South Florida Celebrates The Bahamas 33rd Anniversary Of Independence With “Things Bahamian”

MIAMI – When “Miss Daisy” (Terez Davis) made her appearance in Miami, Florida at the Lou Rawls Performing Arts Centre, Florida Memorial University, the audience did not know they were in for such a phenomenal treat.

Under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and The Public Service, the Honourable Fred Mitchell and hosted by Consul General Alma Adams, The Bahamas Consulate General, Miami, Florida, “kicked off” its 3 day, 33rd Anniversary of Independence Celebrations with a spectacular Cultural Comedy Show, “Miss Daisy Comes to Miami”.

The bodacious and comical “Miss Daisy” and cast wooed the audience with three hilarious acts covering scenes such as “If I could just clear Customs”, “Daisy, the Dangerous Doctor” and “Daisy, the dizzy Talk Show Host”. The lively, Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Earl Miller of Bahamas Tourist Office, Plantation, Florida kept the audience involved through their interaction with Bahamian Trivia.

In addition to the comedy show, the audience was serenaded to a medley of old-fashioned Bahamian Music performed by Bahamian Entertainer, Paul Bodie and Trent Davis. A Bahamian Arts & Crafts Exhibition by Mr. Mario Ferguson was also on display. Much to everyone’s surprise and delight, the event climaxed with a reception and a true Bahamian Junkanoo Rush-Out, which kept the guests lingering late into the night.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Fred Mitchell, who gave remarks at the Annual Thanksgiving Church Service, thanked Consul General Alma Adams and the staff of the Consulate General, Miami for once again organizing a comprehensive set of celebrations for the Bahamas and Bahamians abroad. Minister Mitchell in his remarks updated the congregation on the activities of his ministry as well as new initiatives formulating for the local Bahamas Consulate General’s office in Miami.

The Minister also told the congregation that the Bahamas Government is proud of our countrymen abroad and the successes made by them in the United States. He went on to outline the unprecedented success that the Bahamas is presently enjoying in regard to the billions of dollars of foreign investments and growth in the tourism economy. This include the 4 billion dollar Ginn Investment in Grand Bahama, the multi-billion dollar joint venture in Mayaguana, the new Bahamar resorts development on Cable Beach and the 1.6 billion dollar Phase III of Atlantis at Paradise Island. In this context, he expressed that our country will be in great need of manpower. Minister Mitchell advised that while our government is making preparation to train people to fill the demand for labour, “it may be possible for those with Bahamian roots who live in this country to look toward working in The Bahamas.”

Minister Mitchell also assured the congregation that “we in The Bahamas and the Bahamas Government have a special interest in the well being of the Bahamian community in South Florida.” Over the coming year, the Minister stated that a new passport will be introduced which will be machine readable and replace the existing handwritten passport, making it a more secure document.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs was also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Michael Young, a Bahamian who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, as Honorary Consul for the State of Georgia. He further noted that due to the fact that Miami is the largest Bahamian community abroad, proper permanent premises for the Consulate General’s office and residence should be established. “It is important for us to have a permanent presence here that reflects the size and importance of the Bahamian community here in Florida”.

Taking part in this festive occasion, in addition to the Honourable Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service were, Consul General Ed Bethel and Mrs. Dawne Bethel, Bahamas Consulate General, New York; Mr. Calsey Johnson, Chairman of the Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation;Vice Mayor Thomas Dorsett, West Park, Florida; Commissioner Sylvia Poitier, City of Deerfield Beach, Florida; President and Members of the Bahamian-American Federation, the National Association of The Bahamas, The Bahamian-American Culture Club; Bishop Ross Davis and family; Ms. Darlene Davis, Bahamar Corporation; Greg Christie, Bahamas Information Services, Freeport, Grand Bahama and a hosts of Bahamians, Bahamian-Americans and friends of The Bahamas.

The spirit of Bahamian independence was highlighted during this year’s celebrations under the theme “Taking Pride In our Heritage”. The exciting programme of events was lauded as a grand success as it brought together the local Bahamian-American community for a taste of Bahamian culture, in laughter, praise and thanksgiving.

According to Consul General Alma Adams, “this year’s Independence Celebrations were unique in that we chose to celebrate our Youth affording them the opportunity to catch a glimpse of what it means ‘to be Bahamian and proud’.” The events celebrated the diverse artistic and cultural experience of Bahamians with an all day dynamic Bahamian-American Youth Conference on Saturday.

The first ever Bahamian-American Youth Conference played a very important part in the Independence Celebrations. The youths had an opportunity to listen and visualize the country’s history and heritage as well as understand the experiences that shaped our nation. These presentations were made by Consul General Ed Bethel of The Bahamas Consulate General, New York, Mr. Calsey Johnson, The Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation and Professor Marvin Dunn, Florida International University and author of the book, “Black Miami in the 21st Century”.

The events culminated with an Independence Thanksgiving Service where many Bahamian nationals, descendents and friends of The Bahamas gathered at Freewill Christian Centre in Miami Gardens to participate in the annual church service. Bahamian Pastor Dave Ellis and his congregation hosted both the National Youth Conference and the annual church service.

The guest preacher was Rev. Timothy Stewart, Pastor of the historic Bethel Baptist Church, Nassau, Bahamas who delivered a moving Sermon entitled “Destined for Greatness”. Visiting with Rev. Stewart was the Bethel Baptist Church’s Praise and Worship Team and Mrs. Sharon Stewart, wife of Rev. Stewart. Also visiting and the Master of Ceremonies for the service was the Rev. Delton Ellis of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, Nassau and Mrs. Ellis. Enthusiastic nationals were able to reflect on July 10th, 1973 when Pastor Dave Ellis paid tribute to the late Sir Lynden Pindling, former Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the part he played in securing an Independent Bahamas for us all.

The celebrations concluded with a reception hosted by The Bahamas Consulate General, Miami, Florida.