Winter, 2001

Club Peace & Plenty, the Beach Inn and the Bonefish Lodge send a sunny greeting from the Island of Exuma in the southern Bahamas to our valued friends and guests. We hope you will enjoy "keeping" up with the latest happenings on our little piece of paradise!

West Wing Construction
Construction started in October on the West Wing of the Club. The West Wing was reduced to a shell only. The new West Wing will convert six single rooms into three 2-room suites. The three suites will reflect the three heritages of the Bahamas; Caribbean, British Colonial, and African. Jeanne Benjamin is personally taking charge of the décor of all the rooms. The suites will include a king bed with built-in closets, drawers, TV's, refrigerators, room safes, pull out couches and wet bars. The bottom suite (Caribbean) will also be handicap accessible. We anticipate a high demand for the suites and are looking at an April completion date on the West Wing. Included in this renovation is a state of the art waste water system under the guidelines of David Benjamin. Architect Anthony Abbate has redesigned the West Wing to most of its original features. Ted Arpin from Arpin Construction, Fort Lauderdale, FL, has been given the job of restoring the West Wing to its earlier glory. Keep up the good work, guys!

Some of our guests may remember the delightful P&P van drive from last year, Leanna Weir. Leanna is now running our Boutique across the street from the Club. Leanna with the help of Mady Eisenberg and Jeanne Benjamin is striving to upgrade the operation. New lines have recently been added and old favorites expanded. Drop by on your next trip and take a look.

Tom and Lynn Sutton of Exuma Scuba, located on the Club dock, are offering the finest Scuba diving with the arrival of their newly rebuilt driving platform. For novices, resort courses in the Club or Beach Inn pool are available. For romantics, a sunset harbor cruise might get you in the mood. And for those who like to wet a line, bottom fishing for snapper in the bay off their pontoon boat is also available. Don't forget guided snorkel trips. Lots of fun! Call Tom or Lynn at 1-242-336-2893 for more details.

Foxhollow had a successful spa this Winter with both weeks at full capacity. Everyone enjoyed the clean air, warm sun, and water, the massages and special treatments. A new addition this year at the spa was chef Diane. Everyone "raved" about her cooking. Call Mary Jo at 1-502-241-8621 to reserve your spot for next year.

New faces at the P&P include: Annette McKenzie has moved from the Boutique to Reservations/Front Desk; Glen Munroe formerly at the Two Turtles is now the night bartender at the Club; Sheila Ferguson is now the relief night chef for the Beach Inn; Akieno Ferguson and Tanya Sturrup are bus help; Renae Lawrence has taken on guest relations, her desk is located in the Club Lobby; and Nadia Moss and Anya Adderly are new Front Desk Trainees. Welcome to all!

Employee of the Issue
Our Employee of the Issue is Clayton Dean, Maintenance Department. Clayton has worked for the Peace and Plenty for over seven years. Clayton is married to Cynthia and has three children, Clayton, Jr. (14), Clayshar (12), and Crystal (10). Clayton is a minister of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses. His interests include fishing, beaches and spending time with his wife and children. Clayton always has a smile on his face and recently cleaned a barracuda for a guest to eat. Thank you Clayton for your outstanding attitude and friendliness.

Manager Bob Hyde at the P&P Bonefish Lodge has constructed a professional woodworking shop at the Lodge. Bob with the help of Alston Rolle have built all the new booths and interior décor for the restaurant addition of the Lodge. They believe that they have retained all the original charm and then some. The restaurant will be completed and re-opened in early February. Come out, take a look and enjoy a fine fresh seafood dinner with real out island charm.

The completely rebuild "Jeannie B" is now making the ferry trips to Stocking Island. Tom Sutton, diesel mechanic Jeff Harold, Tom's crew and Glen Turtle's maintenance crews have spent numerous hours getting the boat ready for the season. Tom and the boys are going to start working on the "Amanda K" this spring.

P&P Hires Environmental Consultant
Louise John from Talkabout, an environmental consulting firm has been hired to assist the P&P become more aware of its environment and ecology. Louise has already started with saving water, energy, paper, laundry chemicals, etc. Renae Lawrence, Kaylesa Gray, and Barry Benjamin are taking leading roles in trying to adopt these new programs. Peace and Plenty is expecting to be Green Globe certified by June 2001. We will also be developing new programs that our guests will have a chance to also participate.

Many new homes and now under construction, thanks in part to the Bahamas Government moratorium on construction materials duty until July 1st, 2002.

Tropical Gardens, currently a nine-cottage development owned by Stan Benjamin and Charlie Pflueger, has plans for more units and tropical fruit and plant exhibition. Weekly, monthly and annual rentals are available. Call Charlie at 1-242-336-2998.

Taking about Charlie, he is recovering well from a recent minor operation. He spends most of his time at Tropical Gardens.

While the West Wing renovation is on going, Barry Benjamin is spending more time at the hotels and in each department. Fort Lauderdale manager, Pat Cibene, has also filled in and so has Stan Benjamin. Stan hopes to have a manager in place before the summer season starts.

Most of the new real estate developments have slowed down considerably, at present. EMERALD BAY is still under construction on its 244-room Four Seasons Resort and Greg Norman golf course. THE ISLAND CLUB, an upscale residential home site development, has ceased operations and recalled personnel. PALM BAY BEACH CLUB AND SPA reports that the first phase, 17 cottage units on Elizabeth Harbour, are almost complete and the bar/restaurant/reception building is now under construction. The Palm Bay Club and Spa will open its sales office on property in February, offering weekly club memberships, which include cottage accommodations and use of all facilities. FLAMINGO BAY (FEBRUARY POINT) reports that construction has started on phase 3. Consisting of eight 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse units, all have already been sold. Pre-selling of phase 4, 2 and 3 bedroom oceanfront condominium units has started, with price ranges from $650,000 to $1 million. Construction is underway on the tennis courts and marina. The PEACE AND PLENTY VILLAGE is awaiting the Bahamas Government having an underground fuel line removed so construction can start.

An early yacht count in Elizabeth Harbour this January estimates visiting yacht count at approximately 200 versus over 300 last year. Speculation has it that many would be visitors had a problem with the rough Gulfstream this winter.

Special weekend were recently given to husbands of Sissy Woods, from Savannah, GA and Nancy O'Neal from Fort Myers, FL. Both women gave their husbands a weekend at the Club for Christmas presents. John Woods did not even know where he was going until the plan arrived in George Town. If you want to surprise your spouse or special person with a weekend, please call our Fort Lauderdale office at 1-954-359-9899 for arrangements.

Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Exuma Foundation was held on January 12, 2001. The attendees included: David Griffiths, David Benjamin, Warren Rolle, Heidi Rabel, Barry Benjamin, Hume Cronyn, Marge Carlson, Mary Tiedermann, Jenny Kettle, and Stan Benjamin. Murray DeYoung was unable to attend. The meeting was held at the Resource Center at Hoopers Bay.

Robert Nesbit, West Palm Beach, FL, is holding his second annual family reunion in June 2001 at the Club. Last years reunion was so successful; he is going to try again.

Lillian Lopez, former P&P guest, recently finished building a lovely home in Little Exuma. Robert Nesbit is building his home on the hillside above the Out Island Inn. Don Haycock and Flo have moved into their beautiful home on February Point in Flamingo Bay.

Our P&P web site is being updated with secure reservation deposits system, online merchandise, and foreign languages. If you can't come to Exuma soon, then visit our web site for more current updates and information. Web site address: www.peaceandplenty.com

Airline Update…
American Eagle has flights daily from Miami, call 1-800-433-7300; Lynx Air flies Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays from Fort Lauderdale, call 1-888-596-9247; Reggie Express flies on Tuesdays from Fort Lauderdale, call 954-761-3131; and Bahamasair flies twice daily from Nassau, call 1-800-222-4262. If you have air transportation problems, call our Fort Lauderdale office for assistance at 1-954-359-9899.

Stan, Jeanne, David, Bob, Mazell, Renae, Lawrence, Pat and the staffs of the Club, Beach Inn and Bonefish Lodge, wish you a joyful Winter and Spring and look forward to seeing you soon.