The World Museum of Rotterdam, Holland featured an exposition titled “The Legacy of Slavery” for one year from November of 2003 to 2004. It was a cooperative effort by curators and historians in Holland, Curaçao,  and Suriname, which all contributed artifacts and documents of the slave trade in Holland, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles.

Beginning in July of 2006, Curaçao hosted the exposition at Banda Bou Landhuis Groot Santa Martha in Soto, and historians have kindly loaned the Curaçao, materials to a group from Aruba that will put it on public display at the Aruba National Archives beginning on March 1.

Leading this group is Margriet Lee, Project Coordinator, and Shakira Croes of the Aruba National Archives. Felix de Rooy, a Curaçao native organized the Dutch and Curaçao exhibition, which was designed by Rene Wissink, and De Rooy is contributing to the Aruba exposition that will open in March along with Minerva Lauffer and Thirso Marta of Curaçao. On Wednesday evening, organizers met with a number of Aruban artists who answered the call to interpret and contribute their work regarding “The Legacy of Slavery” in the Dutch Caribbean.

Evelino Fingal, designer of Aruba’s money, is the chief designer of the exposition on Aruba. Contributing artists are Gerda Faber, Timothy Charles, Sherry Douglas, Stanley Kuiperi, Caresse Issings, Vera Croes, Danilo Geerman, Maria Teresa Madariaga, Munye Oduber-Winklaar, Julie Merencia, Ryan Oduber, Alydia Wever, Belinda de Veer, Ruurd van der Meulen, Rina Frank, Irene Peterson, Juancho Dijkhoff, Eefje van der Straten, Osaira Muyale, Carmen Geerman and Vanessa Paulina.

Original organizers of the exposition felt that the history of slavery, shared by all inhabitants of the Netherlands Antilles, Surinam and the Netherlands, is still not sufficiently recognized and passed on to succeeding generations, and that it is vital to “reveal the past to gain strength.” Although Aruba has not been thought to be included among the islands that harbored slavery, according to historian Luc Alofs, it had its own, albeit small, slave population.

The exposition and education regarding slavery on Aruba and other territories of the Dutch Kingdom will be a cooperative effort involving personnel of the National Library of Aruba, Department of Culture, and Pedagogical Institute of Aruba (IPA) in San Nicolas. IPA is starting an informative program for the four months that the slavery exposition will be on display, which includes study materials and visiting lecturers for the fifth and sixth grades of Aruba’s primary schools.

The exposition includes hundreds of artifacts, which are testimonies of slavery in the Dutch Kingdom, such as original illustrations, videos of recollections by the descendents of slaves, mannequins dressed in the slave garb of Curaçao, and the treasure of maroon slaves, those that managed to run away. All the history and information regarding the materials will be displayed in Dutch, Papiamento and English, so as to inform and enlighten all interested parties regarding this important aspect of the history of Aruba and Curaçao.

Source: The News

Over twenty years ago, a group of annual visitors to Aruba who usually winter here at the Aruba Beach Club and Casa del Mar Resorts formed a foundation called Friends of the Handicapped. Founded by Keith Jones and his wife Wilma, who are now deceased, their numbers have swelled and dwindled over the years, but a core group is back again to continue their work of “giving back” to the island that is their winter home.

Friends of the Handicapped (FOTH) began their fundraising efforts among members of the Aruba Beach Club by collecting donations at Sunday Mass conducted in the social room every week. This tradition grew to organized events that have raised over one million dollars to benefit a number of worthy foundations on Aruba. In 2007, at the end of their stay, the members of FOTH, headed by President Art Stark, donated checks to fifteen groups for specialized projects, and showed they have expanded their fundraising efforts to include not only the physically and mentally challenged, but also care for the elderly, Aruba’s Red Cross, terminal cancer patient care, and other worthwhile foundations.

Three key events contribute to the bulk of their fundraising. They include Superbowl Sunday lottery tickets, a gala Sweetheart’s Dinner Dance in the Radisson Ballroom on Valentine’s Day, and new from last year, but very successful, a bingo evening in the Marriott Ballroom organized by FOTH member Dave Ulmschneider.

A FOTH member is on duty in the Casa del Mar lobby every day from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6:45 until 7:45 p.m. selling squares on the Superbowl Sunday lottery. They cost $20 and the grand prize on each of eight boards is $750 for picking the winning scores, and $250 for reverse scores. There are raffle tickets available for drawings during both the Superbowl and on Valentine’s Day, which awards valuable prizes donated by many local vendors. To purchase tickets for the Sweetheart’s Dinner Dance and raffle tickets for fine jewelry, weekend stays and dinners for two at some of Aruba’s finest restaurants, contact Art Stark or his wife Alma at telephone number  567-4102 or 586-3273 or  Dave at 568-8199. Tickets to the dance are also available from Anoushka at the Executive Office in the Casa del Mar, and from the concierge desk in the Radisson Resort. During this delightful event with music from Tico Croes and the Crystal Breeze Band, over ninety prizes are raffled, and there is a silent auction for dinners, weekend stays, and fine art which has been donated by some of Aruba’s best artists.

Saturday, February 9, is the date for this year’s charity bingo, with prizes ranging from 250 Aruban florins to a grand prize of 5,000 Aruban florins for the final full card game. Cost for a packet to play ten games with four cards to a sheet is 20 Aruban florins or $12. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the games beginning at 8:00 p.m. Bingo sheets and raffle tickets are available in the Marriott Ballroom lobby from 5:00 p.m.

The Friends of the Handicapped have not only added spice to the activities on Aruba with their Superbowl and Valentine’s Day events, they have enriched the lives of those less fortunate and become a part of the community during their visit. They donate their time unstintingly to assist Aruba’s foundations in their important work, and invite all visitors to join them in their efforts by enjoying the wonderful events they organize for a good cause!

Source: The News

Thanks to the island’s government, Moomba Beach Bar, Holiday Inn Sunpress Resort, and Playa Linda Beach Resort a giant project of beach maintenance was just concluded on Aruba’s famed Palm Beach.

The first portion of ocean front to be scoured was the one in front of Moomba Beach, where a stretch of 60 X 50 meters of swimming area was completely restored in three stages, a process which took 25 working days.

Sea Solutions NV with Ulysses Matarozzi spearheaded the project. During the first 10 days Sea Solutions N.V. used a net to remove all plastic, aluminum, seaweed, and waste that doesn’t belongs in a natural sea environment, and to bring it to the surface and bag it ready for delivery to the dump.

In this process approximately 4,000 kilo, in other words four tons of non-organic matter and seaweed emerged from the bottom of the sea.

In the next phase which also lasted 10 days Sea Solutions N.V. used a suction pump to remove approximately 600 cubic yards of mud from the ocean floor. The mud, a natural organic sediment, which serves as a very good nutrient for sea life, was discharge at sea, far away from the intake point and the swimming areas.

In the third phase which lasted for five days Sea Solutions N.V. pumped in 300 cubic yards of clean sand into that same area where the mud was removed forming an unspoiled white coat of sand at the bottom area.

At the end of 25 work days the beach was totally recuperated and ready for visitors and locals who enjoy it, in its pristine state.

As a result of Ulysses efforts a number of charter operators, among them the Jolly Pirates, vowed to switch to serving drinks in an eco-friendly plastic cup which dissolves in sea water and is available here from Aruba Supplies & Distribution.

Aruba’s adorable kid, can now play on a beach clean, at the Holiday Inn Sunspree and at Moomba Beach.

Ulysses originally started working on Palm Beach when he was hired by the government to install the buoys and ropes designating the swim zones; he later offered his services to the resorts maintaining that swimming area system intact and free of stinging algae and barnacles. While at work, Ulysses started collecting wind-blown plastics, aluminum, and other inorganic waste from the sea floor on a weekly basis, helped by a team of maintenance snorkelers. The rest is history; Ulysses is now performing maintenance work on the beaches full time.

For more information contacts Ulysses Matarozzi, Sea Solutions N.V.,                seasolutionsaruba@hotmail.com

Story submitted by Rona Coster

Golden Tulip Bucuti Beach Resort & Tara Beach Suites has been selected as one of the top hotels in the category
Best for Romance — World, Latin America/Caribbean

Selected by the largest travel community in the world, TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards showcase the hotels who have earned their distinction from those who know them best — real travelers. Only TripAdvisor’s hotel awards represent the opinions of millions of travelers. The winners were determined by a combination of the highest traveler ratings and the TripAdvisor Popularity Index, a measurement of overall traveler satisfaction.

Best kept pizza secret in town is Pizza Bob’s tucked away behind Costa Linda Beach Resort and the Bucuti Beach Resort & Tara Suite, adjacent to the Alhambra Casino in the low-rise hotel area.

This lovely outdoor terrace serves amazing gourmet pizza, in an open air casual atmosphere. The restaurant is managed by Adriana Sanchez, a true believer in personal touch and customer satisfaction. Her hands-on management style pays off, Pizza Bob’s is hopping, especially weekends, with live music and even the delivery man is busy walking to the nearby resorts, with signature just-made pies.

Pizza Bob’s specialty, passion and living soul are the famous pies. Pizza Bob, an actual, real-life person, has been in love with pizza since his early days growing up on the south side of Chicago. He got the recipe from friends and family members that own Bill’s Pizza Pub, a famous pizza restaurant in Chicago that has been open since 1957. He then brought it down to Aruba, and continued his travel entrusting the recipes to Adriana, just before leaving!!! Needless to say, she takes a lot of pride in her pizza; each one is made to order with fresh ingredients and low fat skim milk cheese imported all the way from Wisconsin. This is as good as it gets!

You may build your own pizza, all pizzas come with fresh mozzarella and seasonings, and toppings include Italian Sausage, Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Onions, Green Peppers, Spinach, Black Olives, Garlic, Anchovies, Ham, Pineapple, Jalapeno, Grilled Chicken & Tomatoes.

Story submitted by Rona Coster

The Aruba Trading Company invited a select group of wine aficionados to experience a unique wine dinner at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino, featuring the heritage of Robert Mondavi, and wine maker Gustavo Gonzales.

Gonzales, associate wine maker at Robert Mondavi Winery for the red wine program, in Napa Valley, California, came to Aruba for the occasion for just one evening.

Robert Mondavi Winery, says Jorge Curiel, Sales & Marketing Manager Wines, Aruba Trading Company, is ranked among the world’s best, and Gonzales shipped some of its greatest wines to Aruba to be paired with an award-winning menu, prepared by chef Matt Boland and the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino culinary team.

Among the wines sipped and enjoyed Mondavi’s Napa Valley Fume Blanc, Mondavi Carneros Chardonnay, Mondavi Napa Valley Merlot and Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003 as well as Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc Bortritus, for dessert.

The Robert Mondavi Winery, says Gonzales, is recognized as a leader in the wine industry. The Winery has always been at the forefront of wine industry technology, utilizing gentle winemaking techniques to increase wine quality and natural farming and to protect people and the environment. “We make the best wine that we can make each year, and contribute to gracious lifestyles and good living, which is the Winery’s simple philosophy,” he adds.

The evening took off with special hors d’oeuvres of Plantain Tostones with Shredded Garlic Pork and Spicy Papaya-Lime Salsa; Cucumber Cups with Caribbean Red Snapper Ceviche; Toasted Maize Canapés with Smoked Chipotle Cream and Wild Mushrooms; Spicy Wahoo and Shrimp Fritters with Island Pineapple-Chile Dipping Sauce; and Sweet Plantain with Gouda, Lobster Claw and Anise-Vanilla Glaze.

As dinner was served diners enjoyed Pumpkin-Fennel Pancake with Grouper Fillet, Green Papaya Salad, Lime and Cilantro for appetizer. The main course featured a mini White Cornmeal Ayaka, Carne Mechada of Duck with Roasted Shallots, Hazelnut and Morels, Wrapped in Banana Leaf as well as Conch-Stuffed Prime Filet Mignon with Grilled Peppers and Aruban Funchi. The dessert Coconut-Crusted Chocolate Soufflé with Fresh Berries and Vanilla Ice Cream, was a crowd-pleaser.

Compliments to the Aruba Trading Company, Robert Mondavi and the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino for the much-appreciated perfect presentation. Dinner was also attended by Sandrina Garrigue, Regional Portfolio Manager for Stansfeld Scott Inc., who manage and market the Robert Mondavi Winery in the Caribbean.

Story submitted by Rona Coster

Sunquest, a popular Canadian tour operator and the Aruba Tourism Authority, in conjunction with the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino are currently hosting the Entertainment Tonight TV crew and celebrities during a filming of a Beach Hop segment in Aruba.

The Beach Hop spot is being aired across Canada right as we speak, beginning January 7th for 4 weeks in combination with an online contest, which is intended to generate excitement among Canadian viewers leading up to the airing of the Beach Hop segments in February with a chance to win a trip to the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino, among other five dream locations.

The winner will be announced during the Aruba Beach hop episode.

Check out the contest link here or go to the “Gallery” section for more.

Sunquest is very pleased to showcase the destination of Aruba to Canadians this winter and hope the ET media exposure will benefit the island as well as strengthen the partnership between Sunquest and Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino.

Pictured here Canadian celebrities Melissa, Missy, Peregrym, actress, she is the personality in the show and is on TV’s popular series “Heroes,” her guests Amanda Peregrym and Cassandra Peregrym and Tej Bhatia, her agent, on the beach of the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino with Lily Polsbroek, the resort’s senior sales manager and Francis Jacobs of the Aruba Tourism Authority, also pictured Angela Tamara Smith, producer, Peter Ventura, ET cameraman, and Russell Weston, host.

Story submitted by Rona Coster

Tierra Del Sol Resort Spa & Country Club signed a construction agreement with TCCD NV for the construction of thirty brand new condominiums. Following the sell-out success of Las Palmas I a neighborhood with 27 two & three bedroom deluxe units, Tierra Del Sol Real Estate division decided to go ahead and build the second phase.

Managing Director David Brown signed the agreement on behalf of Tierra del Sol Real Estate while Jarvis Larmonie Division Manager for Thiel Corporation Construction Division and Director Anthony Thiel, inked the legal document on behalf of TCCD NV.

Las Palmas II will include 6 different styles of condominiums, 2 and 3 bedrooms, one and two story, with gorgeous views of Palm Beach and the ocean from all second floors, nicely finished from tiles to state of the art appliances.

In addition to building Las Palma II, TCCD NV was also contracted to build the five last homes of Miramar, an-almost-sold-out hill top neighborhood overlooking Palm Beach.

The Las Palmas II thirty luxury condominiums are scheduled for completion in 2009, with features that include roof top balconies or private court yards for optional Jacuzzi and barbeque, built under the supervision of HJC Engineering NV.

Las Palmas also features free standing two story, 3 bedroom villas with condo services, priced from-mid US$500K, garages included.

Pictured here, the official contract signing, David Brown, Roberto Gonzalez, Anthony Thiel and Jarvis Larmonie.

Story submitted by Rona Coster