Ennia Fete de la Cuisine in St. Maarte

St.Maarten / St. Martin feature article in New York Times

“36 Hours in St. Martin/St. Maarten” was the title of a recently published feature article in the New York Times travel section. Published on the web on November 4 and in print on November 7, the writer, Jeremy Peters, chronicled his 36 hours on the island and experienced almost every aspect that makes French and Dutch St. Maarten unique.

A number of well known restaurants, beaches and hang-out spots have been mentioned along with lesser known establishments such as the Love Hotel in Grand Case. St. Maarten’s biggest unofficial attraction, planes landing at the airport, also received plenty attention.

“Gambling is one of St. Maarten’s biggest draws and aside from the blare of a yacht horn or the squeak of a tree frog, the synthesized ping of the slot machine might be the island’s most recognizable sound. Near the French border, Princess Casino at Port de Plaisance feels removed from the ceaseless drumbeat,” the writer states.

On Porto Cupecoy: “One of the most ambitious and pricey new developments to land on St. Maarten is the Porto Cupecoy, a marina, condo, retail and restaurant complex built by Orient Express Hotels. Everything is immaculate, like the neatly arranged beach tables with umbrellas, and the carefully manicured landscaping.”

Peters goes on about the island’ naturist escape at Orient Beach and the atmosphere at the Red Piano bar. He also made mention that “Some of the island’s natural beauty is hidden behind artificial eyesores.” “Among the accolades awarded to Caribbean islands (most beautiful beach,

easiest on the budget, most relaxing), the award for most densely developed probably goes to St. Martin/ St. Maarten — the half- Dutch, half-French island in the West Indies,” he writes.

“That is not to say the island’s natural beauty is ruined. It remains a stunningly picturesque place with some of the Caribbean’s most arresting scenery (here it could win a prize, too). But all that development — boutique hotels, casinos, marinas, high-rise resorts — means visitors are never short on options. And thanks to a seemingly endless construction boom, those options keep multiplying.”

“Article taken from the Daily Herald”

The organizing committee of the CrystalPineapple Awards (CPA) fundraiser says the fifth annual

event will be held at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino and will include some “new twists.” “Together with the resort we have created a new highlight of the evening, our celebrities’ bartender cocktail hour,” organizers said in a press release on Sunday.

“Look out for the Champagne, Wine and Martini Bars, and see which celebrity makes you the best drink or pours you the best wine or champagne” advised May- Ling Chun of St. Maarten

Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHTA).

She said the Crystal Pineapple Awards has become “one the largest and fun filled events of the season, where ladies get to dress to impress and gents get to dress smart. Companies buy

tables and come out to enjoy the evening with their fellow colleagues.” The organizing committee is encouraging the community to start reserving their tables, as last year’s was sold

out and persons had to be turned away.

CPA 2010 will be held at Sonesta Maho’s Convention Centre on Friday, November 26. Artemia Event Planners “has again planned a wow atmosphere for this year’s event, which has become

one of the highlights of the evening,” it was stated in th
e release.

Nomination forms are available on line at www.shta.com, and can be submitted until November 12. Additional information can be obtained from SHTA, tel. 542-0108; e-mail: info@shta.com, or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: mchun@ eyemc.net.

Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald Oct. 25^th, 2010

Stuart Johnson has been nominated for the Crystal Pineapple Awards Fundraiser in the category for Outstanding Community Service (individuals).

Stuart Andrew Johnson was born on June 24th, 1984, on St. Maarten to the proud parents of Saba-born Rudolph Johnson and Aruba-born Linda Johnson. While in high school, he was a member of the Teen Times Youth Newspaper, Volunteer Club of the School, St. Maarten Green Voice Foundation, and Democratic Party Youth Wing of which he became president.

Upon completing his secondary education, he enrolled in the University of St. Martin (USM), where served as the first Student Government Association President, from 2003 to 2005. While in SGA, Stuart fought to have the organization notarized, which facilitated an increase in its (size/membership) and influence. Despite this already hectic schedule, Stuart remained active in the St. Maarten community. He has remained in close touch with the general public in areas ranging from youth affairs, environment, sports and culture, just to name a few . In December 2005, he launched his own foundation, named Youth Link Foundation, which he currently serves as the president. Additionally, he continued to take the initiative with clean up campaigns in the districts of Cay Hill and Middle Region as well as the Guana Bay/Mullet Bay beaches.

As an extremely active community activist Johnson continued being a member of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation, and today, served as the youngest Vice President of the Foundation.

At the end of September, he became the youngest President to be elected to the board of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation as preparations for Carnival 2011 are already underway.  Additionally, he now serves as the Vice-chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of St. Maarten Postal Services.

“There have been few people as active in politics and in the community on the island as Stuart Johnson.” Stuart, in all aspects of the word, truly knows what it is to be a St. Maartener and he loves his beloved island, dearly.” – DP 50th Anniversary Special Supplement of the TODAY newspaper.

For those who know him, they will say, “this is just the beginning…”

The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association honors individuals for their outstanding performances. The organizing committee is calling out to the community of St. Maarten to nominate an individual they know. Individuals, who have been nominated in previous years, can be nominated again. “We ask you to please write why you would like to nominate the particular individual”. “Let the person or organization shine” says May-Ling Chun co-organizer of the event.

Nominations can be submitted until November 12th, 2010.  For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail:info@shta.com, or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: mchun@eyemc.net

For more information go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com

The awards consists of 5 categories and a total of 15 awards that will be given for those who really make our hospitality industry, trade and community go round.  This year there are 3 new awards: Outstanding youth achievement award, outstanding public sector achievement award and restaurateur of the year award. There are also some changes with existing awards, namely: the outstanding community service Achievement award has been split in two: one dedicated to organizations and the other to individuals. Additionally, the Journalism Award will not be in the category for voting, but will be chosen by the CPA judging committee based on submissions from journalists.

So far Three nominations are in; Mr. Tadzio Bervoets from the Nature Foundation for Outstanding Environment Award, Mr. Rajesh Chintaman for Outstanding Community Service Award (Individual), Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders, and Belvedere Housing and Tenant Association for Outstanding Community Award (Organization).

SHTA encourages the community to visit us on Facebook: “Crystal Pineapple Awards” and stay up to date on the latest nominations. Last year, a total of over 50 nominations were received. A selection committee will choose the final nominees for each category.

The award winners are chosen based on their contribution to tourism and the community, achievements described in their nomination form as well as the outcome of an online poll. St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association will have the support of Price Waterhouse Coopers for the auditing of the nominations voting system. This is the third year and SHTA is pleased to have PWC as a partner in this wonderful event once again.

The St. Maarten hospitality and Trade Association honors individuals for their outstanding performances. The organizing committee is calling out to the community of St. Maarten to nominate an individual they know. Individuals, who have been nominated in previous years, can be nominated again. “We ask you to please write why you would like to nominate the particular individual”. “Let the person or organization shine” says May-Ling Chun co-organizer of the event.

Nominations can be submitted until November 15th, 2010.  For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail:info@shta.com, or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: mchun@eyemc.net

The Netherlands Antilles flag was lowered in front of the Courthouse at the stroke of midnight Saturday, October 9th and the St. Maarten flag was hoisted to mark symbolically the end of one era and the birth of new Country St. Maarten, rounding off a decade of lobbying, negotiations and agreements.

The folded Netherlands Antilles flag was presented to the St. Maarten Museum to preserve as a symbol of the dismantled Netherlands Antilles. With the St. Maarten song playing in the background, roars of applause rang out from the crowd that gathered to witness the ceremony when the St. Maarten flag, designed by Roselle “Rosie” Richardson in 1985, was hoisted.

This was followed by fireworks and a celebratory mood as officials embraced and congratulated each other on St. Maarten’s increased autonomy. The national anthem of the Netherlands, the Wilhelmus, the anthem of the Netherlands Antilles, and the St. Maarten song had been played earlier in the
ceremony.

Calling the occasion “momentous” and “historical,” former Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt, who was appointed Acting Governor on Sunday, lauded the “dignified manner” in which country status had been achieved without violence – a point echoed by Dutch Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin.

St. Maarten Flag

The St. Maarten flag was adopted in June 1985 and was officially hoisted for the first time in front of the Government Administration Building in the same year.

The color red in the flag represents solidarity and courage; while white stands for peace and friendliness and blue represents the environment, such as the skies, beaches and seas. The coat of arms in the flag depicts the Court House in Philipsburg; the island’s national flower the yellow sage and St. Maarten’s national bird the Brown Pelican in flight with the sun as its backdrop. It also has a silhouette of the border monument and the words “Semper pro grediens” (latin for ‘ever moving forward’) towards the bottom.

For more information you can go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com

“Wes for Pres” show by funny man Stephen Westmaas will be held this weekend at the Philipsburg Cultural Center. Westmaas (stage name Wesje) is known in his native country for being able to bring the house down; as he proved here last year at his first performance in St. Maarten.

Wesje’s “Wes for Pres” (President) is a huge hit in Suriname. A satiric, hilariously funny look at reality in the South American republic, it’s this show that anchored Wesje as a brand name. “I started doing this show before the elections (of May 25). It makes people think about the way we should all work together to achieve advancement for our country,” Wesje said.

During his performances, he inhabits his comical Surinamese personas like a chameleon and delves into Suriname politics, giving his own spin on real life incidents.   “The shows will be great; anyone who speaks Dutch and can appreciate a good comedian will be able to enjoy it,” said organizer Benschop.

Wesje performs this Friday October 8th and Saturday October 9th  at Phillipsburg Cultural Centre on Back Street. The show starts at 8:00pm.

For more information go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com

Elektra and The Positive Foundation have teamed up to organize a series of events throughout the entire month of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Calendar of Events:

PINK PARADE DATE: October 1
PINK PARADE TIME: 4:30 pm
PINK PARADE ROUTE: Starts at John Larmonie Centre on Longwall Road,
moves on to Front Street, down Diamond Casino alley and up the boardwalk to St. Rose Café.

The PINK PARADE is in recognition of those who have lost their lives to breast
cancer, those who have survived it and those who are still engaged in the
struggle against it. It is important that these individuals know that the thoughts
and prayers of the island are with them while they strive to beat this disease.

Other events planned for October include the following:
• FREE clinical screenings at various doctors’ offices.
• Radio featured women and breast health
• LADY B PINK CARPET EVENT: October 8, 9 and 10.
• PINK PHIT AND PHABULOUS: October 17 – WALK A THON and spa day @
Port de Plaisance
• TAG ME PINK: October 22
• GALA BREAST CANCER MOVIE NIGHT: October 27 – CARIBBEAN CINEMAS

For more information go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com

Businessman Vincent Doncher received a lifetime achievement award during the gala event organized by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau to mark World Tourism Day. Doncher, best known as owner of Beach Island Store in Philipsburg, was honored along with five other local St. Maarteners who have contributed to various sectors of the island.

Honored were hotelier and community worker Jacinth Bryan Labega; everyone’s favorite baggage handler and trolley operator at the airport Nestor “Neste” Dunkin, who is a young 70 years of age; businessman and a person to whom many refer as the “father” of the marine industry in St. Maarten Bobby Velasquez; Herve “Baker” Emmanuel famous for “Bakers St. Maarten” mixed drinks; and the late Erwin “Bacco” Richardson for the years he spent developing sports on the island, in particular Little League Baseball and sports tourism.

Although those persons hailed from various backgrounds, the central theme for the evening was “Tourism and Biodiversity,” the international theme for World Tourism Day 2010.

In his address to the gathering, Commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson said biodiversity must be healthy for tourism to be sustainable. Unfortunately, he said, the world is losing “this remarkable asset at a rather alarming rate due to the fact that we emphasize development at all and any cost.”

He praised the work of local environmental groups for raising awareness, particularly among the youth. “They keep both government and developers on their toes, obliging them to consider both the short-term and long-term. Invited guests, from media to environmental workers, were treated to appetizers and dinner, entertained by MC Beau Beau and by Connis  Vanterpool and his band. Tourist Bureau head Regina Labega also delivered her World Tourism Day address.

Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald September 28th, 2010

For more information go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com

For Happy Hour, Industry Party & Art Now who is back playing Italian Classics on his accordion.

For more information go to our website www.visitstmaarten.com