Earth Village Celebrates 1st Annual Mini Fair-Fun Day
EARTH Village Bahamas, Bahamas Association for Social
Health's (B.A.S.H) eco-sustaining, holistic compound, held it's 1st annual Mini-Fair and Cookout on Discovery Day Holiday, October 12th 2009.
The day began at 7am with a Health Fun Walk, through
Earth Village, the facility's nature park.
Approximately 20 participants supported the walk.
A short opening ceremony followed the walk. Dr. Hubert
Minnis, Minister of Health, Archbishop Drexel W.
Gomez, Eric Carey, The Bahamas National Trust all spoke and lauded the efforts
of Mr. Terry Miller and his executive team.
Throughout the day many patrons were treated to
various activities such as horseback riding, hoopla ring toss, bouncing castles
and lots of mouthwatering Bahamian dishes.
One of the activities that proved to be quite a hit
with the crowd was the martial arts exhibition put on by The Society of Shotokan Stylist, Karate School and Fitness Center,
operated by well known Master Brian Beckford, who was 'pleased to be able to
lend his support to Wesley Finlayson, one of the organizers of the event. I saw
this as an opportunity to assist Wesley in something positive that he was doing
and did not hesitate when he asked me to lend a hand by demonstrating my art
and speaking about the positive side of it. It was also a great opportunity for
me to inform the public about exactly what martial arts is, its not just about
kicking and striking, it's more about living a clean healthy
life style mentally and physically.' Discussions also took place
concerning opening a karate school on the grounds of Earth Village to assist
with allowing the kids in the neighbouring community to become disciplined in
this art form.
In speaking with Mr., Finlayson, it was discovered
that his excitement over the project was infectious. He has lots of plans to
produce many similar events. ' I am totally elated over the success of this
event and I would like to thank the organizing team and the many other persons
who assisted us in making this possible. We had a short time to prepare and
with lots of effort and hard work we were able to see this dream realized.
The entertainment for the evening was provided by
Berkley Van Byrd, formerly of the T-Connections, Veronica Bishop and The
Turquoise Trio.
The event was supported by other entertainers such as
Isaiah Taylor and Dyson Knight, from the Grammy award winning group Bahamen,
C.J. Priest and Josiah 'Teddy' Kinlock.
Also assisting to ensure the success of the event was
contestants in the upcoming Ms. Full Figured Pageant. Ms Rayette McDonald,
Director of the pageant was also pleased to lend a hand. 'The committee, the contestants and I worked tirelessly to assist this first effort by Earth
Village. We are pleased to have been invited to assist such a worthy cause'.
Mr. Terry Miller, Director of Bash, passionately
recalled his many misfortunes upon beginning the facility that has now become a
staple in our community for assisting men who have fallen to the scourge of
drugs. He was pleased about the success of the event and looks forward to
working developing a number of entertaining and educational events including
martial arts exhibitions and professional boxing matches. 'We have an area
larger than the old Birdland and the Nassau Stadium, so there's no reason why,
with the right promoters, we can't stage such events,' Miller noted. 'Tonight,'
he continued, 'is a taste of things to come'.
And with a kaleidoscope of colours that burst into the
moonlit skies, the night ended in an awesome display of fireworks that
captivated the remaining patrons and the entire Chippingham community. Well
done EARTH Village!
