By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 6, 2023 — I absolutely had to share this SAVE THE DATE reminder sent to me by my very good friend Sir Franklyn Wilson with Bahamians in the diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom who are regular readers of my online publication BAHAMAS CHRONICLE. I am told that the event will be reminiscent of the Banana Boat Reunions that were held annually for many years prior to the devastating impact COVID-19 had in The Bahamas, and indeed worldwide, until recently.
I currently have a mobility problem, for which I am receiving weekly therapy sessions at George Washington University Hospital. Initially, I thought my problem was related to two hip-replacement operations I had (left hip in 2012 and right hip in 2013), but after a series of X-Rays, the orthopedic surgeon has assured me that my hip-replacement operations have nothing to do with my mobility problem, which he diagnosed as being related to my spinal cord. I have an appointment on November 20 for an MRI and, hopefully, I shall get the necessary treatment I need to be able to travel to both Freeport and Nassau over the Christmas season.
Undoubtedly, it would be fantastic to be in Nassau for the Pre-New Year’s Eve event at CLUB NOSTALGIA. I am told that the event will be particularly enjoyable for persons who remember the BANANA BOAT, a popular nightclub in Nassau in the 1960s and 1970s that was owned by New Yorker Frank Minaya, who died earlier this year.
Several years after the closure of The Banana Boat, a committee was established by a group of persons who had been regular patrons of the club but were now well-established in business or various professions to annually sponsor a Banana Boat Reunion, which evolved into one of the most popular events held during the Christmas season.
COVID-19, however, interrupted the series of annual Banana Boat Reunions. God willing, I certainly plan to go home for Christmas and, hopefully, attend the Pre-New Year’s Eve event at CLUB NOSTALGIA, although my disability will prevent me from doing the “hully-gully” or any of the other popular dances we did at the Banana Boat and subsequently the Banana Boat Reunions.
