Thousands of Bahamians and visitors enjoyed The Bahamas National Trust “Christmas Jollification” Arts and Crafts Festival, packing the wide pathways as tightly as Santa’s Bag. Volunteer Trixie Clark said, “Those of us on the gate hardly had time to say hello. We were swamped! It was a perfect afternoon.”
Trolley’s full of rare plants, books and white elephants were already loaded and leaving for the parking lot by 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Orchids and bromeliads nearly sold out during Members Night on Friday. Beryl Sheasby of “Beryl’s Bromeliads” confided, “People tell me the food stalls did best and that I must have been next in volume sold.”
View Jollification pictures in the Bahamas Photo Gallery
Winning the awards for carrying out the theme, “Jingle Shells, Jingle Shells, Christmas by the Sea” were Kimberly Sturrup-Roberts, owner/artist of Bahama Dawn Designs, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, with a quilted mermaid singing the theme and holding a tiny Christmas tree with starfish ornaments; and Dr P’s Creations by Dr Janet Patterson for the Jolly Market, with a shell-studded sign and many shelly creations in ornaments and decorations.
The first Bahamians to taste George Dubouf 2004 Beaujolais Nouveau gathered round Bristol Wines and Spirits Wine Director Rusty Scates to try and to discuss the new vintage. As a major sponsor, Bristol kept spirits high with sampling and recipes of festive spirits such as: Cruzan Rum, Kahlua, and Finlandia Vodka; Courvoisier Crepes, Beefeater Gin; Amarula; Jack Daniels and Red Bull non alcoholic energy drink and mixer, also available now in a non-sugar formula. Fans waited for the Hpnotiq booth to open just as they waited for the champagne at the recent Wine and Arts Festival.
Cacique International dreamed up and executed a remarkable theme again with gauzy, glittery sea critters hanging from the rafters of the Retreat Pavilion, giving an eerie feeling of shopping underwater.
Mrs Lynn Gape, BNT public relations and education officer proclaimed the event a success, as usual, and thanked the many volunteers and sponsors who make the festive event possible and a major source of funds for the work of the Bahamas National Trust.
Those who helped with advertising support include: Amoury Company, ARCOP Ltd., Avis Rent-A-Car, Bahamas Realty, Damianos Realty, Deltec Panamerica Trust Co. Ltd., Family Guardian Insurance Ltd., Graham Real Estate, Graham Thompson and Co., International Merchant Bank Ltd., Insurance Management (Bah.) Ltd., John Bull, Majestic Tours, Royal Bank of Canada, Oceanic Bank, Tyrone and Lynne D’arville, McGregor Robertson and anonymous donors.
Each year, “Jollification ” features a special enclosure for youngsters, the Bluebird Children’s Crafts Area, organised by Linda Pritchard, Sheila Pritchard and Michele Stanhope. It offers magical crafts for children who proudly carry them home by the tray load. This area features a special Blue Bird Juice Bar for kids. East Nassau Rotary and Interact also offered non-alcoholic drinks and water, plus hamburgers for all ages. St Andrews Interact painted cheerful faces.
Among the many outstanding Jollification displays were semiprecious stones and sea glass set into distinctive jewelry; carved conch shells, potcake pillows and bookmarks by Pippa Cole, stunning quilts and wood work. Beyond crafts were the art of Mick Guy, Wild Tamarind Pottery by Dennis Knight, banana leaf sculptures by Christina Maillis, and beach scenes carved in cork by Linda Sands.
Jollification participants this year were: Donnabella Candle Factory; Jessica’s Tileworks, Trinity Designs, ExSTRAWdinary by Wendy Kelly, Susan’s Sea Glass, Sunnybrae Creations, Azureenne Designs, Estuval, Wild Tamarind Pottery, Linda Sands Corkwork, Authentically Cathy, Rome Heyer Stained Glass, Mick Guy Woodworking, Fishbonz, Gladys Sumner Dollhouses, PiCo Crafts. Franklyn Jolly Conch Shell Crafts, MT Pottery, Material Things, Beadworks; The Tinkering Turtle, Sandi George, Quilts by Kathy, Puffs of Pleasure, Floral Treasures, Bahama Dawn Designs, Nadia Campbell Jewellery, Astrid Productions, Island Accessories, Authentically Cathy, Sherri Roberts, Creative Touches, White Elephant, Books, Beryl’s Bromeliads, Eden Farm’s and Nursery, Flamingo Nurseries, Creative Designs by Munroe’s Landscaping, Tall Pines Nursery, Thompson’s Concrete Designs, Bristol Wines & Spirits Bar, Bristol Wines and Spirits Red Bull, Inner Wheel Sweet Shoppe, Ticket and Soda Depot, Original Crab House, Androsian Food Delights, Native Delights, Bristol Wines and Spirits Draft Beer, Bristol Cellars Hpnotiq, Bristol Cellars Cruzan Rum; Jolly Raffle, Bristol Wines & Spirits Courvoisier Crepes, Bristol Wines & Spirits Beaujolais Nouveau, Bristol Wines & Spirits Beefeaters Gin, Bristol Wines & Spirits Finlandia, Soda depot, Greece-Greek Cuisine, Christine Rolle Conch Fritters, Lady D’s Indian Cuisine, Pinoy’s Delights Philippine Cuisine, Bristol Wines & Spirits Amarula, Bristol Wines & Spirits Jack Daniels, Bristol Wines & Spirits Kahlua, Cacique International Catering and Events, Discovery Club Sodas, Rotary Club of East Nassau Hamburger Van, BNT Strength in Numbers & Shop, Bluebird and Mueller’s Children’s Crafts, Bluebird Juice Bar, Desi’s Balloons, Ticket Sales, Davis’ Treats, St.Andrew’s Interact Face Painting. Jolly Market participants included: Rainbow Treats, Ma Wells Kitchen, Blackbeard’s Bahamian Tings, Zonta Club, Bahama Beanies, Dorothy Goldsmith Novelty Hats, Dr. P’s Creations, Heather’s Creations, Create Your Own, Mike Klonaris Photography, Bone Appetite/Bahama Bee, Wind Majjggies, Tina’s Designs, My Ocean, Earthtones, Linda Gill Arahana/Azeleta, Whitcare Bodycare, Island Pieces, Out Essentials, Icon Graphics, IBAHRRU, Something Fishy and Sundrop Creations.
Source: The Nassau Guardian
