New arrival
Meet Mort. The green-eyed, ring-tailed lemur born recently
on Necker Island looks just like his mother. The new arrival is the first “lemur grandchild” on the island, according to a Thursday blog entry published by Sir Richard Branson, Necker’s owner. The billionaire’s plan to import the species to the Virgin Islands raised controversy last year when concerns were raised about introducing the animals into a foreign habitat. The threatened creatures are native to Madagascar. But Sir Richard maintains that the lemurs’ importation to Necker was necessary because the animals are having trouble breeding in zoos. Necker and Mosquito islands provide a more natural habitat, Sir Richard said. Despite the controversy, the Beaconite was glad to hear the news, and to see that Mort looks healthy.
Proper protocol?
A Beaconite covering the Duke of Gloucester’s visit to the territory found the “protocol guidance notes” that he was issued ahead of the visit interesting. The notes detailed rules on meeting the Duke (give an “exaggerated nod” if you want to) and shaking hands with His Royal Highness (don’t offer your hand first). But the Beaconite was most amused by the instructions given on how to address the Duchess of Gloucester. “The Duchess of Gloucester should be addressed as ‘Your Royal Highness’ and thereafter as ‘ma’am’ (which rhymes with jam),” the notes stated. The Beaconite wasn’t sure that the pronunciation guide for “ma’am” was necessary but he’s glad that the notes were thorough. As the Duchess did not accompany the Duke on his visit, however, that part of the instructions wasn’t needed.
Representing Tortola
A Beaconite who recently travelled to Barbados was surprised to find herself representing not her place of birth, but her adopted home: the Virgin Islands. She met and chatted with other journalists from around the region, and all the reporters introduced themselves and their respective media houses. When the reporter introduced herself and the Beacon, a colleague from another island immediately said, “Ah, Tortola!” The colleague referred to the Beaconite as “Miss Tortola” for the remainder of the trip.
Phone-free beach
A Beaconite was surprised to read this week that a chain of beach resorts has instituted a “no mobiles” policy. In the sand in front of Long Bay Beach Resort, one of the Elite Island Resorts said to be participating in the programme, the Beaconite has rarely, if ever, seen a beach-goer looking at a mobile device. In fact, she thinks the only times she’s ever seen someone looking at a mobile on a Virgin Islands beach, the person has been another journalist. The reporter thinks the territory’s beaches are probably just too nice to leave visitors and residents any spare time for phone use.
Trash for beer
Yes, you read right. In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday, the Bitter End Yacht Club is hosting the fourth annual North Sound Go Green Day. Participants are invited to pick up trash in the area and exchange bags of it for drink coupons. The boundaries are the shorelines of North Sound and Eustacia Sound. A traditional St. Patrick’s Day party is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the resort’s pub to celebrate the day’s efforts.
The Real World
MTV’s The Real World starts production this month in St. Thomas. The reality television show will “bring together seven strangers who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey together as they work hard and play harder,” according to a press release from the show. “The roommates will not only experience what a ‘real world’ paradise has to offer, but they will reside in a custom decorated home that is the perfect backdrop for fun in the sun,” the press release added. The show is scheduled to air this summer on MTV. Beaconites hope that the group will make its way over to this territory at some point.
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