Page 11 - Martin Downs Bulletin - September '20

Martin Downs, Page 11

Travel from page 10

Island temperature varies little from the average,
a pleasant 82 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a constant
pleasant breeze; unfortunately, these easterly trade winds
bring less than 20 inches of rain a year.
Consequently, the island is arid and island farming
barely provides food for local consumption. A
desalinization plant operated by the government provides
drinking water. The only export crop is aloe, which grows
wild on the island and doesn’t require irrigation. Giving
up all of that water does have some benefits – Bonaire is Wild donkeys can be found all across Bonaire and often make
outside of the hurricane zone. their way into the city.
Bonaire’s deep water just offshore has provided the
island with a role as a storage depot for oil, shipped in Pink flamingos are a protected species and the pride of located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North Jog Road,
from Venezuela. Because of the minimal water depth Bonaire. Most can be found around the picturesque Goto Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens. The agency
off the mainland of South America, only shallow-draft Lake. has been serving the travel needs of the South Florida
vessels are used to pick up oil, and then it is transported area for over a quarter of a century. Contact him at (561)
to the depot on Bonaire. Huge deep hulled tankers are The brilliant pink flamingo, which is a protected 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
then loaded from Bonaire’s depot to transport the crude species, is the pride of the island. They are found mainly Photos by Don Kiselewski
oil to refineries throughout the world. around Goto Lake, on one of the prettiest spots on the
The Caiquetios, akin to the Arawak Indians that were island. They’ve even named the local airport (which the
dominant throughout the Caribbean, originally settled the United States built in WWII) Flamingo Airport, which
island. In 1499 the Spanish arrived in the form of Alonso handles 747s from Europe several times a week.
de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci. Bonaire didn’t show One of the first things you might notice driving on
much promise for Spain, so little was done to develop the island is the triangular “Yield to the Donkeys” sign.
the island. In the 15th century, Bonaire, along with a The four-legged variety with the long ears run wild all
number of other Caribbean islands, fell under the control over the island and even make their way into the city.
of the Dutch, and became the Netherlands Antilles. Today These donkeys are remnants of an earlier time when they
Bonaire is a public body (or a “special municipality”) were brought in to help in the salt industry. They seem to
fully integrated in the Netherlands. have thrived on the island’s scrub vegetation and perfect
More than 70 percent of Bonaire’s surface is coral weather conditions.
limestone; this is actually the origin for the capital city’s The vast majority of Bonaire’s population is Roman
name (Kralendijk means “coral dike”). Kralendijk is the Catholic. These are some of the friendliest people you
island’s largest city with a population of around 3,000 will ever want to meet. As an added bonus, you can visit
(Bonaire’s entire population is around 20,000*). It is a Bonaire between June and December without having to
beautiful well-maintained city, with colorfully painted fear hurricanes. Next time you want to get away from it all
buildings and some fine examples of Dutch colonial and enjoy a quiet retreat that hasn’t gotten too commercial
architecture. Unlike most of the Caribbean, very little (yet), try Bonaire – you won’t be sorry.
low-end, “poverty housing” is observed on the island. *Source for population of Bonaire is https://www.
Bonaire has been a support island for Curaçao to the statista.com/statistics/706799/population-of-bonaire-in-
west. Today it reships the oil to Curaçao’s refineries. It the-caribbean-netherlands/.
wasn’t until the latter half of the 20th century that tourists Don Kiselewski writes from his personal experiences,
– particularly divers – discovered the island. The first having traveled in 122 countries and cruised the oceans,
hotel was built on the island in 1951, and the tourists seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach Gardens Travel
have been coming ever since. Leaders, his family owned and operated agency, is
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, Adoptable Pets
President of Furry
Friends Adoption,
Clinic & Ranch,
Sept. 2020
“For the Love of Animals” features
real stories happening at Furry Friends
in Jupiter. We are The Humane Society
of Greater Jupiter/Tequesta and the
only no-kill shelter open to the public
in northern Palm Beach County. We’ve
been rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-
homing the homeless animals in our community for more than 30
years. Our not for profit 501c3 organization consists of our Jupiter
based adoption center, veterinary clinic (open to the public), thrift
store, and Palm City Ranch.
A bit on the reserved side but Ghonjo is a 9 year old mixed boy who
On June 7, the lives of 2 little girls changed forever. Six-year- you can easily win him over came to us because his owner could no
longer care for him. He can be a little
old Memphis Hammond was involved in a tragic car accident that with treats! A handsome tabby timid when meeting new people but
left her with a fractured neck and a crushed spinal cord. “The therapy she needs, and Juliet and Summit have returned to our who really hopes his three is a love bug once he knows you. He
impact caused my baby daughter to go into cardiac arrest,” says Ranch to continue her training for the next year. “Juliet was born and a half years in the shelter also does great with other dogs. Given
Memphis’ mom, Gayrene Meade. “She was without breath for 2 to be a service dog for Memphis Rose,” he says, but my program is is coming to an end and that his age, he would do best in a quiet
1/2 minutes and couldn’t move. At St. Mary’s Medical Center, the intensive. She has to learn how to act in any public access where an he might finally get a family home without the activity of young
neurosurgeon said her spinal injury is one she may not recover oxygen tank can go. She has to be bomb proof—not get excited by of his own. Please come visit kids. Ghongo is part of our Senior to
from, and her chances of paralysis are significant.” anything or have outbursts from what she may encounter because Mo at our Ranch in Palm City. Senior Program. You can meet him at
As fate would have it, that same day, Kourtney Haddix at Memphis Rose is quadriplegic.” our Jupiter Adoption Center.
Wyoming Sky Goldens donated a 10-week-old puppy to Furry When considering adding a furry family member to your family,
Friends to be a part of their Shelter to Service Dog program. please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW Zarrella Street or
Lori Griffith from Chasin’ a Dream reached out to Furry Friends our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100 Capital Street in the Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
President, Pat Deshong to tell her about Memphis and to inquire Jupiter Commerce Park. PLEASE CALL 561-747-5311 PRIOR 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
about a service dog. Pat knew just what to do. After a call with TO VISITING EITHER LOCATION DUE TO COVID19. Street, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Memphis’ mom Gayrene Meade, Lori and Furry Friends Shelter Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all 2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
to Service Dog trainer, Summit Earhart, it was decided that our for the LOVE of animals! 3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311 ext. 3
newest recruit would be trained as Memphis’ assistance dog and “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
help her on her journey of recovery. The Leeds Endowment also happen for our Furry Friends”
stepped in to cover the cost of all of Juliet’s training.
On July 27, these two little girls met for the first time and there
was an instant connection. We all knew right away that the timing Patricia Deshong, President
of their journeys was not a coincidence. According to Gayrene,
“Juliet took one look at Memphis Rose in her wheelchair and
jumped onto her lap licking her and cuddling. Memphis was so
happy to meet Juliet that she smiled brighter than I have ever seen,
especially after learning that the loving puppy was in training to
be her service dog. It was a magical moment for me after a horrific
few weeks.”
On August 6, Memphis and her mom made the journey to
Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The cost of the Air Ambulance
was $40,000 which was not covered by insurance. Luckily, Trinity
Air Ambulance donated their services to ensure Memphis was
transported safely. This trip was the first time Memphis was going
to get back in a vehicle since the day of her accident and she was
understandably very nervous. Trinity allowed Summit and Juliet
to accompany Memphis all the way to Philadelphia.
Memphis will stay at the Shriners Hospital to receive the Paid Advertisement