The Rebirth of St. John has happened

hawksnest

And, boy, is she beautiful both inside and out!

First, the obvious beauty -- our hillsides are now covered with new foliage and flowers are blooming with vigor, and flamboyant trees are even blazing red with a second bloom this year.  Our waters are beautiful turquoise again and crystal clear. And, thanks to lots of hard work by volunteers and the National Park Service personnel, our beaches are again silky sandy.  Some beaches, like Hawksnest, are actually bigger! Just last week the National Park Service announced that the VI National Park is open again. Dive and fishing boat captains are reporting that sea life is thriving with fish and lobsters. Charter boats are back in business and taking people out on the water to enjoy snorkeling spots near and far.

lineman

Secondly, and as importantly, residents of St. John and people from around the country who love St. John have given of themselves in an extraordinary way every day since September when the two Category 5 hurricanes (Irma & Maria), with their ferocious winds, 'visited' St. John.  St. Johnians jumped in to volunteer through St. John Rescue and St. John Community Foundation, first in search and rescue efforts and then helping provide housing for those who lost it, free meals, clothing and they worked hand in hand with the many wonderful government and private sector stateside organizations including Kenny Chesney and Mike Bloomberg's Foundations. Folks from FEMA, the Defense Department, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Red Cross have all been amazingly committed to helping our island rebuild. Linemen from all over the country have invaded (to our delight!) St. John. We have more utility trucks with stateside license plates than those with USVI ones!  Linemen worked Thanksgiving day and are routinely celebrated by local residents.

Ship of Utility Poles arrives St. Thomas

Never have people been so excited to receive a ship of utility poles as those of us who live in the US Virgin Islands! Usually we are excited to greet a cruise ship of tourists, however, this ship was filled with no tourists but something that is a more welcome sight -- utility poles.

Beginning this past Sept 29 and continuing for several days, WAPA crews and its contractors began positioning a shipment of approximately 1,300 utility poles at strategic locations across St. Thomas. A second shipment of another 2,500 poles and additional equipment is expected in the territory within two weeks. The utility poles are part of an initial shipment of additional supplies needed to rebuild the transmission and distribution system. Convoys will be deployed from the cruise ship dock in Havensight, destined for the west end, north side and east end areas.

Energizing the substations will bring service to Red Hook, affording WAPA the ability to test the undersea cables to St. John. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, WAPA should begin to energize portions of Cruz Bay within the next 10-14 days. St. John crews continue to work in the Cruz Bay area planting new poles from the roundabout toward the Myrah Keating Smith Health Clinic.

What a difference a bit of time makes!

Author and long-term St John home owner, Homer Hickam, has a great way of helping us remember just how quickly our now brown landscape can rebound -- in a year's time brown hillsides turn into to lush, lush green. His example, while not St John, is similar to our environmental conditions. We will let his words and pictures speak for themselves:

I sort of went through this in 1998 when the island of Isla de Guanaja [in the Caribbean] was hit by Mitch, similar in size as Irma. Here are before and after photos, a year between. My friends standing in same spot with exactly one year between photos. Islands do recover (left photo right after Hurricane Mitch and the photo on the left just one year later: 

Guanaja hurricane mitch

Guanaja hurricane mitch 1 yr later

As we brace for Hurricane Maria and make every effort to stay safe, know that the future can and will be bright and the island green again as shown in the above photos!

Help is on the way to the US Virgin Islands

The US Navy announced today that the USS Wasp, USS Kearsarge and USS Oak Hill support relief mission in Virgin Islands. The amphibious assault ships USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) along with the Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are supporting the lead federal agency in providing humanitarian relief efforts for Hurricane Irma. Wasp, the first Navy platform to arrive in the vicinity of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is providing medium and heavy lift helicopters to transport people and supplies. Wasp's helicopters are conducting medical evacuations for intensive care patients from St. Thomas to St. Croix and conducting site assessments on the initial damage in St. Thomas.

And, we also learned that St John Rescue has arranged for 2 jets to fly in needed supplies including high tech equipment and highly qualified first responders. They are deploying with Global Dirt Disaster immediate response team.  They plan to 'insert' on St John in the next 36 hours (posted on Facebook Sept 7 at 2 PM).

If you can, please consider donating to the St John Rescue Relief Fund.

St John Blues Blowout Festival in ON!

The  St. John Blues Society was formed by co-founding members Ronnie Klingsberg (AKA owner of Ronnie's Pizza) and Ian Samuels along with Symone' James and Stephanie Whitener.  They partnered with the Rotary Club of St. John who helped sponsor the event and all donations to the St. John Blues Blowout are tax deductible.

The blues fans were inspired to organize the concert in order to bring some great music to the island but also to benefit the community of St. John.  This year the proceeds from the St. John Blues Blowout will benefit the St. John School of the Arts and Sprauve School.  Funds will go to provide much needed scholarships to St. John students to attend the School of the arts and keep the music alive and to provide funds to support projects at Spauve School.

Upcoming Events

The St. John Blues Society

: Get ready for the blues, Love City the second annual St. John Blues Blowout is coming your way!

When:

 Saturday, March 28, 2015  5pm until ???

Where:

 Winston Wells Ball Park, St. John, US Virgin Islands

Artists:

 Biscuit Miller, Lydia Warren, The Backtrack Blues Band and Mitch Woods.

Tickets are $35

in advance and will be available at various retailers on island or $40 at the gate.

St John Carnival Special!!

St. John Carnival Week for 8 nights from Sun, Jun 29 to Mon, Jul 7 is available at

Great Expectations

due to a last minute cancellation — pay for one week and get the 8th night for free!

St John is all about wonderful Art; don't miss this week's Opening Reception featuring Caribbean - Japanese Fusion in Art Exteriors and More!

Love is in the Air on St John & Now So is Homemade Ice Cream

Aimed at 'opening' on Valentine's Day -

Friday, February 14

(yes, this year) - the popular St John 'I Scream!' is moving down the road (to Mongoose Junction), opening a whole new concept and changing its name to

St John Scoops

 (you might want to like their new Facebook page to keep up with the latest offerings).They will be making their own ice creams

every day

!  And, not just one or two flavors but - they say - 12 to 16 flavors. And, these are not your old Friendly's flavors since they will include 'adult' flavors such as champagne sorbet and burgundy wine sorbet. It would not be St John without a rum version so they are also planning to offer 'real rum raisin' and 'painkiller'.  For those traditionalists amongst the crowd, do not worry they promise to have some of the old time favorites such as cookies & cream, pistachio, and chocolate peanut butter cup. They will also be offering their super-healthy, raw, gluten-free, superfood smoothies. Also in keeping with the Caribbean atmosphere they will offer island flavors such as mango, pineapple, passion fruit, coconut, and tropical punch.

Ice Cream is super expensive on St John (think $9+ for a 'container' and the flavors are pretty limited) so why not splurge and get the real thing when you are next on St John where it is summer year round so ice cream is always a 'must have'!

PS...Update March 7 ..well, it is 'island times 'mon, nearly a month late, St John Scoops is now opened, go enjoy!

St John: New Beginnings & New Special Discounts (4th Couple Stay Free!) at Great Expectations

Enjoy our July newsletter:

New Beginnings 

Steve Simonsen captured these amazing photos as baby turtles emerged to see their new surroundings for the first time on a Virgin Islands beach

I can count 16 baby turtles (which coincidentally is the same number of beds as at Great Expectations). What an amazing event! Just as amazing is planning a vacation, especially to St John, with a large group (of people, not turtles). It can - but, does not have to be - daunting! We found a blog thread recently which you might find fun, relevant, and reassuring, if you have ever traveled with a large group. RickG, a regular visitor to St John and a USVI-on-Line contributor to their forum, posted his 'Group Travel Rules for St John'. As interesting are the comments by other experienced travelers who added to Rick's list.RickG's 'How to Plan a Vacation to St John with a Large Group': 1. Don't invite a whiner. Don't invite anyone that you would not spend a week with 1-on-1. 2. I pick the villa and the week and people get to decide if they want to come. It's OK if no one wants to come with me. 3. You get to pick your room in the order that you pay. I've already paid the deposit, so I go first. This deals with the equal room problem and #1 deals with whiners (Note - @ Great Expectations all 4 Main Villa Master bedrooms are 'equal'). 4. One vehicle per two couples. Expect there to be an early group and a late group each morning. This is not a problem I get my own vehicle and my lover is in the late group. 5. Pick a beach each day you want to visit. 11 AM is a good rendezvous hour.  The late group can usually make it and the early group will have done a hike and another beach already. It is OK if no one else shows up (you do not have to be joined at the hip all week!). 6. Do some happy hours at the villa. It's cheap and 6 -8 + people is a party. 7. Do some dinners at the villa (you can even have them catered for no more than the cost of a meal at one of St John's nicer restaurants) and do some date nights. Dinner out for 6 - 8 + people is a pain in the a$$. Meet for drinks before and after dinner.

8. Expect to spend a day without leaving the villa. Start the blender at 10 AM, put sunscreen on all exposed skin first. 9. Put $100 in the food kitty for initial food/drink provisioning. If someone is concerned that they won't spend that much and want differential treatment, that breaks rule #1 - they don't get to come. $800 will cover food and booze for a week.Some of RickG's lessons learned: -If someone whines at home, they will whine on St John (STJ). -If someone pitches in at home they will pitch in more on STJ. -The herd moves at the speed of the slowest beast. -Don't be afraid to say "I'm heading out. I'll be back for sunset." -Newbies will assume the villa is on the beach, even if you tell them otherwise and show them pictures. If they can't get over this, they stay at the Westin. -#1 takes care of almost every possible problem.

Some additional 'rules' added by others were: 1.  Let everyone book their own airline tickets. 2. Some people assign the days to have a different person responsible for each dinner (or planning the activities for the day). 3. Don't feel as though you have to be joined at the hip. It is OK to go off on your own to explore STJ.

The most important common thread was the 'no whiners' aboard. We know that it can be hard to do the planning for a large group but, we also know how much fun it can be to vacation with a group of friends.

This is why Great Expectations has just added a new discount to our family of 'specials' (Bride & Groom Stay Free!, Grandparents Stay Free! Active Military Stay Free!). The new special is specifically for groups of couples traveling together. See our website for details:

                             4th Couple Stays Free! when accompanied by 3 or more couples

We hope that this will make the planning for your St John vacation a bit sweeter (and more affordable) for all.

July St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• St John's 2013 Carnival was a great success again this year. This year's Festival Parade was colorful as usual. The winners, by category, were detailed in the St John Tradewinds and captured in this video by Virgin Islands Source.
• Delta and Jet Blue are expanding service to the US Virgin Islands. This winter Delta will have more direct flights to St Thomas including a daily flight from JFK to St Thomas. In addition both Cape Air and Seaborne Airlines are expanding their service from Puerto Rico to St Thomas.

• Speaking of airlines, News of St John recently had a great posting about 'Finding the Best Airfare to St Thomas' we thought would be of interest.

• Fodor's Travel Guide published its 'Top Reasons to Go to St John' including: beach hopping, hiking Reef Bay, Snorkeling at Trunk Bay, Relaxing at a Villa (we like this one the best and have a great villa to recommend!), and exploring Cruz Bay.
• Popular Cruz Bay restaurant ZoZo's will serve its last meal at Gallows Point this coming Saturday. Fret not though it is not closing but, rather, as of November it is just changing its vantage point for fabulous sunsets and panoramic views of Pillsbury Sound to the enchanting Sugar Mill Restaurant at Caneel Bay. We are now all waiting to see what will take its place at Gallows Point.
• Ever season the restaurant scene changes on St John and this year is no different. The successful Sun Dog Cafe owners are branching out and will open the Virgin Fire Bar & Grill Restaurant this fall in the Mongoose Junction space that housed the former LaPlancha del Mar restaurant. The owners promise to feature foods that are grown or inspired locally, hence the name.

• Great Expectations has a few openings during 2013 (summer and fall) and we are offering them at great savings so take a look our last minute specials. If winter time is your preference to be on St John, do not dilly-dally since our calendar is already filling up for next winter (and spring).Contact us today to secure your week on St John.

Best,

Kristin & Chuck 

owners of Great Expectations

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities

St John Film Debuts 'The End Of The Line' -- An Ocean Without Fish?

A Fish-less Ocean - We cannot allow that to happen!

On June 19 @ 7:30 PM @ Cases By the Sea in Coral Bay, St John Film Society (SJFS) brings to St John the world’s first major documentary about the effects commercial overfishing has had on the world’s fish populations!  Michelle Ward reports that: along the lines of An Inconvenient Truth, this film is important – especially here in the Caribbean where fishing is a way of life for so many.

Filmed at global locations from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market, and featuring top scientists, indigenous fishermen, and fisheries’ enforcement officials, The End of the Line premiered, and competed for best World Cinema Documentary, at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. 

The End of the Line will be the last film presented by SJFS until November as SJFS takes a seasonal hiatus.  If you’ve been meaning to come out this season and haven’t yet made it, this is a great film to make an effort to see. For more info on the film you might read the recent St John Source article or look at the film's website (which includes lots of great info on fishing and what fish are still OK to buy). Enjoy the film under the stars at Cases of the Sea in Coral Bay. What better way to spend an evening on St John!?

Interested in the local angle of this story? Check out the St John Source story on 'Changes Afoot in Fisheries Management' that was posted this past week.  If you are going to be in the Virgin Islands and want to go fishing check out these options for St John fishing charters. 

Green Flash appears to bid Maho Campgrounds Goodbye

May 15th was a feared date for many who love the Maho Bay Campgrounds.  The Maho Bay folks have been running a count-down clock on their blog and at the stroke of mid-night last night the clock - sadly - ran out:

But, not all was sad at Maho last night. The following post from the Maho Bay Campgrounds Blog reports that the elusive green flash that some who visit St John for decades and never see, greeted those at dinner last night. It was sort of a wonderful kiss 'goodbye'....

You might want to sign into the Maho Blog to thank them and wish them well as they find their next chapter.

While many of us are terribly sad by this passing, not all is lost since the Maho Bay beach will be available forever for all of us to enjoy.

Whales, Whales, and more whales -- around St John

From our March newsletter....  

Whale sightings are all around St John

The website USVI Weddings posted this amazing shot 

Spring is a wonderful time to visit St John, our island in the sun. The waters are warm, the breezes are blowing, and whales abound. Whale sightings so far this year have been amazing. And, thanks to the quick actions of several folks we have pictures to share. This video was shot recently by Jason Siska of Coral Bay, St John and posted on Facebook:

Famed St John photographer, Steve Simonsen, captured these wonderful shots last week while running about in his beloved motorboat, Jackson:

 There she blows!

These shots were taken just south of where Great Expectations is located

March St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• March not only brings whales to our waters, but mega-yachts also have been spotted around St John recently. News of St John blogged this photo taken by St John Captain John who pilots the charter boat Palm Tree. The owner of this small craft that measures a mere 288 feet is Mark Cuban (owner of Landmark Theaters). One would guess that the 35 crew aboard can and do cater to his every need. Rumor has it that Paul McCarthy and Bruce Springsteen were spotted on another mega-yacht, The Rising Sun belonging to David Geffen, which was moored just off Honeymoon Beach. Ah, what a life!

• St John is once again in the news as the 'go-to' island. USA Travel writer, Melanie Renzulli, has declared the US Virgin Islands and St John, in particular, one of America's best islands!  The fact that we are part of the USA so that no passport is required is one of many reasons she cites for making it to the list. Calling St John 'the most natural' island is another reason. The beauty of St John is inescapable. CNN Travel featured as the #1 'Beaches we'd like to be lounging on', you guessed it - Trunk Bay!

• The Virgin Islands National Park Service (VINP) made the news nation-wide with its recent announcement banning smoking on any of our National Park beaches or at their facilities. From the Huffington Post and the Seattle Times, the word got out that our beaches are to be forever smoke free!
• You know you are in the Caribbean when three of the top blogs and newspapers on St John feature a new brew! And, why not, since the new offering comes from our own St John Brewer's and is a key ingredient for the favorite tropical drink...the Dark & Stormy! The St John Brewers have been serving up, on tap, their home made Ginger Beer at their pub for a long-time, but they have just perfected the bottling of it and the Ginger Beer will be distributed to a larger market throughout the Virgin Islands (yes, you must make a trip to the Virgin Islands to taste this, but it will be worth the trip...).

• Great Expectations has a few openings this spring. What better way of ending the winter than enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean? Contact us today to take advantage of our last minute specials this April and May.

We sure hope we see you at Great Expectations or Beau Geste this year or next!

Best,

Chuck & Kristin

owners of Great Expectations

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities

Best BBQ on St John? There is a new contender on island!

Reggie's BBQ is a bright, clean, outdoor setting right across from Island Blues (with great views of Coral Bay)

For more than 10 years we have been true blue Uncle Joe's BBQ loyalists, and, we still are; however, there is a new BBQ on island that is definitely 'worth the drive'!  Reggie's BBQ opened recently in Coral Bay, right across from Island Blues and, conveniently adjacent to Cases By the Sea. Reggie is THE same Reggie who, for years, worked for Uncle Joe's BBQ. We loved it when Reggie was on the grill at Uncle Joe's for he always had a great smile and attitude, and, served up mouth watering wonderful BBQ!

This is Reggie serving up his yummy ribs with his wonderful smile

Well, he recently opened his own 'restaurant' (an open air tent with a number of tables with Reggie's 'kitchen' and grill).  We had not seen Reggie for a number of years but he greeted us with his huge smile and laugh as old friends. Best of all his ribs and cole slaw (our favorite 'side dish') are spectacular!  Give him a try the next time you are on St John.  His phone number is:

Reggie's BBQ 340 714-1020    

Other BBQ options you should try while on St John are:

Uncle Joe's BBQ 340 693-8806 across from the Post Office and Cap's in Cruz Bay

Candi's BBQ 340 779-1452 on the way to Starfish Market, right by the turn to the Barge

Driftwood Dave's BBQ 340 777-4015 by the Lumberyard in Cruz Bay 

People are serious about their preferences when it comes to BBQ so let us know what you think!  Recently there was a thread on the USVI-on-Line St John forum about BBQ you might want to check out.

And, what is not to like about this:

Fall off the bones luscious ribs served with great sides

Trunk Bay St John from the Front and Back

There is something magical about St John and pictures of Trunk Bay capture this magic whether the pictures are taken facing Trunk Bay or even with your back to the beautifiul Caribbean Sea. Don't know what I mean? Well, this past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to take a photography class 'Beyond the Basics' with the fabulous St John photographer, Steve Simonsen. Steve is a pro who clearly loves his craft. He is fun and a great teacher. Not only does Steve want you to learn the basics but he encourages you to have fun with your photos and to tell a story.  

For the first hour, we sat at a picnic table at Hawksnest beach (not a bad 'class room' venue) and were taught some of the basics. Steve then gave us some assignments which challenged us to capture the scene but make sure the light (and shade) did not capture us. I partially succeeded but lost the beautiful greens of the sea grapes in the foreground:

The surf was high at Hawksnest Beach

We then drove to the Trunk Bay overlook which is one of the most photographed venues, not just on St John but in the Caribbean. And, no wonder. The views are magical!

Barely a person comes to St John who does not stop to capture a picture of  magnificent Trunk Bay and its beach

Then Steve challenged us to have fun with the view and try to see something 'new'. At that time a car drove up, parked, and voila...a new 'canvas' was created...we turned our backs to Trunk Bay and took pictures of the reflection as it was shown in a rental car window - go figure! St John and Trunk Bay are beautiful whether you are looking at the Caribbean Sea or you, literally, have your back to it!

This is a picture OF a car window - truly!

We then drove to the ruins at Cinnamon Bay. Rather than being in the bright sun the ruins are in a bit of a forest. Lots of shade with hints of sun. Different challenges to be learned regarding lighting lessons. 

The red of this door was compelling

Not a bad way to spend a morning on St John!

The 2013 Film Series kicks kicks off on St John

Can't you just feel the waters and hear the waves break on the shore? This very well could be St John but actually was shot on Takuu, a small Polynesian community which is part of Papua New Guinea

Courtesy of St John Film:

There Once Was an Island

Directed by Briar March,  80 minutes, Documentary, 2010

January 15, 2013/ 7:30 pm / St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

Among the world’s first climate change refugees, a unique Pacific island community considers leaving their homeland forever to escape life-threatening sea level rise.   There Once Was an Island presents the human face of climate change, challenging audiences everywhere to consider their relationship to the earth and to their neighbors.

What if your community had to decide whether to leave its homeland forever and there was no apparent help available?  This is the reality for the culturally unique Polynesian community of Takuu, a tiny, low-lying Pacific Ocean atoll within Papau New Guinea.  As a tidal flood submerges this fishing and agricultural community they experience the devastating effects of climate change, firsthand.

In this documentary, the three intrepid characters of Teloo, Endar, and Satty allow us into their lives and culture, showing us the human face behind environmental crisis.  Two scientists, oceanographer John Hunter and geomorphologist Scott Smithers, investigate the impact of climate change on communities with limited access to resources and support, while the citizens of Takuu consider whether to move to an uncertain future in Bougainville or to stay on Takuu and fight for a different, but equally uncertain, outcome.

Find out more about the movie THERE ONCE WAS AN ISLAND here.

Thanks to our official film premiere sponsor,  ST. JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. 

Thanks to Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library, home to the St. John Film Society film collection.

The last day of the year on St John...a mixed day but both of the 'book-ends' were pretty! Check out our St John webcams

The day started off with threatening skies note the rain shower on in the far right

but, the rain went south of St John and the last day of the year ended with pretty pink skies:

As they say 'pink skies at night...sailor's delight!'

And the next morning brought

The first day of the year was gorgeous

Bodes well for 2013! May it be filled with pretty skies, warm waters, and wonderful tidings! So, what are you waiting for? Come on down and enjoy...

Can't come today - sad for you - check out these webcams to get your St John 'fix':

Rendezvous Bay this is our favorite -- from our St John villa Great Expectations so, we admit, we are not totally objective!

Other great St John webcams to bookmark are: 

Chocolate Hole - Villa Serendipity

Cruz Bay Dock - St. John Spice

Cruz Bay, Pillsbury Sound & St. Thomas - Tap Room

Cruz Bay views - Beach Bar

Cruz Bay views - Hillcrest Guest House

Ditleff Point - Kaleidoscope Villa

Peter Bay - Villa Amorosa

Overlooking the BVI's - Skyridge Villa

Enjoy our views, until you can come to St John yourself to feel the wind and warmth and enjoy the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore beneath your villa!

If you love the colors of the St John sunrise or sunset or waters then this blog is for you! And, as a bonus, you can now work directly with the artist.

Sloop Jones captures the beauty of our sunrises in his clothing

St John is fortunate to be the home for lots of interesting characters and fabulous artists and Sloop Jones is both. For years, Terry McKoy (aka Sloop Jones) and his wife, Barbara Alperen, have lived on St John's East End where they own and manage the business of 'Sloop Jones Studio'. The colors of St John and the Caribbean have inspired them to create both magical wearable and usable art pieces from t-shirts, dresses, shirts, and capes to rugs, banners, and signs.  You name it and I bet Sloop Jones can make it happen and it is sure to be colorful.

Sloop Jones has recently created their own blog so you can follow along and get inspired no matter where you reside. It is a fun one to bookmark and an take a peek when you need your 'St John fix'!

And, these days you too could be a 'Sloop Jones'! Sloop has started a come and create your own masterpiece project. During this winter, each Tuesday morning  from January 8th through April 30th, Sloop is offering Art Workshops. These sessions are limited to 6 people which will ensure that each person gets Sloop's full attention so if you are interested you should be sure to sign up early! 

This could be you working with Sloop Jones. What a fun way to spend a morning on St John!

Great deals and good deeds for Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park

Once again St John business owners and lovers of St John's fabulous National Park banded together to support the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park (FVINP) annual on-line auction.  At the close of the auction this past weekend there were some spectacular deals. Here are just a few of my favorite 'deals':

Bookmark this event for next year and in the meantime, think about making a donation to the Friends of the VI National Park to support the great work they do to preserve our wonderful waters, beaches, and land for all to enjoy!

Here is a summary from the Friends of the VINP of how your donation will be put to work:

Where is the money going?

The Friends Board of Directors recently approved an ambitious program plan for 2012 valued at about $500,000.  Below are the details of our program plan.  
Cultural Resource Preservation Projects

•          Annaberg Cultural Demonstrations ($1,000 - funded):  Provides supplies for the Annaberg Living History program which consists of a baker baking bread in a “Dutch Oven”, and a gardener maintaining and interpreting a subsistence garden plot.
•         Archaeology Museum Exhibits ($29,500 - partially funded): Supports the costs of the development and installation of the new exhibits in the newly renovated Heritage Center and Archaeology Lab at Cinnamon Bay. 
•         Archaeology and Heritage Program ($90,100 - funded):  Contined ongoing support for the archaeology program, covering stipends and other costs for interns and international collaboration with the University of Copenhagen.
•         Cultural Evening at Cinnamon Bay: ($10,000 - funding needed): Replacing the cultural play, we will initiate a new program around cultural music, such as the history of the “African Drum” and its use as a communication tool.
•         Folk Life Festival ($12,000 - funding needed):  2012 markes the 21st anniversary of the festival. This year it will focus on Virgin Islands culture as it relates to farming and horticulture.  It will also feature traditional dance and music, storytelling, arts and crafts.
•         Hassel Island ($21,000 - funded): Conservation of artifacts uncovered at the Creque Marine Slipway and helping open this site to visitation. 
•         Documents for Hassel Island ($7,200 - funded) Publication of a document on Hassel Island which will include reproductions of maps and plans, photographs, rare books and manuscripts.
•         Historic Research Program Support ($16,000 - funding needed) Supports continuation of the research begun in the Spanish Archives and the beginning of research in the British Archives for documents and data related to VI National Park resources.
•         Post-Emancipation Interpretation Program ($15,000-funding needed) Development  and installation of wayside signage recounting the history cattle and their ecological impact on St. John and in VI National Park.

 Education Projects

•          Earth Day Fair and Reef Fest ($6,000 - funding needed): As part of a week of Earth Day activities, an Earth Day Environmental Fair will be organized for local school kids. Through hands-on teaching methods, story-telling, and environmental demonstrations, the youth of St. John will learn about ways to respect and preserve the world around them. In an aquatic component, called Reef Fest, youth will participate in a day of learning on the marine resources of St John.
•         Eco-camps ($51,000 - funding needed) Funds at least 120 school children to attend the Eco-camps, Science camp, and Ranger-in-Training camp at VIERS.  Kids experience 3-5 days in the park learning about marine and terrestrial eco-systems.
•         Marine & Terrestrial Natural Hazards Brochures & Web Pages ($7,300 - funding needed):  Produce brochures, posters and in-depth web pages for “Hazardous Marine Life”, “Other Marine Creatures,” and “Injurious & Poisonous Plants” found in the Virgin Islands National Park and St. John.
•         Scholarship Fund ($3,600 - funding needed):  Provides three $1000 scholarships to VI students studying natural sciences at the university level.
•         School Kids in the Park -- SKIP ($18,000 - funded):  The flagship of our environmental education program for children, the project funds small ($500 max) grants for teachers to use VINP as a teaching/learning resource, and provides transport for ranger-led field trips into the park.  
•         Tektite Interpretation ($18,000 - funding needed) Design and placement of interpretation and visitor experience materials consisting of a wayside interpretation devices and benched to be located at Cabrite Horn Trail overlooking the Tektite site and on a floating dock just offshore.
•         VINP Research Documentary Film ($12,000 - funding needed): Production of a video in collaboration with NOAA that will document the scientific work underway in VINP by NPS, NOAA and its partners. Production costs to be shared with NOAA.
•         Educational Wayside Exhibits and Signs ($36,000 - funding needed) Repair or replace damaged and faded interpretive signs throughout the park to improve visitor experience and understanding of park resources. It is estimated that about 20 signs need urgent attention.

 Natural Resource Protection Projects

•          Accessible Trails ($42,000 - partially funded): Complete the handicapped-accessible boardwalk at Francis Bay. The first half of this ADA compliant nature trail was completed in 2009, over 700 feet of boardwalk remain unfinished.
•         Accessibility Assessment ($9,600 - funding needed) Support for a comprehensive accessibility assessment throughout the park to identify areas of opportunity for improved access and target barrier removal.
•         Trail Rating System (5,000 - funding needed)  Develop a trail rating system for all trails, similar to those used on ski slopes, within VI National Park.  Once the rating is determined for all trails, a new brochure, signage, and web pages will be developed in subsequent phases.
•         Adopt a Trail/Beach ($18,000 - funded): Provides supplies and materials for the trail and beach clean-ups and the Volunteer Walkup Maintenance program and covers the stipend for the Volunteer Coordinator.
•         Lionfish Response ($2,200 - funded):  Support efforts to reduce lionfish populations in Virgin Islands National Park and VI Coral Reef National Monument. This project will primarily be used to put together lionfish capture kits that will be used by NPS, USGS, NOAA and other divers when working in Park and Monument waters. 
•         SCA Trail Crews ($42,000 - funding needed) A Summer Trail Crew program which will involve VI and mainland US kids in trail repair and maintenance.  This year’s crew will consist of four high school students from the VI, four students from the mainland US and 2 crew leaders.  They will repair/improve approximately 10 miles of park trails.
•         Blue Flag Signage at Trunk Bay ($3,000 - funded) Develop and install signage at Trunk Bay regarding it’s designation as a “Blue Flag” beach.

 If you are interested in learning more, or supporting a particular program, please contact Karen Vahling at kvahling@friendsvinp.org

Christmas Trees decorations helping the kids of St John

Mrs Larson and her class, with mom Petrolina and son Zack. The students are making their own ornaments and decorating

a tree that will be offered by silent auction

Many people who live on St John have an island name. There is Straw Hat Dave (yes, he always wears a straw hat), Mr Wonderful (our friend Leo Maximum who drives a Safari Taxi, builds just about anything, and, yes, is pretty outgoing), Pumpkin (the St John supervisor for VITELCO, St John's telephone company) and, now '

Christmas Tree Martha

'.  

Christmas Tree Martha is a dynamo of a person who has a passion for helping the kids of St John.  Her view, one we love, is that all kids have Abilities, not DisAbilities.  Martha is striving to bring those Abilities alive to shine for all to see. 

Over the years Martha's interests have grown to appreciate kids with lots of different disAbilities and last year, with the support of the St John Community Foundation, she founded the Adaptive Tennis Program for St John. Meeting every Tuesday morning at the St John public tennis court Martha, several volunteers, and a bunch of super eager kids come to the tennis court to experience just how able they are!  

KD Munnelly, Special Education teacher at Julius Sprauve School, with her students and Martha Toomey.

Making paper chains! 

Now, back to Christmas Tree Martha. This year Martha is offering christmas tree decorating services (upstairs at the Starfish Marketplace) and 100% of the profit will go to support her St John programs such as the Adaptive Tennis Program! If you would like to support the kids of St John stop by the Marketplace and buy a tree or a decoration. Not on St John -too bad for you!- but you still can help by contacting Martha directly on her Facebook page (Christmas Tree Martha) and she will be happy to tell you how to contribute to help the kids.  Donate (minimum bid of $100) to win the decorated tree in their silent auction! For more information about the variety of Christmas trees (including one decorated by Sloop Jones take a look at the recent issue of the St John Tradewinds. 

Martha, several volunteers, and budding tennis stars

If you find yourself on St John stop by the tennis court any Tuesday morning (usually around 8:30 AM) to volunteer and meet some of the kids. You will be the better for it!

October Newsletter: St John has a new swimming pool!

Clouds reflecting off the water of our new pool in the early morning
overlooking Chocolate Hole harbor and, in the distance, Pillsbury Sound 

 

We have been hard at work over the summer adding a new swimming pool and patio for the Main Villa at Great Expectations.

 Our new patio area provides a great area to relax with lots of shade

Great Expectations now has a wading pool, dip pool and swimming pool
overlooking  the Caribbean Sea

We just received an e-mail from our current guest who has stayed at Great Expectations several times over the past 10 years:

"The new pool is absolutely amazing, seems like it was always here. Just a perfect addition to an already perfect place. I know we'll have lots of fun stories to share, but I wanted to just thank you and Chuck now for this week and everything you did to make it happen for us.  It's going to be unforgettable!"
 

October St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• St John rental car fleet to double in size! The current limit for the entire St John rental fleet of 625 cars has not increased since 1994. Doubling the limit is great news especially for visitors who wait until the last minute to try to rent their vehicles!  The VI Motor Vehicle Bureau has indicated that it will also allow new rental company operators to set up shop on St John.
   

• The Terrace Restaurant opens facing Cruz Bay harbor, the Ocean Grill gets a make-over, and Skinny Leg's adds a smoker. If you miss The Stone Terrace restaurant you will be happy that The Terrace Restaurant (located in the same spot as The Stone Terrace) will offer similar high-end French inspired fare.  The popular Ocean Grill is kicking things up a notch with home-made sausage for its gumbo, a smoker for salmon, lots of vegan choices, and an interesting new paint job. Skinny Legs has added a smoker so Uncle Joe's BBQ will have a rival on the east end of the island! Here is Pauly smoking some pork shoulder, brisket, & oysters - yum!
   
• Another St John beach takes top honors! Cinnamon Bay joins Trunk Bay and a select few others world wide to be awarded the coveted 'Blue Flag' by the Foundation of Environmental Education.
   
• 8 Tuff Miles Race Registration is open and spots are going like 'hot cakes' with over 400 people having signed up so far. The February 23 race still has 200 spots for 'off island' folks who want to make the Cruz Bay to Coral Bay race their reason for being on St John during the height of winter (not that anyone really needs an 'excuse').
   
• St John waters are filled with beautiful fish, turtles, dolphins, and - even - deer! Yes, deer!  On his way from Cruz Bay (to his home on Lovango Cay) our friend Dan Boyd captured this great photo of a deer swimming in Cruz Bay harbor!

• Trip Advisor is always a great source for learning about what is hot on St John. Recently a forum guest, a first-timer to St John, asked a simple question - 'What are your favorite beaches, restaurants, bars'? Well, a flood-gate of information and suggestions came foreward proving people are passionate about St John! Oh, did we mention that Great Expectations is rated #1 on Trip Advisor by travellers out of 500 vacation villas on St John!

Come to St John - and Great Expectations - to enjoy our brand new swimming pool & patio and discover your 'favorite' beach, restaurant, and activity.
 

Best,

 

Chuck & Kristin

owners of Great Expectations

P.S. Check out our availability; while we are already booked this winter we have a few weeks available this coming spring and even a couple of weeks available next month (November - check out our last minute special discount!). It is not too early to reserve your time for winter 2014!