Desert Rose
Equestrian Center
Desert Rose is appropriately located
beyond Santa Cruz, in Catashi, on a gorgeous piece of cactus-landscaped
wilderness, neighboring the island’s Arikok National Park. Heather
& Rodney Tackling own the place. Their personal love story is tightly
entangled with their love for horses and riding. Heather, born to American parents on the
island of St. Martin admits she’s had a number of stable relationships, practically
since the day she was born. She went to college in the US and prepared to settle back on
St. Martin, having completed her studies. Then she met Rodney while visiting his Horsin’Around
ranch. He had a number of miniatures she wanted to see. Naturally, she lingered longer
than expected. In love and passionate about their cute four-legged friends, Heather joined
Rodney in the business, ready to take on the world. Life, as a series of twists and turns
always stores surprises, some unpleasant. A mega-hurricane blew into the island and took
their livelihood away. Their thriving ranch was reduced to rubble. Let’s go to Aruba,
said Rodney, packing to return to his homeland.
They arrived
here in May 2000. When you’re in the horse business, says Heather, you can never
travel light. Rodney tucked his charges into a giant freight container and bravely
undertook the 4 day sea-crossing from the Windward Islands to Curacao, feeding and
watering the passengers, en route. The sea was very rough Heather recalls, and Rodney adds
it took him three days to regain his balance, once land bound. He also reports his heart
was in his throat as he watched a crane offload the container into yet another boat,
destination Aruba. Again, in the Oranjestad container harbor, his live cargo was suspended
mid-air before being gingerly laid on terra firma. Never again, they say.
But, the
ocean crossing went quite well for the fourteen miniature horses. They originally came
from Florida, and this was not their first luxury cruise, Heather quips.
Besides the darling midgets, Desert Rose is now home to 4 paso-fino trail horses, 8
level-headed lesson horses and two retired senior citizens, Condorito &
Chepita. At a ripe age of almost-thirty, they just eat and snooze all day,
showing zero inclinations towards work or exercise.
Checking the market here out, Heather & Rodney set out to offer trail tours in the
park, competing with their older neighbor Rancho el Paso. You can’t be everything for
everybody, they concluded. Keeping reins on the tourists trotting in and out of the ranch,
Heather found it hard to concentrate on the Kid Riding School, she nurtured.
After all, Desert Rose operates the largest ring on the island, a soft white sand arena,
perfectly suited for English and Western style riding classes.
We decided to do what we do best, Heather & Rodney
declare, namely cater to kids, host birthday parties and teach the island’s younger
generation to interact with miniatures and ponies, including washing, grooming and riding.
Domino, Foxy Brown & Happy, may carry up to 50 pounds, the Shetlands
can pull up to 250 and they look so adorable with kids heaped behind them in a small cart.
In the summer, Desert Rose hosts two types of camps, one for inexperienced kids
ages 3 and up. It will introduce them August 5-9, to the wonders of the
equestrian experience. Another program, for more seasoned riders, age 8 and up,
will include a Riding Show at the end of the fun three weeks. Jake & Chance
the quarter-horses, and the largest on the island will be saddled with the summer camps.
Raised around people, they are eager to work and play.
How to get there: Turn at Mundo
Nobo Supermarket in Santa Cruz, drive past the almost dry dam – which
will be on your left, and continue straight ahead up a meandering road. At the
tee-crossing – the neighbors painted what looks like an improvised bus-stop and
domino lounge yellow, red, green - take a right, then an immediate left. You will see the
Wild West style gate ahead.
[courtesy of
Rona Coster]
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In December the hard working sales staff of the Juggling
Fish embarked on a mission of love. In agreement with owner Jodi
Tobman-Hagedoorn the team decided to earmark a percentage of store sales to
charity. Jennifer De la Cruz, Norela Guzman, Anchie Malmberg and Digna
Torres put their heads together and decided they will support Imeldahof with the
funds they collect. The children's home in Noord, could surely use their help, they
thought. This week the girls had the distinct pleasure of presenting a generous donation
to Dynia Muller, the home's director. They also took the time and toured
the place before presenting Dynia with the check. 
We get a small government subsidy Dynia reports, about
$6 /Afls 11 a day per child, but our needs far exceed this meager official allocation. The
money donated by the Juggling fish, Dynia adds, will be used for the purchase of new
educational games in Dutch and English, allowing the kids to practice their computer
skills and improve languages and math.
At Imeldahof they are treated lovingly and
respectfully, and are allowed to be kids again, play and enjoy themselves without the
added burden of adult dysfunction, alcoholism, or criminality. The fifty Imeldahof
residents, live in four small homes run as separate communities, each with its own
home-mother and councilors. They go to regular schools in Aruba like any other ordinary
kids, yet return to Imeldahof in the afternoon. We try to schedule activities for them, to
give them a structured, rich and varied experience, as much as our budget permits.
Donations are naturally welcome, and Dynia thanked the Juggling Fish crew for their
much-needed contribution.
A giant medical conference is calling Aruba home, June
23-27, utilizing seven hotels and three destination management companies. We
caught the visiting medical experts Monday morning after their first scientific session,
at a coffee break, medicating with brownies and chocolate chip cookies at the Radisson
Aruba Resort & Casino. 
Those who
sign up will be getting the magazine delivered to their homes all over
the USA, "a love letter from Aruba," four times a year. IT is visible
on frontpage
The Posner family inaugurated its new
Aruba Aloe Factory Friday night in the presence of the island’s entire
business community. The patriarch’s contributions to the family fortunes were
substantial. Oiky established a famed wine and spirits distributorship, Licores Aruba,
which you probably know from your trips up and down the boulevard. In the old days Licores
was the source of all big name-brands from fine rum, Bacardi to great beer, Amstel.
In fat and lean years, the Posners delivered liquor to the hotels,
carried them on credit through the off-season and forged excellent relationships with
their clients/partners. Under the leadership of US educated son, Louis,
the family diversified and added fast food to the mix, importing Wendy’s
Hamburgers to the island and just a few years back taking over a failing Domino’s
Pizza, revamping its image and truly upgrading everything from toppings to delivery. 
While one son went on to become our Minister of Health,
Dr. Israel Posner, Louis, continued to scout new
investment opportunities. Then a big purchase came along, Aruba Aloe was for
grabs. Previously owned by the Eman family, the Emans
were, and still are, politicians. They paid little attention to their promising business.
The Posners made a bid, and won, taking the place over lock, stock and Koos
Veil, the mad scientist in charge of cream/sunscreen/shampoo production. The new
facility mid-plantation at the exact site of the historical Aloe fields is beautiful,
carefully designed to become a popular tourist attraction. Besides, the products bearing
the island’s name will surely add to its promotion, via sales in the US. Guests of
honor at Friday’s grand opening party, our retired Prime Minister and original Aruba
Aloe owner, Henny Eman; also his younger brother Mike Eman,
a member of parliament on the opposition benches. Invited guests toured the museum and
inspected the production floor from the wraparound, second floor viewing catwalk with
windows. 
Catered by 
When the sun sets and the moon lights, the invitation
read, Intermezzo gives rise to its new creation, a very cute, day spa on de
Palm island. Owners, beauty experts Bibi & Marcela were
on hand to greet their guests coming off the de Palm island ferry. The spa is
located on the second floor of a charming wooden structure. The former island
administration building overlooking the lagoon on one side and the open sea on the other
was cleverly converted into a peace-inspiring, quiet haven. The decorator, we're told it's
Bibi herself, picked feminine light colors, purple and lilac for the
walls 
and
finished them with a beige trim. The polished wooden floor adds a rustic touch to the
airy, bright, friendly space. Michael v/d Berg, Marcela's
husband officiated over the evening's festivities. This is our fifth opening in three
years he said, which makes me very grateful and very humble. Intermezzo Spas,
originally set up by a pair of sisters, professionally trained beauticians, and their
businessmen husbands, opened its first outlet at the Mill Resort, then in fast
succession the team developed a spa at the Holiday Inn, the Allegro, La
Cabana All Suite Beach Resort and de Palm Island. Treatment rooms at the new
day spa may accommodate individuals and couples, in for a special pampering massage or
facial treatment while on de Palm island. Artist Renwick Heronimo's
series 'egg of life,' adds
color and emotion to the decor. General Manager David Page
reports it is the company's intention to continuously offer new services and attractions
on the island. There is so much to do here, he says, and now besides Snuba and SeaTrek,
we also feature rejuvenating, invigorating beauty treatments. The moon and the sun,
a dance choreographed by a beautiful lithe dancer, at sunset, provided the entertainment
during the lively cocktail party. Pabien to the entire team.
The
unusual beauty of the island, says Arroniz in the introduction to his
spectacular compilation is the light from seven in the morning onwards, with clouds
crossing the skies pushed by the constant breeze. The sea, he continues is turquoise and
calm along the south coast and dark-blue and rough off the north coast. This landscape
filled with contrasts proved perfect for a talented Spaniard with a keen eye and a
powerful camera. Stones, iguana, cactus, all turn into objects of rare beauty under his
scrutiny. The multi-cultural aspects of the island come alive in his snapshots of people's
faces, homes and peculiar architectural elements.
The book describes poetically, how in
search of their "light," the couple wandered from Basque Country to Puerto
Rico and then Aruba, with strength, passion and love as their most important
pieces of luggage. Also some second hand cameras and lenses, naturally. In ten years on
the island they built their studio-atelier-house and above all found their
"light." Arroniz compiled his favorite work into a beautiful
coffee-table album. The book was laid out by brother Iban Arroniz
and printed in Spain. All photos were taken on the island and none were
manipulated by computer. Some are more artistic than others as Arroniz
often scratches negatives and takes pictures through fungus-infected lenses for eerie and
mysterious effects.
Diane Keijzer's exposition, "Writing
in Light," at the RBTT main bank branch in town celebrates the
beauty of Aruba as viewed through her camera lens. The expo will stay on until the end
of July and all pictures are for sale. Diane's favorite subjects are the tangled
divi tress, the Natural Bridge, the Natural Pool, birds, flowers, cacti, Technicolor
sunsets, rock formations and the old Aruban houses, the cunucu style country homes of
yesteryears. 
Diane reports that husband and mentor Kees, of Keijzer
Studio, has been her collaborator for twenty-six years. Kees made sure Diane's
one-woman show is beautifully framed and nicely laid out at the bank. Besides taking
beautiful artistic pictures, Diane is well known for taking amazing wedding, baptisms
and incentive group pictures. She's very much in demand for parties and social
events. Her wall of fame is cluttered with celebrities, shot here naturally, including Chuck
Norris, Kenny G., Johnny Cochran, Gloria & Emilio Estefan. 
Over the past ten years Diane has been the official
photographer on Aruba for state visits of Holland's royal family. Trained as a nurse,
Diane came to Aruba on vacation. She met the blue-eyed, tall Kees at the Old mill
Restaurant, fell madly in loved, moved to the island, learned Dutch and picked up
photography, first as a hobby, later as a profession. Kees, the technical expert - he is a
second generation photographer, introduced Diane to the artistic world of photography, and
she became hooked, forever. 
Her current work may be found in "Aruba Events,"
"Islander," "Prive," a Dutch magazine, "Destination"
and other guides. Her photographs graced the cover of "Casino Player Magazine,"
"The New Yorker," "Jazz," "Glitter"
and "Cruise n Travel." She's the official photographer of Aruba's
Annual Culinary Competition. Photographs, 16" x 20" signed, matted, framed,
with non-glare glass, finished size 20"x24" are on sale at Afls 650. For more
information call Diane Keijzer at Keijzer Discount Photo, Palm Beach 6-D, Noord,
tel.: 862866
Pictured here Rene signing his new book – freshly printed in
Aruba by Oranjestad Printing, a giant of over 424 pages, in a different format, titled: Een
Duizendpoot in Bed. About fifty-percent of the just-told stories in the book are
signature-van Nie. Meaning, the readers will easily recognize his house-style, tales about
Aruba and life’s idiosyncrasies. The other fifty-percent of the book, Rene reveals,
is a bit spicy. You could guess by the “in bed” title, couldn’t you?
Rene’s autobiography is peppered with exotic encounters which are guaranteed to
entertain many and piss off a few. Or vice versa, who knows, Rene is a rebel, a blonde
gypsy. You might expect the unexpected of him. Caught at the book signing, Minister
Marisol Tromp, Parliamentary Glenbert Croes and other members of the community.
Books are available at 
It was a night to remember at the 
Giovanni Trim and Smooth entertained
on 
And when it was time for dinner five food stations
opened carving freshly roasted beef and ham, dishing out heaps of chilled shrimp and
assorted seafood, tempting palates with Nostalgic Cuisine, traditional Aruban
recipes of yester-years and an abundance of cakes, among them a giant one, baked by the
pastry chefs of Calloway catering, the island's in-flight kitchen, also one of
Papa's businesses. The open bar and the perfect weather combined for a truly very festive
event. All proceeds from the party are ear-marked to island charities, and will be awarded
to community causes by the Ike Cohen Foundation.
Tropical Bottling now shares space with
Balashi. One side of the plant brews, boils and chills, the other mixes and fills. They
both use the amazing bottle washing machine and enjoy modern canning and labeling
capabilities. The two-in-one plant combines administrative and technical stuff, in short,
it's a match made in fizz heaven. Balashi, reports Richard de Veer, the
plant's marketing manager, is well on its way to becoming the island's top selling beer -
in fierce competition with Budweiser. Having mastered brewing and bottling, the plant is
now canning the suds in a short stubby container which is gaining market-share fast. The
good old Tropical Line - pink, yellow and orange soda pop, is also growing in leaps and
bounds. Thanks to the plant's capabilities, the already very popular Tropical Line is now
offered in different sizes, one perfect for kids, one more suitable for adults. The plant
also imports plastic slugs which are fed into a technologically-evolved blower. Pop a
condensed slug on one side; get a nicely blown 2-litter green, plastic, family-size
container, on the other. And to combat the rampant importation of
