Marcia Griffiths to pay tribute to Bob Marley
for Moonsplash 2002

Fans of Moonsplah 2002 will be treated to a soul-warming tribute to the King of Reggae, Bob Marley, on the 2nd night of the big event by Marcia Griffiths, former lead singer of Bob Marley�s back up vocalist group, the I-Three�s, and Headline Artiste for Moonsplash 2002. According to Mr Fritzroy Tomlinson, Festivals Coordinator with the ATB, Ms Griffith will be dedicating a part of her performance to Reggae's� greatest songwriter, recording and performing artist, who passed away 21 years ago on May 11th, 1981.

Moonsplash Productions is also looking into the possibility at this time of flying in the third member of the I-Three�s, Judy Mowatt, for Moonsplash 2002. So says Mr. Tomlinson, who has been in contact with Ms Mowatt concerning her availability to be in Anguilla as a Special Guest for the Moonsplash period.

In addition to sterling performances from last year�s Headliner, Freddie McGregor, and Anguilla�s own top recording artist Bankie Banx, the lineup of performers will include Colours of St Martin; Bunfyah of St Maarten; the Bacon-Banx Band (featuring the children of Bankie Banx and Kevin Bacon); High Tension and the Reggae Groovers of Anguilla; and Lymie of Jamaica.

Moonsplash 2002 will be rendered even more special this year by the presence of Bob Marley�s widow, the distinguished Rita Marley, who will be in Anguilla as the celebrity guest of Altamer Resorts, the main sponsor of this year�s event.

Rita Marley has intimated that she might take the stage at some point during Moonsplash, although she is not a featured performer.

Moonsplash 2002 is scheduled to take place in Anguilla from March 21-24, 2002. It is an event which has been consistently endorsed by the Anguilla Tourist Board as a significant promotional event, and the ATB has always worked closely with Mr. Bankie Banx to ensure the success of this event. A number of properties have also shown their support for the event by offering special Moonsplash rates for visitors. Special airline packages are also being made available on LIAT.

The program kicks off with the Official Cocktail Reception at Altamer Resort, and continues on Friday and Saturday evening with star studded performances from a number of critically acclaimed international, regional and local artistes. The Grand finale takes the form of a Beach Party at the Dune Preserve on Sunday featuring great music, great food and a display of locally made handicrafts and artwork by Anguilla�s top local artists.

Tickets for the three-day event are now on sale at the Anguilla Tourist Board, Altamer Resort and at the Dune Preserve at a price of US$ 50.00 for the Cocktail Reception, and US$25.00 each for Friday and Saturday night, or US$45.00 for a season ticket, which does not include the Cocktail Reception.

 

February 2002

WHAT'S INSIDE...

Marcia Griffiths to
Pay Tribute to Bob Marley
for Moonsplash 2002

 

Hello Tourist Update

 

Anguilla In IPR Magazine

 

On the Ball with�.

Judah Fest

 

Sea Festival Part 2

 

Spotlight on�

Chrislyn Connor

 

Oliver�s Seaside Grill

Recipe of the Month

 

On the Rep Site

 

Calender of Events

NEWS IN BRIEF

Congratulations to Ms Kymara Ritchie, now in her 2nd semester who has been selected as an RA(Resident Assistant) at SUNY. Kymara is the third Anguillian student who has been selected for this position, which calls for a high level of maturity, responsibility and high academic performance. Chandra Hughes and Andre Samuel, both 2nd year students, are also RA�s at Cobleskill.

Hello Tourist Update

The Hello Tourist Program has been formally introduced to the Class Six students participating in this year�s program. Project Coordinator, Mrs. Candis Niles, along with Project members, Brenda Gumbs and Marion John, visited the six schools over a 3-week period to give the children information on the origin of the program, the objectives and expected outcomes, and the format that the program will take over the next 5 months.

Students will now be in a position to follow the program as set out in their specially created Hello Tourist manuals, which will include regular class sessions, games, activities, and evaluation tests.

A key feature of the program will be the Projects that each class will have to undertake as part of the criteria for earning the overnight stay at the end of the program. Students have been asked to choose two projects, one a hand craft, and the other of a much wider scope with a focus on the Environment or Tourism. A total of 50 points will be given for each project, with the class earning the highest points being awarded the Hello Tourist Project of the Year Award.

Anguilla In IPR Magazine

Anguilla is the first featured Caribbean Island in a series of articles scheduled to appear in the Island Properties Report and International Living magazine out of the West Coast, USA. During the month of December, 2001, Mrs Catherine McCabe was on island carrying out extensive research for the full length article on Anguilla with special focus on investment opportunities available. The 8- page report which was published for December 2001, and released in January 2002, offers details not only on the island as a preferred tourist destination � it�s beaches, people, history, culture, art and activities � but also on the investment opportunities and requirements for doing business on the island.

According to Mrs. McCabe, Anguilla is a destination �poised for appreciation�, to quote Rick Moeser, Sotheby International�s Regional manager, speaking on the position of the British Leeward islands as an option for investment. She sees the dip in tourism numbers, brought on by the events of September 11th, 2001 as having created good investment opportunities in a peaceful, safe environment

Coverage of the island will also create the opportunity to be considered as a Discovery Tour destination. This is a specialized island vacation which enables potential investors to experience the ambience of the destination whilst acquainting themselves with real estate, off-shore banking structures, and the investment needs and opportunities of the country.

On the Ball with�
JudahFest 2002

Plans are currently being finalized for the 1st Annual �JudahFest�, scheduled to take place in Anguilla from April 4th to 5th, 2002, under the theme, � JudahFest: One Voice Making One Sound Unto His Majesty�. JudahFest, the brainchild of Husband and wife singing duo, Chris and Sandra Richardson, will be held at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre and will feature an all star line up of performers from the region, and host country, Anguilla.

This year�s headline act will feature the inestimable Carlene Davis, internationally recognized recording artist out of Jamaica, whose haunting lyrics and creative fusion of reggae and contemporary gospel continue to take this genre to new heights in Caribbean music. Also appearing alongside Ms Davis will be Nicole Ballasingh, fresh from a tour of Europe, who has been building a reputation for herself as a Calypso Worship Ambassador.

Also appearing on the show will be a number of popular local artists, including Harold Vanterpool, Joseph Pradel, Chris & Adoration, and Susan Best. A number of up and coming young artists will also be featured, as well as a Ministry in dance by Sherine Paul. A highlight of this year�s Festival will be an Awards Ceremony in which the Christian Community will honour two outstanding men in Anguilla�s history: Mr. James Ronald Webster, as a Revolutionary Leader and Visionary, and Rev. Richard Fahie as the oldest Minister of Religion on the island.

According to Mr. Richardson, the Festival is seen as an important one on the Caribbean�s calendar, since it is the first wholly Gospel Music Festival in the region. The name, which was derived from the Hebrew word Judah, meaning Praise, evokes a Festival of Praise to the Almighty Father., and commemorates, through its timing, the Triumphant Resurrection of Christ at Easter. This year�s festival is being coordinated by CIDS Ministries, with major sponsorship being provided by Air Jamaica, Caribbean Star and Coca-Cola, through its on-island agents, Tropical Flower.

Anguilla Sea Festival Part 2

The Festivals Office of the ATB is pleased to announce that the activities scheduled for the Sea Festival�s Quincina Day will now take place on Saturday, March 9th, 2002 at Sandy Ground. Locals and visitors alike are invited to join in the fun which begins at 9:00 am, and includes guided tours of Sandy ground, various Pond Boat races, a Greasy Pole contest, and a Model Boat competition. Music will be on hand and there will be lots to eat and drink.

Spotlight On�
Chrislyn Connor, Visitor Services Assistant, ATB

Miss Chrislyn Connor, Visitor Services Assistant with the ATB is currently on study leave from her duties at the Board, as she pursues studies leading to the award of an Associate Degree in Travel and Resort Marketing at the Cobleskill Campus of the State University of New York.

Miss Connor joined the ATB in 1999 at the tender age of 17, upon completion of her studies at the ALHCS, having spent six weeks with the Board as part of the ALHCS� on-the-job Training program during the previous Summer.

As Visitor Services Assistant Ms Connor was a key source of information, not only on the ATB, but also on the industry, and her position required her to interact with travel agents, press writers, and other visitors to the Board�s offices, a task which she handled with a level of poise and maturity that belied her age. Over the duration of her employment with the Board she showed a high level of responsibility, initiative and resourcefulness, qualities which are expected to stand her in good stead during her period of study at SUNY.

Oliver�s Seaside Grill

After serving for over 15 years in the rapidly growing hospitality industry, I envisaged the need for another upscale restaurant on Anguilla. I seized the opportunity to challenge my expertise in starting my own upscalerestaurant.

Oliver�s Seaside Grill, located in Long Bay, perched on Morgan�s Hill was established in 1997 and is managed by myself and best friend, Executive Chef, Leon Carty. We have focused on creating a unique tropical authentic Caribbean cuisine using some of the island�s rarest and most delicate seafoods, all served in an attractive, romantic ambience, by our courteous, efficient, personally motivated staff who have gained extensive experience in Anguilla�s top hospitality institutions.

Since our inception four and a half years ago we have been accorded many accolades from international magazines and travel writers including the New York Times, Bon Appetit, Conde Nast Traveller and Caribbean Travel and Life. At Oliver�s we are committed to maintaining this high standard that has brought us this far.

Recipe of the Month

Ingredients

Pre-husked corn Pigeon Peas

Bean Peas Pumpkin

Sugar Oil

Butter Garlic

Onion Pig tail (or any salted meat)

Sweet Potato Black pepper

Flour Water

Seasonings Thyme

METHOD

Clean meat and allow to soak overnight. Cook corn until soft in a pot of boiling water. Prepare dumplings. Add peas and salted meat, then dumplings and pumpkin. Add sweet potato, onion, garlic, seasonings, thyme, oil, and butter. If necessary, add flour to thicken. Add sugar to taste. Allow to simmer until all ingredients are well cooked.

Bon appetit!!!!

 


Mabel's Corn Soup

Corn Soup is a favorite among many Anguillians to celebrate the Easter Season. This recipe was obtained from Mabel Gumbs, who is famous for her Corn Soup.

She can be found every Saturday morning under the Tamarind Tree next to the Anguilla National Trust building in the Valley.

Her recipe is a closely guarded secret, but she has consented to share the ingredients and the method with our readers.

On the Rep Site

United States

KV Associates, Anguilla�s Marketing Representative, is currently preparing for a Sales Blitz, which will target key travel agencies in New York. Attending from Anguilla will be Marketing & Research Officer, Ms Ernie Hodge, Mrs Sherille Hughes of Paradise Cove, and Ms Heather Gumbs of Carimar Beach Club, as well as Marketing representatives from Sonesta Beach Resort, and Malliouhana Hotel & Spa. A total of 8 travel agencies will be visited over the 4 day period, with participants being given the opportunity to make a presentation on their property to 300 agents covering the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Anguilla�s Public Relations Representatives, Keating & Associates, continue to maintain Anguilla�s presence with key press writers in the US Market through the dissemination of a number of Press Releases highlighting various aspects of the island�s product. A number of press trips have also been planned for the month of March, including a 7-day visit by Ms Ellen Kunes, Editor-in-Chief of Redbook Magazine; a 3-day visit by Mr John Cosgrove, Travel Writer for the Community Newspaper of Miami; and a 5-person Press Trip which will cover the 2002 Moonsplash Festival.

Italy

ATB Italy in association with St. Martin�s Europe office and Air France will be coordinating the visit of Carlo Piccinelli, journalist with Nautica, a monthly magazine specializing in sailing and nautical leisure, sports and travel, with a circulation of 51, 000 high-income readers. The article, which will come out in Summer 2002, will feature Boatracing and Carnival on Anguilla. Mr Piccinelli will be on island for three days in April to observe the Easter Monday boatraces in preparation for the upcoming article.

Germany

The ATB Germany office is preparing to participate in the 2002 edition of ITB, scheduled to take place in Berlin from March 16th to 20th, 2002. Attending from Anguilla will be Director of Tourism, Mrs Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch and Chairman, Mr Clive Carty. Private sector delegates include representatives of Cuisinart Resort and Spa, Sonesta Beach Resort, Malliouhana Hotel & Spa, Arawak Beach Inn, Bennie�s Travel and Bits & Bites.

ITB, generally regarded as the most important fair in World Tourism, brings together over 10,000 exhibitors, 6,000 journalists, and tens of thousands of trade visitors for four days of intensive business interaction and networking representing every aspect of the international tourism industry.

United Kingdom

A team from the BBC in London will be on island on March 22, 2002, to carry out filming as part of the production of a children�s television program called the Commonwealth Project. The series, which is seen as a landmark commission of inspirational short films celebrating friendship, will bring the life of the 54 Commonwealth countries through the eyes of two children as they talk about their lives and friendship.

Anguilla�s representative will be Denecia Niles of South Hill, who will be teaming up with her cousin, Charelle Franklin in the UK to talk about the similarities of their lives even though they live in different countries. The BBC team will be filming a typical day in Denecia�s life in order to give viewers from around the world an insight into the life of an Anguillian child. This will be combined with similar footage shot with Charelle in the UK, and then edited to produce a 5-minute short film for Anguilla.

The project, which will net the island targeted coverage not only in the UK, but also in the international market, will air throughout the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games, and will run for a year�s duration on BBC One from March 2002 to 2003.

Calendar of Events

March

March 11-14 - ATB Sales Blitz � NY

March 15 - Great Bridal Expo � NY

March 16 - Wallblake House Fund raising Auction

March 16-20 - ITB in Berlin, Germany

March 21-24 - Moonsplash music festival at the Dune Preserve

April

April 1 - Easter Monday Boat Race at Meads Bay

April 10 - Educational Seminars � NJ

April 30 - Frangipani Beach Club JazzFestival

Stat Facts

During the period January � March 2002, Anguilla received extensive coverage in a number of travel publications from its major markets:

USA
Caribbean Travel & Life Jan. 2002 3 pages

Title: Anguilla: Low-key Luxury in the Leewards by Debbie Snow

Caribbean Travel & Life Feb. 2002 1 page

Title: One Great Villa: Oleander Villa, Sonesta Beach by Debbie Snow

Caribbean Travel & Life March 2002 4 pages

Title: Readers Pick 60 Best with illustrations by James Noel Smith

WCVB-TV 5 Boston Film footage Feb. 2002

ITALY

Conde Nast Traveller Honeymoon Special 1 page

Gulliver � idee in viaggio March 2002 8 pages

UK

CTO�s Caribbean Travel Spring 2002 4 pages

Granada TV March 2002 5 minutes