Hard Worker Winston now Rests in Peace

This is sad news following our blog about the value of older workers on March 24th - 'Age is Just a Number'.

Arthur Winston, the Los Angeles Transit Worker who celebrated his 99th birthday at work on March 22nd 2005 - less than a month after retiring on his 100th birthday, died in his sleep 2 weeks ago on April 15th.

To his former colleagues at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Winston was more than a model employee known for his energy, punctuality and longevity. He was a legend. Winston missed one day of work in over 70 years, and that was to attend his wife's funeral in 1988. In 1996, he received an "Employee of the Century" citation from President Bill Clinton.

This news reminds us of all those special people who work hard to improve the world throughout their lives and dedicate themselves to the company or individual they work for - spending their limited time on this earth in service and helping others.
We are very lucky to have many of these loyal and dedicated people at The Reef Resort and plan to keep them here as long as we possibly can!
So raise your next glass to Arthur Winston and all who follow him.

Good Cause for a New Page

The Reef Resort website now has a page dedicated to some of the conservation efforts that we support. The information here will be frequently updated as and when we become aware of new projects that we can help with and that you can get involved in during your vacation.

Visit our brand new conservation page for a run down of some of the projects we are currently embracing.

Also this summer - look out for our special conservation vacation packages soon to be published on our home page... We all know that it's better to give than receive - but it's even better when we all benefit from it! Guilt free indulgence is coming soon to a computer screen near you!!

The Captain's Back Log

There's been a boat full of activity going on with Ecoventures who've been so busy lately they've hardly had time to report back to the beach-hut with their latest news.... much as they look like they're relaxing in this photo - it's all an act so that you won't feel guilty!!



HOWEVER, Rebecca of Ecoventures did tell me that she now strongly recommends pre-booking if you're planning a vacation at The Reef as they are becoming booked up, up to three months in advance for some activities - especially with regards to their speciality fishing and snorkelling excursions.

Have a shuffle through The Reef website to seek more information about their schedules or use the complimentary e-concierge service for guests.

Drum Roll Please...

... Fosters Food Fair is NOW OPEN.

This comes as great news to the districts of East End and North Side. After many months of anticipation, Fosters Food Fair (across the street from us) will be officially opening their doors today, April 21, 2006. Now our guests, as well as us locals, will be able to do their grocery shopping right across the street, instead of back in George Town!!

And as if that wasn’t enough good news, there is an added bonus....(another drum roll please!!)....There will be a Cayman National Bank ATM set up there as well. That should be completed by the end of next week!!! That is REALLY big news for this end of the island. We are all so excited!!!!

Check back soon for more detailed updates!!

The Legacy of a Great Man

Norberg K Thompson, OBE

The Staff of The Reef Resort regret to announce that Founder of our resort, Norberg K. Thompson, OBE, died last Thursday morning. He was 81.

Local newspapers have been paying tribute to Mr Thompson who has been a prominent and well-known member of Cayman’s business community. The Cayman Net News described him fondly as a ‘stalwart’ of Cayman.

Mr Thompson was educated at the Cayman Islands Government School and started his long career by spending ten years as a seafarer. He went on to start Wholesome Bakery in 1954, developing trade district by district on a bicycle. A founding member of Cayman’s Rotary Club, Mr Thompson then began building condominiums in 1964 and became involved in numerous other real estate ventures – one of them being the creation of the Reef Resort.

Flags were flown at half mast at some business establishments and those offices were also closed for half a day on 30th March 2006 in recognition of the passing of Mr. Thompson. He leaves a rich legacy on Cayman of a life of hard work and dedication and has been an inspiration to many people. In 2002 he received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) during the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Mr. Thompson, one of Cayman’s most successful businessmen, served as Chamber President from 1970-1974 and was awarded the Chamber’s Businessman of the Year Award in 1997. The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce have paid a special tribute to Mr Thompson on their website.

He is survived by his devoted wife of almost 50 years, Mary Thompson; two sons, Kel and Gene Thompson and a large, extended family. Kel has been very actively involved in creating The Reef Resort and we send our sincere condolences to him and the rest of the family. This is a loss to the Thompson family but also to Grand Cayman as a whole.

The service of thanksgiving for the life of Norberg K. Thompson, Sr., O.B.E. will be held at the George Town Seventh Day Adventist Church Sunday, 9 April at 3.30pm.

Sports Day

Just keeping you in touch with what is going on in the community. Over the past month the different primary schools have been having their "sports day". Many parents take off an hour or two, or even the full day, to go watch their child "compete" within their school. Granted, everyone sees it more as fun than competition though!! The above photos were taken at the North Side Primary School Sports Day, which was held at The Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town. It was a great event, activities ranging from bean bag races, to 800 metre races!! Exciting to say the least!! This week the "Inter-School Sports Day" is being held. This is where the top winners of the different primary schools compete with each other, I guess you could call this "Nationals!! " In any event, it was a fun day for the kids, a nice break before their exams!!.