Recently TEAM Workers Union, affiliated with the Aruba Resort Spa & Casino made a generous donation to the Clown Doctors, a not-for-profit organization entertaining children in the Dr. Horacio Oduber Hospital here.

The funds were raised during the annual Walk it off, walkathon organized by TEAM in honor of Labor Day.

The event included a great number of hotel employees and their family members and was a great success.

The amount of money collected is earmarked to the production of an informative, reassuring booklet, designed by the Clown Doctors and directed at hospitalized children, describing what to expect of their hospital stay, and how to deal with the stress related.

TEAM Workers Union, was pleased to hand over the check to the Clown Doctors, who bring a smile to kids in need. TEAM also thanked their sponsors and especially the hotel management for making the event so successful and for contributing generously.

940/941- Last minute surprise, the Aruba Beach Resort Spa & Casino, matched the amount collected by TEAM.

Pictured here General Manager and Vice President Rob Smith, delivering the additional surprise check to TEAM representatives and the clowns.

942/943- Funds raised by Walk It Off were presented by TEAM Workers Union, true to the spirit of the organization, Together We Achieve More.

Story submitted by Rona Coster

The joke specialists from the Children’s Ward at the Horacio Oduber hospital have expanded their range of activities. They decided to also start clowning around with the mental handicapped children at Bibito Pin, in collaboration with SVGA, Stichting voor Verstandelijk Gehandicapten Aruba,

Every Friday morning, the clowns will be there working with Down Syndrome kids ages 2 to 6, also with children with serious multiple handicaps to try and relax them, even escort them to therapy, thus creating a positive, entertaining contact with the outside world.

The clowns report they love going to physiotherapy, and take the minds of patients off pains and difficulties.

The teachers at Bibito Pin are equally enthusiastic about the clown visits and support the interaction wholeheartedly.

In the future the clowns will continue expanding their activities. They are also in conversations with the director of Casa Cuna, and are planning to visit the kids there once a week.

They have also expressed interest in entertaining elderly people with psycho geriatric disorders. Aruba is now home to a clown who was a clown in the Netherlands, in an institution for the elderly, so her knowledge will come in handy, while she lives here. Hardworking coordinator Ellen Kemper, reports the clowns have struck an agreement with Stichting Papiamenta, dedicated to writing children books in Papiamento.

The literary foundation promised to help provide books and stories for the clowns which will be naturally acted out when read aloud.

When you see a box with the Clown Doctor’s logo on it, at the airport for example, please contribute, they are doing a great job for the community and deserve support.

Aruba Tourism Authority, ATA, recently invited the media to meet a very special girl, who at the young age of 12, was announced as the winner of the National Geographic Traveler “In My view” photo competition. Overall among all participants, Naomi Vonk was one of the youngest. The second and third best photos were both by 17-year-olds.

During the press conference held at the ATA Public Relations Offices, Naomi was put in the spotlight. Her mother Janine, who is a professional photographer, left Naomi all to herself to decide on her subjects, composition and in general the entire process of taking the photos. She drove around with her, as did all other parents, but did not meddle.

“Photography is a lot of fun and you can do it too,” Naomi, who had also attended the workshop organized by ATA and Checkpoint Color preceding the contest on Aruba, encourages her peers.

About her picture, she says, “I just wanted a photo of my friends jumping off a pier.” And that is exactly what she named her winning picture: “Friends jumping from pier.” Her models immediately said “yes” when she asked for their help.

While her mom waited and saw her daughter go through all the emotions of a photo not looking the way she wanted it to be the first time, Naomi snapped away. Naomi explained the process. In the first photo, she got her friends too low on the jump. By the time she took the second photo the girls were already giggling in the sea. A couple of snapshots followed, then Naomi thought she saw something she liked. Mom advised that they go home and take a look at the larger view on the computer screen and… the picture was perfect!

ATA Public Relations Coordinator Sjeidy Feliciano, who was in charge of the project, commented that the photo showed the diversity of the Aruban culture. Her mom said proudly that she thought the picture was simple and uncluttered, showed good composition, even the shadow and the ocean cooperated for the perfect picture. Checkpoint representative Farita Luidens said it showed an island, because of the ocean, happiness, youth, perfect composition. ATA Public Relations Director Gina Lopez-Gnecco called Naomi’s photo an incredible moment or standstill in time of Naomi’s friends and mentioned that it was a great achievement that Naomi’s picture was chosen from about 800 entries from all over the Caribbean.

Naomi had taken over 100 photos and had this one to chose from about 36. The adults left the choice up to her. Everybody sees what they see in Naomi’s picture, National Geographic Traveler has not yet explained why her picture was chosen. Meanwhile the young photographer smiles and says she sees what she wanted to see all along: her friends jumping off a pier!

The Aruban painter Gustave Nouel will continue the ongoing “Tropical Palette” project in the prestigious Access Art Gallery in the Main Street, with blessing from the Pro Crea Foundation and the Aruba Tourism Authority.

A new painting handbook from Nouel, subtitled ‘Paintings inspired by Aruba!’ will be used every Monday for Landscapes and Tuesday for Portraits. This painting handbook can be obtained at Access Art Gallery or any good bookstore in Aruba or the Hotels. Practice advice and step by step painting lessons inspired on some of the unique Aruban landmarks and the beauty of the Aruban painters model Jeuline Abspoel-Oduber is what this handbook is all about.

This book is a unique collector’s item printed in a very limited edition. Every Monday and Tuesday this special workshop will continue in Access Art Gallery for tourists together with local participants at all levels led by leading local Artists. In these ongoing courses Aruban artist will give the participants personal guidance to help paint anything the participant desires. All painting materials for beginners are included at the gallery.

The costs are only US$ 25 and the time is from 6 to 9 pm at ACCESS ART GALLERY. For more information call Access Art Gallery at tel. 5887379 or tel. 5887837. Demanding professional artist are recommended to come with their own sophisticated materials that can be bought in Aruba at locations like ANTRACO or VAN DORP.

For further assistance or any questions please inquire at the Hotel CONCIERGE

Museum of Antique and Aruban Heritage does not have an appropriate location where it can be admire everyday of the year. This is the reason it open its doors for public only for special occasions. Don’t miss this one !

18th March is a very special day for Aruba as we celebrate our Flag and National anthem. Furthermore, we are celebrating 30 years of their existence.

This is why this year Antique Museum Aruba will celebrate at large showing the importance of the museum that is keeping Aruba’s past safe and well. The organization behind this museum, Foundation Juan Mario Odor, believes in a link between Culture activities and the Island tourism industry. With this in mind strategies are used to inform all, Arubans, locals and the visitors on the Island of this day celebration at the museum.

Communication strategy:
Flyers will be printed in English and of course Papiamento one month prior to celebration date. This will be an invitation flyer inviting everybody to the museum on Flag day.
The flyers will be handled to hotels, tour operators, taxi’s, restaurants and some retail shops. Other organizations who can perfectly network with this event, on their web page, are the ATA, AHATA and Aruba Cruise Tourism. There is one cruise ship on this date.

Understanding of organization:
Foundation Juan Mario Odor supports the Museum Antique Aruba and the Numismatic Museum of Aruba, both are subsidized by the Aruban Government and other international and local culture organizations. Both are the life work collections of founder Juan Mario Odor _1919-2001, Aruba’s antique collector, first Aruban amateur archeologist and world renowned coin & paper money collector. The Antique Museum resides at his home specially showcased. You will be impressed by the beautiful displays and a well organized collection.

Day Program:

10.00 a.m. - Opening event with a welcome speech by director Desiree Croes.

11.00 a.m. - This is when life music starts. Local ‘mandolin’ player and singer: Tino Ruiz. His show ends 01.00 p.m. don’t miss him.

11.45 a.m. - Short poem break. Aruban poet Ruben Odor will recite a poem dedicated to the Aruban Flag and National Anthem.

12.30 p.m. - Plaque for Ito Tromp. He is a Papiamento teacher who brings all his students to the museums in his free time to connect them to Aruban culture in general thru museum trips. We truly appreciate his efforts to bring more of Aruba to immigrants whom made Aruba their home.

01.00 p.m. - Live entertainment by Etty Toppenberg, also a talented local singer. His presentation is very entertaining. Enjoy it.

02.00 p.m. - Plaque for Ines Odor, widow of founder Juan Mario Odor.
She is still collecting antique and money at her 75 years old.

03.00 p.m. - Poem break by Ruben Odor

04.00 p.m. - Plaque for sister foundation who also have as task to preserve culture on Aruba: Foundation Mi Cutisa, as stimulation to continue the good work presenting folkloric dresses.

05.00 p.m. - Director’s thank you speech. Hopefully next year our Antique museum will have its own building not only for this yearly celebration but to be open on a daily basis for the public.

Entrance: FREE
Bar: alcohol (beer) and non-alcohol beverages
Kitchen: Aruban snacks and pastries
Location: Timbalstraat 11, Tarabana, Aruba

For support and network, sponsorships or suggestions contact Desiree Croes at
Tel: 582-8831, 965-6969
email: daisy4croes@gmail.com
web: www.museumaruba.com

On the evening of Sunday, October 23, 2005 at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort on St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, finalists participating at the Conde Nast Traveler Magazine “My Caribbean Essay Contest” showed off colorful traditional dress and fantasy costumes, based on special features of their home country or folklore.

Twelve-year-old Gloria Lisa Franken, sporting a beautiful Dera Gai costume, gave a short speech explaining the Dera Gai celebration, an event unique to her beloved Aruba, beginning with a warm “Bon ‘nochi my Caribbean friends” and ending with a hearty invitation for all to come visit her island. Although her first language is not English and as a six-grader is now only learning English language and grammar in school on Aruba, she did as good a job as the other youngsters who boast English as their native tongue.

If Gloria Lisa is chosen as winner of the essay contest, she will be called forward to read her essay before her Caribbean peers, Conde Nast executives, international media representatives and general delegates at the award announcement event during the 28th annual Caribbean Tourism Conference on Wednesday. The inspiration for her to participate at the essay competition was first and foremost her love for Aruba. She was chosen as the finalist for Aruba by Conde Nast Traveler

Gloria Lisa shares the honor of participating in St. Thomas at various special events by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine together with other essay contest finalists aged eight to 12, hailing from more than 20 Caribbean nations.

Aruba Tourism Authority, ATA, Managing Director Myrna Jansen-Feliciano, ATA Marketing executive Frits Israel, ATA Public Relations Coordinator in charge of among others youth events Sjeidy Feliciano, her chaperone Valery Franken- Habibe and The News Editor Margaret Bonarriva-Wever accompanied Gloria Lisa at the special Aruba table to cheer her on.

Aruba’s native language of “Papiamento,” which literally translates into English as “speaking,” can appear deceptively simple, but within its history lays a complex web of circumstances which helps define the island and its inhabitants. Spoken only in the ABC islands, Papiamento is a Creole language, which as recently as March 19, 2003 was finally recognized as an official language in Aruba alongside Dutch.

Today seafood still reigns as a main staple of the Aruban diet. Whether grilled, broiled, baked or fried, the national dish of Aruba could be thought of as none other than the “catch of the day” – mainly barracuda, grouper and snapper which are found in the waters around Aruba year-round. Other favorites on Aruba’s menu include a variety of stews, whether cabrito (goat), beef or comcomber (vegetable). Stews, as well as soups such as yambo (okra) are often prepared as the main meal at midday.

With a recipe that is centuries old, a local Aruban liquor, “coecoei” was first made by Indian tribes. It has a distinctive red color, derived from one of its prime ingredients—the sap from the “kukwisa” or agave plant, which is mixed with rum and cane sugar. Coecoei is often used today in the creation of island cocktails, including the Aruba Sunset which also employs Ponche Crème, Aruba’s own potent eggnog mixture.

One of the most successfully locally-grown crops remains the aloe plant. Although not indigenous to the island, it has thrived on the island since its introduction at the turn of the 20th century. One hundred years ago, it was the island’s most profitable exports, and as important part of the island’s history holds a place of honor in Aruba’s national seal.

Aruban motifs are often also found on painted works at local markets, but also beautifully displayed in the island’s stamps series. The island’s most respected artists, such as Ludwig de L’Isle, Nigel Matthew and Stan Kuiperi, are often commissioned in the creation of stamp series marking local events, holidays and flora and fauna. The Post Office’s Philatelic Section not only sells the most recent editions of stamp series but also maintains past series of these miniature Aruban artworks.

The Blue Alley. Oranjestad will see a major cultural-historical project take off as part of the Caribbean University of Aruba’s expansion plans. This special project, “The Blue Alley” will cost around Afls. 5.2 millions and would entail the purchase, renovation and restoration of the “Flor de Oriente” and surrounding buildings. The site is right in the middle of downtown Oranjestad, near the San Francisco Church. The “Blue Alley” project is planned to start off early next year, as soon as the purchase agreements are completed.

The Commanders Graves. Reconstruction on the final resting place of the Dutch Commanders in Seroe Patrishi started on November 1st 2004 and has been finalized in January 2005. Fatamorgana Stoneworks is in charge of the surroundings while the metal works will be done by Fig & Fig Welding Shop. Monumenten Zorg is in charge of the whole project. The graves were renovated as close to original as possible, giving them more authenticity. For more information, please call Oficina di Monumento at ( 297) 583-5938 or at Schelpstraat 36/38.

The Aruba Tourism Authority granted the title of Goodwill Ambassador to Mrs. Janice Book for having visited Aruba every year for the last 20 consecutive years.

On the occasion Mr. Francis Jacobs, Public Relations Coordinator of the Aruba Tourism Authority presented Mrs. Book with the corresponding certificate and thanked the new Ambassador for her loyalty to Aruba and for having chosen the island as her favorite vacation destination for so many years.

Mr. Gerrit Griffith, General Manager of the Divi Village Beach Resort, was present at the ceremony and thanked Mrs. Book for choosing Divi as her favorite resort.

Story by Victor Winklaar of A.M. Digital

Albert Tromp, Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino’s Director of Beverage loves his job, especially when tasting new and exciting spirits. This week Tromp introduced four unusual and flavorful Vodkas at Mira Solo, the resort’s popular Martini Bar, namely Vincent Van Gogh’s Melon, Dutch Chocolate, Wild Appel & Pineapple, joining the already long-available Vanilla, Oranje, Citroen and Raspberry in addition to naturally plain Dutch Vodka, Van Gogh, a famed Dutch brand presents its Pineapple Vodka in a gorgeously hand painted bottle, a tribute to the island of Hawaii. The bottle was inspired by the paintings of the great Dutch master, who lent his name to the brand. The fragrant melons gathered in summer in the Dutch polders inspired a spirit as fragrant as fruit trapped in a bottle. The Chocolate Martini shaken at Mira Solo is served with a chocolate kiss in the bottom, and a chocolate-powder rim, while the Banana Cream Pie floats a rich crown of whipped cream and a slice of banana. Van Gogh’s vodkas were created as a result of multiple distillation processes. The end product, a refined and fragrant spirit, is both smooth and rich in taste. Gogh’s Vodka Wild Appel is garnished at Mira Solo with a green- apple slice!

Story submitted by Rona Coster