Local News
VISAR’s Winter Wonderland Brings Festive Fun to Nanny Cay
Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) is back with its much-anticipated annual fundraiser, “VISAR’s Winter Wonderland and Holiday Village officially kicking off the holiday season in the Virgin Islands. on Friday, November 24, at 5 PM at Nanny Cay.
This marks the 4th edition of the event and this time, they’ve chosen the Nanny Cay as the backdrop for this holiday extravaganza.
The ice skating extravaganza which promises to be bigger and better than ever will continue until Saturday, December 30th, allowing both locals and visitors to enjoy the festivities throughout the season.
A Winter Wonderland in the Caribbean
While the main attraction remains the ice skating rink, there’s much more to see and do at VISAR’s Winter Wonderland. Every Friday and Saturday night, Nanny Cay will transform into a Holiday Village, featuring a delightful array of food and ice cream vendors to satisfy your cravings. Throughout the five weeks, a full roster of special events will keep the entertainment going strong. A detailed list of these events can be found in the attached press release.
The ice skating rink will be open during various hours to accommodate all schedules and preferences. On Fridays and Saturdays, it will be open from 5 PM to 10 PM, and on Sundays, it will operate from 5 PM to 9 PM. Additionally, from December 18 to December 28, the rink will be open from 5 PM to 9 PM. Please note that there are a few dates when the rink will be closed, as listed in the press release.
Skating for a Cause
While you enjoy the winter wonderland in the Caribbean, there’s also an opportunity to contribute to a good cause. The cost to skate is $10 per person for a 30-minute session, and the money raised goes directly to supporting VISAR’s essential operations, ensuring they are available 24/7/365 to provide the best possible response to maritime distress situations.
In an effort to make skating safe and enjoyable for everyone, VISAR has amended its policy for skaters aged 7 and younger. Children under 7 can skate along with a paying adult from 5 PM to 8 PM. After 8 PM, children under 7 can be on the ice at the discretion of the Rink Manager and Staff. For adults uncomfortable on the ice, there is an alternative: a $10 donation will get them a staff member to accompany their child on the rink during the 30-minute session.
Supporting the Community
VISAR’s Winter Wonderland isn’t just about having fun and raising funds; it’s also about giving back to the community that supports them. High school students can earn community service hours at the rink, and the event provides seasonal employment opportunities for 10-12 young adults. It’s noteworthy that five volunteers from the previous season have been hired to join the staff this year, highlighting the positive impact this event has on the community.
A Special Partnership with Nanny Cay
Nanny Cay Resort and Marina is an integral partner in this endeavor. Jane Tyrell, Nanny Cay Resort Manager, emphasized their commitment to providing a safe, family-oriented, and enjoyable holiday experience for all visitors. Nanny Cay’s picturesque setting, complete with a stunning marina and a variety of dining options, enhances the festive spirit of Winter Wonderland. It allows guests to enjoy more than just ice skating; they can create lasting memories in a safe, family-friendly environment.
With VISAR’s Winter Wonderland, you can experience the perfect blend of a tropical paradise and wintery fun in the heart of the Caribbean. So, mark your calendars, lace up your skates, and join the holiday fun at Nanny Cay while supporting a worthy cause. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. For more information, check VISAR’s Facebook and website or contact Julie Schneider at Purpose Driven Consultants. Let’s make this holiday season truly magical in the Virgin Islands.
https://www.facebook.com/jtv55/videos/832126835376971
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Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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