MIDDLE CAICOS ISLAND

Latest from Middle Caicos

DECEMBER 2012

With luck the causeway project will finally begin!! Funds have been allocated, contract awarded and work due to begin ANY day now. Come and see an amazing transfomration underway. Remember the special Boxing Day Bambarra Beach Picnic, December 26, 2012, 11am to 4pm. Food, fun and music on the beach.

OCTOBER 2012

DANIEL'S CAFE - reopens for Lunch and Sunday Lobster Brunch with new menus, a pet flamingo and some giant Panulirus argus (mention this word for a special prize)

SEPTEMBER 2012

Remodeling took place at Daniel's Cafe in September in preparation for the upcoming tourist season. New countertop in the kitchenfor more workspace, repainted the interior, shelves with a great display of MCCo-op items for sale, games table and more.

JUNE 2012

CRABFEST JUNE 30

Daniels Cafe will be serving food at the beach DURING CRABFEST !! This year DEVON will be cooking up a storm - so stop by and support his good cookin'! Cracked Conch, Fried Fish, Homemade Bread, Crab 'n Rice, Mac 'n Cheese...all your favorites hot and ready for you to enjoy!!

MCCO-OP : Seniors Workshops
Heritage,culture and native crafts are taken for granted in the modern world. Something wonderful happens here in the Turks and Caicos, supported by the Middle Caicos Co-op - local artisans can produce their work for a fair price while tourists can take home a true piece of local handiwork. The islands of North and Middle Caicos are home to fine craftsfolk making everything from baskets and bags to brooms and boats.

The MCCo-op now gathers local elders together on Middle Caicos together every Thursday for a workshop. Here they construct and decorate woven bags using fanner grass and palm fronds, make brooms and baskets, and discuss how to translate these skills down the ages to keep the tradition alive. It is wonderful to spend some time with these lovely people who were most welcoming, sharing stories of the old days and new and demonstrating their traditional handcrafts.

Come by any Thursday from10-1 and join in the workshop yourself, try your hand under expert guidance! The elders will be happy to help you get started! Visit the Conch Bar Artisan Studio from 10-4 Tuesday to Sunday for the largest collection of handcrafts in TCI!!.

MARCH 2012

DEVON'S BABY IS HERE

On Wednesday March 7th, a beautiful 9.8 lb baby girl came to planet earth! Devon and Charlotte are the proud parents of the lovely Devonna, a sweet baby with a quiet smile.

Handmade in TCI Wholesale Depot Opens in Provo

In March the new Handmade in TCI Wholesale Dept opens its doors, with local crafts and products from over ten artisans currently in stock. Building on the success of the MCCO-op in generating interest and income for traditional TCI handcrafts, the Depot aims to bring together local artisans and artists to present a variety of local items and products for wholesale purchase. Hoping to intrigue new retail outlets with the convenience of having many TCI items availble in one place, and hoping to bring together current retailers to further promote the full range of TCI items available, the Depot will operate as a co-operative. Email handmadeintci@gmail.com for more info!

New North Caicos -Middle Caicos map arrives
Coming in the March/April issue of the WhereWhenHow magazine, the new map for North and Middle Caicos brings ever more clarity to the roads throughout both islands and the businesses at your service! This map has hugely increased the viability and visibility for day trips to North and Middle Caicos, and the efforts of Chuck and Brenda Zdenek to be highly commended for making this all possible.

Included are highlights of both islands for visitors, blow up maps of villages and listings for all sorts of businesses : accommodation, boat charters, bars, cafes, car rental, grocery, liquor store,real estate, tour operators - and more. It is included in the magazine distribution and separately available throughout the year at the airport, ferry service, car rentals and other outlets. Watch for it - coming soon! Check it out on the www.WhereWhenHow.com website

FEBRUARY 2012

February 11, 2012

VALENTINES DAY CUP MODEL SAILBOAT RACES
BAMBARRA BEACH , Saturday February 11th, 2012 11am to 4:30 pm further details here

Valentines Day Cup 2012 - Race Results
It was a bright sunny day on Bambarra beach, with great food, music and energy - but little breeze so the challenge was difficult to get the boats around the course! The Middle Caicos Sailing Association wishes to thank everyone who came over and made the day fun for all!!

RACE RESULTS : 2012

Class A : boats over 40 inches
1st:Mike Robertson “The Banana”, 2nd:Dr. Sam Slattery “NHIP”, 3rd:Jason Heart "TannedToucan”

Class B : boats between 24 and 36inches
1st:Sydney Lawson “Miss Val”, 2nd:Tom Higgins “Flashback”, 3rd:Boz Bozwell “Osprey”

Class C : boats up to 24 inches
1st:Leshawn Forbes “What a boy” 2nd: Jadan Lewis “Red red wine” , 3rd : Ella Foley “Wee Thing I”

Ladies Challenge – open race
1st:Heather Urfey “ForbesFlyer”, 2nd : Lizzie Baldwin "TannedToucan”, 3rd : Ella Foley “SeaStar”

Oldest Captain trophy went to Carlin Forbes, age 84

Youngest Captain trophy went to Alison Fulford, age 7

The Church of God of Prophecy cooked up a storm and raised over a thousand dollars for their roof fund, and the MCSA cleared over $600 from bar and t-shirt/cap sales toward new boat purchases! This is a not for profit event held each year, and your support keeps it growing strong. A special thanks ISLANDCOM for "adopting" the event, and to all the 2012 sponsors, volunteers and helpers: TCI Tourist Board, Forbes, Forbes & Forbes Ltd, Big Blue, 92.5 /Kenny, Daniels Café, Middle Caicos Co-op, Caribbean Cruisin, Liquors Plus, Quality Supermarket, Daniel Forbes, Brodie Forbes, John Lawson, Mark Parrish, David Bowen, Bobby Ball, Devon Forbes, Ricky James, Akila Forbes, Jody Rathgreb, Tom Higgins, Liz Baldwin, Sara Kaufman, Dave & Patricia Baldwin, Herbert Forbes, Dwight Hall, Randy Hall, Berma Bellarosa –

And to all our MCSA fleet boat owners, corporate sponsors and enthusiasts – thank you for keeping this sport alive! The Middle Caicos Sailing Association really appreciates your help!

JANUARY 2012

Whale Watching at Daniels Cafe!
The migration is definitely on! Since early January humpback whales have been sighted just off the shore of Conch Bar on their annual migration to the Silver Banks north of the Dominican Republic. Over 40 sightings have been logged so far, from gentle puffs of spray as the whales blow, to glistening black bodies breaking the surface of the sea, to tail flips as they dive, and to playful rolling, waving and wallowing performances!

So come for the day, sit on the porch at Daniels Cafe, enjoy a great meal and keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of these mysterious and magical creatures through the end of March. Call 946-6132 for cafe details, or visit www.middlecaicos.biz

January 23 2012

Big Blue EcoTourism Awards
In the true spirit of recognition and promotion, Big Blue hosted a fun evening at the OPUS on January 23rd 2012, to celebrate Ecotourism in TCI! With a short film to introduce their activities in North and Middle Caicos, the evening then moved to an awards event to recognize those whose contribution to ecotourism in TCI should be noted and recognized - to the surprise of all invited.

Daniel Forbes and Sara Kaufman were awarded for their consistent, even stubborn, efforts since 1998 to keep TCI handcrafts flourishing and visible through the Middle Caicos Co-op. Starting in 1998 with a few friends and six artisans the MCCo-op pays directly for TCI handcrafts when delivered, and then, as a not for profit operation, takes care of marketing, distribution and sales. In 2011, with over 40 artisans, many dedicated volunteers, a monthly market on Provo, several retail outlets buying wholesale from the MCCo-op and a production studio outlet on Middle Caicos, the MCCo-op is undeniably the engine for traditional TCI handcrafts. The income is critical for many elder artisans on both North and Middle Caicos and the survival of the native straw work nurtured through these efforts. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact middlecaicos.tci@gmail.com

Other Big Blue ecotourism partners awarded were Parrot Cay-Shambala Resort, and the Heart of the Islands tour team of Susan Butterfield, Mac Campbell and Cardinal Arthur. It was a well received event, bringing ecotourism in TCI to ever greater visibility and continuing Big Blue's leadership in this field. For more go to www.bigblueunlimited.com

Guided Cliff walks : every Tuesday at 8:30 am
January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st - step out along the cliffs with Sara - enjoy the spectacular scenery and for the next few months, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of the HUMPBACK WHALES!

Yes indeed, it is whale watching season again. Three sightings this month so far, and many more to come. Th cliff walk is the perfect place to view the open sea along the coast and the whales are in motion. So get up early, grab the first ferry and come along for a great time.

For those less inclined to hike, Daniel's Cafe has a fabulous seaside patio where you can watch these graceful creatures glide smoothly by....or flap a flipper at you if you're lucky. Call 946-6132 for reservations

CAICU NANIKI : Sports Tourism arrives to TCI!!
A new Sports Adventure tour company on Provo, Caicu Naniki, has begun day excursions to Middle Caicos to trek the Crossing Place trail from the main headland , along the beaches and across the cliffs to Mudjin Harbour! Afterwards we will proceed to The Middle Caicos Co-op for a demonstration of local handcrafts and then a fabulous lunch at Daniel's Cafe by the Sea.

Co-founder Chloe Zimmermann said, "Middle Caicos spectacular sights always surprise and delight newcomers. We want to share this incredible experience with visitors who come to Provo and show them this hidden paradise."

Caicu Naniki means "Island reef where the festive spirit lives" in the language of the Taino Indians, the original inhabitants of these islands. More information on trekking in Middle Caicos with Caicu Naniki and other excursions in the Turks & Caicos and Northern Haiti can be found at their website www.caicunaniki.com.

North & Middle Caicos Accomodation Directory
Finally ......... a consolidated resource for those wishing to stay on North and Middle Caicos!! Coming in January, both a print and online version will be available, describing the accommodation options on both islands. Few realize we have over 70 beds on Middle Caicos and nearly 400 on North Caicos - plenty of room for all in this eco-tourism paradise.

Accommodation options include hotel, guest houses, B & B, self-catering cottages, apartments, villas - on the beach, with pools, in the villages - your choice! The islands of North and Middle Caicos offer a vast array of activities, all based on the natural beauty and cultural history of the islands, with friendly folk to escort you and guide you anytime, anywhere. Check it out and plan your trip soon.

Please contact middlecaicos.tci@gmail.com for further information. And stay in touch as the North & Middle Caicos Business Directory comes forward : advertisers welcome. Register your business now!!

+1 (649) 946-6132 and
+1 (649) 231-4884

More info Email: middlecaicos@tciway.tc

2012 CALENDARS ARE HERE!
Middle Caicos co-op is very proud to announce the arrival of the 2012 "Middle Caicos Exposed" calendars. A lovely collection of black and white photographs by Siri White, it makes a special gift for yourself or for friends, or for your employees....This is now the fifth year the calendar has been produced, and each year is a chance to celebrate the living cultural history of Middle Caicos.

The calendars are produce by The Middle Caicos Co-op ar part of the mission to promote the dignity and lifestyle found on Middle Caicos, and to encourage all to take the time to visit this island.

To order please email middlecaicos.tci@gmail.com. Discounts for bulk orders are offered.