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Kenny Chesney Donates To Friends of VINP and Features St. John on New Tour and Album

Details: Created on Thursday, 09 May 2013 03:56; Written by Jaime Elliott

Graphic Courtesy of www.kennychesney.com
Chesney is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Life on a Rock,” above, to Friends of VINP.

Four time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney has long been associated with St. John, but the laid-back country crooner’s latest recording, “Life on a Rock,” will resonate on a personal level for island residents even more than his previous releases.

The recording, which was released on April 30, features a cover of tropical snapshots and includes two songs about beloved St. John residents. The song “Lindy” will surely bring a smile to the face of everyone who remembers the Cruz Bay character often spotted laughing at his own private joke.

“He plays piano at the church when nobody’s watching,” Chesney sings in the song. “Sometimes you see him talking to himself, laughing to himself. Lindy strolls around and around and around.”

Chesney’s song “Happy on the Hey Now (A Song for Kristi)” on the other hand, might just bring a tear to the eyes of those who called the late Kristi Hansen a friend. The long-time island resident passed away unexpectedly last year, but her memory will live on with Chesney’s poignant lyrics.

“I’ll always see you dancing up on the bow, living life in the moment, happy on the Hey Now,” Chesney sings. “And you’ll live with us as long as memory stays alive. And you left us with so many Kristi, you will never die, never die. You will never die.”

Chesney is also using his new recording to help Friends of V.I. National Park. The singer announced last month that he will donate a portion of the sales of the recording to the St. John non-profit which supports the VINP.

“Kenny Chesney didn’t know what he’d found the first time he went to the Virgin Islands for a video shoot,” according to a statement on www.kennychesney.com. “But over the next 15 years, he found a harbor in the craziness, friends he would have far beyond stardom and a place that grounded him in the beauty of the ocean, the shore and the national parks.”

St. John Needs More Government Services, Say Residents

Details: Created on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 03:55; Written by Jaime Elliott

Dr. Joesph DeJames, above at left, with St. John Rescue’s Amy Reynolds and Bob Malacarne, spoke to senators during last week’s Town Hall Meeting.

From the need for regular bus service to St. John Rescue’s need for a contract with the Department of Justice, Senators Donald Cole and Myron Jackson listened to myriad concerns from citizens at a town hall meeting on Thursday evening, May 2, at the St. John Legislature building in Cruz Bay.

Hosted by the St. John Community Foundation in conjunction with Senator Cole’s office, the town hall meeting drew about 30 residents who each had a chance to share their concerns. In addition to Cole and Jackson, representatives from Senator Jeanette Millin-Young’s office and Senator Clarence Payne’s office also attended last week’s meeting.

“We are here to listen to you,” Cole said. “We’ll go back and ask the proper agency what we have to do to get answers for your questions and concerns.”

From a lack of teachers to lack of services, St. John is often at a disadvantage, explained retired educator Yvonne Wells, who took the podium first.

“St. John is always at a disadvantage,” said Wells. “In the police department there are times when there is only one officer on the road and one at the desk. That is not acceptable.”

“Every time a teacher retires, it seems the positions are being not deemed necessary anymore and not being filled,” Wells said. “For instance three years ago someone retired from Industrial Arts and now that doesn’t exist. That’s a big problem for our children.”

Former St. John Couple Accused of Murder To Be Tried Separately

Details: Created on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 10:00; Written by Jaime Elliott

Amanda Perry Hayes, above at left, and her husband Grant Hayes, above at right, face charges of first-degree murder in North Carolina. The couple are accused of murdering the mother of Grant Hayes’ two children, Laura Ackerson, below, in 2011. Photos Courtesy of WRAL.com

A Superior Court judge in North Carolina ruled last week to separate the trials of former St. John residents Grant Hayes and Amanda Perry Hayes, who are facing first-degree murder charges.

The former St. John residents are accused of killing and dismembering Grant Hayes’ ex-girlfriend, and the mother of his two children, Laura Ackerson of Kinston, North Carolina, in July 2011.

Laura Ackerson

Amanda Hayes, 41, and Grant Hayes, 33, who were living in Raleigh, North Carolina at the time, are accused of killing Ackerson, 27, dismembering her and transporting the remains to Texas. Ackerson’s remains were found in a creek near the home of Amanda Hayes’ sister, about 60 miles south of Houston.

Both defense attorneys originally agreed to a joint trial, which was set for May 20. Lately, however, Amanda Hayes seems to have turned on her husband.

Earlier this month Amanda Hayes fired her court appointed attorney and hired defense lawyer Johnny Gaskins. Attorney Gaskins filed more than 30 motions on Amanda Hayes behalf, claiming “that she participated in Ackerson’s death while under duress, feared for her life and that Grant Hayes, while in jail, threatened to kill her,” according to a report on www.wral.com.

On Monday, April 22, Wake County Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens ruled in favor of a motion filed by Grant Hayes’ defense attorney Jeff Cutler requesting to separate their trials.

“Clearly, based on filings of Amanda Hayes and her attorneys, it is now apparent that we have antagonistic defenses based on the readings of her motions,” Cutler was quoted in a report on www.wral.com. “Clearly, they’re going to attempt to make him look bad. That is part of their defense, and I don’t believe that’s a manageable way to try a joint trial.”

KATS St. John Dinghy Raffle

Details: Created on Monday, 06 May 2013 04:15; Written by Tradewinds Report

One lucky winner will take home this inflatable dinghy and 15 hp outboard motor. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and are available from Kids and the Sea, St. John students, St. John Hardware and Connections East and West. Funds raised from the raffle will support youth sailing on St. John.

Second Ever Donkey Softball Game May 11

Details: Created on Monday, 06 May 2013 04:13; Written by Jaime Elliott

Dust off those baseball mitts and practice that swing, the second ever St. John Donkey Softball game is set for Saturday, May 11, at the Coral Bay ball field.

Hosted by Dana Bartlett owner of the Carolina Corral with help from the Rotary Club of St. John, the second Donkey Softball game day, starting at 11 a.m. on May 11, will feature fun for the whole family.

Bartlett organized the first ever donkey softball game last year to rave reviews. Team members swing for the fences and then must either ride or walk a donkey around the bases. The game usually takes a few unexpected twists and turns and no one walks away without a smile on their face.

In addition to the one-of-a-kind softball game, the afternoon will feature sack races, tug-of-war and pony rides for the little ones. Food and drinks will also be on sale.

Residents are invited to come on out to the ball field and take in all the action. Or, better yet, sign up for a team or volunteer to help out in the field.

For more information or to register for a team, call Bartlett at (340) 693-5778 or talk to any Rotary Club of St. John member.

On The Market: Enjoy Milk Moon Cottage From Sunrise to Moonrise

Details: Created on Sunday, 05 May 2013 04:06; Written by Jaime Elliott

Soak up the views and relax in the pool at Milk Moon Cottage.

The peace and tranquility of the island’s East End, not to mention the stunning water views, are unparalleled, even on St. John.

You can soak up those views and all that quiet from Milk Moon Cottage. The two bedroom, two bath cottage located in Privateer Bay Estates is for sale for $995,000, explained Islandia Real Estate broker-associate Marty Beechler.

After passing through the small and funky town of Coral Bay, keep on going east to the serene Privateer Bay Estates, where the hubbub of Cruz Bay will seem a world away.

“The East End of St. John is far away from Cruz Bay’s traffic, noise and congestion,” said Beechler. “Let the soothing sounds of the surf lull you into a peaceful state of mind.”