last day of statistics,
32,338 people were vaccinated in the Turks & Caicos
against COVID-19 (at least one dose). This was approximately
73% of the total population. For more information
and details, visit www.visittci.com.
Language
English.
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 69

Time zone
Eastern Standard Time (EST)/Daylight Savings Time
observed.
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.
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 roundabouts
at major junctions. Taxis and community cabs 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
connections. 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
FortisTCI supplies electricity at a frequency of 60HZ,
70 www.timespub.tc

and either single phase or three phase at one of three
standard voltages for residential or commercial service.
FortisTCI continues to invest in a robust and resilient grid
to ensure the highest level of reliability to customers. The
company is integrating renewable energy into its grid and
provides options for customers to participate in two solar
energy programs.
Departure tax
US $60. It is typically included in your airline ticket cost.
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 are
located downtown on Airport Road. In Grand Turk, the
Post Office and Philatelic Bureau are on Church Folly. The
Islands are known for their colorful stamp issues.
Media
Multi-channel satellite television is received from the U.S.
and Canada and transmitted via cable or Internet. Local
station WIV-TV broadcasts on Channel 4 and Island EyeTV
on Channel 5. There are 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.
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 Turks & Caicos Islanders.
SEE
THE
DIFFERENCE
OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC
Ophthalmologist Dr. Sebastian Guzman is now available
for consultation in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Dr. Guzman and his team are a group of doctors
representing three generations of ophthalmologists.
They specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye
diseases and those linked to the throat, nose, and
ears. At MD OJOS, we have our own equipment,
with all the advantages of a private clinic. We offer
a fast, complete, and comprehensive response to our
patients. We are trained in the application of the
latest technological advances for the correction of
different visual dysfunctions.
NOW OPEN IN REGENT VILLAGE
CALL 809 880 2020
WWW.OJOS.COM.DO
Times of the Islands Fall 2023 71

Government/Legal system
TCI is a British Crown colony. There is a Queen-appointed
Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam. She presides over
an executive council formed by the elected local government.
Hon. Charles Washington Misick is the country’s
premier, leading a majority Progressive National Party
(PNP) House of Assembly.
The legal system is based on 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.
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. 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 in 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, Episcopal, 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 submitted at port of entry to obtain clearance
from the TCI Department of Agriculture.
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,
sashes and hat bands. The National Song is “This Land
of Ours” by the late Rev. E.C. Howell. Peas and Hominy
72 www.timespub.tc

(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. Single-use plastic bags have been
banned country-wide as of May 1, 2019. There is also a
ban on importation of plastic straws and some polystyrene
products, including cups and plates.
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, snuba, kiteboarding, stand up paddleboarding,
mermaid encounters and beachcombing. Pristine reefs,
abundant marine life and excellent visibility make TCI
a world-class diving destination. Whale and dolphin
encounters are possible, especially during the winter/
spring months.
Tennis and golf—there is an 18 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
subscription form
TIMES
OF THE
ISLANDS
SAMPLING THE SOUL OF THE TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS
One year subscription
$28 U.S. addresses/$32 non-U.S. addresses
33 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. Birdwatching is superb, and there
is a guided trail on Grand Turk.
There is an excellent national museum on Grand
Turk, with an auxillary branch on Providenciales that
includes the Caicos Heritage House. 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 are
two casinos on Providenciales, along with many electronic
gaming parlours. Stargazing is extraordinary!
Shoppers will find paintings, T-shirts, sports and
beachwear and locally made handicrafts, including straw
work, conch crafts and beach jewellery. Duty free outlets
sell liquor, jewellery, watches, perfume, leather goods,
crystal, china, cameras, electronics, brand-name clothing
and accessories, along with Cuban cigars. a
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Times of the Islands Fall 2023 73

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WE ARE LEADING THE WAY TO
A CLEANER ENERGY FUTURE
Our executive team: (L-R) Vice President of Corporate Services and CFO Aisha Laporte; Vice President
of Grand Turk and Sister Island Operations Allan Robinson; President and CEO Ruth Forbes; Senior Vice
President of Operations Devon Cox; Vice President of Engineering and Energy Production and Delivery
Don Forsyth (seated); and Vice President of Innovation, Technology and Strategic Planning Rachell Roullet.
In a rapidly evolving electricity sector, energy leaders of today are
focused on driving the transformation to cleaner, more sustainable
energy sources.
At FortisTCI, our purpose and passion are unwavering – to serve our
customers, community, and the Turks and Caicos Islands with the
safe, reliable, and least-cost electricity they need – whenever and
wherever.
Every day, we are working towards an energy future that is cleaner,
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