25 June 2012  Freeport, Grand Bahama

The Rotary Club of GB Sunrise’s 2nd Annual Cigar Nights on June 16th was a fun event, very well attended by the Grand Bahama community who came out in support of Rotary Club of GB Sunrise  Big Brother/Big Sister programme, and the Safe Swim Zone project—providing buoy markers along the south coast to ensure boater and swimmer safety.

The Grand Bahama Sailing Club was the venue and took on a vintage Havana theme for the evening, where a large cross section of Grand Bahama enjoyed Latin-inspired music, food, drink, dancing and entertainment during the charity event.

The turnout was tremendous, and guests enjoyed live music by the Cigar Nights Jazz Band (Ralph Munnings on sax, Pat Boston on keyboard, and Marina Gottlieb Sarles singing), followed by Unkle Sam DJ tunes, which filled the dance floor into the wee hours of the morning. Professional Salsa dancers were on hand with Latin dance lessons, and Graycliff Restaurant in Nassau provided a genuine Cuban Cigar Roller, who treated cigar aficionados with fresh hand rolled cigars. A unique Chinese Auction was also held, with many lucky winners taking home superb prizes.

The Rotary GB Sunrise Cigar Nights has quickly become an annual event that the Grand Bahama community looks forward to each year. The event is held each year at the beginning of the Rotary Club year to raise funds and bring in the new Rotary President.  During the evening, the outgoing President, Ken Saunders, turned over the gavel to the incoming President, Ivan Chestnut.

The Rotary Club of GB Sunrise wishes to thank all sponsors and volunteers for making the Rotary Club GB Sunrise 2nd Annual Cigar Night such a success. Thanks to Agave Restaurant, Atlantic Medical, Bahamian Brewery, British Colonial Hilton, BWA, Cappuccino's Restaurant, Charles Badh, Colin Rose, Colombian Emeralds International, Unkle Sam Party Machine DJ, Dr. Green, Dale Bethel, David Valentine, Flying Fish Restaurant, Freeport Advertising & Printing, The Grand Bahama Sailing Club, Graycliff Restaurant (Nassau), Island Spray, KK, Les Lewis, Marina Gottlieb Sarles, OBS Marine, Capt Jamie Rose, Capt. Wayne Russell, Patrick Boston, Ralph Munnings, Parris Whittaker, Ben Kavanaugh, Piccadilly Media, Sky Bahamas, Barefoot Marketing and Bahamaislandsinfo.com.

Rotary is a volunteer organisation of 1.2 million business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help build goodwill and peace. About 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas conduct projects to address today’s challenges — including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, clean water, and environmental concerns — while encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations.

Out Going Rotary Club of GB Sunrise President Ken Saunders welcomes new President Ivan Chestnut and new Board of Directors at Cigar Night Charity event.  Left To Right   Ken Saunders, Maitland Cates, President Ivan Chestnut, Ron Jones,  Jacy Whittaker, Wayne Russell, Brad Scott, Dwayne King, and James Sarles

Let the dancing begin! The dance floor was packed at the Annual Cigar night, with local and Latin favoured music keeping the guests having fun!