Educators
Flock to Aruba for College Fair 2002
Art Studio Insight hosted a bus-load of educators
Thursday night for the opening cocktail party of College Fair 2002. The
private initiative emerged during the cadence of Mary Wever as the
Minister of Education. Having gone through the trials and tribulations of educating two
daughters on the island, and picking an overseas school for their continued academic
growth, she
knew it wasn’t an easy process. Her office experimented with a small College Fair two
years ago. It was a success. Then the
Minister appointed one of her office assistants, Peggy Croes, as
president of a just-installed College Fair foundation. Regretfully, while serving in a
political capacity, Wever reveals, she wasn’t able to assume responsibilities for a
not-for-profit organization, though she gave it her full-hearted support.
Croes took over and from what it seems, in
conjunction with other volunteers managed to put together a weekend of interesting
activities for this island’s academically-inclined set.
College Fair, 2002 will unfold at the Seaport
Conference Center during the next three days. It will allow youngsters and their
parents the opportunity to interview educators and get informed. Living on a small
Caribbean island, school graduate often
find it hard to pick a perfectly matched institution of higher learning. They pick basing
their decision on notions, or second
hand information.
It’s going to be different this year. The
2002 College Fair edition successfully attracted local institutions of higher learning,
also
some from neighboring islands Curacao, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Then there is a
significant European contingent with many fine choices and a sprinkle of American
universities.
InHolland, a school operating
different campuses, scattered all over the Nederlands, offering more than
one-hundred-and-fifty
curriculums, was well represented. Peter Visser, Guus Heffelaar and
Truus Wening with finance, international relations and marketing
backgrounds were on the island to scout for suitable students. Heffelaar taught in Aruba a
few years ago at a
premier high-school, Colegio Arubano, and is familiar with the academic level
accomplished by local graduates. InHolland is
new, they say, yet it operates specialized campuses in strategic location and offers very
reasonable tuitions.
The Belgians hailing from Katholieke
Universiteit Leuven arrived on the island with high hopes. As a private, nicely
subsidized school, their annual tuition amounts to just a few hundred Euros, yet their
level of academics is high and they are hoping to find suitable candidates here. We also
speak Dutch says Jesus Castillo Coronado, the orientation days coordinator, so kids will
feel right at home in Leuven.
The University of the West Indies,
a famous school from Jamaica sighed up for the trip eager to describe its attractive
curriculum to potential Aruban students. Puerto Rico, a land of 40 different universities,
is participating via one of that island’s
largest schools, also offering law and computer technology. Curacao’s University of
the Netherlands Antilles was on hand to
attest to the fact that its MBA program is excellent.
Speaking on behalf of Lynn University,
John Duque. His relatively tiny school, 2000 students, already has a fine
reputation on
the island. Located in Florida it is a popular choice among graduates here. Last but not
least Irmgard Dijkhoff, a graduate of Northern Arizona University. Born
on the island the diligent Irmgard wrote to her former guidance councilor and told him
about the college fair. The councilor who knew Irmgard well and appreciated her many
talents empowered her to represent
her alma mater during the fair. It’s a dream come true, she says, I can give parents
and students first hand information. I loved
my school and had an excellent experience in Arizona.
The cocktail party was nicely catered by Art
Studio Insight. Owner artist Alida Perez orchestrated a special art
exhibition in
honor of the dignitaries with works of local artists Elvis Lopez and King
Lie Kwie, who is incidentally opening a one man
show at Insight, on November 1st.
[courtesy of
Rona Coster]
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In November of last year preparations were in high gear for the
launch of Sea Trek on De Palm Island. At the end of twelve
exciting months, Aruba’s most recent diving attraction has become super-popular, and
quite profitable, the partners agree. De Palm’s General Manager David Page
reports that Sea Trek was the first full-partnership undertaken by De Palm Tours. Local
entrepreneur Chuck di Perri, who initiated the deal fought for the
project and made it happen. 
Sea trek was developed by Jim Mayfield of Snuba,
a man dedicated to making underwater exploration accessible to as many people as possible.
Jim visited the island last year and expressed great satisfaction with de Palm
Island’s operation, the 13th of its kind in the world. It was a major investment,
says di Perri and it paid off. To celebrate the occasion, Page and di Perri took their
hard working divers out – they introduce up to 90 people to the underwaters, each day
- for dinner at the Sunset Grille, Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino.
Giant steaks and chocolate soufflés made the divers ever so happy, and di Perri got an
appreciation plaque from his guys. With a new project on the horizon - he won’t say
what, and the responsibility to train all personnel hired by the two Sea Trek parks
opening in Jamaica, you could say that di Perri is ear-deep in work . . . 
The culinary trip around the world was first launched with O
Sushi Mi, a delicious Japanese sushi bar in the lobby. Then a few more hotel eateries
were updated and re-launched resulting in a total of seven different outlets including the
charming Las Ramblas,
Pasta & Pastabilities lists five different pastas each day,
eat-in or take-out. All classics, including Armatriciana, Pizzaiola, Puttanesca,
Alfredo and Bolognese make an appearance on the menu. And the pizza has a
thin crispy crust. Each day, a different pie is king, and all conceivable pizza toppings
are available, including Bacon and Prosciutto. The deluxe creation, for example, is loaded
with artichoke, olives, pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, anchovies, tomato sauce,
Mozzarella and sprinkled with
The ribbon cutting ceremony involved three sets of scissors, the
island's Prime Minister Nelson Oduber, the Minister of
Economic Affairs, Nilo Swaen and Heineken's Director of Export
Rik Bart de Jonge. General Manager Heineken Aruba N.V. Patrick
Melchiors, orchestrated a wonderful party following the ribbon cutting ceremony
with brass band music and an unlimited supply of ice cold green bottles. The crowd also
enjoyed a short video outlining the Heineken family history, with third generation experts
now at the helm. The brand, says Patrick, is available in over 170 countries around the
globe and is brewed in many far corners of the universe with the same Dutch dedication to
quality and respect for tradition. 
In conjunction with commercial director Hans Mondria,
and sales and special events manager Tirso Tromp, the team is responsible
for the Heineken Catamaran Regatta, in November, the International Kite
Surfing Competition in June and the Heineken Music Festival Aruba,
mid-summer. Carnival is perhaps the brand’s busiest promotion. The pale cold liquid
is especially refreshing under the blazing sun, on parade!
The evening launch with French Kiss, a flute of Champagne cocktail
with Hershey chocolate kisses at the bottom. Guests sampled a tangy seafood Gazpacho and
individually-served Ceviche on cookie-trays for hors d'oeuvres. Two seatings followed as
patrons enjoyed the main event, an elegant three-course dinner. The European, bistro-style
restaurant, was candle lit, and maestro Richardo Garcia played long-standing Parisian hits
on his accordion. 
The menu offered tempting choices of appetizers: Grilled Shrimps flavored with
Tarragon or Veal Sweetbreads in white wine. The entrees were equally tantalizing featuring
freshly caught Caribbean Grouper in Champagne and oyster sauce or Grilled Rack of Lamb
with Raspberry-Mint jelly. It was Mirella Corderia's birthday and while
the lady did not disclosed her age, her friends and family members toasted her lovingly
with French champagne, hugs and kisses. 
Famous for its delicious desserts, L'Entrecote delighted diners with
a sumptuous selection of home made sweets. L'Entrecote which is located at Port of Call
Mall downtown, has a number of affiliated restaurants in Venezuela and the USA. 
Little Switzerland at Royal Plaza is now home to a Tiffany & Co.
boutique. Little gifts in blue boxes are now available at the heart of Oranjestad in
Little Switzerland's flagship store. Tiffany & Co. is an internationally renowned
jeweler and specialty retailer with a history than spans the 19th, 20th and 21st
centuries. From the time of the opening of its first store in downtown New York City in
1837, Tiffany & Co. has become one of the world's most well-known and respected
jewelry retailers. 
Today, Tiffany & Co. has 132 company operated stores in 17
countries, plus valuable long term, relationships with respected independent jewelers,
such as Little Switzerland, in key geographical regions. 
Insight Art studio presents a one man show by local artist King
Lie Kwie, aptly named "They say, I heard, I painted" interpreting some
island news, events and trends and mostly idiosyncrasies. King is an art teacher by
profession and an active member of the local artist community. 
Pictured here are the absolute lovers of E-Music, with Teresa,
their marketing girl-Friday. "We strongly believe that Aruba can become a future
destination for electronic music fanatics," they say." It is very possible and
it is happening all around us." Muzika will be venturing out to VENEZUELA in the
first or second week of December to organize an overseas festival. With a 5000 people
capacity, they will be able to spread the word about Aruba and the company. Hopefully,
they conclude, there will be much interest in Aruba as a result. 
The group’s sound influenced the music of three generations,
says Ruben Garcia, the local concert promoter. Between the
The latest trend detected in the local computer scene, involves an
artistic expression and is nonchalantly called Case Mods. It stands for
modification, naturally. A square grey, beige or egg shell box housing a bunch of wires
and memory boards is no longer desirable, reports Roy Leitch Jr.
International fashion dictates a bit of window dressing. Leitch Jr. recently joined Big
Feet N.V. a small computer firm on the island. He’s been working on interesting
designs since them. Plaything, carefully air-brushed on an ordinary computer case by a
local artist is just an example. Sprayed with auto paint, keyboards and mice may get
similar makeovers.
Big Feet N.V. also recently started organizing Lan Parties,
at Cesar Tarazano, a local technical, vocation school. Etiquette
At the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino the Dynamics
of Doing Deli were discussed among the island's local Deli Operators. The initiative
by USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the
USA Dairy Export Council was designed to introduce local companies to the wonders of US
products. Elizabeth Wunderlich who is the Caribbean Manager for the Meat
Export Federation is very familiar with the island. She comes here often to talk to
hoteliers, chefs and restaurant-owners about the high quality of US meats and to introduce
her consumers to new cuts and novel recipes. Elizabeth recruited Angelique
Hollister, of the Dairy Export Council and Greg Tyler, the
Poultry & Egg man to come to Aruba to do the same, make a comprehensive presentation
to the local food professionals, about fine products from the USA. Mary Ponomarentro,
Foreign Agricultural Service Dairy, Livestock & Poultry Division USDA, drummed up the
funds. We couldn't have made it without Washington's help admits Elizabeth. The forum also
introduced a dynamic speaker Phil Kafarakis who educated his local
audience about customer expectations, food safety, selling, merchandizing and
profitability. 
Among local companies who took advantage of the seminar 
He says he spent 15 days in Cuba auditioning dancers for the Havana
Tropical revue. Businessman Alfonso Riverol, the owner of the 
The show opens with a Copa Cabana production number. The girls have
short beaded wigs on. They basically wear ruffled sleeves and g-strings with showcase
their gorgeous figures quite well. In a Rockettes-like choreography they mix French Can
Can kicks with cartwheels. Later Moulin Rouge is interpreted with strutting soul
sister Lady Marmalade. Sashah performs a teasing Christina Aguilera favorite as
well as a 4-Non-Blondes classic, which the audience loves. Odarmise plays Carmen
Miranda with two very skimpily dressed Venuses for a backdrop. A clownish New-York, New
York introduces a Monroe-like platinum blonde babe, her dance partner wearing Ricky
Ricardo black & white shoes. A sexy, passionate Mambo. The opening number of
Cabaret, with Sasha in the unforgettable Joel Grey role, dragging a chair. 
Calabash or Gourd tree (Crescentia cujete)
is locally known as Calbas. This tree specie grows sparsely over the Island, usually on
Batholithic soils. It can grow up to four meters, with a low single stem from which the
branches spread out horizontally. In the dry season the tree sheds all its leaves, but
boasts with young green ones soon as it rains a little, like these days on Aruba. During
the rainy period Calabash sets flowers, which opens in just a couple of nights to quickly
withers the next day. The flowers are purple yellowish of color and bell-shaped, about
five to six centimeters large. Pollination takes place by a certain bat type. Calabash on
Aruba can also be found in Cactus hedges, but people are taking these down for housing
developments, and so taking many Calabash trees with them. An area of Aruba is also called
Calabas and Department of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries (DLVVM),
also known as Santa Rosa, believes that the name derives of their past abundance at that
area.
