“Doc” Lermon Rolle

Ever heard folks say they’ve got a job for life? Well that’s pretty much the way I feel working right here at Club Peace and Plenty. Speaking God’s honest truth, I’d have to say this job is my life. And that’s the way it’s been since I left the Two Turtles hotel and first stood behind this bar back in 1967. For those of you who can’t work that out in your heads – something that comes easy when you spend your days adding up the cost of drinks and making sure folks pay what’s due – that’s for going on 42 years!

And back in January, on the 20th if you want the exact date, on the occasion of celebrating the hotels’ 50th anniversary, I had my own little ceremony too, when on account of my long service as ‘Doctor of Libations’ I was presented with a certificate and this Omega watch I’m wearing right now. That was quite a party. People didn’t just come from all over the hotel here, they came from all over the island. Even the Minister of State for Culture showed up with a fancy plaque announcing our election to the Commonwealth’s antiquity register.

Course over the years, I’ve almost lost count of the famous faces who’ve made their way to this historical place and asked me to pour them a Kalik beer or mix them something exotic with our Nassau Royal. Jessica Tandy, Robert Mitchum, Gene Hackman, Jack Nicklaus, how long have you got? The actor Johnny Depp even came to accept an award himself right along there in what’s known as our Slave Kitchen Bar.

And it’s not just stars and celebrities I’ve got to know. I guess you’d say I’ve got this gift at remembering folk and they seem pleased as can be when I welcome them back year after year and have their favourite drink all ready and waiting for them. Fact is, listening to their adventures since they last left is as entertaining as me getting to tell them mine. Well, almost!

Tiger Woods in Exuma

It is rumoured that Tiger Woods, the recently embattled golf superstar, sailed in to the Bahamas to escape the media coverage and public scrutiny over his sex scandal. He reportedly spent Christmas in George Town, Exuma, aboard his yacht “Privacy”, with witnesses claiming that he was seen there up to Sunday.

An article in The Tribune reported that “Meanwhile the sex scandal that has engulfed him may have cost shareholders of companies endorsed by the world’s No. 1 golfer up to $12 billion in losses, according to a study by two economics professors from the University of California.

The study, released on Monday by researchers Victor Stango and Christopher Knittel, gave an estimate of damage to the market value of Woods’ main sponsors caused by revelations of alleged extramarital affairs that surfaced after he was involved in a minor car accident outside his Florida home on November 27.

“We estimate that shareholders of Tiger Woods’ sponsors lost $5-12 billion after his car accident,” the researchers wrote, adding that millions of shareholders were affected.

“Our analysis makes clear that while having a celebrity of Tiger Woods’ stature as an endorser has undeniable upside, the downside risk is substantial, too,” Stango, a professor at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, said in a statement released with the study.

Celebrities in Exuma

I guess nobody really needs to own an island but if you were Johnny Depp (or Justin Timberlake, another celebrity recently spotted in the Exumas) and you could afford a small piece of paradise on earth, then there is no better place in the world to start looking than the Exumas. Johnny Depp and JustinTimberlake aren’t the only celebrities who seem to think so. Other celebrities who have recently been spotted island hopping or island hunting in the Exumas include: Demi Moore, Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler, Bill Gatesand Madonna.

Why Exuma?

The Exumas are a string of islands stretching through the Southern Bahamas. Great Exuma is the largest of these islands and its greatest appeal is its relative lack of tourists and commercialization. This factor makes the island attractive to many celebrities who live a major part of their lives in the spotlight. The island also offers some of the best sailing in the world, great fishing, spectacular beaches, luxury hotels, gourmet dining and friendly, down to earth locals. Many magnificent coral reefs are located in this part of the world making snorkeling and scuba diving an incredible experience as well.

If you are a keen star gazer, you might want to set your sights on a trip to the Exumas because even if you don’t spot any celebrities, you’re highly unlikely to return home from this amazing tropical paradise disappointed.

Usain Bolt Shatters World Record and Buys Bahamian Real Estate

Fresh off the heels of running the fastest 100 meters in the history of the world, posting a record time of 9.58 seconds, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt acquires real estate on the Bahamas island of Rum Cay.

“Who wouldn’t want to live on Rum Cay? It is magnificent. What an incredibly beautiful place.” – Bolt beamed. In what seemingly is becoming a trend, Bolt joins Carl Lewis, the US Olympic icon and once “the fastest man in the world,” as the second world record holder to acquire land on this blissful Bahamian island.

Rum Cay, located just 345 miles southeast of Miami, is becoming a haven for athletes, entertainers and celebrities who hail from all corners of the world. An island with just over 100 inhabitants boasts two of the fastest men ever. Willis Harding, of Sunshine Realty states, “Of all the places in the world, I am amazed how many famous people are gravitating to Rum Cay. This place truly has something magical about it.”

The island is 35 square miles in size and is a second home to two world record holders and Olympic superstars. Both athletes have land in the Paradise Is Mine development of the island which provides the most spectacular vistas within the Caribbean. “Usain Bolt is now one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. For him to choose Rum Cay as his corner of paradise speaks volumes about the island. He could live anywhere he wants and he chose Rum Cay.” – states Seth Kaufman, broker for Turnberry International Realty in Aventura, Florida. Turnberry International Realty markets Rum Cay within the USA for Bahamian Realtors. Turnberry is responsible for bringing Bolt to the island and is becoming a recognized resource for celebrity clients throughout the Americas.

“Rum Cay is a great place to relax. Just looking at the pictures is enough to put your mind at ease.” states Bolt. One of the first things Bolt did after setting his recent world record in Berlin is close the transaction for the property on this Caribbean paradise. Given the current number of international luminaries flocking to buy property within the Paradise Is Mine section of Rum Cay, the island is truly expanding its reputation as the “Undiscovered jewel of the Caribbean.” Kaufman went on to remark, “Its amazing how much notoriety this island is gaining so quickly.”

Bahamas Now Camp

Bahamian Olympic Snowboarder Korath Wright has started a camp for Bahamian kids to learn to snowboard. This July, ten teens between 13 and 17 auditioned to attend the camp in Oregon in Freeport and Nassau. The kids were given a set of three tryouts, testing their athletic abilities and their skateboard skills.

Those children chosen spent 9 days on Mount Hood, Oregon where Korath’s own passion for snowboarding started.

A Message From Korath:

I’m excited about the Bahama Snow Kids Camp because it’s an opportunity for kids from the Bahamas to see snow for the first time… and then rip that snow apart on a snowboard!

It’s also a chance for me to communicate to kids that as long as they know what they want, are clear on their values and are ready to work for it, every decision they make will move them towards their goals.

Competing for the Bahamas as their first winter Olympian, I’m proof that anything is possible.

This camp is a chance to encourage kids to follow their dreams, no matter how big those dreams may be.

-Korath Wright

Justin Rowland is the proud winner of the tryouts in Grand Bahama. He stands here with Korath and the first sponsor in Grand Bahama, Michael Lerch. Photo: Robbin Whachell

For more on Korath: http://wp.me/pDAHZ-e

Plink: http://wp.me/pDAHZ-q

Who’da thunk it?

Korath shows the half pipe who's boss

Move over Jamaican Bobsled team, there’s a new kid in town.  Bahamian snowboarder Korath Wright plans on winning Gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics and given his coaching, it is well within his grasp. The Nassau born Wright is currently training with the Canadian olympic team, although he will represent his far away homeland of the Bahamas and he’ll be the first Bahamian to ever compete in the Winter Olympics.

Korath also runs a snowboard camp for kids from the Bahamas. Many of these kids have never seen snow and the camp gives them an opportunity to learn to snowboard, travel and meet new friends. More to follow…

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