Cane Farmers Present Plaque of Appreciation to Prime Minister

Press Release - Belmopan, February 1st, 2011 - Today in his Belmopan Office, Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Dean Barrow was presented with a plaque of appreciation by representatives of the Cane Farmers’ Association.

The plaque of appreciation is in recognition of the Prime Minister and his Government’s timely intervention in providing a BZ$10 Million loan to BSI to enable the current crop season to commence, as well as a grant of One Million Belize dollars to the farmers.

The reads of follows: “Certificate of Appreciation: This certificate is awarded to the Honourable Dean Barrow, Prime Minister, for the support given to the cane farmers to provide the third cane payment and for your intervention to have the commencement of the 2010-2011 Crop season. Also, we are very grateful for the One Million Dollar Grant (BZ$1,000,000) which was provided to the cane farmers as a donation.”

Presenting the plaque to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Cane Farmers’ Association was the Chairman of its Committee of Management, Alfredo Ortega. The Prime Minister, in response, expressed his thanks for the kind gesture and commended the farmers for the remarkable improvement in the quality of cane being delivered to the factory, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of the Sugar Industry.

Fundraiser held to assist Cancer patient Maria Ofelia Sandoval

The weekend was jam-packed with activities in San Pedro, and one of those was a fundraiser for cancer patient Maria Ofelia Sandoval. Sandoval has been living on the island for the past 24 years, and after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she has had to receive regular Chemotherapy sessions at the Belize Cancer Center Dangriga.Family and friends, along with the San Pedro Cancer Society have rallied to hold regular fundraisers to help offset her medical expenses, and this past weekend a Basketball marathon was held at the Boca Del Rio Park. With a food and drink sale going on all day, and exciting games of basketball, Sunday was a day of fun and all for a worthy cause.
Anyone wishing to participate in this event, or to donate towards the cause is asked to contact Pablo Ico at 633-7820, or contact the San Pedro Cancer Society with donations, either monetary or in kind in Maria Ofelia Sandoval’s name. Look for this week's San Pedro Sun for more details of the fundraiser.

San Pedro High School Girls shine in Orange Walk

The Boys and Girls football teams of the San Pedro High School traveled to Orange Walk over the weekend to compete in the Northern Regionals of the High School Football competition. At the end of the day, the girls topped the competition bringing home the trophy while the boys were defeated - non the less, they performed exceptionally. Both teams were not short on fans as many individuals traveled from San Pedro to cheer on our boys and girls. Congratulations to both teams. Great Job.

SPHS Girls with their trophy
SPHS Girls

SPHS Boys playing

What's New? The Butcher

With a large number of residents from all corners of the world living on Ambergris Caye, it is just fitting that “The Butcher” becomes an integral part of our community. Kurt Buhles of Frankfurt, Germany, moved to San Pedro in 2009. His experience working with meats and sausages, both items he enjoys – he took his love for the food and decided to share it with residents, visitors and tourists on San Pedro.

After opening its doors on November 1st, 2010, The Butcher now offers a unique variety of sausages, guaranteed to satisfy the taste buds of even the pickiest eaters. Items available at The Butcher include, breakfast links, pork salami, roast beef, Vienna sausage, meatloaf, cooked ham, cheese grillers, onion sausage, blood sausage, bratwurst and polish sausages among others.

The Butcher is your one stop location for delectable sausage and German bread from the two German bakeries on the island. All products are prepared using fresh Belizean meats. Opening hours for The Butcher are as follows: Mondays through Saturday – 9:00am – 6:00pm and on Sundays from 10:00am – 1:00pm. Between the hours of 11:00am – 4:00pm daily The Butcher grills international style burgers for just $5.

For further information, Kurt may be reached at 628-8262.

The Art of Life

Friendship with Pain

“It’s never about what happened to you, but what you become through it.” - Emmanuel

You see them when you travel through Belize City; in fact they are in every city. Standing, sitting, lying sometimes barely alive it seems. These are the street people, the homeless. “Spare some change?” He calls out, holding out a hand crusted with grime. He’s got a blank stare in his eyes just behind his pain, his skin is weathered hanging inside old clothes that has seen too many pavements. His smell makes you coil backwards as though being pushed back by an invisible field.

Pain or pleasure-who knows what, put him roaming on the streets. He is part of the human landscape. No one likes to look at pain. No need for details-we want to move on-get to the fun part. Out of fear it might be you, you toss the coin into his palm, you can move on now.

Some people live with pain all their lives. Others chose to end life hoping for a better place. Living with pain is not easy. Some days are better than others they say. But as they come to accept it, pain becomes a friend that comes and goes teaching when to stand strong and when to let go. Life is filled with opposites but as we step back blurring our vision we transcend the detail and see the whole beauty of the complete picture. Pain is the complement of a joyous life. As we stay strong in the face of suffering, joy eventually becomes the background of all there is. Through time it prepares us for a door we may pass through. After all we can’t take the human landscape where we are going.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.