SXM acquaintances who left an impression on you.

in my 30 plus yrs. of visiting the Island I have encountered a lot of nice people. Have you?
do you remember Anjou of Coupe Coy? Cuthbert St.Bernard the Casino Mgr. Timeshare salesman Fleming of Royal Palm. he would charter a boat and take you to Anguilla.or Johan and Clarie of the Atrium sales. Johan was a radio personality from Holland, he sold my family our T.S.at the Atrium.He loved the Island and Dawn Beach so much that when he passed away he elected to have his ashes broadcast over Dawn Beach
,I remember Andy Maccauley,a Pelican salesman who would never forget your name or where you live. a fine young man.
or Astrid who couldn't do enough for you at Pelican.there were so many fine people on the Friendly Island.

Interesting you mentioned Cuthbert St. Bernard. Long before Port de Plaisance and Princess and other island casinos he was a night manager at Mullet Bay Resort and Casino. We got to know him over the years and he was instrumental in telling us about Grenada where I believe he originally came from, and actually set us up with a contact there for our first trip. He and my husband still exchange annual birthday greetings with each other. I believe he's still living in Brooklyn with one of his daughters. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Richard at Gutside restaurant
Andy at Andy & Cheryls

The last time I saw Cuthbert was at the old Airport. He was seeing his daughter off to NY. She was attending school. We were on the same flight. Cuthbert was a tall gent. When I would run into him at the Princess he would look down and remark about my "thinning hair". a nice guy.
regards,

Jim C.

Jim,

That's funny and another coincidence since we ran into his daughter, Nadia, on a plane going to SXM one year and last year we were on the same Jet Blue flight as Cuthbert coming back to JFK and we actually missed each other both in boarding and on the plane. It was only through a telephone conversation after the fact we realized we were on the same flight. We had a foreword seat but boarded late and Cuthbert was seated more towards the rear of the plane and boarded earlier than us.

it's a small world...............but I wouldn't want to paint it.

regards

Junior Bruney, Taxi 163, and his entire family. He was our taxi driver in 1991 and the friendship continues today. He made a trip to OH in 2000 and spent a week with us.

Definitely Cheryl and Andy (of Andy and Cheryl's, formerly Baywatch, formerly Surf Club South) and Willie at Club O.

John <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Walter Farley, who died last year: Marisol and Geraldine, all of Divi Little Bay, with whom we look forward to renewing acquaintances each of our bi-annual visits. Geraldine corresponds with Roslyn via facebook and calls us from time to time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

I'll always remember Henney Ruckert who I first met at Oyster Bay Beach Resort. Henney was a timeshare salesman for the resort and always did the orientation in the courtyard on Sunday morning at the resort. He always reminded me of the Peter O'Toole character in the movie Club Paradise.... Haven't heard from Henney in several years and hope he is doing well.

One person who made an impression on me and still does is Melvin Hodge. From the first time I heard him sing at Cheri's Cafe to hear him now at Port de Plaisance he is still the nicest guy you will ever meet. Also in 1984 there was a guy at the Divi named Steve. He was the happiest guy every day and always had your chair ready and anything else you needed.

Andy and Cheryl who became good friends that we would see socially on and off the island.

Bruno and his welcoming ways who we've rented from more than several times and dined at Le Cottage. Corrina who most recently had bartendered at Bikini Beach, lovely woman and great bartender. Cecilia from Mary's Boon who is no longer there but still on the island half the year. We try to have dinner with her and Nigel at least once a year and had the pleasure of hosting dinner locally with them a few years back.

The artist Lady Ruby Bute who has a wealth of knowledge about the island and always gives you a small gift when you visit with her. I first met her on an Art Tour organized by SXM Norm.

I'm also impressed with marquetry artist Jean-Pierre Straub. His work is beautiful, and his gentle spirit is a joy.

And then there's Bernadine, animal lover and rum shop proprietor. A wonderful woman.

Mickey from Tropicana Rental Car. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I would say that the reason we go back is because of the acquaintances. Business owners, tourist, locals and those that have taken up residency on island. Sure the beaches and the food have a bit to do with it but the reason we fly as far as we do has much more to do with the people than any other reason.

Two many people to list.

Cheers,
Todd

Ray Minelli, an honest timeshare salesman who would have warned a lot of Caravanserai buyers not to.
Ric and his wife who ran a great sports bar/restaurant.
Elisa Cohen who led the explosion of beach bars on Orient.
Neil Roebert who still provides a memorable sailing trip.
The staff at Mary's Boon who always make you feel appreciated.

This is such an interesting thread! I remember when we first started reading TTOL, before we actually went to the island, I would see everyone saying, "Say hi to so and so from John and Julie." I used to laugh and think, "do you really think they remember you?" What a joke.

Well, it's not a joke, and now I realize that. Not only the fellow vacationers who we see year after year, but also the business owners and restaurateurs, the local residents, and the ex-pats who have become our friends.

I started to list names, but there are so many, and I'm afraid I'd inadvertently leave someone out.

We met Ric and Kathy before they even had the place on Front St. Wendell and I were there for Ric's memorial service several years ago. Very nice people.

I have way to many to list but will give a few, Walter at Divi for sure, Keroch (sp?) who is now at westin, Roger at Divi, and i will only call him Bush Doctor, also at divi, since he treated something i had last year that had been going on a long time and my doctors werent helping. He told me what to do, i did it, and it healed more than it had in 6 months with traditional med. there are lots more but dont want to bore people

Ray Minelli - miss him dearly, he was truly a wonderful man.
Jeannie from Shop & Drop - she is simply the best!!!
Mikey - one of the lead singers of Sweet Chocolate Band - it wasn't the same last November without him.
Maurice - singing bartender at Soprano's Piano Bar
Bernard - worked as service staff at Caravanserai, he was always available to help in whatever way he could.
DJ Brown - pool DJ & activities coordinator at Sonesta Maho Pool
One of the Bartenders at Cheri's Café - I don't know his name but every year as soon as he sees us walking up to the bar, he starts making our favorite drink. The fact the he remembers what we drink with all of the thousands of people that visit Cheri's is always impressive. He calls us "my ladies".
Pietro - old chef from Sopranos, now works at Basilico in Cupecoy Bay. We have made a lifelong friend!!!

Neil - Celine, Mickey - formerly at Tropicana, Tamara from Ric's and Celine, Nina at Royal Islander and James at the Towers.

Betty Vaughn and her late husband Earl. For over 30 years I've been staying at the Horny Toad in Simpson Bay. Much of always staying in the same venue is Betty. An old Swamp Yankee who makes you feel as part of the Toadie family.

Two more outstanding people! I only met Earl a couple of times and continue to see Betty, whether staying at the Toad or not. Betty is always interesting to talk to. Can't forget Gloria and Cherry either.

Andy and Cheryl of course. Also Raymon at Il Nettuno and his "Washington Redskins shrine" just inside the entry way...

Willy @ the Perch.
Alain and Myra @ AAA Rental.

Peggy

And Gerry from RI, a fixture on OB for decades.
His infectious laughter and booming voice are unmistakable.
Very generous with his time assisting the new ladies to get acclimated to the C/O beach and to the art of "noodling"!

Smiley and Sugar are the names of the bartenders at Cheri's. Can't believe that no one has mentioned Neil Rooney.

Neil is giving an ongoing impression.

Speaking of Capt. Bly. I wonder what ever happened to the peg leg.

SXM??? Wendell

I have to mention Lesley Bruce, from Kenny's Car Rental. So pleasant, so obliging, so dependable.

Also Jean who used to be the "beach boy" at Le String. Someone told us he had gone to open a restaurant. We'll have to look for it next trip.

Living on SXM for 15 years I really can't list them all. Just know that I have many more friends on the island than I could ever have hoped for in a large metropolis from where I came. God bless them all!

"Flash" Tropical...played great steel pan music and sang at Turtle Pier(and other places). Really nice, soft spoken guy...we would buy him a drink at the bar during a break(only non-alcoholic beverage). Sadly, he passed away a number of years ago. Often wonder what happened Christine(the lovely singer who accompanied him for the last few years). I play his discs when I need an SXM fix at home!
And often think of Ray M ..a great guy! Hope his son Anthony is doing well.

Sadly, Jean's restaurant didn't make it; I heard it was a victim of hurricane Gonzalo. He was working the beach at Dreams when we were there this past December.

Jean is now at Rainbow.

Really ? He was at Dreams two weeks ago...

Ray was a good soul. I would appreciate hearing an update on him, if anyone knows.

Yes, I would like to know also how Anthony is doing.

SXM??? Wendell

Joseph from COCO's we met him our first visit 12 years ago and he made our visit special. He is definitely missed.

John who put the umbrellas out at Pedro's years ago and lately works for Cheryl. He made some nice sand sculptures for us all to enjoy and remembers us each year.

If Ray M. is Ray Mann, he passed away in 2011. And you're right, he was a good soul, along with Carl Stone.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

Different Ray, but Ray Mann was a good guy also.

I think his name is George.

dave--it was Ray Minelli.

The former Pedro's chair guy/sand sculptor/ waiter at Cheryl's? I always thought his name was George.

past employees at the Atrium, Dianna Thomas, Patricio(Patrick),Lionel and all the smiling ladies at the front desk who could teach Dale Carnegie a thing or two about "How to in Friends and Influence People.

Winston Blythe...first taxi driver/bodyguard from the pre-driving days
Geraldine & Nicholas....years ago at Alamanda
GP...many, many fine afternoons of cocktails, music and conversation at KO
Corrina & Laura...happy hours at Bikini
Andy, Anthony and the always welcoming Cheryl

Some of these people I haven't seen in a few years and some are no longer with us, but they all have helped make special memories in a special place.

First & foremost would be Ursula Oppikofer & Tito from I Love My Island Dog - the work they do for the island's four-legged residents is fantastic! The other(who I never had the pleasure of meeting) would be the late Erika Cannegieter-Smith - so glad her organization, Be The Change St. Maarten, continues to do the great work she started!

The bartender at Cheri's sounds like it may be Darnell. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I forgot one other who has made an impression, Patrick Cuicci aka Big Patrick( Patrick is French but speaks several other languages fluently). We met him at the kiosk bar that Bikini ran before they tried a juice bar and turned it back into a "real" bar. Patrick was long gone but he has turned up all over the island, bartending, waitering, etc. He's a great guy and makes the funnest faces. Charming guy who we saw last at BBB and had a cocktail with him.

We agree that these kind people at Divi will always be part of our fond memories of visiting SXM. We first met them when our 24 year old daughter was a 5 year old, and she still looks forward to getting a hug every year when we return. I don't remember her name, but the woman who does hair braiding at Divi also greets us warmly every year, because our daughter was a regular user of her services for many years.

I was sad to return and realize Walter wouldn't be there to welcome us for dinner.

The Doctor (T-Bone, The Reverend) at Sea Palace and subsequently,Paradise Cafe, who made drinks that did surgery on your brain.

For me it is my weeks 11 and 12 Royal Islander ''family'' that we reaquaint with every year for the last twenty years or so. The ''family'' consists of not only other timeshare owners, but also Lucy, Sherrell and the entire front desk staff, the bartenders and servers at Tortuga, Andy andCheryl from Andy and Cheryl's....our friends at Le String, and everyone else that makes our annual visits so meaningful and fun.

On behalf of Erika and Be The Change, thank you <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

That's definitely George, who certainly is on my list. As with others, too many to list, but just some: Andy and Cheryl, Deepti - her brothers, Bruno and Geraldine, Cecile, Neil, Jeannie, Sharon, Michael, Di, Sebastien, Paul-Alan-Francois, Philippe - both Philippes, Dave and Ray.

Holy cow, how could I forget the infamous Reverend T-Bone who also worked at Tortuga Café at Royal Islander La Plage in 2006. I saw him in November of 2014, he stopped in while we were playing bingo at Tortuga. He was his usual vivacious self, always giving out plenty of hugs, kisses and smiles!!!

Alan, at the old Pelican "B" pool bar

You are right it is George. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Another person is Paul and his wife Carol (the ones that do the around the island tour on the speedboat. We have enjoyed our time talking with them about the island and Holland.

It is closed after last year.

Ursulla and Tito on the top for me. I love my island dog!

Over the years there have been quite a few.....
Bob Barron was pretty much the first person we met. Back in 1995 on my first trip to the island, back when he was "King Bob" at Sapphire and I met him at the welcome party our first night...and sang "I Got You Babe" with him. We have been friends ever since!

Manu from Touch of Gold. We spent a lot of time shopping at ToG, He got married and had a child, and we went out to dinner a couple of times on visits. Then he left SXM and we lost touch.

Marty and Lori at The Dream Pool Bar. Met Marty first when visiting friends who were staying at Caravanserai. Then we stayed there two years in a row and got to know him and Lori...and they have become dear friends.

Neil at Gold Creations in Maho. We spent many hours year after year shopping at Gold Creations with our friend Neil, and spent many hours socializing with him as well. Tragically killed in a motorcycle accident several years ago at too young of an age. Miss him still.

Roger at Gold Creations (now at Riviera across the street). Grew close to him because of Neil. Stayed closed to him because he and his family have become dear friends of our family.

Bert and Jill from the Ocean Club. Got to be friends with Jill when she worked on the Celine. We both had Pittsburgh roots. Stayed friends with her and spent many hours at their bar/restaurant at the Ocean Club over the years. We had a big rum jumbie hat that my husband got one year that would hang on the wall year round at Oasis, and Paul would wear when sitting at the bar during our vists. We took the hat home several years ago when they left Ocean Club....and it makes me sad to see it because I know that Bert and Jill are no longer on SXM.

Neil of the Celine. One of our dearest friends and an honorary family member. My kids have grown up going on the Celine every year since birth (and even during each preganancy!) and we were all heartbroken when she was destroyed this fall. But we had already gotten to know Celine too while Neil was working on her during previous trips so we look forward to many more years sailing with Neil!

Tamara who works with Neil on the Celine. We have gotten to know her over the past couple of years and she has now found a firm place in our hearts.

Jeannie of Shop and Drop. She has made our trips so much easier with kids! And she is such a happy and kind person. Can't say enough about her!

Lee from Lees Roadside Grill. He and his former co worker (Chi Chi?) were must stop visits in our early days before Lees become so big. Our first visit there were two plastic tables and chairs. Chi Chi left the island and Lee is never there when we stop in. Miss those days.

Gustave the night attendant at Sapphire. I think he got a kick out of us in our early days. When we first started coming I was single and I came with my best friend. Gradually I added a husband, then 4 kids. And he always greeted us with a big smile through the years!

Mickey at Tropicana rental car. He saw us through flat tires, keys lost in the surf, and our car being totalled while we ate at Turtle Pier. Plus a lot more I am sure!

I am out of time but know there are a lot of others who have made SXM special! Counting the days until I am back there!