St. Maarten Private Eye

The condition of the Great Salt Pond and the Simpson Bay Lagoon will get a first class workshop treatment from Rueben J. Thompson, at the 5th annual St. Martin Book Fair (May 31-June 2, 2007).

According to book fair coordinator Shujah Reiph, the workshop by Thompson will take place on Saturday, June 2, at the University of St. Martin.

“The presentation by Rueben Thompson looks at the present state, future, and importance of St. Martin’s two major wetlands, the Great Salt Pond and the Simpson Bay Lagoon,” said Reiph.

There is also the possibility of a companion powerpoint and new video feature. The general public audience will be able to add to the workshop through discussion, said Reiph.

With the 2007 book fair theme of “Writing Justice,” “there is no way we could leave out the importance of St. Martin’s environment to our very cultural identity and economic livelihood now and in the future,” said Reiph.

Thompson, a leader among St. Martin’s new generation of environmentalists, is the project manager of Love the Lagoon Project, with the Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC).

He is very close to finalizing his studies for his Bachelors degree in Environmental Science and Management and has worked with the Nature Foundation.

The details of the Thompson workshop and his profile are now online at www.houseofnehesipublish.com/Bookfair07website/newsletter.html. “We uploaded the first newsletter of the St. Martin Book Fair on Sunday,” said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers. The newsletter can also be viewed through houseofnehesipublish.com.

The Internet newsletter of the St. Martin Book Fair includes, among other “goodies,” the full three-day book fair program of book signings, school visits, 18 workshops and general sessions for the general public, and the photos and profiles of participating authors and workshop coordinators from the island and abroad, said Sample.

“The Book Fair Committee is busy preparing for a fantastic event, a book fair for the entire family,” said Reiph.

“We welcome all of the St. Martin people to participate as one family and have a great time with us and our visitors.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------