The Grove Place Baobab on St. Croix. (Image courtesy Black Heritage Tree Project/Jhanielle A. Brown)
Afro-Caribbean folklore describes the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) as a portal to the ancestral continent. It is said that if the tree is approached beneath a full moon and an aspirant enters the tree’s hollow trunk, he will be returned to Africa. As a mysterious and beloved feature of the local landscape, the baobab tree is perhaps the preeminent physical symbol of the many historical and cultural linkages that exist between the Virgin Islands and Africa. Like many other local plants, the baobab was introduced to our landscape via the transatlantic slave trade. Enslaved Africans carried the seeds of home on their journeys along the infamous Middle Passage. They planted them here and over time they took root in the soil as well as in the mythology of the Caribbean region.
Local Black Heritage Tree Project team leader Frandelle Gerard initiates the “Meet at The Tree” ceremony in the shade of the Grove Place Baobab (Photo by Joshua Grant Canning)
Given this history, it seemed fitting that my first encounter with members of the Black Heritage Tree Project should take place in the shade of the prodigious spreading branches of the Grove Place Baobab on St. Croix. Dr. Alicia Odwale, a National Geographic Explorer, professor of archaeology and the organization’s director is visiting St. Croix along with other members of the organization. Together they are working with the project’s local team to identify, catalog and celebrate the island’s historically and culturally significant trees.
As the Black Heritage Tree Project website explains, the organization is dedicated to “honoring the legacy of Black communities through the powerful presence of trees.” In addition to St. Croix the BTHP maintains local project sites in Greenwood, Oklahoma and Galveston and Houston, Texas where they map, collect oral histories and build archives around trees they describe as “living witnesses that stand in places where history unfolded — sites of resistance, struggle, and resilience.” By preserving and sharing the stories these trees have to tell, the Black Heritage Project aims to “connect people to the land and the memories it holds.” The work they carry out is about “recognition, remembrance, and healing through place-based storytelling.”
(Images courtesy The Black Heritage Tree Project)
As precisely the kind of culturally significant tree the organization is devoted to, the Grove Place Baobab is considered “a living monument.” The tree has borne witness to three turbulent centuries of Virgin Islands history. Planted around 1750, this majestic baobab flourished in St. Croix soil, enduring a century of slavery in the Danish West Indies before bearing witness to the 1848 Emancipation Day rebellion, the 1878 Fireburn Revolt, the transfer of the islands to the United States in 1917, and even the devastating winds of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Maria in 2017. Having withstood this impressive sweep of often violent local history, this venerated “elder” of the local landscape remains solidly rooted in St. Croix soil, a profound symbol of resilience and empowerment.
The Grove Place Baobab has borne witness to over three centuries of St. Croix history and is likely to continue to do so for generations to come. (Photo by Joshua Grant Canning)
Standing before this “guardian of memory and culture,” examining the gray flanks of its three distinct trunks which seem to meld into one at the tree’s base, the obvious comparison is to the legs of some enormous elephant. One cannot help but imagine a sort of mythic elephant trudging through 300 years of St. Croix’s history while remaining stationary and resolutely rooted in place. The comparison seems fitting, too, both because elephants seem emblematic of ancestral African landscapes and because they are believed, like the tree before me, to be blessed with an almost supernatural capacity for memory. Indeed this “beloved jumbie tree” is now listed on the National Register of Historic Trees and is widely regarded as the oldest Baobab in the territory. In the lore and legend of the territory, it is known for “carrying stories of resistance, freedom, celebration, and survival.”
Dr. Alicia Odwale and her team recognize that trees like this one are not mere features of the landscape, they are truly “guardians of memory and culture”. Because baobabs can live for up to a thousand years, the Grove Place Baobab may continue to bear witness and accumulate memories for generations to come. BHTP member Dr. Justin Dunnvant, an archaeologist and assistant professor of Anthropology at UCLA, describes the tree before us as “a holder of memory and of place.” Trees like this one, he explains, “help us to chart an African geography onto a landscape that has traditionally been defined by colonial maps.”
Joshua Grant Canning— Joshua Grant Canning holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Journalism and in his writing he pursues projects that involve the intersection of nature and culture. On the basis of his writing about the ecological and cultural implications of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park, he was awarded a Middlebury College Graduate Fellowship in Environmental Journalism 2008-2009. The fellowship enabled him to travel widely in Japan (where he had lived previously for four years) to research and write about pressing environmental and cultural issues. He and his wife Wendy moved from Vermont to St. Croix in 2010 and he taught World Literature and AP English Literature at Good Hope Country Day School for over a decade. He is also a musician and jazz guitar enthusiast and performs regularly at events and venues around the island.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carden White.Carden White
He died peacefully on Oct. 29, 2025
He survived by his
Mother: Elsa Smith-White
Sisters: Joanne White, Marlene Ostalaza
Brother- In-Law: Ronald Ostalaza
Nephews: Casal White, Ginjah Elmes, Simba Parker, T’Challa Holder, Shomari Ostalaza
Nieces: Kabina Elmes-Jeffers, Peaches Ostalaza, Simone Holder, Nahla White
Aunts: Catherine Faulkner, Gladia Matthews, Andrea and Beverly Smith
Uncles: Thomas and John Alfred White, John Smith
Cousins: Noreen and Keisha Faulkner, Celeste Faulkner-Matthews, Julien and Yvonne Henley, Roger, Jim, Alfred Jr.,and James White, Laverne Frazer, Veronica, Cynthia, Brenda, Claudette, Anastasia White, Kim Scottlift, Peggy, Ingrid, Jasmin and Pamela Smith, Ronnie Jones, Alberto Smith, Jr.
Funeral service will be on Dec. 9. Viewing from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Service at 10 a.m. at Christ Church Methodist
Internment at Eastern Cemetery (Smith Bay)
Funeral arrangements handled by Turnbull’s Funeral Home
The Virgin Islands Police Department along with Virgin Islands Port Authority advises the community that there will be traffic restrictions on Wednesday, Dec. 3 during the Crown Bay Center Holiday Fest.
The roadway from the entrance to Crown Bay, the area of Doctors Choice, will be closed for vehicle traffic from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Vehicles parked in the Crown Bay area will have to travel towards Sara Hill (towards WAPA).
Safaris and taxis that are dropping off passengers to the cruise ships, can utilize Sara Hill from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Motorist parked in the Crown Bay Marina area, along with safaris and taxis dropping off military personnel back to the ship, will have to use the rear gate to enter and exit the Marina from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Virgin Islands Police Department and the Virgin Islands Port Authority thank everyone for their cooperation
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources announces an exciting outdoor event hosted by the Division of Coastal Zone Management in partnership with Friends of the St. Croix East End Marine Park. Join us for Yoga and Nature Walk on Friday, Dec. 5 at Estate Great Pond (former Camp Arawak site).
Elisa McKay does yoga at Altoona lagoon. (Anne Salafia photo)
Event Schedule:
• Yoga: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• Nature Walk: 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Start your morning with a gentle vinyasa yoga session led by the St. Croix East End Marine Park Outreach Coordinator, followed by a relaxed nature walk through the park. During the walk, participants will learn about local plants and wildlife, as well as upcoming initiatives to protect the island’s natural resources.
This is an outdoor event, so advance registration is recommended. Please bring:
• A yoga mat or towel
• A water bottle
• Light, comfortable clothing
Details:
• Cost: Free
• Ages: 8 and up
• RSVP Required (space is limited)
For more information call: (340) 718-3367 or email stxeempoutreach@dpnr.vi.gov
Or register online by searching “Yoga and Nature Walk” on Eventbrite.
Come connect with nature, move your body, and learn how we’re working to preserve St. Croix’s beautiful environment!
The family of the late Marilyn Fahie Penn wishes to inform the community of her passing on Sunday, Oct. 26, one day prior to the burial of her first daughter, Rosie May Penn.Marilyn Fahie Penn
Marilyn was the co-founder and owner of the Daylight Bakery and Diamond Barrel Restaurant on St. Thomas.
Marilyn is survived by her children: Brenda Penn- Lewis, Sherill, Dudley, George, and Renaldo Penn, Sr.
She is also survived by her stepchildren Romney Sr., Franzel, Dr. Franklyn, Liston Thomas, Devon Callwood and Jordan Penn.
Grandchildren: Tiffany Theodore, Raheilio Lewis, Dudley Jr., Delariise, Desiree, Elon, Tenisha, Mikey,and Renaldo “RJ” Penn Jr.
Sisters: Alice Fahie Donovan and Esther Fahie Penn.
Mrs. Marilyn is also survived by a host of loving family and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral services for Friday, Dec. 5 at Wesley Methodist Church in Anna’s Retreat from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The service will be at 10
Internment will be at eastern cemetery.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mr. Allen E. “Buckwheat” Samuel. He died peacefully on Nov. 14, 2025, after a brief illness. Allen E. Samuel
Mr. Samuel was born on Jan. 26, 1974, in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He attended Ivanna Eudora Kean High School. He was a kind, loving soul who touched the lives of everyone he met. He will be greatly missed by all.
He is survived by his loving parents, Mr. William St. Claire Samuel and Mrs. Elicia Richards. Monroe Richards (stepfather), Martina Thomas (stepmother), Alicia Purnell (fiancé), Wayne Wah-Hyll Samuel (brother), Yvonne Samuel (sister), Alberta Francis Colley (sister), Alpha Shannon (sister), Quanda Nadia (daughter).
Paternal Aunts: Yvonne Hutchinson, Heather James, Yvette James, Veronica James, Bernadine James.
Paternal Uncles: Claude Samuel, Alcon Demming.
Special friend: Mrs. Patricia Maynard
Maternal Aunts: Rosenell Peterson (Godmother), Jeanette Donavon, Alice Pickering, Patrice James.
Maternal Uncles: German Cline, Elvis Peterson, Rem Peterson, Steadsom Wallace, Anthony Joseph.
And a long list of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, too numerous to mention but all are loved and treasured.
A viewing will take place at Turnbull’s Funeral Home on Dec. 3, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on Dec. 4 at 9:45 a.m. Interment will take place at Eastern Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute in honor of Allen.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Like the seed buried in the ground, you have produced the harvest of eternal life for us; make us always dead to sin and alive to God.
We regret to announce the passing of Linares Warrell Sr.
Linares Warrell Sr
Linares Warrell Sr. preceded in death by his grandmothers Geraldine Thomas and Ida Warrell Diaz; Grandfathers Beverly Martin and Frank V. Hoheb; Aunts Garnet Martin, Maude Hoheb Hodge, and Etla Hoheb Gaskin; uncles Dale Donovan, Byron and Wayne Martin, George Hoheb, Rodney Hoheb, and Cedric Swan Sr.; and his brother Pauliano Remy.
He is survived by his loving wife, Dalila Warrell; his mother, Shayna Martin; his father, Luciano Warrell Sr.; his mother-in-law, Marycruz Francisco; and father-in-law, Dionicio Jerez. He is also survived by his daughters ShaQueena Warrell, Madonna (Victor) Batista, Yadalis (Yasim) Ross, and Samantha Jerez; his sons Makil Warrell, Malachi Warrell, Makemo and Makebo Warrell, and Linares Warrell Jr. His grandchildren include granddaughters Londyn Webbe, Alisha Williams, Delores Aaminah, Yasmine Ross, and Samhaera, and grandson Demiano Ross.
He leaves behind his sisters Luciana (Mervin)Warrell, Louella and Latihma Warrell, and Clara (Lorne) Freeman; his brothers Camile (LaToya), Kurt (Keema) Reovan, Luciano Jr., Lezcano, Lariano (Bretlan) Warrell, Jason Jackson, and Benjamin Hodge; and his sister-in-law Damaris (Joel) De Lanoz. He is further survived by his aunts Carolyne and Gloria Martin, Louella and Leola Diaz-Stark, and Altagracia Hoheb Bennett, as well as his uncle Michael (Michelle) Martin. Rest of friends and family too numerous to mention.
First viewing will be held on Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Turnbulls Funeral Home Chapel
Second viewing will be Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Blyden Memorial Chapel
Service will be Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. at Blyden Memorial Chapel
Internment – Eastern Cemetery (Smith Bay)
Funeral Arrangements handled by Turnbull’s Funeral Home
The USS Gerald R. Ford sits anchored off St. Thomas on Monday during its first port visit under U.S. Southern Command. (Source photo by Michele L Weichman)
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrived on St. Thomas Monday. The arrival marked the Ford’s first port visit since entering waters overseen by the U.S. Southern Command as part of the Trump administration’s military action against alleged drug traffickers, dubbed Operation Southern Spear.
The visit comes as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under increasing scrutiny following a report by the Washington Post that he gave a spoken command to kill two surviving crew members after an initial missile attack on their boat Sept. 2 in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. government alleges they were smuggling drugs.
Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have voiced concerns in recent days. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said during a television interview that such an act would violate the Defense Department’s own policies and international laws.
“And so this rises to the level of a war crime if it’s true,” he said.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said on the same program that such an order would be “very serious.”
“There are very serious concerns in Congress about the attacks on the so-called drug boats down in the Caribbean and the Pacific, and the legal justification has been provided,” he told CBS News reporter Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation Sunday. “But this is, is completely outside of anything that has been discussed with Congress, and there is an ongoing investigation.”
The Trump administration has justified its ongoing campaign in the region, which has resulted in at least 83 deaths since the effort began in September, by arguing that the U.S. “is in a non-international armed conflict” with “designated terrorist organizations” to fight maritime drug trafficking from Latin America to the U.S.
The USS Iwo Jima docked in Frederiksted in early November during its second port visit to the territory as part of Operation Southern Spear. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Government House spokesperson Richard Motta Jr. told the Source Monday that the Virgin Islands government isn’t privy to the military’s operational details.
“We get the notice that they’ll be in port — and how many people are going to be in port — and we just coordinate the logistics around making sure that they have transport and that there’s increased security as needed when they’re in port,” he said. “But outside of that, we don’t have any other information about what they’re doing in the Caribbean.”
“We read it in the press, just like everyone else,” he added.
During a Government House press briefing Monday, V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency Director Daryl Jaschen said the port visits to the territory were reminiscent of a time decades ago, when sailors and Marines enjoyed “R and R” in the U.S. Virgin Islands. During the recent visits, Jaschen said, the Navy is working alongside the V.I. Police Department to patrol the areas visited by visiting service members.
“As a result, additional government agencies have been brought to bear to support these operations and work closely with the ship agents to meet new requirements,” he said, adding that local agencies are “having to go back and sort of relearn how we treat and bring our visitors, as well as the ships, to our shores.”
Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, said in a statement released by the Navy that the port visit to St. Thomas “gives us the rest and recuperation we need to continue the mission of upholding law and order across the Western Hemisphere in support of the president’s priorities.”
The commander originally in charge of U.S. forces in the Caribbean, Adm. Alvin Holsey, announced his resignation last month.
GivingTuesday, held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, seeks to transform the world through “radical generosity.” (Image courtesy GivingTuesday.org)
GivingTuesday is a global radical generosity movement that, since its inception in 2012, takes place on the first Tuesday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which this year is Dec. 2. GivingTuesday sprang from the basic idea of having a day that encourages people to do good in their communities.
“This idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity,” according to the movement’s website. Plenty of local organizations could use help on this global day of giving, including those listed below. To add an organization, send us an email at visource@gmail.com with GivingTuesday in the subject line.
For The Virgin Islands Source, this day highlights the importance of independent local journalism. As the territory’s longest-running community-supported online newsroom, we remain committed to reporting that informs, connects, and strengthens the Virgin Islands — but we can only do that with you. If you’d like to support our mission this GivingTuesday, you can make a contribution here.
The American Red Cross of the U.S. Virgin Islands serves St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island, bringing comfort, relief and hope to neighbors facing their most difficult moments. To learn more and donate your time or money, visit their website.
The Animal Care Center of St. John is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the well-being and care of homeless, abandoned and abused animals on St. John. Visit their website to learn more, email info@stjacc.org or call 340-774-1625.
GivingTuesday gifts made to Antilles School support educational access, along with student experiences, programs, and faculty development. Donations can be made here. Atelier St Thomas Arts Foundation / 81C Arts is a multidisciplinary arts and education organization based in Charlotte Amalie. In addition to a contemporary art gallery space, 81C Arts operates across multiple locations, including an education center focused on youth enrichment in the Camille Pissarro House. Initiatives like Expression Through the Arts, the Art Exhibition Program, and the Artist Dialogues Series provide meaningful access to art experiences while fostering conceptual thinking, creativity, and critical decision-making through engagement with emerging and professional artists, and the community. For more information and to donate, visit linktr.ee/81cvi, 81CVI.ORG and 81CVI.COM.
The Boys and Girls Club of St. Thomas/St. John helps youths ages seven to 17 to reach their full potential, working with young people from disadvantaged economic, social and family circumstances to offer educational and community support that is vital to their success. Visit their website to learn more and to donate.
Cancer Support V.I. raises funds and awareness for all those fighting cancer, providing financial assistance, holistic support, and community advocacy. With its 100% Model, every dollar donated directly supports cancer patients. To donate, visit the website.
Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, or CMCArts, on St. Croix, serves and promotes the rich cultural and artistic traditions of Caribbean art. The museum encourages artistic expression and learning for all ages. To learn more and to donate, visit the website.
Caribbean Volunteer Services, Inc. helps Virgin Islanders in crisis, with a focus on mental health, housing and elder care. To learn more, visit their website.
Among its many services, Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands offers emergency shelters on St. Thomas and St. Croix, and soup kitchens on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, where daily meals are offered to anyone in need. Additionally, shelter staff facilitate referrals to mainstream and other services. To donate, visit the website, call 340-777-8518 or email info@catholiccharitiesvi.org.
The Children’s Museum of St. Croix, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides a multifaceted, interactive, creative space for children and families to discover a variety of learning opportunities inherent in play. To learn more and to donate, visit the website.
Collective Collaboration Inc. on St. Croix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for adults suffering from mental health issues and those who are unhoused. To learn more, visit the Facebook page, email kdickenson@collectivecollaborationvi.com, or call 340-718-8224.
The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands has matched donors with community causes for more than 30 years, striving to ensure the highest quality of life for both present and future generations of Virgin Islanders. CFVI was established to bring together the financial resources of individuals, businesses and families to support important causes and provide localized solutions for individuals and organizations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. To learn more and to donate, visit their website.
This week of Giving Tuesday, Coral Bay Community Council is throwing the first ever Coral Bay Music Fest over three days. While all events are free, CBCC is accepting donations for the CBCC curated music experiences that are taking place on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6. Funds raised support CBCC’s work in watershed protection, which includes stormwater management, mangrove restoration, coastal water quality monitoring, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure assistance, neighborhood organization for stormwater structure maintenance, and so much more! Information about the event and donations can be found here.
The Family Resource Center on St. Thomas offers 24-hour crisis response and support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes, including emergency shelter, referrals, legal advocacy, intervention programs and community education. Visit the website to learn more.
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park will give thanks to all its supporters by offering a 25% discount on all park store and online purchases (Code: THANKYOU) from Thanksgiving through Giving Tuesday. Proceeds from the store support protection and preservation in the park. Visit the Friends website for more information or to donate.
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park Sea Turtle Program aims to protect sea turtle nests, facilitate research projects, and spread awareness of sea turtle conservation in Virgin Islands National Park and its surrounding waters, including the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. The program is funded and managed by Friends of Virgin Islands National Park with the invaluable support of 80 volunteers. To learn more and to donate, visit their website.
The Foundation for Development Planning asks the community to support its initiative to increase access to information for learning, individual growth, and community development that is critical for decision-making in all facets of development, especially in small island states with limited capacity and high levels of vulnerability. Donations can be made here.
The Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital Foundation’s mission is to “Enhance Healthcare Delivery in St. Croix with long-term sustainability for our community.” Through its board of directors, SCCHF, supported by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, seeks to increase community awareness, raise funds for programs and services, and provide stewardship of the funds, to advance local health care and improve quality patient care for the residents of our community. Visit the website to learn more.
Giving Tuesday donations to the Humane Society of St. Thomas will help support the efforts of its staff in continuing to help care for the shelter pets in need while they await their forever homes. Give at www.humanesocietystthomas.org.Lion Haven on St. Croix provides a safe place after school for local youth to learn, grow and thrive through activities such as sports, gardening/farming, arts, classwork assistance, and other engaging activities. To learn more, visit lionhaven.org, email donations@lionhaven.org, or visit their Facebook page.
Lutheran Social Services of the V.I. is a multi-service nonprofit organization headquartered in Frederiksted, St. Croix, that has been in operation since 1904. The largest private child and family service agency in the U.S. Virgin Islands, it offers programs for abused, abandoned and neglected children, pregnant women and families, low-income seniors and adults with disabilities. To learn more and to donate, visit the website.
My Brother’s Workshop provides faith, hope, and purpose through mentoring, mental health counseling, education, paid job training, and job placement to youth of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year, thanks to the community’s support, MBW has surpassed its GivingTuesday match goals from 340 Worldwide, Island Booksellers, Keswick Insurance, and Ned White, raising $68,655. Inspired by the community’s response, an anonymous Angel Donor — who has supported MBW for over 10 years — has stepped up with a $100,000 matching donation. This match will run through Dec. 31, doubling every gift made between now and the end of the year. To donate, visit the website.
Nana Baby Children’s Home has been a fixture in the St. Thomas community for more than 30 years, offering a 24/7, 365-day-a-year emergency placement group home for children in crisis. It’s small team works to create and maintain a warm, safe, loving and happy environment for the children who need them. To learn more, visit their website, email nanababyhome@gmail.com or call 340-775-0044.
Our Town Frederiksted, Inc., established in 1988 on St. Croix, has been a steadfast advocate for community empowerment and historic preservation, proactively addressing the needs and aspirations of Frederiksted’s Historic District. Its primary objective is to foster sustainable growth and invigorate the local economy through strategic leadership, aiming for a revitalized and thriving Frederiksted. Visit the website to learn more.
Project Promise on St. Croix is dedicated to giving at-risk youth the tools and support they need to live healthier lives. From life coaching and personal wellness to academic tutoring, community service, cultural programs, family services, and more, Project Promise offers an opportunity for positive change in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment by introducing children to our natural resources, history and culture, and the most valuable resource, themselves. Visit the website to learn more.
The Ruby Rutnik Scholarship Fund was created 29 years ago to honor the memory of Ruby Rutnik, who was a senior at American University when she died in a car accident in 1996. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $200,000 to more than three dozen recipients. The scholarship is open to any young woman who has resided on St. John for at least five years and is pursuing a degree in higher education. To contribute to the scholarship fund, make a check payable to Gifft Hill School, noting RRSF on the bottom of the check, and mail it to GHS, 5000 Estate Enighed #356, St. John, VI 00830.
Ruff Start Rescue STX is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, and its mission is to proactively search out the dogs who can’t search for help themselves. In addition, they offer educational youth programs to encourage animal compassion and advocacy in their everyday lives. To donate, visit https://ruffstartstx.org/donate/.
The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center provides and promotes the humane treatment of animals through education, animal protection, and community service, including a low-cost community veterinary clinic. Its duty is to the orphaned, abused, neglected, and unwanted animals of St. Croix as the only open-admissions shelter, never turning away an animal in need. Visit their website to learn more.
The St. Croix Environmental Association promotes the conservation of environmental resources, provides education and advocates for environmentally responsible actions that benefit St. Croix. Visit the website to learn more and to donate.
The St. Croix Landmarks Society exists to cultivate appreciation of St. Croix’s rich history and enduring legacy through an array of museums and programming. Visit their website to learn more.
The St. George Village Botanical Garden on St. Croix, featuring 16 acres planted with more than 1,000 Caribbean and pantropical plants growing against a backdrop of ruins and repurposed buildings of an 18th-century Danish colonial sugar plantation, is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of both the historical and living collections on its grounds. To learn more, visit the website.
The nonprofit St. John Historical Society’s mission is to document, preserve and share with the public the history of St. John. This is achieved with the help of numerous professional historians, craftspeople, artisans, musicians, and educators who have brought this island’s rich history to life. Through its collections, publications, media, educational programs, field trips, special events and more, the Historical Society continues to be a leading resource for discovering the island. Visit their Facebook page to learn more.
The nonprofit St. John Rescue is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to saving lives, providing community education and building a better way of life for the people of St. John. To learn more and to donate, visit their Facebook page and stjrescue.networkforgood.com.
St. John School of the Arts works to empower the island’s youth and their families through its passion for music, dance, theater and visual arts. Its programs seek to instill creativity and a greater sense of collaboration throughout the diverse community of St. John, helping to transform lives and inspire greatness by instilling poise, confidence and character. Visit the website to learn more and to donate.
As they continue to preserve and protect our traditions and heritage, the St. Thomas Historical Trust, a 501 (c) (3) organization, welcomes community support. This could be in the form of a monetary donation or serving as a volunteer. In 2026, they will continue their exciting, and informative, cultural programming and encourages the community to engage with them. Visit the museum on Raadets Gade, and the website at www.stthomashistoricaltrust.org.
Deck the halls with gifts that last. From home-cooked dinners to a good night’s sleep, your donation to The Salvation Army can help your neighbors in need all year round. Visit give.salvationarmyusa.org.
The goal of the Schneider Regional Medical Center Foundation is to meet the current and future needs of the community through a strategic plan to fund capital projects through partnerships with individuals, corporations and other entities. These projects include renovating and upgrading facilities, purchasing medical equipment and investing in information systems infrastructure. Visit the website to learn more.
Sing St. John’s mission it to provide universally accessible singing for all ages on St. John, fostering cultural awareness, a meaningful sense of community, and resilience. Its endeavors include the St. John All-Island Children’s Choir, Ocama Youth Choir, St. John Recovery Choir, and the Senior Singalong. It envisions a world that is inclusive, in which every voice counts and believes that healthy diversity brings strength, and that joy heals. To learn more and to donate, visit their website.
The V.I. Children’s Museum’s mission is to bring children and families together in an interactive educational space where dynamic play inspires a love of learning. It is financially sustained through grants, contributions, donations, museum memberships, museum admissions, event space rental, and sales from the gift shop. Visit the museum’s website to learn more and to donate.
The Virgin Islands Justice Initiative is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on creating opportunities for the poor to succeed through economic justice and poverty law. It provides free legal representation, education, and resources for economic and social mobility and provides essential legal services, programs, and initiatives to the community. To learn more and to donate, visit the website.
The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix offers advocacy, programs and services for the safety and health of the territory’s people, families, and community, with a mission to support and empower people impacted by violence. Donations may be made on their secure page.
A St. Thomas man was arrested late Saturday after police said he struck a coworker on the head with a level, causing a large laceration, the V.I. Police Department reported.
Officers were dispatched to Estate Tutu around 11:07 p.m., where the victim identified Max Cadet, 45, as the person who assaulted him at their workplace, the police report stated.
Cadet was arrested for assault in the third degree, taken to the Richard N. Callwood Police Central Command, and processed. His bail was set at $26,500 by order of the court. He was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending his advice of rights hearing, the report stated.
Dr. Alicia Odwale and her team recognize that trees like this one are not mere features of the landscape, they are truly “guardians of memory and culture”. Because baobabs can live for up to a thousand years, the Grove Place Baobab may continue to bear witness and accumulate memories for generations to come. BHTP member Dr. Justin Dunnvant, an archaeologist and assistant professor of Anthropology at UCLA, describes the tree before us as “a holder of memory and of place.” Trees like this one, he explains, “help us to chart an African geography onto a landscape that has traditionally been defined by colonial maps.”
