As always, the Peace & Plenty Management and Staff send their warmest greetings from the Club, Beach Inn and Bonefish Lodge.

Great News! The Peace & Plenty Resorts survived Hurricane Frances with very little damage to the property although the Club did lose the dock. Otherwise we are in great shape. We are all grateful that no one was injured and Exuma was spared what might have been a disaster.

In anticipation of the Club Peace & Plenty’s 50th birthday in 2006, and to honor Stan and Jeanne Benjamin’s vision for the P&P, a major renovation is underway to restore the Club to its’ original glory and condition. We are planning to celebrate the Club’s birthday in grand style and will keep everyone posted on celebrations and events planned for the occasion.

With Stan’s blessing and utmost confidence, he has entrusted the management of the project to David and Barry Benjamin. They have assembled a top construction team, headed by contractor, Ted Arpin (who was the project director on the West Wing) to expedite the renovation and John Chase to oversee the daily operations. David Benjamin, who has a PhD in Architecture is committed to restoring the building correctly and creatively. His keen personal interest and commitment to protecting the environment will ensure that this project will be nothing but first class.

Barry Benjamin, as many of you know, has been our champion of sales and marketing and will continue to protect the best interest of the hotel and the family’s vision of how it was “back in the day” and how we can make it a better tomorrow. He, along with the Management team, will continue to strive to find new and better ways to give our guests the best in ambience, service and comfort providing the best possible experience for each and every one.

The majority of the renovation will take place in the East and Middle wings of the hotel. Plans are to refurnish and refurbish the Middle Wing. The East Wing will also be completely refurnished without detracting from the old charm that has stood the test of time. The dining room will be dressed up with new tables and chairs and of course, under Manager, Neville Lee Choy’s competent direction, the restaurant will continue to serve delicious as well as healthy menu items at each and every meal.

The Club will be closed from September 1st until November 1st. . The East Wing will reopen on that date, with the Middle and West Wings reopening on December 15th.

The Beach Inn will remain open during this time, but will close November 27th until the 2nd of December to renovate the kitchen and refurbish and refresh the property. As always, Tom Sutton will be sure to be building, growing or fixing something. The Suttons are always seeking new ways to surprise and delight their guests.

The Beach Inn has started a tradition by sponsoring a beach barbecue for the Police Youth Group Summer Program. Last year’s event was held on the beach at the Inn; 35 children attended. It was so successful that this year they had to move the party to Stocking Island to accommodate the 75 kids that attended. They shuttled four boatloads of children to the island where Lynne Sutton was waiting with hot dogs, hamburgers and cake! The kids had a ball with the kayaks and surfboards that the hotels supplied. The Club Peace and Plenty also sponsored a day in August to finish up the program for the summer. Everyone had a ball.

Lynne Sutton continues her quest to raise money for the Humane Society/Animal Shelter and Rescue by selling the I LUV EXUMA buttons. She has raised enough money to erect a chain link fence on the property that Ron and Betty Francis of Palm Bay donated. You can purchase the buttons at the Beach Inn, P&P front desk, Lynne’s apron pockets or from her top salesman, ‘Doc” at the P&P pool bar. Way to go Doc and Lynne!

The P&P Bonefish Lodge is happy to announce that beginning in Season 2005, the Lodge will affectionately be known as the “Peace & Plenty Bonefish Lodge and Resort.” Many guests have expressed a desire to stay at the Lodge and not fish, and since there have been so many requests for non-allinclusive rates, the Lodge has succumbed to the pressure and will now offer something for everyone; daily rates for guests who just want a bed and breakfast, and an all-inclusive package for those who want it all.

The Lodge will take care of all your needs with a choice of amenities to customize your own fabulous vacation. Kayaking, snorkeling, bicycling, fishing, massages, golfing, island tours, rental cars and boats are just a few of the choices. The Lodge will also be offering al fresco dining within hearing distance of the waterfall. Moonlit nights are spectacular. For further information please check out their website @www.ppbonefishlodge. net.

Peace & Plenty Boutique is in the midst of a makeover and will be finished in time for a great Season. We have completely renovated the exterior and given the building a fresh new look, including a colorful flower garden. Progress is being made on brightening up and improving the interior and we are very excited about plans for bringing in a whole new Peace & Plenty “name drop” line, many new fashion items, everything for the beach, the sun, day and evening and of course souvenirs that will keep you thinking about your time in Exuma and at the Peace & Plenty hotels. We intend to bring unusual Bahamian-made crafts from all over the islands, and will continue to carry the old standards such as Explorer Chart books for sailors and our own Great Exuma, Great Food cookbook.

Mr. Benjamin purchased a 40 ft. Key West boat to start a business that he had been thinking about for years, supplying transportation from George Town to Long Island on a regular basis. We hope that guests will find it interesting to visit another out island during their stay at the Peace & Plenty. Check out Stella Maris, have lunch at Cape Santa Maria or just enjoy the ride on the clear blue waters between islands. We are still in the Planning and Development phase of the operation, but hope some day soon to be able to offer trips to places such as the Research Center at Lee Stocking Island or to tour the Exuma Land and Sea Parks for starters.

Moderate improvements are planned for Stocking Island Beach Club, but it will still remain the classic jewel that it is. Be assured that Doralee will continue to produce her famous cheeseburgers and conchburgers. You can look forward to Season and the continuation of our ever- popular weekly Wednesday barbecues hosted by our managers. Delicious grilled items are available along with native side dishes for your culinary pleasure!

The Exuma Scuba dive operation will come under new management and ownership later this year, still located on the Beach Inn property. New owner, Keith Aspen, is committed to raising the bar on services, including equipment and boats. We are certain he and the staff will bring the service to a new level for all our diving/snorkeling guests.

Walt Stewart (Mongo), Peace & Plenty’s pilot, attended AIRVENTURE 2004, the country’s largest air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. More than 10,000 aircraft were in attendance, some home built. He joined the Out Island Promotion Board members as our representative and reported that they were very well received. Pilots, remember that every 2 days you book at one of our hotels, the third night is free. Fly on down.

Transitions

On June 19th of this year, the P&P family lost one of its best friends. Gloria Patience, “The Shark Lady’ passed away at home. Anyone who had the good fortune to know Gloria would tell you that she was indeed the First Lady of Exuma as well as one of the most famous and honored leading ladies of the Bahamas. We, along with her family and friends, will miss her amazing presence, but will easily keep her memory alive by recounting the endless adventures and stories of her life. “Glo” was 86 years young and was a living legend.

We lost another dear friend this year, too. Bill Snell celebrated his 80th birthday at a dinner at the Bonefish Lodge the year before with his wife Pat and friends. This past March their children and grandchildren spent time with them in Exuma. Bill passed away shortly after returning home to Milwaukee. Pat and Bill spent every March at the Club for over twenty-five years. His kindness and sense of humor set him apart and we will miss him. We offer our deepest condolences to the Snell family and all their friends.

In early June, Stan Benjamin suffered a stroke. He has been recovering beautifully at home in Florida being lovingly looked after by two wonderful nurses from Ohio, Marie and Irma. They are making sure that his progress is steady and he will soon be able to come to Exuma. They are spending some time at home in Ohio now, and hope to be back to Florida before the first snowflake falls.

Charlie Pflueger is recovering (in Florida) from a broken leg he suffered while visiting his family in North Carolina in April. He is almost as good as new and is anxious to get back home to Exuma. We hope to see him in a few weeks kicking up his heels at the Monday Night Cocktail Party. They are just not the same without you Charlie!

Housekeeper, Virginia Bannister, gave birth to a baby boy, Ronnie, on March 12, 2004. Virginia is back to work and tells us the baby is doing just fine and getting big.

Annette McKenzie, in the Reservation/Front desk department, gave birth on July 27, 2004 to an 8 lb. 2 oz baby boy. Annette named her son, Tayshaun Tyrike Neely, a handsome name for a handsome child. Congratulations to the new Moms!

Renae Lawrence’s (Accounting Dept.) daughter, Rionda, and Anya Adderley’s (front desk) sister, Julanda Romer, both graduated high school this past June and attended the Senior Prom. They looked absolutely elegant. We are very proud of their accomplishments and wish them both well in their future endeavors.

Community News

The Government of the Bahamas has constructed a 200,000 - gallon capacity water distribution facility at the Navy Base. The Reverse Osmosis plant will be able to generate 400,000 gallons of fresh drinking water per day for the people of Exuma who live between Rolletown and the Forest. Exumians are now able to access this water 24/7 with good pressure and good taste!

Due to the ever-increasing need for air travel to the island, Exuma International Airport has become a major gateway to the Bahamas. Airport security, customs officials and additional firefighters have all been hired to better serve the public and to meet international standards. Starting December 18th, USAir will be offering service from Charlotte, NC on a 70 seat regional jet every Saturday. Of course, American Eagle is still offering non-stop, daily service from Miami, and Gulfstream/Continental from Ft. Lauderdale to Exuma.

Employee of the Issue

Our much-deserved Employee of the Issue is our Laundry Supervisor, Zoey Williams. Zoey has worked for the P&P for eight years with obvious pride. You can depend on Zoey to greet you with a smile, a compliment or a positive thought for the day. She sees the good in everyone and it is truly reflected in her generous nature. Zoey is married to Mr. Samuel Williams and is the mother of three beautiful children, Marvin, Xena and Cameron. Marvin received a 3.0 average in school and Xena a 3.2. Both of them are great students and Zoey is very proud of their accomplishments. Baby Cameron just underwent surgery to correct a congenital problem and he came through with flying colors and is back to day care and playing with his brother and sister.

Zoey says what she loves about working for P&P is “the Hotel itself, the staff and meeting all the great people who stay there. Zoey says. “I am excited about seeing P&P move to a new level, always trying to be the best in whatever we can do for our guests.” Zoey is a true representative of the P&P family. We are lucky to have her. Congratulations Zoey, and thank you for all you do for everyone.

Bits and Pieces

As mentioned, the Club P&P will be celebrating its’ 50th birthday in January of 2006. One of our ideas is to publish a “memory book’ filled with stories and photos of our guests favorite recollections. We are asking anyone who would like to participate, to share his or her memory. We would like to include our guests from bygone days, our newest friends, our staff and locals, to contribute to this project. Even though it is still early, we can start collecting your submissions any time. Please forward your favorite “memory” to Mady Eisenberg in the Ft. Lauderdale office, or email her at: pnpmady@yahoo.com. It’s never to soon to start reminiscing.

In the last issue of the newsletter, we mentioned our “regulars” who stay at the P&P every year for two to six weeks. We apologize for neglecting to mention John and Judy Cowden with the rest of the gang! We want them (and everyone) to know we look forward to seeing them again this March.

Mr. Robert Nesbitt held his annual Family Reunion in June. The group gets bigger every year. This summer there were 16 family members present, and as always, they had a ball! Think about holding your family reunion at one of the Peace and Plenty Resorts. Our staff will be happy to assist you with your plans.

TRIVIAlities:

Did you know? A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. No one knows why.

Look forward to a new TRIVIAlity in each issue of the Newsletter.

Please visit our website at:
www.peaceandplenty.com for updates

Additional information and changes occur monthly, Don't miss out.

Stan, Barry, Neville, Tom, Lynne, Bob, Magnolia, Mady, Paul and the staffs of the Club, Beach Inn and Bonefish Lodge hope you will come visit us soon.