April 23, 2002 – Public schools throughout the territory will close Wednesday through Friday for St. Thomas Carnival, said Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds in a news release issued Monday.
While the schools are closed, Education Department employees working at other locations such as non-school offices will work Wednesday. Those employees will have Thursday and Friday off.
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April 23, 2002 – Public schools throughout the territory will close Wednesday through Friday for St. Thomas Carnival, said Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds in a news release issued Monday.
While the schools are closed, Education Department employees working at other locations such as non-school offices will work Wednesday. Those employees will have Thursday and Friday off.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice.. click here.

April 23, 2002 – Monday night's opening of the 50th anniversary V.I. Carnival Village kicked off the final week of festivities on St. Thomas.
The ceremony in the Fort Christian parking lot was one to remember, not only for the grand column entrance set up for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, or for the Hollywood-style beacon that swept the night skies from atop a Carnival booth. Just as the traditional invocation began, the power to the stage went out, leaving the assembled celebrities in the dark.
Half an hour later, all was well. "Now we can continue with the program, because lights don't stop this show," mistress of ceremonies Lillian Moolenaar said.
On an elaboratly decorated stage strewn with balloons of yellow and red, a big gold "50" glittering at the front, Queen Cubie-Ayah George, King Kory Davis, Princess Reshai Corneiro, Prince Akeem Warner, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, Dominica's Prime Minister Pierre Charles and 1952 Carnival instigator Ron de Lugo all collected accolades. But the stars of the night were the veteran food-booth operators for whom this year's Village is named — Sarah Harrington and Ismay Frett. Harrington was there to enjoy the attention; Frett was represented by a niece.
Soon thereafter, "Sarah and Ismay's Golden Palace" was open for business, and there was no lack of customers.
The week in preview
The roogoodoo goes on for the rest of the week, with a lot more 50th anniversary gold to gleam morning, noon, night and any other hours in between. Here's what's left of the "Cultural Roogoodoo for Carnival 2002." All events are free unless otherwise indicated.
Tuesday
10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Beach fete at Magens Bay. There is shuttle service from the Magens Point Hotel and back.
6 p.m. — Pre-teen tramp, from Rothschild Francis "Market" Square to Carnival Village. The schools with the most trampers will take home trophies.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Village music, Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers steelband.
8 p.m. — Senior Citizens Quelbe Tramp, from "Market" Square to the Village. This event is not just for old-timers; its appeal is that it features the unplugged Carnival music of yesteryear, including the sounds of steelpan players who walk with their instruments hanging on straps around their necks.
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Village music, Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights.
Wednesday
8 a.m. — Unofficial opening of "McBeans' Golden Touch," this year's Carnival Food Fair in "Market" Square and extending up Main Street for a block or two. The honorees, Olga and Alvin McBean, are longtime Food Fair participants who have won numerous prizes for their plants. The formal opening ceremonies will probably take place around noon, but by that time the freshest and most favored of the foods, drinks, plants and other market offerings will be long gone.
7 to 10:15 p.m. — Village music, Starlites.
10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, Cool Session Brass.
Thursday
12:30 a.m. (after midnight Wednesday night) — Roas-A-Time Warm-up, Veterans Drive. This will be the first Carnival "without J'Ouvert" in many a year, but it's all a matter of semantics. The winin', limin' and party-timin' will go on as usual, just under a different name.
Until 2 a.m. — Village music, Cool Session Brass.
2:30 to 4 a.m. — Village music, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
4 a.m. – Roas-A-Time for true (Well, if not 4, then 5; if not 5, then 5:30), with Byron Lee, moving from the Addelita Cancryn overpass to Carnival Village.
8 a.m. to noon — Village music to continue Roas-A-Time, St. Croix's Phranchize.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Carnival exhibition in Emancipation Garden including displays of costumes and memorabilia, steelpan-making demonstration, commentary on cultural art forms and music by Milo's Kings.
8 p.m. – V.I. Calypso Monarch Competition, Lionel Roberts Stadium. Reigning three-peat king Whadablee will try to make it four in a row, but a lot of talent is taking him on. Admission is $12 in advance (available at Daniel's Variety Store, Family Health Center, Krystal and Gifts Galore, Modern Music/Havensight and Nisky Pharmacy), $15 at the gate.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, Sea Breeze.
Friday
10 a.m. to around 2 p.m. – Children's Parade, from "Market" Square to the stadium.
6 to 9 p.m. — Village music, St. Croix's Xpress Band.
9 p.m. to midnight — Village music, "An Old-Time Calypso Roogoodoo" calypso show featuring Mighty Sparrow, Lord Nelson, Short Shirt and Swallow, plus Xpress Band and Imaginations Brass.
Saturday
1 to 3 a.m. – Village music, Imaginations Brass.
10 a.m. to around 6 p.m. – Adults' Parade, from Western Cemetery to the stadium.
6 to 9 p.m. — Village music, Milo's Kings.
9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, P'Your Passion.
10 p.m. – "Thunder Over Charlotte Amalie" fireworks show — starting an hour later than usual and with rockets being fired from two boats in the harbor. Zambelli Fireworks Internationale is doing the honors as usual, with the 20 minutes worth of sky sights choreographed to Carnival sounds that viewers can tune in to on Knight Quality Stations — WVWI, Jamz and Kiss-FM. Boaters can anchor in the harbor but must stay at least 1,000 feet from the two vessels — the M/V Lady Romney and the GEM-101 barge. All marine traffic will be halted during the fireworks.
Sunday
7 p.m. – "Last Lap" dance, Palms Court Harborview Hotel, with music by the Starlites. Tickets are $15 in advance (available at Daniel's Variety Store, Family Health Center, Krystal and Gifts Galore, Modern Music/Havensight and Nisky Pharmacy), $20 at the door.
Safety and security are a priority
Police Chief Novelle Francis issued a request on Monday that Carnival celebrants "take extra-special care and caution" in traversing Veterans Drive. He urged pedestrians to "utilize the crosswalks, especially in the well-lighted areas."
And V.I. Housing Authority Police Chief Fitzroy Williams had this advice: Parents should attach to the clothing of children under 5 something bearing the child's name, address and telephone number. Children should not accept rides from strangers. Curfew applies; youths under 16 out after 10 p.m. need to be accompanied by an adult. Parents should talk to their teen-agers and young adults about not taking weapons to Carnival events.
Williams also said housing community residents need to understand that if a member of their household is arrested on drug or firearm charges, the whole household is at risk of being evicted. He cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a housing authority "can evict a member of the tenant household or the entire household when a member of the tenant's household, or a guest, engages in drug-related criminal activity, regardless of whether the tenant knew, and or had reason to know, of the activity."

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April 23, 2002 – Hundreds of Virgin Islanders and their guests joined reigning royalty, campaigning candidates and culture bearers galore for the official opening of the 50th Anniversary V.I. Carnival Village Monday night on St. Thomas.
The ceremony in the Fort Christian parking lot was one to remember, not only for the grand column entrance set up for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, or for the Hollywood-style beacon that swept the night skies from atop a Carnival booth. Just as the Rev. George Franklin began the traditional invocation, the power to the stage went out, leaving clergy and laity alike in the dark.
The crowd waited patiently as V.I. Carnival Committee members clutched their cell phones to their cheeks. Half an hour later, all was well. "Now we can continue with the program, because lights don't stop this show," mistress of ceremonies Lillian Moolenaar said.
The lights came up on an elaborate decorated in the golden colors of the 50th anniversary, strewn with balloons of yellow and red, a big "50" glittering in gold at the front. Queen Cubie-Ayah George, King Kory Davis, Princess Reshai Corneiro, Prince Akeem Warner, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, Dominica's Prime Minister Pierre Charles and 1952 Carnival instigator Ron de Lugo all collected accolades. But the stars of the night were the veteran food-booth operators for whom this year's Village is named — Sarah Harrington and Ismay Frett. Harrington was there to enjoy the attention; Frett was represented by a niece.
Soon thereafter, "Sarah and Ismay's Golden Palace" was open for business, and there was no lack of customers.
Harrington, who moved from Tortola to St. Thomas in the early '50s, has been involved in modern-day Carnival from its start. She was a member of the Wilson Troupe for six years and later joined the Danish Girls and the Mungo Niles Quadrille Dancers. "It was her love of cooking and the strong suggestion" of those familiar with it that led her to open Booth No. 37 in the Village, a release from the V.I. Carnival Committee states. "The first year, I didn't have the money," Harrington recalled. "But the next year I went — that was in the early '80s."
She retired in 1986 from a career working in the dietary department of Knud Hansen Memorial Hospital. She enjoys gardening and traveling but cooking is still her greatest pleasure, and she takes satisfaction from her customers enjoying her specialties such as Crab Rice and Pate.
Among her mentors she counts the late Gertrude Lockhart Dudley Melchior, whom she knew as "Mrs. Dudley." What she enjoys most about the Village is meeting and greeting people, and she plans to keep running her booth "as long as my two hands can lift."
Frett also grew up in the B.V.I. As a child, she was more interested in watching her mother cook in their kitchen than in playing with her siblings outside. She was an apt pupil, and as a teen-ager she was in charge in preparing her family's meals.
She had a booth for the B.V.I. Festival before she arrived on St. Thomas in the early '60s, her culinary skills ready and willing for a new challenge. Since the early '70s she has had The Tortola Booth in the Village. According to the Carnival Committee release, she thought about retiring a few years ago but her family and customers raised such a fuss that the gave in and kept on cooking.
When the time does come to step down, she says, she has a well-trained staff ready to take over — her nine children. The family motto is "Customers, don't despair, 'cause The Tortola Booth will always be there!"
Following Monday evening's Village opening ceremonies, the V.I. Housing Authority Steel Orchestra played until 8:30 p.m., then Jam Band took over from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
A full week of Carnival finale festivities
The roogoodoo goes on for the rest of the week, with a lot more 50th anniversary gold to gleam morning, noon, night and any other hours in between. All events are free unless otherwise indicated.
Tuesday
10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Beach fete at Magens Bay. There is shuttle service from the Magens Point Hotel and back.
6 p.m. — Pre-teen tramp, from Rothschild Francis "Market" Square to Carnival Village. The schools with the most trampers will take home trophies.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Village music, Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers steelband.
8 p.m. — Senior Citizens Quelbe Tramp, from "Market" Square to the Village. This event is not just for old-timers; its appeal is that it features the unplugged Carnival music of yesteryear, including the sounds of steelpan players who walk with their instruments hanging on straps around their necks.
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Village music, Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights.
Wednesday
8 a.m. — Unofficial opening of "McBeans' Golden Touch," this year's Carnival Food Fair in "Market" Square and extending up Main Street for a block or two. The honorees, Olga and Alvin McBean, are longtime Food Fair participants who have won numerous prizes for their plants. The formal opening ceremonies will probably take place around noon, but by that time the freshest and most favored of the foods, drinks, plants and other market offerings will be long gone.
7 to 10:15 p.m. — Village music, Starlites.
10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, Cool Session Brass.
Thursday
12:30 a.m. (after midnight Wednesday night) — Roas-A-Time Warm-up, Veterans Drive. This will be the first Carnival "without J'Ouvert" in many a year, but it's all a matter of semantics. The winin', limin' and party-timin' will go on as usual, just under a different name.
Until 2 a.m. — Village music, Cool Session Brass.
2:30 to 4 a.m. — Village music, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
4 a.m. – Roas-A-Time for true (Well, if not 4, then 5; if not 5, then 5:30), with Byron Lee, moving from the Addelita Cancryn overpass to Carnival Village.
8 a.m. to noon — Village music to continue Roas-A-Time, St. Croix's Phranchize.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Carnival exhibition in Emancipation Garden including displays of costumes and memorabilia, steelpan-making demonstration, commentary on cultural art forms and music by Milo's Kings.
8 p.m. – V.I. Calypso Monarch Competition, Lionel Roberts Stadium. Reigning three-peat king Whadablee will try to make it four in a row, but a lot of talent is taking him on. Admission is $12 in advance (available at Daniel's Variety Store, Family Health Center, Krystal and Gifts Galore, Modern Music/Havensight and Nisky Pharmacy), $15 at the gate.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, Sea Breeze.
Friday
10 a.m. to around 2 p.m. – Children's Parade, from "Market" Square to the stadium.
6 to 9 p.m. — Village music, St. Croix's Xpress Band.
9 p.m. to midnight — Village music, "An Old-Time Calypso Roogoodoo" calypso show featuring Mighty Sparrow, Lord Nelson, Short Shirt and Swallow, plus Xpress Band and Imaginations Brass.
Saturday
1 to 3 a.m. – Village music, Imaginations Brass.
10 a.m. to around 6 p.m. – Adults' Parade, from Western Cemetery to the stadium.
6 to 9 p.m. — Village music, Milo's Kings.
9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, P'Your Passion.
10 p.m. – "Thunder Over Charlotte Amalie" fireworks show — starting an hour later than usual and with rockets being fired from two boats in the harbor. Zambelli Fireworks Internationale is doing the honors as usual, with the 20 minutes worth of sky sights choreographed to Carnival sounds that viewers can tune in to on Knight Quality Stations — WVWI, Jamz and Kiss-FM. Boaters can anchor in the harbor but must stay at least 1,000 feet from the two vessels — the M/V Lady Romney and the GEM-101 barge. All marine traffic will be halted during the fireworks.
Sunday
7 p.m. – "Last Lap" dance, Palms Court Harborview Hotel, with music by the Starlites. Tickets are $15 in advance (available at Daniel's Variety Store, Family Health Center, Krystal and Gifts Galore, Modern Music/Havensight and Nisky Pharmacy), $20 at the door.
Safety and security are a priority
Police Chief Novelle Francis issued a request on Monday that Carnival celebrants "take extra-special care and caution" in traversing Veterans Drive. He urged pedestrians to "utilize the crosswalks, especially in the well-lighted areas."
And V.I. Housing Authority Police Chief Fitzroy Williams had this advice: Parents should attach to the clothing of children under 5 something bearing the child's name, address and telephone number. Children should not accept rides from strangers. Curfew applies; youths under 16 out after 10 p.m. need to be accompanied by an adult. Parents should talk to their teen-agers and young adults about not taking weapons to Carnival events.
Williams also said housing community residents need to understand that if a member of their household is arrested on drug or firearm charges, the whole household is at risk of being evicted. He cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a housing authority "can evict a member of the tenant household or the entire household when a member of the tenant's household, or a guest, engages in drug-related criminal activity, regardless of whether the tenant knew, and or had reason to know, of the activity."

Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

April 23, 2002 – Hundreds of Virgin Islanders and their guests joined reigning royalty, campaigning candidates and culture bearers galore for the official opening of the 50th Anniversary V.I. Carnival Village Monday night.
The ceremony in the Fort Christian parking lot was one to remember, not only for the grand column entrance set up for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, or for the Hollywood-style beacon that swept the night skies from atop a Carnival booth. Just as the Rev. George Franklin began the traditional invocation, the power to the stage went out, leaving clergy and laity alike in the dark.
The crowd waited patiently as V.I. Carnival Committee members clutched their cell phones to their cheeks. Half an hour later, all was well. "Now we can continue with the program, because lights don't stop this show," mistress of ceremonies Lillian Moolenaar said.
The lights came up on an elaborate decorated in the golden colors of the 50th anniversary, strewn with balloons of yellow and red, a big "50" glittering in gold at the front. Queen Cubie-Ayah George, King Kory Davis, Princess Reshai Corneiro, Prince Akeem Warner, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull, Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, Dominica's Prime Minister Pierre Charles and 1952 Carnival instigator Ron de Lugo all collected accolades. But the stars of the night were the veteran food-booth operators for whom this year's Village is named — Sarah Harrington and Ismay Frett. Harrington was there to enjoy the attention; Frett was represented by a niece.
Soon thereafter, "Sarah and Ismay's Golden Palace" was open for business, and there was no lack of customers.
Harrington, who moved from Tortola to St. Thomas in the early '50s, has been involved in modern-day Carnival from its start. She was a member of the Wilson Troupe for six years and later joined the Danish Girls and the Mungo Niles Quadrille Dancers. "It was her love of cooking and the strong suggestion" of those familiar with it that led her to open Booth No. 37 in the Village, a release from the V.I. Carnival Committee states. "The first year, I didn't have the money," Harrington recalled. "But the next year I went — that was in the early '80s."
She retired in 1986 from a career working in the dietary department of Knud Hansen Memorial Hospital. She enjoys gardening and traveling but cooking is still her greatest pleasure, and she takes satisfaction from her customers enjoying her specialties such as Crab Rice and Pate.
Among her mentors she counts the late Gertrude Lockhart Dudley Melchior, whom she knew as "Mrs. Dudley." What she enjoys most about the Village is meeting and greeting people, and she plans to keep running her booth "as long as my two hands can lift."
Frett also grew up in the B.V.I. As a child, she was more interested in watching her mother cook in their kitchen than in playing with her siblings outside. She was an apt pupil, and as a teen-ager she was in charge in preparing her family's meals.
She had a booth for the B.V.I. Festival before she arrived on St. Thomas in the early '60s, her culinary skills ready and willing for a new challenge. Since the early '70s she has had The Tortola Booth in the Village. According to the Carnival Committee release, she thought about retiring a few years ago but her family and customers raised such a fuss that the gave in and kept on cooking.
When the time does come to step down, she says, she has a well-trained staff ready to take over — her nine children. The family motto is "Customers, don't despair, 'cause The Tortola Booth will always be there!"
Following Monday evening's Village opening ceremonies, the V.I. Housing Authority Steel Orchestra played until 8:30 p.m., then Jam Band took over from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
A full week of Carnival finale festivities
The roogoodoo goes on for the rest of the week, with a lot more 50th anniversary gold to gleam morning, noon, night and any other hours in between. All events are free unless otherwise indicated.
Tuesday
10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Beach fete at Magens Bay. There is shuttle service from the Magens Point Hotel and back.
6 p.m. — Pre-teen tramp, from Rothschild Francis "Market" Square to Carnival Village. The schools with the most trampers will take home trophies.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. — Village music, Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers steelband.
8 p.m. — Senior Citizens Quelbe Tramp, from "Market" Square to the Village. This event is not just for old-timers; its appeal is that it features the unplugged Carnival music of yesteryear, including the sounds of steelpan players who walk with their instruments hanging on straps around their necks.
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Village music, Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights.
Wednesday
8 a.m. — Unofficial opening of "McBeans' Golden Touch," this year's Carnival Food Fair in "Market" Square and extending up Main Street for a block or two. The honorees, Olga and Alvin McBean, are longtime Food Fair participants who have won numerous prizes for their plants. The formal opening ceremonies will probably take place around noon, but by that time the freshest and most favored of the foods, drinks, plants and other market offerings will be long gone.
7 to 10:15 p.m. — Village music, Starlites.
10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, Cool Session Brass.
Thursday
12:30 a.m. (after midnight Wednesday night) — Roas-A-Time Warm-up, Veterans Drive. This will be the first Carnival "without J'Ouvert" in many a year, but it's all a matter of semantics. The winin', limin' and party-timin' will go on as usual, just under a different name.
Until 2 a.m. — Village music, Cool Session Brass.
2:30 to 4 a.m. — Village music, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
4 a.m. – Roas-A-Time for true (Well, if not 4, then 5; if not 5, then 5:30), with Byron Lee, moving from the Addelita Cancryn overpass to Carnival Village.
8 a.m. to noon — Village music to continue Roas-A-Time, St. Croix's Phranchize.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Carnival exhibition in Emancipation Garden including displays of costumes and memorabilia, steelpan-making demonstration, commentary on cultural art forms and music by Milo's Kings.
8 p.m. – V.I. Calypso Monarch Competition, Lionel Roberts Stadium. Reigning three-peat king Whadablee will try to make it four in a row, but a lot of talent is taking him on. Admission is $12 in advance (available at Daniel's Variety Store, Family Health Center, Krystal and Gifts Galore, Modern Music/Havensight and Nisky Pharmacy), $15 at the gate.
10 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, Sea Breeze.
Friday
10 a.m. to around 2 p.m. – Children's Parade, from "Market" Square to the stadium.
6 to 9 p.m. — Village music, St. Croix's Xpress Band.
9 p.m. to midnight — Village music, "An Old-Time Calypso Roogoodoo" calypso show featuring Mighty Sparrow, Lord Nelson, Short Shirt and Swallow, plus Xpress Band and Imaginations Brass.
Saturday
1 to 3 a.m. – Village music, Imaginations Brass.
10 a.m. to around 6 p.m. – Adults' Parade, from Western Cemetery to the stadium.
6 to 9 p.m. — Village music, Milo's Kings.
9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Village music, P'Your Passion.
10 p.m. – "Thunder Over Charlotte Amalie" fireworks show — starting an hour later than usual and with rockets being fired from two boats in the harbor. Zambelli Fireworks Internationale is doing the honors as usual, with the 20 minutes worth of sky sights choreographed to Carnival sounds that viewers can tune in to on Knight Quality Stations — WVWI, Jamz and Kiss-FM. Boaters can anchor in the harbor but must stay at least 1,000 feet from the two vessels — the M/V Lady Romney and the GEM-101 barge. All marine traffic will be halted during the fireworks.
Sunday
7 p.m. – "Last Lap" dance, Palms C ourt Harborview Hotel, with music by the Starlites. Tickets are $15 in advance (available at Daniel's Variety Store, Family Health Center, Krystal and Gifts Galore, Modern Music/Havensight and Nisky Pharmacy), $20 at the door.
Safety and security are a priority
Police Chief Novelle Francis issued a request on Monday that Carnival celebrants "take extra-special care and caution" in traversing Veterans Drive. He urged pedestrians to "utilize the crosswalks, especially in the well-lighted areas."
And V.I. Housing Authority Police Chief Fitzroy Williams had this advice: Parents should attach to the clothing of children under 5 something bearing the child's name, address and telephone number. Children should not accept rides from strangers. Curfew applies; youths under 16 out after 10 p.m. need to be accompanied by an adult. Parents should talk to their teen-agers and young adults about not taking weapons to Carnival events.
Williams also said housing community residents need to understand that if a member of their household is arrested on drug or firearm charges, the whole household is at risk of being evicted. He cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a housing authority "can evict a member of the tenant household or the entire household when a member of the tenant's household, or a guest, engages in drug-related criminal activity, regardless of whether the tenant knew, and or had reason to know, of the activity."

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.

April 22, 2002 – Their reasons vary for attending the week-long Solar Energy Workshop that began Monday at Maho Bay Camps, but the half-dozen participants all expect to go home with some useful knowledge.
"When my work permit expires, I'm looking to set up alternative energy systems in remote areas," Tortola resident Don Mitchell said.
Now working as an electrician and living aboard a solar-powered boat with his family, he said he wants to put together what he already knows with what he'll learn at the workshop.
St. Thomas resident Glen Williams is in the midst of building a house. He wants to explore "living off the grid," alternative energy parlance for using resources like the sun and the wind rather than hooking up to the Water and Power Authority for energy.
And Jared Hill, Maho's energy guru, wants to increase his skills so he can better care for the ecologically oriented resort's equipment. "And I want to build a cabin off the grid somewhere," he said.
They all have come to the right place. The five-day workshop explores basic solar design and includes the hands-on construction of a solar energy system for Maho Bay. The eco-resort already uses solar power for much of its energy and that of the adjacent Harmony Resort and its Concordia Eco-tents.
"This is like a pilgrimage, coming to Maho Bay," Johnny Weiss said. He and his colleague Jay Paltz are the instructors for the Solar Energy International-sponsored workshop. Weiss is the founder of the Carbondale, Colorado-based company that holds workshops around the country to teach people the how-to's of alternative energy.
Weiss had lots of tips Monday for people interested in exploring solar power. He said Home Power, a consumer-oriented alternative-energy magazine, is the best publication of its kind — and that its advertisers sell the best equipment in their fields. "These people are doing well enough to advertise," he joked.
Although the St. John workshop attracted a small turnout, Weiss said, similar workshops elsewhere are filled, thanks to increased awareness of the need to incorporate alternative energy methods into home design.
He said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the current unrest in the Middle East, which threatens the supply of oil, plus rising costs of fuel have made people more interested in alternative energy sources.
Weiss urged the workshop participants to take advantage of the V.I. Energy Office rebate program when purchasing supplies for their solar systems. "You have a better rebate program than the state of California," he said, referring to a state that has been at the forefront of alternative energy development.
The current Energy Office rebate program runs through July 31. The rebate list starts with solar hot water heaters. The rebate is $1,000 for those with a capacity of 66 to 120 gallons, $700 for those holding 40 to 65 gallons and $500 for those with a capacity of 39 gallons and less. Photovoltaic panels have a rebate of $5 per watt, with a limit of 20.
Buyers get 15 percent off the retail cost of trace inverters purchased in conjunction with solar panels or wind turbine generators. Wind turbine generators have a 20 percent rebate on the retail cost. Energy-efficient lights, also called compact fluorescents, have a rebate of $10 each bulb with a coupon. Buyers of timers for electric hot-water heaters receive a rebate of $10 with a coupon. Coupons are available from and are redeemed by the dealers.
Purchases must be made at approved dealers. The St. Croix list includes Fischer Industries, Quality Electric and West Indies Solair. St. Thomas approved dealers are Altona Trading and Sales, Pools R Weeeeee, Silent Power, Supply Resources, Virgin Energies and West Indies Windsurfing.
For more information, visit the Solar Energy International web site or call the V.I. Energy Office at 714-2815.

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April 22, 2002 – St. Thomas angler Lou Elias was tired. But his weariness as he sat in the cockpit of the Bare Down, a 25-foot Grady White Sailfish 25, with fellow anglers Larry Young, Laura Jamison, and captain Jim Jamison was mixed with that exhilarating feeling that comes from catching a whopper fish.
After Elias reeled in the big bull dolphin and Jim Jamison gaffed and boated it, the fish popped off the lid of the ice cooler and made a leap back to the sea. With Young driving, Elias jumped up to grab the rod and re-reeled the still-hooked fish back into the boat. "When we put it in the ice a second time, we all sat down on top of the cooler," Laura Jamison said.
The dolphin — the name refers to a type of fish called mahi-mahi on menus, not the marine mammal — weighed in at 54.2 pounds. It was the biggest catch of the day and just 0.8 pound short of winning Elias a brand-new Eduardo boat offered as top prize in the Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby.
A record 47 boats — 30 on St. Thomas-St. John and 17 on St. Croix — fished in the Sunday event hosted by the V.I. Gamefishing Club on St. Thomas and the Golden Hook Fishing Club on St. Croix. A total of 194 anglers participated — 119 on St. Thomas and 75 on St. Croix.
"The fish were really biting," tournament director Bob Rapuk said. "By 10 a.m., one boat on St. Croix had 14 fish and another on St. Thomas had 10."
It was lines in at 6 a.m., with boats due back at 3 p.m. at American Yacht Harbor on St. Thomas and the Boardwalk in Christiansted for the official weigh-in conducted by personnel from the Planning and Natural Resources Department's Fish and Wildlife Division.
Four anglers aboard Capt. Red Bailey's Abigail III, a St. Thomas-based charter fishing boat, were in the money with fish in the top 10. "We had a good day — caught 12 dolphin and a wahoo," Bailey said. "We were on the south side of the islands and found the fish by the birds."
St. Croix's Oh Susanna won the award for best boat by count with 14 dolphin. Abigail III took second place with 12.
A total of 97 dolphin, 54 on St. Thomas and 43 on St. Croix, were caught. Collectively, they weighed 1,235.8 pounds. "Everyone had a lot of fun, and it really adds to the excitement to be fishing in tandem with anglers and boats on St. Croix," Rapuk said.
Ten boats on each island brought fish in to be weighed. Some anglers who didn't catch any dolphin were happy nonetheless. St. Croix's Trish Rhodes hooked her first blue marlin aboard Rock N' Robin, and St. Thomas's Dee Spear released a white marlin. "I guess I'm practicing for the next tournament," Spear said.
The next Gamefishing Club event is the Anegada Memorial Day Tournament. For more information, call 775-9144.
Angler results for largest single dolphin
(Angler name, boat name, island, weight of fish)
1. Lou Elias, Bare Down, St. Thomas, 54.2 lbs.
2. Marshal Bell, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 43.2 lbs.3. Kerri Hanley, Rock N' Robin, St. Croix, 37.6 lbs.
4. Marc Kelleher, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 35.4 lbs.
5. Jim Jamison, Bare Down, St. Thomas, 34.9 lbs.
6. Elmo Lanclos, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 34.8 lbs. (121 cm. length)
7. Harry Gauriloff, Get the Gaff, St. Thomas, 34.8 lbs. (117.5 cm.)
8. Kevin Naguin, Triton's Jewel, St. Croix, 34.4 lbs.
9. Greg Pope, Oh Susanna, St. Croix, 34.0 lbs. (123 cm.)
10. Joey Lanclos, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 34.0 lbs. (112 cm.)
Best boat by count: Oh Susanna, 14 dolphin

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April 22, 2002 – St. Thomas angler Lou Elias was tired. But his weariness as he sat in the cockpit of the Bare Down, a 25-foot Grady White Sailfish 25, with fellow anglers Larry Young, Laura Jamison and captain Jim Jamison was mixed with that exhilarating feeling that comes from catching a whopper fish.
After Elias reeled in the big bull dolphin and Jim Jamison gaffed and boated it, the fish popped off the lid of the ice cooler and made a leap back to the sea. With Young driving, Elias jumped up to grab the rod and re-reeled the still-hooked fish back into the boat. "When we put it in the ice a second time, we all sat down on top of the cooler," Laura Jamison said.
The dolphin — the name refers to a type of fish called mahi-mahi on menus, not the marine mammal — weighed in at 54.2 pounds. It was the biggest catch of the day and just 0.8 pound short of winning Elias a brand-new Eduardo boat offered as top prize in the Offshore Marine Dolphin Derby.
A record 47 boats — 30 on St. Thomas-St. John and 17 on St. Croix — fished in the Sunday event hosted by the V.I. Gamefishing Club on St. Thomas and the Golden Hook Fishing Club on St. Croix. A total of 194 anglers participated — 119 on St. Thomas and 75 on St. Croix.
"The fish were really biting," tournament director Bob Rapuk said. "By 10 a.m., one boat on St. Croix had 14 fish and another on St. Thomas had 10."
It was lines in at 6 a.m., with boats due back at 3 p.m. at American Yacht Harbor on St. Thomas and the Boardwalk in Christiansted for the official weigh-in conducted by personnel from the Planning and Natural Resources Department's Fish and Wildlife Division.
Four anglers aboard Capt. Red Bailey's Abigail III, a St. Thomas-based charter fishing boat, were in the money with fish in the top 10. "We had a good day — caught 12 dolphin and a wahoo," Bailey said. "We were on the south side of the islands and found the fish by the birds."
St. Croix's Oh Susanna won the award for best boat by count with 14 dolphin. Abigail III took second place with 12.
A total of 97 dolphin, 54 on St. Thomas and 43 on St. Croix, were caught. Collectively, they weighed 1,235.8 pounds. "Everyone had a lot of fun, and it really adds to the excitement to be fishing in tandem with anglers and boats on St. Croix," Rapuk said.
Ten boats on each island brought fish in to be weighed. Some anglers who didn't catch any dolphin were happy nonetheless. St. Croix's Trish Rhodes hooked her first blue marlin aboard Rock N' Robin, and St. Thomas's Dee Spear released a white marlin. "I guess I'm practicing for the next tournament," Spear said.
The next Gamefishing Club event is the Anegada Memorial Day Tournament. For more information, call 775-9144.
Angler results for largest single dolphin
(Angler name, boat name, island, weight of fish)
1. Lou Elias, Bare Down, St. Thomas, 54.2 lbs.
2. Marshal Bell, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 43.2 lbs.3. Kerri Hanley, Rock N' Robin, St. Croix, 37.6 lbs.
4. Marc Kelleher, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 35.4 lbs.
5. Jim Jamison, Bare Down, St. Thomas, 34.9 lbs.
6. Elmo Lanclos, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 34.8 lbs. (121 cm. length)
7. Harry Gauriloff, Get the Gaff, St. Thomas, 34.8 lbs. (117.5 cm.)
8. Kevin Naguin, Triton's Jewel, St. Croix, 34.4 lbs.
9. Greg Pope, Oh Susanna, St. Croix, 34.0 lbs. (123 cm.)
10. Joey Lanclos, Abigail III, St. Thomas, 34.0 lbs. (112 cm.)
Best boat by count: Oh Susanna, 14 dolphin

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April 22, 2002 –– Thanks to a yea vote by the Senate, the local government's purchase of Lindqvist Beach may become a reality. Senators agreed Monday to spend $3.5 million "or as much thereof as may be necessary" from interest earned on bond proceeds to buy the prime beachfront property on St. Thomas's northeast coast.
The bill mandates that the beach be run by an authority similar to the one that operates Magens Bay beach.
The appropriation came under a Christmas tree bill that had been loaded up in the Rules Committee. It was approved 14-1 with Sen. Adelbert Bryan voting no. The majority agreed not to allow amendments, but that did not stop some senators from commenting.
"You have to take the good with the bad in a bill like this," Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel said.
The bill appropriates $100,000 to Family Resource Center on St. Thomas from interest earned on bond proceeds and $100,000 to St. John's Safety Zone from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund so both can continue operations. Both agencies are in danger of closing for lack of money.
The St. John Capital Improvement Fund, intended to pay for construction projects on the island, also got hit for $9,975 so the Public Works Department could pay its bill to St. John heavy equipment operator Elvis Marsh and for $65,077 to pay Vanterpool Enterprises of St. Thomas for reconstruction of the John's Folly Learning Center on St. John.
The Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund, established to clean up the islands, took a big hit, too. Senators appropriated $105,000 or as much as necessary from this fund to rewire Kirwan Terrace Elementary School and install lights around the building's exterior, $2,000 to buy library books for Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and $15,000 to build a fence around Kean High.
The Land Bank Fund will ante up $50,000 or as much as necessary to the St. Thomas Cricket Association to repair its cricket field and $25,000 to Waseen Dominic to be used for the East End Cricket League.
Senators also tapped the General Fund. They appropriated $370,000 to rehabilitate Kean High, $25,000 to send Kean's steelband to a festival in Puerto Rico, $100,000 to install a wooden basketball floor in the new Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School gym, and $50,000 for Down Street People to run after-school and steelpan music programs.
They also appropriated $50,000 from the interest earned on bond proceeds to the V.I. Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corp. to build a concrete foundation, floor and slab for an Emergency Medical Services training center behind Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
The bill appropriates $2 million from the fees paid by Hovensa and its partnership company, PDVSA VI Inc., in connection with the operation of the coker plant now under construction at the St. Croix refinery.
Of that $2 million, $800,000 will go for copy machines and maintenance contracts for each of the territory's public schools.
The bill appropriates $100,000 of the Hovensa money for scholarships for nursing students at the University of the Virgin Islands. After graduation, the nurses must work for the territory for as many years as they received scholarships or else pay the money back.
From the Hovensa payment, the Senators also allocated $100,000 to the Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic in Frederiksted for drugs, $500,000 to the Health Department for its Medical Assistance Program, $250,000 or as much as necessary to the Human Services Department to develop and operate a senior transportation system, and $50,000 for medical supplies for public schools.
The bill also gives businesses a four-month amnesty period to pay penalties and interest owed the Labor Department and sets aside 30 percent of all roadside, gutter and cemetery-cleaning contracts for veterans.
Not all of these appropriations may make it to their intended targets. Historically senators over-appropriate — they approve more spending than revenues will cover — and thus leave the decision on which ones to fund to the governor and his budget director.
Nominations, honor resolutions approved
The rest of Monday's agenda focused on board nominations and honor bills, but the discussion descended to who was born where.
"All those buildings that have names of people not born in the Virgin Islands should be removed," Bryan said.
As expected, this garnered an outraged response from several of his colleagues, particularly those born on other Caribbean islands.
"We all make contributions. Let's stop being divisive and give honor where honor is due," said Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste, who was born on St. Lucia.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole, a Nevis native, said that if the Senate followed Bryan's edict, names like St. Kitts native Elena Christian and Montserrat native E. Benjamin Oliver would have to be removed from the territory's schools.
The Senate approved the following nominations:
— Raphael R. Wesselhoft to the Anti-litter and Beautification Commission.
— Mary Alexander, Chaneel Callwood-Daniels and Charles Deyalsingh to the Virgin Islands Conservation District Board of Supervisors.
— Francis E. Jackson Jr. to the V.I. Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corp.
— Robert O'Connor Jr. to a new term on the V.I. Port Authority board.
All of the senators voted yes on all nominations except for Bryan. He was absent for the vote on Alexander and voted no on those of Deyalsingh and Jackson.
Discussion of O'Connor's nomination prompted Sen. Roosevelt David to say he hoped O'Connor could speed up the process on the GARVEE bonds that are to be used to construct St. John's long-planned Enighed Pond commercial port and a new Red Hook marine terminal.
"There's some foot dragging at the Port Authority," David charged.
Senators also approved a bill to name the Savan Community Center after Romeo Malone. He was hailed as a lifelong Savan resident and author who helped many St. Thomas residents build homes by charging low fees for drawing house plans.
"I have done everything in my life for Savan," Malone said after the bill was approved. He said he and his mother once lived where the Savan Community Center is now located.
The senators also voted to honor Clarence Scipio for his work with senior citizens and in community programs.
They also voted to override Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's vetoes of certain sections of bills. One provides for candidate photos on ballots. Another gives doctors and insurance companies the right to apply for Economic Development Authority benefits. And another funds the removal of asbestos and the reconstruction of several houses at Frenchman's Hill on St. Thomas.
Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson said in a telephone interview that the houses were built 35 or 40 years ago by his department. He estimated it will cost $150,000 to $200,000 to remove the asbestos and reconstruct each house.

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April 22, 2002 –– Thanks to a yea vote by the Senate, the local government's purchase of Lindqvist Beach may become a reality. Senators agreed Monday to spend $3.5 million "or as much thereof as may be necessary" from interest earned on bond proceeds to buy the prime beachfront property on St. Thomas's northeast coast.
The bill mandates that the beach be run by an authority similar to the one that operates Magens Bay beach.
The appropriation came under a Christmas tree bill that had been loaded up in the Rules Committee. It was approved 14-1 with Sen. Adelbert Bryan voting no. The majority agreed not to allow amendments, but that did not stop some senators from commenting.
"You have to take the good with the bad in a bill like this," Sen. Norma Pickard-Samuel said.
The bill appropriates $100,000 to Family Resource Center on St. Thomas from interest earned on bond proceeds and $100,000 to St. John's Safety Zone from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund so both can continue operations. Both agencies are in danger of closing for lack of money.
The St. John Capital Improvement Fund, intended to pay for construction projects on the island, also got hit for $9,975 so the Public Works Department could pay its bill to St. John heavy equipment operator Elvis Marsh and for $65,077 to pay Vanterpool Enterprises of St. Thomas for reconstruction of the John's Folly Learning Center on St. John.
The Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund, established to clean up the islands, took a big hit, too. Senators appropriated $105,000 or as much as necessary from this fund to rewire Kirwan Terrace Elementary School and install lights around the building's exterior, $2,000 to buy library books for Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and $15,000 to build a fence around Kean High.
The Land Bank Fund will ante up $50,000 or as much as necessary to the St. Thomas Cricket Association to repair its cricket field and $25,000 to Waseen Dominic to be used for the East End Cricket League.
Senators also tapped the General Fund. They appropriated $370,000 to rehabilitate Kean High, $25,000 to send Kean's steelband to a festival in Puerto Rico, $100,000 to install a wooden basketball floor in the new Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School gym, and $50,000 for Down Street People to run after-school and steelpan music programs.
They also appropriated $50,000 from the interest earned on bond proceeds to the V.I. Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corp. to build a concrete foundation, floor and slab for an Emergency Medical Services training center behind Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
The bill appropriates $2 million from the fees paid by Hovensa and its partnership company, PDVSA VI Inc., in connection with the operation of the coker plant now under construction at the St. Croix refinery.
Of that $2 million, $800,000 will go for copy machines and maintenance contracts for each of the territory's public schools.
The bill appropriates $100,000 of the Hovensa money for scholarships for nursing students at the University of the Virgin Islands. After graduation, the nurses must work for the territory for as many years as they received scholarships or else pay the money back.
From the Hovensa payment, the Senators also allocated $100,000 to the Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic in Frederiksted for drugs, $500,000 to the Health Department for its Medical Assistance Program, $250,000 or as much as necessary to the Human Services Department to develop and operate a senior transportation system, and $50,000 for medical supplies for public schools.
The bill also gives businesses a four-month amnesty period to pay penalties and interest owed the Labor Department and sets aside 30 percent of all roadside, gutter and cemetery-cleaning contracts for veterans.
Not all of these appropriations may make it to their intended targets. Historically senators over-appropriate — they approve more spending than revenues will cover — and thus leave the decision on which ones to fund to the governor and his budget director.
Nominations, honor resolutions approved
The rest of Monday's agenda focused on board nominations and honor bills, but the discussion descended to who was born where.
"All those buildings that have names of people not born in the Virgin Islands should be removed," Bryan said.
As expected, this garnered an outraged response from several of his colleagues, particularly those born on other Caribbean islands.
"We all make contributions. Let's stop being divisive and give honor where honor is due," said Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste, who was born on St. Lucia.
Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole, a Nevis native, said that if the Senate followed Bryan's edict, names like St. Kitts native Elena Christian and Montserrat native E. Benjamin Oliver would have to be removed from the territory's schools.
The Senate approved the following nominations:
— Raphael R. Wesselhoft to the Anti-litter and Beautification Commission.
— Mary Alexander, Chaneel Callwood-Daniels and Charles Deyalsingh to the Virgin Islands Conservation District Board of Supervisors.
— Francis E. Jackson Jr. to the V.I. Government Hospitals and Health Facilities Corp.
— Robert O'Connor Jr. to a new term on the V.I. Port Authority board.
All of the senators voted yes on all nominations except for Bryan. He was absent for the vote on Alexander and voted no on those of Deyalsingh and Jackson.
Discussion of O'Connor's nomination prompted Sen. Roosevelt David to say he hoped O'Connor could speed up the process on the GARVEE bonds that are to be used to construct St. John's long-planned Enighed Pond commercial port and a new Red Hook marine terminal.
"There's some foot dragging at the Port Authority," David charged.
Senators also approved a bill to name the Savan Community Center after Romeo Malone. He was hailed as a lifelong Savan resident and author who helped many St. Thomas residents build homes by charging low fees for drawing house plans.
"I have done everything in my life for Savan," Malone said after the bill was approved. He said he and his mother once lived where the Savan Community Center is now located.
The senators also voted to honor Clarence Scipio for his work with senior citizens and in community programs.
They also voted to override Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's vetoes of certain sections of bills. One provides for candidate photos on ballots. Another gives doctors and insurance companies the right to apply for Economic Development Authority benefits. And another funds the removal of asbestos and the reconstruction of several houses at Frenchman's Hill on St. Thomas.
Housing Parks and Recreation Commissioner Ira Hobson said in a telephone interview that the houses were built 35 or 40 years ago by his department. He estimated it will cost $150,000 to $200,000 to remove the asbestos and reconstruct each house.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.