TREASURE CAY, Bahamas -- Anyone registering online for the 2013 Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend before February 18th, 2013 will be automatically entered to win a stay at the Treasure Cay Beach, Marina, and Golf Resort, a round-trip ticket to Abaco, or a case of Sands beer.

“This is our second year for the event, and the support from the community has been wonderful.  We have a lot of prizes to give out and this year we have started early on promotion.  To date we are far ahead of where we were last year in terms of registrations numbers, and we still have about 7 weeks left till the event,” said Lee McCoy, managing director.  

”We have been advertising locally and abroad and the response has been positive, with registrations already in from Abaco, Nassau, Freeport, Florida, South Carolina, Illinois, Virginia and California to name a few.  So far it looks like the women’s sprint triathlon will be a hotly contested event, and I’m excited to see the level of competition and comradery that will take place throughout the weekend.”

The 2nd annual event, which takes place March 22-24th in Treasure Cay, Abaco, includes a 1-mile open water swim, Sprint and Olympic triathlons (in both individual and relay events), a kids’ 1-mile run and a 5k/10k fun run/walk. 

The scenic destination of Treasure Cay, Abaco, encourages both tourists and locals alike to attend.  The courses are flat, the beaches and waters are gorgeous, and the roads are smooth, making for an ideal location for the races.

Everyone who registers online before February 18th, 2013, will be entered into a drawing to win one of three prizes.  The first drawing is for a complimentary night at the Treasure Cay Resort, the second is for a round-trip ticket to Abaco, and the third is a case of Sands Beer.  Registration details can be found on the event website, www.GAFFW.com  The winners will be announced via email and the newsletter, on the website, and on the Facebook page by February 20th.

“We believe when children and adults eat well they avoid chronic health issues in the future, have sharper minds and fitter bodies now, and bring greater value to society throughout their lifetimes.” - Ronnie’s Organic Team

ABACO, Bahamas -- After working with young people over the span of almost 30 years, Whitney Bain (Ronnie’s Organic) will launch his first retail venture in The Bahamas as it relates to the funding of youth work and leadership development.

Many years ago Whitney’s life was changed for the better by the intervention of a caring high school teacher named Mrs. Mary Nabb (now deceased). Having observed him making wrong decisions and heading in the wrong direction, Mrs. Nabb had confronted him and shown him a picture of himself in the years ahead. He did not like what he saw and found her intervention pivotal in changing his direction.

Shortly after that episode Whitney started to work with his classmates, helping them with homework, class assignments and also showing them pictures of themselves in the future. This willingness to share what he had learnt stamped itself on his life, and he has replicated ever since. Over the years Whitney has facilitated countless sessions aimed at motivating young people. Additionally, he has held positions on several school boards, lead youth departments and has conducted many sessions specific to leadership and personal development.

After having worked in these settings, Whitney recognized that one of the major failings of many of the past and current youth initiatives is a lack of proper funding. This has led him to focus his current efforts on developing a project to fund the efforts of the youth organizations that he is associated with and to also address a matter that he has identified as an area of concern as it relates to young people achieving their full potential academically: proper nutrition.

COOPER’S TOWN, Abaco -- Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government the Hon. V. Alfred Gray poses with Abaco Central High School students who travelled to North Abaco to observe the election process, during the "Mini-Rally" for new North Abaco Local Government Junior Council members, at the S. C. Bootle Secondary School in Cooper's Town, North Abaco, on January 24, 2013.

(BIS photo gallery / Eric Rose)

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Member of Parliament for North Abaco and Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of The Prime Minister,  Renardo Curry, was in Grand Bahama to meet with the Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon Michael Darville, his managers and project officers.

Pictured from left: Mr. Curry, Minister Darville, and Melvin Seymour, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Grand Bahama.

(BIS Photo /Vandyke Hepburn)

MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco -- Police in the Abaco Division are seeking the public’s help in locating Wilnert Blanc, age 36 years, of the Mud, Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

He is described as being 6’0”tall, slim built with dark complexion, black hair, with a gold tooth. He is wanted for Armed Robbery and is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Police in the Abaco Division are also seeking the public’s help in locating Larry Dorelus, age 23 years, of the Mud, Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco -- Supporting the National Parks of Abaco, the Bahamas National Trust presents 'Art For The Parks' January 25-27th at the Abaco Beach Resort.  With over 20 local artists and artisans displaying their talent, a fresh market, environmental games, and a heritage lecture series, the event will prove to be both educational and entertaining.

For more information see the poster below or call Kadie Mills at the BNT Abaco office (242) 367-6310.