What a lovely surprise to meet up with my friend Nerissa. She’s back ‘home’ from Florida visiting relatives on Ragged Island.
Valentine Party is a tradition on Hog Cay, hosted by Maxine Wallace of Ragged Island, she makes a feast of Bahamian food, Conch Fitters, Goat Curry (called Mutton Curry), savory rice, Turkey, ham, fish fingers, various salads, and provides beer, sodas and water. All at her own cost. Food is dreadfully expensive in the Bahamas, and so Cruisers the past few years raise a kitty of funds to cover Maxines costs. This year we all chipped in $25 per person. The Cruisers provide dessert and there was a table laden with choices.
Nerissa was creative and thoughtful to bring a load full of Heart Shaped tubes for the kids, it really made it fun for them in the water
And some Cruiser brought their blow up chairs - must admit they were placed off to one side, and got most use from the teenage kids who made their own spot
A bicycle, and full stainless steel fridge/freezer
Tables groaning with donated items from the Cruisers, all to be Auctioned off to raise funds for the Ragged Island School
Cruisers setting up under the shade cloth awning, Duane
So many Cruisers, 28 yachts … you do the math, some with more than just one couple there were a lot of new people we did not know
CeCe setting up her camera for a Group Shot
Nicholas and I perusing the tables to see what we could Bid on
To start was amazing Conch Fritters
Angie from Duncan Town, made and cooked for about 3 hours numerous Conch Fritters, to satisfy the crowd
Nicholas and I enjoying fresh made Hot Conch Fitters
A fire was made in the cooking fire pit, and Ty brought over this huge gridHere the dishes prepared by Maxine are being heated up for Lunch
The table inside the Hut is set up and ready serving. Darcy gave the MC speech, with Cindy on hand for those Cruisers who had not contributed to the Luncheon. Angie gave a sweet blessing for the meal
Darcy, Cindy and Maxine
New friends from SV Wasi Sabi, Ryan and Alley (on the LHS), and they have a sweet dog JellyBean On the RHS is Michele of Reach, and a lady whose name I dont remember
CeCe and partner of Safari (not South African), just liked the yacht name
Alan and Skye from sv Tangent
After lunch, it was time for the Auction, and Darcy started it well with hoots and laughter, and much bidding on everything
Maxine and one of the children from Ragged Island
Hot Bidding
The Auction raised over $2200 and will go to fund the School on Ragged Island
Group Shot, not the best, I’m going to try get CeCe’s photo from her camera which was properly set up
Nice to see that Bahamas Defence Force came to join in the festivities, in the casual gear. Them leaving the anchorage
The ‘official’ photo for 2022 Hog Cay Valentines Party
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