Summer 2013

Middle Caicos Co-op : Production Outlet

TCI handcraft hands at workIt is now sparkling clear that the MCCo-op studio in Conch Bar is indeed a working production facility!  Who knew how many palmtops it takes to braid a fathom of straw plait? Or how often the tops can be harvested without damaging the plant? How long does it take to properly dry and prepare 500 palmtops? How long to braid 10 fathoms of 11 string and 19 string plait?

Thank you to McLarney Construction of California for an order of 200 straw plait beach bags, which has forced a new level of organization, efficiency and creativity forward to the artisans and the MCCo-op.  Even sorting out these questions has been a wonderful experience for all, and brings a fresh spurt of growth and energy to the MCCO-op efforts to keep TCI heritage culture alive.

This is truly a communal project with 4 person collecting tops, 13 persons drying and braiding plait, 3 persons cutting and setting up bags, one hearty stitching queen plus several odd job volunteers picking up fabric, finding thread or needles when needed and remembering the pinking shears!!   The continued interest in straw work – hand made in TCI – is fabulous. Filling custom orders for straw-work products is an amazing  opportunity for the MCCo-op to generate ongoing income for the local artisans and maybe your company or organization needs a signature gift handmade in TCI!!    Outreach to younger TCI folk to become artisans moves ahead this year with a program in collaboration with the North Caicos  high school for summer apprentices. If you wish further info on custom products, wish to volunteer with the MCCo-op or have a creative idea for new straw products, your input is always welcome. Visit www.middlecaicos.biz or email middlecaicos.tci@gmail.com anytime, and thanks!

Causeway Repairs Almost Done!

The North Caicos / Middle Caicos causeway is definitely improved and repairs almost completed. With truly astounding speed and consistency, the causeway route is rapidly being transformed. It is already 15 minutes less time to drive from Conch Bar to Sandy Point by car!! The construction team is steadily working on each portion – the road surface, the side banks, the new water bridge, the North Caicos access road – and these efforts are making sweeping changes. The long run from the main road corner on the hill all the way down the slope to Toby Rock was the first change and it became a smoother and smoother run. Then removal of all the old broken light standards, cement borders, iron rebar, pipes and rubble has made a fabulous fresh impression as one approaches the causeway and the construction work. And the actual surface of the causeway road across the water is being lifted, linings repaired, new curry poured, smoothed , rolled and edges carefully ticked under large boulders placed on the sloping side banks. Then the new water bridge to allow free flow of the sea through five open culvert boxes has been fun to watch emerge. An actual doughnut of temporary roads was created around the bridge section, with nightlights and screening to keep us safe, while the central area was then pumped dry to build the cement bridge and culverts : truly a fascinating process to drive by each day. Indeed it certainly has taken a while to get this work underway……. five years after the 2008 damage from Hurricanes Hanna and Ike….but better late than never. Come visit soon and enjoy the comfortable ride along the green open acres and across the sparkling turquoise sea!!

Sailboat House

Conch Bar It is a dream finally come true! In downtown Conch Bar, on Taylor Highway, an original local house has been transformed into a showcase for the traditional gum-elemi model sailboats made famous by the Valentines Day Cup. This little house has bright new window trim and a picnic table outside for you to lounge and talk with the elders on hand. Inside the display includes interpretive information about the model boats, repair tools and table, with the fleet of the Middle Caicos Sailing Association proudly displayed. Over 30 boats from 15 inches long to 54 inches long, fully rigged, and happily painted await your inspection. Donations to the MCSA are always welcome, or maybe buy a boat to carry home and have some fun? It is also possible to buy a boat to donate to the MCSA fleet to help us keep this wonderful traditional sport alive. For 2013-2014 tourist season a weekly race day at Bambarra beach, with picnic under the shade trees is being planned – Come and visit soon.

 

MIDDLE CAICOS CALENDAR 2014

The 2014 Middle Caicos Co-op calendar is moving in a new direction this year! As the network of the MCCo-op keeps expanding the range of truly “Handmade in TCI ” products, it is time to recognize the wide range of artisans and products now available. With an improved design, the calendar will be available in the traditional small format card style, and now also available in a larger wall hanging style with photo above a blank month page. For 2014, the title is  Artisans of the Middle Caicos Co-op, with a great collection of portraits representing artisans from Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos. Our cover girls for 2014 are sisters Lois and Maria McIntosh  from Bottle Creek.  . Once again, photographer Siri White has produced lively black and white images,catching these smiling folk at their work. Please contact us soon to order your calendars

CRABFEST 2013

Saturday June 29th, 2013, all day on Bambarra Beach, Middle Caicos.Call TCI Ferry on 2314191 for combo tickets ferry & bus!!