Podcast appearances and mentions of Saint Lucia

"None!" That was Kwency Griffith's answer when I asked what opportunity he saw in the market before he emptied his savings and founded Vybe Radio. No gap. No safety net. Just the belief that if no space existed, he would create one. A decade later, Vybe Radio broadcasts island-wide across Saint Lucia, reaches over 160,000 followers across platforms, and is streamed world-wide. But this episode isn't about radio. It's about what Kwency built quietly, on the side a property portfolio that started with land that sat untouched for 15 years and ended with Petit Paradis Villas: 3 x one-bedroom units, 1 x two-bedroom unit, and a pool in Corinth.                                 Growing up and he decided what he DID NOT want to be. From radio sales to on-air talent; how he got his first break at The Wave. The harsh criticism that almost broke him and why he later thanked the person who gave it. How Vybe Radio positioned itself around youth, technology, and edutainment, before anyone else in St. Lucia was doing it. Then the  property lightbulb: why he decided real estate was the only path to retiring on his own terms. Find out when he confirmed that property was the one business that will keep paying, even after the bank that told him preferential rates only went to certain people in society. Navigating DCA approvals, parking requirements, and the approval process in St. Lucia. Choosing a contractor, what he looked for and why. The decision to bite the bullet and do all 4 units at once instead of building in phases. His rental strategy. And finally...what financial freedom means to him and the advice he would give to his 30-year-old self.#BankofSaintLucia#NagicoInsurances#CaribbeanMetals#MandC

Authorities are urging residents to conserve water and remain prepared as developing El Niño conditions are expected to bring hotter and drier conditions during Saint Lucia's 2026 wet season. Meteorological officials are forecasting near-normal to below-normal hurricane activity but warn that heavy rainfall and localized flooding can still occur, emphasizing the importance of monitoring weather updates and maintaining emergency plans.

Saint Lucia's Emancipation Day 2026 celebrations officially begin on August 1 with the ringing of freedom bells, followed by a month-long programme of activities. Events include the Emancipation Day Lecture, tributes to ancestors and historical figures, a book launch, treasure hunt, poetry challenge, Emancipation Markets and the closing La Woz Gwan Fete celebration.

In the headlines: Emancipation celebrations to honour freedom and heritage and Saint Lucia launches population based Cancer registry For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition is launching Saint Lucia's first population-based cancer registry to provide reliable nationwide data on cancer cases. Officials say the registry will help identify trends, strengthen prevention and screening programmes, improve patient care, support research, and guide the allocation of healthcare resources.

The Daily Quiz - Geography Today's Questions: Question 1: What is the world's largest sea? Question 2: What is the capital city of Saint Lucia? Question 3: What is the capital city of Tajikistan? Question 4: What is the capital city of Hungary? Question 5: Which of these cities is in Italy? Question 6: In which country would you find Tikal National Park? Question 7: What is the name of the street that runs from the White House to the Capitol and is used for ceremonial parades? Question 8: What is the capital city of Malaysia? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cultural Development Foundation is using Emancipation Day 2026 to encourage Saint Lucians to reflect on their history and embrace the cultural legacy passed down through generations. This year's observance focuses on understanding the past and using it to create a pathway for the future, with special emphasis on African cultural influences.

The commissioning of the Dialysis Unit at the St. Jude Hospital (Augier site) marks a significant milestone in the Government of Saint Lucia's ongoing efforts to strengthen the delivery of healthcare services and also to improve access to dialysis services to residents in the south of the island. The dialysis unit is expected to enhance patient comfort while accessing care in a more modern environment. With the addition of the dialysis unit as the government continues to commission the St. Jude Hospital in a phased approach, reinforces the commitment to investing in the health and well-being of the people and also strengthening the healthcare system.

The Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, in partnership with the OECS Commission, has convened a four-day workshop focused on strengthening technical capacity in trade in services. The training aims to improve policy and regulatory decision-making while helping Saint Lucia become more competitive in regional and international services trade.

Saint Lucia is strengthening its national framework to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, as officials review the findings of the 2025 National Risk Assessment. The exercise is being used to identify vulnerabilities, address deficiencies and prepare the country for the fifth-round mutual evaluation by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF).

The Government Information Service and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) have launched the second season of Fun Mandarin, an educational television programme designed to make Mandarin language learning engaging, accessible and culturally enriching while strengthening ties between Saint Lucia and Taiwan.

The Government of Saint Lucia, in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission, has launched the second phase of the Seven Crops Project, introducing a new nursery for dragon fruit and grafted guava seedlings to strengthen food security, improve crop diversity, enhance farmer productivity and build resilience through climate-smart agriculture.

Saint Lucia has officially launched its month-long Emancipation Day 2026 observance, featuring cultural, educational and commemorative activities including the ringing of freedom bells, an Emancipation lecture, tributes to national ancestors and historical figures, book launches, heritage programming, a treasure hunt, poetry challenge, emancipation markets and celebrations honouring Marcus Garvey.

In the headlines: Emancipaton Day Celebrations Launched and Saint Lucia expands Seedling Crops Project For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

This week on Hurdle, Emily sits down with Olympic and Indoor World Champion Julien Alfred. The track and field star opens up about navigating the mental ups and downs of elite competition, moving away from home at age 14 to pursue her dreams, and learning how to protect her inner peace amid massive international success and public attention. Julien shares how she overcomes self-doubt, handles the pressure of representing Saint Lucia on the global stage, and why giving herself grace has been key to her growth both on and off the track. IN THIS EPISODE Navigating Mental Rough Patches: Julien reflects on starting the season in a difficult mental space, questioning her abilities, and how stepping back helped her reset and realign. Overcoming Loss & Finding Drive: How losing her father at a young age shaped her resilience and continues to inspire her athletic journey today. Handling High Pressure: What it’s like to carry the expectations of an entire country while learning to focus on her own personal growth and goals first. Protecting Inner Peace: Why Julien steps away from social media and media noise to surround herself with a strong support system that values her for who she is, not just what she accomplishes on the track. The Move at Age 14: The immense sacrifice of leaving Saint Lucia as a teenager for Jamaica to train, and how that leap of faith prepared her for college and professional success. Game Face vs. Real Life: The contrast between Julien’s calm, peaceful personality off the track and her focused, "all business" alter ego on race day. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "I am just such a resilient person, a strong person, that if I'm down for a short time, I know I'm going to find my way to get back to the top." "It's okay to give yourself grace. It's okay to mess up sometimes. That's part of being human." "Small island, big things—you can just do whatever you put your mind to, no matter where you're from." "On the track, I'm a different person. It's all business... There's nothing to smile about until I cross that line first." SOCIAL@julien.alfred@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

✈️ FLIGHT ZONE - JULY 2026

Hundreds of young people across Saint Lucia have begun benefiting from a series of summer camps designed to build confidence, strengthen life skills, and create positive pathways for personal development. More info: https://www.govt.lc/news/summer-camps-open-across-saint-lucia-equipping-youth-with-skills-for-success

Government officials, regional experts, and stakeholders gathered at a cybersecurity forum aimed at strengthening cyber resilience as Saint Lucia advances its digital transformation agenda. ICT Project Manager Johannith Khodra emphasized that strong cyber governance and collaboration across government, organizations, and communities are essential to protecting critical digital infrastructure and maintaining public trust.

Investment Minister Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire says revenue generated through Saint Lucia's Citizenship by Investment Programme remains an important source of non-tax income that helps finance healthcare, infrastructure, and other national development priorities. While CIP contributes less than ten percent of government revenue, he noted that the programme reduces pressure on taxpayers and acknowledged the need for greater public awareness of how these funds are invested.

The Government of Saint Lucia will pursue further diplomatic engagement with the European Union following its latest position on Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CIP) programmes. Deputy Prime Minister and Investment Minister Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire said Saint Lucia has already strengthened its programme through legislative reforms, including minimum net worth requirements, annual quotas, residential obligations, and enhanced value metrics, while regional leaders seek continued dialogue before determining their next steps.

The Government of Saint Lucia will appoint a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the July 18, 2026 marine collision at Anse Cochon that claimed at least two lives. Chaired by a former senior judicial official and supported by marine safety experts and a police investigator, the Commission will examine the incident, recommend improvements to maritime safety regulations, strengthen oversight, and help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Senior Government officials, regional institutions and international agricultural experts convened in Saint Lucia this week for a High-Level Technical Mission aimed at developing a strategic roadmap to modernize the nation's agricultural sector

Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre has extended condolences to the family of Barbadian National Hero Sir Garfield Sobers, describing his passing as a tremendous loss to Barbados, West Indies cricket, and the Caribbean. The Prime Minister paid tribute to Sir Garfield's remarkable achievements and lasting contribution to regional pride and sporting excellence.

A comprehensive review of judging procedures across Saint Lucia's national carnival competitions is planned. Proposed reforms include updated electronic scoring systems, clearer tie-breaking rules, and measures to reduce judging bias, with officials also examining best practices from other Caribbean territories to strengthen future competitions.

The 2026 Lucian Carnival celebrations came to a vibrant close as 15 carnival bands, including five junior bands, paraded through the streets of Castries. Thousands of spectators witnessed colourful costumes, creative portrayals, and energetic performances, while anticipation builds for the announcement of competition winners, including Road March, Band of the Year, and Old Mas results.

Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire says Saint Lucia must modernize how it manages crowds during major events if it hopes to strengthen its reputation as the Caribbean's event capital. He stressed the need for improved planning, extended visitor services, enhanced public safety, and a better overall experience for both locals and tourists.

Government is exploring ways to broaden Saint Lucia's carnival offerings by hosting more regional events and competitions. Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire believes the island has the infrastructure and expertise to stage major regional pageants and competitions, while plans are also underway to blend experienced carnival administrators with a new generation of organizers.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has launched heightened security operations, urging the public to celebrate responsibly while officers maintain an increased presence across the island to ensure a safe Carnival.

Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre says Saint Lucia will continue working closely with its Eastern Caribbean partners to strengthen Citizenship by Investment programmes while maintaining constructive dialogue with the European Union and protecting the region's development interests.

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Winston Anderson, met with Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre during his visit to Saint Lucia, reinforcing the Court's commitment to strengthening relationships with governments and judiciaries across the region.

The Government of Saint Lucia is strengthening its capacity for strategic, evidence-based decision-making through a week-long Strategic Policy Planning Workshop designed to equip public officers with the knowledge and tools to develop, implement and monitor national policies that deliver measurable results.

After almost a decade of traveling together, Chris and Kat share their favorite places for food, wildlife, best overall destination, and so much more!   Relevant Links (may contain affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links, we earn a small commission-at no additional cost to you!): 10-Day Southwest France Trip: https://francevoyager.com/10-day-southwest-france-itinerary/ 2-Week South Africa Itinerary: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/perfect-two-week-south-african-honeymoon-itinerary/ 7-Day Italy itinerary: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/7-days-in-italy-off-the-beaten-path-itinerary/ 10 Days in Peru: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/perfect-10-day-peru-itinerary/ 5 Days in Koh Lipe, Thailand: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/koh-lipe-thailand-itinerary/ Saint Lucia itinerary: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/st-lucia-itinerary-in-5-7-days/ Costa Rica in 10 Days: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com/costa-rica-itinerary-in-10-days/ Tanzania Safar Podcast Episode by Amateur Traveler: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/travel-to-tanzania-on-safari/id79424011?i=1000588617557    Want to support our work? You can buy us a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/worldwidehoneymoon    Need help planning your trip to France? Check out my trip consulting page: https://francevoyager.com/france-travel-consulting-custom-itineraries/    Traveling to France? Check out our Facebook Group called France Travel Tips to ask/answer questions and learn more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/francevoyager/   Don't forget to follow along! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldwidehoneymoon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldwidehoneymoon TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwidehoneymoon World Wide Honeymoon Blog: https://worldwidehoneymoon.com France Voyager Blog: https://francevoyager.com Subscribe to the World Wide Honeymoon blog here for monthly updates and tips + get our FREE trip planning guide: https://www.subscribepage.com/o4e5c2

Medical missionaries are often called upon to provide care that is beyond the scope of their training and previous experience. This interactive case presentation looks at the realities of clinical decision-making in a critically ill snakebitten patient, and offers suggestions on how to navigate similar challenging situations.

Saint Lucia Carnival 2026 produced a weekend of record-breaking performances, new champions and closely contested competitions, including historic victories in the Groovy Soca Monarch, National Calypso Monarch, Panorama, Solo Pan and Intercommercial Calypso competitions.

Saint Lucia's Olympic champion Julien Alfred delivered another sensational performance, clocking a personal best of 21.51 seconds to win the women's 200 metres at the Monaco Diamond League, recording the third-fastest time in history.

The Ministry of Agriculture is placing agri-processing at the heart of its Green Revolution strategy, aiming to add value to local produce, reduce food imports, create jobs and strengthen Saint Lucia's food security.

Saint Lucia is one step closer to making more informed, evidence-based decisions on issues ranging from health and education to technology, mental health and gender equality. The country's latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, known as MICS 7, is now entering its final validation stage, with officials describing the data as one of the most comprehensive social datasets ever collected in Saint Lucia.

The Ministry of Education met with teachers and CXC officials to assess the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) program alongside Saint Lucia's new curriculum. The focus is on standardizing student competence across the region, addressing classroom challenges, and easing student transitions between Caribbean education systems.

The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Agriculture have launched joint discussions to better align schooling, vocational training, and lifelong learning with Saint Lucia's "10 Pillars of the Green Revolution Agenda." The initiative has already secured a commitment for scholarships from IICA (Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture).

During the 51st regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Prime Minister and CARICOM Chairman Hon. Philip J. Pierre signed an agreement officially instating French Guiana as an associate member, hailing it as a major step forward for regional integration.

Saint Lucia's Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility has built dedicated scholarships and apprenticeships directly into its program. Public Utilities Minister Hon. Stephenson King highlights this as a direct effort to increase female participation in the energy sector and build a skilled workforce for the green transition.

The Central Statistical Office, the Department of Equity, and UNICEF successfully wrapped up a three-day workshop reviewing preliminary data from the 7th round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-7). The survey tracks internationally comparable data on the health, education, and well-being of local women and children to guide future policy decisions.

At the 2026 Monaco Diamond League, Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia a 200m PB of 21.51 which made her the 3rd fastest athlete in history. But just a few years ago, she hated running the event and was on the verge of completely giving it up.-------------------------------------------

Understanding how values and communication styles differ across cultures is key to succeeding internationally. That’s why training in cross-cultural communication has become commonplace in the international business world. In this session, we’ll look at 6 dimensions of cross-cultural communication and their application to medical scenarios.

With nearly 1.3 billion disabled people in the world, we assume that the medical community focuses on physical health. But who is helping people with the emotional and spiritual impact of disability? In this session, we will explore the emotional and spiritual impact of disability and how the church and global workers can effectively support the disabled community with this critical need.

Lance Growth is the CEO of Growth 1031, a company specializing in 1031 exchange services for real estate investors nationwide. Originally from Saint Lucia, Lance earned his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and built his career helping investors navigate complex tax-deferral strategies. Through Growth 1031, he assists clients with exchange planning, compliance, and investment structuring while educating investors on how to preserve and grow wealth through real estate.  Here's some of the topics we covered: From Boxer to 1031 Exchange CEO The Tax Loophole Every Investor Should Know How to Legally Avoid Capital Gains Taxes 1031 vs. Cost Seg: Which Wins? Why Airbnb Investors Are Getting Crushed The Massive Investor Migration to Florida & Texas The Advanced 1031 Strategy Wealthy Investors Use   To find out more about partnering or investing in a multifamily deal: Text Partner to 72345 or email Partner@RodKhleif.com    For more about Rod and his real estate investing journey go to www.rodkhleif.com   Please Review and Subscribe  

Justin Goodbread is a serial entrepreneur, business coach, and host of the DecaMillionaire Decoded podcast who has built and sold multiple companies while raising three kids alongside his wife Emily in Tennessee. His father Alan, a Georgia Port Authority worker who homeschooled three children with Juilliard graduates and university professors on a lower-middle-class income, laid the foundation for everything Justin has become as a man, a husband, and a dad. This episode is a raw, honest look at how faith, family, and legacy intersect when life gets hard. Justin shares the stories behind losing his father suddenly at 61, nearly losing Emily during an 8-hour surgery with a 12% survival rate, and how both moments stripped away his obsession with building empires and replaced it with something that actually matters. If you're a dad who wants to leave your kids with more than money, this conversation will stay with you.   Timeline Summary [1:02] Host opens with a special June Alliance offer including a signed book, two courses, and 50 intimate conversation starters for couples [2:38] Guest Justin Goodbread is introduced and the two celebrate a recent episode swap on Justin's podcast [3:46] Justin describes his father Alan and the radical decision his parents made to break a cycle of dysfunction by raising their kids in faith and homeschooling them decades before it was common [7:39] Dad gives 15-year-old Justin an ultimatum: have a job by Friday or don't come home, with three strict rules that made it nearly impossible in their small Georgia town [9:53] Justin finds a stranger's overgrown yard, earns $40, and comes home to a father who reveals the lesson he'd orchestrated all along: at 15, you just outearned me [11:37] Two years after starting "Lawn Care by the Boys," Justin and his brother were earning more individually than their parents combined [12:33] After a final day hunting and a Taco Bell conversation about responsibility and legacy, Justin returns home to a call that his father had a massive heart attack that night [13:22] Justin describes a five-year crisis of faith following his father's sudden death at 61, and how grief forced him to rebuild everything from the ground up [24:01] Justin shares the family motto "No one outworks a Goodbread" and how his dad led with short, hard-to-forget phrases that became the family's operating system [29:18] Seven years of tribulation including multiple deaths, suicides among friends, and the stripping away of money and relationships down to just Justin, Emily, and a handful of close friends [31:39] Emily's surgery runs more than 8 hours when doctors said anything past 6 would mean trouble, and Justin sits alone in the hospital waiting room [33:06] Emily's first words coming out of anesthesia: "Justin, what's another million dollars going to do for us?" and how that question changed the direction of his entire life [39:44] The post-surgery shift: intentionality replaces ambition, marriage gets prioritized above all, and Justin and Emily travel to Costa Rica and Saint Lucia to invest in their relationship like never before [43:51] Justin uses the story of Jochebed and Moses to explain his parenting philosophy: mothers nurture in the early years, then fathers step in to disciple their kids into warriors [46:14] His 21-year-old daughter calls, ready to quit a hard nursing class. Justin says nothing. She already knows exactly what he'll say because she's been discipled. [53:43] Justin closes with Ephesians 6:13: "having done all, stand" — do your dead-level best, trust grace for the rest, and enter heaven exhausted   Five Key Takeaways Your kids are watching you model your marriage more than they are watching you parent them. Justin and Emily made it a point to date each other first, keep their marriage above everything else, and trust that their kids would follow what they saw. When Emily nearly died, their daughter was already grounded enough to say "don't worry, dad, we got this." A crisis of faith is not the end of faith. After his father died, Justin spent five years questioning everything he had been raised to believe. What came out on the other side was not a shallower faith but a more surrendered one — a willingness to stop fighting the path and trust the process even when it costs him. The goal is to enter heaven exhausted, not retired. Justin draws a direct line from his father's work ethic to his own rejection of the Western retirement model. Life built around impact, not income, is the shift that Emily's surgery forced him to make, and it became the most clarifying decision of his adult life. Discipleship is about covering your kids in dust. Justin references the Hebrew tradition of students being covered in the dust of their teacher as they walked behind them. The goal is not just to tell your kids what to believe but to walk faithfully enough in front of them that when it counts, they already know what to do. God gets no glory in quitting. Justin's father said it when the family was tempted to pull the kids from homeschooling. Justin's daughter said it back to him at 21, unprompted, when she was ready to drop a nursing class. The phrase became a family doctrine because it was lived out, not just spoken.   Links & Resources DecaMillionaire Decoded Podcast — http://justingoodbread.com/podcast Connect with Justin on Instagram — http://instagram.com/justingoodbread Join the Dad Edge Alliance — http://thedadedge.com/join 50 Intimate Kid Conversation Starters — http://thedadedge.com/kidquestions Show notes and full resources — http://thedadedge.com/1487   Closing Justin's story is not a highlight reel. It is a funeral, an 8-hour surgery, a crisis of faith, and a daughter who already knew what her dad was going to say before he said a word. If something in this episode hit you, send it to a man in your life who needs it. Rate and review the show so more dads can find it, and go out and live legendary.

The practice of healthcare is inherently powerful, and our patients are vulnerable to our power. Though power can be abused, the righteous use of power, for the benefit of the vulnerable, is profoundly Christlike. We will explore the lessons of power which help us understand our roles, including the fundamental nature of professionalism and key kingdom strategies of healthcare missions.

Transforming healthcare delivery in resource-limited contexts around the world calls for compassionate, innovative solutions. Learn how The Luke Commission is bringing healthcare to the most isolated and underserved in Eswatini through a scalable model for advancing health equity.

The morning of Thursday, November 20, 1969 started with a bang for the islanders on the Windward coast of Saint Vincent Island. For some, it was like the gods had finally gotten around to answering their prayers. A huge party broke out on the beach shortly after sunrise.And within hours, it spread to dozens of nearby villages.  But as the weekend progressed, the locals realized that something was horribly wrong, and that the once-in-a-lifetime windfall was actually a curse in disguise.  Cultural BackgroundSt. Vincent and the Grenadines, or SVG, is located in the southwestern Caribbean between Saint Lucia to the north and Barbados and Grenada to the south. The country is made up of 32 islands and cays and only has about 150 square miles (390 square km) of territory – most of which is on the northernmost island of Saint Vincent. Saint Vincent is also home to the capital of Kingstown – not to be confused with Kingston, Jamaica, which is nearly 1,100 miles (1,770 km) to the northwest.  In the late 1960s, SVG had a population of about 95,000 residents – about two-thirds of whom were natives of African descent. By some estimates, nearly three-quarters of the population worked in banana production which accounted for the lion's share of the country's economy. The locals worked hard on their small family plots and eked out comfortable if modest livings. And when it was time for recreation, they usually engaged in the island's most quintessential pastime – liming. In layman's terms, liming is slang for relaxing, gossipping, and enjoying the pleasant weather and beautiful scenery with friends and family.  And sometimes, they threw in another element – uber-strong island “overproof” rum called Jack Iron. And by strong, we're talking about 150 to 180-proof.  To put that into perspective, most spirits like Scotch, vodka and American bourbon are 80-proof, or 40% alcohol by volume. By comparison, 180-proof Jack Iron is more than twice as strong – or about 90% alcohol by volume.  And unlike Scotch and Bourbon, it's clear because the locals drink it immediately after distillation instead of aging it in oak barrels. Most Jack Iron is produced in small home stills where quality control is minimal. And due to its potency, it smells more like an industrial solvent than an intoxicating beverage fit for human consumption. As for how it got its name, one common explanation is that consuming it makes drinkers feel like they've been whalloped in the head with an iron car jack. Then again, the “iron” may be a reference to masculine constitution. As in, you pretty much have to be made of iron to drink it because it packs such a punch. From the immediate numbing of the lips and mouth, to the face-twisting throat burn to the final kick in the abdomen when the liquid finally enters the stomach, the experience is nothing short of unforgettable.  In fact, Jack Iron is so entrenched in the local culture that islanders usually pour a small portion of every new bottle onto the ground so deceased ancestors can enjoy it too. And fishermen, laborers and banana farms often take a few nips before starting their day as a way of fortifying themselves against the strenuous work ahead. But as ubiquitous as Jack Iron is, the islanders generally disapprove of public drunkenness. Actually, they revere drinkers who can hold their liquor. The goal is to consume just enough to get a jolt before work or to take the edge off while liming away a lazy afternoon. But when the conditions are just right – like they were in the fall of 1969 – the islanders aren't afraid to let loose and throw caution to the wind.Shipwreck On the night of Wednesday, November 19, the 90-ton schooner, Ruth 114, was traveling from Trinidad to Martinique carrying a dozen casks of Jack Iron, 100 drums of methanol – or wood alcohol – and 150 drums of aviation fuel called avgas. Before continuing on, it's worth pointing out that the drums of fuel and methanol were marked with big, red “DANGER” warnings. Anyway..the storm got so bad by 3:00 the following morning that the schooner sustained serious sail and rudder damage, sprung a leak, and began filling up with seawater. The eight-man crew tried in vain to save the vessel and its valuable cargo. But before long, Captain Kenneth Richardson saw the writing on the wall and ordered everyone to abandon ship. At the time, they were within sight of the beach at Colonarie on Saint Vincent's Windward coast.The crew launched a lifeboat, rowed to shore safely and watched the listing schooner disappear into the darkness. After that, it drifted in the heavy seas before turning landward and running aground at Big Level Beach near the village of Sandy Bay.And when the sun came up, curious villagers waded out into the surf, climbed aboard, inspected the damaged vessel and quickly began relieving it of its precious cargo. By then, Captain Richardson had alerted the police and told them where he thought the schooner would be. Two vessels from Kingstown were dispatched to locate the Ruth 114 shortly thereafter, but they never found it. PartyLuckily, the hardest part of the salvage operation was getting the drums and casks over the gunwale and into the surf.And since the drums floated, it was just a matter of pushing them toward land and rolling them onto the beach. In less than an hour, dozens of drums and casks were lined up just waiting to be tapped. And before long, word spread to nearby villages like Owia, Sandy Bay, Rose Bank and Orange Hill that there was enough Iron Jack rum to keep everybody buzzed for weeks on end.  Within the hour, the beach was crowded with hundreds of locals intent on getting their fair share. For many, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime “Manna from Heaven” moment. Or in local terms, a gift from the sea. There was also a sense of urgency, because everyone knew it was only a matter of time before the police showed up, confiscated the cargo and brought the impromptu party to a grinding halt.  As such, the wood casks containing the Jack Iron rum were immediately tapped. It's unclear if it turned into a free-for-all or if the locals who made the discovery managed to maintain some semblance or order. Whatever the case, the villagers began filling up everything from coffee cups and teapots to glass jars and empty soda bottles. And in the chaos, they also opened the metal drums and began consuming the avgas and methanol– even though they were clearly marked with big warning signs and ominous red Xs. Like Jack Iron, avgas and methanol are usually relatively clear. So in the heat of the moment, it's not that surprising that they didn't notice they weren't drinking the real thing. Of course, the question was, couldn't they taste and smell the difference?  After all, avgas is a lot like gasoline. And methanol has even more of a kick than Jack Iron. Nonetheless, they apparently weren't aware that they were consuming potentially deadly substances. And by then, some of them had already consumed real Jack Iron which lowered their inhibitions, numbed their taste beds, and made their noses far less sensitive than they would have otherwise been. As for the methanol and avgas, some of the partiers turned it into punch by adding sugar, water and lime juice which masked the taste and smell even more. In the early going, the grateful revelers felt like they always did after drinking intoxicating spirits..warm, tipsy, and downright jovial.With so many drums, the party continued throughout the day, into the night and well into the weekend. That said, the furor eventually died down as the crowd dispersed.  And at that moment, the islanders who found the schooner decided that they had a rare opportunity to make some serious money. And with that, they began selling what was left.After that, the buyers took what they thought was bona fide Jack Iron rum back to their homes and businesses where they consumed it, sold it, and gave it to close friends and family members in their own villages and other villages up and down the coast.  Aftermath/Medical ResponseThe fun and festive atmosphere took an alarming and unexpected turn about a day later. By then, many of the formerly happy villagers were experiencing serious symptoms including dizziness, loss of motor skills, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, as well as blurry vision like they were viewing their surroundings through a blinding snowstorm. Interestingly, not everyone who came down with these symptoms drank that much. At that point, they had no idea what was happening. But below the surface, their bodies were busy metabolizing the methanol and avgas into toxic formaldehyde and formic acid. Patients began showing up at local clinics en masse on November 22 and 23. And by the following day, ambulances from all over the island began arriving at Kingstown General Hospital. In a matter of hours, the facility and its woefully unprepared staff were dealing with hundreds of sick patients, many of who were teetering on the edge of death. Writhing, moaning, vomiting, and in some cases comatose islanders were crammed into every nook and cranny. Many were relegated to straw mats on both sides of the already-cramped corridors because the rooms were totally full. By then, the hospital staff knew about the shipwreck and the liquid from the metal drums that the sick patients consumed. The problem was, they had no way of knowing if they drank straight methanol or avgas which was actually a mixture of fuel, methanol and other toxic hydrocarbons.And to make matters worse, they couldn't pump the pati