Its hard to keep secrets about food these days. Ive mentioned it in this this space before, but Im regularly amused when people ask about hidden gems and off of the beaten path spots.

Social media makes it hard for those to really exist anymore. When a new spot opens and it is very good, word will travel very quickly. The path will become beaten in short order.

There is, however, a spot in town that gets very close to fitting the bill.

Its The Steakhouse on Whitemarsh Island.

Thats what it is called because that is what it is, and that also gives you a solid glimpse at everything you need to know about this no-frills tucked-away-at-the-end-of-the-strip-mall joint.

Its a steakhouse on Whitemarsh Island which very easily could qualify as one of Savannahs best kept dining secrets.

Truth be told, the word got out really about a year or so ago. But really only among the locals.

We get very little, if any, tourists in here. Says Chris McGary, owner of The Steakhouse on Whitemarsh. We dont cater to tourists. We dont market to them. If theyd like to come see us, sure, but we are easily 98 to 99% locals.

Im guessing that is refreshing to a lot of you. This column isnt a who, what-when-where on tourism, but I can tell you the vibe at The Steakhouse is different because it is more than obvious when you walk in that this is a roof full of your neighbors enjoying a great steak.

Yes, the steaks are great.

Chris and his wife bought the place a few years ago from a friend who got in over his head. Theyd been in the business before. Theyd owned five restaurants around the country along the way.

We sold our last one in 1999 and swore wed never do it again. Chris says. But this was just the right opportunity at the right time. We live around the corner and we know everyone on the islands. It was just a good fit all the way around.

His secret to a full house practically every night they are open? Making sure they offer great value to every customer. Dont overthink. Dont re-invent the wheel.

We keep it simple. Nothing foo foo in here. We are a steakhouse. We offer a great steak at a great price. We dont charge extra for sides. It is all included. Some of our competitors will charge you an exorbitant amount of money for a bowl of mashed potatoes. We dont do that. We just include it in the price.

Chris tells me believes there should be more value out there for your dining dollar, but once again he understands why there isnt.

If you can charge $50 for a piece of meat that you should only charge $25 for and get it? Then more power to ya. I dont think its right, but it is what it is.

Now if I were you and Id never been to this spot, Id be wondering what the catch is. You know, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is? Well in this case, its kinda-sorta.

The menu at this steakhouse is on the short side. Generally, you are dealing with filets and ribeyes.

Their three-pound tomahawk for two is a crowd pleaser. Sliced tableside, the phones all come out when one of those guys is floating through the dining room. Chris says they go through about 15-20 of those a week.

Beyond that, the sides. There are two choices for potato. His very popular garlic mashed and roasted potato. Thats it.

One vegetable per night. Thats it. The last time I was there, it was corn. Again, thats it. They keep it simple because they believe you are there for a well-made steak.

Salt, pepper and put it on the grill and let it do its thing. He says. You do your crosses and serve it.

Its a really easy process but people want to complicate it with all this stuff.

All that stuff he refers to? I personally understand and appreciate at a traditional higher end steakhouse. But if you walk in here knowing that this is not that, then this is a very enjoyable meal. The room feels like youve stepped back into 1981. No frills to speak of and they love it that way.

100 percent. He says. 100 thousand percent.

Theres a shrimp and pasta dish, a fish and a couple of salads and apps. Thats it. He said they keep it simple and they do.

The same goes for their wine list. You will find some usual suspects on there plus a few goodies.

Chris knows his wines so he tries to keep a little something in stock for everyone. Again, at a decent price.

I dont see the point of marking up a bottle $100 like the corporate places do. If I can make a few bucks on something and keep our guests coming back, then I will do that.

Its a formula that is working very well.

Weve been very fortunate. Our clientele has followed us around town. We have a good following here.

Original post:

SAVANNAH'S BEST KEPT STEAK SECRET? Hit the Islands to find out - Connect Savannah.com

Victor Callewaert Jr. may have been known for his signature pink shirt and his big smile, but underneath that folksy, fudge-selling charisma was a doggedly persistent businessman whose legacy can be counted in a number of landmarks lining Mackinac Islands Main Street.

Friends and longtime visitors are remembering Callewaert, who died May 8. He was 85.

Victor was a true Mackinac Island champion, said Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. There wasnt a cause or significant island-wide effort that he didnt have a positive influence on. He was a huge presence that will be forever missed.

Callewaert was an island resident who also had homes in Grosse Pointe Shores and Florida. His familys island portfolio had expanded in the last several decades to include: the Island House Hotel, 1852 Grill Room, Ice House BBQ, Rybas Fudge Shops, Marys Bistro Draught House, Pancake House, Pine Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Seabiscuit Caf and Starbucks.

Last year, Callewaert and his family were honored for their decades of devotion to Island House Hotel, the Victorian grande dame of the islands Main Street. They were awarded the Legendary Family Historic Hotelier of the Year honor by the Historic Hotels of America. The effort to bring back that property was one of the hallmarks of his island career, right along with his love for a good bite of fudge.

In recent years, Vic could be seen cruising through downtown donned in his signature pink Rybas Fudge shirt and Michigan baseball cap, ever ready with a wink or a wave, Island House staff posted on social media following his death. As a steward of Island House Hotel, and enthusiastic fudge connoisseur, he will be fondly remembered for numerous contributions to the Mackinac Island community. It is our honor to carry the torch ensuring that Victors legacy is proudly carried into the future. Friends wishing to remember Victor are reminded to Think Pink, as he would say, and may contribute to Mackinac Islands St. Annes Catholic Parish or Medical Center; or the charity of ones choice. Services will be announced as details are available.

Ryba's has multiple locations on Mackinac Island. MLive photo.

Callewaerts Mackinac Island career actually became a possibility on a Detroit street corner in 1936 when his energetic newspaper hawking skills drew the attention of nearby sweets shop owner Harry Ryba. It wasnt long before Ryba hired the youngster, who later became his business partner and then son-in-law when Callewaert married his high school sweetheart, who was Rybas daughter, Rena. The two men sold their Mackinac Island fudge at big events, festivals and fairs. In 1960, they decided to match the location to the style of fudge, opening their first of four Rybas Fudge Shops on Mackinac Island. Their showmanship style of luring in customers by making fudge right next to the shops windows was a big draw, and Callewaert earned the island moniker of Fudge King. Customers loved seeing the process - and still do - and leave carrying little pink boxes of the sweet treat the island is known for.

But Callewaerts ambitions soon expanded beyond sugar and chocolate. He branched out into Mackinacs other mainstay: old hotels. He oversaw the renovation of the Lake View Hotel as well as teaming up with his brother-in-law, James Ryba, to buy the disheveled Island House Hotel in 1969 to save it from the wrecking ball. It reopened to guests in 1972 and was soon named a historic landmark by the state.

Throughout his decades on Mackinac, business leaders say Callewaert was known for mentoring young workers, some of whom later became business owners themselves. If he was persistent in business, he was relentless when it came to raising money for a good cause. This included the annual raffle tickets that benefitted the islands Lilac Festival and its Medical Center.

Residents would sometimes turn the other way when they saw him coming, knowing Victor would not take no for an answer when supporting worthy causes. His legacy includes financial support for the rebuilding of the Arch Rock steps in memory of his late wife, the reconstruction of Fort Holmes, and the Botanical Garden Walk to Arch Rock, tourism bureau staff said.

Callewaert was preceded in death by his wife, Rena, in 2009. He is survived by their five children, Mary, Todd, Ann, Amy and Gregg, and many grandchildren and other family members and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Annes Catholic Parish or the Mackinac Island Medical Center.

Victor Callewaert and family in front of Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island. Photo provided by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

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Mackinac Island hotel, business leader remembered for being islands champion - MLive.com

The co-founder of Spice Islands Distilling Co., Indonesias very first craft spirits distillery, talks about the challenges and the victories of her spirited venture

These past few years has seen the rise of some pretty interesting local brands. A particularly interesting case in point in this regard is Indonesias first authentic craft spirits distillery: Spice Islands Distilling Co., which is based in Bali. Combining age-old distilling techniques with distinctly Indonesian ingredients, its products namely Nusantara Cold Brew and East Indies Archipelago Dry Gin has been recognized by liquor afficionados and has been internationally acclaimed as well. On the former note, Nusantara Cold Brew has won Bronze at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2022, while East Indies Archipelago Dry Gin won Gold at the International Spirits Award 2022 in Austria.

Running a business is definitely not easy, especially one in an industry with its own, unique market. But Spice Islands Distilling Co. has proven that creating good quality products will result in good outcome. Recently, Prestige had the opportunity to chat with Audrey Purwana, the co-founder of Spice Islands Distilling Co. and also the woman behind the success of the brand. Below are excerpts from our interview.

What keeps you busy lately?

What keeps me busy is, of course, apart from normal life we moved to Bali last year with two young kids is the business we started, Spice Islands Distilling Co. After four years of preparation, it has been officially in production for the past two years.

For any of our readers might not have heard of Spice Islands yet, can you tell us about the brand concept and the inspiration behind the name?

Weve always wanted to create something a beverage brand because Indonesia has many liquor producers. Also, I think people are very focused in price, because Indonesia is a very price-sensitive market. Since the beginning, when we tried to figure out our positioning, we realized that the safest answer would probably be creating something affordable. Then we noticed that there are no local liquor brands in the premium market yet. Here is the thing: Some people still have that mindset of not wanting to pay more for local products; but we created this brand because we believe in making something thats actually premium quality. We wanted to take a risk and give it a try.

I think this is a great time for our generation. The younger folks are more open to try local brands. Or, at least, they are willing to believe that local brands can be good. We have been dependent on imported products for so long. So, the idea is to create something equally good.

In the beginning, when we first started working with the branding team, we looked at what Indonesia truly is. What do people identify Indonesia with? Then we realized that we still identify with our rich history. We also picked a place which is very relevant to our products. So, we finally found the perfect name: Spice Islands. I think foreigners would understand the meaning behind it. And in terms of product, well, our gin, for instance, incorporates a lot of botanicals that used to be found only in Indonesia.

What sets Spice Islands apart from other distilleries and what makes it unique?

For now, it seems like we are the only distillery in Bali that, I would say, puts a lot of focus on quality machinery, packaging, and so on. We dont cut corners; we dont use cheaper packaging materials, for instance. From the beginning, this was something that we are willing to do to improve quality.

We are the first to produce non-wine liquors at the same, premium quality as important brands, in Bali. We dont produce millions of bottles because everything is still handmade. The distilling process is handled by its own team, and the other parts, from selecting ingredients to even the bottling is still done by hand.

What are the major challenges of running a distillery, especially here in Indonesia?

Challenges are normal. There are day-to-day challenges such as machine breakdowns. Of course, the last two years has been the most difficult, as were dealing with the pandemic. Someone would get sick in the middle of a production run and end up having to self-isolate, so we had to look for temporary replacements. Another challenge is how raw materials, such as cartons or labels, would come in late. Since we are still new, and we still have to import some materials, late shipping has become one of the issues we had to face. Commercially, the challenge for these past two years is how we move forward with these products. Our products have good quality, but proving that local doesnt necessarily mean cheap is not that easy. But we are getting there.

On the flip side, what are some of the unique opportunities and possibilities from running a distillery in Indonesia?

First, lets narrow down the scale to just Bali instead of Indonesia as a whole. Bali, fortunately, is more open to new industries. There are many liquor brands and they are all fantastic. Really great brands. I can say that for Bali, this is definitely a new kind of business opportunity. The government is still quite strict, but the business can still get support since it is an investment for Bali. And, of course, we also create jobs.

In Spice Islands Distilling Co.s mission statement, the company states that it aims to raise Indonesian spirit by raising a glass with our communities. Can you tell us about any community outreach programs that youve conducted so far?

For our coffee liquor, Nusantara Cold Brew, we support a number of coffee plantations managed by local farmers. We donate funds to them and we buy green beans from them for our production. In Bali, when we open a factory in an area, we only employ workers from that area. People from others area can join too, but only for positions that cant be filled by the local community. I really appreciate this aspect of Bali. Another thing that we do to raise the spirit of the communities we operate in is by only buying botanicals from local farmers. Anything we can buy locally like kecombrang or torch ginger flowers we do so. We definitely support farmers and local markets.

We are based in Bali, so its the most natural thing to source the coffee locally. We have built a strong relationship with local coffee farmers and we have created a training program for them

Now that Bali is recovering, how excited are you for the future of Spice Islands? And what have you been planning to make the best out of the evolving market?

This is the moment weve been waiting for. Basically, weve been waiting for two years and now weve started to notice the differences. But its still nothing compared to what it used to be.

As for how we prepare, we would definitely produce more, because all this time we have been rather careful in terms of inventory and didnt stock up too much. Now, we feel encouraged to ramp up production. In terms of listing, commercially, our sales team are more aggressive.

We heard that Spice Islands is currently working on programs to help farmers improve their coffee quality. Can you tell us more about it and what encouraged you to start the program?

We are based in Bali, so its the most natural thing to source the coffee locally. We have built a strong relationship with local coffee farmers and we have created a training program for them. Surprisingly, we learned that many coffee farmers simply harvest the beans they plant, dry them, pack them and sell them. Through our training program, we have a coffee specialist from a roasting company educate the farmers to improve their know-how. Thats what weve done so far.

We actually want to also do a program to help local arak producers, which has been requested by the regent. As there are many home-producers of arak in Bali, he hopes that we can help in educating these brewers on how to perform better distillation and generally create better products. Hopefully by next year we can have this program in place.

What is next from Spice Islands Distilling Co.? Are there any future launches, event, or anything exciting coming up?

Hopefully we can gain increased momentum in Jakarta and Bali. We have done a soft launch in Bali previously, but finally did an actual launch event last month. We are also planning to launch the East Indies Archipelago Dry Gin in Jakarta to spread awareness and so that we can better fit the branding with the market there.

Next, we would like to launch two more gin products. But, again, we are waiting for the right momentum. Hopefully, we can add one more gin flavour in the third quarter this year, or later. Another one that we have been planning to launch is rum. But because of the pandemic, it was delayed. Hopefully, we can launch our rum sub-brand near the end of the year.

What are your hopes for the future, for yourself, company, and Bali?

Simple. Our hope is to build a brand that we can be proud of. A brand that is exportable, or at least one that can become recognized and trusted outside of Indonesia. It doesnt have to become a big global brand, just for our brand to be accepted and gain footing in overseas markets.

For Bali, we hope to be a brand that the island can be proud of. And basically just to be recognized as a company that can make good beverages. That would make us very happy

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Audrey Purwana recounts the journey of Spice Islands Distilling Co. - PrestigeOnline

As Sweden ponders joining NATO, a remote holiday destination in the Baltic Sea is once again bolstering its defences.

Known as a paradise isle of unspoiled wilderness and sandy beaches, Gotland has long been a popular vacation spot for many Swedes.

Complete with Viking-age settlements and iconic rock formations, the 170-kilometre outcrop attracts over two million visitors every year to enjoy the peace and simplicity of island life.

But just over three decades ago, the holiday hotspot served a far different purpose.

Strategically located just 300 kilometres from the home of Russia's Baltic Fleet, it acted as a key deterrent against Soviet expansion.

And as tensions surrounding Swedens proposed application to NATO grow, the Scandinavian nation is rebuilding its military presence on Gotland once again.

"There will be more soldiers and more activity on Gotland, says Colonel Magnus Frykvall, commander of the Gotland Battalion.

We have to build a bigger and better military capacity due to the current situation."

Sweden - alongside Finland - is expected to reveal in the coming days whether it will ask to join the NATO military alliance.

Coming out in favour of joining would be a historic development for either nation. Sweden has avoided military alliances for more than 200 years, while Finland adopted neutrality after being defeated by the Soviet Union in the Second World War.

Earlier this week, Russia warned of severe consequences if either nation were to join the alliance. But as Putins war in Ukraine continues, many Gotland locals are eager to defend their nation at all costs.

"People are a bit worried, but we're trying to keep everybody calm, says Camilla Selander, a deli-counter worker who has joined the island's Home Guard.

We talk about what is happening there, but we just tell each other that it's going to be fine.

In a forest near Visby, Camilla and her fellow volunteers squeeze off shots from nine-millimetre pistols handed out during target practice. For now, the firing range remains the only active military site on Gotland, but memories of the islands combative past are clear for all to see.

One thousand machine gun nests were built here at the start of World War Two, says Lars-Ake Permerud, a retired army officer.

We had machine gun and cannon defences all around the island."

Many of those artefacts are now on display in military museums, and the retired servicemen who curate the exhibitions are well aware of Gotlands strategic significance.

"This is an aircraft carrier, says Rutger Banholtz, former head of the Home Guard.

"He who sits on Gotland controls large parts of the Baltic Sea."

While Sweden says it does not believe Russia has plans to attack Gotland, Putins invasion of Ukraine has forced the nation to rethink its security policy.

NATO membership provides safety in numbers, promising unilateral protection for all member states.

Both Sweden and Finland are expected to decide whether to apply to the 30-nation alliance in May. Finland's President Sauli Niinisto is expected to give his support on 12 May, while Swedens ruling Social Democratic Party is expected to announce its decision later this week.

Watch the video above to find out more about Swedens paradise island.

More:

This Swedish holiday island could be on the verge of Russian invasion - Euronews

For Rotumans who grew up in New Zealand, more than 2700 kilometres away from their home islands, it can be hard to picture the way their parents or grandparents were raised.

How did they get to school? What did they eat and drink? What did they do for work?

Its that curiosity that Rotuman composer Darlene Inia channels in her music for her community. When it comes to dances, or tautoga, the lyrics are almost always about life on Rotuma for those who have yet to see it themselves.

Darlene Inia/Supplied

A Rotuman community group during Rotuman Language Week 2021.

In one song, the Auckland womans lyrics describe the youth gathering and trying their best to imagine the life on Rotuma their elders had.

READ MORE:* Kiwi Rotuma's challenge to keep endangered Pacific Island language alive* Rotuman Language Week: Corporate world helping sustain endangered language* Rotuman Language Week: Sustainability, Vetkia, at the heart of the language protection

The elders respond to them, telling them about the clean white sands, the clear blue ocean that surrounds the islands, the lush nature of Rotuma and its yams and taro.

Supplied

Darlene Inia learned to write Rotuman music from her mother and aunt.

These are the scenes we try to capture, by listening to our elders, Inia said.

Inia, who lives in Glendene, has been composing traditional Rotuman music since she was young and learnt the trade from her mother and other elders in her family.

When she was in her 20s, she wrote her first piece of original music and two decades later she is still going.

When she writes, Inia wants to bring contemporary influences into her work, but carefully, not to stray too far from tradition.

She consults often with her family and other elders in the community, who guide her, she said.

Spoken Rotuman is quite different to sung Rotuman, so Inia said she was careful to check her grammar and vocabulary with her elders.

I am of that younger generation where out of respect I still consult with my elders. That is a Rotuman value. The last thing I want is to deviate from the tradition.

However, she said she was always looking for ways to make the traditions fun and engaging, especially for the youngest Rotumans out there.

We cant live without one another, our elderly and our young. If youre looking at the survival of heritage, you cant live without one another, its always collaborative. You need to talk to one another and bounce ideas off each other.

Inia teaches groups of young people to perform traditional dances and songs, as well as more contemporary numbers.

In 2021 she was honoured with the Toa Award from the Ministry of Pacific Peoples for her services to the language and the community.

Ka sei ta ou asa? What is your name?

Otou asa le __________ My name is __________

Ka e le ne tei? Where are you from?

Gou le ne __________ I am from ___________

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Rotuman Language Week: Music summons the islands for the young - Stuff

Workers stand in line to cast ballots for a union election at Amazon's JFK8 distribution center, in the Staten Island borough of New York City, U.S. March 25, 2022.

Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters

Amazon has fired two employees tied to an organizing campaign that resulted in the company's first unionized warehouse in the U.S.

Mat Cusick and Tristan Dutchin told CNBC they were fired by Amazon in recent days. Both Cusick and Dutchin have been working with the Amazon Labor Union, an upstart group led by current and former company employees, to organize workers at the e-commerce giant's warehouses on New York's Staten Island.

The ALU notched a historic win last month, when workers at Amazon's largest warehouse in New York City, known as JFK8, voted to join the union. The ALU hoped to replicate its success at a smaller facility nearby, called LDJ5, but the site rejected unionization last week. Still, the victory at JFK8 has spurred organizing efforts at other Amazon warehouses, and the ALU has received high-profile recognition, most notably from President Joe Biden.

Dutchin, who worked as a package picker at JFK8 for almost a year, said he was fired on Saturday after he wrapped up his shift. Amazon told him he had failed to meet the company's productivity goals, which require employees to pick hundreds of packages per hour.

Dutchin said he'd received previous warnings from Amazon about his performance, but had since received additional training. Dutchin said his manager even congratulated him recently on his improved performance.

Cusick, who serves as ALU's communications director, said he was fired last week after going on "Covid care leave," which allows employees to care for family members sick with Covid-19.

A woman holds a placard as Amazon and union workers attend rally outside the company building on April 24, 2022, in the Staten Island borough of New York City.

Kena Betancur | AFP | Getty Images

An employee from Amazon's human resources department allowed him to go on leave until April 29, Cusick said. But on April 30, he received an email from Amazon saying he had been absent from his job for three days, which was grounds for firing, Cusick said.

The next day, Cusick, who sorted packages for delivery at an Amazon facility called DYY6, near JFK8, discovered he'd been locked out of Amazon's internal employee portal.

"I called ERC," Cusick said, referring to the employee resource center, "and said, 'What's going on, it looks like I've been terminated.'"

"I think the first person may have said I wasn't terminated," he said." "I went from China, to India, to a few different teams in the U.S., and everybody had a different take on what was going on."

On May 4, Cusick received a letter from Amazon informing him that he'd been fired "due to job abandonment," according to a copy of the letter viewed by CNBC.

Amazon's employee HR systems have been a subject of scrutiny in the past. Investigations by the The New York Times and Bloomberg identified issues with the heavily automated system, which has struggled to keep pace with the company's rapidly expanding workforce, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cusick described his dismissal as "an automated termination."

"Amazon's systems are almost entirely digital," Cusick said. "I was locked out of the system where all that material is stored. I'm locked out of the building so I can't even go to the building where I work to talk to the people inside."

Vice earlier reported on the firings. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said Cusick and Dutchin's cases are unrelated to each other and denied that they were dismissed in retaliation for their organizing with ALU.

"We work hard to accommodate our team's needs, but like any employer, we ask our employees to meet certain minimum expectations and take appropriate action when they're unable to do that," Nantel said.

Amazon has previously fired employees who were outspoken critics of the company's labor practices, including Chris Smalls, the president of ALU. Amazon was recently ordered to give JFK8 employee Gerald Bryson his job back after a judge found the company "unlawfully" fired him two years ago for participating in a pandemic protest.

"I've been doing interviews, going to rallies," Dutchin said. "Me being part of the ALU and making national headlines, they pay attention to that stuff."

The union victory at JFK8 was a major win for labor groups, which have sought to organize Amazon facilities for several years. For the ALU, the challenges aren't over, as it now has to try and negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with Amazon, which has already sought to delay a contract by challenging the election outcome in court.

In addition to firing an organizer at JFK8, the company has also made changes to the site's upper ranks in recent days.

Amazon last week fired at least half a dozen senior managers at JFK8, The New York Times reported. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the firings were a result of several weeks of evaluations of "operations and leadership" at JFK8. But the fired managers saw the move as a response to the recent union victory, according to the Times.

While Amazon may be legally allowed to fire managers who are not part of the bargaining unit, the company could face a further fight from the National Labor Relations Board for dismissing union organizers, said Tom Kochan, a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

"It's clearly immoral and a violation of the law to fire union organizers, but it may pay off for the firm to do so because the penalties are so weak," Kochan said. "It's also very difficult to enforce the law to prove that the worker was fired for union activity, rather than not showing up on time or somehow doing the job effectively."

WATCH: Amazon Labor Union wins

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Amazon fires two employees tied to Staten Island union effort - CNBC

Cities hold and absorb quite a bit of heat, but when trees are planted that helps improve the environment. An urban heat island is when a city experiences warmer temperatures than rural areas nearby. Think about it as a dome of heat surrounding a city. Materials used to build cities trap the heat, like pavement, cement, rooftops, and sidewalks. Those substances hold and absorb more of the suns heat enhancing hotter temperatures. Whereas less-developed rural areas dont absorb and hold as much heat from the sun. Plants also act as natures air conditioning. Plants take up water from the ground to their roots and the water will travel to small holes on the plants leaves. From there, the liquid water changes to water vapor and is released into the air.In our city you dont see as many trees and plants, so thats why The City of Detroits General Services Department is committed to planting trees in communities. The plan is to plant 10,000 trees, and so far, they are more than halfway to that goal. This will help beautify the city and dramatically help the environment.

Angel Squalls with Detroits General Services Department speaks about the importance of trees, Trees help the environment by helping to mitigate storm water run-off. As you know in Detroit we have experienced increase in frequency and rate of water with our current rain events weve been having. So by planting trees it will help mitigate that by helping reduce the rate of speed in which the water is running off to the ground and the roots will also help absorb some of water to help decrease flooding in our neighborhoods.

Planting trees in the city have other benefits for residents which you may have not thought about.

Theyre going to help cool our communities with their leaves once they leaf out into a big canopy and help cool our neighborhoods and also decrease energy bills in the city as well as helping to mitigate asthma in the cities. Angel adds.

This initiative is helping create a healthier environment for everyone. So next time you are taking a walk, take a few moments to enjoy nature because its helping our environment. Im Meteorologist Kylee Miller.

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Science of Weather: Urban Heat Islands & Planting Trees - CBS Detroit

Editors Note: These products were provided to us as review samples by Goose Island. This in no way, per our editorial policies,influencedthe final outcome of thisreview.

A tenet of life on this planet is that moving sucks. Even if you believe its the right thing to do. It doesnt matter if you have a lot of stuff or a little. Or whether its sunny or raining or snowing or hailing. Even the best laid plans will snag in the process of moving. I promise.

Goose Island Craft Cocktails to the rescue?

Much as we love bourbon in these parts, those bottles are heavy! Especially when youre lugging boxes and boxes of them. Or they might break or spill. But Chicago-based andas of 2011Anheuser-Busch-owned (Goose Island Beer Cos got just the thing: Crack open a cocktail like you would a beer. Nicely portable, which these days, I really, really appreciate.

The canned craft cocktail markets already pretty crowded. Delish lists almost 40 different varieties to try. The Spruce Eats published their top 10, and Liquor.com narrows it to nine.

So, I think its safe to say these spirited spirits are nothing new.

But neither is Goose Island. As weve said before, Goose Island Beer Cos brewers have been experimenting and blending with bourbon barrels for the better part of 30 years. The evidence? Their bourbon-barreled stouts, which are annual releases. Their craft cocktails use MGP-sourced three-year-old bourbon, and they explain why on their website: The TL, DR version is that younger whiskey doesnt develop the complex tasting notes of oak, vanilla and caramel that you can only get from aging in a barrel.

Personally, I think three years whiskey aging still runs immature.

But some may be impatient.

I get that.

Late last fall, Goose Island released three craft cocktails: the Old Fashioned Highball, the Whiskey Sour, and the Blackberry Smash. Here are there vital stats: Each is 9 percent alcohol by volume and will be $15.99 per 4-pack of 12 oz. cans. At time of release they were only available in the Chicago are, but may roll out in a wider area this year. Each uses three-year-old whiskey sourced from MGP. The cocktails can be imbibed straight from the can or over ice. For tasting purposes, I tasted each in a glass, un-iced, at room temperature in a cold-ish room.

Goose Island Craft Cocktails (image via Goose Island)

Appearance: I dont know what color I would expect, exactly, from a canned cocktail, actually, but this is somewhat pale, like the color of ginger ale, or light and non-cloudy apple juice.

Nose: The nose is really lovely! Its a welcoming cherry, and a kickass orange. It tastes like how a good and proper Old Fashioned should smell. It smells like a candle Id like to burn.

Palate: I dont really like this. It tastes like a very watered-down cocktail. It tastes youre on a bad date and shaking the ice in your glass while you desperately await a refill. Also, there is an acrid note on the finish. It smells so good and tastes so disappointing! I am sad. I expected more. Boyfriend sauntered into the kitchen to see what was up and had a sip. Said: A soda that has been around too long.

Appearance: A little cloudy, I bet its from the citrus. Its the color of the lemon juice that comes from the plastic lemon. Then again, I would hope this was cloudy though and not clear because sour mix iscloudy and not clear. Right?

Nose: A muddied citrus. Kind of stale, like stale lemon, like lemons after a while in a drink thats gone flat but still has lemon in it. Very lemony. The bourbon smell comes through, too. I hate to say this before I have even had a sip but this smells likehow I imagined a canned cocktail to taste. Tinny.

Palate: Color me surprised! I actually do not hate this, though it certainly does not have the complexity of a Real Drink. The smell put me off more than I expected (or maybe exactly as much as I expected). But its pretty refreshing, actually. I tasted this on a cold and gloomy day, but I could see reaching for one of these from an ice-stuffed cooler on someones patio come August. Boyfriend: Tastes like you made a drink and let it sit on the coffee table for three days and decided to drink it. (He has done this.)

Appearance: A very pretty color. And a precise oneit is, exactly, the color of smashed blackberries. Like the color of a juicy, jammy Zinfandel during a vineyard visit.

Nose: It smells, so much, like the aai flavor of Emergen-C. Kind of sweet, a little fake. But its also also juicy on the nose as well as the eyes. And it smells a little like they blended ripe-to-bursting cherries in it. I hope this does not taste like cough syrup.

Palate: This is not as sick sweet as I had feared. Its the best balanced of the bunch! The whiskey and the berry offset each other very well. I think this would be a solid summer choice over ice. And in fact, Im surprised they rolled this out last fall, because this shouts summer to me. Theres a slight finish of art gallery wine but its not a huge problem, I happen to like art gallery wine. It tastes a little like getting to the bottom of a Manhattan where some Amarena cherry juice has settled. Boyfriend: Cherry coke.

Final Thoughts: I feel like these need to be really cold on a hot day for them to be truly refreshing. But if you like whiskey, dont care about cocktail complexity, and you like to travel light, these may be your thing.

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Review: Goose Island Craft Cocktails - The Whiskey Wash

Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley is Premier under the National Unity Government of the Virgin Islands.

Premier Dr. Wheatley has responsibility for the following subject areas as gazetted via eservices.gov.vg on May 10:

Agriculture

Archives

Building Standards

Co-ordination of Government Policy

Consumer Affairs

Cooperatives

Ecclesiastical and Religious Affairs

Economic Planning

Electrical Inspection

E-Government

Fisheries

Food and Food Security

Gaming

Housing

Human Resource Planning

Immigration

Industrial Development (including Incentives)

Information (including Standards for Media)

International Affairs

Investment Promotion

Maritime Administration and Shipping

Regional Affairs

Science and Technology (including Digital Transformation)

Statistics

Tourism

Town and Country Planning

Trade and Business (including Licences)

Veterinary

Weights and Measures

The Premiers appointment which was effective 5th May 2022, is in accordance with section 56 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 where His Excellency the Governor of the Virgin Islands Mr. John Rankin CMG, acting in accordance with the advice of the Premier, may by directions in writing, assign to any Minister responsibility for the conduct of any business, including responsibility for the administration of any department of Government.

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Portfolio Of Premier - Government of the Virgin Islands

(BIVN) There were 5,768 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the State of Hawaii this week, up from the 4,249 reported last week. Of that number, 718 new cases were identified on Hawaii island, up from the 565 cases reported the week before.

Health officials say there have been 1,137 active cases on Hawaii island over the last two weeks. There has been a 14-day average of 93 new cases per day on the Big Island, and the average test positivity rate for the same time period is up to 11.8%.

On the Health Departments zip code area map showing reported COVID-19 cases with onset dates in the past 14 days, there are now sixteen (16) zip code areas on the Big Island showing over 11 cases. Zip code areas not listed below have recorded 10 cases or less in 14 days.

* The 96773 zip code area includes zip code areas 96710, 96774, 96728, 96764, and 96780. The 96704 zip code area includes zip code areas 96726.

The State of Hawaii says 2,932,889 total COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. Health officials say 77.4% percent of the State population has been fully vaccinated. 84.6% of the population has initiated vaccination, and 39.6% has gotten a booster or third dose.

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Hawaii COVID-19 Weekly Update: 718 Cases On Big Island - Big Island Video News

The secrets of an island in Nova Scotia may be uncovered with the help of a B.C. company.

For more than 200 years, Oak Island has attracted treasure hunters due to rumours of artifacts and gold buried on the island.

Ideon Technologies uses the energy from supernova explosions in space to help provide x-ray imaging beneath the surface of the earth.

It is part of a process called Muon Tomography and can penetrate up to one kilometre under the earths surface, according to the company, providing images that are similar to human x-rays.

It is typically used for mining operations.

Now, the Richmond-based company will use the technology to hopefully uncover the mysteries of Oak Island as part of History Channels reality TV show The Curse of Oak Island.

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What an adventure to explore a 200-year-old mystery and use state-of-the-art technologies to try and unravel the mystery, and so were very excited about the progress and the relationship were making with the team there, Gary Agnew, CEO and co-founder of Ideon Technologies told Global News.

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Archeologists have also used this technology to explore the insides of the pyramids but the results are not instant.

The company said detectors have to be left underground for up to seven months before results can start to appear.

Ideon began deploying Muon Tomography on Oak Island late last year and more than a dozen detectors are already pushing data back to the labs in B.C.

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It is expected the results will be shown on the next season of the reality show.

2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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B.C. company works to uncover buried treasure on world-famous Oak Island - Global News

Croatia's turquoise-rimmed Korcula is a worthy alternative to Hvar. Photo: Supplied

Islands are the ultimate escape for stressed-out urbanites. We dream of sun-kissed sands and sapphire seas. Of whitewashed villages beneath towering fortress ruins. Of an island dotted with pastel coloured cottages amid lush gardens.

But whether our ideal island is one of history or hedonism, culture or water sports, we go for the same reason: to get away, and find somewhere special and set apart. Islands are the ultimate distillation of the travel urge.

Why, then, do we return to the same old places?

The World Population Reviewestimates there are 670,000 islands, of which 11,000 are permanently inhabited. While you could spend the whole weekend arguing these numbers, the point is that we fixate on obvious islands such as Bali or Mykonos, Kangaroo or Hayman, while the rest are ignored.

Even famous holiday destinations such as Hawaii and Greece have islands that are less recognised. Alternative islands do not have to be remote, either. Shikoku has a population of four million and is right in the middle of Japan, yet attracts few Australian visitors. Here is our sand bucket list of 25 incredible, though lesser-known, islands that will help expand your horizons.

Serifoshas the coastal charm of Santorini without its jet-setting crowds.

Serifos has classic Cycladic landscapes of weather-beaten rock, silvery olive groves, flower-filled valleys and flamboyant seas, but none of Santorini's jet-setting crowds. Chora, perched higgledy-piggledy on a precarious hillside, is striking for its dazzling cubic houses, blue church homes and 15th-century Venetian fortress.

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Glorious views are everywhere, but the walls of the 16th-century Monastery of the Taxiarches, fortified against pirates, have some of the best. Like Icarus, you're suspended between sea and sky. Hike anywhere around Livadi Bay for more stunning landscapes.

Fast boats take 2.5 hours from Athens, ferries four hours. In summer, you can connect to some other islands. Despite it being a less prominent Greek island, do avoid weekends. See visitgreece.gr

Rugged forest and breathtaking wildlife make this rainy archipelago a gem for wilderness lovers.

This misty, rainy archipelago doesn't have the sunny island stereotype, but its temperate rainforest, ragged scenery and bear population give it a haunting, primeval presence. Haida totem poles, longhouses and archaeological sites dot the forests. Stay in an indigenous-operated lodge and immerse yourself in native culture and stunning wilderness.

Haida Heritage Centre (haidaheritagecentre.com) showcases carving and canoe houses, while Haida Gwaii Museum (haidagwaiimuseum.ca) delves into local culture and striking native visual arts.

Fly to Haida-Gwaii from Vancouver. Ferries sail from Prince Rupert on the mainland. There's no public transport, so hire a car or use local taxis. gohaidagwaii.ca; indigenousbc.com

Mare is the perfect place to do nothing in stunning scenery.

Little developed, revolving around farming and fishing, and home to just 7000 friendly people, Mareis the place to do nothing except wade out into wonderful reefs, kayak on a lagoon withcolours that defy description, admire splendid basalt cliffs, and eat fresh fish and octopus with local families as part of a table d'hotescheme.

Gorging on coconut crabs, which can weigh more thana kilo and crack open coconut shells with their claws. The meat is fresh, sweet and utterly delicious.

Fly to Noumea from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney and connect onwards to Mare. High-speed catamarans and slower ferries operate from the main island. See newcaledonia.travel

Flores' rugged scenery is fit for hiking, kayaking, caving and more.

Canyons, smoking volcanoes and highland rice terraces bequeath Flores with incredible scenery fit for hiking, caving, mountain climbing and kayaking. See Komodo dragons, enjoy superb diving and snorkelling, and admire the improbably coloured crater lakes of Mount Kelimutu.

The hardy and supple should tackle the 670-kilometre Trans-Flores Highway that runs down the spine of the island (better maintained in its southern half) for a magnificent road trip that skirts cliffs and volcanoes and sometimes strays into the cloud.

Flores is an hour's flight from Denpasar. You can fly from Jakarta via Kupang. Getting there by ferry from Bali requires a complicated transit through Lombok. See indonesia.travel

Savvy travellers flock to low-key Korcula instead of Hvar.

Korcula can be swamped with summer day-trippers but is otherwise a low-key, less chichi alternative to better-known neighbour Hvar. The undulating landscape is covered in fruit orchards, olives and vines that produce pungent white wine. Seafood, beef stew and other rustic dishes are lip-smacking; mainland Peljesac Peninsula nearby is famous for oysters.

The town of Cara isknown for its pilgrim shrine, olive oil and full-bodied yellow Posip winewhich you can quaff at cellar doorsand is a great accompaniment to seafood dishes.

Fast catamarans and ferries link Korcula with Split and Dubrovnik on the mainland, as well as to other islands. See visitkorcula.eu

PhuQuoc offers luxury and romance for half the price of a Polynesian island.

Why is Polynesia so fit for romance but less so Vietnam? Phu Quoc has everything for the honeymoon mood at half the price: luxury resort hotels and spas, great seafood restaurants and chic cocktail bars, shimmering reefs and castaway islets. Among two-dozen beaches are sunset-perfect Long Beach and Khem Beach for white sand and emerald waters.

Sao Beach is another corker but head 10 kilometres north to hillside Ho Quoc Pagoda and you can prepare to pop the question at sunrise or under moonlight, when views are ethereal.

Fly to Phu Quoc from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, or from several domestic destinations. Best visited in the October-March dry season. See vietnam.travel

This blustery island combines rainforest with beaches, headlands and national parks.

We often associate islands with tropical warmth, but if you'd rather get frisky then New Zealand's third island is a last stop before Antarctica. It combines rainforest with beaches, headlands and national parks. Brilliantly blustery weather makes for comfortable hiking; the Rakiura Track is a great multi-day walk. You can often see the Aurora Australis in winter.

Little Te Wharawhara or Ulva Island (ulva.co.nz) off the east coast. The pest-free sanctuary features wonderful New Zealand trees and abundant native birds, including kiwis.

Stewart Island is a one-hour ferry ride from Bluff or 20-minute flight from Invercargill. May to October is cooler but quieter. See newzealand.com

This Mauritiangem features eco-trails and marine activities galore.

If you love the tropical island look but aren't keen to merely flop, then this tiny autonomous outpost 560 kilometres east of Mauritius has classic beauty and abundant activities without glitz or stultifying resorts. Think eco-trails, cycling routes, zip-lining, gorgeous outlying islands for snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, and world-class kitesurfing at Mourouk.

The endangered Aldabra giant tortoises in Franois Leguat Reserve, and a day on the beach at Pointe Coton, where a channel to the open sea forms a natural aquarium teeming with flamboyant fish.

Rodrigues is a 90-minute flight from Mauritius. Separate quarantine and COVID-19 regulations may apply. Avoid the December-April rainy season. See mymauritius.travel

This volcanic archipelagofeatures otherworldly landscapes.Photo: Flavio Vallenari

The plain name of this island is apt: its four volcanoes rise out of a gloriously mirror-smooth sea, fumaroles constantly steam, and you can wallow in radioactive mud baths. The hiking in this otherworldly landscape is terrific, and you can recover afterwards on black-sand beaches.

Cratere della Fossa, though not without a guide to steer you around burning sulphur and provide a gas mask. Few other places offer the opportunity to gaze into a crater after only an hour's walk. The views of the Aeolians are heavenly.

Hydrofoils and ferries connect Lipari to Sicily, mainland Italy and other Aeolian islands. Autumn visits avoid the heat and high season. visitsicily.info

VisitorstoShikokowill find feudal castles, festivals and hot springs.

The smallest of Japan's four main islands hasfew overseas visitors despite its crumpled landscapes, frequent festivals and hospitable rural communities. Top sights include feudal castles, venerable Dogo Onsen (a hot-springs resort) and classic garden Ritsurin-en. A pilgrim route famous since feudal times links 88 Buddhist temples.

Sprawling Matsuyama Castle (matsuyamajo.jp), one of the nation's best castles, which occupies an entire hillside and has great views. Among interior displays are samurai swords and armour. Unlike in many places in Japan, the English-language signage is excellent.

Shikoku is connected to main island Honshu by road and rail and has four domestic airports. September and October are great times for hiking. See shikoku-tourism.com

An aerial view of the peninsular of Kalaupapa on the island of Molokai in Hawaii.

Just a few small towns, an aversion to tourism development and a reputation mostly among surfers make Molokai the tranquil, chilled-out alternative of the Hawaiian islands. The scenery is sumptuous, with towering sea cliffs, verdant valleys draped in waterfalls and rugged peaks. Locals are big on non-profit projects, voluntourism and immersive local experiences. Cycling is a great way to get around.

A visit to Molokai Flowers (molokaiflowers.com)which farms tropical blooms such as gingers and heliconias in the gorgeous Halawa Valley. Elsewhere you can visit macadamia and coffee plantations.

Local airlines fly to Molokai from Honolulu's international airport. There is no public transport, so rent a car. See gohawaii.com

The charming island of Guernsey is a trip back in time.Photo: States of Guernsey

One of several Crown dependencies lying between England and Normandy, Guernsey is a trip back in time thanks to its megalithic burial chambers, medieval castle, Regency-era old town (St Peter Port), mansions and nautically named pubs. Brooding former Nazi bunkers and a fascinating German Occupation Museum tell a less romantic story. Guernsey also has good dining thanks to well-heeled offshore bankers.

Hauteville House (museums.gov.gg), where Victor Hugo polished off Les Miserables and designed much of his own whacky furniture. The colourfully ornate interior is wonderfully eccentric, and the small garden is lovely.

Ferries connect Guernsey to French and English ports and other Channel Islands. Airlines operate from several English cities. See visitguernsey.com

Diu has been touted the new Goa.

This former Portuguese territory in India's northwest is tiny but touted as the new Goa. Development is under way but, for the moment, you can hardly get more off the regular tourist trail. Diu is attached to the mainland by a bridge and still relies on fishing and salt production.

The beaches won't wow Australians but Diu offers a dense cultural heritage. Diu Fort is a well-preserved, 16th-century hulk withrows of cannon that overlook the harbour. Its walls encircle three Catholic churches and a Hindu temple.

You can fly from Mumbai. Diu otherwise has good road connections to Gujarati cities. Best visit in October and November. See incredibleindia.org

Prncipefeatures rainforest, dramatic rock pinnacles and rich reefs.

One of two islands that make up a tiny West African nation, eco-friendly Prncipe features rainforest, dramatic rock pinnacles and rich reefs, all of which provide a wonderful wildlife experience for hikers and divers in what's sometimes dubbed the African Galapagos.

Baia das Agulhas (Bay of Spires) has a skyline of table mountains and rock outcrops best viewed from the water. Eroded volcanoes are covered in lush bird-filled jungle, and isolated beaches are a Robinson Crusoe delight.

You can fly to Sao Tomefrom Lisbon or various West African cities and connect to Principe. Renting a car is the only viable way to get around. See turismo.gov.st

Anguilla's beaches are dazzling.

This British territory is the alternative Caribbean, with no high-rises, casinos or cruise mega-ships. It has no great scenery either,though its beaches are dazzling. But itwins for its authentic, laid-back vibe, outstanding live-music scene and friendly, old-fashioned people. Great food and festivals, too.

A boat trip to Sandy Island (mysandyisland.com), a sand spit afloat in aquamarine sea where you can swim with turtles and enjoy barbecued lobster and a rum punch or two at the restaurant shack.

The easiest way to get to Anguilla is through nearby St Maartin, which is well-connected to American and European cities. Short air charters or ferry rides take you onwards. See ivisitanguilla.com

The least known but prettiest Balearic Islands (think Mallorca and Ibiza) have sensational beaches lapped by vodka-clear, sapphire-coloured sea. Tourist development is restricted and the vibe super-relaxed, especially after Ibizan day-trippers depart. Nothing to do but eat seafood, drink cocktails and float in beautiful bays. See formentera.es

Visby is this Baltic island's top attraction. The former Hanseatic trading port is calendar perfect, crammed with significant medieval buildings, wrapped in fortifications and presided over by 44 towers. The remainder of the island reveals Viking history, pretty churches and villages, and surprisingly wild landscapes. See gotland.com

Australians aren't much conversant with US islands beyond Manhattan. Americans reckon this Florida getaway is among their best. It combines extravagant beaches with golf courses and bird-filled natural habitat, but also has excellent restaurants and an impressive historic district preserving some of Florida's oldest buildings. See ameliaisland.com

This remote, rainforest-clad archipelago of white-sand beaches is outstanding for diving and snorkelling, yet until recently was barely on the tourist circuit. Only a handful of its islands receive visitors; the adjacent Nicobars remain off limits. A five-star resort recently opened on Havelock Island. See andamantourism.gov.in

Although far down the list of most-visited Caribbean islands, Martinique is one of the most scenic, packing in glorious bays and wildlife-filled interiors topped by Mont Pelee volcano. Two-thirds of the island is protected, so get out and enjoy hiking, cycling, horse riding and kayaking amid sumptuous landscapes. See martinique.org

Considering the Philippines' proximity, it's a wonder more Australians don't visit. Coron is the jewel of the Palawan archipelago, where limestone cliffs rise from peacock-hued seas and coral reefs are a kaleidoscope of fish and coral. World War IIshipwrecks are another dive attraction. See philippines.travel

Lying 20 kilometres off Sfax, this almost flat archipelago doesn't wow with scenery, but ruins dating back to the Roman Empire include millenium-old Borj el Hissar fortress, which blends Spanish, Venetian and Turkish influences. A Heritage Museum charts the fought-over islands' dense history. See discovertunisia.com

This Atlantic island, surprisingly Britain's oldest overseas territory, is a top dive destination and visited for beach resorts, but faded British charms and American, Portuguese, African and West Indian influences create a wonderful cultural blend showcased in good museums, art galleries, architecture, cultural life and food. See gotobermuda.com

Laidback Paqueta, an hour by ferry from Rio de Janeiro, is a compact, car-free island of faded Portuguese-era buildings shaded by mango trees. Clip-clop around by horse-drawn carriage or rent a bike. Regular food and cultural events and lively Sunday afternoon samba sessions create a great vibe. See visitbrazil.com

A short ferry ride from Xiamen, this former international settlement is a car-free escape though, as one of China's top tourist sites, not crowd-free. It has pretty scenery, World Heritage colonial-era architecture and interesting museums, and is renowned for its connections to classical (especially piano) music. cnto.org.au

Read more here:

The 25 incredible bucket-list islands tourists are yet to discover - Traveller

More than 40 years ago, central Pennsylvania was the site of what is considered the worst nuclear accident in the United States: the partial meltdown of Three Mile Island.

Located on the Susquehanna River about 10 miles outside of Harrisburg about 90 miles from Philadelphia Three Mile Island created enormous fear and was a huge blow to the nuclear power industry, which, in many ways, still hasnt recovered.

With the release of Meltdown: Three Mile Island on Netflix, director Kief Davidson and executive producer Carla Shambergs four-part documentary delves into the incident and its aftermath, as well as the whistleblower who shed light on the unsafe cleanup of the plant after its partial meltdown.

Were talking about a story where theres a possibility here of the East Coast being contaminated with radiation, said Shamberg, whose credits include work as a producer on Erin Brockovich. It was an important story that had never been told.

As a result, Davidson said, younger generations may have never heard of the calamity, or the lessons its story might hold.

Theres an opportunity to talk to a younger audience that is completely unaware of what happened, he said. Even those that did know about Three Mile Island may only know the very basics.

In 1980, the Inquirer won a Pulitzer Prize for local or spot news for its coverage of the incident. So, we took a trip back into our archives to see how the Inquirer and Daily News covered Three Mile Island, from the incident itself up to the plants ongoing decommissioning. Here is what we found:

The partial meltdown of Three Mile Islands Unit 2 started at 4 a.m. on March 28, 1979, when, according to an Inquirer report from that day, a malfunction.caused a slight leakage of radiation into the atmosphere, forcing a shutdown and evacuation of the facility. The reactor had just gone online in December 1978.

State officials, however, were not notified of an issue until about 7:45 a.m., at which point they declared a general emergency the first ever declared at a nuclear reactor, according to an Inquirer report. A spokesperson for plant operator Metropolitan Edison, said at the time that he had no idea what caused it or why if there was a delay. Some local municipalities reported not being informed of an issue until 10 a.m. or later.

At the time, Lt. Gov. William Scranton called the incident minor, and said that there is and was no danger to public health and safety, but nearby homes were reportedly evacuated. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Edison Co., meanwhile, said that there was no measurable release of radiation into the atmosphere.

By that afternoon, Scranton told reporters that the problem was more complex than representatives from Met Ed led state officials to believe. Gov. Dick Thornburgh would later urge the evacuation of pregnant women and small children living within five miles of the plant, and suggested that anyone living within 10 miles stay indoors to avoid potential exposure to radiation.

I am very skeptical of any one set of facts, Thornburgh said.

By March 30, state officials said that people living with five to 10 miles of the plant might have been exposed to as much as 100 millirems of radiation about 10 times as much exposure as officials from Met Ed estimated. The average level from background sources is 100 to 120 millirems per year, the Inquirer reported at the time.

Additional low-level radiation continued to be released into the atmosphere, but federal officials said that a total meltdown at the reactor was not likely, and that there was no imminent danger of a public health threat, the Daily News reported three days after the incident began. But by April 2, a hydrogen bubble had formed at the top of the reactor, threatening the possibility of a meltdown a fear that ultimately was avoided when the bubble began shrinking.

Fear and confusion, however, continued for years. Locals were concerned that with crystallized radioactive iodine falling to the ground, dairy cattle could eat contaminated grass, leading to contaminated milk (officials, however, said that most cattle were being grain-fed at that time). And reports indicated that radiation had been spread over a 16-mile radius from the plant, impacting at least four Pennsylvania counties.

Even the local media was driven into a panic, with KYW TV and KYW Radio putting up a sign in their office, then at 5th and Market Streets, requiring all radio and TV crews personally covering the story to be check for radiation with a Geiger counter, according to a Daily News report.

By March 1983, the billion-dollar cleanup was well underway, and being led by the Bechtel Corporation. But a senior startup engineer at Bechtel, Richard Parks, then 31, made headlines alleging that Bechtel and plant operator General Public Utilities were taking safety shortcuts.

Parks, the protagonist of the Netflix doc, became a whistleblower after working with the Government Accountability Project to file a 56-page affidavit with the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the safety issues. In his affidavit, the Inquirer reported, Parks said his Middletown apartment had been burglarized, with thieves looking for papers. That burglary, Parks says in the documentary, prompted him to go public.

The centerpiece of Parks affidavit, the Inquirer reported in 1983, were concerns over what was called a polar crane a piece of equipment at the top of the reactor that would be used in the cleanup. The issue, Parks said, was that the crane was damaged during the initial accident, and needed to be refurbished and tested to ensure its safety and that he had been harassed by the company and relieved from a number of duties for his concern. Bechtel, meanwhile, issued a statement saying that the cleanup was being conducted with safety as the number one concern.

After filing the affidavit, Parks was suspended indefinitely with pay a move that prompted him to accuse Bechtel of using Gestapo-like tactics to silence him. That suspension, which Bechtel said it pursued to insulate Parks from apparent harassment, lasted until May 1983, when the U.S. Department of Labor ordered the company to reinstate Parks. They appealed, and Parks remained suspended for several more months.

In August 1983, the Inquirer reported, Parks was allowed to return to work but not at Three Mile Island. Instead, he accepted a similar job at a coal-gasification project in Southern California. Parks attorney told the Inquirer that he would withdraw his complaint with the Labor Department. Six months later, Parks was fired.

Parks role as whistleblower, however, did impact the cleanup at Three Mile Island, as well as Met Ed. In November 1983, the Inquirer reported, a federal grand jury accused the company of routinely falsifying tests showing whether excessive water was leaking from the cooling system, and that they systematically destroyed records of those tests.

It was the first time that criminal charges were brought against a utility holding a license for a nuclear plant, the Inquirer reported. The 11-count indictment came more than four years after a former control room operator, Harold W. Hartman Jr., told investigators that he and others regularly fudged leak rate tests in the months before the accident at the direction of supervisors.

Ultimately, Met Ed plead guilty to falsifying records, and was ordered to pay a $45,000 fine and create a $1 million fund to help clean up the plant. That marked the first prosecution of a utility under the Atomic Energy Act, according to a February 1984 Inquirer report.

While Three Mile Islands Unit 2 went down for good following the 1979 partial meltdown, its corpse has sat at the site for decades. But in July 2019, EnergySolutions Inc. announced that it would acquire Unit 2 in order to decommission and dismantle it.

The sale was completed in December 2020, according to the company. But, as the Inquirer reported in 2019, its not clear when the decommissioning will be complete though, under federal law, plant operators have 60 years to clean up nuclear energy sites after plants close. TMI-2 Solutions, a subsidiary of EnergySolutions, estimates that the process will be complete by 2037.

Unit 1, meanwhile, was not taken out during the 1979 incident, and remained operational until Sept. 20, 2019, when it was disconnected from the power grid, bringing an end to its 45-year run as a power producer. Exelon Generation, which owns Unit 1, announced in 2017 that it would close the reactor down, the Inquirer reported.

Today marks the end of an era in Central Pennsylvania, said Mike Pries, a Dauphin County commissioner, when the power station shut down. Its a difficult day for the community, for the county, and for all of Central Pennsylvania.

Like with Unit 2, Unit 1s decommissioning is in process. Overall, it will take an estimated $1.2 billion and 60 years to complete, putting its finish date sometime in 2079, the Inquirer reported.

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Netflixs Meltdown: Three Mile Island tells the history of the infamous nuclear plant accident. Heres how we covered it. - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Take A Break is your ultimate guide to the perfect trips to recharge, rediscover yourself and your relationships, and reengage with the world. Well cover shopping stops, great bars, restaurants worth your money, photo opportunities, memorable drives and experiences, and other important details you need before you book.

Below, we chat with Anna McGrady, senior analytics editor at HuffPost, about why youll want to put Lopez Island, Washington, on your bucket list.

What drew you to Lopez Island as a place to visit or explore?

My family and I have been visiting Lopez Island as weekenders for decades. Lopez is one of the first islands in the San Juans, which is off the coasts of Washington and Canada. The island is everything you could want in an escape from the city: rolling fields, beautiful mountain and water views, outdoor activities a-plenty, and a warming and welcoming community of local islanders. For me, Lopez represents serenity, time to reconnect with my loved ones and the opportunity to connect deeper with nature.

What are the best times of year to visit?

Lopez is amazing year-round, but youll get the most out of a visit during the traditional summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day), as thats when you have the perfect combination of beautiful weather, open commerce on the island and a much friendlier ferry schedule for travel plans.

Whats your best tip for getting there? How can you make the travel as stress-free as possible?

The San Juan Islands are accessibly by ferry from Anacortes, Washington as well as from Canada and by private boat. The drive to Anacortes from Seattle can take up to two hours and you need to ensure plenty of time to get to the ferry terminal. The Washington State Ferries allow for walk-ons, bikes and cars, but space is limited and there are often multiple islands being served by one route.

Its highly recommended that you get a ferry reservation if they are available otherwise plan to arrive well ahead of departure to ensure a spot if you are driving! Better yet, arrive a few hours ahead of time and grab drinks or a bite to eat in Anacortes before your ferry. The town has a great selection of restaurants and bars, as well as plenty of gas stations and grocery stores to stock up on supplies before your trip.

Where do you recommend staying when you go?

Im incredibly lucky that my family has a shared cabin on the island, which is where I stay whenever I visit. That being said, there are many great options for accommodations across the island! The Islander Hotel is a mainstay for visitors to Lopez and includes hotel rooms, a marina for boats, a pool and a bar that is a mainstay hangout for the locals. The Edenwild Inn is a great option for those who want to be right in the center of town and is perfect for couples looking for a bed-and-breakfast experience. Additionally, there are many camp grounds and Airbnbs scattered throughout the island. Make sure you book your accommodations well in advance places fill up fast, especially during peak times like Fourth of July!

What are your go-to restaurants or foods to eat while youre there?

Whenever I visit Lopez, there are always a few must-do culinary stops on the trip: cold brew coffee with Mexican chocolate from Isabels Espresso, pastries from Holly Bs Bakery (get there early they sell out!), pan-fried oysters from the Islander Waterfront Restaurant, creative poutine dishes from Poutine Your Mouth (a food truck generally parked outside Blossom Grocery), and really great deli sandwiches at the Lopez Village Market.

What bars or entertainment spots do you make sure to hit? Whats good to drink there or what else should people know?

Lopez is definitely not a party island, but you can usually find a good time happening at the Islander Waterfront Restaurant most nights of the week. They have great food and a fully-stocked bar, as well as a beautiful lawn for the summer months.

What are your favorite shops and what do you look for when youre there?

Lopez is full of incredibly talented artists and craftspeople, which makes for very fun shopping! My go-to stops whenever Im on the island include Chimera Gallery (for a selection of art and souvenirs from around the Island), Studio 45 Glass (see local artist Rahman Anderson work his magic and take home a piece for yourself), as well as the Lopez Thrift Shop and Deja Vu Consignment for great clothes, jewelry and home goods.

Whats your single favorite spot to go for photos and why?

The most amazing sunsets can be seen from the western side of the island: Otis Perkins Day Park will be your best bet. Youll see amazing shades of pink, orange and deep blues while the sun sets over San Juan Island and the evening ferry glides along in the distance. Its a sight to be seen!

What tourist attraction should people skip and what should they do instead?

Skip the whale watching tour and rent a kayak (or take part in the community sailing hours) to tour the island yourself.

Where do you feel the most relaxed, calm or happy?

One of my favorite spots on the island is at the end of the Shark Reef trail, which starts down the road from the community golf course. You walk out from the woods onto low cliffs near the water and are greeted with a sweeping view of Cattle Pass and San Juan Island. If youre lucky, youll have a chorus of seals and sea lions barking in the background!

What scenic spots do you recommend checking out?

Lopez Island is packed with amazing hikes and walks. Some of my favorites include Shark Reef, Watmough Bay, Iceberg Point, Spencer Spit, Fisherman Bay Preserve and Lopez Hill.

Whats one thing you make sure to pack if youre going and why?

If youre planning to bring a car on the Island, make sure to fill up with gas before you get on the ferry. You can pretty much find everything you need in terms of groceries between the Lopez Village Market and Blossom Grocery, but gas is much harder to find.

What are some specific planning tips to know before you go so youre not stressed?

Lodging and the ferry schedule are always going to be the biggest factors in planning a trip to Lopez Island, as there are limited options and youre competing with tourists and locals for spots.

As soon as you know you want to visit Lopez, start booking accommodations so you can ensure you have a place to stay on the island. Its strongly recommended you make a ferry reservation, if the option is available. The most popular times on the Island are the annual Tour de Lopez bike race and Fourth of July (when the Island puts on one of the most impressive firework displays Ive ever seen). These are two of the most exciting times to be on the Island but prepare for crowds and a long wait for the ferry.

What surprised you about Lopez Island when you went the first time?

Lopez is truly a break from the hustle and bustle of the city even if it takes a little planning to get there, its totally worth it for the relaxation at the end.

Anything else visitors should know?

Some of the parks on Lopez are part of the Washington State Parks system, meaning you will need to have a Discover Pass or pay for a day pass when you park. If youre going to be visiting other Washington state parks during your trip, consider purchasing a year pass ahead of time.

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How To Take The Ultimate Vacation On Lopez Island, Washington - HuffPost

Bridget Farrell, the Executive Editor of independent Irish publisher Bullaun Press, writes for Culture about taking the long road to the small island - Inishmore - that plays home to her new venture.

Publishing must have always been in my blood. The Lilliput Press was founded by my father when I was six, so my brother and I would always have been competing for attention, and even physical space, with books. We pulled our weight at (endless) launches. We got to see a lot of the country too and meet extraordinary authors. Michael Kirby, the gentle Kerry fisherman-poet who took to writing in his eighties, was a particular favourite. He brought us out in his little boat to Skellig Michael many times and put us up on the hillside above Ballinskelligs's gleaming strand, where we watched mysterious adult relationships play out the image of a writer walking out to sea fully clothed in pursuit of a wolfhound has always stayed with me.

After college, publishing didnt even occur to me as a 'career choice. Young and idealistic, I was convinced there were more direct and urgent ways of trying to change the world. As I got older, I came round to the idea that certain books in the right hands can be magical objects. Languages were my focus, from learning Russian on the banks of the Neva in St Petersburg to teaching English to Chinese students back in Dublin. After that came studying the law on Aungier Street and working for environmental NGOs above Petland on Camden Street. Then I ran away to rural France to set up a caf with a friend, foraging figs amongst the vineyards and making our own fresh pasta with local organic eggs and semolina.

All roads led back to books, though. Editorial work turned out to be a natural niche for me. I gravitated back into the world of words. 2020 brought an uprooting from Dublins 7 and 8 to an oldworld schoolmaster's house on rainn, two bullaun stones outside the front door, herons nesting in the rocks on the foreshore. A two-month stay on the island turned into two years. That first winter, as I pushed the green pram in all weathers up and down the Black Fort road, the idea for the press presented itself to me more insistently, with fewer distractions to drown it out. The experience of remoteness shared by so many people at once across the world gave an added impetus for establishing connections across languages, cultures, borders and time. It seemed as good a way as any of tackling (self-) isolation.

I couldn't understand how the work of Irish translators appears in so many countries other than Ireland. Why dont we appreciate what theyre doing more? Irish literature is published in translation in so many other countries, and plenty of readers here Irish and not enjoy reading books that were not written in English originally. My idea was about openness and engaging with other cultures and languages as well as our own through their literary heritage. With the exception of poetry collections, Irish publishing in the main leaves books in translation to other anglophone countries. Eventually I realised that I should take the initiative as nobody else was making this happen. That was a daunting moment, but the encouragement and support from so many quarters has given real momentum to the Bullaun Press project. Its been a very collaborative venture so far. Funding from the Arts Council and Literature Ireland combined to make the first title a viable financial reality, as well as providing vital endorsement.

Publishing literature in translation into English in Ireland is about an outward approach to the world arguably never more needed. The first book had to be from Irish though, in recognition of our dual linguistic heritage and divided identities, which I Am Lewy explores beautifully and very humorously. The next chapter has begun, and it has proved rewarding and exhilarating in the first year already.

I Am Lewy is published by Bullaun Press - find out more here.

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How I set up a publishing house on the Aran Islands - RTE.ie

Due to the lack of familiarity with the area, vendors have noticed a lack of business throughout the new Buc Days attraction.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas Vendors are experiencing fluctuating foot traffic as the layout for the new Treasure Island attraction has customers unsure on how to reach the attraction.

Jennifer Racette, Owner of Alison Julien Collection, said the the new lay of the land has made it difficult for her to make sales, which is bad for her pocket book.

"In a normal year, I do 25 to 30 events like this in a years time. It's the primary source of my income," Racette said.

Sonny Owens, sale agent for The Perfect Wine said that with Buc Days in full effect, he was expecting his business to take off, but that didn't happen.

"It's day seven. I haven't sold anything three of those days. It's never happened to me, my whole life," Owens said.

With this year being the first time Buc Days has hosted Treasure Island, Buc Days Commissioner Fred Dotts said that showing people the layout is still a learning curve.

"We're slowly getting more and more people in each day, but when they find it, they love it," Dotts said.

He adds that there are several ways to enter the building if residents want to check out Treasure Island.

"Bring them up the ramp, you can come from the rodeo, down the hallway and around and into the exhibit hall," Dotts said. "You can come up the steps right outside the exhibit hall. If you can find a door in the convention center, come in and find the experience."

Vendors hope more of the community will come out and enjoy what they to offer. Treasure Island will be open till May 15, with Saturday and Sunday hours being extended to 11 p.m.

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FERMANAGH driver Jon Armstrong and his navigator Brian Hoy will compete on this weekends Canary Islands Rally ahead of their next Junior WRC round in Portugal the following week.

Rally Portugal marks the mid-point in the World Rally Championships junior series with the Northern Irish crew currently joint leaders.

Theyre returning to the European Rally Championship first, however, as they take on the tricky asphalt roads of Gran Canaria in a front-wheel-drive Ford Fiesta Rally4.

The opportunity to do Canaries cropped up, explained Armstrong, and we are keen to get more seat-time.

It's a good looking rally with very abrasive, twisty tarmac. It has some really fast sections that have angled corners.

It will be a good experience and we'll be doing our best to get a good result for the team.

Armstrong drove for M-Sport Polands Rally4 ERC team in Hungary last year and has seized the chance to showcase his potential in the series again.

Hell swap the Rally4 Fiesta for Rally3 once again when he arrives in Portugal next Monday. The Fermanagh-born crew have been Junior WRCs pacesetters this year but know they will have to tread carefully on Portugals rocky roads.

It is going to be a difficult rally in terms of managing the speed and looking after the car.

I know I have got good pace on the rally but it is trying to keep that going across the whole event. There are different characteristics of roads and different types of gravel.

It's all about figuring out the set-up and the best way to drive those stages because they are so different to each other.

A solid Rally Portugal result would strengthen Armstrong and Hoys position at the top of the Junior WRC standings. Armstrong led the rally last year before having to change a punctured wheel and eventually retiring with engine damage.

That was his first event on gravel for several years and with Junior WRC utilising four-wheel-drive machinery in 2022, Armstrong is hopeful of a decent points return.

My Portugal preparation has been good, continued the Rally Sweden winner. We did Rally Azores in March which was a good warm-up for gravel driving in the Rally3 car.

The event is quite similar to last year's Rally Portugal so I have been working a bit on the pacenotes.

I feel quite content that I know the rally and the different terrain.

The plan of attack is to see how we are doing, stay out of trouble, and pick up some good points for the championship.

The Canary Islands Rally starts with a super-special tomorrow night before 12 further stages on Friday and Saturday.

Rally Portugal starts exactly seven days later with another Thursday night super-special. WRC crews will tackle another 20 stages from Friday to Sunday. The iconic Fafe stage concludes Junior WRCs third round early on the Sunday afternoon.

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Fermanagh duo Armstrong and Hoy aim to fly at Canary Islands Rally - The Irish News

All Caribbean islands are not created equal. Some embody the quintessential fairy-tale facets of the tropical paradise, with sugar-sand beaches and awe-inspiring natural wonders. St. John, the most remote of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of these places.

The island is mainly accessible by boat, though car and passenger ferry service operate all day from nearby and much more cosmopolitan St. Thomas. Many visitors also arrive by private yacht. Anyone wanting to come by plane, though, is out of luck as there's no airport here.

aerial view of Cruz Bay, St.John in US Virgin Islands

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In addition to being the most remote of the primary U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is also the smallest, clocking in at just 20 square miles. But this tiny package is loaded with some of the best that the U.S. Virgin Islands has to offer.

A great deal of those bests center on eco-travel pursuits, as two-thirds of the island is covered by the Virgin Islands National Park, established in 1956. The Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, established in 2001, further expands environmental protections to the undersea world surrounding the island.

The result is an unspoiled paradise no passport required offering innumerable opportunities to connect with the natural environment by land and sea.

hammock stretched between palm trees at a beach, St.John, USVI

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The better question is: What time is good for you? St. John is blessed with a magical combination of warm weather and persistently cooling trade winds throughout the year. During the day, the highs average around the low to mid-80s, while overnight temperatures generally hover within the low 70s.

Rain? Nestled, as it is, in the heart of the tropics, St. John does see its fair share of rain. The island's verdant hills wouldn't be so beautifully green without it. However, there's no set rainy season. At the same time, you certainly wouldn't consider St. John a desert island. Instead, rain generally tends to come and go, rarely washing out full days, much less multiple days in a row. Months with the highest precipitation: September, October, and November.

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Crowds? If they aren't your thing, then you may want to steer clear of the peak winter season, which runs from mid-December through March. In a bit of a surprise, though, crowds are also always big in the middle of the summer for July Fourth. The reason: St. John Carnival, which kicks off in early June with a number of low-key pageants and concerts. The excitement builds throughout the month, culminating on Emancipation Day (July 3) and Independence Day (July 4) with a parade, fireworks, and nonstop fun and concerts in the Carnival Village.

On the opposite end of the fun spectrum is hurricane season, spanning from June through November. Late August to mid-October tends to constitute the peak period for storms, with major hurricanes being rare in June, July, and November.

Aerial view of Maho Bay in St. John

Steve Simonsen/Courtesy of USVI Department of Tourism

No matter what time of year you visit St. John, you'll always find a plethora of fun things to do. Top of the list for many is enjoying the island's many unspoiled beaches.

Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Maho Bay are the most famous and for good reason. The stunning seascapes along these shores are the stuff of Caribbean beach fantasies. At the same time, though, lesser-known shores, like those lining Honeymoon Beach, Leinster Bay, Jumbie Bay, Francis Bay, and Salomon Bay, should not be overlooked.

palm trees at Salomon Bay, St.John, US Virgin Islands

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Several of St. John's best beaches are solely accessible by a second favorite activity here: hiking.

St. John's 20 square miles are crisscrossed with a network of more than 20 hiking trails. Many are of the low- to medium-impact variety, with some measuring less than three miles. All of them, though, lead to amazing natural wonders or historical attractions worth discovering.

One such historical attraction, known simply as the petroglyphs, opens a rare window into one of the Caribbean's indigenous inhabitants: the Taino Indians.

Ancient tribal carvings left here centuries ago are set into a rock wall at the base of a waterfall located deep within the Reef Bay valley. If possible, plan to hike out here after a healthy rain to get the full effect of this mystical place. When trekking out to the petroglyphs along the Reef Bay Trail, hikers also pass the ruins of four colonial-era sugar estates. This offers unique access to yet another era of St. John's storied history.

However, not all of St. John's trails run over dry ground. The Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail at Trunk Bay, for example, introduces snorkelers to the island's colorful undersea world. A series of signs along the trail tell of the different coral and fish species snorkelers may encounter.

Related: There's a Floating Taco Bar in the Caribbean and You Can Only Get There by Boat

sunset at Trunk Bay, St.John, US Virgin Islands

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When not trekking through the bush or diving underwater in search of St. John's natural treasures, visitors delight in traipsing around the famously eclectic shops and boutiques in Cruz Bay, St. John's main town. Mongoose Junction, in particular, is popular for handmade local jewelry and artwork, as well island fashion, gifts, and more.

As you might expect in a destination as dynamic and eco-focused as St. John, accommodation options are vast and varied. One thing you won't find here, though, is all-inclusive resorts. But what it lacks in all-inclusive amenities, it makes up for in features that get you closer to the heart of what makes this little island so special.

The Westin St. John Resort extends along 1,200 feet of pristine, white-sand beach, covering a total of 47 acres with studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom accommodations. Guests can even opt for a townhouse (2,850 square feet) with space for up to eight adults.

For those keen on visiting St. John to connect with nature, Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground is a solid choice. Cottages, eco-tents, and bare sites are available, offering guests the opportunity to choose just how much they want to rough it. Here, waves crash along Cinnamon Bay, lulling you sleep. Mornings start with a dip in a pretty beach. And wild donkeys vie for the best shaded spots on the sand. For true nature lovers, it doesn't get much better than this.

Originally established as a plantation by Dutch settlers in the 1720s, Estate Lindholm today offers stunning views from its hilltop perch high above Cruz Bay. The property has 17 guest rooms, each decked out in elegant furnishings and decor echoing 300 years of St. John history.

Undoubtedly the most popular form of guest accommodations on St. John are villa rentals. For the best rates on the widest selection of properties, St. John Villa Rentals is great option. Booking through this community of local owners and property managers ensures that travelers avoid added service fees.

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This Stunning Caribbean Island Has White-sand Beaches, a National Park, and an Epic Underwater Trail for Snorkelers - Yahoo Life

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The Countess of Wessex arrived in the Channel Islands with the Earl of Wessex, to mark the Queens Platinum Jubilee.

Sophie Wessex and her husband, Prince Edward (the Queens youngest son), arrived at Government House in Jersey to meet a famous equine resident, according to the Royal Family's official social media.

The royal couple met Ajax the Shire Horse, an Honorary Member of an organisation Prince Edward is an Honorary Liveryman of, called the The Worship Company.

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For the visit, the Countess channelled 1950s glamour with a chic A-line dress with a full-skirt, half-sleeves and a high neckline. The all-over floral print and subtle colour-pallet complete the vintage feel.

Prince Edward wore a smart suit for the occasion, with a tie in a similar shade to the blue florals of his wifes dress.

If you're inspired by the Countess' chic look, we've rounded up some of our favourite vintage-style floral dresses from the high street here:

Off White Ditsy Floral Chiffon Frill Midi Dress

33.99

Somerset Maxi Dress

US$175.00

Floral Frill Detail Midaxi Tea Dress [None]

49.00

Smocked Neck Jersey Midi Dress - French Navy Floral

66.00

The royals were in the Channel Islands to mark the Queens Platinum Jubilee year, one of many appearances the couple have undertaken for this year's celebrations.

Most recently, the Earl and Countess of Wessex took part in an official tour of the Caribbean, beginning in St Lucia.

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They then visited St Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda where they met, communities, local entrepreneurs and young people in celebration of the culture, future and vibrancy of the islands, according to a post on the Royal Familys official Instagram account.

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Earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also visited a number of important organisations and individuals in the Caribbean, and taking part wide range of activities including dancing and swimming with sharks.

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The Countess of Wessex looked chic in a 1950s style dress in the Channel Islands - Good Housekeeping

Submitted by Island Rec

Dont miss out on your chance to join our recreational summer soccer league! Refereed games are played on Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings from May to July at John O. Linde Community Park, ending with a championship tournament.

New this year: Every player must register individually. The minimum number of participants and teams must be met by the early deadline of May 11, or the league will be canceled. So dont wait and make sure your teammates sign up! A minimum of eight full teams is needed by May 11 and the max team size is 20 people. Additional rules can be found on the Island Rec website, http://www.islandrec.org/.

$35 per person, expires May 11, $40 thereafter.

Register online at http://www.islandrec.org or call the Island Rec office at 360-478-4953.

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Summer soccer is here | The Journal of the San Juan Islands - Journal of the San Juan Islands