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Summer
/ Fall 2003 - Volume 24
Club
Peace & Plenty, Beach Inn and the Bonefish Lodge would like
to dedicate this issue of the Newsletter to the memory of our dear
and loving friend, and owner, Mrs. Jeanne Ruth Benjamin. Mrs. “B”
passed away on April 8, 2003. She will be sorely missed, but will
live on in our hearts forever.
We send our
warmest greetings from your home away from home, PEACE & PLENTY,
and promise you that the magic of Exuma continues to fascinate old
and new friends alike. The P&P family is working harder than
ever to improve every department to better meet our guests’
needs and to make your next trip the most memorable.
Coming
and Going
Kudos to Charlie Pflueger, our “Manager-Emeritus”, who
filled the Club P&P Manager position this past Season. We give
our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Charlie; for his good nature,
hard work and dedication.
Although we
are sorry to see him go, we are very excited about announcing his
replacement. MR. NEVILLE LEE-CHOY has accepted the position of Club
P&P Manager. Neville comes to us with a vast background in Hotel
and Restaurant Management. He started his career at the Shaw Park
Hotel in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and pursued an education in the culinary
field. He managed LAS PALMAS HOTEL in South Andros, Bahamas for
Resorts International for four years and has always dreamed of going
back to the Bahamas. He resigned from his position of the past 14
years as General Manager of Swiss Chalet in Delray Beach, Florida
and is eager to begin a new and exciting hands-on career at the
PEACE AND PLENTY. We are pleased to announce that the food and service
has already improved greatly.
We would also
like to introduce our accountant, PAUL PRINGLE. Paul has been with
the company for a year now, and divides his time between the Ft.
Lauderdale office and Exuma. Paul was born and raised in Jamaica,
attended California State University (where he earned his M.B.A.)
and lived in California with his family before relocating to South
Florida a few years ago. He provides a necessary and important link
between theManagement office, the hotels on the island and the owners.
With progress,
comes change, and with the development of the FOUR SEASONS RESORT
at Emerald Bay, and a recent deal made with Peter and Wendell Murphy
to build on Crab Cay, strides are being made to make traveling to
Exuma easier and more convenient for the client.
Airline
Update
LYNX AIR International now offers online booking. C. A. Sutherland
of Lynx Air recently spent a few days on the island orienting our
staff and other business owners to the new system. You can access
their website by going to www.lynxairinternational. com to check
availability, or make your own reservations. AMERICAN EAGLE is set
to go to three flights per day from Miami this winter, and there
is talk of GULFSTREAMCONTINENTAL flying to Exuma from Ft. Lauderdale
on a daily basis, and also USAir from Charlotte, North Carolina
non-stop.
Developments
This from Emerald Bay…The FOUR SEASONS RESORT,
Great Exuma at Emerald Bay will open in November this year with
183 guest rooms and suites all facing the secluded bay. The Resort
will feature a GREG NORMAN-designed 18-hole golf club; a full-service
spa and health club; a tennis club; two swimming pools and a children’s
pool; two restaurants and a lounge. A 17-acre deepwater marina will
also be open for next spring, and will service crafts up to 200'
in length. By the way...PEACE & PLENTY guests will be welcome
to play the 18 hole course.
CRAB CAY, a
new development breaking ground, is poised to take off. Plans call
for a gated community of luxury Estate homes on a lush, private
200-acre island in between multiple islands. A private state-of-the-art
marina will accommodate vessels up up to 91 meters. A good friend
of the P&P, Charlie Pullen, is overseeing the project. We certainly
wish Charlie the best on his new project.
Plans are also
afoot to renovate and enlarge the airport, which is overdue. PRIME
MINISTER PERRY CHRISTIE, and MINISTER OF WORKS, BRADLEY ROBERTS
have made this a priority. The airport will receive a new International
lounge for
the larger airplanes flying to Exuma from Europe and the U.S.
The Government
of the Bahamas has recently committed to build and operate a Reverse
Osmosis system to feed all of George Town with fresh, potable water.
An old friend,
THE OUT ISLAND BEACH RESORT AND SPA is set to start rebuilding at
the end of July; the forecast is to reopen by the winter season
of 2004. This will be a 90 room all-inclusive for families.
Palm Bay Beach
Club has recently completed their second phase of cottages and Phase
III has started and should be completed in November, 2003.
Vision
It is important to stress to friends and family of the PEACE AND
PLENTY that we are committed to be the same family type hotel that
you have supported over the past 40 odd years and we shall always
be here. Although there may be some cosmetic changes to our hotel,
as we are constantly improving our product. The warmth, camaraderie
and family attitude will remain the same. We are committed to the
improvement of Exuma in every way, shape and form, and we shall
impress upon new players to our island to ensure that we never violate
the environmental aspects of our little island paradise. Barry Benjamin
will be vigilant at all times to ensure that this takes place. The
P&P staff is showing their dedication by adopting a section
of Queen’s Highway in front of each hotel; let’s help
out by putting our trash in the proper receptacles.
These days,
you never know who will pop up on the island. Bill Gates and Warren
Buffet were seen having breakfast at the P&P Club recently,
joining the long list of "celebrities" who have visited
the Peace & Plenty over the years.
One of the most
beloved and respected actors of our time, and long-time resident
of Exuma, HUME CRONYN, passed away this past spring. He was an important
Member of the Board of the EXUMA RESOURCE CENTER, and a great lover
of all things "Exumian." Our staff loved to see him settle
into "his spot" at the end of Lermon's pool bar loverlooking
Elizabeth Harbour, pipe in hand and stories to tell. We will all
miss his familiar smile and great wit.
Graphic Designer,
Deb Goulding of Duo-Design, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, and professional
photographer, Dominic Marsden, are currently creating new brochures;
one for the Club and one for the Beach Inn.
Web
News
Check out a new feature on our website www.peaceandplenty. com and
visit our 360 degree virtual tour of all three hotels and can be
read in 3 more languages, French, Italian and Spanish. The site
has also been nominated for the first ever Bahamas Web Design Award.
Great
Happenings
The Robert Nesbitt Family Reunion took place at Club P&P for
the third year in a row the week of the 16th of June. Twentyone
family members gathered from all over the country and had a ball.
We encourage all our guests to think about planning a family reunion
at the PEACE & PLENTY and making it an annual tradition as the
Nesbitt’s have done. Their group grows in number each year
and they can’t wait until next June to do it again!
Lynne Sutton
of the Beach Inn has started a local children’s fundraiser
to raise money to spay island pets. Veterinarian, Dr. Howard DeYoung
performs the surgery right on Exuma. Crafts, made by the children,
and sold at Stocking Island Beach Club, are made out of seashells
and sand dollars and are quite impressive.
You can visit
with Dora Lee and her cat “Islander” on your next trip
to Stocking Island. Islander has become a beloved resident of the
beach and can be found wading in the surf awaiting Dora Lee (and
her conchburger mix) in the morning or sleeping in a wheelbarrow
or amongst the straw baskets. He will even follow you to the ocean
side of the island and walk along with you on the beach. Everyone
says "Islander has the life!" Islander was the first recipient
of Lynne's spaying program. Speaking of Stocking Island, we are
currently building a new women's restroom, extending the restaurant's
front deck and new barbeque grills.
Employee
of the Issue
Our "Employee of the Issue" is Villard Francois, a.k.a.
"Willie." Willie has worked for the P&P for fourteen
years and has spent most of that time at the Beach Inn. Willie wears
many hats; he is the gardener, shuttle bus driver, handyman, and
allround maintenance man. Lately, he has become Tom Sutton’s
right hand man. Willie is assisting Tom painting rooms, plumbing,
building a new sea wall, watering the many lovely new flowers and
fruit trees that have been planted at the Inn and learning all he
can from Tom. He is always willing to lend
a hand and work hard. Willie is originally from Haiti, and has three
children: Vilaine who is 26 years old, Roselaine 25, and Vilama
21 years old. Willie’s beautiful girlfriend, Rosie, also works
at the Beach Inn as a housekeeper. Keep up the good work, Willie!
Staff
News
Barry Benjamin and family (Rebecca, Emily and Mary) took an Alaskan
cruise with family from Ohio and Florida this past June. Everyone
had a wonderful time and saw humpback whales, went kayaking with
seals and enjoyed watching bald eagles.
Lisa Rolle,
Manager of the PEACE & PLENTY Boutique, gave birth to a beautiful
baby boy on May 27, 2003. His name is Andrew Craig Sears. Congratulations,
Lisa!
On a sadder
note, Ms. Kathleen Flowers McPhee, who recently resigned a longstanding
position with the P&P in the Housekeeping department, passed
away on June 8, 2003. Ms. Kathleen was a much beloved staff member
and we offer our condolences to her family and all her P&P friends.
It is with great
difficulty, and sadness that we must tell you about the loss of
a child. Kayla Rolle, waitress at the BEACH INN, and her husband
Buzzy, lost their three year old son, Christopher on June 29, 2003
to a very sudden illness. Kayla and Buzzy have two older boys. There
are no words sufficient to express our sadness for Kayla but because
the Peace and Plenty is like one big family, we will all be there
for them in their time of mourning and healing.
The PEACE AND
PLENTY BONEFISH LODGE's popular restaurant will remain open every
Saturday night in the off-season. In addition to its regular menu,
the Lodge will offer Chinese stir-fry and shrimp, lobster or conch
fried rice. Phase I of the back deck development has been completed
with the addition of a salt water pool. Phase II is slated for the
fall with plans to build a barbeque pit and more seating.
The BEACH INN
is putting in a new seawall and also painting and renovating their
rooms. Look for new colors, curtains, and spreads the next time
you check in! With the help of decorator, Eileen Newberry, working
closely with Tom and Lynn, the BEACH INN rooms are getting a refreshing
new look.
Exuma
Foundation News
Professor Rich Stoffle and seventeen students from the University
of Arizona have spent two weeks staying at the RESOURCE CENTRE dormitory
and carrying out research into local attitudes to the establishment
of Marine Protected Areas around the Exumas.
The new ACTIVITIES
BUILDING is in constant use for town meetings, workshops and seminars.
A newly established chapter of Toastmasters International holds
its meetings there as well as a fitness club and a dance program.
The new building has a commercial kitchen and provides a food preparation
and dining area for students staying in the dormitories.
The commitment
to education in Exuma by the Benjamin family has been further underlined
by the very generous gifting of the RESOURCE CENTRE property to
the EXUMA FOUNDATION who will hold it in trust for the people of
Exuma for the future. Anyone interested in receiving the monthly
newspaper of the Exuma Sentinel should email cjkettel@batelnet.bs
or call the Peace and Plenty.
AS OF AUGUST
4, 2003, WE HAVE IMPROVED THE PEACE & PLENTY RETURNING GUEST
LOYALTY PROGRAM IN APPRECIATION FOR ALL YOUR PAST SUPPORT:
| (A) |
2nd stay of 7 nights or more, with a total of 14 nights accumulated,
receives a complimentary one day boat or car rental or snorkel
trip for two. |
| (B)
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5
stays of at least 35 nights, receives a 10% room dicount with
a 7 night stay. |
| (C) |
10
stays of at least 70 nights, receives a 3 night complimentary
room. |
| (D) |
20
stays of at least 140 nights, receives a complimentary room
for 1 week |
| (E) |
30
stays of at least 210 nights, receives a complimentary room
for 1 week including our meal plan for two (M.A.P.). |
| (F) |
40
stays of at least 280 nights, receives a complimentary room
for 2 weeks. |
Starting with
(B) benefit plan guests may make payment with personal check. All
benefits subject to government tax and service charge.
Christmas, New
Years & Spring vacations are filling up. Please make your reservations
early so you can pick the room you want.
Please
visit our web site at:
www.peaceandplenty.com
for updates.
Additional
information and changes occur monthly, don’t miss out.
Stan,
Jeanne, Barry, Charlie, Bob, Magnolia, Tom & Lynn, Mady, Renae
and the staffs of the Club, Beach Inn and Bonefish Lodge hope you
will come visit us soon.
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