SANDCASTLES CHANGES HANDS
Sailors visiting the BVI have always taken delight in
visiting the small island resort of Sandcastles, with its Soggy Dollar Beach
Bar, on the island of Jost Van Dyke. Recently, owners Debby Pearse and Bruce Donath wanted to thank all of their island
friends for 10 years of wonderful memories. They did so with a ‘Thank You’
Celebration on April 23rd — all day long at the Soggy Dollar Bar. Friends from
both the USVI and the BVI joined to toast the popular couple and drink to the
end of an era and the beginning of a wonderful new chapter for Sandcastles
under new ownership. A Memory Book was made with pictures of past times there
brought by friends. Stories were also written and included a permanent reminder
of life at the Soggy Dollar Bar during the 1990s and first five years of our
new Millennium. Also celebrating the couple’s retirement were
their four
children, their spouses and seven grandchildren who were here for the party,
along with seven other relatives from Massachusetts.Reuben Chinnery played for the event making it even more
fun. I join All At Sea in wishing new owners, Jerry & Tish O’Connell
great success and happiness in their new venture.
9TH ANNUAL
WAHOO TOURNAMENT
Each spring, Fischer’s Cove Beach Hotel and Andy’s Chateau
in Virgin Gorda hold their Annual Fisherman’s Jamboree and each spring it is
bigger and better. This year, the tournament had a record high of 13
participating boats with lots of prizes and awards given to winners. The
sponsors are the BVI Tourist Board along with many BVI businesses. Awards this
year were given to the boat Lady Evelyn and Cassandra O’Neal who caught
a 44 lb Wahoo. Cassandra also won the Best Female Angler Award with Lenise
Phillip winning the Best Angler Trophy. The Youngest Participant was Denzel
Flax at 8 years old. Zeph Farrell won the Captains’ Pool with an overall catch
of 105 pounds while Hurber O’Neal won the Best Captain and a round-trip ticket
to Puerto Rico on Air Sunshine. Dristalee won the Cleanest Boat Award for her
spotless boat. This is always a great weekend so we are really glad of the
terrific turnout and great awards. Way to go Virgin Gorda.
2nd ANNUAL
POKARUN HELD BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION
Talk about fun. If you have never entered a Pokarun you just
haven’t lived. This is a card game on the sea where the pot goes to the winning
hand. At each stop, the registered captains draw one card from a deck of cards
and at the last stop the hands are opened and the winning hand/boat/captain is
determined. There are usually 5 – 6 stops, one of which is for lunch with 15 –
20 minutes being spent at the other stops. Now this is not a racing event, even
though the captains love to show off the power of their “high performance power
machines” with speeds hitting close to 100 mph. However, because the winner is
determined by the cards drawn and not about who has the fastest boat, the
planning field is equalized. This is a day for BVI families and friends to just
have fun and for the guys to talk about their boats (so what else is new?).
This year’s run started at The Pub and wound a course to Soper’s Hole, Cooper
Island, Virgin Gorda, Marina Cay and back to Road Harbour. Boaters came from as
far as St. Thomas to participate. The winners are still debating about the
winning hand so prizes were a draw – now that’s just like a power boater!
PETER JENNINGS
RECEIVES WELL WISHES FROM THE BVI
When it was announced that ABC news anchor, Peter Jennings,
was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, BVI Chief Minister Dr. Orlando Smith
sent a letter to his family, expressing well-wishers to the longtime member of
the BVI National Parks Trust, on behalf of the government and people of the
territory. Jennings is also a frequent visitor to the territory. In his letter,
the Chief Minister said he is joining millions of well-wishers worldwide in
offering the BVI’s heartfelt prayers and support to Jennings and his family in
the fight ahead. It goes without saying that we all wish this great supporter
of our islands the very best in regaining his health. He is a true favorite of
ours as well as Morgan Freeman, who keeps a boat in Virgin Gorda. These men
both contribute to the quality of life in the BVI. Good luck Peter, we’re all
betting on you!
