You have decided on that special day, your wedding guest list is finally complete, your invitations have been sent and now the anxious wait for a response begins. Responses from wedding guests can be a huge headache, however there are solutions to the RSVP dilemma.

RSVP is a french acronym meaning Respondez s’il vous plait which in English means Respond please. During the Medieval times a response to an invitation to any event was handwritten, a wax seal was placed on the paper marking the authenticity of the response. Although we seldom use the feathered pens except as decoration for the signing of the registrar, and we seldom use the wax seal on neither the invitation nor the response, we have adopted the custom of the RSVP for weddings.

A response to an RSVP is considered proper wedding etiquette. Although this practice is often neglected, it is still socially correct to respond to an invitation. It is also basic common curtesy to respond to an invite of any sort within a timely manner. A response within two to three days should be maximum time to confirm if you will be able to attend.

The couple should first, both agree on a deadline date for guest responses. Once your invitations are sent, here begins the tedious task of response retrievals.

Three weeks prior to your wedding day is a perfect time to schedule your RSVP deadline.  It is imperative that you have a firm date as your caterer will need the precise number of attendees and usually has a contract stating the deadline to guarantee best food service. Your wedding reception venue will also need a final count. Individual seat favours, size of cake, size of dance floor, and decorations are all cases that the final count is required in ample time to purchase or provide a service for a successful wedding experience.

We were deeply saddened this week to hear of the passing of Harold "Sonny" Waugh.  

Sonny - and his family - have been great supporters of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama for many years. 

In fact, Waugh Construction was also a significant contributor to the building of our new shelter.  

Sonny's compassion and concern for the well being of all Grand Bahama was tremendous. 

Grand Bahama, indeed the Bahamas, is a better place thanks to his works, and legacy of giving back.  

Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Waugh family.

 - Humane Society of Grand Bahama Board of Directors and Staff

Grand Bahamarama Folklore Show

In 1971 I wrote and co-directed a folklore show that was performed every Monday evening in the ballroom of the old Holiday Inn. The other (and more important) co-director and electronic genius was Shelton Archer, a British expat. The show we put together was mimed to a tape and covered the history of the Bahamas from the Lucayans to the present day. The theme song for the show was ‘Where ya gonna go next year? Come to the Bahamas…’ by Frank Penn.

It was not great theatre but the young Bahamian cast threw themselves into it with gusto. In fact two of the cast went on to act professionally and one, Willie (Love) Lightbourne, is still around as a popular local singer and tourist guide. The show featured a simultaneous slideshow commentary from screens either side of the stage. There was the Columbus landfall played out to the background sound of Carmina Burana, live gunfire (in the pirate scene), mist created by dry ice in a bootlegging scene, lumbermen in kaleidoscopic costumes hurling down the pine, a holy roller church scene (probably the most popular) and ending with a junkanoo rush through the audience at the end of the show.

Jay Mitchell the accomplished local musician was invited to write a song for the show entitled ‘Goombay Summer in Freeport’. The last stanza describes the Bazaar:

Down to the Bazaar you can get what your heart desire
‘Cos its Goombay Summer in Freeport, Freeport/Lucaya
France, Spain, Africa all the places you want to go
Between the Straw Market and the Casino
We even got Mexico!
‘Cos its Goombay Summer in Freeport. Freeport/Lucaya!

The show, including a backdrop beach scene, was taken to Nassau and had a one night stand at the Government High School in front of a few politicians and the governor of the time. We amended the show after July 2003 to include an independence parade. Sadly the folklore show, that had been seen by well over 2000 people, ran its course as actors moved away or became disinterested.

Alright, gentleman, you finally admit to yourself that SHE IS THE ONE, now it’s time to let the world know.

When selecting the engagement ring, let your decision not only be based on the cost, but about the feeling you want to evoke from this very special lady every time she looks at this symbol of your love.

If you are unable, unwilling or just uncomfortable asking an expert about style of this ring, a great way to find your future wife’s taste in rings is to ask her good friend. Girlfriends can very easily ask her what is her taste in rings without her having a clue its for the real deal.  Not all ladies like the bedazzled look, and bigger is not always better, so some consideration should be placed on where she works, what equipment she works with or if she has any allergies.

While some ladies may just prefer to go with you to select this lifetime ring of romance, some may want that element of surprise, the whole 9 yards. So! get on that one knee and give her that story book proposal! In essence its all about knowing your lady, and her taste in jewels. Research your jeweler, to make sure his/her merchandise is reputable. By asking friends where they purchased their wedding bands you might be able to eliminate some of the leg work required when selecting this love band.

A bit of knowledge in the types of diamonds is always a bonus for any gentleman. Knowing the 4C’s will help build your confidence when speaking with your jeweler.