Me an' da wife bin pickin' Mulberries. 🙂
"Mulberries on Branch" - ©A. Derek Catalano
"Mulberry Dish" - ©A. Derek Catalano
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Friday, April 10, 2026
The White Gold of Inagua: The History and Process of Morton Salt
Morton Salt Company
The White Gold of Inagua: The History and Process of Morton Salt
Introduction
The history of the Morton Salt Company in Great Inagua is a fascinating saga of industrial resilience and ecological harmony. Located on the southernmost island of the Bahamian archipelago, this facility is the second-largest solar saline operation in North America, covering roughly 300,000 acres and producing over a million tons of salt annually.
I. The Beginnings: From Rakes to Revolution
The story of salt in Inagua predates modern corporations. For centuries, "salt raking" was a brutal, manual labor performed by early settlers and enslaved people who used wooden rakes to scrape crystals from natural ponds. However, the modern industrial era began in the late 1930s with the arrival of three American brothers: Doug, Bill, and Jim Erickson.
In 1935, the Ericksons founded the West India Chemical Company. They saw the potential in Inagua’s flat, arid landscape and constant trade winds. They moved away from manual labor, introducing mechanization, building canals, and installing the "Pemona" pump to flood Lake Windsor (now Lake Rosa) with seawater. By 1954, their operation had grown so successful—yet so capital-intensive—that they sold it to the Morton Salt Company of Chicago. Under Morton’s stewardship (operating as Morton Bahamas Limited), the facility was modernized into the global powerhouse it is today.
Portrait of Me - A. Derek Catalano
Portrait of me taken by my son Christopher Catalano
I changed the background with Adobe Photoshop
Portrait of me taken by my son Christopher Catalano
Tropical Interior Design - PC Wallpaper
Thursday, April 9, 2026
The Attention Seeker
"The Attention Seeker" - Bahamas AI Image
©A. Derek Catalano
The Attention Seeker
The stage is set, the curtain parts, a practiced breath is drawn,
He stands beneath the spotlight’s glare before the break of dawn.
A master of the grand design, the architect of noise,
Who trades his inner quietude for hollow, gilded joys.
He wears a mask of many hues, a kaleidoscope of skin,
To hide the silent hollow where the dialogue begins.
For in the court of public eyes, he plays the frantic clown,
Terrified that silence might eventually pull him down.
He feeds upon the gasps of crowds, the whispers in the hall,
He’d rather be the villain than not be seen at all.
A scandal brewed in morning tea, a tragedy for show,
He waters every drama just to watch the garden grow.
The truth is but a canvas, often stretched and pulled away,
Until it fits the narrative he needs to win the day.
“Look at me!” the spirit cries, a beacon in the night,
Shining with a fevered and a self-consuming light.
On digital horizons, where the pixelated glow
Dictates the ebb of status and the rhythmic social flow,
He counts the heartbeats of the web, the metrics of the soul,
Giving up his privacy to pay the psychic toll.
A filtered face, a curated and artificial life,
A sharpened edge of vanity that cuts like any knife.
He measures worth in "likes" and "shares," in comments thin and brief,
A momentary harvest that provides a false relief.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
The Mother Church: An In-Depth Study of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Nassau
Christ Church Cathedral - ©A. Derek Catalano
The Mother Church: An In-Depth Study of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, Nassau
Standing as a stalwart sentinel of faith and history at the corner of George and King Streets in downtown Nassau, Christ Church Anglican Cathedral is more than a place of worship; it is the spiritual and historical epicenter of The Bahamas. Known as the "Mother Church" of all Anglican churches in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, its story is inextricably linked with the development of the Bahamian nation itself.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Don't Be Loud and Obnoxious
"Loud and Obnoxious" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Don't Be Loud and Obnoxious
The world is a stage where we all have a part,
A symphony played from the beat of the heart,
But some choose to blast like a horn in the night,
Ignoring the peace and the soft, morning light.
There’s a lesson to learn in the heat of the crowd:
The soul is not heard just by being too loud.
When you walk through a room with a thunderous stride,
With a voice like a cannon and nowhere to hide,
You think you are vibrant, you think you have flair,
But you’re sucking the oxygen out of the air.
A joke is a treasure, a laugh is a prize,
Until it is screamed to the top of the skies.
Consider the coffee shop, cozy and dim,
Where a student is reading on hope and a whim,
Or the park where a poet is seeking a line,
And the sun through the branches is starting to shine.
Then comes the shouting, the boom of a phone,
Invading a space that was never your own.
Monday, April 6, 2026
Creating a Government-Operated Public Bus Service in The Bahamas: Feasibility, Challenges, and Benefits
"Island Hopper Jitney Service" - Bahamas AI Image
©A. Derek Catalano
Creating a Government-Operated Public Bus Service in The Bahamas: Feasibility, Challenges, and Benefits
Introduction
A modern, government-operated public bus service in The Bahamas is not a utopian idea. It is a practical nation-building project whose time has likely come, especially for New Providence, where most of the country’s population, jobs, schools, government offices, and tourism activity are concentrated. The real question is not whether The Bahamas needs better public transport. It does. The harder question is whether the state should directly own, regulate, and operate a structured bus network rather than continue relying primarily on the fragmented jitney model that has shaped mobility in Nassau for decades.
The answer, on balance, is yes, but only if the project is designed with realism. A government bus system in The Bahamas is feasible, but not if it is approached as a political announcement or a symbolic fleet purchase. It must be built as a transport institution: professionally run, financially disciplined, digitally managed, legally empowered, and integrated with the geography and economy of the country. If done properly, it could reduce traffic, improve worker mobility, support tourism, lower household transport costs, and raise the overall quality of urban life. If done poorly, it could become another underused public asset burdened by weak enforcement, poor maintenance, and political interference.
This essay examines the feasibility, challenges, and benefits of creating a government-operated public bus service in The Bahamas, with primary focus on New Providence and secondary consideration for Grand Bahama and selected Family Islands.
Angel Fish Tile
A white 4 inch tile I painted sometime around 1990(bottom). It was dirty and grimy but cleaned up with AI(top).
"Angel Fish Tile" - AI cleaned
©A. Derek Catalano
"Angel Fish Tile" - Painted original
©A. Derek Catalano
©A. Derek Catalano
View: Happy Sun Tile
No White Woman Has Ever Sat in the House of Assembly: One Tried 1962
Lady Greta Oakes
By The Bahamianologist
No White Woman Has Ever Sat in the House of Assembly: One Tried 1962
There has never been a white woman elected to the Bahamas House of Assembly. Not once. Not in the 64 years since women were given the right to vote in 1962. No white Bahamian woman in living memory has run. None has even been offered a nomination.The first woman to sit in the House was Dame Janet Bostwick, who won her seat in 1982. Since Dame Janet, women have liberally served as parliamentarians. Black women. Only Black women. The chamber has never seated a white Bahamian female member.
In 1962, one tried.
Her motivation may have been in question. Her ambition was not.
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Rip Ty'd - AI Redo
Helped my son with a video shoot at a local micro-brewery on Dowdeswell St., Nassau. Took a shot of the logo on the building(top) and enhanced it with AI(bottom).
Rip Ty'd Logo - Original
©A. Derek Catalano
Rip Ty'd Logo - AI Redo
©A. Derek Catalano
©A. Derek Catalano
Friday, April 3, 2026
TOMORROW! - Ranfurly Homes for Children Easter Bake Sale
Ranfurly Homes for Children Easter Bake Sale
This Saturday at the Ranfurly Homes for Children located at 101 Mackey Street and at Lowe's Pharmacy in Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza
April:4th, 2026
12:00 PM-6:00 PM
Indulge in a variety of sweet favourites
The Easter Story: From The Last Supper to The Resurrection
On this Good Friday Native Stew presents
The Easter Story: From The Last Supper to The Resurrection
Sourbush a.k.a. Cure For All
Sourbush a.k.a. Cure For All - ©A. Derek Catalano
Used for various ailments
Download full size: 2688x2574
Related article: Bush Medicine in The Bahamas
Thursday, April 2, 2026
All the Women Want Me
"Magnet" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
All the Women Want Me
They smile and toss their glances wide,
They gather close with practiced pride,
They laugh too long, they lean too near,
They drop their hints for me to hear.
They paint their lips, they strike their pose,
They wear perfume like blooming rose,
They play their games, they cast their net,
But I’m not bait they’re gonna get.
Yes, all the women want me, true,
But I belong to only you.
So let the whole world stare and see,
No one but my wife is meant for me.
They cannot have me, not a chance,
Not with a wink, not with a glance,
Not with a touch, not with a plea,
Because my heart is not for free.
I am a man who knows his ground,
Whose feet stay firm, whose soul is sound.
I’m not a leaf in lustful breeze,
Blown by desire with shameful ease.
I’m not a fool who throws away
A lifelong love for one cheap stray.
I’m not so weak, I’m not that blind,
To trade true gold for glittered grime.
Happy Sun Tile
A white 4 inch tile I painted sometime around 1990(bottom). It was dirty and grimy but cleaned up with AI(top).
"Happy Sun Tile" - AI cleaned
©A. Derek Catalano
Download full size: 1024x1024
"Happy Sun Tile" - Painted original
©A. Derek Catalano
©A. Derek Catalano
View: Angel Fish Tile
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Spiny Lobster Season Closed!
Spiny Lobster Season Closed!
This means that during the period of April 1st through July 31st it is an offence for persons to take, capture, have in possession, kill, or offer any fresh or live crawfish for sale.
The Caribbean Spiny Lobster, commonly known to Bahamians as crawfish, is the largest fishery, and an important contributor to the economy. It provides income to many fishers, seafood vendors, processors, and exporters. It is also a popular delicacy for Bahamians and visitors alike, so we must protect this species' population.
The closed season for the spiny lobster corresponds with peak breeding times for crawfish species. Harvesting crawfish during this time reduces the reproductive capacity of the species. To uphold Spiny lobster populations, we ask you to join BREEF and support the closed season by choosing a different dish!
The Grand Dame of Nassau: A History of the British Colonial
British Colonial Hotel - ©A. Derek Catalano
The Grand Dame of Nassau: A History of the British Colonial
Standing prominently at #1 Bay Street, the British Colonial Hotel is more than just a luxury resort; it is the physical manifestation of Nassau’s evolution from a pirate haven to a global tourism capital. Known affectionately as the "Grand Dame," its history spans over three centuries of military defense, industrial ambition, and cinematic glamour.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Always Do Your Best
"The Best" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
Always Do Your Best
When the morning sun begins its climb and wakes the sleeping day,
And challenges like mountain peaks stand tall within your way,
Don’t measure out the effort by the prizes you might win,
But by the strength of spirit that you summon from within.
In every task you undertake, however small or grand,
Commit the total power of your heart and of your hand.
If you are sweeping marble floors or carving out a stone,
Or sitting in a quiet room, working all alone,
Let every stroke be steady and let every line be true,
For everything you finish is a mirror-piece of you.
The world may not be watching, and the crowds may never cheer,
But excellence is found when your own conscience is the peer.
When weariness comes knocking and the easy path looks kind,
When shadows of a doubt begin to flicker in your mind,
Remember that the finish line is not the only goal,
It’s the process of the striving that defines a steady soul.
To cut a corner here or there might save a little time,
But hollow is the summit if you cheated on the climb.
In moments of great triumph, when the glory starts to fade,
You’ll find the truest value in the efforts that you made.
And even in the face of loss, when things don’t go your way,
If you gave all you had to give throughout the weary day,
You’ll find a quiet sanctuary, a peace within your chest,
The noble, deep contentment of the soul that did its best.
For talent is a seed that’s sown, but labor is the rain,
And nothing worth the having comes without a bit of strain.
So let your work be honest and your focus be intense,
For doing well is actually its own best recompense.
When you lay down your head at night to take your final rest,
The sweetest sleep is reserved for the one who gave their best.
©A. Derek Catalano/Gemini
Monday, March 30, 2026
The Great Name Exchange: Columbus, Watlings, and the Identity of San Salvador
"Offshore Ships" - Bahamas AI Art
©A. Derek Catalano
The Great Name Exchange: Columbus, Watlings, and the Identity of San Salvador
For over four centuries, the identity of the first land sighted by Christopher Columbus in the New World remained a subject of cartographic confusion and historical debate. Today, the island officially known as San Salvador in the eastern Bahamas bears a name that, for most of post-Columbian history, belonged to its neighbor to the northwest: Cat Island. The legislative "swapping" of these names in 1926 represents one of the few instances where a nation’s geography was officially reconfigured to align with a historical theory.
Chipman (d.1951) Chipman (d.1957) Chipman (d.1962) Chipman (d.2013) Chipman (d.2014) and the Court Case
Howard Nelson Chipman
1881 - 1951
By The Bahamianologist
There is a particular truth about The Bahamas that the official histories have long preferred to leave unspoken. It is not a comfortable truth, yet it is an honest one: families across every economic and social spectrum — families that gave priests, politicians, teachers, preachers, artists, entrepreneurs, the famous and the infamous, an entire economic class and generation to the nation, and families whose contributions were quieter but no less real — were born outside the formal bonds of marriage.
Bahamians had a name for them: outside children. A plain term for a common reality that the official record preferred not to count.
Were it not for the whispered secrets that outlive the principals by generations, such truths would remain buried in the memories of those who carried them in silence to their graves.
70th Annual National Family Island Regatta
70th Annual National Family Island Regatta
April 21st-25th, 2026
Georgetown, Exuma
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Bonefish Pond National Park: The Green Lung of Southern New Providence
Bonefish Pond National Park - ©A. Derek Catalano
Bonefish Pond National Park: The Green Lung of Southern New Providence
Introduction
Situated on the southern coast of New Providence Island in The Bahamas, Bonefish Pond National Park (BPNP) stands as a testament to environmental resilience and community-driven conservation. Spanning approximately 1,235 acres (5 km²), it protects the last remaining intact tidal mangrove ecosystem on the island’s southern shore. Established in 2002 and managed by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), the park serves a dual purpose: acting as a critical "nursery" for the nation’s marine life and providing a vital buffer for the capital city against the increasing threats of climate change and storm surges.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Capt. Harry Knowles - Harbour Pilot
Capt. Harry Knowles(center) boarding ship
In the early days of piloting in Nassau Harbour there were three pilots: Capt. Harry Knowles, Capt. Willard Brown and Willard's cousin Capt. Christopher Brown.
Capt. Harry Knowles is the father of World Class sailor Sir Durward "Sea Wolf" Knowles who won the Gold Medal for The Bahamas at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
No system was in place to determine which pilot would bring in a particular ship, which meant the first to come alongside an incoming vessel was the one who got the job. The entire piloting fee was paid to that pilot, which created intense competition.
Each pilot had a crew of three or four, and one crew member constantly looked for incoming ships. Once a ship was spotted, the captain was alerted and the race was on!
Capt. Harry Knowles is the father of World Class sailor Sir Durward "Sea Wolf" Knowles who won the Gold Medal for The Bahamas at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
No system was in place to determine which pilot would bring in a particular ship, which meant the first to come alongside an incoming vessel was the one who got the job. The entire piloting fee was paid to that pilot, which created intense competition.
Each pilot had a crew of three or four, and one crew member constantly looked for incoming ships. Once a ship was spotted, the captain was alerted and the race was on!
Bahamian Star Nishie LS Set to Headline Soca Steam in Nassau!
Bahamian Star Nishie LS Set to Headline Soca Steam in Nassau!
The 242 is getting ready for a major wave as Soca Steam prepares to take over Nassau with a heavy focus on homegrown Bahamian talent. Leading the charge is the 242’s own powerhouse, Nishie LS, a favorite among local music lovers known for her incredible versatility. From her gospel roots to dominating the Rake ‘n’ Scrape and Soca scenes, she’s set to bring the house down with massive hits like “Loose Me” and “Gimme De Music.” This performance is a true celebration of Bahamian artistry, showcasing why Nishie remains a standout beacon in our local music industry.
While Nishie holds it down for the 242, she’ll be sharing the stage with a dynamic lineup of Caribbean stars. The energy will be through the roof as Yung Bredda and Shassy Mania join the bill, bringing their signature high-octane vibes to the mix. It’s a perfect fusion of regional sounds, where the infectious rhythms of The Bahamas meet the broader pulse of the Caribbean for a night of pure, unadulterated energy.
This massive cultural explosion is taking place at The Farm, Marshall Road in Nassau, New Providence. The “steam” officially begins on Saturday, April 4th, 2026, starting at 10:00 PM and going hard until 4:00 AM. Make sure you represent, bring your energy, and get ready for a night that highlights the very best of our Bahamian talent.
Courtesy of Rock the City
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