Page 10 - Martin Downs Bulletin - October '20

Page 10, Martin Downs

travel

Curaçao ‘The Cure’ The basic need for communication
among Dutch Protestant Company
By Don Kiselewski, MCC, representatives and soldiers, Jewish
D.S., Palm Beach Gardens families from Portugal, native
Travel Leaders Amerindians, free people and the
The “C” in the ABC mélange of traders and sailors, etc.,
islands, just off the coast led to the creation of Papiamentu, a
of Venezuela, stands for Creole language still spoken today by
Curaçao. Curaçao, along the majority of residents. In addition
with Aruba to its west and to Papiamentu, most residents are also
Bonaire to its east, form the fluent in three other languages: Dutch,
very Dutch territory of the English and Spanish.
Lesser Antilles. However, it Curaçao became the site of
was the Spanish who were several large plantations but was
to record the first visit to the islands. never considered a real plantation
On his way to South America in 1499, Amerigo colony. Maize, sugar on a small
Vespucci left a few of his scurvy-afflicted sailors on the scale, peanuts, melons and other
island to die. Upon his return less than a year later, he fruits were grown. Sheep and goats
expected to find them dead, but instead was astonished to were plentiful and in good times the
see them alive and well, having been completely cured. island could supply enough food for
for this reason he named the island Curaçao, based on the all the island’s inhabitants. Because of
Portuguese word for “the cure.” population growth and the dry years,
The news of “the cure” brought the Spanish settlers in the residents depended upon Holland
the early 1500s. They were followed by the Dutch, who and the continent for food. Today,
captured the island and founded the settlement with Peter enterprising merchants sail their
Stuyvesant becoming governor. When the Dutch West small boats through the open water
India Company took Curaçao from the Spanish in 1634, from the South American continent
their intention was to use it as a strategic base to fight to bring fresh fruits and vegetables
their enemies. The ABC islands had once been designated to the islanders. Floating fishermen’s market in Willemstad, Curaçao
“inutile” (useless) because of the dry climate, lack of Following the demise of the Dutch
fresh water and minerals but, as it turned out, Bonaire and West India Company, Curaçao became under the jurisdiction of direction. It’s anywhere from two to seven and a half miles wide
Curaçao functioned as salt producers and Curaçao became the Dutch Parliament, but it was also ruled twice by the British and lies 35 miles north of Venezuela, 42 miles east of Aruba
a very busy depot, until the beginning of the 18th century. from 1800 to 1803 and 1807 to 1815. The island’s population in and 30 miles west of Bonaire. Perhaps they should be called the
Trade had its high point in 1713 and then fell off. This 1816 was 14,000. Today there are about 160,000 residents with ACB islands. The average temperature is 82 degrees Fahrenheit
decline turned the merchants of Curaçao to contraband and as many as 55 different backgrounds from all over the world with very low humidity and refreshing year-round trade winds
trading expeditions with the surrounding region. Curaçao’s living in Curaçao, the largest and most populated of the ABCs. It of more than 13 knots to keep things cool and comfortable, even
climate and the industriousness of its Jewish immigrants became an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the tropical sun. Outside of the hurricane belt, the sun
soon made it an international trading port, which furthered in 1954. Curaçao’s government is based on the parliamentary shines every day and the total annual rainfall is only 22 inches,
its economic growth. Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, system, with elections held every four years, and is governed by with November and December being the rainiest months.
founded in 1730, remains today as evidence of this an executive council (commissioners) and a legislative council. There are five locations on the southwestern side of the
movement. It is the oldest active synagogue in the western Willemstad, the largest city, serves as its capital.
hemisphere. Curaçao is 38 miles long and runs in a northwest to southeast Travel on page 11
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends Indie through Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch.
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, October 2020 “Indie has already made a difference in my mental health
and family life. He is able to influence my behaviors in
“For the Love of Animals” a positive way and shower me with happiness. Spending
features real stories happening time with him allows me to forget the stress, anxiety, and
at Furry Friends in Jupiter. We worries that usually surround my mind. Indie is able to
are The Humane Society of make an impact on my everyday life by lessening the trauma
Greater Jupiter/Tequesta and the associated with triggering events. His calm behaviors help
only no-kill shelter open to the me better cope with fear, depression, and anxiety. Whenever
public in northern Palm Beach we go out, Indie provides a physical barrier between me and
County. We’ve been rescuing, the public. He also applies stress reducing pressure on my
rehabilitating, and re-homing legs as a social bridge from the crowd. Because of Indie, Meet Piper, a Murphy Cat! Her Elizabeth is a 5 1/2 year old
adoption fee is sponsored by A mixed breed girl who was adopted
the homeless animals in our I am comfortable to leave home for grocery shopping or Place to Heal Counseling and she from Furry Friends 2 years ago
community for more than 30 years. Our not for profit for other daily tasks. Indie offers me love, comfort, and will go home with all the goodies but unfortunately came back to us
501c3 organization consists of our Jupiter based adoption companionship and protects me from others, especially she needs to help her settle in. Piper, because her owner could no longer
center, veterinary clinic (open to the public), thrift store, when we are in a crowd. I feel like I am starting to live my at 3 years old, is full of character care for her. She is very sweet,
and an absolute beauty. She enjoys although confused as to why she is no
and Palm City Ranch. life again with the help of Indie because I used to feel scared spending her time laying in the longer in her home and now in a noisy
and not have good days.” window and watching birds. She kennel. She is located in our Jupiter
After proudly serving his country for 10 years, Shruestha gets along with other animals, but location. Give us a call... we need
recently retired from the Army and now lives with his wife tends to keep to herself. She loves to to get this wonderful girl a home!!!
and three children. “I am still trying to adjust to a civilian be pet and can’t get enough of it. She
life, especially with PTSD symptoms; however, my days can be seen at our Jupiter location.
seem to be getting better with Indie by my side.”
When considering adding a furry family member to Ways to donate (tax ID #59-2111273):
your family, please visit our Palm City Ranch at 4841 SW 1. Mail a check made payable to Furry Friends to 100 Capital
Zarrella Street or our new Jupiter Adoption Center at 100 Street, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Capital Street in the Jupiter Commerce Park. PLEASE 2. Visit www.furryfriendsadoption.org
Chief Warrant Officer Sudhir Shrestha was born in Nepal. CALL 561-747-5311 PRIOR TO VISITING EITHER 3. Call us with your credit card information at 561.747.5311
At age 13, he made the journey to the United States alone LOCATION DUE TO COVID19. ext. 3
to live with an uncle in hopes of a better way of life. After Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all “Your donation creates the possibilities to make miracles
putting himself through college, he got a job with a Fortune for the LOVE of animals! happen for our Furry Friends”
500 company which afforded him the lifestyle he had always
dreamed of - a beautiful family, home, cars and a boat. He
felt overwhelming gratitude to the United States for the life Patricia Deshong, President
he had and felt the need to give back. In 2010, at the age
of 39, Sudhir left his successful career and enlisted in the
Army, “I felt very fortunate after coming to this country
with nothing, as I was able to get an education and lead a
successful life. As such, I resigned from my professional
career to serve this magnificent country with honor and
dignity.”
In 2013, he deployed to Afghanistan and was exposed to
serious injuries, deaths, and violence that affected his mental
health. Having gone through severe mental trauma, he was
fortunate to participate at a retreat organized by Renewal
Coalition. During that retreat, he was introduced to the idea
of receiving a service dog to help with his post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD). Months later, he was introduced to Paid Advertisement