News of The Abacos
Current Abaco News Trauma One to Mark Three Years' Service [Emergency health services in the Abacos]
By Dan Wiltfang - August 27, 1998
The Trauma One Teams mark three years of service to the Abaco community in September 1998. Multiple calls have dramatically increased in frequency. Over a third of all calls received to date have come since January. To help you appreciate what transpires, look to the night of July 2nd this year.
The first call came about 6 p.m. involving a patient with fractured ribs on a vessel near Guana Cay. The patient was transported by Donnie III to Marsh Harbour and from there by Trauma One ambulance to Dr. Lundy where Team Members assisted.
The second call came at 10 p.m. and involved a patient in labour from Hope Town. The patient was transported by David and Tito, was met by Trauma One and transported to Dr. Lundy where Team Member Adele McDonald assisted her and her staff, Cindy and Krista. While other Team Members assisted by fetching materials for the "delivery team," a third call came by phone. At 11 p.m. the squad was again rolling. This patient, suffering extreme abdominal pains, was transported to the office, treated by Dr. Lundy, then returned home. Back again at the Doctor's office, the Team assisted in completing the delivery.
From classroom, textbook and video to real life drama, the fourth call of the night was delivered as a new born of 4.25 pounds at 1 a.m. on the 3rd of July. Present for the delivery were Trauma One Response Team Members Adele McDonald, Timmy McDonald, Antonio Albury, Matthew Key, Jason Wiltfang and Dan Wiltfang. The ambulance was cleaned and was ready for the next call by 3 a.m.
So it goes since September 1995.
The Trauma One Ambulances and Team Members have been providing emergency service to Abaco residents and visitors for no fee. Operations are supported by donations and contributions. This summer Nippers of Guana Cay and Aunt Bea Shirley of Man-O-War have carried the banner. They have been joined by the Guana Beach Resort and Marsh Harbour Marina.
Your help is needed.
Checks may be sent to Trauma One, P.O. Box AB 20594, Marsh Harbour. All contributions are recorded and acknowledged.
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Flamingos Arrive
Abaconian Editorial Staff
Ninteen gangly, spindly young flamingo fledglings arrived on July 7th to take up residence at Different of Abaco. They arrived from the Bahamas national park in Inagua and it is hoped that they will begin a breeding colony on Abaco.
Ms. Nettica Symonette, owner and manager of Different of Abaco, has long dreamed of the day there would be nesting flamingos on Abaco. She organized their coming and is keeping them in an enclosure until they have adapted to their new home. She will be pampering them and watching them closely for the next few weeks as they get used to a new life on a quiet back-water area of Casuarina Point where the bonefish resort is located. They will be fed dog food until they can fend for themselves collecting algae from the bottom of the shallow water.
Several years ago Ms. Symonette brought 15 flamingos to her resort but several died right away and most of the survivors were scattered during hurricane winds a couple of years ago. Some survivors are said to be doing well in the marles north of Casuarina Point. The two remaining birds are still there, in full plumage and looking great as they slowly make their way through the water, feeding, preening and watching the people who stop to admire their graceful movements and beautiful colouring.
Chinese Take-Away!
By Stephanie Humblestone
On June 6th Police at Marsh Harbour received information that a boat had been spotted one and a half miles off shore from Hole-in-the-Wall. Police officers and Immigration officials investigated and found members of the Drug Enforcement Unit at the location. Twenty-four Chinese and one Malaysian were apprehended in the vicinity of Hole-in-the-Wall at the southern tip of Abaco. They had been off-loaded to four speed boats from the freighter Oriental I, a Venezuelan registered vessel bound for Florida from Surinam in South America.
The Drug Enforcement Unit of the Bahamas Police Force pursued the speed boats and captured some of the Chinese on board. The remainder were found after a full night with police, reserve police and immigration officers searching through the bushes at Hole-in-the-Wall. The Chinese nationals are currently being held at a detention centre in Nassau and the Malaysian was repatriated a few days after the arrest. Immigration official Vernon Burrows commented "as soon as travel documents and plane tickets are finalised, the 25 illegal immigrants will be repatriated."
Yahoes Sand Bar
By Stephanie Humblestone[Local knowledge note: as is true of just about every dining and drinking establishment in the Abacos, entertainment and other schedules change frequently, so please check with Yahoe's on VHF channel 16 (or any other "off-the-beaten-path" facility) for current offerings.]
Yahoes Sand Bar is named after the legendary elusive mythical Yahoos, a half-bird half-man creature which is said to have inhabited Lubbers Quarters. Now in its third month the new restaurant, which is situated on remote but accessible Lubbers Quarters, is fast becoming a popular spot for boaters and residents of Abaco. Not only is it unique in its location but also in its unusual construction. Brainchild of architect Tim Neil, the beach bar and grill is set under a huge tepee-like building which, in time, Mr. Neil intends to thatch. Presently, the virgin Abaco pine logs which form the main structure are covered with sails which have weathered both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The new restaurant is located in the protective waters of the Sea of Abaco, has a secluded beach and a panoramic view of Tahiti Beach, Tilloo Cut and the Cooper Jack Cays. For Tim Neil it is a dream come true and for visitors a real "get away" in the truest sense. Comments written in his Visitors Book like "What a break from the rat race. Can't wait to come back!" say it all. In this tropical island paradise visitors are treated to a wide selection of Caribbean and Continental cuisine prepared by Norwegian chef Hans Hinrichsen or "Uncle Hans," as he is called. When he is not concocting some tasty dish, Hans mingles with the customers. His motto is: "As long as they are having a good time, then so are we." And a good time is had by everyone, particularly on Tuesday and Sunday nights when Stone McEwen entertains visitors. Tuesday evenings feature hamburgers and hot dogs and the dining area is cleared to become a dance floor. This is also locals night as Albury's Ferry offers service from the cays. Every Sunday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. there is a barbecue buffet followed by the music of Clint Sawyer. The highlight of the month, quite literally, is the full moon buffet which attracts several hundred visitors.
Yahoes Sand Bar is open every day except Monday. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. and dinner from 6 p.m. Reservations can be made on Channel 16 "Yahoos" on the VHF. What better reference could the new beach bar have than the praise of Island Administrator Everette Hart, who describes it as a "complement to our tourist industry.
