National

Unveiling The Island’s Hidden Treasures

CROOKED ISLAND, BAHAMAS – As we made our way to Major’s Cay, we encountered another remarkable Crooked Island story. A native transforming raw natural materials into unique creations.

Published

7 months ago

May 22, 2024

Kendeno Knowles

CROOKED ISLAND, BAHAMAS – As we made our way to Major’s Cay, we encountered another remarkable Crooked Island story. A native transforming raw natural materials into unique creations, Florence Ferguson is the proprietor of Island Secrets and says it’s her pride of Crooked Island that inspired the name of her creations.

Her business offers tourists an authentic Bahamian experience, featuring soaps made from local herbs. Florence has gone beyond traditional crafts, even transforming coconuts into beauty products using their oil extract to make moisturizers. She also revitalizes the age-old Bahamian tradition of making straw bags, adapting it for today’s needs. Her innovative approach breathes new life into this craft, making it both functional and fashionable in the modern age.

Florence moved back to the island in 2013 after retiring from teaching. Passionate about her heritage, she hopes to inspire other Bahamians to explore and utilize the island’s natural resources. Despite the trend of young people leaving the island, Florence is determined to share her secrets with as many as possible.

And remember that beautiful shot of Winding Bay we showed earlier in our series? Florence teamed up with another retired teacher to clear a portion of the beach, aiming to create a cultural village for visitors. They’ve secured most of the necessary approvals and are awaiting final government approval. Despite the months-long wait, Florence’s pride in her island remains unwavering, and she encourages everyone to come and see it for themselves.