St. Thomas’ newest cafe, located in Tillett Gardens, Mystic Brew Coffee House and Apothecary, invites the community to its grand opening, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14.
Mystic Brew Coffee House and Apothecary offers both indoor and outdoor seating options for patrons. (Photo courtesy Lexi O’Toole)
Lexi O’Toole and Erika Moore, the two female visionaries behind the Mystic Brew Coffee House and Apothecary, dreamt of a space that offered the perfect melding of quaint and comfortable. With sights on a business that would promote sustainability and community collaboration, they worked to create relationships with farmers, bakers, and other small businesses to ensure that they provided homemade confections and coffee flavors that offer a local flare.
“We really wanted to create a collaborative space where community could work, connect, and simply be. I am a creative myself and curating a space where creative expression could be explored mattered. Everything about this space is intentional and reflects the level of care we think our community deserves. Our selection of coffee flavors are regularly updated and all of our confections are made fresh, sourcing ingredients locally when possible,” O’Toole said.
In addition to coffee and baked goods, Mystic Brew Coffee House and Apothecary is working on getting their apothecary fully stocked in time for the grand opening in December. With intentions to focus on supporting local farmers, much of the herbs offered in the apothecary will be wildcrafted, ensuring that their herbal offerings are of the highest quality.
Homemade Blueberry Wholewheat Cinnamon Buns are the latest confection added to their rotating menu. (Photo courtesy Lexi O’Toole)
“The hope for the apothecary is that our growers can sell some of their surplus’ to the apothecary and we can incorporate it into the coffee and confections side of the business. We are also working on creating a line of self-care products that are all natural using the herbs from the apothecary,” O’Toole said.
“We are working on expanding our offerings to include workshops that can support our community with education and skills building opportunities. For instance we are in the middle of planning for some upcoming nutrition classes and herbal classes that offer specified focus on using the herbs we offer in our apothecary to enrich recipes, curating homemade self care products, and an overall better handle on personal wellness. Some other ideas we are working on bringing to fruition are book clubs, hosting spoken word events, and pop-up art shows,” she said.
Mystic Brew Coffee House and Apothecary’s hours of operation are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Sunday. To discuss possible collaborations or events, contact O’Toole at mysticbrewusvi@gmail.com.
Attending Thursday’s ribbon-cutting at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas are, from left, Jahred Kallop, Tikehau Star Infra; Steve Nackan, Aecon Concessions; Carlton Dowe, VIPA; Willard John, VIPA; Leona Smith, VIPA; James Benton, J. Benton Construction; Jorge Roberts, Avports; Stephen Cleary, Aecon Group; and Celestino White Sr., VIPA. (Photo courtesy VIPA)
The special-purpose company tapped to lead the revitalization of the territory’s airports in a public-private partnership with the V.I. Port Authority has opened an office at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas, with an office at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix to follow soon, it said.
SkyCity VI Airports Company said the space will be home to key project team members and will serve as the company’s operational hub for the St. Thomas airport, providing capacity to accommodate project management activities, stakeholder meetings, and community engagement initiatives supporting what is known as the VIPA Airports P3 Project, according to a press release announcing the opening.
The special-purpose company, announced in March following a competitive bidding process, comprises Aecon as the developer and lead constructor, Tikehau Star Infra as developer, local construction partner J. Benton Construction, and operations and maintenance partner Avports.
SkyCity will take over long-term operations, maintenance and commercial functions in addition to its role in redeveloping the airports following the successful completion of the transition phase, with financial close expected in 2025, according to the release.
“We are thrilled to open our new office at the Cyril E. King Airport — demonstrating our commitment to maintaining a strong local presence and positioning our team to continue working collaboratively with VIPA through the ongoing transition phase while fostering relationships with the community and airport stakeholders,” said Steve Nackan, president of Aecon Concessions.
At the opening on Thursday, marked by a ribbon-cutting, SkyCity also announced it is supporting the Audi Henneman Legacy Inter-Neighborhood Basketball League through a donation to purchase trophies for championship teams and individual awards. The league comprises youth teams for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18.
The company said it will share updates soon about its office at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport as well as its commitment to supporting similar initiatives that benefit the community on St. Croix, specifically the Elmo Plaskett Little League.
“Local investment is a key focus for SkyCity, and we are excited to establish this new space to support the comprehensive redevelopment of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ airports into state-of-the-art facilities,” said Christophe Petit, head of Tikehau Star Infra.
“Having SkyCity’s team on-site strengthens our collaborative approach to this project — a landmark infrastructure investment to transform and modernize the islands’ airports,” said Carlton Dowe, VIPA executive director. “Their local presence here reflects a dedication to understanding our community’s needs and delivering infrastructure that truly serves the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and enhances the traveler experience.”
The VIPA Airports P3 Project is tasked with delivering enhancements tailored to meet the unique needs of each airport, focusing on modernization, improved operations and maintenance efficiency, passenger experience and sustainability, according to the release.
Passengers will also benefit from improved baggage systems, new jet bridges, renovated and expanded terminal buildings, greater resilience to extreme weather conditions and new concession areas, it said.
VIPA will receive annual rent payments and a share in airport revenues, and short- and long-term maintenance at both airports will be paid for by the private partner during the lease term, authority officials have said previously.
The authority has stressed that the partnership is not a privatization of the airports.
“Please note that this is not a privatization, and that term should not be used in reference to this project. The airports are not being privatized. This agreement will be a public-private partnership allowing for private investment and development of the USVI airports,” VIPA’s Public Information Officer Monifa Brathwaite told the Source in September.
The Port Authority has entered a similar arrangement for the revitalization of Crown Bay on St. Thomas, announcing in October 2023 a $250 million public-private partnership with Royal Caribbean Group and Cruise Terminals International to triple the footprint of Crown Bay and add a third berth to the facility, doubling the capacity of the port.
On Nov. 23 the Virgin Islands will honor Virgin Islands Freedom Day, a celebration that stitches together two acts of extraordinary courage: the 1733 St. John Rebellion and the 1892 Coal Workers’ Strike. Though separated by centuries and circumstances, both events are rooted in a shared refusal to accept injustice, a legacy of defiance that defines the Virgin Islands.
On St. John, the 1733 Rebellion exploded when enslaved Africans, led by Akwamu leaders like Queen Breffu, took Fortsberg and demanded freedom. Their resistance was as strategic as it was audacious, holding off Danish forces for months in one of the earliest slave revolts in the Americas. The rebellion’s duality, bold fight for liberty, and internal contradictions as the Akwamu sought to impose their own rule underscores the complexities of freedom itself. But what remains unshakable is this: they fought, and in fighting, they forever disrupted the narrative of power.
On St. Thomas, the 1892 Coal Workers’ Strike embodied the same spirit of resistance in a different form. The “coaling ladies,” tasked with carrying 100 pound baskets of coal for a single cent each, stopped everything. With Queen Coziah leading the charge, they marched through Charlotte Amalie demanding fair wages in Danish silver, not the worthless Mexican coins they were handed. Their rallying cry, “Dollar for Dollar,” became a movement. Their victory, a peaceful resolution achieved in just one day, showed the world what collective action, fueled by indignation and solidarity, could accomplish.
This Freedom Day, the Dollar fo’ Dollar Culture & History Tour in St. Thomas, and the 40th commemoration of the St. John Rebellion at Fortsberg will bring these stories to life. In connecting these two moments, Virgin Islands Freedom Day becomes more than a date, but a bridge between past and present.
Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) is thrilled to announce the return of its highly-anticipated “Las Vegas Night” Saturday, Dec. 7 from 7 p.m. to midnight at Sapphire Beach Club.
This event marks a special occasion as VIMSIA celebrates 60 years of delivering exceptional “Education for Life.”
Event Details:
• Event Name: Las Vegas Night 2024
• Date and Time: Dec. 7 from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Location: Sapphire Beach Club
• Entry Fee: $125 per ticket in advance; $150 at the door
• Highlights: Thrilling casino games with professional dealers, signature cocktails, tapas and first drinkon us, live entertainment by DJ Cypha, exciting live and silent auctions, and the grand prize raffle of$10,000!
This year’s Las Vegas Night promises an unforgettable evening featuring classic casino games likecraps, blackjack, roulette, and Texas Hold ’em, professional dealers to enhance the experience, and livelyentertainment. Hosted by Rashidi Clenance of Vivid Streaming as M.C. and auctioneer, the night will includeDJ Cypha spinning tracks to keep the energy high and auction items generously donated by local businesses.
Guests will also have the chance to win big with the Grand Prize Raffle of $10,000—a highlight sure to createexcitement!
“Las Vegas Night has always been a cornerstone of our community, bringing people together to support quality education for Virgin Islands families,” said Vernon Araujo, Marketing Director at VIMSIA. “This yearis even more special as we celebrate our 60th anniversary. We invite everyone to join us for a night of fun andphilanthropy!”
The V.I. Water and Power Authority Governing Board convened a regular meeting on Thursday. (Screenshot from Microsoft Teams meeting Thursday, Nov. 21)
Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Executive Director and CEO Karl Knight received the go-ahead from the utility’s governing board to negotiate an operation and maintenance contract with Wartsila and a two-year extension to the utility’s agreement with Aggreko during a regular board meeting on Thursday.
Ashley Bryan, interim COO for electric, has announced her resignation. (Photo courtesy WAPA)
The board unanimously authorized Knight to enter negotiations with Wartsila for a three-year, $27 million contract for the operation and maintenance of four generating units at the Randolph Harley Power Plant on St. Thomas.
After discussing a personnel matter in executive session, the board authorized Knight to negotiate a two-year, $18 million extension to its agreement with Aggreko. That company shut down its generators at the Richmond Power Plant on St. Croix because of nonpayment. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. subsequently declared a state of emergency to free up “rainy day” funds for a $2.3 million payment to the company.
Ashley Bryan, interim chief operating officer of electric, said WAPA would have the option to exit the agreement after 13 months as long as they hadn’t accrued any penalties.
“We would, however, have to pay any outstanding payables to Aggreko at the time of that termination,” she said. Later, Bryan said the utility had about $3 million in outstanding invoices.
The board breezed through the first agenda item, authorizing a two-year, no-cost extension to the utility’s contract with the National Response Corporation, or NRC. Maxwell George, WAPA’s environmental affairs manager, said the oil spill response company has worked with the utility “in excess of 23 years,” and it provides personnel, equipment, and response vessels to assist with cleanups.
Thursday’s board meeting came during a week when both districts experienced widespread outages affecting thousands of WAPA customers. The authority implemented a rotating outage schedule for St. Thomas and St. John on Thursday after Feeder 13 lost generation. In Christiansted last weekend, heavy rainfall flooded manholes and submerged underground power lines, requiring days of repairs by WAPA crews and an outside contractor.
Knight acknowledged some of the problems facing the utility’s underground infrastructure after Kyle Fleming, board member and V.I. Energy Office director, called underground projects “kind of our philosophy around the future of our system.” Fleming noted that moving power lines underground has actually made some issues harder to fix.
“We are investing a lot in undergrounding because we’re trying to mitigate against one risk, which is the high winds and wind-related damage that comes from tropical storms and events,” Knight said. “In trying to mitigate that risk, we exposed ourselves to other points of failure — in this case heavy rains and the flooding have been a challenge.”
Knight said WAPA has traditionally been an “overhead, aerial utility” and said they needed to build more in-house capacity to perform underground repairs rather than depending on contractors.
“I think if there’s a lesson that we’re learning, these are not maintenance-free systems,” he said.
During his executive director’s report, Knight said Government House cleared WAPA to pursue a $5 million disaster recovery loan to help with repairs associated with Tropical Storm Ernesto and that the utility is close to securing a municipal financial adviser. Knight also said WAPA personnel completed a review of the utility’s metering and billing system.
While he didn’t share the results of that review with the board on Thursday, Knight did say that the 1,100 new meters arrived in the territory this week. A second order of 2,500 is expected to take three months to ship to the territory.
Residents have repeatedly taken to social media or reached out to lawmakers in recent months to complain about inflated electric bills. WAPA’s troubled advanced metering infrastructure — or AMI — is slated for prudent replacement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the interim, the utility has had to rely on manual meter-reading and estimation. Knight said the new meters should lead to a “modest improvement.”
“And I just need a meter-reading staff in this interim period to cover as much ground as they can, read those manual meters every month and get those accurate readings in so we can reduce the amount of estimating that we’re depending on,” he said. “So we start to make a dent in the problem come next month, then hopefully we get some momentum and progress going after that.”
At one point during Thursday’s meeting, Board Chair Hubert Turnbull asked about rumors that WAPA either has a shortage of transformers or a surplus of ones they’re unable to use. Bryan said the utility does have a surplus of 277/480-volt pole-mounted transformers that the territory received during hurricane recovery efforts.
“They’re not a common voltage class,” she said, adding that most WAPA customers use 120/240-volt transformers. “So we can’t really use the transformers. It’s not that they’re the wrong transformers, it’s just that it’s not a common voltage that we utilize in our system.”
Bryan said the transformers were purchased with FEMA funds, which makes them difficult to sell.
“Essentially, if we sell them we would have to reimburse FEMA for that as a disposal,” she said. “But either way, we reached out to some vendors to see if it’s possible to move them, and they too have stated that it’s not a marketable voltage.”
The meeting was Bryan’s last as interim COO. Knight confirmed that Bryan — who briefly led the utility last summer after the resignation of former Executive Director and CEO Andrew Smith — tendered her resignation, effective Nov. 29.
Bryan said it had been “a long 10 years, but a very, very rewarding 10 years.”
“I know WAPA gets a lot of … heat, but people will be remiss if they actually knew what you had to do to keep the lights on,” she said before thanking her colleagues.
The 35th Legislature honors distinguished Virgin Islanders during Perma Plaque Ceremony Thursday. (Photo by Jamal Potter Legislature of the Virgin Islands)
The 35th Legislature, under the leadership of Senate President Novelle E. Francis Jr., held a Perma Plaque Ceremony at the Capitol Building to recognize nine Virgin Islanders for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the territory. This ceremony highlighted the dedication and service of the honorees, whose influence has significantly shaped the Virgin Islands community.
Family, friends, and supporters gathered in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall Chambers, creating a respectful atmosphere as each honoree was acknowledged for their contributions, according to the press release.
Francis congratulated, stating, “It is always the right time to honor, appreciate, and celebrate the Virgin Islanders who made their mark on our community. On behalf of the members of the 35th Legislature, I extend a heartfelt and resounding congratulations for having set a standard that we all in the Virgin Islands should emulate. An event like this reminds us that those we are honoring have helped to weave the social fabric of our community.”
The ceremony included a formal presentation of plaques to the honorees, celebrating their outstanding accomplishments, and the legislative acts recognizing their contributions. The recipients include:
Boyd “Boyzie” Orlando Todman, Act No. 8406- Bill No. 33-0425
Bernice Alma Turnbull, Act No. 8823-Bill No. 35-0208
Dr. Fenella Cooper, Act No. 8816-Bill No. 35-0107
Rudolph A. “Pimpy” Thomas, Jr., Act. No. 8783-Bill No. 33-0425
Senator Almando “Rocky” Liburd, Act No.8783- Bill No. 35-0074
William A. Industrious, Act No. 8828 – Bill No. 35-0223
Viggo E. Sewer Act No. 8821 – Bill No. 35-0184
The event highlighted the Legislature’s commitment to recognizing individuals whose efforts inspire and support the Virgin Islands community. The plaques represent not only a gesture of appreciation but also a reminder of the honorees’ lasting legacies and the important contributions they have made to the territory’s growth and development, the press release stated.
Sens. Novelle, E. Francis Jr., Donna Frett-Gregory, Javan James Sr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Marvin Blyden, Kenneth L. Gittens, Carla J. Joseph, and Angel L. Bolques Jr. attended the ceremony.
Celebration of Life (Photo courtesy of Nicole Pena)
Dolores “Dee” Petachenko leaves behind a prolific legacy of porcelain painting. She has captured its beauty on vases and ornaments that live in homes stateside and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Dee held classes in Michigan and for children and adults here on St. Croix. Her awards, memberships, and recognitions are many.
Porcelain Vase by Dee Petachenko (Photo courtesy of Nicole Pena)
Dee was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1933. She and her husband Phil were “snowbirds” as early as the 1980s; they moved to St. Croix in 2002 from Farmington Hills, Michigan and made the big island their permanent home. Dee made her earthly transition on June 13. She was 91.
Dee’s love for painted porcelain art began when she was 12 years old. She saved her babysitting money to buy painted china cups and saucers. She had quite a collection, her granddaughter Nicole Pena shared.
Years later, she and her husband were at a home craft show and a group of ladies were exhibiting their porcelain art and demonstrating porcelain painting. Dee was fascinated and stood and watched and admired for a long time until she finally asked if she could learn to paint like that. The following week, she took her first lesson, as told by Pena.
“Grandma has been in my life since I was born. We spent time together when I was a little girl traveling to Venice, Florida, where her parents lived. She held classes in the basement of their home in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Once I started school, I began doing some of the porcelain artwork with her. She would walk me through just like she did with her students,” Pena said.
“We were very close. Grandma would call me every morning at 6 a.m., and she would call at midnight and leave a voicemail to say hello. She was my best friend.”
Besties: Dee Petachenko and Nicole Pena (Photo courtesy Nicole Pena)
“Our Christmas tree is filled with the ornaments she gifted us with every year. I have some from when I was born up until last year, so they’re really, really meaningful to me. Grandma gifted my husband and me with a beautiful painted porcelain vase for our wedding.”
Ornament. Oil on porcelain by Dee Petachenko (Photo courtesy Nicole Pena)
Pena’s love for St. Croix developed because of her grandma, she said. She and her husband moved to Florida to be in close proximity to her grandma and to be near the beach. Their sons have painted with their great-grandma since they were very young and have art pieces like Pena had when she was growing up, she said.
Dee with great-grandsons Kade Pena and Brendan Hampton (Photo courtesy Nicole Pena)
Dee was a porcelain painter and instructor for all the years she lived on St. Croix. As a member of Unity of St. Croix, she taught classes at the church location until it became cumbersome to carry the supplies back and forth, especially with the weight of the porcelain pieces. She moved her classes to her home on Little Princess Hill in Christiansted, where she continued to teach until early this year.
Dee held memberships in local, national, and international porcelain painting associations and societies. Her numerous awards dated from 1976 to 1988 from local and international shows and state fairs and ranged in several categories. She exhibited in private solo shows on St. Croix.
Easter egg. Oil on porcelain by Dee Petachenko (Photo courtesy Nicole Pena)
Longtime Unity member and former board member Alice Wise remembers Dee with admiration and love.
“Dee was our Unity board secretary/treasurer for many years. She was an exceptional record keeper and took her position as a serious commitment. She always made a dish every Sunday for our fellowship after the service and did so up until the end.”
As an educator at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, Wise was privy to Dee’s after-school porcelain painting classes with the young students.
She also taught her craft at the School of the Good Shepherd Parochial School in Williams Delight.
Lenore Finch was looking for something to do when she retired. She read a notice in the St. Croix Avis newspaper advertising a porcelain painting class taught by Dee Petachenko. She answered the ad, remembering how she used to draw as a young child and stopped.
Bob Marley. Oil on porcelain by Lenore Finch. (Photo courtesy Lenore Finch)
“I started with Dee at the Unity Church around 2005. I’ve been with her the longest. There was always a group class of adults with one or two young people … a total of six or seven of us. Everyone enjoyed the class, whether they could paint well or not.”
Students began their porcelain paintings on small squares of porcelain. Their first image was a hibiscus flower painted with oil. “I liked doing faces, so I would find something I liked in a magazine and that would be my subject. That’s what we all did,” Finch said.
Once a painting was completed, Dee would fire it in the kiln. If the paint ran, she would wipe off the excess with an acid solution.
Lil Brazilian Girl. Oil on porcelain by Lenore Finch. (Photo courtesy Lenore Finch)
Finch became very prolific. The porcelain painting was a lengthy process and Finch would spend hours at home completing her project rather than working on it at Dee’s studio; it worked well for her, she said.
“As an instructor, Dee was very, very patient. If something was hard for someone to grasp, she would take her time with that person. You couldn’t ask for a better teacher. She was incredible,” Finch reminisced.
Dee joined the Orchid Society on the island. She grew beautiful orchids in her garden and inside her home. She also painted orchids on canvas. Finch and the other students asked Dee to teach them to paint on canvas. She said, “No.” It would have been an easier process, they all thought, but Dee was a porcelain painting instructor, Finch said.
Dee applied for the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts grants and used the funds to teach several classes free of charge.
Dee’s students shared their porcelain artworks annually at the Student Art Show, where they invited family and friends for almost eight years at the Unity Church location.
Tammy Shinabarger and Phil Petachenko are Dee’s children. Neither of them opted to do porcelain painting. According to Phil, his mom was painting five years before he was born in 1955.
From left, Tammy Shinabarger, Nicole Pena, and Dee Petachenko. (Photo courtesy Nicole Pena)
“My mama was most proud of being a mom. In all honesty, she always had time for me and listened to me. As a loving and attentive mother, she was the best that could be. She was always there for us,” Phil said.
Phil and Tammy were latchkey kids, he said. “Both our parents worked and we had a couple of hours before my mom came home from work. We would take the key from the garage, open the door to our house, and put the key back, whether it was snowing or raining or whatever,” Phil recalled.
“My mom was an excellent teacher. Every student was an individual. She had patience and care for each person. She would compliment and encourage them with soft critiques.”
Phil tried to get his mom to move to acrylics and paint on canvas. “She painted several beauties. I was gifted with a bird on a twig and a cheetah.”
Cheetah. Acrylic on canvas by Dee Petachenko. (Photo courtesy Phil Petachenko)
“There was so much joy in that bird. She wanted the bird to go with someone who would appreciate it. It went with me,” Phil shared.
Bird. Acrylic on canvas by Dee Petachenko. (Photo courtesy Phil Petachenko)
They talked a lot about her art, Phil said. She had so much creative passion, but between that and her parenting, there was so much joy he saw in her. He said, “I was definitely my mama’s baby.”
Phil was with his mother when she passed at her home. “It was a tough night, but she woke up early the next day. Her breathing was soft. The transition was beautiful. There was incredible peace and serenity in the room. She was at peace at her transition and her acceptance of death was very beautiful.” Phil thought about the Bible and said, “It was the peace that surpasses all understanding.”
From left, Phil Petachenko, Chris Pena, Nicole Pena, Kade Pena, and Dee Petachenko. (Photo courtesy Nicole Pena)
“That’s a testament to her. It was the most profound and important day of my life. It was the joy of my life … a beautiful time together. She deserved to have that … to have that beautiful transition.”
Dolores “Dee” Petachenko is survived by her two children, one granddaughter, two great-grandsons, one son-in-law, one grandson-in-law, and numerous relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Dolores “Dee” Petachenko:
Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, 3 p.m. Unity of St. Croix, 109 Estate Castle Coakley (Hess Road)
Kerdin Lewis holds the plaque honoring him as STJ VIPD Officer-of-the-Year. (Photo courtesy CIT)
Virgin Islands Police Department officers and community members gathered earlier in November to honor Police Officer Kerdin Lewis, who was named St. John’s Police Officer-of-the-Year.
Lewis was selected last May as part of National Police Week by members of the St. John Community Integration Team — better known as the CIT — in consultation with officials from the Leander Jurgen Command.
“The CIT selects a police officer who displays the dedication that is expected in serving the residents of St. John with pride and dignity,” said Capt. Sandra Colbourne. “Officer Lewis has truly on many occasions gone above and beyond his call of duty to address the needs of our residents and those who have been first time or returning visitors to the island. As the commander of Jurgen Command, it was an honor to see such a dedicated officer be presented with the Plaque of Honor for a ‘Job Well Done.’”
Lewis joined the police force in 2008 as an auxiliary officer and became a full-time member of the force in 2010. “I was always looking at a career in law enforcement,” he said. He began his career with the military police when he joined the Navy in 2005. Later, he worked in security at the Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas. He also worked as a supervisor at Office Max on St. Thomas.
Officer Kerdin Lewis poses with his family. From left, Lewis’ brother Alex Dorsett, Lewis’ daughter Kyara holding her son Na-jai, Lewis, his wife Christena, and son Kerdin “KJ” Lewis Jr. (Photo courtesy CIT)
Lewis has become familiar to many on St. John in the nine-plus years he has been serving on the island. He said he enjoys getting to know the people from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. “It’s more like community-oriented policing on St. John. There’s lots of interaction with tourists. It’s not as hectic as St. Thomas.”
His greatest accomplishment is building relationships that grow over time. “I try to be open and communicate. It’s about knowing the people and diffusing situations.” He finds it gratifying that as he gets older, “People remind me of what I did for them.”
This year’s Officer-of-the-Year ceremony went beyond the usual photo-op during the week at the Zone Command. Instead, it was a Friday evening catered event hosted by Donald and Deborah Schnell at a villa.
The Community Integration Team, which organized the event, is made up of active and retired law enforcement officers from various local and federal agencies, as well as community members, business owners, and faith-based leaders.
Community Integration Team members celebrate Lewis’ award. From left, Lt. Richard Dominguez, Deputy Chief Clayton Brown, Officer Kerdin Lewis, and CIT members Linda Bechstein, Leona Smith, Elmo Rabsatt and Capt. Sandra Colbourne. (Photo courtesy CIT)
Sandra Colbourne, as St. John’s zone commander, has been active in the organization. “To our community, always remember that when we all play a part as a stakeholder in the upkeep and safety of our paradise, there is no better investment in our future,” she said.
Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School Principal Terrence Corbett was among the crowd holding vigil Thursday night. (Source photo by Ananta Pancham)
A somber vigil held Thursday night on St. Thomas gave families and friends of those lost to gun violence a space to mourn, pray and seek solace.
The event, hosted by the Gun Violence Prevention Office and moderated by Pastor Gerard McDonald, saw the community come together in a powerful display of unity and grief. Electric candles illuminated the faces of attendees as the names of each individual murdered in 2024 were solemnly read aloud, a stark reminder of the lives tragically cut short.
Desiree Lambertis, a victim advocate with Inspire VI, LLC, delivered a stirring address, her voice resonating with both pain and determination. “The reality of the Virgin Islands is that we’re living in fear,” she declared. “We’re being held hostage. They kill our sons, they kill our daughters … and we are afraid to say what we know and what we hear.” Lambertis urged the community to break the silence, emphasizing that solving these crimes requires collective courage and a refusal to succumb to fear. “This is our community,” she implored. “One percent of the people out there are holding us hostage.”
Meanwhile, Tony Emanuel, director of the Gun Violence Prevention Office, stressed the importance of community-driven solutions. He highlighted the need to empower young people, emphasizing conflict resolution, personal responsibility, and self-esteem. Emanuel revealed that his office has been working with students from elementary to high school levels, fostering dialogue and challenging harmful mindsets. “That kid from the west or from the east is not your enemy,” he stated, underscoring the importance of bridging divides.
Emanuel also acknowledged the need for improved crisis response within the community. He called for a more consistent and comprehensive support system for families impacted by violence, recognizing the current gaps in providing ongoing assistance.
Capt. Sandra Colbourne of the Virgin Islands Police Department brought a law enforcement perspective to the vigil, emphasizing the role of adults in nurturing future leaders. With 35 years of experience, she stressed the need for long-term commitment and investment in the territory’s youth. “If we’re not willing to put in the work, it’s not going to change,” Colbourne asserted. “We have to invest in our paradise, invest in each child.”
She urged community members to dedicate their time to mentoring and supporting children, highlighting the importance of individual involvement in fostering positive change. Colbourne concluded her remarks by inviting those present to participate in existing community programs and offering ways for people to get involved in supporting the youth.
Dan Male talks about his camera equipment with some youngsters at the V.I. Children’s Museum’s Day of Play event. (Photo courtesy VICM)
Dan Mele, coral aquarist, communications specialist and photographer, presents Reefs Reimagined on Saturday at the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum on St. Thomas.
A “Jesters Hat” photo by Dan Mele.
“Reefs Reimagined” examines the U.S. Virgin Islands’ coral reefs and a small group of dedicated scientists working to restore them, according to a press release announcing the event. This unique blend of sci-art informs and eloquently showcases how art and science harmoniously converge, as depicted through captivating photography and film, it said.
The beautiful and educational photo exhibition was first opened at 81C and then housed at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. However, Mele feels it is important for the children the community to have the opportunity to enjoy the photos and learn more about marine life in the Virgin Islands, the release stated.
The exhibition will officially open on Saturday at noon at the VICM, located in the Buccaneer Mall, across from the Port of Sale Mall. Mele and other members of the Reef Response team will present their work, via this photo exhibition, and teach visiting families about underwater photography and the science behind the photos.
Reef Response is a coral restoration program located in the USVI created to increase the health and diversity of coral reefs around the Virgin Islands while empowering the local community to cope with changing environmental conditions, according to the release.
Prints of Mele’s photos will be available for purchase at the event, with 20 percent of proceeds going to Reef Response, and 30 percent to the museum. Visitors can order prints but interested parties can also visit the VICM’s website to view the “Reef Reimagined” online gallery at www.vichildrensmuseum.org/danmele. All pieces will be reprinted when purchased so please allow one to two weeks for printing.
“We are so grateful to Dan and Reef Response for reaching out to the museum to showcase his work, which can be presented to our museum families in a fun and educational way,” said Chantel Hoheb, one of the museum’s co-directors.
Photos will remain on display at the VI Children’s Museum until Dec. 28, and the online gallery will stay on the VICM’s website until Jan. 25 to allow more people to view and hopefully purchase pieces to benefit Reef Response and the VICM, according to the release.
Dan Mele at work in the water. (Photo courtesy VICM)
Mele is a conservation photographer/filmmaker and coral biologist at the University of the Virgin Islands and VI-EPSCoR. Additionally, he is an Emerging League Fellow in the International League of Conservation Photographers. His work has been published in several books, magazines, and news articles, and he has worked on numerous TV series and films, including PBS’ “NOVA” and the Emmy-nominated film, “Hope for Corals in Crisis.”
Where spoken language can cause communication roadblocks by geographic region, photography is a universal language, the release noted. Through his lens, Mele tells the compelling stories of those working diligently to safeguard at-risk species and vulnerable ecosystems. In an era where nature preservation often takes a back seat, Mele’s imagery is a powerful tool for fostering empathy toward the natural world and building support for scientific research, it said.
