ABACO JOURNAL ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB
| Abaco Bahamas Home Page | The Current Issue of The Abaco Journal |
NATIONAL NOTES
ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
ABACO'S COOKNG!
MISSION HAITI
GARDENING
PASSINGS...
ISLAND PLANTS
OLD GRUMPY
EDITORIAL
ABACO YOUTHS HONOURED
ALL-ABACO REGATTA
PENNY TURTLE BALL
T C INTERNATIONAL BILLFISH TOURNAMENT
REGATTA TIME
BURNS HOUSE INTRODUCE NEW RUMS
ATLANTIS CHIT CHAT
ROYAL PALM FRONDS
WRITE GUD
NEW FREIGHT BOAT FOR ABACO
HARD SELL
NOVEMBER 1996
DECEMBER 1996
JANUARY 1997
FEBRUARY 1997
MARCH 1997
APRIL 1997
MAY 1997
JUNE 1997
Abaconian Savatheda Fynes won both the 100m and 200m in the NCAA Championships held in Bloomington, IN. Running for Michigan State, Olympic Silver Medallist Savatheda set the fastest time for the Women's 100m this year with 11.04 seconds.
The Bahamas Billfish Championship 3rd leg was held in Treasure Cay 11th - 16th May. A total of 58 boats participated which attracted some 250 people to Abaco. The largest fish caught weighed 789 lbs.
Bahamas Fly In part two took place in Marsh Harbour 16th - 18th May. It brought in 14 planes which welcomed 28 persons to our shores. The group were hosted to a cocktail reception at Sapodilly's Restaurant on the Friday night and at Abaco Beach Resort on the Saturday night. They also had an opportunity to explore and visit some of the cays and settlements of Abaco.
The 14th Annual Treasure Cay International Billfish Tournamnet took place in Treasure Cay 18th - 23rd May. A total of 40 boats participated and attracted some 200 people to our island.
On Wednesday 21st May Treasure Cay Resort hosted its first Annual Arts & Crafts Fair at the Community Park. This event turned out to be a great success. A total of 25 booths were set up displaying local art and craft work. This was a great treat for the visitors to Treasure Cay as they viewed the works and were afforded the opportunity to purchase any items they wished.
1 can Cannellini beansMix the beans and onion in a medium size bowl. In a smaller bowl beat the vinegar, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, black pepper and basil together. Pour this over the bean and onion mixture and blend well.
1 small Onion, finely chopped
1/2 Tbsp White Wine Vinegar
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp fresh Lime Juice
1 clove Garlic, crushed
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground
2 Tbsp chopped fresh Basil
1 medium can solid white Albacore Tuna, drained and flaked
6 Black Olives, stoned
Line a serving bowl with lettuce leaves or escarole and pour the bean mixture in. Arrange the tuna on top of the bean mixture and decorate with black olives.
Do you hear the pain pitched cry of God
as he suffers over the world's sore distress?
Yes, I hear it. I feel the beating pulse of our
broken world. I feel the anguish of God's pain.
Phyllis Newby, a missionary from Jamaica, heard the anguished cry of God's pain for Haiti and has been a 'Mother Teresa' for this poorest country in the Western Hemisphere 25 year, ministering to the poorest of the poor. She came to Haiti in 1972 with only faith and vision. Today, supported an ecumenical Christian organization called Mission Haiti and individual churches of many denominations, she coordinates 130 churches with church run schools. She also distributes 24 tins of rice and 6 tons of beans a month to over 28,000 children and adults.
We first met Phyllis two years ago on Abaco in The Bahamas during our annual winter ministry as pastors in the Treasure Cay Interdenominational Community Church. She was the keynote speaker for our Mission Sunday, soliciting support for Haiti's staggering crises of hunger, health and educational concerns. Another speaker was a local Bahamian pastor, Robin Weatherford, founder and pastor of the Creole Chapel for Haitian refugees on Abaco. These two strategic mission programmes have become an important outreach for the Treasure Cay Community Church's mission and ministry. Following our Palm Sunday celebration of worship this March, the lay readers of the church commissioned Paul and me as Volunteers in Mission to go with a Mission Haiti Ecumenical team led by Marshall Blankenship of Swannanoa, North Carolina, to work with Phyllis during Easter week in her St Ard Mission, one hour north of Port au Prince.
Marshall had made his first mission trip to Haiti in 1983 working alongside Phyllis and many Haitians. Observing their unwavering faith and quiet courage, he returned to tell the story of Haiti's crushing problems: 80% of Haitians live below the level of absolute poverty; 50% of the children in Haiti are malnourished; The child mortality rate is one of the highest in the world; 40% of Haitian families have an income of not more than $20 per month; Average life expectancy is 43 for men and 46 for women; Christian churches are in a minority with widespread Voodooism, ancestor worship and witch doctors keeping people in constant fear of attack by the dead and evil spirits.
As more and more churches in North Carolina became ignited to help, the idea of Mission Haiti, an incorporated non-profit ecumenical Christian organization, was born. Volunteer mission teams are sent four or five times a year to share Christ's mission, assisting Phyllis and her ministry to the people of Haiti. Through the years Mission Haiti has sent over 300 Christian volunteers to help build new churches, administer medical care and spread the love of Jesus Christ.
Six years ago Mission Haiti heard about a dream of Jean Marie Louis, pastor of the St Ard Englese Reformˇe Church. Phyllis had given the young pastor $100 to buy rice for families in his church. In addition to the rice he bought two cinder blocks. Finding a large vacant lot Jean Marie knelt and prayed over the blocks that God would help them find a way to build an orphanage for countless abandoned children in this rural area nestled in the mountains north of Port au Prince close to the ocean.
Mission Haiti set their goal for a three phase project, building a large storage building, a one floor orphanage presently housing 44 children, a two storey mission house for volunteers in mission, and a one floor house for Phyllis and her assistant, Margaret Morrow. All the buildings have metal roofs with solar panels for electricity, and indoor plumbing with flush toilets - almost unheard of in rural Haiti.
Funding the completion of a hospital on the mission grounds, started over a year ago by volunteers in mission and Haitians employed by Mission Haiti, is the crucial need at present. There is only one doctor for every 10,000 people in Haiti, so a group of doctors from several states are planning a rotating schedule to volunteer one or two months at a time assuring medical staff presence throughout the year. Each mission team through the year has a doctor or registered nurse to direct the travelling medical clinics to remote villages, which on occasion means walking with pack donkeys five hours up a mountain trail. One to two hundred people stand all day, often with children in their arms, waiting for medical help. Several persons translate directions for medication, which is most frequently for worms, anaemia, diarrhoea, stomach problems, intestinal disorders, urinary infections, arthritis, pain, cuts and burns needing antibiotic creams. Boxes of physician's samples sent from the US are stored in the mission house.
During our two clinics during Easter week, our greatest frustration and discouragement was knowing that we could not help everybody who came to us for help. The smiles of warm appreciation gave us a deep sense of gratitude that we had helped many in pain. We sometimes wonder if we have made even a dent in the hopelessness and despair of so many struggling with overwhelming health problem like malnutrition and tuberculosis, so prevalent among children. There is such a hish level of need, we could never work long enough to help all who come becasue they just keep coming!
Our greatest joy was to see the transformation of each child in the orphanage since entering just four years ago. So many of those abandoned children had come with severe malnutrition, swollen stomachs, listless eyes and withdrawn personalities. To see the smiling, healthy, energetic, loving children in these short years, having good nutrition and the loving care of Haitian helpers in the orphanage employed by Mission Haiti, fills our cup to overflowing. Many persons support a particular child with $20 a month for their expenses. The goal is to have every child linked with a family.
Each morning at the break of dawn we awoke in our mission house to the joyful voices of all 44 children in the orphanage singing, "Kum ba ya, my Lord, kum ba ya." Naomi, 13 years old, sometimes holds the youngest, a two year old, while directing the entire group in singing. She then prays beautiful, heartfelt prayers in their morning and evening devotions and calls on several others to give prayers. Many of us felt that here is little Phyllis Newby! To even imagine the potential leadership for Haiti in this one children's home is exciting beyond measure!
Many VIM youth have felt God's call for their life direction. Margaret Morrow, an attractive 27 year old North Carolinian, felt called to be a missionary during her ten day Mission Haiti experience in 1995. Upon arriving home she wrote Phyllis to offer her service for a year. Two years later she is now Phyllis' right hand in the orphanage and can't imagine being anywhere else. She says, "I really get edgy when I'm away from Haiti for more than a few weeks. I think I'm here for the long term." Praise God for deep commitment.
It was my high privilege to preach on Easter Sunday with Phyillis as my translator to an overflow congregation of over 300 in the St Ard Church. Singing 'How Great Thou Art', each in one's own language, was a high moment in this celebration of our resurrected Christ. Worshipping with our Haitian sisters and brothers, we were moved by their sheer joy, their deep faith and abiding hope amidst adversity and struggle for mere survival. Haitians are a warm, caring, generous, hard working people we came to know and love. We came home different persons after this profoundly significant and life changing experience. We can never be the same again.
As we tell the story of Mission Haiti and continue our prayers and financial support for Phyllis' Mission St Ard and to people with staggering needs throughout Haiti, the words of our Lord will come to us as we hear God's pain pitched cry for Haiti: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." Luke 4:18.
The vegetable garden takes a rest during July and we concentrate on the fruit trees and flowering shrubs.
If you have a defined plot for your vegetable garden you may consider solarising it. When the ground is thoroughly soaked, weed your plot and then cover it with clear plastic sheeting. Anchor the sheeting down with rocks or lengths of lumber around the edges. Keep it in place until you are ready to sow your winter vegetables.
Solarisation kills off weed seeds, nematodes and the larvae of underground pests giving you a clear shot at establishing a healthy winter garden right from the word go. When you do uncover in September or October, don't dig the soil over as you will bring to the surface weed seeds that were too deep to be affected by solarisation. Just loosen the top surface without turning over.
Late blooming mangoes like Keitt will benefit from a dose of fertilizer in early July, as will your avocados, soursops and other fruits that will produce in the autumn. July is a good time to make your summer application of fertilizer and minor elements to all citrus trees.
Yellow Elder is one of the flowering trees that has stopped blooming for a few months. Now is a good time to prune it for shape. Fruit trees that have just completed their bearing season can also be trimmed if required.
Don't be frugal with the fertilizer around the garden as this is the season of greatest growth. An ounce of fertilizer now is worth ten in winter.
Born in Nassau, Jack Patterson served in action in World War II and moved to Abaco in 1968. Jack was the author of 'Native Trees of The Bahamas' and helped educate Bahamians and visitors alike about our native flora by conducting tours through Jack's Jungle on Lubbers Quarters.
He is survived by four sons, Reginald, Stafford, Scott and Victor; one daughter, Deborah; six grandchildren; four daughters-in-law, and many other friends and relatives.
He is survived by one sister-in-law, Lurey Albury; eight nieces, Dorothy Potter of Orlando, Anita McIntosh of Richmond BC, Carolyn Diedrich of New Westminster BC, Arlene Knowles of Nassau, Gwendlin Russell and Pauline Sawyer of Marsh Harbour, Margaret Carey of Treasure Cay and Nellie Mae Johnson of Pembroke Pines FL; eleven nephews, Phillip Sawyer, Welden Roberts, Jeffery and Freddy Albury of Nassau, Vernon and Rudy Malone of Hope Town, Jack, Steve and Greg Albury of Marsh Harbour, and many other relatives and friends.
The sisal industry in The Bahamas lasted from the 1880's to the end of World War II, reaching its zenith in the World War I years. From 12 to 15 leaves were harvested from mature plants each year and these were processed to extract the long silky fibres. In the earlier part of this century there was a sisal plantation at Victoria Point (the modern Soldier Road) near Hole in the Wall. Buildings still exist there, the best preserved being the gaol house.
Sisal plants live from 8 to 15 years and when they reach the end of their days they flower quite spectacularly, sending up a 20 foot flower stem. This bears clusters of bright gold flowers that are most attractive to hummingbirds and other nectar-loving birds and insects. Instead of seeds the sisal produces bulbils - miniature plants - at the end of the flower stem that can be used to propagate the plant. Sisal also sends out suckers from the base.
It is not known whether this practice was ever carried out in The Bahamas, but in Mexico the flower stem is cut and drained of its juices. These are then fermented to make a strong liquor called pulque.
Wild sisal plants can be found in open areas of Abaco, particularly near roadsides. There are a great number between Spring City and the Wilson City road.
Sisal enjoys hot, dry conditions and is fairly salt tolerant. It makes a forbidding barrier when used along property lines and happily grows in sand near the shoreline.
You know what gets me? I am supposed to write about the shortcomings of our community and I'm frustrated by good intentions and excellent service. I go to fishing tournaments and expect to be thrown out. Instead they ply me with drink tickets and invite me to their banquets. Gatekeepers salute as they raise the barrier and don't even check my credentials. Store owners welcome me with open hands. Even the store that I forgot to pay one month and owed over $1,000 to.
That's the beauty of Marsh Harbour, our commercial centre. Once you are noted and approved (or family) you have access to very handy credit conditions. I've always looked upon making money as a necessary evil. It is obvious that the powers that be made a mistake along the way. I should have been born independently wealthy. Ah well, the second best situation is to make money by doing the thing you like most.
I've made jest at times about our commercial community, even going as far as to suggest that a good flag for Marsh Harbour would be a cash register rampant on a green background. Actually, the merchants of Marsh Harbour serve us very well. There is an amazing selection of goods available in such a small town and they have everything you want except, sometimes, what you need at the time. Just out. We sold the last one yesterday.
If you are a resident and there's something you need regularly - a drug or food item, let's say - all you have to do is bring the matter to the store's attention. I've done it over and over so I know I will get what I want when I shop every week. Are you listening, Ian?
The businesses appreciate the input from their clientele. They follow up. I know because I wanted a plumbing item and went to every hardware store. Nobody had what I wanted. In despair I contacted a plumber to do the job for me in the hopes he could use specialised contacts to get the part. He looked the job over and fixed everything in short order.
"Where did you get the part from?" I asked him.
"Abaco Hardware."
"But I went to Abaco Hardware over and over and they didn't have it!"
The plumber shrugged his shoulders. "They got it now. They said some old fart was bugging them so they got it in. Probably the only one they'll ever sell."
Quad erat demonstrandum.
Not on your life. On the streets of Marsh Harbour and other Abaco settlements there are views expressed orally. Sometimes loudly. "Abaco Journal? The only reason I read it is for the Word Search. Why you take that out?" We put it back in.
"How come you charge for your paper when the Abaconian is free?" Well, go figure. The Abaco Journal is not for everyone.
"Why don't you say how (Public Official) is screwing things up and we don't appreciate that?" We do not comment adversely on government employees for the simple reason they are not able, by law, to defend themselves in public.
Sometimes we get telephone calls, usually from Treasure Cay, expressing dismay that somebody's name was misspelled. Or that they had tooth problems and we turned that into a heart attack. We take note and try harder.
Most of our non-Letters to the Editor come with a subscription renewal (far better than a cancellation!) "The Journal should not be a plaything for the Publisher but a serious endeavour. More news and less ego trip." I have the suspicion that here 'Publisher' should read 'Editor'. If so, mea culpa.
"I have subscribed to the Journal for years and enjoy it very much." Whoops! How did that one get in? The writer went on to ask for more details on what the Prime Minister said about future hotel development on the island during the last election campaign. We will report on anything that comes up but election time is when the public is sometimes given an idea of what is in the works but a fair way from a detailed pronouncement. Having had a nibble of hors d'oeuvre we must sit and wait for the salad.
"When you run an ad, please make sure the town is included. Too often I wonder where the place is that is advertising. I was also dismayed at latest editorial commenting on donated USA books. A friend just brought down 13 cartons. What a slap in the face for being so caring." There are three points here. The first is well taken. Our advertisements are usually taken from the advertiser's copy and we are not at liberty to change what they want. By and large, Marsh Harbour advertisers are the biggest culprits, feeling they are at the centre of everything (and so they are!) As a rule of thumb, no town means Marsh Harbour. We'll look through and see if we can clean things up.
Second point about book editorial - mea in no way, shape or form culpa. The article you refer to was an Old Grumpy. We poke him with a stick every month and he delivers.
Third point, there's no need for anybody to be upset about what was said. Read the article again very carefully. Our children benefit greatly by gifts from dedicated and concerned people. So many visitors and residents want to contribute - especially to schools - to show appreciation for the kindnesses shown to them while they are here. They help to build our nation's future. If the gifts, of course, are appropriate. This topic brought positive response from many Bahamians and a few calls from Treasure Cay.
From now on, please put your comments in the form of a Letter to the Editor. We like to work in the sunshine.
Kermit Strachan of Fire Road, a student at S C Bootle Secondary School, was honoured for his contributions to Anti-Drug Community Programmes. Opal Dawkins of Murphy Town, a student at Abaco Central Secondary School and the winner of last year's Talented Teen competition, received her Pacesetter award for contributions in the field of Creative Arts. Gavin Bethel of Marsh Harbour, also a student at Abaco Central, was honoured for Community Service. Gavin is a volunteer trainee medical technician with Trauma One, Abaco's ambulance service, as well as being a qualified Cub Scout leader and a Fire Department volunteer.
Members of the All-Abaco Regatta Association present at the conference were Corporal Hubert Smith (Commodore), Everette Bootle (Vice Commodore), Scott Weatherford (Vice Commodore), Island Administrator Everette Hart (Coordinator), Deputy Island Administrators Jack Thompson and Preston Cunningham (Deputy Coordinators), Hugh Cottis (Racing Committee), Starlene Nairn (Secretary), David Bethel (Treasurer) and David Philips (Public Relations).
At the Awards Banquet on Saturday 31st May, Penny Turtle, doyenne of the Abaco hospitality industry, was on hand to distribute prizes to the winning competitors. There was a surprise in store for her, however. Sculptor Pete Johnston of Little Harbour, who created most of the top awards, presented Penny with a special turtle bracelet to join her many other turtle-based jewellery items. Everybody present at the banquet rose and gave thunderous applause to the lady who made it all possible.
A field of 40 boats and over 160 anglers participated in the tournament which has grown for the fifth consecutive year. Over 80% of the boats in the tournament hooked or caught billfish. Of the 44 marlin caught, 40 were tagged and released.
For the first time the tournament utilised cameras to verify released billfish. This new format received a favourable response from the anglers. The Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament is the first in The Bahamas to successfully implement photo tag and release into its tournament.
The tournament raised over $8,000 for the Treasure Cay School, the International Game Fish Association and its Junior Angler Programme. As part of the week-long events the tournament featured a Bahamian Arts & Crafts Fair on the lay-day. Visitors and locals had a chance to sample unique Bahamian-made products which included paintings, hand=painted shirts and pillows, straw baskets, wood carvings, jewellery, ceramics and even fresh gin 'n' coconut water and conch fritters.
Sponsors of the tournament included Texaco Bahamas Ltd, Little Switzerland and Burns House. The organisers also wish to thank Troy Albury and the Snap Shop of Marsh Harbour for developing excellent photos in a timely fashion for the new tag and release programme.
Thursday 3rd July
Skippers' Meeting. Settlement Point, GTC
Friday 4th July
Green Turtle Race. Awards and Street Party, Settlement Point, GTC
Saturday 5th July
Lay Day. Nippers Party, Great Guana Cay
Sunday 6th July
Great Guana Race. Resort Party, Great Guana Cay
Monday 7th July
Lay Day. Tiki Hut Beach Party, Matt Lowe Cay
Tuesday 8th July
Man O' War Race. Awards & Beach Party, The Crossing - Marsh Harbour
Wednesday 9th July
Lay Day. Dinghy Treasure Hunt & Party, Pizza Hut, Marsh Harbour
Thursday 10th July
Harbour's Edge Party, Hope Town
Friday 11th July
Lay Day. Conch Inn Party, Marsh Harbour
Saturday 12th July
Marsh Harbour Race. Final Awards & Party, Jib Room, Marsh Harbour
A large group of Burns House executives, accompanied by the attractive and talented Legends, hosted presentations at Bayview Restaurant in Dundas Town, the Burns House outlet in Treasure Cay, the Conch Inn Cafˇ in Marsh Harbour and Hope Town's Club Soleil.
At Bayview, CEO 'Tiger' Finlayson eloquently outlined the history of Burns House and Commonwealth Breweries. Between them, he said, they account for most of the popular brands in The Bahamas producing Kalik and Heineken beer as well as bottling under licence Gilbey's gin, Smirnoff vodka and other leading liquors. They are also the agents for Vita Malt and Budweiser beer.
The predecessor of Burns House was the first company ever to produce Bahamian rums. Mr Finlayson said it was his decision to extend the range of products his companies offered by adding the Ole Nassau line of plain rums.
Unveiled at the presentations were Chick Charney, Jack Malantan and Yer Ho' rums. Chick Charney is a one year old rum that comes in White and Gold forms. Jack Malantan is a fuller-flavoured dark Navy type rum which alsocomes in Special Reserve amd 151 proof form. Top of the line is Yer Ho', a seven year old rum that Mr Finlayson claimed was the equal of any rum in the world.
The fascinating names come to us from Andros folklore and each colourful bottle carries the story behind the name. The Ole Nassau rums are available in local retail stores and are priced well below competing brands.
All good things must come to an end! Atlantis is virtually deserted right now. Almost everyone has returned to their mainland residences. We enjoyed a wonderful winter with unusually warm weather and water. Our eager fishermen had a super time catching lots of 'fishes' - some were exceptionally large.
Right now we have no residents in Buildings 1,2 and 3. Claude and Robert Drouin just arrived from Montreal. They hope to get in some good sailing. Paola Milanesi is here from Italy. She did enjoy some sunshine but it's been raining heavily for the last few days and it appears we are going to have lots more 'liquid sunshine'.
Atlantis boat slips are almost empty. However, Ray Pearlson, Mike Sawyer and my David did enjoy some good fishing. Mike caught a 68 lb wahoo the other day. He was trolling in his boat Little Miss. How he was able to get the fish aboard is a mystery to me. Hopefully the rain will stop soon and we'll be able to get in a few more fishing days before heading north. At present my David is not up to fishing. He was stung by the barb of a stingray at Baker's Bay the other day and has been in great pain ever since. Hope you all have a wonderful healthy, happy summer. We look forward to seeing all of you in October. Haste ye back for fun in the sun!
Those of us who have children and grandchildren come to Royal Palm to visit are always pleased when our skies are clear and our waters calm. Late April and early May proved to be perfect in this regard. I was fortunate to have my son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Celia Sutherland, come for a visit bringing my grandchildren, Guy, Sarah and Jessica, to enjoy the lovely weather. Mandy Darrach, my niece, also arrived for a short stay and finally my husband, Woody, left his surgical practice in Africa for 6 week stay. It was definitely one of my finer times with the highlight being a lavish party to celebrate our recent wedding. A very special thank you is extended to all of our thoughtful friends and neighbours who executed this memorable affair.
Director Mike Meyer and Karen have arrived with son, John, to spend the summer and Frieda and David Janney are back in residence to enjoy their lovely boat and fishing. Stuart Price and Peter Hewitt managed to escape from the frosty clime of England for a brief stay. New owners Claudia and Peppino Campi are in town from Paris for a nice long visit bringing ClaudiaÕs mother for her first Bahamian venture. Pat and Lynn Arnold popped over for a long weekend. Erica and Isik Erim remain in residence along with Joyce Turpin, who is with us for the summer.
For those of you reading this from afar youÕll be pleased to know that our grass is thick and green and the new landscaping project is moving right along. It's a wonderful improvement. We have lots more to do but so far we are very pleased. As more and more buildings get a fresh coat of paint we continue to maintain our schedule of constant improvement. We are expecting lots of folks to arrive with their boats in June and July and will keep you posted. Until next month we wish you well and miss you all.
This month we will take a general look at the proper use of commas. I'll save the guidelines and rules for next month. So, if you want the specifics on using commas, be sure to read the August Journal as well!
To my way of thinking, properly using commas (i.e. number, placement, and effect) is basic to good writing. Your ability to effectively and accurately use commas is one of the most obvious things that represents you as a polished writer and a professional.
I know, you're thinking, "C'mon, commas can't do all that?! Can they???" For the most part - YES! Now, I'll tell you why.
One of the jobs of a comma is to provide a hesitation or pause in a sentence. These pauses help set off parts of the sentence for improved clarity. If you don't use any commas in a sentence that requires them, then your reader will be confused by the time he or she gets to the end of it. The reader will have to go back and mentally put in the commas on the second through to make sense of the sentence. Readers get bored re-reading sentences and putting in your commas. The end result is the reader gives up and your message never gets across.
Here's an example of a sentence that needs commas:
Washing dishes mowing the lawn and taking out the trash are not my favourite chores yet I know they have to be done.
This makes it sound like I am washing dishes at the same time I am mowing the lawn and taking out the trash - not very likely. Commas are needed to indicate they are separate events. Also, 'yet' (without any punctuation before it) hints that at some time in the future I might consider these my favourite chores! I don't think so...
Now, see the improvement if commas are used properly:
Washing clothes, mowing the lawn, and taking out the trash, are not my favourite chores, yet I know they have to be done.
I've shown you that no commas can be a problem. More often, the problem is too many commas! Here's a classic example:
There I was, standing in the middle of the desert, with nothing to call my own, except my horse, my gun, and a knot in my shorts.
This is a case of too many pauses in a sentence. It trips up the reader and he or she stumbles from one group of words to the next. This can be just as tiresome as having no commas. The end result is the same - you lose your reader's attention.
The answer is to eliminate as many commas as possible. To do this, you should be creative and rewrite or rearrange your sentence. Try this as a better example for saying the same thing with fewer commas:
Standing in the middle of the desert with little to call my own, I was left with my horse, my gun, and a knot in my shorts.
Next month, we'll tackle some of the basic rules for using commas correctly. Until then, have fun with the 'comma confusion' generated by these writers...
(From Richard Lederer's More Anguished English)
"The candidate looked younger than his 39 years, full of energy, and his sandy hair, stylishly cut and blow-dried, danced as he moved his 6 feet around the stage."
"A high-ticket dinner at the exclusive Fox Run Club drew about 50 supporters, including Mel Scarborough, who at one time lived in Bensonville and also harboured some exotic animals, and his wife, Lorraine."
The vessel's captain, Senator Michael Bethel, assisted with bringing the boat down from St Johns, Newfoundland, and entered the harbour shortly after noon. A number of dignitaries and members of the public were on hand to greet Capt Bethel and his crew.
The 2,200 ton Duke of Topsail will start regular service in late June after dredging operations have been completed in the harbour. Despite its size, the use of a bow thruster made docking at Marsh Harbour an easy operation.
The vessel's owners - Sidney Albury, Manager of United Abaco Shipping Company, Wayne Bethel, Randy Key and Allan Lowe - opened the vessel to the public on Wednesday. It is expected that the name will be abbreviated to The Duke and that the ship's registry will be local.
Abaco JournalRemember that we only present part of our publication (24 - 32 pages on average) on the Web. By viewing on the Web you miss our puzzles, word search and our great advertisers.
PO Box 2079
Port Charlotte
FL 33949-2079
USA
If you plan to visit Abaco, give us a call at j.hardy@mail. Batelnet.bs or contact the Webmaster at www.oii.net for all the info on Abaco you may need. If you need any more, there's a Q & A section right there.
Abaco is the greatest place in the world and we'd love to share it with you.