Arubans in the News

On August 21 and 23, American author Daniel Putkowski will be signing his novel An Island Away at Samsom Bookstore, Oranjestad, Aruba. In July, readers lined up at Charlie’s Bar in San Nicolas for copies of An Island Away and a chance to meet author Daniel Putkowski. Since then, the entire first shipment of the book to Aruba has sold out. More books arrived last week and two new events have been added to the author’s schedule. This week he will be signing books at the Samsom Bookstore located in the Antraco Retail Center, L.G. Smith Boulevard 126, Oranjestad (near Wendy’s, The Jungle Furniture Store, and the traffic circle by the container port). Ample, free onsite parking is available. The first signing will be Thursday, August 21, from 1 to 4 pm. A second event will be held on Saturday, August 23, from 3 to 6 pm. For directions, call the bookstore at 297-582-3434.

Putkowski sets the stage for a compelling read with the opening line of An Island Away, “Charlie lived in a place where some people’s fantasies were other people’s realities.” As the story unfolds in the heart of San Nicolas, Putkowski makes one thing clear — he is a keen observer of the human condition. Before deciding to live in Aruba, he was a frequent visitor. It was during those visits that he gathered material which became An Island Away. The novel is set mostly in the shadow of Aruba’s refinery, with some real-life characters like the late Charlie Brouns, Jr. of Charlie’s Bar. Readers will recognize other locations including the California Lighthouse, Palm Beach, and the fishing village of Savaneta.

Here the author answers some commonly asked questions:

When did you first come to Aruba and why? I was invited to Aruba in 1994 by friends who lived here. I investigated the possibility of building artificial reefs for sport divers along the northwest coast. At the time, I owned a business in the States that was building reefs in New Jersey and Delaware by sinking ships and concrete pipe.

Why did you choose San Nicolas as the setting for your book? During that first visit in 1994, I went to San Nicolas with the people who invited me to the island. The oil refinery looming in the background reminded me of my own pier in Philadelphia. We stopped at Charlie’s Bar for a drink, met Charlie, Jr., himself, and I thought, “This is my kind of place.”

Your novel is very realistic. How did you conduct research? I had the good fortune to become fast friends with people who were born and raised in the Seroe Colorado Colony at the height of the Esso days. These guys not only told me their stories, but also took me to the places where they happened. My visits to Aruba became more and more frequent and each one was like another episode in a sort of grand soap opera. In some ways, these adventures were like reconstructions of the good old days. Soon I was a friend of their friends, people who ran the gamut of jobs, nationalities, and backgrounds.

Charlie Brouns, Jr. is a featured character in the book. Why? Charlie was a good friend, may he rest in peace. In many ways he was like the ringmaster of a circus. Whether at his bar or his pavilion in Savaneta, he kept the good times going, encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves. At the same time, Charlie had a wit and wisdom that taught life’s lessons to anyone with the patience to listen. I only wish I had spent more time with him before his untimely passing in 2004.

When did you start writing stories? My earliest writing efforts began when I was about ten or eleven. During college, I started a few novels but never finished them. After a long break, I took up the pen again and completed a novel in 2000. That gave me the courage to work seriously and by 2003, I’d finished another one.

Were they published? No, those first two books were practice. They helped me hone my skills and prepared me to take on a story as big as An Island Away.

How long did it take you to write An Island Away? About two years. There was another year of rewriting and editing.

What would you like your readers to take from the book? The characters in my story discover that, for better or worse, life is full of detours. My own life has been the same way. I started out in film school, ended up working in the marine industry for 17 years, and then returned to the creative arts. However, without that detour I might never have written An Island Away. As Charlie always said, “You have to improvise.”

Top right: ‘An Island Away’ book cover

Bottom: Daniel Putkowski (white shirt)

More than 200 physicians, members of AMHE, Association des Médecins Haitiens a l’Estrager are currently meeting on Aruba for a week-long congress featuring an interesting Scientific program, accompanied by varied Social and Cultural activities.

The conference was welcomed by Dr. Reynald Altema, VP Central Executive Committee and Dr. Georges J. Casimir, President of the New York Chapter, and by Dr. Micheline Dole, the Co-Chair of the Social & Cultural Committee.

Among subjects discussed at the conference Holistic Medicine, Mental Health, Adolescent and Young Adult Topics, as well as in-depth discussions pertaining to medical issues specific to the Haitian community in the USA.

The physicians who serve their communities at large report Aruba was chosen by a special committee who ‘tested the water’ and approved the island as an appropriate meeting and convention destination.

Sarah-Quita Offringa makes windsurfing world history…

Getting the V.I.P. welcome she deserves, young Sarah Quita-Offringa, who just took the title as #1, the World Champion in Women’s Freestyle during the Professional Windsurfing Association’s Grand Slam World Tour 2008, arrived home from Spain last night, accompanied by her parents, Esther and Ruud, and brother Quincy.

Sarah-Quita, who has been competing professionally since she was twelve years old, found the V.I.P. lounge at the Reina Beatrix International Airport filled with friends and paparazzi as Ramon Lee, Minister of Culture, Labor and Sport personally welcomed this outstanding young athlete home. In appreciation for the great honor and pride she has brought to her home island, and the fine example she sets for other young people, he presented Sarah-Quita with a plaque on behalf of the Aruban people.

Since 2006, Sarah-Quita has been pursuing the world title, and at 15,  made the history books as the youngest woman to ever win first place in a world-class professional windsurfing competition when she took the trophy in Lanzarote, Spain. During two other matches in Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, she came in second to reigning queen Daida Moreno of Spain, with similar results giving her the world-wide ranking of Sub Champion, and winning the title of “Rookie of the Year.”

However, not this year! “This year Sarah-Quita was determined to come out of the water the winner,” confided her mother Esther during the welcome party that awaited them at their home,” the last few years she couldn’t help being nice, that is how she is, but this year we decided “no mercy.” That determination has made Sarah-Quita’s place in history as the youngest woman ever to be world champion on the pro windsurfing circuit.

Ironically, Sarah-Quita and Esther nearly didn’t make it to the opening competitions in Landzarote, as Sarah had to complete her final exams at Colegio Aruban, but cooperative teachers and administrators allowed her to take her tests a day early, so they could speed off to Spain. If not, she and her parents were ready to dismiss the pursuit of the title. Sarah had no time to take any practice runs, or become accustomed to the conditions as the other competitors, as she and Esther landed in Landzarote the night before the tournament began, and it was off to the races and into the water the very next morning.

Sarah-Quita, relaxing at her home after her grand welcome, was sharing her adventure with friends with videos of her winning performance that can be seen at www.pwaworldtour.com. She expressed that conditions were “very difficult, a lot of wind and big waves,” and indeed, commentary reveals she battled over ten days of over 35 kph winds and increasing ground swells, but her spectacular performance won admiring commentary from European press. Sarah spent six weeks in Spain with her brother Quincy, who also competes, and Esther, with Ruud joining them for the last two.

Sarah-Quita established her hold on first place early in the tournament, but Daida Moreno was not ready to pass on the crown. “Unfortunately for Moreno… the subsequent brawl raised the bar of women’s freestyle to a whole new level. Both sailors went off, but the decisive blow would come when Offringa executed a massive air flaka. (Yolanda) De Brendt (who had beaten Moreno in her bid as first place contender-ed) had no reply to the epic move, granting Offringa the victory, and the first double elimination as hers,” reports the PWA.

Clinching her ranking as World Champion was a sweet victory and fitting birthday present for Sarah-Quita, as she and Esther quietly celebrated her turning 17 on July 4, the day she won the double eliminations at Gran Canaria, the second stop on the tour, and insuring her the crown. Arriving home in Aruba, her spectacular victory was celebrated by the entire windsurfing community that greeted her at the airport wearing tee shirts they had specially made for the occasion. Coinciding with her attaining the title, Sarah-Quita is featured on the cover of the August issue of Boards magazine, out of the United Kingdom. All this attention has not affected this sweet, unassuming young woman one bit, who, despite the possibilities, still puts her studies first.

Welcome home Sarah-Quita, World Champion!!

Article from News-Star news services

ULM director of athletics Bobby Staub has announced the hiring of Terrence De Jongh as the new women's tennis coach.

De Jongh spent the past four years as the tennis professional at Pine Hills Country Club in Calhoun. He coordinated and organized private and group activities such as clinics and tournaments.

He also spent several years on the tennis staff at Louisiana Tech, including two seasons as the head coach from 2004-05. The native of Aruba also was a racquet sport instructor in Tech's department of health and exercise.

"I'm excited to get back into college coaching," De Jongh said.

His hiring is pending the approval of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

The Warhawks begin competition on Friday, Feb. 2 at Georgia State.